Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 430

Episode 430. Thick-skinned

A reunion that no one welcomes.

After a brief greeting, the two walked into the Seshterion Mountains as if nothing had happened.

The new form of the four elders disappeared into the distance, and only the two mind-controlled Hermits followed after Pahern.

It wasn't long before Hermit opened his mouth.

“The story.”

“It will get longer.”

"thing."

“Same.”

The two Hermits took turns pronouncing each syllable, and it didn't take long for their voices to merge into one.

"Ah, that's it. Hehe. Anyway, this is going to be a long story. If you have any questions, feel free to ask first."

The voices that rang out in perfect harmony indicated that the Four Elders' mental control was not ordinary, but Pahern, as if he had no emotion, calmly asked the question with an indifferent expression, just like at first.

“Are you sure?”

“What?”

“It’s said that the fragments of the reverse flow are in the sanctuary.”

"Haha, this old man wouldn't dare play around with something like that. I'm sure of it. The fragments of the Reverse Heaven are definitely in the Sanctuary."

“I see.”

"Haha, I guess you don't believe me. Well, that's good. I can just show you."

It was a very strange conversation.

Those who decided to lend their strength had no faith, and those who were doubted were not offended.

A relationship without trust or expectations.

“But…….”

The Fourth Elder looked at the two Hermits, now puppets, through their eyes. Then, with a grin, he asked a question.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“What?”

“Your son. He left his family to retrieve the fragments of the Reverse Heaven at your command… your one and only, special son.”

“My son…….”

Pahern trailed off. Then he nodded.

“Yeah, there was something like that.”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“Is there anything I should know?”

"Well, I don't know what you're wondering about. Oh, by the way, I'm alive and well. I'm continuing my training without fail."

“I see.”

“That’s right.”

"okay."

Pahern nodded. That was all the conversation about Salier von Dekulan, the son and lord of the Dekulan family.

This time, it was Pahern who asked the question.

“What kind of help do you want?”

"For now, it's enough to just take the puppets to Sanctuary. And after that… Honestly, I can't guarantee anything."

“I see.”

Pahern responded as if he understood. There were no further questions.

Yes, a moment of silence.

This time, the first to speak was the 4th elder.

“By the way, do you know Baron Maroon?”

“I know.”

“Did you choose him as a long-term pawn to catch the top player?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m sorry. I unintentionally interrupted your event.”

“Get out of the way.”

"I chose one of the observers as my puppet. Of the seven, Baron Maroon was the most tactical. But… things went wrong, and he died."

“I see.”

Pahern nodded as if he understood.

Even though one of the long-term pieces to catch the top player was broken before he could even use it, he showed no concern.

Rather, it was the four elders who had a questionable attitude.

“I guess you didn’t have high expectations for Baron Maroon.”

"well."

Pahern responded with that and then fell silent again. While he hadn't fully expected it, his death wasn't disappointing.

That was exactly what I was expecting from the beginning.

Incidentally, even when the Hermits first brought news of Baron Maroon's death, offering to invite prospective candidates, Pahern remained unfazed.

Even if Salvatum is involved in that death, there is no reason to be shaken.

Above all else.

Count Tauris.

The most reliable pattern is this one.

“But, are you prepared?”

“Ready?”

The Four Elders nodded. No, to be precise, it was the Hermits, the Four Elders' puppets, who nodded.

"You know. It's the unwritten rule of Sanctuary. If you're not careful, you could easily turn all the wizards against you. Especially…"

… … The Aderian Empire declared the extinction of Salvatium.

But what if rumors spread that Deculan had joined hands with Salvatium and insulted Sanctuary?

That was exactly what the four elders asked.

Can you bear all that?

“In a way, it’s a matter of life and death for Dekulan.”

"well."

Pahern responded again, nonchalantly. "But that was only for a moment. He soon stopped walking."

“……?”

“……?”

The two puppet Hermits, under the control of the Four Elders, tilted their heads. It was then that Pahern looked at them… no, beyond them.

Jet black eyes.

As it filled the space, the dug-up grasped the void. No, it wasn't the void.

“……Cough!”

Clearly, the Four Elders appeared in the space that had been empty until they grasped his hand. And Pahern's grip, which had seemed to be grasping the air, was actually gripping the Four Elders' necks.

'Uh, tsk… tsk…'

The four elders were astonished at the incomprehensible situation.

Archmage.

I thought it wouldn't be easy to challenge that title.

… … But, I never thought I would catch my breath so easily.

As the four elders were shocked, a dry voice rang in his ear.

“Originally, Salvatum only had three fingers.”

What does this mean?

The story was that there were only three elders of Salvation.

“Ugh. What the heck, Lee……! I have my eyes wide open…….”

"Even if it's nonsense. Even if it's not nonsense, reality doesn't change. Remember this clearly. Since you've reached out to me, you are nothing more than tools."

“Hmm, hi…….”

“You dare?”

A bitter smile appeared on Pahern's lips. A chill ran down the Fourth Elder's spine. He discovered the emotion in those once transparent eyes, and his breath caught in his throat.

“……Crack!”

The Fourth Elder writhe in pain as his only remaining opening clogged. With oxygen cut off, his vision blurred. He desperately summoned his dark magic. No, he tried to summon it.

“Tools.”

A soft voice.

“If it’s hard to handle, there’s no need.”

“…….”

"Ask yourself what kind of tool you are. And only when you want to be a difficult tool to handle, tell me. I'll suffocate you."

The four elders trembled in their blurred vision.

He had already forgotten what Pahern had said. He was desperately clinging to the life he'd held onto for so many years. He was only anxious that it might end.

