The Yellow Sage's Laboratory
Just as I suspected, the depths were considerable. Even though we ascended at a rapid pace, it took quite some time before we finally reached the surface. When the bright sky finally appeared, I found myself drawing in a deep breath without realizing it, despite having felt no discomfort breathing inside the serpent of light.
But the serpent did not stop there. It continued soaring higher into the sky. I turned to Granbipra in confusion, but he merely pointed somewhere with his finger.
“……?”
Wondering what he meant, I looked in that direction, but saw nothing. A moment later, the serpent of light turned its gaze downward and began descending toward the spot Granbipra had indicated.
“Ah, I see.”
Once we had descended far enough, I finally understood Granbipra’s intent. Several people stood upon a large magic circle at the location he had pointed to—Medrup, Elena, and Geil.
Though a massive serpent of light suddenly descending upon them would have been startling, they seemed to have already noticed our approach. Medrup made no move to intervene, and we landed directly within the magic circle.
“It seems I was a step too late. I was just about to enter El Nergavil.”
Medrup greeted us with a bright smile. Not only was he wearing his signature yellow robe, but he also held the Staff of the Demon King in his hand.
It was the most powerful magic staff in history, crafted by Medrup using the horn of the Demon King that Aegina had broken and Denatel’s staff. Originally created for the final battle against Nyx, it had been sealed away in the secret chamber of the Sage’s Tower ever since. The fact that he had brought it out now spoke volumes about his full commitment.
“And you must be Granbipra. I never expected you to appear in human form.”
Medrup bowed his head deeply in respect toward Granbipra.
“It is an honor to meet you, ruler of the Ancient Forest.”
“Indeed. To call you merely outstanding would be an understatement, Sage.”
Granbipra returned the greeting with a slight bow of his own. Both men’s eyes gleamed with deep interest as they regarded each other. Medrup, in particular, looked as though he was desperately holding back a flood of questions.
“Master!”
Geil and Elena spotted Kainaknus floating in the air and rushed toward him.
“He is safe. He appears to have lost consciousness from exhaustion.”
At my words, relief finally washed over Geil’s face.
“Then this demon…?”
Elena’s gaze shifted to Alsh Unak behind us.
“There is no need for concern. He has been properly subdued.”
Well, I hadn’t been the one to subdue him, but Granbipra’s power was certainly reliable.
“Hmm? Something feels off about him. Unlike ordinary demons, he seems… different somehow.”
As expected of Medrup. He had noticed something unusual with just a single glance.
I briefly explained what had transpired inside El Nergavil to Medrup and the others—how Alsh Unak was not a true high-ranking demon but rather a high-ranking summoner or druid captured by Urshis, and how El Nergavil had fallen to Ryban’s clones.
Of course, I omitted the parts about Urshis’s true target being me and the possibility that I could become his vessel. Revealing that would have required disclosing everything we had worked so hard to hide during the last great war.
“I see. In that case, the beast armies currently attacking the various nations might not actually be Ryban’s forces.”
“The beast armies are attacking?”
“Yes. Just moments ago, the borders of Melpis, the Duchy of Schten, the Kingdom of Kadeiron, and several other regions came under assault. That is why Rowell and the others could not come.”
Melpis was one thing, but the Duchy of Schten and the Kingdom of Kadeiron? Those places had no connection whatsoever and were located at opposite ends of the continent. Could this too be part of Urshis’s calculations?
“I thought their actions were incomprehensible even for Ryban’s clones. So it really is Urshis’s plan, independent of the clones? But why? What could he possibly hope to achieve with this?”
This was dangerous. Even though I had not mentioned that Urshis’s objective was connected to me, if things continued this way, Medrup would surely piece everything together before long. While that in itself would not cause any problems, I still did not want to burden him with unnecessary worries. Nor did I want him to learn that the color and direction of my soul resembled those of the first Dark Priest.
“More importantly, treating this Alsh Unak takes priority right now. Due to the forced transformation and the unnatural connection to Urshis, his body has already reached its limit. Whether his cooperation with Urshis was voluntary or not, we should at least be able to extract information about Urshis from him.”
“Understood.”
Medrup approached Alsh Unak and examined his body and mind with his mana.
“…Yes. He is already in a critical state. We must begin treatment immediately.”
The moment he spoke, our surroundings were enveloped in light. In the blink of an eye, we found ourselves inside Medrup’s laboratory.
“Now then, let us lay him down over there. Kainaknus as well—place him on that bed.”
