Ch.179EP.41 – Until the Heart Beats (6)

……The snow had stopped.

The blizzard that seemed like it would fall forever.

But what was even more surprising.

Tok, tok….

The ground was thawing, and ‘sprouts’ were emerging.

The snow that must have been over 5 meters deep melted instantly, and life energy quickly infused the soil. As sprouts grew, the frozen ground that had been more terrible than a wasteland was suddenly dyed green.

It was the color of life, and also the signal flare announcing the beginning of spring.

[-Kyahaha!]

As the sprouts grew more lush, they spread wider with each delightful laugh of the girl.

Squirm, squirm…!

With a wriggling sound, flower vines shot up from the ground and covered the broken Sky Castle, decomposing the remains of the dead wizards.

Where the dead wizards had been, small trees and large ancient trees appeared in succession, and soon the land within a 30km radius around the castle was completely transformed into spring earth filled with the energy of spring.

Beautiful spring scent, earth brimming with life energy.

Whaa.

At some point, sunlight peeked out over the light green earth infused with spring energy.

Though it only illuminated a small portion of the earth for now, these rays would gradually grow stronger.

[Kyahaha!]

[Woaaang!]

[Ahaha!]

A being different in rank even among fairies.

One who governs the seasons, and among them, wields the authority of life—the ‘Spring Fairy’ had descended upon the world, so how could winter continue?

Even winter had no choice but to quietly retreat.

Kugugugugung….

And it wasn’t just the Sky Castle and the wizards’ remains that were being decomposed by the sunlight extended by the Spring Fairy—’magic’ itself was also being decomposed.

Magic.

While it couldn’t be denied that magic was also part of the mysteries of this world, it was no match for a fairy’s power.

Even if magic could cause natural disasters, no human could defeat ‘nature itself.’

Magical power, no, humans could not defeat [the will of great nature].

Srrrrk-

The labyrinth created by the Grand Wizard, into which he had poured tens of thousands of spells to seal away the knight, collapsed and melted like snow.

As long as the fairy ‘wished it,’ as long as the fairy had ‘anger’ toward wizards, perhaps magic would be completely erased from this land.

“Who knew sunshine could be so welcome….”

-Whew.

The knight, who had been desperately trying to escape from the labyrinth, enjoyed the warm heat and rays of light shining upon him.

It was just the usual sunshine, but today it felt so special and extraordinary.

Not the cold cutting wind, but warm breeze and air, and even the fragrant scent of grass infused with life.

It was the [smell of spring] where life pulsated.

While enjoying the spring energy, the knight noticed someone staring at him and smirked.

“-Finally, that annoying smile of yours is gone.”

“……”

“How does it feel? To be played by those you considered insects.”

“……You’re smarter than you look, warrior.”

Normally, Ihan would have bristled with “What’s wrong with how I look!” but now he remained confident despite the monster’s provocation.

He was in an exceptionally good mood right now.

So.

“I’m not smart. You were just arrogant and stupid. You psychopath who thought you were actually a god.”

“……”

He was simply beating him with facts.

Tyr seemed momentarily speechless, but then.

“…When did it start?”

Creak…!

Tyr appeared calm despite the tree vines gradually climbing up his body, absorbing his magic as nutrients, and he posed a question to Ihan.

Someone oblivious might tilt their head and ask “What are you talking about?” at this point, but Ihan was quite perceptive and immediately understood what Tyr was asking.

He said,

“From the beginning.”

“……”

“I planned it from the start, even before coming to the Empire. Honestly, it was a hastily made plan put together in an hour, and I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I didn’t expect things to go this well. In a way, it was a low-probability gamble. About 50%?”

“……”

He gave a kind answer, as if mocking his opponent.

“You know what? The reason the success rate was as high as fifty-fifty was thanks to that blond beast you raised. That guy’s mouth was incredibly loose.”

“…I see, so it was Huey…”

Tyr understood everything.

* * *

– W-we kidnapped a fairy! T-ten years ago!

Ihan had obtained countless pieces of information from the blond-haired spellcaster who claimed to be the Tower Master’s disciple.

Like the [10,000 Missing Persons Incident] or the [Winter Fairy Incident]….

Hidden details of incidents that could shake the Empire if even one was solved.

It was honestly predictable that the Magic Tower was involved in all those incidents.

After all, spellcasters had simply committed crimes befitting spellcasters.

…But even Ihan was shocked when some information came out that left him dumbfounded.

