Chapter 401

Chapter 401

Chapter 72: On the Way Home (2)

If anyone had been determined enough to learn that difficult thing, it was probably Hyunwoo.

He used his knowledge to shorten his party members’ magic casting times.

However, it was improbable that other common people had willingly chosen to study magic.

The Mage Association had been teaching players the knowledge required for installing magic circles over the past year or so.

Of course, there were still many mistakes, accidents, and delays, as they had not yet mastered it.

‘It’s not like I can quit,’ I thought.

Unfortunately for the Mage Association, they were desperate for the players’ help.

To be precise, they were desperate for the players’ vast amount of attribute mana.

To install the magic circles, various attribute mana was needed, along with the amount of mana capable of initially activating the magic circle.

However, the mages who came to Earth were mostly those who were minorities, weak, or non-mainstream in Bihar.

‘Those with overwhelmingly abundant mana or peculiarities in attributes were true mages.’

They had all betrayed the demi-humans and met a clean end.

Therefore, the Mage Association needed the players.

Having randomly acquired various types of attributes and absorbed spirit stones, the players had cultivated a massive amount of mana.

Both were essential resources for the billions of magic circles planned to be installed on Earth.

So, what could they do?

Even if the players’ work pace was slow, there was no choice but to carry on with them.

Of course, that didn’t mean that the dissatisfaction disappeared.

“If I had known, I would have just split the scope and installed it in multiple locations,” muttered Ahel, catching Kim Yul’s attention.

Kim Yul felt the words rising in his throat to suggest doing that even now.

“Let me tell you ahead of time, it’s impossible to change it now. Asking to remake something whose structure is already complete would have the research mages chasing after you in rage.”

As if reading Kim Yul’s thoughts, Ahel clicked his tongue and spoke.

Kim Yul couldn’t bring himself to say it was too hard and to do it over again.

He sighed deeply and focused on the magic circle creation.

It was an unfinished cooling magic circle devised by the Biharin Magic Tower to solve the global warming issue.

The part that Kim Yul was responsible for was related to the circulatory component that moved the air.

‘It’s about lowering the temperature of the hot atmosphere in line with the circulating flow of Earth’s atmosphere.’

It was a magic circle that offered maximum efficiency with minimal burden and side effects on the natural environment.

In addition to this, there were projects to purify polluted air and seawater and restore the damaged crust.

These projects were led by the magic tower, where Biharin mages had gathered to restore the nature that humanity had destroyed.

It was called the Earth Restoration Project.

There was much talk globally over the benefits this project could bring.

Thanks to this, the association, which evacuated Biharin citizens to Earth, was showered with praise.

‘Though it was actually Hyunwoo hyung who led the evacuation.’

I felt the praise was a bit misplaced.

‘It’s not a bad thing for Biharin citizens either.’

I heard substantial support funds were secured worldwide because of this.

Biharin citizens benefited greatly from this in developing their new settlements.

Kim Yul recalled the image of Biharin he had seen last month.

A small Biharin beginning to take root on Earth.

New cities with an unfamiliar yet familiar architectural style were being established.

Though busy and noisy, the faces of the Biharin citizens there were full of vitality.

Hope, perhaps happiness.

As I was reminiscing about the time spent there, a thought suddenly occurred.

I wondered what reaction Hyunwoo would show when he saw Biharin on Earth.

He would be considered the person who contributed the most to the founding of Biharin.

‘Maybe later, when things are more stable, it’d be nice to go on a trip with Yeonwoo and all…….’

“You have to put the Sobir in there!”

Caught in my daydreams, I received a sharp reminder.

Kim Yul quickly shook off the distracting thoughts and refocused on creating the magic circle.

* * *

Rashar attended the dawn-starting Biharin government’s state council meeting.

The morning had already flown by, and numerous items were discussed.

And today’s last agenda item.

“Then the official election is set for the first quarter of next year, on March 15th.”

That day marked exactly one year since Biharin was named as an independent nation on Earth.

So far, a provisional government had been handling affairs.

The United Nations expressed a desire for Biharin to establish a democracy-based government through official elections.

We had to set a date and begin preparations before it became too late.

Some criticized the provisional government for being overly subservient to the United Nations.

But it was just a small voice.

Rashar also believed it wasn’t wise to ignore the United Nations’s will just yet.

‘Though it’s a relationship accompanied by mutual trade, we can’t be completely free from their pressure.’

The former Biharin society involved power inheritance according to the caste system.

When talks of Biharin’s independence and founding began, many countries expressed concern over potential new dictatorship and human rights violations.

In reality, those who could be called the existing powers, mana users, wanted to continue Biharin’s traditions on Earth.

But achieving that was impossible.

Those wanting to continue the old caste system were few, while those willing to embrace the new Earth rules were many.

It was fortunate for Biharin citizens.

‘We shouldn’t be swayed forever.’

For now, we lacked many things to stand tall independently without any support from world organizations.

‘Now that the war has ended, our resources are limited to magic and the dwarves’ magic tools.’

And the United Nations supports Biharin’s independence on the condition that we use magic to normalize Earth.

The Biharin government and people needed to achieve as much development as possible before magic’s value diminished.

Efforts to integrate into Earth society were necessary for this.

Those efforts were largely successful, and thanks to that, Biharin’s independence was progressing steadily.

