Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 146

Episode 146. Have you ever heard of the system of collective punishment?

The Small Sword Hall (小劍殿) where the Sogaju resides.

Zion paced the reception room with anxious steps.

So, how much time has passed?

“Your Majesty, the master of the tower is here…….”

“Are you here?”

Zion opened the door and greeted Aster.

"First, please sit down. I have many questions, but… first, I'd like to apologize. I'm truly, truly sorry."

Unlike the previous roundabout apology, this was a direct one.

The little master of Lortel bowed his head.

But why is that?

Aster, who doesn't say anything.

Zion raised his head slightly, observed Aster's expression, and then cautiously asked a question.

“Are you… okay?”

“……Are you okay?”

"You don't look well. Are you seriously injured? Hey, listen up! Is anyone out there? Bring me a good potion for your wounds!"

Zion's call was immediately answered by the attendant waiting outside. It didn't take long for the potion to reach Sogaju's hand.

"It's a potion. Unlike my other medicines, it'll be incredibly effective even without breathing techniques."

A high-priced luxury item of a different level from the potion that Kalahen had before.

Aster silently accepted the bottle and gulped it down.

It wasn't because of the injury that his expression wasn't good, but it was free and the injury wasn't light either.

So, when Aster emptied all the expensive potions.

Zion asked a question.

“Seeing that you came back alive, it seems like the story went well… Is that right?”

Aster nodded.

First of all, the story itself ended well, as Sogaju had guessed.

‘I thought I would be able to die without any problems… … .’

Surprisingly, the head of the Lortelle family accepted all of our demands.

Not only was the original purpose of the Infinite Chain, but he also took advantage of the atmosphere to slyly mention the 'Tomb of the Sword God', and everyone nodded.

anyway.

“The Infinite Chain wants to talk to you.”

"Hmm…! That's great! I'm truly sorry again. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about? I can hear it separately, but… I'm just curious."

“That’s a different story…….”

Aster briefly summarized the conversation he had with Gaju regarding the Infinite Chain Gun.

First of all, the deal itself was decided to proceed as it was with Sogaju.

but.

Should I call it a favor…? …. He said he would personally send the first sword to Baidun Village and mention breaking the deal.

It might have been a natural aftercare for Lortel, but from Aster's perspective, it was quite a welcome thing.

Why is that?

'Because soon you'll notice that there's a variable in Dekulando Lortel.'

You made too much of a fuss about things.

midnight.

The pillar of fire piercing the sky in the middle of Lortel was a sight that you couldn't help but see, even if you didn't want to.

So, even if not right now… … .

‘… … Even so, it’ll only last a day or two.’

In the meantime, Dekulan will also find out.

If so, how will it turn out as Dekulan?

A variable arose in Lortel. While they couldn't have foreseen the contract being broken, it was enough to prepare for any eventuality. And if they found out about the contract being broken…

Since he has a vested interest in Falun, he'll likely seize the path to the academy. Or he might pull off something unexpected.

but.

'Once the first sword moves, even as Dekulan, I can't focus on anything else.'

Perhaps all the intelligence community's efforts would be focused on the first sword's movements.

It's unlikely that Lortel would move the first sword to strike Dekulan without going mad, but if that were to happen, Dekulan would have to suffer considerable losses.

This was the strategic value of the Ten Swords of Lortel, its leader.

so.

“……Father has been quite kind to me.”

I could understand Sogaju Zion's foolish reaction.

Sir Zeke is also considered the 'third', but Hamelin, the leader of the Ten Swords, is on a different track from the other Ten Swords.

It was around that time that Zion began to question.

“But, you… why are you looking like that? Did something happen?”

Zion carefully questioned Aster, observing his expression.

Despite everything going well, Aster's expression was unusual.

“What’s going on…….”

Aster smiled with a slightly stiff expression.

“The Lord gave me a great gift.”

"……gift?"

“Yes, you gave me a great gift.”

It wasn't sarcasm.

Because what Muhad gave to Aster was truly a great gift.

but…….

– I heard you're going against Dekulan… … It's a vain dream.

It was just too bitter.

– A crumbling vessel cannot build a family, let alone a Dekulan.

A crumbling vessel.

This is… … .

'Circle.'

It meant the imperfection of the core.

* * *

After all the Shadow Knights left.

“I heard you were going to fight against Dekulan… but that’s a vain dream. With a crumbling vessel, you can’t achieve anything, let alone Dekulan.”

Those were the first words the head of the household spoke to me.

“What is that…….”

“Don’t ask how I saw it. Sometimes the magic sword shows you things you don’t want to see.”

Perhaps, observing my core seems to be the function of the magic sword that the head of the household possesses.

I was worried that maybe the existence of the reverse flow had been discovered, but fortunately that wasn't the case.

Anyway, he added that:

"It's not because of a demon or a countercurrent. The vision itself has its limitations."

Is there a limit to the vision itself?

‘What the hell is this… … .’

It was a difficult statement to accept.

That's understandable, considering the vision I've acquired!

The vision of the Red Flower was added to the root of Dekulan's Heavenly Ball. But, it has limitations? This means that Dekulan's vision itself has limitations!

But, when I think about it carefully… … .

'I didn't master the full Heavenly Power.'

The Cheonwon Gong itself was intact.

However, in the process of strengthening the core, a different method was chosen.

So, what does this mean?

'The circle… is an incomplete vision.'

Honestly, it was hard to believe.

Why?

Because I reached transcendence by completing the circle in the Great Forest.

What if the Circle was an imperfect vision? Perhaps I wouldn't have been able to achieve transcendence even in the Great Forest.

