Chapter 35

The fleeting steps that brushed past the human realm soon turned southward.

Human footsteps, slow and weighty like a giant’s, and the light, quick steps of a goblin—this peculiar procession swept across the land in an unbroken march, day and night, for several days.

Even the wind, rushing north across the winter sky, hesitated for a moment, perplexed by the strange composition of travelers. But I simply pulled my cloak tighter and continued toward the edge of the continent.

When night fell and darkness settled, I lay down on the roadside as always.

I had done this countless times before, yet for some reason, the chirping of insects and the cold touch of the earth beneath me felt unusually unsettling.

And so, I thought of you.

Throughout my journey to the land of witches, drowning in an unshakable solitude and longing, I recalled every part of you. Yet, all I felt in my embrace was the chilling emptiness.

Your warmth had been so comforting… so why, when I imagine holding you, do I feel nothing but this piercing cold?

Is it because emotions crafted by reason can never truly fill an empty heart?

And perhaps… while I writhe in loneliness, do you also picture me, shivering in the dawn air?

That aching sentiment crumbled with the morning sun, vanishing like a shadow at daybreak. But the lingering remnants of the night clung to the depths of my heart like stubborn soot, haunting me throughout the day.

Whenever I became lost in such thoughts, the goblin girl would always break the silence.

“Oppaya, what’re you thinking about?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Your soul feels a little murky.”

I never knew what standards she used for such judgments, but her words pierced me like thorns.

I tried to ignore her, but it was difficult to turn away when she clung to my side, staring up at me with those big, glimmering eyes.

And as if on cue, the professor chimed in, prolonging this uncomfortable conversation even further.

“You must be thinking about her. Otherwise, a hero’s pure soul wouldn’t be so tainted.”

“I didn’t ask for your wisdom, Professor.”

“But when a fine man like you is clearly lovesick, how could I possibly stay silent? Let’s just call it… a woman’s instinct, regardless of race.”

“If you’re flirting, stop.”

“Oh, nothing like that. I’ve long since lost the ability to bear children.”

Losing her entire kin and being unable to carry on their lineage… I couldn’t even fathom the depth of that sorrow. She always walked with grace, her elegant dress brushing against the ground, but beneath her composed demeanor, traces of tragedy seeped through.

“For giants, it’s an unfortunate fate. To have such an exceptional survivor remain, yet be unable to continue the bloodline—it’s lamentable.”

“Have you ever sought a solution?”

“I tried. But, much like the king, no medicine or magic can heal this kind of affliction. It’s a permanent loss.”

“In other words, not even the king could remedy it.”

“And unlike me, he can’t even speak of it aloud, making his situation even more dire. Not that I have any sympathy.”

“…I see. But I do sympathize with your plight, Professor.”

“Such a kind hero. But that’s not why I wanted to say something important.”

Suddenly, the professor halted her steps. The moment she did, I sensed where this conversation was headed and immediately shook my head.

“No.”

“…Just once. Carry me on your back.”

“I said no.”

“Then at least help me walk.”

“Professor.”

“I’m really feeling dizzy.”

Barely an hour had passed since sunrise, yet she was already complaining of exhaustion.

Beneath the wide brim of her pale hat, her weary eyes trembled unsteadily.

In the end, I had no choice but to lend her my shoulder. Without hesitation, she leaned her full weight against me and let out a dramatic sigh as she gazed at the sky.

“Ahh… Why did my ancestors curse me with such a fragile body? The sorrow of being unable to surpass one’s racial limits is truly heart-wrenching.”

“I thought giants were known for their boundless stamina, able to run all night without tiring.”

“The truth is always exaggerated and distorted, Hero. And even if that were once true, there are always exceptions. A clever goblin, a socially inept witch…”

“…”

“…And an odd bunch like us gathering around you—it seems your fate is quite peculiar.”

That single remark from the professor lingered in my mind. I had been nothing more than a simple farmer’s son at birth, yet here I was, walking with a goblin necromancer at my side, a giant scholar leaning on my shoulder, and the image of a witch occupying my thoughts.

Even our destination was a land steeped in curses and darkness—a place of death.

As these thoughts swirled in my head, I found myself speaking.

“Professor, have you ever been to the Land of Witches?”

“Of course. As I’ve said before, giants and witches have always been intertwined.”

“Then… have you ever met Mirian? Even just once?”

