The Southern wilderness began where civilization ended.
Beyond the final fortified cities of the South, the world slowly transformed into something older. Roads became narrower. Forests grew denser. Mountains stretched endlessly across the horizon like the ribs of some sleeping ancient beast while thick mist drifted between colossal trees older than kingdoms themselves.
The air changed too.
Heavier.
Wilder.
Filled with the scent of rain-soaked earth, ancient wood, distant rivers…
And monsters.
The Southern Exploration Unit traveled beneath dark skies for three consecutive days after departing from the Council Headquarters.
Massive supply wagons rolled slowly across uneven stone roads while armored mercenaries walked beside them cautiously. Mages rode horseback near the center formation while scouts continuously moved ahead through surrounding forests checking for danger.
No one complained anymore.
Kel's month of training had broken most illusions from them already.
This was not an adventure.
It was survival.
The deeper they traveled south—
The quieter people became.
Because eventually—
The mountains appeared.
The Wild Southern Mountain Range.
Even from incredible distance, the mountains felt oppressive.
Gigantic black silhouettes rising endlessly into storm-covered skies while ancient forests wrapped around them like living shadows. Clouds drifted between jagged peaks slowly enough to resemble sleeping smoke while distant thunder occasionally echoed from somewhere beyond unseen valleys.
The atmosphere itself felt old.
Not simply ancient.
Older than human civilization entirely.
Several younger explorers unconsciously slowed their horses upon seeing the mountains clearly for the first time.
One mercenary quietly muttered—
"…No wonder dragons live there."
No one mocked him.
Because everyone felt it.
That instinctive pressure.
As though the mountains themselves watched intruders approaching.
Sairen's voice echoed softly through the soul-link.
"…Those mountains feel unpleasant."
Far away—
Silver mist shifted slowly around Sairen atop Scarder Lake.
Kel answered internally.
"Ancient mana density."
A brief pause followed.
"It accumulated there for centuries."
And perhaps—
Something else as well.
Currently, however, the Exploration Unit had not entered the true wilderness yet.
They were still passing through the territory of Duke Kael Draven.
Unlike other Southern territories filled with crowded noble cities and trade districts, Kael's lands felt strangely isolated.
Military fortresses replaced luxurious towns.
Watchtowers stood atop cliffs overlooking dark forests.
Armed patrols moved constantly through roads even during daytime.
It felt less like noble territory…
And more like a border preparing endlessly for war.
Finally—
As evening approached beneath crimson skies—
The Exploration Unit arrived before Duke Kael's castle.
The fortress itself stood atop elevated black stone cliffs overlooking massive forests stretching endlessly southward. Unlike elegant noble castles designed for beauty, Kael's stronghold resembled an ancient war fortress.
Cold black walls.
Gigantic defensive towers.
Heavy iron gates.
Ballistae mounted across battlements.
The entire castle radiated pressure.
As though it had survived countless battles already.
Rain clouds drifted slowly overhead while cold mountain wind carried the scent of approaching storms.
The massive gates opened gradually with deep metallic groans as Duke Kael himself emerged to greet the expedition.
The exhausted Duke stood beneath the fortress entrance wearing a dark military coat lined with silver fur around the collar. His gray eyes appeared calmer than during the council meetings, though the endless fatigue beneath them remained unchanged.
Several soldiers immediately saluted behind him.
"You arrived faster than expected."
His deep voice echoed calmly.
Landon stepped forward respectfully beside the expedition leaders.
"The roads remained clear."
Kael nodded once before his gaze slowly moved across the gathered explorers.
Mercenaries.
Mages.
Hunters.
Nobles.
And finally—
Toward Kel.
For a brief moment, their eyes met beneath the cold mountain wind.
Then Kael calmly spoke again.
"You will enter the Southern wilderness tomorrow morning."
A slight pause followed.
"Rest here tonight."
Several expedition members visibly relaxed hearing that.
Because once they crossed beyond Kael territory…
True civilization would effectively disappear.
Landon nodded respectfully.
"We appreciate Your Grace's hospitality."
Without further words, Kael turned toward the fortress gates.
And the Exploration Unit followed.
The interior of the castle felt colder than expected.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Massive black corridors illuminated by dim lantern flames stretched endlessly through ancient stone halls while armored soldiers guarded nearly every intersection. Unlike normal noble castles filled with music and luxury, Duke Kael's fortress carried overwhelming silence.
No laughter.
No noble celebrations.
No warmth.
Only discipline.
And exhaustion.
As the expedition members entered the central courtyard, a woman approached gracefully from the castle entrance.
Duchess Evelyne Draven.
Her beauty remained elegant despite visible exhaustion hidden beneath her pale expression. Long silver-black hair rested over dark noble attire while faint traces of sleeplessness lingered beneath her gentle eyes.
Yet despite that—
She still greeted the expedition warmly.
"Welcome to House Draven."
Her soft voice echoed through the courtyard.
"We prepared rooms and meals for everyone."
Several expedition members bowed respectfully.
Others expressed gratitude immediately.
Unlike Duke Kael's cold military atmosphere, Duchess Evelyne carried genuine warmth.
Fragile warmth.
But real.
Kel quietly observed her for several moments.
And inwardly—
Understood something immediately.
She was tired.
Deeply tired.
The kind of exhaustion that came not from labor…
But grief stretched across years.
Sairen softly spoke through the soul-link.
"…This castle feels sad."
Kel remained silent internally this time.
Because she was correct.
The fortress itself felt burdened by something invisible.
Like a household endlessly enduring suffering without escape.
Then—
Suddenly—
A scream echoed through the castle.
A horrifying scream.
Raw.
Broken.
Filled with pain so intense it almost sounded inhuman.
Several expedition members froze instantly.
One young mage visibly paled while gripping his staff tightly.
Another mercenary instinctively reached for his sword.
The scream echoed again through distant corridors.
Desperate.
Violent.
Almost animal-like.
"…What the hell was that?"
One explorer whispered quietly.
Several soldiers nearby stiffened uncomfortably.
Others lowered their gaze entirely.
And immediately—
Some veteran mercenaries laughed harshly.
"If you fear a scream alone…"
One scarred mercenary scoffed.
"…then how do you expect to survive the wilderness?"
Another laughed roughly.
"Wait until mountain beasts start screaming outside your tents at midnight."
A few nervous expedition members forced awkward smiles afterward.
Trying to recover composure.
But Kel paid no attention to the whispers.
Because the moment he heard that scream—
He already understood.
Duke Kael's son.
The insane heir corrupted years ago after encountering something within the Southern wilderness.
Kel remembered the storyline clearly.
Or at least—
Fragments of it.
The young heir had not simply become mad.
Something else existed inside him now.
Something connected to ancient corruption.
The scream echoed again faintly through distant corridors.
And this time—
Even Duchess Evelyne visibly flinched.
For only a second.
But Kel noticed.
The pain hidden within her eyes deepened instantly afterward before noble composure forced it back down.
Meanwhile—
Duke Kael himself did not react outwardly at all.
Which somehow made the atmosphere worse.
Not anger.
Not shame.
Resignation.
As though the Duke had already heard that scream so many times…
It no longer surprised him.
The cold mountain wind drifted through the courtyard once more.
And somewhere deep within the black fortress—
Another broken scream echoed beneath ancient stone halls.
Kel remained calm.
Unaffected externally.
Then quietly followed Duke Kael deeper into the castle alongside the rest of the Exploration Unit.
Yet inwardly—
His thoughts sharpened slightly.
Because he knew one thing clearly already.
This castle carried far more danger inside its walls…
Than most people here realized.