Chapter 60: Encounter (2)

Chapter 60: Encounter (2)

The mountain was enveloped in darkness, and a desolate wind swept across the ground. Sparks from the campfire rose like mirages. I stared at Rohakan, who didn't shy away from my gaze.

He called me his protégé, but that was no longer surprising. Deculein's past had been so intricately woven that these sudden connections felt both abrupt and inevitable. It seemed there were few named characters in the Empire without some tie to him.

"Rohakan?" Epherene said, her voice trembling as she turned to him. "Ro-Rohakan? But that staff was made from World Tree fragments..."

The staff, a cherished item crafted from World Tree branches by the archmage Demakan, was legendary, even featured in fairy tales. Demakan had shared the remaining fragments with his family. To Epherene and Sylvia, Rohakan’s staff was unmistakably one of those pieces. It certainly looked that way to me.

"How did you manage to pass through the barrier? I crafted it with great care," Rohakan inquired, scratching his neck.

Barrier magic varies by different categories. Expanding the space falls under support magic, while deceiving perception is categorized as enchantment. Rohakan's barrier was an enchantment, an area where I had built up immunity.

"Such tricks no longer work," I stated.

"... Oh? Tricks, you say?" Rohakan's eyes widened in surprise.

I noticed Epherene and Sylvia standing near him, but Sylvia had disappeared.

"I'm here," she said, her voice coming from behind me.

"Come here, Epherene," I called.

Rohakan seemed startled and asked, "Epherene? Are you Epherene Luna, from the Luna family?"

"Sorry? D-do you know me?" Epherene asked, her voice shaky with uncertainty.

"Of course, I do. Fifteen or ten years ago, your father's intellect was a revelation. What’s he up to these days?"

Epherene's expression hardened. She glanced at me and Sylvia before finally dropping her gaze to the ground.

"... He’s dead," she said quietly.

Rohakan’s mouth fell open, his expression a mix of embarrassment and regret.

Rubbing his temple, he said, "What a waste. He had an unusual personality, but he was a theoretical genius, the kind that appears maybe once in a century."

"Debutant Epherene," I called, prompting her to approach while she continued questioning Rohakan.

"... Are you really Rohakan, not Murkan?"

Rohakan smiled bitterly, nodded and said, "Yes, I apologize. If I reveal my true name, people tend to flee. Murkan is an old friend, and I borrowed this staff from him."

"The Empress Assassin, Rohakan..."

"Haha. Well... it's somewhat true, but I had my reasons," Rohakan said.

He had been a friend to the late Emperor Crebaim but later killed the Empress and many palace mages, turning into an enemy of the Empire.

“Oh, th-then...” Epherene said, touching her stomach where the Light Spiel had settled.

Rohakan smiled and said, "Don't worry. The spirits I gave you are normal. You'll keep your promise—"

"Epherene, Sylvia," I interjected. "Descend the mountain at once."

They hesitated, but I couldn’t afford witnesses to what would come next.

Using my sternest tone, I added, "If you get caught in this, you could die."

Rohakan clicked his tongue in disapproval. The two, who had been frozen in place, finally nodded in agreement.

"Go. Follow my Wood Steel," I instructed, assigning one of my Wood Steel pieces to guide them, ensuring they wouldn't get caught in the barrier.

Behind me, Sylvia whispered softly, "Please, don't lose."

I didn't respond. I wouldn't lose, but neither could I win. I wouldn’t engage in battle at all.

"If you’re not down by the count of three, you’ll be penalized."

Epherene and Sylvia followed my Wood Steel. The sound of their footsteps rustled softly, growing fainter until it was completely gone.

A cold, dry wind whipped through, tugging at our clothes and hair. Rohakan's gaze was grave as he looked at me.

"... You've definitely worked hard. Your mana is noticeably purer than before. Can the quality of mana truly be enhanced through effort alone?" Rohakan asked.

"You still appear youthful," I replied.

Sensing that I knew his secret, his expression tightened and said, "Are you planning to fight? I have no desire to kill my protégé."

"Provoking each other serves neither of our interests."

"... What was that?"

I could never defeat Rohakan. It wasn’t about needing more growth or time. Even if I lived until my final breath, I would never be able to surpass him.

"Hmm. My intent wasn’t to provoke you; it was merely a warning."

"That's rather presumptuous of you."

"Presumptuous, huh?"

Despite everything, I wouldn’t back down. I remained resolute, even before someone who transcended the world. This might be Deculein’s personality trait, but it was one I appreciated. As Kim Woo-Jin, I was always swayed by circumstances, lacking conviction or belief. I was tired of that.

"Presumptuous?!"

I closed my eyes, evaluating the situation. Fifteen of my twenty Wood Steel shurikens were still scouring the mountain.

"... One hundred fifty-seven are wandering within the barrier, ninety-three are lost, twenty-three are trying to dismantle it, and thirty-seven are breaking through. The southwest is completely surrounded by the Imperial Knights Order," I said, reopening my eyes to meet Rohakan's gaze.

"Are you trying to stall? I won’t allow it," he said, as he began to gather his mana.

"Head northwest. It's still vulnerable," I advised, my expression remaining neutral.

Rohakan’s gathered mana dissipated, his eyes widening in shock.

