#12. Past

On that day, five years ago, the biggest star in the world went out.

Deculein is dead.

It was an indisputable fact. Sophien watched the moment of his death.

FSHSH!

Top of a snow-capped mountain.

With eyes beyond human capabilities, Sophien watched the scenery inside Rohakan’s hut.

– Brother.

Yeriel called Deculein. Deculein smiled at her.

Sophien personally oversaw the last conversation between the two of them.

– Yeriel.

Deculein held out his hand to comfort his grieving sister.

-… why were you hiding? Yeriel asked.

She tried not to cry, but her voice trembled.

“I wasn’t hiding,” Deculein replied.

At that moment, Ellie stepped a step closer and bowed her head. It was a modest and simple greeting.

Looking at her gaze, which was deeper than a hundred words, Deculein nodded his head in response.

With that, they said goodbye.

Deculein then spoke to Yeriel again.

– I was waiting.

Sophien rested her chin on her hand and smiled.

These words were warm and caring. So addressed to each other those who were related by blood.

Even though Yeriel didn’t have a drop of Yukline’s blood, he accepted her as his sister.

“…you’re doing great.”

Each of his words warmed like the sun.

– I am doing my best.

Yeriel wept at Deculein’s praise.

However, it was impossible to tell from her tear-stained expression whether she was happy or sad.

– So you were watching me? Yeriel asked, squeezing his hand.

Her tears fell on his hand.

“Yes, Yeriel,” Deculein said. – You’re doing well. And you will be fine in the future.

It was sincere praise.

– So there is nothing to be sad about. I can rely on you.

Deculein smiled. Raising his body slightly, he hugged Yeriel tightly.

– Because you are my sister.

After that, there was a loud roar.

Yeriel could no longer contain her emotions. The cry of her heart filled the hut.

-…

Looking at her, Sophien thought.

Will this Yeriel be able to control her emotions in the future? Her sanity evaporated, making any judgment impossible. It would be good if she didn’t faint.

– Yes. Because I am your sister.

…however, Yeriel regained her composure sooner than Sophien expected. She bit her lip and wiped away her tears with the hem of her sleeve. Then she buried her face into Deculein’s chest.

She is the head of the family with the same determination and will as Deculein.

– Thanks a lot. AND…

She did not want to waste the last moments of his life only on sadness, so she decided to let out everything that was in her heart all these years, leaving no regrets behind…

– I love you.

She always wanted to say something she had never said before. At least now she could not remain silent.

– I’m glad you’re my brother.

At that moment, Deculein smiled warmly and replied:

“…thank you, Yeriel.”

However, his smile was temporary.

The body, whose heart had stopped, had already reached its limit by that time and was just waiting for Yeriel to release it.

Accepting his own death, which he had long sought, Deculein slowly closed his eyes.

– Rest in peace, brother.

Yeriel also accepted his death.

#13. The present

– …I did not like it.

Sophien looked at Ifrin, fishing on the shore of the lake.

– What didn’t you like? Ifrin asked.

“I don’t want to put up with his death,” Sophien said.

Ifrin tilted her head.

– And what does it mean? Is there any way?

It was a calm, sunny day. From outside came the chirping of birds.

They talked in the mountains, where people rarely appeared, and where nature remained untouched.

– Aren’t you a mage? Your specialty is to create an opportunity, even if there isn’t one.

– There is no turning back.

Epherene frowned.

“Even if it is possible, we cannot distort a timeline that already exists.

Epherene was strict in her words.

To meet Deculein, she will be able to sacrifice “all her being”, but this will only concern “her”.

For her own purposes, she cannot sacrifice anything that is not herself.

This is the philosophy of Epherene and Deculein.

– Ha. Nothing to worry about. Your dedication will be enough.

-…

Holding the fishing rod in her hands, Ifrin looked at Sophien.

Sophien looked straight ahead at the water.

– Particles of time.

– …what?

– Particles of time.

This is the name of a theory that Deculein gave to Epherene in Lokralen 5 years ago. It was a miracle accomplished by the joint efforts of a teacher and a student.

“They say it’s the magic you learned in Lokralen.”

BRR!

The rod lingered. The float began to sink.

– AND?

With her help, we can do it.

– What…

– As you remember, shortly after Deculein’s death, a meteorite fell in the north.

Meteorite.

Epherene thought for a moment, then nodded.

“The day Your Majesty and I traveled together to the future…”

– Yes.

In the past, Sofien and Epherene traveled together into the future.

There, Epherene received a wand from Deculein.

The last gift that the deceased Deculein left her.

– I have a fragment of this meteorite.

-…

Epherene’s pupils fluttered. She looked at Sophien with concern on her face.

– And also…

Click!

Sophien snapped her fingers.

At that moment, the bushes behind them stirred. Looking around, Epherene made a funny expression, but quickly smiled.

– Hi. Haven’t seen you for a long time,” a dry voice rang out.

She was the only woman Archmage Epherene could call her friend.

Silvia.

“Greetings, Archmage Epherene.”

