The moment they saw her, a huge pressure flowed over their bodies. Park Muyeol and Michael felt an unknown heavy pressure and sweat dripped down their backs. The woman opened her mouth, “I didn't expect that two humans would get this far in Hesperides. It is the first time this has happened in hundreds of years.”

Michael listened to her words and asked, “You call us humans, implying that you aren't human. Are you a constellation?”

Arethusa looked at the man who spoke to her. He was pretty handsome. Her sisters, Aegle and Erytheia, probably would've asked her to spare him if they were present, but unfortunately, Arethusa had no desire for this.

“A constellation... It has been a long time since I've heard that.” 

She had no intention of being one of Jupiter's constellations when he made her father like this.

“Rather, I dislike them. There are only two G.o.ds I believe in. Father, the G.o.d of clouds and punishment, and Gaia, the first G.o.d.”

Arethusa frowned as she recalled old memories. Her father had become the cloud G.o.d with Gaia's grace, but Jupiter started persecuting his father as soon as Gaia disappeared. He was imposed the painful punishment of carrying the clouds in the sky. As a result, her father became the G.o.d of clouds and 'punishment,' but it was a heartbreaking and humiliating thing for Arethusa. She loved her father.

“...There is too much noise. Why did you invade this place?” Arethusa asked as she pointed the cloud sword at the humans.

Michael looked up at the unidentified woman and tried to speak. However, he missed the timing because monsters once again surrounded the area. Michael looked tense and didn't release his vigilance. He did his best to slice at the monsters.

“Erytheia!” Then the unidentified woman shouted at the sky and the fog around them started to show strange movements. The monsters started to retreat. They soon disappeared and Michael sighed with relief at the extraordinary sight. It was the same for Park Muyeol.

'Phew, fortunately she seems like someone we can communicate with.'

The moment she appeared, Park Muyeol had been as quiet as a mouse. It was because the 'event' she was talking about earlier was related to Hercules. During the time when he was still a human, Hercules had come here to kill Radon and steal the golden apple. Therefore, Park Muyeol was more cautious. It was like a parent with a guilty child.

“Now tell me. Why did you come here? I'll kill you here if you don't give a good reason.”

Simultaneously, Park Muyeol and Michael nodded and made eye contact with each other. It was Park Muyeol who stepped forward. He spoke in the politest tone possible to avoid offending her. He could really die if he made a mistake.

“We came here to find the Star Fruit.”

* * *

We completed the preparations and Edward and I stood in front of the magic circle located in the city. Edward looked relaxed and familiar with the exclusive magician operating the magic circle. However, I couldn't hide my nervous expression.

“Don't be nervous. It isn't a big deal. You will just be a bit nauseous your first time.”

Edward's casual remarks were even more disturbing. How bad was it that he would say this? It happened when the magic circle started to s.h.i.+ne. A flash of light filled the scene and I had the illusion that the world was spinning. After around 10 seconds, I lay on the ground.

“Oof. This s.h.i.+t.”

Dammit, what the h.e.l.l was this?

“Sigh. I understand. I was the same when I first used it.” Edward patted me on the back with a sorry expression.

After a long time, someone approached me. It was probably the NPC that Edward said was the caretaker here.

“Please show your identification.”

Edward presented him with the ID card symbolizing a lord and the caretaker glanced at it before returning it.

“Welcome to Orbis, my lord.” 

Orbis, a resting place for travelers—it was a place where lords could arrive at instantly with the magic portals, but it was also famous as an intermediate point where travelers could rent horses and carriages before entering the Orca Kingdom. Of course, we came here to rent a carriage.

“Are you okay now?”

“Yes, I'm fine.”

I stood up with Edward's a.s.sistance, but I was still a bit dizzy and staggered. Edward asked me, “Are you really okay?”

“I'll see.”

“You are my knight so don't be like this.”

Why was the story like this?

I ignored the end part and left the place where the magic portal was installed. I inhaled the cool breeze and felt better. Edward grumbled and followed. “No, be my knight!”

Ah, I was going to die from the noise.

“You came.” A man in familiar attire walked over here. It was Kerenos who I had been looking for. It had been a long time since I saw him, but he looked good.

“You seem busy.”

“Yes, I am the knight captain.”

“Are you still gambling?”

“Cough. Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

“What? Is it unnecessary to say it again?”

“No, can't you really be my knight? Huh?”

I turned my head to the side when I heard the voice and saw Edward looking at me with deer-like eyes. He seemed to be attempting to use cuteness. Of course, it didn't work on me.

“No, I won't do it even if I'm beaten to death.”

“s.h.i.+t.” Edward grumbled and pouted. 