"What?"

"Remember, this is the last time I’m letting you go," I warned.

I hoped Rohakan would exercise more caution in the future. He couldn't afford to be distracted by two kids and risk being captured or killed by the Empire.

"Oh, um. Is that your sentiment for the past?" he asked, scratching his neck.

"I hold no sentiment for the one who murdered the Empress."

"... Right. Aren’t you curious about my reasons for being here?"

"Yes, I am curious."

"Hmm. But can you trust my words? I did abandon my own protégé, after all."

"Is your purpose here to destroy the temple?" I interrupted, cutting him off.

Rohakan appeared stunned, his breath catching and said, "You've grown in unexpected ways."

"We don’t have time for small talk. It's best you leave now."

“... Alright.”

He turned away but halted after a few steps. Without fully turning back, he glanced over his shoulder at me, as if he had something more to say.

Just then, as the investigator shouted, the door to the interrogation room flew open with a loud bang. Startled, the investigator turned to see who had entered.

"Hey! You'll break the door down...!"

He quickly fell silent and straightened up when he saw who it was.

“... Huh.”

It was Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. The room fell silent under his scrutinizing gaze, which shifted between Epherene and the curly-haired officer, who hastily corrected his posture.

"Oh, Professor! We just received a report that you confronted Rohakan. Are you alright? What brings you here?"

"... What brings me here?" Deculein said, eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the investigator.

"Uh, s-sorry?"

"You've detained two of my students."

"Oh, yes! She should be resting comfortably on the couch outside!" the curly-haired officer replied.

Deculein already knew Sylvia was resting on a sofa. However, to resolve this situation smoothly...

"I believe I mentioned there were two of them."

"... Sorry?"

"Come out, Epherene," Deculein commanded.

The investigator, startled, stood up abruptly and protested, "No, sir! She can't leave!"

Deculein remained silent, his piercing gaze fixed on the investigator.

The investigator stammered, "S-she's hiding something."

"And what, exactly, is she hiding?"

"We were just about to find out..."

Deculein fixed his gaze on the investigator, his piercing blue eyes making it hard for the man to breathe.

"Name," Deculein demanded.

"... Sorry?"

"Your name."

"I-it's..."

"Don't make me ask a third time," Deculein said coldly, his gaze sweeping over the investigator. "That's arrogant."

"I-I apologize, sir! It’s Eckorn!"

Just then, the supervisor arrived, having been alerted by the commotion.

"Oh, Professor! Here you were. I apologize for this mess. Hey, show some respect! Professor Deculein just battled a Black Beast-level criminal!"

"Yes, sir! I was just about to do that!"

The supervisor and the investigator bowed deeply. Deculein ignored them and turned to Epherene.

"Epherene, stand up."

"Yes, sir..." Epherene said, rising hesitantly. Sylvia, now awake, stood waiting by the door.

"Let us proceed."

“Farewell, sir!” the officers said in unison.

Deculein walked down the hallway, and every officer he passed bowed respectfully. Sylvia seemed used to such deference, but Epherene found it hard to adjust. Outside the police station, two vehicles were waiting—one for Sylvia and the other for Deculein.

"... Epherene," Deculein said, his voice cutting through the dark, dry air as he paused before getting into his car.

"Yes, sir?"

"Did the investigator confiscate anything from you?"

"... No, sir," Epherene replied, clutching the letter hidden in her robe's pocket.

Deculein nodded approvingly and said, "Good. A promise must be kept."

Deculein then entered his car.

Before closing the door, Epherene inquired, "Professor, what happened up there?"

Sylvia also appeared curious, but Deculein sighed and responded, "You have no need to know."

His voice, weary and unfamiliar, was a tone neither had heard before.

"You may all leave. Keep the events of today to yourselves."

The driver closed the door, and the car drove away. Sylvia entered her own vehicle, leaving Epherene standing alone on the sidewalk.

"Need a ride?" Sylvia asked.

"Oh, no, that's alright. I'll walk. I tend to get carsick."

"Alright."

Sylvia’s car engine roared to life and soon vanished down the road. Enviously watching it leave, Epherene began her walk home.

"... Sigh."

The night breeze felt heavy. She had endured too much drama and listened to too many stories. Her body felt drenched and limp.

"Ha," she let out a hollow laugh, the sound echoing her exhaustion.

Epherene had finally encountered the first person to recognize her father’s work, and it turned out to be Rohakan, the most notorious criminal in the land.

"I hope my body doesn’t explode just because I didn’t deliver this letter..."

It had been a long and complicated day for Epherene.

"Ugh, I just want to cry right now..."

Her heart raced, and she struggled to catch her breath as if having a panic attack. She crouched on the sidewalk, taking deep breaths to calm down.

Meanwhile, Sylvia gazed out the window and opened it, letting the soft breeze touch her face. She closed her eyes, recalling the voice she had once heard in Berhert.

“What’s truly valuable in this world, Sylvia, is your talent as a mage. Magic isn't meant solely for killing.”

Deculein's words echoed in her mind. Back then, she had thought he was simply praising her talent.

"... Effort."

Now, understanding his hard work, those words held a different meaning.

"I’m going to put in more effort too."

The realization hit her with a new resonance.