Chapter 148
Chapter 148
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: The Black Magic Swordsman of Destruction
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"It's been a long time."
"Indeed. It's been ages for everyone."
"Long time no see."
The Central Mountains, at the heart of the continent, were not home solely to the temple of the main god.
There was the Idorian Magic Tower, located toward the Parkins Kingdom.
This tower, one of the continent's Seven Great Magic Towers claiming a place among the Three Strongholds, stood imposingly in the Central Mountains.
And now, six mages were meeting after truly a long time apart.
Excluding the Shining Magic Tower, the collective of black mages among the lords of the Seven Great Magic Towers that dominated the continent, they had gathered for the first time in a century.
"Gathered after a hundred years all because of one single bastard."
"I'm worried rumors might spread outside. Not the Golden-Eyed Death God Idal, but to think the tower lords have to assemble like this over some punk kid..."
At the lament of Abeion, lord of the Idorian Magic Tower, Orbayton, lord of the Gauss Magic Tower, grimaced.
"That arrogant punk dared to steal the magic towers' property. Wouldn't it be more shameful to just endure it?"
"Exactly. It's not just one or two incidents—he's declared war on all the magic towers. Letting him be would tarnish the towers' reputation."
Though called the Seven Great Magic Towers on the continent with rankings attached, here they were all equals.
There was even the lord of the Kandaurin Magic Tower, who hadn't reached 7th Circle Master, but most possessed comparable skills.
No need to deliberately belittle anyone.
"I've heard the temple is dispatching inquisitors as well. Let's use this chance to ally with the temple and strike Neruman."
Orbayton, lord of the Gauss Magic Tower, who harbored the deepest grudge against Neruman, voiced a strong opinion.
A magic tower's territory invasion—something that had never happened before.
No mere lord had ever dared to puff up against a magic tower, so this was unprecedented.
Even kingdoms cowered when a magic tower scowled— what mad lord would oppose one?
But such a one had appeared.
The lord of Neruman, Kayer, had trampled the magic towers' pride and now issued a declaration of war, challenging them to a fight.
"That's impossible. With two legions of the Rabiter Empire defeated, allying with templars who lack regular troops is too risky. And no heresy judgment has been issued yet."
Abeion, lord of the Idorian Magic Tower, stroked his white beard and stated his opposition to attack.
Not only had magic towers never attacked a territory before, but they couldn't commit mages to a battle with no guaranteed victory.
Though some mages were battle mages, most mages abhorred using their bodies.
Sending such mages to war went against common sense.
"Then you're saying we just sit idle?"
Orbayton asked in frustration.
"You've all surely received cooperation requests from the Rabiter Empire or the Bazran Empire. I called this meeting not to attack Neruman directly, but to openly discuss that lord of Neruman, Kayer. Also, if Neruman falls, let's share information on the magic items they possess."
"..."
Everyone fell silent at Abeion's words.
Each tower had received such requests from the two empires, no need to mention it.
Mages weren't fools.
Moreover, the new magic techniques emerging from Neruman could bring fresh knowledge to the stagnant continental magic world.
But monopolizing it alone meant eyeing each other warily.
"I agree with Lord Abeion of the Idorian Tower. Let's not act like our masters did against Idal a century ago—form a solid alliance this time."
Berkayan, lord of the hook-nosed Osec Magic Tower, voiced agreement as if he'd been waiting.
He had already spoken with the Idorian lord before coming.
"Let's do that. Everyone knows anyway—monopolizing it alone would be too much."
The lord of the Poseus Magic Tower also agreed.
"Then we have no reason to object."
"Naturally, we won't oppose either."
Excluding the Gauss lord, backed strongly by the Rabiter Empire, all the magic tower lords agreed with Abeion.
There was no way they'd let the Gauss Tower— the magic tower within the Rabiter Empire, most likely to topple Neruman—monopolize it.
"Yesterday, an imperial decree came from the Bazran Empire. I can't reveal all, but they're gearing up hard for a Neruman invasion. And they proposed formally establishing our tower at its center."
Abeion of the Idorian Magic Tower tossed out words implying "you know what to take from that," without revealing everything.
He was the oldest mage gathered here.
And a fox skilled in handling people.
"Ah, I see. I have no complaints on that matter."
Orbayton reluctantly consented.
