Chapter 408
Chapter 408
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 408
Chapter Title: A Request to the Archsage
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Ashen Mage Tower, Ma-gyeong Branch.
"We've gathered a ton of data from real-world use. Thanks to that, research is progressing smoothly. I think we can move to the next stage soon."
The artifact, Gate.
Its official name was the Ultra-Compact Teleportation Gate Generator, but for convenience, they called it Gate.
"Opening a gate inside Ma-gyeong with its unstable coordinates is still tough... but it should be possible for stabilized coordinates like the capital."
After collecting data from the shattered prototype, Resti had reinforced the artifact. It was still too much for anyone without Raniel's unique constitution to endure, but the burden it imposed had noticeably decreased.
"Here you go, Senior."
Resti handed the upgraded artifact to Raniel.
"I've reinforced the stabilization device. When teleporting not inside Ma-gyeong but to the capital side, the burden should be minimized. You'll still get headaches and mana drain, though..."
"That's manageable."
Raniel chuckled and patted Resti's shoulder.
"Thanks, Resti."
"By the way... any side effects lingering?"
Raniel had opened a teleportation gate right in the heart of Ma-gyeong not long ago. Passing through it must have come at a steep price—what about the aftermath? Resti asked, and Raniel laughed in response.
"First few days, I couldn't even move my arms right—thought I was gonna die. But after some rest, it cleared up. Even threw a little potion party with the stockpile in the barracks."
Hey Resti, ever tried a potion bath? Supposed to be great for the body... Raniel muttered, and Resti gave a wry smile. Recent rumors came to mind.
'Top-grade potions are more for beauty than healing, right? Stats seem to back that up...'
Mostly noble ladies using them for anti-aging...
Resti shook her head, stopping the thought. The person before her didn't seem the type for such vanity.
...Vanity?
Resti narrowed her eyes.
The word "eccentricity" paired with Raniel like cream on a waffle. She shot Raniel a suspicious glance.
"Um, Senior."
"Yeah?"
"Have you been doing skincare lately?"
"N... no?"
Did she just stutter?
Looking closer, Raniel's gaze dipped slightly downward. Resti gave her a pitying look.
"Senior, potions aren't as effective for skin beauty as the rumors say. Better to..."
"No, I told you, I'm not into that. Just heard about it somewhere..."
Raniel hurriedly added.
"Look, I'm the Hero. Heroes are locked in their physical prime at twenty. We don't age. No need for skincare. And I am in my twenties..."
"...I see."
Resti eyed Raniel's emphatic "twenties" with sympathy. People who stressed their age, youth, and vitality were usually far from it.
Poor Senior... so pitiful...
Resti pulled a potion from the shelf and pressed it into Raniel's hand. A premium elixir made personally by the tower lord herself—unattainable even for VIPs. Packed with the finest ingredients.
"I put everything good for the body in this. My gift to you—take it."
"No, I don't need..."
"It's good for you."
"I said, that's not..."
With a sigh, Raniel tucked the elixir deep into her robe. She seemed secretly pleased. Resti smiled wryly.
'Looks the same as ever, but age is getting to her...'
Despite years since their first meeting, Raniel hadn't aged a bit. With her hair tied back in a single ponytail, she even looked younger.
And that flawless skin...
Living 365 days a year in Ma-gyeong's harsh winds, yet her skin gleamed like a teenager's—not even twenty.
'She could enroll in the academy as a student, and no one would bat an eye...'
For such a person to worry about age—laughable.
Unlike Raniel, Resti clung to a mature style for tower lord dignity, making her look like the older sister now.
"Anyway, thanks for the gift. Back to business?"
As Resti mulled such irrelevancies, Raniel swiftly changed the subject.
"So, teleporting to the capital means less burden?"
"Yes. I've linked it to the main Ashen Mage Tower in the capital. Without your unique constitution, it'd still be life-risking..."
Resti glanced at the gate.
"For you, just headaches and mana drain. The capital coordinates are super stable."
"Got it. Thanks."
"Planning a trip to the capital?"
Raniel nodded.
"Just took down Skeval's 43rd... no, 44th body? Anyway, with Ma-gyeong's superhuman wiped out too, Demon King's forces will be reeling for a while."
They'd prioritize filling the dragon-slayer void over sending beasts to her front. Plus, Resti for emergencies. Safe to step away briefly, Raniel figured.
"First breather in ages. Gotta hit the capital. See Master... and others."
