21st Century Archmage

“Your Majesty, it is my humble belief that our empire must also dispatch troops in order to interrupt Altakas’ unreasonable ambition.”

“Do you think so as well?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Altakas is aiming for the Central Continent right now, but he will never forget his past grudge. If the Central Continent falls, his next target will be our empire.”

Inside the Imperial Palace of the Ice Empire, Haildrian, the white-haired Tsarina Anastasia was conversing with a 7th Circle mage and a duke of the Empire, Aquilion.

“I know that as well. The violent Altakas would never spare Haildrian.”

“We must send our Skyknights to Nerman at once. According to word from the Kesmire Kingdom, the Lord of Nerman, Kyre, is requesting help. I believe he will soon go up against Altakas in a fight that will decide the fate of the continent.”

“Yes, of course we must send troops. Kyre is not only the hero of Kallian, but the husband-to-be I have chosen for Tiavel. He cannot be left to die.”

Sending troops was already an established fact between the two of them. However, it was not an easy decision to make. If not for Altakas, they would have never even thought of sending troops to the Central Continent. The Ice Empire had always wanted to live quietly in their own world, but they could do so no longer. For the first time since the Empire’s founding, it was decided that an intercontinental expedition would be dispatched.

“Handle things according to your discretion. Inform the Kesmire Kingdom and prepare additional transport carriers as needed. And prepare at least 300 Haildrian Skyknights of excellent skill.”

“By thy imperial will.”

Ruling the Empire as a tsarina was not easy. But the blood of the imperial family was not ordinary blood. Through their veins flowed a strength that did not find them lacking to rule a massive empire.

And so, the Tsarina decided on dispatching Haildrian troops, determined to completely obliterate the curse of Altakas once and for all…

* * *

“He disappeared?”

“Yes. Currently in Nerman, the mage assumed to be Aidal and the territory knights are preparing for battle.”

“Kukuku. Sending me a challenge and then disappearing… I don’t know what little game he’s playing, but it’s futile.”

Even Altakas had to admit that the Lord of Nerman was a bag of clever tricks. When he was still acting as the Emperor of Laviter, he nearly dropped his act at Kyre’s vicious provocation. But the patience he cultivated for over 200 years held him down, and he was able to proceed according to his perfect plan to the present day.

“Oh Master of Darkness, we await thy command. A legion of 1,000,000 monsters, 100,000 Hell Soldiers, 10,000 Death Knights, and 1,500 Death Wyverns and Skyknights has been prepared. On top of that, we have a battalion of 500 black mages and 10 half-liches of the 7th Circle standing at the ready. With thy command, we could turn Nerman into a sea of fire as soon as today.”

The Tower Master of the Shining Magic Tower, Galuiace, advised Altakas with a passionate voice. Hundreds of demon beasts living in the Kovilan Mountains were intoxicated by darkness mana and joined their ranks, and the demon beasts were moving the motley of monsters living in the mountains towards Nerman, accompanied by the hundred black mages who were controlling the beasts.

“Not yet. According to the report coming from the black information merchants, the continent’s kingdoms, temples, and magic tower mages are gathering in Nerman.”

“They are merely worthless low-level forces anyway.”

“I know. That is why this is an opportunity. There is no need to go around to each one to annihilate them. Once Nerman falls, the Kallian Continent will essentially be in my hands. Kuhahahahaha!”

Altakas even felt gratitude to the man who provoked him, Kyre. The grand dream that was born when he first learned black magic was finally coming to fruition—continental conquest and eternal rule. The moment the Kallian Continent was in his hands, Altakas planned on turning himself into a lich. A lich violated God’s laws, but he would obtain an immortal body that could live forever.

And then, he would challenge it. The path of a great 9th Circle spellcaster capable of fighting a dragon.

“Did you find the relic of Tarkania I mentioned?”

“About that… we are inquiring through all possible avenues. The black information merchants are looking into it, so there should be news about it soon.”

“He is a legendary figure in the black magic world. We must find his relic in order to complete our eternal empire of darkness.”

“I shall complete the task with my life.”

The legendary 9th Circle black mage Tarkania from thousands of years ago was someone even the 8th Circle black magic swordsman Altakas would have to bow to. They had been asking around all this time, but hadn’t been able to find any traces of him yet.

“All soldiers of the Dark Empire, I command you to advance on Nerman’s fort.”

Only ten days were left until the time he and Kyre agreed on. Altakas gave the order to advance.

“By thy command of darkness!” shouted Galuaice and the Imperial Death Knights.

