The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 230

If one were to express Stella Vinoche’s current feelings in a single word, it would be ‘elation.’

She had thought he was a great swordsman, but she never imagined he’d be this skilled.

‘I’ve never seen a swordsman who can execute magic severing of that level, except for my mother.’

Stella’s eyes sparkled as she watched Shin Hayul sheathe his sword.

Just what is the identity of that swordsman?

The interest she already had grew even stronger.

“Who is he?”

“Did you see him?”

“No. I didn’t see him.”

“Well, it’s over, right?”

“……Maybe.”

The knights behind Stella whispered amongst themselves.

They all wore expressions that showed they couldn’t understand the current situation.

“Lady Stella. Please step back.”

At that moment, a man behind her spoke with a serious expression.

“He’s a face I’ve never seen before. With that level of skill, he couldn’t possibly be unknown. There’s a high chance he’s a criminal. We need to run. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to have any intention of fighting us……”

“No. There’s no need to run.”

Stella cut off the man’s words.

“He’s someone I know.”

“Ah! He was someone you knew. My apologies.”

The man placed his right fist on his chest and bowed his head.

Then, he took about three steps back. It was a nearly perfect display of etiquette.

“Not bad.”

The scene, which had been noisy just moments ago, became quiet.

Only then did Shin Hayul open his mouth.

“Severing magic. Is that the Vinoche family’s swordsmanship I’ve only heard rumors about?”

“It’s just a poor imitation, not yet worthy of being called Vinoche’s swordsmanship.”

Stella gave a wry smile.

“Are you the strict type? With that level of swordsmanship at your age, I think you can be proud.”

“How can I be proud when I’ve seen a near-perfect magic severing right before my eyes?”

“My sword? My swordsmanship is not something to be compared to, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

The swordsmanship Shin Hayul used was, in fact, hardly swordsmanship at all.

He had simply used mana core and magic to display a battle that was as close to swordsmanship as possible.

It was like mixing magic at a ratio of 3 to 7 with swordsmanship.

Shin Hayul’s swordsmanship was in a realm that true swordsmen, who bet everything on their swords, could not emulate.

That’s why he said those words.

He told her not to worry about it because it wasn’t something to be compared to.

“It’s a little disheartening to hear you say it so bluntly, though. It was definitely out of the ordinary, but……”

However, Stella, who didn’t know Shin Hayul’s true identity, couldn’t possibly understand his true intentions.

“That wasn’t what I meant……”

“Ah, I know you didn’t mean it as an insult. You meant not to look too far ahead. I fully understand.”

“……”

Shin Hayul muttered to himself, ‘That wasn’t what I meant either.’

“Um, Lady Stella. I’m sorry to interrupt your pleasant conversation, but the guard is said to have arrived nearby.”

At that moment, the man who was Stella’s aide spoke cautiously.

“Did you send the location information of this place?”

Stella turned her body and shifted her gaze towards the man.

The sparkling eyes that had been directed at Shin Hayul instantly disappeared, replaced by eyes as cold as a Siberian snow mountain.

“Yes. I sent the location information earlier, when we cornered him.”

“Then we can just wait here. Control access for civilians, and stand guard around the area.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Leave Mael’s corpse as it is. There’s no need to touch it unnecessarily.”

“Yes.”

The man bowed his head again and stepped back.

Then, he immediately began to control the passage.

Stella watched the scene with cold eyes, then turned her gaze back to Shin Hayul.

Her sparkling eyes were back as if she had never had a cold expression.

“It’s a bother, but I think you’ll have to come with me for the on-site report. Would that be alright?”

“Hmm. That’s a bit troublesome.”

“Ah. Is it a situation where you’re reluctant to reveal your identity?”

“I’m saying this so you don’t misunderstand, but it’s not like I have a criminal record or anything. My record is very clean. It’s so clean that it’s a problem.”

“Too clean…… That means you don’t have any records as a swordsman either. It’s certainly difficult for you to be investigated right now.”

“You have a quick mind. That’s right.”

There were several reasons, but for now, he had come out like this.

If possible, he wanted to avoid going to the police station.

