Chapter 717

Luigi dashed forward, eyes fixed straight ahead, barely registering anything else. A sudden commotion erupted deeper within the underground prison, drawing soldiers rushing in, but he shoved them aside roughly and flew toward the Mage Department.

Thwack!

It was over. The emperor had shattered the magic-sealing stone and come back to life.

Luigi didn’t care what had become of Crony. Right now, all that mattered was his own survival. If the mages united, could they take down the emperor?

‘They were all just bystanders when the emperor was dragged away like a dog.’

The only traitors weren’t those who swung swords. Those who looked away, pretending not to see, were guilty too. If he was in danger, surely they weren’t safe either. Mages were clever and quick to calculate; they’d soon realize the need to band together.

‘They’ll say they’ll cut down all those with dark intentions. But what about the mages? Can they all be killed? That can’t be.’

What kind of country was Bariel? Who had made this small land the heart of Gaia? Luigi’s eyes sparkled with hope as he spotted the lights of the Mage Department’s annex in the distance.

But—

Whoosh!

“…!”

A figure shot in at incredible speed, blocking his path. It was Naum. Bloodied hands reached out to stop him.

“Luigi!”

“Ugh!”

Bang!

Instinctively, Luigi twisted his body and unleashed his magic. They put some distance between them, but Naum’s deadly attacks came relentlessly, leaving no opening.

Amid the chaos, Luigi caught where Naum’s gaze was fixed—on the exposed neck beneath his shirt, a vital spot.

‘Clear intent to kill.’

Bang! Pop!

Naum dodged Luigi’s strikes with ease and closed in. His speed was staggering, shaking Luigi’s heart and dizzying his mind. It was as if Luigi’s backward steps were unbearable to him.

Damn.

When the emperor first ascended the throne, the mages had felt they were witnessing a historic moment. An emperor born from among mostly commoners.

Naturally, Naum had been appointed Minister of the Mage Department, following the emperor’s will.

“Seriously. How is that any different from someone climbing the ranks through political backing? Who would truly recognize him as the Minister of the Mage Department?”

Luigi and the mages loyal to him often mocked Naum, belittling him. The minister? A nobody far beneath them…

“Luigi. There’s no other way. Your death is the only path to save the mages.”

Naum locked eyes with Luigi and whispered.

Then came the relentless, precise attacks. His magic barely brushed Luigi’s hair, sending chills down his spine.

“…What?”

He really meant to kill me? Luigi’s face hardened.

But Naum’s resolve was unwavering. If a traitorous mage like Luigi entered the Mage Department, even those mages in the gray area would be tainted. The moment news of the emperor’s victory spread, they’d scramble to save themselves.

Those deceived by Luigi’s schemes would conspire with him for the next move, and as they stirred unrest, even the neutral mages would be swept away.

That would be the true downfall of Bariel. The emperor would have no choice but to annihilate the mages. If that happened, even if Crony died, it wouldn’t be the end. That vile, wicked will would survive and continue to torment Ean.

“This ends here—disturbing His Majesty the Emperor.”

Luigi’s death was both punishment and salvation.

Punishment for the traitor, salvation for Bariel.

“Die. That’s the best atonement you can offer now.”

“Shut up!”

Bang!

With every exchange, Luigi instinctively knew he was cornered. At the same time, a fleeting image crossed his mind. The emperor had grabbed his hand to stop him, but he was certain—

“You!”

I get it.

“You’ve summoned forbidden magic.”

Naum didn’t answer but gathered magic in his palm.

A tiny universe formed within his grasp—dark and bright, filled with countless vibrant and warm things swirling coldly. Flames began to flicker inside.

No time left.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

The universe expanded from Naum’s hand, swiftly and surely ensnaring Luigi.

The engulfing force crept up from his toes to his heart. Luigi tried to break free, but alarms blared in his mind—too late.

“Ah—!”

Boom! Bang!

With an explosion, Luigi vanished completely. At the same moment, Naum’s entire body heated up, his breathing ragged. An unknown flame was devouring his insides.

“Ugh!”

Naum collapsed, curling up in pain. A few mages watching from the Mage Department cautiously flew over, looking around.

“Minister Naum?”

“…Step back. Tell the mages.”

“Are you alright? What happened to Luigi?”

“Everyone, get inside the Mage Department immediately. Act as if you know nothing. So His Majesty can cover for you and forgive. But you must atone fully and surrender everything to His Majesty.”

“Naum, your body—”

Fwoosh!

Naum’s fingertips flared again. He groaned in agony, curling up, recalling Ean one last time.

It was astonishing. No, miraculous. The moment his dying eyes turned golden… yes. Even if he descended into the deepest abyss, he would never forget.

