Chapter 154

The Back-Alley Mage’s Return – Chapter 154

Chapter 154. Is This Loneliness in the Crowd?

Our departure for Brando had been set.

Before I realized it, seven days had already slipped away.

“Hey, you Neanderthal, can’t you move any faster?”

Nudged by Shine’s annoying voice, I unhurriedly walked out of my quarters.

Just to be clear, “Neanderthal” was the lovely nickname Shine bestowed upon me ever since we emerged from the Sword God’s Tomb.

“The weakest link always takes the longest. And on top of that, you’re just dawdling. Have you no decency?”

I stood still, glaring directly at Shine as he loitered by the doorway, causing a scene.

‘What the hell is this guy’s problem?’

Ever since we left the Sword God’s Tomb, Shine’s self-importance hadn’t just reached the clouds—it had launched straight into orbit.

Without fail, he would track me down every single day just to pick a fight, leaving me utterly perplexed.

‘What exactly did he pull out of the Sword God’s Tomb?’

He was already obnoxious before, but now his arrogance had multiplied tenfold.

Actually, was arrogance even the right word?

He was behaving like an unhinged imp who didn’t recognize his own limits.

The root of that boundless bravado was undoubtedly whatever legacy the 13th Head of House had prepared for him within the Sword God’s Tomb, but…

‘……Ugh, and the bastard keeps his lips completely sealed about it.’

“Hmph. I thoroughly despise that look you’re giving me. Can’t you open your eyes properly?”

“……Fine.”

Ignoring Shine as he attempted to spark another pointless argument, I bypassed him and kept walking.

“What, are you running away?”

It was a provocative moment, but I refused to take the bait.

As the saying goes: quit while you’re ahead.

There was absolutely no point in engaging with a delusionally confident Shine just to validate my own power. My past accomplishments already spoke volumes about what I could do.

In any case, accompanied by that loudmouth, I arrived at the gates of Sogeomjeon, where the others were already waiting.

Parun looked so physically spent that his exhaustion was written all over his face, while the Young Head of House stood beside him with a contrasting, brilliantly cheerful grin, right next to Sir Zeke.

The Young Head of House and Sir Zeke had come out personally to bid us farewell as we prepared to depart from Lortel.

“Is everything packed and ready?”

“Pretty much.”

“Why not extend your visit for a few more days?”

“I considered it, but honestly, it’s just too much of a hassle.”

“Haha.”

The Young Head of House offered a strained chuckle.

Well, naturally he would.

‘Do you have any idea how much you’ve vexed me?’

To clarify, I didn’t mean the Young Head of House had directly pestered me himself.

It was more of an indirect torture.

The moment I informed him of my departure from Lortel, he spent every waking hour introducing me to various influential figures under his thumb.

The underlying sentiment was something I truly appreciated.

‘An opportunity to establish connections with high society in Lortel doesn’t come often.’

Granted, since I possess the Platinum Token, establishing these connections doesn’t radically change my standing for better or worse—but I suppose it offers a different layer of social leverage.

Ultimately, an ally you’ve actually sat down with over a conversation feels far more reliable than one bound strictly by a piece of metal like the Platinum Token.

However, hospitality should be given in moderation.

Endless banquets and networking circles without a single moment to catch my breath became nothing short of agonizing.

“Even so, as draining as it might feel right now, the day will come when these networking ties bear fruit. You might forget their countenances, but they will certainly remember yours.”

I let out a soft scoff upon seeing the embarrassed look on the Young Head of House’s face.

“I never claimed it was entirely miserable. I am genuinely thankful.”

“Well, that is a comfort. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be alright to stick around just a bit longer? Very soon, representatives from the various vassal houses will be convening at the estate. Acquainting yourself with them as well would be—”

“Is this some sophisticated form of psychological torture?”

“Haha, you and your jests…”

Regrettably, I wasn’t jesting at all.

This past week had truly felt like a living purgatory for me.

Setting that aside.

I shifted my focus away from the Young Head of House and locked eyes with Parun.

“Are you absolutely certain it’s alright to take off like this? You could always remain behind for a bit if you wish.”

“I have already mastered the fundamentals of the Infinite Chain. Furthermore….”

