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 chapter 237

Lee Mer stood up calmly and brushed the dust off his clothes. kneeling down on one of his knees, he hit the ground with his fist and bowed his head.

"Gwangpung Danju, I obey the lord's order."

it is unimaginable that he was beaten while playing a prank.  

The wave formed concentric circles and covered reality.

There was a seriousness in the green eyes, were always playful, but Glenn and Do-goe were not at all surprised. As if he was originally such a person, he accepted it naturally, 

"The mission hasn't been finalized yet."

"Hey, you should have said that sooner! I don't want to strain my     eyes!" 

Lee Mer sighed heavily and stood up he mumbled that it was a loss and scratched her head.

"um......."

Glenn frowned and flicked his fingers holding the armrest. He seemed to be wondering whether or not to strike a thunderbolt. 

"What mission did you say before we even started?"

" Do you know the Gazelle River beside the Label River?"

"Of course, I know. It's where the Cheongeu tribe lives."

Lee Mer nodded. The Gazelle River was located at the end of the Sieghart region and was the residence of the Cheongru tribe, one of the Ain tribes.

"I stayed for a while in Doran village next to the river. It was quiet and comfortable like a forest"

People were full of affection, and I remembered taking a break in a calm and quiet atmosphere like the forest in my hometown.

"It's a good place. Just seeing the Cheongru tribe  people playing in the clear river has a strange atmosphere"

The Do-goe had a faint smile as if he had been to the doge island.

"Right, the Cheongru  people are like cats, so it's fun to watch them."

Lee Mer nodded in agreement with the demolition.

 "They said that the Cheongru tribe attacked people."

"Yeah?"

Lee Mer erased his smile and opened his mouth.

"Well, that wouldn't be possible..... the Cheongru people live only in the water and near the water, and they are cowardly people who hide when they see people or ships. They are people who are like gods who do not reveal their power even though they have a strong military force. but I couldn't believe they attacked them."

"who did they attack."

"They say there are fishermen from Doran village."

"huh...."

Lee Mer scratched his chin. It was hard to believe that the only village that had a symbiotic relationship with the Cheongru. 

" Have you ever touched a child of the Cheongru tribe? It's the first time I've heard of them doing a preemptive attack."

Even the Do-goe titled his head as if strangely. 

"The Non-Banquet is gathering information, but there's no such thing. It is said that they suddenly attacked and destroyed the ship as they were passing the Gazelle as usual"

Glenn waved his hand slowly. 

"I've seen Cheongru, too. As soon as they saw me, they ran away, showed no aggression at all, only a little curiosity."

"That's right! it is Very Pure."

"You never know. There's not much information that has been revealed because the Cheongru people don't leave the water. I don't know what kind of tendencies they really have."

"That's right...."

Lee Mer nodded.  As Glenn said, not much was known about the Cheongru. What I saw was only one side of them.

"After the Non-Banquet gathers enough information, the mission will be dispatched, so you will have some spare time. During that time, prepare for departure."

"I see. But...."

Lee Mer licked his lips again and met Glenn's eyes. 

"What exactly is the content of the mission? Is it to restrain the Cheongru tribe or to drive them out...."

He did not finish the sentence but shortened his words.

"Basically, the task is to find the causes of the Cheongru tribe becoming violent but to feel with it if that doesn't work. I guess I should. "

"Everything? "

"yes."

Glenn nodded his head calmly, without hesitation in the slightest,

"Okay." 

Lee Mer did not contradict Glenn 

"All right"

Lee Mer did not contradict Glenn's words, even though he had a pretty good impression of the Cheongru, and accepted the instructions. But his eyes sank much deeper than usual.

"Lee Mer."

Glenn called Lee Mer in a slightly evocative voice.

"Are you going to stop gambling now?"

Lee Mer didn't answer and closed his eyes. 

"You didn't do it, but your disciple has done it, so why not stop now." 

"hmmm." 

He smiled faintly as he turned to the Do-goe.

"It's true what the Lord said. What he wanted was to see someone who achieves the first three pill trial with that young man."

Hearing those words, the red eyes of the thief are as calm as a wide lake are tremble

"I think gambling is enough for fun now. Although I have to save money."

Lee Mer smiled and turned His shoulder.

"Lee Mer. It's right to let regrets flow as they are. In particular, It's difficult and foolish to hold onto other people's feelings for you."

