Chapter 138

“I’m indebted beyond measure. Thank you.”

After opening his eyes and hearing the full situation from Rida, Osel was the first to bow his head to Turan and say those words.

Unlike before, when he treated him with disregard like a wandering noble, his manner now was polite, treating Turan as an equal.

In response, Turan accepted it gracefully with a faint smile instead of boasting about his own merit.

“As I already mentioned to Lady Rida, I would prefer it if you didn’t reveal publicly that I can use healing magic.”

"If that's what you want, certainly. But how on earth did you..."

Osel trailed off, having started to ask how Turan came to use healing magic.

He assumed that if Turan had been willing to reveal it, he would have done so already.

Normally, Osel would have insisted on an answer just to satisfy his curiosity, regardless of the other party’s willingness. But in a situation where he had just been saved from death, he could not afford to behave so arrogantly.

In truth, he had a rough idea of what might be going on.

There had to be a reason Turan had brought up handling Moroz’s magic power himself when accepting the request.

“Setting that aside, the reward originally offered for the request is now essentially worthless. You’ve become a powerful healer who would be hard-pressed to find a rival, even if not quite to my level.”

"I suppose that's true."

This was exactly why Turan had revealed his abilities to the two before him.

Not only to accelerate healing that would otherwise take time, but also to make it clear that the previously agreed-upon promise of healing magic in exchange for returning the Sacred Relic was no longer a meaningful benefit.

That meant an appropriate alternative compensation had to be offered to make up for it.

“How about this?”

What Osel brought out was the very Sacred Relic that had saved his life.

The necklace that granted eternal youth to its wearer: Modest Wish.

At the unexpected offer, Turan showed a composed expression of surprise.

"Though not for myself, I do have someone I'd like to give it to... but would that be acceptable? It must be what you prepared as compensation for finding the White Elf Necromancer."

In truth, Modest Wish was not a top-tier Sacred Relic like Turan’s Mimic Relic, the kind one would expect only from myth.

If one had to rank it, it would probably be somewhere in the middle.

But considering its ability to grant eternal youth, it was hard to judge it by grade alone.

Even a powerful wizard couldn’t avoid the effects of aging, stooped back, dimming vision, and a weakening body.

In fact, those with stronger powers tended to live longer, and so had to spend long periods trapped in aging bodies.

But with this necklace, one could avoid such discomfort and maintain their youth until death.

If an old noble who had lived for centuries could return to their youthful days and obtain this item, they might gladly give up even a top-tier Sacred Relic.

“It wouldn’t be right to haggle over rewards when considering our circumstances. Besides... this item isn’t particularly suited for combat use.”

From Osel’s meaningful remark, Turan understood the reason for offering that item as payment.

If a powerful treasure were to be offered as payment, whatever it might be, it would likely impact the family’s combat strength.

Therefore, they offered something of great value but unsuitable for battle.

“Is it war?”

“Of course.”

Lavitas had treated the head of the House Varaha as an honored guest, and the return for that had been a despicable ambush.

When Osel was in critical condition, there was no other choice. But now that he had fully recovered, he had to raise the flag of vengeance.

This wasn’t merely a matter of emotion.

If they were to suffer such a one-sided attack and not retaliate, what would the world think of Lavitas?

They would be seen as a hopelessly weak healer family, unable to even raise their voice after getting struck.

If such a reputation spread, the name of Lavitas would be dragged through the mud.

“Of course, we’ll have to wait until those exhausted from healing me have rested sufficiently, and we also need to prepare properly for war, so it’ll probably take a few months.”

Osel’s face, as he murmured those words, showed deep fatigue.

A youthful boy’s face bore an expression filled with the agony befitting the leader of a great house, an emotion unsuited to someone of his age.

Watching this quietly, Turan posed a question he had prepared in advance.

“May I ask what was discussed privately between you and the head of the House Varaha?”

“Hmm? It wasn’t anything so important that it needs to be kept secret. He questioned whether his heir had stayed here, and I just answered that I didn’t know much. But somehow the topic went in a strange direction.”

According to Osel, the head of the House Varaha had broached quite metaphysical topics when they spoke in private.

Things like how the visible world is not everything, or whether one understood the value of the soul.

Osel had some degree of insight into souls due to Lavitas’ past research into eternal life, so he was able to follow the conversation, but it didn’t last very long.

“Suddenly, he said, ‘I suppose this isn’t the place’, and without warning launched a surprise attack on me. After that, well… I fought back with all I had and barely managed to drive him away, but I ended up like this.”

When Osel lifted his clothing, a nasty burn scar was visible across his smooth, youthful abdomen, which lacked the muscles one would expect of an adult.

