Chapter 772
“Are you the mages? What are you doing here?”
“No idea. They said there’s a corpse they’re looking for.”
“A corpse? What kind of corpse? How?”
“I thought mages might have some trick up their sleeves, but it looks like all they can do is manual labor.”
“Goodness, how did such esteemed people end up like this?”
“They told us not to worry about it. Apparently, it’s better than those mages wandering around with pickaxes.”
The sun of Toalun steadily rose and set in its usual cycle. The mages assigned to the task diligently scoured the area, turning over corpses with their own hands, wielding pickaxes and shovels as they poked through every nook and cranny.
Clang! Bang!
“That sound’s perfect! Keep digging!”
“Captain, this looks like ordinary rock.”
“Are you deaf? The sound’s different, can’t you hear it?”
“Huh? Captain, isn’t this Serelodrond?”
“Whoa, damn it! Why is that here?”
Whenever Akorella found a mineral she liked, she’d lift it with both hands and run around the barracks, and the soldiers would cheer and congratulate her as if it were old news.
Swish.
“This is our first time meeting face to face, Vanusa.”
“Indeed, Minister Tweller.”
“I mourn deeply for the tragedy that befell your homeland.”
“…I hope you mean that sincerely.”
“I swear, I do not wield my weapon lightly.”
Vanusa and Tweller clasped hands firmly.
During the two days Vanusa had been in hiding, she had gathered the scattered spirit mages near the capital. Though they came from different clans, those determined to restore Toalun looked at Tweller with resolute expressions.
“You know Toalun better than I do. Tell me where to begin. I will do my utmost to assist you.”
Vanusa shot a sharp glance at Ian, who stood behind Tweller. Tweller instinctively sensed the tension between the two. Vanusa’s gaze then returned to Tweller.
“I will report to His Majesty the Emperor. The capital is beyond recovery. We are considering establishing a nearby city as a temporary capital. There will be resistance, but it’s best to unite quickly before the country falls into further chaos.”
Tweller led the way, and Vanusa brushed past Ian. Once Ian left, Tweller would likely question Vanusa about the source of the rumors.
Ian quietly watched their backs before turning his head toward a commotion nearby.
“Ah! Again! It’s gone again!”
“Lady Chloe, what’s the matter?”
“It’s the elixir I secretly stashed away from my family!”
“Uh, maybe you shouldn’t say that so loudly…”
“No, some crazy thief always manages to find and steal it no matter how well I hide it. Who on earth could it be…? This won’t do! From today on, I’ll stand guard myself!”
“Oh, that—”
“Do you know who the culprit is?”
“Just know it’s a damn dog of a man. Haha.”
“A dog of a man? Well, of course! He stole all my elixirs! That dog of a man!”
“Ha ha, that’s not quite what I meant…”
Ian pretended not to hear and turned away. So that’s where the elixirs he kept getting every day were coming from.
At that moment, Xiaosi appeared, having heard the commotion. Chloe, who had been wildly agitated, suddenly shyly twisted her body and lowered her voice. The abrupt change was amusing.
‘Their relationship seems smooth. That’s good to see.’
Then, what about Eirin?
“Haah!”
“Oh my, what strength!”
“Don’t go easy on me!”
Despite Ian’s subtle prodding, Jin and Eirin showed no real progress. Tsk, tsk. What on earth is His Majesty doing? It seemed they needed a solution beyond just time. Of course, that wasn’t Ian’s responsibility.
Lost in thought, Ian passed by Eirin training with the soldiers. The sunset was unusually red that day.
Meanwhile—
Clip-clop! Tap-tap!
Tommy rode his horse with his upper body low, eyes fixed straight ahead. He had to hurry—once the sun set, travel would become difficult.
He nudged the horse’s side and gently smoothed the letter tucked in his arms.
‘This is strange.’
The letter wasn’t sealed in an envelope, just folded several times. That meant it was okay for Tommy to read it. To pass the time on the journey, he had checked the contents on the first day. If he lost it along the way, it would be a disaster, so he justified it as his duty to know the contents.
To Hasharang Tokundai, King of Astana.
Your friend, Ian Hielo, sends this message. The war is over. The flood of monsters across the northern territories will not happen, and the world will revolve around Bariel. I hope you share in this joy.
If you truly feel this way, please grant my request. Among the many sorcerers in Astana, there must be one who can divine fate. Please allow me to meet that person. There’s no need to come all the way to Bariel; just arrange a convenient way to contact me. Consult with the mage who delivered this letter.
A diviner? Why seek such a person? Especially when there’s the nearby oracle, yet you insist on someone far away in Astana.
Tommy couldn’t understand, but he quickly accepted it. It wasn’t the first time he’d failed to grasp Ian’s intentions. He just prayed he wouldn’t encounter any unnecessary bandits on the road.
Whirr! Flap!
As Tommy’s horse galloped, time too raced forward. The messenger birds, each tied with silk ribbons, flapped their wings, powered by the magic stones hanging around their necks.
One of them was the first to reach Vargas’s capital, Kalamath.
“It’s over.”
“Peace treaty?”
“Yes. Bariel’s victory. The Clifopod messenger birds will rest here briefly before heading south.”
Lady Danit Hollin showed the letter to Kayla. Though her daughter’s legs were thin from lack of walking, her eyes shone brighter than ever.
“When the imperial army returns, the new dynasty of Vargas will be officially recognized.”
Moreover, the final chapter of Damon, the last king of the Rankvis dynasty, would close. Vargas was truly starting anew.