In addition, there was another person who called her an archmage. The continent’s greatest adventurer who was no longer a child.

– Lia, Sylvia. Why are you both here?

However, Epherene’s joy was temporary. She suddenly frowned.

Lia smiled widely. For some reason, her gaze and posture were full of confidence.

-…

Epherene stood up without saying a word. The mana in her body also began to move.

Of course, this unexpected meeting is as pleasant as it is sudden, but as an archmage in charge of protecting causality and providence, as the leader of the continent’s magic world, she must eliminate any serious threat.

– What did you think? Epherene asked quietly.

The pressure of magic power was so great that it would immediately suffocate an ordinary person.

But Lia smiled softly anyway.

– I thought you’d like it.

– If you want to distort the passage of time…

– There is a better way than this.

Lia is from the Red Garnett Adventure Team. Having received the title of “Continent’s Best Adventurer” for the past 5 years, she was now almost the same height as Epherene.

– If only….

Looking straight into her eyes, Lia explained:

– If it turns out that the professor is not actually dead. No, if we make it so, then it will be possible.

It was the most absurd sentence that she said with the most serious expression on her face.

#14. Rohakan Hut

Nothing is impossible. That’s what sorcerers usually say.

The causality of the world is not just a dichotomy between “possible” and “impossible”, but the “possibility” that exists between them. Therefore, a real magician is looking for this opportunity. No matter how impossible something may seem, he will embark on the path of possibilities, not sparing his soul.

“I agree with that idea,” Sylvia said.

She is also a kind of “true magician”.

-…

Epherene, on the other hand, was silent.

She was now in Rohakan’s hut, pondering over Lia’s words.

– You want to deceive the world? It’s still hard to understand.

Deceive the world.

This is the essence of Lia’s suggestion: “Deculein may not actually be dead.”

– Is it possible? It’s not impossible.

-…

– First of all, it does not contradict providence. It’s not about bringing the dead back to life, and it’s not about turning back time.

Epherene nodded her head at Sylvia’s words.

The content of this absurd plan was simple.

The first step is to create a [Passage] leading to the past using Time Particles. Return for a brief moment to the time when Eternal Winter froze the entire continent.

It will take a lot of effort, mana, a catalyst, an intermediary, and sacrifices just to complete this first step, but it will be successful anyway.

Then the second step: find Deculein, who went into hibernation ten thousand years ago, and “hide” him from the world.

“Have you developed magic yet?” Epherene asked Sylvia.

Sylvia’s job was to “hide” Deculein, and she’s already been successful.

She calmly replied:

“I made it look like [Outworld] as much as possible.”

And she embodied this magic in the form of a form that she was very proud of.

– Canvas?

– Yes.

Canvas.

Deculein’s hiding space, created by using hundreds of millions of Elne and many mana stones from Marik. There he can hide from the eyes of the world.

– …and what’s next?

– There are many paintings in the lighthouse gallery. Hang a canvas among them, then come back…

There was no need to talk about the third and last step.

Meeting with a professor.

-… this is absurd.

Epherene smiled bitterly.

Sylvia nodded her head in the same way.

– To her.

Archmage Epherene and de facto Archmage Sylvia. Even though these two mages thought it was an absurd plan…

– It’s possible. I’m sure.

The adventurer Lia was more confident than anyone else in the possibility of saving Deculein.

“I was there the last day of the professor’s life,” Lia said.

She turned the chair around in front of her and leaned her chest against its back.

– In his last moments.

Deculein’s last moments.

And at the same time, Kim Woojin’s last moments.

Although too late, she knew who was Kim Woojin, who came into this world, and Deculein.

At that moment, Professor…

He was different. His appearance, voice, and face were slightly different from Deculein’s before hibernation.

Of course, his death will remain an indisputable fact.

“We’ll save the dormant professor, spend time with him, and before the professor dies, we’ll bring him back to this timeline.”

– But…

Just when Epherene was about to say something, Lia interrupted her, putting her out of her worries:

– Until then, the progress of [Understanding] will stop. To deceive the world means to temporarily cut off all connection with these forces or talents. So the professor will remain human.

“…are you so sure about that?”

Epherene had a very frightened face, but Lia smiled.

– Yes. But don’t expect the professor to live very long.

Declan has already done too much. This is a man who brought his soul and body to the limit.

He can live only one year, or maybe 30 years.

“Besides, the professor we saved must one day return to this timeline and meet his death. Just like it happened five years ago in this hut.

However, his final moments are not going anywhere. Deculein must return to this “five-year-old hut” and wait for Yeriel and his own death.”

– Only in this way will the world be deceived, and thus we will save Epherene in Lokralen.

385 years in Lokralen.

Epherene cannot and should not endure this time alone. What’s more, she’s already been through this with Deculein. Whatever the future of Deculein, he will definitely return to this timeline.

– Of course, this interference will cause slight distortion. However… you know, don’t you?

Lia pointed to Epherene.

– What should happen, will definitely happen.

