Book 14 Chapter 23
Platinum Mercenary Corps,
In the Northern Empire (9)
The rumor that the self-proclaimed [Strongest Mage] had stopped the atrocities of the [Roar of the Grizzly Bear] mercenary corps spread instantly.
As the rumor crossed regions, various falsehoods and delusions were added as unnecessary details.
However, by the time the story reached the Osarius School's Magic Tower, it had transformed into something like a prince's fairy tale.
“Why is the protagonist a duchess?”
Gizella asked.
No one answered.
“I mean, why is the protagonist a duchess and not Lyn?”
The story went like this:
A duchess, concealing her identity, was crossing [Stella Grand Bridge] when she was attacked by a ruthless mercenary corps. Kidnapping seemed to be their objective.
At that moment, a handsome young boy appeared and easily defeated the mercenary corps. The duchess asked,
- Who are you?
The mage replied,
- I am the strongest mage; that's all you need to know.
The boy mage, who was an extremely handsome young man and also the best at magic, disappeared after saying those words. Ricky, the youngest of the Four Wind Squires, beamed at the phrase [Strongest Mage].
“It’s Lyn, oppa!”
“Is this really Lyn hyung’s story?”
“Who else would go around saying [Strongest Mage] other than that weirdo?”
“But isn’t it a bit strange that Lyn hyung is described as an extremely handsome young man?”
“No, why is the protagonist a duchess? Does it mean Lyn saved her because she was a duchess, or what?”
Gizella persisted in asking.
In this manner, the disciples of the school bickered all day over the authenticity of this story.
Dean Atlante and Senior Disciple Pomas, who immediately discerned what was true and what was extraneous, exchanged quiet smiles.
“As expected, I suppose. A Platinum-grade mercenary corps… Even if they were recently promoted, they are still a formidable opponent. It hasn’t even been two months since he left the Magic Tower, and he’s already defeating such enemies.”
At the first disciple's words, uttered with a wry laugh, Atlante gently touched the Gladoss (4-star) emblem that Lyn had left behind in the Magic Tower and smiled softly.
“Yes, it seems he’s already having fun. I can tell without even seeing it.”
Saving a duchess was probably a lie. If he had truly saved her, the Elector would have personally intervened.
But saving someone must be true.
The [Strongest Mage] did not kill a single member of the mercenary corps, and although over a hundred people were injured by the corps in this incident, miraculously there were no fatalities.
‘That’s enough, Lyn.’
One step, one step…
He might still feel inexperienced, but he’s moving towards becoming an adult.
‘If you keep moving towards the moon, even if you don’t reach it, you will have become a star shining brightly among the stars.’
* * *
[There is one who defeated the Roar of the Grizzly Bear.]
[Seven Souls] was a black mage group composed of Zernix’s top disciples, the second pillar of the Black Church.
They were special.
An emblem of a sun steeped in dark blue light sinking below the horizon was engraved on each of their robes as a symbol of their order.
[Isn’t the Roar of the Grizzly Bear a rookie Platinum mercenary corps?]
[They’re one of those guys His Eminence personally gave flesh to.]
[Already dead? I thought they would be quite useful.]
The black mages expressed their respective reactions.
[Dazessus, isn’t the North your area? Who is this guy?]
[I don’t know.]
[Useless bastard, as usual.]
[What did you just say?]
[Stop fighting.]
Power is beauty.
Their uniform robes had high collars and built-in masks that covered everything below their eyes.
Additionally, the eight elemental runes of magic were embroidered one by one on their backs.
[Lord Kishua.]
The man called Kishua seemed to have a much higher rank than the other seven. The rune for [Fire (火)] was engraved on his back.
[The problem now is that he dared to impersonate His Eminence. Competing for flesh is one thing, but that is an unforgivable grave sin.]
He is said to have called himself the [Strongest Mage]. He dared to impersonate the great Lord Zernix.
[According to witnesses' testimonies, it seems he might have gone down below the grand bridge.]
[Dazessus, you also descend the grand bridge and join Bremena.]
[Yes.]
On the back of Dazessus, who was in charge of the Northern Empire, was the rune for [Water (水)], and on the back of Bremena, who was in charge of the Central Empire, was the rune for [Ice (氷)].
[Bremena, search south of the grand bridge and carefully observe if he reappears.]
[Yes.]
[I will not tolerate this trivial commotion reaching His Eminence's ears. Deal with it decisively.]
While Bremena bowed deeply, Dazessus said, resting his chin on his finger.
[Lord Kishua, but there was one strange piece of information.]
[Speak.]
[Rumors are widespread that the fellow who impersonated the Strongest Mage used magic by weaving his fingers. Shouldn't this be reported to His Eminence?]
A beast-man mage…?
The members of [Seven Souls] whispered, and Kishua's eyes narrowed sharply.
[Indeed. Then, I will conclude this meeting with a three-cheer salute to the Strongest, honoring the Strongest Mage, Lord Zernix, who is greater than anyone.]
The black mages, who had been shimmering as shadowy figures (人影) above the censer, swung their arms, each fanatically, or vigorously, or perfunctorily, or listlessly.
[Long live the Strongest!]
[Long live the Strongest!]
[Long live the Strongest!]
After that, the shadows above the censer disappeared one by one. On the surface of the censer, the terrifying form of the abyss that massacred humans in ancient times was grotesquely carved in Alvrazm style.
* * *
“Oppa… how’s the outside world these days?”
It was a space filled not with the light of this world, but with the light of creation. It was a space enveloped in mournful, sacred, and faint radiance.
“Yeri, Haradelyman, and Belle are doing well.”
One being lay in a cradle completely sealed by light, and another stood before it, cloaked in black mist like its very presence.
“They’re called the Three Divine Dragons now, aren’t they…? Haha, I miss them. To think those cute little squirming kids are now leaders respected by everyone… I’d like to see them.”
The two were separated only by the cradle’s veil, yet they felt as distant from each other as if several worlds lay between them.
“Teri, you shouldn’t come out now. The abyss will swallow even the last part of your soul.”
“I know… I can’t die yet. I have to find someone to inherit the ‘Blade of Light’.”
“…”
“Don’t make that face. This isn’t your fault, Oppa… It’s all of our fault. So, how about you, Oppa? Have you found a child to inherit your calling?”
The being standing before the cradle rarely showed emotional changes. A fleeting smile was glimpsed through the gaps in the black mist at the corners of that being’s mouth.
“Yes.”