The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years (Web Novel KR) Vol 1 Chapter 230

“Do you trust me?”

When she asked this, he replied with a complicated expression.

“I don't know.”

When she heard that, Iris' composure broke.

She was such a fool.

She killed Schweiser, and she drove a wedge between Kasajin and Lucid. She even accepted Lord's power and assisted the Demigods.

She had committed sins that could never be forgiven regardless of the circumstances.

That fact was abundantly clear.

…But she was hopeful.

Maybe he'd forgive her. Maybe they would be able to go back to the way things were.

This was her hope.

Iris shook her head.

But that wasn't possible. Even if he forgave her, she would never be able to forgive herself. She would hate herself, curse herself, and resent herself even more.

And in the end, she wanted him to be her judge.

Iris wanted to die by Lukas' hand.

-Lukas Trowman had disappeared.

It wasn't just one Wizard who had disappeared. He was the center, the core behind which people of all races, cultures, and beliefs had rallied.

He was the hero of all mortals who had disappeared.

They felt defeated. They no longer had the will to fight.

It wasn't strange that those who were fighting against the Demigods had this thought. A lot of time had passed since they'd been on the defensive because of a lack of leadership.

Over time, more and more people fled, and many even surrendered because of their broken wills.

And the man who represented the hope of all humanity was still missing.

It was natural that they'd feel despair.

They felt cold, as though their struggle up to this point had been for naught.

Of course, not everyone collapsed.

Schweiser continued to struggle.

Lucid united a kingdom.

And even in this time, Kasajin remained focused on his training.

Nevertheless, Iris could feel their hidden despair.

They were just helplessly fighting against the evil. There was no basis behind their actions.

Struggling did nothing to improve the situation.

Building a kingdom had no meaning.

And no matter how hard one trained, it still wouldn't be possible to take on a Demigod on one's own.

This was the truth.

So Iris went missing too.

She refused to accept Lukas' death more than anyone else. Perhaps even at that moment, he was in a difficult situation, waiting for his friends to help him.

With this thought, she desperately searched the continent like she was going crazy, eager to find even the smallest trace of Lukas.

Meanwhile, the Demigods' power continued to increase.

Most of the kingdoms had already cut off their support, and many countries had even sided with the Demigods.

Slick bastards.

When they judged that there was no chance to win, they betrayed them without hesitation, even going so far as to reveal their weaknesses.

Yet even as the situation seemed to get progressively worse, Iris did not find any clues.

No. The clue was that there were no clues.

Iris bit her lip.

'Lord.'

He was the only being who could make the Great Mage disappear without a trace.

So Iris arranged a meeting with Lord.

As she requested, he appeared alone. This was because he had full confidence in his power.

This was natural.

After all, there was no trap from which he couldn't escape. Not even if they used a million soldiers or some other mysterious power.

Lord was a being who felt that he was only slightly inferior when compared to God.

“Where is Lukas?”

[He is being punished.]

Lord didn't seem to have any intention of hiding it, but he didn't tell her more than that.

Iris became nervous.

As expected, he was directly involved in Lukas' disappearance.

[Black Witch, Iris Phisfounder, you have no chances of winning. Quietly submit to us. Then I will spare his life.]

“Sure.”

Iris revealed her intention as though she had been waiting for such an offer.

She had already thought about it before going there. So she didn't hesitate for even a moment.

[Hoh.]

Lord seemed interested, but he didn't show any other emotions. He probably didn't believe Iris' words.

Nevertheless, the reason he didn't kill her was because he was certain that he could prevent whatever she had planned.

'…it will be difficult to gain Lord's trust.'

She needed results. Achievements were the easiest way to obtain trust.

Her heart became heavy at this thought, but she simply shook her head.

She'd already steeled her determination.

It would have just been like going back to the old days. The time when she stayed alone in the swamp and was called the 'Black Witch' while receiving the accusations, insults, and disgust from the rest of the world.

