Ch.278278. Let’s Greet Each Other

Chasing after Ranhart as he dashes through the Norsweden mountains are Mountain Lord and Findenai.

It was only because Findenai was riding on Mountain Lord that they could pursue him at all. Even using the War Shoes at full power, it would have been difficult to keep up with Ranhart’s trail alone.

“Where the hell is that bastard going?”

It was challenging enough just trying not to fly off while riding on the running Mountain Lord. Findenai couldn’t help but feel irritated.

“Is he trying to escape the mountains?”

Findenai’s question was reasonable. After all, if Ranhart could just get beyond the mountain range, he could avoid fighting the formidable Mountain Lord. But Mountain Lord calmly denied this.

[Judging by his fighting spirit, I don’t think so. He’s probably moving to a more favorable location for battle.]

“……”

[Calm yourself.]

Mountain Lord coolly advised the anxious-looking Findenai. He understood what Mountain Lord meant, but things were never as simple as just saying them. Findenai responded irritably.

“How is that possible? I saw that guy split in half right in front of me.”

[……]

“I guess he has his own methods. I understand he sacrificed the artificial body he’s using to create an advantageous battle situation.”

Still, it didn’t sit well with him.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, his body heating up with rage.

“But to pull that kind of stunt? And right in front of me?!”

[……]

“We’ll see about this. So that’s how he wants to play it? I really hate this crap.”

A different kind of grumbling altogether.

[Hard to sympathize.]

Mountain Lord, being virtually devoid of such emotions, had no idea how to respond to Findenai.

“I wasn’t looking for sympathy.”

Findenai didn’t expect such sensitivity from Mountain Lord, and even if he tried, it wouldn’t have calmed his heart anyway.

So with deep displeasure still burning in his chest, Findenai continued chasing after Ranhart.

Finally, Ranhart stopped when they reached a wide clearing halfway up the mountain.

“Are you tired now? You’re being a nuisance.”

Findenai, who was suddenly craving a cigarette, licked his lips as he dismounted from Mountain Lord.

Despite the provocation, Ranhart remained largely unfazed. Rather, as if the run had helped him organize his thoughts, he calmly asked them:

“Mountain Lord, earlier you called the man in the artificial body Deus Verdi.”

[……]

“What does that mean?”

Though Ranhart likely already knew the answer, his desire to confirm it was evident.

Mountain Lord had no intention of hiding anything.

[Yes, he is Deus Verdi.]

“Hmph.”

A faint sigh escaped from Ranhart. It was an exclamation of disbelief.

“So he was right beside me all along, and I didn’t realize. I truly was a clown.”

“If you know that much, why don’t you just back off and leave? I’ll even pay you for the carriage ride.”

Findenai’s mockery drew a bitter, self-deprecating smile from Ranhart. Whatever his circumstances might be, he couldn’t deny that he had essentially served as the carriage that brought Deus Verdi here.

“Well, I suppose my evaluation will depend on what I accomplish from here on.”

Just because he had been foolish until now didn’t mean he needed to continue being foolish. Ranhart intended to turn the tide right here.

“What nonsense.”

Naturally, Findenai had no intention of standing by and watching.

As Findenai moved to attack, Ranhart stepped forward in response.

The two were about to meet at the same point, as if they had arranged to meet there.

Grrrr.

But before that could happen, Mountain Lord intervened between them, faster than the wind.

Crunch!

Rushing in like lightning, Mountain Lord bit into Ranhart’s thigh and swung his head violently. Focused on Findenai, Ranhart couldn’t properly respond to Mountain Lord’s sudden attack and was sent flying, rolling across the ground.

“Wow?”

[Be careful.]

Despite the powerful blow, Ranhart merely wiped his mouth and stood up again. The impact would have broken something or caused fatal brain damage in an ordinary human, yet Ranhart’s face bore only a smile.

“Quite rough.”

It wasn’t a smile born of composure. It was already difficult to guarantee victory in a one-on-one fight with Mountain Lord, and now Findenai was involved too. Though the situation was threatening, Ranhart was actually enjoying this moment. Battles with the strong also served as opportunities to grow his own strength.

[Here he comes.]

With both hands raised high, befitting one who possessed the power of a great dragon, the massive breath condensed before him had the power to melt anything it touched.

Breath.

The most powerful technique possessed by dragons of legend.

“He can do that too?”

Findenai was shocked at the sight of Ranhart attempting a feat normally reserved for archdemons. There was no way to block it, and the range was too wide to dodge.

