380 – The Expedition for the End

The Holy City of Trumpethall was even more bustling than during the Hero Selection Competition.

But it wasn’t the fervor of a festival. What filled the city was passion, sweat, and heavy labor. We were preparing for war.

A single, grand war to wipe out the Eastern Front and turn the Wyvern into fried chicken. Just considering the scale of it, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we were preparing to kill a god.

There was so much to prepare for god-slaying.

“Alright, alright!”

“The provisions wagon, to the right! The provisions wagon must veer onto the right path!”

“Whoa, that’s toward the Capital Knights! That cookie order is for the Violet Magic Tower!”

Following the guide’s shouts, the wagon train shifts direction, carts loaded with all manner of supplies weaving through. Weapons, clothes, necessities, even the little somethings for stress relief.

Beside a wagon laden with vegetables, reinforcements from the North, sent by my friend Daisy, trundle past.

They entered their assigned sector with a chill practically radiating from their wagon, and here one could see Irid’s cleverness, or perhaps her cunning.

Right next to the training grounds prepared for the Northern Grand Duchy’s forces, sat the Blue Magic Tower’s support troops, and right next to them, the provisions storage depot.

The way I see it… if the Northern Grand Duchy’s warrior unleashes a barrage of Glacial Sphere spells in the training ground, the Blue Tower mage will conveniently transport that cold air to run the refrigeration warehouse. Thrifty, I must say.

Turning my head a bit, I could see brawny fellows, muscles bulging, each sweating enough to fill a bucket. They were manually transporting several enormous, well-packaged boxes.

The reason for using manpower instead of perfectly good wagons and horses is simple. These things are too heavy for a horse to handle.

“Seriously, ugh, what exactly *is* in these things that makes them so heavy?”

“Um, well, they’re just…things. Best not to ask too closely… mages from the Gold Tower will be along shortly to cast weight reduction.”

The elite-laborers who wield even basic magic may not know what those things are, but I do. They’re components for the colossal robot, “Meteor.”

This robot is scheduled to be of effective use on the Eastern Front.

Fine, the transport is a bit of a downer, I admit. If we’re going to use it anyway, how great would it be if the Capital Knights HQ split in half when it appeared, and then it flew through the sky with a *whoosh*, and landed with a *thud* into the Eastern Front with a hero landing.

But romance is romance, and reality is reality. Not that it’s impossible, of course…

If I were to push for it, Irid would scold me with “Do you even know how much fuel would be sacrificed for that *performance*, you mad mage?!”

Next to them, cargo for the Violet Magic Tower was being hauled. The person in charge of transport was Jewel Yurensto, my sister-in-law. Jewel, the General Affairs Manager, snapped an illusion-whip against the backs of her tower friends as she maintained the various enchantments placed on the freight.

“If your concentration wavers during transport and you screw up, you’re all dead, understand?!”

“Eeeek, Jewel! But just now, there was this cute kid who would look amazing in short pants! Just let me get an interview!”

“For the ‘Melberton’s Hit-Rate Reduction Field’ Mark Two, we *must* make this delivery a success!”

Because the cargo needs to be handled with utmost care, I, too, am subtly keeping an eye on it. Security is paramount would be a good way to put it.

That’s a beacon to mark the location for launching a super-sized Spiritual Energy Cannon… to deliver a serious blow to the dragon. If the vile dragon tampered with that device, my special-made missiles could end up hitting the wrong city, wouldn’t they?

Thus, throughout the bustling, clamorous city, were priests.

Priests of the Goddess Church scurried about busily, coordinating and managing the various factions. Thanks to them, disruptions or confusion in the flow of logistics were kept to a minimum.

This was the reason why the primary assembly point was designated as the holy city.

By using the Goddess—a colossal computer—to calculate the most suitable and efficient routes, they could directly relay instructions to the priests for guidance. Thanks to that, everything operated smoothly, like some kind of enormous logistics center.

There was another reason, too. Isn’t it practically a rule of thumb to receive plenty of buffs from supporters before going into battle?

“The ‘Antibiotic’ cultivation is progressing smoothly, Hart. The problem is time. The Pope, for some reason, gained some enlightenment somewhere and is maniacally increasing the amount…but the inoculation…”

“To administer a full vaccination to everyone… time is going to be tight…”

The *Antibiotic*, brewed to counteract the Evil Dragon’s mind control. As the production hub was the Holy City, gathering here was essential for a smooth rollout.

Just as I was peering down at the progressing stages,

Peek-a-boo.

“Whatcha doing?”

My love, Yuna, fluttered into view. Now, the moment our eyes met, we’d instinctively reach for each other. I held Yuna tight before answering.

“Just… watching the preparations.”

“…Not long now, huh?”

