Chapter 286 – A Special Friend

In a quiet library with just the two of them, the sage solemnly declared.

“Participant Sansuyu, do you understand?”

Sansuyu silently nodded her head.

“…Your body is in horrendous shape.”

Administered with drugs over an extended period to create an immortal, ever-lasting body, Sansuyu’s condition was so dire that there was no comparable case.

The hidden desire of the Cornus family was an intriguing subject even for Sephirot. Considering that Sephirot, who had lived for over 3,000 years, had died and been reborn several times due to the immense volume of information, the path to eternal life was exceedingly difficult.

“Your heart rate is high, all your organs are damaged, and the vessel holding your mana is on the verge of breaking. You surely know, Sansuyu… what happens when this vessel shatters?”

The potent mana capacity contained within Sansuyu’s energy center.

It stood as immense as Mount Taesan, ensuring that no matter how much magic was expended, it would never falter. This was only natural, as Cornus did not solely possess her own magical powers.

The untainted magic of a dragon that remained from centuries past.
The sorcery of a conquering king who once ruled this land long ago.
The mystic force of the Heavenly Demon.
Legendary elixirs befitting the tales of superstitions, and even the bodily remnants of beings whose mere existence struck fear into the world.

According to the World Tree’s status window, it was at level 18. Of course, Cornus couldn’t fully harness this power. Despite her best efforts, the pinnacle of magic she could wield was a mere level 11.

Her condition was dire. As a sage, it was impossible to foresee the consequences if the delicate vessel containing Cornus’s essence were to shatter.

“Death.”

Yet, of this she could be certain.

A magic circle materialized before the sage’s eyes, akin to a magnifying glass. With it, he scrutinized every inch of Cornus’s body.

Beneath the pancreas. Above the right side of the heart. Adjacent to the kidneys.
Countless magical stones scattered throughout, visible in various locations.

The body itself began to deteriorate due to the overwhelming mana. There were signs that someone had urgently healed her recently, but it was merely a temporary measure. At a glance, she might appear better; her complexion had improved, and one could mistakenly believe her condition had significantly improved. However, if the fundamental cause remains unresolved, Cornus’s death is inevitable.

If Lee Si-heon doesn’t continue treatment, she could die as early as a week from now, or at most, within two months. Assuming she continues to receive healing, she could have a year left. She would experience a sudden death while going about her daily life nonchalantly. That was the future the sage foresaw for Cornus.

“You can extend your lifespan. It’s possible to treat her, even if it’s late,” the sage explained.

One could remove all the magic stones, replace them with magical engineering organs, and forcibly extract the magic. Regenerating the organs was not an option, as doing so would cause the medicinal effects to manifest again. By employing this method, her lifespan could be extended by up to ten years.

Even if she were to exhaust all means at her disposal, Sansuyu could only live for 10 years.

“However, if that happens, the Cornus experiment will come to an end.”

Sansuyu nodded in response to the sage’s words. She contemplated for a moment before gently shaking her head.

“I’m alright.”
“Are you certain?”

The secret desire of the Cornus family. Perhaps because Sansuyu herself bore the Cornus lineage, she seemed to display an excessive obsession with the notion of immortality.

“Even though you won’t see Lee Si-heon for very long?”

The sage persistently questioned Sansuyu. Was she truly alright with that?

In the library after Marronnier had left, the sage and Sansuyu continued their argument.
This went on for several hours.

“Si-heon, that is…”
“You’ll be sad. Even so?”
“That’s… “

Sansuyu bit her lip, her emotions tightening like a vice around her heart.

“Didn’t you have feelings for that man?”

Despite that, Sansuyu kept repeating the same words.

“The reason I live. It was predetermined from the start.”

The sage gazed at Sansuyu with eyes brimming with various emotions.

“Because it was what I had to do my entire life.”
“I’m sorry. Did I push you too hard?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“If there’s something you can’t say, feel free to tell me anytime. After all, the reason I took Sansuyu as my mentee was for her recuperation.”

To Sephirot, Sansuyu is a vast and intriguing enigma.
A unique being capable of achieving eternal life.

