Psi-type reinforcement serum.
Although it was only one step above the Omega-type serum, the fact that Heshbon's reinforcement serums each had different abilities made this a very welcome acquisition.
'The ability of the Psi-type reinforcement serum is endurance enhancement.'
At this moment, that was exactly what I needed.
With the effects of the Psi-type reinforcement serum, I would be able to push the investigation team to their limits for the entire return journey.
"Thanks."
"No problem. If I get my hands on something like this again, I'll give it to you."
"I'd appreciate that even more."
From Lania's reaction, I confirmed something.
'As expected, coming to Kronos was the right decision if I wanted to get reinforcement serums.'
After all, even the remnants of Heshbon had joined the Kronos Alliance, so in a way, it was only natural.
"Can I use it right away?"
"Oh, of course. I'll keep watch while you do."
Since Lania was standing guard, there was no need to hesitate. I immediately injected the Psi-type reinforcement serum into my arm.
Pssshhh…
[You have absorbed the Psi-type reinforcement serum.]
[You have acquired the ability of the Psi-type reinforcement serum.]
[You have learned the ability 'Relentless Tenacity.']
I could feel it.
Something scorching hot coursing through my veins.
'I don't feel much else yet… but then again, the ability [Relentless Tenacity] is one that truly shines only when I reach my limits.'
As I was momentarily focused on sensing the effects of the serum, Lania, who had been silently observing me, hesitated before speaking.
"But… Orah-buh-nee."
"What is it?"
"I believe in you, but… will Ark really try to negotiate with us? More precisely, do they even need to?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll handle it."
Lania pursed her lips.
"You know, when you sound that confident, you actually come off more like a con artist."
["She's not wrong."]
"Right?"
The two of them still got along ridiculously well.
"I know what you're worried about. But Ark isn't the monstrous entity that you and Kronos think it is."
"…What do you mean?"
"Just that Ark is afraid too. Afraid that someone's gun might one day be pointed at them."
That was something I understood all too well.
The last fortress of humanity.
The final city of mankind.
Ark was adorned with all kinds of grandiose titles, but beneath those titles lay an ever-present fear—
The fear that one day, Ark might fall just like every other city before it.
In truth, that underlying fear was the reason behind many of the conflicts within Ark.
Fear led them to seek security.
Fear made them draw lines.
Fear caused them to reject outsiders.
But I knew one thing for certain.
Simply hiding, bristling with defenses, and pushing others away would never lead them to what they truly wanted.
Ark needed to change.
Whether that change would be for the better or for the worse… that remained to be seen.
"Uh…"
Lania blinked at me in silence.
"What?"
"I mean… who would actually believe that Ark is afraid of anything? But since you're the one saying it, I'll believe it."
"It's the truth."
"Yeah, yeah. I believe you."
"You don't look like you believe me at all."
"Geez, have you been fooled that often?"
Lania grinned as usual.
"When you go back to Ark, when do you think you'll visit here again?"
"Not sure. Probably after a few more Waves have passed."
Of course, if I used Horus, I could visit whenever I had time—but given the distance, unless I had a reason, I wouldn't go out of my way to return.
"I see? That's a shame."
Lania's voice carried a hint of disappointment.
"Do you need anything else?"
"Ah, actually—"
I had already been wondering if I could get anything more out of this visit, so hearing her bring it up first was perfect.
Just as I was about to list out what I needed—
"W-Wait a minute!"
"What?"
"I just… You seem like the type to actually start rattling off a full list, so let me clarify—what I just said was just out of politeness. Got it?"
["Wow, she really is your blood relative. How is she so spot on?"]
"…Shut up."
Lania interjected.
"Why are you being mean to a kid?"
"You be quiet too."
After that pointless exchange, Lania disappeared into the tents, saying she had things to do.
Considering the current state of the Kronos remnants, it made sense that she would be busy.
'Alright, time to get going.'
By now, the investigation team should have gotten plenty of rest.
Even though the last Wave had just ended, given that we were traveling on foot, time would be tight before the next one arrived.
'Will there ever come a day when the people of Kronos and Ark live together?'
Setting aside whether Ark even had the capacity to accept them, resolving the deeply rooted conflicts and misunderstandings would take a tremendous effort.
After all, I had never once seen Ark and Kronos at peace with each other.
'But this time… who knows?'
Carl Marcus and Lania Marcus.
Perhaps the blood these two shared would bring about some kind of change.
After a brief moment of contemplation, I made my way toward the tent where the investigation team was resting.
The inside of the tent was eerily silent.
Had I not known better, I might have mistaken it for a morgue rather than a resting place.
"Everyone, get up."
Rustle, rustle—
Despite my voice not being particularly loud, the investigation team members promptly unzipped their sleeping bags and sat up.
"...Ugh."
"Mmgh."
"How long were we out?"
They couldn't completely suppress the grogginess that came with waking up, but not a single one of them hesitated in getting ready.
These were Ark's soldiers—trained to their limits.
And among them, only the best had been chosen for this mission.
"We're leaving immediately."
Kalakin, who had already fixed his attire, began packing up his sleeping bag.
"You mean… we're returning to Ark?"
"That's right."
Dmitri, already done with packing, checked his gear.
"Finally."
Following that, Hildegard and Iris spoke up as well.
"...I just want to get back and take a shower."
"Same here."
The investigation team quickly finished packing and stood up.
It was finally time to return.
'Well, that carefree attitude won't last much longer.'
They had no idea what awaited them.
