C542
The Magical Planet is vast. Lucas knew it, but there was a big difference between knowing it from knowledge and experiencing it with his own eyes.
It's like a map. You can understand the breadth of the world by looking at it, but you can't really feel it.
The same happened to Lucas. Only now could he comprehend the enormity of this territory.
"Nature."
Lucas paused for a moment. All the plants and animals of the Magical Planet were created by the Beginning Wizard, probably from scratch. He wondered if the word "nature" was suitable for such a landscape.
"...Nature is almost untouched."
He couldn't think of a better word, so he continued.
"Hmm?"
The Beginning Wizard turned around, his mask fogged with moisture. It was no wonder, as before them stretched a huge and beautiful waterfall. The roar of the water fell heavily on their ears, although it shouldn't affect the wizards' hearing.
"With the inhabitants of the Void World and your knowledge, they should have been able to develop science much more."
"Those words don't match a wizard."
"I'm not talking about advanced science that harms nature or shortens the lives of stars. I've seen how they live here. It's inefficient, outdated."
"…"
Behind the mask, the Beginning Wizard seemed to smile.
...It seemed like the guy, as "Mark Traumen," had a complete understanding of Lucas. On the other hand, Lucas couldn't read the other's mind, but that was different now. As they conversed, Lucas began to understand the Beginning Wizard a little more.
"From my experience, this is the best. If science advances further... the same thing always happens."
"That?"
"Greed."
He laughed openly.
"Fortunately, everyone living here understands that fact and also respects the Magical Planet that I have created. That's why they are satisfied with their current lives."
"……."
"I call this waterfall 'Thunderfall'. If you listen to the sound of the falling water for a long time, it's like your ears are vibrating with electricity."
[Doesn't even look like it. Ask him if his ears are alright.]
The ancient Thunder Master grumbled. It seemed Residue didn't like the Beginning Wizard. It was understandable, as he had heard the wizard say he would eliminate him.
"Haha, don't be so surprised. There are still thirty-six more places that I consider 'sights'. In a way, Thunderfall is just the beginning."
The Beginning Wizard spoke cheerfully.
"Shall we go to the next place?"
There were more than thirty-six places.
As he headed to the places he classified as "sights," the Beginning Wizard also diverted to any place that seemed a bit pleasant to him.
Sometimes, these places were landscapes that seemed created by nature, other times they were villages where people lived in harmony, or even the decoration of a small shop.
"Isn't the sunset beautiful?"
"It's a shame about the time of year. This place really shines when the leaves fall...."
"What do you think of this place?"
The Beginning Wizard kept asking Lucas what he thought, as if he found something amusing about it.
[I don't know what that bastard is thinking.]
Residue also snorted, as if he were tired.
'I guess he's sending me some kind of signal.'
[Signal?]
'Yes. He wants me to realize something he can't say directly. It's a cliché.'
[Something he can't say directly....]
Residue let the words slip and then asked:
"[What is it?]"
'...'
I don't know.
To be more precise, I can't even guess. I've been attentive to every place the Beginning Wizard has guided me to, to every gesture, every tone of voice, every movement. Plus, I've been working hard to find common points between clues that seem independent at first glance.
But I haven't found anything.
"Originally, I wanted to differentiate each region. I wanted to create this Magical Planet as a real world, and a world needs a variety of cultures to flourish."
...I don't get it.
I don't understand the meaning of this conversation, or what the Beginning Wizard wants to tell me.
"But it was difficult. Those who inhabit the Magical Planet are, well, a bit boring. Of course, I know it's not their fault. This place is a territory that only allows entry to those who share that quality."
I also focused on his casual tone, as if he were saying something inconsequential.
I can't find the meaning, but there must be a hidden message.
After all, my opponent is the Beginning Wizard, a monster that not even the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse can ensure victory against.
"Mark Traumen" is just one of the many identities he possesses.
"However, it seems that individual tastes vary, so when I'm bored, I travel around the Magical Planet looking for pleasant places. What do you think? This tea, doesn't it have quite a deep flavor?"
At his words, Lucas lowered his head and looked at the tea stained red.
Click.
In the moment he lifted the cup, a pungent fragrance filled his nose. As he tilted the cup and brought it to his mouth, the fragrance intensified several times. It was as if a small garden of flowers had bloomed in his mouth, cliché as it may sound.
...That's all.
"I don't know."
Lucas said, setting the cup down.
"I see."
The Beginning Wizard smiled faintly. From his demeanor, it seemed he was misunderstanding something.
Lucas shook his head and said:
"I'm not referring to the taste of this tea."
He had no intention of speaking with such emotion. In fact, his tone was calm. But he couldn't help his words from sounding harsh.
"I don't know what you're thinking."
"..."
"Can't you understand? I'm about to give up. I can't make heads or tails of your plan at all. So..."