– W-what did you kidnap?

– A f-fairy. …The Spring Fairy, I mean.

– …….

At this point, even Ihan was somewhat shocked.

– You kidnapped the Spring Fairy? …With your capabilities?

The blond spellcaster’s claim that they had kidnapped “the fairy who governs spring” was hard to believe.

The Spring Fairy was a being of a different rank even among fairies, and due to its power to govern the seasons, it was still worshipped as a god in some cases.

But the fact that mere wizards had kidnapped the fairy governing spring and kept it sealed for over 10 years was quite shocking and utterly unbelievable.

It seemed impossible that even a Grand Wizard could accomplish such a thing, and only after five hours of torture and continuous cross-verification…

– M-my master knew that fairies like children with pure hearts, so he succeeded in sealing the fairy by taking the lives of ten thousand children hostage.

…Ihan had no choice but to believe the subsequent statement.

– …I’ve never seen such beasts worse than animals…!

– S-stop! Please stop that strange torture…! Kyaaaak!

– Even an onion wouldn’t make me cry this much!

The more layers he peeled, the more horrific things emerged.

Are these creatures committing a sin against the world just by breathing?

The wizards’ sins seemed endless, to the point where such thoughts arose.

However, unlike this terrible story, Ihan was able to formulate a plan based on this information.

None other than.

– Rescue the fairy.

– …Are you in your right mind?

– Because I’m in my right mind, I came up with this plan. If we can just save the fairy, we can win against whatever the spellcasters do. If the fairy’s mysteries are even half of what’s written in fairy tales and history books, we couldn’t lose even if we wanted to.

– …I agree with that. But it’s an impossible plan with just the two of us.

Lac initially opposed when he first heard the outline of the plan.

Because it was an unrealistic plan.

Even for them, how could they guarantee they could handle the Magic Tower alone?

However.

– Then we just need to find helpers.

– ?

– Blackie, Spear… I mean Timid and Chick should be enough.

– …You crazy rogue.

– Why? I’m saying this because they’re really reliable.

Lac cursed at his suggestion to ask the students for help, but Ihan confidently insisted.

They are special kids.

They have skills that even Ihan can’t ignore. So he can trust and rely on them.

And as if rewarding that trust.

“See? Our kids are this good.”

“…That’s only natural for the young lady.”

“You were anxious because you couldn’t trust them, yet you say…”

“You bastard!”

“Hehe!”

The two knights bickered.

Just moments ago, they didn’t even have the energy for an argument, but now they had the luxury to squabble with each other.

Not only had the operation succeeded, but they were most proud of how well their disciples had performed.

Well, with Blackie among them, there was no way they could fail, but calculations and results are always different things.

In all sincerity, Ihan was more proud of his disciples’ efforts than the success of his own plan.

During this,

“Haha! It was a mistake to give that child too much authority. I kept him around because his talent was decent, but look at these side effects, kuhehe!”

The monster’s voice made their pleasant mood unpleasant again, causing their brows to furrow once more.

…He started laughing.

Due to the Spring Fairy, all magical power in the vicinity was being transformed into nutrients for the earth, and wizards with magic were turning into plants.

Crunch….

As if to prove that he couldn’t escape this fate either, he was being bound by tree vines and turning into a willow tree, yet he remained infinitely relaxed.

Could he have some method to counter the fairy’s power?

─That’s impossible.

A fairy’s mysteries are great powers that make even Aura Users bow their heads in reverence.

Even if that guy had lived for a thousand years instead of 400, he couldn’t defeat a fairy.

For humans, fairies are not beings to be defeated, but beings to be ‘acknowledged’ by.

And a ‘being’ like a wizard who hasn’t been acknowledged by a fairy is bound to disappear from today.

This is already a determined future.

Yet he…

“Ah, don’t worry. I’m not so stupid that I don’t even know this is defeat. I just thought I was too arrogant, as you said. And this situation itself is too funny, isn’t it? Literally being played by those I considered insignificant. Ah, I really was lacking. I should have killed you right away instead of playing around.”

“Bullshit.”

“I know, it’s too late for regrets. Hmm….”

Tyr chuckled and made an expression that was hard to read.

The way he rolled his eyeballs was quite unsettling, and the two knights each raised their sword and spear.

Because they didn’t know what that monster might do.

“…You know, I’m curious about something. Was I that weak?”

“?”

“Don’t think too hard. It’s a simple question. Was I, as a being, weaker than Aura Users? Is that why I lost to you?”

