C534
A doubt had dissipated.
Lucas would go to Magic Planet with the Beginning Wizard. He decided to erase the other options from his mind. However, despite having made a decision, there were still some points that troubled him.
"Keep in mind one thing... if you go to Magic Planet... you will die..."
The advice from the Exile.
And furthermore, the guy had added that, even if the Beginning Wizard didn't kill him directly, he would have a great influence on his death.
"That guy isn't one to speak nonsense."
He still knew nothing about the Exile. His power, his nature, his race, and even his name remained a mystery.
However, he had also discovered something. That his actions had a clear purpose. The statement "If you go to Magic Planet, Lucas will die" might be false. If that were the case, the Exile's goal would simply be "not wanting Lucas to go to Magic Planet".
"And there's no malice in those actions."
That was something Lucas could only know because he had experienced the Regression. The fact that the Exile sent him to the Three Thousand Worlds was also probably an action done for Lucas's own good. Although as a result, he ended up dead, the experiences he had there caused a great change in him. Although it was a series of misfortunes, it was a significant and important experience.
"Are you going to Magic Planet like this, without companions? Are you going to ignore the advice of the Blue Knight?"
"It's not that. On second thought, I think I already have a companion."
"What?"
"You're here."
Residue seemed momentarily at a loss for words.
"Idiot, do you think I can be of any significant help right now?"
"Physical help isn't important. Pale emphasized the 'alone' point. I have a feeling that being with you will be okay."
"Hah. A hunch. It's too superficial a concept to risk your life for."
"You're right. But... there's something strange."
"Strange?"
"It's strange... regarding the Beginning Wizard, I feel like my hunch will always be accurate. As if I have a very precise understanding of this man."
He observed the back of the Beginning Wizard. After expressing his intention to accompany him, he stood up and began to walk through the Floating Cloud Pavilion. The moment Lucas followed him, the surrounding landscape completely changed.
Suddenly, they had left Mount Hua.
Although he regretted not being able to bid farewell to Yang In-hyun, Lucas focused more on the fact that the Beginning Wizard could also manipulate space.
"Do you know what the Beginning Wizard said earlier? Those are the evils I've been harboring for a long time, without revealing them to anyone."
The evil within Lucas.
Residue, understanding that concept, nodded.
"Duality?"
It's easy to explain.
"I became an Absolute being and saved countless humans. Sometimes I struggled not to let myself be consumed by the doubts that arose. But sometimes... I couldn't bear the hatred I felt for them."
"The instinctive disgust that a superior being feels when observing an inferior being, you couldn't rid yourself of it, huh? You've hidden it very well. I couldn't even perceive such inconsistency in you..."
"Because it was that important. If I had shown the slightest hint, you, at that moment, would have clung to that part and tried to turn me."
"Hmm."
"...And if that had happened, I probably would have surrendered to you."
Becoming a subordinate of the Rulers, not a Savior.
It was something Lucas had to avoid at all costs.
"Since then, you've been strange. Most Absolute beings lose most of their emotions... Duality is also a trait that mortals possess."
"That's not important now. The Beginning Wizard mentioned exactly the thoughts I've been keeping to myself, without telling anyone."
"But he said it wasn't 'Lucas Traumen'."
It could be a lie. Or maybe a play on words.
Whatever happened, there was nothing Lucas was sure of now.
That's why he had to go to Magic Planet.
"I'm aware of the risks. But... I have a strange certainty."
"What certainty?"
Lucas's gaze turned back to the Beginning Wizard.
"The certainty that that guy will never hurt me."
Magic Planet, a place that can never be entered without a special method.
Lucas couldn't help but focus on how the Beginning Wizard would take him to one of the most mysterious places in the Void World.
In the end, it was all in vain.
"We've arrived."
When the Beginning Wizard uttered those words, Lucas had already arrived at Magic Planet.
"... "
Cold sweat ran down him. He didn't understand what had happened. Teleportation? No. It was different.
"Residue, what was the state of my consciousness a moment ago?"
"There was no moment when you lost consciousness."
Does that mean this happened in a realm my consciousness can't access? Right now, the Beginning Wizard should be unable to use his true power, right?
"Welcome. To Magic Planet."
At those words, Lucas snapped out of it and looked around, only to become bewildered again.
"Is this Magic Planet?"
"Yes."
Magic Planet. The domain of the Beginning Wizard and the land of wizards. For that reason, Lucas's vision of Magic Planet was a bit skewed.
He had imagined elongated towers that wizards loved, floating cities, dreamlike castles, and the like.
But this place was...
"It's just a village."
And it really was.
A village without any special features atop a hill. A picturesque place where one could see at a glance the warm sun, the leisurely passing clouds, and the meadow waving in the breeze.
In it were the faces of people living their daily lives without worries.
Of course, Lucas knew.
The man tilling the field, the woman gathering fruits, the elderly bent over walking with difficulty, the children frolicking on the street,
They were all wizards.
"It's a peaceful scenery, isn't it?"
The Beginning Wizard, walking ahead, said without stopping.
Lucas also resumed walking and said:
"We're still in the Void World, right?"
"That's right."
"...But it's a completely different place from the Void World I understand. Did you create this illusion?"
"It's not an illusion. It's a simple deception to the eyes."
"Is there any difference?"
"Of course there is. They know this is a false landscape."
At those words, Lucas stopped for a moment.
"They know?"
"They are fully aware of it."
"Then, do they understand that their actions of tilling the land or gathering fruits in this world are meaningless?"
The Beginning Wizard laughed.