“Huhuhu, huhuhuhuhuhu…”

Altakas’ low laugh echoed through the palace like a prelude of the Continent’s destruction.

* * *

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Tilting back my head, I vented the heat raging inside my chest.

“Nngh…”

Groaning, I fell to my knees. I had immersed myself in reading the 9th Circle magic books imbued with the presence of the Gold Dragon Tarkania, blocking out everything but the words within. I completed the gaps in magic theory I had overlooked or skipped over, trying to patch any inadequacies and falling deeply into the river of thought.

And yet, there was no answer. Knowing the magic knowledge of the ancient magic era did not change the 8th Circle wall.

‘Is this how it ends…?’

Nerman had my Master, but having clashed with Altakas before, I knew he was stronger than Master. Black magic had more destructive power than white magic to begin with, and Altakas was a magic swordsman. On top of that, he had researched magic for many more years than Master. If they fought one on one, Master would definitely be defeated.

‘We’re lacking high ranking forces. They’ll have at least ten half-liches.’

Counting up the Tower Master of the Laviter Empire’s Imperial Tower, the missing Tower Masters, and the Vice-masters of at least the 7th Circle, at least ten 7th Circle half-liches were waiting for Altakas’ command.

That wasn’t all. Regular wyverns and Skyknights were no match for the Death Wyverns and Death Skyknights. They were already dead, so most attacks could not destroy them. There would be at least 1,000 of such monsters. Unless all of the kingdoms on the Continent helped us, Nerman’s knights would be annihilated.

‘And what am I supposed to do about the black mages, the demon beast they’re controlling, and the monsters under them?’

Altakas was definitely planning on toppling Nerman with a single strike. That was why I pushed him into giving us time. But I had nothing to show for it.

‘I have to go back now. I can’t stay here any longer.’

I felt that with a little more time, I could break the wall of the 8th Circle. But unfortunately, it didn’t look like the gods were on my side.

“Haaaah…”

After screaming out my frustrations, the unbearable heat in my heart had dissipated. With a long sigh, I turned my head.

“…!!”

At that moment, I saw a certain object. I had found the library too stuffy, so I had been reading the tomes in the central hall. But when I turned around, I finally saw it.

“Th-The Staff of Despair…”

It was standing exactly where Lokoroïa had inserted it on the altar.

Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I saw it. The Staff of Despair was faintly streaming out pure yin-attribute mana, as if to reproach me for not having noticed it in my fervent rush to bury myself in the 9th Circle magic tomes.

‘Could it be?!’

The Dragon Tarkania’s advice flashed through my mind, his words about how those who were faithful to their true human emotions and were unbiased in how they viewed mana could reach the 9th Circle.

CRASH!

I suddenly heard the resounding crash of something being destroyed within my head. And then, I recalled a certain scene. Even before Lokoroïa achieved enlightenment, she used the Staff of Despair. Someone who had just obtained mana was able to use 9th Circle magic, and without any restrictions.

‘Mana does not discriminate. It is only humans who differentiate and discriminate mana.’

Tarkania’s words slowly unraveled their mysteries. And then, I understood what Master meant about having a passionate yearning for magic.

I slowly walked towards the Staff of Despair. I had already touched it once, and it was what had mixed yin-attribute mana into my 3 cores.

‘I was the problem. I made that wall myself and was unable to break it myself. The wall of the 8th Circle… was a limit I made.’

When I thought that, my mind cleared up, like I was eating peppermint candy.

‘I am an 8th Circle mage. I was in the past, and I am now, and I will be in the future. The circle restriction is absolutely meaningless to me.’

Clack!

My hand grasped the cold Staff of Despair.

‘Ngh!’

The acidic taste of yin-attribute mana ran up my hand like lightning.

Flaaaaash!

The crystal ball that was most definitely a special-grade magic crystal began to slowly glow with a wholly black and pure light.

My heart thumped wildly.

Whirr, whirr, whirrrr.

Without my urging, my mana core stirred on its own and began to activate. And the mana within me began to assimilate with the Staff of Despair in my hand.

‘Aghhhh…’

Waves of pain that were electrifying but threatened to tear my body to pieces swept through me. The moment I myself acknowledged that I was an 8th Circle mage, the mana within the Staff of Despair ran up my hand and expanded my mana core.

‘Altakas, wait for me! I’m coming! The great 21st Century Archmage Kang Hyuk will send you to hell!’

Even during my sudden ascension to the 8th Circle, even despite the intense agony, I did not forget my resentment.

The moment I left this place, the 8th Circle black magic swordsman Altakas was a dead man.

