The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 272

Extracurricular Story 1.

Forgotten War, Subjugation of the Spider Lord (1)

It is forbidden to speak of or write about the Lords of the Abyss.

The fearful whispers about the Lords become their strength, eventually leading to cracks in the seal.

Therefore, all historical records, by my order, conclude this story with a brief sentence or two…

But I intend to record the truth here now.

Sometime in that distant era.

Because there will come a day when even such a story is needed.

* * *

While returning from Harvadonia to the Imperial City, I occasionally had dreams.

No, let’s be honest. Often, very often, I had ‘that dream’.

The dream was darkness, despair, madness, and the Abyss.

Volcanic ash and blizzards swept in from the north and south, covering the world.

In the blizzard, the heavens and earth twisted strangely, and in the volcanic ash, all things melted eerily.

And.

At the feet of those who ruled the frozen polar tundra and the burning tropical volcanic ash… I saw children dying in agony.

Aki.

Nen.

Mir.

The dream vanished as if fleeing when my children screamed and groaned, and I cried out in helplessness, unable to do anything.

When the dream ended, my whole body was burning with fever, and my limbs ached as if they would fall off.

Was it just a nightmare? No, it was too continuous to be just that.

But a prophetic dream……

That couldn’t be. I couldn’t possibly have that kind of ability.

“Rain, are you alright?”

“You’ve been acting strange since you returned from the North. Are you not sick with some plague?”

My long-lost classmates, Lillian Karain and Logan, spoke with concern.

I smiled, trying to appear calm, but I couldn’t hide my pale complexion and gaunt face.

In the hallway leading to the military conference room, I finally had to sigh honestly.

“I wish I knew what I was supposed to be doing right now.”

“You need to attend the military conference. As Archmage.”

“That’s not what I mean…”

It must have been a joke to ease the tension.

Seeing that I couldn’t even answer that seriously, I realized how little composure I had right now.

Not only all the members of the Hwangha Office of Military Affairs but also key figures from each Ministry of War attended the military conference.

A special figure who would never be seen in peacetime was Kiran Wolf Blado, the leader of the White Wolves.

“We have compiled information from scouts sent to various locations. Not only are the Necrakne [undead creatures] awake, but the Old Ones are also awakening and filling the snowfields. Five out of ten scouting teams are missing. It’s worse than when the White Revenant [powerful undead being] woke up before. There is a being controlling them.”

The hall became noisy.

Anxiety seeped into the murmuring voices.

“Commander-in-Chief, how long can the

hold out?”

“The was built to defend against the dead and the Old Ones. But if the Old Nobles [powerful, ancient beings] awaken… I cannot give you a definite answer.”

“But what is there to worry about? We have Yonghyun, don’t we?”

Respectful gazes turned this way, and sighs of relief leaked out from here and there.

“With the power of Yonghyun, one of the Three Sages [powerful mages], I believe it will not be difficult to mend the seals of the gods.”

*Can I do it?* I asked myself.

Perhaps the reason I was given this power was to mend the seals at this time.

But is that all? Really? I cautiously opened my mouth.

“I believe there must be a reason why I have this power.”

“…?”

“I’m not sure about myself yet… that’s why I think I need to meet the Holy Su Ryong [a powerful, revered figure].”

Confusion flickered in the eyes of the officials. Rem, who had been yawning casually in front of the Emperor, said.

“So, what exactly are you suggesting we do?”

“I will go to the Idea Peninsula within a month to see the Holy One.”

“Are you going to leave Harvadonia as it is for a month? Do you know what might happen?”

I knew better than anyone how dangerous this decision was.

How quickly did Shar’kas, awakened from a long sleep in his youth, build up his power?

I know.

I know, but.

No matter what I do, I can’t bring myself to act on that decision.

Every time I try to make a rational decision in my head, the content of ‘that dream’ comes to mind and grabs my shoulder.

It’s ridiculous.

As one who has faced the truth, I should be more rational than anyone else in this land, but I’m acting emotionally like a foolish beast.

“What if the Spider Lord is released from the seal during that month?”

Crista Aigin, who was dangling her legs arrogantly next to the throne, opened her mouth.

Setting aside her position as Empress, she had already earned the right to participate in the military conference as an epoch-making figure of this era, solely based on her talent as a mage.

Unlike Yonghyun, who was considered an extraordinary being outside of humanity, she was the most talented mage of the current generation among ‘the same humans’.

Raida was proud of the Empress’s talent and skill, and as proud as he was, he tried to take her to every public event.

“In that case, I trust that Your Majesty the Empress will use her skills to buy us time.”

No matter how much she had grown physically, she was still weak to straightforward compliments.

“Well… hmm, well, yeah! I can do that much. Who do you think I am?”

As Crista confidently retorted, Emperor Raida laughed heartily and nodded.

“You’re as absurdly reckless as ever. Very well. I approve.”

“Your Majesty! We must prioritize urgently inspecting the sealing formations before the power grows any further, how can you…?”