#15. experiences

Late night in the north. Rohakan’s hut.

After Deculein’s death in this place, which Epherene had inherited from Rohakan, Epherene was now engrossed in creating the [Passage] leading to the past.

– Ha-ah…

It was very difficult. Even though she is an archmage who controls time, the gap between past and present is too great. Fortunately, the fragment of the meteorite that should be the catalyst for the miracle was shining brightly on her desk right now.

But even if things were going according to Lia’s “optimism”, any mistake could become extremely serious.

It is worth opening this passage and there will be a possibility of temporary confusion. From the moment the passage is opened to the moment it is closed, this opportunity will grow exponentially.

If even the slightest calculation is wrong, then the destruction of the world that Professor Deculein was able to prevent…

Clap!

A hand rested on her shoulder.

– I see you have a problem.

That voice belonged to Sophien.

Epherene looked at her and smiled bitterly.

– Yes. I have a problem, but everything is fine. It’s OK.

If such a situation arises, Epherene knew how to deal with it.

Then she stretched and asked Sophia:

– By the way, how are you?

– What do you mean? – Sophien answered, sitting in the chair across from her.

– A world without a professor. It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?

-…yeah. Five years.

There was no emotion in Sophien’s voice. She was once again a bored empress, uninterested in anything.

– Nonsense in every sense…

She looked at Epherene to gauge the emotions that would show on her face.

– The world is a very mysterious thing, and everything in the world is meaningless to me…

Suddenly, the empress closed her eyes, as if trying to remember someone’s face, and smiled faintly.

“But without this world, I wouldn’t have met the person I loved the most.

-…

– Those who do what is right should be rewarded, and those who commit crimes should be punished.

Sophien looked at Epherene’s table.

The formula for the giant magic that opens the [Passage]. The papers on which it was written were neatly arranged.

“So I will reward Deculein for saving this continent.”

Sophien grabbed a pencil and corrected some of the parts of the formula that Epherene had been thinking about.

“This is the world he saved, so it doesn’t make sense that he can’t live in it anymore.”

– BUT?!

Epherene opened her eyes wide when she saw the corrections.

– For the sake of a loved one, I can sacrifice everything I can.

Sophien smiled softly and looked at Epherene.

– Get ready. It’s time to get down to business.

Epherene immediately jumped to her feet. Her heart beat faster. She felt her brain tighten for the first time in a long time.

– Your Majesty the Empress!

She witnessed an insight that penetrates the essence of magic and the mind and goes beyond the level of an archmage.

– Haha. Now you’re calling me Empress again.

Sophien grinned mischievously and said:

Let’s save that impudent professor.

#16. Imperial University Magic Tower

The Magic Tower of the Imperial University was Epherene’s hometown. Now she was looking at the local landscape, having returned here after a long time.

– Spring…

Cherry blossoms bloomed all over the campus, under which couples nestled.

Looking at the strolling students, Epherene remembered her time at the university, which now seems too far away for her.

– Then…

To borrow Sylvia’s words, “stupid Epherene” who knew nothing came here that spring with a grudge against Deculein. She had a clear plan in her mind.

– I wanted to destroy the professor.

Deculein’s fall.

Muttering an old goal that might have already been achieved, Epherene took a step forward.

At that moment, space warped, and she immediately entered the top floor of the university’s Magic Tower. In the office of the chairman.

– God!

At the sudden appearance of the chairman, immersed in her work, she shuddered.

Surprised enough to unleash her magic power in a hurry, she frowned, but then saw that the intruder was Epherene.

– Why so scary?

– Long time no see, Professor Louina.

New chairman, Louina.

Deculein’s replacement… no. In fact, due to the fact that all records of Deculein were erased, and because Deculein turned into a villain whose name was not liked to be spoken, Louina became the next chairman after Adrian, and not “in place of” Deculein.

– Did you come for what you asked earlier? Louina asked with a smile.

– Yes. As I said before, I will go to the extinct… to the borderlands.

The extinct lands were completely cleared.

Therefore, now they were not extinct, but borderline. Now it was full of vegetation and animals.

– You need the key to the lighthouse, don’t you?

The lighthouse, the work of Deculein and Altar, still existed.

Thanks to Deculein’s intervention, it never broke or collapsed, and was now under the supervision of the university’s Magic Tower.

– Here.

Louina handed her the key without hesitation. Epherene took it in her hand and smiled.

– Thanks to.

– What? Rather, I am grateful,” Louina said, holding out her hand. “I wish you good luck, my esteemed archmage. Whatever you do

Epherene happily grabbed her hand.

– Yes thank you.

In the past, Professor Louina was Epherene’s role model and still is, so she was pleased to hear such words.

– And you success in your work, chairman.

– Yes.

Perhaps this was the last goodbye.

Epherene, who was about to leave, suddenly remembered something. She was interested in the 77th floor. A place that has now become another senior professor’s floor.

Fshhhh!

Epherene took a step and immediately found herself on the 77th floor, looking around blankly in the middle of the corridor.

