Ch.322322. The One Called Calamity

Has it been about a month?

I was able to spend my time in prison rather meaningfully. Though every day was similar, I actually felt like I was resting for the first time in a long while.

Surprisingly, I didn’t dislike a regulated life, nor did I particularly mind being in a dark place like a prison.

It was a time when I realized that I hadn’t acquired the ability to see souls or the profession of Spiritmaster for nothing.

But now that’s over.

[Yes, they’re all gathered up there.]

Stella slowly descends from the ceiling. It might look somewhat bizarre, but I had already grown accustomed to these souls.

[Leaders from various countries gathering to discuss what to do with you. In a way, you should be proud!]

The Dark Spiritmaster, who had been listening nearby, clenched both fists and made strange remarks.

Whatever the case, I remembered hearing somewhere that one should strive to become a great person, and this felt exactly like that.

“You’ve been saying useless things since before. Are you doing that on purpose?”

When I finally couldn’t hold back and asked, the Dark Spiritmaster shook her fists up and down and shouted.

[U-useless things?! I was trying to comfort you!]

“I’m surprised you thought that was comforting.”

[I won’t do it anymore!]

“Please don’t.”

[How annoying!]

After finishing this brief and simple conversation with the Dark Spiritmaster, I headed straight for the prison bars.

The leaders of various countries had gathered in the Griffin Kingdom. They came here to decide my fate, but…

There was a good chance some leaders were thinking too lightly of the situation.

While the Griffin Kingdom might be the most ignorant about Black Mages, it would still be difficult for them to imagine power capable of destroying the continent.

So this gathering was…

An opportunity for me to personally educate them.

From my time as a professor at the academy, I knew how to teach students.

As the ancient sages said:

Experiencing something once is far better learning than hearing about it a hundred times.

I needed to impress upon them just how heavy an existence a Spiritmaster carrying the souls accumulated across the continent truly was.

“I need to make a grand exit.”

At my words, the Dark Spiritmaster and Stella smiled brightly. Probably because I said something uncharacteristic.

[That’s completely unlike a Spiritmaster, but I suppose everyone needs such days.]

[In Greyford, there won’t be anyone who can ignore you.]

“Indeed.”

After hearing the satisfying responses from the two women, I slowly took steps toward the outside of the prison, and…

Crack!

The iron bars twisted violently as if pushed by my feet, opening a path.

I couldn’t help but smile slightly, feeling like I was performing a somewhat ridiculous play.

“Time to threaten the kingdom.”

I thought my role in this play would be something like a monster escaping from its cage.

* * *

“……”

King Orpheus, seated at a large table with leaders from various countries, couldn’t be described as having a pleasant expression.

King Ramahul of the Zerman Kingdom, whose relationship with Griffin was far from good, rested his chin on his thick hand. His protruding jowls, displayed almost boastfully, evoked an image of abundant greed.

“What’s the problem? If you’ve arrested him, can’t you just kill him?”

Ramahul was the one proposing the most extreme option at this gathering.

Surprisingly, other leaders were sending somewhat skeptical glances at his suggestion.

Duke Firenze, who had ended the civil war in the Valestan Duchy and ultimately took the leadership position as the second son, carefully opened his mouth.

As one with relatively weak influence among those present, each of his words was measured with caution.

“He’s a man who has collected all the souls across the continent. Can we really just execute him and be done with it? We might be cutting open the goose that lays golden eggs with our own hands.”

“Golden eggs? What could that fellow possibly produce?”

When King Ramahul immediately retorted sharply, Duke Firenze pressed his lips together and averted his gaze.

Though he had won the civil war against his brother, he didn’t seem to have the courage to engage in a battle of wills with powerful nations like the Zerman Kingdom.

It was like frogs fighting in a well to determine the well’s owner.

That was exactly how the recent civil war in the Valestan Duchy was being evaluated.

But the one who supported Duke Firenze’s words was an old man so wrinkled that his appearance was almost disturbing.

“Immortality.”

The old man’s heavy voice carried a spirit that dominated the gathering.

Once the ruler of what was called the strongest nation.

A friend who had shared drinks with the Warrior God Han So.

The Emperor of the Han Empire, Huhan Yeol-je.

“I’ve heard that when one reaches the pinnacle of spirit magic, one can shed their physical body and continue living through a new one.”

A cold light flickered in the eyes of Huhan Yeol-je, who had been quiet until now.

Though the old tiger’s strength might have waned, he still knew how to survive.

“He’s a man with such potential. We cannot carelessly execute him.”

However, there were forces that opposed even the Emperor of the Han Empire.

“But isn’t that too dangerous?”

“That’s right, he’s a man with the power to destroy the continent.”

“Trying to tame a lion might just get your hand bitten off.”

These were the leaders of countries that were once vassal states of the Han Empire but could now be considered independent.

Kings, dukes, presidents, and more.

Those with various titles simply opposed because they didn’t want to let the flow of discussion go as the old tiger of the Han Empire wished.

“Hmph, destroy the continent? And what would remain for him afterward?”

Huhan Yeol-je clicked his tongue and looked them over. He was criticizing them for what he saw as fundamentally flawed thinking.

“Is he some kind of god? He’s just a Spiritmaster, a mere human like us.”