However, it was a story that could not be dismissed as mere nonsense.

"There won't be a problem right now. But, as the vessel grows, the cracks will also grow. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

The sight of the head of the household sitting on the iron throne and speaking solemnly… …even if he were talking nonsense, it would have looked plausible.

This is why people's positions are important.

'Perhaps the reason other people don't believe me is because my position is so trivial.'

anyway.

At this point, I couldn't ignore it either.

So I thought about it.

'First of all, the circle in Daesurim was perfect.'

If so, what's the problem?

It didn't take long to find the answer.

'The circle now… is different from the circle in Daesurim.'

First of all, the size is like that.

If the circle in the forest is a thick adult anaconda, then the current circle is a baby anaconda that has starved for a month and is very emaciated?

'At first, I just thought it was because of the difference in magical power. But it wasn't a simple problem.'

Although we don't know all the causes yet, there was a difference between the circle in the Great Forest and the circle now.

“Do you understand now? Why did I say it was disappointment?”

I nodded to Gaju's question.

If you didn't know, you wouldn't know.

It must have been pitiful for the head of the household to see.

The owner of the tower.

How ridiculous it must have seemed to the head of a group to have a vision with clear limitations.

But, at this point, I was curious.

“What is the reason?”

“Speak straight.”

“What is the reason for doing such a favor?”

“That’s why.”

Gaju Muhad looked at me with indifferent eyes.

Is it because of my mood?

The corners of his lips were slightly turned up, giving the impression of a sneer. No, to be precise, it wasn't just a 'feeling'.

“That’s funny.”

“……What?”

"That effort, that struggle despite limitations. The foolishness of sharpening your sword against an opponent you can't reach. Do you know that? The 'Infinite Chain' you're risking your life to obtain is nothing to the main family."

So, what I'm saying is.

“I was curious.”

I wanted to see it.

“What kind of expression will you make when I tell you your limits?”

“What if I don’t believe you?”

"Even that's worth seeing. How dare you ignore the truth I'm telling you."

As I listened to that point, this thought suddenly occurred to me.

Could this kid really be the head of the Lortelle family?

"Weren't you adopted from Dekulan when you were young?"

The author, who is the head of a knight family… … They say that the positions of the heads of noble families are all the same, but is it really this twisted?

It's so ridiculous I can't even laugh!

But, the spectacle was what happened after this.

“So, what are your thoughts?”

“It’s disappointing.”

Yeombyung, it's disappointing at times.

When I was a Troubleshooter trainee, this was the instructor's regular line.

– I am disappointed in you, Instructor!

But, I never thought I'd hear this comment from the head of the Lortelle family!

However, Gaju's words did not end there.

"But on the other hand, it's worth watching. It always moves beyond expectations."

“That means….”

"Your limitations are clear. Furthermore, judging by the scale of your power, the Magic Tower and the Sword Garden are also shabby. The Infinite Chain? You've finally managed to ward off Dekulan, but how long will that last?"

so.

“I predict you will be trampled by the Dekulan.”

No, that's not all.

“If something like today keeps happening, I won’t even have to go to Dekulan.”

The head of the household said… … .

“It’s like a bug.”

But why did you change your mind and show me kindness?

If so, the answer was similar to before.

“Move outside my predictions.”

So to speak… … it is something to look forward to.

I see myself exceeding my own expectations.

The sight of him overcoming the limits of the circle, shaking off Dekulan's pursuit, and growing the magic tower and sword circle to finally confront Dekulan.

This feeling is… … .

‘… … It’s been a really long time since I’ve felt this dirty.’

That's why my expression was distorted as if I had chewed something.

It's a circle, even so.

Because the Lortel family hit my forehead too hard and too many times.

… … After thinking about this, I stared at the small liquor in front of me.

“Have you ever heard of the system of collective punishment?”

“Isn’t that passing on the sin?”

“If you know, you won’t feel wronged later.”

“……?”

I looked at the bewildered Sogaju.

however.

'Will this kid end up like that when he gets married later?'

Well, then I guess I'll have to prepare it beforehand.

“Okay, let’s talk about when to hand over the Infinite Chain.”

I quickly changed the subject before Sogaju could notice anything.

* * *

The Battle of Iron.

After hearing from the head of the household what had happened to the tower's owner, Hamelin sipped his wine.

“Hmm, if this old man dares to guess… I guess the owner of the tower is quite pleased with it?”

“I just felt sorry for him.”

Even in situations where I couldn't help myself, I didn't avoid them, but instead charged forward. That recklessness that would ultimately lead to my collapse, my breaking, my destruction.

It was then that Hamelin shook his head.

“I don’t think that’s all.”

“Is that so?”

"Yes, but wasn't this old man your master? I think there must be another reason you didn't tell me."

“As expected, the eyes of a single sword cannot be fooled.”

Muhad sipped his glass and raised the corners of his mouth.

Since becoming the head of the household, there has been little reason to laugh, but today, in particular, I felt like laughing wildly.

It was then that Hamelin asked the question.

“May I ask what other reasons there might be?”

“That’s why…….”

Muhad thought for a moment.

He remembered a wizard from long ago.

The wizard had nothing in common with the master of the tower, but there was one thing that was similar.

"There was always someone who played outside my expectations. Seeing the Master of the Tower brought him to mind."

“If you say ‘that’…….”

“Who could it be?”

Muhad brought up the name he hated so much.

“Pierre von Decullan.”

“…….”

Hamelin looked at Muhad for a moment with trembling eyes.

'The owner of the tower… … dug up?'

It was a scene where we could see the hatred that the head of the household had for Pahern.