Among the mages captured in Neruman and not yet repatriated, more than half were from the Gauss Tower.
Ignoring their rescue would invite the mages' resentment, who supplied the towers with information and resources.
Protecting them was one of the towers' key duties.
"Thank you, Lord Orbayton."
He had summoned them in Kayer's name, but the core purpose today was sharing Neruman's magic knowledge.
Mages, greedier for magic than anyone, couldn't be controlled without such measures—sharing would be impossible otherwise.
"As you know, once the tower lords decide, it can't be changed. If any tower secretly monopolizes the magic knowledge without others knowing, the rest won't stand by."
Abeion confirmed once more.
This matter was that crucial.
Intelligence indicated that the magic weapons created by Neruman's lord incorporated magic knowledge from the Magic Age.
For other mages, unable to surpass the 8th Circle wall unlike Golden-Eyed Idal, breaking the 7th Circle wall required that Magic Age knowledge.
"Then let's discuss specifics. Whether we dispatch mages to whichever empire—Rabiter or Bazran—requests first, or distribute them evenly—let's gather opinions."
With the key issue settled, the mages put their heads together.
They had no doubts.
With nearly all continental powers targeting Neruman, that lord—unless a dragon—would surely fall.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Filthy thing—better hurry and reach 9th Circle to become a dragon or something."
I couldn't remember how I'd flown.
No matter how high I flew, I couldn't escape this bastard's storm.
All I could do was trust Bebeto and grip the reins tight.
Until I became a 9th Circle mage who could control even nature's mana, this was the pathos of powerless existence I had to endure.
"But this is Hildrian, right?"
I guided Bebeto northward through the wind, as best I guessed.
Even the latest model navigator Bebeto couldn't guide to unknown places.
Praying desperately to the gods it wasn't ocean, after flying a while.
When Bebeto and I were both exhausted, land appeared—we landed unconditionally.
Shortly after landing on the beach, the mad bitch's rollercoaster storm mercifully stopped.
Nature's twisted prank—nothing else explained it.
Sprawled with Bebeto, I assessed the scene before us.
"Spring buds haven't even properly sprouted yet... looks like Hildrian after all..."
Hildrian, where half the year was winter.
The continent was already in Lord Romero's season of fate, but here winter lingered.
"Chrisia should be safe, right?"
As my mind cleared, I worried for Chrisia.
The woman who'd risked death flying with me because of me.
If I didn't worry, I'd be the bad guy.
"First, let's find food."
Unlike the continent, this land was still chilly between winter and early spring.
I mounted Bebeto, catching my breath.
Somehow, we'd arrived in Hildrian.
Fill the belly first, then meet the empress ruling this continent.
To ask why she'd summoned some random guy and put him through this hell.
"Let's go!"
Kuo oooo!
Steel-stamina Bebeto flapped wings at my command, kicking off the ground.
Hildrian—unknown to both Bebeto and me.
We'd just charge ahead bodily.
Youth.
It was the time most passionately holding the fierce energy to gain lifelong wisdom...
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
'Wow!'
The Ice Empire Hildrian, known only by name.
The continent was named Hildrian after the empire.
Such landscapes.
Spring had come, yet snow lingered on higher peaks, with only hardy grasses peeking out to adorn the land.
Dududududududududu.
Dozens of white-furred beasts racing across that meadow.
Deer-like creatures resembling Rudolph, the drunk-driving Santa's mount, startled by Bebeto and bolting blindly ahead.
'Heh heh. Food problem solved.'
Clearly not monsters—pure animals with red blood.
Securing survival's essentials brought relief.
'But this place has no people.'
Wherever I'd landed, it was a seaside beach, yet no human presence.
Two hours of flight already.
Settlements should be visible by now, but the empty land infuriated me.
I had no time to waste, busier than anyone.
Kuo ooooo!
'Huh?'
How much longer did we fly?
Suddenly, Bebeto roared.
With senses incomparable to humans—bear nose, eagle eyes.
Kueeee!
Puff puff bang!
'That sound!'
Focusing mana on my ears, battle sounds carried on the wind.
'Oh yeah!'
Never had combat roars felt so welcoming.
"Charge! Bebeto!"
Not even words, just commanding to run.
Kuo oooo!
Bebeto raced the skies like an excited horse at my order.
