Chapter 391
Chapter 391
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 391
>Chapter Title: We Need to End This
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When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar ceiling of the barracks tent.
‘I... survived, huh.’
I blinked for a moment before sitting up. A puff of powder drifted down with a soft *fsssh*.
“This is...”
Something charred black and sticky goo. It wasn’t hard to recognize. It was the thing Patriarch Otto had worn around his neck.
Just to check, I lowered my head. Next to the large Fire Mark were three small ones embedded there.
One from Rapiter.
One from Baharmut.
‘And the last one’s from this time.’
Maybe it was just my imagination, but the aura from the first two Fire Marks looked fainter.
Before, I would’ve dismissed it as an illusion. But after talking with Yeokcheon, I knew it wasn’t just in my head.
So, Baharmut’s Fire Mark was faint because...
‘...the Wyvern.’
And the new one was faint because it had used that much power to heal my body.
A sudden thought crossed my mind.
‘Is this right?’
I could understand the Wyvern release draining its energy.
Sure, it was a dragon, after all. I’d even turned a spirit into one and set it free. Some cost was natural.
But me?
‘A puny human.’
I hadn’t even been brought back from the dead. It just patched up my near-corpse of a body. And that took as much power as freeing the Wyvern?
“Does this even make sense? Hey?”
I asked Yeokcheon, but as expected, no answer.
That’s when a voice rang out.
[Friend?]
*Flap flap!*
With the sound of wings, something huddled in the corner of the tent flew onto the bed.
The Wyvern that landed stared at me with its round eyes. Then with its tail... *Smack!*
“What the...”
[Hurt?]
I lost my words for a moment after the sudden slap. The Wyvern tilted its head at me.
[Not hurt? Dream?]
“......”
Wagging tail. So, it slapped my cheek to check if it was a dream or not.
*Click click.*
[......?]
It slowly approached at my gesture. I waited until it was close enough. And when it got right up to me...
*Thwack.*
Headbutt.
[......Kak!]
*Flap flap flap flap!*
The Wyvern frantically flapped back. I looked at it and asked,
“Hurt?”
[H... hurts.]
“Me too.”
It was sincere.
I had no idea its head was that hard. I did the headbutting, and I hurt more.
But right now, it wasn’t about who hurt more.
More importantly...
“The Grand Duchess?”
[Bad human? Looking. Why?]
Why do you think?
I’d barely survived death thanks to Yeokcheon’s power. So what about Patriarch Otto?
Even if that final spell was impressive, could one hit make Otto immortal...?
‘...No, probably not.’
Sure, Lil’ Wyvern might’ve finished him off for me, but with Leader Gait around, the odds were low.
So.
If Otto was still alive.
‘We need to end this.’
* * *
Aster, now fully dressed, headed straight for the Grand Duchess’s tent.
The Wyvern clung tightly to his side. Seeing them, the Grand Duchess flinched in surprise.
“How...”
Shock.
“Are you...”
Doubt.
“Alive?”
“Thanks to you?”
“Ah, really... really, I’m so relieved.”
Relief.
In mere seconds, her emotions shifted rapidly. Without delay, she rose and approached Aster.
“May I hold your hand?”
“We’re not exactly the same age...”
“......Don’t spout nonsense.”
The Grand Duchess shot him a cold glare before checking his pulse. After examining his circuits, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Truly... you’re healed. How in the world...”
She trailed off, unable to believe Aster’s full recovery. That’s when the Wyvern stepped forward.
[Made me check. Confirm.]
*Shrieeek—!*
Its tail slashed through the air, brimming with emotion. But the Grand Duchess was no pushover.
*Grab.*
“I see it’s not a dream.”
[Gyaaaaaah—!]
Blocked in one strike, the Wyvern roared in fury, but she ignored it like it was nothing new.
Then, a deep breath.
“Phew, yes, definitely not a dream.”
She murmured and offered Aster a seat.
“Sit, for now.”
Aster sat without a word.
Soon, she personally brewed tea and placed it before him. As he wet his lips with it, her voice rang in his ear.
“First... thank you. No flowery words could express my gratitude.”
It was heartfelt.
How many soldiers had Aster saved?
She herself was one who owed him her life.
“The burden of my duty, this position... nothing has ever felt as regrettable as today. I’d kneel if I could, but understand why I can’t.”
“No need to...”
Aster let out a chuckle.
It was a step he’d taken to obtain Yeokcheon’s fragment anyway. He’d hoped the soldiers he saved wouldn’t die, but that was secondary. Ultimately, it was his choice.
So, no need for thanks...
