Chapter 862

Tap. Tap.

In the midst of the silent desert, the empty sanctuary of Cheollyeo captured the sound of the rain perfectly.

Ian smiled lightly, as if the sound was music to his ears, and flicked his fingertips. He had just learned that only when nothing exists can something truly exist.

Next to him, Roel, carefully rolling a gulut leaf, asked, her eyes wrapped in bandages.

“Is this the rain you meant?”

“Probably.”

Ian pressed his hand to his chest as he answered, as if recalling the prophecy that had come to him.

Though the god had said not to fear the rain, an instinctive unease lingered. After all, isn’t death something humans are naturally afraid of?

“Are you afraid?”

“No.”

It wasn’t fear, just resistance. Ian slowly took the gulut leaf from Roel and rolled it for her instead. His touch was so gentle that, despite her blindness, Roel wasn’t startled.

“To me, rain meant ‘forgetting.’”

Because of the rain sent by the underground god, the people he cherished had lost their memories. The prophecy could be interpreted as: ‘Even if they lose their memories, do not be afraid.’

“Thankfully, everyone has regained their memories, so I have nothing to fear. But this time, it seems it’s my turn.”

The rain began again. And this time, it meant Ian’s own forgetting. Even if he were reborn, he wouldn’t retain these memories.

Could he do well? Though he had removed all the black seeds caused by the underground god, could he, without memories, avoid repeating the past?

Roel hesitantly placed her hand on the back of Ian’s.

“Do not be afraid. Just as the god said.”

“…Yes.”

Ian pressed a light kiss to the back of her hand. Behind them, silask flowers bloomed in abundance.

“Should we contact the palace people?”

“They’re busy.”

Enough time had passed; they were likely living their lives. Ian didn’t want to stir up waves unnecessarily.

Besides, he had kept in touch in his own way—sending postcards from every place he’d traveled. Though when they’d arrive was uncertain.

“They’ll blame me when they find out later.”

Roel warned, but Ian smiled faintly.

“It won’t be easy for them to get here.”

“They’ll have grown.”

“Is that so? I hope so.”

The rain grew heavier. The warriors pitched new tents to keep the barracks dry, and Roel opened the window to let the silask flowers outside. The red petals, heavy with raindrops, scattered beautifully.

“I’ve heard it’s hard to find food after the desert’s monsoon.”

Ian murmured, flicking water from a petal. The great desert was already harsh, but when abnormal weather swept through, the ecosystem would be thrown into chaos, worsening the drought.

“Make sure to go to Hielo, or anywhere on the border, and seek help.”

Roel smiled, dismissing it as needless worry.

Then, the warriors, busy with their tasks, suddenly paused, sensing something. Ian and Roel turned their heads, puzzled by the unfamiliar magical energy.

“What is it?”

“Roel, Ian, stay inside.”

“No one should be nearby.”

Swish.

Gripping their swords, they ran toward the entrance of Cheollyeo. The tribe numbered barely a dozen. One attack from outsiders could mean extinction, so their vigilance was intense.

But Roel calmly stood and reached out to her brother.

“Looks like a visitor. Shall we go greet them?”

Ian slowly took the child’s hand and stepped outside. The cool rain soaked their hair and clothes pleasantly.

At the arrival point, the warriors who had run ahead stood with telescopes, looking puzzled.

“Roel, Ian, I told you to stay inside!”

“What’s going on?”

“…People are coming.”

“People?”

“Over there.”

Following the warrior’s pointing finger, Ian’s eyes widened. Leading the group was Beric, followed by mages carrying heavy bags. Normally, the desert sand would swallow their feet, but the rain had hardened the ground.

“Iaaaan!”

“Ian! Ian!”

“We’re here!”

The warriors, recognizing the palace people, relaxed and hurried to open the gates. Roel smiled and released Ian’s hand, as if urging him to go.

With a thud, Ian began running.

The mages threw off their heavy backpacks and sprinted with all their might, their shouts drowned by the rain.

One by one, they threw their arms around Ian. Ian, the mages, and Beric all tumbled together onto the sand.

“Ian! It’s been so long! How have you been?”

