The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 159

159

“Now, let me explain how we’re going to stop the enemy’s plan.”

The scale of reinforcements Juliana mentioned was beyond imagination. Or rather, it would be more accurate to discuss their caliber than their size.

Three incense burners were placed on the altar in the sanctuary’s chapel, each with a spirit floating above it.

Dadan Karain, the head of the Rivendell School.

Lekkair, the head of the investigation team dispatched by the Union of Martial Gods.

And… Fayquarter Milone Alter Gaumris, humanity’s strongest soldier, exuding an overwhelming presence that was hard to believe was human.

Juliana had left Mythos Peak to cross the continent and meet these individuals directly.

– There was no one else to trust.

This meant that there were few trustworthy confidante witches and that no witch could escape Luzaihyun’s grasp to reach their destination.

Juliana provided these three key figures with the enemy’s troop organization chart and magic circle deployment map, which she had received in detail from Valensidice.

The number of Juliana’s witches from the Northern Republic, Dadan’s Rivendell School mages, Fayquarter’s three hundred soldiers, and the Union of Martial Gods’ investigation team of about thirty *ronin* [masterless samurai] would be considerable.

[But is the opponent really that person?]

Headmaster Dadan Karain asked in disbelief.

“Only the gods know the exact identity.”

Juliana drew a line lightly and began her explanation.

“The subsidiary members of the formation are installed in three locations: Jiseon Peak in the northwest, Hwayeon Peak in the south, and Yeomgyeong Peak in the southeast.”

[……!]

“The ritual will begin at midnight on the new moon, when the moonlight is dimmest, in 14 hours. Once it starts, nothing can stop it. We must stop it before then.”

Juliana didn’t bother to mention that a baby dragon would be used as the core of power to activate the magic circle.

Only Juliana, who had received a revelation from the Water Dragon, and Milone, who had been ordered by the Cardinal Corps, knew for sure about the Dragon Protector.

“It is said that Nariaduke, a member of the Queen of Time’s retinue, will awaken if the ritual proceeds. One of the old nobles who was called the Triple Threat. A tragedy will occur.”

[……!]

“We must neutralize all three magic circles to stop the ritual. Even if only one of them operates normally, the ritual will continue…”

I bit my lip weakly.

At that time, the same tragedy that occurred when Shar’Kars awakened would happen again, by Toureina’s hand.

Milone Alter Gaumris opened his mouth.

[I heard that almost half of the Northern Republic’s witches are joining the enemy. Is that true?]

“That’s right. To be exact, it would be two-thirds. They will be guarding the formation. Even if the truth is uncertain, Toureina is like an idol to us.”

[Ha, they said the age of dragons is over, but isn’t the age of witches also ending? So many empty-headed witches chasing after the ghosts of the past and becoming minions of the abyss?]

Lekkair, the head of the Union of Martial Gods’ investigation team, scoffed provocatively. Juliana smiled bitterly and calmly replied.

“Lekkair, you are still young. You haven’t lived through the era when Toureina lived and have only heard about it.”

[What does that matter?]

“Toureina used her power for the sake of all people, as befitting a disciple of Freide. Even after stepping down from the position of shaman. She defeated monsters, created cures when epidemics broke out, and calmed the sky to bring water when famine struck.”

[……?]

“All the witches of my generation grew up benefiting from those miracles. Most of them became witches with the desire to live such a great life someday. That’s why they ended up following her—not the abyss, but the person named Toureina.”

[But isn’t the probability of it being the real Toureina close to zero? The real one died 10 years ago! They’re following someone who is 99% likely to be fake?]

It was Milone who cut off the seemingly aimless conversation and pointed out the core issue.

[So, how are you going to deal with Toureina? What if it’s the real Toureina?]

Juliana glanced at me.

I hadn’t used the spirit separation spell, so my movements and voice were not audible to them.

Juliana was now confirming one last time the will and determination I had expressed before this meeting began.

“…Capture her for now.”

Juliana conveyed my words to the spirits as if they were her own. There was no particular objection to this.

“Do not interrogate her, and do not kill her.”

[Excuse me?]

“Interrogating her and ruining her body or burning her at the stake would be a waste of her talent and achievements.”

Silence fell for a moment.

The spirits took on bewildered expressions and watched Juliana.

“First of all, as I said before, Toureina’s influence is absolute. I think we can use that power to reunite the now divided Republic.”

I know.

I know what Toureina has done. I know, but….

[No, that’s right, but… is this such a simple problem? I don’t know if the completely messed up Southern Republic can really be reunited, and if it’s the real Toureina, what she’s done so far…!]

I am such a selfish bastard.

I want to meet her, I want to talk to her again, I want to save her somehow… These feelings come before anger.

I even feel disgusted with myself.

“That’s why we’re saving her. Killing and interrogating her is too easy. We’ll use her power to atone for the world, and then entrust the judgment to the Water Dragon.”

[……!]