“Nope. Really.”

Yeah. Once that scaled monstrosity is dealt with, nothing can stop me.

Then… I’ll get married, attend the wedding, and find a cozy place to live. And. And…!

I’ll finally officially announce a statement lifting all restrictions on every level and degree of physical affection, declaring all expressions of love permissible.

Mm. Yes.

It’s enough to make my heart flutter just thinking about it. I’m still a man, aren’t I?

Just one step away from having all that happiness within my grasp.

*Shshshsh*. A heartwarming sensation brushed against my back. Only one person among my acquaintances could impart such a feeling. Her whisper reached my ears.

“Indeed, just one step. Prepare yourself in advance.”

“…Yuri!”

Speak of the devil – our dear succubus seemed to have divined the current with a mere thought. The three of us squeezed together like this is so good, happy in the front and the back.

The last. The last hurdle.

Turning the words over carefully in my mouth, every edge felt unfamiliar. Could it be because I can’t believe it?

Then Yuri spoke.

“No. It feels unfamiliar because it *isn’t* the last. The world is vast, and accidents are plentiful. Is the Evil Dragon truly the final worry in your life? There are still many obstacles for you to ponder and overcome.”

“…For example?”

“Parenting. Whether they resemble me or you, proper upbringing will be rather difficult. The children of other women will be the same. And is that all? You must also prepare for the day when the Emperor discovers the truth of Session.”

Certainly…

I could endure almost anything else, but if the fact that I practically manipulated Centra in the early stages of Session leaked, Irid would fly into a towering rage. Her personality formed after that, you see.

Thinking about it like that, Yuri is right. There’s so much for me to resolve in the future. Worry after having kids, worry when choosing birthday gifts for them, and then, in the distant future…

When my children bring their future spouses home, I’ll worry and fret over them endlessly too, no doubt.

It was a happy worry. To deliberate for someone else’s joy is one of the most precious luxuries one can enjoy in life.

The Holy City bustled.

The ones touched by my hand, by my kindness, are now each unfolding their own stories. And the streams of those stories, gathering and joining, becoming a great river – now reach out to lend a hand for my own tale.

This feeling, it is no delusion.

We have gathered to crush that black lizard that plays with human fate. But if that alone was their goal, they would have tried to take my head like that boy knight.

So, surely a few percentages of their hearts are for me. I want to believe that.

Yuna and Yuri affirmed it.

“This is what you’ve achieved, Mima.”

“Yeah. It’s what you’ve done. You saved me, you saved Yuri, you saved Selby. You’ve saved more people than you can count on your fingers.”

“There were maniacal parts here and there, but we all… we all know you pursue a happy ending. You’ve sown so many seeds of happiness, it’s time to taste the fruit.”

“And so, let’s show the dragon. In the end, a happy story wins!”

Yes.

The boy who lived in the slums, where the oxygen of love was so thin he wheezed like he was on the moon. Now, he wants to sing of life with a family woven together by stories.

Romance, trials and tribulations, humor and a touch of bitterness.

And love.

I have found the story. This place, this landscape, this warmth that reaches me is the story I so longed to find.

I can feel a resolve stronger than ever. For this story, I feel like I can do anything. I swear it. I will shatter the evil dragon and protect this story.

⋯⋯⋯⋯.

And then, my heart began to race.

—

Preparation is complete. Countless people have finished their preparations and are standing by. Their orderly appearance looks as firm as a well-honed steel blade.

Warriors of the North, paladins of the Holy City, soldiers of the Empire, mages of the Magic Tower… dozens of factions have gathered under a single banner. The banner unfurled at the very front of the army.

A design that subtly adds the rosemary emblem symbolizing Irid to the crest symbolizing the Imperial Family.

He babbled about putting in the meaning of ‘I will not forget your dedication’ to his vassals, but I know. That is a banner of pure, selfish love.

That is where I must head. I must declare the commencement of the expedition.

—

Paladins clad in pure white armor, priests maintaining a demure appearance. And in front of them, Vecchio and Finn, wearing expressions that strive to be solemn.

Vecchio’s solemnity is naturally seeping into place, whereas Finn’s facial muscles were twitching like they were on the verge of cramping. He’s still not used to playing the icon standing above everyone else, it seems.

As I passed in front of them, Finn spoke to me in a small voice.

“…Um. Mage.”

“Yeah?”

“When… when can I quit being the hero…?”

* * *

Vecchio, hearing those words from the side, was struck as if by lightning. I watched him, and, feeling that Pin was misunderstanding something, I clarified.

“Now that the Holy City has stabilized, there’s no longer a need for you to bear the mantle of the Hero. If you wish, you can quit right now. Rather, I wondered why you’d been staying put until now… I thought you were perhaps enjoying it.”

