The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 222

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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 222
A week had passed since the Heavenly Demon War.
Zeke McLafflin had managed to prevent the Celestial Forces’ finale without casualties, yet the identity of those who had annihilated them remained unknown.
No one had witnessed it, and even if they had, no one would have believed them.
Moreover, the continent’s people, gripped by shock, had no capacity to concern themselves with such matters.
“The Saint had been gathering sacrifices all this time to trigger the Heavenly Demon War. No matter how I think about it, it’s shocking…”
Gerard spoke thus with a grimace, but the sentiments of others were no different.
Mysterious deaths occurring simultaneously across the continent.
Through the Saint’s announcement, the entire continent learned that these deaths were connected to the event that had torn the sky asunder a week prior.
Of course, it was the work of Zeke masquerading as the Saint, but no one knew that.
Zeke was simply keeping it as his own dark secret.
‘It was unavoidable. It was the fastest way to convince people.’
Transforming into the Saint and confessing the full truth of the incident before the people.
What more certain method could there be?
Of course, Zeke had no intention of ever revealing that he had transformed into the Saint, even if it cost him his life.
“Zeke. Your expression doesn’t look good. Are you perhaps worried about the world?”
“Ah, no, Father.”
“Don’t worry. There are no threats to speak of anymore, are there?”
Though one hundred thousand innocent people had perished as sacrifices, evil had been vanquished.
The Saint along with the Twelve Forerunners, the Lich Dragon, and the Demons connected to it.
All reduced to a handful of ash.
The one who had contributed greatly to this process was none other than Zeke.
“Lighten your mood. Isn’t today a good day?”
“The Successor Appointment Ceremony is today, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Many people will come to celebrate today. Well, most of them will probably be coming to see you, Zeke.”
Zeke had long since relinquished his position as successor.
The one being appointed as successor was none other than the second son, Russell McLafflin.
Today was when he would be officially recognized as the next family head, yet it was obvious that people would come to see Zeke.
Zeke was the benefactor who had saved countless lives.
“It’s time. Let’s go, Zeke.”
“Yes.”

* * *
Numerous guests had gathered at the McLafflin Family Estate.
They had all come to celebrate Russell McLafflin’s appointment as heir.
“Congratulations, Prince Russell. You have truly become a worthy successor.”
“Thank you, Duke Deporte.”
“My congratulations, Prince Russell.”
“Welcome, Duke Reinhardt.”
“Of course I came. This is a joyous occasion for my disciple’s family.”
“We have arrived as well.”
“The Warlords themselves…!”
“Congratulations, Prince Russell.”
“Our felicitations.”
Many offered Russell their congratulations in turn.
Yet that attention was fleeting.
Their gazes soon drifted elsewhere.
“By the way, where has Zeke gone?”
“Ah, he stepped outside earlier to get some fresh air.”
“Is that so?”
“Shall we go find him?”
The Four Warlords who had been looking about soon spotted him.
“Ah, there he—”
“Wait. Who is he with?”
“Isn’t that Princess Sillis of House Deporte?”
“They seem to be having quite the conversation…”
“Let’s not interrupt them.”
The Four Warlords quickly turned away.

* * *
“I’m so relieved you’ve returned safely. I didn’t know what would become of the world.”
Princess Sillis gazed at me with worry etched across her features.
Even as I glimpsed her innermost thoughts again and again, there was only one voice I heard.
‘She genuinely cares for me and holds me dear.’
I had known Princess Sillis’s sincerity long ago, but the truth was I had deliberately turned away from it all this time.
The reason was simple.
I was meant to leave this place.
But now I had changed my mind.
I would spend my time here in Pangea, together with my family.
‘I am not Choi Kang-jun—I am Zeke McLafflin. My family is all here. I will not return to Earth.’
I knew well what consequences Future Choi Kang-jun’s obsession with returning to Earth had wrought, having witnessed them firsthand.
Though he and I were undoubtedly different, I refused to resemble him, so I resolved not to repeat his choices and mistakes.
That was the decisive reason for my choice to remain in Pangea.
Seeing me lost in contemplation, Princess Sillis spoke.
“Um, but there’s something you wanted to say….”
“Ah. My apologies.”
I collected myself and continued.
“I came to give you the answer I’ve been postponing.”
“What? An answer?”
“You said before—that I would answer once I returned.”
“Oh.”
Realization dawned on Princess Sillis.
She understood that I was responding to her proposal of marriage.
Thump-thump.
As my heart thundered in my chest, I opened my mouth.
“I’ve given this considerable thought….”
I set the tone deliberately, my gaze grave and resolute.
“I accept.”
“What? What do you….”
“Your proposal.”
I spoke again.
“Let us marry.”
My eyes held a gravity unlike any before.

