The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 97

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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 97
97
1.
A strange and mystical world where teal-hued energy rippled endlessly across the surroundings.
And within that peculiar realm, a single ancient fortress drifted with majestic solemnity—a presence of dignity amidst the otherworldly expanse.
None other than the Dark Castle, situated in the Underworld.
The Dark Castle, which had lost its master long ago and now wandered through the Underworld, held within it a solitary being who sat upon the throne, observing the world in desolate silence.
Then, in that moment.
—Cough.
A memory flowed in, carried upon blood-red droplets spilled forth.
It was the past.
Or rather, a memory of a past that never existed.
The magic I had set in motion activated, and the memory poured in.
That being coughed blood while sifting through my own memories.
And within them, I recalled my master—now grown hazy and indistinct.
—I miss you.
My master, who had instantly grasped that my very existence was false and counterfeit, was truly remarkable.
I could even hear the reproach from my future self—the one who created this world—scolding me.
Rebukes and endless nagging.
Yet I yearned for even that with an aching heart.
—I wish to see you again, Lord.
A master I missed so dearly, whom I longed to see once more.
Yet a master now lost forever.
I had decided to let everything go and drift away as I was.
No—I was doing exactly that.
But within the past, I saw it.
Not only my former master, but the remarkable power of her successor.
He had demonstrated more than sufficient qualification and aptitude to ascend the throne.
Then I must show him the proper respect that befits such a position.
Yet even with a new master, my expression remained nothing but sorrowful.
Bleeding still, I rose from the throne, remembering my former master.
Now was the time to receive my new master.
—He is coming.
The new master I had not yet acknowledged.
He was coming to this Dark Castle.
No—he was coming to me.
So I must prepare to receive him.
For my new master.
2.
『To the Dark Castle』
→《Main》
→Main Quest.
→The entrance to the Dark Castle, or more precisely, I realized that the Dark Castle exists within the Underworld.
You are to go to the Dark Castle and meet 『Nocturnium』, the current master and sole inhabitant of the Dark Castle, and have a conversation with them.
→Overlord-exclusive Main Quest.
→Reward: 『Dark Castle』, Overlord-exclusive Item, Overlord-exclusive Skill Unlock.
The new Main Quest that Yoo Sung-hyun confirmed was definitely shorter than before.
The content itself wasn’t particularly complex.
I would have liked to test out the newly unlocked skills before heading out.
‘They’re giving me another skill as a reward.’
Wouldn’t it be better to clear the Main Quest first and then test things out?
Even an exclusive item.
I found myself genuinely excited.
The Dark Castle given as a reward would likely be the same category of reward as Helena’s Garden.
‘Come to think of it… Helena’s Garden was originally attached to the Dark Castle, wasn’t it?’
Would they merge once I obtain the Dark Castle?
Well, there’s no rush to think about that after I get it.
Normally, I would devise some strategy and feel appropriately tense.
But right now, none of that registered with me.
I simply opened a teal-colored portal to the Underworld as if going for a leisurely stroll.
Or rather, I was about to open it.
[You can open a portal to the Dark Castle in the Underworld, not a summoning.]
[Yes / No]
The answer was obvious.
Fzzzzzt.
Small sparks crackled across the teal portal.
It appeared slightly different from when I summoned before.
The one-way nature of the portal shifted, and the other side became visible.
The Dark Castle drifting serenely alone in a tranquil space.
It was well-maintained, its appearance still clean and beautiful.
Yet as grand as it was, it somehow looked more desolate than any other castle.
Paying no mind to the forlorn appearance of the Dark Castle.
I stepped inside leisurely.
Within the Dark Castle, where cold air devoid of warmth permeated everything, no sound could be heard except for the echo of my footsteps.
Thud, thud, thud.
Since I had been here before.
I moved toward the familiar path, and soon arrived at the center of the Dark Castle.
I reached the throne hall where a massive lobby and a throne stood firmly in place.
And there, a being I had seen once in the past awaited me.
An entity that took human form yet did not appear human.
An existence that seemed elderly yet youthful, masculine yet feminine all at once.
