The Kingdom of Shanakia is one of the many vassal states of the Kingdom of Wanglong.
Three people are traveling on a country road.
A group of two men and one woman.
Eris walked at the front, her steps light and powerful, her long red hair shimmering like a dancing flame in the sunlight.
In the center stands Rujierd, his tall and steady figure like a mobile fortress, his bald head gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
Rudeus was at the very back, panting heavily as he dragged his feet, occasionally wiping the sweat from his brow.
They had been away from the Holy Kingdom of Millis for over a month.
This month-long journey has not been easy.
After sitting on the ship for more than ten days, Eris suffered from vomiting and diarrhea for many days before she recovered.
Fortunately, they had already successfully left the Millis Continent and officially taken the first step on their journey back to the Central Continent.
After traveling for several days, they finally arrived at the Kingdom of Wanglong, which ranked third in the world in terms of overall strength, and Shanakia, one of its vassal states.
Here are vast, densely packed paddy fields; as far as the eye can see, the lush green rice seedlings undulate like waves in the gentle breeze.
The local people were working in the fields, their backs bent, and occasionally you could hear them singing rice planting songs that you couldn't understand.
Rudeus was surprised. The local customs and culture here were completely different from those of Millis, a country filled with religious beliefs. Although they were still under the same sky, it felt like they had entered another world.
To his surprise, there were even zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) here, wrapped in glutinous rice leaves.
When he first saw the glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves at a roadside stall, he was stunned for a while, and then he couldn't help but buy one to try. The taste was surprisingly delicious.
Eris showed off more than ten of them in one go.
As darkness fell, they arrived at the capital of the Kingdom of Shanakia.
This is a small town, nothing like the wealth and prosperity of Milcion.
The city walls were a rough earthen and stone structure, the streets were narrow and winding, the wooden houses on both sides were low and old, and there were few pedestrians.
The three did not stay there for long. After a short rest, they soon left the country.
After several months of arduous travel, passing through many small countries, they finally arrived at the Shirone Kingdom, which was relatively far to the north.
The Shirone Kingdom is basically the same as the previous few small countries; it is a vassal state of a superpower like the Kingdom of Wanglong.
Just as everyone was planning to find a place to stay before dark, and sent Eris and Rujierd out to gather information.
They split into two groups, and Rudeus happened to find a cheap hotel in the city of the Shirone Kingdom... and was packing his luggage.
Not long after... Eris and Rujierd returned from their outing.
Eris was the first to rush into the room, kicking the door open and nearly crashing into the wall.
She looked cheerful and was in a good mood.
" Rudeus! There's amazing news! I just heard from other adventurers, Rujierd and I, that it's about your family."
"Family? Could it be that Zenith's whereabouts have been found?"
"It's not news about your mother, but news about your own brother Luo Ge!"
" Luo Ge? What happened to him?"
"Um... I hope I don't die in the Demon Continent?"
Rudeus seemed to have thought of something bad, and couldn't help but swallow.
"No, it's amazing news..."
Eris said excitedly.
Rudeus looked up, pausing for a moment. "Huh? What news?"
"... Luo Ge defeated the Undying Demon King on the Demon Continent, and many people in the Adventurers' Guild are talking about it today... Luo Ge is really amazing!"
Eris's eyes gleamed with admiration, and she secretly vowed, "One day, I want to become like Luo Ge, and protect Rudeus!"
Rudeus didn't notice the determined look in Eris's eyes; the moment he heard the news, he was completely dumbfounded.
Luo Ge?
He hadn't heard from Luo Ge in a long time. He hadn't expected that in almost a year, Rogge would have defeated the legendary Demon King on the Demon Continent and become a big shot in other people's eyes?
Even Rujierd, who has always been quiet and reserved and rarely speaks, revealed a hint of surprise in his voice.
"... They defeated the Demon King? That's really unbelievable."
" Rudeus! Your brother Luo Ge is truly remarkable. To be honest, when I first heard the news... I was quite taken aback."
"Oh, right."
" Rujierd, may I ask you a question?"
What's the problem?
" Rujierd... if it were you, could you defeat the Demon King?"
After Rudeus asked the question, Rujierd was noticeably silent for a few seconds, then he said thoughtfully, "The forces on the Demon Continent are complex, and there is far more than one Demon King who rules those places. Of course... their strength also varies."
