Chapter 26: The Path to Ilanto’s Outer Reach

Beyond the neutral zone known as the “Path of Phis” lay the ruins of the mage city Phis—the so-called Outer Reach of Ilanto.

A decade ago, mortals wouldn’t have even dreamed of crossing this boundary. Now, however, it had been thoroughly traversed by adventurers.

At the end of this labyrinthine city stood a colossal, conical mountain, its upper half blanketed in thick snow.

“Crossing that mountain will bring us even closer to Ilanto,” Ael said, pointing towards the peak. “No adventurer has managed to traverse it yet, and everything beyond it remains unknown since the Calamity.”

‘Could something even more terrifying than the Butcher be hidden behind that mountain?’ Naya couldn’t help but wonder.

She then asked, “The Butcher, whom even hunters’ tracking spells cannot locate… where exactly are we supposed to find them?”

“Forget the Butcher; even ordinary goblins have vanished,” Ael replied.

They navigated through the deserted streets, flanked by mage buildings with white walls and arched windows. These structures were remarkably well-preserved, giving the impression they had merely been abandoned.

After the Calamity, goblins had overrun the area, but their numbers had drastically dwindled since the influx of adventurers.

So far, they hadn’t encountered a single goblin, though they occasionally ran into other adventuring parties.

Leon, who was leading the way, suddenly halted, causing Naya, who was right behind him, to accidentally bump into him.

Leon pointed towards a corner—a goblin was peeking from behind a building, only half its head visible as it watched them.

Then, the goblin turned and fled.

Ael frowned. “It’s as if *we* are the monsters.”

“…Should we pursue it?” Naya asked.

“No, let’s not,” Leon decided. “We’ll head towards the mountain and see if we can find any clues about the Butcher.”

Along their path, they observed numerous furball-like mammals.

The sharp decline in goblin numbers had inadvertently created opportunities for wildlife to thrive. ‘Was this, then, the natural balance that the druids often spoke of?’

Suddenly, a snarling wolf blocked their path.

A Silverback Wolf. Challenge Rating—C!!!

The wolf’s mane bristled like steel bristles along its back, effectively deflecting slashes. Once its sharp teeth latched on, it wouldn’t release its grip until a chunk of flesh was torn away.

—With a swift draw and strike from Leon, the Silverback Wolf gushed blood and tumbled to Liuli’s feet. Liuli then gave it a symbolic tap with her wooden staff, and the wolf breathed its last.

‘Just like that—?’ Liuli stared timidly at the Silverback Wolf’s corpse.

‘She profoundly understood the feeling of relying on someone powerful.’

“Why are you all still here?!” A hunter girl burst into their view, her teammates following close behind.

“Oh my gods! All the hunters’ tracking spells! They’re pointing to the Butcher’s location beneath that mountain—!”

Everyone was taken aback!

“Huh? Aren’t tracking spells ineffective against the Butcher?” Naya inquired.

“They work now! It’s probably because of the full moon! The Wolf God Alphenis’s power is strongest during a full moon—!”

‘A full moon…?’

Naya and the others glanced up. Even though dusk had only just begun to settle, a bright moon hung high in the sky, obscuring nearly a third of it. There was an indescribable unease about its presence.

“The moon… why is it so big?”

“Many adventuring parties must already be rushing in that direction! No time to waste, we’re heading off now—!”

“Leon, what should we do?” Naya hastily asked.

“Leon—” Liuli had, at some point, summoned that book. She stared with incredulous eyes at its open pages.

A decade had passed!

Every night, in the profound silence, she would open it.

It had become her ingrained habit.

During times of abuse and humiliation, Liuli had yearned for magic to bring her miracles, but countless times, her hopes had been dashed. The book’s pages had always remained blank.

But now—

On the magic book’s blank pages, ethereal words materialized:

Level: 1.

Spell Slots: 1.

Spells Acquired: Fireball.

Uses: 1.

Note: Deals 2d6 blunt damage and 6d6 explosive damage to the target and their ancestral lineage.

Liuli held her breath. ‘Could this be happening because they were within the Outer Reach of Ilanto?’

‘Magic, had it truly reawakened!?’