Chapter 478

Chapter 478

"What?"

Diana and Lucia snapped around at the same time. Ian's brow also furrowed.

—In any case, one thing's for sure. It's getting closer.

"How close?" Ian asked, his scowl deepening.

Yog flicked its tongue.

—It's still quite far, but who knows?

"Shit. We'd better hurry," Diana muttered, her eyes narrowing beneath the mask.

Lucia nodded quickly. Moro snorted and quickened its pace.

The group had already completely descended the dune and was passing through a concave sand valley. The range of visibility was bound to be narrow.

Yog's reply came instantly.

—Of course, my friend. We've both devoured the same chaos, haven't we?

"Do you think we can reach its domain before we're caught?"

—I can't say for sure, but I doubt it. Even if we start running now, it won't be easy.

So that's how it is, shit. Ian briefly licked his lips.

Diana, who had been striding forward, let out a deep sigh. "At this point, this is no different from just crossing the desert… No, it's worse."

"Not quite," Ian added.

If his guesses were right, the desert monsters wouldn't be able to follow them into Yanar Tash's domain. The desert had begun to swirl, slowly but surely.

Even if that wasn't the case, they likely wouldn't pose the same level of threat. It wasn't as if Yanar Tash would fight with their safety in mind.

"So…" Ian glanced at Diana and Lucia in turn as they tilted their heads toward him, then nodded toward Moro. "How about we all just ride it together?"

"All four of us?" As Diana's eyes narrowed, Lucia blinked and asked the same.

Ian reached out his hand to Moro's neck. "Yeah. All of us."

Moro growled as if in response. Ian's gaze flickered as he gently stroked Moro's neck.

"No matter how powerful Moro is, it won't be able to carry all of us for long. There's barely enough room, either," said Diana.

"Well," Ian, who had been looking at the back of Moro's head, finally turned his gaze again. "It says it can do it."

Diana paused, furrowing her brow. What gave her pause was the faint violet glow flickering in the center of Ian's eyes. The bead of chaos essence had responded to Moro's thoughts.

Glancing over his shoulder, Ian said, "Sir Seren. Would you mind dismounting for a moment?"

"Pardon? Ah—yes, Agent of the Saint." Startled, Seren blinked rapidly before promptly hopping down.

Ian's violet gaze returned to Moro.

"I'm not sure what you're trying to do, but go for it," said Ian.

At the same moment, chaos power began spreading from his palm on Moro's neck. The beast stopped moving that very instant.

—Save your chaos, my friend. There will be when it's truly needed.

Ian nodded but didn't stop the flow of chaos that the essence bead spilled forth. Truthfully, this was only a fraction of the chaos he now carried within him.

Crunch... crackle...

The sound of bones shifting spread from Moro. The beast, already far beyond the size of any ordinary warhorse, grew even larger.

Its dark gray mane, streaked with violet, thickened and flared outward. The horn on its snout lengthened, sharpening like a blade.

"Good heavens." Lucia, who had been blankly watching the transformation that could be called an evolution, let out a gasp.

Seren, who had stepped back, also had a surprised look on her face. "Incredible. To think it could grow this much... I have seen nothing like this since Serila, His Highness's steed."

At last, Ian lifted his hand from Moro's neck. The mutation, however, was not complete.

Snap... crunch...

The saddle stretched wider, while the beast's armor tightened, molding perfectly to its bulk.

Moro lifted its bowed head as the transformation neared its end. The horn on its snout rose sharply like a blade, and a faint purple light flowed through its long, voluminous mane.

Grrr...

A deep, resonant breath rumbled from its chest. It had not only become larger and more massive, but it also exuded an air of dignity and grace.

Ian gave the mane a stroke before turning to the others.

"This should be big enough for all of us to ride together," said Ian.

The group stared at one another, eyes wide, then moved toward Moro without a word of protest.

"Truly, it's astonishing. You look magnificent, Moro," Lucia whispered as she took Ian's hand and climbed onto the front of the saddle.

Moro, glancing back at her, snorted a puff of violet mist.

"Please, take the front. I'll move to the back," Seren said, shifting her position as she climbed on.

Diana didn't refuse and leaped up, settling right behind Ian. Moro didn't even stagger.

—If we're all aboard, then let's get moving.

At Yog's whisper, Moro moved. Each step landed heavily, but the ride felt steady.

"Huddle closer," said Ian, pulling Diana's arm, which was awkwardly gripping his waist.

As Diana stiffened with her eyes slightly wide, Seren also wrapped her arms around Diana's waist.

Ian, with one hand on Lucia's shoulder, asked, "Can you run?"

Instead of answering, Moro bolted forward. A burst of black sand sprayed up behind its tail, scattering into the air. As it dipped its head, its thickened mane rippled like a wave.

This is actually working.

Ian gave a faint, chuckle as he gripped the reins. To run at this speed while carrying four heavily armed riders—it was no small feat, even for a beast like Moro. A normal horse wouldn't have lasted a minute.

"Don't push yourself too hard, Moro. We might have to keep this up for hours," Lucia said softly as she leaned forward into the flowing mane

Moro gave a spirited growl but eased its pace slightly. Even so, it was still moving at a considerable speed.

Shhhh—

Wind laced with sand swept over them again and again. Before they knew it, they were climbing another low dune, their pace slowing further—Moro seemed to settle into a rhythm it could sustain for the long haul.

I guess I'll let it run itself.

After observing quietly for a moment, Ian loosened the reins. Truth be told, he wasn't entirely sure where Moro's new limits lay. It would be much better to let the creature find them itself.