He needed a moment to continue.
"...I want you to teach me directly."
A heavy silence fell between them for a while.
Lucas felt defeated. To be honest, he didn't expect to be so lost. He thought that with his insight, analysis, and reasoning ability, he would be able to piece together the clues and come to an answer.
"..."
The Beginning Wizard remained silent for a long while. His eyes, behind the mask, also seemed to have sunk deeply.
Just as the fragrance of the tea lingering in his mouth began to fade, a voice spoke up.
"I have no intention."
"What?"
"I told you, didn't I? There are many nice places in the Magic Planet. Though it sounds ridiculous coming from me, I'm the one who created this territory. Every time I traverse it, I feel a certain satisfaction. I want to show you those places..."
"Why?"
"..."
Once again, the flow of conversation was cut off. That attitude irritated Lucas, and a wave of frustration began to swell within him.
"I'm asking you what significance that holds. Does this have anything to do with why you want to kill me?"
"...No."
"Is there any hidden clue about the true identity of the Void King or to prevent the Destruction?"
"I don't think so."
"Then, what the hell are you planning to do?"
Lucas' voice finally filled with anger.
"Does it seem like I have free time? Knowing the situation I'm in, are you doing this?"
"..."
"Is my death necessary? Could it be the cornerstone to prevent the Destruction? If so, I'll gladly accept that fate."
[...]
Lucas mentioned his own death once more, but this time Residue remained silent. Of course, Lucas didn't forget the agreement, no, the oath he made.
"...But if this meaningless journey, which doesn't even allow me to die, is just out of pity for me before dying..."
His calm tone broke, but his expression froze even more. Lucas wasn't an amateur who couldn't control his emotions, but now he couldn't maintain complete composure.
An icy aura emanated from Lucas' body.
"You know nothing about me as a human being."
"..."
Whoosh,
The burning aura instantly calmed the moment Lucas finished speaking. And the frozen time began to flow again.
In the tent, the sound of teacups was once again heard, and the gentle aroma of black tea floated in the air. While everyone resumed their daily routine, only the Beginning Wizard remained motionless.
He said nothing.
Sometimes he would pause and remain silent, but this time it was unusually long.
"...Yes, you may be right."
His peculiar laughter was heard, but this time it felt slightly different.
The moment Lucas felt that incongruence, the voice continued.
"It's understandable that you have no free time. My thoughts were short. I apologize."
Swallowing saliva, the Beginning Wizard rose from his seat.
"Then let's go directly to 'Tower 77'."
"Tower 77?"
"It's also where I live. If I had to give it a more clichéd name."
The Beginning Wizard's gaze turned to the sky.
"The Magic Tower."
Where does the Beginning Wizard usually reside?
Lucas followed him, recalling the residence of Yang In-hyun, another of the Twelve Void Lords.
Cloud Pavilion.
Lucas rather liked that modest villa located just below the mountaintop. The harmonious location and the surrounding scenery were also pleasant.
─And the residence of the Beginning Wizard, Tower 77, also known as the Magic Tower, was located in a place much higher than the Cloud Pavilion.
It's not an exaggeration; it was really much higher. Tower 77 existed beyond the sky, amidst the stars.
"The name of this star is Soma Seong, the Little Magic Star. What do you think?"
"...It's a bit cheesy."
Lucas mentioned his brief impression as he looked around.
Soma Seong, the star called the Little Magic Star, was indeed small. In terms of area, it was only the size of a small island. The surrounding landscape was not normal either. It was a dark, empty place with scattered stars.
It was like a nail-sized island in the vast ocean of space.
The elongated tower stretching over the island seemed even more incongruous due to its surroundings. With the void of the Universe as the backdrop, the peculiarity of the tower was highlighted even more. It was as if a dream was unfolding before their eyes, creating a surreal sensation.
The Beginning Wizard's body rose gently. Levitation soon turned into flight, and with his robe fluttering, he began to fly towards the top of the tower.
Lucas followed suit.
Although the tower had a height of at least several hundred meters, that posed no problem.
The tower had a peculiar structure.
The base, or the first floor, had the circumference of a fortified city, but it could be observed to gradually narrow as it ascended.
Upon reaching the top, the tower was no wider than a normal watchtower, not even comparable to a fortified city.
However, Lucas saw something strange there. There was a door on the wall at the summit. Of course, there was no ground to stand on. The door was embedded in the irregular surface, as if it were a randomly carved mural.
"Hmm."
The Beginning Wizard opened the door with a familiar movement.
Just as Lucas was about to follow him, a cold voice stopped him.
"Stop."
Along with the cold voice, a freezing sensation ran down his neck. In an instant, sharp icicles surrounded Lucas' neck, threatening to pierce it.
With his skin pricked by the cold, Lucas turned sharply.
Tags:
TGMRA (Novel)