“Let's go. I've rented a carriage.”

I followed his instructions and headed with Edward to the carriage. Kerenos led the Sylphid Knights and escorted them outside like last time. I enjoyed the scenery outside from the carriage. Orbis was the place with the most users I had ever seen.

“Why are there so many people?”

“Ahem.” Edward once again lifted his shoulders as high as possible to look dignified. I could tell he was trying to give me an explanation again. Sure enough...

“Orbis is the only place in the world that has been set up as a peace zone for immortal humans.”

“Peace zone?” I c.o.c.ked my head at the strange words.

“Yes. After the immortal humans appeared, the Orca Kingdom built many cities around Orbis to control and lure them. They were also made to compete with each other.”

“Are you talking about the siege?”

“That's right. Jackson will experience a siege soon after becoming a lord.”

“What about Windia?”

“I'm not an immortal human.”

“Ah...”

I didn't know who came up with it, but it was a very sly idea. The sudden appearance of the immortal humans must've been a source of anxiety for the Orca Kingdom. Users didn't die and they grew endlessly. Perhaps it was a difficult position even for the kingdom. On the one hand, they would've been afraid. Perhaps this was why they came up with this policy. It was killing two birds with one stone because they could appease us while weakening our power by making us compete with each other.

I inquired, “However, can you tell me this?”

“I think you would know if you think a little bit.” 

“It is true.”

“Orbis is a place where the immortal humans talk about the outcome of the siege. The losing side could maintain their lord status by paying a certain amount of taxes to the winning side or they could lose their territory altogether. No matter what, it is the winner's heart.”

I nodded as if to understand.

“There is also one more place that has been set as a peace zone... We have just entered it.”

I turned my head in the direction Edward was gesturing to. There were endless paved stone paths.

“This is the road to the kingdom. If you violate or destroy this peace, the kingdom will impose strong sanctions. Jackson should be aware of this. It is magical so they will know straight away.'

I nodded slightly. After the explanation, Edward's eyes were once again s.h.i.+ning. What was it this time? “Can you be my knight since I've explained it well?”

“......”

I should shut his mouth with a cobweb.

* * *

After a long time, Park Muyeol and Michael were able to persuade Arethusa. Fortunately, they were able to talk to her. Now they were heading for the golden apple tree. She looked displeased after learning that their purpose was the Star Fruit, not the golden apple.

“Are you saying that a relic of those vulgar constellations are here?”

“That's right.”

“How can you be sure? Did you see it yourself?”

“That...”

Park Muyeol was stuttering without knowing what to say so Michael stepped forward.

“Us humans have developed a way to track it.”

“Hoh. You humans are a truly mysterious force. The more I know, the more possibilities you seem to have.”

Arethusa looked at us with a strange expression. Fortunately, the crisis seemed to have pa.s.sed. Michael approached and whispered, “Teacher, did I do well?”

“No, why am I your Teacher?”

“Stop it and accept fate.”

“Huhu. It is sheer robbery.”

Park Muyeol clicked his tongue as he watched the persistent Michael. At the end, he almost had the illusion that he was actually this guy's teacher.

“We're here.”

In front of them, Arethusa stopped moving and they also stopped. However, there was nothing. Park Muyeol and Michael looked confused as Arethusa opened her mouth, “Aegle, open the barrier.”

At this moment, there was a wave in front of them and a huge wall of clouds appeared. In an instant, the clouds split apart and created a s.p.a.ce for the three people to pa.s.s through. Arethusa moved forward skillfully and Park Muyeol and Michael followed her silently.

Step, step.

How long did they walk? Then they saw some people flying like fairies through the air.

“Sister, What happened?”

“Why did you bring humans with you?”

They looked exactly like Arethusa. At first glance, they were obviously sisters. They exchanged a few stories as they flew here. The women were all over two meters tall so it was hard to look up.

“h.e.l.lo, I am called Aegle. Why do you have a cloud on your face?”

“I am Erytheia. Oh my, there is a nice-looking human being?”

“Uh, really? Do you want to live with us?”

Aegle and Erytheia showed interest in Michael. Park Muyeol felt sad by this fact.

'If I was just a bit younger... Groan.'

Arethusa restrained the two women.

“Stop. We are going to the golden apple tree.”

“I know. Let's go.”

“Follow me, humans. Huhut.”

This time, the three sisters led the way. The surroundings were full of fruits and flowers that were incredibly beautiful even in Heaven. Park Muyeol had only been here a short time, but he thought there would be no regrets if he spent his last years here. Shortly thereafter, they reached the place of the golden apple tree.

'Um...'

However, there was a huge dragon with one hundred heads.