'Sal, Ryeo… … .'

I opened my lips, but no sound came out.

instead.

“Please……buy my feet…….”

“……Okay. I was wrong…….”

Two puppet Hermits spoke for the four elders.

Did that earnest desire get through?

“Huh―!”

The Fourth Elder gasped for breath through his open throat. Forgetting his pride, he collapsed to the floor, curled up in a ball. His heart pounded wildly.

In the midst of all this, Pahern's voice pierced into my ears.

"Don't underestimate me. Dekulan isn't a name you can underestimate. Even if it's called 'Three Fingers,' it's the same. A tool is only useful if it's useful. Don't be clever; just prove your worth."

With those words, Pahern turned and walked away. The Fourth Elder, who had been groaning on the ground, managed to pull himself together. Then he raised his head and looked at Pahern.

Two Hermits became puppets. The new form of the Dighan was cast across three fields of vision: theirs and mine.

'This, arrogant… … .'

The four elders' experienced eyes were filled with hope.

A thick, thick murderous intent.

However, the four elders did not know.

That this anger is a kind of emotion that should not be expressed.

… … As of yet.

* * *

Above the clouds.

The corridors of the sanctuary are built by digging into the mountain peak.

A masked wizard leaned against the railing and looked down.

'cloud.'

It's white.

White clouds billowed in clumps, flowing like a river. At first glance, it looked like fog, but it wasn't. The Hermits said so, so I'm sure they're right.

By the way, who built this?

'They say it was built a very long time ago.'

I don't know for sure, but it wasn't built by an ordinary architect. There's no way an architect who would climb this high and build something like this would be ordinary.

If I had to guess, I would say… … .

‘… …Earth realm wizard.’

Of course, even in this case, it wouldn't be possible for an ordinary earth wizard to do it. It would require a certain level of… no, a considerable level of architectural knowledge.

But, I heard that Sanctuary existed even in the times when no one had yet achieved transcendence.

Then, one or two wizards wouldn't have been enough.

“Who built it?”

“There are many legends about Sanctuary.”

“…….”

Aster looked at the owner of the suddenly shouted voice.

It was Kahajar, the master of the Kutlan family.

The person who put the magic restraint on him.

“You’re thick-skinned too.”

"I hear that a lot. By the way, aren't you curious? The secrets surrounding the Sanctuary."

“…….”

Aster stared at Kahajar, then cast his gaze back down the railing. Then he spoke softly.

“I’m curious. But….”

"but?"

“I don’t believe in legends.”

If you ask why, there is no reason.

No, it wasn't just that I didn't believe in legends. I just didn't believe in anything.

If there is evidence, I doubt the evidence, and if there is evidence of evidence, I doubt the evidence of evidence. Is it not my nature, but my nature?

Of course, when it's bothersome, I believe things even without evidence, but that's usually the case.

But, by the way.

“Really, isn’t that Dekulan’s swindler?”

"Didn't I tell you? No. I've been in debt before, but not so much that I'd take it upon myself to harm someone."

“What debt?”

“It’s just… a debt from my youth. I was still young, and Pahern was young too.”

Kahajar's eyes stared into space. What his gaze traced was a distant past. Now, it was a memory… no, it was a bit of a stretch to call it a memory, but it was a time that had become a fond memory.

“Are you curious? If you’re that curious, I could tell you…”

"no."

“…….”

Kahajar shut his mouth.

This time, Aster asked.

“Do you want to talk?”

“……Okay.”

“Yeah, I knew it would be a hassle.”

“…….”

Kahajar remained silent. Then he looked at the gray hair with dull eyes. It was the perfect size and the perfect location for a blow.

The impulse was strong.

but.

‘… … Let’s bear with it.’

This type of person never forgets even the slightest grudge. In the Kingdom of Hoaxen, they are called "Stigma." In other words… a brand.

Why?

'Because even a simple brush will leave a mark.'

It's just that their very existence is called a stigma, and it's best not to harbor resentment against this type of person.

'What… is it too late for that? Now that the restraints have been filled.'

I briefly thought about it, but I didn't particularly regret it. It was undeniable that among the observers, Topju was the most suspicious.

The law of preparing for contingencies.

But, by the way.

“Can I ask you something?”

“……?”

"I heard you had a bad relationship with Deculan. And outside, you were rumored to be trying to harm you in Sanctuary."

“That’s right.”

“Can I ask why?”

“For what reason?”

“Why did you walk to the Sanctuary, knowing it was dangerous?”

"that……."

To be honest, there wasn't really a particular reason. Falun and Henji were taken hostage, and it was a good opportunity to learn about Pahern's realm.

But, what should I say?

There were many reasons, but now that I think about it, it all came down to one thing.

"just."

"……just?"

Even when people did not know that shadows came from light, they instinctively discerned that they could not separate shadows.

Like, I just knew.

'All my life… … .'

… …that it is an existence that cannot be shaken off.

When you think about it that far.

Jeokbuk―

A dry, rustling sound echoed from far down the hallway. It was a quiet, unremarkable sound. But why?

“…….”

“…….”

Of course, Aster, and Kahajar too.

The two turned their heads and looked at the end of the hallway.

Thud, thud.

In the distance, a silhouette was approaching.

A hazy hallway. A distinct presence alone.

A being that overwhelms its surroundings simply by existing, one that erases everything without revealing itself, a being so clear and distinct. He looked at Aster.

Aster also looked at him.

And through my lips, the name leaked out.

“Digged.”

That name that is so annoying and unbearable that I can't shake it off.