Silence vs Time

Mage association 13th branch head Duran placed his wine glass on the desk.

In the deep night, even wind sounds aren’t heard, and only an unfamiliar presence is felt outside.

Instantly, his pupils dyed red.

“Who’s there!”

Wind containing high heat smashed the door.

Duran’s face contorted.

Because beyond it, the branch’s mages lay sprawled.

“Good instincts.”

Duran turned his head toward the sofa.

He didn’t even sense when the man entered.

A man wearing a pressed robe had his bottom perched on the sofa.

“I heard you’re the weakest among all branch heads. Since Wanstein drove you out to such a remote place, I thought you’d be at an insignificant level, but you sense mana quite well. As expected of a mage with the Magus wall right before your eyes.”

When Pernok slowly stood up, Duran’s whole body stiffened.

Because before he knew it, the shadow cast at his feet bound his body immovably.

‘This is…’

It’s magic similar to the deputy branch head’s shadow binding technique.

Magic that spreads without sound or trace.

This person is at least close to Magus.

The moment the conclusion fell, cold sweat flowed down Duran’s forehead.

“Whose orders did you come on?”

“Wanstein will hear the answer instead after you die.”

The thought that there might be a grudge relationship with the association head.

Or the judgment that it’s probably a spy from various recently opposing nations.

‘Perhaps the fleet attack was also led by the force that sent this assassin.’

Though the key to solving the questionable incident was before his eyes, Duran didn’t even dare think of exchanging moves.

Because the mana flowing from Pernok was extremely fierce and overwhelming, he judged this absolutely wasn’t someone he could face.

“Kyahat!”

Duran let out a scream-like sound and shook off the shadow binding.

And he scattered high-heat wind in all directions trying to block Pernok’s eyes.

“I want to avoid useless sacrifice.”

A glowing sword lightly split the wind.

“Your and the deputy branch head’s necks. And the necks of those following Wanstein are enough.”

“W-wait…!”

Pernok’s sword severed Duran’s neck.

When screams from passersby rang out at the neck that fell out the window, the ownerless body collapsed to the floor.

And he sucked up all the spiritual power and mana that flowed out.

Synchronization rate – 50.2%

The synchronization rate that met stagnation again from some point didn’t rise easily.

But mages following Wanstein possessed quality magic and mana.

They were prey that made Pernok’s mouth water, as he needed to secure quality magic as much as possible before war.

[Aren’t you killing the other guys?]

“There’s no need to kill guys unrelated to Wanstein.”

Pernok changed the artifact to ring form and swept the surroundings.

“Witnesses are necessary. I need to make it so someone attacked and Wanstein can track that tail.”

The 13th branch was cleaned up quickly, but he left traces as if fierce battle occurred.

The methods were very peculiar, creating artificial marks everywhere on the walls so he could be found the moment related clues were discovered.

“This should be enough.”

[Then will you go back and wait now?]

“No.”

Pernok pressed down his robe and kicked off from the branch.

“I need to erase at least half.”

Sharp gazes floating in the night sky turn toward the next branch.

* * *

When tensions escalated from each nation’s confrontation.

Wanstein who was discussing the future with the elders received sudden news.

“What?”

“13th branch head Duran is dead! The 13th branch’s executives all had their necks severed too.”

Wanstein struck the table.

“Who!”

“Still investigating. But at the scene, unique traces…”

“I’ll go directly.”

The nerves that were already on edge finally exploded.

Wanstein entered the 13th branch with his disciple.

Around when he took in the special traces carved on the walls, shocking reports were newly heard.

“The 7th branch head was murdered!”

“…!”

The method was identical to the 13th branch. All had necks severed and carved various scars in the space after fierce battle.

And.

“The 4th branch head is dead!”

“The villain turned the 15th branch into a wasteland!”

Incidents kept coming at one-week intervals.

In the state where it wasn’t even revealed how many villains there were, only the same traces were discovered. And Wanstein grasped one commonality of these branches.

‘They’re targeting my faction.’

All are Wanstein’s followers.

Though he couldn’t know the villain’s identity, the intention to shake Wanstein was clearly conveyed.

‘Who is it, what force?’

They’re so covert and strong that even though branches were attacked, the villain’s identity can’t be grasped.

‘At minimum Magus-level. Does a Magus with these traces exist?’

At least not among the Magi Wanstein knows.

‘They’ve been raising someone covertly. A nation with forces strong enough not to put forward Magi who are national war potential.’

It was the moment the thought of Rakis grazed his mind.

“Association head! The 3rd branch…”

“Summon the remaining branch heads immediately! And Pedson!”

“Yes, master!”

“The villain is targeting my faction. If they sweep away the remaining branch heads, the next destination is clear. If I go, the villain might be wary and flee. So you face them, but absolutely don’t overdo it and just leave a ‘marker’ on that guy.”

“Understood!”

Pedson headed to the 9th branch, and Wanstein summoned the association’s combat mages.

7th level and above mages alone numbered as many as 30, and mages who can use mana amplification exceeded 300.

If branches gather here, that number will double.

“We’ll subjugate the villain who shook us the moment they’re discovered. From now on we enter first-level alert status. Don’t relax your guard for a moment!”

“Yes!”

He temporarily buried worries about Porla who entered the royal palace in a corner of his mind.

Even if the villain is Rakis, this matter absolutely can’t be passed over nicely.

‘If I must fight, I’ll join with Tyr and extract blood payment from Rakis.’

The suspicious fox finally showed itself outside its den.

* * *

Pernok also obtained information that all branches were gathering at the association.

Knowing this, he entered the 8th branch that was uniquely maintaining the branch.

As if waiting, the 8th branch head and mages aimed at Pernok.

