Return of The 8th Class Mage - Chapter 235

Chapter 173 The Last Knot (2)

 

[You have…]

 

Ian first headed to the violet space, where Fran Page had been sealed, the dragons’ temporary territory. While the interfering spell disappeared along with Fran, the dragons had not come out. They had estimated that Ian had won and would visit them soon.

 

[You’ve become an astounding being.]

 

Reseesee Radenju recognized Ian’s change, and Ian had indeed become one.

 

[We cannot keep you in check anymore, as you can decide whether we will be erased or survive as a race.]

 

The leader’s words stirred the surviving dragons. Ian had been strong before, and now was their leader saying that he had transcended even that? They could not fathom how powerful Ian had become.

 

“It’s true now.”

 

Ian acknowledged the gap between them, as it was evident that the dragons were powerless against Ian now.

 

“It made the situation more convenient since I do not have to be wary of you now. What can you do now?”

 

Ian’s words were arrogant, as he meant that the dragons would not dare to plan tricks when he had become this strong.

 

[Truth hurts, and I cannot help but acknowledge that.]

 

However, Reseesee Radenju did not seem to be disconcerted a bit and actually laughed it over.

 

[So, Fran Page, how did he end? Had he not been freed from his fallen state to the end?]

“At least, in the end…”

 

Ian answered Reseesee Radenju’s question, and he did not seem sad or relieved.

 

“He seemed at rest.”

[Is that so…]

 

Reseesee Radenju thought of the past, and she had been closest to Fran Page out of all of them. They would have formed a deep connection as teacher and student who shared their same goal.

 

[He would not go to a good place, as he committed evil as much as the load that burned him.]

“It’s more than enough if he gets some rest.”

[Yes, that being had run too long on clean velvet and sharp gravel. He would be satisfied to sit and rest.]

 

Reseesee Radenju stared at Ian after letting Fran Page go after thousands of years. She had to face more imminent problems.

 

[What are you planning to do?]

“About what?”

[Stop pretending you do not know since we are aware that your ultimate goal had been removing us and Fran Page. I am asking whether you still believe that’s your goal, since while you did not have enough power before, now you do.]

 

Reseesee Radenju was correct, as Ian thought that both Fran Page and the dragons disappearing would bring true peace. However, since that had not been a possible goal until he had become a zero-class mage, he had allied himself with the lesser evil.

 

‘However, now.’

 

Ian could achieve that goal now, and Reseesee Radenju’s question had pointed at this issue.

 

“As I said before…”

 

Ian began to answer her question, and his voice was the most stable since he first met the dragons.

 

“The situation has become convenient, and I do not want to see blood. Come to think of it, you have never interfered in my life. It had been entirely Fran Page’s plans.”

 

Ian was now freed from being wary and suspicious of the dragons, and the fundamental reason for it was because he had gained power.

 

“Considering the Fairy Queen and the Dragonians, and our allied fight, I’ll think of our alliance still effective for a while.”

[Are you serious?]

“Do I have any reason to play tricks? I repeat myself, but things have indeed turned out this way.”

 

It had to be noted that Ian would have eradicated the entire race the moment he had entered this space if he had resolved himself to do so.

 

[At least, we will never renounce our alliance, as you hold all the cards.]

“That’s still to be seen, and I hope that you’re speaking the truth.”

[It’s not a lie.]

“Then, it’s a relief.”

 

Ian changed the subject after shrugging, and it was why he had come to the dragons first.

 

“So, I am planning to leave this dimension and stay at another dimension for a while.”

[What are you talking about?]

“I am planning to clean up the dimensions Fran Page had so senselessly fragmented. I’ll explain more specifically after I come back, but I wanted to notify you as a warning.”

 

It was simple, and he asked them not to play any tricks while he was on an errand.

 

[So, now you know how to move between dimensions.]

“I can come back any time in any form, with my powers intact.”

Ian was saying that he could come back any time to avenge any tricks, and it may sound like a threat for some years.

 

“I came to you guys first to request this.”

 

Since he had to leave the world for a while, Ian needed to ascertain the relationship between himself and the dragons.

 

[We are not reckless and are tired from maintaining the seal for a long time. We only want to take care of who we have lost and retrieve the fallen that we had left behind when sealing Fran Page. Even if we’re too late, it is our duty.]

 

Reseesee Radenju spoke, and considering the situation, the words were believable.

 

“All right, please enjoy your freedom up to the level that would not harm human culture.”

[Of course, we had never done so and had opposed Fran Page because of that. Don’t you know it well?]

“That’s true.”

 

Ian gave the dragons freedom. While he could have imprisoned them, he did not choose that way.

“Then, I will see you later.”

