The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 342

After that, I immediately contacted Commander Charles and shared all the new information I had learned.

—Monster fusion, chimera experiments?

“Yes. It’s highly likely that the experiments are being conducted under the leadership of Anti-Magia or Destroyer.”

If my guess is correct, the entity behind the experiments at this Rid Furniture Factory is either Anti-Magia or Destroyer.

—Well. I suspect the Mafia more than those two.

“I don’t think it’s the Mafia.”

The Mafia, a famous Italian crime organization.

Unlike the Black Magic Tower, which is openly a criminal organization, the Mafia was a group that stood on an ambiguous line, neither helping nor harming the world.

Two and a half years ago, the Mafia felt like a neutral group leaning slightly towards black, but now they are closer to white.

I heard that they have become somewhat more docile, cooperating with the Italian government due to the recent increase in mana disasters.

—The Mafia is a much larger organization than you know. It may seem quiet after the moderate faction gained power, but that’s just how it appears externally. Internal conflicts are still ongoing, and not a day goes by without bloodshed.

“Conflicts between the hardliners and the moderates… is that it?”

—That’s right.

“Conflicts. I see. So, the hardliners are preparing this experiment for a comeback. Is it okay to see it that way?”

—That’s right.

In Italy, they have influence far exceeding Anti-Magia or Destroyer, so they have the power to easily set up an experimental site in a rural factory like this.

“If the Mafia is the mastermind behind this, does that mean Anti-Magia and Destroyer were invited by the Mafia?”

—If the Mafia is the mastermind, that’s highly likely. Monster chimera experiments were one of the Black Magic Tower’s main research areas.

“To request cooperation, they gathered the two organizations in Italy?”

—That’s right.

That hypothesis is much more credible than the hypothesis that Anti-Magia and Destroyer created a laboratory in this distant foreign land.

“Then, is it possible that Sophia came to Italy to stop that research?”

—Yes. If she’s the real Madam, that’s highly likely.

Commander Charles replied, putting on a rather cold facade.

It felt like he was desperately suppressing his expectations, just in case.

It must be a kind of self-defense.

He wouldn’t want to feel that sense of loss from a year and a half ago again.

—Anyway… I know how the situation is unfolding. I also know what I need to do.

Commander Charles continued, his tone unchanged.

It was clear to anyone that he was forcibly controlling his emotions, but I didn’t bother to say it out loud.

There was no reason to disturb someone who was desperately trying to control their mind.

—While you guys are causing a ruckus there, I’ll be doing my thing here…

“I’m sorry.”

Now is not the time to worry about such trivial matters.

“I think I need to end the call here.”

—…Is it an attack?

“Yes. We’re surrounded.”

This lodging is currently surrounded. Judging by the mana, the presence of people, and the energy of the spirits, there are at least 50 people.

There must be more attackers who haven’t entered my detection range yet, so I should assume there are about 100.

“They must have been targeting us from the start. I thought they would attack first if we were slow, but… they’re acting faster than I expected.”

It’s only been 10 minutes since Soonchan and I slaughtered the attackers earlier.

But they’ve already gathered that many people.

They’re acting way too fast.

“It seems like a high-ranking officer or a leader is nearby.”

This speed is not something that can be achieved simply by giving orders.

This is a response speed that can only be achieved if someone is directly commanding on the scene.

“We’re lucky.”

I walked slowly into the living room, still holding the phone to my ear.

As I entered the living room, the eyes of five people were focused on me, including Adela, Soonchan,
Mimir, Aslan, and Elena.

They all seemed to have noticed the presence of the attackers and were exuding a fierce aura, ready to fight at any moment.

—Lucky? Not unlucky?

“If they’re high-ranking, there’s a high chance their faces are known. It will be a great help in identifying the mastermind.”

—So that’s why you’re lucky?

“Yeah.”

A small chuckle could be heard from the other side of the phone at my words.

—You’re really something.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I stood in front of my companions.

“Then, I’ll really hang up now.”

—Okay. Take care… well, it’s not like anything will happen to you. Anyway, be careful.

“Yes. I’ll contact you again.”

—Okay. I’ll be waiting for a good report.

And after making eye contact with everyone slowly, I ended the call.

“I’m sorry for being late. There’s no time, so I’ll quickly give you the instructions.”

Everyone knows how the current situation is unfolding.

There’s no need for detailed briefings.

“First of all…”

I gave only the necessary instructions.

“Soonchan, you take care of the attackers.”

“…What?”

Soonchan asked back with a dumbfounded expression.

“You’re not saying I have to deal with the attackers alone, are you?”

“That’s right. You understood well.”

I looked at Soonchan, who had his mouth half-open, and drove the final nail in.

“What are you worried about? Defending a base is your specialty, isn’t it?”

“Well, yeah, but…”

Soonchan frowned and made a groaning sound.

“If I fight alone… what will you be doing?”

“We’re going to the Rid Furniture Factory.”

“Ah?”

Soonchan nodded, looking like he was saying, ‘I didn’t know that.’

“In other words, I’m a decoy? I’m supposed to draw the enemies as much as possible and keep them here, so your main force can carry out the infiltration mission more easily?”

“Something like that.”

“Oh, I see. That’s how it is. Well, it’s a reasonable role assignment.”

Soonchan closed his open mouth and smiled confidently.

“Protecting myself is nothing. It’s fine. Leave it to me.”

He pounded his chest strongly, expressing his confidence.

“Then, let’s see, first, I’ll start by engraving the Eight Trigrams’ mark…”

“Stop.”

But that expression of confidence was short-lived.

