To be honest, after meeting Cleric earlier, I only had one question for the elder. And it didn't need him to use his <Clairvoyance> if he knew the answer to my question.
So when we arrived at his house and found the elder staring at me with glee in his eyes, I didn't know what to do and got disgusted for a second.
"My my, isn't this the lovely Paladin! Welcome to my humble house. Though there is nothing here, hahaha!"
The elder was more energetic than yesterday, probably because he got 6 hours of sleep. His skin was glowing, literally, and he approached me with a wide smile.
"Come in, come in! Just think of this as your home!"
He grabbed my hand and dragged me inside.
"Hahaha, thank you," I replied wryly as I followed him.
Glancing at Alesia, I sent a signal for help. But the headmistress ignored me and pretended to doze off. This woman was really…
I couldn't help but sigh as I sat on the wooden floor as the elder sat on the podium before me.
"Let's ignore that disrespectful Alesia in the back."
Saying so, the elder snapped his finger and created a soundproof barrier around us. Not only that, the area outside the barrier looked distorted, as if we moved into a different space. The last thing I saw was Alesia trying to approach us, but she was too late.
I knew that the elder could use <Space Magic> from Cleric, but I had never expected this wrinkly old elf with white hair to be this powerful.
If I exert a little bit of strength and use <Sonic Sword>, I probably could break the space. If that didn't work, then <Dimensional Breaker> would do the job. As its name suggested, my ultimate skill could cut through and break another dimension.
So I wasn't that wary about being put in a different space like this.
Now, only two of us were here, me and the elder.
"I can't let her hear this, you know? You must be brought here by Alesia because you need to ask something from me, no? Hahaha." The elder laughed with a carefree tone. "Let's hear your question first, oh Paladin."
"Are you sure, elder?" I asked, looking straight at his eyes.
"Of course, isn't that why you're here? And as thanks, I won't lie to you. Hahaha, it's been a few hundred years since I am able to sleep at night. And I will be able to do so again tonight."
"If that's the case, then I am truly thankful." I smiled at him and made myself comfortable. "I only have one question… or maybe two. Though the second one will probably be more like a request that involves something rather big."
"Request, huh? Let's hear your question first, then." The elder raised his leg and rested his hand on it, taking out a pipe and puffing up smoke.
"My question is simple." I started, crossing my legs to get comfortable. "Can you tell me what all world edges are and what I can or shouldn't do when I am there?"
"Good questions." The elder grinned. "Probably the only people who know this are me and Ray. Ah, Ray is the kid you know as the first Paladin, Cleric's little brother. I have expected you to ask this question, so I have Alesia outside."
Hmm, so it was just as I had expected.
Or rather, if there was something I learned from World-End Waterfall and the information from the Goddess, it was that there was a hidden danger and clue for me to understand what lay beyond the world at those edges.
Those hidden dangers also applied to me if they were similar to that 'something' beyond the waterfall that could warn me through the system.
"Let's start with the edge guarded by the Castitas Church, the West border. This border is a land and mountain range full of lava and hot molten rock. As you probably know, the Pope of the Castitas Church, Juriel, and the two Cardinals put up a barrier to keep lava monsters away from the world.
"The monsters there are stronger and fiercer than the others. They are around Level 60 to 90, and there are bigger monsters that reach even Level 97 and 98."
'Boss monster.' I said in my mind as I nodded at his explanation.
World-End Waterfall had Scylla sealed in the flute and Charybdis swimming around in the sea. They were both Boss-level monsters that couldn't be handled by normal people and needed a full party, with each party having the same Level or higher Level than the Boss to have hope to kill them.
Of course, there were some exceptions, such as humanoid Boss, which could be killed as strong as one was as strong or stronger than it without needing a party.
But I doubted the edges would breed such an individualistic Boss monster.
"All hidden dangers have no form." The elder continued after he saw my understanding of the monster. "They always hide beyond the edges, preventing anyone from passing through. Let's skip this and go to the East border.
"It's a bottomless pit. From all edges, this and the World-End Waterfall shared a similarity. However… There is no water here. Only land… A wasteland where nothing can grow, and monsters kill each other, turning the dirt red. This border is guarded by the Luxuria Church's Pope and two Cardinals.
"Unlike the West border, the Pope and the Cardinals didn't stop the monster from going out, but prevented people from getting close and getting caught in the monster brawls. Of course, a strong Level 99 monster existed here, and it was the only reason why there was no monster invasion yet."
"A monarch that ruled the monster kingdom." I summarized it in a sentence.
"That's an apt description." The elder nodded with an excited smile.
So, the East border was a monster paradise. Now I understood what Duke Blacktomb said to me that time. A giant hole and the church prevented the adventure from going near it.
Clap!
The old elf clapped his hands together and spoke.
"Now, the South border. It's… different. You won't be able to see what lies behind it, and if you look at the map, there is no city within 50 KM radius from this border, unlike the others."
"Why is that?" I asked in an impatient tone. I wanted to know.
The way he spoke roused curiosity. It was mysterious and filled with experience. He told a story and not just information.
I was once on an adventure, finding new things with my former comrades and celebrating watching the sunset from a new mountain peak. Death was imminent, but we were happy.
Maybe I only wanted to feel that again. I wanted peace, but a part of me also missed the death-clenching experience and the joy of seeing new things.
"It's filled with fog."
So when the elder grinned, it infected me. My grin turned wider and wider, imagining what the south border looked like.
"A thick fog went over a 50 KM radius from the edge. Strange monsters that can't be seen lurking inside. They are weak compared to the other monsters living on the other edges, but they are more dangerous. Without preparation, even a Level 70 or 80 person could be dragged inside.
"It is said that Hell originated from that place, but no. Hell is deeper… None of the edges are Hell. I believe you know about that, seeing you didn't ask about it even when Hell began to affect this world.
"Also, I wanted to tell you about these hidden dangers, but it seems like something forced me to stay silent. Forgive this elder for not being able to tell you further. But believe me… Just visit them, and you will know what lies behind them. Don't be surprised. Just enjoy it."
"Indeed." I nodded at him. "Thank you for the information, elder."
"It's nothing. Hahaha, you have such a good spirit. Even though there is darkness inside you, your brilliance is still shining the brightest light I have ever seen in my life. Ah, I have a [Seer] title. That's how I can see it. And I shall keep it a secret."
Darkness, huh?
I was still myself, and that wouldn't change. That darkness was just a part of me, and I didn't mind having it.
But brilliance… What bullshit. But I wouldn't say anything about it.
And the elder had a higher grade of [Observer] title. I wasn't surprised, considering how long he lived.
"Tell me, oh Paladin. What's this request of yours."
"Hmm, it's quite a strange request. But… Do you mind if you go with me after this and say that you would support Queen Eve to be the ruler of the Virtue Kingdom? The church is backing the Queen due to her virtuous personality, and she–"
Before I finished my sentence, the elder raised his hand and cut me off.
"I am aware of what happened in the world, Paladin. I also know about the Virtue Kingdom's Capital City situation, albeit not a complete story. But I have heard her speeches, and I support her. Your request is easy, but I can't go with you. I will declare my support in my own ways today at the latest."
"That's enough, elder. Thank you very much."
"As I said, it's nothing. I should thank you for being a Paladin and let me rest for at least 80 years, hahahaha! Don't die young, or I will file a complaint to Goddess Teri!"
The elder laughed loudly, and I followed suit.
With this, Queen Eve's coronation would be safer. I just needed to return, cure people in the Capital City, and find the Purple Eye's master with a magic item.
That would settle everything I needed to do, and I only needed to wait until the coronation date.
'It went well.'