“You didn’t contact us! That’s terrible! Really!”

“Your hair’s grown so long. We missed you.”

“Ian, are you feeling alright?”

“Ian! Oh my, you’ve lost weight.”

Ian laughed as the mages and Romandro gestured and clung to him.

Then, a shadow fell over them. Ian looked up at a stranger.

“So this is Ian?”

“Don’t call Ian ‘that guy’!”

It was Jaan. He looked down at Ian with genuine curiosity and smiled.

“Yeah. That one’s handsome. Clear eyes.”

“…Are you the great mage from the East?”

“Oh? How did you know?”

“Your clothes are from the East.”

“Ah!”

Jaan straightened up and laughed heartily, as if just realizing. Beric pushed past him, face close to Ian’s.

“Hey, you’re really asking for it, huh?”

“Oh, Beric. Good to see you.”

“I told you to keep in touch!”

Beric shouted into Ian’s ear, making one eyebrow twitch. Entangled with the mages, Ian couldn’t dodge.

Jaan kept examining Ian’s face, muttering something, while the mages jabbered on. The once-quiet desert suddenly buzzed with noise.

“Let’s move the luggage first.”

It was Jin. He stood a few steps away, looking slightly annoyed as he looked down at Ian.

“How have you been, Your Majesty?”

“As well as you.”

“You’ve grown taller.”

Jin fell silent. He had grown, but why hadn’t Ian? Seeing Ian’s slightly thinner frame made his heart ache.

The warriors easily lifted the bags the mages had tossed aside and asked,

“Shall we move the luggage?”

“That’s your gift. We brought meat, food, and some liquor.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

“This way, please.”

Meanwhile, Beric was momentarily speechless at the sight of Cheollyeo after so long. Was it the rain? The once bustling village was empty and desolate. The desert’s heart, once hot, fierce, and full of life, seemed dead.

Seeing Beric’s frown, the warriors patted his shoulder.

“It’s okay. We’ve rebuilt a lot.”

Under a narrow tent barely keeping out the rain, they unpacked. The palace’s storeroom had been emptied—there was excellent meat and fresh ingredients. The warriors bustled about, preparing to grill meat, pouring drinks, and laying cloth for the emperor’s seat.

Jaan settled roughly and, curious, lifted a gulut leaf to sniff.

“An unusual awakening herb.”

“It’s forbidden for outsiders.”

“So what? We brought this much meat.”

“It came from the palace, not you.”

“Oh? Look at these guys! Do you know who I am? Tch!”

“Don’t act tough in front of the emperor!”

“Hey! Just let me have one hit!”

Jaan pouted, and Roel nodded slightly. Who knew when this passing visitor might disappear? It was better to leave some trace.

Taking the gulut leaf from a warrior, Jaan lit it and began smoking. Holding it whole in his mouth, he looked back at Ian.

“Well then. Nice to meet you, Ian Hielo. The palace folks kept saying your name, so I had to see your face.”

“I no longer use the name Hielo. Just call me Ian.”

Jaan’s eyes narrowed as he puffed smoke, then muttered something cryptic.

“…You’re too young.”

Jaan thought to himself that he and Ian were alike—both burdened with the mission to save the world by eradicating the strange, both sacrificing their lifespans for that cause. Ian brushed his wet hair back and smiled.

“Is that so?”

“The heavens are heartless. I’m a worn-out old man, but you’re so young and beautiful.”

“I chose this path.”

Even that answer fit perfectly. Jaan smiled meaningfully.

“You too, see it through to the end. You’ll find the world you desire.”

“Ha! Well said!”

Jaan’s admiration sparked the mages to swarm around Ian. Enough talk—they wanted to catch up first.

They sat with the warriors, sharing drinks and meat, asking how they had been. Ian smiled awkwardly, unsure how to answer.

“Too much has happened,” he said.

“Well, tell us all about it. We’ll share our stories too. Minister Akorella blew up the lab seven times this year alone. At this point, nothing surprises us anymore.”

“Shut up! Why would you say that?”

“And just recently, Lord Romandro—”

“Iaaan! Hey, this is the same barracks we stayed in, right? Damn, it’s exactly the same!”