“Of course, if she is so corrupted that there is no possibility of repentance, then with my own hands…”

I couldn’t bring myself to say, “I will kill her.” Juliana, like me, bit her lip painfully and only said this.

“…I will end it all.”

The Water Dragon had entrusted the decision to me. Knowing that, Juliana did not object to my judgment.

Valensidice only stared at me with bewildered eyes, but for now, he didn’t show any particular reaction.

Dadan Karain asked in an absurd tone.

[End Toureina? Juliana, is that possible with your power alone? The opponent is a Three-*Jang* [a unit of measurement, roughly 3 meters] witch who uses 5-star spells and psalms, and is also an adept in the realm of the Archmage.]

Not only Dadan Karain, but also Lekkair, who had confirmed the destruction of the Cheonhwa Sect, strongly opposed it, but it was Fayquarter Milone who put an end to the commotion.

[The Water Dragon has ordered the Cardinal Corps to delegate the primary decision-making authority to the Star Cluster Shaman, Juliana. So, let’s follow that will for now.]

Now that the Mad Dragon has stepped down from the front lines, Fayquarter’s will is the will of the Papal States.

That alone was irresistibly powerful, but with the Water Dragon’s oracle, objecting to the will of the Divine Dragon was like blaspheming the divine.

It didn’t take a moment for everyone’s opposition to subside. As silence fell, Milone looked at Juliana, or rather, at me, whom she couldn’t see.

[So, what do you want us to do, Juliana?]

* * *

The temple was bustling with the movements of witches preparing for battle.

With the exception of those who had converted to black magic like Alene of , almost all of the Northern Republic’s elite Red Witches had gathered here by order of the Star Cluster Shaman, Juliana. The number reached as many as four hundred.

I was also barely moving my weakened body to put on Ceresia when Valensidice sighed and approached me.

“I saw that parrot calling Toureina’s name affectionately in .”

“Call, call, call.”

Valensidice hesitated for a long time, unlike him, and then came up with an interesting guess.

“Your ridiculous genius, and the emotions you showed when talking about Toureina earlier… You must have been a disciple of Toureina, too, right?”

No, that guy was my disciple.

My first disciple.

I had left him beyond the time of 300 years ago… I didn’t even want to waste time answering, so I silently bent down and tightened the leather straps of my boots.

“And that Sun Parrot is probably the real Pipi who appears in the heroic legends of 300 years ago.”

“Genuine, genuine, genuine.”

“I know I’m not qualified to say this, but… you must have heard everything from Juliana. The Toureina who is there now is not the Toureina you remember.”

As I didn’t answer and tightened the leather straps of the other boot, Valensidice couldn’t suppress his frustrated expression and said.

“Listen carefully. Toureina is not accepting the power of the abyss, but only using it, so she must sacrifice her humanity as the price for that power.”

“Humanity? Humanity? Humanity?”

“Memories, emotions, everything that makes a person human. Toureina is using that power for immortality… and as a price, she doesn’t remember most people. She forgets someone even if she doesn’t see them for a month.”

I see, so that’s what it was.

I smiled bitterly.

That’s why she forgot my soul’s texture, Pipi. She hasn’t completely sold her soul to the abyss yet.

“Right now, Toureina is just a distorted desire for Rin wearing human skin. Decide whether to kill or save her after seeing her? I know you’ve become incredibly strong, but there’s no choice─”

“─Valensidice, I’m not going to decide whether to kill or save Toureina.”

Was he wondering why I suddenly snorted, or was he surprised by the cold voice that even surprised myself?

“I’m going to decide whether I deserve to live.”

As I said that and ended with a miserable smile, Valensidice closed his mouth. Instead, someone else made a sound.

“What are you dawdling about without finishing your preparations yet?”

Making miscellaneous metallic noises, the guy who appeared with a sword belt with a small sword scabbard hanging from it and a shield firmly attached to his wrist was… Miria.

Valensidice raised his eyebrows.

This time, even I, who hadn’t shown any emotion throughout the conversation with Valensidice, couldn’t help but tilt my head.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean, what am I doing? I have to go to Mythos Peak.”

“That’s not allowed.”

“Not allowed, not allowed, not allowed.”

I don’t know why those words came out instinctively. Was it because I didn’t want to take her to a place where unknown fears and dangers lurked?

“You’ve already been compensated. You don’t have to do this.”

Wherever it is.

It’s enough if you’re alive.

“Not allowed? Aki is also very important to me. You entrusted him to me, but I couldn’t protect him.”

“No, that’s… the opponent was the opponent. It’s not your fault.”

“Really? Even so, if you really want to save Aki, you’ll need my help. I know the terrain of the Red Mountains like the back of my hand.”

As I was speechless and only stammering, Miria put her index finger in front of her lips and smiled at me for the first time.

“And I guess if you have a high status in the Empire, you can just give orders so easily, but this is the Republic, and I am a legitimate free citizen. If you don’t want to follow the Republic’s constitution, take me to hell where there is no constitution and then give orders.”