Chapter 420
Chapter 420
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 420
>Chapter Title: However, the Task at Hand
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Early morning.
Having finished his breathing exercise, Aster half-opened his eyes and looked inward.
‘……As expected.’
Just as Muspellun Senior had said, the walls of the six circles were not low.
Until now, he had simply thought it was tough because there was no space left around his heart, but fundamentally, something was different.
Muspellun Senior had put it this way.
- A re-establishment is needed.
- Re-establishment……?
- Yes. As it’s the realm of enlightenment, it’s hard to explain clearly, but look again, and enlighten yourself again. Then the path will naturally open.
And added,
- Since enlightenment comes first, it shouldn’t be a big problem. ……For now.
That was exactly right.
‘For now, enlightenment outpaces the circles.’
This was a highly irregular form.
Normally, the realm of enlightenment and vision grow in proportion.
The realm of vision doesn’t rise without enlightenment, and enlightenment brings the realm of vision along.
But circles were different.
Why?
‘……Because it’s a vision constructed after achieving a certain level of enlightenment.’
Of course, harmony would be achieved the moment the sixth circle was formed, but for now, that was the state.
So, the real start was from the sixth circle……
Thinking that far brought back the conversation with Muspellun Senior a few days ago.
- No matter what his scheme is, you can’t handle it.
It was true.
In terms of personal realm or faction power, Aster couldn’t catch up to Pahren in either.
In such a situation, attending as an observer for the Sanctuary was like clutching a single sword and entering an ogre den.
But why had Muspellun Senior handed him the invitation?
It was because of the Sanctuary’s ‘Hermits.’
‘The Hermits…… the Sanctuary’s recluses.’
No one knew their true identities.
Speculation abounded that they were mages from the previous generation or the one before, or mages raised by the Sanctuary itself.
What was certain was that they possessed mysterious powers.
A prime example……
‘……Tracking magic.’
When a challenger designated an observer, they would find that observer—wherever they were and whatever they were doing—and deliver the invitation. Of course, whether to accept was up to the observer, but that tracking magic was unparalleled.
For instance……
‘……They even found a mage who had been in seclusion for decades, presumed dead, and delivered the invitation?’
That secluded mage was the challenger’s teacher, and in the end, the challenger ascended above ‘Archmage’ under their teacher’s watch.
Not all such tales were heartwarming.
On the contrary……
‘……There were cases where challengers used the Hermits to track down enemies and succeed in revenge.’
It was an act deserving the condemnation of all mages. And indeed, they paid the price.
Prestigious families, along with all mages, attacked the challenger who had used the ‘Sanctuary’ as a tool for revenge, and the challenger—who dominated the era—and their faction vanished into the dustbin of history overnight.
This was the ‘Fall of the Prestigious Dranfel Family.’
With such precedents……
‘……Even Pahren won’t be able to pull off overt tricks.’
But was Pahren your average vicious bastard?
The moment he felt the Decullan Family’s safety was at risk, he exterminated a vassal family that had served loyally for centuries with his own hands.
‘He’s that devoted to his family, so the chance he won’t scheme is high, but……’
It was also true that he might resort to any outrageous measure.
No matter how much of a Decullan he was, he couldn’t withstand antagonizing all mages, but who knew what might happen.
‘He might have some ingenious scheme prepared.’
That was why Muspellun Senior urged him to decline the invitation, but Aster held off on deciding.
Why?
‘It could be a good opportunity.’
Frankly, there were more than one or two suspicious things about Pahren’s current realm.
Challenging the Sanctuary over a decade faster than in his previous life.
‘I thought it would succeed because I know the future, but thinking again, it doesn’t make sense.’
The Heavenly Origin Art was just a vision. Mastering it didn’t mean all Decullan mages would achieve breakthroughs.
If viewed that way, it wasn’t incomprehensible for Pahren to achieve a breakthrough without the Heavenly Origin Art…… but to achieve a breakthrough with no improved conditions over his previous life?
“Bluffing…… unlikely.”
Because the Decullans had nothing to gain from it.
For a mere family, challenging the Sanctuary itself would be a feat, but for a prestigious house like Decullan, it wasn’t enough to count as one.
Therefore.
‘There is definitely an achievement.’
But.
‘Is it really…… the same achievement as in the previous life?’
In his previous life, Pahren had surpassed the previous Archmage’s record by an overwhelming margin and ascended above Archmage.
Then, in this life?
“That’s…… what I need to find out.”
Observing the Sanctuary was a great chance to gauge Pahren’s current level.
He didn’t know what tricks might be prepared, but with the entire continent’s eyes on it, no overt schemes could be pulled.
There was no better opportunity to face Pahren.
Muspellun expressed concern at Aster’s view but respected it.
- It’s a valid point. But…… there’s still some time left, so think on it a bit more.
Aster nodded at Muspellun’s suggestion. He himself wasn’t certain what the right choice was yet.
However, for now, he would simply do what needed doing.
The immediate task was……
‘……The sixth circle.’
That was it.
* * *
In the Decullan Patriarch’s chamber.
