Chapter 687
“A mage!”
Someone shouted, pointing up at the sky.
The refugees who had gathered in Karenna instinctively turned their heads. Fear flickered across their faces—just for a moment—but it was the kind of fear only those who had faced hell could show.
Meanwhile, the residents of Karenna looked on with a hint of curiosity. It had been a long time since they’d seen a mage. Had they witnessed the destructive, terrifying power of magic firsthand, their expressions would have been very different.
“It looks like a mage from the Bariel Imperial Palace!”
“Oh my, a mage!”
The golden patterns embossed on the robes revealed their identity. Only then did the refugees relax slightly, shading their eyes with their hands to get a better look. Could it be Lord Ian?
No—it wasn’t. The man was older, with darker hair.
Thaat!
Hail and Tommy landed lightly in the middle of the crowd. To announce their status as palace mages, they pulled out their identification and got straight to the point.
“I’m Captain Hail of the Imperial Palace’s Magic Department.”
“And I’m Tommy.”
“Where is the mayor’s residence in Karenna?”
“The mayor’s residence?”
There were countless questions they wanted to ask—about the war, about Hielo’s condition—but it seemed none would be permitted. The mages’ stern expressions silenced the crowd until one resident gestured toward a large mansion.
“Over there, the big estate. But the mayor isn’t home right now. He went out to meet the central support troops who just arrived nearby.”
“That actually works in our favor.”
Hail and Tommy’s first mission was to destroy the magical energy pathways the Tolrun sorcerers used inside the mansion.
Next was—
Eliminate the mayor’s family, now reduced to puppets.
Without the mayor present, the operation would be much easier. No matter how much they tried to explain the situation, the mayor would never accept it.
Just moments ago, they were a family sharing everyday life. Now, puppets and domination… it was a difficult truth to face. Cleanup would come after the mission was complete.
Vwoooom!
As Hail and Tommy flew toward the mansion, the residents sensed something was amiss and hurriedly moved about. They didn’t distrust the palace mages, but the mayor, as the mansion’s owner, needed to be informed.
They lit a signal fire, fanning the smoke repeatedly so the mayor, who was some distance away, could see it.
Meanwhile—
“Oh my, who are you?”
“A mage from the Imperial Palace. Where’s the annex?”
“J-just a moment!”
In the mansion’s garden, the mayor’s servants instinctively stepped forward to block the mages. Mage or not, what kind of ruckus was this at the mayor’s home? Just as they asked the mages to wait,—
Ziiing! Ziiing!
Hail released his magic, opening his golden eyes. In an instant, his pupils transformed into those of a beast, and the servants froze, overwhelmed.
“This is an order from the Minister of the Magic Department. It is also the will of the Imperial Palace. Interfere at your own peril. I’ll ask one last time: where is the annex?”
“O-over there.”
“Tommy.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Tommy entered the annex and quickly found a still-life painting of fruit. Hanging prominently in the hallway was the sorcerers’ magical pathway. Tommy ignited a spark and burned the painting to ashes.
Crackle!
At the same time, Hail searched for the mayor’s family. The wife and children—all would be dealt with before the mayor’s return.
But nowhere in the mansion could they find the family. Given the commotion, they should have been visible. Something was off.
“Where is the mayor’s family?”
“They’re accompanying the mayor, who went out to meet the support troops. They should be back soon.”
Damn. Hail frowned. He motioned to Tommy, who had just finished burning the painting, and took to the sky.
“Tommy, we’re heading that way. Let’s handle this before the central support troops get involved.”
“Yes, Captain!”
Whoosh!
Their robes billowed majestically as they flew. It was breathtaking—how could humans move so freely through the sky?
The servants stared blankly, then snapped back to their senses and rushed outside.
“D-didn’t they say the mages would handle it?”
“Let’s hurry and follow them!”
“W-what’s going on all of a sudden…?”
A short while later—
Hail and Tommy spotted a carriage approaching with the central support troops and exchanged puzzled looks. The number of soldiers seemed too small, even for an advance party.
Hail frowned, and Tommy muttered suspiciously.
“Captain, something’s off.”
“Yeah. Maybe they only sent a mobile unit from the advance party.”
“No, it’s the carriage.”
“Carriage?”
As Tommy said, the carriage in the middle was shaking unnaturally. The coachman kept glancing nervously behind.
Perhaps the mayor and his party were inside. If so, then—
Crash!
Could the puppets be plotting something?
Hail quickly descended and blocked the carriage’s path. The coachman jerked the reins in surprise. The guards instinctively drew their swords but stopped when they recognized the palace mages, turning their horses aside.
Hiiing!
“Whoa, whoa.”
“Aren’t you the mages?”
“W-what—”
As the carriage halted, the creaking wheels stilled, the horses’ panting slowed, and even the wind seemed to quiet. Only then did they notice strange moans and cries coming from inside.
“H-huh, huh…”
“Ahhh…”
Without hesitation, Hail flung open the carriage door. A sharp, metallic scent of blood hit them. What they saw next—
“Lady Philia!”
“Roel!”
Philia and a woman were slumped on the blood-soaked floor of the carriage, and Roel was desperately trying to pull the woman out, tears streaming down his face. But she didn’t move, trapped in a posture of helplessness and fear.
Hail grabbed the woman’s collar to pull her out but was taken aback by her unnatural strength.
