Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 421

Episode 421. Welcome the guests, you guys.

… … The head of the Dekulan family challenges the Sanctuary.

Another rumor spread through the continent that was already abuzz with rumors.

– The Heavenly Ball of Dekulan has been leaked.

Although it was something that no one could easily believe, the rumor spread by Dekulan quickly spread throughout the empire.

If so, who would have stolen the Cheonwon Gong?

There were two identified culprits.

… …Henge von Brando.

… … Falun.

Deculan, who had identified the two as the culprits, went to Brando and Araprugin's 'nest' and demanded their release.

"The main family has no desire to be hostile to Brando. We simply request the new recruit Henge von Brando, who stole the main family's vision."

Brando's patriarch, Leodis, scoffed at the Deculan wizard's impudent demand to hand over Brando's blood relatives without any clear evidence.

It was a request that no matter who the target was, there was no reason to grant it.

However, the wizard from Dekulan did not give in to Leodis' attitude and expressed his demands.

As if that alone was enough to fulfill their role.

However, the situation in Arapugin's development city 'Nest' was quite different from that of Blando.

"Are you the person in charge? I heard Falun, the head of the Babel Society, is here. If you don't want to complicate matters, escort his recruits."

"what……."

“I will give you three days to finish.”

It was a hard-line attitude, as if he would not accept any dialogue.

Blando could have laughed it off and ignored it, but the Nest's position was not like that.

One of the magicians of Decullan.

And two more at the manager level.

That was all, but the nest's power was too great to stop it. No, even if it could be stopped, the aftermath was the problem.

If an armed conflict were to break out, it would not be just one magician group that would come after the nest.

Because of that, I had to make a choice… … .

“It’s not a difficult request.”

“It’s not difficult… is it?”

Evelyn questioned Falun's calm demeanor. It was understandable, for someone facing capture by Dekulan was far too relaxed.

“Is there any way?”

“There’s no way. But I can guess what they’re up to.”

Falun tried to figure out Dekulan's intentions for coming to the 'nest' at this particular time.

Why did they pull out the 'Cheonwon Gong' card?

The reason was simple.

'… …because the nest is not the property of a single force.'

So, we don't 'nest'.

But why now of all times?

The reason had to do with rumors circulating around.

therefore…….

– The seventh observer of the Sanctuary is Matapju.

It was a rumor that divided opinions.

That would be the case, since the other six observers, excluding Matapju, were all well-known figures of power.

Representative examples include… … .

The head of the Dinaiga family.

and.

Even the head of the Kutlan family, a renowned magical family in the Kingdom of Hoaxen.

Besides these, each and every one of the observers was a person of high reputation, belonging to a prestigious family or a comparable group.

But, what about the magic tower?

What is the Magic Tower, and who is its owner, that the Dekulan side has appointed him as an observer of the Sanctuary?

Of course, even as a Falun, it was a rumor that was hard to believe.

That would be the case, since Dekulan had no reason to invite him as an observer to the Sanctuary.

but.

‘… … The rumors were true.’

That was the reason why Dekulan came in at this time using the 'Cheonwon Gong' as an excuse.

None other than to call the top lord.

Anyway, if you know these facts, the response wasn't difficult.

“Let’s get ready.”

“If you’re ready…….”

“What can I do? I have no choice but to listen.”

“…….”

Evelyn fell silent at Falun's calm words. Though they were spoken casually, the weight they held was by no means light.

"The best thing would be for that worthless bastard to hide himself… but that won't happen. It's best if we make a move before he does."

"why……."

“It is a choice based on efficiency.”

Anyway, Professor Felina alone could easily lead the Babel Society. And Shincheonwon-gong as well…

‘… …Henji alone will suffice.’

The magic tower.

In this group, the only replaceable people were Henji and himself, and the Matapju was an irreplaceable person.

So, I had no choice but to step forward.

"Keep quiet about that worthless bastard. Things will get complicated."

Falun said this and stood up to put his affairs in order. It was one day left in the three-day period Dekulan had suggested.

but.

“That… I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?”

Falun frowned at the strange nuance. As the leader of the "Nest," it didn't seem like he was apologizing for not being able to protect the members of the Magic Tower.

"no way……."

“I already know.”

who?

It was a question that piqued my interest, but Falun didn't ask. He knew the answer without even asking.

“Why……!”

"That's not what I said. I already knew. I just…"

The follow-up, "… I just confirmed it," was unfinished. It was disappointing. If I'd known Dekulan's intentions, I wouldn't have responded.

And that day.

“……You’re lucky, Professor. I’ll take my leave for today. However, I don’t know what will happen next.”

Even though the day was drawing to a close, the wizards of Dekulan withdrew with those words.

The reason was clear.

Aster accepted the invitation.

* * *

“Really, are you okay?”

“……?”

Aster, who was packing his luggage, tilted his head at Senior Muspelun's visit.

“What is it?”

"It won't be an easy road. Especially if he's determined and prepared."

“What… when was it ever easy?”

“That’s true, but…….”

Muspelun trailed off, watching Aster's nonchalant response. He knew there was nothing he could do.

