kscans

Chapter 227 - Interlude: The Sage's Cleanup.

At the border...

Vil, who had been watching Amon's battlefield from a distance, was bewildered.

"W-Why? The Mediator is here? This makes no sense."

He was perplexed by the impossible sight.

Just then, a black mist materialized behind him. From it emerged an old man dressed in fine aristocratic clothing.

Vil knew at a glance. This old man was not human.

"W-Who are you?" Vil demanded. "Your presence doesn't feel human."

"My name is Redorza," the old man replied. "Others call me the 'Sage.'"

Vil's eyes widened in recognition. "Redorza? I believe that's the same name as a Court Magician who served the Empire long ago. A great magician who achieved numerous feats with his talent for magic and his unparalleled ingenuity. But I also heard he delved into the forbidden arts and renounced his humanity. A figure of both praise and scorn."

Vil spoke calmly, but inwardly, he was breaking out in a cold sweat. If this was truly him, he was facing a being far beyond his own power. To fight would mean death.

"Well, that's about right," Redorza said. "It's true I served the Empire. To add a little something, the Empire at the time was far too reliant on me, and frankly, I was fed up. I couldn't get any of my own research done. The only reason I mastered the forbidden arts was to get away from them and to secure a long time for my own free research. That's all there was to it."

He spoke as if reminiscing.

Can I escape now? Vil wondered.

"It's useless to run," Redorza said, as if reading his mind, and unleashed a wave of killing intent. "There's nowhere to go."

"Is that so?" Vil shot back. "Then I'll just have to kill you and make my escape! Magma Bullet!"

He fired a projectile of molten lava.

It was Vil's most powerful magical attack, capable of melting an ordinary monster on contact and leaving even a high-level one severely injured.

"Dark Drain Barrier," Redorza intoned.

A black curtain materialized in front of him.

The Magma Bullet struck it, but instead of melting, the curtain began to shrink, and the projectile vanished into it.

"So this is the forbidden art," Vil murmured. "Dark Magic."

"Precisely," Redorza confirmed. "Before the darkness, all things are swallowed and rendered null. It is the ultimate defense, a magic that returns all in this world to nothingness. That is why it is forbidden, and it is said that those who master it become aberrant beings and renounce their humanity. Of course, I find it difficult to conduct my research without a human form, so I controlled it and became what you might call an eternal being. A vampire."

He smiled.

From that explanation alone, it was clear that Redorza's talent far exceeded what Vil had imagined.

"Are... are you going to kill me?" Vil asked, his breath ragged.

He was desperately trying to maintain his composure.

"Before that," Redorza said, "I've been told to bring you with me. Dark Cage."

A black mist appeared, enveloping Vil.

The mist gradually shrank, and when it dissipated, a round, black birdcage stood in its place. Trapped inside was a miniaturized Vil.

"W-What is this?!" Vil cried. "I can't use my magic!"

He tried to cast a spell to escape, but nothing happened, as if he had no magic at all.

Redorza approached. "The darkness renders all null. Once trapped, no power can be used. Give up."

With that, he took the birdcage in hand and vanished from the spot.