"However, as far as I know, the immortal demon king Atofe that Luo Ge defeated was one of the strongest demon kings among all the demon kings. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was the most powerful demon king in the world today."
"If it were any other demon lord, I'm confident I could defeat them, but against Atofe, that immortal demon lord, even I would struggle, and I have no confidence in defeating her."
"So, that means Luo Ge... actually defeated an opponent even stronger than Rujierd..." The one who shouted wasn't Rudeus, but Eris standing to the side, her expression extremely excited.
Rudeus didn't speak, but his expression was equally shocked.
At first, he only knew that Luo Ge had defeated the Demon King, but he didn't really understand what that meant.
But now, with this reminder from Rujierd...
He then realized just how outrageous Luo Ge had become; that guy Luo Ge could actually defeat an opponent that even Rujierd himself admitted he wasn't confident he could beat.
Doesn't that mean Roger is much more capable than Ridge Rudd?
It's easy to imagine how shocking this was for Rudeus.
His younger brother Luo Ge, was also a reincarnated being. Even if he couldn't beat him when they were kids, he could at least have a 50/50 chance, right?
But as he grew older, the gap between him and Luo Ge widened at a visible rate.
Previously, Rudeus thought that even if his younger brother Luo Ge had become the Sword King, it would be different.
But if you ask me to pinpoint exactly what makes him so great... Rudeus couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he was just as great as Ghislaine.
But today, with Rujierd's words, Rudeus has come to his full senses.
The difference between him and Luo Ge is like heaven and earth.
"Sigh... Compared to that evil little brother Luo Ge, I, as his older brother, am utterly useless." Rudeus couldn't help but sigh.
But Rujierd stepped forward and gently placed his broad hand on Rudeus's shoulder.
" Rudeus..."
"You don't need to be discouraged at all. You've actually done very well. In all my hundreds of years of life, I've never seen anyone like Luo Ge who could break through conventional wisdom, and you are just as outstanding."
"Yeah?"
"That's right, Rujierd is right! Rudeus is actually quite formidable!"
Eris nodded in agreement.
Rudeus finally felt a little better, and then pulled Rujierd and Eris aside to discuss their next move.
For example, the route to escort Eris back to her hometown.
Although it was called a discussion, it was actually all based on Rudeus's arrangements, as Rudeus was the core of their team.
Rudeus proposed a shortcut, crossing the Red Dragon's jaws from the northwest of the Shirone Kingdom to reach the Kingdom of Asura.
Rujierd did not object.
Because the first thing you can't cross to get to Asura from here is the Red Dragon Mountains, and the fastest route from here is the Red Dragon's Lower Jaw route.
You can either take a shortcut directly through the Red Dragon's jaws, or take a longer route through the conflict zone.
The former is dangerous and prone to encountering Red Dragon, but the latter is equally troublesome, after all, the chaotic, lawless region of the Conflict Zone is constantly at war... far from peaceful.
Moreover, even if you take a longer route, going around the conflict zone, the final result is still to cross the Red Dragon Mountains. It's just that you don't take the shortcut through the Red Dragon's lower jaw.
Since the outcome was the same no matter what... all three decided to take the shortcut of the Red Dragon's jaw.
Firstly, on a long journey, the supply of daily necessities is absolutely unavoidable, but since Rudeus is a magician...
Therefore, the three of them did not need to bring water or tents. He could basically be self-sufficient by relying on magic, and only bought an oxcart as a means of transportation.
A few days later.
Rudeus and his two companions left the Shirone Kingdom and headed north, eventually entering the Red Dragon Mountains.
Because this is the lower part of the Red Dragon Mountains, people call it "the lower jaw of the Red Dragon " to distinguish it from other parts of the mountain.
The mountain path not only has steep cliffs... but also bottomless abysses on both sides, and the consequences of falling down one's own feet are unimaginable.
In addition, the area is covered in snow, making it easy to get lost and lose one's sense of direction. For ordinary people, trying to cross this area is actually a very dangerous thing.
Putting aside the S-rank monster, the Red Dragon, the sheer severity of the environment here would be enough to take the lives of most ordinary people.
Of course, it's not that no one takes this route.
Yes! And there are a lot of people.
Most merchants, in order to make a profit, hired adventurers to escort them, risking everything to conduct trade between Asura and the surrounding countries, earning huge profits from the price differences.