– Ah…

She sighed without realizing it. Her body trembled, overflowing with emotion.

The layout and structure of the lab, office, conference room, and other areas were very different from when Deculein lived here, but the corridor remained the same.

She saw images of herself running down the hallway, Allen saying she would be punished for it, Drent following her with a slightly goofy face, and Deculein always walking with a proud and confident gait.

Those memories that can’t be brought back surfaced like afterimages.

-…

Suddenly, tears welled up in Ifrin’s eyes.

However, she quickly shook her head to stop them and forced herself to take a step forward.

Fshhhh!

#17. Lighthouse

When she reached the borderlands, Ifrin lifted her head, silently staring at the lighthouse.

A majestic building that seems to reach heaven. In this era, this symbol of Deculein and the Altar was called the “root of evil.”

– Handsomely…

The entire lighthouse was made of Snow Obsidian, beautiful, glowing bright blue and white.

A “beautiful” lighthouse that cannot be described in any other way. A work of art containing Deculein’s efforts and feelings.

– I’m ready.

At that moment, Sylvia’s voice rang out.

Epherene came to her senses.

– …Yes OK.

Looking around, the blue lines around the lighthouse formed a huge magic circle. These were magical threads, embodied by Sylvia’s three primary colors, to open the [Passage].

The hearts of all those gathered here will serve as fuel for the manifestation of magic, as well as fragments of the meteorite obtained by Sofien.

“I will start soon,” Epherene said, looking at the audience.

There were many familiar faces here.

First, Sylvia, who helped her the most with this plan.

“Haughty Epherene, please return with Her Majesty.”

Then Lia from the Red Garnett Adventurer Team.

– Can you do it. However, I will not be with you. I can’t meet the professor.

Lia’s words were meaningful, but Epherene didn’t have time to ponder their meaning.

Also Delric and Lavein from the Imperial Knights.

“We will trust you, Archmage Epherene.”

– We’ll be waiting.

And also Idnik and Arlos, who made special clothes that will protect them from the cold of Eternal Winter.

– However, these clothes are not omnipotent. You shouldn’t stay there for long.

– Good luck, Archmage Epherene and Your Majesty the Empress.

Nodding her head to the two of them, Epherene turned to the empress who would be accompanying her.

– Are we leaving now?

Sophien calmly replied:

– Yes.

Only these two people will enter the [Aisle].

There is no need for more people, as this will only increase the risk of temporary entanglement.

– Do not worry, Your Majesty. If the remnants of the Altar attack, I will do my best to stop them.

Before they left, Delric declared his resolve.

Remains of the Altar.

The Quay has already disappeared, and the Altar has lost its doctrine and God, but some of them continue to drag out their miserable existence, like zombies. They seemed to know some of the truth, and considered Declain a traitor, so it was still a big problem for the Empire.

– I believe in you.

Delric’s face turned red at Sophien’s words.

– Y-yes, it’s an honor for me, Your Majesty!

Epherene activated her magic, pouring mana into a huge magic circle.

Shh!

Ifrin’s mana slowly began to circulate around the magic circle. It was a quiet stream that flowed like a stream.

However, then…

BZZZZZZ!

The mana went berserk, ripping through space and causing huge vibrations that caused cracks to form across the ground. This phenomenon, which could be misinterpreted as a calculation error, was in fact precisely planned by Ifrin.

– The process runs smoothly.

Sophien made edits for just that. A dangerous technique that deliberately causes a clash between magical forces for faster and more destructive use of magic.

BZZZZ!

A magical technique that emits a sound similar to static electricity. It distorted the space of the world itself, embodying the elliptical [Passage] in this distortion.

Time itself became particles that vibrated as they engulfed space.

Everyone who witnessed the space-time warp was momentarily speechless.

– Your Majesty.

Epherene turned to Sophien. Sophien also looked at Epherene.

There was no need to say anything to each other. There was no need to hesitate. They’ll just go there as promised.

In [Passage] where he was waiting for them.

#18. Eternal winter

Traveling through the [Passage] was dizzying.

In an instant, the body began to rotate, and the bones and muscles trembled from the pressure exerted on them. It was a very strange feeling.

However, after a small bout of nausea, they found themselves in a non-existent era of the continent.

Forgotten and lost past.

– This is Eternal Winter.

A world where everything is frozen. Ten thousand years of winter.

– Yes, that’s right. Luckily it’s not very cold here. Soon the moment of awakening people from hibernation will come.

Sofien and Epherene looked at the frozen continent.

All things, both heaven and earth, are in perfect dormancy. Looking forward to the coming spring.

“Still, you have to hurry. We can’t stay here long.”

They didn’t have time to look around. Ifrin took the initiative and opened the lighthouse door. Sophien calmly followed her.

Tick-tock!

At that moment, the ticking of the clock sounded in Ifrin’s ears. Her body froze for a moment, and her face showed tension.

Sophien looked at her and asked:

– Intervention of the world?

– Yes… let’s hurry.

