The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 271

Chapter 271

#Epilogue: Epilogue of the Prologue.

Year 1544 of the Origin Calendar.

Warm spring sunlight streamed into the Cheonggang [Clear River] lecture hall at Delaiten, the Empire’s premier magic university.

“Our generation has no way to retrace the footsteps of the Dragon Sage, Yonghyun, who brilliantly illuminated the past hundred years, except through written records.”

Subjects like magical history are often considered boring and have low credit value, but when Yonghyun’s story comes up, all the students’ eyes light up.

“Yonghyun was extraordinary from a young age. He suddenly took the top spot at Delaiten, disappeared during the Black Spot incident, and returned two years later to earn the 7-star rank at the young age of 18.”

Why wouldn’t they be interested?

At this moment, so many people can enjoy the benefits of magic, all thanks to that Sage.

He is the third Sage and the second Great Sage, and his Sage title is Yonghyun, the Dragon Sage.

“Hey, your great-grandfather’s story is coming up.”

A boy dozing off by the window in the pleasant spring breeze squinted and yawned.

“I don’t really need to listen.”

He had noble black hair and red eyes.

The blood of the Republic was mixed in during his great-grandfather’s time, resulting in skin that is slightly darker than the fair skin typical of Imperial nobles.

The name of this freshman boy, who aced the entrance exam with the title of genius scion, is Albert Ludwig.

“I’ve heard it so much growing up that I’m sick of it.”

The Ludwig family was originally a famous magical lineage, but after Yonghyun, they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Page Count family, the leading magical lineage.

“Before becoming a Magic Star, Yonghyun spent his time examining the state of the Empire. He traveled all over the world, making the blind see, the lame walk, and curing the sick.”

In addition to simple service, it seems my ancestor was looking for some nemesis, but he never found them.

“Mirngardia of Cheongseong [Clear Voice], inspired by this journey, later made remarkable advancements in shamanism.”

Mirngardia.

Referred to as one of Yonghyun’s children, she is the youngest and only woman among the ‘Three Command Dragons (Samyeongryong)’ who protect the world after Yonghyun.

“If shamanism until now imitated dragon language, the shamanism that Mirngardia newly interpreted and presented can be called comparable to the miracles used by fairies……”

Scholars say that this represents a horizon that is impossible to see without living two lives, as a dragon and as a human.

“Although it is limited to healing shamanism, it is a well-known fact that the medical community has made remarkable progress.”

It is speculated that Mirngardia developed such thinking while growing up beside Yonghyun, but the 『Travelogue』 leaves behind something meaningful.

[As if atoning for the sins of an old life that I don’t even remember…….]

What on earth is an old life?

The 『Travelogue』 never explains it and doesn’t even mention it afterward.

Therefore, it remains only as a question for later generations.

“Hey, Albert. Haven’t you heard anything?”

“No.”

When I asked about this once, he simply replied in a calm voice, like a still lake, that he didn’t know either.

Even now, as the guardian of the World Tree, he always meets with his other sisters at the appointed place on his great-grandfather’s anniversary.

He visits the mansion only occasionally, but when he does, he is quite kind.

“After finishing his journey, Yonghyun becomes the Magic Star of the Hwangha Affairs Office in the newly formed cabinet of the reformist monarch Raida Eigin, and takes charge of the Empire’s overall governance.”

It was Setsunen of ‘Thunderous Echo (Noehyang)’, the second of the Three Command Dragons, who completed the foundation of reform created by Raida and Yonghyun.

Setsunen, who returned after receiving general education as a dragon from Yoshihar, the Yellow True Dragon of the Papal Court, drastically reorganized the legal system and established a fair judicial system.

The clear-cut personality that distinguishes between good and evil and judges right and wrong is well illustrated in an anecdote Albert experienced as a child.

– Not working hard is evil! If you only have a heart that loves justice, acing the entrance exam to is no problem!

Surprisingly, that was the phrase he used to cheer on Albert Ludwig during the last exam.