At my next words, Soonchan’s confidence shattered.

“Don’t use the Eight Trigrams series.”

“…What?”

“If you use the Eight Trigrams, it will be revealed that you’re Ji Soonchan. That will cause problems in many ways. Absolutely don’t use it.”

Soonchan glared at me with an absurd expression.

“…You want me to deal with the attackers alone without the Eight Trigrams?”

“Yeah.”

“What the… How am I supposed to stop them without the Eight Trigrams? You know I’m all about the Eight Trigrams.”

“No. You’re not just about the Eight Trigrams anymore. You’re about two things now.”

I took my eyes off Soonchan, who was still in shock.

I focused my gaze on Aslan, who was looking back and forth between me and Soonchan with an interesting look.

“Isn’t that right, Aslan?”

Aslan stroked his chin with a look of great interest.

* * *

“…The target hasn’t left the lodging yet.”

Near the lodging where Shin Hayul’s group was staying.

93 mages were surrounding the lodging.

—Are you ready?

“Just need to finish the communication jamming…”

At that moment, a man who had been focusing on something nearby raised his hand and said.

“Communication jamming is complete.”

The man who received the report nodded slightly.

“…I stand corrected. All preparations are complete as of now.”

—Good.

The man’s voice on the other end of the phone was quite cheerful.

He was quite pleased with how quickly his subordinates had completed the preparations, despite the sudden attack.

—Then, carry out the operation immediately.

“Yes. Understood.”

The man held the communication device and looked at his subordinates, turning only his gaze.

He signaled with a nod and a glance to start the operation.

The subordinates, who immediately understood the signal, began to act in unison.

All the electricity in the surrounding area went out, the radio waves were disrupted, and communication was cut off.

—One of the targets is a swordsman with considerable skill. Don’t let your guard down.

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll contact you again after the operation is over.”

As soon as the communication was cut off, darkness descended.

Within it, 93 assassins began to act in unison.

…No.

“…Stop.”

They were about to start.

“…Ugh. This is driving me crazy.”

A Westerner with a tough impression.

He was walking slowly, talking to the air like a madman.

“…The main target has appeared. I’ll deal with him first and then infiltrate.”

“Yes.”

As soon as the man’s order was given, the 93 assassins hid themselves again in unison.

It was to conceal their presence until the target got a little closer.

“Eh. I don’t know. It’s either die or faint…”

The man scratched the back of his head with a very disgruntled expression.

Then, he took a deep breath and shouted, staring directly at the place where the commander-like man was.

“I know you’re hiding there, so come out.”

A precise gaze.

A murderous voice.

That’s not a fake.

“…How did he notice?”

The commander-like man revealed himself from the darkness.

Alias, Steve. Real name, Ji Soonchan.

He scoffed.

“Of course, I know. Who do you think we have on our side? Do you think such a sloppy concealment would work?”

Shin Hayul and Adela.

Both of them are mages who are among the top five in terms of detection.

With those two together, there’s no way they wouldn’t detect this level of attack.

“Come out, not just you.”

Ji Soonchan said with a look of resignation, as if sighing.

“Come out. I know there are 92 more besides you, hiding.”

“… !”

92 people.

The commander-like man’s expression changed at those words.

‘There’s someone on their side with an observation ability on par with a great mage.’

To accurately guess the number of attackers. It’s an impossible feat unless you’re a mage of considerable skill.

“It seems one of your companions is a mage of considerable skill.”

“Not just considerable, I’d say?”

“A fake… it’s not a fake.”

93 people.

Knowing that number accurately, it’s not a bluff.

“You guys. Were you hiding your skills?”

Before coming here, I did a background check through identity verification.

None of the three had any particular peculiarities.

“Of course. If you want to travel to remote places, it’s essential to hide some of your power. There’s also a saying, ‘Hide 80% of your power.'”

Ji Soonchan made up an excuse and took a step forward.

“More than that, I’m telling you to come out? Why are you hiding when you’re all visible?”

“…”

The commander-like man glared at Ji Soonchan with a wary gaze.

He was contemplating how to respond to the man in front of him.

“Come on, really. I’m telling you to come out.”

Ji Soonchan shook his head.

“You’re so stubborn.”

Then, he clasped his hands together and stretched them forward.

It was a very relaxed posture and expression.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter. If you don’t come out, I’ll just deal with you as you are.”

And the next moment.

Ji Soonchan’s atmosphere changed completely.

“If you like hiding so much…”

It wasn’t just the atmosphere that changed.

Expression, eyes, tone of voice.

Even the nature of his mana.

Everything changed its form.

It was as if he had become a different person.

“Just die like that.”

Slowly raising his right hand.

A hand filled with immense mana moved slowly from top to bottom.

‘Space Severance.’

And the next moment.

The space was cut off.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time.

About 500 meters away from the lodging where Shin Hayul and his companions were staying.

On the rooftop of the tallest building nearby.

An unidentified person, completely covered in a robe, was staring intently at something.

“…”

A blue robe and a cross-shaped emblem embroidered on it.

Under the deeply pulled-down hood, a woman’s sharp jawline was noticeable.

“…I was hoping not to see you again.”

A bitter voice filled with all sorts of emotions.

With eyes that seemed to carry all the regrets and remorse of this world, she watched Shin Hayul and Adela leave the lodging.

“…Still.”

Under the pouring moonlight.

A gentle breeze fluttered the woman’s hood.

A slightly disheveled robe.

The moonlight slightly illuminated her face.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

The woman’s face was the spitting image of Sophia Anetscheffri.