Chapter 138
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 138
“I owe you a debt I can never truly repay. Thank you.”
Upon opening his eyes and hearing the full account of the situation from Lida, Osel’s first act was to bow his head to Turan.
His tone was one of profound respect, treating Turan as an equal—a stark contrast to his previous condescension, when he had looked down on him as a mere wandering noble.
In response, Turan did not boast of his achievement but accepted the gratitude with a graceful, faint smile.
“As I mentioned to Lady Lida earlier, I would appreciate it if you did not publicly disclose that I can use recovery magic.”
“If that is your wish, I shall honor it. But how on earth did you…”
Osel started to ask how he had gained the ability to use recovery magic, but his voice trailed off. He realized that if Turan had intended to reveal the secret, he would have done so already.
Normally, Osel would have demanded an answer regardless of the other party’s feelings, driven by his own curiosity. However, having just had his life saved, he could not bring himself to act with such arrogance.
In truth, he had an inkling. There had to be a reason why Turan had insisted on personally disposing of Moroz’s mana when he first accepted the commission.
“Setting that aside, the original reward I offered has become useless. Even if you aren't quite at my level, you’ve become a powerful healer yourself—one who would be hard-pressed to find a rival.”
“It would seem so.”
This was precisely why Turan had revealed his ability to the two of them. Not only did he need to accelerate the healing process, but he also had to make it clear that the provision of healing magic—originally promised in exchange for the return of the relic—was no longer a meaningful benefit.
Therefore, a different reward had to be offered to satisfy the terms.
“How about this?”
Osel held up the very relic that had saved his life: the necklace that granted its wearer eternal youth, Simple Wish.
Turan showed a polite measure of surprise at the unexpected offer.
“Even if it is not for myself, there is someone I would like to give it to… but are you sure? You must have prepared this as a reward for finding the White Elf Spirit-Caller.”
In truth, Simple Wish was not a top-tier relic of mythic proportions like Turan’s Mimic Relic. If one were to rank it among artifacts, it would perhaps fall somewhere in the middle.
However, considering its function was to guarantee eternal youth, it was difficult to judge it by rank alone.
Even the most powerful mages could not escape the ravages of time—the bent back, the failing eyesight, the weakening body. In fact, because those with great power lived longer, they often spent a vast amount of time trapped in aging husks.
With this necklace, one could avoid such indignities and maintain their youth until the moment of death. If an old noble who had lived for centuries could return to their prime by obtaining this item, they would likely trade even a top-tier relic for it without hesitation.
“It would be improper to weigh our circumstances when giving a reward. Besides… this item isn't particularly suited for combat.”
At Osel’s meaningful words, Turan realized why he had offered it. If Osel were to hand over a powerful combat treasure, it would inevitably damage the family’s military strength. Thus, he had offered something of immense value that would not weaken their battlefield capabilities.
“Is it war, then?”
“Naturally.”
Lavitas had treated the Head of the Baraha family as a guest, but they were repaid with a cowardly ambush. While Osel was in critical condition, they had no choice but to endure, but now that he was fully recovered, it was time to raise the banner of vengeance.
This wasn't merely a matter of emotion. If they did not strike back after such a one-sided assault, how would the world judge Lavitas? They would be seen as a weak family of healers who could be struck without consequence. If that perception spread, the name of Lavitas would fall into ruin.
“Of course, I must wait for those who exhausted themselves healing me to rest, and we must prepare for war properly. It will likely take a few months.”
Osel’s face was etched with deep fatigue as he muttered. It was an expression of agony unbefitting his youthful appearance—the look of a leader carrying the weight of a massive organization.
Watching him quietly, Turan asked a question he had prepared in advance.
“Would it be possible to know the details of the private conversation you had with the Head of Baraha?”
“Hmm? It wasn't anything so grand that it needs to be kept secret. He interrogated me about whether his successor had stayed here, and I simply replied that I didn't know much. But then, the topic took a strange, metaphysical turn.”
According to Osel, the Head of Baraha had engaged him in a very abstract discussion. He spoke of how there is more to the world than what meets the eye and asked if Osel understood the value of the soul.
Osel, having some knowledge of the soul through Lavitas’s past research into eternal life, was able to hold a conversation, but it didn't last long.
“He suddenly said, ‘It seems this isn't the way,’ and then launched a surprise attack. After that… well, I fought with everything I had and managed to drive him away, but I ended up in this state.”
