Chapter 235
“I’ve done enough by now. Or… are you seriously trying to label me as a monster?”
I said to the two people, who still couldn’t take their eyes off me, after being resurrected.
Schugenharz, looking quite flustered, was stammering. After a moment, once his coughing fit stopped, he waved his hand and responded.
“No. That’s sufficient. Where would I find the nerve to call you a monster? My sincere apologies.”
He dismissed the possibility, saying if I were a monster, I would have killed him and Lafez a long time ago.
Lafez also seemed to pull back a little.
No… more than that, judging by his dilated pupils, he seemed pretty shocked. The more suspicion he had, the greater the impact would be.
“Ma, Master…! No, Organon! What kind of magic is that?!”
Ami and Zagan rushed over, having eavesdropped on our conversation from a distance.
Maybe because they had consumed enough food and water, they looked more energetic than when I first saw them.
“Shut up, will you?”
“Y-Yes!”
I silenced the two kids, and Schugenharz swallowed dryly as he received the sword back from Lafez.
“Organon… I’m not sure how to treat you. If you’re like the Magic Instructor, we owe you immense…”
“No need for such formalities. No need for respect either. What’s important now is not that, is it?”
I pointed with my chin towards the frozen people and continued.
“Isn’t it more urgent to move them to a safe place first?”
“That’s true… Frikkanrisk’s forces will continue to attempt surprise attacks.”
“Then we just need to do what we have to do. Other considerations can be handled along the way. Am I wrong?”
“You have a point there… Wait, does that mean you’re offering to help us?”
Schugenharz, still unaware that he and Lafez were disciples of the magician, looked puzzled as the conversation flowed seamlessly. I responded with a kind smile.
“How could I ignore those in a difficult situation?”
Of course, it wasn’t out of goodwill; it was to clear this stage.
*
After that.
We immediately entered a meeting.
Schugenharz had a map and unfolded it to show.
‘I anticipated it, but this is indeed near the place where Dortmund will be established in the future.’
I had presumed this based on the climate of Frikkanrisk’s castle and surroundings, which rarely changed its residence among the Twelve Divine Beasts.
A barren land located in the northern hemisphere of a vast continent.
Compared to the time I knew, the number of nearby cities or villages was pathetically low.
Then again, magic was sparse, and the technology was extremely lacking; this must have been a tough environment for people to live in.
Moreover, there were numerous monster lairs and castles, making this icy land essentially not a human territory.
“The nearest ‘Guardian Land’ is over here. Even if we walk in a straight line, it would take at least a month to reach.”
Schugenharz pointed at the city protected by a magician with his finger.
The Guardian Territory is a term that denotes the area protected by wizards and their apprentices from monsters, serving as a boundary between human lands and the land of monsters.
Even the nearest Guardian Territory is quite far from the cave we are currently in.
“We can’t just continue down this path. We have to consider when we might encounter monsters, and we also need to replenish our supplies periodically. Moreover, our numbers are large. With elderly and children among us, at this pace, it would take at least two more months.”
In other words, the distance is estimated to take three months.
A long journey lay ahead of us.
‘This stage will consume much more time and stamina than the others… Time isn’t an issue since it’s different from the outside, but we have to be cautious about our stamina.’
Stamina that does not recover easily. Even sleep is remarkably slow to restore it.
Moreover, proving my existence has cost me stamina since I had to die once.
Thanks to that, the story has progressed smoothly, but it certainly added more risk.
“This is the current situation. Among them, the most pressing concern is the army of Frikkanrisk that will come chasing after us.”
Frikkanrisk, having lost its prey, would definitely not remain idle.
If they find out, they will undoubtedly start a relentless pursuit.
After Schugenharz finished his rough explanation, I asked the question that was on my mind.
“Will reaching the ‘Guardian Territory’ guarantee our safety?”
“Since the Magic Instructor has a device for dimensional travel. If that person comes, even if Frikkanrisk appears, we could repel them.”
“Warp Magic, huh…”
Wizards really are something extraordinary.
It’s amazing that they can use magic that only a select few, like Erica, can wield.
Well, that’s why he could trap the monsters underground with his apprentices.
I hope to meet him if given the chance.
“But can’t we just fight?”
Suddenly, Ami, who had been watching us, chimed in.
