Chapter 317
Chapter 317
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 317
>Chapter Title: ……And So Winter Passes
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……I passed on a circle to Musphelrun senior.
Truth be told, this was something I'd been quietly considering ever since the moment I formed my second and third circles.
The reason I hadn't dared suggest it earlier……
'First circle.'
Was because I had no clear idea how to create it.
I mean, even for Lucifer, whom I'd pegged as the tower's successor, all I'd done was lay the groundwork for a circle that wasn't quite a circle.
But now, there was no reason to hesitate.
Because in that instant when I grasped the imagery of the Divine Heavenly Origin Art, I realized it.
How to form the first circle.
And the method was simple.
'It was just a matter of thinking differently.'
The reason I'd never gotten a handle on the first circle until now was this.
Unlike the second and third circles, which are formed by splitting the core, the first circle is made by condensing natural mana.
And I had no way to explain to others how to condense that 'natural mana.'
But.
'In the end, it's the same thing.'
Once I attained that realization, I understood.
Forming the first circle wasn't all that different from creating the second or third.
Of course, the first circle made that way wouldn't be exactly like mine……
Creak.
I'd gotten that far in my thoughts when I looked up at the sound of the door opening.
The one entering the room was Musphelrun senior.
"You're here."
"……Yeah."
Musphelrun senior, who had dealt with…… no, chased out the Decullan retainers Pahren had left behind, gazed at me with complicated eyes.
"But is it true?"
He seemed to be asking if it was really possible to repair a shattered core……
Honestly, even I couldn't guarantee this part.
Because.
'The odds are good, but……'
No one knew for sure what would actually happen.
So.
"We'll know once we try, but the chances are high."
"Then…… I'll leave it to you."
I nodded at his words.
Truth be told, there wasn't much for me to do.
Given the time constraints, it was tricky to teach circle theory, so I was just going to create the first circle for him.
'His core is already split, after all.'
In a way, he'd already passed the hardest hurdle.
It wasn't difficult.
……The theory itself, anyway.
Anyway.
I moved behind senior, who had taken a seat, and plopped down on the floor.
His voice rang in my ear right then.
"Should I deploy the breathing technique?"
"Yes."
"Then……"
Musphelrun senior closed his eyes and began the breathing technique.
I spread out my mana sense to scan the surroundings, just in case.
A mansion in the heart of the 2nd Black-White Slums.
No presences could be felt aside from Sakwol's magicians guarding the perimeter like an iron wall.
'Alright, then.'
"Let's begin."
I placed my hand on Musphelrun senior's back.
……The moment the Archmage of Termination was revived.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that very hour.
On a plain away from the 2nd Black-White Slums.
Hollen sat by a campfire in the snow-covered field, warming himself.
He was tending to his wounds with practiced hands when a presence appeared behind him soon after.
"You've come quite far."
"……Patriarch."
"Don't stand on ceremony."
"……"
Pahren von Decullan stopped Hollen from bowing and took a seat by the fire.
"How did it…… go?"
"I didn't obtain the improved Heavenly Origin Art."
"Was it because of the Grand Duke?"
"Yes, he proved more formidable than expected."
Pahren recalled his meeting with Grand Duke Musphelrun.
They had faced off once in the 2nd Black-White Slums, but Grand Duke Musphelrun in combat stance was truly……
"So, what will you do? If you just give the order……"
Pahren gathered his thoughts and quietly took in Hollen.
Hollen was poised as if he could take down the Tower Lord at any moment, with just the word.
"Can you handle it?"
"I can't be certain."
Before meeting the Tower Lord, he would have nodded readily. But now, Hollen wasn't confident he could manage the Tower Lord.
And that was because……
'That blue flame.'
It was due to that bizarre magic.
As much as he hated to admit it, it was magic imbued with imagery several levels above Crimson Flame.
"That's not like you."
"My apologies."
"No need. If you'd been overconfident, that would have been disappointing in its own way."
Pahren said that, then organized his thoughts for a moment.
"For the time being, withdraw from this matter."
"How……"
Hollen started to protest, then shut his mouth with a look of realization. But Pahren didn't take issue with it. No, he seemed to understand.
Still, Pahren didn't change his mind.
"Didn't you feel it? Crimson Flame is insufficient."
"……It's my own shortcoming."
"No, Crimson Flame is an excellent secret art in its own right, but strictly speaking, it's merely a derivative of Azure Flame. Of course……"
……If you evolve Crimson Flame's imagery, it would be different. Just as the Tower Lord had.
"……?"
"No, never mind. In any case, Crimson Flame falls short."
"Then, are you sending Sir Aebiron……"
"Hardly. The Tower Lord is your match."
"Then?"
Hollen narrowed his eyes at Pahren.
Pahren had the air of someone holding the answer, and his mouth opened soon after.
"I'll bestow upon you the Azure Flame secret art."
"……!"
Hollen's eyes widened.
It was unbelievable.
Azure Flame was a secret art exclusive to the Decullan bloodline.
There had been vassals granted bloodline secret arts in history, but it was the first in nearly a century.
"Why bestow something like that on me……"
"Think of it as a gift."
"……"
Hollen's eyes trembled faintly with emotion, then he bowed his head deeply.
"Th-thank you, Patriarch."
"……"
Pahren quietly took in the sight of Hollen.
……Truth be told, Azure Flame was nothing special.
