Chapter 308
“Childhood. You took a big wound. I want to look closely at it.”
During the time they spent together, it seemed like the doors of Bellad’s heart that had been tightly closed were beginning to open. She wanted to know more about Vargan.
However, even knowing that she had no evil intentions, Vargan scoffed.
“You say I took a big wound? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard so far.”
“I did.”
Bellad asserted.
Her eyes fixed directly on Vargan.
“Your parents are like me. They committed an unforgivable sin. They left an incurable wound on the chest of an innocent child.”
“…….”
“You were different today. Unpleasant memories from your childhood resurfaced, making it hard to control your emotions.”
“…Ha. Not only are you wrapping Buer in your arms, but now you want to act like my parents.”
Vargan frowned.
He stood up, creating some distance between himself and Bellad.
“This is it. I’ll let you go this far, just this far. So don’t keep flapping your gums.”
“Organon. I….”
“I told you to shut up.”
“…….”
“Step aside. I’m more than sufficient to handle the security here on my own.”
Vargan suppressed his anger, his eyes tightening.
Bellad, who had been staring at him without even blinking, nodded to herself and muttered.
“You really hate being poked by others, huh….”
Turning on her heel, Bellad left.
Before parting, she threw out a handful of comforting words for him, who had endured great incidents since early on.
“Children are not at fault. It’s the parents who err.”
“…And you keep chattering until you leave.”
Left alone, Vargan ignored the annoying words of Bellad, who lingered around, and resumed his surveillance.
Before he knew it, the sun had risen considerably.
The vibrant colors of the world hidden beneath the curtain began to spread again.
*
Northwest of the continent.
This land, far from the Capital City of Petran, was a secret place where forces that kept an eye on magicians gathered.
It was a pitifully small country and tribes that banded together, recently receiving substantial help from the monsters and spirits led by the Schugenhartz Family.
Among them, a small nation called ‘Troa’ played a central role for the other small nations and housed the traitor Schugenhartz.
Thanks to that, Schugenhartz was able to avoid the pursuit of the magician and preserve his life.
Hartz managed to successfully evade the magician’s pursuit and saved his life.
And now, the situation will take a new turn, starting from Buer, the only heir of the magician who has just arrived here.
“Buer, I, Schugenhartz, greet you anew.”
Upon arriving at the city’s castle gate, the first to welcome Buer was Schugenhartz.
Here he was, on one knee in the dirt, showing utmost respect to her.
Though she had already been with the magician and witnessed others’ manners, Buer was still not accustomed to receiving such respect directed solely at her.
“…Yes, yes.”
Buer clung closely to Plauros.
As Schugenhartz carefully observed her, he continued his greeting.
“Despite having gone through a great upheaval, I’m glad you arrived safely. You must be exhausted from the long journey, so please, come inside and rest.”
“…….”
“Plauros, you’ve worked hard too. Please take Buer inside.”
“Thank you. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
Servants, looking like attendants, guided Buer and Plauros.
Buer quickly moved her feet before Vargan could catch up, and at the castle gate remained Schugenhartz, Vargan, and several others including Beled.
The first to speak was Schugenhartz.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, you? And Beled too.”
He casually offered his greetings, but as memories of the past surfaced, he wore a helpless smile.
“Do you know how bewildered I was when you suddenly disappeared? How many cold sweats did I break out in because of your escape…?”
His tone seemed to scold Vargan, yet his expression showed joy at reuniting with an old friend.
Considering only a year had passed, the atmosphere had changed considerably.
Vargan scanned the faces around him and smiled.
“It seems like you’re up to something interesting.”
“Oh, have you figured it out already?”
“The mana of those who have just entered is quite noticeable. The colors and powers are completely different, so it’s hard to miss.”
The ones guarding Schugenhartz radiated mana distinct from that of the goddess and her disciples.
The familiar blue mana.
This was the power used by the original people, not Altife’s.
Schugenhartz took the lead in the conversation.
“Anyway, thank you for helping Buer. I was quite surprised when I heard about you and Beled from the contact from the ship, but I figured it could happen with you. You always seem to appear at critical moments.”
“…Always in critical situations, huh.”
Vargan felt a strange dissonance in Schugenhartz’s words.
Before Vargan could say anything else, Schugenhartz pointed towards the castle gate.
“It seems we need to have a longer conversation; how about we head inside? Although I haven’t been here long, I’ve managed to establish myself quite well. I can surely provide a room where we can talk comfortably.”
“That sounds good.”
“It’s settled then. We’ll have a meal and chat.”
*
The place Schugenhartz led them to was his residence.
It was a rather large and well-decorated mansion, though quite rough around the edges, considering the current state of the alliance’s power was at rock bottom, this could be seen as quite out of place.
Moreover, Schugenhartz was still a newcomer to this place.
The entrance of a guest who has not been here for long.
It doesn’t make sense to rent such a huge place to someone like that.
