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After a moment, Russ stuttered and asked.

“Hyung, I’m a bit lost here. So, are you saying you want to release elves, dwarves, and the like into the wild?”

Repenhardt let out a bitter smile. Yes, that was the expected reaction. He was no longer angry about it. He quietly replied.

“They have intellect and emotions, just like humans. Russ, ‘wild’ is a term that should be applied to animals.”

“Eh, well, that’s true but…”

Russ scratched his head vigorously. The idea was so out of the blue that he couldn’t organize his thoughts. To him, treating other races as equals rather than slaves sounded as absurd as treating the livestock he raised at home as humans. The only difference, perhaps, was that these ‘livestock’ could talk.

It was natural to be perplexed.

‘Why? What for?’

Russ pondered. He knew that many among the aura users had quirky personalities, but this seemed a bit too much. He even began to doubt whether he had made the wrong choice.

On the other hand, Sillan looked surprisingly understanding.

“It kind of makes you think, it’s very Repen-like.”

Sillan had already encountered many different races alongside Repenhardt. He had realized that what he knew and the reality were quite different. He wasn’t enraged enough to despise the society that enslaved elves and orcs, but he could at least feel that something was fundamentally wrong with the societal perception that simply labeled them as mere slaves.

Now Sillan could understand why Repenhardt dreamed of such things.

However, it’s one thing for Repenhardt to feel this way, and another to change the world to feel the same! Sillan asked with a stern face.

“So, Mr. Repen, do you want to change the world?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not just about secretly releasing the slaves, right?”

“It could come to that if necessary. But that’s not my ultimate goal.”

Repenhardt looked around at everyone and slowly began to speak.

“If need be, even if it means fighting the world, I want to achieve this dream. That’s why I’m asking you.”

And he asked in a solemn voice.

“Will you follow my cause?”

* * *

Everyone remained silent, lost in thought. Seeing this, Repenhardt pondered.

‘Did I unnecessarily bring this up?’

There was no real need to discuss such matters. He could have simply found a plausible excuse to separate Sillan and Russ, then quickly visit the Grand Forge alone.

Yet, he did not wish to do so. He felt compelled to persuade the world. If he couldn’t even convince a few of his companions, even if they couldn’t accept his views, if they at least couldn’t understand him, then his dream had no chance. He would have to become the Demon King again, once more engulfing the continent in flames and establishing a dark empire.

‘This was a conversation that needed to happen eventually.’

Repenhardt looked at Sillan. Truthfully, there was little chance that Russ would understand him. They hadn’t known each other for long, and Russ had hardly been exposed to other races. Frankly, Repenhardt had no expectations there.

But Sillan was different. Unbeknownst to him, Repenhardt had continuously shown Sillan that the reality he knew was incorrect. He had persistently conveyed that elves and orcs, in fact, have intellect and emotions like humans, and they possess their own cultures and traditions.

At least, Repenhardt thought he had sufficiently persuaded Sillan. Would the boy understand him?

With anxious eyes, Repenhardt looked at Sillan. This was not merely about gaining a comrade who shared his beliefs. It was almost like determining whether he could tread a path different from his previous life!

Finally, Sillan spoke.

“I will follow Mr. Repen.”

Surprisingly, it wasn’t Repenhardt but Siris who was astonished.

“Sillan?”

Sillan continued calmly.

“Well, I don’t completely agree with Mr. Repen’s dream. Honestly, I think it’s a far-fetched dream. But, as Mr. Repen said, I do feel it strange that in this world, other races are merely slaves.”

There were experiences he had had. The feelings he had felt. Sillan smiled wryly.

“Besides, as a pilgrim traveling the world, how often do you come across a companion with such grand aspirations?”

Sillan had chosen the path of a pilgrim to spread the teachings of Philanence. For most clerics who embarked on pilgrimages, the aim was to gain fame and leave a name in the annals of the church as a saint, driven by a sense of honor. Though this wasn’t the sole reason for Sillan’s journey, it didn’t mean he was devoid of any desire for honor.

Suddenly, Sillan’s expression turned playful.

“Elves, dwarves, orcs, they all have males and females, right?”

Curious about what he was about to say, everyone’s attention turned to him. Sillan continued.

“So, elves, orcs, dwarves, they all can love, right? Then, we must spread the teachings of Philanence! I don’t completely believe Mr. Repen can change the world, but by following him, wouldn’t I meet numerous hidden other races? This could be an opportunity to become the first person in the history of the church to spread the faith among other races. How could I pass up this chance?”

Everyone was speechless. This was an utterly unexpected reasoning. Repenhardt wore a mixed expression. Was this considered a proper persuasion, or not?

“Anyway, you’re saying you’ll follow me?”

“Yes.”

“Even if it’s dangerous? Even if it earns the hatred of humans? What if we have to attack nobles to free all their slaves?”

Repenhardt asked, wondering if Sillan had underestimated the seriousness of their endeavor. However, it seemed that wasn’t the case. A calm reply came back.

“If Mr. Repen deems it necessary, I’m willing to help.”

“Even though it’s essentially theft?”

“Just make sure to cover my face.”

Seeing Sillan smiling gently, Repenhardt smiled back. It seemed his first gamble in this life was paying off. The declaration of spreading faith to other races was an unequivocal acknowledgment of their personhood.

‘Have I done it…?’