Nocturnium, the being once called by that name in the past, now stood face to face with Yoo Sung-hyun.
Would it impose a new trial?
Or perhaps something else entirely?
As Yoo Sung-hyun wondered what might unfold, Nocturnium approached and offered a respectful greeting.
-Welcome, I say.
This demeanor stood in stark contrast to the tone of the letter I had received through Fiora initially.
The letter had been written as though it would never grant acknowledgment.
It had even stated that trials would be imposed before any recognition could be granted.
It was also entirely different from the manner I had witnessed in the past.
There was a strong sense of deference and servitude.
With a courteous bow, Nocturnium spoke again.
-As you may already know, I am Nocturnium. The master of this fortress, its sole inhabitant, and the spirit of this castle.
“Hmm?”
So Nocturnium was the spirit of the Dark Castle itself.
I had never imagined such a thing.
No wonder it possessed the ability to command the surrounding lands and manipulate them at will.
I had known its name and abilities, but not that it was the Dark Castle incarnate, so I regarded it with a hint of surprise.
My surprise was not the only thing I felt.
I had wondered if there might be a new trial ahead.
But the atmosphere suggested otherwise.
The act of sending me to the past could itself have been a trial.
Yet I felt a twinge of disappointment that there seemed to be no trial.
Had there been a new trial, it would have been an excellent opportunity to test my new skills.
But that was not the priority at the moment.
I could set it aside for now.
-I humbly beg your pardon for daring to test my master while merely a subordinate.
“No, it’s fine.”
I deliberated whether I should use formal speech here.
In the end, I chose to speak casually instead.
Baltar and Fiora, who had been with me since Helena’s time, were the same way, and my new summon Barphor had also said that I was far more comfortable speaking casually than formally.
Let’s keep things comfortable.
Nocturnium seemed satisfied, smiling contentedly.
It was good that it was pleased.
Then, Yoo Sung-hyun suddenly recalled something I had nearly forgotten.
I remembered the note that Helena from the past had asked me to deliver to Nocturnium.
I had originally planned to hand it over once the trial was complete.
But since there appeared to be no trial.
Now would be the right time to give it, wouldn’t it?
With that thought, Yoo Sung-hyun retrieved a single note from my inventory.
Nocturnium gazed at the note with a puzzled expression.
“Here, take it.”
-…What is this, my lord?
“Ah, it’s a note Helena asked me to deliver to you.”
-…From the Lord…?
At Yoo Sung-hyun’s words, Nocturnium carefully unfolded the note.
The note was written in elegant yet refined handwriting.
At the sight of that achingly familiar script, Nocturnium was seized by nostalgia and read on with a bittersweet smile.
『Hello, Nocturnium of the future.』
The opening was unmistakably Helena’s style.
Nocturnium smiled softly at those words, yet the smile was profoundly melancholic and forlorn.
The former master I so desperately wished to protect.
The handwriting of the former master I so desperately wished to see.
I read through the letter slowly, savoring each word.
『I’ve heard what became of me in the future.
I’m truly sorry to you all.
Perhaps the future me felt the same way?
But you know, that’s who I am, don’t you?
I cannot begin to fathom the depths of suffering and sorrow you must carry, yet I am certain you will overcome it.
Some of you will act in accordance with my will.
Others will be consumed by grief, reminiscing about the past against my wishes.
And perhaps some will be driven to madness by such sorrow.
But I believe you will all overcome this.
I have faith in you.
For you are my children, and I am prouder of you than anyone.』
At those final words, I shed tears—thick and heavy.
I had known.
No, more than known—I had already been capable of it.
That I, and all the others, could overcome this aching longing and sorrow.
But I had not.
I did not wish to make excuses about lacking a catalyst.
The void left by Helena’s absence was simply too vast.
I had merely let myself drift along.
Then came the emergence of a new Overlord in my life.
It was a catalyst of sorts.
Yet I could not easily accept it.
For I harbored no belief that any new Lord, however capable, could surpass Helena.
But had she read even such thoughts?
『By the way, Yoo Sung-hyun possesses far greater talent than I do.
He may even reach that ‘pinnacle’ I once aspired toward.』
So you must take good care of him by his side.’
