The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 85

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 85
Episode 85
“…!!?”
“…?!?”
“…??!”
“…M-Mr. Yoo Sung-hyun. Do you… know this being?”
Flang, Adeline, and Lyaden—all three were overwhelmed by the crushing pressure emanating from this presence.
Only Hindel could barely manage to speak to such an opponent.
Yet this person conversed so effortlessly, even seeing through the other’s identity?!
The entire Hero Party was astounded.
They knew he was formidable.
But not to this extent.
To the Hero Party, this would appear to be a monster of an entirely different caliber.
But to Yoo Sung-hyun.
‘…It’s just Fiora….’
He had simply encountered Fiora.
Fiora did emit a certain pressure.
But that was merely pressure born from her overwhelming dark magic.
Since the pressure arose purely from Fiora’s stature without any hostile intent behind it.
To Yoo Sung-hyun, it felt no different than air.
He even felt refreshed by it.
And indeed, that was the case.
[You have been exposed to highly concentrated dark magic.]
[This dark magic is affable toward the 『Overlord』.]
[All stats temporarily increase by +5%.]
‘So there’s an effect like this too.’
Learning a new ability and seizing a good opportunity.
However, Fiora fidgeted awkwardly, twisting her body with an uncertain expression.
I wanted to recall Fiora’s memories to know what she had done at this point in the past.
Perhaps because she was a soul of equally high stature?
It was difficult for me to freely recall those memories.
Still, I sensed it might become possible later.
For now, it was beyond my reach.
-H-hehe. I, I am the s-subordinate of Lady Helena. M-my name is a secret!
At Fiora’s timid words, I nearly burst out laughing at how endearing she was.
After composing myself carefully.
I listened in silence.
In any case, the fact that Fiora had come all this way meant she had something to convey.
Both I and the Hero Party would wait quietly.
Fiora’s initial bewilderment finally subsided as she swallowed hard and continued speaking.
-A-anyway, H-Helena Lord wishes to live quietly…, so p-please don’t come looking for her!
It was an unwavering stance.
So much so that even a hint of hostility could be seen from the seemingly timid Fiora.
Everyone’s bodies trembled from that small display of animosity alone.
Of course, Yoo Sung-hyun was the exception.
Fiora’s resolute will was evident to that degree.
Yet they couldn’t simply retreat either.
“…We apologize, messenger…, but we’ve come not for battle, but to speak with Helena.”
-N-not necessary…! Always chasing after Helena Lord wherever she goes, y-you humans! H-how much does Helena Lord find you bothersome…, d-do you know!?
“…W-we’re terribly sorry…, but we….”
-E-enough! I-I don’t want to hear anymore! I-I’ll go check, so don’t come!
With that, Fiora let out a sharp cry and transformed into a phoenix, flying away. The Hero Party members who witnessed this finally exhaled, their shoulders heaving as they caught their breath.
Freed from the immense pressure, they marveled at Hindel, who had persisted until the end while attempting dialogue, and Yoo Sung-hyun, who had remained composed throughout from beginning to end.
Even now, away from that oppressive force, their hands and feet trembled uncontrollably.
How were those two even human?
Each of them was lost in admiration.
Yet only Hindel let out a troubled sigh.
“Sigh, the conversation didn’t progress at all.”
“Hmm.”
While agreeing with Hindel’s words, Yoo Sung-hyun found himself understanding Helena’s perspective somewhat.
She was living peacefully and quietly, yet they kept coming to bother her.
Wasn’t it rather like those people who go around apartments proselytizing religion?
Or perhaps, since only one person was chasing her, it was more akin to stalking?
In any case, it must be exhausting.
Yet he could understand Hindel’s feelings as well.
‘I’m not sure what to do.’
The Sub Quest clearly stated to find her, not to attack.
There seemed to be no need to approach it antagonistically.
Since it was still early on, it was difficult to get a clear picture.
While lost in such thoughts.
Hindel asked Yoo Sung-hyun a question.
“By the way, it seemed as though you knew the name of that being…, is she someone you know well?”
