The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 255

“Let’s get out of here first. Shadow, release the Shadow Sanctuary.”

I helped Shadow, who was lying on the ground, gasping for breath, to his feet.

“Are you okay? If you release it now, that thing…”

“It doesn’t matter. Either way, once that thing starts spreading properly, the Shadow Sanctuary and everything else will be meaningless.”

The Shadow Sanctuary is no longer a barrier protecting us, but an obstacle that cuts off contact with the outside.

“…Understood.”

Shadow replied in a somewhat subdued voice.

The words he heard from the Doctor must still be weighing heavily on his mind.

“…”

Shadow frowned as he watched the shadows flowing into him.

It seemed he was very displeased that the culprit causing his headache was being absorbed into him so nonchalantly.

‘Is it because he always hides his face with shadows? Without the shadows, his face shows everything he’s thinking.’

Well, I guess so.

Since he covers his whole body with shadows, there’s no reason for him to manage his expressions.

His physical growth stopped at around elementary school age, so he probably can’t move his facial muscles in detail either.

It’s understandable that he can’t manage his expressions.

“…Hmm.”

Looking at Shadow, Sein-nim frowned as if he was displeased.

I thought he might see Shadow, who had blocked his path, as an obstacle, but thankfully, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Tsk. To curse and exploit a child who hasn’t even come of age.”

He seemed angry at the Black Magic Tower for exploiting a child like Shadow.

‘…I think you’re misunderstanding a bit.’

It seems he thinks of Shadow as a victim.

Certainly, looking at the Doctor’s words and Shadow’s reaction, it’s understandable to think of him as a victim.

“Get ready. In 5 seconds, it will be completely released.”

Shadow’s body was once again covered in shadows.

The shadows that had formed the Shadow Sanctuary were now gathering back to Shadow.

And with that, even Shadow’s face was once again covered in darkness.

The Shadow Sanctuary completely disappeared.

“Oh. You came out quickly…”

Commander Charles, who had been waiting outside, was about to greet us, but his eyes widened.

“What is that crazy mana? No, it doesn’t seem to be made of just mana…”

He frowned as he glared at the unstable mana, on the verge of exploding, that ‘Caries’ was emitting as it came out with us.

“What happened? Did things not go well? What about the Doctor?”

“The Doctor is dead.”

“Dead? Then what is that energy?”

“I’ll explain in detail later. There’s no time to explain now.”

“…Okay, roger.”

Commander Charles quickly returned to his usual calm expression.

The unique aura reminiscent of a wolf was flowing out through his mana.

“Did you find all the necessary data?”

“Found it. Here. The data.”

Commander Charles handed me a USB.

It was a top-of-the-line USB with strict security, just by looking at it.

That USB must contain the data on the research conducted at this laboratory.

“Besides this data, our guys took the other evidence back first.”

Among Commander Charles’ subordinates, there was a member specialized in such searches.

If that person had thoroughly searched this place and determined that they had found everything, then it was true that they had found everything.

“Then this laboratory is now truly worthless.”

“Yeah. You don’t have to worry about the laboratory.”

With this, we could now go all out to stop that thing without any hesitation.

“So, what are you going to do about that? If that explodes, it won’t just end with this area being blown away.”

“At least a dozen countries will be annihilated.”

“…That kind of scale?”

“Yes. I’m certain.”

And that was the minimum estimate.

If Caries caused a secondary runaway here, not only a dozen countries, but 1/3 of the Earth’s land area could be annihilated.

“How are you going to stop something like that?”

“We’ll stop it before it explodes.”

It’s like defusing a bomb.

Just like stopping a bomb before it explodes, we just need to stop Caries before it properly runs wild.

“That’s right. If our Vinoshu [a legendary sword] uses the Lord’s power, can’t we just erase that mana lump?”

“Impossible.”

Sein-nim, who had been focusing his gaze solely on observing the mana, replied sharply.

