IPUAVNP Chapter 135

Chapter 135

 

Several days had passed since Roden had found peace following the war with Baldwin.

However, in the southern part of the Knohen Continent, a war that had escalated into a territorial conflict between the Black Bear tribe and the Lions was still ongoing.

And today, at last, Alexander received the results of that war from the butler who had come to deliver the news.

“Ascal Baldwin, who had refused to surrender for days, secretly contacted Walter Alcamon last night. It seems the negotiations went well. This morning, we confirmed that the lions in Lobisa had left, and the Black Bears had taken their place.”

It was an expected outcome—aside from the fact that Ascal Baldwin had managed to hold out against the Black Bears for so long.

The Lions had shed much blood in this war, and it would take them a long time to recover.

Just as Abel had said, they had been crushed to the point where it would be difficult to rise again.

For Roden, which had constantly clashed with them, this meant a much-needed moment of respite.

Of course, a formidable enemy still remained.

Alexander turned to his butler and asked,

“Is there any movement in Elders’ Canyon? What about Simon Elders—any news on his whereabouts?”

The butler, who had seemingly been waiting to deliver this report, replied,

“No, for now, Simon Elders and the Tigers have shown no notable activity. However, we did receive a report of something suspicious happening in the northern part of Elders’ Canyon.”

“What is it?”

“A few days ago, the Black Tigers from the Karman Coast secretly crossed into the northern boundary of Elders’ Canyon. Since then, their whereabouts have been unknown.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed.

The northern part of Elders’ Canyon was where Simon Elders was hiding.

The Black Tigers, who had severed all contact with them since the war, had entered that very area—only to vanish?

But the puzzling reports didn’t end there.

“And, my Lord, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there have been rumors among the people that the Black Witch Amidal has been sighted recently.”

“Black Witch Amidal?”

Alexander frowned at the unexpected name appearing in the middle of a discussion about Simon Elders.

The butler continued,

“Of course, she is a wanderer, so it’s not entirely strange for her to appear anywhere. But this time, she was spotted in a village near the northern boundary of Elders’ Canyon.”

The Black Witch Amidal had last been seen years ago in the Rubinus Wastelands. After a certain incident, she had vanished without a trace.

And yet, now, of all times, she had reappeared near Elders Gorge?

Anxiety crept into Alexander’s mind.

Could her return have something to do with the Elders’ Tigers?

Amidal was a sorceress who sought to bring the continent under her dominion through dark magic.

The devastation she had caused was evident in how she had bewitched Rubinus, turning her wastelands into a lawless territory.

If she were to join forces with the Elders’ Tigers, it would spell disaster.

Clenching his fist, Alexander let out a tense breath before issuing a firm command to his butler.

“Send people to investigate the area where Amidal was sighted. Watch for any suspicious activity. And accelerate the search for Simon Elders, who is hiding in the Arkan Mountains. Report anything even slightly unusual immediately.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

The butler swiftly departed to dispatch scouts to the north.

Once alone in the room, Alexander exhaled deeply. His body, tense from stress, refused to relax.

The war with Baldwin was over, but as a leader, he could never afford to let his guard down.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Kyle had made an astonishingly fast recovery over the past few days. Even the healer treating him was amazed by his progress.

Though his own determination played a part, much of the credit belonged to Brody, who had cared for him with unwavering devotion.

Now, Kyle had recovered enough to walk outside, and so he went for a stroll with Brody.

As usual, a certain boastful crow followed closely behind them.

“You two should be grateful to me, you know. Honestly, if it weren’t for the brilliant and capable Kernels, Kyle, you might have died out there in that desolate wasteland! And as for that rabbit—well, let’s not even get started. If I hadn’t acted quickly, you’d both be in prison right now—”

Kernels trailed off, frowning as he noticed the two walking silently, paying no attention to him.

“Are you even listening to me?”

“No, we’re ignoring you.”

Kyle replied, his face showing clear boredom at the crow’s familiar bragging.

Before Kernels could flap his wings in indignation, Brody quickly interjected,

“No, Kernels. We’re just so overwhelmed with gratitude that we’re at a loss for words, reflecting on the immense favor you’ve done for us.”

