The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 91

“The proposal is simple. While we take down the British team, Korea should stay out of it. Don’t interfere in the battle, and just focus on occupying the empty territories.”

The Russian representative looked at me with serious eyes.

“We can occupy at least 50 territories while we deal with the British team. And if we concentrate 50 territories….”

“You’ll receive the 40/40 buff, making you practically invincible?”

“Exactly.”

A 40% increase in damage dealt.

A 40% decrease in damage received.

They would receive these two buffs.

“If that happens, Korea’s qualification is as good as confirmed.”

If I receive the 50-territory concentration buff, I wouldn’t lose even if all the remaining six teams ganged up on me.

The power of the 40/40 buff is that immense.

“It’s beneficial for us, but what does your alliance gain?”

“It’s simple. At least one team will be able to advance.”

The Russian representative spoke with a determined expression.

“Let’s be honest. Our alliance can’t beat the Korea-Britain alliance. If we were to fight, Korea and Britain would advance to the third round. We would all be eliminated.”

It was a very cold and objective assessment of the situation.

As the Russian representative said, even with a 2:6 disadvantage, the alliance couldn’t defeat the Korea-Britain alliance.

“But if we use this strategy, even if Korea qualifies, we can definitely eliminate Britain. Then, there will be one spot open for the third round.”

“And the six teams in the alliance will compete for that one spot?”

“Yes.”

“…Whose idea was this?”

It was quite an interesting strategy.

“Mine.”

“…Hmm.”

I had a hunch, considering she came alone for negotiations.

It was the Russian representative’s idea.

“It’s definitely not a bad proposal.”

“Right?”

If we followed the Russian representative’s proposal, Korea could advance to the third round without revealing any information.

The elimination of Britain, a formidable opponent, would be a bonus.

Not bad.

It was definitely a good proposal.

“You thought well. If we accept this proposal, we won’t be able to touch your alliance’s base either.”

If we were to occupy an empty territory here, the corresponding team would be eliminated and sent out of the arena.

That would naturally weaken the alliance, increasing Britain’s chances of survival.

To eliminate Britain, Korea shouldn’t touch other countries’ territories.

This would give the alliance the ‘assurance’ that they could leave their base empty.

‘They’ve come up with a really interesting strategy.’

I pondered, looking at the Russian representative with trembling eyes.

‘So, what should I do?’

I looked at the British team fighting in the distance and then at the Russian representative in front of me, my eyes gleaming.

* * *

British team’s territory.

Kyle was currently in a state of utter bewilderment.

‘I didn’t expect them to come at us like this.’

He never imagined that 17 people would attack the British team simultaneously.

“Give up! Kyle Bentia!”

The Canadian representative grabbed Kyle from behind, shouting while firing magic.

At the same time, five spells flew towards Kyle from all directions.

The whirlwind surrounding Kyle’s body intensified.

A dense vortex of torrents.

The magic that collided with the wind was completely annihilated, scattering into mana polygons [visual representations of magic energy].

The defense of ‘Wind God,’ boasted by Kyle Bentia and the Green Magic Tower, was not something that could be breached with 4th circle magic [a level of magic power].

Normally, after completing the defense, he would accelerate and counterattack, knocking down his opponent.

Yes.

Normally, that is.

“Reduce the area Kyle can move in and shoot magic! The moment we let our guard down, his wind blade will target our necks!”

But now, he couldn’t even think about counterattacking.

The concentrated fire of 13 people.

The sheer number of opponents nullified Kyle’s speed.

‘It’s a relief that four people are sticking to Maia and Naif, but….’

Whether it’s 13 or 17, it’s still overwhelming.

They weren’t just any random people. They were some of the most promising talents in the world, and the elites who survived until the second round.

No matter how skilled Kyle was, there was no way he could face 13 such talents at the same time.

‘At this rate, I’ll lose within 10 minutes.’

He was somehow managing to hold on by focusing on defense and evasion.

But this would only last for 10 minutes at most.

With his mental strength depleted, Kyle would be defeated.

‘What the hell is Shin Hayul doing? Why hasn’t he moved yet?’

Kyle bit his lip anxiously.

Whether it was to come to support or to break the alliance by occupying their territories.

Korea, who should have done one of the two, hadn’t shown any movement so far.

‘Shin Hayul. What are you thinking?’

If this continued, it was obvious that Korea would be the next target of the alliance.

It wasn’t like Shin Hayul wouldn’t know that, so why wasn’t he taking any action?

“If you’re expecting support from Korea, give up on that dream.”

The Canadian representative twisted his lips slightly and said.

“No matter how long you wait, Korea’s support won’t come.”

He continued to fire magic while sneering.

Kyle’s eyes sharpened.

“What do you mean?”

“Our alliance made a killer offer to Korea. A sweet offer they absolutely couldn’t refuse.”

“…What offer?”

“Curious?”

The Canadian representative’s smile deepened. It was the smile of a schemer.

“If you’re that curious, I guess I’ll tell you.”

The words that the Russian representative had said to Shin Hayul came out of the Canadian representative’s mouth.

As the words continued, Kyle’s expression hardened.

“That’s the situation. Therefore, there’s a 0% chance that Korea will come to help you.”

“……”

“Korea will abandon you and advance to the third round alone to compete with the United States. It’s unfortunate, British representative.”

The Canadian representative’s lips twisted even more.

“So, I have a proposal for you.”

The Canadian representative’s smile deepened further.

“Since you’re going to be eliminated in 10 minutes anyway, why don’t you just retire now?”

“……”

“If Britain gives up now, the time for Korea to concentrate territories will be greatly reduced, right? Then, it will be impossible to concentrate 50 territories. If that happens….”

“The alliance will be able to target Korea?”

