The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 270

The Rebirth of the Mythical Archmage-271

Black mages suddenly filled the area.

Thirteen were immediately visible.

Another ten were hiding nearby, waiting for an opening.

Twenty-one were keeping their distance, guarding other areas.

There were 44 attackers that could be identified right away.

Considering there were likely more beyond my detection range, there had to be at least 50 to 60 of them.

‘Answer me. I don’t recognize your face… You. What’s your relationship with the witch of the forest?’

The black mage who had questioned me earlier asked again.

It was clear that he was the leader.

The amount of mana he possessed was immense.

At least an 8th circle mage [a very high-level mage].

Just based on the amount of mana he held, he was beyond even Tkisch or Parade.

‘Why is someone like that inside the Trial Page?’

Surely, my teacher wouldn’t have put a black mage in the Trial Page.

Something must have gone wrong.

‘If you don’t answer, I’ll deal with you.’

The leader-like black mage raised his staff at me.

The mana expanded even further.

The already vast amount of mana became even more immense.

‘…9th circle?’

The amount of mana was incomparable to Tkisch or Parade.

It was certain.

The man in front of me was a 9th circle black mage [the highest level of mage].

‘Die.’

As expected of a 9th circle black mage.

Even though it seemed like a simple spell, the power it held was extraordinary.

If I had prepared Ignis [a powerful fire spell], I might have been able to block it somehow. Unfortunately, using Ignis was impossible right now.

There wasn’t enough time to cast it.

There was no way for me to block that magic right now.

However.

‘That illusion is pathetic.’

There was no need for me to block that magic.

Clang-!

Aslan, who had belatedly followed me out of the rift, appeared.

He glared around with demonic eyes.

Then, he moved his hand greatly from left to right, drawing a large horizontal line.

‘Annoying. Vermin.’

At that moment, space was cut.

Before, when Sein Vinosh had swung her sword, I had the illusion that space was cut.

But that was just an illusion.

It was just that her excellent swordsmanship was compared to cutting space.

But Aslan’s magic was different.

He literally cut space.

With just that one gesture, he divided the space above and below.

As a result.

Half of the attackers who had filled the surroundings lost their lives.

Twenty black mages were rolling on the ground, their heads and bodies separated, spilling blood.

‘…Unbelievable.’

To take out half of the black mages, who were clearly at least 7th circle, in one blow.

Was this what it meant to be beyond the heavens?

I couldn’t help but be amazed by the strength of Aslan Polohamruin.

‘Tch. Half of them survived.’

He had just annihilated half of the 7th circle or higher black mages in an instant, which should have been satisfying.

But Aslan didn’t look satisfied at all.

He seemed quite displeased that he hadn’t wiped them all out at once.

‘Have I become complacent with peace? Tch. I must have gotten rusty.’

He clenched and unclenched his hand repeatedly, clicking his tongue softly.

It wasn’t sarcasm, but a genuine statement.

Aslan genuinely thought his skills had deteriorated.

‘…Aslan Polohamruin.’

The leader-like black mage frowned and glared at Aslan.

‘You. How did you get here so fast…? Could it be that the plan was leaked?’

‘Plan. A plan…’

Aslan exclaimed softly as if something had come to mind.

‘That’s right. You. I thought I’d seen you somewhere. Are you Gearan Costaritu?’

‘…’

The man’s gaze sharpened even more. The expression of someone who had been hit right on the mark.

It seemed that the man’s name was indeed Gearan.

‘…It seems that the information was definitely leaked.’

Gearan Costaritu.

It seemed that the man’s name and existence were top secret.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so certain just from knowing his name.

‘No. There was no information leak.’

Aslan frowned as if he was very displeased.

‘Your plan succeeded. We didn’t grasp your movements at all. And we suffered a great loss with the departure of Elena Ro Greenwood, a huge force, from the front lines.’

‘What nonsense…’

‘Nonsense. I wish it was nonsense. If it were…’

Aslan’s eyes were filled with dark clouds.

It was the expression and gaze of someone who genuinely regretted something.

‘It’s a strange feeling. Should I be grateful that I can stop your tricks, even if it’s fake? Or should I lament and grieve at the fact that nothing will change in the end?’