If she abandons her dream, Sephirot could claim the organs inside Sansuyu’s body.
Conversely, even if Sansuyu doesn’t give up, Sephirot would be able to observe her as her research reaches its pinnacle.
Though spoken with a pleasant demeanor, in the end, either outcome would be beneficial to them.

‘…It seems like success will be difficult.’

Si-heon Lee is known to possess power.

The power of healing, capable of regenerating even a body severed in half, can undoubtedly be deemed the most superior recovery magic in this world.

However, Sansuyu’s affliction cannot be managed by such means. The result of thousands of years of research indicated that no being in this world could handle it.

Regardless, the sage personally wished for Sansuyu to cease her experiments. After all, wasn’t it better to live a bit longer and experience happiness?

“You may go now.”
“Understood.”

Sansuyu rose from her seat, cradling a book in her arms as she left. The sage watched her depart with a bitter expression for quite some time.

‘The only one who can change a person like Sansuyu is Lee Si-heon.’

It was only natural for Sephirot to show interest, as all the catastrophes in the world were connected to him.

What a foolish endeavor.

‘Their opponent is King Mokryeong. If they make a mistake and suffer dire consequences, what will they do then?’

It wasn’t that Lee Si-heon’s character was disregarded.
However, a sage who has lived for countless years knows that people can change at any moment.

The power wielded by King Mokryeong.
And how the world’s cruel demeanor towards King Mokryeong shapes individuals.

‘When King Mokryeong first appeared, he was merely a doctor.’

People tend to change due to external circumstances.
Even he, once virtuous, eventually succumbed and devoured half of the world.

The sage gazed upward, lost in thought.
The tower of books, amassed over thousands of years, reached the horizon of his sight.
It was so high that the ceiling was not visible.

* * * * * * *

What is right and what is wrong?
To make such judgments, everything about oneself has already been determined.

Time had dulled Cornus’s character, but she was well aware of that fact.

The sensation of the sansuyu fruit my mother used to hold in her hand.
I simply fiddle with it to endure the pain.

“Si-heon.”
“Hm?”

Lee Si-heon is human, like her mother’s servant.
For some reason, the warm expression she wears when laughing with all her might while talking to me resembles my mother.

“Make me some tteokbokki.”
“…Tteokbokki?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure if we have the ingredients. I’ll ask the sage once more.”

And so, she eventually starts acting like a child.
She does things to lift spirits and takes care of me when I’m unwell.

Si-heon isn’t my servant.
I think this every time… Yet she never tires of helping me.
It was the same during the MT. When Lee Si-heon suddenly left without a word due to unforeseen circumstances. In truth, it wasn’t a situation worth sulking over, but I ignored him out of hurt feelings.

Still, he approached and spoke to me before anyone else.
As if it were only natural when called, he would come, resolve any issue, and offer friendship.
I always think it’s incredible.

A man capable of anything. He always manages to soothe any situation.

-Kik!

My friend.

“The sage brought it!”

As Lee Si-heon opened the door with a bright smile, Cornus nodded without expression. There was no emotion on her face, but she was happy. It felt comfortable when they were together.

Because they were friends. Friends who shared a special bond.

“What’s tteokbokki?”
“It’s really delicious.”

Lee Si-heon’s friend was also Cornus’ friend. The people he had been involved with would never be bad. Tae-yang and Aori were a bit… peculiar, but Maronnier didn’t show those traits either.

“Wait, I’ll make it soon. Are you going to eat?”
“You’re making it…?”

As Cornus watched Maronnier conversing with Lee Si-heon, she clapped her hands.

They went to the kitchen and gathered around. They shared the tteokbokki that the man had prepared.

The cozy atmosphere, likely due to the use of fire, completely dispelled the initially chilly air, transforming the space into a comfortable haven in no time.

“Spicy.”
“Spicy and…tasty.”
“Spicy…tasty? Sorry, I can’t understand because it’s not translating… My Korean is quite poor. And you, Si-heon, you make it way too spicy!”
“Do you want some water?”
“Isn’t that the water you were drinking?”
“Not drinking it?”
“I’ll drink it…”

A life with not much time left.
I thought it didn’t matter.