Glenn's voice was more hollow than usual.

"That was different from what I thought. Yes"

Lee Mer shook her head 

"I think it's right to catch regrets. it's the same with the regrets of the dead, but if you are alive, you must."

He cleared away the bitterness he had revealed a while ago and smiled slyly again.

"I believe that your regret must be fulfilled."

"I have no regrets."

"Hey! You know what? I like Raon so much...HeoEok!."

Lee Mer hurriedly stepped on the footsteps to avoid the flash of lightning from Glenn's hand 

"I see you're making fun of your snout again, so it looks like it's worth living. Shall we start properly?" 

"I have to prepare for my mission, so I"ll see you soon!"

He kicked the auditorium door and ran out like a hammer.

"What do you mean about Raon?"

"I don't know. It's bullshit."

Glenn shook his head quickly, as if not thinking.

"Ummm."

Do-goe narrowed his eyes as he looked at Glenn, then straightened his posture.

"I'll go too."

He bowed his head politely and turned around. 

" Harian."

Glenn called out his name Do-goe opened the auditorium door and tried to get out. 

"Welcome back."

"...Thank you." 

Do-goe nodded and smiled openly. He looked at Glenn for a moment and then left the audience.

"Whoa."

Glenn frowned as he looked at Lee Mer and the door that the do-goe had left.

"Stupid guys. No one can blame you for living in peace."

Raon headed to the downtown area with the Yooa and Julius. The reason I went downtown without training was because of the tenant on the bracelet. 

-If you don't talk, you won't keep your promise! 

Rath sat on his right shoulder with his arms crossed and snorted his nose.

-When he works, he says he's going to drain his liver and gallbladder, and then wipe his mouth when he's done!

'I was going to buy them all on my own.'

It was funny and I fell for it! IF the main king didn't bring it up first, it would have been down he must have been standing in front of the mirror-like ghost saying he was going to practice the phantom sword.

"'Ugh,"

 Raon, who was stabbed in the corner, groaned. Since I got advice from Do-goe, I have only practiced swordsmanship in front of a mirror, so I have nothing to say 

"That's why it came out like this."

I went out to the downtown area just in time for lunch to free Rath from the fire. At the same time, yooa and Julius were also brought along to lighten the mood since there was no class.

"You're coming here for the first time? I'll tell you." 

Yooa ran around cheerfully in the downtown area.

"Yooa"

"Yooa is here! It's an apple that just came in. Try one!"

"Yooa! I like pork today! It'll be delicious if you grill it!"

A long line of merchants on either side of man-street beckoned to Yooa. Everyone recognized the yooa and smiled broadly, perhaps because she was coming to the grocery store with her maids.

"I know too."

Julius was bluffing as if she knew everything the first time she saw it because not knowing was hurting her self-esteem.

"Really, then, what is that store?"

"Huh? Oh selling clothes. "

"Ding! It's a bakery!" 

"Ugh...."

 Julius'face  turned red at the Yooa's laughter

"It's the exact opposite."

Raon looked at the two and smiled. Only thinking about it, Julius regarded the yooa as her rival. The relationship was only fun because they had different opinions. Rath also looked at the two and smiled. 

'Did you like kids?'

-The main king naturally takes care of talented people besides, Isn't the pineapple girl the third maidservant of the main king?

This guy still called the Yooa a mid. It seems that he was sincere that he cared for her. Of course, he doesn't do anything.

'But why are you doing this to me?'

-Didn't You take all of the king's things?

Rath raised his anger and chill as if he were about to explode. The mana circuit penetrated his energy like a wave of water. 

Clear?  I can't stand this!

"Raon-sama! It's all here!"

Yooa waved her hand to the marble ice cream shop.

"um?"

Raon didn't move to stop Rath's attack, but the rage and coldness that he caused quickly escaped like low tide.

-What are you doing? Hurry up and go in!

Rath, forgetting that he was angry, quickly stuck out his tongue like a puppy to get some ice cream. 

'He is a great Demon lord.... .'

Raon shook his head and entered the ice cream shop.

"Both of you pick what you want to eat."

"Yes"

"Is it really okay to eat? I'm already getting a lot of grace." 

"It's okay. Let's choose the ones for the annex."

Raon laughed, cutting off Julius's tight words.

"Then you..... well?"

