The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 237

237

The four masters regained consciousness one after another.

For a moment, their consciousness seemed to fade, and the very space they occupied had been altered.

This was a space where consciousness took form. They had clearly been summoned as spiritual bodies.

And the fact that this happened without any warning…

[Why does it suddenly smell like animal dung? Turns out I’m stuck in the same space as you.]

Ulandis.

The leader of ‘Pakripa,’ one of the top nine organizations of the Black Church.

[Must be your breath. Hmph, if you don’t like the air going into those nostrils, should I tear them off for you?]

Kashanu.

Similarly, the leader of the top organization ‘Larica.’

However, since ‘Larica’ doesn’t operate externally, its recognition is significantly lower compared to the other three.

[Want to try?]

[Yeah, I’ll take this opportunity to give you a good thrashing, you fatso! Where are you right now!]

[Can you two just stop? Why do you always fight whenever you meet?]

However, despite the Black Church organization ‘Larica’ having low recognition, Kashanu’s personal reputation was arguably the highest among those gathered here.

Kashanu.

A Diamond-ranked adventurer, a title given only to those at the pinnacle of adventurers.

“Still as amicable as ever, a lovely sight indeed.”

The being who appeared then, clapping and smiling warmly, was there.

Despite being summoned as a spiritual body, the dread that spread through every inch of their being…

Everyone swallowed hard and turned to see a man wearing an eyepatch, grinning.

“One of the pillars has fallen, you know. But such a positive attitude isn’t bad either.”

The eye drawn on the eyepatch seemed truly alive, blinking, smiling, and even shedding tears.

It was a truly bizarre sight, but everyone present had seen that eyepatch countless times.

His name was Zernyx.

An absolute being whom even the top nine organizations of the Black Church had to bow before, the second pillar of the Black Church.

[A pillar has fallen… You’re not just joking, are you?]

“I wish I were, but alas~ what to do? They say Elamas got hit with a ‘thwack’ and died with a ‘ugh’.”

[Pardon?]

Elamas was dead?

The third pillar, who possessed overwhelming power beyond description?

“It’s truly heartbreaking. Aigo~ [Korean interjection expressing sadness or frustration] He died so tragically to buy time for this *oppa* [Korean term for older brother, used by females]…”

[……Are you talking about the half-dragon who defeated Toureina and the Slayers?]

“Yes, so now you four are the only ones who can strut around as top organizations. The three that Elamas maintained with necromancy died as well.”

When the Dawn Brigade collapsed, the top organizations stationed at Solond’s strategic point also fell.

‘One question remains here…’

Even if Elamas dies, the power of the Lizard Lord, an immortal being, doesn’t disappear.

‘In other words, those resurrected by necromancy, the members of Elamas’s organization, should remain…’

But they all disappeared together.

Did Elamas withdraw the necromancy himself? The probability of that is close to 0%.

‘I was planning to use those guys quite rewardingly.’

Then did that brat raise the power of Vel Curias to a level I don’t know about?

‘Hmph, even so…’

Soon all of it will be mine.

Zernyx didn’t even try to erase the smile that bloomed on his lips.

“Why, does my word seem like a lie?”

[It’s just that you seem too happy.]

I couldn’t be happier. He’s removing all the troublesome obstacles while coming to me.

Excellent.

Ryuken Ludwick, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’s the best gift that old geezer gave me.

“Don’t you know that laughter comes out when you’re too sad? This guy probably hasn’t even experienced what real sadness is, aheueuheueuk.”

[……]

“Keuheuheuk, anyway, now that that old hag has vacated her position, the final decision-making power of the Black Church is in my hands.”

[……!]

“As of this moment, we are initiating ‘Plan 606.’ Those who have not received individual instructions are to gather in the yellow city, .”

[……606?!]

[……Is the preparation already complete?]

“Roughly, yes. The most esteemed guest is coming. Shouldn’t we start preparing to welcome them grandly from now on?”

* * *

“Ryuken, this is…”

Again.

Once again, he was in the inherited memories, and Rain quietly swallowed his breath.

The main figures in the memory were two, Osarius and Ryuken, just like before.

“The power to kill that child.”

Osarius’s mouth slowly opened as he looked at the piles of parchment stacked on Ryuken’s desk.

If they were bound into a single book, it would easily be a hand’s breadth thick.

The enumeration of mathematical formulas, like scribbles, brought a fresh shock even to Rain, because this was…

“Vel Curias, allowing the ability of Vel Siderius to be raised to the next level, enabling the manipulation of abilities.”

“This wisdom… is by no means human. Ryuken, you didn’t by any chance use the treasure of wisdom given by the Water Dragon here?”

“There was no other way to surpass that child’s magic.”

A sorrowful smile bloomed on Osarius’s lips as he placed the blueprint of Vel Curias on the desk.

“You, who wanted to reach the truth more than anyone else… that child is more precious than your lifelong wish.”