Considering the value and status of his ID, it wouldn’t be discovered that it was a fake, but there was a high chance he would be suspected because of his spotless activity history.

It didn’t make sense that someone with this level of skill had no records.

‘This man definitely has something.’

That was the conclusion they would surely come to. It was better to avoid being investigated if possible.

“So, I’ll just disappear from the scene immediately after the incident……”

“Understood. Then we’ll take care of this matter on our side.”

At that moment, Stella cut him off.

“Can we say that I defeated Mael Nadal?”

Shin Hayul looked a little surprised.

“Is that possible?”

Shin Hayul glanced at the eleven knights scattered around and asked.

“Yes. It’s possible.”

“So, it’s a perfectly controlled squad of ten. I can see your leadership.”

Being able to report that Stella defeated Mael Nadal was the same as saying that she could completely control more than ten knights.

It was a moment that showed the charisma and leadership of Stella Vinoche.

“You flatter me.”

“If that’s possible, then I’ll ask you to do that. If you handle it that way, you can take all the credit for defeating him.”

“Taking credit. Such an unknightly act, I’d like to refuse if I could…… but I guess I can’t in this situation. Yes. I’ll do it.”

“I like how fast you are with your words.”

The conversation was progressing smoothly.

It was so comfortable not having to engage in unnecessary arguments or persuasion.

Shin Hayul smiled with a truly satisfied expression.

“Ah, I’ll give you the bounty separately. I can’t do anything about the fame, but at least that much……”

“It’s fine. Use it to treat your squad to a lavish meal. They all seem quite tired, and at times like that, nothing is as touching as the captain’s consideration.”

“Even consideration for the squad……”

Stella’s eyes sparkled with a deeply moved expression.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you so much for your help today. If it weren’t for you, at least six of us would have died.”

“You don’t need to worry about it. I also gained quite a bit thanks to you.”

“You gained something…… Ah.”

Stella suddenly closed her mouth.

“It’s nothing. It was a rude question. Please forget it.”

“Alright.”

She was quick-witted, and her judgment was fast. He liked her in many ways.

‘I should definitely contact her.’

If they could communicate this well, there was no need to hesitate any further.

He also needed to investigate the National Knight Academy, so he should contact her soon.

“Then I’ll really be going now.”

Just as he was about to leave after making up his mind.

“Ah, um……”

Stella stopped Shin Hayul again.

“I’m sorry for stopping you again when you’re busy. May I ask you one more thing, even if it’s rude?”

“It’s fine. I still have about a minute to spare. What is it?”

“Um…… When will I be able to see you again? I want to repay you…… and also…… well.”

Stella was hesitant.

Seeing her like that, Shin Hayul chuckled.

“You also want to spar, is that it?”

“……No, that’s…… well……”

Stella’s face turned red.

She was embarrassed when she thought about how she was thinking about sparring even in this situation.

“……Am I being too shameless?”

“No. Not at all. I like the mindset of wanting to learn something.”

“Ah, thank you for seeing it in a good light.”

“Alright. Tomorrow. No, is it today now? I’ll contact you around lunchtime. We can talk again then.”

Stella’s face brightened instantly.

“Yes! I’ll be waiting.”

Seeing Stella like that, Shin Hayul chuckled again and then left the scene.

Shin Hayul disappeared over the top of the building in an instant with his incredible leaping ability.

Watching Shin Hayul, Stella was once again impressed.

“Even his footwork…… He’s incredibly skilled in every aspect.”

“Yes. He’s amazing. His mana core was also perfectly balanced. His swordsmanship, basic physical strength, speed, and cutting power……”

Stella’s eyes shone brightly.

Seeing Stella like that, the man spoke quietly.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Yes. I am.”

Stella’s goal was the complete revival of the knights.

The appearance of such a great knight was always welcome.

“I feel like my dream is a little closer.”

“Yes.”

Stella smiled brightly again.

But that smile was short-lived.

“More importantly, Rohan.”

Her expression turned cold again, befitting an ice queen.

“You heard most of the story, right?”

“Yes. I’ve already informed the squad members in advance.”