“Hahaha! You speak so refreshingly. I agree with that. Isn’t it ridiculous that we’re all gathered here discussing one mere Spiritmaster?”

The conversation was running parallel. As it kept being pulled into political aspects rather than focusing on the greater good, constructive dialogue couldn’t continue.

Particularly, the Han Empire seemed to view Deus Verdi not as a threatening enemy but as a potentially useful elixir, while the Zerman Kingdom gave the impression they had only come because other nations were gathering.

There weren’t many leaders who seriously considered Deus Verdi a threat.

“What do you think, King Orpheus? Haven’t you seen him up close?”

A thin man wearing glasses with his hair slicked back with wax asked Orpheus.

His name was Nikolai Forman.

He was the acting president of the Republic of Clark, taking over after the deceased President Magan.

Since the Republic of Clark was now practically a vassal state of Griffin, he was intentionally directing the flow of conversation to Orpheus.

Along with the leaders and their guards, all eyes turned to King Orpheus.

He wanted to immediately rebuke and point fingers at those who were trying to use Deus or dismissing him, but…

‘That wouldn’t be what you want.’

In the end, he couldn’t disrupt the scenario Deus had set up, and just as Orpheus was about to give a false answer…

[Kyahahahahahaha!]

A chilling scream echoed from outside the window. This was a considerable height even within the palace.

It was high enough to have a panoramic view of Greyford city, so it made no sense for a human voice to be heard from the window, yet…

Everyone turned their heads simultaneously.

The first to react was Black Mage Coltman, who had come as King Ramahul’s guard from the Zerman Kingdom.

Coltman was a Black Mage quite famous for his good deeds.

“Souls!”

At his cry, the guards urgently drew their weapons to protect their leaders.

The souls visible outside the window began to increase gradually, and though it was still early evening, the sky that had been at dusk rapidly darkened.

“Haap!”

Thud!

As Coltman’s jeweled staff struck the floor of the conference room, the wave of mana that started from that point spread across the ground and walls of the room, pushing back the souls trying to rush in.

[Uhahaha!]

[What is this!]

Everyone relaxed upon seeing the immediate reaction of the souls. It was because they confirmed that the souls couldn’t break through Coltman’s barrier.

“I’m not a Spiritmaster, so I can’t block them forever.”

Though his expression was troubled, there was confidence in the corners of his mouth. He was certain that these souls couldn’t do anything to him or King Ramahul.

“Hmm, immortality.”

Rather, King Ramahul rested his chin on his hand and fell into contemplation as he watched the souls.

It was because he thought that what Emperor Huhan Yeol-je had said might actually be possible.

“It seems not entirely impossible, seeing how he handles souls like this.”

[It’s impossible.]

It wasn’t the voice of a living person. Yet it was an enchanting voice that made hearts race.

A woman standing at the entrance of the conference room was draped in a black robe.

With her eyes covered by a semi-transparent purple veil, a cold chill emanated from her entire body.

A soul.

Everyone couldn’t help but think so the moment they saw her, as the woman was ominous.

Moreover…

‘She broke through my magic?’

The fact that she had easily penetrated Coltman’s magic instantly made the atmosphere heavy.

“Impossible?”

“Hmm.”

King Ramahul and Emperor Huhan Yeol-je spoke simultaneously. Despite the sudden appearance of an unidentified woman, they were seeing even greater possibilities.

“Why is it impossible? Aren’t you acting like you’re alive right now?”

“Yes, this old man is curious too.”

At their questions, the Dark Spiritmaster slowly walked forward.

The guards tensed up, hunching their shoulders, but her gaze never fell on them.

[Because he won’t allow it.]

“He?”

“You’re referring to Deus Verdi.”

Emperor Huhan Yeol-je answered perceptively, but the Dark Spiritmaster didn’t bother to respond.

She simply examined them silently and spoke of her reason for coming here.

[Watch carefully. How this day ends. How heavy the footsteps of the continent’s greatest Spiritmaster are.]

A gentle smile formed.

In that moment, some people felt a chill run down their spines at that smile.

[The true heart of one called a calamity, in a human body.]

Her gaze fell on a spot outside the window.

It was a pillar of souls rising from the direction of the palace.

Like a dam that had burst, countless souls were pouring out and were in the process of covering the sky of Greyford.

Coltman, looking at her back as she gazed out the window, slowly raised his staff.

‘I was too careless.’

Even if she was already dead, he was a Black Mage. It could be said they were natural enemies, so…

Coltman exchanged glances with the other guards, and they moved simultaneously, and…

As the magic that erupted from the tip of his staff flew toward the Dark Spiritmaster…

Ping!

The moment he saw the protective magic surrounding her, Coltman’s eyes widened.

Even if he poured all the mana he possessed…

Even if he desperately struggled while coughing blood…

He couldn’t break through that.

Absolutely not.

With that certainty…

Coltman’s body, hit directly by his own magic that had been deflected by the protective spell, floated up, crashed into the ceiling, and then fell unconscious as he collapsed, and…

The others met a similar fate.

[I won’t kill you.]

The Dark Spiritmaster still…

[Because he wouldn’t like it.]

Said without even looking back.

[Merciful, isn’t he?]

There was a faint laughter in her voice.