The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 198

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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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The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 198
At the mention of heading to the Western Continent, Gerard expressed his reluctance.
“How long has it been since we met, and you’re leaving again? What business do you have on the Western Continent?”
“I heard rumors that Draconians live there. I think I need to go and investigate.”
To be precise, it wasn’t Draconians but actual dragons, though either way, Gerard found it disappointing.
“We haven’t even had much time to talk as father and son, and now we must part again. How unfortunate.”
…
Hearing Gerard’s sincere words, I felt something stir within me.
A peculiar heaviness clawed at my chest.
‘What is this feeling?’
[The target you are currently observing is speaking the ‘truth’.]
‘I know. I know it’s the truth.’
I glared irritably at the system before looking at Gerard.
-I want to hold Zeke back, but I cannot. For him, there is nothing more important right now than finding the Draconians. At this age, establishing one’s identity is paramount. I must let him go….
A father’s heart—wanting to hold on but unable to.
Through my mind-reading skill, it all came through clearly.
Even his love for his son.
‘Father….’
It was a truly ironic situation.
Here was a son thinking only of growing stronger and returning to Earth, while the father, unaware of such things, was filled with love for him.
‘I’ve always known. I knew from the moment I was reborn. How much Father cherishes and loves me.’
I had possessed an adult’s mind since my reincarnation.
I had witnessed firsthand every effort he made to care for me and nurture my talents.
‘Yet here I am, thinking only of returning to my homeland….’
It was far too selfish.
I had thought only of myself and built walls between myself and the people of this world.
Here, I am a native of Pangea, a continental citizen, and the youngest prince of the McLafflin Family.
‘My soul may be different, but biologically and in the affection that raised me, this man is my true father.’
How could I abandon such a family and leave? How could I?
‘Why am I only realizing this now? Why….’
My mind was in turmoil.
Bound by the notion that this was a foreign land unsuited to me, I had forgotten what truly mattered.
‘What’s the point of returning to Earth anyway?’
Earth was in its final stages of collapse—there would be no family or friends left to return to.
I had been an orphan from the start, with no parents to seek out.
My true family was here, I could now see.
‘Then why did I grow stronger? What was the point?’
If I wasn’t going to return to Earth, there was no reason to become stronger at all.
As these thoughts spiraled, my mind descended into deeper chaos.
Noticing my prolonged silence, worry flickered across Gerard’s eyes.
“Why do you look like that, Zeke? Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“Then rest in your room for a while. You don’t have to leave right this moment, do you?”
Even now, his concern for my condition was palpable, along with his desire to spend more time with me.
For me, that affection felt more like an inconvenience.
Or perhaps it was guilt.
“I should go now.”
“Hmm, so you’re leaving right away?”
“It seems I must.”
“I see. Then bid farewell to your mother as well. And to Princess Sillis too.”
“Princess Sillis? Why?”
“She’s been eagerly waiting to speak with you.”
I nodded in response.
First, I needed to compose my turbulent emotions and say goodbye to everyone.
That was the right thing to do.
But before I left, I should give them something.
“Father, you haven’t reached the 9th Circle yet?”
“Hmm? Well, that’s right. For some reason, my magical energy hasn’t been accumulating further.”
“May I see your hand for a moment?”
Gerard extended his hand with a puzzled expression at my sudden request.
I grasped his wrist and pretended to examine his condition.
“Try breaking through the meridian between your eighth and sixth mana rings, then work on it again. That will create the foundation for your ninth mana ring.”
“What? Is that… truly possible?”
Of course it was true.
I had seen through my father’s entire condition with the Sage’s Eyes.
“Yes. And you’ve been curious about Russell’s whereabouts, haven’t you?”
“Huh? How did you…?”
“I just thought you would be. Since I’m heading to the Western Continent anyway, I’ll search for Russell while I’m there.”
“You would do that?”
“Yes. So please don’t worry too much and wait for me. Until I return.”
I smiled once, then turned away without hesitation.
I planned to say goodbye to my family members one by one before departing.