That’s not particularly special, but every time he says something, he always includes ‘justice’ or ‘evil’. There are no exceptions.

Becoming the head of the Ecclesiastical Deliberation Agency, the ‘Golden Children’, may have been a destiny determined since childhood…….

“During this period, Yonghyun established a system of compulsory education in the Empire. Many of you sitting here today have also benefited from this education.”

Magic gives people surplus time in the name of leisure, and during this time, many people can learn to read.

– Possibility.

Those who stand out here learn mathematics and become magicians with imperial scholarships.

– Magic is not just seeing the world as it is, but seeing the infinite possibilities hidden within it.

The number of magicians has increased nearly twelvefold compared to 100 years ago. Unlike then, many people now live enjoying the benefits of magic.

– That is what mathematics wants to say, and that is the truth that magic wants to teach.

The magical world, which had been divided in Yonghyun’s era, was unified into one.

This was partly because Yonghyun preached the truth to anyone without charge, but his relationships during his school days greatly helped here.

Lillian Karain of Rivendell, Hubert of Rohinum, Nora Redon of Meleb, Logan of Chaihak, and Kaden of Harimun, who left their names as deans of the Eight Great Schools.

“And we cannot forget Krista Warden, the 13th Great Magician who persistently followed Yonghyun and asked about magic.”

The 13th seemed to feel more academic competition than romantic interest in Yonghyun.

When everyone gave up chasing after him, she alone wanted to walk the same path to the end, and so she reached the realm of Aquizaad (5 stars).

She even became Empress, reviving the Warden family, which had been in decline.

“The help from youthful relationships does not end here. At the time of forming the cabinet together, Changseong completes the Spider Lord subjugation battle with ‘Brute Strength Bart’ and Gungseong ‘Rem, the Unrivaled Archer’.”

“……!”

“So, I hope you cherish the relationships you make here at this time. Everything you gain here will be a valuable asset in the future.”

And…….

Since the 『Travelogue』 was published, the most loved by the world is still Akirea, the eldest of the Three Command Dragons.

‘As expected, it deals with the impact of Yonghyun’s life on the Empire, so his story is not covered here.’

But in the Republic, he is a hero himself.

Akirea, who became the leader of the Cheonhwa Sect, extensively reorganized the sect and fostered the existence of ‘Red Pilgrims’ who tour the entire Republic.

They are the guardians of the Republic’s order, which was once in decline and plunged into chaos.

They protect lives from the invasion of the Abyss, monitor to prevent evils such as slavery from reoccurring, and track the movements of the Black Church.

‘And the adult I respect the most.’

With a cheerful yet mature, bright yet dignified character, Akirea makes everyone she meets smile.

She makes them forget sadness and enjoy only joy.

But even that adult only gives a truly sad smile when asked what her great-grandfather’s last moments were like, and says nothing.

What kind of end did my great-grandfather meet? And what does it feel like to remember the dead while living an eternal life?

‘Thinking like this won’t give me an answer…….’

◀ ◀ ◀

In this world, there is a flower that blooms only briefly when twilight shines.

True to its nature, the flower is named Twilight Flower.

As the autumn twilight gently shook the flower garden, the buds blossomed one by one amidst the rustling sound.

“My life’s hundred-year journey…… has finally reached the end of its long road…….”

Yonghyun died in the autumn of that year.

Two days after holding a simple farewell ceremony at the Ludwig family’s mansion, he visited this place for the last time with his children.

To say his last goodbyes to the children who were his soul’s kin, not his flesh and blood, in this place he loved most in his life.

“Someday, yes, really someday, Bart once said something like this to me…… and now my heart is the same as it was then.”

「What did you say?」

“I can’t leave because I’m worried…….”

「That’s just like him.」

“And so, during a hundred years of heavenly life, I brought order to the world…… and even put the Spider Lord back to sleep…… but when I think about the era you will have to endure in the future, I cannot close my eyes…….”

