The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 263

“…”

“…”

The tea room was filled with silence.

Sein was still staring intently at me with a mysterious smile.

Lilian was observing Sein with an expression that seemed to say, ‘What’s wrong with him?’

And Adela, still shaken by the killing intent Sein had released earlier, was just repeatedly taking deep breaths.

‘…This is driving me crazy.’

And I was sweating in the middle of these three.

It’s uncomfortable.

This situation is incredibly uncomfortable.

‘That meaningful expression. Did he really notice?’

Could it be that he realized I’m Luan Palatia?

There’s no other reason for him to look at me like that unless he noticed.

‘And that killing intent from earlier…’

Could it have been to test me?

‘If he was trying to find similarities between me and Luan by checking habits or gestures in a sudden situation, then it makes sense why he suddenly released that killing intent.’

All the circumstantial evidence points to Sein knowing everything.

‘…This is driving me crazy.’

Sein’s smile is getting thicker.

Just looking at that smile makes cold sweat run down my back.

‘Why… How did he find out?’

Besides me, there are only five people who know about my identity.

My father, Uncle Seokhyun, Commander Charles, Adela, and Shadow.

No one else knows that I’m Luan Palatia.

For reference, even the broker doesn’t know I’m Luan Palatia.

He might have known when he made the fake ID, but it would be more accurate to say he doesn’t remember now.

The broker I used this time for the fake ID has a basic condition of removing memories with a contract right after the transaction.

It’s not for nothing that I spent so much money to make a fake ID.

‘There’s no one among those five who would leak information.’

They’re not the kind of people who would leak information, even by mistake.

‘Then how?’

If those five didn’t leak the information, how could Sein have noticed?

I don’t know.

I can’t even guess.

“Sein, how long are you going to keep smiling like that?”

While I was racking my brain, Lilian broke the silence and spoke.

“If you have something to say to Hayul, say it quickly. Don’t just pressure him like that.”

“Hmm. Did it look like I was pressuring him?”

“If you’re not pressuring him, why are you staring at him like that?”

“Well, I don’t know either.”

Sein smiled again.

It was a smile that made people uneasy.

“Don’t play dumb. What is it? Did you want to check Hayul’s skills or something?”

“It seems like it.”

“…Seriously. I brought a guest and what are you doing?”

Lilian frowned, genuinely angry.

She seemed furious at Sein’s rude behavior.

“Answer properly. What’s your purpose?”

Lilian glared at Sein with a fierce expression.

Ignoring Lilian’s gaze, Sein only looked at me.

“Just. There was something I wanted to check.”

“…So, what is it that you wanted to check?”

“That’s a secret.”

Sein laughed as if he found it very amusing.

“You. Don’t tell me you’re protesting because we woke you up early?”

“Perfect. Let’s just go with that.”

“Ah. Seriously… What’s wrong with you today?”

Sein laughed out loud one last time and then turned his gaze away from me.

“The tea is cold.”

“Whose fault is that…”

“Victor, bring new tea.”

Sein said to the butler who was waiting behind him.

The butler bowed his head and left the room.

He’ll prepare a new tea set within three minutes.

Just like he always has at previous tea parties.

“Hmm. Now that I think about it, there wasn’t anyone in the tea room right now.”

“Why wouldn’t there be anyone in the tea room? Did they go on vacation or something?”

“Two people are exclusively nursing Stella. So, the relatively quiet tea room was empty.”

“…Stella. Is she still not fully recovered?”

“Her physical wounds have healed. But…”

“…She still hasn’t gotten over Luan’s death, I see.”

“Yes.”

Sein glared at me.

He had an expression as if he was blaming me.

‘…It’s certain.’

That expression made it certain.

Sein knows that I’m ‘Luan Palatia.’

“Anyway, that’s how it is, Lilian. I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor? What favor?”

“Victor is good at everything else, but he’s terrible at making tea.”

“…You want me to make it?”

Sein nodded slightly.

“Do you want to ask that of a guest?”

“I’m asking a friend, not a guest.”

“You sure talk a good game.”

Lilian sighed softly and got up from her seat.

“Sigh. Fine. I’ll go.”

“You’ll be lonely by yourself. Take your daughter with you.”

“Why Adela?”

“She hasn’t looked well since earlier. Going out for some fresh air might make her feel better.”

“Is that something the one who caused it should say?”

Lilian glared at Sein again.

“Well, do you two have something to talk about?”

Lilian, who quickly changed her expression, asked with a serious face.

“I won’t deny it.”

“What is it?”

“If it was something I could tell you, I wouldn’t have prepared this excuse, don’t you think?”

“…I don’t know if I should call you shameless or just admirably confident.”

Lilian sighed softly.

“Okay. So, you did have business. You’re not going to harm Hayul, are you?”

“Of course not.”

“…Alright.”

Lilian sighed again and then turned her gaze to me.

“Then, I’ll be back. Adela.”

“…Yes.”

Adela, who had been spacing out, got up from her seat hesitantly.

Then, she followed Lilian out.

She’s completely lost her mind.

“Hmm.”

And so, only Sein and I were left in the tea room.

“Earlier.”

Sein slowly began to speak.

“When I released my killing intent. Your hand moved to your waist for a moment. As if you were about to draw a sword from your waist.”

“Are you mistaken? I was preparing magic right away…”

“I’m talking about before you prepared magic.”

Sein’s smile deepened.

“You reacted to my killing intent and reflexively tried to move your hand to your waist. Then, you stopped your hand as if you realized something and prepared magic.”

