The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 200

200

Deep beneath the ‘Flowing Desert’ lay a fortress from the Abyss Era.

Though an ancient barrier deflected the endlessly cascading sand to either side, the fortress was buried entirely, save for its ramparts.

There, Zernyx, the man with the eye patch, sat cross-legged, looking down at the three slayers the puppet had placed at his feet.

[These are the Mage Slayer, Priest Slayer, and Engineer Slayer… right?]

When had she appeared?

A girl with a playful voice, or rather, the spirit forming her shape, was beside him.

[I heard the Slayers were annihilated, so why are these ones still alive?]

That fiend of a girl.

Zernyx smirked.

“I barely managed to save them from near death. That little brat has become incredibly strong. Defeating Shar’kas and Nariaduke was no bluff.”

Elamas gasped, covering her mouth with a long sleeve, but her eyes sparkled with a seductive yet mischievous glint.

[How strange! No matter how strong he’s become, he shouldn’t be able to defeat a Dragon Slayer head-on, right? He was on par with me just now.]

“No, he won, I tell you.”

[Because you snatched those three away at a crucial moment, didn’t you?]

Elamas’s eyes narrowed sharply, and Zernyx’s lips turned down slightly.

[I don’t really care what tricks you play, Brother. They’re all insignificant anyway.]

“Hmm.”

[But if you try to play those tricks on Sister, I won’t stand by.]

When she said that, the usual playful air in Elamas’s voice was nowhere to be found.

[The Slayers were annihilated right after Sister went back down below the barrier…]

From the start, there was no smile on her face.

She was simply staring straight at Zernyx with eerie eyes.

[Hehe, no matter how I look at it, I can’t help but think it’s suspicious, right?]

Ah, this fiend is threatening me now… Zernyx raised both hands and nodded.

“To turn a blind eye to your brother’s mischief if I just do that, how grateful I am. I’ll keep it in mind.”

I’ll endure it for now.

You, and that monster hag too.

Once I take possession of Ryuken’s descendant, once I have that body that has reached its peak at a young age, you’ll all be nothing but a handful.

[Now that he’s passed the Tersh Islands, he’ll be coming to where I am soon.]

“That’s right.”

[So, if you let him come to where I am, I’ll kill him.]

Zernyx chuckled.

So, she knows I lured him towards the Slayers.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

[Hmph, well, I suppose you wouldn’t.]

Elamas stepped back with a smile again, her spirit gradually fading away before scattering into mist.

“Ah, I didn’t say thank you.”

***

It was the courtyard of the Solond Royal Palace, where the southern sunlight was brilliantly reflected.

Before stained glass windows adorned with sacred patterns, a girl in a majestic and elaborate holy robe smiled gently.

Since I’ve taken care of that eyesore who dared to receive Sister’s affection… how very grateful I am.

“If I kill such a guy and bring his head as an offering, Sister will love me even more, right?”

Zernyx, no matter what scheme you’re plotting with that brat, it’s all meaningless.

He’ll be killed by me before he even crosses this Adrion continent.

Elamas perked up her long, pointed ears with satisfaction.

“By the hands of this Elamas… hehe.”

The long ears were a symbol of circumcision, only allowed to the first descendants.

In simpler terms, those with those ears were physical proof that they were descendants of the fairies who fought alongside the gods in the primordial era.

To put it even more simply, it meant that she, as a noble and great lineage, was a fairy race capable of wielding miraculous and immense powers.

“What do you think of my plan?”

Elamas’s gaze turned to the swordsman standing at attention below the altar.

The swordsman, bearing the immense weight of the Supreme Star Sword Shirpang on his back, had maintained a motionless posture for hours.

His gender and identity were unidentifiable due to the solid plate armor covering his entire body, but Elamas knew his true identity well.

“An old hero of lowly humans.”

***

A sensation as if the scars on my flesh were being burned away by flames, darkness, fire…….

I thought I was wandering between life and death, but at some point, a familiar world appeared before my eyes.

The forest in autumn, the clear yet bitter sound of falling leaves, and the stone tower rising from the forest, covered in ivy.

‘This is…….’

The longing I had suppressed my whole life felt like it was shuddering within my heart.

‘The magic tower of the Osarius School……?’

The stone tower was less weathered than I remembered, but its overall appearance and the scent of the forest were exactly the same.

Someone was sitting on the main floor of the magic tower’s first floor, where I used to learn formulas from Auntie.

A middle-aged man approached that someone.

“Ryuken, how long are you going to stay like that?”

Ryuken? Ryuken Ludwig?

The founder of the Ludwig family and the 5th Archmage?

As if in response to that question, a middle-aged man with flowing black hair and red eyes turned to look at me.

“It’s already been two years since you’ve been a guest in my magic tower. Shouldn’t you be returning to your family soon? Your wife must be worried.”

“My family, you say.”