Sacrificing the small for the greater good.

It might not be something that some people would hesitate to do, but at least the young wizard in front of them wasn't that kind of person.

‘Even if I think about it again… … .’

Probably, it won't change the meaning.

"Think positively. It's actually a good thing. Seeing this happen means you've prepared for something."

“Is that a positive thing?”

“Of course. I found out that there was an ulterior motive.”

That alone was enough.

Because the mindset of ‘there might be a risk’ and ‘it is dangerous’ are different.

But, by the way.

'Was it a bit… awesome?'

No matter how I thought about it, it was tragic.

A story about a top leader who takes the lead for the sake of the members of the top? A story perfectly suited to be written into the lyrics of a bard's song.

“I shouldn’t cry because I’m so touched….”

[Crying? Who?]

"you."

[… … Knock!]

The wyvern, hit hard on the bridge of its nose, fell backwards. Tears welled up in my eyes.

[Don't leave it, stay still!]

“Yeah, no. You have no choice but to leave it alone.”

[Gyaaaa …

After ensnaring the charging wyvern with mana, Aster returned to his hustle, busying himself with packing. In fact, there wasn't much to pack.

Just emergency food supplies, various potions, and extra clothes.

“I will give you the new moon.”

"It's okay. Even just breathing makes your joints ache. And…"

… … This was his own fight.

Why doesn't the dug-up nest get disturbed?

Because I know.

The 'nest' is a headache bomb with the interests of many forces intertwined, and furthermore… … .

‘… …It’s more useful to leave it behind.’

In other words, the 'nest' itself became Aster's leash, which was actually quite expected.

I was half aiming for it.

Well, anyway.

'Not only the second black and white zone, but even the nest itself is safe from Dekulan. Just confirming that this time isn't bad.'

That's what it meant when Dekulan specifically targeted Falun.

So, now what we need to worry about is… … .

‘… … Indeed, what has Pahern prepared?’

There was still no part that I could guess.

but.

'They say a crisis is an opportunity.'

Opportunity isn't always crisis, but crisis is opportunity. Rather, it was worth it because it was a sanctuary.

'pitfall?'

Not bad.

It remains to be seen whose trap it will be.

“Are you ready?”

"yes."

Aster said this and left the room. Muspelun walked alongside him.

'Now it's really… … out of control.'

That is the flow of the times.

It's something beyond human power. If you try to resist, you'll be swept away and disappear into the back alleys of history.

All the heroes who left their mark on the continent were those who proved themselves within the flow, while those who did not disappeared without leaving a single name behind.

The flow also reached the young wizard in front of him.

"There's still time. Waiting a little longer won't be a problem."

When the time came, the Hermits would come. If they haven't come, that means there's still time left…

“I have to go. What good will come from dragging it out?”

"……okay."

As Aster spoke, he quietly watched the wyvern flapping its wings beside him. And then…

puck!

[Bam!]

A wyvern screaming after being hit on the back of the neck.

“It’s gotten stronger.”

What the heck? This?

“What are you doing?”

puck!

[… … kk.]

A wyvern rolls its eyes and falls down.

Aster caught the wyvern before it hit the ground and handed it to Muspelun.

“You have to give me thirty moonstones each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

"……thirty?"

“Yes, that’s the normal amount. Anyway, please take care of me.”

Aster left the wyvern in Muspelun's care and looked up at the sky. He caught sight of the black wyvern, Yongyong, fluttering its wings beyond the clouds.

'That guy… … well, I guess he'll figure it out.'

So, after leaving the wyvern in charge.

Aster left the Grand Duke's residence without saying a word and walked through the streets of the Second Black and White Zone… no, the streets that had now become the Grand Duke's territory.

Bright sunshine.

I won't look for the moon today.

'My heart is already full of love.'

“I’ll be back soon.”

"……okay."

Under the sunlight, the two wizards calmly faced their separation. They didn't add any embellishments to cover up their parting.

It's just… a fleeting wave. This isn't the first time, and it certainly won't be the last.

So it's not serious.

Aster covered his face with his mask and walked out of the Grand Duchy. He then looked out across the vast fields and muttered.

“Wow… there are so many hidden.”

The wizards of Dekulan are hiding their presence all over the field.

Their sharp gazes seemed to burn his entire body, but Aster smiled at them.

Oh, I wasn't going to run away, but they came at me like a pack of dogs…

“I am the top owner.”

therefore…….

“Receive the guests, you guys.”

The only people who could hear were the wizards of Dekulan, a few soldiers guarding the checkpoint of the Grand Duke, and merchants passing by.

But Aster walked on without paying attention.

With each step, the surrounding Dekulan wizards swarmed in. There was no murderous intent. They were simply out to monitor the situation.

So, Aster walked through the fields with the wizards of Deculan hanging from his back.

Under the bright sunlight.

Don't hide.

Don't even run away.

… … Lucifer, who had run out after hearing the news that Aster had found the Archduke, quietly watched his back.

'Topju… … .'

That was the magic lamp that Lucifer saw.