Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The shield Hisran created by using his core vitality was solid. In addition, the flames spread out in all directions, chasing the warlocks like a living being with a will. It was a ferocious movement that seemed to burn everything unclean.

The warlocks constantly poured water magic, though it was not suppressed. A few warlocks changed their attack direction to kill Hisran, but the fire ate up all the magic and weapons that came to its owner and grew immense.

The flames grew so large that they reached the ceiling and eventually engulfed the altar.

“The, the holy relic!”

“God Tumor…!”

If it had been a fire created by normal magic, no matter how fiercely it burned, it would not have been able to burn the sacred altar. However, the fire that engulfed the Holy Land was burning by consuming vitality with the will to protect the precious and with a heart of sacrifice.

A fire that had the opposite tendency to the altar that grew by feeding on the anger and fear of others. So, even though the altar seemed to endure it as much as it could, it burned up little by little in flames.

Debrandt’s face contorted.

“Damn it! Give up here!”

Majority of the warlock was turned to ashes, so Debrant and several other warlocks had to leave the Holy Land with only their lives left.

As Hisran had said, they would have to run away to save their life.

Even the wizards of the Red Tower and the wizards of other towers, who arrived a little late on the scene, could not approach Hisran and Jaeha, who were scattered on the floor, due to the vicious energy of the fire.

It was the Blue Tower Master and White Tower Master that opened the way for the two of them.

“…Hisran, this man, was determined to die.”

Siord’s water and Irina’s wind quelled the raging flames. After the fire was extinguished, the floor was completely charred.

Only the place where the shield was spread was unharmed. Hisran’s skin, which had fallen to the floor, was ripe red. Moreover, near his heart, the dagger was pierced so deep that only the handle was visible.

“Tower Master!”

The faces of the Red Tower wizards, including Zephiroth and Zeyran, were astonished.

“Is he dead…?”

Siord frowned and spoke.

Irina, the White Tower Master, approached Hisran and created a wind full of healing powers. Normally, the dagger would fall out naturally as the blood stops and the flesh rises. However, the dagger embedded in him was still embedded, and it was halving Irina’s magical effect.

“It’s a sword that interferes with the use of magical power.”

Siord, noticing the strange energy flowing through the dagger, pulled out the dagger.

As the blood gushed like a fountain, Irina unleashed her healing magic once more. Only then did the blood in the wound stop, and new flesh sprouted.

However, her expression was not bright.

“…Even with my magic, the core vitality cannot be helped.”

There was a part that could not be solved by the healing magic that could cure any trauma nor the divine power that showed an excellent effect in the treatment of internal injuries.

As both couldn’t prevent aging, there was no other way than to expect natural healing power to restore the core vitality of an organism that had been consumed beyond its limit. Hisran was protecting Jaeha with his life as collateral.

“He was more romantic than I thought, the Red Tower Master.”

Irina glanced at Hisran and Jaeha alternately. Loretta, the Black Tower Master, who had been quiet, stared at Jaeha.

“Some of the brainwashing is broken, but it will take some time to get it right. The black magic must also be removed. I got a request from Hisran, so I’ll take her with me for a while, then send her to the Red Tower, Deputy Master.”

The Black Tower Master of this generation was particularly good at mental magic. If it were her, she would be able to break the warlocks’ brainwashing.

“Yes. Please.”

The Red Tower wizards took Hisran, and the Black Tower wizards, including Loretta, retreated with Jaeha. Only the Blue and White Tower wizards decided to chase after the remaining warlocks.

‘Tower Master…’

Although the trauma was cured, the rest, including his core vitality and mental problems, depended on Hisran’s natural healing power and will. The twin brothers Zeyran and Zephiroth, and the Reed Tower wizards staring at him unconscious were dark.

What was the point if they found the holy land of black magic and killed most of the warlocks? The irreplaceable pillar of the Red Tower was collapsing.

* * *

An ordinary person who could not even handle magic accepted black magic for over a month and was engulfed by terrifying brainwashing.

So, more than half of the Black Tower wizards speculated that even if the Master herself cleared the brainwashing, Jaeha would not be able to return to her original state, or even if she returned, she would not be the same as before.

