Ch.326326. Walkthrough

“A containment barrier will be deployed. It’s a masterpiece created through the collaboration of Griffin’s Mage Inquisitors and our Zerman Black Mages.”

Outside the academy where Deus Verdi was surrounded.

Not directly in front, but at some distance, in a tent set up in the city center, distinguished commanders from various nations were holding repeated meetings.

“With this, even souls won’t be able to escape.”

Black Mage Coltman confidently presented a blueprint showing the magical structure. The barrier-type magic drawn over the academy map was certainly impressive.

“Hmm.”

The one who stepped forward while stroking his chin was, somewhat unexpectedly, Barkterus Ticolai, a Black Mage of Dante and former Director of Weapons Development for the Republic of Clark.

After the previous attack.

He had fled to the Valestan Duchy and secured a position there.

The ironclad soldiers who had been most helpful in ending the civil war in the Valestan Duchy were Barkterus’s creation.

“Huhahua! Quite splendid! This looks sufficient!”

Barkterus laughed in his distinctive way, but the atmosphere around him wasn’t particularly pleasant.

Except for the Valestan Duchy, no one seemed to like him much.

“Huhahua! But what use is it to merely contain him? Inside is a Spiritmaster who can control hundreds of millions of souls.”

He tilted his head playfully as he asked.

“Can you penetrate a barrier of souls? He will fight by imbuing magic into every soul.”

He meant that magic would pour out from within, as numerous as the souls themselves.

“Besides, I heard he has the soul of a Black Mage with tremendous defensive magic! Didn’t you, Coltman, lose to her?”

“…Though I wasn’t fully prepared at the time, honestly, I’m not sure if I could break through even with preparation.”

Gulp.

Others swallowed nervously.

Coltman, swallowing his pride, made a cold assessment of the current situation.

“Actually, she’s the Dark Spiritmaster, a quite skilled Spiritmaster who was hiding in Griffin. Huhahua!”

Barkterus added an explanation, finding something amusing.

Unable to let this flow continue, Mage Inquisitor Tyrn, who was in charge of this operation, finally stepped forward.

He felt as if he could hear the voice of a man who had been imprisoned.

– Fighting souls is no different from fighting formless mana. Unless you annihilate them, you can’t inflict effective damage.

“In the end, souls have no physical form. Focus on blocking or avoiding them rather than confronting them.”

– Don’t respond, just endure. Tyrn, with your defensive capabilities, you’d be suitable for the vanguard.

“My Mage Inquisitors and I will take the lead and break through.”

– Containment should be minimal. I’m not particularly mobile anyway, and what I control isn’t one powerful specific soul, but countless souls.

“Don’t put too much effort into containment. He’s a Spiritmaster after all, not particularly mobile.”

– The Kingdom of Griffin is still somewhat incompetent when it comes to dealing with Black Mages. You might as well get help from Zerman Kingdom’s Black Mage Coltman or the Republic of Clark.

– The plague mage Becklin and blood mage Pellestan imprisoned in the magic tower could be quite helpful too.

“We have light-attribute mages on our side who can break through his protective magic. However, for directly confronting the Spiritmaster, I’ve brought several individuals to consult with. They’re currently restrained in another tent.”

– What we need to face.

“Remember, in the end, we’re fighting against one opponent.”

– The main body, the Spiritmaster.

“Spiritmaster Deus Verdi.”

Everyone’s expressions changed to surprise. The tension that had been locked in the tent gradually eased.

“Huhahua, well… I thought Griffin was ignorant about dealing with Black Mages, but that’s not the case.”

The enchanter Barkterus gave a short applause.

“Impressive. Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t know much about Black Mages, but with such thorough preparation, I can entrust you with command.”

Coltman from the Zerman Kingdom even offered a handshake.

There seemed to be hope in the methodical preparations.

Mage Inquisitor Tyrn continued directing with a bitter smile.

If he were to tell them that everything he just said

had been provided by the Spiritmaster inside the academy.

What expressions would they make?

He was curious, but he kept that curiosity to himself.

* * *

[So what? I’m still here with you, aren’t I? And I don’t know if you’re aware, but this world has recognized me as a necessary existence!]

Even a Spiritmaster who has turned his back on the world needs to eat.

As I entered the dining hall, I felt puzzled by the commotion coming from inside.

[I have a visible form, my voice can be heard, and Deus can even touch me. It means the world wants me here!]

“Have you lost your mind? What’s this about being a necessary existence? Are you saying that if I cut off your head here, it would stay because it’s necessary?”

[That’s right!]

Whoosh!

The axe was swung immediately.

But it merely passed through the Dark Spiritmaster without causing any harm.

[…?]

“Hmm, perhaps it hasn’t merged with my body enough to interfere with souls? Or am I just not using it correctly?”

Findenai scratched his head, looking down at his axe, while the Dark Spiritmaster stared at him, frozen.

[Kyaaaah!]

Finally realizing the situation, the Dark Spiritmaster screamed and flailed about. She tried to hit Findenai with her fists, but they were as effective as cotton balls.

[Deus would be so sad without me! Do you want to see Deus suffering for the rest of his life?!]

It seems I’m being misunderstood.

Feeling slightly dumbfounded, I just silently listened as Findenai swung his axe again.

Whoosh!

Once more, the axe passed through the Dark Spiritmaster.

[Again?! You did it again! I won’t let this slide!]

