The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

44 – EP4. Crossroads of Life and Death

The urgency of Master Ka Ven Siodor’s condition spread throughout the entire empire.

All the mages of the empire, and even those not affiliated with the Tower, began to panic at this news.

Master Ka Ven’s collapse was not an expected situation.

If Master Ka Ven were to fall now, Peria, who would become the next master, was too young and had not achieved the accomplishments befitting a master yet.

In that case, the Tower would temporarily be governed by several elders until Peria could fulfill her role as the master. The problem was whether they could obstruct the current duties of the master.

Ka Ven Siodor was a formidable mage.

His countless discoveries and developments of magic were enough to revive the glory of the forgotten golden age for the mages, and his wisdom was cherished by all mages.

And when such a giant fell, it was only natural that the surrounding area would tremble.

To make matters worse, the empire was currently at war with the Demon King.

The empire had greatly underestimated the Demon King’s army.

It was partly because the hero had successfully defeated the Demon King multiple times, and more importantly, the empire had once managed to subdue the Demon King with their own abilities alone.

And they were blinded by that result, unable to see the truth that lay behind it.

Firstly, there had never been any enemies that were easily defeated in order to bring down the Demon King.

The records of the past did not inspire great enthusiasm among modern people. In the end, all that remained were the results, and people believed in those results and underestimated their enemies.

Secondly, they only managed to survive because they had won several times. If they had suffered even a single defeat, humanity might have faced extinction.

Humans were oblivious to the fact that they were walking on the edge of a sword, and they realized too late that they were tightrope walking on that sword.

And lastly, thirdly, there was no guarantee that the current Demon Lord would be like them just because they were able to defeat the previous Demon Lords.

Humans did not take their enemies seriously and did not spare any effort to oppose them, and their complacency ended with Grandis leading her army and annihilating their fortress in just one day.

And after their complacency ended, they could see the reality and understand.

The enemies were far more strategic, powerful, and numerous than they had thought.

And in such a situation, the mental leader of the magicians died, and the person who had to become the new leader was too young.

So, the magicians outside the stronghold fell into confusion.

And inside the stronghold, the situation was even more serious.

Peria sobbed and spoke.

“Gran… what happened, you said you wouldn’t do it… you said we wouldn’t have to…”

“…I’m sorry.”

Peria choked back tears as she held the old man’s hand, which had withered in just a few days.

“No, what happened… you said not to worry. Why, why did this happen…”

“…It was something that had to be done.”

“Because of your research?”

“Yes, because of my research. But… unfortunately, I couldn’t finish it before I go.”

“What was that research about…”

“…I feel like it’s becoming harder for me to live. And before I die, there’s something I want to give you.”

“…”

Peria didn’t say anything and continued to look at the old man. The old man took something out from his embrace. It was a small pouch.

“Open it.”

Peria opened the pouch. Inside, there was a golden ring in the shape of a phoenix.

“…It’s your parents’ heirloom.”

“…An heirloom? You said you found it discarded.”

“That was a lie… your parents, or more precisely, your mother entrusted it to me.”

“My mother?”

“Don’t ask further. Try putting it on.”

Peria carefully put the ring on her hand.

“Yeah, it suits you well.”

“…Grandfather.”

“I’ve almost finished all the work. There are still some unfinished matters lingering in my mind, but… it’s unavoidable.”

“Grandfather!”

“I’m not deaf. You don’t have to worry, there’s still some time left until I die. Well, go on now.”

“How can you say that…”

“Even if the dying person dies, the living person must keep living. Anyway, go and have a meal, take a rest, and come back again. Your complexion is not good right now.”

Peria left the room. She was still in distress, still biting her lips.

As she left the room, she fiddled with the ring.

And then, an unwelcome guest approached her.

“Peria, are you on your way to meet the Master?”

“Ah, yes.”

“What’s that ring?”

“It was given to me by my grandfather. It’s a family heirloom.”

“Oh? Wasn’t it thrown away?”

Peria felt a surge of blood vessels on her forehead.

“…I thought so too, but I didn’t know for sure.”

“Oh, really? Can I take a look?”

“…Sure.”

Since she didn’t even know what it was herself, Peria extended her hand kindly.

“Where…”

May examined it for a moment and became frozen.

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“…Why? What is it?”

When Peria spoke, May forced a smile and replied.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“It feels bland.”

Peria exhaled a breath and turned around.

And May lowered her head, rolling her eyes back and forth.

It was a bright day with a dazzling blue sky.

On such a dazzling day, Latopju Caven Theodore had a funeral.

“…Damn it.”

Since she had no children, Sarah became Perry’s rightful heir.

Looking at the most splendid funeral ceremony anyone could hope for, she remembered her protector, the owner of this funeral, whom she would never see again.

“…May the deceased rest in peace.”

Beatrice also attended the funeral as a fellow warrior.

The other comrades did the same. Saint and Angel, even Lena, who usually had no interest in human events, also attended the funeral.

Perry bit her lip and clenched her fists.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

If she cried here, there would be no turning back.

She managed to maintain a composed appearance throughout the funeral.

After the funeral, she began to organize Matapju’s belongings.

“Put this here, and that there…”

As she sorted through one item after another, she found something.

It was a parchment. Various formulas were written on it, and it looked like the writing was just a few days old, with bloodstains.

She had a hunch.

This was the research he had been pursuing until his last moments.

…What in the world was he trying to achieve in his final moments?

She examined the parchment closely and was momentarily overcome with emotion.

What kind of magic was this that he had to go to such lengths? What was so important that he had to go ahead of himself like this?

She crumpled the parchment angrily.

“…What’s that?”

It was Angel. She asked in a rough voice.

“The research he was pursuing right before he died.”

“Ah… I see.”

He stiffened his expression and hesitated. He felt like he had asked something unnecessary.

“Never mind, it’s not like asking would bring the dead back. I just… don’t want to see it.”

She tried to throw the scroll away, and at that moment, Angel caught it.

“It’s nothing special, but Matapju was working on it until his last moments, so I’m a little curious.”

“Oh, I see.”

Perry handed the scroll over with reluctance, hoping it would disappear from her sight.

“Then put this over there… Um, would this work?”

“Yes, thank you for helping me.”

Perrya expressed her gratitude calmly, as if she had no energy to stutter.

Angel walked down the street with the scroll in his arms. It was the first time he had seen Perrya, who always appeared strong, in such a weak state, so he felt a subtle emotion.

Of course, it wasn’t a situation where he could worry about others. The more he trained, the more he was reminded of the insurmountable gap between himself and the opponents he had to fight.

With a sigh, he continued to wander outside with a heavy heart. The vibrant lights of the capital city made the starlight in the sky fade away.

It was a delicate moment. Perhaps it was a difficult time for people, including himself and his comrades.

He sighed as if walking through an endless maze.

After walking for a while, Perrya appeared in front of him.

She had recently lost someone dear to her, so her troubled heart was even bigger. He looked at her from a distance.

And suddenly, knights appeared and started taking her away. They were wearing fancy armor. People who could afford such attire were not common.

“What’s happening?”

Angel followed them. Perrya screamed and yelled in anger but obediently followed along.

In other words, they were in a position where it was difficult to rebel.

As they got on the carriage, Angel hardened his expression.

He borrowed a line from the horses and started following their carriage.

By riding fast, he barely managed to catch up, and Angel felt a sense of foreboding at their final destination.

It was the palace.

“What is this…”

At that moment, his vision went dark.

And when he opened his eyes again, the window bars were in front of him.