“But it’s only a month. I can’t delay any longer than that. I will declare martial law and mobilize national forces. You must be in your place.”

* * *

What Akilea did in for three years was to realize the magnificent flow of nature.

The scorching sun.

The walls of fire erupting beneath it.

Sitting cross-legged on the high-temperature dunes where the atmosphere was so dry it was almost rarefied, she explored the grand beginning and end of life.

“We are fire, Akilea. Why do you think that is? Why do you think it became that way?”

The old flame Grydaone occasionally came to the dunes and asked difficult questions.

“Because we breathe fire!”

Grydaone left with a faint smile, but Jakan was more solemn.

“Fire is the beginning of life. Without fire, the world is plunged into darkness. You must become fire, Akilea. Do you understand what this means?”

I didn’t know yet, so I didn’t answer.

The Dragon Language was difficult to understand because even when using colloquial language, rhetoric was encouraged and the format was complex.

So it wasn’t a pleasant thing.

Often, I thought of my siblings I had left behind on the distant continent and across the sea.

*Are they doing well?*

*What would happen if they missed me and came all the way here?*

*Would the True Dragons kick them out, saying I was in training?*

“First, you must know yourself. You must look into the origins of your life.”

I was sorry for my siblings, but I missed my father so much that I thought about him countless times.

The memories of the worlds we had seen together came back vividly, as if they had just happened.

But it didn’t seem to be just because of simple longing… something was strange.

In each of those moments, wasn’t there one more person?

*Who is it?*

Like herself, red hair like flames.

In the midst of the frigid days, always holding her in his arms, forehead to forehead, smiling gently…

The form is unclear, but the presence is so cozy and certain…

*I don’t know who it is.*

* * *

The Idea Peninsula, where the fairies resided, was indeed a secret realm of mystery.

“Yonghyun Rain Ludwig, the Council of Elders has permitted your visit. But only you.”

There were nine tribes of fairies.

The pride of the fairies, who traced their origins back to the leaders who first helped the gods in the age of the gods, was extremely high.

The first children, the fairies called themselves that and claimed to be the eldest sons of the gods.

“Opening the Tyrende Water Gate.”

Of course, not all fairies were the same.

The White Fairies, with their noble appearance and skin whiter than milk, were the most numerous. 5 tribes belong to them.

The Blue Fairies, who live by the water and have blue hair and transparent skin as their characteristics, control the waterways. 3 tribes belong to them.

They have opened numerous special economic zones, promoting openness and reform, and now wield extensive influence in the human political and business world.

On the other hand, the Dark Elves, who occupy the northern part of the Idea Peninsula, remained closed and mysterious.

Dark Elves.

The guardians of ancient traditions and the minions of the World Tree.

In short, it was highly unusual for them, who even ostracized other fairies, to allow entry.

But since only I was allowed, I had to transfer from the merchant ship to a rowboat and row with telekinesis.

The jungle blocking the way disappears. And a pier woven with greenery like ropes appeared.

Five dark elves wearing dark green cloaks and carrying curved bows were waiting in front.

“My name is Aeseulkina. I am the one hundred and twenty-fifth follower, and I have been tasked with guiding you to the World Tree.”

The land of the dark elves held the image of humanity treating nature with love rather than desire.

Mansions were built on the trees, and each mansion was connected by suspension bridges.

There was no structure that harmed nature, and the fairies acted with animals as friends.

“I heard that you have been blessed by the Black Sun, so this child will follow you too.”

Could this be the legendary Elk?

Much larger than a deer, with three or four branches of antlers, it boasts formidable power as the guardian of the forest.

I heard that the dark elves ride elks instead of horses, it was true.

“Can I really ride it?”

As my eyes lit up, Aeseulkina stroked Nemetes’s head and whispered something in the fairy language.

Then the elk bent its legs. Riding that elk and walking through the sacred forest path was an amazing experience.

I wish Aki and Nen could have come with me… I was sorry about that.

Since there were no proper social infrastructures, I had to walk through the forest path for 9 days to reach Lake Yeranata, where the World Tree was located.

“You are different from other fairies.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t have that… arrogance unique to other fairies. And the White and Blue Fairies don’t use bows, saying they are cowardly.”

Aeseulkina, who was setting up a hammock between the branches for camping, replied expressionlessly.

“It is impious to stain the hands that should serve the gods with blood. We are the priestly tribe, such things are not allowed.”

I had a lot of questions, but I couldn’t ask many because it wasn’t an atmosphere that allowed questions.

It’s too stiff…

The dark elves treated me as one who had faced the truth, and it felt like they wanted the dignity befitting such a person.

After 9 days.

Suddenly, the roof of leaves that shattered the sunlight into droplets and scattered them on the ground disappeared.

Finally… the forest ended.

*Is this a huge open space?*

*Is the World Tree in front of me? Can I meet Mir even for a moment?*

As I thought that, I saw the back of a man kneeling beyond.

*What is it,* I was wondering, and the fairies, including Aeseulkina, knelt in front of him and paid their respects.