She started jumping up and down in a frenzy.

“Tsk, if you disappear, wouldn’t your master rely on me more?”

[Would Deus rely on you?! I’m his teacher, I give him guidance! You’re just in the pet position, like a Boksil or Bboksil!]

“Ah, I was just joking. You’re being way too harsh.”

[Your actions are the worst!]

“And stop making your chest bounce so much. It’s really annoying to look at.”

[You’re being incredibly rude!]

Creak.

Thud.

I closed the dining hall door and went back outside. I felt like I had witnessed something unnecessary.

I even had the urge to wash my eyes after seeing that.

Perhaps this was a foreseeable future from the moment the Dark Spiritmaster and Findenai became able to communicate with each other.

But not wanting to get involved.

I returned to my room.

Even if I got hungry, I felt like I would choke on the frustration if I went in to eat now.

I thought I’d just wait a bit and have a separate meal after those two left the dining hall. Since everyone had fled in such a hurry, there were still fresh ingredients left.

‘Come to think of it, I promised to teach cooking to the kids.’

I remembered that I had promised to teach Aria and Elenoa how to cook after all this was over.

Since they wanted to learn about the foods I ate as Shinwoo Kim, I needed to give it some thought.

‘….’

Thinking about it, I suddenly felt a bit homesick. I didn’t think I would miss that place, but it was amusing that I felt regret about the food.

Not the people.

Just the food.

Trying to hide my bitter feelings, I returned to the laboratory. Thanks to Professor Per Petra, who had tidied everything up for my convenience before fleeing, it was extremely comfortable.

[Oh? Weren’t you going to have a meal?]

Stella, who had been looking out the window, asked with curiosity.

“I’m planning to go a bit later.”

Not having the energy to explain what was happening there, I just moved on and stood beside Stella.

[They’re already gathering.]

The place she pointed to was outside the academy.

An army composed only of elites was already surrounding the academy.

It wasn’t just Griffin’s Mage Inquisitors.

Black Mages and desert warriors from the Zerman Kingdom.

Ironclad soldiers from the Valestan Duchy, covered in heavy metal armor with massive lances.

Even martial arts masters from the Han Empire.

A diverse array of soldiers had gathered to strategize on how to attack me.

[While it’s truly encouraging that so many have gathered to protect the continent.]

Stella slowly turned her head toward me, with sadness pooling in the corners of her eyes.

[The fact that you are their target pains me greatly.]

She carefully approached and nestled against my chest. As if wanting to feel that I was alive, she pressed her ear to listen to my heartbeat.

[So this is why you asked me about sin. You already knew this would happen.]

“…”

[You knew even before Bellas came and told you that you had received Aria Rius’s fate?]

“I wasn’t certain. It was just one of many speculations.”

Since Aria Rius achieved such rapid and steep growth right before the ending, enough to destroy the continent.

Fate isn’t like a scale tipped to one side. It’s not a judge that takes sides unilaterally.

I have power too.

Like Aria Rius in the first playthrough.

Power that can sweep through, break, and destroy everything.

I was only making predictions.

Of course, I never expected the Dark Spiritmaster to take Luanes’s fate.

[And to such a person as you, I said I wouldn’t forgive someone who asks for forgiveness before committing a sin.]

Stella smiled bitterly.

But I don’t think her words were wrong.

“Stella.”

[Yes, Deus.]

Stella responded to my call with a pleading tone. Her voice trembled, asking me to say anything.

“Is there something you want to do?”

[…Pardon?]

But what I asked was a somewhat unexpected question, causing her to look confused.

[Suddenly?]

As she said, it was sudden, but conversely, it could also be said that it was a bit late.

“Soon they will come, and the story of fate will need to reach its conclusion.”

[….]

“After that, there will be freedom, as the gods say. So we need to find something to do.”

[Oh.]

As if she had never thought about it, Stella made a subtle sound with her mouth open.

After pondering for a moment, she nuzzled her cheek against my chest and said.

[What will you do, Deus?]

“I think I might farm. If it’s not too difficult, I’d like to plant fruit trees.”

[Hehe, that sounds nice.]

She smiled warmly.

The heavy atmosphere from just moments ago had already dissipated, and we imagined a pleasant future as if planning a trip.

[I’ll plant small flowers beside them. And I want to give them to you as gifts.]

“…”

[When you’re tired from hard farming work, I’ll give you massages in bed, and I’ll place the flowers I grew on the bed.]

“…”

[Just imagining it makes me happy.]

“Yes.”

A smile also formed on my lips. Perhaps because of imagining such a future, Stella hugged me a little tighter, and I let her.

But.

There are moments in our lives.

When something I once ignored and passed by.

Rolls into a crisis that comes to find me.

I wish I had noticed it then. It’s too late to regret having overlooked it without much thought.

Clatter.

“Master!”

[Deus!]

The two entered carrying plates. Something grotesque was placed on top, clearly not meant to be eaten.

‘I should have thought about why those two were in the dining hall.’

I regretted having fled from the unpleasant sight and uncomfortable conversation.

But as I just said.

Even if there was a chance to stop it, it’s too late to regret once the situation has already arrived.

“Though I tend to have shallow emotions.”

Looking down at the two pieces of waste presented as dinner, I said.

“My sense of taste isn’t that dull.”

Being a Spiritmaster doesn’t mean I have two lives.