* * *

Reaper Scans

* * *

“I apologize for having to call you like this.”

“No, no. When else should we come out if not at a time like this, when black mages and the energy of darkness is corrupting the world? Thank you for calling us, Your Highness.”

“I am abashed to hear that.”

Crown Prince Ryker, appointed by the Emperor as the provisional Commander for the upcoming war with the Dark Empire, greeted three mages who appeared on the teleport array located under the Opern Imperial Palace. Although he was the Crown Prince who would become the next emperor, Ryker humbled himself to the three old men. He treated the old mages wearing simple gray robes and looking to be in their 70s with extreme respect.

The reason he did so was because the men in front of him were mages of the Golden Magic Tower, the group called the ‘Living Guardian Gods’ of the Kallian magic world. The tower, which was entirely composed of 7th Circle mages, was secretly supported by the Opern Empire. The fact that the Golden Magic Tower was built on one of the countless islands of the Empire was a secret passed down only to the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

“Did you say that the black mage is an 8th Circle Magic Swordsman?”

“Yes. Shockingly, it has been confirmed that he is an 8th Circle Black Magic Swordsman.”

“Oh… by the gods… So the Crown Prince’s letter was really true.”

“My…”

Ryker had sent an emergency letter to Golden Magic Tower, but they had only half believed it. After confirming that the contents were true, the mages groaned.

“That is not all. There is something that the esteemed mages of the Golden Magic Tower must know.” said Ryker, wearing a troubled expression.

“There is yet another issue?”

“…Archmage Aidal has returned.”

“Wh-What did you say?”

The Golden Magic Tower mages were more shocked upon hearing the name Aidal than when they heard about the 8th Circle Black Magic Swordsman.

The Golden-Eyed Reaper Aidal, the notoriously crazy mage that they had personally eliminated—as all the kingdoms and mages of the Continent wished—was back?

The faces of the Golden Tower mages turned a sickly green.

“He is staying in Nerman at the moment. We must go there soon, so I ask that you mentally prepare yourselves.”

“…”

The mages glanced at each other, their faces uncomfortably stiff. The constituents of the Golden Tower were known as great mages who withdrew from society to advance their magic studies, but even they had someone they feared. And that person was the Golden-Eyed Reaper Aidal, a man you could neither communicate with nor understand.

They couldn’t say it in front of the Crown Prince, but they were thinking that they shouldn’t have left the Tower. They hadn’t been able to reach the 8th Circle yet. By sticking their necks out, it was possible they could be reduced to smoldering lumps by Aidal’s favorite spell: Fireball.

* * *

“About 500 wyverns have appeared from the direction of the Rual Mountains!”

“We’ve just received a report that 1,100 wyverns dispatched by the Kingdom Coalition have arrived at the border fort.”

“About 700 wyverns are standing by on the Kesmire Kingdom transport carriers, awaiting further instructions.”

“400 Paladin Skyknights dispatched by the temples and 300 priests have just crossed the borders.”

“About 1,000 mages from the magic towers are waiting outside the city, requesting to meet Archmage Aidal.”

“Carriages loaded with various military goods and supplies for the refugees sent by each of the merchant groups are coming via Nerman Road.”

In the office that lacked Lord Kyre’s presence, the Executive Administrator Derval fell into a shocked daze as he heard the reports of his subordinate administrators. As soon as his liege departed, envoys arrived from each of the kingdoms, relaying the news that a Kingdom Coalition was formed in order to overthrow the Dark Empire and that 1,100 Skyknights would be dispatched to Nerman.

That wasn’t all. The Emperor of Bajran also sent a letter saying that 500 Skyknights had left for Nerman, and paladins and priests from each of the temples were arriving at Nerman one by one.

‘I truly cannot help but admire you, my liege!’

Derval’s chest heated up at the thought of his lord. Who else in the world could gather such a massive united army? Other than the Dark Empire, the entirety of the Central Continent—and even the Ice Empire, Haildrian—was rallying under Lord Kyre’s banner.

“The forces of the Dark Empire are said to have just breached the Havis Kingdom’s borders. Seeing as they are keeping pace with the ground units, I believe they will reach the entrance of the border fort around tomorrow.”

The Dark Empire’s forces had been waiting at the foot of the Kovilan Mountains. Reports that they were on the move were swiftly coming in from the patrolling Skyknights.

“Issue a maximum alert to all soldiers. Tell them to be prepared for a surprise attack from today onwards.”

“Understood, Executive Administrator.”

