Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 420

Episode 420. But, what needs to be done now?

Early morning.

After completing the breathing technique, Aster opened his eyes halfway and observed his inner self.

'……also.'

As Senior Muspelun had said, the six walls of the circle were not low.

Until then, I just thought it was hard because there was no space left around my heart, but something was fundamentally different.

Regarding this, Senior Muspelun said this:

– It needs to be reorganized.

– Reestablishment… … right?

– Yes. It's difficult to explain clearly, as it's a realm of enlightenment, but look again and realize it again. Then, I believe the path will naturally open.

And he added:

– Since enlightenment is ahead, it won't be that big of a problem. … … for now.

It definitely was.

'Enlightenment is still ahead of the circle.'

It was a very deformed shape.

Usually, the level of enlightenment and vision are proportional.

There has never been a rise to the level of vision without enlightenment, and with enlightenment comes the level of vision.

But the circle was different.

Why?

‘… …Because it is a vision that has been built and achieved to a certain degree of enlightenment.’

Of course, that will be harmonized the moment the sixth circle is created, but for now, that's it.

So, what I'm saying is that the real start is from the 6th circle…

Thinking about it that way, I remembered the conversation I had with Senior Muspelun a few days ago.

– Whatever his plan is, you can't handle it.

That was right.

Whether it was his own level of skill or his own power, Aster could not keep up with Pahern.

In such a situation, attending the Sanctuary as an observer is like walking into an ogre's den with a single sword in your hand.

But why did Senior Muspelun give me an invitation?

It was because of the 'hermits' of the Sanctuary.

'Hermit… …Hermits of the Sanctuary.'

No one knows the identity.

There is only speculation that they are wizards from the previous generation, or the generation before that, or wizards raised in the Sanctuary.

What was certain was that they possessed mysterious powers.

A representative example is… … .

‘… …Tracking.’

When a challenger designates a witness, they track that witness down, wherever he or she may be, and deliver an invitation. Of course, the observer is free to accept the invitation or not, but their tracking skills are unparalleled.

For example… … .

'… …They say they even found a wizard who had been in seclusion for decades and was thought to be dead and delivered an invitation?'

The reclusive wizard was the challenger's master, and as a result, the challenger ascended to the rank of 'Arch Mage' under the watchful eye of his master.

There weren't only such heartwarming anecdotes.

on the other way…….

'… …There were also cases where Hermits were used to find enemies and successfully take revenge.'

It was an act worthy of condemnation from all wizards. And indeed, he paid a price for it.

Not only the noble families, but all the wizards attacked the challenger who used 'Sanctuary' as a tool of revenge, and the challenger and his power that had dominated the era disappeared into the back alleys of history overnight.

This is the 'Fall of the Dranfell Family Incident'.

Since there is such a precedent… … .

‘… Even if it’s dug up, I won’t be able to do anything openly.’

But, is Pahern usually a vicious guy?

The author, who thought that Dekulan's safety was in danger, personally destroyed the vassal family that had been loyal to him for hundreds of years.

‘He cares so much for my family that it’s highly likely he wouldn’t have resorted to trickery… … .’

It is also true that we may use some unconventional methods.

Even if it's Dekulan, it's impossible to resist and oppose all the wizards, but who knows.

'He might have prepared some incredible numbers.'

This was the reason why Senior Muspelun had urged him to decline the invitation, but Aster held off on making a decision.

Why?

'This could be a good opportunity.'

To be honest, there were more than a few questionable aspects to Pahern's current state.

A challenge to the sanctuary a dozen years earlier than in the previous life.

'I thought the challenge would succeed because I knew the future, but looking back, it doesn't make sense.'

The Shincheonwonkong is merely a vision. Mastering it does not guarantee advancement for all Dekulan wizards.

If you think about it this way, it's not hard to understand why Pahern achieved great success without Shincheonwon Gong… but… he achieved great success without any conditions that improved from his previous life?

“It’s a bluff… It can’t be true.”

Because Dekulan had nothing to gain.

If it were just any other family, challenging the Sanctuary would have been a feat in itself, but for a family as prestigious as Deculan, challenging the Sanctuary would not be considered a feat.

then.

'There is definitely achievement.'

but.

'I wonder if that is… the same achievement as in my previous life?'

The previous life's Pahern surpassed the previous Archmage's records by an overwhelming margin, and rose above the Archmages.

If so, what will the present life be like?

“I… need to find out.”

The visit to the Sanctuary was a good opportunity to gauge the current level of digging.

I don't know what kind of trick they have prepared, but since the eyes of the entire continent are on them, they won't be able to do it openly.

There is no better opportunity to encounter the Dighan.

Muspelun expressed concern about Aster's opinion, but respected it.

– That makes perfect sense. But… … Since we have a little more time left, I'd like you to think about it a little more.

Aster nodded to Muspelun's suggestion. Even Aster himself wasn't sure what the right choice was.

But for now, I just do what I have to do.

What we need to do right now is… … .

'… … the sixth circle.'

That was it.

* * *

The House of Dekulan.

Pahern sat on the throne and greeted Holland.

“What happened?”

“It was handled well.”

“I see. What do you think?”

