Spring (2) - The Mage King Cardir
The life story of Mage King Cardir, passed down through the ages, was filled with tales straight out of a fairy tale book. Slaying a dragon single-handedly, defeating swarms of flying and crawling mages, and so on. But the most fairy tale-like part of all was his friendship with the Hero. The protagonist Hero and his supporter, the mage—a classic combo from any storybook. Their feats even mirrored those tales: together, they toppled the Undying King.
At a time when demons were shedding their image as the Demon King's minions, the Holy Nation's atrocities birthed the Undying King. Whatever his past, the previous Hero and Cardir joined forces to subjugate him. Though the aftermath claimed the previous Hero's life in tragedy, it was recorded as a noble sacrifice. Cardir, the Hero's closest friend, quietly mourned that heartbreaking truth for a time. But when faced with the ugly, dark secrets the Holy Nation had buried, even that truth felt futile.
Those who claim they have no greed for money are the greediest of all.
Justice was the same. Anyone shouting about their own righteousness wasn't right in the head. El Dorado was a prime example right now. The very people who should shun greed were indulging in it. They pretended to be devout and upright on the surface, but Cardir had seen through it long ago. El Dorado's image as a "Holy Nation" had crumbled ages ago.
Can't wait to hear what nonsense they'll spout.
Thus, Cardir made full preparations and headed to El Dorado. He didn't bother getting permission from the Iris Kingdom, where his Magic Tower resided. He was the Magic Tower—a national-level mage. Who could stop him? It wasn't for nothing he was called the Mage King. Even the Iris monarch tread carefully around him.
And so, Cardir visited the Holy Nation of El Dorado alone. They were thrown into panic by the sudden arrival but quickly welcomed him as a VIP. He'd given prior notice, and their connection from the Undying King incident helped. Soon enough, he entered the Papal Palace without hindrance.
"...What did you just say?"
"We merely follow God's will. What agency could mere servants have?"
In the meeting at the Papal Palace—more precisely, with the Pope and cardinals—Cardir could scarcely believe his ears. As the previous Hero's close friend, he knew how corrupt El Dorado's upper echelons had become. But that was the old guard; humans had short lifespans and quick generational turnover. He'd hoped things had improved by now, but a brief exchange revealed they'd rotted even further.
These guys are beyond saving.
Cardir regarded Pope Luis II with a serene expression. The old man had a kindly appearance, but a venomous snake slithered within—ready to strike at any moment.
El Dorado's rot is all embodied in this one Pope.
Cardir inwardly clicked his tongue. He looked younger than the Pope, but their ages were similar. Scanning the other cardinals, he saw they were already the Pope's puppets, silent as statues.
"God's servants... Vague words. So the merciless slaughter of the Undying King's people was God's will too?"
"Do you think we enjoyed it? We merely followed orders."
"From the previous Pope? Or from God?"
"The Pope's words are God's decree."
That God talk was always a universal shield. Claim "God's will," and it worked for offense or defense. In ancient times, Aris herself would have smote them for blasphemy. But as eras passed and human civilization advanced, the gods stopped meddling in the world.
Maybe they got disillusioned and left.
Likely. Even he, who didn't believe in gods, felt profound disappointment—no, rising disgust. Especially knowing how noble the previous Hero had been.
"God issued that command...? Is that the truth?"
"Are you saying God made a wrong choice?"
"No. I mean, did you get an oracle or prophecy? The Hero said it was his homeland that forced him, not God."
"... "
You did that. Don't lie to my face. I'm the Hero's friend. And I have recent proof.
With that pointed question, Luis II's face stiffened slightly. The cardinals too, unable to hide their discomfort. Cardir stroked his lush beard habitually and continued calmly.
"There's a saying in Jungwon: You can't hide the sky with your palm. Think the world won't learn the truth? Better to repent now."
"Forgive us, but..."
"Ah, of course, you were just following orders back then, not giving them. Emphasizing that and apologizing would have been wiser. Pity."
"... "
If they hadn't given the orders, he'd understand. But refusing even to apologize made them irredeemable trash—or empty-headed fools.
"Hey, your words are too..."
One cardinal, unable to hold back, started to snap, but Luis II raised a hand to silence him. The cardinal swallowed his anger. Luis II, still wearing his affable smile, spoke.
"I understand what you're saying, Mage King Cardir. But please know we only follow God's will."
"Whether God accepts that will is another matter."
Cardir snorted derisively—a mocking jab that people wouldn't buy their words anymore. Only someone of Cardir's stature, the previous Hero's partner with unassailable fame and power, could sneer to their faces. Anyone else would have been executed.
But even Cardir hadn't anticipated the depths of their depravity.
"Mage King, do you know why we—nay, humanity—believe in God?"
"What do you mean?"
