The Sea Before the Storm is Calm
The top floor of the Magic Tower, where the ceiling had collapsed. Beneath the countless twinkling stars, Mio and Rowen gazed up at the sky. Arahan clung tightly to Rowen's side, a faint smile on her lips. Even as the cold wind and snowstorm raged around them, the three paid it no mind.
"Over there..."
"No."
"Yeah."
Arahan had heard about the two's relationship from Yuria. She'd naturally learned about Rowen's past life as well. It explained all the suspicious moments she'd puzzled over. The way he'd effortlessly opened the heroes' barrier. How, when she'd once asked if he respected the great mage, he'd said no human could. The strangely mature air about him even as a child.
Above all, she'd been shocked beyond words to learn that Uba was her master. At first, it had flustered her. But thinking it over, wasn't that just saying Rowen was her master's friend? Whatever. It didn't matter anyway. She loved him, she liked him—what did anything else count for?
What mattered now was Mio. This fox-like bitch was trying to steal some alone time with her young master. No way in hell was she letting that happen. Young master's mine...
"It'll just be a minute. I need to talk to her."
"No. Even if you were comrades in your past life, young master, he's just my young master now."
"...'My'?"
Arahan flashed a mocking smile at Mio's echo. She puffed out her chest proudly, even sticking out her tongue.
"Yes. Young master is mine."
"Ah, Mio, about that—"
"Shut it, Rian."
"...Yeah."
Mio cut off Rowen's attempt to intervene with thorny words. The air grew icy. Yuria just chuckled.
"What the hell does that mean? Rian's yours?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. Young master promised he'd stay by my side forever."
She rubbed her belly demonstratively. It wasn't crystallized proof of their love, but those nights they'd shared were unforgettable. Her cheeks flushed as she gazed lovingly at Rowen.
"...You haven't, have you?"
"They say assumptions kill, haven't you heard? It's exactly what you're thinking, Lady Mio. I've shared my body with young master. That's why I'm telling you—you're trying to steal him from me right now."
"...Hah, I'm just gonna talk to him and come back. So let go of his hand."
"No."
It was clear this wasn't going to be a simple chat. There was no life in Mio's eyes—just deep, sunken darkness, her flushed cheeks screaming she'd devour Rowen whole. He couldn't do a thing. The auras pressing in from both sides were too calm. Like the sea before a storm. Their gazes clashed, serene yet fierce.
"Arahan. Let me talk to Mio for a bit."
"...You're going to that woman and leaving me behind, young master?"
"That's not it. It's been 16 years for me, but for Mio, it's 1,000. Or maybe even longer."
"I understand that. But... does that mean you can't talk with me here? Are you hiding something from me again without me knowing?"
No. He could definitely talk with her there. There was nothing left to hide from Arahan anymore. He'd been grateful when she'd been shocked by his past life story but accepted it anyway. And this wasn't the mood for lies anyway—deceiving someone always came back to bite you eventually.
Mio stared straight at Rowen, silent. Outwardly, he was just a 16-year-old boy. More mature than his peers, sure—with eyes that made you hold your breath when they met yours. But his personality was pure Rian. Unchanged. Their reunion after 1,000 years. Once everything was over, he'd planned to propose, whether he accepted or not—he'd wanted to confess before Lea. And now... to hear Uba's disciple had taken his first time? It pissed her off. A lot.
"Rian, is it true?"
"Well, about that—"
"Stay quiet for now, young master. Or should I just pounce?"
"...Yeah."
Arahan's sunken blue eyes bored into him. Under her forceful pressure, Rowen could only stay still. Her body pressing down was too stimulating. She was clearly doing it for Mio's benefit. Sure enough, Mio ground her teeth.
It was complicated. He knew Arahan liked him. Things had been ambiguous since that night. Not quite lovers, not rejected either. Just him fending off her one-sided advances. He didn't know Mio's feelings either. Back then, he hadn't understood why she'd clung to him so stubbornly. But now he did. Rowen wasn't that oblivious.
Arahan smirked at Mio, pressing her breasts firmly against Rowen's arm. This is how we are. That was the message. She wouldn't let anyone steal her young master. Especially not some old comrade from his past. They'd shared more time, more memories. Compared to that, her six years? Pathetic. She had to seize the initiative, crush the time gap.
"Don't call him Rian. Young master has the name Rowen."
"...He's still Rian in the end!"
"Past lives? Who cares? Young master bears the name Rowen now—that doesn't change."
"You... you're way more arrogant than before."
"Would a rolling stone just sit there while it dislodges the embedded one?"
"That's my line!"
Rowen sighed. The frigid cold felt even harsher today. Was it his imagination? That oblivious moonlight shone too brightly.
Demon cult. Prophet. Demon summoning. Demon King. Magitech.
Five keywords. Fucking tangled up together.
In the end, Father's death, our home stolen—all the demon cult's doing.