Pahren sat on his throne, receiving Holland.
“How did it go?”
“It was handled well.”
“I see. How was it?”
Holland gathered his thoughts at Pahren’s question. Soon after, he gave his answer.
“‘The Concluding Mage’…… his reputation is well-deserved.”
“Of course it is.”
The Concluding Mage, Muspellun.
Some said his name was overly deified. No, it wasn’t ‘some.’ Most mages who had reached a certain realm thought so.
Why wouldn’t they?
He had turned 100,000 soldiers into corpses and ended a war, but now, even the evidence wasn’t clear. No, the evidence was clear, but time had diminished the feat.
And…… they prided themselves.
That given the right situation and conditions, they too could accomplish such a feat.
But.
“He was a mage worthy of ascending above ‘Archmage.’ Had he not chosen seclusion and continued his intense life, he would have become the Archmage of the era.”
“Indeed, it seems so.”
In the past, Holland would have questioned the Patriarch’s high praise of the Grand Duke, but now he could acknowledge it.
But Pahren shook his head as he looked at him.
“No, you still haven’t fully grasped it.”
“……?”
“Look.”
Holland raised his head to gaze at Pahren. At his fingertips danced deep blue flames.
“This is the realm the Tower Lord has achieved. What do you think?”
“……I can handle it.”
When he first saw those flames, Holland had been overwhelmed. He thought no barrier could block them. But now, it was different.
‘Anytime……’
He could handle it.
This was the realm Holland had reached after obtaining the Decullan core vision, the Azure Flame.
Roar―
The flames changed then.
“How about now?”
“……?”
Holland tilted his head. How about now? He narrowed his eyes and took in Pahren’s magic carefully.
Visually, it was no different from before. But something was subtly changed. And if asked to evaluate……
“I feel nothing.”
“Vast?”
“No.”
“As expected. To call something ‘vast,’ you need the vision to take it in. That’s how Muspellun Grand Duke is to you.”
“That means…….”
“Whatever you saw of the Grand Duke, he has achieved even more.”
“Then why…….”
“Why I sent you to the Grand Duke. Is that what you’re asking?”
“……Forgive me, but yes.”
If it was just to invite the Tower Lord as observer, leaving it to the Sanctuary’s Hermits would have sufficed.
Yet Pahren had deliberately gone through Muspellun Grand Duke to invite the Tower Lord.
Why?
The order Pahren had given Holland was this.
- Gauge Muspellun Grand Duke.
But now, it seemed he had sent him knowing he couldn’t gauge from the start.
Pahren’s answer to that was something Holland couldn’t comprehend.
“If you can’t gauge him, that alone lets me gauge the Grand Duke.”
“That means…… you can gauge Muspellun Grand Duke’s realm, Patriarch? Just through me?”
“Yes.”
Pahren nodded, gazing at Holland. Then he stared into his eyes.
“You don’t fear the Grand Duke.”
“That’s…….”
Holland started to reply, then realized what the Patriarch meant.
It was true.
Muspellun Grand Duke’s realm was wondrous, but not to the point of inspiring fear.
That was Holland’s nature from the start.
‘But…….’
What about his own eyes looking at the Patriarch? He hadn’t realized it until now, but what Holland felt was terror.
That alone was enough.
“Among the specters of the old war, only two qualify as monsters. And neither wears the mask of decline. The first is ‘The Concluding Mage’ Muspellun…… and the second is Schwartz, who serves as Academy Principal. When I saw Schwartz over the Bimarga Family matter, he was still vast then. But…….”
Pahren tapped the throne’s armrest. A faint smile played on his lips.
“Now, Schwartz is no concern.”
“……!”
Holland was shocked. He hadn’t known the mage serving as Academy Principal was that formidable, and it hit him that the Patriarch could truly ascend above ‘Archmage.’
“My congratulations.”
“Hmm…….”
Pahren trailed off as he looked at Holland, who had slammed his head to the floor. It was too early for congratulations.
In truth, the specters of the old war weren’t what Pahren had in mind.
There was no need to fear those fading with time’s flow.
But what he did have in mind was……
‘……The Tower Lord.’
That enigmatic mage.
“I hope…… he doesn’t decline the invitation.”
“……Pardon?”
“Never mind.”
Pahren said that and slowly closed his eyes.
……No one can resist the tide of the era.
Pahren was certain.
If he was the new tide pushing out the old war’s specters……
Magic Tower Lord
Only he was the new tide that could push him out.
After a moment’s thought, Pahren opened his eyes again. He looked at Holland and issued a command.
“It seems I need to help with the choice.”
“That means…….”
“If he’s hesitating, I must make him stop hesitating.”
That evening.
Mages under Pahren’s orders departed the Decullan Family.
Their destinations were……
……The Blandoga Family.
……Arafurgin.
Their targets were Henji of the Blandoga Family and Parun of the Babel School, and their pretext was none other than.
‘The Heavenly Origin Art.’
To demand recompense……
“Will the Tower Lord accept the invitation just because of this?”
“Let’s watch and see.”
With that, Pahren closed his eyes.