With the lord away from his seat, Derval was assuming command. He issued the order without hesitation.

‘My liege, when are you coming back? The forces of the Dark Empire are finally on the move.’

He gave the order, but he was uneasy. His liege was like the guardian god protecting Nerman like an infallible fortress, and Derval felt his absence especially keenly today.

‘Our liege will definitely return. Until then, we must protect Nerman.’

Clenching his fists, Derval steeled his resolve. He did not doubt that his liege would overcome this crisis, like all of the others. Because to Derval, his liege was mightier than a god.

“All administrators, do your utmost in receiving the guests.”

“As you command!”

The people who had come to Nerman were both reinforcements and guests. As someone who would rather die than to bring shame to his liege, Derval would never forget his courtesy towards the guests.

* * *

Krrrrrrr. Kukiiiiiiiii.

“By the gods…”

The special squad dispatched from Nerman to keep a watchful eye on the Kovilan Mountains was entirely formed of knights who could use Aura Blade and were also endowed with impressive stamina. Nestled in one of their secret observation posts, they watched the unbelievable sight unfolding before them from a gap in the boulders high above the monsters’ reach.

“J-Just what in the world are those numbers?!”

“It’s insane…”

They had been in the Kovilan Mountains for several months already, but they had never seen a large gathering of monsters until now. Thousands upon thousands of monsters were moving in orderly rows down the valley. Not only were there orcs armed with spears and bows that fell far short of human make and gnolls that weren’t all too common in the Kovilan Mountains, but there was a wide variety of other monsters, including wolf monsters called grucas, ogres, trolls, and even demon beasts leading the horde.

“L-Look over there.”

Their hideout was equipped with Silence magic and could not be discovered unless you came closer. Because of that, special scouts were freely speaking with each other as they observed the monsters.

“B-Black mages.”

They spotted black mages flying over the monsters using Fly.

“They’re definitely from the Dark Empire.”

“Fucking bastards…”

Their appearances were in line with the information the scouts had received from Nerman. One of the knights poured mana into his communication crystal.

“This is Nest #15. We have just caught sight of countless monsters, demon beasts, and black mages on the move. In about one day, they will reach the territory. Mother Nest should prepare.”

After quietly relaying the information into the communicator, the special scouts glared at the monsters that were still streaming down the mountain without end, the enemies aiming for the bountiful Nerman that was achieved through their sweat and blood as well as the grace of their lord. There wasn’t a man among them who didn’t want to rush out there and tear the monsters to pieces.

However, they could only clench their fists and suppress their anger. Because the only command given to them was recon.

* * *

“You’re coming with me?”

“Of course. Our Great Guardian Warrior is going, so of course we must follow.”

“Please take us with you! Great Guardian Warrior!”

“Please take us with you!”

The 700 warriors gathered in front of the Temple of the Temir wholeheartedly asked to come with me.

‘I will not refuse. This time, I will make you into proud members of the Continent.’

I gazed at the warriors who were willing to spill their blood for me. At one point, they were enemies of Nerman and the people of the Kallian Continent, but not anymore. The long years of enmity perpetuated by misunderstandings were over. Now, it was time for them to proudly step out into the world.

‘Haah… This is nice.’

I breathed in big lungfuls of the mana in the air. Nerman was still on the coattails of summer, but the mountains had already become clothed in autumn’s colors. Winter was already on the horizon. When my thoughts turned to the bountiful fields of Nerman, a part of my chest warmed with pride.

‘Huhu. Altakas, I’m sure you had a nice time while I was away. I will show you very clearly that your days of happiness are now over, and only misery awaits you.’

I ascended to the 8th Circle. With the help of the Staff of Despair, I was able to easily expand my mana core. The bright sky that greeted me when I finally left the temple was congratulating my ascension to the 8th Circle.

‘Tch, gotta say, it’s a shame.’

I tried aiming for the 9th Circle while I was on a roll, but I failed. There was definitely some other enlightenment I would need to find for the 9th Circle. It wasn’t a realm I could reach by erasing the barrier in my heart.

But that was fine. The fact that there was still a peak to climb was a seed of hope for tomorrow.

“Well then, shall we set off?”

“I’m all ready to go.”

The tomboyish Lokoroïa gave me a burning gaze, her white teeth sparkling.

“Follow me, Warriors of the Temir!” I shouted, raising my hand sky high.

“YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!”

“BEBETO!!!!”

KUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

My lifelong companion Bebeto descended from the skies, responding to my voice with an ear-splitting roar that echoed from mountain to mountain.

—-

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