This course of time, coming from the heart, counted the approaching intervention of the world.

If they don’t rescue Deculein by then, the “deterrent” will catch them.

Top! Top!

Epherene ran up the stairs of the lighthouse with the canvas in her hands.

Tick-tock!

The sound of the second hand gradually accelerated with each step, but there was still time.

Tick-tock!

Luckily, Deculein’s whereabouts were already known. It was driven by wood steel.

Tick-tock!

Using the timber as a GPS, they ran until they arrived at the very center of the Eternal Winter.

– There… Here it is! Professor!

– Yes.

In the place guarded by Knight Julie was Deculein. Still proud with a straight posture, like a crane, as if he had not been frozen.

Tick-tock!

Epherene walked over to him, injecting her mana into Sylvia’s canvas.

Sophien nodded her head.

– Phew…

Just one deep breath.

Epherene’s magic power, manifested in this way, enveloped the frozen Deculein, and then carefully lifted him up and placed him on the canvas.

Tick-tock!

The sound of the clock got louder. Epherene bit her lip as there was still a lot of work ahead.

Tick-tock!

The alarm bell continued to weigh on my nerves.

Immediately after that, a crack was heard from somewhere. Like ice cracking, here and there cracks appeared in the air.

It was a distortion of time.

This is the intervention of a “deterrent” that will destroy the continent again if ignored.

However, Ifrin was already prepared for this. She had a decision.

– Your Majesty.

Epherene called out to the Empress, who silently looked at her.

– Your Majesty, come back…

– Epherene.

Interrupting her, Sophien took the canvas with Deculein from Epherene’s hands with [Telekinesis].

“Your Majesty, what are you…”

– I’ll take care of the rest.

As if she knew everything, the Empress smiled at her. However, Epherene hurriedly shook her head.

– Your Majesty!

Fshhhh!

Sofien drew a sword from her belt and aimed at Epherene with that blade.

– It takes a sacrifice to close the rifts. I can go into the crack to patch them up like you were going to do now, right?

SKKRR!

As if in answer to Sophien’s words, the space-time distortion yelled even more fiercely.

“Haughty Epherene, I said I would dedicate myself to this. This is my task.”

– Your Majesty…

Epherene’s expression tightened. Sophien only pursed her lips.

“Professor Deculein wouldn’t want you to sacrifice yourself.”

“I don’t want that either,” Epherene said.

– That’s how?

Sophien rubbed her chin nonchalantly.

– The Empire needs Your Majesty. You must guide the Empire on the right path…

– Not. The Empire is already on the right track.

– What…

– I’ll say it again. I love Deculein.

Sophien boldly confessed her feelings.

“However, if you think I’m only doing this for Deculein, you’re wrong.”

TFR! TFR! TFR!

Meanwhile, the cracks got bigger and the clothes that protected them from the cold began to crumble.

“I bear the burden of the Empire and the continent.”

– No, it’s not…

Epherene denied this.

After the incident with the Altar, Sophien became the greatest emperor in the history of the continent, who single-handedly stabilized the situation in the Empire and the continent, formulated and implemented new laws and policies, and broke all the chains of hatred.

“The Continent needs Your Majesty. The Continent still relies on Your Majesty’s judgment, on your wisdom and strength. We need to deal with the remains of the Altar. And most importantly, Your Majesty… you have always been right.”

Sophien was the absolute ruler.

– Ha. Like you said, I’ve always been right.

Sophien smiled contentedly.

“However, the fact that I was always right, that I was never wrong, makes people think of me as someone with absolute judgment. They will believe me even if I say dog ​​dung is miso soup.”

Epherene’s eyebrow twitched.

Absolute Judgment. She knew the meaning behind her words.

– Your Majesty…

“In this Empire, everything is decided by my will and the will of the imperial family. If so, was this Empire solely founded by the imperial family?”

Even though Sophien asked this question, she immediately answered it herself.

– Not. It was not the imperial family that built the Empire. The empire was built by subjects.

-…

– As Maho said, the master of the state is the vast majority of its subjects. It is they who constitute the state, and from them comes the power of the state.

-…

Epherene tilted her head without saying a word.

– As long as I rule, subjects and everything around will depend on me. Everyone will rely on me.

At that moment, Ifrin already realized that she could not convince Sofien.

“Besides, if I die of old age, there will be heirs to the throne. But in this case, this is nothing but the usurpation of power.”

Sophien tried to return the Empire to its master.

– The greatest man of this time must break this chain himself.

Her will will spread not only to the Empire, but to all kingdoms, and eventually change this world.

– In other words…

Sophien looked into Epherene’s eyes.

I will free them with my death.

Epherene couldn’t help but admit it. She couldn’t help but accept it.

– You’ll go back and tell Deculein.

TFR!

The space-time rift had already opened wide.

– That I gave him a new continent.

Sophien laughed.

There was happiness in that smile. There was joy. There was an achievement. There was love.

She sincerely wanted to die for the one she loves.

She will give him life on this continent.