Aslan reached out his hand.

He pointed his index finger at Gearan and concentrated mana on it.

‘Even if the plan went wrong, it doesn’t matter. Aslan Polohamruin. No matter who you are, you can’t beat me. There are only two people in this world who can stop me. That person and Ray Bell Vaitener. That hateful hypocrite.’

‘I admit it.’

Aslan replied nonchalantly with a blank expression.

‘Certainly, the only person who could stop you back then was the lord of the empire.’

‘…Back then? What are you talking about since earlier?’

‘Your power was that strong. I’m even thrilled by Veil Stoll’s patience in hiding someone like you until the end.’

‘Can’t you hear me? I’m asking what nonsense you’re talking about…’

The mana concentrated on Aslan’s index finger contracted and compressed in an instant.

As if sensing the overwhelming force that the mana was emitting, Gearan lost his words.

‘But not now. The current me won’t lose even if dozens of you come at me.’

‘That magic… what is it?’

Gearan shouted, pointing at the mana mass that had been compressed to the point where it was barely visible.

‘It’s natural that you don’t know.’

Silence fell.

It was as if time had stopped.

‘Because this magic was only successfully developed seven years from now.’

‘…What?’

‘…Seven years?’

I was surprised this time too.

What did he mean by seven years ago?

‘I’d like to torture you slowly to death, but unfortunately, the circumstances don’t allow it.’

Aslan clenched the condensed mana in his hand.

He clenched his fist so tightly that the muscles in his right hand seemed to burst.

‘I’ll give you a final mercy for giving me a hint about this situation. I’ll kill you painlessly and comfortably.’

With those words.

‘Twisted World.’

The world twisted.

A distorted view all around.

It felt like stepping into a space filled with broken glass.

‘It’s over.’

And by the time that broken mirror-like world completely ended.

Only me, Aslan, and the nine-tailed fox were left in the forest.

‘What… what is that magic?’

Aslan didn’t answer my question.

‘…This is a mess.’

For some reason, he just stroked his chin with a troubled expression.

Was there something wrong with the magic from earlier?

Could it be that he had side effects from using too much magic?

Considering the level of the magic, it was possible.

That’s how I came to my own conclusion.

‘That walnut tree. I think it was a tree that Elena cherished…’

Aslan said something out of the blue.

‘…A walnut tree?’

‘Yes.’

Aslan pointed to a walnut tree that was left with only its stump.

‘This is very troublesome. If Elena finds out about this, she won’t leave me alone…’

‘…’

Was that why he was like that?

‘It’s been a while since I used magic, so even if the control was a little off, she wouldn’t listen…’

Just as Aslan was muttering to himself with a serious expression.

‘Oh my.’

A familiar voice was heard from behind.

‘I thought you came to visit after a long time, but you even redecorated the garden as a housewarming gift. How kind of you.’

It was definitely a voice I knew, but it was a chilling voice that made me feel like I was hearing it for the first time.

‘…Elena.’

‘Yes. I’ll listen to your excuses for now.’

Elena Ro Greenwood.

The witch of the forest.

She was glaring at Aslan with a chilling smile.

‘Of course, I’ll only listen.’

Aslan’s expression twisted.

‘I really hate that side of you.’

‘Oh my. Is that so? That’s unexpected.’

Elena’s expression became even more chilling.

‘When I was still in the royal capital, you always did things that deserved a beating, so I thought you enjoyed this kind of thing.’

Elena walked towards Aslan with a full smile.

‘Now, Aslan. It’s time for you to get scolded after a long time.’

‘…’

A drop of sweat ran down Aslan’s cheek.

* * *

After that, Elena’s anger subsided only after 20 minutes.

‘Tell me the truth. You did it on purpose, didn’t you? Of all the things to touch, you had to touch the tree I cherish the most.’

‘…I swear it was a mistake. It’s been half a year since the war ended, and I haven’t used magic properly, so I completely lost my touch.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’

‘If you’re lying, I really won’t forgive you?’