Shwaaaaaaaa.
Hildrian's still-cold wind.
It battered my helmet fiercely.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Maintain defensive formation!"
"Protect the carriage!"
A skirmish on a mountain pass where snow hadn't fully melted.
Twenty-odd plate-mail-clad mounted knights protected a golden carriage pulled by four white horses.
Shiiiik.
Puuuk!
"Kraaak!"
Massive boulders flew at the knights.
Though mana-users, the stones' immense physical force shattered shields, sending them tumbling from horses.
"Clear the path!"
The lead knight amplified his voice with mana.
Kueeee!
Karr rrr!
But it wasn't that easy.
Dozens of ice trolls with white fur.
Maintaining distance, hurling stones from above at the knights.
'What a disaster!'
Sholbait, knight leading the family knights, protecting his lord's daughter in the carriage.
His face twisted inside his helmet.
Unable to ride wyverns, they used carriage to the capital.
The count family provided three Sky Knights, but sudden wild wyvern pack forced combat; they fled on horseback to escape.
But that wasn't the end.
Ice trolls ambushed from the pass, as if waiting.
Tougher hides and twice the strength of normal trolls—these brutish ice trolls.
'Sky Knights, why aren't they here!'
Though a dozen wild wyverns, the family's trained Sky Knights could win.
Urrrr rumble.
Kwaaaang!
'Damn it!'
No escape.
Smart ice trolls blocked the path with boulders.
"Team 1 defends the carriage! Team 2, all dismount and attack the trolls!"
Clank.
Sholbait leaped from his horse.
Shwaaaaak.
Puuuk.
Hiiiing!
The moment he dismounted, a head-sized boulder smashed his horse's ribs.
'These bastards!'
Rage boiling, Sholbait channeled mana to feet, climbing the sloped ridge.
"Waaaa!"
A dozen knights followed, roaring, leaping up the steep ridge.
Shiiiik.
Pububuk.
Ice trolls hurled stones at the approaching knights, as if waiting.
"Kraaak!"
Unfavorable terrain.
Trolls held a ~30-meter steep ridge top.
Knights used mana to climb, but fell one by one to the barrage.
'Cunning bastards!'
Sholbait, fury peaking.
On flat ground, the knight order would slaughter them, but terrain favored trolls.
"Hup!"
About 20 meters up the ridge.
Just steps from facing trolls.
His eyes met a troll about to throw.
He had to dodge, but slippery snow underfoot.
Not Blade Master level, but renowned Hildrian knight—hit by troll stone would be disgrace.
In crisis, instinct raised mana-infused shield instinctively.
Better disgrace than death.
Puuuk!
Clatter clatter.
'...?'
Not stone on shield—feel of crushed flesh.
Sholbait looked up.
"Huh!"
A startled groan.
The ice troll that targeted him—head shattered.
Severing the debris, a Blessed Spear quivered stuck in ground.
Kugagaga!
Kigugugu!
Puuuk! Pububuk.
Panicked ice trolls skewered by spears from sky.
'They're here at last.'
Seeing Blessed Spear, Sholbait relaxed.
".....!!"
Looking up at family Sky Knights, his pupils froze.
Kuo ooooooo!
A wyvern roaring enough to shake earth.
Not family's.
A black-based golden-striped hybrid wyvern, unseen in Hildrian ever.
Already slashing fleeing ice trolls with claws.
And visible.
A man in red cape standing proudly spear in hand atop hybrid wyvern.
Sunlight haloing his head like a halo.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Flap, flap, flap.
Ice trolls—rare on continent.
Attacking knights, so I took time to discipline them.
Strongest among monsters? Before me, no different than newborn pup.
'Saved from crisis—should rush over thanking, not stare.'
Clearly twenty-odd Hildrian empire knights.
As Bebeto landed retrieving troll spears, they gawked blankly.
"Hello there. Haha."
Not one to shrink before strange knights.
Removed helmet, beamed greeting.
"Huh!"
"Huh!"
'What the?'
Knights startled instead of replying.
Daylight ghost-sighting faces.
"I'm Count Kayer, lord of Neruman. Heading to capital— which way?"
Asked from atop Bebeto.
No time for chit-chat—straight to point.
"..."
But they stared like dumbstruck.
'Testing my patience?'