Loretta looked into much of Jaeha’s memory as she unleashed the brainwashing.

She was a woman from another world. Because she came from a different background and a different culture, it was impossible to make hasty comparisons. Nevertheless, she seemed to know as much as the fact that she had been living a depressed and painful life since childhood.

Contrary to her natural talent for handling cold magic, her mental power was not that strong. Seeing that she was about to end her hard life by suicide.

Usually, such a person’s mind would crumble as the brainwashing began. Those who hated life fell more easily and more deeply into black magic. Still, Jaeha’s spirit was better than Loretta’s expectations.

She kept repeating Hisran’s name until she was completely subdued by the brainwashing. The presence of a loved one protected her spirit like a talisman, so she was not completely ruined.

“That’s why no one can be sure about the human mind.”

Contrary to the opinion that it was helpless, perhaps, thanks to Loretta’s delicate care, Jaeha got her clear consciousness in four days. As soon as she regained her will, the name she shouted out belonged to the one she loved.

“Hisran! Is Hisran okay? He, he…!”

“Calm down. Being so excited is not good for your body or mind.”

“Who, who are you?”

The person in front of Jaeha was a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in black from head to toe, like the attendees at a funeral. She was pretty like a doll, though she had an unusual aura from the colors.

It was obvious for her to be wary.

“Loretta, the representative of this place.”

“…Black Tower Master?”

“Do you know me?”

“I heard from Hisran… How is he? Is he okay?”

Even though she couldn’t remember the details, it was clear that she stabbed Hisran with a strange sword.

“I’m really sorry I’m late.”

“Let me go!”

“This is all a nightmare. Loretta will help you. You’ll be fine after you sleep.”

Jaeha’s shoulders trembled as she stared at her hand.

…The man jumped into an enemy-infested place alone to save her. If she had been brainwashed or had harmed him with her own hands, she had no reason to live anymore… even if it was the life he saved by giving his life.

“He’s still breathing. Healing magic is Irina’s specialty.”

It was a word with a strange nuance. Jaeha asked with a trembling voice.

“Conscious or unconscious?”

“When a person is wounded in the body, the mind is also wounded. Hisran lost consciousness with the perception that ‘he was stabbed in the heart.’ It will happen only after breaking that perception and replenishing the core vitality that was consumed to some extent.”

Loretta explained in detail the situation of the day in a calm voice throughout and faithfully answered other questions as well.

Thinking to what extent Jaeha had grasped the current situation, she opened her mouth again in an indifferent tone.

“I have something to tell you, too. About what Hisran requested before finding you.”

“Request…?”

“I told the Deputy Master of the Red Tower that I would take you with me for a while and then let you go, but you don’t have to go back. Unless Hisran does it anyway, they wouldn’t bother looking for you there either.”

“Yes?”

“You can forget about Hisran if you want.”

The basis of emotion was memory. So, by forgetting about Hisran she would no longer feel guilty or sad.

“….!”

“You haven’t been here in a while. I just have to seal the memories. We can start over here in the Black Tower with a blank slate.”

“….!”

“I think Hisran expected this to some extent. No matter how he rescued you, he doesn’t know what will happen to him. Actually, he asked me to seal your memories and take care of your food, clothing, and shelter without any notice, though I think you have to choose for yourself.”

Loretta gazed directly at Jaeha and said that. At this moment, she didn’t look like a doll-like pretty girl, but a woman who had gone through all the hardships.

Jaeha also answered without avoiding her gaze.

“Of course! Hisran would decide that as he pleases? This, the damned man to the end…”

The moment she screamed, tears fell from her eyes. Tears flowed nonstop from her eyes as if that was the trigger.

“Hisran, you bastard…”

In her head, she understood.

He was worried and concerned about her until the very end. So, even if something went wrong, he must have taken measures so that she could forget all the terrible memories and live a stable life on this continent.

Also, because she said several times that it was better to die only when it was hard and painful.

“What do you want to do?”

“I will never forget. I will wait and when he gets up, I will slap him on the cheek first…”

“Good idea.”

Loretta answered and handed a handkerchief to her.

Jaeha thought that Lorella was expressionless and spoke in an indifferent tone like a doll, but inside, she was kind.

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