“No worries, I’ll clear the path.”
I transformed and suffused my claws with mana, creating blades of pure magic that extended from them. This was another application of strengthening magic, and exactly what the Hero Arshes had done long ago. Naturally, I couldn’t output as much power as he could, but it should be enough to clear away the thick jungle plants.
“Hngh!”
I swung my arms in a wide arc, cutting through the greenery. My output was higher than expected, and I had to hold back a little to avoid damaging the trees. I also didn’t want to cause unnecessary destruction since there were likely dozens of new species to study in this place. Some of them probably couldn’t survive in any other environment.
“By the way, Veight, how come you have so much mana?” Elmersia asked as she watched me carve a path through the jungle. “That’s way more than most demons have.”
“Oh right. I never told you, did I?” I smiled at her, thinking back to the distant past. “When I was much younger, I ended up absorbing all the mana stored in one of the Valkaan-spawning artifacts. I used up most of it immediately, but was left with about 1,000 kites of mana.”
Elmersia gave me an incredulous look. “You mean you became a Valkaan?!”
“For a brief moment. It was the only way to save Airia who’d been possessed by the artifact. Thinking back on it, I was really reckless then.”
Ah, the follies of youth. Had I made a single misstep, I would’ve died instantly. I was embarrassed by how foolish I’d been back then, so I didn’t tell that story often, but Elmersia looked at me with awe.
“If you have that much capacity for mana, then no wonder you’re a master of strengthening magic.”
“Actually, I think it’s the opposite.” I cut through a particularly thick vine with a grunt. “It’s only because I was born a werewolf and spent so much time practicing strengthening magic that I built up a constitution capable of withstanding 100,000 kites of mana. Which means, I think you and your disciples would be able to do the same, Elmersia.”
Upon hearing that, Elmersia looked up with a start. “Wait... Do you think the reason we werecats given the sacred duty of guarding Mount Kayankaka was because...”
“Yep. In case of an emergency, you guys would be able to become Valkaan and deal with any major threat. I’m sure the people who defeated Jakarn chose your ancestors with that in mind.”
Humans could become Valkaan too, but demons naturally had a larger mana capacity. Transforming took a lot of mana, so evolution had pushed werewolves and werecats in that direction. Giants and kentauros also had bodies that required a lot of mana to function, as otherwise the laws of physics would drag them down too much.
After a few minutes, Elmersia said, “But...we were only ever ordered to guard this sacred mountain. None of our legends mention becoming Valkaan, even by necessity.”
“They probably left it as a last resort for you guys. Nothing good comes from becoming a Valkaan.”
Elmersia gave me a quizzical look. “Even though you gain strength on par with a god?”
“Mortals like us aren’t meant to handle that much power. We can’t use it properly. Of the humans and demons I’ve known who became Valkaan, only those who didn’t use their power or willingly let it go found happiness in the end.”
Friedensrichter hadn’t used his might as a Demon Lord very often during the time I knew him. Master almost possessed enough power to be at that level too, but she was purposely limiting her strength to avoid crossing that line. Meanwhile, Airia and I had relinquished that power. On the other hand, Arshes had been driven by revenge and anger. Though he succeeded in killing Friedensrichter, I got my own revenge by killing him.
I sliced through more vines and repeated what I’d said countless times. “This world doesn’t need Valkaan anymore. The era where a single being could usher in a new age is over.”
“I can’t tell if that feels more convincing because you basically carved out a new era on your own, or less.”
“I didn’t do it alone. It was only thanks to everyone’s help that we’ve come this far. All of you regular folk, not Valkaan. Although, I guess I am at least strong enough to carve a path through this jungle by myself.” I grinned and sliced through a few more feet of jungle.
After two days of grueling jungle travel, we reached the southernmost point that Elmersia had visited.
“Any farther and even a werecat can’t make it back in one day,” Elmersia explained as we reached a clearing.
“Makes sense.”
While it’d taken our group two days, a lone werecat or werewolf could probably make the journey in half a day or so. Of course, that meant the return journey would also take half a day, not to mention the time required to set up instruments and take readings.
“All right, let’s set up camp here for... Wait, what are you guys doing?” I turned to Shumar’s retainers, who had all started taking out axes.
“We need to build a proper cabin for His Highness if this will be our base camp.”
Do you guys seriously plan on cutting down trees and building a cabin here?
Shumar hurriedly ran over and said, “I-I’m fine with a tent. Thank you all for your loyalty, but I don’t need special treatment. We need to preserve our manpower, not waste it on luxuries.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” The men put away their axes at once, as if they’d expected Shumar to say this.
“My apologies, Professor.” Shumar sighed. “They have to show their loyalty, or their superiors will scold them when we return.”
“That sounds rough...”
Shumar smiled wryly. “It is. That’s why I want to do away with these unnecessary formalities once I take the throne. But for now, the system exists as it does, and if I try to force change now, they’ll suffer.”
“You’re right. It’s important to show consideration for those who work for you.” I glanced back and saw Tiriya speaking to Shumar’s entourage.
“I’ll be sure to tell Her Majesty the queen you showed utmost loyalty to the prince,” I heard him say. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“Understood, Master Tiriya.”
Tiriya and Shumar really made a good team. I had faith the two of them could lead Kuwol in a better direction than Shumar’s father had.
After scouting the area, I had everyone set up two camps. We split our supplies between them so that we wouldn’t be helpless if one camp got attacked by monsters. And there was one other reason I wanted two camps...