I arrived at the lord's castle with Kerenos and told the same thing to Edward.

Edward asked me with a shocked expression, "Is there really a way to defeat that monster?"

"Yes, there is."

—If it worked out the way it was in my head right now.

"What is it? Help us! Please!"

"I'm also curious, old man." 

The two people demanded at the same time. I pondered for a moment before speaking to the lord, "First, if you have a map of the continent then please bring it over. Then I'll tell you." 

After a while, a knight laid a large map out on the desk. Then I was forced to be amazed. The map was a bit different?

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' is murmuring to himself that the map has changed.]

I remembered that when I first started the game, Psyche called this 'Ark Land.' Meanwhile, the map in my head was of the Pangea Continent.

Kerenos read my expression and asked me, "What's wrong, old man?" 

"It is a bit different from the map I know."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I remember there was no sea in the middle..."

The difference between Pangea and Ark Land was the mighty sea in the middle. Ark Land looked like a giant donut, with a sea in the middle and land surrounding it. I clicked my tongue at the slightly unusual appearance.

Then Kerenos told me, "I was told that this area was land 500 years ago. Yet for some reason, the G.o.ds created a great flood and filled up this place. The surrounding land around it survived and it became known as Ark Land, with the meaning of an 'ark.'"

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' is frowning.]

I could feel Prometheus' displeasure. The place where the sea was located was originally the empire established by Alexus. Was it 'once the rabbit hunting over, the hound will be eaten'? It meant the hound would be eaten once the hunt was over and it was no longer needed. I wish it wasn't like what I thought. If it was, then that Jupiter would be a real son of a b.i.t.c.h.

"You don't like the map? Should I bring another map?"

"No, this is enough."

In fact, it didn't matter. The rest of the continent, except for the middle part, matched with my memories. I looked at the two people in front of me and told them, "I will go here."

Edward's eyes widened. "The North Pole? You're going there? Isn't it still unexplored?"

"Yes, there are wolves who love beef here."

"Who are the wolves? You haven't told me since earlier."

Kerenos grumbled and I laughed.

"The welsh wolves."

"Welsh wolves? This is the first time I've heard of them?"

"I know them. My father told me about them!" Edward cried out.

...He knew? It was a little surprising that the lord knew when Kerenos hadn't even heard of them. Was his father's name Earl Calia?

"My father told me he found the Star Piece there."

"This one...?" I pulled out the white pendant.

"Right. My father would drive Minotaur away with the power of the Star Piece. There is a well in the Temple of the Wind that contains a 'divine wind.' We would put it in a sack and sprinkle it on the sacred windmill, Dimorte. Dimorte would then sprinkle a golden light and enrich Windia's crops. It is something that is vital for us."

This was the reason. I was a bit bewildered by the fact that the Star Piece that should've been in the north but now it felt like my question had been resolved. I thought about what I saw in the temple... 

I questioned the lord, "The reason you're sacrificing the virgins is because you can't drive out that calf, right?"

"...That's right. My father went to the temple to expel Minotaur and for some reason, the Star Piece didn't work. He died. We were forced to offer the virgins in exchange for the divine wind."

"I see."

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' says it is due to a Pandora's piece.]

I agreed with this opinion. Perhaps Edward's father could harness all the power of the Star Piece. If it didn't work then the Pandora piece that I saw in the temple would've been the reason. However, the ice didn't work well even when I attacked. Above all, the Ice Tag Fairy wasn't a constellation with a high attack power.

Edward muttered, "In fact, I wanted to ask you to drive out Minotaur when I saw you using the Star Pierce. I can't use the Star Piece."

"Is that so...?"

I examined Edward's information with Insight.

[Insight Information]

[Name: Edward Level: 8

Ident.i.ty: Lord of Windia.

Heavenly Star: Monarch of True Wisdom

Strength: 5 Agility: 6

Fitness: 5 Knowledge: 20

Skills: None

Weaknesses: Lack of physical abilities.

-He wants you to be his knight.

-Current goodwill: 90% (can be recruited as a companion at 100%)]

Monarch of True Wisdom... he couldn't use the Star Piece. In addition, he still wanted me to be his knight. He was really stubborn. The Ice Tag Fairy was a Star Piece that could only be used by those with the Monarch of Kind Patience heavenly star. It was natural that Edward couldn't use it when he was born with a different heavenly star from his father.

"My lord, you aren't compatible with this Star Piece. You can't use it because of your heavenly star nature."

"Eh? Really?"

Kerenos asked from next to me, "Old man, how do you know this?"

"I can see it."

"So how can you do it?"

"Shut up. I can just do it."

"No..."

I asked Kerenos, "Can you use the Star Piece?"

"No."

"Then don't talk." 

Kerenos pouted.

I turned my head back toward the lord. "You were born with more knowledge so it is better for you to learn magic than use your body."

Monarch of True Wisdom—in Prometheus' memories, Gaia said that a person with such a heavenly star would have talent for magic. Edward exclaimed, "Kerenos, did you hear that?" 

"No, this matter..."

"I won't train in swordsmans.h.i.+p anymore. I'm going to learn magic."

"Hah, I understand." I saw Kerenos' slumped shoulders and burst out laughing.