As I was about to tell Rath to pick up some ice cream, I saw a very familiar back of the head in the window. 

"Luna"

"Huh?"

The silver-haired woman, who had very close to the display window, turned her head away with a quick glance. She was luna as expected.

"Why are you here... ah."

No, this was an unnecessary question. Because it was a story on the same level as a cat passing by a fish store.

"I was watching."

Luna's bland eyes were full of regret.

"Watching?"

Raon tilted his head. I couldn't understand why the guy who can buy this store if she made up her mind was worried.

"My mom told me to eat only one a day. She said."

As she said that, she bowed her head Tears were about to fall from her purple eyes.

"Um..well would you like to pick one too?"

"No, I promised my mom...."

Luna shook her head. Although it was full of regrets, it was hard to keep promises.

"Then let's eat later." 

"Yeah..."

Raon left his silent nodding to Luna and went to the display.

"What do you want to do?"

Well, I've felt it before, but there are too few types of ice-creams in the store.

'It can't be helped.'

Sieghart is a cold place all year round. Although most of the residents have learned martial arts and are strong against the cold, they were looking for warm food rather than ice cream, so the store had no choice but to have a few types of ice cream.

'I'll fill a box with mint chocolate.'

-A box of mint chocolate...

Raon bit his lip hard. The thought of eating a box of it already gave me a headache.

-No, should we do two boxes? Think about it...Hmm?

Rath narrowed his eyes as he looked at the flyer on the wall

-What is that?

The guy pointed to a flyer with ice cream between the buns like a sandwich. 

'i don't know either? '

Raon turned his head and called the manager.

"What is that?"

"This is a new product that I made."

The ice cream store manager stood in front of the counter and nodded.

" Did you make it?"

"Business isn't working these days, so I just improvised it."

He scratched his cheek with embarrassment.

"I put the ice cream between soft castella with a lot of milk. It's called beaded ice cream sandwich."

"Ice Cream Sandra...."

Raon smacked his lips. Eating bread and ice cream together was groundbreaking.

-Hey! What are you doing? Order now! Party go

Rath burned his eyes like a puppy who saw food and tapped his wrist with a soft fist.

"Can I have one of these, Please?"

"What would you like to taste? Open it"

"Cookie and cream, please."

"Me, too!"

"Please give me the same thing as Raon."

Yooa and Julius also raised their hands, saying they would eat the same.

"Uh...."

Raon looked back at Luna standing blankly from behind.

"Give me four."

"Yep! I've received your order for four cookies and cream sandwiches."

The manager smiled and went inside.

-This bastard! It should be mint chocolate!

'Oh, that's right. I am going to change it now?'

-Done. We can order mint chocolate.

Rath smacked his lips looking at the ice cream as if he going to try it all 

"it's here."

It didn't take long to make it, perhaps because it was prepared in advance.

"Now, Luna."

Raon first gave luna a sandwich.

"Huh? I..."

"This isn't ice cream, it's a sandwich. Wouldn't that be ok?"

Luna drew a smile as her mouth loosened. It's the first time I've seen her smiling like this. 

"Yeah! Thanks." 

She nodded her head and took her ice cream sandwich. She turned around, appreciating the shape, and she let out a small laugh, After handing out sandwiches to Yooa and Julius, Raon took a last ice cream sandwich.

"This is a sand...."

When I saw the cookies and cream sandwiched between the soft and thin castella bread-like cotton, my mouth watered. The shape was round like ice cream and it was too pretty to eat.

-There is no time to appreciate it! Eat fast!

'No matter how you look at it, I'm not a gourmet. '

If you are a gourmet, you usually enjoy looking at the appearance of food, but that's what Rath likes.

I didn't see anything. As expected this guy was a glutton.

Raon shook his head and put the sandwich in his mouth.

"Ohh my!"

An exclamation bursts on its own. The castella, which is wrapped around the top and bottom of the ice cream melts softly like water-dried paper to create a fluffy texture, and the ice cream digs into the middle, wrapping the tongue with sweetness and crunchiness. I laughed at the unexpected harmonious taste.

-Wow, it came...

Rath raised his eyes.

-To live thousands of years without knowing such a taste, life was at a loss! 

The guy mumbled strange words and murmured that he was a demon. He was a madman. 

The taste of the two ingredients is good, but the shortcomings are gone it's the perfect food!

