Chapter 679: The Golden Reed Field
“Eldert, look closely.”
The sight of her—graceful and beautiful, yet with eyes burning strong and fierce, her teal hair flowing with the wind—was something Eldert would never forget. And then, Eriphoni’s soft, gentle smile that followed.
Whoosh!
She raised her fan and pointed toward the newly built city—a world they had created together, from the ground up.
“That is Luswena, Elvasa. Our golden world.”
In his final moments, Eldert recalled Eriphoni’s voice. Of all people, it was Ian Hielo who had uttered those words.
That our world, Eriphoni’s and his, had crumbled. That something etched deep in his memory had suddenly emerged, breaking through death itself.
Eldert’s body collapsed forward, lifeless, and Ian confirmed that his breath had ceased.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes.”
Ian stared down at Eldert for a long moment.
How wonderful it would be if all those lost to death could return. If someone’s life could be restored through his own passing… Ian would gladly stain his hands with blood hundreds, even thousands of times.
But such thoughts were nothing more than impossible dreams. Brushing his hands lightly, Ian turned away.
“Gather the bodies. We’ll decide how to proceed after assessing the situation and the condition of the Luswena people.”
“Yes, Lord Ian.”
“If possible, subdue and restrain the dragons. As for those in black armor, eliminate them all.”
“Understood. We’ll need personnel to remain at the palace for cleanup, so once Bariel’s central forces arrive in Hielo—”
Boom!
A commotion erupted from the floor below.
Ian wondered if it was palace officials coming for Eldert, but the mages’ reactions were different. Hale gestured for patience and peered down the stairs.
“…?”
“Oh, Captain Hale.”
“Prince Noah?”
Through the underground portal connecting to western Luswena, Prince Noah had entered the palace. His white gloves were stained with blood, though whose was unclear.
Behind him came Mei and the Cliffford soldiers. Noah glanced around, shrugging.
“The palace is more dilapidated than I expected.”
“How did you come here?”
“I was waiting in western Luswena when someone suddenly appeared through the portal. A country with mages is definitely different.”
“Ah.”
So Luswena had mana stone portals as well. Hale scratched his chin, and Ian stepped closer to look down.
“Oh, Minister Ian.”
“Prince. It’s been a while.”
“I’m not sure if this is a good time to arrive. Seems like something serious happened.”
“No, you came at the right moment. We were just in need of reinforcements.”
With Cliffford soldiers here, there was no need to wait for central forces. They were trustworthy—perfect to handle the aftermath.
Noah silently nodded at Ian’s bloodied hands.
“By the way, where’s Beric? He’s always with you.”
“Beric is probably cleaning up at the barrier.”
“I see. Let’s move our troops to Elvasa first. We can discuss details afterward.”
“Understood.”
After getting a rough grasp of the situation, Noah descended back underground to bring soldiers from the outer fortress.
For the people of Luswena, it must have been bewildering. Not only was their homeland’s heart—the palace—half-destroyed, but now Cliffford soldiers were streaming out from within.
Hale flicked his cigarette stub and motioned to the mages.
“It’s not over yet. Don’t rush, move carefully.”
“Yes. But Beric seems to be delayed.”
“Looks like the barrier isn’t fully cleared yet.”
“Hmm. Should we check? It’s worrying not seeing him.”
“Has he ever gotten lost before? Just leave him be.”
“Enough. I’ll go check. Everyone else, follow Captain Hale and finish the cleanup.”
Ian raised his hand to signal he was fine, then stepped outside through the shattered glass ceiling.
Signs of defeat were everywhere in Elvasa. Flames roared, black smoke billowed, and the screams of those fleeing for their lives tore through the air.
Whoosh!
Despite the chaos, Ian was certain he’d spot Beric. He headed toward the barrier.
The first barrier had been breached by mana bullets, so all that remained was to see if the next gate was open. If it was, Beric must be carrying out his mission—
“…?”
Ian frowned.
Though the barrier’s latch was half-destroyed, the gate remained shut. It wasn’t a problem for the mages, who could attack from the sky, but—
Where on earth was Beric? And why hadn’t he opened this gate?
“Beric!”
Ziiing! Ziiing!
Ian fired a mana orb, easily shattering the barrier gate. Soldiers guarding it were thrown back, tumbling to the ground.
“Beric!”
Where had he gone?
This was a critical moment. Ian couldn’t afford to waste time searching. Beric wasn’t the type to die foolishly; he’d return on his own. Thinking this, Ian was about to turn when—
“There he is.”
Far off, at the very spot where the white army and mages had clashed moments ago, a red-haired man was sprinting at full speed.
A mounted officer was close behind him, but Ian couldn’t make sense of the situation.
“Iaaan!”
And who was the person on his back? Ian squinted, suddenly recognizing her—
“Erica.”
It was Erica. Disheveled and covered in dust, but unmistakably the same.
From the barrier, Ian called out to Beric in disbelief.
“Beric, what have you done now?”
“Nooo! These guys are weird!”
