Chapter 663
The portal seemed to shrink little by little, then suddenly vanished completely.
‘…It’s closed.’
As the passage that had been flowing smoothly into the portal disappeared, the river’s water level steadily rose. The gathered villagers murmured among themselves, their eyes fixed on the top of the fortress wall. They knew the Emperor of Bariel was watching from there.
Jin pressed his brows together, studying the swirling river. Then he turned to his subordinates and spoke.
“This feels too soon.”
“I agree, Your Majesty. Captain Hale said it would take about five days, but this is only two days at most.”
Everything became clear. Ian’s failure to return meant something serious had happened, and the mages were doing everything they could to respond.
Jin snapped his fingers sharply and gave orders.
“Summon all the mages working in the mines. We need to discuss this matter urgently.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Acorella and her direct subordinates belonged to the Mana Stone Management Department, so they weren’t suited for fieldwork, but there was no other option now. They had to grasp at any straw.
“If there’s a puppeteer among them, they must have noticed that most of the magic forces are absent. It would be safer to recall the mages and station them inside Kalamath.”
“Your Majesty, are you suggesting that Tolrun might launch an attack?”
“They’ve already started.”
Jin gestured toward the river. The murky water was growing darker, and if it was just his imagination, the sunlight reflecting off it seemed tinged with red.
“Your Majesty, how about sending Bariel soldiers with Clark?”
Jaret, who had been listening nearby, suggested.
Clark was preparing to head north alone, following Jin’s orders. If danger was expected, wouldn’t it be safer to send more men?
Not for Clark’s sake, but to ensure the message got through safely.
“A dozen or so cavalry should be efficient.”
“Minister Tweller.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Tweller acknowledged Jaret’s suggestion with a nod, then immediately bowed and descended from the fortress wall.
The time for decisions had come.
Jin stroked his chin and examined the Gaia map hanging nearby. With Bariel’s eastern region under attack, what could they do now?
‘If I recall the main force and move them to the center, we can respond somewhat. But that would leave Burgos vulnerable, allowing Tolrun to push south… On the other hand, staying here and leaving the center empty makes the east worrisome. And receiving news through the center is too slow.’
No matter what he chose, there were clear pros and cons. Jin swallowed hard and traced the border lines on the map with his fingertip.
‘The best case is for Ian and the mages to quickly secure Luswena and Hawan, then return and move up toward Tolrun.’
Then he could head to the center without worry…
Swish.
At that moment, Jin unconsciously covered his nose with his sleeve. A foul stench from the darkened river had risen all the way to the fortress wall. The villagers had long since fled.
“Your Majesty, it would be best to leave now. The stench is too strong and concerning.”
“Understood. Have you sent word to Clifford?”
“A messenger pigeon was dispatched, so it should arrive soon. But it will take some time for the message to reach the palace again.”
Kalamath wasn’t far from Clifford, but from there to Frodhona and the palace, it would take as long as crossing Bariel itself.
Jin muttered anxiously as he stood.
“I wonder if Clifford can handle this polluted water properly.”
The courtiers bowed their heads silently, sharing the emperor’s concern.
On the road into Kalamath Castle, the people of Burgos had all come out into the streets, bowing their heads and pleading.
“Emperor of Bariel, please purify this river! The land of Burgos is drying up, and so are we!”
“Show us the power of the all-knowing mages!”
“Your Majesty! Please, we beg you!”
The cries that seeped into the carriage were desperate.
Jin, feeling uncomfortable, deliberately turned his gaze away from the window. Though they weren’t his people, he couldn’t help but feel sorrow for those begging mercy from their emperor.
When the carriage arrived at the castle, Tweller was already waiting to greet him.
“Your Majesty, the cavalry is ready. Once they finish their preparations, they will depart immediately. Would you like to hear the report?”
“That’s enough. You can encourage them on my behalf—”
Jin motioned to dismiss him but suddenly hesitated. From afar, he spotted a familiar woman leading a horse. Her hair was tied back roughly, sleeves rolled up like a man’s—Eirin.
“Is she going too?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Why?”
The cavalry had been specially selected and trained for a long time. But Eirin was infantry, wasn’t she?
Jin’s question only deepened Tweller’s own confusion.
“The poison in the river is clearly beyond human capability to handle. It must originate from a demon or something similar. The north is also near the Tolrun temple, so if sending mages or magic swordsmen isn’t possible, then naturally…”
Sending the paladin Eirin is the right choice.
Tweller’s voice trailed off, and a brief silence fell. The horse, standing still, scraped its hind hoof and whinnied softly.
Jin, either unable to find the right words or realizing he’d misspoken, closed his mouth with a blank expression.
“When I asked Eirin, she said she was ready and eager to go. I think her spirit is remarkable. She’s truly a blessing for Bariel.”
“…Understood.”
Jin answered with a resigned nod. There was no point in grumbling about Clark or Xiaoxi now. With Eirin involved, he felt his nerves tighten.
Jaret, trailing behind, seemed to sense the emperor’s mood and added quietly.