“……”

“If you’re thinking of playing dumb, stop it. It might have looked like you just hesitated for a moment to others, but my eyes can’t be fooled. Your hand definitely moved to your waist.”

It was all true.

I actually almost reflexively drew my sword.

“Now. Answer me. Why would a mage move his hand to his waist?”

“……”

Sein stared at me silently. He had an expression that said he was watching to see what kind of excuse I would make.

It seems like I can’t play dumb any longer.

“How did you know?”

I raised both my hands, making a gesture of surrender.

“I heard it.”

“From whom? What did you hear?”

“From Shadow. Everything.”

“Shadow…?”

Shadow told Sein everything?

Why?

‘There’s no reason for Shadow to do that.’

What is Shadow thinking?

Did he betray me?

“Don’t make that face. He didn’t betray you.”

He seemed to have read my thoughts through my expression.

“…Well, we’ve completely lost contact since yesterday. And if he leaked my information, wouldn’t that be considered betrayal?”

It’s my fault.

I thought he wouldn’t betray me, since he had a grudge against the Black Magic Tower and we had the same goal.

I didn’t think he would betray me like this.

Was I too naive?

“Decide whether he’s a traitor or not after you hear my story.”

Sein made a gesture to calm me down.

“Do you know what that guy said when he suddenly came to my room last night?”

“What did he say?”

“He asked me to be your strength.”

“…What?”

“He said that when a full-scale war breaks out with the Black Magic Tower, he wants me to stand by your side and protect you. That’s what he said.”

“……”

It was something I never imagined.

Shadow said that?

“He said that revealing all of this was his own decision, and that it was right to reveal it before it was too late, before it became irreversible.”

“Before it became irreversible…”

“Yes.”

Sein’s eyes turned fierce.

“Originally, the longer a lie goes on, the deeper the rift becomes. Shadow. It seems he didn’t want your relationship with us to deteriorate like that.”

If I had returned to Korea without Sein finding out that I was Luan Palatia, and then he found out much later.

Would he have been happy that Luan, who he thought was dead, was alive?

No. That’s not likely.

He would feel betrayed.

The longer the lie, the greater the disappointment and betrayal would be.

It seems Shadow was worried about that future.

“Well, he said that, but in reality, it seems he wanted a powerful force like me to become a definite ally as soon as possible.”

If I had kept everything a secret and returned to Korea, Sein and I would have no relationship at all.

Then, even if something happened, I wouldn’t be able to get Sein’s help.

Shadow thought that was a waste.

“Whatever the reason, he didn’t betray you.”

“……”

He definitely seems to have acted for my sake….

But I feel strange.

What should I call this feeling?

“Your curiosity must be satisfied. Now it’s my turn to ask questions.”

Sein’s eyes lit up and he paused for a moment.

“I’m curious why you didn’t reveal the truth to me. Shadow said you were holding back because you were worried about information leaks… But that can’t be the only reason.”

Sein frowned.

“Perhaps, did you think I would be disappointed if you revealed the truth?”

“……”

That was the correct answer.

“I see.”

Sein stared at me with a strange expression.

“The disappointment is great. To think you thought I was only that shallow.”

Sein slowly got up from his seat and approached me.

“I might have felt a bit betrayed by the fact that I was deceived…”

Then, he suddenly hugged me tightly.

“But that betrayal would have been quickly forgotten and weathered away by the joy of you being alive, Luan. You fool.”

He gently stroked my back while hugging me.

“Welcome back. I’m glad you’re alive.”

“Sein…”

An indescribable emotion filled my heart.

I felt grateful, guilty, happy, and sorry.

A myriad of emotions flashed through my mind.

“…I, I’m sorry.”

After all those emotions passed, the word ‘sorry’ naturally flowed from my mouth.

I felt sorry for everything.

“It’s alright. I’ll express my complaints later when we have time.”

Sein hugged me and stroked my head.

“Right now, I just want to be happy that you’re alive.”

Sein said in a warm voice, as if he was genuinely welcoming me.

* * *

After that, Sein held me until Lilian and Adela returned.

When he finally let go of me, he said, ‘I’ll postpone my complaints to another time. Let’s make time tomorrow or the day after.’ which made my spine tingle.

Then, he continued, ‘Tell Stella yourself. You have to settle the karma you’ve built with your own hands.’

Hearing that made me feel dizzy.

I’m already scared of how Stella will react.

“Hoo.”

I sighed without realizing it.

I’m full of worries.

‘Stella is one thing…’

My worries aren’t just about Stella.

‘Shadow…’

This is even more worrying.

Before leaving the mansion, I unfolded the note I received from Sein and read it again.

[By the time you read this note, I will have disappeared from your sight.]

[Will you resent me for revealing everything to Sein Vinoche with my own decision? Or will you just accept it?]

Three letters that Shadow left with Sein.

I quickly flipped past the first page and checked the last line of the second page.

[I plan to act alone for a while. I trust you, but I don’t think you’ll truly trust me, who was once a member of a criminal organization.]

[For each other’s sake, it would be better to act separately for now.]

And the last, third page.

[In case you’re worried that I might do something else, I’ll briefly explain what I’m going to do.]

[I plan to infiltrate the Black Magic Tower again.]

[Hermes and the Black Magic King can’t even imagine that I’ve been freed from Umbra’s shadow.]

[They especially can’t imagine that I’ve regained my adult body, after Umbra’s shadow took everything away.]

[Now is the perfect time to infiltrate.]

[After Doctor’s death, and after my betrayal.]

[I’ll go and see how the Black Magic Tower will change their course of action.]