Osel lifted his garment, revealing a hideous burn mark on his smooth, boyish abdomen. It was the lingering trace of the curse the Head of Baraha had used.
“Our mana capacities were roughly equal, but he used several strange spells that defied logic. If I hadn't used every relic passed down in my family and received help from others, I never would have won one-on-one.”
Osel’s face darkened as he recalled the power of the Baraha Head. A flicker of doubt appeared, as if he wondered if they could truly win even if they went to war now.
Listening to the story, Turan could vaguely guess why the Head of Baraha had attacked. The questions were clearly intended to determine if the Head of Lavitas, who had hidden Solif, had any expertise in soul magic, or if he was one of the fallen gods like himself.
Once he decided that wasn't the case, he had looked down on Osel and struck, but the resistance had been unexpectedly fierce, preventing him from completely overwhelming the Lavitas leader.
“Fortunately, while I was unconscious, things weren't exactly peaceful on the Baraha side either. I heard their successor reappeared, tore through the family, and vanished, so their strength must have been diminished.”
While Lavitas had lost a couple of high-ranking nobles during the ambush, it was a minor blow compared to Baraha, whose main house had practically been turned upside down.
After laying out the situation, Osel got to the point.
“I’m asking just in case, but would you consider joining the war against Baraha? If you bring your friends along, I will compensate you handsomely. At this point, the participation of powerful nobles like yourselves is more desperate than a couple of combat relics.”
Hearing that the distribution of spoils would also be generous, Turan quietly gauged the timing. As Osel finished speaking, Turan brought up the main point he had organized in his mind.
“There is something I must tell you both.”
*
Turan gave Osel and Lida a brief summary of what he knew—the twisted immortality of the fallen gods and the current power structure of the world.
During the explanation, he subtly probed them and found that Osel and Lida seemed to know almost nothing about these matters. It seemed the fallen gods had left them alone, leaving them in their "unclaimed" state without extending their reach.
“How could such an absurd…”
“I cannot believe it. Are you saying the Earth Mother is still alive?”
“I am not sure about that part, but I suspect she is not.”
Turan believed that if the Earth Mother, the primary deity worshipped by Lavitas, still existed, she would have long ago found a way to infiltrate the Lavitas family. Of course, he couldn't be certain since he didn't know the internal social structure of the gods.
Turan spoke to the two, who looked profoundly shocked.
“In any case, for those reasons, I do not recommend attacking Baraha immediately. At the very least, Zahar, who is closely linked to them, will view it as a challenge to themselves, and I am currently in a position where it is awkward to touch Zahar.”
“Did you say you signed a non-aggression pact?”
“Yes. Though neither side truly trusts the other.”
It went without saying, especially since the hostage offered as collateral had not even arrived yet.
While he was at it, Turan also informed them of his own circumstances—that unlike his previous wandering, he had established a base in Kalamaf and was currently unifying the entire Gray Zone.
“Then, Turan, you are essentially becoming the head of a new Great Family. My congratulations.”
“Please, continue to treat me as you did before. It’s more comfortable that way.”
At Turan’s words, Lida smiled warmly and nodded.
Osel, looking down at a map, stroked his beardless chin and muttered, “So we are the only Great Family not under the protection—or rather, the control—of the gods. If you establish another Great Family, there will be only two of us.”
“In that sense, I am formally proposing an alliance with Lavitas. Would that be acceptable?”
“There is no need to even ask. It is something we would welcome.”
Of course, in terms of scale, Turan’s forces stationed in Kalamaf were meager compared to Lavitas. His main force of mages was merely the Berk family, who had been vassals of Arabion.
However, considering the presence of three formidable mages—Turan, Meisa, and Solif—their actual combat power could be seen as surpassing that of Lavitas. One powerful mage was invariably superior to ten lower-ranked mages in terms of mobility and concentration of force.
“We can sign the contract later. For now, we should discuss our grand strategy. I am concerned about how we should coordinate our efforts moving forward.”
Between the Siraf Wetlands ruled by Lavitas and the Gray Zone where Turan was located lay the forest zone and the Enril Desert. While the Western Forest Zone had no ruling Great Family and was easy enough to use as a trade route, the connection could be severed at any moment if Zahar in the Enril Desert decided to do so.
“I will handle the coordination with Zahar. However, do not think of them as allies.”
“Understood.”
“And there is one more thing I wish to teach you. You may spread this widely to others as well.”
What Turan passed on to them was none other than the basics of soul magic.