The Spider Lord, when sucked back into the seal of light, said in laughter:

– As long as that person’s protection exists, I, Ashron, will live forever! Pen bar tes, I am the one who devours the world! On the day the era you have built collapses, I will awaken again and devour everything!

In that era when I am gone, all my comrades are dead, and only these children are left alone to endure…….

I hoped to somehow find and get rid of the first pillar of the Black Church, but he didn’t even show his face.

I can only hope that he is plotting something under , or that he died at the hands of the demons while plotting a conspiracy…….

“I’ve said it many times that a journey of just 5 years completely changed my life…….”

So, all I could give these children was just a peaceful hundred years?

“But I’m not confident…….”

Was the time I spent with you really as meaningful to you as it was to me?

“Was the time I spent with you really worth that much to you……?”

The Red Dragon, whose armor-like body was vainly shattered by the twilight, tightly clasped Yonghyun’s old and wrinkled hand.

「You changed it, Father. I will remember the days I spent with you for the rest of my life.」

“Aki…….”

「And I will love all the weak, helpless, and dying things in this world. Just like the life you showed me, Father.」

Then the Yellow Dragon, who was leaning against Yonghyun’s old body, buried her face in his white hair.

「Yes. Until the day we meet again, I will live a life without an inch of evil, looking up to the sky where you are, Father.」

“Nen…….”

「Even if I am given a second chance in life, I will go on a journey with you, Father. There was nothing as valuable as that time.」

The White Dragon, standing at Yonghyun’s feet and looking at the twilight beyond the distant waters, said, her hair fluttering white.

「If I could be born again, I would rather be born as a human than follow you as Mirngardia.」

Why is she saying such a thing?

Did she want to be born as a human so that she could grow old and die together?

But the White Dragon’s perception was already at a level that even Yonghyun, who had reached his level, could not easily fathom as a human.

「As another person, Rain Ludwig.」

“Why me?”

「Because I want to know your heart.」

“My…… heart?”

「On the day you first showed me the world, you asked me what I wanted to achieve in this beautiful world.」

The White Dragon, who was so cold that she rarely changed her expression, turned to Yonghyun and smiled brightly.

「At that time, I want to know the heart of the Father who asked me that.」

Yonghyun’s eyes swelled with moisture, and soon hot tears streamed down his cheeks.

「I will cherish all the years I spent with you, Father, and spread them as light on this earth.」

The scent of twilight was carried on the autumn breeze that swept through the flower garden.

In the eternal rest that began to rise warmly from his toes, the fragrance of the soul arose.

He smelled the scent of firewood on a winter day from young Aki’s head.

He felt again the stinging of summer thunder felt in young Nen’s saliva.

He seemed to hear the voice of young Mir, who always sounded like a drop of water falling into a lake whenever she opened her mouth to speak.

Essentially different from the cold that had coldly confined his whole body on that day 400 years ago…….

The end of life’s journey is originally…… so peaceful…… and warm…….

In this twilight rest, I have to…… leave these children in this frighteningly overwhelming world……, ah…….

……

………

…………

……………

………………

……………

……………………………………

………………………

………

…

「……Father?」

「……Father!」

「……Father, rest in peace now.」

* * *

Where am I?

My body feels as light as when I was young—no, it’s returned to my youth.

And this place is…

「Yes, you’ve come.」

It was a world of light where black mist gently swirled around my feet.

I’ve been here before. Or rather, I glimpsed it. I remember when Ryuken Ludwig finished his race of life and was called here.

Until now, I couldn’t see Karenden’s revered face because it was obscured by dazzling light, but now that the light has faded, I can see it clearly.

“It’s been a long time, Karenden-nim [Nim is an honorific suffix in Korean].”

Should I be surprised, or is this like a mirror reflecting my old life?

I expected a very noble appearance, but his overall impression is quite similar to Rin. It feels like facing my older self.

However, unlike Rin, his hair is a noble silver, and he wears glasses that give off an intellectual aura. I can’t even begin to understand their technical intricacies.

「Sit down.」

The Black Sun, Karenden, offered me the seat next to the pavilion where he was sitting.