 

Ian waved, and that was when Herpi Dotos, the young dragon who had been watching Ian talk with Reseesee Radenju with other dragons, approached Ian.

 

[Human, no…Our ally.]

“Um?”

[Please listen to my words.]

“What is it?”

 

Herpi Dotos flinched his large body at Ian’s question, and his tone had become even politer, and his expression had become more complicated. What did he want to say?

 

[Th…]

“Th?”

[Thank you.]

 

The young dragon had wanted to convey his gratitude for saving his life from Fran Page’s attack.

 

“What are you thanking me for?”

[That is…]

“Since I cannot remember, can you explain further?”

[That…]

 

Ian did know what Herpi Dotos was thanking him for but was playing with the dragon. He found that prideful dragon, a cute creature now.

 

“I was just joking. Do not look down on humans for being humans in the future.”

[I did not mean to look down…I just…]

 

Herpi Dotos mumbled his words as his arrogant moments went by him in a flash.

 

[…I apologize for my foolish and impolite actions.]

“I had not spoken to receive an apology but will accept it. Let us be careful about another in the future.”

 

Ian smiled as he murmured and tapped on Herpi Dotos’s body, and everyone knew who was the more powerful of the two.

 

“I’ll visit you often after I return. Then, with your leave…”

 

Until Ian disappeared, every dragon lowered their heads to show respect to the one who had given them freedom.

 

***

 

In the Eastern Plains’ intense battlefield, many breaths mingled in the Greenriver troops of the tripartite expedition.

 

“Did we win…?”

 

The handsome young man holding his weapon, the crown prince ‘Hayden Greenriver’ let out a tired whisper. He had given all of his strength and mana, and his body shook with relief as evidence.

 

“Is it real…?”

 

Hayden managed to stand and look around, and as he murmured, there were no more moving zombies on the plains. The zombies lay on the grounds, unable to move.

 

“Captain…Vice-Captain. Are you there? You’re still alive?”

“Paul is here.”

 

The Vice-Captain of the Second Guards, and the first guard of the crown prince at the moment as Oliver was out, came running.

 

“I wait for your command, your highness.”

 

Paul looked worn out, but he did not let it show even a bit. There was a reason Oliver treasured the man.

 

“While you must be tired, I’m sorry to say that there’s no time to rest. Now the fight is to get the injured to the treatment facilities as much as possible.”

“You are right in every word. As planned, we will do our best to get the injured as quickly and appropriately as possible to the facilities.”

 

The crown prince nodded at Paul’s answer and handed a communication device to him.

 

“This is connected to the Ivory tower mages at the back. Gain fast control of the situation with their cooperation.”

 

The crown prince gave the order of command regarding the injured and the treatment to Paul, and it was not an irresponsible shirking of responsibility. Paul was vastly more experienced than the crown prince and could perform the task perfectly.

 

“I accept the command.”

“Then go.”

“As you wish.”

“Umm.”

 

The crown prince watched Paul run and sat on the ground again. He did not have the strength to stand, and his stamina had run out.

 

‘I wish I could move more.’

 

While he had given the appropriate task to the appropriate person, Hayden still did not think he had done enough.

 

‘Is it only greed for me yet?’

 

The crown prince had repeatedly mediated to do as much as he could over the past few years. However, when Hayden almost reached the limit like now, he found that he was greedy. He wanted to intervene in all problems like his father did more flawlessly.

Hayden sighed. The ground was soft and comfortable, and the tension that have engulfed his body melted like the snow. He thought of one thing when the tension disappeared.

 

“Had Ian succeeded?”

 

Ian Page had gone out saying that he would remove the origin of all this, and Hayden was now worried about his best friend and great mage.

 

“…I’m worried about nothing. He would have succeeded since he is Ian Page.”

 

However, Hayden shook his head. Ian Page would show himself without any wounds and inform him that everything had been solved.

 

“Stop, he is the crown prince.”

“Yes, how can we not recognize him after he had fought with us? We just wanted to see him up close once…”

 

The crown prince’s thoughts wrapped up, and he heard people speaking around him. The knights protecting the crown prince and the soldiers were talking to one another.

 

“It’s fine with me. Let them come.”

 

The crown prince spoke with a faint smile.

 

“But…”

“It’s all right.”

 

The crown prince commanded them, and the knights stepped back to allow the soldiers to surround Hayden.

 

“So, do you have anything to say to me?”

 

The soldiers looked at each other for a moment at the crown prince’s question, and they began to speak.

 

“Your highness! It was an honor to fight with you! Since you have saved our lives with that mystic staff, we will consider it our life’s debt and pledge our loyalty to the empire and your highness!”