Rath trembled as if he were about to faint.

'disadvantage?'

-Ice cream controls the crunchiness of the castella and the softness of the ice cream supports the cold and hard textures. This is the perfect food.

'Harmony and assistance....'

Raon stared blankly at the sandwich that is only half left. 

- Every ingredient has its pros and cons. This is the best food that kills. the cons with its strength. I just want to eat this for the rest of my life!

'It means that they can offset each other's weaknesses with each other strengths.'

-If you understand, stop mumbling and eat what's left! I can't stand it.

Rath danced and shook his body. Raon nodded his head and put the remaining ice cream sandwich in his mouth. Listening to Rath's explanation, the advantage of the two materials were definitely killing the disadvantages. 

-You are killing me! Now order some mint chocolate ice cream sandwich! My hands are shaking because I'm looking forward to it!

Rath was trembling all over with real anticipation. 

'Harmony la...'

But Raon did not listen to Rath. He looked at the ice cream sandwich flyer and muttered only the word harmony.

'Maybe I can create a harmony of swordsmanship in this way... ...'

-What are doing? 

If the shock caused by the um-blade fills in the slow movement of the sword...

-Raon Sieghart? 

-Hey! hey man!

Even if Rath slapped Raon on the forearm and shoulder, Raon did not respond.

-What kind of torture is it when you eat one of those delicious things and fall in love with nothing?

Rath did his evil, but he lossened Raon's pupils more softly 

-You demonic bastard!

"Here..."

Raon blinked.

"What? "

It's room in the annex. Obicously, I ate ice cream sandwiches at the store.

I back in my new room

-What is it? crazy shit! 

Rath's voice filled with anger came from above his shoulder

"Huh?" 

- You fell into trance while eating ice cream sandwiches! You got a knife in the head!

"Ah!"

Raon grinned. Hearing That, he Remembered that while he was eating sandwiches, he fell into the thought of recounciling the two swordsmanship techniques. 

- Are you laughing? 

Rath gritted his teeth and pressed his face in. His round eyes were like boiling water.

-They said they would buy everything but the king ate only one sandwiches! It's not mint chocolate, it's cookie and cream! cookies and cream! Cookies and Cream!

'Is it still delicious?" 

-That's... By the way! 

Rath rolled his eyes.

-Anyway, you still keep your Promise to buy me a set of ice cream. Don't forget, remember sure!

"Yes"

Raon nodded slowly.

"Did I pay for it?"

-Even in that state, you brought ice cream for the girls and kids, as well as the sandwiches for the maids, and you came back! The only thing you haven't bring is Main King! Stop!

Rath hit his chest as if he were outraged.

-Really, there Isn't a single corner That I like! I've always wanted try the mint choco sandwich! 

"Sorry. I'll go again tomorrow."

Raon smiled softly and patted Rath on the back.

-Do you think i am a fool! Your sweet words will never deceive me! 

Rath runed his head around as if in disbelief.

"It's real this time."

- Well...

Rath gently rolled his round eyes as if he had forgotten what he had said a second ago. It's amazing to be such a pure demon king in front of food.

-I can't believe it. 

"Thanks to you for giving me a hint, I saved a lot of time,"

Raon tapped his sword and smiled. 

-Hint? The man king only cursed at you.? A mad man, a stone head, a man who gets stabbed to death... . 

Rath tilted his head as if it was strange and reflecting on the swearing he had done in the past.

"What I said before was helpful. They say that they make up for each other's shortcomings." 

Raon stood in front of the full-length mirror he had brought for training. He smiled brightly as he met his striking red eyes. 

"Thanks to you, I got a new swordsmanship,"