It was a small step, but a correct one. Pleased with himself, Repenhardt turned to Russ.

‘Now, it’s this guy’s turn.’

Russ still wore a confused expression. It was to be expected. Unlike Sillan, Russ hadn’t had the proper time or context for persuasion. If he had claimed to understand, that in itself would have been suspicious.

Repenhardt had no intention of dismissing Russ at this point. If he was willing to part ways after just a week, he wouldn’t have accepted him in the first place.

With a gentle voice, Repenhardt asked, “You don’t quite understand, do you, Russ?”

Hesitating at first, Russ eventually nodded in agreement.

“Yes, hyung.”

“That’s expected,” Repenhardt nodded as if understanding Russ’s perspective completely.

“It’s not that I’m asking you to understand me right away, nor am I demanding immediate allegiance. You haven’t seen anything yet, nor have you heard much. It’s natural to be confused.”

Unlike with Sillan, Repenhardt hadn’t shown him various things, nor had he discussed the truth about other races. Suddenly proclaiming ‘Other races are not slaves! Believe it! Just believe!’ would be something a cult leader might do.

However, convincing Russ on the spot was too big of a challenge due to the deep-seated beliefs. It wasn’t something that could be resolved in a few words, and Repenhardt didn’t expect that.

What he hoped for from Russ was simpler. Repenhardt spoke, “You swore to follow me. Then, observe with your own eyes as we proceed. Make your own decisions. All I ask is that you do not betray me until that moment comes.”

He was serious but then let out a small laugh, “Well, by betrayal, I don’t mean anything grand. Just remain tight-lipped. A lot of what we’ll discuss going forward is quite secretive.”

“Hyung…”

Russ met Repenhardt’s gaze, his eyes steady. They were too full of determined will to simply dismiss as those of a peculiar individual. The look in his eyes was not that of a madman.

Moreover, the fact that Sillan was convinced bothered him. No matter how he thought about it, it sounded like nonsense, but Repenhardt’s confidence was too unwavering. It was clear he believed that following him would lead to understanding.

After a moment, Russ came to a decision.

“I, too, will follow you, hyung.”

Repenhardt did not force Russ to accept his views. He merely asked him to observe and judge for himself. This request was far from unreasonable.

“Honestly, I can’t grasp what you’re saying, hyung. But I have already sworn my loyalty to you. I may not understand your intentions, but I’ve realized that doesn’t justify betraying you.”

Suddenly, Russ kneeled earnestly in front of Repenhardt.

“Wherever you lead, that is the path I will follow. This fact will not change until I return to my family!”

Russ exclaimed, his voice filled with unwavering resolve. It was a truly knightly gesture, promising to uphold his oath of loyalty regardless of whom he faced.

Sillan shuddered with an expression that screamed ‘cheesy’.

‘Wow, talk about knightly dialogue…’

Regardless, this meant that both Sillan and Russ were now on board with Repenhardt’s intentions. They might not fully share his vision, but at least they had become trustworthy companions.

Relieved, Repenhardt loosened his shoulders. Despite trying to appear unfazed, it seemed he had been quite tense.

‘Now, we can speak freely.’

Feeling liberated, Repenhardt began to speak.

“Our next destination is the Grand Forge, a sacred place of the dwarves and the temple of their chief deity, Al Fort. It’s among the highest secrets, not to be disclosed to humans. You understand why I had to bring up this lengthy explanation, right?”

* * *

The northernmost reaches of the Setellad mountain range were terrain so harsh that humans dared not tread. Rugged mountainsides, sheer cliffs scattered throughout, and ancient coniferous forests, possibly hundreds or even thousands of years old, stretched endlessly. With thick mists rising above this vast forest, even the hardiest of humans would hesitate to set foot here.

In the depths of a forest shrouded in mist, where the sunlight struggled to penetrate even in the afternoon, a massive monster was roaring.

“Woah!”

A gigantic humanoid monster, over three meters tall, known as an ogre, was enjoying its hunt. This creature, which relished in eating humans and possessed the brute strength to kill beasts like tigers with its bare hands, was now leading dozens of its kind in a charge through the forest. All of them appeared furious, incensed by the audacity of the ‘humans’ who had dared to trespass into their territory.

The leading ogre, wielding a tree trunk-sized club, charged at the forest’s intruders. Each swing of its club stirred up a whirlwind, making a loud whooshing sound. Suddenly, a young girl, peculiarly busty for her age, swiftly moved forward to confront it. In her hands, she held a pair of battle axes nearly as big as herself, which she crossed over her head as she shouted.

“Earth! Grant me strength!”

Boom!

The ogre’s club came crashing down on the girl’s battle axes. Astonishingly, she easily blocked the ogre’s blow. Despite her small stature, she exhibited a strength comparable to the ogre’s. Not stopping there, she repelled the club and swung her battle axes, deeply cutting into the ogre’s abdomen.

“Taaah!”

The ogre screamed as its innards spilled out. A young boy with red hair, watching from behind, clicked his tongue.

“Really, I can’t get used to it no matter how many times I see it.”

The dwarf girl, Tilla, could momentarily amplify her strength by communing with the earth. Being a descendant of the earth spirits, this was a skill possible for a dwarf. Despite being a slave, Tilla, who inherited the blood of warriors, still held the secrets of her ancestors.