“I thought it was odd how easily you helped me walk—so there’s your price. You want to hear stories of her childhood, things you don’t yet know.”

“That wasn’t my intention… but if you’re willing to share, I won’t refuse.”

“Well, I have ears, and I’ve heard some rumors. If that’s enough, I’ll tell you.”

I answered with silence, signaling my agreement. The professor sifted through old memories, piecing together faded whispers of the past.

“The rumors about her were mostly embellishments, little add-ons to the legend of Nerian, the Witch of a Thousand Miles. The truth is, she had a sister—one said to be far less talented.

Some claimed that, out of jealousy, she locked herself away inside their home.”

“That doesn’t sound like Mirian.”

“Indeed. Most likely, she simply disliked the outside world due to her introverted nature. But people never accept such simple explanations, do they? So, they wove their own stories, giving rise to the legend of Mirian, the Cursed Witch.”

“…The Cursed Witch.”

“That infamous title you’ve heard? It only resurfaced after she became queen, when old rumors were dug up again. Not that she lacked talent, but she was no match for Nerian.”

“And compared to the princess?”

“I wouldn’t know. But tell me, Hero—do you really think Nerian would allow her own daughter’s bloodline to be diluted?”

It was a conclusion I couldn’t refute, having witnessed certain things firsthand. But the professor didn’t stop there—she took it a step further.

“Of course, a simple advantage in power might not mean much. Mirian carries the same blood as Nerian, after all. Even if she falls short in raw strength, she may have excelled in other areas.”

“Like what?”

“Well… Nerian was unparalleled in foreseeing the future. I’d wager that Mirian possesses a similar ability.”

“You mean… the power of prophecy.”

“That would be the most accurate interpretation. So if she ever left you with any hints about the future, I sincerely hope you remember every single one.”

At those words, I lifted my gaze to the sky, sifting through my memories. Even the simple act of reminiscing made her words resurface in my heart, one after another, like whispers in the wind.

Perhaps finding my silence dull, the professor filled it with idle musings.

“Well… I don’t know what she’s like these days, but in the past, she almost never stepped outside. The most she’d do was open a window to watch the birds or pick flowers from the riverbank.”

“Flowers?”

“Everyone has their own little hobbies. I suppose that was one of hers. So, what about now?

What does she do for leisure?”

“She keeps a crow by her windowsill.”

“Hah. That’s certainly fitting for a witch. In that case, you should keep an eye on the sky. She might send something your way.”

With that, she turned her gaze upward. The goblin girl, who had been staring at me the entire time, mimicked our actions, tilting her head back to follow our line of sight.

Then, as if she had spotted something, she raised a finger and pointed toward the distant sky.

“Oh! Professor, look! Smoke.”

“Hm. Could be a wildfire.”

“No, it’s too light in color, and there’s no smell. It’s not natural.”

“In that case, it means humans lit it deliberately. Hmm…”

Could it be that our position had been discovered? The professor turned to me, the question evident in her eyes. But I shook my head without hesitation.

“They haven’t found us yet. Most likely, they’re sending a signal from the fortress we passed earlier, alerting another location.”

“Either way, they’ve caught onto your movements. Would’ve been better to destroy that fortress while we had the chance.”

“We didn’t have the power for that, nor was it necessary. It’ll take them time to assemble a pursuit force.”

“So you’re saying we don’t have a moment to waste.”

“That’s why I told you to hurry, Professor.”

“Hah… this is getting risky.”

She let out a weary sigh, and seeing her hesitance only made me push harder.

“If you think you’ll fall behind, you should turn back now.”

“That’s not what I mean, Hero. What I’m saying is… delays are inevitable. Because there are more than just humans who will stand in our way.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re heading for the Land of Witches, aren’t we? That place is shrouded in curses and darkness—no one enters lightly. But for the few lost souls who stray too close, there are those sworn to guide them back. Chief among them are the king and his old comrades.”

“But they’re no longer—”

“And then there’s the Tower of Sages in Harbit (하르빗의 현자탑).”

At that, I fell silent. The goblin girl, still watching the sky, let out a small exclamation.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“The smoke… it’s coming toward us.”

We immediately turned to follow her gaze. Just as she had said, streaks of gray smoke were streaking across the sky—like falling stars, hurtling straight toward us.

“Ah.”

“…Damn it.”

We scrambled to brace ourselves, but it was too late.

The next moment, the smoke crashed into the earth, exploding into a thick fog that engulfed us from all sides.