Sophien swung her sword sharply and slashed Ifrin’s chest diagonally.

– Ah!

Then, Epherene’s figure disappeared before she could say anything.

The sword of the empress “banished” her back to her original time.

– Goodbye.

Sophien pursed her lips and looked around.

FSHSHSH!

The storm of time has come.

A tidal wave of containment that covers the entire body.

#19. rebirth

Epherene, cleaved by Sofien’s sword, returned to her original timeline.

She stood near the lighthouse and stared blankly at the approaching group of people.

Sylvia, Delric, Arlos, Idnik, all said something to her, but Epherene did not hear anything and could not say anything. Because their eyes, looking at her, were looking for someone else.

Cap!

Suddenly, a small drop of rain fell on Epherene’s nose. At the same time, the vibration of wood steel spread through the body. Those two cold and noisy auras awakened Epherene.

She silently turned and opened the lighthouse door.

Clap!

She stepped inside as if possessed by something. And she just ran. The woodsteel guided her forward until she was in front of some doors.

Opening the doors, Epherene looked around. It was the gallery where “he” was.

Canvas with Deculein. Her Majesty hung it here.

-…

While Epherene stared blankly at the canvas, Sylvia ran up to her and shouted:

– Did you make it? Epherene! The professor is here. He is still sleeping, but I can wake him up.

At these words, Epherene burst into tears. She didn’t know if it was joy or sadness.

Now she was so happy, but so sad.

Seeing her like this, everyone else tensed up as well.

Delric was the first to ask:

– Where is the empress?

Ifrin was in no hurry to answer.

However, she answered quietly in a trembling voice:

– Her Majesty the Empress went on a long journey.

From which she will never return.

#20. Lia

Time passed, the continent changed.

After the sudden death of Empress Sophien, Kreto issued the will of Sophien – the Declaration of the Republic.

A 500-page compendium that promises to transform the empire into a republic, temporarily leaving the imperial family in power, but retaining the status system only as a form and abolishing it over time.

It was the last will of the empress, published in book form, and it was read by everyone on the continent.

Of course, this was a catastrophic event that many could not accept, but even the greatest nobles who should resist the most: Yeriel of Yukline, Sylvia of the Iliad, Zeit of Freyden, and finally Brother Sofien, Kreto stood up for it.

The empire was slowly turning into a republic.

And not only the Empire changed.

[Side Quest completed: Windless Cave]

– This is the end?

A quest completion notification popped up.

It was a cave in the south where crazy monsters lived.

As the deputy leader of the Red Garnett Adventurer Team, Lia was doing her quests.

– Phew.

She lay down on the ground and stared up at the dark stone ceiling. The stalactites hanging like icicles were beautiful.

-… about a year has passed.

She may have been influenced by this peaceful atmosphere after a long fight, but she remembered the boy she had almost forgotten.

These memories rolled on like an annual event.

Deculein.

No, Kim Woojin.

No Deculein.

No, Kim Woojin.

– What are you doing now?

Now Lia knew it, she could admit it.

It was no longer the same Kim Woojin that she passionately loved. It was a new identity.

– Ah…

Although she wasn’t very sad. Sometimes she was soaked in sentimentality, but even these memories brightened her days.

“I hope you’re having fun here too,” Lia muttered, as if talking to him. – I’m happy, even though I can’t meet you.

She can’t meet Deculein. A character named Lia is under close surveillance by the world – “the system”, so she cannot reveal his whereabouts.

“Even if we are in the same world like this, we cannot meet.”

Lia lifted the corners of her lips.

– It’s good that I was able to visit there in your last moments.

Deculein’s last moments. The words she then said to him as Kim Woojin were still in Lia’s memory…

– Lia! Lia!

Suddenly, Leo screamed from the side. A loud echo that reverberated throughout the cave.

– Here! Lia, come here! Help!

– Ha-ah…

He is almost an adult, but he still behaves the same way.

– Lia! Go faster! My feet are stuck in the mud!

One way or another, there are still many unknowns on this continent.

There are many problems to be solved, the villains are still endless, and there are many interesting dungeons.

– Lia-i-i-i!

– Where’s Carlos?

– He left me!

That’s why Lia’s heart boils every time she embarks on a new adventure. She is interested in exploring the unknown, and enjoys encountering new areas, people and life.

Of course, this can also be related to the profession of “Adventurer”.

– When will you guys stop fighting?

– Faster!

But it does not matter.

Just like he was Kim Woojin and Deculein.

She seems to have been Lia and Yoo-ara too.

– Good. I’m going, I’m going~

As she sighed and stood up, a small letter flew out of Lia’s pocket. The paper that fell to the ground without her knowledge was quickly swallowed up by the darkness of the dungeon. The sentences written in it were full of simple and sincere emotions.

[Woojin.

As you said then, my world is not you. Now I know exactly what you meant. My world is everything that I see, hear, feel and experience, this continent. This planet is very different from Earth. So I’m glad that I’m an adventurer. I am glad that there are so many adventures on this continent.

