No Man's Land.

It is a place at the fringe of the Northern Continent, to the far south.

Although it should be labelled, it isn't technically labelled so due to the number of wild beasts and dangers that lurk at every corner.

Besides that, the land is barren, a literal wilderness with nothing valuable in sight for miles.

Many Emperors of the past have tried to tame this land and conquer the creatures who dwell within it, all to no avail.

It is useless to speculate on how they all ventured.

All of them, without exception, partook of the same stinging sensation of failure.

Only one managed to set up a proper structure in this place, and it is only meant to serve as the last resort for the Imperial Family.

Unfortunately, the precise coordinates aren't known. Hence, to reach this sanctuary, one has to keep moving forward.

Forward.

Searching… endlessly.

In this vast ocean of black desert sand and a dreary atmosphere of unsettling silence.

That is precisely what we are doing.

It has been about two days since we arrived in this place, and the search seems to be hopeless.

As I watch the sun set in the silent sky, I can't help but ponder deeply on this matter.

It is my hope that this will be my final trial in this Apotheosis, considering the difficulty and discomfort of it all.

Although I haven't yet died since we stepped into No Man's Land, I have had several close shaves with death.

The creatures here are simply that crazy.

Magivores… no, Monsters.

They are in abundance in this land. Their excess numbers bleed into our small group as they try to constantly annihilate us.

Fortunately, we have two Armaments on our side. Thus, we have managed to make it this far.

But how much longer can we last?

I'm not sure.

Our numbers have drastically whittled down to barely twelve Imperial Knights. Our food and other supplies are quickly running out.

It doesn't seem like there is an end in sight within this hellscape.

I have to wonder if this Sanctuary is even real.

Perhaps it is just a tall tale.

A story meant to spark hope in the minds of the Imperial Family and exemplify the glory of their ancestors.

But if the story was a farce, why send the Imperial Family to No Man's Land in particular?

Why not the Northern Mountains in the far north? Or the Eastern Archipalegos? Even the Western Tundras would be a much better option than this No Man's Land.

That is because life is abundant in these places and survival, while difficult, is possible.

But this place is hopeless.

I can see why the Empire gave up on cultivating it at all.

Then again…

'It's because this place is so inhospitable that we can be guaranteed there are no pursuers. Even if Kalakuta and his men want to come after us, not only do they have to worry about the desert creatures, but they are also likely to think of us as dead.' I think to myself.

Using this logic, hiding a safe place in such a deadly region would indeed be genius.

But does it truly exist?

That is the big question—one I have grown a little too uncomfortable not to ask.

'Maybe the Imperial Directive is a riddle. I might be able to solve it with my expertise.' I cast my gaze on the carriages behind me and have this steady thought.

But not long after I do, I shake my head and sigh.

Unfortunately, it isn't my place to question the decisions of the Imperial Family or ask of its secrets.

Although I have been elevated to a leadership position, it is an honorary placement that doesn't give me much to work with.

The limits of my authority lie with the Imperial Knights whose numbers are rapidly dwindling.

I reckon that we will be completely wiped out in a day—maybe two if I'm being generous.

I don't know how much more I can take.

I might not last that long.

Although the desert is extremely deadly, it is something I can bear.

Although I have experienced all kinds of dangers, none of them have exceeded my expectations.

Although my position remains unsatisfactory and my fate is unknown, I can still shoulder the burdens I have to bear.

But—

There is one thing I absolutely cannot stand.

'This smell!'

My body currently reeks, and the degree is so extreme that the rest of the Imperial Guards have to keep their distance from me.

Not only is it terribly mortifying, but it is also very uncomfortable for me.

Just how unhygienic was this man?

'Ever since I attended the Royal Academy, I always took special care when it came to hygiene. Unlike most Knights that wouldn't care about minor issues of cleanliness, due to the nature of the occupation, I always ensured to take care of my body and appearance to my utmost ability. So…' I scrunch up my nose and feel an overwhelming sense of disgust.

'... Having to possess a body like this is torture on its own.'

The mighty desert heat, accompanied by its hot breeze, only makes the smell worse.