[……If I linger in this place, how do you expect me to uncover the hidden manuscript of the Thousand Origin Art? Use your brain for once.]

[If you would just reveal where you tucked it away—]

[As if I would ever place my faith in you.]

Amused by Parun’s rigid defensiveness, a small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

‘A trusted weapon might nick your hand, but a weapon you actively distrust will take off your head.’

If the time ever comes where I forcefully plunder Parun’s hidden vault, he will have no one to blame but himself for being so fiercely untrusting.

Shifting my gaze away from Parun, I glanced over at Shine.

“Hey, Neanderthal, what are you gawkily staring at?”

“Are you truly not interested in staying behind?”

“What, are you intimidated by me?”

“Hardly. You just seemed exceptionally pleased with yourself these past few days.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Nonsense, my foot.

Among the three of us, Shine had undoubtedly lived the highest quality of life during our time in Lortel.

The reports of us successfully conquering the Sword God’s Tomb had swept through every corner of Lortel in less than twenty-four hours.

Following that, another fascinating rumor began to circulate.

The master of the Sword Garden was a warrior personally validated by the Head of House himself.

It was highly likely a rumor intentionally spread by the Head of House to elevate Shine’s social standing, and because of it, Shine experienced quite a glorious period.

Swordsmen flocked to him even when he was just lounging around.

He received endless invitations to duel.

Some individuals even presented him with legendary blades as tokens of respect, eager to gain his favor!

‘Wow, reviewing it from this perspective actually makes me feel incredibly slighted.’

While I was stuck enduring tedious conversations with utterly uninteresting individuals, choking down tea that tasted like absolute garbage, this guy had free sparring partners delivering themselves to his doorstep—not to mention a mountain of luxury gifts piled in his quarters.

If I had walked the path of a swordsman rather than a mage, would I still have faced this blatant double standard?

‘Not a chance.’

It was completely biased. It was deeply frustrating.

Those arrogant, sword-wielding fools.

While I was drowning in my own pool of resentment, the Young Head of House’s voice suddenly pulled me back to reality.

“On a separate note—are you familiar with the phenomenon known as the ‘Fairies’ Dance’?”

“Fairies’ Dance?”

“It is a peculiar event that takes place within the Amera region. You are acquainted with the Amera region, correct?”

I didn’t answer because the geography was foreign to me.

The Amera region, famous for its numerous interconnected lakes, was the primary excavation site for ‘Moonlight Stone’—a critical resource in spellcraft. Anyone practicing magic would naturally be familiar with it.

However.

“Fairies’ Dance? That’s a new one to me.”

“Are you unfamiliar with the local folklore? It’s a myth deeply rooted in the Amera region, widely recognized even as a children’s bedtime story. You know the tale—how the magical beings, driven to despair by human cruelty, retreated into the depths of the waters to end their existence…”

If it belonged to the realm of children’s fables, it made sense that I hadn’t come across it.

I spent my youth surviving as a stray in the Black and White Zone; the only bedtime stories I ever received involved terrifying beasts that snatched away orphans wandering near the polluted waters of the Seil River.

Regardless, the fable itself wasn’t the core issue.

“Ah. A fresh report reached the main estate just this morning. Word is that an unprecedented disturbance has developed in one of the lakes within the Amera region. I figured it might be the sort of phenomenon that would capture the attention of practitioners of magic.”

So, he merely shared the gossip assuming it might pique our curiosity.

But if Parun’s assessment of me holds true, am I even genuinely a mage? An environmental anomaly held absolutely zero appeal for me.

Yet, just as I dismissed it, Parun, who had been lingering silently in the background, took a sudden step forward.

“Young Head of House, could this disturbance perhaps be…?”

“The reports describe it as a localized mana supersaturation phenomenon. It seems the residents of the area refer to it as the ‘Fairies’ Dance’?”

“Could you share the specific details?”

“You find this intriguing?”

“Extremely. I would be deeply grateful for any information.”

I cocked my head, surprised by Parun’s uncharacteristically eager behavior.

[What exactly is this Fairies’ Dance?]

[……You are truly ignorant of it?]

Yes, I am.

