45 – The Size of the Soul
Lucion couldn’t answer right away.
If Darahan doesn’t give permission, the expedition won’t be formed.
“Perhaps it’s an opportunity?”
It was a difficult time when they were in trouble because of the demons.
If explained well, it might be possible to make Darahan an ally.
“I just wanted to explore the unknown ruins. There are still many undiscovered archaeological sites.”
As Darahan, he couldn’t help but be skeptical. He had failed in almost every archaeological site.
Even if he made groundbreaking discoveries, he couldn’t obtain anything beyond cultural artifacts. Occasionally, he discovered forgotten ancient magic. It was no more or less than an antique. Darahan’s magical abilities already far surpassed the level of ancient magic that could be found in ruins.
“As you say, there are still many things piled up in the unknown. Not only ruins, but also things like the Emerald Tablet and underwater cities. However, I don’t think there is such great value hidden enough to form an expedition.”
Lucion also acknowledged this part. He nodded slowly.
“That may be true.”
But it wasn’t just for adventure.
“At first, it was with a light heart…”
The purpose has changed.
As much as progress for ascension, crisis management is necessary.
“Today, I realized it clearly. We know too little.”
Strength tightens in the hands.
All of Lucion’s goals boil down to the survival of Lucia. It heads towards gifting a happy life. A happy life might be an unknown present. However, in a situation where a catastrophic future is certain, present happiness is like a fleeting cloud.
“At first, I wanted to enjoy the adventure.”
Adventurers are tribes who enjoy journeys and the stories born within. They share their tales and sing the beauty of living.
The crisis of death makes life shine even more.
Hence, they often embark on journeys risking their lives.
Ordinary people don’t understand. One life. In a life that ends with death, why seek danger.
Adventurers often say:
– Isn’t it too sad to die without any stories in the one life you live?
Those who live a passionate life.
Not in the past or the future. Adventurers are those who live enjoying the present.
However, Lucion’s adventure had a different meaning.
“I’m not aiming for treasure. I don’t wish to become wealthy, nor do I want to indulge in wandering and pleasure. I just want to uncover the unknown and seek safety from potential threats.”
Exploration.
Not for the sake of ‘enjoying’ life.
It was an adventure to ‘live’ life.
In a life where destruction is certain, finding joy is not an easy task.
Outside the mansion, it was quite tumultuous.
The commotion only grew louder.
Lucion tightly closed his eyes and spoke as he opened them.
“While many people were dying, we didn’t realize.”
Darahan lowered his head slightly.
If you were to ask who the top expert in the Panaichia region was, anyone would say it’s Darahan. However, amidst almost a thousand people being devoured by demons, he hadn’t even noticed.
“Vyne, bearing the responsibility.”
Most of the time spent at the Matop, Darahan couldn’t afford the luxury of spending time on societal matters. In the first place, he hadn’t had the leisure to spend time on the lives of just a few people.
“No one dares to blame Lord Heukju.”
“Well, I wonder.”
Darahan glanced at the Black Rabbit.
“It’s not the time for you to be here.”
The Black Rabbit was fidgeting its hindquarters. Besides, messages were flooding in from the Panaichia authorities and the adventurer guild.
It wasn’t a time to leisurely stay in the mansion. As the guild leader of Heukgalqui, he had to move.
Although the guild members of Heukgalqui were probably controlling the situation for now, chaos had already broken out in front of the mansion. People would continue to gather.
The fact that the person next to you was a demon was enough to instill fear in people. Some might be trembling in the corners, while others were preparing to evacuate.
If you asked where the safest place was, it was Darahan’s mansion.
People were undoubtedly flocking to Darahan’s mansion.
It was necessary to sort out the situation.
In times of emergency, Darahan’s words were more important than anyone else’s, and Darahan’s judgment was crucial.
Darahan was well aware of this responsibility.
That’s why they were having this conversation while drinking tea with Lucion.
Darahan was simply making a calm judgment that giving Lucion time was more important than anything else right now.
Even if the people outside couldn’t wait and broke into the mansion, Darahan had decided to listen to Lucion’s words. That’s why they had given him this time. If Lucion ran away or kept silent, Darahan would be left with no answer.
Darahan glanced at the Black Rabbit.
The commotion outside was growing louder.
More and more people were searching for the Archmage!
“Get things in order,” Darahan said.
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The Black Rabbit left a word of thanks and swiftly got up, running towards the terrace. After opening the door and going out, it immediately jumped and flew up into the sky. It took quite a while for the door to close after the Black Rabbit had left.
Not long after the Black Rabbit left,
Silence settled in.
Only intermittent snippets of the Black Rabbit’s speech could be heard.
Darahan snapped their fingers. A carcass of a sekaera appeared in one corner of the room.
“Do you happen to know anything about its identity?”
“Sekaera is a demon.”
“Sekaera….”
Darahan frowned.
“It reminds me of Sekarius, an ancient sorcerer. He was a shape-shifting mage.”
Actually, the origin of Seacera is Seacarius. Similar to how Mauus, a family name of Daraan, adopted the ancient sorcerer Mauus as their surname, in the past, the name “ㅡus” was commonly used. It was an abolished naming convention, and Seacarius, being a female sorcerer, had no successor.
Although leaving behind numerous powerful transformation spells and engaging in quite a few incidents, Seacarius earned the disgrace of being associated with the name of demons due to the prevalent use of disguise magic in crimes.
Since Seacarius is already deceased, it’s a story that doesn’t matter to herself.
“There are records of demons appearing within the kingdom in the past. There are also recent reports of an increasing frequency. However, demons. It’s the first time they’ve appeared. Do you know what that means?”
Lucion remained silent.
Should he speak?
It required careful consideration.
“Why worry? You have too many secrets.”
Daraan’s eyes scrutinized Lucion.
As the flow of mana reflects the user’s psychology, if Lucion is perplexed, the flow of mana is likely to be disturbed.
“But. It’s surprisingly calm.”
Ordinary people, just knowing Daraan is nearby, can’t stay still, like leaves shaking in the wind. Mana also fails to form orderly movements.
However, it was excessively quiet around Lucion.
“More like… an artifact than a person.”
If a war machine took on a human form, it would probably look like Lucion.
Wielding a sword,
Handling magic,
Utilizing divine power,
Remaining unfazed even when surrounded by enemies,
And not flinching in the presence of the most accomplished individual in the kingdom.
Darahane acknowledged it appropriately.
That Lucion could rise higher than himself.
‘It’s just a possibility, after all.’
It was clear that he would become a capable individual, entrusted with the future of the kingdom.
“An expedition….”
He believed in Lucion. However, helping him posed a dilemma.
Historically, the beginnings of almost all rebellions were punitive expeditions.
There were countries that started as mercenary bands, and there were those that began from the upper echelons.
Statistically, the majority were punitive expeditions.
He didn’t think it was just a naive dream of a young person who didn’t know any better.
So, he asked again.
“What scale of expedition are you thinking of?”
How big were Lucion’s dreams?
How far did he envision them?
Lucion’s hesitation didn’t last long.
Well, to conquer the Demon King, the minimum size of the expeditionary force should match the power of the Oslan Kingdom.
“I’m thinking of a coalition force of about 8 countries.”
“As expected of you.”
Darahane chuckled softly.
“So, you’re planning to conquer the Demon King.”