Chapter 96 

There are countless rumors surrounding the Archmage. Among them, the most credible is that he is the only surviving member of the Five Heroes. 

The Archmage disappeared without a trace around the time peace was returning after the Great War. From then on, sightings of him would occasionally surface across the continent, perhaps once every few years or even decades.

Though many would go their entire lives without so much as hearing a whisper of the Archmage, those of House Winter saw him more often than most.

“…How…”

Finding the Archmage, who roamed every corner of the continent, was as close to impossible as it gets. And yet, Nick had managed the impossible.

“I was incredibly lucky. When I arrived at the place I'd been searching for, the Archmage was asleep.”

There was no other way to describe it but sheer luck. Johann was still dazed by the situation, but he composed himself and greeted the Archmage properly.

“It’s been a while, Archmage.”

This was the fourth time in his life that Johann had seen the Archmage, who appeared unchanged, still as young as ever.

With long, snowy-white hair that resembled that of an old man, the Archmage gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his pale face devoid of expression as he received their greetings.

“I’ve been briefed on the situation.”

His voice rang out, strangely devoid of emotion, so flat and dry that it hardly seemed human. The Archmage narrowed his eyes.

“It’s not the Duke, but someone else whose condition seems far more severe.”

Johann’s eyes widened at those words.

When Nick had gone to find the Archmage, it had only been to subdue the unstable powers of the Duke. 

‘Maybe…’

Maybe the Archmage could save Daphne.

“Archmage.”

Johann took a step closer to him.

“…There’s someone I’d like to show you.”

The Archmage jerked his chin forward, gesturing for Johann to lead the way.

Even as he walked ahead, Johann couldn’t help sneaking glances at the man behind him. The Archmage had always been an elusive figure, difficult to approach and impossible to read. At times, he didn’t seem human at all.

To ease his own tension, Johann deliberately struck up conversation.

“What have you been doing all this time? It’s been years since we last saw you.”

“…Has it really been that long?”

The Archmage murmured softly.

“I’ve been looking for someone.”

“Who, if I may ask?”

The idea of the Archmage, who never settled anywhere and wandered the continent, searching for someone was so unfamiliar that Johann instinctively asked the question.

“…Is it here?”

So focused was he on the Archmage’s words that they walked right past Daphne’s room. But somehow, the Archmage stopped right in front of it.

“Oh… yes, this is the place.”

Johann quickly regained his senses. Before he could even touch the doorknob, the door flung open.

Realizing a beat too late that it had been magic, Johann was momentarily stunned by the Archmage’s casual entrance, but quickly hurried in after him.

“You used the ice stone I gave you to temporarily suspend her vital functions.”

“I did, but it was after her heart had already stopped, so the effect was limited.”

“If you’d been even a little later, it would’ve been too late.”

The Archmage placed a hand on Daphne’s forehead and asked, “How long has she been like this?”

“It hasn’t quite been a month, but several weeks. She suddenly collapsed, her heart stopped, but we managed to perform emergency treatment using a magic stone infused with holy power.”

“Divine powers?”

“Yes. His Excellency went to retrieve a massive mana stone buried in the snow-covered mountains.”

“He went himself?”

The Archmage’s expression shifted subtly.

“So you still don’t know the exact cause.”

“Well… Actually, we received help from the Saintess. She showed some improvement, but then her condition suddenly deteriorated…”

The Archmage withdrew his hand and straightened his posture.

“She’s under a curse of black magic.”

“…Excuse me?”

“A powerful curse, born of deep, bitter resentment.”

The Archmage clicked his tongue as he looked down at Daphne.

He’d sensed something off from the moment he entered the mansion, and sure enough, it was black magic. It had been a long time since he’d encountered it, and this was among the worst he’d ever seen. The curse, infused with hatred built over at least a decade, gripped her soul and heart with a vice.

Without the ice stone, it would have been no surprise if she had already died.

“From here on, do exactly as I say.”

“Of course.”

“Until I come out, no one is to enter this room. No matter what happens.”

As the Archmage took off his robe, he vanished into thin air in an instant.

“…Is it even possible?”

To that question, the Archmage, without looking away from Daphne, responded, “It is.”