“I have brought the Dragon Sage.”

“You may step back now.”

The man turned this way, fluttering the long sleeves of his priestly robes and clasping his hands together.

The sacred sense of oppression at that moment…

Fundamentally different from the huge abyssal beings I had encountered so far, but just as powerful and bright.

“Your epithet is Yonghyun?”

“…?”

“Interesting. The epithet the gods gave me when they anointed me as a Judge was Cheongeun (Blue Grace). Let’s confirm each other.”

Confirm.

Before I could even ask what, Cheongeun’s Judge chanted a sacred verse and clasped his hands, and at that moment, the power of the gods was embodied in this land.

Glory.

Countless silver flowers blooming.

The waves of flowers, swirling dazzlingly, filled the heavens and rushed in, filling what I thought was an open space.

“Unlike you humans, we, the first children, can handle all the miracles of the gods.”

In an instant, the flowers tried to bind my ankles, shins, wrists, and entire limbs.

“Asura’s Lost Soul Scripture.”

The illusory dragon soars through the sky. The sacred wave emitted by the golden dragon head.

At the end of that light.

The flowers, which had been fluttering violently, soon lost all their petals and eventually fell powerlessly.

As the other two dragon heads of Asura glared at Cheongeun’s Judge, the Judge waved his hand and smirked.

“That’s a really great power. That’s enough. Now we can be sure who each other is.”

What…

I was dumbfounded.

“Can’t we just talk?”

“With this one exchange, I confirmed that you are Yonghyun, and you confirmed that I am Cheongeun’s Judge. Isn’t this more efficient than a few words of conversation? The Abyss is good at deceiving others.”

Cheongeun’s Judge kissed a ring.

It was a jewel bluer and clearer than any water in this world. As he kissed it, a ripple rippled over the jewel.

No sooner had he done so than the world I thought was an open space scattered into photons. My heart started beating.

It wasn’t an open space, it was a lake.

Then this place is…

A tree rose from the lake with a beautiful figure.

A tree so large that it could not be seen at a glance from nearby. The leaves rustle rhythmically as if the tree is breathing.

Even without anyone explaining, I knew it at once just by its majesty and figure. It’s the World Tree.

Decisively, it possesses the same energy as Baekchang Palace Serwayvon. And above all…

“Mir!”

A pure white child sitting on the branch of the World Tree, reading an old scroll of ancient dragon language.

Mirngardia.

Clear eyes trembled within the snow-white eyelashes, and soon she jumped off the branch.

The lake was so vast that the shore on the other side could not be seen, and the depth was unknown…

Mir seemed to be approaching this way with quiet ripples, but suddenly stopped.

“Mir?”

Then she transformed into a dragon and climbed back onto the branch, taking the form of a dragon again.

And then again.

As if she had no interest, or as if she was moving reluctantly because she was very annoyed while reading, she came down from the branch and approached this way.

Her gaze was fixed on the scroll, but her sincerity could be seen in the way she glanced up here from time to time.

That kid…

Hiding her true feelings…

So clumsy…

I wanted to hug her so much because she was so cute, but I thought it would be better to preserve Mir’s dignity since Cheongeun’s Judge was watching.

She’s Mir to me.

Mir is Mirngardia, the White True Dragon.

Just as the Gwangryong Orthodox Church is the agent of God to humanity, the White Dragon is the agent of God to the fairies.

Look at that. Cheongeun’s Judge immediately knelt down on one knee politely.

So, after barely suppressing my laughter with a dry cough, I exchanged solemn greetings with Mir.

“I came to see Her Holiness Yeriserica, but is she out right now?”

Mir shook her head.

Then, with a snap of her fingers, turtles with pure white shells lined up on the surface of the lake, opening the way to the World Tree.

The dragon is an existence that reigns over all living things, nothing new to be surprised about.

There isn’t.

Yes, there shouldn’t be.

I felt my heart swell and my shoulders lifted for no reason, as if I had caught a glimpse of a side of her that had grown in a month.

*Wow, kid…*

The corners of my mouth are about to tear. What am I going to do about this?

“Currently in the world of dreams. If you want an audience, you must enter the world of dreams.”

“How?”

“There is a way to touch a part of the body to the World Tree. Most efficient for humans.”

Oh well, whatever.

After blocking the Judge’s gaze with my back, I messed up her hair for the first time in a long time, making it a bird’s nest.

Eung… she only let out a short voice at the strong touch, and was as quiet as before we parted.

She even seemed to like it. Since she doesn’t show her emotions on her face, the truth is beyond.

“Then I’ll be back.”

I stepped on the turtles’ shells and strode towards the World Tree.

The world of dreams…

After taking a deep breath, Mir’s warning was heard as I placed my hand on the trunk of the World Tree, from which a warm breath flowed.

“Be careful. The world of dreams is fundamentally the world of origin. If you stay in the human mind for a long time, you may become a target of the Abyss.”

I should have taken that warning seriously then. So as not to be caught by the Abyss of the King.