I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess - Chapter 229



229 – Reaching the End (1)

It’s dark.

This was a comment that Edgar repeated as soon as he first set foot in the huge castle of the Bertus family.

The reason why I only felt that way when I saw this huge building was probably because the atmosphere felt here was so foreign.

I didn’t know it was especially true because the garden outside was particularly colorful and beautiful.

Edgar suddenly thought that this was not just a castle, but that it felt like he had entered Albrich’s inner world.

Compared to the mask on the outside, the inside is dark and gloomy. Isn’t this the man’s nature?

He inadvertently recalled the feelings he had when he first encountered Albrich.

My first impression was that he was ‘a man whose true intentions are unknown.’

However, as the conversation continued little by little, the sense of heterogeneity grew.

At the time, he told Ariel that Albrich was someone who felt nothing, but what he actually felt was more detailed than that.

In his view his, nothing in the world was reflected in Albrich’s eyes

Stones, ants, and people. A gaze that seems to see everything in the world as just equal entities.

That was the part where Edgar felt most wary.

‘Maybe what Minette said fits well.’

Minette gave this evaluation to the man who went by the name of Albrich, or more accurately, Mephisto, whom he saw in the Magic Tower.

A man who doesn’t hate anything, but doesn’t cherish anything either.

He is a man who seems to have no affection, anger, sadness, or joy.

In a way, it was quite similar to Edgar’s review of Albrich.

He seemed to have a strong tendency to regard everything in the world as insignificant.

That’s why he doesn’t intentionally try to draw attention or intentionally widen the distance.

Perhaps it was an expression of a kind of madness that was possible only because he was in a position to observe the world.

Again. Togak.

Reflecting on his brief review of the man named Albrihir, Edgar walked towards his destination.

As only the sound of his footsteps lingered in the castle where there was no sign of him, that actually heightened Edgar’s tension.

It’s like the calm before the storm.

‘Have all the people been inherited?’

Edgar was preparing for an unexpected surprise attack with his utmost vigor, but his anger was so calm that his vigilance was meaningless.

No, rather than being quiet, there was not even a trace of someone leaving, as if no one had been there to begin with.

So much so that I felt like I had stepped into a lonely old castle without anyone.

However, as if to tell him that it was all an illusion, there was something that clearly showed its presence at the end of his energy.

There is a signpost on the top floor of the castle that emits enormous magical power and seems to indicate that that is the goal.

‘Are you asking me to come?’

Edgar walked slowly, smiling at the strange magic he had felt several times.

This was why his legs moved particularly slowly leader in a tense situation where the enemy could disappear at any moment.

Because there was a shadowy figure sending him an invitation without a single word, as if he would no longer hide or run away.

Of course, Edgar didn’t know the reason either.

At least he thought that if it was Albrich, he would try to use secret medicine to save his life in some way.

But what is the reason for not doing so? You can probably find out the truth only by asking the person involved.

“Hmm?”

As he climbed the stairs of the castle, a new spiral staircase greeted him even before he reached the top floor.

It didn’t occur to him that there would be a room or a wide space above, but Edgar decided to climb the stairs, relying on Albrich’s magic that he could feel.

Unlike the soft carpet that I had walked on all the way here, the cold steps were made of iron.

As he climbed them one by one, Edgar somehow felt that he had finally reached the Bertus family castle.

This is the feeling. A tension that only those who risked everything in a decisive battle can feel.

Edgar had experienced something similar to this for the first time during the battle with Kelagh.

If what he felt from Kellag back then was pure speculation, what was making his hair stand on end now was the dense magic that only the greatest wizard in the empire could unleash. There is only that much difference.

It rattled. Rattling.

He carefully took one step at a time on the iron scaffolding, and as he got closer to the top, his vision became brighter.

The hazy light seen from the exit was shining on him like moonlight.

While raising his head to face the scene, Edgar fell into the great sea deep within his heart.

Excited. Excited.

The beating cycle of his heart, which had been beating vigorously, became slightly longer, and his eyes became sharper.

It was his unique method of concentration

This process was so deep that even Creed praised him, saying that when he was concentrating properly, his body felt like a sword and he could not approach it easily.

“…”

Eventually, a ray of light shining from the exit spread out in all directions.

Because his two feet soon reached their destination.

When the light reached his eyes that he had been walking in the dark, he inadvertently frowned.

In the space visible between the lights, there was a huge object in the shape of a hemisphere.

It looked like a broken clock, and it also felt like the world had been cut in half.

“You’re here.”

Beneath the unidentified hemisphere, Albrich was waiting for Edgar with his purple eyes glowing.

The ominous magic that was felt somewhat faintly in the past is now clearly exuded as if there is nothing to hide.

At that sight, Edgar felt like he had truly met the man named Al Bryhi for the first time today.

Wow.

Edgar clenched his fists and concentrated his mind to avoid losing sight of the enemy in front of him as much as possible.

The feeling of anticipation that I could feel on my skin was telling me how powerful the opponent was, so I thought that even missing his presence for even a moment would lead to defeat.

“As expected, it will remain my regret that I was unable to kill you. No matter how this game is decided.”

“It somehow sounds like you acknowledge it.”

“I guess it’s up to you to interpret it. Well, if it sounds good, do whatever you want.”

Even though he was in such a difficult situation, Albrich spoke quite calmly.

Edgar thought that as soon as he saw him, he would scold him or let out a roar, but to his somewhat unexpected reaction, he calmed his eyes and asked a question.