“That thing has already surpassed the level of what can be called mana and has become a heterogeneous something. My sword, Vinoshu’s secret sword, can cut mana, but it’s impossible to cut that ‘something’ that transcends it.”

Sein-nim clicked his tongue softly and stared intently at the sword he was holding.

He seemed to be lamenting his lack of power.

“I have no way to stop that thing from running wild.”

“…”

Commander Charles’ expression became serious at Sein-nim’s declaration.

The only hope had disappeared.

That was the expression he had.

“You don’t have to worry.”

I said calmly, looking at Commander Charles.

“I have a way.”

“…You do?”

“Hmm.”

Commander Charles was surprised, and Sein-nim smiled as if he was amused.

Sein-nim didn’t seem surprised at all.

Was it because I knew the official name of ‘Caries’?

Or did he predict it from my calm demeanor?

He seemed to have expected that I would have some kind of method.

“What kind of method is it?”

Sein-nim asked with an extremely calm expression.

How I was going to stop that incomprehensible energy.

His expression was full of interest in that method.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

“…Hmm.”

That was a hum with the meaning of ‘What does that mean?’

“To be precise, there’s no way to tell you. There’s not enough time to explain.”

I smiled wryly, pointing at the Caries energy sphere that was still distorting in real-time.

“If my prediction is correct, that thing will explode in 10 minutes.”

“10 minutes seems like enough time to explain.”

“No. It’s not enough.”

I turned my gaze back to Sein-nim.

“The time left until that thing runs wild is 10 minutes, but Sein-nim, you need to get out of here right now.”

“…”

Sein-nim’s expression crumpled. It was as if he was saying, ‘What nonsense are you spouting?’

“Are you saying that since I’m not helpful, I should just run away? Is that how I should take it?”

“Of course not.”

I desperately waved my hands, denying it.

“I have a way to stop that energy from exploding. But if I use that method, there’s a high probability that it will affect the ground. It will move along the three connected passages here and turn the entire area into a wasteland.”

“So, we’re the ones who are going to prevent the secondary damage you’re going to cause?”

“Yes.”

I then turned my gaze to Commander Charles and Shadow.

“Sein-nim, Commander Charles, and Shadow. Please guard each of the secret passages.”

“…”

“…”

The three of them were silent.

They understood what I was saying, but their expressions showed that there was something they didn’t understand.

“…Luan. Are you planning to die?”

Sein-nim threw a direct question out of the blue.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t play dumb. If a shockwave strong enough to turn the area near the secret passages into a wasteland occurs, this place won’t be unscathed either.”

Sein-nim’s eyes shone sharply.

“Then, of course, you, who will remain here, won’t be safe either. Am I wrong?”

“…”

I was silent.

To tell the truth, that’s not the case.

The method I’m going to use will cause a massive shockwave, but it won’t cause any damage to me.

I’ll have to push myself a bit, but I won’t die.

Therefore, I could just answer ‘no’ to that question.

If I answered truthfully, Sein-nim would understand.

Sein-nim’s eyes aren’t like a knot hole that can’t distinguish between truth and lies.

‘But…’

A thought suddenly occurred to me.

Isn’t this a kind of opportunity?

‘The perfect opportunity to end my life as Luan Palatia.’

Once this incident is over, I have to go back to Korea.

I’ll have to take off the mask of Luan Palatia and return to Shin Hayul.

Before that, I need to make the fictional character Luan Palatia disappear.

That would be cleaner in many ways.

‘I’m sorry to Sein-nim and Stella, but…’

This is the best option.

I can’t openly reveal the top-secret information that I’m Shin Hayul.

“…Yes.”

I slowly nodded my head.

“…You!”

The first to react to my answer was not Sein-nim or Commander Charles, but Shadow.

“If you die here…! Then I…!”

I forcibly cut off Shadow’s words and continued.

“I’m sorry. This is the only way. I, Luan Palatia, plan to end my life here today.”

“…!”

“…”

The three of them showed different reactions to my words.

Sein-nim lowered his head with a sad expression.