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 살짝 그런 생각이 들기도 했다. 유진이 17살이란 나이라 믿을 수 없을 만큼 조숙하다는 것은 안다. 하지만 지금 하는 말을 들으니, 나이다운 어설픔은 있는 것 같다.  “...유진님. 무도에 쓰이는 마나운용과 마법의 마나운용은 그 궤가 달라요. 저는 라이언하트의 마나운용법을 모르지만, 혹시 그 마나운용법에 영창과 술식이란 개념이 있나요?” “없어요.” “그렇다면 라이언하트의 마나운용법으로 마법을 쓰는 것은 불가능해요. 마법을 일으킬 마나는 끌어낼 수 있겠지만, 술식으로 마법의 형태를 잡고 영창으로 구동하지 않는다면 마법은 현상으로 일어나지 않습니다.” “그래서 시험해 보려고요.” 유진은 헤라의 조언을 달게 받았다. 무조건 할 수 있다는 생각은 하지 않는다. 정말 될까? 할 수 있을까. 그를 파악하기 위해 도서관의 입문 마도서를 죄다 읽은 것이다.  “별로 위험하지는 않을 거예요.” “...으음... 일단은 해보세요. 다만, 마나의 흐름이 위험하다면 즉시 개입할 겁니다. 유진님이 부상이라도 입으시면 저는 물론이고 탑주님의 입장도 난처해질 거예요.” “네.” 유진은 고개를 끄덕거리며 문 앞에 섰다. 마탑의 깊은 지하에는 수많은 연구동들이 있다. 유진은 한 달 동안 사용해 온 연구동의 문을 열었다. 안은 제법 넓다. 지하에 이 정도 크기의 연구동이 수십 개 존재할 수 있는 것은 고등한 공간왜곡 마법 덕분이다. 놀람은 첫날에 많이 느꼈으니, 유진은 태연히 연구동의 중앙에 섰다.  “할게요.” “네.” 헤라는 불안한 눈빛을 숨기지 않았다. 그녀는 슬며시 자기 지팡이를 소환해 양손으로 쥐었다. 만약의 사태에 즉각 대응하기 위해서였다. 유진은 평온했다.  ‘백염식과 비슷해.’ 세냐의 마법이라기에 유진도 당연히 관심을 가졌다. 서클. 방식은 다르지만 본질은 다르지 않다.  백염식은 심장의 별로 마나를 다스린다.  서클은 고리로 마나를 다스린다.  백염식은 경지가 오를 때마다 별이 분열한다. 서클은 경지에 오를 때마다 고리가 더해진다. ‘응용.’ 이치는 꿰었다. 이해도 했다

Ch1

 프롤로그 나는 내가 천재인 줄 알았다.  지금 와서 돌이켜 보면 쪽팔려 미칠 것 같은 일이지만. 나는 정말로 내가 천재인 줄 알았다.  그렇게 착각할 만큼의 재능을 가지고 있기는 했다. 나는 어린 시절부터 새로운 것을 배우는데 큰 어려움을 느끼지 않았고, 남들보다 실력이 느는 것도 빨랐다. 하지만 쉬운 것은 처음까지. 처음에는 남들보다 빠르게 늘었어도, 도중부터는 남들처럼 늘어져 버린다.  대수롭게 생각하지는 않았다.  이럴 수도 있지.  조금씩 나아지고 있잖아.  나는 할 수 있어. 천재니까. 결국에는 알고 싶지 않던 현실을 깨달았다. 나는 천재가 아니다.  철부지의 우스운 착각을 깨부숴준 것은, 나와 비교도 되지 않는 ‘진짜’ 천재와 만난 덕분이었다. 자기 자신이 천재라고 착각하던 우물 안 개구리. 내가 나의 작은 우물 안에서 우월감에 취했을 때. 진짜 천재는 이미 넓은 하늘을 훨훨 날고 있었다.  천재가 싫다.  자기가 할 수 있는 것을 남도 당연히 할 수 있단 듯이 지껄이는 얘기를 듣다보면 살의가 치솟는다. 진심으로 그렇게 생각하건, 지보다 못난 놈을 무시하려 뻗대는 것이건.  여하튼, 들으면 좆같은 기분이 든다. ‘질투하는 건가?’ 질투는 씨발아. 네가 말을 좆같이 했잖아. 그래서 나도 좆같이 굴었는데 뭔 놈의 질투야?  ‘그런 식으로 생각할 줄은 몰랐다. 나는 그냥... 네가 안타까워서.’ 안타까워? 뭐가?  ‘조금 더 노력하면...’ 네가 뭘 안다고 노력 운운하는 거냐.  ‘훨씬 더 잘 할 수 있을 텐데.’ 야, 나는 지금도 충분히 잘하고 있어. 네 기준이 존나게 높은 거야. 어떻게 모든 사람이 너처럼 할 수 있겠냐? 네가 천재라고 다른 사람들도 전부 너처럼 할 수 있다고 생각하지 마.  알겠냐?  난 너처럼은 못해. * “꺼져.” 나오지 않는 목소리를 쥐어짰다. 가슴에 뚫린 구멍. 그 귀한 엘릭서를 들이 붓고 마법을 쓰는 것 같기는 한데, 소용없는 일이다.   “제발.” 울기는. 설마 저 계집애가 저런 표정을 지을 것이라곤 상상도 못 해 봤는데

