“Are you asking me about the magic education of Number 13?”
Anna Helmenius, the mayor of the city of wizards and one of the most competent wizards Aslan knows among those he is acquainted with.
She asked back in puzzlement.
Aslan nodded his head and looked at Number 13, who was forcibly dressed in a lavish dress.
The robe she always wore was nowhere to be found.
Perhaps because of this, Number 13 was trying to cover her face by pulling at her hair with her hands.
Her flushed face was filled with emotion.
Mostly it was embarrassment, but there also seemed to be a hint of anticipation.
Perhaps it was because she was wearing pretty clothes for the first time.
Aslan gave Number 13 a slight smile and a nod, and only then did Number 13’s expression relax as she smiled shyly.
“But Number 13 can already use magic quite sufficiently. Even if I were to teach…”
It seemed as if Aslan had finished speaking, and Anna hesitated in response.
Perhaps it was because Tiyalmisof, the origin of magic, was right beside her.
But Aslan didn’t care.
“The magic Number 13 uses is merely the result of recklessly using overflowing mana. It’s hard to call it proper magic.”
When Number 13’s smile faded and she looked a little deflated, Aslan rubbed and patted her shoulder while saying,
“Of course, that’s not all. Although it might take a bit more effort, I would like you to collaborate with Tiyalmisof here on magic research whenever you have time to teach Number 13.”
“Magic research…?”
“Anything will do. From things that could help the Union to improvements in daily life. Anything at all.”
Maybe because it felt less burdensome than having to teach magic with the origin of magic nearby, Anna muttered, “Not too difficult, but…”
Aslan leaned in slightly towards such an Anna.
“And one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Please send a letter to bring some of the Union’s troops inside the Anuurtin Council Fortress. So they can stay there, unify the command structure, and conduct joint training.”
This was news to Anna.
When Anna blinked her eyes and looked puzzled, Tiyalmisof spoke up instead of Aslan, emitting a mechanical sound.
“It’s fine to go along with Mr. Aslan’s wishes here. The Anuurtin Council has already promised full support to the Union.”
This was also something Anna hadn’t heard about.
“Even though we can’t say much, it’s a necessary process for future plans.”
There was an unspoken meaning hidden in this statement that only Aslan could hear.
Since his plan had been thwarted, it meant that Tiyalmisof would fully cooperate with Aslan.
Moreover, having seen Aslan’s resilience as a single human surviving for twelve years, Tiyalmisof had no choice but to cooperate.
Even though the final defeat might have been due to the arrangement of the ancient gods.
So Anna couldn’t help but agree to Tiyalmisof’s persuasion, and Aslan returned to the Anuurtin Council alongside Phey, who clung to him as usual.
Aslan’s plan was clearly nearing its end.
Only one divine power of the remaining ancient gods remained.
Upon acquiring it, the final quest would commence immediately, and Aslan would enter the final phase.
Before that, Aslan needed to consolidate the command structure of the current allies using the space transfer of Ados within the Anuurtin Council and focus on internal affairs.
For the sake of ensuring the survival of as many people as possible in the end, it had to be done this way.
Afterward, what remained was the recruitment of the remaining nations, the extermination of dangerous or potentially dangerous specters, and hunting high-ranking priests.
For this reason, the traveling party had to separate.
Each member of the party was already at a level comparable to a high-ranking priest, so it wasn’t a burden.
Rather than moving together unnecessarily, it was better to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Even if Aslan accompanied them for sensitive or complex matters, most tasks could be independently resolved by the group.
“So, you gathered everyone?”
When Tiamat spoke, Aslan nodded.
Aslan nodded again and rolled his eyes.
Then many people came into view.
Angie yawning, Ereta sitting demurely and looking at Aslan, Phey wearing new clothes and enduring Lumel’s piercing gaze,
Tiamat leaning against his bow and stroking his chin, Richard with a somewhat gaunt face and an ambiguous smile,
Lumel holding a book with an excited expression, and Lewena gazing at Aslan with half-closed violet eyes.
Everyone from the traveling party was present here.
Except for a few like Lewena, they all possessed the strength to fight alone against high-ranking priests.
Above all, Aslan trusted them.
He believed they would perform even better without his intervention.
Thus, Aslan said,
“The remaining enemies… more accurately, potential enemies are few.”
Raising three fingers drew the attention of the group.
“The Fearless Bijou, Ash, the High Priest of Compassion and Herald of the Veil.”
Folding two fingers and lightly waving the remaining one, Aslan continued.
“Lastly, the High Priest of the Immovable One, the Voracious Eater.”
Having said that, Aslan glanced around the group and continued.
“The remaining countries are the South Empire, the Public Kingdom of Huedail, the Magic Autonomous Region Polaina, the Border Duke of Dein, and the Mareza City Union.”
The names held no particular meaning.
The group silently watched Aslan, waiting for him to continue, and Aslan signaled them with a glance.
“I want to assign the Fearless Bijou to Angie. The Empire is favorable towards Angie, so please investigate through their intelligence network.”
“Alright.”
Encouraged by Angie’s willing response, Aslan turned next to Ereta.
“I want to assign the Herald of the Veil to Ereta. Since you’re the only one here who can effectively counter Ash.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you can use the Anuurtin Council’s intelligence resources.”
“Hmm, I’m not very good at chasing, but alright.”
Following gazes. Aslan met each one and spoke.
“Richard and Tiamat, I’d like you both to return to the northern continent and maintain your influence while hunting down any remaining priests.”
“Understood. Did you hear that, kid?”
“Not a kid anymore, but understood.”
“I’m thinking of entrusting the Mareza City Union and the Border Duke of Dein to Father and Budonggong.”
What remained were the South Empire, the Public Kingdom of Huedail, and Polaina.