“......But, uh, how grateful are we talking? Like, on a scale?”
“Yes. ...Your eyes are full of greed. But you’ve earned it. Name your price.”
“Reward...”
“I’ll grant you a duchy title and land. It won’t be hereditary or recognized by the Empire, but I promise treatment befitting it.”
Scales tipped in Aster’s mind. The value of a duchy title and land.
It was advanced math for Aster’s efficiency-challenged brain, so he quickly gave up calculating.
“W-Well, it was a good deed, but if you’re offering? I’ll gladly accept.”
“Yes, we’ll hold the ceremony after the war ends.”
Binding a grand archmage with title and land was no loss for the duchy. But for the Grand Duchess, gratitude outweighed any calculation.
No obligations tied to the title and land.
What did that mean?
All revenue from the territory went straight to Aster.
Anyway.
“But...”
The Grand Duchess looked at Aster cautiously.
“May I ask why you’ve come? You seem to have business.”
“Oh, that.”
“If you’re leaving, stay until tonight, please. I’d like to at least give you a proper send-off.”
She was genuinely regretful.
Not about Aster leaving the war. More that she couldn’t give him a farewell worthy of him.
“No, not leaving. Just have some questions.”
“Questions?”
Aster nodded at her query and spoke.
“Otto. He’s alive, right?”
“......”
The Grand Duchess fell silent.
But only briefly.
“I’d like to know why you’re asking.”
“We need to end it.”
Aster said casually, but her eyelids twitched. Her worst fear confirmed.
Thus, as she struggled to speak, Aster sipped his tea and continued calmly.
“What I’m asking isn’t much. Is Otto alive or dead? And where is he now? No need for exact location. Just if he’s on the battlefield or back at his family.”
Leader Gait would be with Patriarch Otto anyway. And with Lil’ Wyvern’s senses, finding Gait on the battlefield wouldn’t be hard.
Find Gait, and...
‘...both of them.’
End it.
Did she read his intent?
The Grand Duchess closed her eyes briefly, then opened them and wet her lips with tea. She spoke only after some time.
“I tell you it’s dangerous, and you won’t listen, will you?”
“Leaving him alive is more dangerous.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
With that, she fell silent. Aster just sipped his tea, saying nothing.
A brief silence.
She broke it.
“I’ll help.”
“Help?”
“Yes. There’s a magic circle designed for grand archmages. With artifacts—and your black Wyvern’s aid—the duchy can procure them here without much delay. But drawing the circle needs Azure Eye mages. It’ll take about... a week.”
Originally, she’d planned to use it against Otto. His power exceeded expectations, so she hadn’t. But with prep time, it was viable.
Mid-thought, she shook her head.
“No, leave Otto to us.”
“......You sure?”
It might sound dismissive, but she wasn’t offended.
He was a mage worthy of it, and she knew it came from concern, not arrogance.
Still, she politely declined the worry.
“The odds are good. Spy reports say Otto’s condition is off. They’re hush-hush, but Leader Gait tends him day and night.”
Intel from a Doppelganger mercenary infiltrator. Using transformation and master stealth, he’d brought back intel from Urbo.
“Could be a feint?”
“Doubt it. If I were Otto, I wouldn’t feint—I’d rampage on the battlefield.”
She sipped tea and met Aster’s eyes.
“No need for the black Wyvern’s help either. We’ve received plenty already. This is our war now.”
“Killing Otto’s more personal for me.”
“Then all the more reason to leave it to us. We’ll capture Otto for sure. And... Leader Gait too.”
“......Hm.”
Aster pondered. Was handing Otto to her wise? Could she even take him?
Honestly, not an easy call.
So.
“I need a bit to think about it.”
“Take your time.”
She nodded readily. No, she seemed to welcome it.
“You’ve just woken. Rest well for a while. Your answer can wait.”
“Won’t rest that long, but thanks anyway.”
Aster accepted her kindness. His body felt pristine, but better safe.
He needed to observe his internals for a bit.
And beyond that...
‘...Enlightenment.’
He needed to solidify the insights from the fight with Otto.
That experience of shattering time into finer and finer fragments had brought him enlightenment.
“Then rest well.”
Aster bowed slightly and left the tent.
...In the end, Aster had no choice but to leave Otto to the Grand Duchess.
Why?
Simple reason.
About a week after he woke, visitors came to the Grand Duchess’s camp looking for Aster.
Familiar faces.
“Astaroth, Lerazie?”
At Aster’s call, they bowed deeply in greeting. Then, with grave expressions, they pleaded.
“Tower Lord, please... the Lord...”
“Save our Lord.”