"I see."
"Yeah. Miss this window, it'll be tough to carve out time. Front lines expand full throttle soon."
Resti nodded with an "ah."
She'd seen the apostate subjugation ops plan too.
"True enough. Shall I open it now?"
"Please."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
A bluish teleportation gate shimmered open, and Raniel stepped out. Connected to the Ashen Mage Tower's top floor, she overlooked the capital's vista with a faint smile.
It's been a while. Really.
Almost three years, come to think?
Barely visited since deployment. This trip secret too, so hood deep, she slipped out.
Suppressing presence, she exited the tower, took a deep breath in the plaza, and stretched.
"Ughhh."
Her body cracked noisily as she exhaled sharply. Fresh air cleared her stuffy nose.
Clean land, free of demonic energy.
This purity felt foreign now. Raniel smiled wryly and walked on. Thought of Master first, but loose ends nagged.
...Handle business first.
Feeling the letter in her robe, she headed past the familiar plaza into shadowed alleys' depths.
* * * Jingle. The door bell rang.
No need to knock.
Stepping into the alley meant entering the ancient elf's domain. Entering, Raniel waved casually.
"Long time, Cardi."
The shop's interior, worn and dusty.
Cardi, polishing a glass, lit up rarely at the guest.
"What? Raniel, you?"
"What? You knew."
"Wasn't sure. Your presence blends with Chloe's now. Either way, welcome."
Cardi chin-nodded a chair.
"Really been ages. Three years?"
"Yeah, three. Been busy."
Plopping into the chair, Raniel sighed long. Antique shop scent—old furniture, ancient books—oddly soothing.
And that subtle smell...
Raniel glared at Cardi's back. He poured into a cup—not a pour, more a gloopy slosh.
"Don't brew that green tea."
"Already did."
Thud. Cardi set the cup down. The damn old elf swore it was healthy green tea, but not to Raniel.
Raniel shoved it aside with a grimace as Cardi spoke.
"So, what's up?"
"...Gonna be busy soon, so dropped by while free."
"Liar."
Cardi smiled wryly.
"Ops starting soon, right? Here to warn me. Yeah?"
"...Your instincts suck."
"No need to dance around. Straight to point."
How not to mind you, old man.
Raniel grumbled inwardly, sighed deep. Swallowed dryly—not easy to broach. Required resolve even for her.
...Six months from now.
After a pause, she started.
"Apostate subjugation kicks off in six months. That day, I'll end the apostate for good."
Cardi listened, polishing glass, eyes down. Expression hidden, but Raniel pressed on.
Warning. Her plans.
The apostate's final fate too. Courtesy, she thought. Or time to prepare.
"I'll crush them utterly. Maybe..."
"Raniel."
Cardi cut in.
Set glass down, looked up.
"If worrying about me, gauging my reaction—no need. I'm fine. Really."
He smiled wryly.
"This was my job from the start. Should've ended it myself, but didn't—led here. Whatever you do, no resentment."
Grateful, even.
Cardi murmured, exhaling.
"And... entering Alkeia? That's consideration enough. Ignored easier paths."
Easier path.
He'd told her about it with Alkeia intel.
"Her power stems from being inside Alkeia. Lure her out with me as bait—subjugation easy. Obviously."
But hearing it, Raniel rejected. Declared it invalid—chose harder road.
"Yet you picked the hard one. That's plenty. Grateful for that alone. No more needed..."
"Cardi."
Raniel interrupted.
"Said it then: not consideration for you. That won't sever the contract fully. Pointless."
Tapping table, she smiled.
"Inside Alkeia, deny the salvation the apostate seeks head-on. That's true severance, right?"
"Well... yes, but."
"Then I must. It's my path to the ending I want."
The ending she must reach.
"It's the Ash Goddess's way too. She told me: don't choose like her."
Ash Goddess's method wouldn't perfect it. Devalue her sacrifice. Raniel owed a wholly different end.
For that.
She must sever all contracts fully, reach the Demon King.
Cardi wouldn't know...
Only then advance.
To final stage, snap every chain from past.
"No satisfaction in easy endings."
Raniel reached into robe.
"Hard road, best choices, no compromise—that reaches what I want."
She pulled paper envelopes.
"Cardi."
Held two before him.
"Got a favor."
Maybe cruelest.
But what he'd wish. To the archsage who'd waited centuries, Raniel entrusted it. Her way of honoring him.