“From what I see, you’re the weird one.”
“Ian! Don’t just watch—help me with her! She was talking about King Torolun or something!”
Whoosh!
The officer chasing Beric, despite having lost his left arm, rode fiercely, undeterred.
Ian approached at Beric’s request, and Beric handed over Erica.
“Ugh, if it weren’t for this baggage, I’d have knocked that guy out with one punch!”
Freed from his burden, Beric immediately turned and charged at the officer.
His movements were anything but ordinary. Though no match for a magic swordsman, he was clearly a skilled swordsman. Ian suddenly realized his movements seemed familiar.
‘Is he under puppet magic? His motions are similar.’
Like the mages who had lost their will and obeyed commands.
Beric struck the officer’s face with a punch, and the man fell from his horse in a single blow, rolling on the ground.
Just as Ian thought it was over quickly, he understood why Beric had rescued Erica and fled.
“Damn, he’s getting up again!”
The officer kept rising relentlessly, as if immune to pain.
Beric grabbed his head, shook it, and tried to throw him off, but to no avail. Only after biting off the other arm did the officer finally collapse.
“Ugh—!”
But it was Erica who coughed up blood.
Ian laid her down gently and looked around. Though chaos swirled inside the barrier, the golden reed field beyond was relatively calm. Flames still burned fiercely, and scattered fleeing soldiers ran wild.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“Erica?”
“Ian, Ian Hielo…”
“Why did Beric save you?”
She had been attacking the mages with mana bullets just moments ago. Beric wouldn’t have saved her without reason.
“…I called the mages, but they all went beyond the barrier… I didn’t know what to do. Then Beric, that wild colt, was on the barrier. Nothing’s changed in ten years…”
Blood dripped from Erica’s ears and mouth. Her wounds on her back, side, and abdomen were severe.
“I know the secret of Torolun. I told Ian it would help him, and though he was skeptical, he came closer. Honestly… it was like dealing with a dog.”
Erica gave a weak, bitter smile. It was no laughing matter, but she had no choice. Otherwise, she would face her end without ever recalling a smile. Even her brightest moments were stained with tears; laughter was a stranger to her life.
“Ian Hielo, listen carefully.”
Grasping Ian’s shirt, she whispered.
“I killed Prime Minister Shatima, but it wasn’t by my own will. There are many like me who have lost their selves. That officer too, and probably some of the soldiers leading the charge.”
“So it’s Torolun’s doing.”
“Darsi, that bastard—ugh!”
Each cough brought up more blood. Like she had gathered Shatima’s blood, she covered her mouth and murmured.
“The way to bring back those who have lost themselves is simple. Ignore the whispered commands, lay down your bursting heart, and be ready to die. I felt it. The threads binding my body snapped, and my time returned.”
“Did that just happen?”
“Yeah. It’s simple, yet incredibly difficult. You have to steady your heart using only your own strength. But if you understand that, then surely, help can come from outside…”
Her breath was fading fast. Even Ian’s magic couldn’t heal her now. With dimming eyes, Erika looked up at him.
“Please… convey Shatima’s and my wishes to Hwan… and Bariel, please… show mercy to Hwan…”
Erika pleaded, but Ian couldn’t promise. Even if the puppeteer had intervened, if the process harmed Bariel, he would have no choice but to cut it off.
“The Eastern mages… if they come to Hwan… surely light will shine on Bariel as well. So, please don’t misunderstand my earlier attack. See it purely as my mistake…”
Thud. The hand that had been clutching Ian’s shirt fell away. The precious time they had just regained slipped away into eternity.
Ian looked down at Erika for a moment, then turned his head.
“Beric.”
“Huh?”
Beric wiped his nose and turned to Ian. The lieutenant who had lost both arms had already turned cold, a lifeless corpse.
“What? She’s dead?”
“Yeah. Just now.”
“What did she say? Something about Toorun, right? She was yelling for help, so I helped. Hmph. It feels weird hearing she’s dead.”
Their relationship hadn’t been exactly warm, so Ian didn’t feel sorrow. Just a strange feeling—that was all. Ian removed the badge pinned to Erika’s chest and nodded.
“Let’s go. Seems like there are problems on Hwan’s side too.”
“What about her?”
“Cover her with your coat. Soon, the flames will reach here as well.”
A fire that, once ignited, would never go out. The traces of Erika’s attack were spreading toward them.
Beric took off his coat and draped it over Erika as Ian had instructed. After a brief glance, he turned his back.
Thud.
“Farewell.”
Whoosh!
Not long after Ian and Beric took flight, the flames engulfed her.
Meanwhile, the mages sorting through the palace searched every corner of Elderth’s study and the royal storerooms, looking for anything important. This wasn’t looting! They were simply checking for anything related to the war or Toorun.
Clack!
At that moment, one mage absentmindedly opened a drawer—and reflexively screamed.
“Ahhh!”
Because inside was Lady Darcy, completely melted away, with only her eyeballs rolling around.