Ch11

 “헛소리 말고 가서 자라.” “이익…… 본녀가 친히 널 걱정해주는 것인데……!” “네가 무서워서 그러는 거잖아.” “보, 본녀가 왜 무서워한다는 거냐? 본녀가 흑룡공을 무서워할 이유는 없다. 구, 굳이 무서운 것을 꼽자면…… 그…… 흑룡공이 널 한입에 잡아먹는 것이 무섭구나.” 악몽에 대한 기억이 다시금 떠올랐다. 산 채로 무언가에게 삼켜지는 악몽. 라이미르아는 떨리는 몸을 스스로 끌어안았다. “……음…… 만약…… 만약에 말이니라. 흑룡공이 널 꿀꺽 삼키려 한다면, 본녀가 용기를 내서…… 음…… 흑룡공에게 널 삼키지 말아달라고 간청하겠노라.” “이상한 말 하네 또.” “계속 들어라……! 그러니까, 음, 흑룡공을 죽이려 드는 네가 죽지 않게끔, 이 용공녀가 직접 간청하겠단 말이니라. 그리고 가능하다면 너를 본녀의 시종으로나마 목숨을 부지하게끔 해줄 것이니라.” 평소라면 라이미르아의 헛소리를 귀담아듣지 않고 홍옥을 한 대 쥐어박았을 것이다. 하지만 유진은 라이미르아의 목소리가 떨리는 것과, 눈시울이 붉어지는 것을 보고서 잠자코 그녀의 말을 들어주었다. “그런데…… 만약에 말이니라. 보, 본녀가…… 무언가에게 삼켜지게 된다면…….” “그때는 내가 널 그 무언가의 아가리에서 끄집어 내주마.” 유진은 코웃음을 치며 말했다. “나로서는 그 무언가가 대체 무언지를 모르겠지만.” “보…… 본녀도 그런 것은 모른다.” “네가 와작와작 씹혀서 죽으면 어떡하고?” “끔찍한 말은 하지 말거라!” 라이미르아가 빽 고함을 질렀다. “어쨌든, 이건 너와 본녀의 약속이니라. 알겠느냐?” “그래, 그래.” 별것 아닌 대답이지만 라이미르아의 떨림이 가라앉았다. 라이미르아가 휴 한숨을 내쉬고 고개를 들자, 유진의 망토 틈 사이에서 손가락을 까딱거리는 메르와 눈이 마주쳤다. “흠. 저렇게 부르니 거절할 수가 없느니라.” 라이미르아는 총총걸음으로 유진에게 다가오더니 망토 사이를 비집고 들어갔다. “악!” 들어간 즉시 망토 사이에서 라이미르아의 비명이 흘러나왔다. “이 건방진 애새끼. 네가 뭔데