“Exactly!”

The Canadian representative smiled brightly.

“The United States might win, but it’s better than Korea winning, right?”

Currently, Korea had already won two matches.

On the other hand, the United States had won one.

From Britain’s perspective, aiming for the gold medal, it was better for the United States to win than for Korea to win.

“If it were me, I’d give up out of spite. Since you’re going to lose anyway, shouldn’t you at least give the betraying Korea a taste of their own medicine?”

The Canadian representative’s voice was as cunning as a snake.

The proposal itself was quite reasonable.

He had accurately grasped the psychology of Britain not wanting to hand the victory to Korea.

“Think carefully, Kyle Bentia.”

“……”

Even for a battle maniac who loves to fight, the honor of his country and the results of the Olympiad were important.

Kyle’s expression became complicated.

‘It’s true that doing what that man says is the right thing to do. I have to stop Korea from winning, even if I die.’

Watching Kyle’s face become more and more complicated, the Canadian representative laughed inwardly.

‘Good. It’s going according to plan.’

By making an irresistible offer to Korea, they would betray them.

By informing Britain of Korea’s betrayal and their gains, they would urge Britain to give up.

After that, they would leisurely deal with Korea.

This was the alliance’s scheme.

From the start, the alliance had no intention of sending only Korea up and fighting for one spot.

‘I should be grateful for the Russian representative’s insight, which focused on the blind spot that the British team’s struggle was essential for concentrating 50 territories.’

He gave all the credit to the Russian representative. Of course, they would be enemies after eliminating these two strong teams.

“Kyle Bentia. Even while you’re worrying like that, Korea is….”

Just as the Canadian representative was about to drive the final nail in, seeing Kyle’s expression becoming more and more distorted, a voice that shouldn’t have been heard was heard.

“Korea is what?”

“If you thought that Korea was leisurely occupying empty territories, you’re mistaken.”

Shin Hayul landed next to Kyle Bentia. Then, he cast a spell, blocking all the magic flying towards Kyle.

“Korea is not a country that abandons trust and loyalty. It’s a nation that’s been like that since its birth.”

Shin Hayul smiled playfully.

“Shin Hayul….”

Kyle’s eyes widened.

He looked touched, thinking, ‘He rejected that good offer and came to keep his promise!’

“How did you….”

“Ah, by the way, the Russian representative is currently doing her best to hold back two of our team members. I recommend you send support quickly. Otherwise, all of your territories will disappear.”

“…What?”

The Canadian representative turned his head in surprise.

The Russian representative was engaged in a fierce battle with Ma Jinseok and Kang Shinwoo.

No, she was being completely overwhelmed.

At that rate, the Russian representative would be eliminated in less than a minute.

“We’ll go!”

“…Please do.”

The remaining two members of the Russian team moved to support the Russian representative.

With this, only 11 people remained in this place.

“I didn’t expect you to reject that offer.”

Cold sweat ran down the Canadian representative’s back.

“Well, I was a little tempted. They put a lot of thought into it.”

A strategy that pierced the ‘blind spot’ of people’s vision narrowing in the face of profit.

It wasn’t bad.

I was even tempted for a moment.

“But it was a bit clumsy. That level of strategy won’t work on me.”

At least among the participants of this tournament, there was no one who could beat me in a battle of wits.

“…I see.”

The Canadian representative gave a bitter smile.

“Then, let’s end this boring battle of wits. I don’t think the audience came all the way here to see that.”

Flames swirled around Shin Hayul.

“2 against 11. Let’s have a proper fight.”

The flames intertwined with the whirlwind created by Kyle’s Wind God and rotated.

At that sight, Kyle’s eyes shone brilliantly.

“…You really seem more and more attractive the more I see you.”

From the timing of his appearance to his lines, and even the sense of synchronizing his magic with his Wind God.

Shin Hayul’s actions were enough to ignite Kyle’s desire to fight.

“Sorry, but I like women.”

Shin Hayul chuckled and lowered his stance, narrowing his eyes.

“That’s not what I meant. I have a fiancée, you know.”

Kyle also chuckled and lowered his stance.

“I’m dying to fight. I want to draw my sword against you right now. That’s how attractive of an opponent you are.”

“That’s a relief, but please hold back for now. Now is not the time to fight you.”

“I know. I’ll hold back for now.”

Kyle’s lips twisted savagely like a wild animal.

“Ah. I’m already looking forward to it. The time when I clash swords with you in the third round.”

Kyle’s Wind God raged even more fiercely. The rough storm seemed to prove his excitement.

“Then, although it’s a short alliance. Please take care of me.”

“Likewise.”

In the silence, only the sound of wind and flames playing echoed continuously.

And after a while.

A storm of mana raged in a small area of 100 meters by 100 meters.

* * *

—The first match of the second round is over! In the territory battle, the teams that will advance to the third round are Korea and Britain! As everyone expected, these two teams will advance to the finals!

After about 30 minutes of battle, the first match of the second round ended.

Originally, it was natural for the territory battle to end with a time-over after the full one-hour match time.

Korea and Britain had won in just 30 minutes by making all the other six teams ‘incapacitated’.

“Korea is awesome!”

“Britain is amazing!”

“Woooah!”

The audience cheered at their overwhelming performance and majesty.

It was a wonderful and excellent match.

The audience seats were filled with intense heat.

“…Sarah, what do you think?”

In contrast, the atmosphere in the VIP room was as cold as it could be.

Dahlia and Sarah.

Both of them were frowning with very serious expressions.

“I need to see the analysis results to know the details, but….”

Sarah replied, sending the video data from the mana observation camera that had filmed the match to the analysis team in her home country.

“The magic Shin Hayul used at the end… it looked like 6th circle magic to me.”