The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage-Chapter 311
2.
As the scenario began, just like with the previous book, the events that had taken place in the meantime started flowing in.
What happened after Will fled the village.
After that, whether it was because of the good impression Seong and Babaros had left on him, or simply because he had nothing better to do, Will chose the path of a mercenary.
At first, people laughed at the idea of a boy becoming a mercenary.
But once he revealed disguised black magic, they had no choice but to treat him as a mage.
Even though it was black magic, many of the spells looked like ordinary magic.
It had been written in the book Helena had given him.
"If only I had learned these spells earlier..."
Regret surged up within him.
If he had learned this magic first—would things have turned out differently?
Though learning necromancy first had led to everything that happened...
That regret only lasted a moment.
In the end, if the villagers had discovered it was black magic, things would’ve gone the same anyway—and who knows how long it could’ve stayed hidden?
It was unfortunate, yes, but what could he do?
He had to survive. So Will lived on, strong and steadfast.
How much time had passed after that?
By the time he had shed his boyishness and fully become a young man, news reached Will’s ears.
“There’s a demon subjugation happening, I heard.”
“A demon subjugation?”
“Huh? You haven’t even heard of that?”
“What? Tell me quick!”
Mercenaries were chatting amongst themselves.
Will, too, focused on the story.
“I heard a den of demons was found in a nearby territory. They’ve organized a large-scale subjugation force to wipe them out.”
“Haah! Sounds like a great chance to make some money!”
“But here’s the suspicious part—they say black mages are participating too!”
“What?! Traitors to the demons?!”
“I don’t know about that, but apparently, they’re leading the charge.”
Upon hearing that, Will clenched his fist.
Demons. And black mages leading the subjugation against them?
That instantly brought Helena to mind.
His master, who had taught him that demons and black magic were different.
So Will stepped forward and asked the mercenaries.
“Where is that territory?”
“Oh? Thinking of heading there yourself?”
“Young people, I swear!”
Though they joked, the mercenaries told him right away—after demanding a referral fee.
Will handed it over without hesitation.
That sort of thing was standard practice in the mercenary world.
And so, Will set off for the territory where the subjugation force was gathering.
To take revenge on the demons who had warped the image of black mages—though even calling it revenge felt like a stretch.
“I’m just going there to blow off some steam.”
With those words, Will departed for the subjugation.
The footage ended there, and after watching it all, Seong and Babaros exchanged a brief comment.
“So that’s what he meant by revenge—he was talking about the demons.”
“Looks like it.”
“Will really is too kind for his own good.”
Seong agreed with a nod.
They still didn’t know where exactly the territory with the subjugation force was located, but he felt a strange unease.
“A territory in the Kingdom of Rieskan, huh.”
“Something bothering you?”
“No,” Seong said, concealing his thoughts in response to Babaros.
The truth was, back when Helena had been alive, this had been the Kingdom of Rieskan.
So there might not be a connection to demons at all.
He shook his head and brushed it off.
Better to focus on the subjugation for now.
With that mindset, he said so aloud, and Babaros nodded in agreement.
After all, aside from books, Babaros had no particular interest in other things.
He wasn’t curious. If it was going to be revealed later in the story anyway, he’d find out then.
Once they made up their minds to proceed, the scenery around them suddenly shifted.
They were now gathered in a massive plaza where the subjugation force was assembled.
“There are more people than I expected.”
“Seriously.”
They were a bit taken aback ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) at the sheer number of people.
This many gathered for a subjugation mission?
Judging by the badges in everyone’s hands, they were indeed part of the subjugation force.
Looking around, Seong didn’t spot any familiar faces.
Not Will, nor anyone from the past.
He simply accepted it and turned his attention to the front of the plaza, where a stage-like platform had been erected.
“Oh, someone’s stepping up.”
“Must be the representative of the Kingdom of Rieskan’s knights who’s in charge of this subjugation.”
“I heard even black mages are participating. What’s that about?”
“Hmm... Aren’t they the ones supposedly connected to demons?”
At that comment, a few people flinched visibly.
Seong, watching, smirked.
They were clearly black mages.
Unfortunately, Babaros didn’t seem to notice those who flinched.
Apparently, quite a few people still lived in hiding during this era.
I suppose they must really resent demons.
With all the rumors linking them to demons, the news of black mages hunting demons might help change perceptions.
So yes, this demon subjugation really could be seen as revenge.
With that thought, Seong turned to look at the knight on stage, who began what seemed to be a formal departure ceremony.
