Chapter "577"


A relief team from the Bretus Holy Nation entered Leathervelk.


After the initial vanguard of 300, the number of holy knights, priests, and the Holy Nation relief corps that entered Leathervelk was 2,000.


A large-scale unit of 2,300 people dispersed throughout Leathervelk and began relief efforts.


Originally, Priestess Lamia had agreed not to interfere with the imperial authority at all, but First Princess Eileen accepted the opinion that they would still provide relief.


Considering the size of the city with a total population of over hundreds of thousands, 2,300 people might seem like a small number at first glance.


However, Leathervelk, which had been experiencing violence everywhere, began to recover stability surprisingly quickly.


The reassurance provided by just one priest was more effective than ten guards in alleviating citizens' anxiety.


"The power of religion is truly frightening."


A guard spat on the ground after seeing streets that had been plagued with incidents become as quiet as if doused with cold water.

"Some of us run around everywhere working like dogs with no effect, but when a mere priest comes and says a few kind words, everything calms down. Does that make any sense?"

"It can't be helped. We're not exactly the type to persuade people with nice words, nor do we use holy powers like those people."


"We're also making considerable efforts to protect the city."


As the guard was grumbling, a priest who had just finished relief work came out and their eyes met.


The priest bowed his head slightly and then made way, as if his business was finished.


The guards exchanged glances, surprised by this behavior.


"He's really leaving without doing anything else? Don't they usually proselytize here?"


"According to reports from the higher-ups, the Lumensis Order people are currently moving only for relief purposes."


"I heard that too, but initially I thought it was just a lie. Would a sparrow just pass by a mill?"


"But seeing them leave like this, it might be true. They seem to be more sensible people than we thought."


The wariness toward the Lumensis Order dissolved like sugar in water in the face of their sincere actions.


Of course, First Princess Eileen was receiving all the reports about the situation.


"The city is quickly regaining stability."


"The order members kept their promise, providing only relief and then withdrawing."

'Besides that, I wonder what Commander Luther and Grand Magician Clinton are doing and where they are.'


"This is unexpected."


Luther Wardot gazed at the place where he had arrived with disbelief.


A large cathedral established in the Grand Chapel of Leathervelk.


It was the Leathervelk diocese of the Lumensis Order.


"I didn't know you were such a devout believer."


Of course, Luther had not come here of his own will.


The one who brought him was Clinton Rothschild, the man who had achieved the highest level in magic, not just in the empire but among all humanity.


"Ha ha. Do I look like someone who believes in God to you?"


"Aren't you?"


"I've never questioned the existence of God. But God is God, and I am me. Have you forgotten that what I seek is solely the exploration of magic?"


"What connection does that exploration of magic have with this place?"


"Ah, I'll explain that," interrupted a third voice.


Luther and Clinton turned to look at the man approaching them.


Luther frowned upon seeing the middle-aged man with a sly smile.


"Cardinal, what brings you here?"


"Haha. You know about me?"


"You brought such a large number to this city, how could I not know?"


"I'm honored that the Empire's finest sword remembers me, I don't know where to put myself."


"Save the flattery."


Luther snorted.


"I'd like to hear the explanation first. Also, why was I called here separately."


"Yes. Of course. Don't worry. Once you hear the whole story, Commander Luther, you'll be fully convinced."


Patricio said this and led the way to guide the two men personally.


While walking through the corridor after entering the cathedral, Patricio spoke.


"Commander Luther, do you know about the hierarchy of magicians?"


"I know enough."


"I'm sure you do. Then you must also know how high your friend Clinton's level is."


"Friend, what friend? We're just acquaintances. Still, I've never seen a magician more excellent than this old man, so it's not wrong."


As Luther said this, the face of one man came to mind, Rudger Chelici.


His pure magical level might be below Clinton's, but what about the level of utilizing that magic?


Such idle thoughts were scattered by Patricio's following explanation.


"7th tier magician. Clinton has achieved a unique level among humans."


"Why is that suddenly being brought up?"


"But what if there was a next level?"


At the mention of a next level, Luther momentarily halted his steps.


The moment was brief, but it couldn't hide the fact that Luther was quite surprised.


Luther's gaze fell on Clinton's face, who was walking silently beside him.


"By next level, you mean the 8th tier?"


"Yes. 8th tier [Grander]. A legendary, unknown level that may or may not exist."


"Why are you suddenly talking about this?"


"Would you believe me if I said that level exists, and a being who has achieved that level is still alive?"


Luther's steps didn't stop this time.


From the moment those words were spoken, he had vaguely sensed such a statement was coming.


But knowing it was coming didn't completely diminish the shock.


"You're saying a being of such a level is alive?"


"Yes. And for a very long time."


"...So not human."


In response to Luther’s words, Patricio, who was walking ahead, turned back for the first time and nodded.


"Yes. Even the name of that legendary level was merely derived from her real name. In other words, the 8th tier level is virtually a pronoun referring to herself."


