Chapter 453: Intentions
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 453: Intentions
"Ellag’s teacher?"
Neither the Tower of Origins nor the Illusion School could shake Muen’s composure now, but upon hearing this old man’s other identity, Muen’s pupils constricted. His muscles coiled with tension, and his hand instinctively clamped onto the hilt of his blade.
Ellag had died by his hand, his body reduced to nothing. For a figure of such stature—his teacher—to suddenly seek him out, could it be...
"Don't be nervous. I haven't come for vengeance."
Huogu let out a long sigh. An invisible ripple, like a gentle breeze, brushed past. Muen felt a cooling sensation wash over his mind; the vigilance and killing intent he had just gathered were dissolved into nothingness by this unseen force.
Even the "desire" to draw his sword was extinguished.
"This is..."
Muen’s eyes widened. It was like stepping from a frozen wasteland into the warmth of early spring; his external senses and internal mood had both inexplicably improved. The once-confrontational atmosphere had suddenly transformed into a harmonious reunion between old friends.
Psychological suggestion at the level of mental interference—this far surpassed anything Ellag had been capable of.
Black flames flickered in Muen’s eyes, and a flash of clarity returned to his gaze.
However, he did not rush to strike this time. He realized the old man truly harbored no killing intent. In fact, amidst that aged face, tangled beard, and messy hair, all he saw was exhaustion and a deeply buried sorrow.
If a leader of a school, a genuine Truth-Tier Grand Magister, truly wanted him dead, Muen would likely have passed away unknowingly in the middle of some sweet dream.
"Just a small trick. Even what happened just now was merely a minor joke. If I have offended you, I offer my apologies."
Huogu held his hat against his chest and actually bowed his head in apology to Muen, a junior. This left Muen feeling quite surprised and awkward.
After the apology, the old man spoke with a touch of lamentation:
"To be able to perceive a hint of abnormality within my illusion... it seems Ellag’s defeat was well-deserved. I truly have nothing to complain about."
"It was just luck," Muen replied, pausing before letting out a sigh of relief. "In truth, I didn't find a flaw in the illusion. I simply trust my Senior Sister unconditionally, and I know that this is the Holy City—a place where a powerful expert wouldn't be allowed to cause trouble in the streets."
The fact that Muen could see the shadows behind the illusion wasn't because the world’s greatest illusionist was incompetent. In reality, even with the help of the Black Flame and his own powerful spiritual force, Muen had been unable to capture a single flaw in the magic despite sensing something was wrong.
It was the equivalent of knowing one was in a dream but being unable to wake up no matter what. This alone was enough to prove the old man’s terrifying power.
Furthermore, as he had said, it was just a trivial "joke." The old man had clearly just been testing him casually. Truly terrifying illusions were always incredibly sweet and beautiful—the kind that made one lose themselves voluntarily.
If everything Muen had experienced was an illusion, he should have died last night in that bed full of soft, fragrant warmth.
"Unconditional trust? Such feelings are admirable. Though, I heard you have another identity as the Princess’s fiancé or something..."
"Ahem..."
Muen quickly coughed to interrupt the old man’s "spell" and changed the subject. "Let’s not talk about that for now. Lord Huogu, I assume you didn't seek me out just to play a joke. And this gentleman..."
Muen’s gaze fell upon the other old man.
He also appeared quite elderly but was full of vigor. His voluminous mage robes were embroidered with patterns of ferocious magical beasts. When Muen stared at the patterns, the hideous beasts seemed to come to life, glaring back at him.
"Summoning School, Dodge Sloer."
In stark contrast to the ferocious beasts on his robes, the old man appeared exceptionally genial. He greeted Muen with a beaming smile.
"A name of no consequence, not worth mentioning. Yours, however, is a name I heard much about when I visited Belland."
"Not worth mentioning..."
Muen’s lip twitched.
If Dodge Sloer, a titan of the Summoning School, considered his name of "no consequence," then what did that make Muen, the son of a Duke? Was he on the same level as a beggar on the street?
However, knowing the identities of these two men sent a tremor through Muen’s heart.
It wasn't that he had a weak mind, but anyone would tremble if they were suddenly blocked in the street by two Truth-Tier Grand Magisters.
"Rest easy, rest easy. As we said, we aren't here to cause trouble."
Dodge comforted Muen with a chuckle. He then glanced sideways at the sorrowful and somewhat hesitant Huogu. Looking at this rival and friend he had bickered with for most of his life, Dodge sighed inwardly. He suddenly slapped Huogu on the shoulder and spoke to Muen:
"This old guy is being too timid. I’ll say it for him—Muen Campbell, he’s here to apologize to you."
"Apologize?"
Muen was stunned, blinking in confusion.
What was going on?
In that brief moment, Muen had considered many possibilities, but he never imagined that this high-status Truth-Tier Grand Magister had come in person just to apologize to him.
"...Yes. I have come to apologize to you, Muen Campbell."
Huogu’s parched lips trembled before he finally let out a desolate, bitter smile. He took off his hat once more and bowed to Muen.