“I am Cairo, captain of the Sol Knights of the great Kingdom of Rieskan! I stand here to lead this subjugation force!”
After that came the usual speech.
Encouragements to be brave, to rely on each other, to march with courage—the kind of stuff everyone had heard a thousand times.
Even Babaros, who usually loved these speeches, looked a bit bored.
But when the topic turned to the demons, Babaros’s eyes lit up.
To summarize:
There was a mine about two days’ journey from here.
Apparently, demons had taken root there.
For some reason, they had embedded their hearts in the mine and were plotting something.
This information came from the black mages, and now, the subjugation force was working with them.
Seong nodded as he listened.
So the black mages were the informants.
Detecting demonic energy when it’s deliberately concealed is no easy task.
By chance, the black mages must have noticed and ed it.
Which meant they were now part of the subjugation force.
Still, the fact that this was under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Rieskan...
Made it a bit suspicious.
After all, even in the present era, the Kingdom of Rieskan had been the ones who used underhanded means to kill Helena.
They’d colluded with the other magic towers—Despicable bastards.
He couldn’t afford to lower his guard.
Once the ceremony ended, everyone began preparing for departure.
The total force numbered in the hundreds—more than 700, according to the official count.
“There really are a lot of people.”
While not quite a thousand, each and every one of them was considered elite.
No one seemed worried.
But since having everyone move together would be inefficient, they divided the force into teams of about 50.
In total, 15 teams.
Seong and Babaros were assigned to Team 3.
Judging by the external display of skill, they’d been placed in a relatively high-ranking team.
While moving with Team 3—
“...Huh?”
They heard a voice from behind.
Naturally, both Seong and Babaros turned their heads at once.
There, just as expected, was a familiar face.
Will, now more young man than boy, stood before them.
Seong and Babaros greeted him with a smile.
Just like last time, they responded with the same warmth.
“It’s been a while.”
“How have you been?”
At their words, Will approached with a choked-up expression, as if to embrace them.
“Hyungs...”
Though only a few hours had passed for Seong and Babaros, several years had gone by for Will.
His emotions were clear and raw.
They patted his back and spoke gently.
“Looks like you’ve been through a lot.”
“Seriously.”
“...No. I’ve been well. Thanks to you two.”
Seeing him say that, Seong and Babaros smiled with pride.
It seemed the scenario had set them up to be on the same team.
“Since we’re on the same team, want to stick together?”
“...Can I really? I...”
Will hesitated, some wounds still lingering.
Seeing this, Seong smirked, and raised his hand, summoning a flicker of darkness.
Will’s eyes widened to lantern size, and he swallowed hard.
What Seong showed was pure dark mana.
He had never revealed his black magic directly before.
To Will, this was the first time.
Seeing Will stunned, Seong asked,
“So? Still okay to travel together?”
“...Of course.”
Choked with emotion, Will replied, and Seong nodded.
Thus, the three began moving together.
Time skipped intermittently.
Watching this, Seong and Babaros both breathed a slight sigh of relief.
“Guess it won’t last more than a few days.”
“Looks that way. Two at most.”
Babaros replied, and Seong agreed.
While the time skips were convenient, Seong carefully kept an eye out during the scenes playing in real time.
In case he missed something important.
Then, they heard a curious conversation.
“Hey, you know why the demons are holed up in that mine?”
“Hm? You know the reason?”
Interested, Seong carefully approached, With Will and Babaros following curiously.
They were taking a break from marching, so they listened from within a makeshift tent.
Voices from outside carried in clearly.
“You heard about the Demon King that Hero Hindel’s chasing, right?”
“Oh! The one with red hair? That witch?”
“Yeah yeah, I don’t know her name, but apparently she’s the one behind all this.”
“What?! So that’s how the title Demon King came to be?!”
At that, Will trembled slightly.
As if he already knew it was Helena.
But he endured, for now, and Seong kept listening as well.
“I heard Hindel was nearly part of this subjugation force too.”
“Really? Then where is he now?”
“A few days ago, I heard the Demon King tore an entire mountain off and vanished. So Hindel went to chase after that. Said he’d meet with our Kingdom of Rieskan’s prince and current Sword Saint, Gjordren.”
“Oho?! Sounds like our kingdom’s in luck.”
At that, Seong tilted his head in confusion.
The bit about tearing off a mountain referred to the Despair’s Gorge incident.
And the part about visiting the Kingdom of Rieskan to rescue a knight—
He had heard that directly from Hindel during the past experience.
But something was off.
Rumors are spreading that Helena summoned demons from here...?
Chapter 311
Comments