It’s more than enough as it is now.
Because they’ve become someone precious before I even realized it. Just being with them. That alone was sufficient.
Sansuyu enjoyed the heartwarming friendship.

* * * * * * * *

“Isn’t it nice to get out of the hotel after always being inside?”
“What’s with this morning breeze?”

I thought it was Sansuyu because they suddenly tapped the blanket and woke me up.

You called me because your heart ached, and I woke up thinking it was time to use that damned milking machine, only to have the sage’s face come into view.

-Are you awake?
-I was startled.
-Is there something strange about my face?
-No, not at all. You’re beautiful.
-Of course.

As I rambled on, I was suddenly grabbed by the nape of my neck.
I couldn’t even ask what was happening before being dragged outside.

“Didn’t I tell you why we’re here?”
“You didn’t say anything, actually.”
“Not that. Didn’t I say I would teach you something during this trial?”

Had they mentioned revealing the world to me?
Scratching the back of my neck, I let out a large yawn.

“Yaaaaaawn. So, you brought me here for that?”
“No, we have to go a bit further.”

The sage walked along the dirt road with ease, even while wearing rather high heels.
Not a single common landscaping tree could be seen on the unpaved road, and the surroundings were littered with unrecognizable, rotting garbage and old tree branches.

“Well… would you mind telling me why? The place is so gloomy, I thought you might cut off my head and bury it in some mountain.”
“…Hmm?”

A sly grin.
Today, it’s a rather eerie smile.

“Just kidding.”
“…”
“I thought it might be similar to when you called me Wiki.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hehehe, don’t worry. It’s not like that.”

As we walked a bit further, old shacks came into view.
A village, but a destitute slum with no charm.
It hardly seems fitting for the beautifully dressed sage.

Walking through a place like this, dressed as a noble lady, would surely invite trouble.
I glanced at the sage.

Although she’s a woman revered as the most powerful sorceress, it wouldn’t be pleasant, even for her, to encounter annoying situations.

It was at that moment.

“…Sage!”

A little child emerged from the ruins that were on the verge of collapsing.

“Oh, Eric. Good morning. Give me a moment.”

The sage brought both hands together and extended them toward Eric.
As she gently opened her hands, a large loaf of bread suddenly appeared within.

Admiration erupted at her casual use of spatial magic.

“Wow… bread. Th-thank you.”
“I’ll give you one for your sibling as well, so go ahead and eat it now.”
“Thank you, as always.”

The study of the world.
Perhaps she would enlighten me about this space.

The sage smiled and gazed at me.

“Mr. Lee Si-heon, you must perform what I’m doing today every morning. In about nine places.”
“…Pardon?”

Nine places?

“Why? Wasn’t it possible for you to use spatial magic?”
“Well, I can use it, but how did you know that?”

The sage smiled brightly.
She spoke to me with a relaxed demeanor.

“Hwangdo. That child learned magic from me. I said not to tell anyone else. And yet, even to you… Sigh.”
“Ah, my master’s master?”
“If you put it that way, I appreciate it. The disciple of my disciple. But, has the disciple’s disciple been speaking rudely lately?”
“…I apologize.”

Stubborn resentment seemed to have taken root.
Wiki must have left quite an impression.

“Anyway, that aside. Today, just observe what I do and then do the same. That’s the first step of the third trial.”

Before I knew it, children started to gather around me.

The sage never lost his smile as he distributed food to the approaching poor children.
Without fail, he told me their names.
He said it would be my responsibility from now on and calmly, yet in detail, informed me of the village’s location.

“From the entrance to the middle. I’ve already informed them, so the children will come on their own when the time is right.”
“But, wise sage.”
“Yes?”

“Where on earth am I?”

Having not received any information about this place until now, I finally asked as we reached the end. The sage responded coldly, as if I had asked a good question.

“A place beyond the reach of the state. A place connected to you.”

Connected to me.

“…Those who have had contact with King Mokryeong at least once in the past, or those who were once under his command. They hide in dungeons or, like this, wait for death in the cold. And also, this place is…”

An adult, wrapped in a blanket, approached from nearby. My face twisted at the familiar magical aura.

“One of Flower’s dwellings.”