“Your Majesty, don’t worry too much. Their mission is to confirm and report any abnormalities in the river, not to escort Clark or engage in combat.”
“Who said I’m worried? I trust the proud soldiers of Bariel to carry out their duties faithfully and flawlessly.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly at the hesitant reply, but he let it go and muttered to himself.
“My real concern is Ian and the mages. You’re probably thinking of Beric.”
“…He’s quite the troublemaker.”
The curt answer carried unmistakable affection. Not only Jaret but all the palace guards felt Beric’s absence keenly.
Jaret cleared his throat, pretending indifference, suppressing his longing for Beric.
“Damn it!”
Kraaaang! Bang!
Flames roared!
Startled, Beric instinctively unleashed his magic, and the hut was engulfed in fire. The worn furniture and aged belongings were consumed in an instant.
The mage peered through the broken window and muttered.
“Ian Hielo’s not here?”
“Not my place to say, but damn, that guy’s face is terrifying.”
Ziiing! Ziiing!
The mage’s crazed eyes darted around.
Beric gripped his magic greatsword tighter and crouched low. This was definitely the third forbidden mage he’d seen in battle. A bastard so tough that even groups of mages couldn’t beat him.
If Ian struggled against those guys, what chance did he have?
‘We’re screwed.’
No way.
Beric backed away slowly, biting his lip. Honestly, he wanted to charge in and finish this, win or lose, but he had a mission to complete.
He had to bring the mysterious box he found here to the mages.
‘Without this, the others can’t do their job.’
If the mages did their part, Ian’s risk would lessen. He wouldn’t have to bear everything alone but could lean on his comrades.
Beric tucked the box into his coat and looked around.
‘Can I escape?’
Finding an opening was one thing, but outrunning a mage’s mobility was another. If he messed up, they might tail him all the way to the Hielo mansion. Better to flee toward the desert if it came to that.
“Where’s Ian Hielo? Why are you here alone?”
“Ian went home, man.”
“Strange. No other mages around. Why come here alone?”
“You’re weirder. Go screw yourself!”
Swoosh!
Beric threw himself out the window. He rolled once, then sprang up and ran straight ahead without thinking. His plan was to hide in the forest and lose his pursuer, then figure out the way later. Either way, he was going to get lost.
Crack, crack!
Branches and leaves brushed past him in the darkness. Beric moved wherever there was space, then glanced back. No sign of the pursuer.
Was he lucky? Or just an idiot? As he looked forward again—
“…Shit!”
Whoosh!
A mage suddenly appeared right in front of him, mouth wide open amid a burst of flames.
Beric twisted his body in surprise, but inertia made it difficult. For a moment, he wildly swung his greatsword as he stumbled, then quickly got back on his feet and ran with all his might.
“Beric—!”
But it wasn’t long before the mage blocked his path again. Resigned, Beric dropped to his knees and glared up and down at the man with a frustrated scowl.
“Who the hell calls out your name like we’re buddies? Damn, this is exhausting. How did you do it? Did you use some kind of clone magic like Ian?”
If that were the case, his power would be split in half—so maybe it was doable?
“Where’s Ian Hielo? Why are you here alone?”
“Clone magic? Or something else?”
“You’ve got business in the Mage’s Forest, right? What’s your deal?”
“Maybe it’s because you’re from another country, but your words don’t make any damn sense.”
“Speak up. Or do I have to kill you?”
“Is that so? Then how about a bet?”
Beric grinned as he summoned a blazing red greatsword. He knew running was pointless, but maybe that was for the best. If he won here, the magic department guys would finally treat him like a big brother.
“Loser answers first!”
Whoosh!
Beric’s greatsword erupted in flames, lighting up the dark forest in an instant. Small creatures stirred and scattered in surprise.
The mage smiled in agreement and made a casual gesture.
“Sounds good.”
“Bring it on! I’m gonna crack your skull!”
“Invisibility.”
As the mage chanted the spell, his form began to fade. Darkness swallowed the area, leaving only silence behind.
“What kind of cheap trick is this?”
Beric was baffled. Soon, he felt his flames dissipating. The fire shifted, forming a wall that became a cabin.
“Again.”
A familiar place.
It was the cabin where Beric had lived with his family as a child. The only difference from the Rutherford days was that now, he stood there as ‘Beric of the Imperial Guard,’ fully aware and in control.
“…What the hell is this? This is so damn annoying.”
The sound of rain tapping on the window, the smell of soup, the damp scent of wood—all vivid and real. Drawn in like a trance, Beric stepped inside and looked around.
No one was there.
No one was supposed to be.
“……”
From beneath the bed came a faint presence, and from the storage room, a soft breath. Beric bit his lower lip hard, gripped the doorknob, and pulled it open. His eyes met someone’s.
It was Beric.
His younger self, glaring back with reddened eyes.
‘This is seriously infuriating.’
Beric instinctively knew: to shatter this illusion, he’d have to kill the child. And maybe even his sisters hiding under that bed.