Until now, it had been monopolized as a bloodline secret art, but Pahren had glimpsed a new possibility.
A possibility that would render not just Azure Flame, but all of Decullan's secret arts as 'nothing special.'
And that possibility was, naturally……
The improved Heavenly Origin Art.
'Grand Duke Musphelrun's era will end in 30 years.'
Pahren had the patience to wait that long.
No, perhaps even 30 years wouldn't be necessary.
Because even outside the 2nd Black-White Slums, there were the Blandoga family, Professor Parun of Jenion Academy, and Lortel.
Plenty of means to pressure the Tower Lord.
'The timing is the issue……'
Pahren stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment.
After a brief pause.
"How long will you stay like that? Raise your head."
"……Yes."
Pahren helped Hollen to his feet and posed a question.
"I'll give you five years, generously. Five years and Azure Flame. Can you…… handle it then?"
"Yes."
"Good, that's what I expect."
Five years.
A short time if short, long if long.
'……By then, things will be more certain.'
If the improved Heavenly Origin Art had been the only goal, Pahren wouldn't have granted that much time.
But Reverse Heaven Art.
With its whereabouts still unknown.
He had some conviction after observing the Tower Lord, but it was best to stay cautious.
Five years was that kind of time.
Time to recover from the damage of the war with Lortel and confirm whether the Tower Lord possessed Reverse Heaven.
……And.
Flames bloomed at Pahren's fingertips right after.
'I received an unexpected gift myself.'
Pahren gazed at the deep blue flames flickering at his fingertips and rarely smiled.
Pleased with the Tower Lord's gift.
……And so, winter passes.
* * *
After passing the circle to Musphelrun senior.
I decided to stay in the 2nd Black-White Slums until the break ended, teaching Lucifer.
Musphelrun senior, who had issued an access ban to the 2nd Black-White Slums, permitted at least that much, but on the way to meet Lucifer, I ran into a familiar face.
"Where are you off to at this hour?"
"Ah, perfect timing. I heard something happened last night?"
"Yeah, sort of."
"I was just on my way to see you. How are you…… feeling?"
"I'm fine, but……"
When I stared at him with narrowed eyes, Myselrun senior furrowed his brow at me.
"What's with that look?"
"What? What about it?"
"It's like you're asking 'What were you up to last night?'"
"No, I didn't……"
There's a limit to wrongfully accusing someone.
Honestly, the thought had crossed my mind.
I mean, during the fight with Hollen, I'd thought, 'If only Myselrun senior were here,' but I hadn't said it out loud, right?
"But what were you doing?"
"What else? Guarding the orphanage."
"Hmm."
My mistake.
Myselrun senior had been handling something important in his own way.
"But where's the Grand Duke?"
"Ah, Musphelrun senior is……"
I scratched my head, about to explain last night's events, but recalled his request and shut my mouth.
In the end, the circle was a success.
'He made two of them.'
But Musphelrun senior had said.
- Don't tell anyone about this for the time being.
- Why……
- It'll make it easier for them to move.
I hadn't expected that from him—he was sneakier than I thought.
"The Grand Duke, what?"
"Ah, well…… He's probably sleeping. He overexerted his energy, so he's not feeling well."
"Hmm, I figured as much."
No, it's not like that.
He's probably flying around full of energy right now.
'It hasn't fully restored all his power yet, but……'
Once the core recovers, a person's eyes change first.
Not sharper in aura, but more like his eyes sparkling because he couldn't contain the overflowing power—like facing a lion.
Now, if he just masters the circle theory I taught him……
'Maybe I created a monster.'
"But what brings you here?"
"Ah, well…… The Grand Duke told me not to come to the 2nd Black-White Slums anymore. So, I thought I'd teach Lucifer one last time."
"You're not taking him with you?"
I shook my head at Myselrun senior's question.
"Why would I?"
"Isn't he your disciple?"
"Not exactly."
Strictly speaking, Lucifer was a seed.
A provision for the future, to inherit my will when my tower eventually falls.
Dragging that Lucifer around with me…… would be risky in all sorts of ways.
"I thought he was your disciple."
"And what about your disciple, senior?"
"My disciple?"
I smirked at Myselrun senior, who tilted his head.
"Damian, I mean Damian."
"Hmm……"
A shadow fell over Myselrun senior's face.
It was understandable—he looked like he'd suddenly remembered some forgotten incident or accident.
Hadn't Damian agreed to stick around and be taught after graduating the academy?
That meant he had one year left of grace period……
"Hang in there."
"……Thanks."
"But you're happy about it, right?"
"Happy? Hardly."
You should be. It's a disaster you brought on yourself.
Anyway, leaving Myselrun senior behind, I headed deeper into the orphanage.
Now I had to properly teach Lucifer…… How to teach him so that word spreads I taught him well in this short time.
Lost in such thoughts as I walked.
"Um, ex-excuse me…… A-are you the T-Tower Lord?"
A ragged kid…… no, a child blocking my path.
A familiar face.
"……Scout?"
Why was this guy suddenly……
As I stared at him with narrowed eyes, the scout dropped to his knees right then.
And what he said, kneeling and bowing his head……
"P-please take me as your disciple!"
"……"
I fell silent.
The scout fell silent too.
What the hell is this? Just as I thought that, Myselrun senior, who had approached from behind, whispered to me.
"Don't you want to be happy?"
"……"
The moment I was reminded anew of the difference between 'level' and 'caliber.'