Just for Lukas to come back. She would have done anything just to see his face again.

What could she do to make Lord trust her?

It couldn't be something small.

Iris had been one of Lord's most troublesome enemies. So she needed to do something unconventional.

The alternative she thought of made Iris' expression stiffen for a moment.

This was an irreversible path.

It was more than a sinful and morally outrageous choice. It was something that Lukas would never be able to tolerate.

But there was no other way.

“It's impossible for us to defeat the Demigods right now. So please start a fight with Kasajin.”

Lucid didn't panic.

He didn't even appear surprised to see Iris, who had suddenly appeared in front of him.

He simply asked back in a quiet voice.

“What does that have to do with getting rid of the Demigods?”

“Did you know? All of our former teammates are cursing you. They're calling you the Traitorous Witch.”

“I know.”

Lucid's gaze was deep.

“You betrayed us, and you became Lord's right hand. Now, you appear before me and ask me to clash with Kasajin? I'm not sure I understand you correctly.”

“You understand it perfectly.”

Lucid lifted Deukid off his lap, the cold blade shining in the moonlight.

“What are you planning?”

“We need time. We can't win right now. It's not possible at this time. Most of the different races and kingdoms have already submitted to the Demigods. Their pride and fighting spirits have disappeared.”

That was a fact that even Lucid could not deny.

There were very few people who had not lost their wills, and it was impossible to stand against the Demigods with them.

“So you want us to give up?”

“Yeah.”

“That's funny… We're giving up our responsibility.”

“No. I have faith in the future generations. Of course, a long time has to pass. A lot longer than we might expect.”

However.

Iris continued in a clear voice.

“The Demigods cannot grow any stronger. Because they've already reached their peak. It's possible that laziness might even weaken them over time. But 'we' are different. We have not finished growing, and we can still become much stronger. And that time will come.”

“That time?”

“When the Demigods become weak and the humans become strong.”

A strange emotion entered Iris' voice.

“At that time, under Lukas' banner, the Demigods will cease to exist.”

Lucid was silent for a long time.

Suddenly he put Deukid back into its sheath.

“…Lukas… is alive?”

His voice was shaking slightly.

Iris nodded.

“Yeah. He's alive. And I will save him.”

Lucid sat up in his seat.

Then he looked out the window and murmured.

“…does anyone else know what you just told me?”

“No.”

“Why did you only tell me?”

“Because I thought that you could understand me.”

Schweiser had too much affection, and such a complex plan would just go right over Kasajin's head.

Naturally, Lucid was the only one left.

“I'm going to kill Schweiser now.”

Lucid shot up at those words. His deep, dark eyes bore into Iris'.

Iris accepted this look calmly.

“I will use his life and my support to gain Lord's trust, and in return, I will demand his power.”

“You're crazy.”

“I wish I were, but unfortunately, I'm still perfectly sane.”

Lucid grit his teeth.

He stared at Iris with a fierce gaze.

“…even if it's for Lukas, killing one of our friends is unforgivable. Don't you know this? If you cross over that river you will never be able to return.”

“Of course I know that.”

“You will be hated by the man you love.”

“…I know that too.”

She was willing to do it despite knowing that.

At that moment, Lucid seemed to see a giant mountain on Iris' shoulders. It was so large that it seemed impossible for her thin shoulders to handle its weight.

Nevertheless, her eyes were still clear.

Seeing this, Lucid suddenly calmed down. He couldn't bring himself to curse her anymore.

Because he'd managed to get a glimpse of the pain Iris would have to endure.

“…you are going to fight a long and painful battle that is incomparable to our own. All by yourself.”

Lucid sighed.

Iris' judgement was correct. Lucid was the only one who could understand her. That's because he put his reasoning over his emotions.

It was probably not his role to hold her accountable.

No matter when, no matter how long it took, no matter what they thought of each other.

He hoped that Lukas and Iris would reunite.

So Lucid nodded his head.

Chapter end