I’ve read plenty regarding the geography of the Amera region, but terms like “Fairies’ Dance” and “mana supersaturation phenomenon” had never once crossed my radar.

What could possibly be contained in that report to make Parun act so intensely motivated?

[It is a rare phenomenon that manifests completely at random within the waters of the Amera region. It strikes without warning in any one of those dozens of lakes. I shall elaborate on the specifics once we are underway.]

Concluding our telepathic exchange, Parun broke his gaze away from me.

Right then, the Young Head of House produced a substantial bundle of paperwork from the inner pocket of his attire and passed it forward.

“I am pleased I had my subordinates compile this just in case. This comprises data secured by the intelligence network of the main estate. Keep it with you and review it whenever you find the time.”

“……I am incredibly grateful for your generosity.”

“If this truly interests you, I advise you to act swiftly. Since the main estate has caught wind of it, there is no doubt that the other prestigious magic bloodlines have as well. If you dally, you risk being overshadowed by rival factions.”

Parun handled the documents with immense reverence, as though they were made of gold, before stowing them safely inside his Subspace.

I observed the interaction with a completely blank expression for a brief moment, before carefully clearing my throat to speak.

“Well, I suppose it’s about time for us to take our leave…”

“Indeed. Safe travels.”

“……?”

“……?”

I blinked in confusion at the Young Head of House’s incredibly abrupt dismissal. The Young Head of House returned my vacant stare with an equally puzzled look of his own.

“Is there something you’ve left behind?”

“Didn’t I return the Platinum Token to you?”

“I am in possession of that.”

The Platinum Token had been delivered to me a few days prior.

The Magic Tower and the Sword Garden.

Two distinct tokens bearing the seals of those two legendary, reclusive organizations.

“And I also provided you with a direct communication crystal orb so we may maintain contact.”

“It’s somewhat redundant, but I did accept it.”

“Then what else could you possibly require? Ah—are you perhaps lacking in travel provisions?”

“…….”

I stared silently at the Young Head of House for a beat, then slowly extended my palm. While my personal funds were more than sufficient, it felt impolite to reject a gesture of goodwill.

“……You certainly live a modest life.”

At any rate, after pocketing the meager collection of gold coins the Young Head of House offered, I finally voiced the actual issue on my mind.

“Why haven’t you handed over the Infinite Chain?”

Exactly. I was referring to the Infinite Chain.

Far more vital than any Platinum Token, far more critical than a communication crystal orb, and infinitely more valuable than pocket money—that exact artifact!

The object of intense fixation that served as the catalyst for our journey to Lortel, and the prize that was meant to conclude this entire chapter.

So why was he holding out?

“……? You haven’t received it yet?”

The Young Head of House blinked, entirely perplexed.

My eyes narrowed dangerously.

“What game is this? A test to see how long I’ll stay quiet? Or an intentional betrayal?”

Right at that moment, Parun—who had retraced his steps into the background—intervened once more.

“I have it.”

“……You do?”

“Yes. It was safely delivered to me yesterday evening. I have personally verified its authenticity, and it currently rests securely within my Subspace.”

“Why on earth do you have custody of it…?”

“And why shouldn’t I?”

“…….”

Silenced by Parun’s uncompromising stance, I found myself entirely tongue-tied.

It was a moment that made me feel deeply disillusioned with the entire demographic known as “mages.”

Swordsmen consistently look out for one another, offering support, lifting each other up, and making a massive display of camaraderie—so why is it that mages, without fail, are so incredibly detached and cold?

As I stood frozen in sheer disbelief—

“Young Head of House, Sir Zeke. We shall bid you farewell.”

“Take care. I shall take my leave as well.”

Shine and Parun offered crisp, professional goodbyes.

The Young Head of House and Sir Zeke mirrored the sentiment, exchanging warm parting words with the two of them.

Among the five individuals present, I was the sole entity who felt entirely alienated.

This distinct misery of fitting in with neither the mages nor the swordsmen. Where exactly do I belong in this world?

“Let’s move, you Neanderthal.”

Shine clamped a hand onto the back of my collar, unceremoniously dragging me out of Sogeomjeon.