“Damn it!”
It was a puppet. No ordinary woman could have such grip.
Tommy, understanding the situation, opened the other carriage door and grabbed the woman by the nape of her neck. Then—
“Ahhh!”
Bang!
He unleashed his magic, ending the woman’s life instantly.
At the same moment, her limbs went limp, and her corpse collapsed onto Philia. Roel wailed, trying to support her.
“Please, hold her. Please, I beg you. My mother’s womb…”
“Madam! Are you alright?”
“Please help her down. Oh my, madam!”
“What happened? Why all the blood… Gah! Husband!”
Mayor Onyx and his soldiers rushed over, aghast at the horrific scene. It was too gruesome to put into words.
Philia, once known as Lady Onyx, lay on the ground moaning. Her dress was soaked in blood, and every inch of visible skin was slashed.
“Ro…el…”
“Mom, mom.”
“…Are you alright?”
Philia barely lifted a hand to touch Roel’s shoulder. Perhaps she had blocked a dagger with her hand—every knuckle was injured.
Breathing was a struggle. Her gaze fell on Roel’s torn shoulder.
“I’m sorry.”
I could have stopped it, but the carriage was shaking too much, and it glanced off.
Philia smiled faintly, trying to reassure the child, but Roel silently pressed his forehead against her chest. It was hot—so hot. Breathing in and out was so difficult he could barely exhale.
“Please save us. Please, please save us.”
Who was he praying to? The mages and soldiers looking down on them? The vast sky embracing them? Or was it a desperate plea to save himself from collapsing?
Hail noticed Philia’s breath growing faint and took her hand.
“Madam, excuse me. Tommy, I’ll hold her here. Go to the village and bring a doctor.”
“Y-yes! Right away!”
Her battered hands were pitiful.
Hail calmed his pounding heart and released his magic. He wasn’t a healing mage, so he didn’t know how his magic would affect Philia.
But he had to try.
Ziiing! Ziiing!
As Hail’s magic slowly flowed into Philia, she seemed to sense something and smiled faintly.
“Are you feeling a little better, madam?”
…Please, please say yes.
Everything felt surreal to Hail. He didn’t understand why Philia, who should be in the capital, was here. The brutal scene he’d witnessed when opening the carriage door seemed like a nightmare.
Philia whispered softly.
“…Ah. It’s warm.”
Good. Is this the sixth sense? Those who share it… Ian must have felt this warmth too.
“…Thank you.”
Her words brought to Hail’s mind the moment he met Ian on the northern plains—how Ian smiled, calling the magic they shared warm.
Was it because Philia and Ian looked so alike? Or because the tone of her voice was so peaceful? Hail felt a sudden sting in his nose.
“Madam, don’t worry. I will save you.”
Philia smiled gently with her eyes closed, while Roel silently let tears fall. Even so, her other hand continued to caress her daughter’s hand.
“Roel, can you hear me?”
“Please don’t say anything. I’m sorry. I…”
“Don’t apologize. This is the path I chose. Honestly… I’m grateful to the gods. For giving me the strength to protect you and Ian. Being able to protect my beloved children makes me so happy.”
“I don’t understand. I really don’t.”
“That’s alright. One day, you’ll understand naturally.”
Philia spoke with certainty, her expression sincere and peaceful—except for one thing.
“Um, Captain Hale? I’m getting colder… Could you make me warmer?”
“Good heavens, ma’am.”
It was a request from someone on the brink of death. Despite pouring all his magic into her, there was little improvement.
Hale continued channeling his magic, then gestured helplessly to those standing nearby.
“Bring me paper and a pen! Quickly!”
“W-wait a moment!”
They had to inform Ian immediately. Kalamath had healers and palace physicians; requesting their aid was the best option.
But the problem was—
“Ma’am, you mustn’t fall asleep. Please keep your eyes open.”
Philia’s condition was dire. They were barely holding her together by flooding her with magic. Any less, and she might slip away.
“Captain! There’s a doctor here!”
Tommy dragged the doctor over, who stumbled as he landed. Though clutching his medical bag, the doctor froze when he saw Philia’s state.
“How did it come to this…?”
She was torn and bleeding badly—beyond help.
“Tommy, open a portal and contact Ian. I can’t leave Philia’s side.”
“But I don’t have enough magic on my own.”
“A single note will do. Just send it, and they’ll open a portal from there. Akorella is there, after all.”
Philia blinked faintly through her fading consciousness. If she could just hold on a little longer, she’d see Ian again. Just a little more… please, just a little…
“Haah… haah…”
Breathing was becoming a struggle. The clear sky above brightened, as if the whole world was being washed in white.
In her blurring vision, something flickered.
“Ian?”
She reached out, but her hand felt foreign, as if it wasn’t hers. Smiling gently at Ian, she whispered,
“Thank you, Ian. And I love you. Always… thank you for being my son. And… don’t be too sad. Wherever I am…”
Ian said nothing, only gazed down at her.
Philia smiled softly and murmured,
“I’m sorry I couldn’t see Nersarn. My loves… please… keep smiling.”
The deep red blood against her pale skin looked like they belonged to different worlds.
“…”
Ian silently held Philia’s falling hand, staring at her for a long time. She looked like an angel who had descended to earth and fallen asleep.
Though Philia smiled in eternal slumber, Ian remained trapped in endless silence, quietly watching over his mother.