“Ah….”
Because Fiora was so overwhelming, Yoo Sung-hyun had inadvertently acted as if he knew.
And now this had happened.
But he already had an excuse prepared.
“Rather than someone I know well, I simply have some information regarding Helena.”
“Wow!? You truly are remarkable. Th-that being just now was?”
“The Elder Shapeshifter, Fiora—that’s what I know her as, but I don’t know much about her weaknesses or techniques.”
Since the system was a Quest that allowed one to experience the past, there was no need to worry about butterfly effects.
Still, I was careful not to leak any critical weaknesses or combat tips.
Only the species name and her name.
Everyone simply exclaimed in admiration at Yoo Sung-hyun’s explanation.
However, Yoo Sung-hyun seemed somewhat burdened by their reaction and brushed it off casually.
“In any case, she’s quite adorable, isn’t she? The way she thinks of her master is rather touching.”
“As expected.”
“…Huh?”
“Unbelievable….”
“Heh.”
What was with that reaction?
Yoo Sung-hyun looked at them in confusion.
They continued to gaze at him with expressions of amazement.
And Flang was the first to speak up.
“You’re truly remarkable. Normally, when people see something like that, they’d react with ‘What the—!? That’s an unreasonable power!? I can’t possibly handle this! Damn it! A Demon King’s subordinate is this strong!?!?’ But you calmly call her an adorable child… You’re truly impressive.”
“I share the sentiment. It’s proof of just how skilled you are, Yoo Sung-hyun. The Hero’s suggestion to seek you out was indeed sound.”
“…A true powerhouse.”
“Even I had to maintain constant vigilance against that existence… yet to you, Yoo Sung-hyun, she’s merely an adorable child….”
They all continued their praise.
Yoo Sung-hyun felt his face growing hot in that moment.
No, they were really making a big deal out of the fact that I called Fiora cute.
If you just looked at her appearance, she had the form of an adorable girl, didn’t she?
Of course she was cute.
Sure, she was much larger and far more powerful than when she was first reborn.
But Fiora was still Fiora.
I genuinely thought the way she spoke so timidly was adorable too.
What was with this reaction?
Yoo Sung-hyun, embarrassed, quickly changed the subject.
“Ahem, anyway, we shouldn’t stop here, should we?”
“Of course not!”
“Hehehehe! Naturally. We have Hindel and Yoo Sung-hyun with us.”
“With both of you, I feel reassured.”
“…Me too.”
It hadn’t even been an hour since they’d joined up.
I wondered if this kind of reaction was appropriate.
But well, good things are good things, right?
And so the party began moving again.
Toward Selmas, where the Dark Castle was said to be located.
1.
The twilight sky grew dim as evening descended.
Something flew across the darkening sky like a crimson thread being drawn.
A crimson creature streaked across the sky, inscribing a scarlet thread upon the void as it descended toward the Dark Castle, where darkness churned with oppressive malevolence.
The scarlet being passed through the semi-transparent, murky black veil and arrived at the fortress.
There, it resumed its true form.
Whoooosh——!
Flames erupted, and the figure that transformed was none other than Fiora, the Elder Shapeshifter—the supreme progenitor of all doppelgangers and their queen.
The perpetually timid woman had apparently taken offense to something, her face pouting with her lips jutting out in displeasure.
Had something unpleasant occurred?
A woman with crimson hair and eyes like obsidian—dark as the abyss itself—observed Fiora’s demeanor.
The true mistress of this Dark Castle.
She who was called the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
An existence known in the Mortal Realm as the Demon King.
Helena.
Helena gazed at the pouting Fiora and asked with an elegant laugh.
“Fiora, why are you so displeased?”
-Ah, oh! H-Helena, my Lord!?
“Yes, yes, it’s me. So then, why? What’s troubling you?”
-Oh, w-well….
“It’s alright, you can tell me.”
I soothed the greatly flustered Fiora.
Fiora still hesitated, but at my words, she carefully opened her mouth.