Holland paused to collect his thoughts at Pahern's question. Then, shortly after, he blurted out his answer.

“The Wizard of the End”… It wasn’t just a lie.”

“Of course.”

Muspelun, the wizard of the end.

Some say the name is overly deified. No, it wasn't "some." Most sorcerers who reached the realm were like that.

Why not?

He is said to have reduced a hundred thousand soldiers to corpses and ended the war, but even the evidence for this is unclear today. No, the evidence is clear, but perhaps the passage of time has diminished the impact of his accomplishments.

And… …they are also proud of it.

They too would be able to accomplish such feats if the circumstances and conditions were right.

but.

"He was a wizard who could have easily ascended to the rank of 'Arch Mage.' Had he not chosen seclusion, had he continued to live a fierce life, he would have become the 'Arch Mage' of his time."

“Indeed, that’s what happened.”

If it were the past, I would have questioned the head of the household's high regard for the Grand Duke, but now I could acknowledge Holland.

However, Pahern shook his head as he looked at him.

“No, you haven’t realized it yet.”

“……?”

“Now, look.”

Holland raised his head and looked at Pahern. A deep blue flame flickered at his fingertips.

“This is the realm that the top lord has achieved. What does it look like?”

“……I can handle it.”

When Holland first saw the flames, he was overwhelmed by them. He thought no force field could stop them. But now, things were different.

'As much as… … .'

I can handle it.

This was the realm Holland had achieved by obtaining the blue flame, the core vision of Dekulan.

Hwaruk―

That's when the flame changed.

“How was it this time?”

“……?”

Holland tilted his head. "What do you think?" He narrowed his eyes and took in Pahern's magic.

On the surface, it was the same spark as before. However, something subtly changed. And if I were to ask how it would be evaluated…

“I don’t feel anything.”

“Is it far away?”

"no."

"That's right. To say something is 'great' requires the vision to capture it in one's eyes. That's what Grand Duke Muspelun says to you."

“That means…….”

“Whatever you have seen of the Grand Duke of Muspelun, he has achieved more than that.”

“If I do that, why…….”

"Why did I send you to the Grand Duke? Is that what you wanted to ask?"

“……I’m sorry, but that’s true.”

If it was simply to invite the Tower Lord as an observer, it would have been sufficient to leave it to the Hermits of Sanctuary.

However, Pahern insisted on inviting the tower lord through Grand Duke Muspelun.

Why?

The order given by Pahern to Holland was as follows:

– Take stock of the Grand Duke of Muspelun.

But now that I look at it, doesn't it seem like they knew from the beginning that it would be unpredictable?

Pahern's answer to that was something Holland couldn't understand.

“If you can’t measure it, I can measure the Grand Duke just by that.”

“Are you saying… that you can gauge the realm of Grand Duke Muspelun? Just by going through me?”

“Yes.”

Pahern nodded and looked at Holland. Then he stared into his eyes.

“You are not afraid of the Grand Duke.”

"that……."

Holland was about to answer when he realized what the owner was trying to say.

It certainly was.

The realm of the Grand Duke of Muspelun was awe-inspiring, but not so much that it was fearful.

That was Holland's nature from the beginning.

'but…….'

What was it like to look into the eyes of his master? Holland had never realized it before, but what he felt was fear.

That would have been enough.

"Of the ghosts of the old war, only two can truly be called monsters. And both wear the mask of the New Moon. The first is Muspelun, the 'Wizard of the End'… and the second is Schubert, the headmaster of the Academy. When I saw Schubert on matters concerning the Bimar family, he was still a distant figure. But…"

Pahern tapped the armrest of the throne. A faint smile played on his lips.

“There’s no need to look at Schubert anymore.”

“……!”

Holland was astonished. He hadn't realized the wizard who served as the Academy's headmaster was such a formidable being, and now he realized that the head of the family could truly ascend to the rank of Archmage.

“Congratulations.”

"well……."

Pahern trailed off, watching Holland bang his head on the floor. It was still too early to receive congratulations.

In fact, it was not the ghosts of the old war that Pahern had in mind.

There was no need to fear the great men who would perish with the passage of time.

But what he has in mind is… … .

‘… … Top lord.’

It was that unidentified wizard.

“Please… I hope you don’t refuse the invitation.”

"……yes?"

"no."

Pahern said that and closed his eyes tightly.

… … No one can resist the waves of the times.

Pahern was convinced.

If you are the new wave that will push back the ghosts of the old war… … .

Matapju

Only he is the new wave that will push him forward.

Pahern, who had been thinking for a moment, opened his eyes again. Then, looking at Holland, he gave an order.

“I guess I’ll have to help you choose.”

“That means…….”

“If you are hesitating about your choice, I should make it so that you don’t hesitate.”

That evening.

The wizards who received the order from Pahern departed from the Dekulan House.

The destination was this.

… …the Blando family.

… … Arapurgin.

Their targets were the Henge of the Blando family and the Falun of the Babel school, and the justification was no different.

'Cheonwon-gong.'

To ask for the price… … .

“Do you think that guy will accept the invitation, Topju?”

“Let’s just watch for a moment.”

With those words, Pahern closed his eyes.