"Because we're foolish and ignorant. We always make wrong choices, so God guides us. Of course, even God doesn't always choose right, but it's far better than our choices."
To sum it up simply: [Humanity is livestock.] Not just El Dorado, but humanity in general—and before God, all were equal anyway.
Cardir could only laugh hollowly. Brazen? Insane? Hard to tell.
"I get your thinking now. Eye-opening, really."
"Glad we could help."
"That ironclad face won't last long."
Snap!
With those words, Cardir flicked his fingers. Luis II grasped the meaning instantly. Magic had been cast.
"What is this...?"
"Ah, nothing much. Just opened people's eyes like you opened mine."
"You think you'll get away with this?"
"What do you think I did?"
Brazenness met with brazenness—that was Cardir's answer. Ignoring Luis II's fury, he rose casually. A cardinal, realizing the situation, tried to summon Holy Knights, but—
"Your Holiness! Big trouble!"
"What is it?"
"The meeting footage is broadcasting all over El Dorado right now!"
"What?!"
Luis II couldn't comprehend the messenger's report. Meeting records leaking across El Dorado without relay magic? Baffled, he glared at Cardir.
"Ah, no big deal. Just mimicked that Gallery you deem evil."
"Mimicked?!"
"Records and replays everything seen with the naked eye, no device needed... Quite the charming spell, eh?"
Cardir chuckled wickedly—an eccentric cackle. As Luis II's face twisted demonically, Cardir waved leisurely.
"You'll have your hands full for a while. You brought this on yourselves—no grudges."
"You think God won't know the truth? Are you a Gallery devotee too?!"
I got books from there and even interpreted them, you bastard.
Cardir swallowed the retort. Not yet. Save it for the right time, after things progressed.
"Gallery? No idea what you're on about. Must be hitting a nerve."
"You...!"
"Handle it yourselves. I'm off."
He'd lit the fuse and run. Tossing more fuel on the dying embers, Cardir left El Dorado in uproar, teetering on the brink of rebellion. The world buzzed.
Returning leisurely to his Magic Tower, Cardir mused, A Hero would be perfect now... No, maybe better without one.
The current Hero fled under the traitor label. Without a focal point, even furious protests would scatter. Would the Hero return, or would the Papal Palace strike first?
This'll be a long fight.
While El Dorado descended into chaos, Cardir swiftly returned to his tower. Teleportation was trivial with magic—at least for him. Straight to his beloved lab, he opened the fridge first.
"That blue mushroom from before... Here it is."
[Kill it.]
"Later."
Cardir brushed off the Undying King's request and shut the fridge.
*****
The Gallery was ablaze over the "humanity is livestock" remark. To me, it was just fireworks across the river—nothing major. The world had some weird drama, that's all. My input wouldn't change much, and the Gallery wouldn't help me either. I was just amazed that my little spark had ballooned into a meteor.
Weather's warming up nicely.
Winter's end was near; it felt tangibly milder. My thick winter gear was getting stuffy, but I'd wear it till tomorrow. Time to maintain the house. First, the ground—frozen solid, then thawed. Rain, sudden winter, now warming melt. It was a muddy mess, tricky to manage, but not swampy enough to sink in. Just annoying.
Gotta grab pebbles from the river later.
The foundation was key for building. Compacting the ground alone took over half the work time. With a blast furnace and oven planned soon, I'd solidify it—spread river pebbles and pack 'em down.
"Wonmo. C'mere."
"Kyuu?"
"Whehehe."
Dusk fell, evening time. I hugged Wonmo tight and rolled around. Winter over, she awake—full activity ahead. Finish chores, then scout sectors.
If only no damn yellow dust.
Not dust—could be a sandstorm. Unlike Korea's spring, maybe none. I'd prepped for spring anyway.
Just in case, pitch a tent.
Tent over the cave mouth: bedtime setup done. Tossed logs in the fireplace for warmth.
"Achoo!"
A sneeze hit mid-prep. Nose itched like crazy. Not a cold—just sudden itch.
What? Bad omen?
Might wear a mask to sleep. Uncomfy, but workable. Left Ppareumbo, starting fire-gazing, with a "take care" and dozed off.
Oh, didn't forget pre-sleep Internal Power Method training. Consistency builds skill, even a bit.
Thus, anticipating spring, I spent the night in the cave.
Next day.
Whoooosh!
Morning: pulled the tent, greeted by a bright yellow world. Yellow dust for real.
Or so I thought—
"Achoo! Achoo! Ptoo-choo!"
Sneezes erupted nonstop. Nose tickled to burning. Dust? But sneezes, no cough—weird. Even masked, yellow stuff pierced through. Squinting, I thought,
Wait. This isn't dust...
The pollen that tormented me every spring.
"Ptoo-CHOO!!!"
Pollen swirled like dust, dyeing the world yellow.