As we stepped out of the tent, Lania was already standing there, as if she had been expecting us.
It seemed Esther had informed her that we were leaving.
"You're heading out now?"
"Yeah."
"Take care."
"And how do you know I'll be back?"
"You said you'd come back, didn't you? That's enough."
Her tone was surprisingly casual.
How should I put it…? At times like this, we really did feel like ordinary siblings.
"See you next time, then."
"Yeah. You guys take care too."
Lania's farewell was directed at the investigation team, and Kalakin gave a nod in response.
"Thanks for your hospitality."
"I wasn't doing it for you. I did it for him."
Kalakin let out a light chuckle.
The other team members, however, wore either exasperated or wary expressions.
Iris, in particular, still seemed somewhat fearful of Lania.
'…No, that probably applies to me as well.'
I knew all too well what emotions like fear and terror could lead to, and that realization left me feeling uneasy.
Still, it wasn't something I could do anything about at the moment.
'Time will take care of it.'
With that thought, I turned around.
"Let's go."
It was time to embark on yet another journey.
* * *
"Kalakin, are you really sure about this?"
Hildegarde was worried.
What Carl Marcus intended to do could potentially put the entire investigation team in a precarious position within Ark.
If things went wrong, they could even be branded as traitors.
And in Ark, treason meant rebellion—there was no doubt about the punishment for that.
Even so, Kalakin had answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
"Do you trust Carl Marcus?"
"No. It's not about trust. I just think… there's a real chance."
Carl Marcus had already done things that were considered impossible.
So Kalakin decided to take a gamble.
To see if Carl Marcus could really pull it off.
"I agree."
"…That's unexpected. Weren't you suspicious of Carl Marcus, Dmitri?"
"I didn't hate him. I just had my doubts. But right now, we don't have a better option."
Hildegarde narrowed her eyes.
"For someone saying that, you gave him something earlier. Was that a bribe?"
"...It was just a multi-calorie bar. He looked like he hadn't been eating properly."
"Hmph."
Despite their differing opinions, they reached the same conclusion.
"Let's put our faith in Carl Marcus."
Thus, Kalakin, Dmitri, Hildegarde, and even Iris was ready to follow Carl Marcus—
At least, until the journey actually began.
"Huff… Huff… Hah…"
Kalakin's breath was ragged, but he didn't stop running.
A military pack weighing nearly 80 kg.
Personal equipment and gear adding another 40 kg.
A total load of 120 kg.
For an Ark soldier, carrying that much weight was manageable.
But distance and speed were a different matter.
The distance to Ark was still vast, and someone at their backs constantly reminded them of that fact.
"At this pace, when do you plan to arrive? Faster!"
Marching and running were nothing new to them.
Kalakin, Dmitri, Hildegarde, and Iris had all undergone the grueling training of Ark's soldiers.
Yet Carl Marcus was pushing them to their absolute limits.
"Ugh…!"
"Damn it, damn it, damn it…"
Kalakin and Iris, who had high base endurance and ether compatibility, were barely holding on.
But Hildegarde and Dmitri, who weren't as suited to sheer stamina-based endurance, were already half delirious.
And it had only been less than three hours since they began their journey back.
Given the circumstances, Kalakin couldn't help but see Carl Marcus, who was maintaining a perfectly composed expression, as something inhuman.
'…Does that monster not get tired?'
Kalakin already knew Carl Marcus was extraordinary.
But that was in the context of combat skills or his unreadable mind.
Never did he expect that his raw endurance would completely surpass human limits as well.
Not a single drop of sweat.
Not even a change in expression.
Even running alongside him, Kalakin found it hard to believe.
'High-level ether adepts reinforce their bodies, sure… but can it really last this long?'
Ether was a double-edged sword.
Misuse it, and it could consume you instead.
That was precisely why places like White Line and Red Line, closer to the holy grounds of Mount Noah, viewed ether adepts with suspicion.
'No… even if he can control ether perfectly, this isn't normal.'
The more Kalakin learned about Carl Marcus, the deeper his questions became.
'What's his goal?'
Carl Marcus possessed overwhelming abilities, yet he willingly followed Ark's orders.
If he had another agenda, his actions were too consistent for it.
One thing was clear—his purpose revolved around Ark.
He was working for Ark.
'I don't know what his true objective is, but…'
At the very least, one fact was certain.
If they kept following Carl Marcus's pace, they were going to die.
"C-Can we rest for just a moment?"
If they kept this up, exhaustion wouldn't be the only problem—this would turn into a death march.
"Sure. If you want to be devoured by the beasts."
Unfortunately, Carl Marcus remained unmoved.
"Ugh…!"
"We just have to make it back. Once we're there, everything will be fine… It has to be."
"We're going to die. We're going to die. We're going to die. We're going to die. We're going to die…"
Half-delirious, the murmuring of the exhausted team members continued.
The journey went on.
A long, grueling journey.
* * *
Four towers built from piles of skulls.
And at the center, an altar.
A figure in a violet robe knelt there, praying with unnerving reverence.
"Your Grace."
At first, there was no response.
"We have found the heretics."
But at those words, the praying figure slowly opened its eyes.
The mention of heretics had shattered the stillness of the prayer.
"...Where are they?"
The bishop's lips parted.
A voice rang out—an eerie, metallic resonance that was distinctly inhuman.
"They are currently passing through the ruins of Baelo."
"I see."
The bishop murmured softly.
Still in that chilling voice.
"Kill them all."