-W-well, I went to the human Hero Party to deliver your message, but they kept insisting that I must speak directly with you….
“Ah, so that’s why you’re upset?”
-Y-yes, yes….
At Fiora’s words, Helena touched her luscious red lips with an elegant, deliberate gesture.
Was she contemplating something?
Or was she reaching some decision?
Fiora did not know, but she simply hoped that Helena’s will would prevail.
“Still, don’t be too upset. They are troublesome, certainly, but they are merely doing what they must in their own way.”
-Huh?! B-but….
“Fiora, if I asked you to stop serving me, how would you feel?”
-Wh-what!? I-I’ve never even considered such a thing, so I d-don’t know… but it would be s-sad.
At Helena’s example, Fiora’s expression became one on the verge of tears.
Helena gently stroked Fiora’s head and spoke.
“You see? Preventing someone from doing what they wish, what they must do, is a sorrowful thing.”
-Ah, I understand!
“That’s right, our Fiora is quite clever.”
Helena soothed Fiora in this manner.
Well, they were still annoying, that much was true.
‘Should I relocate elsewhere if they come? But I’ve grown fond of this castle…what to do?’
I pondered this trivial concern.
Helena heard Fiora speak.
-Ah, ah yes! I, I almost forgot… He, Helena Lord… There was a human who… knew my name.
“Fiora, your name?”
What did this mean?
A human who knew Fiora’s name?
Helena’s curiosity was piqued.
Fiora recounted what had happened to her.
She spoke of Yoo Sung-hyun, who had appeared and immediately asked if she was Fiora, and how the aura she felt from him was somewhat similar to Helena’s.
The moment Helena heard those words.
She carefully examined each detail.
How the world’s will operated.
What state her soul currently inhabited.
She read, one by one, the traces of her own essence scattered throughout the world.
There—an aura caught in that place, different from her own yet of the same nature.
Helena could perceive it.
The entire process took less than a second.
Having grasped this truth, Helena smiled quietly, then snapped her fingers with a sharp crack.
Then.
“Did you summon me?”
A figure in human form emerged from the floor as if something had melted and reformed.
Or was it a figure?
It seemed feminine, yet perhaps elderly, or childlike.
An entity whose age, gender, existence, and identity were unknowable.
When it appeared, Fiora exclaimed with delight.
But Helena, observing this being, narrowed her eyes and asked sharply.
“Was this your doing?”
“…I’m not certain what you mean….”
-Wh, what?!
As if accused of betrayal, the being grew deeply flustered.
Not startled at being discovered, but distressed that its loyalty might be misunderstood.
Fiora too looked at the being in shock, as if such a thing were impossible.
Observing the fluctuations of its soul, it spoke no falsehood.
For she gazed with eyes that gleamed teal.
She was certain.
“No, return now.”
“…I don’t understand what has transpired, but I apologize.”
“No, your fault is not ‘now’.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
-Wh, what?
At Helena’s command, the being vanished once more, leaving only Fiora standing in bewilderment.
Fiora remained as she was.
Helena stroked the anxious Fiora’s head thoughtfully.
‘A world of the past.’
Or more precisely, a world where the past has been recreated.
There could only be one meaning to this.
And there was only one being capable of such a feat.
‘Nocturnium, what on earth were you thinking?’
I’m not entirely sure why things turned out this way in the future.
But Helena decided to enjoy the present moment.
“So, Fiora? What does my successor look like? What kind of child is she? What does she seem to enjoy?”
-Eek!? Y-your successor, my lady?!
“Of course. Who else would have invited my successor to this place? So I’m thinking of giving her a gift in secret from this world. What do you think?”
-A-anything from you, Lady Helena, would be wonderful!
“Hmm, still, I should observe what she might need. Let me see.”
Helena waved her hand gracefully.
A mirror shimmering with teal light materialized, and within it, she could see Yoo Sung-hyun engaged in battle with Hindel.
-Eek! That’s him!
“Hmm? Quite handsome, isn’t he? I like him. Oh? But he uses a sword too? Hmm, then that would make an excellent gift.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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