"So."


Luther asked, slightly raising his aura.


"Why is this talk about her suddenly coming up here?"


"That, you'll soon see."


Clinton was the one who answered instead.


Finally, Patricio arrived at a large door.


"Here it is."


As Patricio approached, the door opened by itself.


An immense density of energy wafted from the opened door, the scent of blood, as if it had been aged for at least hundreds of years.


Luther, with his sensitive senses, frowned and instinctively raised his aura but seeing Clinton doing nothing, he naturally calmed his energy.


"You're quite perceptive."


A voice came from beyond the darkness of the door.


Although he had expected the long-lived being called "her" to be some kind of terrible monster, the voice was strangely clear and pure.


Moreover, what was surprising was that what lay beyond the door wasn't darkness at all.


'It was simply that the density of the energy was so high that nothing could be seen.'


When he focused his eyes, the space inside the door finally became visible.


A blonde girl was sitting in a place prepared to welcome guests.


She was small and cute like a doll, making it hard to believe she was the owner of the energy currently being felt.


'It's as if something enormous has curled itself up as much as possible and mimicked a small girl.'


That's how intense Grander's presence was.


Luther felt his fingertips trembling.


His interest and competitive spirit toward the strong had surfaced.


The other side, Grander, also showed interest.


"Oh. The strongest magician among humans and the strongest swordsman among humans. And even one disgusting seed."


"Haha. Disgusting? That's too harsh. We could become good business partners."


"Shut up."


Grander's red pupils turned toward the three people.


"So, can you give me what I want?"


Sharp fangs were revealed between her slightly parted scarlet lips.


"If you've called me here, you should have an appropriate answer."


"Come in."


Rudger entered Gabriel's hideout.


The room, which hadn't been cleaned for a long time, was full of all kinds of books, bundles of paper, and dust.


Despite being quite spacious, there was hardly any room to step, and Rudger glared at Gabriel in disbelief.


"Don't you ever clean up?"


"No. It's bothersome. It's enough if I can just lie down and sleep anyway."


Gabriel answered while scratching his messy hair.


"Here, sit down. I'll at least try to accommodate you as a guest."


"The fact that you're asking me to sit in a place like this already means your hospitality is out the window."


Rudger's expression turned cold at the sight of the messy room that hadn't been cleaned for a long time.


It was truly a space where a shut-in would live.


For Rudger, who was neat and tidy, it was an unbearable space.


-Rustle.


Aether Nocturnus, carrying Rene in his arms, carefully found a place in the corner of the room after reading the situation.


Gabriel, who was sipping freshly brewed hot coffee, examined the deeply sleeping Rene.


And being so focused on that, he tilted the coffee cup too much.


"Ah! Hot!"


"Drink slowly. No one's going to steal it from you."


"...Sip. Phew. Well, let's hear the story first. Why are you here, and how did Rene end up like that?"


Just as Rudger couldn't understand Gabriel, Gabriel also couldn't understand Rudger.


Rudger explained to Gabriel what had happened.


After hearing the whole story, Gabriel's expression changed moment by moment, and finally, he sighed.


"...I really don't know what to say. What is this dream demon, and Rene realized all her sealed memories there?"


"Not all. Just fragmentary memories. However, one of those memories..."


"Was your memory of killing my sister, right?"


At Gabriel's sharp point, Rudger didn't answer.


Gabriel started to say something but shook his head.


"No, I'm sorry. You had your reasons."


"It's fine. The fact that I committed it doesn't change."


"First, we need to resolve this situation. Rene’s magic power is accelerating much faster than originally expected. That means we don't have much time left."


"But there was some progress."


They now knew exactly what Rene’s magic power, previously identified as non-elemental, was.


"Yes, spatial attribute magic."


"What do you think? As a time magician, you must have some expertise in space as well."


"Ha. Me? I'm only half a time magician. Even with time, there are clear limitations."


Time magic had too many constraints.


It was more specialized for avoiding fights rather than fighting someone.


Even if one stops time while trapped in a room, there's no way to escape the room.


That's why Gabriel never thought his magic was truly impressive.


It wasn't like that at first.


How ecstatic was he when learning magic from his master.


But as he learned and used magic, witnessing its limitations and becoming rigid in thinking.


He realized painfully how incomplete the magic he learned was.


"To master this magic, I had to give up everything about other attribute magics."


The characteristic of time magic is that it makes the user focus solely on the [time attribute].


It makes even talent for other magics pour into mastering time attribute magic, causing one side of the hexagon to abnormally protrude.


Gabriel, who could have reached at least 5th tier in various fields originally, could only use 1st tier for all other magics as the price for mastering this time magic.


"What's important is not that. To suppress Rene's magic power, we need a very powerful curse."


"A curse, huh. If it needs to suppress a power that transcends space, ordinary curses won't do."


"That's why we need the power of a black magician."


"Perfect. There are so many on this island you could trip over them."


Gabriel shrugged and added.


"That was until very recently."