"That's right."
"...Knowing that, why do they do it? Did you mentally manipulate them?"
"That's a rather rude statement."
Although he spoke sternly, there was no censoring tone in the Beginning Wizard's voice.
"You'll have to get used to the scenery of this place."
"What?"
"As its name suggests, Magic Planet is an asteroid. It's not small. It has a radius of 500 kilometers."
"...What do you mean?"
"I would like you to appreciate the scenery here."
"......"
"You said you were curious about the face beneath this mask. I will show it to you. But not now."
The Beginning Wizard, after saying that, continued walking without stopping.
They passed through the village, through the meadow, and their steps reached the forest.
It was a place full of vibrant colors, yet no movement could be felt. The forest was eerily silent. The only sound was the rustling of leaves under their feet.
They walked for a while and reached a slightly wider clearing, where there was a small spring.
"What is this?"
"It has many names, but I call it the Fountain of Wisdom."
"That's a rather cheesy name."
"Hahaha. But it's also accurate. I have gained much knowledge and understanding here."
"......"
"What I'm going to ask of you is simple. Stay here for a week."
Lucas blinked. But the Beginning Wizard showed no sign of wanting to talk further.
"Just look at it? Is that all?"
"That's all."
"Do I have to protect this spring from any attack?"
"No."
"Am I not allowed to leave the forest, focusing on this spring?"
"There's no such restriction. You can come here once a day to look at it and spend the rest of the time elsewhere."
"......"
I don't understand.
What does the Beginning Wizard want from him?
"In summary, there are no restrictions beyond the conditions I have set. I won't interfere with any action you take, but I would appreciate it if you would avoid unethical actions as much as possible."
"......"
"I'm kidding. I already know you're not that kind of person."
The Beginning Wizard laughed again.
"I'll be back in a week."
"Can I just spend time by the spring doing nothing?"
"Of course. It's your freedom to use the time given as you wish."
"......"
"Then, see you in a week."
The Beginning Wizard left those words and truly departed.
In the forest clearing,
Lucas, in silence, opened his mouth.
"Residue."
[What?]
"How do you see this spring?"
[...]
Residue looked at the spring through Lucas's gaze. Although they shared the same view, he could see and know more than him.
Finally, Residue said.
[…Vision.]
"What?"
[The power to show the desired scenery is condensed here. It's astonishing. It's incredible that such a concept of matter can exist...]
Residue seemed genuinely impressed.
"Explain better."
[It's literal, Lucas Traumen. Through this mirror, you can see anyone. If you become familiar with it, you could even intervene.]
"Can I see anyone?"
[If you don't understand, try it. It's probably only possible with contact with the spring.]
Lucas decided to follow his advice. He plunged his hand into the spring. The water was so cold it sent shivers down his spine.
"And now?"
[Imagine the person you want to see. ... Do I really have to tell you every little thing?]
Ignoring Residue's scoff, Lucas focused on the image he wished to see.
The person he was most worried about right now.
First, Pale, who had left earlier.
Ripples~
The spring water, which had been calm until now, began to ripple. Waves gently spread across the entire surface of the spring, and with them, a faint light began to flicker.
Gradually, the surface of the spring began to take shape.
"Wait a moment, I'll just use it a bit and give it back to you!"
A voice was heard before the form became defined.
It was a familiar voice, Pale's voice.
"Seriously, it won't take long. I'll just borrow it for a bit, polish it up a bit, and give it back. It's simple, right?"
Pale's face appeared. Frowning as if she were annoyed. She wore a slightly different outfit than usual. She wore the armor of the Blue Knight, but without the helmet.
"You can't."
A calm voice sounded, and the view changed a bit.
Now, a woman in bright red armor could be seen. She seemed a bit older than Pale. The scarlet red armor looked somewhat uncomfortable on her.
"Why not?!"
"Because not."
"Ah, seriously! Are you not even going to give me a reason?"
"I will die. Without the sword."
The Red Knight spoke with a choked voice and then added:
"And if I die, he will come. 'The First Destruction'."
"What's that?"
"That's..."
Fwoosh!
It was then...
Giant flames rose in the white snowy plain where they stood. A blaze so intense it blinded the sight for a moment.
"…!".
Pale was a little surprised and then smiled broadly.
"Ah, I didn't think he'd be here."
"......"
"So that's it. The reason why you were trapped in the Snowy Earth and couldn't leave."
The giant figure enveloped in flames, standing against the snowy backdrop, was extremely incongruous.
Lucas had never seen this being before.
But it seemed familiar to him.
"The Ruler, the Sun God..."
[He was here.]
Residue also added with a surprised voice.
"Is this the 'danger' the White Knight referred to, which the Red Knight faces?"
Murmured Lucas.
It could be if it's the Sun God. He didn't know what trick he had used, but the oppression emanating from the Sun God now surpassed the level of a simple puppet. He didn't know how it was possible, but it felt as if it had manifested in person.
"So this makes it simpler."
Pale said with a mocking smile.
"I'll lend you my power, and together we'll eliminate this bastard and then go to the pit."
"That's not possible."
"Oh? And why not?"
"First of all, I want to correct your mistake."
Pale's expression changed.
"...Mistake?"
"Blue Knight Pale, now that you have overcome that. That blind hatred. So I'll tell you. Who I'm cooperating with here."
"......Cooperation? Don't tell me..."
"The Ruler, the Sun God."
The Red Knight spoke with a calm voice.
"I'm cooperating with him."
Tags:
TGMRA (Novel)