“…I, I could have quit?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Ah, nooo!”

Vecchio clung to Pin’s calf. Then, he began to whine, citing various reasons: the citizens of the Holy City would be filled with anxiety if the Hero left, there would be chaos because a successor hadn’t been found yet, and so on.

Pin squatted down and soothed him, saying he had no intention of leaving immediately, and that he would be by the Pope’s side until he fully matured. Not to worry, and things like that.

I chuckled softly. I was looking forward to ten years from now. Would Pin be able to leave the Pope’s side and obtain the slow life in the countryside that he so desired?

It was anyone’s guess. I should make sure to witness that sequel with my own eyes, by all means.

And so, I brushed past the cyberpunk Pope and Hero.

* * *

The mages of the Violet Magic Tower were huddled together, chattering away. Scarface-sunbae was busy managing the kids, and Hypnosis Detective and Yuna’s friend were busy adjusting the *Longinus Beacon*.

“Eek!”

Seeing me and Yuna crackling by, they hid their toys behind their backs. Steel must be forged by striking, but they were refusing to be struck.

Yuna was looking at Chief Ju and her friend with warm eyes. I gently tapped Yuna’s shoulder.

“Do you want to go talk to them for a bit?”

“N-no, it’s okay. I was just… happy that they seemed to be adapting well.”

I was happy too.

I left a word of encouragement with Scarface-sunbae.

“Sunbae, please take care of the adjustment. And don’t lose the rivalry with the other towers. Confidence is everything for a mage, you know.”

“They haven’t been bothering us much lately, hoobae-nim. We’re not poor anymore since we’re getting plenty of support, and we’re indirectly benefiting thanks to you, hoobae-nim.”

I was worried that the golden-haired Solar Mage passing by would taunt them, saying, “You don’t have any physical strength, do you?” It was a relief that that wasn’t the case.

And so, I brushed past my tower family.

* * *

“I draw my sword, and you shoot. It’s a flawless plan, I’d say.”

“If you even *think* of trying gun-parrying even here, you’ll die by my hand first!”

Academy students were gathered in groups of three or five, planning strategies with their close friends. It was like a school field trip atmosphere, but I wasn’t worried.

The other factions might die, but the kids I diligently raised wouldn’t lose their lives easily, anywhere. I made them gain experience through rich experiences, after all.

Amidst that scene, I felt an intense gaze. It was Selvier.

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Do you know it? A person can curse with their eyes, and also speak.

Selvier glared with eyes blazing, as if saying, “I should have been next to you.” But truly, I hadn’t stopped her. I even asked if she wanted to come with me.

But Selvier volunteered to be assigned to the Academy’s side. Because…

“Selvier, trying to get involved with someone who already has a woman is neither morally sound nor strategically wise. And a crazy professor isn’t exactly a good man, either.”

“⋯⋯Don’t you dare speak ill of our, Professor!”

“Alright, alright. I understand. The crazy professor is a capable man, then.”

“⋯⋯Don’t even think about setting your sights on him!”

“Do you have bipolar disorder, perhaps, Selvier?”

She did it to create synergy with Baekseol, who replied with a detached expression beside her. She chose what would benefit the person she loved over love itself. Seeing her like that always made my heart ache for no good reason.

Selvier huffed and spat out her breath, threatening me.

“Watch yourself.”

“Your tone and your words don’t match at all.”

“You’ll pay if you die.”

“⋯⋯Selvier, don’t push yourself either. If anything happens, shoot a 『Whiryom』flare up into the sky. I’ll come running right away.”

She nodded heavily. And then, leading Baekseol, she disappeared into the throng. With a strange mix of emotions, I watched her retreating figure… and then turned away.

And just like that, I passed by the Academy students, and Selvier.

—

As the Capital Knights’ mission was, above all else, to defend the capital, only a select few were dispatched for this expedition. But even that select few was quite the sight.

Wooo-!

That powerful engine roar, those massive power armors. Whether they were mercenaries or mages, every guy was drooling and gawking at the spectacle.

At the forefront stood Gordius, Capital Knights Commander Mode Kim Lulu, and Roderus. I was a little dumbfounded, so I asked.

“⋯⋯Aren’t you supposed to be with the Redburn Duchy, since you’re the Duke and all?”

“What about it? I want to be with the person I like.”

“No, I mean, who’s going to lead everyone, then?”

“Envers and Hayang will.”

Is he out of his mind?

I looked at Roderus with dubious eyes, wondering if he was aiming for the title of ‘Mad Duke’, and he smirked, saying.

“Don’t look at me like that. I knew you’d say that, so I brought Mungae along. Mungae will be the one actually leading things.”