At the certainty in his voice, Johann finally felt a flicker of relief and stepped back.

“Then… I leave her in your care.”

With a deep bow, Johann exited the room. The door shut behind him with a heavy click as it locked. Johann stared at the firmly closed door for a moment, then turned away.

* * *

“Aaagh!”

A scream tore through the mansion.

“AaaAAARGH!”

The next scream was even louder and laced with pain, prompting Baroness Nouvelle to leap to her feet.

“I can’t take this anymore!”

“Dear…”

“It’s already been two days!”

Baroness Nouvelle cried out as if the words were being forced from her lungs.

Two whole days had passed since the screaming started. Day and night, the shrieks echoed throughout the estate, depriving everyone of sleep and leaving pale faces in their wake.

“What if something happens to Madam? What if she doesn’t make it?!”

“The Archmage was very clear. No matter what happens, no one is to go in.”

Johann tried to soothe the Baroness calmly. But her patience had long since worn thin. Her face haggard and drawn, she snapped back.

“Are you saying we should just stand by while she suffers?! I-I can’t do that!”

Baron Nouvelle gently pulled his wife back.

“She’ll be fine. And even if, as you fear, something goes wrong… His Excellency is returning today.”

“But still…”

“If you trust His Excellency, then the best thing we can do now is to stay out of it.”

At last, the Baroness gave a weary nod and collapsed back into her seat.

“He’ll come back. Of course he will. He must…”

She murmured as she stared blankly into space.

“I need some air. I can’t just sit here.”

She grabbed her shawl and staggered outside.

— — — 

The cold wind brushed her cheek, and only then did her mind begin to clear. The Baroness exhaled deeply, then drew in a long breath.

The sun was already setting. She’d said he would come back because she needed to believe it, but even she wasn’t truly sure. She was just clinging to hope.

“Your Excellency…”

Please come back.

Baroness Nouvelle clasped her hands together and whispered desperately. She had kept her eyes closed for a long while. When she finally opened them, somewhat calmer, she turned to go back inside… 

… only to stop at the sight of a dark figure in the distance.

“…Your Excellency?”

She murmured, dazed. As though drawn by a force, her feet began to move.

“…Your Excellency!”

Now certain it was Edmund, the Baroness quickened her pace, stumbling as her feet sank into the snow, but paying it no mind as she ran.

“Baroness.”

“Oh, you’re back! You really came back…”

Relieved at the sound of his familiar voice, the Baroness's tense shoulders collapsed. Edmund took a step back from her as she neared.

“I reek of blood. Please don’t come any closer.”

She was about to protest, what did that matter? when he looked straight at the mansion.

“…The Archmage?”

“Yes, yes. Nick brought him.”

“And yet…”

Something felt… off. Then it happened.

“AAARGH!”

Another blood-curdling scream split the air. Edmund’s brow furrowed.

“What was that?”

“That’s…”

The voice was brief, but familiar. Edmund’s heart surged with dread and began to race. Without hesitation, he strode into the mansion.

The Baroness rushed after him.

“Your Excellency! He said no one must enter, no matter what! Please!”

But the gap between them widened. By the time she stepped into the mansion, Edmund had already vanished.

“Is His Excellency back?”

Hearing her shout, others came running.

“He’s gone to Madam! We have to stop him!”

“D**n it.”

Understanding the situation, Alec cursed under his breath and sprinted off.

“Your Excellency!”

Thanks to his head start, Alec reached the room just in time to find Edmund standing before it.

“Open the door.”

Edmund’s shoulders rose and fell with heavy breaths as he banged on the door.

“Please, Your Excellency. Just a little more time…”

“AAAAH!”

The scream that erupted from behind the door cut Alec off. He knew then, there was no stopping Edmund. With a crack, the door shattered, and Edmund burst into the room.

“Tsk.”

Inside, the Archmage sat on the floor, clicking his tongue as he shot Edmund a sharp glance.

“I warned you.”

Without a backward look, the Archmage brushed past him.

Edmund saw only Daphne. She was gasping, her eyes closed, her lashes soaked and trembling.

“…Edmund?”

With a hoarse, broken voice, Daphne called his name.

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