Considering how much he, Meisa, and Solif had struggled to master it, it would likely be difficult for the Lavitas mages to learn as well. However, given their nature as healers, they might find it easier to reach the threshold of death and return, meaning someone among them might awaken the ability.
“The mysterious power the Head of Baraha used is this—the manipulation of the soul. I do not know how the powers of a Healer or a Purifier should be applied to it… but I hope you see results.”
Turan kindly explained the trial and error he had experienced while learning soul magic.
On the surface, it seemed like Turan was giving unilaterally, but this was a necessary step to keep the other gods in check and strengthen his allies. Above all, if the nobles of Lavitas studied soul magic in depth, one of them might gain an insight that Turan’s group had missed. If that knowledge was shared, the return would be far greater than what he had given.
“Naturally, I am not the one who taught you this.”
“Of course.”
If it became known that Turan was openly spreading soul magic to other factions, even Zahar, who was currently under a non-aggression pact, might turn hostile. If they were to find out, it had to be after the various nobles of the Gray Zone and the Siraf Wetlands had already mastered soul magic to an irreversible degree.
Once the discussion was settled, they stepped out of the operating room.
The high-ranking nobles of Lavitas, who had been waiting for a long time, were stunned to see Osel looking perfectly healthy.
“L-Lord Head!”
“Have you recovered?!”
“You must have all been very worried. I have fully recovered, so there is no need for concern. And here, I must also thank Mr. Turan, who helped me greatly.”
The Lavitas nobles did not miss the fact that Osel addressed Turan as "Mr. Turan." A noble whom the Head treated as an equal? He wouldn't treat someone that way simply because they had saved his life.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Turan. I am Ablim Lavitas.”
“I am Coloa Lavitas.”
A parade of introductions followed.
Though it could have been awkward, Turan skillfully memorized their names and exchanged greetings. He fully understood now that this kind of socializing was also necessary to build power as a noble.
“Then, let us hold a banquet to celebrate the Lord Head’s recovery…”
“There will be no banquet.”
Osel’s sharp refusal instantly chilled the atmosphere. The Head of Lavitas commanded his retainers with a dignity that belied his youthful appearance.
“Are we not busy enough preparing for revenge against the lackeys of Baraha who ambushed me and insulted our family?”
“…You are right.”
“Vengeance!”
In contrast to their image as healers, the Lavitas nobles displayed a violent rage. There was likely a degree of intentional agitation to prove their loyalty.
Osel made a low, solemn declaration to them.
“First, prepare for war at any moment. Furthermore, prepare to formally enter into an alliance with Mr. Turan’s forces. Ready the necessary procedures.”
“An alliance… you say?”
“Yes. Though his family does not have a formal name yet, there is a possibility that our own name, Lavitas, might actually seem lesser in comparison. Do not treat him lightly.”
At Osel’s repeated praise, bewilderment colored the faces of the Lavitas nobles as they looked at Turan. Those who had seen him before had merely considered him a wandering noble that Lida kept around, so they couldn't easily process the current situation.
Regardless, since it was true that Turan possessed that level of power, the cooperation between the two families was expected to proceed smoothly.
As he was thinking this, Turan frowned at a faint vibration coming from his chest.
‘Meisa?’
What he felt was the vibration of the hand mirror he shared with her. Because the distance to Kalamaf had increased since crossing the Southern Sea, the mana consumption was high, so they hadn't spoken. Had something happened?
Turan asked Osel for his understanding and moved to a secluded corner to activate the hand mirror.
“Meisa, what’s going on…”
—[It’s an attack! Arabion is invading!]
Across the mirror, Meisa, with bloodstains on her face, shouted sharply.
Turan’s face hardened as he asked, “Numbers?”
—[I don’t know exactly! We’re currently evacuating according to the plan and stalling for time… Ah, the mana consumption is too high! Can you get here quickly?]
“I’m coming right now.”
Turan answered and deactivated the mirror to prevent her from consuming more mana. Then, he strode toward Osel, who was talking with the family’s senior members.
The aura radiating from him was so chilling and aggressive that some of the Lavitas nobles, forgetting Osel’s earlier words, took up defensive stances.
“Osel.”
“Speak, Turan, my friend.”
“As a friend, I need your help.”
Since they had been using scouts and had an evacuation plan in place, the situation likely wouldn't be decided in a day or two. And as it happened, the powerful nobles of Lavitas, who could be of great help in battle, were gathered right here.
If Meisa and Solif could stall for enough time, and if Turan could bring reinforcements in time, they had a good chance of victory.