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

Nodiesop wasn’t surprised when the Lightning God asked his question for him.

After all, for beings as powerful as the Rulers, mind reading was as easy as breathing.

“Yes. I believe that the Seven Fanged Dragon God is not sitting on a throne… But if I am mistaken, then please forgive me for my ignorance.”

Nodiesop.

In front of the Rulers, this normally arrogant Absolute had no choice but to lower his head like a soldier before a king.

This was unavoidable, even if the one he was addressing was the Lightning God and not the Ruler he followed, the Sun God. (TL: Guess I was wrong…)

[She doesn’t agree with us. Which is disappointing since I even made a nice throne for her.]

“…”

[Nevertheless, since a majority of Rulers has agreed, we will proceed as planned. Of course, it is possible that she will try to interfere… But we are doing our best to prevent such a thing from happening.]

The Seven Fanged Dragon God.

She was the most mysterious of the four Rulers. Lukas had fought against Absolutes many times before, but he had only ever faced Absolutes who followed her a handful of times.

And even then, it had only been during the early days of him being an Absolute. Ever since he’d become a Lord, he had never had any interactions with the Seven Fanged Dragon God.

Because of that, for a while, he truly wondered whether she was hostile towards him or not.

‘It shouldn’t be very far from that.’

Even if she wasn’t hostile towards him, the best and most realistic possibility would be that she had an ‘indifferent’ attitude. After all, there was no reason for a Ruler to look favorably at Lukas, who was wantonly messing up the balance of the multiverse.

[I’ll say it again. The Great Game is about to begin. However, the opening of the Game is being delayed by you, Lukas.]

At that moment, everyone turned to look at Lukas.

Kung-

Pressure.

An immense pressure fell on his shoulders. It felt like he was carrying the weight of a planet.

It was an incredibly difficult task to remain standing under the gazes of three Rulers. This was especially so now that Lukas had drawn the backlash for using his external force to his own body.

Nevertheless, there was no change to his expression. He continued to look at them with a determined face, completely ignoring the small voice within him that was trying to convince him to give in.

Not lowering his head to the strong was something Lukas was very familiar with.

‘It’s weird.’

He felt his heart begin to pound for the first time in a long while.

Lukas knew that it was his morale being boosted.

The heart of this Absolute, who had a reputation for not being shaken by anything, was now beginning to stir as he was faced with the threat of these transcendent beings known as Rulers.

For a moment, his vivid emotions caused him to feel like he had returned to his days as a human.

[Kasajin was tasked by the Demon God to create a ‘battlefield’ suitable for the Great Game. When this world becomes a battlefield, its tolerance will increase at an explosive rate… which would be a good thing for you as well since you would be able to use your power as you please. So why are you stopping him?]

“Before I answer your question, there is something I’d like to ask.”

“…”

Nodiesop couldn’t help but frown when he heard Lukas’ words.

He didn’t like the way Lukas continued to stand up straight in front of the Rulers and even speak in an informal manner.

He didn’t know who started it, but the title ‘Madman’ really suited him well.

[What is it?]

“What would happen to this universe if it were to become a battlefield for the Great Game?”

This question was particularly important for Lukas.

He had no idea what the Great Game was. He had been bluffing to Sedi as if he knew, but in truth, everything he knew about the Great Game had come from the Lightning God.

The most important thing for Lukas now was to protect the humans living in this universe. But if he were to fight against Absolutes like Kasajin and Nodiesop, it would definitely disrupt the balance of the universe.

In other words, by fighting to protect the humans, he would only be hastening their demise.

That was why he needed to know exactly what the Great Game was.

[There’s no need to go around in circles. What you’re really curious about isn’t the fate of this universe but the fate of the humans. Isn’t it?]

“…”

[Well, that’s fine. I’ll answer it anyway. Most of them will get an opportunity that might not even come once in a lifetime.]

“…what do you mean?”