* * *
“Princess Sillis? Are you inside?”
Sillis startled at the sudden voice.
‘That’s… Zeke’s voice, isn’t it?’
Having waited so eagerly, she rushed to open the door.
And there he stood—Zeke, right before her.
“Zeke! When did you arrive!?”
“Just now. But you said you had something to tell me?”
“Y-yes, please come in first.”
As Zeke entered the room, he began to probe her true thoughts before stopping himself.
He realized that peeking into someone’s heart like that wasn’t proper.
‘Besides, I can already guess what she’s going to say…’
Unaware that he’d already anticipated her words, Sillis fidgeted nervously, unsure how to begin.
“You wanted to say something…?”
“Ah, well, you see… um…”
Sillis had intended to confess to Zeke formally and propose to him, but now that the moment had come, she hesitated.
It wasn’t marriage she doubted.
It was courage.
‘W-what do I do? I’m… I’m trembling so much.’
Having spent her entire life receiving proposals rather than making them, how could she not tremble?
Perhaps because Zeke understood her feelings so well,
he opened his mouth to make her choice easier.
“I’m leaving soon.”
“Pardon?”
“To the Western Continent. I have matters to attend to there.”
“…”
“I came to say goodbye. Since I don’t know when we’ll meet again, if you have anything to say, now would be the time…”
“I love you!”
The words tumbled out, and Sillis’s face flushed crimson as she struggled with her embarrassment.
But she had spoken.
“I-I love you, Zeke.”
“I know. You’ve said so before.”
“B-but I don’t think my sincerity came across. This time, I’m speaking with complete earnestness.”
Sillis, flustered yet genuine, laid bare her heart.
“People look at my appearance and assume I must have many men around me. But I’ve never had a close male friend. They all approached me captivated by my looks, and their intentions were transparent.”
“…”
“Then I met you. You saved me, yet showed so little interest. Unlike the others. That’s why I became more curious. What kind of person are you? Why don’t you show interest in me?”
Sillis was mistaken—Zeke had indeed felt interest.
Her beautiful appearance was enough to stir any man’s heart.
Yet Zeke had been able to keep his distance all this time because he believed they were destined to part ways.
‘This world is not where I belong.’
What was the point in growing attached to people in a world I would eventually leave?
It would only shackle me later.
Because that conviction had settled deep within me, I could maintain distance from Princess Sillis.
I could treat her with indifference.
But not anymore.
‘Princess Sillis. She’s a remarkable woman. Rationally speaking, too.’
The moment I thought there was no need to return to Earth, Princess Sillis appeared in a different light.
She felt like someone whose heart I could afford to open to.
“I have feelings for you, Zeke. That’s why I want to propose to you formally. Will you accept my heart?”
Princess Sillis gazed at Zeke with earnest eyes.
Unlike before, there was no wavering in her gaze.
No shyness either.
Eyes seeking an answer.
Zeke’s pupils trembled slightly.
“My answer is….”
Princess Sillis swallowed hard, her focus absolute.
Silently she pleaded, offering prayers to the gods.
Begging to hear the answer she desired.
But she did not know.
“…Could I give you an answer when I return?”
That beneath his composed exterior, Zeke’s emotions were in turmoil.

* * *
Iron Man, Clifford Stewart.
He was currently making his way toward the Royal Palace of Decan.
It was to carry out Stella’s orders to plunder Decan’s Treasure Vault.
‘Hmm?’
As Clifford approached the palace, he suddenly came to a halt.
A transmission arrived through the Luminous Portalsphere.
It was Stella.
He crossed his legs and accessed the virtual space.
“Stella. What is the matter?”
[Clifford. Have you infiltrated Decan?]
“Yes. I’ve just arrived and was about to execute the plan.”
[The Demon King has issued orders to accelerate preparations for the Heavenly Demon War.]
“Accelerate? Faster than now?”
[Yes. The Successor of God has begun actively interfering.]
‘The Successor of God again?’
A flicker of emotion crossed Clifford’s typically expressionless face.
It was inevitable.
The Successor of God who had slaughtered dozens of Lich Dragons.
The memory suddenly surfaced, and with it came a sensation of dread.
But it was only momentary.
As if nothing had happened, he suppressed the emotion and spoke calmly.
“Wasn’t the Successor of God supposed to be handled by the Demon Faction?”
[That was the plan. But they failed. Six high-ranking demons engaged the Successor of God, yet all were annihilated.]
“….”
Surprise flickered across Clifford’s usually impassive face.
The fear he had tried to suppress resurfaced alongside it.
‘To think even six demons would fall to him….’
He had become a living bomb—something that must never be provoked again.
“So that’s why you’re hastening preparations for the Heavenly Demon War?”
[Exactly. We’ve decided to stop engaging the Successor of God and instead proceed with our own agenda.]
“But we haven’t gathered enough followers yet. How can we….”
[We’ve assembled a sufficient number, even if not as many as originally planned. At this point, we can open the Heavenly Demon War regardless.]
“Is that so?”
[There are exactly three tasks remaining. First, stealing Arcnium from Hamilton Mine—I’ve entrusted that to Baluduk, so it will be accomplished soon. Second is dealing with the elven artifacts in Decan’s Treasure Vault.]
“The very task I’m about to undertake.”
[Correct. And finally, bringing the dragons from the Western Continent to our side. Once these three are done, we can immediately open the Heavenly Demon War.]
“Then I should make haste toward Decan’s Treasure Vault.”
[Yes. However, avoid unnecessary killing and move as quietly as possible. If we draw unwanted attention, the Successor of God might notice and interfere again.]
“Understood.”
Proceeding with the Heavenly Demon War without drawing the attention of the Successor of God.
That was the remaining task for the Pioneers.
[Once you’ve finished here, go to the Western Continent and bring back the Lich Dragon. Inform them of the situation as well.]
“Understood. I shall do so.”
Clifford severed the connection and slowly opened his eyes, rising from his seat.
‘Breaking into a treasure vault is hardly difficult.’
His eyes gleaming with purpose, Clifford channeled his specialty—telekinesis.
His body lifted gracefully into the air above the Royal Palace.

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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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