「I felt like I had to tell you my story. That way, you might be able to forgive me.」

Karenden took a long time to gather his breath before finally beginning to speak.

「The servants of the Abyss say that this world has deviated from its original form, but that is not the case. The world of Genesis is simply being eroded.」

“I see.”

「Yotiatos, the Absolute of the Abyss. All of this started with that bastard.」

Yotiatos……?

That’s what Public Official Beshansidug said. Was that being the Absolute of the Abyss?

「And we, whom you call Apostles, are the first apostles established by the Genesis God Geldharia. That’s why, unlike you, we live eternally.」

The end of all worlds began when Yotiatos, a servant of Geldharia, harmed him and swallowed his divinity.

「To end this eternal war, we must not defeat the lords of the Abyss, but rather eliminate Yotiatos and reclaim Geldharia-nim’s divinity.」

“……”

「But his power was too strong… and the seven of us failed. At the last moment, my power was insufficient, and I missed Yotiatos. I had him cornered.」

When Karenden lifted his jacket, I could see the Abyss wriggling like a bug, horribly covering half of his upper body.

「The price was high. I erected a barrier to protect my friends from the miasma that he spewed as he fled, and I ended up like this. Just like you.」

“……!”

「My power alone was not enough, so my younger sibling, Tersia, had to lend her strength as well. That’s why Tersia is now in a state where she cannot be away from life support for more than a day.」

I was speechless at the unbelievable story. Tersia-nim, who was called the leader of the Apostles?

「The world says that the gods have left this land, and while it’s wrong to say that we are gods, it’s not wrong to say that we have left.」

“Even though Karenden-nim is here?”

「My five friends chased after the fleeing Yotiatos to other worlds. Only Tersia and I were left in this world line, because in this state, we would only be a burden.」

But not long after, we received news that the Crimson Sun, Shurigan, had died.

「If only my power had been sufficient back then.」

One by one like that.

While his comrades were dying one by one, all Karenden could do was….

「If only I had realized a higher truth, I could have defeated Yotiatos back then and illuminated all worlds with a true dawn.」

“Karenden-nim……”

「My friends, whose life or death is now unknown, wouldn’t have had to embark on such a journey, and Ryuken or you wouldn’t have had to experience such a sad tragedy.」

“……”

「It may seem like I gave you a second life, but in reality, I simply used you because I didn’t have the power to intervene in the world. And I will have to use someone in the future to prepare for the day when the Abyss awakens.」

“……”

「So, whenever I see you, my heart aches with guilt. But I will have to continue using this method in the future.」

Karenden, who had been speaking while looking at the distant sky, looked at me and smiled sadly.

「I’m not trying to give myself absolution with this confession, but I wanted to convey my apology in words for the consequences of my failure.」

And he got up from the pavilion and began to walk away. The black mist slowly began to dissipate.

I was speechless.

He must have gone through immense trials in his life that I couldn’t even dare to intervene in. It was impossible to offer comfort with the experience I had accumulated in my life.

But, still, but.

I may not be able to offer comfort, but what if there’s no need to receive an apology in the first place?

I had to get up from the pavilion to convey that feeling. I had to go to Karenden, kneel down on both knees, and offer a tearful bow.

“Don’t apologize, don’t apologize! Because you gave me a second chance, because you gave me a chance, I……”

「……?」

“I didn’t fail, the light you gave me will continue into the future! Through the connections you allowed. Aki, Nen, Mir!”

「…….」

“So really, someday those who inherit that light will finish everything… so please don’t apologize to me… I am, to you, really, grateful beyond words….”

No answer came back.

As I sniffled and raised my head, it seemed like I saw dew glistening in the corner of Karenden-nim’s eyes beyond his glasses, as he stared blankly at me before lowering his gaze.

As if to hide that physiological anomaly, Karenden simply turned around and lightly waved his hand.

「Now, be gone. There is someone who has been waiting for you here all along.」

As the black mist completely dissipated, it was heard from the opposite direction where Karenden had disappeared.