“Surely, you had something prepared from the start.”
As the food was placed on the table, Vargan spoke.
Knowing that Schugenhartz was hiding something during the negotiations with Ultreman, it wasn’t all that surprising.
Schugenhartz smiled bitterly.
“I originally thought I’d quietly prepare this place for when I retire. But… with the Magic Instructor and the other disciples, it seems the use of this place has changed.”
“…I thought you were a simpleton unaware of worldly affairs, but judging by the size of this mansion and the number of servants you hired, that doesn’t seem to be the case?”
“You… if you want to say I’m greedy, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush.”
“Not at all? I don’t particularly think being greedy is bad, but power and wealth are the sources of strength. If you want to accomplish something big, you need to have them. Compared to the scale of what you’re trying to achieve, I’d say you’re still barely scratching the surface.”
“…I always have the feeling that I can see right through you. Well, let’s enjoy the meal for now.”
Vargan and Beled were finally able to enjoy a proper meal after a long time.
When they stayed in the cabin, it was common to just have a quick bite, and there were many days they skipped meals altogether, so properly prepared food, even if not plentiful, was indeed delicious.
“It’s tasty…”
“Beled, have you finally learned to speak naturally?”
“……”
“Oh, my bad. I was so surprised that I ended up talking during the meal. Let’s finish eating before we chat.”
Before long, their plates were cleared.
As Schugenhartz conversed with his former partner, he said, “Ah, I get it. You must be tired, so go ahead and get some good sleep in your room.”
Beled nodded and stood up.
Having used magic continuously lately and pulling all-nighters had made her in need of some proper rest.
After Beled entered the bedroom, only two were left.
Vargan, sipping the tea poured by Schugenhartz, opened his mouth.
“You’ve been calling me ‘you’ since we met. Are you unsure of what to call me?”
“…Haha. You noticed that, huh? I was trying to be as natural as possible.”
“Now that the seating is arranged, I guess it’s okay to be a bit more honest. So, what’s been happening that could cause ‘this phenomenon’?”
“This phenomenon? Specifically, what are you asking about?”
“Don’t play coy. The reason and method for bringing me to this place, ‘distant past.’”
“……”
Sluurp—.
Vargan drank his tea.
After a moment of silence, he continued.
“Schugenhartz, when I came to this past, you had a vague memory of me. Then, after I regressed, you seemed to remember me more clearly and even knew about events from another timeline unrelated to this incident.”
“…”
“Is that all? Aside from Seiman Dungeon, my arrival in this timeline was related to Unique Spells not once, but twice. During the trials, I even played the role of an Assistant to help me learn the Unique Spell.”
“During the trials, I took on the role of an assistant to help you learn the unique spell.”
“…I see. I don’t fully remember, but it rings a bell.”
Shugenharz let out a small laugh, as if he was piecing things together.
He still conveyed that his memory was not quite clear.
Vargan observed his expression and continued speaking.
“Moreover, the phenomenon of regression I am experiencing is eerily similar to my second unique spell. It’s subtle, but this is curse magic… an illusion intricately crafted. It’s a phenomenon that one could never create unless they were deeply immersed in curse magic.”
“……”
“It seems connected to you distributing blue mana to those around you. You didn’t set up this place simply to share the truth with me, did you?”
“I can’t deny it entirely. I intentionally placed those using blue mana as escorts for you to see.”
“Then spill it. What are you calling me here for, and why?”
“……”
Shugenharz hesitated. But soon, he moved the blue shining mana and said.
“Originally, Plauros prohibited showing others, but for you, I can make an exception. No… I must show and tell you, as you said. That’s why I called you.”
Particles of blue light began to gather at Shugenharz’s will.
As those clusters of light gathered, they shaped into a large book that appeared above the table.
“What is this…?”
Vargan narrowed his eyes at the mysterious book.
Shugenharz also raised his head to gaze at the book. It emanated an aura that seemed almost sacred.
“I don’t know what to call this, but borrowing a term from the world, you might call it a ‘scripture.’ It possesses the same level of power as what a magic instructor carries around.”
“A scripture… equivalent to that purplish-covered book….”
“Vargan, I have never lied to you. Not recognizing you was not an act; it was genuine.”
“I know that. You have a tendency to show it on your face if you lie.”
“Then I’m relieved. So, can you listen to what I’m about to say without misunderstanding it?”
Shugenharz addressed Vargan by his real name, which had never been revealed in any timeline of Vargan’s memory.
‘At the time of the first regression, Shugenharz possessed more information than before. If the structure was built to repeat, then after two more regressions, even more information must have filled his mind.’
Shugenharz was the only one in this world who recognized regression and could perceive different timelines.
He was undoubtedly the key to solving all answers.
Shugenharz raised his brows seriously and said in a grave tone.
“I will tell you everything I know. So, Vargan, once the story is over, can you grant me a small favor?”
“……”
“There’s no one else I can ask for help besides you who reached this place.”