“Naum.”

Then, someone grasped his hand. The low voice was unmistakably familiar.

“Your Majesty.”

…Thank you. Truly, thank you for answering my prayers. To see the emperor outside the underground prison brings me such peace. I have no doubt there will be a chance. And someday, for me too—

“Naum. Snap out of it. You won’t be consumed by forbidden magic.”

Ean cut through Naum’s thoughts.

At those words, Naum faintly smiled. Of course not. This magic was born of blood—if it didn’t consume me, then what would?

“You know, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please, go on.”

“In the previous abyss, everything vanished the moment I awoke. But look now. The world is still vivid.”

The night sky we shared, the flickering lights, the cold wind, the sharp pain. Everything existed. What Ean saw, Naum could see. What Naum felt, Ean could feel.

“I wondered why, but now I understand.”

I don’t know, Your Majesty. What do you mean?

“Your darkness is melting here too.”

My dear friend, once submerged somewhere in the abyssal sea, Naum. We meet again, so why can’t you remember? Your death, our past meeting, the hope ahead—why can’t you recall?

Naum’s eyes widened, a single tear falling.

“…Yes?”

“Naum, look closely. It’s all an illusion. Even the forbidden flames that consume you.”

Naum looked down at Ean’s hand they held. He was burning up, but Ean remained calm, as if untouched. Could that be why? Naum’s excitement slowly faded, replaced by calm.

“Um, Ean, about that…”

Naum glanced at the four standing behind Ean. Three were familiar, one was not.

Wait—familiar? Did I know their names? Where had I seen them? Besides the earlier battle with mages nearby…

Ah. The annex.

But before that? Had I seen them before? As Naum’s gaze lingered behind, Ean whispered softly.

“Yes. They are my dear friends.”

My comrades who pierced through darkness with me.

Naum’s face, blank moments ago, now bore a gentle smile. Then, as if memories flooded back, he nodded repeatedly.

“So that’s how it was. That’s what happened.”

Thank goodness, Your Majesty. You are not alone.

Ean squeezed Naum’s hand firmly.

“Naum. Come with me. We can save those trapped in the abyss. It’s all over now. No more painful deaths—come with me—”

Boom! Boom!

Ean’s words were cut off by a thunderous roar, as if the world itself was collapsing.

“W-what’s happening? It’s terrifying.”

“Ean, do you know why this is happening?”

Rumble rumble! Boom!

While the four looked confused, Ean and Naum sensed it immediately. The world, the darkness, was crumbling. Everything that had been an illusion was sinking back into the abyssal sea.

“Ean.”

Naum shook his head slightly, gripping Ean’s sleeve. You know it’s no good, and so do I. If it had been possible, we would have joined forces the last time we met.

Ean was a product of forbidden magic. So unconditional sacrifice was impossible, and Naum couldn’t be taken along.

“It’s alright.”

“Naum.”

“Really, it’s alright. It feels different this time.”

But at the same time, here and now, Berosion had not experienced forbidden magic. Time and space were tangled, allowing him to ‘awaken’ Naum.

The world began to collapse. The sky shook violently, darkness filled the land.

—Can you hear me, Ean?

“…!”

—Hail, Tommy, Nakina! Beric!

At once, Akorella’s voice echoed in their minds. The others seemed to hear it too, pausing and looking around.

—I’m coming to rescue you immediately. Stay strong!

The more the connection to the real world deepened, the more this place faded away. One by one, buildings vanished, people disappeared. Soon, a space of nothingness would come—no light, no sound, no air.

Ian kept holding onto Naum’s hand, but he realized that he himself was being erased.

“Naum.”

“Thank you, Ian. My death has come to an end.”

“Naum, Naum…”

A soft slip.

It was inevitable. His grip loosened, and Ian and his companions blurred, then vanished completely.

Naum smiled faintly and bowed to him.

“We will meet again. I will wait.”

Raising his head, Naum found himself utterly alone. All those who had come from outside had left. Except for his own glowing self, nothing else remained.

“No, wait. There’s one thing—”

Something remained. Though the world had been erased, one building stood firm: the annex of the Magic Department.

Without anyone telling him, Naum naturally began walking toward it.

—Tell Ian Verosion to come to the Magic Department annex. If he does, there will be a chance.

…There will be a chance.

—And Naum, for you as well.

If he stayed here, wouldn’t Ian come someday? Wouldn’t they meet again?

Naum carefully pushed open the annex door and stepped inside.

Creak.

The door closed behind him, and the Magic Department annex soon disappeared into the darkness.

Beneath the earth, in the abyssal depths, a true world of nothingness where only darkness exists. No death, no regrets, no pain. The absence of everything—that was salvation for Naum.