[There is a saying that heroes are born from turmoil. You can understand this in the same way. When the Great Game begins, all beings within it will have a chance to become an ‘Absolute’. No matter how weak or insignificant they might be.]

“…!”

Nodiesop was greatly shocked by those words.

This was because he knew how unlikely it was for even a single Absolute to be born in a universe.

On the other hand, Kasajin and Letip didn’t appear surprised. Perhaps they already knew about the Great Game.

Nevertheless, Lukas was paying attention to something else.

Opportunities like that are practically nonexistent for most humans. And considering the ratio, it would be considered high if even ten people were to become Absolutes.

“Then what would happen to the rest of the humans, the weak?”

[They’ll die. Or worse.]

It was the Black Horned Demon God who answered his unasked question.

[The moment this little world becomes the battlefield for the Great Game, at least half of the humans you are trying to protect will certainly die.]

“…”

As if taking turns, it was the Sun God who spoke next.

[And you, Lukas, will try to stop that.]

“Is that why you called me here? To get rid of me?”

[Kuku, what a cocky brat. We only sent our ‘wills’ here. You should know that they alone won’t be enough to kill you.]

Naturally, he was right.

If that wasn’t the case, Lukas would never have stepped into this space with three Rulers.

[Incidentally, there are now four Absolutes in this universe, each following a different Ruler.]

The Lightning God added with a chuckle.

[Or following none at all.]

“…”

[In addition, all four Absolutes have different goals. Isn’t that so?]

That was true.

Kasajin and Nodiesop’s temporary alliance was already beginning to fray because of their differing plans for Lukas. It was also the same for Letip, who had yet to reveal his true intentions.

[However, we don’t want you to fight each other anymore. This universe will definitely get destroyed if you continue, and it would be too annoying to create another battlefield. So Kasajin, do what you must. Start doing your best to turn this universe into a battlefield.]

Kasajin responded in a flat tone.

[…of course, I will. I intend to fulfill my promise to the Demon God.]

As expected.

Like Lukas, Kasajin also spoke to the Rulers in an informal manner. But surprisingly, the Demon God didn’t seem bothered by it.

Was it because he was a Conqueror? No. That didn’t have anything to do with it. Letip, who was also a Conqueror, was very polite to the Lightning God.

There seemed to be some kind of inside story between Kasajin and the Demon God. Of course, knowing it wouldn’t change anything.

Kasajin would still be Lukas’ enemy, and his attitude probably wouldn’t change.

Nevertheless, Lukas couldn’t help but think about Kasajin. If this guy, who had never cared about hierarchical relationships before, were to lower his head and act like an obedient dog for the Demon God, he would have been incredibly disappointed, regardless of whether they were enemies or not.

[That’s why we came up with a good idea. A way to allow everyone to get what they want without disturbing the balance of this universe.]

“What’s that?”

[Qualifiers for the Great Game.]

Lukas narrowed his eyes slightly at the strange name.

[Lukas, if you win the Qualifiers, then we won’t touch this universe anymore. The Demon God will even remove all of his creations.]

They would leave so easily?

When Lukas turned to look at the Demon God with a hint of disbelief, he heard his deep voice.

[I swear on my authority.]

An agreement sworn on the authority of an Absolute was something that took effect the moment it was said. Breaking this promise wouldn’t be lethal or cause them to disappear, but they would still suffer from a corresponding penalty.

In other words, the Black Horned Demon God was speaking truthfully.

“What do you mean by ‘qualifiers’?”

[It’s nothing special. You will simply select a few persons from each faction who will then fight against each other, and if your faction wins, that’s it.]

“By faction…”

[I’m referring to you, the Demon King, Nodiesop, and Letip.]

It was only then when Lukas realised what the Qualifiers were really about.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but ask again for confirmation.

“Are you saying that the four ‘factions’ will have a four-way battle?”

Although he was invisible, Lukas could feel the Lightning God nod.

[Exactly.]