Shuff— Shuff—

As if to prove his point, Moro continued forward, maintaining a steady, measured speed. Diana, who had been stiff with tension, slowly relaxed into her seat. Seren, at the back, also found a more comfortable position.

—Well, now.

Yog's whisper spread after quite some time had passed. The creature, which had been coiling its tail around Ian's shoulder and swaying as if enjoying the speed, suddenly pulled itself back to look at Ian.

—It looks like they were moving slower earlier because they were trying to stay undetected.

As Lucia, sitting in front, turned around with a frown, Ian asked, "They're closing in faster now?"

—Seems like it. Though it might also be that we're nearing the archdemon's domain.

The possibility was high. A foreboding, swirling reddish-brown sky was visible up ahead.

Ian swept his gaze around. They were descending a low dune now, and though a much taller sand ridge loomed ahead, the visibility on either side was still decent.

Beyond the rolling black desert, Ian spotted faint, writhing silhouettes in the distance.

The shapes were too blurred to identify, likely because they were using camouflage or hiding beneath the sand.

"Fuck. This feels endless," Diana muttered, glancing around.

They were still quite far away, but it was clear that they were closing in from all directions.

Screech— Scree—

A distant, echoing cry rang out not long after.

Diana's expression twisted as she realized the sound was coming from the sky. "Is that a wyvern's cry?"

"Wyvern?" Ian asked, tilting his head slightly back.

"They usually live in canyons… No. That's not important." Diana, who had been scanning the sky shimmering with a black haze, shook her head. "We need to move faster, Ian Hope. At this rate, they're going to catch up."

"We can't."

At Ian's firm answer, Diana looked at him and asked, "What? Why not?"

"He's right," Lucia said, now sitting fully upright. She leaned back against Ian's chest and turned her head toward Diana. "No matter how much it has grown, Moro's stamina isn't infinite. If we push too hard, it'll tire out that much faster. In the worst-case scenario, it might even fall behind."

"No, then are you saying we should just let them catch up on us?"

"Yog already warned us this might happen, didn't it?" Ian cut in calmly, glancing between Lucia and Diana as he gave a casual shrug. "Moro's already doing more than enough. It's our turn to pull our weight."

"Are you saying we should fight? In this state?"

"Do you have a better idea?"

"No… That's… not it," Diana trailed off, then clenched her eyes shut. With a resigned sigh, she drew a throwing dagger from her belt.

Just then, a gauntleted hand reached out over her shoulder. "If it's not too much to ask, could I borrow a weapon?"

It was Seren. Meeting Ian's gaze, she added with a calm, composed face, "I'll need to guard the rear, but with my current gear, I won't be much use."

Ian didn't answer right away—not because he didn't trust her, but because he couldn't think of a suitable weapon to offer. The black sword might try to possess her, and he couldn't hand over the Truesilver Steel Sword either.

Of the weapons stored in his pocket dimension, the only thing better than Diana's dagger was a battle hammer, and that wasn't something to be wielded while carrying four people.

"Would this do, Sir Seren?" Lucia asked, raising a flail she had drawn from her hip.

Seren blinked in surprise, then took in the brutal weapon, its iron head dangling from a chain.

"It's excellent. A flail might actually be more useful in this situation. But then, what about you, Priestess?"

"I'll be fine." Lucia handed the weapon over without hesitation and then looked up at Ian. "If we have to fight, I intend to fight like a spellcaster this time."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Ian's lips. "Be careful of magic exhaustion."

"I won't worry about that this time."

"Hm?"

As Ian's faint smile stiffened, Lucia continued, "Since you need to conserve your strength as much as possible, this time, leave it to me—and only support from the back."

Lucia's eyes, glowing faintly orange, narrowed. "My spells are going to be more effective right now anyway. You're a brown mage, after all."

Ian stared into her eyes for a beat, then let out a quiet laugh.

It wasn't just because her idea was commendable, but also because she was right. Seren was watching. Of course, he could silence her by killing her after everything was over, but he didn't want to resort to such methods if he didn't have to.

"Still, be careful of magic exhaustion."

When he finally relented, Lucia's eyes curved slightly, as if she immediately understood he had given his permission.

—A good plan. Since there are two spellcasters now. If done well, it might not be too dangerous. Of course...

Yog's seemingly pleased whisper interjected.

—You'd best listen to Lucy, my friend.

Everyone's telling me to rest.

Even knowing full well it was because of the battle with Yanar Tash, Ian still gently shook his head and added, "Then you do your part too."

He turned to look at Yog, then shifted his gaze to Diana as well. "You two have the sharpest senses. Be the spellcaster's eyes and ears."

Diana nodded immediately. Her eyes, looking at Ian, were filled with a desire to survive. Yog promptly dissolved into smoke.

—Let's give it our best, Pointy Ears.

Yog whispered as it reformed over Diana's nape. She didn't flinch or recoil. She merely nodded, eyes scanning the surroundings.

Grrr…

Meanwhile, Moro began to ascend another slope. Although tall, the dune was gently sloping. The group each stretched lightly and scanned their surroundings.

—Once we're over the other side, I've got a feeling there'll be at least one nasty thing waiting for us.

Yog's whisper came only after they had passed well beyond the middle of the dune.

Of course, Ian didn't sense anything, but he simply nodded.

Lucia glanced back at him.

"Let me say this again, Sir Ian. Please only take care of what I miss. You need to conserve your strength." Her voice carried both tension and a curious excitement.

When she looked back at him, her eyes were already glowing a vivid crimson.

"Alright, alright." Ian gave a reluctant nod.

Lucia smiled, and she finally turned forward, lifting her arms in front of her. "Well, then, let's see what we've got."

From her outstretched hands, dazzling flames flared up, swirling as if drawing a circle.