Ryuken gave a bitter smile and looked down at his palm.

“How can I, who killed a child more like family than family itself with my own hands, return to any family?”

“You only did what you had to do. Zernyx, that child…… if he had been left alone, he would have led this world to ruin.”

“It was I who made that child that way, Osarius.”

A middle-aged man with extremely ordinary features but the most intelligent and kind eyes bit his lip.

This person is Osarius?

The founder of the school I was affiliated with and Ryuken’s best friend?

What exactly is this memory?

He killed Zernyx?

It was a memory that contradicted history. Zernyx should have disappeared at a young age.

“A disciple is like a blank sheet of paper. He is merely paper that follows the path taught by the master, dyed with the colors of the master.”

“Ryuken…….”

“He was a child who could have become a light illuminating the truth in this world. It was I who stained that child with the Abyss, and in the end, it was I who killed him.”

Not even worthy to be called a master, merely a pathetic primary color that stained his disciple with strange colors.

Why, for some reason, at that muttering.

Sad, ah, it was so sad.

Because the figures of young Tureina and adult Tureina flickered in that falling leaf-filled space. Because I could recognize the pattern of that sadness.

“I brought tea, as you seemed thirsty!”

A girl who looked about ten years old bowed politely and offered tea on a tray to the two men.

“Thank you.”

Ryuken placed his hand on the girl’s head and gave the saddest smile.

Did he see the image of his young disciple in that face? Just as I was looking at Tureina.

Osarius, who had been watching his friend’s expression, said.

“You are an Archmage. Another disciple will inherit your will. Shouldn’t you share your wisdom with them too?”

“How can I call myself an Archmage, one who could not protect what was precious? I will probably never reach the truth for the rest of my life.”

Why are you saying that?

Why are you belittling yourself in that way?

Osarius’s sad heart was somehow flowing into my mind.

“Osarius, my old friend. You are kind. All of your disciples have inherited that kindness. They are worlds apart from my disciples, who would burn everything for the sake of magic.”

Whose memory is this showing me?

Is it a memory shown by Ryuken’s genes, or a memory shown by Osarius’s spirit?

“From my seed, stained with the blood of my disciple, there will be no one who reaches the truth. But you, your disciples are the ones who will someday…….”

Why is it so sad?

Why is it such a sorrowful memory?

Is it my sadness, or the sadness of the one who showed me this memory? Eyelids wet with tears were heavily lifted.

‘Sticky because of tears.’

No, wait. Something’s wrong. Does tears have a viscous component?

And no matter how much you cry, does it cover your entire face?

When I raised my hand to wash away the liquid that was engulfing my face, I saw different girls in each eye.

“Abat ithunaththoyo?”

Reflected on the left was Akilea, the avatar of Alakish, who was born with the beauty of fire.

“Aruu.”

And reflected on the right was…… a golden girl who felt almost sacred, as if sunlight had taken human form.

Even her short hair, eyebrows, and eyes were all a beautiful golden color.

Who is this? No, I think I know who it is, but why is she biting my head?

“Aki, you little brat, you taught her this, didn’t you…….”

I raised my upper body and leaned against the backrest.

Thanks to the explosive regenerative ability from the Yeouiju [a mystical orb with healing properties], it wasn’t painless, but I could move quite well.

“Mutun thorinji motgetdat!”

Aki easily dodged my weak gestures left, right, up, and down, pretending not to know while rolling her eyes.

“Ige, mugong [martial arts], jom, baewotdago……!”

As I did it, I became competitive and stretched out both hands, but I couldn’t catch her.

“Ik, ek, ik, jom, hon jom naya dwae, neon, neo jakku pihallae……?!”

Aki laughed while thinking I was playing a fun game, but she still dodged. The Dragon race must have insane dynamic visual acuity.

“Arurung.”

Meanwhile, the golden child clinging to my head was drooling and chewing, tearing, tasting, and enjoying my head.

The nightmare from half a year ago comes to mind…… back then, Aki made my head sticky every day.

Aki’s saliva was hot, which felt subtle, but this one, as expected of a Golden Dragon, had electricity sparking from her saliva, making it tingle.

“Stop getting saliva all over me. Aki, you’re the older sister, why didn’t you properly teach her anything while I was asleep?”

Aki looked straight at me, tilted her head, and then rubbed her cheek against my arm.

“Abu.”

“Don’t pretend you can’t talk.”

“Ababat.”

Looking around the room, it seemed to be a small cabin. It was a room with a large window facing the sea, where the sea breeze blew pleasantly.

But why isn’t there anyone guarding me?

As soon as I thought that, I saw Pipi lying on the side table, covered in Dragon saliva!

“Pipi! You were attacked while protecting me.”

“Pipi, Pipi, Pipi…….”

Tears welled up at Pipi’s sacrifice.

The fierce battle with the Beast Slayer must have been so intense that he was bandaged everywhere.