"The story has deviated. In any case, I'm going to meet the king of the welsh wolves and talk about Minotaur. They've been enemies since ancient times. I think they will help."

"Then the monster can be driven out?"

"It isn't just being driven out. The monster can be killed."

Ice Tag Fairy was originally a defensive constellation and lacked damage. The existence I was going to see now was different. They weren't normal wolves.

"Okay. Then I'll delegate this matter to Jackson. There is still a month left until the sacrifice. Make sure you finish off Minotaur by then."

Ttiring~

[Defeat Minotaur!]

[Difficulty: S+

The Temple of the Wind is located on the south side of Windia. It is said that the virgins of the village are sacrificed due to Minotaur that lives there. Defeat Minotaur in a month to save Windia!

-Completion Conditions: Minotaur's death 0/1

-Rewards: Unknown.

-Current time remaining: 31 days.

* It is recommended to have a party of 20 or more.]

An S+ difficulty... 

It was one of the toughest quests I had ever received. In any case, it was a scheduled hards.h.i.+p. It was an inevitable fate for me, who had to go to the Temple of the Wind due to Aiolos' Egg.

"I will do so."

[The quest has been accepted.]

Edward wondered, "Isn't it better to take a boat?"

"Can I get one?"

"I'll help you."

...That's great. It would take longer if I had to go by land. In this case, having money was good after all. Well, even if I didn't have enough, it was certainly better to have some money than nothing.

"Then I'll call the people I will go with."

* * *

The next day, there was the familiar sound of horse hooves as I looked outside the carriage. The carriage was guarded by the knights of Windia and we were heading to the trade city of Fortren, an hour from here. In order to go to sea, we had to take a boat from Fortren.

A familiar voice could be heard from the side.

"Ah, really. Grandpa Drain, this isn't it."

"Miss Kim is right. Now look."

I had requested Sujeong and Drain to go with me. The two of them were pa.s.sing their time with sewing on the way to Fortren. There was also a new person. I hadn't expected him to actually come. Across from me, Gyeonso Dragon sat with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. He felt my gaze and opened his mouth, "Brother, do you have something to say? You have been watching me for a long time."

"No, there's nothing. It's just surprising that you came. To be honest, I was just thinking that."

"Brother, you have to grow quickly so you can fight against me. You haven't reached level 60 yet."

I couldn't help smiling at his answer. "That is true. In any case, thank you for coming."

"It isn't a big deal."

In fact, Gyeonso Dragon's constellation was scheduled to play an important role in this expedition. I wanted to take him with me and I was glad that he followed me so obediently. I looked up at the sky again and enjoyed the sunlight. I could see Kerenos approaching on horseback. "We've almost arrived."

The moment he spoke, the sea could be seen. Seagulls were flying and there were numerous boats. I thought that it truly was a city where trade was really developed.

Kim Sujeong cried out at the sight, "I've never seen such a wide sea before!"

"This is also my first time seeing it."

"Wow, an amazing sea!"

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' is admiring the stunning scenery.]

[The fist star, 'Raitra,' is shrugging.]

Gyeonso Dragon was slightly smiling like he was familiar with this scenery.

"Kwal! Kwal!"

Perhaps she was in a good mood because she hadn't been out for a long time. Once Cer barked, I felt relaxed. The open sea and cool breeze. My heart couldn't help pounding.

After arriving at Fortren, we got off the carriage and headed straight for the s.h.i.+p Edward bought.

"Wow, isn't it pretty big?"

"Oh mai got!"

"Kwal!"

Huh, why did he buy something so big?

Kerenos said, "The lord told me to prepare a s.h.i.+p that is as safe as possible."

"Cough, why spend so much money?"

The words made me feel good. At what other time could I sail on the sea in such a large boat?

"It is a huge yacht. Yacht!"

"Huhu, it is a beautipul yacht. It will be the first voyage of my life."

Sujeong and Drain boarded the s.h.i.+p and were making a fuss. Cer was able to play to her heart's content, jumping here and there as she gasped for breath. I couldn't help laughing.

"Keke."

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' has burst out laughing.]

[The fist star, 'Raitra,' is laughing.]

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' is. .h.i.tting 'Raitra' while laughing.]

[The fist star, 'Raitra,' is in pain.]

Kerenos's mouth curved upward. "My journey is up to here. I'm sorry I can't go with you."

"Why apologize? This d.a.m.n guy. What reason do I need for your protection?"

"Just... I'm worried about Drain and Crystal." 

Gyeonso Dragon spoke, "Don't worry about it. I will keep them safe."

Kerenos replied, "I can trust a skilled person like you. Then I'm asking you."

Thus, we got on the boat. The anchor was raised and the sails spread. A cool blew in from the emerald sea and the captain shouted through his fluttering hair, "We're departing!"

I could feel the land receding along with the rolling waves. Kerenos and the Sylphid Knights waved while the seagulls flew around. I climbed to the highest point of the s.h.i.+p and a seagull landed on my shoulder. "It seems you know this is a great place. Keke."

I smiled and looked at the sea as I basked in the suns.h.i.+ne. Maybe the hards.h.i.+ps would begin from now on but I didn't feel despair. It wasn't easy to feel despair when the world was still so beautiful.