Season 2 Chapter 531

Season 2 Chapter 531

The Great Mage Returns after 4000 Years (Season 2) – Chapter 531

Translator: Alpha0210

He landed on the ground and looked around.

The half-collapsed appearance of the Mount Hua was visible. The debris that fell like a downpour had turned the once magnificent scene into a mess of weeds. It was the landscape after a disaster had swept through, but considering who had caused that disaster, it could be seen as minor damage.

The Thunderous Lightning God had withdrawn relatively easily. However, the mere ‘Thunder’ he initially unleashed was enough to cause the surrounding space to collapse.

‘It’s not completely destroyed, so it should be recoverable.’

The territory seemed to have a degree of self-healing, so it was entirely possible.

The real problem was the casualties.

“All those who could be rescued have been gathered.”

Yang In-hyun said in a brief voice.

...He had gathered those who could be rescued. Then, what about those who ‘could not be recovered’?

“I’m sorry.”

Instead of mentioning that, Lukas briefly apologized.

Yang In-hyun sent him a puzzled look.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I could have driven the Lightning God out more perfectly. The chaos he caused with his preparations and rampage was because of me.”

To be exact, it was because of the Lightning God inside Lukas’s head—no, because of Residue, but in this case, Residue’s fault is Lukas’s fault.

“That’s strange to say. I’m sincerely thankful that the damage ended at this level. Even if it was against a puppet, the opponent is a Ruler. Expecting a better outcome would be too unscrupulous.”

“......”

No, that’s wrong.

In his past life, Lukas had stopped the Lightning God in a much more perfect way. Although it ended with him taking on the remnants of the villain, there was ultimately no damage to the Mount Hua.

[There’s no need to mention such things.]

Residue said in a short voice.

[Of course, if you think of yourself as a saint, it might be different.]

‘No, I don’t plan to talk about it either.’

Lukas smirked bitterly, then nodded towards Yang In-hyun, and slowly sent Lee Jong-hak, who was floating in the air, towards him.

“He has no external injuries, but the mental burden will be significant. It might look okay on the outside, but that might not be the case.”

It would probably take a considerable amount of time for him to regain his senses.

Yang In-hyun received Lee Jong-hak and nodded.

“Let’s take this man in. There’s no need to confine him anymore, so we will treat him as a guest.”

There was no longer a need to confine him.

At this point, Yang In-hyun seemed to have somewhat realized the danger posed by Lee Jong-hak. He might not have known that a Ruler was involved, though.

“If Lee Jong-hak wakes up...”

Lukas started to say something but then abruptly stopped.

Yang In-hyun looked puzzled but could say no more.

After all, at this point, it was not possible to ask to take Lee Jong-hak as a disciple.

[Just leave it be. Don’t interfere at all.]

Residue spoke again.

[Fate has surprisingly bizarre aspects. If it’s a ‘relationship that is meant to be,’ no matter how misaligned or awry it goes, it will eventually cross paths again.]

‘...I agree about the attractive force of relationships, but it’s strange to hear you say that.’

[Hmph. You’d better get used to it. It’ll be tiring for both of us if you’re surprised every time I give advice.]

‘.......’

Residue had changed a bit. Originally, he only sporadically spoke up when he found a situation interesting.

Now it was different. His words took the form of advice and were much more intuitive. Starting to express opinions even on matters not directly related to him meant that Residue fully understood his own situation.

Whether for better or worse, he had become a fate-sharing companion with Lukas.

* * *

Lukas stayed at the Mount Hua that day, helping to restore the torn or significantly damaged spaces. Even if left alone, it would recover to some extent, but using the Void he possessed could drastically shorten this process.

While doing so, he organized his thoughts and considered future matters.

‘What should I do now?’

Currently, he had two major options.

One was to head straight to the Magic Planet, his original goal—to finally reveal the identity of the Beginning Wizard.

However...

A girl with black hair flashed through Lukas’s mind.

Sedi Trowman.

His adopted daughter, colloquially known as ‘the Pit,’ residing in the Demonsio territory.

‘If she doesn’t meet me, Sedi won’t go berserk right away.’

He knew that, which is why he hadn’t thought about her in his last life.

Looking back, it was a cruel choice. Just because she wouldn’t go berserk didn’t mean she wasn’t suffering at this moment.

He knew very well how mentally unstable and precarious Sedi was currently. Yet, Lukas had ignored it. He had put it off with the excuse that there was no immediate solution.

Even now, her consciousness would be wandering in dark oblivion.

‘I’m failing as a parent.’

He grimaced bitterly, recalling the Black Horned Demon God.

Probably the most hostile Ruler to Lukas...

Lukas wondered.

‘I want to completely expel the Demon God possessing Sedi.’