Mountain Lord, also judging that they shouldn’t take the hit directly, was about to flee with Findenai when—

A massive barrier rose high.

It had overwhelming defensive power, as if constructed from mana refined to its absolute limit.

The magic that the Dark Spiritmaster had gifted to Deus Verdi to block death.

“Ah……”

[This is.]

The massive barrier between Ranhart and Findenai was fundamentally different from what they had seen before. It was more intricate, more solid, and unwavering in its firmness.

Fwooooosh!

The breath that Ranhart unleashed seemed intent on melting even that barrier. Despite its massive range and violent firepower, it couldn’t penetrate the towering wall of mana, instead swirling and entangling with itself.

In the end, it only managed to create a large hole in the mountain range before dissipating.

“Huff! Huff!”

Having exerted all his strength, Ranhart hunched forward, exhaling rough breaths. The dragon’s breath, being an area attack he was using for the first time, not only met resistance from his body but also caused him to convulse from the aftereffects.

Before him, a man slowly descended from the sky.

His black hair had grown longer than before, covering his eyes, giving him an even colder impression.

[He’s returned.]

Before Findenai, unable to contain his pounding heart, could shout something, Mountain Lord’s confident statement.

Findenai couldn’t hold back anymore and ran toward him, shouting:

“Master!”

* * *

After arresting Ranhart.

Findenai, who was dragging the unconscious Ranhart behind him, had quite a lot to say.

“Wow, now you really look like my master. I didn’t dislike the Shinwoo Kim version either, but this one feels more familiar.”

“Don’t use that name carelessly.”

“Your speech pattern is back too? This is hilarious.”

Findenai giggled, chattering continuously as he followed along like a child. He must be in a good mood.

“It’s because I clearly distinguish between the roles of Deus and Shinwoo Kim.”

Otherwise, there was a fear that who I am and what kind of person I was would gradually be forgotten. If I didn’t keep Deus Verdi and Shinwoo Kim separate, eventually my own self would be completely consumed by Deus Verdi.

It’s not that I disliked him, but I didn’t want to lose my identity as Shinwoo Kim.

On the way back to Norsweden, familiar faces came to welcome me.

[Couldn’t you at least enjoy the joy of reunion? No matter what, leaving so suddenly like that.]

[Welcome back.]

The Dark Spiritmaster and Stella.

The Dark Spiritmaster was grumbling with her arms crossed, but the corners of her mouth were turned up, while Stella maintained her usual gentle smile.

“……”

[What? Nothing to say? We thought we’d lost each other, and now we meet like this.]

[Are you confused?]

Stella calmed the pouting Dark Spiritmaster. I nodded honestly in response.

“I thought you had vanished.”

[Well, we almost did.]

[If Goddess Hertia hadn’t shown mercy, we would have vanished.]

“……”

I pressed my lips shut again. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to control the emotions welling up inside me.

It was different from meeting Findenai or Deia.

The fact that these two women, whom I thought I’d never see again, were standing proudly before me was stirring up truly complex emotions.

[Tch, no fun. I thought you’d be more like ‘Whoa!’ and surprised.]

[He’s probably just that shocked. Try to understand, senior.]

[…More importantly, Stella. I was supposed to meet him first, so why did you speak first?]

[Senior, you were the one subtly putting your hand on his shoulder first.]

[Ahem, are you talking back to your senior?]

The two of them bickering in front of me was like having butterflies fluttering annoyingly before my eyes, but.

“Right.”

I slowly reached out toward the two of them. Thankfully, Deus’s shoulders were broad. I could embrace both of them at once.

[Whoa?!]

[Oh my.]

The mana gathered in my hands.

I was fortunate to be a necromancer skilled enough to grasp souls.

“I’m not sure what to say.”

I simply embraced them carefully because that’s what I wanted to do.

Initially tense, the two gradually relaxed and surrendered themselves to my embrace.

[S-stupid! You usually say such elegant things. It would be nice if you did that now too.]

[Just say whatever comes to mind. That’s enough.]

It wasn’t particularly elegant. Some explanation of my current feelings, or the memories that had haunted me during my journey as I thought of them.

There were many emotions I wanted to convey, but no words to express them.

So.

“To see you again like this.”

Let me simply greet them.

A greeting to announce our reunion.

“I’m glad.”

Declaring another beginning.

[It’s a good evening, isn’t it?]

To you whom I’m happy to see.

[It’s good to see you, Deus.]

Let me greet you.