Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Midas's Atonement
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‘How far into the story should I go?’
In response to Midas's blunt question, Ian pondered his answer for a moment before opening his mouth without hesitation.
“...I have mastered a branch of the martial arts left behind by Hegemon Lucas Alexei.”
It was a fact that Paon Lichtenauer, the patriarch, already knew well.
There was no point in hiding it since it would come to light soon enough. Better to lay it all out honestly—it painted a far better picture.
“Hah...!!”
Midas let out an involuntary gasp at Ian's response.
He had summoned Ian out of curiosity upon hearing that it was not Sophia, but Ian, who had resolved the incident in the birch forest.
From the very first time he had met Ian, driven by that curiosity, he had sensed it—this child's talent was anything but ordinary.
Unlike his still immature, unfinished body,
he possessed the gaze of a warrior who had walked the path of the asura, tempered and reforged until it was as hard as steel.
Drawn by that strange harmony, had he not even bestowed his most cherished Silver Moon Armor?
‘For some reason, Lucas came to mind. Who would have thought there was such a connection.’
And now, that child had mastered the martial arts of Hegemon Lucas Alexei.
True to his nature as the master of the Magic Tower, Midas was not one to believe in vague notions like fate or divine guidance.
But in this moment... he couldn't help but think that human connections might truly exist.
“Judging from your skill against the earth dragon, it didn't seem like mere scraps of a failed art. If I may ask... how did you come to learn that branch you mentioned?”
Ian gave the same answer he had given Paon to Midas's question, which somehow carried a note of desperation.
“I'm sure you know well of my clumsy and inadequate past. One day, feeling frustrated, I went for a walk in the territory's village...”
Hearing Ian's truthful(?) account, Midas finally understood everything.
The world—nay, all of Agena—tabooed the practice of the Alexander Empire's martial arts.
And what of Ian's position?
He had been a direct descendant of the martial clan, subjected to endless scrutiny until he became a half-wit scorned and ignored by all.
To survive in that environment, he had no choice but to hide himself thoroughly, again and again.
Even if it meant being treated as less than human.
‘At such a young age, possessing the profound wisdom to humble himself so completely... Truly unparalleled. It doesn't feel like mere coincidence that I've met this child now.’
Having organized his thoughts from Ian's response, Midas slowly spoke.
“First, let's talk about the Silver Moon Armor. I suspect it didn't take you long to realize. That I lied about how to use it.”
Ian nodded silently, and Midas gave a sly smile.
“Heh heh heh! My apologies. But even if you hadn't uncovered its truth, the armor is still far superior to most artifacts. It functions perfectly well as armor, so don't be too upset.”
“I'm not particularly angry. I already knew the Silver Moon Armor was an extraordinary item. I'm just curious why you, Lord Midas, told such a lie.”
Magicians who had reached Midas's level never spoke carelessly.
Especially not lies.
Accumulating such falsehoods could even diminish the stature they had achieved.
“To test your worthiness.”
“Worthiness...?”
Midas replied in a calm voice.
“Latent Dragon Squad Leader, Second Young Lord Ian. To see if you... truly possess the qualifications to succeed Hegemon Lucas Alexei. That is what I sought to confirm.”
“......!!”
Ian's eyes widened in shock.
‘...When did I ever ask Midas to find my successor?’
Ian reflexively searched his memories.
It was absurd—one of the people who had played the biggest role in slaying Lucas in his previous life was now suddenly seeking Lucas's heir.
What nonsense was this?
“Of course you'd find it puzzling. Me, from the distant South Continent, no less—a man said to have personally felled the Hegemon—searching for one worthy to follow in his footsteps.”
Ian merely stared at Midas in bewilderment, but Midas interpreted it differently and continued.
“I simply... wish to atone. For being deceived by cunning words, ignoring my inferiority complex... for letting the world's greatest hero depart so vainly.”
* * *
Hegemon, Lucas Alexei.
The tempestuous figure who appeared in Agena like a comet.
In Agena's long history, no one had opinions so sharply divided.
Some called him a blood-mad butcher.
Others, a pioneer and savior who would right a corrupt world.
Some dismissed him as a mere madman.
And others hailed him as a once-in-a-millennium hero.
Yet there was one point no one disputed.
That Lucas Alexei had transformed the barbaric North Continent of Krohoka—a land of savagery—into one brimming with boundless potential and hope.
“Lucas absorbed knowledge from the Khan Empire of the East Continent, a traditional powerhouse; the Holy Kingdom of the West Continent; and even the Aslan Kingdom of our South Continent. He took in the ideologies, philosophies, and cultures of every nation in Agena without discrimination.”
This was a profoundly dangerous act. Culture and ideology are the driving forces of a nation. Absorbing them wholesale was like jamming wheels of mismatched sizes onto a single carriage.
“The rulers of the other continents mocked his endeavors. ‘Ignorant barbarians who herd sheep and horses on the steppes, daring to play at civilization,’ they sneered. Still, most nations accepted payment from the Alexander Empire and passed along their techniques in moderation.”
Lucas knew the reason better than anyone.
The illiterate tribesmen of the Krohoka steppes—tougher warriors than any continent—were Agena's mightiest war machines.