Such a pungent odor!

So foul!

It's hard to believe that this is actually me.

'But… unfortunately, there's nothing that can be done about this.' I sigh, riding my horse among the others in silence.

'The water we have left is limited, and there is no oasis in sight, so I can't wash up. Guh, what rotten smell is coming from my beard?' I have to remind myself to persevere at this moment.

That's right!

I must continue moving forward.

'On another note, I wonder what the Imperial Family is like…' To distract myself from the torturous experience, I change the subject matter of my thoughts.

The Imperial Family, huh?

I have learned that the Emperor, his daughter, and two of his sons managed to flee from the burning capital in time.

I don't know much else about them.

That's because, throughout our journey together, I still haven't laid eyes on any of them.

It's rather strange, right?

Well…

'Tyrrion and Enryndal answer to their needs, including feeding and other things. Whenever they need to relieve themselves, we have to look away and cover our eyes as they alight from their carriages.' My eyes narrow a little as I recollect many times like this during the past two days.

I know these people exist.

I could clearly sense their presence when they alighted. There is indeed an older, larger man who is the Emperor, with three younger people—one of which is a girl.

I simply do not know their appearance.

'If only I had access to Clairvoyance…' The moment I think of Clairvoyance, something else pops into my thoughts.

A woman.

Draped in darkness of night and possessing eyes that shine with the brilliance of the sun.

Lady Anastasia… the woman in the fog.

'She said we would meet during my Apotheosis, but I see no sign of her at all. Am I only going to see her once the Trial Scenario concludes? Then—'

BOOOOOM!!!

Right at this moment, the great desert floor a few meters from us explodes, and a terrifying creature emerges from within it.

A Magivore, no doubt, though it is referred to as a Desert Monster/Creature by these people.

My eyes narrow, and I block my face to filter the several grains of sands that now fly at me and my comrades due to the eruption.

Despite the suddenness of the situation, I do not fail to catch a glimpse of this creature.

Once I do, my eyes bulge and I shudder.

The creature is tall and long, possessing a scaly skin and a colossal form of nearly ten meters in height.

With a head shaped like a lizard, perhaps a legendary dragon, and a terrifying tail that parts the sand upon contact, this being defies all the logic I have established in this world.

It has no front or hind limbs, but its fat body tells me there is no deficit of prey for it to hunt in this vast wilderness.

This thing—

"Desert Wrym!" One of the Imperial Knights screams in fear. "To think we would be unfortunate to encounter it on our second day here."

I glance at the others, and they all show equally terrified expressions.

I can't blame them.

In my world, this thing would be classified as a Cadre 4 Magivore, requiring a B Grade Armament to even stand a chance of victory.

And although we possess two C Grade Armaments, they are inadequate to take down this kind of entity.

Not only are we within its territory, but all of us are exhausted beyond comparison.

It is impossible to win.

'Looks like my luck is quite rotten…' Although I have this thought, I still brandish my bow and yell instructions at the petrified Imperial Knights.

What other choice is there but to fight?

If we don't fight, we die.

'Damnit!'

I grit my teeth and press forward with everyone. We hurriedly take formation and do our best to protect the carriages behind us.

I curse even more under my ragged breath, my eyes swirling in desperation.

Of all the things I have seen here…

… This is the worst!

"ATTACK!"

We launch our assault on the Desert Wyrm, and I resort to firing as many light arrows at it.

It's no use.

The arrows bounce off its scales as though they are mere toys. These are the same arrows that easily pierced skin and bone when it came to human targets.

But I understand why this is happening.

'This Wyrm has exceptional defenses. Plus, although this is a C Grade Armament, each arrow fired is only a step higher than D Grade and can't be considered a genuine C Grade Armament's attack…'

I grit my teeth in even more desperation.

How am I expected to win against this? What point is there in asking that question?

Hehe…

Hasn't it always been like this?

Me, Javier Aditi, against impossible odds!

And I have always been victorious.

I scream, my voice almost as loud as the monstrous beast's roar.

"You will be no different!"

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