#1308 Junior’s Adventure – Morning Mountain Air is Fresh 

When confronted with the shocking news from the outside world, everyone reacts differently. 

“We can’t just stand around! We're heading down the mountain!” 

With dozens of people gathered, the reactions are as varied as the faces.  
But the most common one is a mad dash downhill. 

“Verifying the truth comes first! I’m heading back to the capital to check on the Magic Academy!” 
“If the Academy’s really gone, then running laps up here is just plain stupid! We’ve got to see for ourselves!!!” 

And off they go, marching down the mountain in a noisy crowd. 

Um… 
The sun’s about to set, so it’s dangerous to start a descent now… 

“Hey, just so you know, abandoning training counts as forfeiting your adventurer status! You sure about that?” 

Even with Mr. Golden Bat’s warning... 

“Shut it! Who can focus on training when the whole organization might’ve gone under?!” 
“Yeah, screw that! No one works hard without hope for the future! If there’s an easier way to live, that’s obviously the better choice!” 

Their feet don’t stop. 

And now, in about an hour, they’ll be wandering lost in the dark. Should I... stop them by force? 

“No need,” says Mr. Golden Bat. “There’s a barrier along the descent route. The Sage set it up himself. Anyone trying to go down will just end up walking in circles inside it.” 

Ah, right... 
There was the Stone Sentinel Maze. 

We tore through that earlier, so I hope it’s been repaired... 

“They’ll just run around in circles until morning. After that, they can do whatever they want. I’ve no interest in training people who don’t want to be here.” 

Most of the group leaves, but not everyone. 
Some stay behind, choosing to continue the training. 

“If the Academy’s really gone, then becoming an adventurer’s our only shot!” 
“Please, trainer! Make us full-fledged adventurers!” 

They’ve made up their minds. 

“Hahahahahaha! That’s the spirit! A Super Trainer like me lives to nurture the motivated! Don’t worry, I’ll train you until you reach S-rank!” 
“NO, THANK YOU! WE’RE GOOD!!!” 

Somehow, it all ends on a good note. 
So, the Stone Sentinel Maze wasn’t just to keep people from escaping, it also protected the trainees’ safety. 

Only the Sage Lifeless King could cast that sort of barrier, so the fact that it’s active must mean he approves of this training ground. 

“Of course. You can’t build a facility on this mountain without his blessing.” 

The Sage is Mt. Eternity’s guardian. 
Building here without his permission would be like constructing a house on someone else’s land without asking. 

“Years ago, the Sage declared the mountain open. It made certain areas accessible to people for the first time. But even then, Mt. Eternity remains sacred. That’s why this training ground was built... a place for ascetic training and self-discipline.” 

He talks about the Sage so much… but I’ve never actually seen him. 

“No one really has. He’s always busy, flying around the world. Rarely comes home. But even in his absence, his spiritual presence watches over this mountain. He truly is a magnificent being.” 

Coming from Mr. Golden Bat, that’s some serious praise. 

As a fellow Lifeless King, even Sensei recognizes how incredible the Sage is. 

“Junior!!!” 

Just when I think the matter’s settled, a sharp voice pierces the crisp mountain air. 

“How long do you plan to linger here?! Our goal is clear, the demon army’s Heavenly One, Belphgamilia! We must press onward to convince him!” 

It’s Prince Goetia, the Demon King's son. 

Oh, right. That was our main mission. 
Between meeting Mr. Golden Bat, discovering this man-made facility on a mountaintop, and handling the Magic Academy disaster, I completely pushed that to the back of my mind. 

Sorry, Your Highness. 

Still, it’s almost nightfall. We should stay here for the night. 
It’s not just about comfort, it’s also about safety. Looks like we’ll even get a hot meal tonight. Nice. 

“With so many trainees gone, we’ve got surplus food anyway. Eat as much as you want. Seconds are fine, too.” 

Awesome! 

“That’s unacceptable! We must speak to Belphgamilia as soon as possible...!” 
“Why are you in such a hurry? 
“Urk-” 

Mr. Golden Bat’s question cuts straight to the point. 

“True, Belphgamilia is powerful. Even if he looks like a daydreaming fool, his title of ‘Humanity’s Strongest’ isn’t for show. And if he’s humanity’s strongest, then I’m the most optimal one!” 

That doesn’t make sense. 
But okay, I get that he’s competitive. 

“Still, the world’s peaceful now. Whether Belphgamilia returns or not, the demons won’t fall into ruin. Why rush to bring him back?” 
“Ugh...! That’s classified information of the Demon Kingdom. Outsiders are not permitted to interfere.” 
“Fair enough.” 

There’s definitely something shady going on with this prince…  
But he’s the son of that upright, noble Demon King. He can’t be planning anything evil. I’ll let him lead for now. 

But we’re definitely spending the night here. 
No negotiating that. Safety first. 

All right then, time to prepare dinner! 
We might as well go all out tonight! 

“In that case, let’s open up the food stores! A proper feast to celebrate those who decided to stay and push forward!” 
“Let’s see what we’ve got… oh, perfect. We can have a BBQ! A mountaintop BBQ party, here we go!!!” 
“Whatever that means, I like it! Reminds me of the farm days!” 

As everyone cheers around the fire, Prince Goetia looks… frustrated. 

*** 

The next morning. 
Crisp mountain air! 
So clean it feels like it’s scrubbing my lungs! 

The trainees who stayed behind are already running up and down the slopes. 
That’ll definitely build some killer leg strength. 

“Come, Junior! Morning’s here; let’s depart!” 

Prince Goetia’s energy levels are absurdly high for this hour. 

“The sun’s up! We’ve got plenty of time! Let’s move!” 

Yes, you’re right... 
The sky’s clear, the wind’s calm, perfect conditions. No reason not to go. 

Just please let me make breakfast first. 

“Junior?! I think we should get going...!” 

Breakfast is the source of all energy. 
My dad always said, ‘No matter what happens, never skip breakfast.’ 

Oh, I might as well cook for the trainees, too. 
It feels like I’ve become the camp’s cafeteria auntie. It’s kind of fun. 

“That’ll delay us even more!” 

And yet, when I serve up heaping plates of fried chicken, the trainees return from their morning drills cheering. 
A cheerful morning all around. 

Then, we finally set off.  
To meet the former Heavenly One, Belphgamilia. 

We walk steadily up the trail, feeling confident. 
We already gathered every detail I could about him the day before. 

From Mr. Golden Bat. 
According to him, Belphgamilia isn’t just near the summit, he’s literally at the top. 

Why all the way out there? 
Can someone even live in a place this remote? 

Questions keep piling up as we climb toward the peak. 
Still, at least there’s one bit of good news: we don’t have to search for him. 

A mountaintop is the clearest destination possible. No “We’ve reached the area, now let’s start the search!” nonsense. 

And then, we reach the summit. 
He’s there. Really there. 

The man who once stood at the pinnacle of the Demon King's Army's Heavenly Four who led the entire demon army as its supreme commander. 
The one hailed as humanity’s strongest. 

Belphgamilia...! 

“He... He’s asleep?!”