The Reincarnation of a Third-Rate Ronin

Chapter 79 : Return to the North (1)

Chapter 79: Return to the North (1)

The next day—

I finished preparing to leave early in the morning.

I had already said my farewells over drinks yesterday. Even if I disappeared without a word, they would simply assume I had left.

Still—

Perhaps because we had spent a year together—

I felt a strange sense of regret.

And that made me even more satisfied.

To feel regret meant it had been a good connection.

And that meant—

There was something to look forward to when we met again.

With a faint smile, I set off for my homeland.

From Bulgarutu to Elphrel was quite far.

Even on horseback, it would take at least five months.

Running on foot might shorten the time—

But there was a chance my inner force would run dry midway.

There was no need to push myself that far.

Thus, three months passed.

I still hadn’t reached the North.

The Empire’s land was far larger than I had expected.

At this rate, I would have to start running to arrive on time.

I sold my horse at a nearby village.

My wallet became heavy.

‘This is more than I need…’

It felt like the kind of money that would attract trouble—

Pickpockets. Thieves.

All sorts of pests drawn to wealth.

Nearby, I saw children begging.

I gave them food, lightening my wallet.

Ignoring their chatter asking for my name—

I began running again.

Another month passed.

At this point, I regretted ever using a horse.

Contrary to my expectations, my inner force wasn’t lacking—

It was overflowing.

Mana herbs, the energy of the World Tree—

Various powers had seeped into my body.

As a result, my inner force had more than doubled.

By Martial Alliance standards—

It was nearing a full Gapja.

Even the young masters of the Five Great Families, raised on rare elixirs, couldn’t achieve such a level.

Unless one consumed a thousand-year-old ginseng—

This amount was impossible.

And I was only sixteen.

Considering how much more I could accumulate—

It was astonishing.

Satisfied, I increased my speed.

Half a month later—

I finally arrived at the Territory of Withers.

The gateway to the North.

“Leon?”

Someone called my name.

A familiar voice.

“Jaelidov Withers.”

“Ah! My friend Leon!”

Jaelidov spread his arms wide.

“It’s been a while! You’ve returned!”

“I had some business. But what are you doing?”

“Can’t you see? Farming!”

Jaelidov—

The heir of Withers—

Was plowing fields among the villagers.

“What I’m asking is why you’re farming. You’re the future Northern Frontier Count.”

“Well… the North’s weather has been terrible lately. I’m researching crops that can grow even in this cold.”

“With your people?”

“Seeing is believing. Better than just listening to their concerns.”

“…Makes sense.”

It wasn’t something other nobles would ever do.

But I had already placed Withers outside the Empire’s norms.

So I let it pass.

“Anyway, why are you here? Passing through on your way to Elphrel?”

I had no intention of stopping—

But his bright expression made me nod.

“Good! Then I must treat my friend to a proper meal!”

He tossed aside his tools and put his shoes back on.

“Come! My grandfather will welcome you!”

He strode toward the castle.

I followed silently.

At the castle gates—

Soldiers stared at me.

But soon—

“Oh, it’s Leon.”

“The Conqueror’s son?”

Recognition spread, and their gazes eased.

‘No one’s questioning the fact that he was farming…’

The Empire—

Yet it carried the scent of Elphrel.

“Young Lord!!”

A voice called out.

Turning, I saw Kael, his face flushed.

“How many times must I tell you? Leave the farming to the villagers!”

“Kael! That’s not important! Leon is back!”

Kael’s eyes widened.

“Ah! I see. I will inform the Count. Please wait.”

He hurried toward Count Reinhardt Withers’s office.

Jaelidov muttered,

“See? He doesn’t actually care. Just pretends because he’s my grandfather’s aide.”

…Was that gossip?

I simply nodded.

He had become even less like a noble.

‘Can he even get married like that?’

Then—

I was summoned.

With something to discuss.

I sighed and headed to the office.

And upon entering—

“…Father?”

Sitting there—

Drinking tea—

Was Zeke Fritz.

“Why are you here?”

“Is it strange to drink tea with a friend?”

“…Ah.”

I had forgotten.

Zeke and Reinhardt were friends.

Still—

It was rare for him to come here.

But—

That worked in my favor.

I had things to tell him.

Srrrp—

Zeke watched me quietly as he sipped his tea.

Then—

“You’ve grown stronger. Far beyond your age.”

“Thank you.”

“I can feel it. Tell me what you’ve experienced.”

So I did.

Everything—

The forgotten Empire.

World Tree, Yggdrasil.

Battles against Demon Beasts.

And finally—

The Demon Race.

And the Demon Gods.

It sounded like a fairy tale.

Had it not been me—

No one would believe it.

“Hahaha… Zeke. It seems your concerns were not unfounded.”

Reinhardt laughed bitterly.

“Leon, I’ve already heard about the World Tree. The Emperor came to me personally.”

“Emperor… himself?”

“It was that serious. And after meeting him—I realized. He has grown stronger than me.”

My eyes widened.

Stronger than Reinhardt?

Even the Seven Apostles barely compared to him.

Yet—

The Emperor surpassed him?

‘I see… so that’s why the World Tree didn’t simply grant power for free.’

“I fought him myself. Despite lacking real combat experience, he matched me evenly. With experience… he will surpass me. Aside from Zeke, I’ve never felt overwhelmed by another human.”

Reinhardt smiled bitterly.

A lifetime of training—

Yet surpassed by someone who gained power overnight.

And now—

The existence of the Demon Gods.

It was enough to shake anyone.

Yet—

Zeke was smiling.

His eyes burned with excitement.

“So that’s it. The path I walked was only a fragment. The world truly is vast.”

He was thrilled.

“To think the Demon King was merely a stepping stone. The true end lies with the Demon Gods.”

He stood up.

“Leon. Reinhardt. Come with me.”

“To Elphrel?”

“Yes.”

Reinhardt hesitated.

“I am a noble of the Empire. I need the Emperor’s permission—”

“What if your territory falls?”

“…!”

Silence.

He knew.

War would come.

And survival required strength.

“My friend. What are you hesitating for? What you wish to protect is your land and people. Ask your heart.”

Zeke—

Had already decided.

Even after learning of beings beyond comprehension—

He did not waver.

“Choose. Fight—or run.”

“….”

Reinhardt fell silent.

Then—

“…Wait. I need to prepare someone to manage Withers in my absence.”

“Be quick.”

With that—

He left.

Calling for Kael.

His footsteps—

Heavy.

Watching him go—

I thought—

‘Was Jeozudin the same?’

To humans—

He was an Evil God.

But—

He had only two family members.

Solar.

And Yggdrasil.

Humans—

Were nothing but ants.

If those ants threatened his family—

Wouldn’t anyone choose the same?

‘I would.’

Family over countless ants.

Yet—

He was destroyed.

By the very family he tried to protect.

Because of those ants.

‘…That’s unfortunate.’

I shook my head quietly.