This time, he bowed very deeply.
"The Church shared the details of what happened in Cantville with me. Regarding Ellag’s actions... as his teacher, I offer you my sincerest apologies."
"Ah, I see... Please, stand up."
Muen quickly moved to support the old man. Though his magical realm was profound, the man was so old that every part of him seemed visibly decayed. Muen sighed and said, "It was all the Evil God’s fault. It had nothing to do with you. Why go to such lengths?"
"He was my disciple, my most prized disciple. I taught him how to manipulate the hearts of others, but I forgot to teach him how to control his own. To the point where he was corrupted by an Evil God... that is my responsibility. I do not dare to deflect it."
With a trembling hand, Huogu pulled a small gift box from his robes and pressed it into Muen’s hand.
"This is a small token of compensation."
"No..." Muen shook his head. "Your apology alone leaves me overwhelmed. After all, I’m still standing here perfectly fine. I can't accept this..."
"Take it, Muen Campbell," Dodge interrupted, looking at Muen with a serious expression. "You should accept it."
"..." Muen opened his mouth, unsure of how to respond.
"Yes, please take it."
Huogu’s aged face twitched, making his scattered liver spots appear even more distinct. He sighed heavily again, the pain in his eyes clear to see.
"It is precisely because you are standing here 'perfectly fine' that I can express my apologies. But those innocent girls who were killed by Ellag... how am I supposed to apologize to them?"
"Innocent girls..."
The image of the pale, agonized face of the woman’s head Ellag had stuffed into his own chest flashed through Muen’s mind.
Indeed. The living could be compensated, but what about the dead?
Their souls had been devoured by the Evil God. Who could save them from their suffering?
Unwilling to dwell on the memory, Muen forced the image away and took the gift box.
"Then... I will accept it. What’s inside?"
"A Star Stone. It is said to be a fragment formed from a fallen star. It has the property of storing vast amounts of pure energy, making it very useful for mages."
Huogu finally managed a sliver of a smile as he explained, "But the most important thing is... it’s very beautiful."
Muen opened the box. Sure enough, lying in the center was a brilliant gem that looked like a captured star. The exquisite starlight that burst forth for a moment left even Muen dazed.
"It really is beautiful."
"Right?" Dodge grinned proudly from the side. "When I introduced this thing to old Huogu, I told him it was perfect for a playboy like you!"
Muen: "..."
Why did that make him sound like the ultimate scumbag who used pretty gems to seduce girls everywhere?
"In that case, we shall take our leave. We won't delay you any further."
After a few more pleasantries, Huogu gave a meaningful glance toward Anna, who was standing not far away, and nodded in farewell.
"Until we meet again, Muen Campbell."
"Goodbye, Mr. Huogu. Goodbye, Mr. Dodge."
"Bye-bye. However..."
Dodge, who was also saying his goodbyes, suddenly leaned in mysteriously.
"Next time we meet, if there’s time, we must have a proper discussion about the Great Path of Magic!"
"Huh?"
"Haha, stop pretending. I know exactly whose disciple you are."
Dodge grumbled about how young people these days loved the "pig eating the tiger" act while giving Muen a heavy pat on the shoulder.
"As the disciple of That One, your magical attainment must be extraordinary!"
Muen: "..."
*
"Finished talking?"
"Senior Sister, you're so mean."
Muen walked up and playfully grabbed Anna’s soft hand, feigning anger. "You just watched me get bullied?"
"Those two didn't seem to have any ill intent."
Anna squeezed Muen’s hand back and smiled. "Besides, they are two Truth-Tier Grand Magisters. Did you want me to risk my life fighting them?"
"...Fair point." Muen thought about it. "If this ever happens again, don't worry about me. You have to run immediately."
"..."
"Anyway, are you heading to the meeting now?"
"Yes."
"Then I—"
"You’re coming too."
"Eh?" Muen blinked. "Me? I’m not part of the Silence Bureau... that wouldn't be right."
"Well, you are now."
Anna curled her lips into a mischievous smile. She leaned in close to Muen’s ear and whispered, "Mr. Muen Campbell, I am hereby specially appointing you as a Special Consultant for Evil God-related matters for the Silence Bureau. Do you accept?"
"Consultant?" Muen looked bashful. "Abusing your power for personal gain... is that really okay?"
"How is this abusing power? I recall you’ve had quite a few encounters with Evil Gods. Your experience is very extensive; you’re more than qualified for the role."
"Then... what about the pay?" Muen winked. "Hiring me as a consultant isn't cheap, you know."
"Oh my, how greedy."
Anna wrapped her arms around Muen’s neck and stood on her tiptoes. Their noses brushed, and their lips were only a hair’s breadth apart, their familiar breaths already mingling.
She gazed at Muen with a wicked smile. "Then... how about I give myself to you as payment? Is that enough?"
"...Of course. But I’ll need to collect a little bit in advance."
His heart racing from her teasing once again, Muen couldn't hold back any longer. Seeing that no one was around, he leaned down and kissed those soft, sweet lips.