Of course, while they were grateful, it wasn’t to the extent of being awestruck. But if they didn’t humor Kernels at least a little, his self-congratulatory speech would drag on all day.

Satisfied, Kernels snorted.

“Hmph. I thought so.”

Kyle, who had been watching him with exasperation, finally waved a hand dismissively.

“Now that you’ve gotten your thanks, can you leave?”

It was a blatant request to be left alone with Brody.

Kernels, feeling slighted, glared at Kyle and shouted,

“I was going to leave anyway! Who are you calling a nuisance?”

Squawking loudly, he flapped his wings and swiftly flew away. Kyle clicked his tongue as he watched him go.

“Seriously, that bird has no sense.”

Only after the crow had left did Kyle finally look satisfied. He took Brody’s hand, and though she shot him a playful glare, she soon linked arms with him and giggled.

Her laughter made the whole world seem beautiful.

As they strolled through the courtyard, content in each other’s company, something occurred to Kyle, and he spoke up.

“Oh, right. I’m planning to tell my father in the next few days that we’re leaving.”

“Oh, really?”

Kyle had barely recovered, yet he already seemed eager to leave.

Ever since deciding to go, he had looked relieved, but Brody couldn’t help but worry about the people they were leaving behind. She murmured,

“I’m afraid he’ll be really sad.”

Just as he had started to open his heart and express his love for his son, that very son was about to leave him.

It would surely be devastating. But then again, that was a consequence they all had to bear.

“…”

Kyle remained silent for a moment, seemingly acknowledging her concern.

If he was even capable of understanding that his departure might sadden them, it meant he no longer saw his family as people who simply despised him.

He had come a long way from the resentment and hatred he once held for them.

And to him, this was enough.

From the moment his family abandoned him, their relationship had become irreparable.

No matter what, he could never fully forgive or love his parents and sibling.

So there was no need to struggle to mend things any further. This was as good a closure as they would get.

“…They’ll manage. I already left once before—this second farewell should be easier to accept.”

His tone was deliberately indifferent, almost self-deprecating.

Seeing his expression, Brody regretted bringing it up.

Instead of saying anything more, she simply leaned into his embrace, offering silent comfort.

But just as they were sharing this quiet moment, a second round of intruders arrived.

“Boss!”

It was the Oswald twins, who had apparently learned from a vengeful Kernels that the two were in the courtyard. They looked incredibly excited about something.

Before getting to their point, however, they first checked on Kyle’s condition.

“Boss, how are you feeling?”

“I just started feeling worse.”

Kyle’s deadpan response did nothing to deter the twins, who already knew he had fully recovered.

Undeterred, they trailed after him and Brody as they made their way back toward the house.

“Boss, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“Last night, Walter Alcamon took Lobisa from those lion *****s!”

Their excited voices echoed through the courtyard.

“The lions lost their troops in this war, and now they’ve lost their territory too! I bet they’re so pissed they can’t even sleep at night!”

“If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to show my face in public for at least ten years.”

Though the twins were a bit disappointed that they hadn’t personally crushed the lions, they still felt utterly triumphant.

But Kyle, having severed ties with Leonit Baldwin and lost all interest in the lions, simply shrugged.

Seeing this, the twins—who had hoped to share in their joy—pouted in disappointment.

With their enthusiasm now dampened, they moved on to less exciting news.

Oswald spoke in a dull voice.

“Now that I think about it, there’s been a rumor going around for the past few days about sightings of the Black Witch Amidal up north. You probably haven’t heard about it, right?”

They were fishing for a reaction, expecting Kyle to respond with something dismissive like, Who cares about some witch?

But their assumption was dead wrong.

At the mention of Black Witch Amidal, both Kyle and Brody immediately froze and turned to stare at them.

“Amidal was seen up north?”

The shocked expressions on their faces caught the twins off guard.

Still puzzled by their reaction, they hesitantly nodded.

“Yes. People say she was spotted near Elders’ Canyon.”

Though the twins spoke casually, Kyle and Brody’s expressions turned grave.

And for good reason—both of them had seen and experienced firsthand the tragedies that Amidal had wrought.

Unlike the Oswald twins, they couldn’t afford to take the news lightly.