“Alright. I’ll go when the palace contacts me.”
“No, I will go. I have family matters to settle, and, above all, my coronation.”
Though grateful for the offer, Lady Danit knew it was her daughter’s duty. Now, her leg troubles were no obstacle. Watching her daughter’s firm refusal, she muttered,
“Wonder who she takes after.”
“Mother, by the way, Vargas was the first to receive the message. When will we reach Bariel?”
“Hmm. Probably about six more days.”
Lady Danit’s prediction was accurate. While the messenger birds rested and drank clean water in Kalamath, the palace-bound pigeon flew on for six more days.
Thus, the messenger bird carrying the news of victory knocked on the window of the central palace in Bariel around four in the late afternoon.
“Yaaawn.”
Romandro leaned back in his chair, stretching and yawning lazily. The palace was quiet. The Emperor was absent, as were the Imperial Defense and Magic Departments, and that damn Beric.
Tap-tap-tap!
“Ro-Romandro! Romandro!”
The hurried footsteps calling his name made his heart race. It had to be either good news or bad news.
Romandro sprang to his feet.
“What is it!?”
“The war is over! Bariel has won!”
“…”
The two mages standing tensely beside Romandro snapped their eyes open, then froze. A few seconds of silence passed before they simultaneously threw down their papers and cheered.
Whoosh!
“Woooo! That’s Bariel for you!”
“Ba-Bariel! Ba-Bariel!”
“So, when are they all coming back?”
“An emergency meeting has been called. From what I’ve heard, the portal will open at noon on the fifteenth day, Bariel calendar.”
“Portal? There?”
“Yes. They’ll return straight through it. Isn’t that amazing? To still have that kind of power after the war.”
“Wow, yeah. Toalun is quite a distance away.”
“When the portal opens, we just need to send the stationed troops their reconstruction supplies and provisions.”
“W-wait a moment!”
Romandro suddenly raised his hand, as if he’d just realized something. His expression was grave. The wizards, caught up in their joy, all froze in place.
“W-what is it?”
“…The fifteenth day at noon?”
“Yes, that’s definitely it—gasp!”
“…Hah!”
Everyone understood at once. Without hesitation, they all rushed outside—Romandro to the council chamber, the wizards to their respective departments.
The fifteenth day! This can’t be happening!
Crash! Bang!
“It’s tomorrow!”
“So, it’s already tomorrow.”
“Past midnight now, so technically today.”
Jin murmured, “Is that so,” with a smile.
The night air was quite chilly, but his cheeks were flushed, as if a fever was rising. Before returning to Barielo, he’d shared a final dinner with Minister Tweller, and apparently some fine liquor had been served.
“Time flies so fast. I barely noticed the fortnight passing, and now it’s right before us.”
Ian quietly watched Jin. Under the full moon’s pale glow, a bluish light seemed to envelop him.
“…”
At first, Ian hadn’t realized it, but the more he looked, the more he saw a resemblance to himself—not to Hiel, but to himself, a Verosion.
Sensing the gaze, Jin asked, “Why do you look at me like that?”
“…Are you happy?”
It was such a natural question.
Jin smiled and turned to look. Beyond Ian’s shoulder, the wizards were drawing a massive magic circle on the earth. Under the vast night sky, as if mirroring the cosmos, golden streams of the Milky Way slowly took shape. Even the soldiers had abandoned sleep, gathering to watch. From somewhere, faint, beautiful singing drifted through the air. Truly, could anything be more wonderful?
“Happy? More than that. I feel like I own the whole world.”
Jin’s smile was radiant. The scar across his face seemed unusually faint tonight.
Ian wanted to smile with him, but he couldn’t—not when he knew the great trials that awaited Jin.
“Your Majesty, forgive me for saying this—”
Jin took a sip of his drink, watching the wizards. Suddenly, a soft purr and flicker of light caught his attention.
“Your Majesty’s final battle is far from over. In fact, it’s only just beginning.”
The shadow god was his enemy. Whether Jin knew it or not, that was the truth.
Ian’s words echoed in Jin’s mind, and he nodded slowly.
“…Only just beginning. Yes, you’re right. My story truly starts now.”
The beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning. The war may be over, but countless problems—big and small—would come crashing down. Jin took Ian’s concern in that light.
But what did it matter? With Ian by his side, there was nothing to fear.
“Your Majesty, I wish for your wholeness.”
In other words, Ian believed Jin would see it through.
Keeping his thoughts to himself, Ian followed Jin’s gaze. The wizards were struggling, groaning and muttering, then finally called out to Ian, looking utterly exhausted and defeated.
“Iaaaan! Please help us!”
“It’s too hard to aim at bare ground.”
“Just do it like before. You can float it in midair.”
“Beric, if you don’t know, step aside. How are you going to get the soldiers up there?”
“Oh, right. You’re all empty shells now, no strength at all.”
“Ian! While you’re here, please kill Beric too!”
Ian rose and walked toward the flickering, malfunctioning magic circle. The soldiers slowly turned their heads to follow his movement.
Standing in the center of the earth, Ian gently waved his hand, and golden light rose along the path of his motion.
Ziiing! Ziiing!
Beautiful golden streams gathered around Ian. A warmth that instantly erased the weariness of war. It was as if a celestial melody had manifested.
Everyone there was spellbound, watching Ian’s solo performance. His movements were utterly mesmerizing.
“Wow…”
All present instinctively knew they would never forget this night. Jin felt the same. In many ways, this night would remain unforgettable for him in the years to come.