[Hmm.]

‘Is there no effective means?’

[Like you did with me, if you confront him directly in the world of consciousness, it might be possible...]

Residue shook his head.

[It will be tough. Your mind is very sturdy, but mere willpower isn’t enough to defeat a Ruler.]

‘Then, there’s no helping it.’

He clicked his tongue, thinking of another way.

[Are you thinking of going to the ‘Red Knight’?]

Residue quickly read Lukas’s intention and asked.

‘I definitely need to meet him once.’

The fact that he had never encountered the Fourth Knight alone was reason enough to meet.

Lukas climbed up to the rock where Pale was sitting and sat next to her. On closer inspection, she was holding a fishing rod.

The Lightning God had shattered the mountain just a day ago, yet Lukas wondered if fishing was even possible here. Were there even fish in this shallow stream to begin with?

As he pondered this pointless thought, Pale’s lips parted again.

“So what kind of help do you need?”

“...Demonsio.”

Lukas erased the unnecessary thoughts and continued.

“There’s someone I know in that territory called ‘the Pit.’ Right now, she’s a puppet of a Ruler, and I really want to save her.”

“A Ruler?”

“The Black Horned Demon God.”

“Hoohoo.”

Pale nodded as she jiggled her fishing rod.

“I’d like your help to rescue her.”

“Hmm?”

Pale tilted her head slightly in confusion.

“Why?”

“...No, it’s nothing! Please, continue.”

“......?”

Lukas felt a moment of puzzlement but continued speaking.

“Right now, she is...”

“Hmm.”

“...likely to have become the ‘0th Demon,’ the ruler of Demonsio and a Twelve Void Lord, compounded with the power of a Ruler.”

“.......”

“She wouldn’t be a threat to you, though. Actually, in one of your past lives, you fought with her and won quite easily.”

At that, Pale smiled again.

“Aha! So in that life, Lukas was killed by that Demon God’s puppet!”

“No, it was you who killed me.”

“Oops.”

Pale scratched her head sheepishly for a moment then changed the topic.

“...What were we talking about?”

“...I’m asking if you could call the Red Knight and remove the Ruler’s remnants from her body.”

“Hmm.”

Pale pondered for a moment and then slowly nodded.

“It’s possible. Subduing the puppet shouldn’t be too hard either.”

“Then.......”

“But before that.”

Pale stopped an eager Lukas with one hand, smiling quietly.

“There’s something we must clarify first.”

The smile she wore while saying good morning was completely different now. Just the slight narrowing of her eyes changed her expression so distinctly, something only Pale could accomplish.

“Who is this woman that Lukas so desperately wants to save?”

[Be careful with your answers now.]

Pale’s airy voice,

Residue’s stern voice intermixed as if crossing each other.

Lukas internally nodded.

Of course, he knew.

If there was a turning point, it would be now.

“Her name is Sedi Trowman—”

“Trowman?”

She cut him off before he could finish.

“Trowman.......”

Pale slowly rolled the word off her tongue and then spoke again.

“Ah. Sorry, Lukas. Please, continue. This is interesting.”

She said it was interesting with a face that showed no amusement, causing Lukas to momentarily shut his mouth.

He wasn’t sure why, but he could feel the atmosphere had frozen solid.

[Hey. You fool.]

‘Why.’

[Things seem quite messed up already, but want a piece of advice?]

‘...I’m listening.’

[It might be best to keep your relationship with Sedi Trowman as hidden as possible.]

‘Relationship? ─Ah.’

The moment he heard that advice, something clicked.

Right. Sedi is Lukas’s daughter. And Pale had a complicated love-hate relationship with the concept of parents.

If Lukas were to try to save her just because she is his daughter, Pale might perceive hypocrisy and revulsion in his actions. Being his adopted daughter wouldn’t be a good enough excuse.

‘Still, I don’t want to lie to Pale.’

...It can’t be helped.

He wanted to avoid this method if possible, but he had no choice but to use the ‘Ruler’s rhetoric.’

“Sedi Trowman is......”

What is the Ruler’s rhetoric?

“She is the only, truly precious being to me.”

It’s about obfuscating the truth without outright lying.

Lukas thought he had made the right choice. A faint smile even appeared on his lips.

[...Congratulations, idiot. You’ve managed to navigate through a slim possibility and made the situation as bad as it could possibly be.]

Then, like cold water, Residue’s scornful voice was dumped on his mind.

[Considering the numerous choices available, you’ve practically performed a miracle. I truly commend you. It seems I underestimated you. Calling you an idiot seems insufficient.]

Residue sighed.

[From today onwards, you’re a complete idiot.]

And there it was.

He saw Pale’s face, her smile cracked as if it was broken.