The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years (Web Novel KR)

Kasajin had said earlier that his win rate against Lukas was ninety percent.

In other words, out of ten fights, he won nine times.

However, this win rate would be completely different if their fights weren’t always governed by ‘sparring rules’. After all, it couldn’t be said Kasajin was much stronger than Lukas, if at all.

This wasn’t a simple comparison between a normal Wizard and Magic Warrior. Lukas’ true strength could only be displayed on a battlefield where his life was on the line.

Fearsome concentration, composure, situational awareness, quick thinking, and, most importantly, fanatical desire for victory.

These were traits that truly made Lukas who he was, traits that were impossible to properly showcase in a light-hearted spar.

‘Because there is no risk to his life.’

Naturally, there was no reason for them to risk their lives to fight each other back then.

However, it was different now.

Demon King Kasajin and Absolute Lukas had completely different beliefs. Conflicting beliefs.

“What do you intend to do to Kran?”

[Kill him.]

Kasajin answered truthfully.

[It was destined from the moment he was born. You could even call it his fate.]

Fate.

“You used to hate that word.”

[That, too, is a thing of the past.]

Lukas shook his head.

“I refuse.”

[Why?]

“Because I don’t believe you.”

[I don’t have any reason to lie. If there was something I wanted to hide, then I wouldn’t have mentioned it in the first place.]

“…”

[Isn’t my proposal beneficial to you as well? Look at yourself. In your current state, you probably wouldn’t even be a match for Nodiesop.]

His words were true.

If the tolerance of the universe was to increase, the person who would have the most to gain would be Lukas.

However, he couldn’t just believe the words of Demon King Kasajin, the right hand of the Black Horned Demon God.

‘At least that was the truth.’

The fact that he hadn’t overtly told any lies.

And that he would never mention it if he had something to hide.

“Tell me everything you’re hiding. If you can’t do that, then I can’t accept your offer.”

Of course, Kasajin would never do what Lukas requested.

Instead, he spoke in a blunt tone.

[Is there really no room for negotiation?]

“…”

[However, it doesn’t matter, Lukas. Because I don’t care about your opinion.]

“So you want to fight again?”

[No. I’ve already made up my mind. I won’t fight you until this universe becomes a proper ‘field’.]

As if to prove his words, the aura radiating from Kasajin’s body disappeared. It seemed that he really didn’t have any intention of fighting Lukas at that moment.

[Kran will fall into my hands even if I just wait here.]

“Because of the Five Dukes? It won’t be easy.”

[You have that much faith in Sedi Glaston? Well, it certainly was a good idea to use her now that she’s a mortal. But she alone won’t be enough.]

Kasajin looked down while muttering.

[Do you think that was all I had up my sleeve?]

* * *

The flash of light flew to the ground before wrapping itself around Sipakna’s body like a chain, binding his movements.

Min Ha-rin’s mouth unconsciously fell open at the sudden development.

“Now!”

Following the urgent cry, a sharp streak of light appeared.

It was a man wielding a sword.

The man fell from the sky at an astonishing speed, his sword pointed towards Sipakna, and his cloak billowing heroically behind him.

It was almost as if his sword and body had combined to form a divine spear.

Crack!

Nevertheless, his fierce attack was for naught. Instead of piercing through and slaying the large monster, the man’s sword broke apart.

But the man didn’t seem surprised by this. He simply clicked his tongue and threw a grenade into Sipakna’s mouth as he retreated.

Boom!

In an instant, Sipakna’s body swelled up like an inflated balloon. After the loud explosion, black smoke began to billow from its enormous mouth.

But that was all. Seemingly unaffected by the explosion, Sipakna twisted its body violently, causing the chains of light around its body to shatter.

Then, a few of its tentacles shot towards the man.

Papapapa!

As he retreated, the man cut down the approaching tentacles with a kukri that had seemingly appeared in his hand.

“…”

Min Ha-rin looked at this scene in shock.

The man’s movements had been smooth, fast, and powerful, without even the slightest hesitation or excess.

Something that she wouldn’t be able to do even if her life depended on it.

In other words, they were on completely different levels.

“The monster merged with the other monster to become an even bigger monster.”

Suddenly, a familiar cynical voice sounded.

“Hoh, I’m surprised you’re still alive.”

Sedi.

She looked at Min Ha-rin with a slightly cold gaze, but it was only for a moment. Immediately after making her presence known, she began to assist the man with the staff in her hands.

The sight of hundreds of tentacles being fended off by only two people was so amazing that it would make any onlooker speechless. This was especially true for Min Ha-rin, who was only a short distance away from them.

“Are you alright?”

When she heard the concerned voice and turned around, she saw a person standing there with an unbelievable appearance. Their pure white hair and white eyes made them seem distinctly inhuman. In fact, it felt more like they were an angel of some sort.

Their gentle voice matched their appearance perfectly.

“You…”

“I’m Arid.”

“Arid…”

“Yes.”

Arid smiled softly before continuing.

“We will take care of the Demon. So can you… Ah. I’m sorry, may I ask your name?”

“Min Ha-rin.”

“…then Miss Ha-rin, can you please help us evacuate the believers?”

“I’d love to, but the believers won’t listen to me.”

Min Ha-rin muttered in a sad voice.

“They won’t move without Bishop Slei’s orders.”

“They will listen to me.”

“You?”

Just as Arid nodded with a slightly stiff expression, a dazzling white light appeared behind his back. This wasn’t an illusion. It was real.

A beautiful light covered his entire body, and for a moment, it truly seemed that an angel had descended.

At that moment, Min Ha-rin realised who this person was.

“By chance… are you the real Saint?”

“…”

Arid didn’t answer immediately.

A lot of thoughts were swirling around in his head at that moment. To put it bluntly, he was looking back on his life so far.

Then, after seemingly coming to a decision, he nodded his head in a determined manner.

“Yeah. I’m the Saint of Salvation.”

Min Ha-rin, who had asked the question, would never be able to know.

Just how hard it was for Arid to say those words.

He turned away, his eyes drawn to the believers who were rushing towards the Demon Duke, on their way to a meaningless death.

This was Slei’s sin, but at the same time, it was something that he had to atone for as well.

[Believers.]

That single word was enough to cause the believers to stop.

[Please, heed my words.]

It was a voice similar to the one Slei used to incite the believers, but it felt much holier than his.

[I humbly apologise, for our Church of Eternal Life has cheated and deceived you.]