Chapter 482
What the hell is this crazy magic swordsman saying right now?
A tremor shook Landreau’s pupils. The blonde-haired, green-eyed boy who had claimed to be the Minister of Magic suddenly came to mind.
But a magic swordsman from the Imperial Palace Guard was looking for the minister? In this quiet, secluded area, it was hard to believe it was just a coincidence.
Landreau felt a chill run down his spine and swallowed dryly over and over. It was crucial to figure out exactly what was going on.
‘He could be an imposter the palace is chasing, or he might really be the Minister of Magic. If it’s the former, I can just guide him. But if it’s the latter… I’m dead. There’s no way I’ll survive.’
Beric grew impatient as Landreau hesitated to answer, roughly grabbing him by the collar. From the moment he caught the faint scent of Ian’s blood, the last ten years of his life surged over him like a tidal wave.
Every day he had whispered to himself that he would soon see Ian again. Just a little further, just a little more, and he would finally face him.
“Cough, cough!”
“Where did you get those clothes? If you don’t tell me, should I cut out your tongue?”
“W-well, sir, those were found by one of my men on the mountain where we spotted the magic swordsman. I swear, we didn’t steal them! I’ve never even seen the owner!”
Landreau quickly shifted the blame to his subordinate. If he said it wasn’t him but his men who brought the clothes, he wouldn’t be suspected even if he didn’t know the full story.
“You found them on the mountain?”
“Yes, it’s fine fabric, so they brought it to me. That’s why I led my men up the mountain myself this time—to see if we could find anything else.”
Beric scowled and roughly shoved Landreau’s collar again. Ian’s traces had been found on the mountain? Could it be connected to the mole tribe? Had they harmed Ian?
As Beric clenched his teeth to suppress the rising storm of emotions, Landreau clutched his neck, gasping for breath. Damn crazy magic swordsman!
Beric seemed to be thinking hard for a moment, then gave an order.
“Bring him here.”
“Wha—who?”
“The subordinate who found the clothes. I have questions.”
“…Outside!”
Creak.
“Yes, master?”
Landreau swallowed dryly several times before calling the servant standing outside. Among these idiots, who could at least keep up with the conversation? As Landreau hesitated, Beric cut in.
“You see those clothes your master’s wearing? Bring the one who brought those.”
“Ah, Hoth?”
“Hoth, Nabal, whatever.”
“Y-you mean bring the corpse?”
“What?”
The servant blinked in confusion. Seeing his master sprawled on the floor, it was clear something was seriously wrong, but he had no idea what was going on.
Landreau’s pale face sent silent signals with his eyes.
‘Shut up! Please, just shut your mouth!’
“A corpse?”
“Hoth was told to handle it by the master…”
Well, look at that.
Something was definitely off. Beric glanced between Landreau and the servant, then drew his sword.
If Ian were here, he might have handled this more elegantly, but Beric had neither the skill nor the patience. No matter how, as long as the goal was achieved.
He scratched his nose, then flicked his fingers—meaning lock the door and come closer.
“You two better start talking straight from now on.”
“Oh, magic swordsman, why are you like this? Really.”
“If I don’t understand something or if I have any doubts, neither of you will leave alive. Today’s your last day. Got it?”
“Please spare us, p-please.”
“Alright. Questions start now.”
Beric lifted the edge of Landreau’s jacket with the tip of his sword and asked,
“Did you see who owned these clothes?”
It was noisy.
Ian, who had barely fallen asleep despite his hunger, woke up frowning. The servants worked late into the night, so it was never completely quiet, but tonight was different.
Had it ever been this loud? Worried something was wrong, Ian peeked through a crack in the wood to look outside. The mansion was fully lit, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Sigh.
A sigh escaped him. Starving was such a brutal ordeal.
Without physical stability, his mana recovery was painfully slow. He probably felt no different than when he first woke up.
‘The weekend’s coming soon. I guess I’ll have to go to the market then.’
Helpless, he could only let time pass. When had he last felt this powerless? When the war didn’t go as expected? Or when Cronier had imprisoned him?
No. This felt different. Back then, both his body and mind were dry and broken. Now, it was purely physical weakness. Living with hope made all the difference. Knowing the path ahead was clear lightened his heart.
Ian faintly smiled.
Crash!
The sound of breaking glass startled him. Something was happening. Ian quickly turned his head to check if there was a fire. That would be a disaster.
Thud, thud.
Heavy footsteps followed. Despite the mansion’s noise, no one came outside—only one presence.
Click.
…Someone was picking the lock? Who?
Bang! Crash!
The stranger fiddled with the lock a few times, then, losing patience, kicked it.
The door shook violently. Ian sat up in surprise. Whoever this was, they were strong. The latch seemed torn off in just a few kicks.
Creak.
The door cracked open, and bright moonlight spilled into the storage room. The light illuminated Ian’s blonde hair and green eyes, while silence hung thick around them.
“……”
“……”
They looked at each other.
Red hair, red eyes. A towering warrior’s build. Blood smeared all over, but the sharp eyes and mouth were unmistakably familiar. Ian stared blankly for a long moment before realization dawned.
