Chapter 101
The energy that flowed out of Elena’s hand went around Killian, who was still crying out in pain.
What she cast was of a higher level type of magic, unlike the previous one.
This crimson magic eventually touched his body.
Immediately after that, red chains appeared all over his body, tightening on him.
“Ugh…!!”
Killian – still in between pains – was unable to even struggle.
Then, the red magic that still hovered around him struck him again.
Subsequently, Killian lost consciousness.
It was a stun magic following the bind magic.
Afterward, she threw one last spell at Killian.
It was Paralysis Magic.
A precautionary measure in case Killian woke up.
‘… Even though each magic will last at least three days.’
Staring at him, Elena raised her hand again.
And cast her magic around the area where he was lying.
She couldn’t take Killian with her right now, so she went and placed a barrier and did concealment magic to prevent monsters from discovering him.
‘This should be enough.’
After doing all the necessary preparations, Elena glanced at the crippled man.
‘It would have been simpler if I just killed him.’
There was only one reason she didn’t.
‘… I don’t want to get my hands dirty.’
Elena was planning to take Killian to the tower.
She wanted to send Killian to the Magic Tower, purify him from the magic he was engulfed in, and make him pay the price.
‘That would be the best ending.’
Both for him and for her.
Furthermore, to Lexion.
Elena looked at Killian with a cold gaze and turned around.
The monsters were still running wild in the royal palace, and there was a place that needed her help.
So she proceeded without hesitation.
*****
A massive black bird, born from dark magic, sailed across the sky.
The black bird opened its beak wide and prepared to unleash a powerful, magical energy.
But at that moment.
Flash–!
A brilliant beam of light suddenly appeared at high speed and sliced the pitch-black bird in half.
Immediately, the bird disappeared.
Karen, who hurled her power toward the sky, was not even interested in birds made of magic from the beginning.
Her gaze was only on Henus.
Henus was incessantly attacking her all the while creating monsters.
Meanwhile, Karen would do the same, blocking all his attacks.
The earth rumbled as their powers clashed.
‘… Henus.’
Karen bit her lip.
She had made up her mind to kill Henus, but her body wouldn’t follow.
She had no other choice; she had to do it.
Although it was a distant memory, the time she spent with him still lives on in her.
*****
A long time ago, Magic Tower.
Karen – finally becoming the Archmage – enjoyed a blissful time with Henus.
Despite her busy life of taking care of the tower, she would unfailingly meet him every day.
And with Henus also a wizard, it wasn’t difficult for the two to meet.
That day, too, the two spent time together after work.
In the middle of the night, the two met on the rooftop of the Central Tower.
An area which could only be accessed with the permission of the Archmage.
In other words, it was the perfect place for the two of them.
It was deemed to be the closest thing to the sky in the Empire, or even the continent.
Karen and Henus quietly lay there, looking at the stars.
A night sky filled with countless stars.
The cool air and beautiful scenery appeared to be blessing the future of the two.
“Karen.”
While she was focused on looking at the stars.
Henus’ soft voice reached her ear.
Karen answered, still staring at the sky.
“Yes, Henus.”
Feeling his gaze on her, her lips unconsciously curved up.
Henus’ sweet words continued.
“Marry me.”
At the same time, a ring and a blue rose appeared before her eyes.
Karen looked at Henus and displayed a bright smile.
The answer, of course, was a ‘yes.’
“I love you, Karen.”
“I love you too, Henus.”
Karen did not doubt that she and Henus’ love wouldn’t last forever.
But the next day.
Henus unexpectedly collapsed.
As the Archmage, Karen immediately examined his body.
She was naturally well-versed in potions, having reached the pinnacle of her magic.
There was no illness that couldn’t be cured once she used her magic to examine the patient and used the appropriate magic or brew a potion to aid them.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t on Henus’ case.
For the cause of this was the power of the spirits.
Karen promptly investigated the elementals thoroughly.
However, no cure was found for Henus.
Which gradually led her into despair.
Every night, she had to choke back tears, though she tried not to show it whenever she checked on him.
Nevertheless, she didn’t give up.
