Leon stood still and looked up at the massive stone guardian.
A small smile slowly formed on his face.
Inside his mind, a thought passed clearly.
"Huh… it's a good thing I remembered how this guy fell for Elisa's flattery."
He felt slightly relieved.
Because even though he knew the story, there was still a small chance things could have gone differently now that he was inside the world itself.
But the result was the same.
The guardian had reacted just like in the novel.
Leon remembered the scene clearly.
In the original story, a young girl had stood here.
Princess Elisa von Aeris.
She was only eight years old at that time.
The guardian had looked down on her, just like it did to Leon now.
It had refused her at first.
But Elisa did not argue.
Instead, she praised the guardian.
She spoke politely.
She called it wise.
She called it noble.
She called it the true protector of Valkor's legacy.
And the guardian—
It liked those words.
Because it had been standing here for centuries, guarding this place alone, waiting for someone worthy, it desired recognition even if it did not show it openly.
That was why Elisa's words worked.
And now,Leon had used the same method.
He looked at the guardian again.
"Good… it worked."
The guardian slowly raised its massive stone arms.
The movement was heavy.
A deep grinding sound echoed through the cave as its joints moved, because its body was made of solid stone and had remained still for a long time before being awakened.
Felix straightened immediately.
His body became alert because he did not know what the guardian was about to do.
Nox also floated slightly higher, his eyes focused on the guardian's hands.
"Let me open the door for the trial," the guardian said.
Its voice was calm now, but still deep and heavy.
Leon quietly watched.
Because he knew what was about to happen.
The guardian lifted both of its hands forward.
For a moment, nothing could be seen.
Felix narrowed his eyes, trying to see clearly in the dim light of the cave.
Then—
A faint light appeared in the empty space in front of them.
It was small at first.
Like a tiny spark.
Felix's eyes widened slightly.
Nox leaned forward in the air.
The small light slowly grew.
It expanded into a thin glowing circle.
Strange symbols began to appear inside the circle.
They were old and unfamiliar.
They slowly moved and rotated, forming patterns that looked like they had a purpose, as if they were part of a mechanism rather than random magic.
Felix felt a slight pressure on his body.
His grip on his sword tightened again, not out of fear, but because the energy coming from the circle felt powerful and unknown.
The light grew brighter.
The circle expanded wider and wider.
Then the center of the circle darkened.
It slowly opened.
Like a door.
A swirling portal formed in the air.
Its edges glowed faintly with red light, while the inside looked deep and dark, like it led to a place far beyond this cave.
Cold air flowed out from inside the portal.
Felix felt it brush against his face.
He stared at it silently.
Because from his point of view, this was something he had never seen before.
A hidden entrance.
A real trial.
And his master had opened it.
Nox crossed his arms again while floating.
He stared at the portal with interest.
"So this is what he was aiming for…"
The guardian slowly lowered its hands.
The heavy sound of stone echoed again as its arms returned to its sides.
"The trial awaits beyond this gate," the guardian said.
Its glowing red eyes turned toward Leon.
"Enter… if you have the courage."
Leon looked at the portal.
His eyes remained calm.
Because he already knew what was waiting inside.
But even then—
He also knew that knowing something and facing it were two different things.
Felix glanced at Leon.
"Master is really going inside that…"
Even though he trusted Leon completely, the unknown always brought tension.
Nox looked at Leon as well.
He did not speak, but he was clearly watching to see what Leon would do next.
Leon took a slow breath.
Then he stepped forward.
Because this was the moment he had come for.
The portal continued to swirl quietly in front of them, as if waiting only for him.
Leon stepped forward.
The swirling portal stood before him like an open mouth to another world—dark, cold, and silent.
The faint red glow along its edges flickered against his face, but his expression did not change.
Without hesitation, he began to walk toward it.
"Come," Leon said calmly, his voice steady.
"Let's go."
Felix reacted instantly.
"Yes, Master—"
He moved forward to follow Leon, his boots scraping lightly against the stone floor.
But—
The guardian's massive stone arm blocked his path.
The ground trembled slightly as the guardian blocked his path.
Felix's eyes widened.
"What—?"
He looked up sharply at the towering figure.
The guardian's glowing red eyes turned toward him, cold and unwavering.
"Only the one who offered the blood may enter."
Its deep voice echoed through the cave like a final verdict.
Felix froze.
"…What?"
For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
But the guardian did not move its arm.
The path remained blocked.
Realization struck him
"You're saying… I can't go in?"