“Quiet, Beric! We’re in the middle of a conversation!”

“Your Majesty, is the food to your liking?”

“Of course, Roel. How are your eyes?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Sometimes in the desert, it’s easier not to see than to see.”

Jaan took a swig of his drink and glanced around at the bustling group. Everyone looked frazzled, a little desperate. They instinctively knew time was running out—not just because the palace couldn’t be left unattended for long, but also because the boy soaked by the rain looked so fragile.

Suddenly, an inexplicable feeling surged through him.

“Hey now, warriors of the tribe, why don’t you try beating that drum?”

“It’s not a drum, it’s a tunmong.”

“Whatever it is. You can’t have rain and drinks without some music, can you?”

Chunryeo tapped the side of the chair he was sitting on. Jaan nodded happily, swirling around in the rain with his cup raised. What’s gotten into that crazy old man?

Boom boom boom! Dum dum dum!

“Oh, Jota!”

Thud! Clap! Thud thud!

“…Must be drunk on gurot leaves.”

Ian muttered, and the mages exchanged glances, clearly exasperated by the antics.

But regardless, Jaan kept humming strange tunes and singing. The rhythm was oddly similar to the one he used when casting his erasure magic.

“Anyway, old man.”

“I’m about to show you a dance! At my age, moves like this don’t come easy. Watch closely, kid. Impressive, right?”

“Give me a break. Who dances like that these days?”

Beric shrugged dramatically and danced, making the mages and warriors laugh until they doubled over. But soon—

“I can’t take this anymore.”

“Let’s go!”

The warriors charged into the rain, singing at the top of their lungs.

Ian suddenly felt like he’d been transported back to Philia’s wedding.

“……”

And he wasn’t the only one. Jin, who had attended wearing a mask, was also recalling that day.

Even the mages who had tried to stop them had, before they knew it, joined Jaan and Beric, bouncing around in sync.

Swish!

The rain intensified, washing away the desert’s heat in an instant. When Beric reached out his hand, Ian grasped it firmly—and pulled Jin along with him.

“Run, run! Faster than anyone across the Apichino fields! Beric’s coming through, clear the way!”

“Damn, he’s still the same. Really.”

“Beric, shut your mouth.”

Ian spun around with his friends, dancing and reveling in the refreshing downpour. The louder he laughed, the louder his friends laughed too. With drinks, meat, and song, time slipped away unnoticed.

As the sun set and dusk fell, the exhausted group collapsed onto the ground. Jaan, who had started it all, was the first to pass out, mouth wide open.

“Ugh.”

“My head’s killing me.”

“Ian, are you okay?”

Ian lay back, stretching his arms and legs comfortably. With his eyes closed, he chuckled softly, then replied as if he couldn’t move anymore.

“…Tired.”

“It’s been so long since we’ve just played and eaten like this.”

“Ah, it’s wonderful. I want to stay like this forever.”

“…Yeah.”

Ian murmured quietly.

“…It’s been a long time.”

“Ian, are you sleepy?”

“…Yeah. I laughed too much.”

Sleep came over him irresistibly. The sensation of raindrops trickling down his cheek grew faint.

Ian’s breath trembled slightly. A tear slipped from the corner of his eye, but was quickly washed away by the rain.

“Sir Ian, do you know what’s appeared in the central square?”

A flower grave. Built by those who wished to remember him.

“Lord Xiaosi and Lady Chloe finally married. Don’t even ask what happened then. Ugh.”

“And also…”

Ian listened to his friends’ fading voices as he slipped into sleep.

If someone asked him what happiness was, Ian would answer: this moment, right now. And then he’d ask in return: what is this overwhelming feeling filling my heart?

“Ian?”

When no answer came for a long while, the mages slowly rose and looked at him.

Swish.

Ian lay peacefully with his eyes closed. As if it was okay to be submerged in the rain, a faint smile graced his lips.

“Ian?”

Beric grasped his hand with trembling fingers, and Jin rested his forehead on Ian’s shoulder. Everyone held their breath, watching over Ian’s final moments.

Swish.

The golden light bestowed by the gods faded away.

It was a day when the desert’s monsoon rains continued without end.