Do not reveal Shin Hayul’s existence. Stella Vinoche was the one who resolved this incident.

These two instructions had already been given.

“As expected of Rohan. Excellent.”

Stella nodded with a satisfied expression at the man’s quick work.

* * *

About two and a half hours passed.

The incident was roughly concluded.

Mael Nadal’s corpse was moved, and the investigators who had finished their investigation and the on-site inspectors who had finished their on-site verification had all returned to their respective jurisdictions.

Only the control personnel remained at the scene to prevent the entry of civilians.

‘It’s about time I moved.’

There were only four people stationed on each side of the alleyway.

In fact, there were no personnel stationed in the center of the alley, where Mael Nadal had died.

The eight guards didn’t seem to be particularly skilled either.

If he used stealth magic to approach, he wouldn’t be detected.

‘Let’s go.’

I immediately cast stealth magic on my body and slowly descended into the alleyway.

As soon as I reached the ground, I saw a puddle of dried blood.

The blood that had flowed from Mael Nadal’s corpse had dried up after two hours.

‘There’s nothing left but blood. The investigators won’t be coming back at this point.’

At most, they might come back tomorrow or the day after to clean up the bloodstains.

There was no need to worry about it any further.

I immediately lost interest in the scene.

‘It was definitely here.’

Then, I placed my hand on the wall that Mael Nadal had been touching.

Earlier, Mael Nadal had placed his hand on this wall while throwing black fireballs on both sides.

‘The wall definitely changed at that time.’

And at that moment, the wall changed its appearance and became a secret passage.

It was a shocking scene, even when I thought about it again.

‘How could me and Miho not sense a secret passage that was so openly here?’

It was truly shocking.

To not feel a magical device that was so close.

‘Even when I put my hand directly on it, I can’t feel anything?’

The shock grew even bigger.

I knew that there was a secret passage in this location.

I knew it and put my hand directly on it.

Even so, I couldn’t feel anything.

It just felt like a normal wall.

‘It’s definitely here.’

I slowly stroked the wall.

I moved my hand while remembering where Mael Nadal had touched it earlier.

‘Here. Press this protruding part…… and it felt like slightly lifting it up.’

A wall made of bricks.

I slightly pressed a brick that was protruding very slightly forward.

There was no feeling of it being pressed, but a subtle vibration was transmitted through my palm.

‘It’s here. I’m sure of it.’

I applied force upwards.

At that moment, the vibration became even stronger.

‘And from here, if I apply force downwards again……’

I wasn’t sure.

I hadn’t observed it up close.

It was impossible to be sure which direction he had applied force from as I had observed it from afar.

‘It’s not downwards.’

As expected, I was wrong right away.

Pressing and lifting up seemed to be correct, but downwards didn’t seem to be it.

I took my hand off again.

‘As expected, I can’t operate it again right away. Do I have to wait 5 seconds again?’

The secret passage that Mael Nadal had opened earlier had closed in 5 seconds.

From that, I could assume that the security of this secret passage was reset every 5 seconds.

That’s why I waited 5 seconds.

‘Good. It’s reset as expected.’

After 5 seconds.

The subtle vibration I had felt earlier was felt again.

I pressed the brick again and applied force upwards.

‘About 10 degrees diagonally. Was it this direction?’

And this time, instead of downwards, I tried applying force to the southeast.

Drdrdr……

Then, there was a reaction again.

‘Bingo.’

My guess was correct.

The answer was not downwards, but diagonally to the southeast.

‘And finally, if I press the brick again and touch here with my left hand……’

Kigigigik, Kang-!

A very small sound, like gears meshing, rang out.

A sound so small that even I, who was right in front of it, could barely hear it.

And in sync with that sound, the wall began to change.

This change was also not very loud.

Was it truly a ‘secret’ passage?

It was a very subtle change.

The secret passage completed its subtle and rapid transformation.

‘This……’

Mana was flowing out from inside the passage.

‘Powerful fire mana.’

A familiar yet unfamiliar energy.

‘There’s only one thing that can emit this kind of mana.’

The medium of Ignis.

The powerful fire mana it emitted was faintly flowing out from beyond the passage.