I allowed myself to be hauled away passively, casting my gaze up toward the heavens.

I had deliberately selected the midnight hour to ensure our exit was as inconspicuous as possible, yet the brilliant, full moon cast a radiance so intense it practically stung my vision.

‘Talk about feeling isolated in a sea of people.’

The taste of reality was thoroughly unpalatable.

As Aster’s group vanished into the distance beyond Sogeomjeon—

Sion watched their retreating figures in contemplative silence.

“You seem rather amused by this situation.”

“Do I?”

“Indeed. Furthermore…”

Zeke began to voice a thought, but quickly swallowed his remaining words.

Sion, however, offered a faint grin, as though he easily anticipated what Zeke had intended to express.

“Are you astonished? By the relaxed manner in which I interact with a practitioner of magic.”

“Yes. Truthfully, I was. I caught myself wondering if your core principles had shifted…”

“A shift in principles.”

Letting the phrase hang in the air, Sion redirected his gaze. His eyes settled on the distant form of Aster, who was still being dragged along by his collar.

“Doesn’t he strike you as remarkably ordinary?”

Zeke cast a brief look toward Aster before offering his response.

“……In all honesty, he does seem quite ordinary.”

“An individual like that managed to hold his ground against One Sword? Better yet—he unhesitatingly brought himself before Father, demanding to be struck down if necessary? Does that sound plausible to you?”

“Had I not witnessed his character firsthand, I would have found it impossible to credit.”

“Exactly. That is the reality of it. If I had never encountered the master of the Tower myself, I wouldn’t have entertained any of these reports either.”

Yet, those who had personally interacted with the master of the Tower had no choice but to accept it. There was a peculiar, inexplicable aura surrounding him.

“I simply found myself arriving at a certain realization.”

“And what might that be…?”

“Ah—it seems that even among mages, there are individuals who are remarkably straightforward. Not every spellcaster is as calculated and predatory as Deculan.”

“…….”

“A concept I previously only accepted as an abstract theory—at some point, it truly began to feel tangible to me.”

Inwardly, Zeke found himself entirely in agreement.

It felt completely inappropriate to group the master of the Tower and Deculan under the singular umbrella of “mages.” One of those characterizations had to be an anomaly.

“It is nothing more than that. Do you catch my drift?”

“……Yes.”

It marked the exact moment the Young Head of House finally shattered the mental prison that had confined him for so long… yet Zeke found himself unable to completely let down his guard and celebrate.

Because the catalyst for this revelation was far too mundane.

Following a brief interlude of quiet, Zeke voiced another inquiry.

“Do you happen to have any word on when One Sword will be making his return?”

“……? I’ve received no updates. The word was that his business might extend well beyond the original timeline. Is there a reason you ask?”

“It is of no great consequence. I merely thought we might have matters to deliberate, but it is hardly an urgent concern.”

“……?”

Zeke found himself recalling the grievance Hamelan had muttered a few days prior.

A shadow has fallen over Lortel. A time will come when the weight of my words becomes clear to you.

After delivering that cryptic parting thought, he departed for Baidun.

Only now did Zeke feel as though he could comprehend the underlying meaning behind those words, if only a little.

As that realization crystallized—

Zeke voiced a sudden curiosity that pulled at his mind.

“On another note—what prompted you to provide them with the intelligence concerning Amera Lake…?”

Analyzing the Young Head of House’s typical behavior, the action seemed highly uncharacteristic.

The Young Head of House generally possessed zero curiosity regarding supernatural or magical anomalies.

Yet, the explanation Sion offered was entirely unexpected.

“A valid point.”

“……Excuse me?”

“I am entirely in the dark myself. I simply executed a direct directive from Father.”

“Are you saying this was an explicit order from the Head of House?”

Sion gave a solemn, quiet nod.

Following that admission, he fell entirely silent.

His mind simply conjured the image of Head of House Muhad—the man who had instructed him to deliver the intelligence packet.

If they truly walk the path of magic, this news will undoubtedly draw them in.

‘He uttered those words with confidence, but….’

The expression in his father’s eyes had betrayed a subtle, uncharacteristic flicker of uncertainty.

As though he were anticipating a specific outcome.