The guardian did not answer.
It didn't need to.
The silence itself was confirmation.
Felix clenched his fists.
His heart began to pound.
"I cannot let my master go inside that alone!"
he shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "You don't even know what's in there—!"
"I do."
Leon's voice cut through the tension.
Felix turned toward him.
Leon had already reached the very edge of the portal.
The cold air flowed around him, brushing against his clothes as if trying to pull him in.
His expression remained calm.
Unshaken.
"Master, this isn't something you should—"
"I'll go alone."
The words were simple.
But absolute.
Felix's breath caught.
"…No."
His voice dropped.
Not in anger.
But refusal.
"I won't accept that."
He stepped forward again—but the guardian's arm didn't move an inch.
Felix glared at it.
"Move."
The guardian remained still.
"I said move!"
Nothing.
The massive stone figure stood like an unbreakable wall.
Felix's hand moved to his sword.
But before he could act—
"Felix."
Leon spoke again.
This time, his tone was slightly firmer.
Felix stopped.
Slowly, reluctantly, he looked at him.
Leon turned his head slightly, meeting his gaze.
"There's no need to force your way through," he said.
"…How can you say that?" Felix's voice tightened.
"You're asking me to just stand here while you walk into something unknown!"
Leon held his gaze for a moment.
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly.
Inside his mind, a thought appeared.
"Why is this guy like this?."
Felix was not just loyal.
He was… overly loyal.
Almost like he was ready to throw himself into danger without thinking.
Leon stayed silent for a moment.
Then he spoke inside his mind.
"System… can you explain?."
A faint response appeared immediately.
THE SUMMONS SUMMONED USING AUTHOR'S LEGACY WILL BE ABSOLUTELY LOYAL TO YOU.
THEY CANNOT DISOBEY ANY OF YOUR ORDERS.
Leon blinked slightly.
"Really?…"
He looked at Felix again.
Now it made sense.
Felix was not just being brave.
He was acting like this because of absolute loyalty.
Because Leon was his master.
Leon let out a small breath.
Then his eyes sharpened slightly.
"Author's Insight," he said quietly.
A faint glow appeared in his eyes for a moment.
Then—
A transparent window appeared in front of him.
TARGET INFO
Name: Felix
Affiliation: Leon (Subordinate)
Race: Human
Strength:7000
Stamina: 6600
Agility: 9100
Intelligence: 40
Skills:
•Sword Mastery[Lord tier]
•Flame Swordsmanship(Lv.110)
•Combat Instinct(Lord tier)
•Flame sword art(Lv.120)
•Sunblade swordsmanship(Lord tier)
•Burning dimensional strike(Lv.901)
Status: Stable
His current mind:
He feels worried and uneasy because his master is about to enter an unknown and dangerous place alone. The portal gives off a strange and cold feeling, which makes him cautious.At the same time, he feels frustrated because he cannot go with Leon due to the guardian's rule.
Weakness:
Extreme shyness around girls, easily loses focus and composure in such situations.
Then—
"I'm not Requesting you..."
Felix went silent.
"I'm ordering you."
The words were harsh and carried authority.
For Felix,it was the first time—
He felt powerless.
Slowly, his head lowered.
His bangs fell over his eyes, hiding the turmoil within them.
"…I see…"
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
The usual sharpness in his tone was gone, replaced by something far heavier.
Something broken.
Leon stepped forward.
"I am going," he said calmly.
Before anyone could stop him,he entered the portal.
His figure disappeared into the swirling darkness.
The cave became quiet again.
Far below, at the base of Eruk Mountain,at the Eruk forest.
A carriage slowly came to a stop.
Dust rose around its wheels.
A white-bearded man in armor stepped down from his horse.
His movements were steady and respectful.
He walked to the carriage and opened the door.
A young girl stepped out.
She was small.
Around eight years old.
But her eyes were calm.
Too calm for a child.
She looked up at the mountain.
"Finally…" she said softly.
"I have found it."
The knight hesitated.
He looked at her carefully.
There was concern in his eyes.
"Young lady…" he said slowly, "are you sure about this?"
She did not answer immediately.
Her gaze remained fixed on the mountain peak.
"Yes."
Her voice was quiet.
But firm.
The knight stood still behind her.
His eyes rested on the small figure looking up at the mountain.
Inside his mind, his thoughts grew heavy.
"This is her last chance…"
His grip slowly tightened.
"To prove herself to the Aeris empire."