#1305 Junior’s Adventure – The Fool Who Climbs a Second Time 

The tallest mountain in the otherworld: Mt. Eternity. 

Its elevation surpasses every other peak, and its sacred presence is unrivaled. 
From afar, its snow-capped ridges embody sheer divinity. 

Located near the border between the Human Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom, both sides revere the mountain deeply. To all people, it is a grand symbol. 

That is Mt. Eternity. 

And now I, Junior, am climbing that very mountain. 
Because Prince Goetia of the Demon Kingdom asked me to. 

Since I’m currently an adventurer, a quest through the Adventurer’s Guild isn’t something I can easily refuse. 
Even from the standpoint of being the Saint’s son, if an international request comes straight from the prince of the Demon Kingdom, could I really say no? …Well, that whole situation is complicated. 

So I just said “Sure, why not!” and accepted it on a whim. 
No political headaches if I just act before thinking. That’s my strategy. 

After letting Big Bro Ritheseus and the Guildmaster know, I leave the capital. 
Veil, of course, insists on tagging along again, so I contact Sensei and have her dragged home. 

—“GYAAAH, NOOO! I’m going with Junior! I’ll work for every dango you give meeee!!!” 
—“You’ve never gotten dango from him, though?” 

As expected, it’s a full-blown scene. 

But if I want to grow on this journey, I can’t rely on easy help. 
Veil will be waiting for me back at the farm. 

And now, here I am trekking up the climbing route of Mt. Eternity. 

Together with Prince Goetia. 

“Are you all right, Junior? Do you need a break?” 

He glances back to check on me. 

“No, no issues at all.” 
“I see…!” 

We literally rested a few minutes ago, didn’t we? 
Time management matters in mountaineering, after all. There’s no taking it too easy. 

“A-Ah, yes! You’re right, Junior. As crown prince, I must ensure steady progress!” 

Exactly. 
The next Demon King truly has his priorities straight. 

“…By the way, Junior?” 
“Yes?” 
“You’re carrying a huge pack. Are you sure you’ll be fine? Isn’t it better to travel light on such a steep trail?” 

Absolutely not! 
This is bare minimum essential gear! 

Mt. Eternity is the tallest peak in the world. 
We can’t go up and down in one day. That means we’ll have to camp somewhere. 

And no one camps in the mountains without equipment. 

Inside the backpack I’m carrying: 

• a foldable tent 

• sleeping bags for both of us 

• tools for making a fire 

• rain gear 

• emergency change of clothes 

• cold-weather clothing 

• food 

• water 

• medical supplies 

All kinds of necessities. 

“That much?! Aren’t you being excessively considerate?” 

Your Highness. 
Never underestimate the mountains! 

“Eek!” 

Mountains are nature. 
And nature rarely cares about the safety of people. 

Just a little whim...like rain, or nightfall... and suddenly, a human life is on the line. 

For our own safety, over-preparation is essential! 

“I-I see… You’re very knowledgeable about climbing…!” 

Well… from experience. 
This is my second time climbing Mt. Eternity. 

“Is that so?!” 

When I was little, Dad brought me here. 
I don’t remember the reason... We’re talking toddler-memory territory here, but I do remember Dad being fully prepared. 

Dad, as a farmer, has unmatched reverence and respect toward nature. 

…It feels like someone else was with us that time, but who…? 

“Mt. Eternity is insanely tall. Just reaching the summit and returning will take a lot of time. And climbing at night, with poor visibility, is basically a death wish. So we’ll need to spend the night near the summit.” 
“Yes, yes, that makes sense…!” 

Which means camping gear is essential. 
Sleeping under the open sky might sound easy, but what if the weather turns? 
We can’t assume there will be convenient shelter. 

That’s the harsh truth of mountains.  
The danger hidden beneath the beauty. I learned that on my first climb with Dad. 

And now, I’ll put that knowledge to use! 

“I-I see... Having you with me has far more value than I expected, Junior…” 

 
... 
Anyway, Prince Goetia. Isn’t it about time you tell me the real reason? 

What exactly are we doing up here? 

I mean, you said it involves someone from your side, but you never gave any details… 

“You’re right. I didn’t want to expose our country’s embarrassment. But in this place, we can speak freely. There’s no one to eavesdrop on a mountain trail.” 

True enough.  
Walls have ears and sliding doors have eyes, but mountains have neither. 

“Our ultimate goal, as I mentioned, is to bring back Belphgamilia, former Commander of the Demon King’s Army and once one of the Heavenly Four.” 

Heavenly One Belphgamilia. 

That name… feels familiar but not. 
Should I know him? Has he been to our farm? 

“Well, any of the Heavenly Four as most likely visited your farm.” 

…Even my own mother once visited your family’s farm when she was a Heavenly One, he says. 

“Now, back to the story. Belphgamilia is known as the strongest Heavenly One in the long history of the army. His strength is immeasurable and he could apparently overpower the other three Heavenly Ones combined without breaking a sweat.” 

So, your mother was one of the ones getting overpowered, too? 

“We demons only won the Human-Demon War thanks to my father, Demon King Zedan, but behind that victory stood Belphgamilia, holding the front with overwhelming might. Some say if he had fought seriously, the war would have ended even faster.” 

Whoa...! 

“He was truly that talented and powerful. That’s why even after the war, my father valued him greatly and granted him the highest military position: Commander of the Demon King’s Army. Before that, the Demon King personally led the army, so giving away that authority was an extraordinary honor.” 

Hooo…! 

“But Belphgamilia, the greatest Heavenly One in our history, suddenly changed one day. Without warning, he resigned from his role as Commander and retired from the army altogether.” 

Haaa…! 

“Hey, are you… actually listening?” 

Hii...! 
Y-Yes! Of course I’m listening! 

“His resignation came so abruptly that my father didn’t even have time to stop him. And since then, the army has been running without that genius.” 

By the way, who’s the commander now...? 

“Heavenly One Mamoru. He serves well, but to build the strongest, invincible Demon King’s Army, we need Belphgamilia back. That’s why we’re here: to convince him to return.” 

To persuade him? 
Up here on Mt. Eternity? 
Why... Wait, so that means…?! 

“Yes. After retiring, Belphgamilia secluded himself on this mountain. Hiding away in a place this remote… truly the picture of a hermit. But I! As the future Demon King! Shall bring him back to achieve an eternal, unstoppable Demon Kingdom!” 

That’s great and all, but…What exactly am I supposed to do? 

Because I’m not seeing my role in this grand plan at all???