This memory evokes a familiar sadness.

Perhaps it’s because he directly feels the emotions that Ryuken, the owner of the memory, had at the time…

“Giving that child peace, that is now the only truth I must pursue and achieve.”

Ryuken barely managed to raise his staggering body.

A very familiar coat was hanging on the wall rack. A magical garment where crimson and black resonated brilliantly, Seresia…

Ryuken’s eyes trembled faintly as he clutched the hem of that Seresia.

“The clothes that child gifted me when she reached the realm of 5 stars…”

Whether the inherited memory ended there, consciousness suddenly awakened into an alert state.

Like emerging from deep water, the five senses returned clearly.

‘No, am I still dreaming?’

Rain blinked blankly as he opened his eyes.

A familiar space, a clearing in the forest where they decided to stay overnight while heading south after leaving 바라 [Unidentified word, possibly a location].

So far, there was no problem, but wasn’t Rista looking down at him?

‘No.’

Something was strange. If it were Rista, she would have smiled brightly just now.

But the moment this Rista’s eyes met his, wasn’t she suddenly walking into the darkness of the forest as if feigning ignorance?

And after a while, she came back to the campsite with hurried steps and crossed her arms as if surprised.

“I guess you weren’t as tired as I thought. You’re already awake.”

“Heuum……”

“Or are you a light sleeper? I tried to keep the noise down as much as possible.”

“Heoeo……”

As he just stared blankly, Miria coughed awkwardly as if embarrassed and slightly turned her head.

“I’ll apologize. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Hmm, you’re saying that one word was so difficult that you tried to feign ignorance so grandly.”

The gaze that had been turned to the side emitted a sharp, glaring light.

“What did you say?”

“No… but why? You’re not the type to do that without a reason.”

Miria was different from Rista.

Was it because of Aki?

But if that were the case, the angle of her gaze would be off. Aki was sleeping next to him, holding Setsunen.

“That’s.”

Miria seemed to hesitate for a moment, then sighed, “Hyuu.”

“Your hair looked strange.”

Hair color…?

Hmm, bleaching. It was a moment to be surprised, but strangely, he didn’t feel any embarrassment.

The feeling of overload that surged in his heart and brain when using that power, when using Alakish’s image, was still vivid.

– If your hair starts to turn white, be careful. It means you’re using your lifespan as the price for the power.

Miloné Alter Gaumris had warned him like that.

“I need to dye it again.”

“Dye it.”

“Don’t tell the others.”

He gave a bitter smile as he looked at his companions who were asleep in their respective positions.

Bart, who was asleep with the Dragon Bone Spear leaning against his shoulder, and Rem and Pipi, who were sleeping in a hammock made of vines created by Serwebon on the tree…

These two were something, but the gaze that lingered the longest was on Aki and Setsunen.

‘I knew we couldn’t walk the same path. I knew it, but…’

I didn’t know it would be shorter than I thought.

Still, anyway… After hearing the story of Elamas from Aki and realizing it, it was better to part ways with Aki as soon as possible.

So that she wouldn’t go astray because of the pain of loss while living an immortal life.

“Really?”

Miria smiled brightly, as if she had noticed something in Rain’s gaze.

It was so similar to the smile he had with Rista in the past that Rain’s heart suddenly leaped greatly.

Before he could even realize the reason for that strange heart flutter, an even greater shock came, as Miria carefully sat behind him.

“Then, until we reach your power, , try not to use it as much as possible.”

In this situation where they were both awkward and strange, the heartbeat that didn’t waver even in the midst of a battle with a strong enemy shook greatly.

“Until then, I’ll try my best to fight.”

“……”

“I’m not saying this because of the memories I’ve regained. This is something I’ve decided for myself.”

Perhaps it was because they didn’t have to look into each other’s eyes, because they didn’t have to see each other’s faces, that they could get one step closer?

Miria is not Rista.

He shouldn’t think of reuniting with Rista through Miria. Showing that itself is rude to Miria, who doesn’t have Rista’s memories.

He had been creating distance while thinking that way, he had been pushing her away little by little while being prepared, but if this girl approached him with the same distance as Rista first…

“──Aba, lovey-dovey?”

Just as a conclusion was about to be reached amidst the irregular heartbeat, Aki opened her eyes with a puffy look.

“What lovey-dovey.”

“Go to sleep. It’s time to sleep, Aki. We have to keep walking tomorrow too.”

“Never mind imnida [Korean for ‘it’s nothing’]…… daat [sound of falling back asleep]……”

Miria was startled and soothed Aki, and Aki collapsed again and snored in a few seconds.

Rain and Miria took a long breath, and when their eyes met, they laughed helplessly.

Rem and Pipi, who were pretending to sleep in the hammock and peeking at that strange atmosphere, had the same thought at the same time, even though they were human and beast.

‘They’re being lovey-dovey from the crack of dawn… Are they trying to have a real wedding, not just a paper marriage?’