He’s even making jokes now. I’m glad he’s comfortable around me, but I’m also pleased that he seems more emotionally stable. He must be getting along well with Kim Lulu.

I turned to Gordius beside me.

“How goes the preparation for *Meteor*?”

“Assembly is the only hurdle. Of course, with a touch more investment from the coffers, the assembly time could be drastically──”

“That’d be lovely for you to bring up with His Imperial Majesty rather than myself. I, alas, have no jurisdiction. Also, well, you know, the Tower Lord manages the Azure Tower’s finances? Makes prying loose investments a tad tricky.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Yuna jabbed me in the ribs. A prod that bordered on a brutal shove. Coming from the very man who seduced junior and senior colleagues with the promise of research funds, that lie felt especially rich.

Such was how I brushed past my mage-girl friend, her wife, a power-armored individual, and a scientist.

—

Bennett, Tara, and Niore possessed the sort of gravitas one expects from a hero party. All the more so now that Saintess Tara’s attire was…conventional. They chatted amongst themselves until my approach brought their murmurs to a halt.

“How fares it, these days?”

“Well enough. We are──”

“Say, is there anything you can do about the elf correspondence? They keep tying notes to tree-arrows and launching them at Bennett!”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Is the venom I once unleashed on the Elven community still festering? But what can I possibly do? The poison’s already spread.

I initiated a brief interview, conjuring a microphone with illusion magic and extending it toward Bennett.

“Bennett, the Shadow Hero. You have accomplished all your missions. What now compels you to draw your sword once more?”

“As you said, my goals have been achieved. Thus, I move forward. Even the Star-Gazing Elder charted the dungeons, marking traps. I wish only to live in that manner.”

“⋯⋯That’s heartening. The stars should be quite visible tonight.”

Thus, I brushed past the searchers facing off against the foreign press.

—

I reached the vanguard of the procession. There, side-by-side atop their steeds, sat Irid and Elaine, radiating power.

Elaine, especially, I haven’t seen in some time. Her slightly faded blonde hair rippled in the wind as she wore full red body armor, a visual reminder that she is indeed a warrior.

Two pairs of cerulean eyes turned toward me.

“You’ve arrived, Mad Mage.”

“Aye, My Lord. Your most loyal, certifiably insane mage, present and accounted for!”

“Forego the theatrics. This is a solemn departure.”

Though my salute elicited a stiff reprimand from Irid, it wasn’t entirely unkind. Elaine observed this exchange with an odd expression before speaking to me.

“Firstly, I must offer my thanks. The Eastern Front granted me immense achievements, but also demanded a steep price in blood.”

“The time has come to end this long war. It is a byproduct of the vile dragon, and so shall be cleansed from the world.”

“Furthermore, I am grateful that you have befriended Irid. A loyal minister with whom one can confide is a valuable asset. Ciel was the closest to me…do you, perhaps, know how she fares?”

“News of Sir Cissel Urensto, I know little. But a masked diva hiding her true face? That, I know something about. Saw her on the way here, hanging around with the mercenaries under the guise of a morale-boosting performance.”

So, Cissel, my sister-in-law who’d sought freedom, had also slipped in to lend a hand amidst news of the Great War.

“⋯⋯Hah.”

Elaine chuckled softly. She seemed pleased.

Whoosh, the wind howled. Irid, astride his white steed, golden hair fluttering like a painting, addressed me with that damned handsome face.

“Mad Wizard.”

“Your Majesty.”

“It’s been quite a while. Soon, I will be Emperor. And you? What is it you desire?”

“Why ask, when you already know? I have no need for a position second only to you. I just… want to live a normal life. Help a friend when they need it, things like that.”

“Normal, you say? I know you’ll be causing trouble. And you will continue to do so.”

Irid raised his gaze to the horizon. Beyond lay the Eastern Front. The place where the Empire had endlessly battled, teeming with the demonic hordes.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them.

“Announce the departure. Mad Wizard.”

“⋯⋯Not yourself?”

“Much is at stake in this battle, and it carries great significance for me as well. But wouldn’t you like to sound it? A commotion of this scale will never happen again in my reign. This is your last chance.”

He tossed me a war horn.

I turned it over in my hands, then nodded. Yes. The fight to obliterate that damned black dragon. I thanked Irid for yielding the opportunity.

Black Dragon, Shadow Dragon, It, You b*stard, creature of all names. Wait for me with your neck bared. I have come to end everything. And with all the resentment and bitterness I possessed, I—sounded the horn.

BWooo—!!

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

The formation began to move. Me, Yuna, and Yuri too, each mounted, started our advance. Finally, we’ve come this far. Let’s bring this chapter to its conclusion.

My precious story, my friends, my lovers, my players.

We march.