Chapter 918

[…I feel you, and you see me—this is the day we’ve both longed for.]

…It was truly a strange way to begin.

Ian hesitated for a long moment, unsure how to respond, before cautiously asking,

“Do you know me?”

The green light before him took on a vague shape, but it was impossible to make out clearly. It might have been the face of an old man, or perhaps a creature with a long snout, or maybe just a distorted flicker of flame.

One thing was certain: it was smiling.

[Who among us could not know you?]

Ian sensed something odd in the king’s reply. “Could not know you?” That phrasing felt off.

But there was no time to dwell on such trivialities. The night was short, and Crony was surely watching their tent. Though precautions had been taken, there was no room for complacency.

[I am Hasha Rang Tokundai. Though my life ended long ago, through lingering attachments and bonds, I still oversee Astana. Ian…]

The king paused briefly.

[Hadel?]

It was as if the surname “Hadel” felt awkward to him.

“Yes, please continue,” Ian said politely, bowing his head, already anticipating the king’s next words. Surely they would reveal their intentions and seek cooperation. How far they could decide here was uncertain…

[Are you well?]

The unexpected question caught Ian off guard. Well? Ako and Hale exchanged slight puzzled glances, as if surprised by the turn of events.

But Hasha seemed indifferent to their reactions, asking again.

[Are you at peace—in body and mind? Do you laugh often? Do you savor the morning sunlight each day, and fully enjoy the quiet serenity of night? I wonder.]

“Your Majesty?”

Ian glanced nervously at Ako and Hadel. Even the representative seemed a bit uneasy, unused to seeing the king like this.

But Hasha kept his gaze fixed on Ian, waiting for an answer, as if silently pleading for a “yes.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty. I am surrounded by good people, and each day is joyful. Though coming north was not what I wished, as you see, I am at peace in body and mind with my companions.”

Hasha looked over at Ako and Hale, then let out a low chuckle. The king seemed genuinely pleased.

[Good… it is you, then.]

A bond stretched across a hundred years, reconnected once more. To witness this before the soul withered away—what a blessing.

Hasha’s murmured words left Ako and Hale exchanging uncertain looks.

[Ian. Astana has long been home to many seers. They peer into others’ lives as if they had lived them themselves.]

Hasha sighed, as if weighed down. The urge to reveal everything gripped his heart. To tell Ian Hielro, his dear friend, the golden mage, the hero who saved the world a century ago, and a blessing from the gods.

But—

“Hasha. If you meet me again far in the future, please keep this to yourself.”

“Why?”

Hasha recalled Hielro’s clear request. A free spirit wandering Gaia, disappearing like a shadow under the moonlight from the royal palace. Draped in a blanket, smiling, his pale face glowing red by the campfire—an image that stayed with him.

“I erased all memories of this life. If my future self cannot remember, then that too is the will of the gods. Let things flow naturally, but lend a little help. Not too much, so nothing precious slips away.”

“But—”

“Besides, would you believe me if I told you? I wouldn’t.”

The king looked at the child before him. Five-year-old Ian sat composed and attentive, waiting for Hasha’s words.

[…]

Ah, Ian, I never imagined your childhood would be this endearing. Hasha rekindled the flames and drew closer to the boy.

[Beware Crony.]

“…!”

Ian’s lips parted in surprise.

[He is a man who would devour you, swallow Bariel, and ultimately endanger Gaia. That is why I seek to strengthen the alliance with the Northern Coalition and Bariel, and to eliminate Crony.]

The representative, who had been quietly listening, now fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances. No matter what, Crony was a commander of the great empire Bariel. Even if he was hostile to the Mage Department, was it wise to openly show such enmity? What if the Mage Department used this as a pretext to threaten Astana? The king was wise, but this situation was hard to comprehend.

“So that’s why you wanted to meet us.”

Fortunately, the mages’ reactions were calm. Ako rested his chin on his hand, humming thoughtfully, while Hale and Ian remained quiet, lost in thought.

‘Amazing.’

Their understanding was perfectly aligned. Astana had its reasons, and the mages—and Ian—wanted Crony gone. It felt like the final piece of a well-crafted puzzle sliding naturally into place.

“Do you have a plan?”

Ian asked again. This was both affirmation and agreement—they too wanted Crony dealt with. The representative finally relaxed his clenched fists, rubbing his thighs as sweat beaded on his skin.

[It is difficult for Astana to assassinate a commander of the great empire. That is why we need your help.]

“But we are officially part of the Mage Department. If we harm Crony, we risk being branded traitors, and worse, endangering the entire department.”

“Oh, but we do have a mercenary here.”

Hale raised his hand, but that didn’t change the situation. If Hale killed Crony and was caught, execution was almost certain. Even if Arena intervened to save his life, he would rot in prison for the rest of his days.