In the letter from the old Lord who still relied upon me.
Nocturnium closed my eyes gently.
Memories with the old Lord Helena, now a distant past, flickered through my mind.
When she first arrived at my true form, the Castle.
And when she gave form to my will as a spirit.
When Fiora was born.
Those days filled with many disciples, laughing and playing and celebrating within these halls.
Every one of those days was happiness.
I missed them.
But now it was time to let them go.
No matter how desperately I tried to hold on.
They were already the past.
Even if I wished to keep them in my heart, I could not anymore.
A new Lord.
For the sake of the memories and happiness I would build anew with him.
As I made this resolve, I bowed my head and spoke to Yoo Sung-hyun.
-It is a long tale, but after the previous Lord passed, we wandered in confusion.
“….”
Words that were almost a lament.
Yet Yoo Sung-hyun nodded in sympathy and listened in silence.
-The previous Lord’s will was that we serve any new successor who might arise. Those who followed that will created the organization now called Overpellis, while those like myself, full of lingering attachment, began to move separately.
“Hmm.”
-Some did not gather together at all, wandering the world alone, migrating to other dimensions, or drifting through the world consumed by the sorrow of losing their lord.
At the mention that some of Helena’s subordinates had done so, Yoo Sung-hyun trembled slightly.
Indeed, the loss of one so trusted and relied upon could drive one to such depths.
I could understand.
-I sense it in this vicinity. I feel the presence of my former comrade. The aura of one who has gone mad, already lost to their own soul.
[You have obtained a clue regarding a new main Quest.]
When Yoo Sung-hyun remained silent at what seemed an important revelation.
-I too was one of them, living alone in the Underworld. But now I shall abandon that attachment and longing, and pledge myself to the new Lord, my successor.
Nocturnium lowered my head and knelt on one knee as I continued.
-I accept the new Lord. Now I offer you all that I am.
With those words, Nocturnium offered the throne, and though Yoo Sung-hyun felt somewhat embarrassed by it.
He moved toward the throne.
Thud, thud, thud.
Footsteps echoed and filled the hall.
And as Yoo Sung-hyun reached the throne.
He ascended it and took his seat.
It seemed necessary to do so for the Quest to be completed.
That seemed to be the correct answer.
In that instant, a brilliant radiance burst forth from Nocturnium, and his form transformed.
The once-formless, bewildering appearance crystallized into the perfect visage of a young man.
The mysterious and enigmatic form that had existed according to the old master’s will now took definite shape as a new master was established.
His own appearance, too, became distinctly defined.
In accordance, the Dark Castle itself began to undergo transformation.
CRAAACK——!
CRZZZZZT——!
GROOOOAN——!
Various sounds echoed as if shedding accumulated grime, the dingy appearance began to metamorphose.
All traces of previous use vanished away.
As if the memories that had accumulated were being sent back to the distant past, I watched the entire process unfold, feeling an inexplicable poignancy.
The Dark Castle, which had possessed a dark and majestic appearance, began to transform into a grand fortress brimming with the weighty sensation of deep indigo ink around it.
Should it be called a Jet-Black Fortress rather than a Dark Castle?
The antique indigo hue had transformed into a truly striking appearance.
Before I could even be startled by the castle’s instantaneous change.
Reward messages appeared like ending credits signaling the conclusion of the Main Quest.
[Main Quest, 『To the Dark Castle』 has been cleared.]
[Main Quest rewards are granted.]
[You become the master of 『Dark Castle, Nocturnium』.]
[Summon, 『Nocturnium』 grows to match the Overlord’s level.]
[From now on, you may enter and exit 『Dark Castle』 at will.]
[Helena’s power left behind in 『Dark Castle』 is fully transmitted to you.]
[The power of the past Overlord is inherited.]
[Past power has been inherited.]
[Rewards are granted.]
[As a Main Quest reward, you acquire the job-exclusive Almighty-grade skill, 『Thorn of the Fallen Jet-Black』.]
[As a Main Quest reward, you acquire the Overlord job-exclusive Almighty-grade item, 『Overlord’s Grimoire』.]

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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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