“Why didn’t you run away?”

“That’s a funny question to ask an enemy. “Do you mind if I hold a sword?”

Albrich, who was leaning on a large chair, moved his hand slowly as if to convey a warning, but Edgar did not draw his sword and simply remained silent.

Albrich clicked his tongue lightly, as if his excitement had cooled down at that dull response, and picked up a sphere that was lying on the table in front of him.

“… There was a prophecy that led me here. “I just followed the will, there is no plausible reason.”

“Prophecy?”

“Okay. The events of the world are not for humans to contemplate, and the future is always known. “I was the chosen one.”

Edgar, who realized that the prophecy was contained in the sphere, secretly cast his gaze.

There are some parts that are acknowledged to some extent. Among the words from the other world that he remembers, there was one called ‘Suinsa Daecheonmyeong’.

In other words, it means doing what a human should do and waiting for heaven’s will.

At first glance, it may seem like a good thing to say, but if you interpret it differently, it means that no matter how hard you try, the result will be determined by the future predicted by heaven.

However, Albrich was able to know the outcome in advance through his prophecy within the natural causal relationship.

To use a metaphor, it means that he was able to read only the words written at the end of the book he was supposed to read.

Therefore, Albrich has lived according to that prophecy, and even in the finale, he is now facing Edgar based on the prophecy.

“Then you didn’t have your own will in the life you led?”

“What a foolish thing to say. A prophecy is just a prophecy. It is just a tool to remove obstacles in the way and move forward fully. “It is a wonderful tool that I have easily used to realize the truth of magic.”

Edgar’s eyes narrowed at the answer as if he was asking something so obvious.

“… That means, everything that has happened so far is entirely your will. That’s it.”

“Yes. Why do you do that? “Did you expect me to be a foolish victim who was swayed by the prophecy and did something I didn’t want to do?”

“I didn’t really have any expectations. “I was just curious.”

Even if he did, he cannot be a victim.

Just as Bartheus is both a victim and a perpetrator, there is no way in the world to completely wash away the sins committed, no matter what the reason.

This was merely a process for Edgar to strengthen his will to wield the sword.

Cutting down humans who have leftover humanity and cutting down monsters who have given up on being human anymore.

Of the two, the one that makes you feel at least a little bit at ease is overwhelmingly the latter.

Sreung.

When the sword was pulled out of its sheath with a clear sound and placed in his hand, Albrich let out a low exclamation and stood up.

It’s very pure hostility. There is not even an ounce of hesitation in those eyes.

Even if cancer is a hated enemy, people always hesitate to cut someone down.

From that perspective, the man in front of me should be seen as a great sword rather than a swordsman.

“Did you try to take the symbol of domination to realize the truth of magic?”

“Yes, everything was predicted. Because of your presence, everything went to waste. Stranger.”

“… Also. For some reason, I thought you would notice.”

A truth that even Ariel, who had been with her for most of her life, could not recognize.

Even though it was discovered, Edgar was not greatly shaken.

Anyway, those facts are useless now. He is Edgar Vilhark and no one else.

“I’ve accepted your question, so I’ll ask you one last question.”

“… “Tell me.”

“Helvenir family… No, in this case I should say Bartheus. How did you convince him?”

Edgar’s eyebrows twitched at the quite unexpected question.

I thought you would probably ask questions like how did you find out about his secret plan?

Why do I have to come to this point and wonder about that?

But I didn’t bother to ask questions.

Because answering a question with a question is just foolish.

Now, just as he answered his own words, I am only conveying the truth in return.

“I didn’t convince you. “It was completely His Majesty’s will.”

“That’s an interesting answer. That person would most likely have given up everything and just let nature take its course.”

At least that was Albrich’s point of view.

It was true that Bartheus was more rebelious than previous emperors, but that was just an act that did not even amount to a struggle.

On the contrary, that rebel appearance seemed to Albrich to reveal his surrendered feelings even more strongly.

I guess it was a process of self-hypnosis to remind himself that he didn’t give up.

Therefore, Edgar’s answer was very surprising to him.

“That’s stupid. That’s why you’ve come to this point.”

Edgar snorted as he excitedly pointed his sword at Albrich.

Then, he quietly concentrated the magic that was circling his body and focused it on one point.

As the blue auror blade wrapped around the sword and clear mana gradually flowed around his body, the sense of intimidation grew to the point where it was comparable to that emitted by Albrich.

“I am able to be here now because the people you thought you had subdued until the end actually did not give up their will.”

Kelagh, the leader of the Karbita tribe, who did not give up and asked for help even in the abyss of curse.

Karun, the sage of the Magic Tower who first tried to uncover the existence of Albri and the man who was Minette’s lover.

Minette, a woman who inherited Karun’s will and found a clue.

Bartheus, a man who wanted to meet his end as emperor even if it meant losing his family.

Edgar’s will was insignificant and had little spark compared to theirs.

It was just the firewood that rekindled their will that seemed to be dying out.

And in the end, he simply inherited that will and became a sword wielder.

“You dare speak confidently in front of me.”

“My liver is not small enough to be scared by living ghosts that cannot die.”

Even though Albrich’s magical power became even stronger, Edgar smiled.

It is probably a powerful enemy that cannot be compared to any enemy he has faced so far.

From noble mtl dot come

Still, for some reason, I didn’t feel anxious at all. I could just picture myself cutting down my enemy.

Perhaps this is the prophecy that Albrich had seen? Suddenly such a thought passed through his mind.