More than ninety percent of Biharin residents scattered around the world gathered together.

The rewarding territories received for their merits were being steadily developed.

Many of the abandoned cities due to the war were among them.

They were the precious foundations that would become the focal point of Biharin in the future.

The people leaving their homelands worked together to build a new home.

The citizens of Biharin were envisioning a future in a place where reward and hope coexisted.

Rashar was also experiencing meaningful days.

However, after the meeting concluded, Rashar’s expression was not entirely bright.

“Whew……”

Fatigue was accumulating, but not knowing the whereabouts of the one who gave this future also contributed.

The lack of news with no expected return date was quite nerve-wracking.

Yet even as today marked over a year, I couldn’t let go and abandon it.

‘Even without promises, I have certainty.’

Rashar raised her hand to witness the evidence of that certainty.

There was a distinct spark rising above her opened palm.

‘Puppet.’

It was Hyunwoo’s authority. Just this confirmed that Hyunwoo was alive.

The pupils of the surviving apostles from the battle still gleamed golden.

Although they seemed to have slightly faded, there was no need to worry about their god being harmed.

‘It’s just the prolonged absence that causes anxiety.’

Snap.

Rashar held the still-intact golden spark tightly as if to hold it firmly.

‘I can wait.’

I steadied my resolve with patience and took another step forward.

Being a prospective Defense Department official, there were plenty of tasks ahead for her.

From the size and structure of the defense to the establishment and composition of the military, and even the politics starting within the military.

There was nothing that could be neglected or lost.

Fortunately, many subordinates who spent their time during the Resistance days with her had survived and joined the military.

The future spent with these individuals from the past was tough yet not burdensome.

Thanks to them, Rashar always managed to find strength and complete the overwhelming workload.

Besides the military issue in Bihar, Rashar also had another thing to concern herself with.

“I’m going to visit the restoration site for a bit.”

As the sun began to set slowly, Rashar gathered the luggage she had prepared and headed towards the vehicle.

Soon after, she departed from the city known as the capital of Biharin, pamel.

After some hours of rushing across the still desolate land outside the city, Rashar arrived at her destination, forcibly suppressing a sigh.

Seeing the scene before her, she couldn’t help but feel powerless.

Space tattered and shattered in pieces.

Things clearly existing yet broken.

It was the battleground of Hyunwoo and Omby’s final clash.

Biharin was granted territory near the last battleground as a reward for their achievements.

‘It looks like they’re leaving the cleanup to us.’

Legal and global recognition of a territory exclusively for Biharin citizens was significant.

Even if feelings were mixed, a solution was available for that bizarre phenomenon.

“Gilenios, can you spare a moment?”

Gilenios, who could manifest authority touching the boundary of space despite not having achieved a complete divinity, could stitch the torn space back together.

‘Being absorbed in restoration work, communication is nearly impossible.’

Nevertheless, I make it a point to visit the site at least once a week to replenish the supplies he uses.

“Gilenios?”

Last week, I couldn’t get a response, so I just left the supplies and left; should I do that again today?

Rashar turned with the intent to at least start moving supplies.

While moving the items taken from the trunk towards the lone field camp, she shuddered suddenly.

“This is….”

The supplies replenished the previous week were barely diminished.

‘Could something have happened to him?’

If so, it would be a severe problem.

He was the only capable individual with the ability to resolve this phenomenon on Biharin’s territory.

‘I withdrew everyone because he felt disturbed by other presences.’

Shouldn’t I have insisted and left an attendant here?

Grinding her teeth, Rashar turned quickly.

But as soon as she stepped out of the field camp, she had to stop.

She had no means to find Gilenios.

‘Even so, I can’t leave things be….’

Mulling over the situation, Rashar suddenly released a puppet.

Her devised plan worked better than expected.

Could Gilenios have felt the distinct presence of the puppet from beyond the rift?

The air split straight away, and Gilenios, with his eyes wide open and brimming with intense energy, leapt out.

He seemed about to shout in anger immediately, but paused.

Upon finding Rashar and the puppet standing on the dry ground, his complexion visibly darkened.

“It’s you?”

Though disappointment was apparent, it didn’t register well with her.

“It’s really……”

Rashar focused on him, visibly worn and haggard compared to the last time she saw him a few weeks ago.

It was hard not to scold him seeing his condition.

“How many meals have you missed?”

“Oh, I forgot. A few meals aren’t going to kill me… why bother?”

“If you plan to keep neglecting your health, I’ll assign an attendant once again.”

“If so, I’ll go on strike too, strike!”

Rashar showed a firm attitude, but Gilenios didn’t back down easily either.

“Do you know how much it makes me want to kill the people lounging outside while I’m working so hard?”

“If that’s the case, I’ll train them to stand guard at attention….”

“That’s more irritating! They’ll secretly curse me for all the hard work!”

“And you’re saying that’s a reason…!”

“Oh, be quiet, quiet! I’m the one stuck with this hard work, so I’ll do as I please. If you don’t like it, do it yourself!”

Rashar held back her anger and stared at Gilenios.

‘What should I do about this reckless fellow?’

Damned System

**New Elements and Characters**:

– 아헬 = Ahel (na)

– 라샤르 = Rashar (her)

– 길레니오스 = Gilenios (he)

– 소비엘 = Sobir (it)