Season 2 Chapter 540

Season 2 Chapter 540

Chapter 540

Translator: Alpha0210

He was sentenced to death.

What flashed through his mind in an instant was words of the Exile.

“You intend to kill me.”

“I’d rather not, but if you keep refusing until the end, that’s what will happen.”

There was not even a slight hint of murderous intent in the calm voice.

Instead, it was gentle, as if persuading him kindly.

“Why do you want to kill me?”

Lukas’s voice was also calm. It was not influenced by The Beginning Wizard’s demeanor.

Being sentenced to death or having one’s life threatened.

For him, these were not events that would provoke fear or disturb his calm.

Even at this moment, Lukas’s greatest question was directed towards the existence of The Beginning Wizard himself.

“The existence named Lukas Trowman is too dangerous.”

“Dangerous? I’ve roamed this world for a long time. And I’ve realized that there are still many beings stronger than me, including you before my eyes.”

“I’m not talking about power.”

“Then? Do I feel like a being who can’t control myself?”

“That’s not it either. You are... the center.”

Lukas’s voice suddenly stopped.

...Center?

It was a statement that was hard to understand at once.

“You are the center of everything, the center of events. Haven’t you ever thought about it? That only to me, extraordinarily unique and off-course events continuously occur, as if I were the protagonist of a story.”

...

Again.

Once again, The Beginning Wizard spoke as if he knew exactly what was on Lukas’s mind.

“It’s not only you. Many people harbor similar thoughts as they live. But, I, Beginning Wizard here assures you, most of those thoughts are mere delusions. It’s a funny delusion that arises from an inflated sense of self, like a frog in a well.”

...

There is no reason to pity.

Such delusions are childish. Not something to sympathize with, but rather to watch with a warm smile. Lukas does not pity the ignorant, for he truly knows who the pitiful ones are.

“I’m not just talking about humans. From my perspective, even those considered ‘absolute’ are ordinary.”

“...What exactly are you trying to say?”

From behind the mask, laughter flowed out once more.

“[Every being is the protagonist of their own life...] Yes, that’s not incorrect. But you, you are deeply involved in the most important events throughout all the history and records of this universe. ‘It has always been so.'”

The Beginning Wizard emphasized the last words particularly.

“...Do you understand? The most important thing is this ‘always’. You have been involved in all the critical events that dictate the fate of this universe, and you have eventually come to know the secrets of the past, as if guided by destiny.”

“So I should die because I know too much?”

“Not such a childish reason. You are unaware of the value you possess.”

Lukas felt an emotion in The Beginning Wizard’s voice for the first time.

It was frustration.

“Not at all, you don’t realize. How many people are affected by a single word you say, a minor action you take, and how great changes these influences can lead to.”

“If you are asking me to take responsibility for my own actions...”

“Responsibility for actions? Does it feel like we are talking at that level? ‘Lukas Trowman’ is a much bigger and more dangerous existence than you think. If you don’t know that... Yes. You are underestimating yourself.”

This too, was something he heard for the first time.

“...I am underestimating myself.”

“Did you see what was in that spring? You saw and confirmed it yourself. What happened to the people related to you.”

“──.”

The moment he heard that submerged voice, Lukas’s heart froze coldly.

And he remembered.

The completely changed face of Min Ha-rin, and the appearance of Peran Jun, who seemed about to collapse from exhaustion.

“During your time as the Absolute, you saved countless humans and taught them lessons. You tried to maintain as objective an attitude as possible, but... it was impossible. Perfect objectivity can never be maintained when teaching someone. Your views inevitably get mixed in. That’s why I also call teaching ‘the infusion of ideology’.”

“...”

“And most of those you saved must have felt as if they had encountered a god. Do you understand? To them, you are a guidepost leading to the absolute good.”

“...What does that.”

“Because you don’t know anything about me.”

Yes. I thought he would answer easily.

Lukas continued without surprise or panic.

“I’m not just talking about that mask, the one covering your face even now. Have you clearly revealed anything to me? What is your purpose? Why did you bring me to the Magic Planet? Was there any intention behind showing me the Spring of Wisdom?”

Amid the flurry of questions, The Beginning Wizard maintained his silence.

And then Lukas spoke as if he was exhaling a pent-up breath, with difficulty.

“...You wish for my death? That might be fine. Do you see any attachment to life in me? Do you think I’m a being who desperately hopes for tomorrow?”

“...”

“Tell me the reason. If I can understand it, I don’t mind dying.”

[Lukas.]

“Be quiet for a moment.”

[...]

Lukas silenced Residue with a single word, then looked at The Beginning Wizard again.

“...”

He remained silent for a long time.

The eyes behind the mask seemed blurry. The Beginning Wizard seemed to be slowly surveying the surroundings. He carefully took in the constellations spread all around, one by one.

The action seemed either slow or fleeting, like a shooting star.

“... There were still new aspects, huh.”

Eventually, a voice tinged with a hint of laughter flowed out.

“What?”

“Yes. First, I must keep my promise. Didn’t I say? If you come to the Magic Planet, I will show you the face under this mask.”

Before he could respond, The Beginning Wizard boldly took off the mask.

And the moment he faced the revealed visage,

“...What are you playing at?”

Lukas’s face contorted.

The face inside the mask was one Lukas had seen several times.

A face imitating him, crudely resembling Lukas Trowman.

The face of a ‘Fake Lukas Trowman’ was there.

“Coming all this way, and still playing such tricks at this moment? What’s the point in hiding your identity?”

“...”

“Still don’t get it? That face of yours, it comes across as so unpleasant to me that it gives me goosebumps.”

“You’re the one who knows nothing.”

The tone changed. The atmosphere did too.

Lukas realized this fact a bit late.

The Beginning Wizard faintly smiled.

“Lukas. I’m not playing around. Nor am I hiding anything.”

“What?”

“Why have you never thought that this might be my ‘real face’?”

“...What are you talking about?”

“This is me. No alterations, no magic, no deception. My true face.”

“...”

“Crude imitation of you? You might feel that way. But alternatively, you and I.”

The Beginning Wizard spoke with a faint smile.

“We simply resemble each other.”

Clap

The moment a clap sounded, a brilliant star shattered and scattered.

And the scattered star fragments formed a landscape.

“...”

In a clearing within a forest,

There stood a facility.

[Trowman Orphanage.]

At a place Lukas could never forget,

A brief yet intense story began.

*****