Ardin takes a deep breath and begins to speak in a serious manner. "My network is very wide. In addition, I was once a general. The last time I spoke with Lorand, he warned me about this."
Conan "So the matter is dangerous enough for the kingdom itself to take it seriously!"
Ardin "Yes Conan, it is dangerous. According to the information I have, the Demon army is beginning to rise again."
Conan, surprised "The Demon army!? But humanity defeated them 100 years ago! How can they rise again!?"
Ardin "You heard correctly, the demons have risen. As for the war 100 years ago, you are right, they were defeated there. But that is not what worries the kingdom. The demons are awakening the 500-year Demon Lord Zeryon from his sleep. That is what worries the kingdom."
Victor "So this is the reason the Hero and his party are being trained especially by Lorand."
Ardin "That is correct Victor. For the kingdom, the arrival of a new legend-level Hero is considered a great success."
Conan "It is also recorded in history. Whenever a demon appears, a hero will certainly appear against it."
Victor "So that means that blond guy is the hero? I can't believe it. Then what does this matter have to do with us? If a demon appears, a hero has appeared as well. That means the balance is preserved. It will be Luis who fights him, not us"
Ardin "Victor, you are not looking at the bigger picture. You are right, but Conan having such a power is what makes the situation truly dangerous."
Victor "Master, explain it in detail. I cannot understand anything."
Ardin "Because the kingdom heard about the 500-year demon, it is preparing to mobilize all its forces. Even though no attack has started. We are not even aware of the demon's existence yet. Think about it. If this war truly begins, and Conan takes part in it, and uses that power to protect you around him, can you imagine what will happen?"
Conan "To stop a 500-year Lord, we will awaken a 10,000-year Emperor."
Victor "Even that stupid hero would not be able to stop such a danger."
Ardin "That is completely correct. At least we have some information about the Demon Lord's power. But we know nothing about Kaelhor. The most mysterious and frightening part is that he does not make any effort to convince Conan. He simply waits."
Victor "That means the purpose of that power is not to conquer the world like the Demon Lord. It is something else."
Ardin "You touched on a very good point, Victor. That is what worries me as well."
Conan "Revenge!"
Ardin and Victor look at Conan in surprise. Ardin asks Conan. "You know his purpose?"
Conan "He wants revenge. The reason he has been testing me all this time was this. He wanted to see if I was worthy."
Ardin "From whom or from what does he want revenge?"
Conan "From everything. From the whole world. But it is as if he is not in a hurry to take revenge. He does everything with balance."
Ardin becomes worried and looks at Conan again. "Conan, never try to use that power. I will train you in the best possible way!"
Victor "My friend, I will always be by your side. Do not worry."
Conan looks at his friend Victor and his master Ardin. For the first time he feels that he is not alone in this world. "It is good that you are with me." he says, becoming emotional.
Kaelhor's voice is heard. "Human, the more you attach yourself to people, the more pain you will suffer." Conan ignores his voice.
After that, Ardin's harsh training begins.
Finally the sun hides behind the mountains and the day ends. Conan and Victor, exhausted, head toward their homes. While walking in a side street, Victor begins to count the training they went through during the day in a tired voice. "Pulling heavy logs with a rope, making 100 full laps around Silent Hill, blocking heavy stones thrown at us from the top of the rock with a shield, 500 push-ups, 500 squats, and other sadistic and heavy exercises like these as a daily routine. And every two days being mercilessly beaten by that sadistic old man. My friend, what kind of hell have we fallen into?"
Conan "But believe me, we will see the benefit of it."
Victor "It would be good if we do not die in the hands of that sadist before seeing the benefit."
Conan laughs. "I know it is hard, but I believe it will be very beneficial for us."
Victor "By the way, that thing inside you, is it hearing us right now?"
Conan "Whatever I see and hear, he sees and hears the same."
Victor "My friend, a person would go crazy. Wait a minute. During the fight you were always talking to him, right?"
Conan "You guessed right."
Victor "Wait a minute. Then you can ask him what kind of demon lord this Zeryon is. He lived longer than us, he might know him."
Kaelhor's voice is heard. "Tell your foolish friend that I am not a wise elder for him. That demon lord is also a miserable being for me, just like him."
Conan puts his hand on his head and moves it in disappointment.
Victor "What happened? Did he say something serious?"
Conan "Yes he did. But it was about you."
Victor excitedly "About me? What did he say? Tell me, I am very curious."
Conan "He called you a miserable and foolish being."
Victor shakes his head for a moment and looks at Conan. "My friend, we have reached your house. It is better if we say goodbye. It was a heavy day. See you tomorrow."
Conan "You are right, it was a heavy day. See you tomorrow."
The two of them say goodbye and separate from each other.
Conan takes off his clothes and lies on his back on the bed. Then he asks Kaelhor a question. "About what happened today. Why did you stay silent when I revealed my secret?"
Kaelhor "What did you expect me to say?"
Conan "You always talk without stopping. Even when I fight you do not stay silent. That is why it was strange that you did not speak then."
Kaelhor "I already told you. The more you trust people, the more pain you will suffer. And that is not to my disadvantage. On the contrary, it is to your benefit."
Conan "There is nothing here that benefits me. Everything is simply your desires."
Kaelhor "Time will show it, human…"
Conan puts his hand over his eyes and falls asleep.
Conan looks around. Everywhere is filled with fire and ash. The entire kingdom is burning. People are running while screaming. Disaster has engulfed the entire city.
At that moment a voice is heard behind him.
"This is your inevitable fate, human."
Conan quickly turns around. Behind him he sees a being about his height, with black zephyr wings. Its face cannot be seen because of the hood on its head, and a dark aura is clearly visible around it.
Conan "Who are you!?"
That being passes by Conan and looks at the burning royal palace. Then it slightly turns its head toward Conan and speaks. "I am someone who lived through a fate similar to this."
Conan shouts angrily. "Is that you, Kaelhor!? What is your purpose!? What are you trying to show me!?"
Kaelhor "Human, the danger is not far. But you can change everything. The only thing needed is—"
Conan interrupts Kaelhor. "I will never awaken that power! Whether you want it or not, it will not happen!"
Kaelhor "Human, it will not happen by my will. It will happen by your will."
For a moment everything is covered in zephyr darkness. The ground beneath Conan's feet disappears and he begins to fall downward.
Kaelhor remains above, suspended in the air, while Conan moves downward and farther away from him.
Kaelhor says his final words to him. "Do not disappear in your darkness, human..."
Conan wakes from the dream in shock and fear. "Keep your nightmares to yourself. I will never turn away from my path!"
At that moment, the door is knocked.