“It’s the villain!”

Pernok looked at the Magus walking down from the 2nd floor.

‘Pedson.’

Wanstein’s remaining disciple and the association’s treasure mentioned as next association head.

“Arrogant one.”

The Magus running toward S2 looked at Pernok coldly.

“You dared enter knowing people are gathered here. You seem to overflow with considerable confidence. Thoroughly confess who’s behind you. Then, I’ll kill you without pain.”

“Try it. If you can.”

When Pernok sneered, instantly dense mana descended on the branch.

Curtain-like magic that darkens the surroundings.

Pedson called the Dark Magus for handling darkness attribute seized the space in an instant.

Bang!

Pernok’s left sleeve burst.

‘He strikes the desired area with no-casting inside this space.’

The moment eyes linger, that place is already devoured by darkness.

‘If I grasp where mana gathers and avoid it, that’s enough. But if he detonates this whole space…’

He didn’t mobilize even violent measures because other mages were in the branch.

He might have rather looked down on Pernok.

There’s a high possibility he weakly adjusted the Magus Arts output aiming for suppression because he seemed weaker than expected.

‘If I severed that neck now, it’d be comfortable.’

He still can’t kill Pedson yet.

Wanstein definitely ordered Pedson to track the villain.

He needs to make Pedson drag Wanstein to the battlefield.

Then.

‘I’ll toy with him.’

The moment Pernok’s sleeve seemed to swell, Pedson’s mana burst before his eyes.

Bang!

As soon as each other’s mana collided, Pernok retreated two steps.

When he smoothly wiped the blood flowing from his lips, his mana visibly shook.

Pedson’s eyes flashed.

‘He’s a Magus. But he hasn’t long since grasping Magus Arts.’

Pedson concentrated all the space’s mana on Pernok.

When that part darkened, it began mercilessly tearing the robe like a beast’s fangs.

Bang!

When Pernok kicked off and tried to retreat, Pedson narrowed the space.

Darkness’s characteristic is like heavy pressing gravity.

Pedson’s darkness sublimated to Magus Arts can bind mana like restraints along with tearing apart opponents trapped in the space.

‘It’s Magus Arts with many uses.’

Thinking he must definitely seize Pedson’s Magus Arts, Pernok raised Mana Reinforcement.

When his body accelerated and moved before darkness could stick, Pedson’s pupils also sharpened further.

‘Enhancement-type?’

He watched Pernok’s appearance tearing through space and escaping.

“I’ll pursue!”

“Stop.”

“Sir Pedson!”

“I planted my marker on him.”

Pedson sneered at Pernok’s fleeing back.

“I’ll report to master and confirm what force is manipulating him.”

“So you used your hand lightly!”

“Everyone prepare. We’ll join master and annihilate them all at once.”

“Yes!”

The 8th branch settled the chaos and headed to association headquarters following Pedson.

Pedson who arrived immediately rushed to Wanstein.

“Master, I planted a marker on the villain. He’s currently moving toward the southern region.”

“South, then… the coastline?”

“There are quite many islands in that sea.”

Wanstein’s eyes became cold.

The sea and Tyr’s fleet rose to mind together.

‘If that villain was involved even in Tyr’s fleet…’

Wanstein let out a bitter laugh.

All branch heads and mages tensed sharply.

Because they were watching the fury dwelling in his pupils.

“They dared toy with the association.”

All answers are there.

Wanstein rose with judgment close to conviction.

“From now on the association handles the villain.”

“Yes!”

Wanstein led hundreds of mages and crossed the coastline following the marker Pedson carved.

* * *

They borrowed ships and split the sea using Pedson’s marker as a signpost.

After a moment, numerous islands came into view.

“It’s heading inside there.”

As soon as Wanstein raised his hand, wind and water magic added propulsion to the ships.

Ships carrying hundreds of high-level mages crossed the calm seawater and arrived at a peculiar place where several islands gathered.

“Indeed…”

Wanstein nodded at the presences felt everywhere.

“…This is why no one would know what’s hidden here.”

If it weren’t for Pedson, he wouldn’t have been interested in who lives here.

“Impressive. Truly impressive.”

Wanstein’s admiration flowed out to the silent sea.

“How could we not know such people were hiding until now!”

Instantly Wanstein’s mana embraced the island.

All who remained here were detected.

However, there were two peculiarly special mana.

One was the Magus villain Pedson left a marker on, and the other was moving very leisurely in his own mana domination.

Sensing that special presence that provokingly sends out mana from the island’s center, Wanstein announced.

“Kill all living things on this island and bring just a few villains.”

“What about the one I marked?”

“If suppression is possible, bring him even if you must cut off limbs. However, if you must take risks, cut the neck and find evidence of what force is involved.”

“Understood, master.”

Pedson who bowed headed to the island’s west.

Branch heads each divided and attacked the points Wanstein indicated.

And Wanstein walked alone toward the island’s center.

Bang bang bang!

Like bursting fireworks in the night sky, spectacular battles unfold everywhere.

But only the path heading to the center was quiet.

Wanstein entered that place where not a single leaf stirred and all objects were frozen as if time stopped.

An old gentleman wearing a fedora unsuited to the island was holding a cane.

In the wide space, the old gentleman’s pressure felt strangely familiar.

“It’s been a while.”

The moment the old gentleman removed his fedora and raised his face, Wanstein’s pupils shook roughly.

The hearty appearance of his youth had disappeared and his eyes were full of fine wrinkles, but those pupils and hair color and the chilling smile flowing on his lips brought to mind old ties.

“Ru… in…?”

Ruin smiled.

“I’ve waited, Wanstein.”

When the ground-out sound burst out, silence overlaid Wanstein’s mana that dominated the island.