“They had no desire to turn the unified might of those tribes against them, but there were other motives as well. The North Continent holds vast unclaimed lands. Treasures of resources accumulated over endless ages... The rulers believed that engaging with the North would birth new paths to prosperity and power. Handing over obsolete techniques for such riches was a tremendous bargain.”
That wasn't all.
The continent's rulers were no fools.
The more foreign cultures and ideologies mingled with their own technologies,
the more dissenting voices would arise within the nation, leading to division, conflict, and misunderstanding.
A newly unified empire would inevitably fracture once more.
“Thus, they planned to amicably devour the organized North Continent once the Alexander Empire crumbled.”
A complex emotion flickered in Midas's eyes.
“But things didn't unfold as the three continents' rulers anticipated.”
Lucas Alexei.
The second son of a tribal chief who had claimed to be the protector of the steppes—his potential far exceeded the rulers' wildest expectations.
Lucas devoured the cultures and knowledge of every continent indiscriminately, devoting himself to educating the tribesmen.
He sublimated the resulting conflicts, deconstructing and recombining their martial arts, philosophies, and insights.
In time, this blossomed into a brilliant new culture unique to the Krohoka of the North Continent.
“Even now, I can't fathom how he did it. I never imagined Lucas possessed such administrative genius.”
‘...Well, it was Stion who did all the heavy lifting, not me.’
There was no need to mention that, so Ian quietly listened to Midas.
“Anyway, after a decade or so... in certain fields, they achieved dazzling advancements that surpassed even the other continents' secret arts. And the most prominent among them was.”p>
Swoosh!
“The true martial art of Lucas Alexei himself—the Blood Demon Iron Chain Art that you have mastered.”
Midas pointed at Ian as he spoke.
“The rulers of the three continents grew increasingly anxious. The North Continent already boasted overwhelmingly superior combat prowess. If they surpassed other nations' cultures and technologies as well... If their leader was exceptional enough to unify the North for the first time... And if all this happened in less than half a generation... What would you do as a ruler?”
“...Eliminate him. Before he grows too powerful to handle.”
“Exactly.”
Midas affirmed Ian's words with a rueful expression.
“Siegfried Dupel, descendant of the prestigious Khan Empire house and hailed as a hero. He stoked the embers in the rulers' hearts—and not just theirs, but the people of the Alexander Empire in Krohoka too.”
The timing Siegfried chose was perfect.
As the three continents' rulers grew wary of the rapidly advancing Alexander Empire,
the lingering resentment of tribes crushed by Lucas's hand had yet to fully fade,
and the empire's core figures, including Lucas, were filling their vigilance toward outsiders with pride in their own nation.
‘...So that's how it was.’
Now,
finally,
it all began to make sense.
Why the allied forces of the three continents had breached the empire's defenses so easily.
Why Stion Ballanty, the prime minister, had lamented, ‘If only we had a little more time...’
“I regret it.”
Midas confessed to Ian as if in absolution.
“That I toyed with the three continents' rulers through cunning words, squandering the chance for that radiant nation—and all of Agena—to strive toward greater prosperity. For letting slip away the hero who could have brought prosperity to the North and all of Agena. I... wish to pay for that unforgivable sin.”
Swoooosh!
“What a vast world it is, no? Even focusing solely on the kingdoms of the South Continent—one of just four—it stretches beyond the horizon.”
Gazing at the endless horizon from the base of the Magic Tower, Midas said,
“One who can advance the world's currents, like Lucas Alexei—who changed the world alongside those he led. When I first met you, I sensed that potential in you. That's why I gave you the Silver Moon Armor, and why I wanted to test if you possessed such ability.”
“......”
Midas slowly extended his hand toward Ian.
“You may have guessed it already, but... Paon, that friend of mine, suffered a grave wound in his battle with the earth dragon. A wound he can never recover from.”
Having lived as the absolute being Lucas, Ian knew exactly what Midas meant.
‘As expected... his vessel is starting to crumble.’
No matter how strong Paon was, an earth dragon was a monster beyond specifications.
There was no way he had felled such a beast without paying a price.
“As time passes, he'll begin to regress further. Paon resisted, but... if I'm right, he'll soon select an heir for the Lichtenauer Martial Clan.”
“......!!”
Killing intent flashed in Ian's eyes.
Paon Lichtenauer was practically the guardian deity of the South Continent.
His presence alone deterred ambitions from other continents.
If it became known he was waning... the others would bare their fangs in earnest.
Especially.
‘...Siegfried!!’
The arch-villain who had devoured his empire whole.
A monster whose thirst was never quenched, no matter how much he seized.
Just as he had against his own empire, that man... would never let this opportunity slip.
“...I understand why you tested me with the Silver Moon Armor. But that's precisely why I must ask.”
Swoosh!
Ian met Midas's gaze head-on.
“You didn't summon me here just to spin old tales. What do you want from me?”
“Heh heh! I like your directness—refreshing. And that tone doesn't bother me either.”
Midas burst into hearty laughter at Ian's words, which could be seen as rude.
“Didn't I say it? I want to atone. And I wanted to confirm if you have what it takes.”
And then, casually,
“Seize the position of heir to the martial clan, and grasp the hand of the Magic Tower.”
He spoke words far from casual.
“I will become your patron.”