Ch20

  더는, 유진 일행을 시험할 필요가 없다고 생각했을 때. 유폐의 마왕이 ‘다음’을 더 이상 집착하지 않을 때. 가능과 불가능을 생각하지 않고, 지금의 세상에 희망을 걸 때. “……하하.” 드디어 뜻대로 웃음이 나왔다. 유폐의 마왕은 낮은 웃음을 흘리며 바닥을 손으로 움켜쥐었다. ‘힘’에 대한 시험은…… 충분하다고 판단했다. 유진과 동료들은 가진 모든 수단을 동원하여 유폐의 마왕을 몰아붙였다. 이제는 더 이상 물러설 수 없을 정도로 말이다. 비록 이렇게 된 것이 유폐의 마왕이 상정하지 못한 변수, 발자크 루드베스의 배신과…… 누아르 제벨라의 잔재의 도움이 있을지라도. 유폐의 마왕은 변수를 사랑한다. 그가 보내온 억겁에서는 존재하지 않았던 변수를. 멸망으로 수렴할 뿐인 운명을 흔드는 변수를 사랑한다. 변수는 유폐의 마왕에게 치명적일수록 운명에 저항하는 것이 된다. 그렇기에 지금의 시대는 훌륭하고 아름다웠다. 마왕에 맞서서 세상을 구하겠다는 의지가 충천해 있다. 그들은 누구 하나 절망하지 않고, 반항 의지를 박탈할 압도적인 힘 앞에서도 꿋꿋이 나아갔다. 몇 번이나 권했다. 절대로 이길 수 없을 것 같은 힘을 보여주며 절망을 강요했다. 포기할 것을, 함께 다음으로 넘어가 영광과 행복을 누릴 수 있다고도 말해주었다. 하지만 누구 하나 받아들이지 않았다. 그 누구도 죽음이 두려워 망설이거나 동료를 배신하지 않았다. 바라던 절망을 줄 수 없다. 힘을 확인했다. 저들은 기어코 베르무트마저 구하고 말겠다는 욕심을 굽히지 않았다. 그렇다면, 이대로 끝을 내도 좋지 않은가. “폐하!” 엎드린 유폐의 마왕에게 마족들이 다가왔다. 판데모니엄에 잔류한 마군의 후발대다. 그 목소리와 발걸음에 유폐의 마왕은 천천히 고개를 들었다. 그제서야 유폐의 마왕은 지금 자신이 어디에 떨어진 것인지 알 수 있었다. 헬무드의 수도, 판데모니엄. 전쟁 승리 후 대륙을 무차별로 폭격하기 위해 개조한 전투 요새는 그 기능을 완전히 상실했다. 유폐의 마왕을 추락시킨 공격이 판데모니엄을 휩쓸어버리기도 했지만,

Ch13

 오르투스의 위치를 특정했다. 거기서부터는 모든 것이 간단했다. 일행은 관측병과 경계병의 눈을 속이고서 오르투스가 있는 방의 문 앞에 도착했다. 셋은 말없이 시선을 교환했다. 문을 열었다. 오르투스 하이만. 그는 집무용 책상 너머에 앉아 무언가를 골몰히 생각하고 있었다. 한 손에 쥔 펜으로 책상을 톡톡 두드리는 모습을 보아하니, 무언가를 적고 있던 모양이다. “음?” 예고 없이 문이 열린 것이다. 오르투스는 두 눈을 끔벅거렸다. 그는 활짝 열린 문을 통해 들어오는 3명을 멀뚱멀뚱 쳐다보았다. 이 갑작스러운 상황을 바로 이해할 수가 없었기 때문이다. 문을 열고 들어온 3명. 누구인지는 안다. 카르멘 라이언하트. 다른 배에 있어야 할 그녀가 왜 이곳에? 아니, 무언가 볼일이 있어서 찾아온 것이라고도 생각할 수는 있겠지만…… 예고는커녕 노크조차 하지 않고 들어온 이유는 대체? 문을 닫는 남자…… 도 알고 있다. 유진 라이언하트. 잠깐, 유진 라이언하트? 키옐에 있다던 그가 왜 이곳에, 카르멘과 함께 있는 것인가? 사흘 전에 승선한 라이언하트는 3명뿐. 카르멘과 시엘, 디자이라. 그 외에 3명의 몸종이 더 있기는 했지만 그중에 남자는 없었다. 그리고…… 저 여자는 누구지? 평범하다고는 도저히 말할 수 없는 보라색 머리카락. 방긋방긋 웃고 있는 녹색 눈동자. 손에 든 마법지팡이…… 마법사? 현명한 세냐? “대체 무슨……?” 여전히 상황이 잘 이해가 되지 않았다. 키옐에 있을 유진 라이언하트와 현명한 세냐가 이곳에 있는 것. 그리고 카르멘이 저들을 데리고서, 이 늦은 밤에 말도 없이 찾아온 것. ㅡ잠깐. 말도 없이 찾아왔다고? 그게 가능할 리가. 이 배, 라베르시아는 마법결계가 씌워져 있다. 결계에 누군가가 접촉한다면, 무조건 오르투스와 마이스에게 전해지게 되어 있다. ‘왜 알아차리지 못한 거지?’ 결계가 돌파되었다. 그로도 모자라서, 방문 앞에 올 때까지. 그리고 문이 열릴 때까지 저들의 접근을 알아차리지 못했다. 아무리 집중하고 있었다 한들, 저만한 존재감을 가진 자