Faint yet clear.

The voice of my ‘mother,’ from whom I had been separated by a life-and-death parting 400 years ago.

“Rin, how was your journey?”

It would be a lie to say that a smile didn’t form.

It would also be a lie to say that tears didn’t well up.

Even after living for such a long time, are people still children in front of their mothers?

“Headmaster.”

My eyes were crying, but a deep smile bloomed on my lips on its own.

“I have so much to tell you about that.”

▶ ▶ ▶

In the field full of twilight flowers, a simple tombstone stands.

In spring.

Beyond the tombstone, the blue river creates subtle ripples, singing the lullaby of nature.

In summer.

The rustling sound of grasshoppers in the flower garden echoes clearly, filling the flower garden with rich sounds.

In autumn.

Golden leaves, fully embracing the twilight, flutter pleasantly in front of the tombstone, playing the waning season like an orchestra.

In winter.

Even in the silence and darkness where the world is buried in white snow, that tombstone strangely seems to emit some kind of light.

Too small to be called the tomb of a king, too simple to be called the tomb of a hero….

But the one buried beneath that tomb, and those who visit that tomb around this time every year, their identities were by no means small or simple.

From the far north, pure white intelligence.

From the far east, golden insight.

And from the far south, crimson martial prowess.

For decades, they gathered here on the same day every year in the deserted dawn and parted at sunrise.

Hiding their identities with hoods, they reach out and caress the picture engraved on the tombstone, smiling. As if touching the cheeks of someone alive.

The picture engraved on the tombstone is simple enough for anyone to easily recognize.

A man and three children playing innocently beside him.

Every time they visit this place.

The woman with hair burning like flames kneels in front of the tomb and says on behalf of the other two.

「Father, we’ve come.」

, End>

Author’s Note

Hello, this is Jeonghoon.

It’s truly moving to finish another work like this and greet the readers.

Every time I finish writing and write an author’s note, my heart feels heavy and regretful.

I could have written better, I should have written better, I should have shown you a more interesting story… Only the regret of not being able to do so lingers in my mind.

Especially since I wrote with great ambition this time, I felt my lack of writing skills even more keenly.

In fact, when I first started writing, I wanted to depict a story of travel/daily life, but as I progressed, it felt like it had become a raid novel like my previous works….

It was hard to shake off the regret that the four genres of academy/travel/daily life/raid were mixed, making it a complicated story.

Let’s write a story that remains in people’s hearts even if it’s lacking, let’s write a story that is remembered, I write with that determination, but it seems I failed again this time.

But there was one episode that made me feel quite good….

Me: “PD-nim [PD-nim is a Korean term for a production director or producer, often used with respect], KakaoPage has one overwhelming advantage compared to other platforms. The readers leave comments very well. About 10 to 15 comments per episode….”

담당 PD: “Ah, that. It’s just that the author-nim’s novel has a lot of core fans.”

Hahaha….

There are many people who leave comments compared to the overall ranking because the story itself has strong likes and dislikes, and that has been the case since my first work, but I was really happy that the KakaoPage readers also showed the same affection! >< I'll stop with the pathetic retrospection here. is actually a prequel to the 'Mythology Era Story' that I plan to write as a series. That's why this subtitle is 'Epilogue of the Prologue'! Ta-da! Perhaps the titles that will come out in the future will have the title 'Story'. Samyeongryong and Isla will also be active there! In the case of Isla, you may remember if you have seen , which I serialized for a while in the past. Q: What about the first pillar? A: From birth, he was planned to appear as a villain in ! Because he is a villain that pierces the theme…. However, is a dark fantasy and raid story where the turmoil begins in earnest, so I'm not sure if I can write this now that I've poured everything out. I might write a novel that is located in the middle of and first. I don't know when and where we will meet again, but I will step back while waiting for the day when I will share a joyful reunion with the readers. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all the readers who have been with me until the end of this lacking story, and to the PD-nim who has always helped me with all his heart. Really, I am grateful beyond what words can express. <(__)>