Do you know what the giant once said? The blessing given to people is their limited mind, small eyes, short legs and life, which ends with the advent of death.

No matter how much I run, this continent will never end, right? I am waiting for endless meetings and a huge unknown.

This land without borders, endless skies, a continent that I can never conquer is the happiness that was bestowed on me. Only thanks to you I have found this happiness.

Well…

In fact, I don’t even know what kind of letter I want to write to you right now.

So, to summarize in a couple of words. I am happy to live on this continent. I think it’s better not to return to the original world. I want you to be happy too. I wish you a good life.

Hmm… Writing this letter makes me think about the past…

I might not even be able to deliver it to you. However, it’s not scary.

Be happy Ugin. And I’ll be happy too. If everything is fine with you, I can also enjoy life.

And further…

I really loved you. This is true.

Goodbye.]

#21. last point

Metropolis of the Republic of Krebaim, Hadekain. Yukline’s most luxurious mansion in the big city with a very high-tech and modern landscaping.

Sitting in a rocking chair, I was reading a book on the theory of magic that Louina had published.

Shh! Shh!

I peacefully flipped through the pages, enjoying the unexpected daily life.

When I met Yeriel again, she was crying, unable to find words, but now, after about a year, she has again become annoyed over trifles.

It’s good because it’s more like Yeriel.

Although I’m still bored…

I closed the book.

Louina’s theory is too simple. After all, I am someone who specializes in teaching the theory of magic.

Anyway, I read the whole book in 15 minutes and looked out the window.

– Clear weather.

Blue sky without a single cloud. The brightly scorching sun.

I was still alive thanks to an absurd plan that aimed at the gap between the past and the present.

-…

However, at first I was dissatisfied. For all the villains, such a death is the right end and the right fate.

I was not happy to be alive. I couldn’t rejoice.

– Your Majesty.

However, I remembered Sophien.

The Empress who devoted herself to giving me peace has liberated the Empire.

– You gave me an award worthy of your greatness.

The time she gave me won’t be particularly long. I was still slowly dying.

“However, if that is Your Majesty’s wish…”

If that was her wish.

– I will live and enjoy this life.

I smiled softly. I’m still Deculein and Kim Woojin. My personality cannot be expressed by a single name.

However, there is one promise that I have not yet kept.

– See you at the last minute.

To keep this “last promise”, I will do my best as long as I live.

– Brother! What are you doing over there? Come here soon.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out from the crystal ball. It was Yeriel.

– The dinner table is ready.

I shook my head, put down my book, got up from my seat, and walked into the garden of the mansion.

-…

This place, dedicated only to me, was fenced on all sides, and no one would see it from the outside.

There are a lot of good people here now.

Delric, Lavein, Sylvia, Epherene, Yeriel, Arlos, Idnik, Jackal and Carla, Ellie, Julie, Maho…

– Brother! Why so long?!

Yeriel yelling at me, Ifrin busy eating roahawk, Sylvia smiling slightly at me, and Julie frowning.

– Go here!

Listening to this impudent cry, I was already preparing a crack. Even the presence of guests will not stop me from giving her a lesson.

I approached her and…

Click!

– Moon!

There was loud laughter from the crowd.

On this clear and windless afternoon, fallen leaves mingled in the garden. It was autumn and the leaves were turning red.

– Professor.

In a world without an empress, seeing autumn leaves reminiscent of her, and seeing Epherene smiling at me, I quietly thought.

This is a very simple idea.

– Yes.

This is the life that Sophien gave me. Her dedication slightly increased the time allotted to me.

I have people with me whom I can trust and rely on.

So that…

– Welcome.

The Villain Wants to Live.

–––––––THE END––––––––

#Extra. Sophien

The birds sing their tunes. The sun stings closed eyelids.

Sophien, who was tossing and turning all over because of them, involuntarily opened her eyes.

-…

And stared blankly at the sky. Looking at this landscape, she briefly remembered the past.

After hanging Deculein’s canvas in the gallery, she was banished by the storm of time, her body tearing and breaking in the tide. And as it unravels…

– Is it a continent?

Was it the past, present or future? Was it a continent or another planet? She fell into an unknown forest, not knowing either time or space.

– Hm…

Sophien checked her condition.

She’ll last another day or two at the most. Death is already inevitable, but such is the price for blocking the “means of deterrence”.

This body has already been destroyed.

Will such a death be happiness or misfortune?

Sophien unconsciously smiled and forced her broken body to stand up.

-…

Now all that’s left is to find a place to die.

Of course, only dust will remain from the corpse, but she does not want to die without knowing where she is.

GRRR!

But just as she was about to walk a little, the sound of roaring and crackling trees echoed through the area.

Sophia turned around.

The tiger was chasing an unknown woman.

A woman in a magnificent dress ran away from him with a child in her arms.

-…

Sophien could ignore her.

Even if it’s just saving one person from a tiger, it could be fatal for Sophien right now. It can cut her miserable lifespan in half or more.

– A day or half a day.