Ami boasted proudly about the magic I had displayed at Frikkanrisk’s castle like a hero recounting a tale.
“Since you’re that strong, what’s there to fear? We’ll just defeat the bad dragon!”
“Brother… let’s not interrupt while others are speaking…”
“Zagan, don’t cut in when my brother is talking… Ouch!”
“Don’t you cut in either.”
I gave the unimproved kid a flick on the forehead.
Meanwhile, Schugenharz smiled kindly and explained to ensure the child’s spirit didn’t diminish.
“Haha. We want to do that too, but it’s not an easy task.”
“Why? Aren’t everyone here strong?”
“Hmm… How should I explain this?”
He continued explaining rather easily, despite pondering for a while.
In short, among the Twelve Divine Beasts, those with ‘risk’ attached to their name are more troublesome and powerful than the others.
In other words, Frikkanrisk, with its ‘risk’ label, is more formidable than Seiman, who I took down in collaboration with Top-level Bishop Han and Erica.
‘Considering how much they avoid this, it seems Seiman wasn’t enhanced while we were at the dungeon.’
Even though their magic might not be well-organized and still rough, both Schugenharz and Lafez are strong enough to be compared to top-level bishops.
This lays bare the potential of Frikkanrisk.
…But thinking back, it’s noticeable how much weaker the Twelve Divine Beasts have become compared to their ancestors.
If their powers had been fully carried on, the story would have been quite different from the original.
As the meeting continued on for a while, it was nearing an end.
“…Then let’s proceed with that. A rough journey awaits us.”
“Schugenharz, I have one proposal.”
I extended an enticing proposal to Schugenharz, a long-standing ancestor of Vargan.
He raised an arched eyebrow in curiosity, and I continued.
“How about we share our knowledge of magic?”
“How about sharing?”
I affirm. There’s no way he would refuse this proposal.
*
The invited Schugenhartz was known to be a genius.
However, since no records existed, it was merely a rumor that people often said, “I heard he was.”
And now… or was it in the past?
Anyway, I saw him directly, and I witnessed him release my curse magic, albeit inadequately, with my own eyes.
He is indeed a genius.
With talent comparable to Gulemashia, in other words, we can say he mainly uses curse magic like Gulemashia.
Would I just let such an opportunity slip away?
He, who had a confrontation with me once, also realized I was a user of curse magic and was utilizing an advanced form.
Thus, my proposal to share knowledge was something he would welcome, and he gladly accepted.
“Perhaps this stage is meant to bring me together with him.”
To complete my unique spell with the guidance of ancestors, even if only in a dream.
“I can’t believe it. To apply a formula like this…! Organon, you are truly a genius!”
Schugenhartz praised me.
As I showed him the formula I was forming for curse magic, he couldn’t hide his surprise and excitement.
“It’s not that I’m a genius; it’s the result of long years of research. I’ll let him misunderstand.”
As time passes, techniques evolve.
Magic is the same.
The curse magic and familiar magic that Schugenhartz established as a science were refined over several generations and underwent groundbreaking changes.
No matter how brilliant Schugenhartz’s talent was, just as I easily unraveled his curse magic, there existed a difference of “time” between us.
It wouldn’t be strange for him to regard me as a genius.
From his perspective, it must feel like meeting the inspection agency dispatched from Joseon to America for the first time.
Stimulating his brain with information he had never seen before, it’s no wonder he was astonished.
“I’m so fortunate to meet a genius like you right now. Thanks to you, it feels like everything that was stuck has finally cleared!”
“…That’s good to hear.”
I smirked, as if I was losing my composure.
It was to prevent my emotions from spilling over.
“I’m more shocked than you. What kind of thinking leads to this?”
Though I didn’t show it, I admired Schugenhartz just as much.
His approach to spell formulas was fundamentally different.
I was proud of my continuous research and innovation across various fields, but he was on another level.
If I was seeing things in three dimensions, it felt like he was operating in four dimensions.
The depth of my knowledge, built up over the years, was expanding thanks to him.
“It’s unfortunate that only the concept of curse magic exists for now. If only I could have researched familiar magic too.”
At this stage, familiar magic hadn’t even emerged as a concept.
While curse magic had a solid foundation, efficiency dramatically drops when starting from scratch.
