The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 200

“Am I the only one who’s happy to see you?” Parade laughed heartily. “Not happy to see me? You mutt?” With a sneer on his lips, he sat atop the Elysium Turtle, looking down at Charles and Shin Hayul. His eyes were twisted with arrogance and conceit. “What’s there to say? Of course, I’m happy to see you,” Charles grinned fiercely. “Meeting trash like you is always welcome.” “Oh, really? That’s unexpected. The leader of the mutts who can’t wait to devour us welcomes me. Did you actually want to join the Black Magic Tower or something?” The two of them had an unusual aura. “Of course. Actually, joining the Black Magic Tower was my wish. So, could you take me to your headquarters?” “Hahaha. You’re going to get the location of the headquarters and run away?” “You noticed that? I thought you had a dolphin-level IQ. But you’re at least human level, I guess?” “…You little…” Parade reacted strongly to Charles’s light provocation. The prominent veins on his forehead highlighted his anger. “See? He reacts even to light provocation. How stupid is he?” “…” Charles sneered, and Parade frowned. Charles’s smile deepened, as if he was pleased with Parade’s reaction. “Anyway, it’s true that I welcome you.” Charles’s atmosphere suddenly turned heavy. He had an aura as if he would cast a spell at any moment. “I’ve never liked the fact that trash like you is taking up Earth’s oxygen… To give me a chance to clean you up myself. How delightful is that?” “…Who would have thought? You’re barking well for a dog.” Parade’s mana expanded. He was trying to maintain his composure, but his bulging veins, slightly trembling lips, and somewhat reddened ears clearly showed his anger. In this war of nerves, Charles had the upper hand. ‘I’ve fought him once before, and if I provoke him like this, he’ll have no choice but to target me.’ “I’ll deal with that woman.” As expected, Parade said that he would deal with Charles. Charles inwardly cheered. “I’ll leave that guy to you. It seems like you have a bad history with him too.” At that moment, a shadow floated next to Parade. And soon, it condensed into a human form. “…You. Did you know those two were here and ask me for support?” The Shadow, who had revealed himself, pressed Parade with a sharp aura. “Hey. No way. I really just called you because I needed help catching the unranked disaster species. I didn’t know those two were here. I can swear on my mana.” Parade’s words were very cunning. He knew there were two strong people here, but he didn’t know they were Charles and Shin Hayul. Therefore, Parade’s statement, ‘I didn’t know those two were here,’ was true. Therefore, he would not be restricted even if he swore on his mana. “…Tsk. There are many things that bother me, but I’ll trust you for now. It doesn’t seem like a time to argue.” The Shadow clicked his tongue as if he couldn’t help it and turned his gaze to Shin Hayul. “As expected of Shadow. I like how quick you are to judge. I can leave that guy to you, right?” Parade laughed heartily and stood up from his seat. “Well, there’s no way I’ll lose, but just in case. Please deal with him as quickly as possible and come help me.” Charles’s combat power was not to be ignored. He was among the top of the 8th circle mages. He couldn’t guarantee victory in a fight against Charles. ‘Even if I overwhelm him, the pets I’ve caught will all die. I want to avoid that.’ He didn’t want to lose the three unranked disaster species he had caught. Although it hurt his pride, it was better to ask Shadow for support. Moreover, the opponent was a kid of about 18 years old. Shadow could kill him in a minute. After that, if the two of them pressured Charles, they could achieve victory without any losses. “…Well. I’ll try my best. But it might be difficult to go support you.” But that was just Parade’s thought. “Difficult? What is?” “That man. I’m saying it’ll be hard to quickly deal with Shin Hayul and go support you.” Parade’s brow furrowed. “So, you’re saying it’ll be hard to deal with that guy?” “Yes.” “You’re saying it’ll be hard to deal with a kid who’s only 18 years old?” “Yes.” “…Ha.” Parade scoffed. “The great Shadow is making jokes. Have we gotten that close?” “It’s not a joke.” Shadow’s atmosphere was very serious. There was no sign of a joke. “It seems you don’t know because it was decided when you were outside. That man is designated as a special S-class dangerous person.” “…What?” Parade was surprised and turned his gaze to Shin Hayul. “That kid is special S-class?” “Yes.” Shadow paused for a moment and said. “That man, Shin Hayul, single-handedly broke through the spiritual world of Tksh [a powerful entity or dimension], and he’s a heretic who blocked my full-power attack without even lifting a finger.” “Tksh and your magic alone…” “Yes. Rather, I’m the one who wants to ask for support.” “…” Parade’s expression became even more serious. “That little kid…? I can’t understand it no matter how much I think about it, but there’s no reason for you to lie in this situation…” “It’s the truth.” Parade narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue softly. “…Okay. Then I won’t ask you to come support me.” Parade’s mana cut through the air. “I’ll take care of this side, so you take care of your side.” Crack-! The air split open to the left and right. And from within, a huge monster appeared. “You tamed Bucephalus [a mythical horse].” “Yes.” An unranked disaster species that lived in Greenland. A horse that ran through the sky and broke the heavens and earth. Bucephalus. It set foot on Mount Baekdu. “I’m going all out.” After that, a horde of countless monsters poured out. It was as if despair was pouring out. “What, is that all you’ve got?” The monsters instantly filled the surroundings. Charles scoffed as he looked at the monsters. “That’s nothing.” And the next moment. Kuuuuuung-! The monsters surrounding Charles all knelt down at once. Charles’s telekinesis had worked. “I’m leaving that shadow bastard to you!” “Yes!” Shin Hayul stepped aside, leaving Charles behind. “Then I’ll go too.” Shadow also followed Shin Hayul. “Okay. Hold on tight! I’ll deal with this as quickly as possible and come help you!” Parade shouted, glancing at the disappearing Shadow. ‘…Well. I don’t think that’s going to happen.’ Just before completely submerging into the shadows, Shadow had such a thought. * * * About 1km away from where Charles and Parade were clashing. Shadow and I were having a peaceful conversation. “It doesn’t seem like he noticed.” “He’s not smart enough for that.” “Yes. It seems so.” Parade didn’t seem to have noticed our plan at all. “It was a headache when I was trying to lure him to Mount Baekdu by saying I’d give him something delicious… But somehow it worked out.” “…He’s definitely not smart.” No, it’s not like I’m kidnapping a 10-year-old kid. How could you think of luring someone with the promise of something delicious? “Anyway, I’d say the plan is about 70% successful. Now, after watching the situation, you go support Charles, and that’s it.” This was the plan I had set up this time. First, using the information I got from Shadow, I decided on a suitable meeting place and met there. Then, Charles provokes Parade, leading him to a 1:1 fight. That way, Shadow would naturally take on me. And Shadow and I could get out of there separately. The key point here is for Shadow to say to Parade, ‘Shin Hayul is designated as a special S-class dangerous person.’ After that, after spouting a lot of uneasy words, he and I would leave the battlefield separately. This would complete the 1:1 structure between Charles and Parade. And Shadow and I would be able to get out of there separately and watch the situation. After that, it’s simple. When the situation is right, I’ll join the battlefield, and that’s it. After joining, saying ‘Shadow ran away,’ we can deal with Parade 2:1. “To be precise, the operation is not over until you report to the Magic Tower that you were defeated by me.” And the escaped Shadow would report to the Magic Tower like this. ‘I had a rematch with Shin Hayul in Mount Baekdu, and I was defeated. He was so powerful that I couldn’t handle him in my current state.’ “Hmm. My position could become quite precarious, but I’ll have to endure that much. It’s not like I’ll be staying there for long anyway.” Then what would happen? Would the Black Magic Tower try hard to eliminate me? No, that’s not going to happen. It’s the opposite. The Black Magic Tower would not move to eliminate me, but would have no choice but to leave me alone. “Your safety is more important than my position.” “Thank you for your concern.” It’s a simple reason. The reason why the Black Magic Tower is taking action to eliminate me is strongly influenced by the fact that I am ‘weak.’ Unlike other special S-class dangerous people, I don’t have any means of self-defense, so they want to eliminate me when they can. That’s the situation they’re in. In that situation, what would happen if Shadow made such a report? If he reported that I was so powerful that Shadow couldn’t handle me? In all likelihood, their movements would become passive. They would judge that it’s impossible to deal with an opponent that even a high-ranking executive can’t beat, and they would have no choice but to postpone sending assassins to me for now. This is the core of this operation. “It’s a great plan, even when I think about it again. Control fire with even bigger fire. Is that it?” Since I’ve been designated as a dangerous person, I can’t escape the eyes of the Black Magic Tower. I’m their target for eternity. That’s why I decided to become a powerful target that they can’t easily touch. If I can’t avoid it, I have no choice but to make them avoid me. “There’s no need to say it, but the essential condition of this operation is that you two defeat Parade. If he survives, everything will be for naught.” “Yes. I know.” If Parade returns alive, there’s a high probability that Shadow will be suspected. Parade’s death is essential for Shadow to manipulate the scene and the testimony. “Then… even for the sake of manipulating the scene, we’ll have to pretend to fight.” “Yes.” In order to deceive the investigators who will be dispatched from the Black Magic Tower later, it is necessary to create a battle scene. “Please use the strongest and most flamboyant magic. The more traces left, the better.” “Understood.” Shadow stretched out his shadows in all directions. “Shoot it this way. Then, I’ll amplify the magic I absorbed and spread it in all directions.” “Your shadow is capable of that too, I see.” Shadow chuckled. “Didn’t you know everything about my shadow?” “I don’t know the detailed abilities. I only know about its origin and characteristics.” “You’re honest. That’s why I trust you more.” Shadow smiled again softly. “Then prepare the magic quickly. The situation over there doesn’t seem too bad, but there’s no harm in preparing in advance.” “Yes.” I took a couple of steps back. And facing the shadow that Shadow had spread, I took a deep breath. ‘Resonance.’ Resonance is something I should use when I join up with Charles later. Therefore, the only thing I can use now is Resonance. Whoooing-! The ring of Resonance rotated violently. In accordance with that rotation, the ring of expansion fluctuated. Another ring of Resonance, one of the components of the Ring of Truth, rotated. And that rotation soon shook the entire Ring of Truth. It was literally resonance. Now, even when using one Resonance, all the rings rotate as if they have become one. “I’m going to use a powerful one.” “Okay.” Shadow replied lightly. No matter how powerful a magic I use, how powerful could it be? His expression and reaction clearly showed that he was thinking that. ‘Well.’ How long will that expression last? I closed my eyes with that thought. And slowly opened my mouth and chanted. “The sun cannot exist twice under the sky—” What I was chanting was a fire attribute magic. The second chanting magic that rivals the Permafrost. ‘Helios’s Heavenly Steed.’ A horse of flames that holds the sun. A horse made of flames began to snort.