“…Ah, Beric.”
Beric. It really was Beric.
He’d heard ten years had passed, but seeing Beric so grown up made it real.
Ian studied him with wonder, then slowly stood and approached. Yes, that was right. The timeline where you lived a hundred years ago as Bariel and the one I lived a hundred years later were so different.
“Beric. You’ve changed a lot.”
“You…”
“But I can still recognize you.”
Ian grabbed Beric’s arm and smiled faintly. Just as you’ve changed, everyone else must have too—Jin, Romandro, Shia, and everyone in the Magic Department. They all lived their own time. It’s amazing. Living through time is truly wondrous.
Though Ian from the future already knew their fates, witnessing the changes along the way was astonishing.
Then, a hollow ache welled up deep inside. Unconsciously, he accepted that he couldn’t be with them.
“Will you recognize me?”
“Is that even a question!?”
Beric roughly slapped Ian’s hand away and shouted. It was a small outburst for all the years he’d bottled up inside.
“Who the hell told you to leave on your own? Huh!?”
“I’m sorry. I had no choice.”
“Damn it, then why are you here like this?”
His voice trembled violently.
“…Why, why didn’t you grow?”
Beric gently gripped Ian’s shoulder. This was maddening. Was Ian really that small back then? The Ian in his memories wasn’t this young.
Had he grown too much, or had he misremembered Ian? Either way, this indescribable feeling wouldn’t fade.
“I didn’t even know why I was here, but seeing you now, I think I understand. Maybe this is why we were meant to meet.”
“What are you talking about? What the hell happened to you?”
“It’s only been a few days since I came back from the Abyss. There was some time gap.”
“Are you crazy? That’s what you call an explanation…”
Beric faltered, speechless.
“What about your past ten years? Your ten years?”
“They probably never existed.”
While they had welcomed ten springs, Ian hadn’t even seen one.
Was it right to be relieved? To say it was fortunate that what Ian experienced in the Abyss was such a short time?
When you have too much to say, sometimes you can’t say anything at all. Beric sniffled quietly.
“…Are you really Ian?”
“Maybe I asked too late, Beric.”
“Damn, yeah. You’re Ian, judging by how you talk.”
“And you’re Beric, judging by your speech. Honestly, it feels a little strange.”
“…I don’t find it strange.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
“A relief…”
Beric roughly wiped his reddened eyes and muttered curses. Relief my ass. Doesn’t he realize it means it’s not strange even after ten years? What a damn annoying master.
“This is seriously frustrating. Damn it.”
“Oh, time really has passed. I’ve seen Beric cry like a child too.”
“Hey! That’s not tears, it’s snot, you know?”
“Yeah, yeah. So, how’s everyone doing?”
“How do you think? It’s a total mess!”
Ian furrowed his brows, asking what had happened.
He had expected some changes. For one, Ian Hielo’s disappearance without resolving the chaos he caused at the palace was bound to leave a void. Rutherford must have left a gap too, in a similar way. How the situation between Burgos and Bariel had tangled up was anyone’s guess.
But if Beric called it a mess, it probably wasn’t a situation unfavorable to Bariel.
“The magic department’s completely busted. Everyone’s left the palace, the remaining mages are split between the north and south, and Romandro’s the only one handling the work. Oh, and Romandro’s daughter—she’s ten now? Vivi, I think… Oh, right, I saw your little sister recently too. She’s all grown up.”
“My sister?”
“Roel. She’s just like you.”
“Ah. And Princess Jin?”
“She’s doing fine. Her coming-of-age ceremony is soon.”
“Oh wow.”
For the first time, Ian smiled with genuine interest. That little kid was about to step into adulthood! She had taken a step forward into a place even he hadn’t reached, standing tall and composed.
Ian’s bright smile made Beric squint his eyes and mutter under his breath.
“Ridiculous. You never know what’s going on inside a person.”
“So you had feelings too? Didn’t know that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“So, Beric, how did you end up here?”
“I was trying to get to Tolun. Got lost.”
“Nothing’s changed, huh.”
“Who are you calling out!”
Tolun. Beric wouldn’t have gone there alone, so it was safe to assume he was on a mission from the palace. Rutherford must have awakened somewhere in Gaia too. Probably because of all this.
Beric stared at Ian, who was deep in thought, then tilted his head back and grumbled.
“Yeah, so what if time stopped? Think of it as living ten years longer than everyone else. It’s a win. Good thing I’m back. Hey! But seriously, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m out of magic. Used it all up in the Abyss.”
“Geez, you really do everything.”
Growl.
Beric’s eyes went wide as he looked at Ian. What was that noise? It didn’t come from me.
“…”
Ian said calmly and seriously.
“I’m hungry.”
“What? You haven’t eaten?”
“I was trapped.”
“You son of a—! You didn’t get fed? Damn it!”
Bang! Crash!
Beric stormed out the door in a fury, then hurried back as if he’d forgotten something important.
He held out his hand to the slumped Ian.
“Let’s go. Get up.”