Commander Charles maintained a blank expression, not knowing what he was thinking.

And Shadow shuddered as if he had realized something.

‘Did they both notice?’

I examined the reactions of Commander Charles and Shadow a little more closely.

Did they both notice the reason why I specifically said ‘my life as Luan Palatia’?

“Okay. If that’s what you’ve decided, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Bingo.

First of all, Commander Charles noticed.

If he hadn’t noticed, Commander Charles’ personality wouldn’t have allowed him to nod so readily.

“…I understand. If that’s your choice, I’ll respect it.”

Seeing that he was much calmer than before, it seemed that Shadow had also noticed.

Well, since they both know that I’m not ‘Luan Palatia’ but ‘Shin Hayul,’ it would be strange if they didn’t notice.

“…You’re serious.”

Sein-nim lowered his head with a very sad expression.

For Sein-nim, who doesn’t know that I’m ‘Shin Hayul,’ it was a natural reaction.

“A knight risked his life to protect the people. As a knight, I can’t pour cold water on that resolve.”

Sein-nim sighed deeply and made eye contact with me with a melancholic gaze.

“Luan Palatia.”

“Yes.”

Sein-nim came to me and extended his right hand.

I took his hand.

Sein-nim smiled bitterly.

He had an expression that said he didn’t know what to say.

“It was quite enjoyable, as if I had a son.”

Sein-nim hugged me in that state.

“I enjoyed it too.”

“…Okay.”

At that moment, Caries’ energy expanded again.

It was a sign that it was even closer to running wild.

“There’s really no time left. You have to go.”

Sein-nim immediately moved away from me.

“I won’t say goodbye. I believe this isn’t the end.”

“…Yes.”

“I’m counting on you.”

And then, with the same smile as usual, the same as always, he said those words.

“Yes. I will definitely stop it.”

I answered, gesturing to Shadow.

“Shadow. Teleport the two of them to their respective secret passages.”

“…Understood.”

The shadows that Shadow emitted enveloped the two of them.

That was the end.

They must have arrived at their respective secret passages by now.

“Shadow. Please take care of the remaining passage. If you guard that well, I’ll remove your shadows as promised.”

“…I will definitely remember that promise.”

“Okay.”

Finally, even Shadow disappeared.

Only me and Caries’ runaway energy remained in the laboratory.

“Hoo…”

I took a deep breath and glared at Caries’ energy, which was slowly distorting and expanding.

“I didn’t expect to use this in such a dramatic situation.”

At the same time as taking a deep breath, I put on the Aeth [a magical artifact].

And from the Aeth, I took out ‘Kailum’ [a magical staff] and held it in my hand.

Clack!

The sound of the staff hitting the ground echoed softly.

“Miho.”

The red gem hanging around my neck reacted.

Pactio [a magical contract].

Miho, who was connected to me by soul, answered my call and appeared next to me.

Miho climbed onto my shoulder and purred in a coquettish voice.

“Support. I’m counting on you.”

Miho cried out powerfully, as if to say, ‘Leave it to me.’

Flash!

At that moment, light flowed out of Kailum.

The color red, symbolizing fire.

Above that light, the Mobius pattern representing the ring of awakening rotated.

The ring of awakening was now fully integrated with Kailum and rotating.

I could tell myself.

My condition right now is at its peak.

‘Now.’

Maintaining this feeling, I took out a stone from inside the Aeth.

A stone with a flickering red shape, as if it were a representation of flames.

Too rough to be called a gem, too beautiful to be called a stone.

Something that could be called a work of art without any shame.

The symbol of Ignis [a powerful magical element].

I held it in my hand.

And then, I released the Aeth.

With this, the symbol of Ignis was in my left hand.

And Kailum was in my right hand.

With this, all preparations were complete.

Now, all that’s left is to pull the trigger of this magic.

“Red is a gift from God, born solely for me.”

The flames emitted by the symbol of Ignis expanded even more, as if resonating with Kailum.