…
Thus, Schugenhartz and I continued to lead our group, exchanging knowledge as we moved.
One day… two days… a week….
As we continued onward, day turned into night.
Some fell along the way, unable to endure the cold and arduous journey.
Mainly those who were elderly or weakened by illness.
We still hadn’t encountered a swarm of monsters.
We occasionally encountered wandering monsters, but they fled at the sight of us or were stragglers rejected by their group, so there was no cause for concern.
“We’ll need to spend the night here. Let’s set up a tent to shield us from the wind.”
Before the darkness of night enveloped the world, we had to stop moving and prepare to rest.
Once discovered, tents and food could be stored in the magical tools invented by Lafez.
I never expected to see a tool functioning like a four-dimensional pocket in these ancient times, but it was proof that Lafez had talents in other fields as well.
I stuck a support into the ground and spread out a tent made of monster or animal skins over it.
It looked quite convincing. I even painted it to blend in with the surroundings, making it hard to spot from a distance.
“If only the shadows and chameleons were here, I could’ve made a more comfortable shelter… But I guess this will have to do.”
This was the dual fusion I had used when heading to the dungeon with Erica.
Feeling once again the value of my familiars, I honestly pondered how primitive my way of spending the night was.
“Organon-nim…!”
Ami and Zagan, who were using the same tent as me.
This time, my younger sister Zagan was making a fuss right next to me.
“What is it?”
“I… I wanted to say thank you. Not just for me and my brother, but for everyone else…”
“No need.”
“Oh, okay…”
As I brushed her off, Zagan looked dejected.
If she’s going to sulk, I wish she’d just huddle in a corner instead of sticking around me.
Ever since… to be exact, since overcoming Alicia’s trauma in Rubid Village, I strangely felt like kids were clinging around me.
I’m not even being warm to them, so why is this happening?
“Organon-nim! Have you seen Zagan…? Ah! Zagan! So you were here! How sneaky!”
Ami poked her head out from outside the tent, spotted Zagan next to me, and sulked her way over, sitting down.
Then the two of them started playfully arguing, but when I let out a deep sigh, they froze like mice.
“Uh? Where are you going?”
When I frowned and stood up, Ami asked.
I debated whether to respond, thinking it might just annoy her further, so I decided to give her an answer.
“Shut up and go to sleep. If you follow me, I’ll kick you.”
“Eh? But…”
Hoo—.
I extinguished the candle inside the tent.
Only then did Ami and Zagan understand my intent and cover themselves with blankets, lying down.
“Organon-nim, we… want to ask you to accept us as your disciples when we meet the Magic Instructor.”
I heard this just as I was about to exit the tent, pulling back the fabric at the entrance.
Ami spoke with a hint of disappointment.
“I originally wanted to become your disciple, but you said you wouldn’t accept any, right? So…”
“Do as you please.”
“Are you not upset? Aren’t you curious about the reason?”
“Me? Why?”
“…I thought you might say something like that.”
Ami gave an awkward chuckle and continued.
“If we become the Magic Instructor’s disciples, we could save people from evil monsters like you or others, right?”
“Right now, you’re still too weak and young, though…”
Zagan chimed in with Ami’s question.
“……”
“Organon-nim?”
“Just go to sleep. Don’t wait for me.”
Ignoring the two kids, I stepped outside and started walking.
I had nothing to say back.
I couldn’t guarantee whether this was indeed a fantasy crafted to resemble the past.
Those kids might become archbishops of the Goddess Church who treat saving people as a joke, not the opposite.
The feeling of beheading Archbishop Zagan and the sensation of seeing Archbishop Ami were still vivid in my memory.
Even if those kids held pure intentions, they represented a future drastically different from the present.
Words felt utterly meaningless.
After taking a few steps, I stopped.
Because I was finally face to face with someone who had been waiting for me to come out.
“Hehehe. Quite impressive. You were moving your mana so carefully that I couldn’t catch you.”
“Your nonsense somehow sounds convincing at that level. What do you want, Lafez?”
Lafez.
A companion of Schugenharz, the 16th disciple of the wizard.
“What do I want…? Heh. I wonder what you think.”
With a sinister smile on his lips, he clearly moved his mana with ill intent.
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