“The South Empire, one of the remaining three nations, will be attempted for recruitment by me, Lewena, and Lumel.”
And among the remaining two nations, he intended to assign the self-governing district of Huedail, known as a crime-ridden city and a cesspool, to Phey.
Although Phey seemed reluctant.
“Phey?”
“Yeah, Phey’s the right person for the job. So…”
“I want to stay with Aslan.”
Seeing Phey’s slightly sulky expression, Aslan couldn’t push too hard.
Perhaps because he hadn’t reciprocated Phey’s goodwill until now.
With a faint sense of guilt, Aslan opened his mouth.
“Don’t worry. Once the recruitment of the South Empire is complete, I’ll join Phey and together we’ll recruit the Public Kingdom of Huedail.”
At this suggestion, another member of the group objected.
“What? Me?”
“I also want to stay with Aslan…”
Annoyed eyebrows furrowing from Angie and a slightly sad expression playing with her hands from Ereta.
Angie pressed her case further.
“Can’t I handle that Voracious Eater guy? Rather—”
“No. The Voracious Eater is special, and these three are the right match.”
“Then how about assigning the cesspool to me?”
“It’s the same; Phey’s the best fit. Sorry.”
At this, Angie stuck out her lip, and although her expression was regretful, Aslan added that he couldn’t help it.
“We’re almost there. If we just endure a little longer, we can achieve our goal.”
Knowing Aslan’s goal well, Angie couldn’t argue against this.
Grumbling but accepting nonetheless.
As the group quieted down, Aslan reminded them.
“It probably won’t happen, but if you feel your capabilities are insufficient and there will be delays, don’t hesitate to ask for help. I’ll come to assist as soon as possible.”
A message to value their lives, understand their own abilities, and ask for help when necessary.
Though Aslan trusted their abilities, he still worried about their safety.
Trusting their capabilities yet unable to let go of his concern, Aslan concluded,
“You wouldn’t be able to accomplish this without you guys. So don’t overexert yourselves. If you think it’s too much, call the group. Or find me.”
The unsaid words were easily understood.
That Aslan cherished the group was evident without needing to deliberate.
“To me, you guys are precious. I don’t want to lose any of you. Understand?”
Therefore, when the unspoken words finally slipped out, Angie scratched her head sheepishly.
Hearing this, the others smiled slightly and looked at Aslan, saying,
“Don’t worry. We won’t do anything that would make you worry.”
“Before worrying about this elder, worry about yourself. You often overexert yourself when we aren’t watching, don’t you?”
“Feels like Phey might surpass me now, but alright.”
Each member reacted differently.
The atmosphere was truly harmonious, thanks entirely to the space transfer of Ados.
Even if they separated to handle different tasks,
they could always return to the Anuurtin Council whenever they wished, and if support was needed, they could summon help anytime.
In reality, they were simply handling different tasks for efficiency.
It didn’t seem much different from before.
The leisure created by the group’s transcendent abilities, the spatial transfer, and the presence of the Anuurtin Council providing rest.
The reminder was purely out of caution, just in case.
Thus, Aslan thought,
Though he said otherwise, surely the throne of the gods, Kehil, wasn’t far away.
*
North of the Anuurtin Council Fortress.
Bifold, the southernmost city of the empire bearing that name.
To the north of it lay a tomb unknown not only to the world but also to the empire.
A tomb physically buried deep underground and sealed by the ancient gods.
Interred within this tomb was the emperor most full of fear.
He was also the most courageous emperor.
Furthermore, he was the last emperor of those whose lineage of war and knowledge once ruled the royal family.
He was an emperor who feared humans harming other humans.
His reign was a quiet period, unlike the mighty empire called the continent’s dragon, and it was also an era beloved by many people.
People regarded him as an exemplary ruler, and indeed he was, but now,
with most of the ancient empire’s history unearthed, few remember him.
Only the name of the Fearless Bijou and his scorched tattoo remain passed down.
He was undoubtedly a fearful emperor.
Yet being the most courageous emperor, his talent overflowed beyond control.
Together with his close friend and half-brother, later known as War and Knowledge, he sought the world’s hidden side.
War and Knowledge, though terrified by the knowledge and unknowingly closing his eyes,
Bijou had courage.
Courage enough to tread paths from which there would be no return.
Courage and integrity enough to overcome greater fears for what he feared.
Thus, he did not close his eyes.
In doing so, he saw everything.
And Bijou forgot fear.
The emperor devoid of fear was born.
Bijou swiftly slaughtered all his kin.
From newborns to the elderly on their deathbeds.
All royalty perished by his hand, and War and Knowledge ended the slaughter by severing his neck.
Bijou died and became the Fearless Bijou, the Unconquered Bijou.
Erased from history but known to War and Knowledge,
he was the high priest of the Dark Ram.
Krrrrrr!
Starting from where the tomb lay, the mountain collapsed.
Without warning, the mountain range crumbled.
Bifold, the glorious city of the empire, was buried under debris and perished.
The trail of collapsing mountains advanced unchecked, destroying the outer walls of Behist.
Countless lives were buried under the debris.
Soldiers rushing to block the debris were shattered instantly into blood and pieces.
The fallen city, once known as Bifold, the magical city of the empire, was desiccated, and the twisted city appeared upside down as if flipped.
All of this was caused by one individual.
A body imprisoned by the gods themselves.
The sovereign who beheld the omnipotence of the creator of the world, the emperor blackened and twisted by his own sight.
He certainly wielded power surpassing the laws of nature.
The fragile world trembled in fear of his strength.
The mountain quaked, and the man, akin to the heart of the mountain, rolled his eyes.
The darkly twisted emperor’s gaze pursued the traces of his half-brother, close friend, and betrayer, War and Knowledge.
It was to the south.
He desired vengeance.