On Kaliyan continent, "Lord Kayer of Neruman" known to all nobles/knights—even crying kids.
But here, my fame hadn't spread; knights showed no reaction to name.
Just blankly eyed my black hair.
"I'll tell you."
'Oh!'
Unexpected clear nightingale-like woman's voice.
Carriage door opened; woman in white fox-fur scarf descended.
'Hildrian women all beauties—truth after all.'
Liker praised Hildrian women drool-worthy; skin artistic above all.
And this woman before me was such.
Transparent, clear skin seeming never sun-touched.
Elegant blue dress, long blue hair neatly pinned right with golden pin.
Slender.
170cm tall, refreshing mask.
Curiosity-filled eyes smiled at me.
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks. You saved us from crisis— this is nothing."
'Sharp and bold too.'
Eyes hold much: emotion, wisdom, knowledge, situation.
This woman's eyes sparkled curiosity and spirit.
Boldly speaking while knights frozen.
"First, formal greetings. I'm Ermion of the Asmahil family."
"Count Kayer de Neruman, lord of Neruman."
She gracefully curtsied dress hem; I bowed head in return.
"If lord of Neruman... you mean Neruman of the Bazran Empire?"
"Yes, correct."
"Ah... I see."
'Huh, she knows?'
Continent knows little of Hildrian, yet she knows Bazran's Neruman.
"Long journey."
Fresh smile melted my fatigue.
"Haha, harder to reach than thought. Without Her Imperial Majesty's summons, wouldn't come again."
"H-Her Imperial Majesty's summons?"
"Yes. Suddenly summoned by empress— flew hastily over sea with Kesmir Kingdom's aid. Storm en route left me stranded alone."
"You've suffered much."
Ermion—sparkling even white teeth neatly aligned.
Seemed genuinely concerned.
"Suffering? Life has such times. Haha."
'Kang Hyuk, what are you doing.'
Inner voice another me.
Busy to death, yet grinning charitably before beauty—pathetic?
"Lord Kayer lives with fine mindset."
Knights watching, yet meeting atmosphere unhesitant.
Kuo ooooo!
Bebeto warning-roared skyward.
"Sky Knights arriving now."
Three wyverns approaching afar.
Family's, traveling with them.
"No more danger seems, so must go."
"Y-Yes...."
"Direction to capital..."
"Fly left of visible Turuman Mountain—castle appears. Ask there about capital."
Knight captain indicated direction.
'Why they like this? Staring like alien.'
Knights still wary-eyed.
Stealing glances at my hair/eyes, averting when met.
"Thank you. See you next, Miss Ermion."
"Pleasure meeting, Lord Kayer."
Short encounter, but good connection feel with Ermion.
Left her soft smile, mounted Bebeto.
Kuo oooo!
Parara, parararak.
Wings flapped instantly, kicking ground.
Understood knight captain—self-directed.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Not sure if trustworthy."
Sholbait cautiously addressed Ermion.
Grateful for saving lives, but Kaliyan main continent noble—no prior ties.
Especially black hair—taboo in Hildrian.
200 years ago, unknown to continent but Hildrian Empire suffered greatly.
Emergence of 8th Circle black mage.
Swordsmanship at Grand Blade Master too.
That one nearly destroyed peaceful Hildrian Empire.
Secretly invited continent mages and empire knights' fearless sacrifice repelled, but immense damage.
Not alone—revived dead knights/soldiers via black magic as his troops.
That black mage had black hair.
Thus, black hair became curse symbol/taboo in Hildrian.
"His eyes different. Unlike Destruction's Black Magic Swordsman Alta Kas, his were pure black. Though black swordsman fled to continent, 200 years passed."
"True, but..."
Sholbait nodded to Ermion yet unsettled.
One black swordsman caused over 3 million deaths.
In under a year.
Unforgettable terror.
Sholbait watched Kayer shrink to dot afar.
Praying no ties to Destruction's Black Magic Swordsman, as Ermion said.
"Let's depart too."
"Yes!"
Knights snapped to at Ermion.
"Form up!"
As Ermion boarded carriage, Asmahil knights dodged troll boulders, slowly advancing.
All minds swirled with thoughts of just-met man.
Rare Kaliyan noble appearance.
Wondering why empress summoned him...
.