It was the mark of a curse cast by the head of Varaha.

“The amount of magic power was about equal, but he used a lot of spells that just didn’t make logical sense. If I hadn’t used all the Sacred Relics passed down in the family and received help from others, I never could’ve won one-on-one.”

Recalling the power of the Varaha family head, Osel’s face darkened.

There was a trace of doubt, whether they could actually win if war broke out immediately.

Listening to the story, Turan could faintly guess why the head of Varaha had launched the ambush.

He had likely wanted to confirm whether the head of Lavitas, who had hidden away Solif, possessed any expertise in Soul Magic or was one of those fallen gods.

Having judged that this was not the case, he must have underestimated him and tried to take him by surprise, only to be met with stronger resistance than expected, preventing a swift defeat.

“Fortunately, it seems that Varaha didn’t remain unscathed while I was down. Their heir showed up again, stirred up the family, and then disappeared. They must have suffered a significant loss in strength.”

At the time of the ambush, Lavitas had also lost a few high-ranking nobles, but compared to the Varaha main house, which had practically been overturned, it was hardly a major blow.

Having shared his account, Osel got to the main point.

“Just in case, let me ask, do you have any intention of joining the war against Varaha? If you bring along your close allies, I promise you’ll be well treated. At this point, the involvement of a powerful noble is more valuable than one or two combat-oriented Sacred Relics.”

As Turan listened to the promise of generous distribution of spoils, he silently gauged the timing.

And just as Osel finished his words, Turan began to speak the main issue he had mentally prepared.

“There is something I need to tell both of you.”

*

Turan briefly summarized what he knew for Osel and Rida.

About the fallen gods' misguided immortality and the current power structure of the world.

In the process of subtly probing them, he concluded that Osel and Rida knew very little about it.

The fallen gods had barely extended their influence toward them, leaving them untouched as if they were part of the wild.

“That’s... that’s utterly absurd...”

“I can’t believe it. You’re saying... even the Earth Mother Goddess is still alive?”

“As for that, I’m not entirely sure myself, but I don’t think so.”

Turan figured that if the Earth Mother Goddess, the deity worshiped by Lavitas, were still around, she would have found a way to infiltrate the Lavitas family long ago.

Of course, since he didn’t know the internal social structure of the gods, he couldn’t say for certain.

Seeing the two with shocked expressions, Turan spoke to them.

“In any case, that’s why I don’t recommend launching an immediate attack on Varaha. At the very least, Zahar, who is tightly connected to them, will take it as a direct challenge, and I’m in no position to provoke Zahar right now.”

“You said you made a non-aggression pact with them?”

“Yes. Though neither of us really trusts the other, to be honest.”

Even the hostage that had been promised in return had yet to arrive, so there was nothing more to be said.

While speaking, Turan also shared his own situation with them.

Unlike in the past when he wandered, he had now established Kalamaf as his base and was working to unify the entire Gray Zone.

“In that case, Turan, it means you too are becoming the head of a new Great Noble House. Congratulations.”

"Please continue to treat me casually as before. That's more comfortable."

At Turan’s words, Rida smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

Osel, who had been gazing down at the map, stroked his smooth, beardless chin and muttered.

“A Great Noble House not under the gods’ protection, or in other words, not dominated by them, means only us. If you were to establish one, Turan, then there would be just the two of us.”

“In that sense, I officially propose an alliance with Lavitas. Would that be acceptable?”

“There’s no need to even ask. It’s something we would welcome.”

Of course, Turan’s forces stationed in Kalamaf were meager in size compared to those of Lavitas.

The number of wizards making up his main force was limited to just the House Berk, which had formerly served House Aravion.

However, considering the presence of Turan, Meisa, and Solif, three powerful wizards, their actual combat power could be seen as even surpassing Lavitas.

A single powerful wizard was incomparably superior in mobility and concentrated combat capability compared to ten lower-tier wizards who might rival him.

“We’ll draw up the contract later. First, we need to discuss grand strategy, how we will coordinate from here on out.”

Between the Siraf Wetland ruled by the House of Lavitas and the Gray Zone where Turan resided lay a forest region and the Enril Desert.

Fortunately, the western forest region lacked a ruling Great Noble House, making it a relatively viable trade route. But if Zahar, who controlled the Enril Desert, so wished, the connection between the two would be severed.

“I’ll handle relations with Zahar. But please don’t consider them as allies.”

“Understood.”

“And there’s one more thing I’d like to share. You’re free to spread this widely to others as well.”

What Turan passed on to them was none other than the basics of Soul Magic.

Considering how much he, Meisa, and Solif had struggled to learn it, it wouldn’t be easy for others either.