‘Why would I lie? Am I crazy to do something suicidal like triggering Elena Ro Greenwood’s berserk switch…’

‘Aslan?’

Elena smiled even more brightly. Aslan closed his mouth.

‘You always have too many words.’

‘…’

Aslan turned his gaze away.

It seemed that he had finally realized that it was best to keep his mouth shut in this situation.

‘Would it have been better if you had been like that from the beginning?’

Elena looked at Aslan with eyes as if she was looking at a child who had been caught playing a prank, and sighed softly.

Then, she turned her gaze to me.

‘Ahem. Ahem. It’s been a while… should I say that?’

The murderous expression from a moment ago disappeared like a lie, and she had the expression of a girl struggling with embarrassment.

‘Yes. It’s been a while.’

‘I guess so. From my perspective, it’s only been 10 minutes since we met again.’

Elena fanned herself with her hand.

‘Oh my. It’s hot. Is it because it’s summer…’

Elena had just finished a tearful farewell with me 10 minutes ago.

After such a farewell, she had met me again so soon, so it was understandable that her face was red.

‘Hmm. I see. We parted with a sentimental atmosphere for nothing. I don’t know what to say since we met again so quickly. That kind of feeling…’

‘Aslan. Zip it.’

Elena made a gesture of zipping her mouth shut.

Aslan closed his mouth.

I could roughly see the relationship between the two of them.

‘Be quiet until I tell you to speak. Otherwise…’

Elena pointed to the stump of the walnut tree and smiled sweetly.

‘You know?’

‘…’

Aslan nodded.

‘Good.’

Elena smiled brightly again and turned her gaze to me.

‘So… what happened? I didn’t hear about this from Ray.’

‘I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t know either. What I know is what I told you earlier.’

I had already said everything I knew. There was no more information.

‘Hmm. Is that so?’

Elena put her hand on her chin with a serious expression.

‘…This is difficult. I need to know the situation to come up with a countermeasure.’

With those words, silence flowed.

It was an inevitable silence that came as Elena, the main speaker of the conversation, was lost in thought.

‘Um, Elena. Aslan seems to have grasped the situation to some extent.’

‘…Aslan?’

‘Yes. If you think about what he said when he fought that guy named Gearan earlier, it seems he came to some conclusion…’

‘Gearan? Did you just say Gearan?’

‘Yes? Ah. Yes. Gearan Costaritu. Didn’t I mention it?’

‘No. I only heard that it happened while fighting black mages.’

Elena’s expression became even more serious.

She frowned, muttering Gearan, Gearan.

‘Why is a guy who should be dead here…? Aslan. What’s going on?’

‘…’

‘Don’t hesitate and answer quickly. You said you noticed something, right?’

‘…’

‘Aslan?’

Aslan maintained his silence.

‘Aslan? Are you protesting because you’re in a bad mood right now? I’m telling you nicely…’

Just as Elena was about to get angry at Aslan’s silence.

The conversation from earlier suddenly came to mind.

‘Um, Elena. Shouldn’t you cancel what you said to Aslan earlier…’

‘What I said earlier… Ah.’

It seemed that Elena had also remembered.

‘Aslan. You can talk now.’

‘I’m finally relieved.’

Aslan had been keeping the promise that Elena had told him to zip his mouth earlier.

‘Really… You only listen so well at times like this.’

‘I can’t understand. You complain whether I listen or not. What am I supposed to do?’

‘Wouldn’t it have been solved if you had been a little more flexible?’

‘I’ve been acting with flexibility in my own way until now.’

‘Where is that flexibility…? No. Let’s stop this conversation here. It seems like it will never end.’

Elena put her hand on her forehead and shook her head.

‘Okay, explain it. Why was Gearan here? And what’s going on?’

‘It’s simple.’

Aslan crossed his arms and slowly began to speak.

‘This place. The time period that became the base of the sixth Trial Page is not the end of the war, but seven years ago.’

‘…Seven years ago.’

‘Yes.’

Aslan’s eyes lit up with a rather interesting expression.

‘It seems that the third and fifth Trial Pages, where we were located, have merged with the sixth Trial Page, which has implemented the world from seven years ago, resulting in this situation.’