In any case, it doesn’t matter. This life is already over. She went through an endless regression so she had no regrets.

Sophien drew her sword, took a step forward, and swung her sword without hesitation.

Fshhhh!

The sword went up and cut off the tiger’s head. The wind, caused by her magical power, caught the woman too, causing her to stumble.

– Ah!

-…

Despite this, she still held her baby in her arms.

Sophien approached her without a word.

At the same time, the woman jumped to her feet.

– Thanks! Thank you! I was going down the mountain with a child and I met a tiger…

She bowed her back and expressed her gratitude.

– Thank you…

Cap!

A red drop fell to the ground.

Sophia’s blood.

– Ah! Are you okay?!

The woman hastily looked at Sophien and asked.

Sophien shook her head.

– Not okay.

– Ah! Forgive me. My house is nearby, so let’s go there as soon as possible. At least some treatment…

– That is unnecessary.

The woman came closer and tried to take her away, but Sophien refused.

It was already too late.

– Oh no, how can you say that…

– Wah-ah-ah-ah!

At this moment, the child began to cry. The woman became frightened and began to comfort him, and Sophien’s eyebrows twitched slightly as she glanced at the child.

Sophien then spoke again.

– Madam…

– Yes?

– Say, near your house, right?

– Ah! Yes! Follow me!

The woman quickly led Sophien.

Following a mountain path, they reached a small hut built on a hillside.

– It’s here. Come in.

Skr!

The woman opened the door, which creaked like it was about to break.

Sophien went inside.

– Lie down.

She then laid Sophiene down on her only bed and began to grind the herbs in her mortar.

– Wait a minute. I will heal you…

– More importantly, there is something I want to ask you.

-…yes?

– You don’t need to be treated. It’s too late,” Sophien said, covering her pale face.

She wanted to ask what time it was, whether it was a continent, an empire, a republic, or a completely different alien planet, however…

– What is the name of the child?

-… you want to know the name of the child?

The woman opened her eyes wide.

– Yes.

Sophia’s voice was very soft. Too joyful for a dying man.

– Hmm…

This was unexpected for the woman, but she nevertheless answered:

– Keiron.

– Haha…

Sophien unconsciously chuckled.

Boy with black hair. Even though it was a newborn baby, she could recognize him.

“…Keiron. It’s clear.”

Her broken body seemed unable to take more, and her mind gradually began to drift away.

– Are you okay?..

The voice of the woman she accidentally saved also faded away.

She hurriedly applied herbal powder to the wounds, but there was no effect.

Sophien slowly closed her eyes.

The world got darker and darker.

Sophien’s body was slowly sinking into the abyss of death.

It was the end she longed to experience someday.

The soul finally departed completely from the body.

– Your Majesty.

Just as she was about to enjoy the end, a voice spread like ripples.

Sophien opened her eyes again.

-…

The landscape reflected on her retina was very disconcerting.

It was the shore of the lake.

A whimsical and fantastic view with lotus flowers on a transparent water surface and a light haze of fog.

– Your Majesty.

Then the voice came again.

Sophien seemed to know who he was without even seeing him.

– Keiron.

When she called his name, he smiled.

– Yes, Your Majesty.

Sophien asked:

– This is a dream?

Is this a dream or the afterlife? Even Sophien, who is an easy learner, couldn’t help but ask Keiron since this is the first time she’s encountered something like this.

– It’s a magical space. It seems our souls have been imprisoned here for a while.

Magic space.

A kind of magic capable of trapping even souls.

– Terrifying, isn’t it? Keiron said with a laugh.

Sophien made the same expression on her face.

It became clear to her whose work it was.

– It must have been Deculein from the future. To keep the last promise he made to Your Majesty.

Saying this, Keiron pointed somewhere.

A square wooden board placed where lake and land meet.

Seeing her, Sophien smiled broadly.

– Is it th?

Go.

Sophien asked Deculein for one last match and Deculein agreed, but Sophien herself turned him down on a whim.

– Yes. The last match is left.

This magical space, captivating even souls, was conceived and implemented by Deculein from the future.

The mediator of such fantastic magic is the very “promise” that they made to each other during their lifetime.

– Until the match takes place, Deculein will not let us go.

Sophien nodded at Kaeron’s words.

– Well…

If they can’t get out of here. If that goddamn bastard had locked her in here.

– So be it.

She walked through the mist to the lake and sat down in front of the blackboard.

“Will you stay with me until Deculein arrives?”

It’s a question that shouldn’t even have been asked.

Keiron quickly replied:

– Of course. Knight Keyron will serve Your Majesty forever.

Sophien nodded. If he is by her side, she can focus solely on go.

– Then let’s wait.

Sophien looked at the plank and the stones and said:

– I’ll think about how to defeat him.

To confront a man who can be called a master of Go, any time for preparation will not be enough.

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So the time will pass quickly.

Thinking for a moment, Sophien touched her fingers to her lips.

– I hope… this last match will last a long time.

So simple was the desire of the Empress.