The Slayers made one mistake. How could Pipi, who had fought for 300 years, be a hothouse flower?

There was no way he could lose to the Beast Slayer, who had only served in the war for 10 years at most.

“There’s a rumor that Dragon saliva has disinfecting properties and the power to amplify healing. Don’t whine and consider it a blessing.”

As I was subduing the baby dragons, I heard a now familiar sneer.

“Valensidice.”

You’re safe.

Even though he’s supporting himself with crutches.

“You managed not to die.”

“I’m glad to disappoint you again this time.”

“The Slayers?”

“The remaining small fries were all taken care of by me and the Special Task Force.”

“I see.”

After exchanging fleeting smiles, he pointed to the beach with his thumb.

“There’s someone waiting for you there. Can you move?”

“Do I have to move?”

“Yes. I would appreciate it if you refrained from making the terrible sound of asking for support. Of course, I might not be able to refuse if you kneel and beg.”

“Even if the world collapses, I won’t say such a thing to you, you jerk!”

I shouted, and my stomach hurt.

Is the recovery of my internal organs still slow?

To the point where these complaints are embarrassing, a mage with deep wounds was sitting on the beach, looking out at the distant sea.

“I never expected you to wake up from such severe injuries in just two days. An ordinary person would have been bedridden for half a year.”

It was Doran Slade.

Even though our first meeting didn’t leave a good impression, how much help did I receive from this man this time?

But now he…… can’t live as a Battlemage. One of his legs is gone.

“No, it’s only natural since you now possess two Yeouiju. Or rather, one and eleven, to be exact.”

“Aru.”

“Abut.”

At that strange sound, the baby dragons clinging to my head and back added interjections.

“One and eleven? What does that mean?”

“To receive protection, baby dragons entrust their power to their protector. They gradually receive it back as they grow into adults.”

Does that mean this power will return to Aki in the future?

I didn’t feel any regret.

Because that’s how it should be. I live in the moment, but that girl lives for eternity.

“That Golden Dragon, freed from the Dragon Slayer, has chosen you as its protector. So there’s no way to separate you.”

Good heavens.

I felt like my head was spinning.

Is this also KarenDen’s will? But is he planning to make me gather all three types of dragons? How am I supposed to raise them?

‘I’m going to part ways with Aki soon.’

I felt that thought piercing deep into my soul, and I closed my mouth.

Doran also didn’t open his mouth for a while, so the only sounds were the cries of seabirds and the sound of waves crashing.

Finally, Doran opened his mouth, caressing his old fedora with a somewhat sad look.

“My sister died when I was eight years old. She was twenty years old at the time. She was the one who took care of me instead of my mother, who died giving birth to me.”

“……?”

“She was very beautiful, and her heart was very kind, unlike mine. She was also exceptionally talented in magic, but the problem was that she had been physically weak since birth.”

“…….”

“Worried that I might stray down a strange path, she left a will asking me to become a mage like Rin, and then she departed on a long journey.”

Doran smiled bitterly, holding out his fedora towards me.

“I received this hat along with that will.”

“Like Rin’s bamboo hat?”

“That’s right. I thought I had lived a life that wasn’t ashamed of that will with my decent skills, but seeing Rain Wisher this time, I realized how lacking I was. I could have done better.”

Doran looked up at the cirrus clouds in the clear sky and muttered in a somewhat bitter tone.

At that time, I was also surprised.

At myself for answering so quickly.

“You weren’t lacking at all.”

If you, if you hadn’t shown that fighting spirit, if you hadn’t worked so hard, we wouldn’t have been able to face today.

“If Rin had seen you two days ago, she would have said that.”

I can’t speak as Rin, but I can convey what Rin’s heart would have held more accurately and quickly than anyone else.

“Geuroke malhaesseoyo!” [She would have said that!]

“Arurung.”

At the interjections of Aki and the Golden Dragon, Doran looked at me with a slightly surprised look.

And after a while, he gave a somewhat transparent smile, unlike the smile he usually wore like a mask.

He immediately pulled his fedora down deep over his eyes, erasing that smile.

“We will recover the Dragonscale Armor and take it to the Holy Empire. But we will report that we couldn’t find the Dragonbone Spear. After all, even if we take it, it will be discarded as an object of blasphemy.”

“Why is that?”

“Your companion, upon confirming his identity, is the top disciple of the Southern Martial Sword Sect. His axe was also destroyed this time, so wouldn’t it be a good weapon for him?”

I could only stare in surprise at Doran, who was standing up with his crutches.

As Doran faced me, the brim of his fedora fluttered helplessly in the sea breeze and fell off.

Doran caught the fedora in the air and pressed it respectfully against his chest, showing a courtesy that would only be given to a superior of immense rank.

“I cannot go with you, but I wholeheartedly pray that this heart will be of some help to your ‘new journey.'”