More people are leaving.
This place naturally became a road.
... After entering the Red Dragon's jaw, Rudeus could feel the surrounding temperature gradually getting colder. It had been a warm summer day in the Shirone Kingdom, but here it had turned into a frozen wasteland.
Fine snowflakes were falling from the sky.
Looking around, everything was covered in a blanket of white.
Eris always led the way, seemingly with inexhaustible energy. Whenever she saw Rudeus fall behind, she would shout, "Rudeus, hurry up!"
Eris was as agile as a wild monkey in the mountains, her movements were astonishing.
And Rujierd, the eldest brother, walked in the middle of the group, giving people a very calm and composed feeling.
His pace was neither hurried nor slow, as if no terrain could affect his rhythm.
As for Rudeus, he walked very slowly.
Although they bought an oxcart, the mountain road was too steep, and many times they couldn't ride in it and had to lead it.
Rudeus was always left behind by the team, panting and with weak legs.
Although his physical strength had improved after training on the Demon Continent, the gap between him and the two mentioned earlier was still clearly visible.
" Rudeus, hurry up!" Eris called out to him from ahead.
"I... I know... Let me catch my breath..."
After a few days.
They finally arrived at the entrance to the Red Dragon's jaws and saw the most dangerous monster in the Central Continent, according to legend.
S-rank monster, Red Dragon.
That is the most dangerous monster in the Central Continent, bar none.
They have dark red scales, enormous wings that can blot out half the sky when spread, and sharp claws that can easily tear through steel.
Each adult Red Dragon possesses the power to wipe out an army, and they are also social creatures.
With the Red Dragon Mountains serving as a natural barrier, it is difficult for the nation of Asura to expand its territory, but it is equally impossible for other countries to lead their armies into Asura.
In the dangerous jaws of the Red Dragon...
Eris showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, she stood on the steep cliff edge and shouted, "Wow, come and see! It's Red Dragon!"
Her voice echoed through the valley, terrifying Rudeus to the core.
" Eris! Keep your voice down! What if they hear you—"
Rudeus looked nervously at the Red Dragon circling on the mountain.
Their enormous figures traced arcs in the sky, occasionally letting out a low cry that echoed through the mountainside, making one's eardrums ache.
" Rujierd, are you confident you can handle those Red Dragon?"
Rujierd shook his head. "Dealing with one or two is barely manageable, but Red Dragon are social monsters. If you provoke just one, there will be dozens."
"Even if the lower-ranking powerhouses came, they probably wouldn't be able to deal with a monster of this level so easily."
Upon hearing this, Rudeus immediately thought of Luo Ge.
Even if it were Luo Ge, it would be difficult for him to win against so many Red Dragon by himself, right?
He silently gripped the arrogant Water Dragon King's wand, mentally calculating how to escape should he encounter danger.
However, Rujierd seemed to see through Rudeus's thoughts and reminded him, "As long as we don't provoke the Red Dragon, Red Dragon generally won't attack humans. We... just stay away from it."
"Okay, Eris, you should be careful too."
Rudeus nodded, not forgetting to remind Eris, as he was afraid that Eris shout would directly attract the Red Dragon's attention.
The group walked and walked... Suddenly, just as they were about to cross a narrow mountain path...
Even Eris, who was always chattering away, suddenly became quiet.
I don't know how much time has passed.
One second!
Two seconds!
Three seconds!
In an instant... even the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and a powerful pressure descended.
It was a feeling that defies description.
It felt as if something enormous was pressing down from the sky; the air became thick and heavy, and every breath required all one's strength.
Rudeus noticed... even the Red Dragon on those mountains had collectively gone on a rampage.
They flapped their wings frantically, emitting sharp and fearful cries, and fled in all directions like a frightened flock of birds.
Several Red Dragon didn't even bother to fly; they ran wildly along the mountainside, smashing countless rocks and sending shards of rock and ice flying everywhere.
Next... it seemed as if something terrifying was about to descend.
What's wrong?
Rudeus looked up, his pupils contracting sharply.
Eris and Rujierd, who were walking ahead, also stopped in their tracks, standing frozen in place, unable to move.
???
Rudeus looked puzzled for a moment, then he saw the end of the mountain path, with snow falling everywhere... and the silhouette of a figure gradually approaching in that direction.
Huh?
This person?
Who could he be?