* * *
Time flowed like a river.
I had formally married Sillis and even had a child with her.
Our daughter’s name was Sophia McLafflin.
She was now six years old—an adorable little girl.
“Our dear Sophia. How can you be so beautiful? You look just like your mother.”
“No, I look like Dad! Tee-hee!”
“Now, now, mind your manners. You mustn’t speak that way to your grandfather.”
Gerard, who had unexpectedly become a grandfather, gently stroked his granddaughter’s hair with a benevolent smile.
His son had married, a successor had been chosen, and there was nothing left for him to regret.
“The family will run smoothly even without me now.”
“Surely you’re not thinking of stepping down as family head?”
“Of course I am. I’ve held this position for over sixty years—isn’t that more than enough? It’s time to pass it to Russell.”
“Your brother will be delighted to hear that.”
Zeke McLafflin, who had been conversing with Gerard, could not hide his smile.
If someone asked when the happiest moment of one’s life was?
I could say without hesitation that it was now, surrounded by family.
I had grown so attached to the Pangaea Continent and had truly established myself here.
‘There’s nothing tormenting me anymore.’
The system still remained, but there were no more obstacles.
The Celestials and Demons walking the path of destruction never invaded the Human Realm, and the Heavenly Demon War never occurred.
Neither the Twelve Forerunners nor the Lich Dragon Council, nor anything that could threaten me and my family, existed.
‘Even if they did exist, I could simply eliminate them.’
There were no more strange Quests commanding me.
Now I lived a free life, no longer dragged about by Quests.
The system still remained, though.
‘It’s useless now. With such peace, what need is there?’
The world had reclaimed its peace.
So had my family.
My second brother Russell was recognized as the legitimate successor and would soon assume the position of family head, while my eldest brother Peter had married Mary after their eyes met.
‘I’m not sure where they found common ground, but those two always did bicker and get along well.’
I had married Sillis, fathered a child, and claimed the position of Grand Aura Master, earning great renown.
Thus, I now bore the title of one of the Five Warlords.
I had taken the seat that had been vacant—Maligore’s seat.
‘I wasn’t originally interested, but my master and the other warlords pushed so hard…’
My relationship with my stepmother Christina, who had always glared at my mother and me with disdain, had improved considerably.
Saving Russell and renouncing my claim to succession seemed to have changed her heart.
Now she and my mother, Daina, often spent time together over tea—there was nothing more to say about it.
‘Everything is ideal. There’s nothing more I could ask for.’
Then an unexpected question suddenly came from Gerard’s lips.
“Zeke. Don’t you think it’s time we had a second child?”
“Pardon?”
“What do you say, Sophia? You’d like to have a little brother or sister, wouldn’t you?”
At Grandfather’s question, Sophia immediately puffed out both her cheeks.
“I don’t want a sibling! You’ll only love them if they’re born!”
“Hahaha! Our granddaughter is adorable when she’s jealous!”
Watching Father’s face light up with such affection, Zeke couldn’t help but smile warmly as well.
There was no happiness greater than this.
I had come to understand, though late, just how wonderful it felt to have a family.

* * *
After Russell’s inauguration as head of the family was complete.
Zeke was resting alone in his room.
‘I’ve got some free time for once. Maybe I’ll take a nap.’
Since I’d spent most of my time with family lately, I had little time to myself.
‘I wonder how Carbollearos is doing? And Carsedo and Cardiplian—what are they up to these days?’
It had been quite some time since I’d seen the dragons.
We parted ways during the Heavenly Demon War and hadn’t been in contact since.
‘They said they’d visit every ten years before leaving… but honestly, isn’t ten years too long?’
Of course, if I wanted to, I could find them.
No matter how vast Pangea was, it fell within my sensory range.
I could pinpoint the exact location of any being whose face or name I knew.
‘I could even see them without going there myself. Through my far-sight.’
But I decided not to seek out the dragons.
They had crossed to the Eastern Continent and were forming a new society there.
Knowing that much should be sufficient, shouldn’t it?
‘Enough of that. Let me just take my nap.’
I was closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep when it happened.
Ding!
An unexpected sound echoed.
It was the sound that played whenever a System Message appeared.
Opening my eyes, I saw a screen I could hardly believe.
[Patricia’s Circle 9/9 Complete!]
[Sub Quest Cleared!]
[You receive 5,000 Seventh-Circle Skill Proficiency as a reward.]
[Proficiency Remaining Until Seven-Star Achievement: 18,595/30,000]
Patricia—the girl whose talent had been wasting away in the countryside.
She had achieved the Ninth Circle in less than ten years.
It wasn’t particularly surprising.
I had known of Patricia’s talent long ago.
‘And the fact that Quests still exist.’
Every time Patricia’s Circle advanced, a notification arrived—I couldn’t have missed it.
But what truly caught Zeke off guard was something else entirely.
[Current Quests Completed: 100/100]
[You have achieved 100 Quests!]
[Achievement ‘One Who Has Accomplished All’ completed!]
[Achievement reward item has been granted. You can check the item in your subspace inventory.]
With the hundredth Quest fulfilled, an item had arrived.
An item even Zeke hadn’t anticipated.
‘This is… a Dimensional Transfer Stone?’
Zeke retrieved the reward from his subspace inventory and turned the stone over in his palm, examining it.
‘I wondered what reward would come, but a Dimensional Transfer Stone?’
The Quest system that Future Choi Kang-jun had created.
Completing fifty Quests had yielded a Dimensional Transfer Stone as an Achievement reward, and now completing a hundred had produced another.
‘Could Future Choi Kang-jun have placed this as a backup reward in case I destroyed the first stone?’
Regardless, it was an item Zeke had no use for now.
He could traverse the Celestial Realm or Demon Realm with his dimensional transfer skill alone, without needing anything like this.
‘No reason to go anywhere, anyway.’
Zeke clenched the Dimensional Transfer Stone in his fist.
Crumble—
As it crumbled to dust, he ignited flames and obliterated it completely.
‘I don’t need something like this anymore.’
Dimensional transfer?
Transfer to where, exactly?
The Celestial Realm? The Demon Realm? The Divine Realm?
Or perhaps Earth?
‘I can’t even go to Earth. No one else exists as an Earth native besides me.’
Besides, returning to Earth required a physical body.
Without a body native to Earth, there was no way to return.
Even if one existed, I had no desire to use it as a vessel.
There was no reason to go.
With a happy family here, why would I ever leave?
‘Earth is my homeland, but… my place is here.’
Here in Pangea, where my family dwells.
This was the foundation of Zeke’s life.

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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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