And living as a fugitive? Hale had no reason to sacrifice himself so much for the Mage Department.

“Disguising it as an accident would be best.”

Ako snapped his fingers, suggesting,

“It’s better to avoid any loss of troops for Astana and Bariel, right? They’re innocent. If we can just quietly take out Crony, an accident is ideal.”

But in this open plain, with Crony guarded by his men, making his death look accidental was no easy feat. Ako added another concern.

“Before that, though, we need to learn something from Crony. We found evidence he’s searching for Idgal, a forbidden magic stone.”

“Ah! If it’s Idgal, don’t worry.”

The representative’s face brightened.

“Astana holds the clues to Idgal’s resting place. Crony’s constant demands have been quite troublesome. It’s tangled with the interests of the Northern Coalition as well.”

“You mean they know where Idgal is buried?”

“Ah! Of course, don’t worry. It’s more like a legend, and sealing the rift is the path to peace in the North. Astana has no intention of disturbing it.”

The representative hurried to clarify, wary of any misunderstanding from the mages. Though judging by Ako’s sparkling eyes, it might have been futile.

“So, in other words, Crony doesn’t yet know where Idgal’s resting place is?”

“Y-yes. Before we could hold talks, you three suddenly appeared.”

That was a relief. There was still a chance.

Ako crossed his arms and asked,

“Do you plan to share this with the other tribes?”

[No.]

“Oh dear, I wasn’t asking Your Majesty, but thank you for answering so graciously. I feel a bit embarrassed for speaking so informally.”

Still the same woman, Hasha thought, adding firmly,

[Astana will seal all information about Idgal. But Ian, if you wish, I can grant it to you.]

“…!”

The three mages looked puzzled.

Hasha expected Ian to ask, “Why?” But his wise friend always surprised him.

“…What do you want in return?”

To reveal the location of Idgal’s resting place only to him implied he could pay a price.

Hasha smiled softly and looked into Ian’s eyes. Ah, how wonderful. The green light made the boy’s eyes gleam emerald. It felt as if they had returned to those distant, fading days.

[I want nothing.]

“I’m sorry, but hearing that only makes me think more.”

What was his true intention? A trap? Ian raised his eyes warily, but Hasha shook his head.

[Perhaps after all this thinking, you might discover the truth. That too is what I hope for, Ian.]

The king continued to call the boy simply “Ian,” as if he had done so for a very long time—naturally and warmly.

“…It’s hard to believe. Please tell me the truth.”

[The truth?]

Ian reached out, wrapping his hand around the green flame. It wasn’t hot at all. Rather, it was warm and gentle—so much so that he wanted to hold it close.

[The truth is… everyone has missed you.]

I couldn’t understand any of it. The king’s cryptic answers only left me frustrated. Yet, strangely, I didn’t feel uncomfortable.

The flames flickered, gradually dimming. Without realizing it, I reached out, reluctant to let go. But the flames reached out first, wrapping around my hand.

[Ian.]

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

[Do you think we’ll meet again?]

Hasha knew his time was running out. His body should have perished over a hundred years ago. But for Astana, and to witness this day, he had changed bodies countless times, each one gnawing away at his soul.

When the moment came that Ian regained his memories, would he call him ‘Hasha’? Would he hold him like this again?

“…If you wish.”

[I do. I want it, more than anything, Ian.]

It was a final farewell. Hasha embraced me gently, then slowly faded away.

[Go forward without fear, Ian. You are surrounded by countless blessings.]

Ssshhh.

My dear, dear friend. In this life, may you find peace and happiness.

I reached out slowly to grasp the fading flames, but in an instant, they vanished completely. A brief silence followed. The representative cleared his throat, coughing softly.

“I apologize. Because it’s a spell, the connection can’t last long, and His Majesty’s health is fragile.”

Ako and Hale exchanged glances. Was that why the king’s words were so cryptic? But even so, the conversation had flowed smoothly.

“Anyway, since His Majesty has given permission, we can share clues about the location of the Idgal burial site. But before that, I’d like to revisit the issue with Crony.”

“Ah, good. This is shaping up to be a very productive meeting.”

Ako rolled up his sleeves and asked for pen and paper. Hale requested a cigarette to help him think, muttering something about how his head wouldn’t work without something in his mouth.

“Ian.”

Ako called out to me. But I stood still, staring down at my palm. The warmth of the flames still lingered—soft and comforting, even now.

“Ian?”

When he called again, I turned sharply, almost without thinking. Ako and Hale both froze, surprised. My eyes were wet.

“…That was strange.”

Everyone fell silent, watching me. Then I spoke.

“It felt like meeting an old friend. Someone I’d missed so deeply.”