However, given the nature of healers, they were more likely to experience near-death and return to life, which meant some among them might awaken their abilities.

“The mysterious power used by the head of Varaha is precisely this manipulation of the soul. I don’t know how healers and purifiers should wield it… but I hope it yields some results.”

Turan kindly explained to Osel and Rida the trials and errors he had gone through while learning Soul Magic.

At first glance, it seemed like Turan was offering a one-sided gift, but in fact, it was a necessary step to counter the other gods and strengthen his allied forces.

More importantly, if the nobles of Lavitas could delve deeply into Soul Magic, one of them might gain an insight that Turan and his group had yet to attain.

If he could share in that discovery, it would return a reward greater than what he gave.

"Needless to say, I never taught this to anyone, of course."

“Of course.”

If it became known that Turan was openly spreading Soul Magic to other forces, even Zahar, currently maintaining a neutral stance, might turn hostile.

If that ever came to light, it had to be after numerous nobles of both the Gray Zone and Siraf Wetland had already mastered Soul Magic, making the situation irreversible.

Once their conversation concluded, they exited the operating room.

The high-ranking nobles of Lavitas, who had been waiting for some time, were shocked to see Osel fully recovered.

"L-Lord Head!"

“You’ve recovered?!”

“You must have all been very worried. I’ve fully recovered, so there’s no need to worry. And here, we must also thank Turan ssi, who helped me greatly.”

The nobles of Lavitas did not miss the fact that Osel referred to Turan as “Turan ssi”. (T/N: In Korean ssi is used to when someone of equal standing.)

A noble being treated as an equal by the family head?

It couldn’t have been merely because he had saved his life.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Turan. I am Ablim Lavitas.”

“I am Koloa Lavitas.”

A parade of introductions followed.

Though it could have been awkward, Turan gracefully exchanged greetings, memorizing their names with ease.

He now fully understood that this kind of social interaction was also a necessary part of wielding power as a noble.

“Then, shall we prepare a banquet to celebrate the family head’s recovery...?”

“There will be no banquet.”

Osel’s curt response immediately brought a hush over the atmosphere in front of the operating room.

Despite his youthful appearance, the head of the House Lavitas spoke with a grave dignity as he addressed his family members.

“Isn’t preparing for revenge against the Varaha dogs who ambushed me and insulted our House enough to keep us busy?”

“...That’s right.”

“For revenge!”

In contrast to their healer image, the nobles of Lavitas revealed intense, even violent, fury.

There was likely some intentional provocation involved as well, a display to prove their loyalty.

Osel made a calm yet firm declaration to them.

“First, make preparations not only for war at any time, but also for forming an official alliance with Turan ssi's forces standing beside me. Set in motion the procedures for that as well.”

"An alliance... sir?"

“Yes. While the name of his family may not be formally established yet, it holds enough potential that it might make the name of Lavitas seem the lesser, so treat them with the proper respect.”

As Osel continued to speak highly of Turan, the nobles of Lavitas looked visibly confused.

Even those who had seen him before had merely thought of him as a wandering noble tagging along with Rida, and now they couldn’t easily accept the current situation.

Still, the fact remained that Turan did possess a force of that caliber, and so the alliance between the two houses would likely proceed smoothly.

While thinking this, Turan frowned slightly at a faint vibration he felt against his chest.

‘Meisa?’

What he was feeling now was the vibration of the hand mirror they shared.

Due to the long distance from Kalamaf since crossing the South Sea, they had avoided using it to conserve magic power, but now, something must have happened.

Turan asked Osel for permission, then moved to a secluded spot and activated the hand mirror.

“Meisa, what’s happening...?”

[It’s an attack! Aravion is invading!]

On the other side of the mirror, Meisa’s face, smeared with blood, cried out sharply.

Turan’s expression hardened as he asked,

“How many?”

[I don’t know the exact number! We’re delaying them while evacuating according to plan... ah, the magic drain is too much! Can you get here quickly?]

“I’ll come right away.”

With that reply, Turan turned off the hand mirror to prevent her from using any more of her magic power.

Then, he strode toward Osel, who was conversing with the senior members of his house.

His aura was so fierce and aggressive that some of the Lavitas nobles instinctively took up defensive stances, momentarily forgetting even Osel’s earlier remark about recognizing him as an allied leader.

“Osel.”

“Speak, Turan. My friend.”

“As a friend, I need your help.”

Since they had already deployed scouting parties and executed evacuation plans, it was unlikely that the situation would be resolved in just a day or two.

And conveniently, powerful nobles of Lavitas were gathered here, strong enough to provide substantial combat support.

If Meisa and Solif could buy enough time, and if Turan could bring reinforcements quickly, they had a strong chance of victory.