Though I had visited several times before, the laboratory had changed quite a bit since my last visit. The research topics must have shifted. The sight of unfamiliar herbs and items filled the room with an almost intimidating atmosphere.
“Anak, fetch the potions from over there and give them to Kainaknus.”
After giving the instruction, Medrup waved his staff, drawing various medicines, herbs, and magical items from around the laboratory toward him. Manipulating objects through pure mana alone—this was a divine technique that ordinary mages could not even dream of achieving.
“First, I need to sever the connection to his soul. But considering the burden on his body…”
While combining herbs with one hand, Medrup began arranging magic circles and magical items around the air and the bed.
“Ah, Elena, Granbipra. Could you lend me a hand?”
Elena and Granbipra nodded willingly at Medrup’s request.
“What would you have us do?”
“May I borrow a portion of your energies? Elena’s verdant energy and Granbipra’s robust energy would not only protect his soul when severing the connection to Urshis, but also greatly aid in restoring his forcibly transformed body to its original state.”
“Understood.”
“Indeed. You seem to understand the differences between mana, magical power, and energy quite well. Even renowned sages of the past mostly relied on brute force through their powerful spells and vast reserves of mana.”
At Granbipra’s words, Medrup smiled faintly—the satisfied smile of a student receiving praise from his teacher.
Granbipra and Elena placed their hands upon Alsh Unak’s chest. Following Medrup’s gesture, numerous magic circles rose around Alsh Unak’s body and the surrounding space. Through these circles, the energies of Granbipra and Elena slowly seeped into Alsh Unak’s body.
Watching this, I retrieved two recovery potions from the shelf and headed toward Kainaknus. I also picked up a nearby white crystal and placed it upon his body.
This was a healing crystal, used when potions could not be ingested or applied directly to wounds, or to enhance absorption rates even when they could. A magic circle formed beneath my hand, and the crystal glowed brightly.
I poured the potions over the crystal. They were absorbed into it as though falling into a vast lake, and Kainaknus’s body began to shine with white light. Moments later, he regained consciousness.
“Wh-where…?”
Kainaknus tried to rise immediately, but I gently pushed him back down. As expected of Medrup’s potions and the healing crystal. Though he had not sustained any serious injuries and had merely accumulated extreme fatigue, the fact that the effects manifested so quickly was something ordinary items available on the market could never achieve.
“Please rest assured. This is the laboratory of the Yellow Sage, Medrup. My name is Anak. Granbipra and I rescued you from El Nergavil.”
I gestured for Geil to come closer. While my words brought a flicker of relief to Kainaknus’s eyes, seeing his disciple would help reassure him completely.
“Master! Are you all right?”
“…Yes. Geil. This master has shown you an unsightly appearance.”
As expected, it was only after seeing Geil that all doubt finally vanished from Kainaknus’s gaze.
“So you are Anak. I finally meet you in person. Thank you for saving this old man.”
Kainaknus looked ready to rise and grasp my hand in gratitude, but rest was the priority right now. Moreover, though modestly covered with cloth, Kainaknus was currently naked.
“I will bring you some clothes first.”
I did not bother asking them to keep quiet while the complex treatment proceeded nearby. They had already witnessed everything, so such words were unnecessary.
By the time I retrieved spare clothes from Medrup’s wardrobe, countless magic circles and runes had appeared not only on Alsh Unak’s body but also in the air around him. They were severing his connection to Urshis. I could see the runes symbolizing contracts and connections breaking one by one.
Through the demonic beings that reached him, they forcibly maintained the connection through multiple rituals.
Just as Urshis had said, the results of complex rituals and contracts following demonic formats were engraved throughout Alsh Unak’s soul and body. Normally, severing the connection would be impossible, let alone restoring him. Yet Medrup was not only breaking the connection and shattering the contracts but simultaneously protecting and healing Alsh Unak’s original soul and body.
What would normally require dozens of high-ranking mages working together was being accomplished by Medrup alone, even with assistance from Granbipra and the half-elf Elena’s energies.
As expected of the Yellow Sage, Medrup.
“Now then, please get dressed. You must be hungry as well. Let us move over there.”
After handing the clothes to Kainaknus, I helped him up with Geil and guided him outside. Originally, I could have assisted Medrup by connecting souls as well, but as long as Alsh Unak remained connected to Urshis, there was a risk that everything would be revealed if I intervened carelessly.
Fortunately, the spell format itself was so complex that my decision not to interfere rashly would not seem unnatural. Still, I needed to leave before Medrup asked for my help.