She did everything she could.
Karen couldn’t let him go.
But Henus was sharp.
He quickly noticed that Karen’s face was becoming thinner every time she visited him.
He felt heartbroken seeing her sacrificing her well-being.
Simultaneously, he noticed that his condition was becoming grave.
One day, during one of her visits, Henus grabbed Karen’s hand and said:
“Karen. Please don’t blame the spirits.”
As a Spirit Master, his life was fading, but Henus did not blame the spirits.
The time he spent with them was precious and joyous.
So he hoped she wouldn’t hate them either.
In fact, Karen resented the power of the spirits until Henus mentioned it.
Had it not been for that power, Henus would have been in perfect health.
So it was not easy not to hate them; however, she decided to grant Henus’ request.
“Okay, Henus.”
Karen grabbed his hand and forced a smile.
“Thank you.”
With a pale complexion, Henus smiled softly.
“And Karen.”
He added.
“I feel that I don’t have much time left.”
“… Henus.”
At Henus’ calm words, the corners of Karen’s eyes became moist.
“No, Henus. I will save you. So don’t give up, please.”
She pleaded.
But he shook his head.
“Karen. I’m okay. I know that you have worked tirelessly for me.”
“… Henus.”
“You know, Karen, I wish to spend the remaining days of my life…for the spirits.”
“Huh…?”
Henus’s eyes crinkled.
“In the Black Continent, there are spirits that have been consumed by dark magic. I want to take care of them.”
“But Henus…”
“It’s my last wish.”
Her heart sank.
Karen wanted to hold onto Henus.
But hearing his ‘last wish,’ Karen knew she could no longer dissuade him.
The next day.
Henus left the Magic Tower.
But before leaving, he stayed by the sleeping Karen’s side.
‘Karen, I want you to always be happy.’
‘Instead of sacrificing for a dying person, live your life.’
He wished.
‘… And I don’t want you to see how I look at my final day.’
He feared the last memory he would leave for Karen was of him with a gaunt and gloomy expression.
So he decided to leave, heading straight for the Black Continent.
Eventually, Karen would send messengers to him from time to time.
Fortunately, Henus did not reject the messengers.
Sometimes, he would even send her a messenger first.
Henus took care of the spirits in the Black Continent as he had wished.
And after a few weeks of that.
One day, early in the morning, the messenger of Henus flew through the Archmage’s bedroom.
While suffering from insomnia, Karen felt Henus’ energy and opened her eyes.
The messenger of Henus descended gently onto her hand.
A piece of blue paper appeared.
Dear Karen,
You’re doing well, right?
I have a request for you today.
Don’t try to carry all the responsibilities in the tower alone.
Don’t strain yourself.
I want you to always think of yourself first.
This Messenger will be the last one I will send to you.
Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. It’s not as scary as you think.
But I could not help but worry about you.
I agonize over the idea of leaving you alone once I’m gone.
It’s okay to be sad for me.
But I don’t want you to be miserable for too long.
Please.
In your memories, I want you to always see me smiling.
So, Karen, smile for me, too.
I love you.
– Henus
She barely processed everything in the letter when tears started dripping from her eyes.
Karen tried to read his letter again.
But at that moment.
The letter burst into specks of blue and disappeared.
The energy source that sustained the messenger had vanished.
“Argh! Henus…!”
Karen screamed.
Losing someone she loved the most was more agonizing than having her heart cut out.
And the pain and sorrow could not be easily forgotten even after many years.
Until now.
‘… I thought I’d never see you again.’
Karen looked at Henus before her and let out a bitter smile.
‘It’s nice to see you again.’
At the same time, her eyes glistened with tears.
‘And now, I’ll give you the rest you need.’
Karen stretched out her hands to Henus.
The magic that exuded from her hands was more formidable than the magic she used to block Henus’ attacks, and several times stronger when she counterattacked him.
And soon, a light-speed magic rushed toward him.
Henus’ form then got shattered and destroyed.
At the same instant, all the monsters disappeared.
Suddenly, a tear fell on the tip of Karen’s chin.