According to Mio's investigation, the cult—split into seven factions—had a Prophet to unite them. There were seven Prophets, but two were missing, leaving five who now claimed the title. Muron was the root of it all. He'd raided the imperial capital Pentagon, even killing the Guardian of the Skies. All to kill Kadan and seize every continent for the cult.
Rage boiled. Tesiah had been ordered by her superiors to erase the Valenos traces. Back when she was human, discriminated against by her family and near death, she'd contracted directly with Lucifer's spirit. She'd exacted revenge on her family, then devoured countless humans in her unending hatred. Criminal was criminal, no matter what. Killing her had yielded gains.
First, the black sword aura. It hadn't fully returned yet, but even this power suppressed flesh regeneration. Once it recovered more, he could dismantle golems in one strike.
And second: the cubic square. Strangely infused with Valenos frost magic. No info from the Akashic Records. But it predated 1,000 years ago—an ancient relic. Tesiah had used it to pinpoint the Valenos bloodline. He didn't know when, why, or how it ended up in demon hands. But it acted like a compass for Valenos locations. And now, it pointed elsewhere. Toward Kalia Rune. His scattered family, no doubt.
Tracking device acquired. Profit.
"More than that, what worries me most..."
Three Prophets left. Like Tesiah.
—Nom. Probably the strongest among them. Something feels off about him.
"Complicated."
Too many knots. Where did it start? Where did it end? Rowen shook his head, frowning at his throbbing temples.
But it wasn't all bad. Things were tilting his way. For the better. He'd met Mio, thanks to Yuria. He'd thanked her properly—bowing with a smile, polite as ever. Because of her master? Who knew. But it felt good. For someone who'd lived a lifetime of discrimination, courtesy from anyone besides Arahan or Biden was new. Sixteen years reborn as a bastard. The sting lingered deep in his chest.
"And..."
Finally, the holy sword's whereabouts. Rowen smiled. At least three years. Victory within reach soon.
"Wait just a bit longer, everyone."
They'd reclaim their home, the North, Snowfall. The moment to fulfill Kael's dying wish was coming.
Rowen's resolve, Kael's final plea. He wouldn't forget. He recalled it again.
"We Valenos are the North."
So.
"...We'll take it back."
"Damn it!"
"What the hell is this?!"
"Meteors blotting out the sky? Is this some catastrophe?"
"Never seen ones that big!"
"High-tier spells back-to-back..."
Dozens of massive fiery meteors blanketed the heavens. Magitech-enhanced soldiers raised shields, inputting defense codes. Runes embedded deep in their bodies glowed.
But.
Squelch!
"...Huh?"
"Gaaahhh, aaaah...!"
What returned were binding chains and ice blades slicing bellies.
Rowen, Mio, and Arahan had left the Magic Tower, weapons drawn on the Arkanthian imperial forces. No more running. A bounty on Rowen's head? Useless now. Muron was dead—their real backer gone. What could they do?
Ice blades danced. Dozens of swords, bloodied, soared through the air. Terrifying sight. But no one but the soldiers minded. The rest felt only satisfaction.
How could they not cheer for those fighting to reclaim their home?
"Young master. Everyone's evacuated successfully."
"Good."
"More than that, some want to follow you. I've held them back for now... what should we do?"
"...Do they know I'm the bastard?"
"Yes."
"And they still want to follow?"
"They share the goal of retaking our home."
Rowen was a bit surprised. Rumors from the maids said his existence had tarnished the Valenos name. People cursed his unknown mother, pointed at his father. But now... people wanted to stand with him. Unlike those past haters, these were just folks who wanted their home back, stepping up for a son who'd lost his father.
"...I see."
The world still had warmth. The North's frozen heart began to beat again.
Rowen decided right there. Reclaim the North soon, then invade Arkanthia.
"Gather the people."
"Yes."
The North now burned with emotion. Winterer's young lion harbored grudge. Arkanthia had touched that lion's fur.
"Gather them fast. As many as possible."
"...Any reason?"
Reason? Simple.
Rowen declared with a feral grin.
"War."
"...You're serious."
"I'll form a knight order under me. Strong enough to smash their magitech."
"Understood."
Rowen's proclamation reached many ears. Those yearning for home gathered under young Valenos.
Memories stirred—training and leading knights in his past life. Handing swords to humans was foolish. But Arkanthia was demon-tainted already. No need to hold back.
Rowen gazed at the sky beyond the snow peaks. Pentagon. He'd sensed black demonic energy on the floating isle. The three remaining Prophets. He'd visit them on his own feet soon. No letting them unseal the Demon King.
—So he resolved. And declared.
Titles and achievements? No interest. But to bind true loyalty... necessary. And something he'd pondered long ago. Maybe fate all along.
The imperial aura glowed faintly in Rowen's red blood.
"I'll become the North's king for you."
And so time passed. Two years went by.