“……You’re asking such a question?”

He truly must be insane.

Even as he’s dying, he’s trying to satisfy his curiosity…

In some ways, it’s beyond terrible—it’s disgusting.

…Well, he was already disgusting to begin with.

“If you don’t answer me, I’ll shoot magic toward the direction of the city. Even if the fairy dissolves my magic, I can still annihilate at least one city.”

“…What a terrible monster.”

They knew his statement wasn’t a lie.

Although he was a hateful enemy, they acknowledged his strength.

If they couldn’t acknowledge it even after being so thoroughly defeated, that would be a problem in itself.

So.

“…You are strong. Perhaps…, no, to say it clearly, there will never be a more terrible spellcaster than you until the day I die.”

“Ooh!”

Ihan opened his mouth, and Lac kept his shut.

After all, his assessment of wizards would naturally be more accurate.

“The same goes for your question about Aura Users. Honestly, there isn’t much difference between you and those old men. In terms of the variety of magic and total power, you might even be more overwhelming.”

“Then….”

“But you are weak. Overwhelmingly so compared to those old men.”

“…?”

It was an incomprehensible statement.

Saying he was strong yet weak—what did that mean?

To him,

“Your ‘magic’ is strong, not ‘Tyr as a human.'”

“……”

“It’s not about how powerful your magic or swordsmanship is. What matters is the ‘person’ using it.”

There is no such thing as the strongest swordsmanship or martial art in the world.

It’s just that the swordsmanship of the strongest swordsman of the era is called the strongest in the world.

Therefore, strength is relative, and being strong cannot be simply defined.

In that sense, those called Aura Users are indeed strong people.

They have proven themselves by surviving hundreds, thousands of fierce battles.

…Conversely.

“You’re not. You’re just a spellcaster who happened to live a bit longer.”

Just a strong but immature child.

Someone who doesn’t know what battle is, who enjoys struggle like a game and takes the world for granted.

That was Ihan’s firm assessment.

“…Always in a safe place, treating the world like a playground—’we’ didn’t live carelessly enough to lose to someone like you. We fought fiercely, again and again, as long as this heart kept beating.”

So Ihan proudly declared.

“You were just weak as a person. That’s all. So now….”

-Die.

“……”

…Despite the final statement that was no different from a curse, Tyr just looked blank.

It wasn’t that he was shocked by Ihan’s explanation.

Such words…

‘Master?’

…He had heard them before, which made him a bit confused.

– Tyr, remember this. You have the talent to turn the world upside down. Perhaps there are very few wizards in this world who could surpass you, or maybe none at all. You have that level of talent. But Tyr, while you might become great as a wizard, you can never be great on the battlefield. Your personality is not serious enough for that, and even your nature is different. Avoid fighting knights if possible, especially the knights of Pendragon. As long as the will of the great knight king remains, Pendragon will always produce strong heroes….

“……”

…A nagging and curse that Tyr had heard when he was first taken in by his master as a child.

But now he realized.

‘Master, you were quite an excellent teacher, weren’t you?’

Haha.

Tyr, who only now realized after 400 years that the master he had killed wasn’t incompetent but actually excellent, couldn’t help but laugh.

He didn’t know why.

He just felt like laughing.

‘Ah, I can’t help but be like this until the end!’

A being with a broken nature from birth.

A madman who had to have everything due to blessed magical power and innate desire.

That was the human he was.

Tyr.

Crack!

“Hehe!”

“…It seems you have no intention of dying quietly.”

“I don’t like just dying. Since I’ve incurred the fairy’s wrath anyway, my soul will suffer eternal pain in hell. If I’m going to suffer anyway, wouldn’t it be better to do as I please before I go?”

“……”

“Ah, if you can’t stop me, the city will be blown away. As I said earlier, I still….”

─Have that much power left?

He forcibly broke free from the vines binding him.

Though his entire lower body had turned into vines and only his upper body remained, he flew using telekinesis and charged at them.

As if determined to do as he pleased until the end.

Clang!

Boom!

The two knights raised their sword and spear high, not at all surprised by the charging monster.

After all.

“I’ll cut him down.”

“No, I will!”

They both wanted to kill him with their own hands at the end.

Boooom!!

……Afterwards, what the three men and women who escaped from the Magic Tower saw was Ihan gasping for breath with a sword pierced through his neck and heart, and Lac looking somewhat dissatisfied.