Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Golden Land: Brief Battle: Failed Experiment

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Aura's sharp, arrogant words left Ash, who was still holding her, feeling a throbbing headache. Her remarks sounded like the kind of brash talk that would get someone chased down by an angry crowd. Maybe that was exactly why she ended up being hunted so often?

Either way, he felt an acute embarrassment now, even wanting to pretend he didn't know Aura—and Macht too, for that matter.

"You really have a strong sense of self-worth," Macht commented dryly, with a hint of mockery in his tone, ignoring Ash as he hastened his pace, pulling Aura away by the collar.

Surprisingly, dragging Aura was easier than expected; she didn't resist nearly as much as he had imagined she would. It dawned on him that she had been confident he'd intervene, which is likely why she felt so emboldened to spout those arrogant remarks, as if she could single-handedly take on Macht if she wanted to.

This realization filled him with a strange sense of regret. Maybe, just maybe, he should've left her alone to face the consequences. He'd probably swooped in too soon, depriving himself of what might have been an amusing spectacle.

"What are you spacing out for? You look way too satisfied with yourself… And how long do you plan on holding me by the horns?" Aura growled, her usual haughtiness snapping back into place now that they were out of Macht's reach. She slapped his hand away with irritation and declared, "If you hadn't stopped me, I would have made him pay!"

"Then I won't…" Ash trailed off, momentarily tempted to let her go back and try again, but quickly reconsidered. Aura was the type to dig her heels in if he challenged her, and they'd only end up in an argument that would be more trouble for him. So he wisely stopped short, knowing it was better to avoid any further conflict.

Linie, who had been observing quietly, clapped her hands with a flat expression, almost sarcastic. "As expected of Master Aura—you're truly remarkable."

"Hmph, as if that even needs explaining. They just say he's lucky." Aura's chin tilted in pride, and she deliberately flicked her ponytail off her shoulder with an exaggerated flourish.

Ash hesitated for a moment, tempted to point out the irony, but ultimately he just reached out, ruffled Linie's hair, and gave up trying to argue. Silently, he continued to walk toward the battlefield, letting the whole episode drift behind him.

...

...

Far from the battlefield of the fortress city, on a high platform conjured by magic and cloaked in illusion, Ash stood with Aura as she tended to the wounded soldiers. Bored and somewhat restless while keeping her company, his thoughts drifted to Macht's recent, cryptic words: "It's about time now" and his strange insistence on wanting to understand "guilt." He recalled how Macht had spoken about a nobleman he admired, even referring to him as "my lord."

Aura had mentioned earlier that Macht had been serving humans in the city for more than thirty years. The details suddenly seemed to piece themselves together in Ash's mind, forming a bold suspicion.

"Macht… going out of his way to live among humans, serving them deliberately… Could he have been wanting to…" he murmured to himself, realizing he might have stumbled onto the true purpose behind Macht's peculiar behavior.

At that moment, Aura suddenly slapped Ash on the thigh, pointing excitedly at a pair of soldiers fighting fiercely in the distance and exclaimed:

"—Ash! Look at that! I had my eye on him three years ago! Do you think he'll die? Right?! I'd love to add him to my collection~! And his opponent looks just as strong. Maybe they'll take each other out!"

"…Can you be quiet and not disturb me while I'm thinking about something serious?"

Although his face was filled with frustration, he followed her pointing finger and looked at the two soldiers locked in an intense battle at the front of the battlefield. Both were fighting fiercely and were clearly exhausted and severely injured, unlikely to make it through the night.

But he didn't care about these things at all. When dealing with Aura, his thoughts had already unconsciously drifted to the fortress city they had passed by earlier.

As the night deepened, the chaotic battlefield gradually fell into a temporary lull, and the two armies returned to a tense standoff. Despite the numerous casualties on the battlefield, Aura carefully selected only about a dozen blood-soaked soldiers to add to her "collection."

She casually gave them orders to guard the area around the platform, then lay down… specifically on Ash's lap as he sat cross-legged nearby.

"Lord Ash, I hope you don't mind if I join in," Linie said as she laid herself down on his other leg without hesitation.

"...You two are more willful than each other," he muttered.

With one hand on Aura and the other on Linie, Ash found himself absently stroking their similarly soft yet subtly different pink hair. But since neither of them seemed inclined to move, he could only close his eyes, allowing himself to focus on cultivating his magical energy as he waited for the long night to pass.

As dawn broke, casting a faint light over the horizon, the two girls woke up and stretched. Using an excuse about a pressing matter, Ash managed to part ways with the still-drowsy pair and flew back toward the fortress city of Weise.

Throughout the night, he had nearly pieced the puzzle together. The reason why Macht had chosen to live among humans for so long seemed clear now—likely to gain insight into human emotions. The idea intrigued him, filling him with curiosity. Could Macht actually succeed? After spending thirty years living among them, could he truly comprehend human feelings? This answer mattered deeply to Ash, as it held major implications for his future plans. Additionally, if a human discovered his association with demons, it could pose a hidden threat before his strategy was fully executed.

...

The fortress city, fortified with double walls and watchtowers, was already bustling in the morning as people moved about, filling the streets. Ash quickly scanned for his target as he flew just below the altitude restriction barrier, soaring over the city.

In the distance, he finally spotted Macht, who was walking alongside his lord, the elderly nobleman Lord Gluk, who was leisurely smoking a cigarette. The two were strolling down a quiet street in the corner of the city. Ash descended swiftly, landing directly in front of the two men.

The sudden arrival of this visitor from the sky caused both men to stop and look up.

The elderly nobleman, Gluck, who had a cigarette between his fingers, chuckled. "Your friend has come to see you again."

"Not exactly a friend," Macht replied with a slight shake of his head, though a playful smile lingered as he looked at Ash. "You've shown up at an interesting time… Did you figure something out?"

"Probably. After all, you left a lot of hints."

"Did I now?" Macht's smile didn't falter. "I was actually planning to act later, but now... it's as good a time as any. After all, Lord Gluck has grown old." Macht turned to the nobleman beside him and quietly said his farewell. "Lord Gluck, our time together may have been brief, but it was invaluable to me. So—I've decided to destroy it all with my own hands."

"As last words go, that's a bit cliché... But I agree. You've been a good friend." Gluck didn't seem surprised at this revelation. He showed no fear, even smiling as he noticed Macht's startled expression.

"What's with that look, Macht? We've known each other for thirty years. You'd help me maneuver in the shadows and gain true power, and all for this very day, isn't that right?"

"...Yes," Macht replied calmly. "Compared to killing strangers, killing a friend I've known for so long, and destroying the city I helped build—it helps me understand malice and guilt far more deeply."

Macht's voice was steady as he revealed his true purpose in serving the city. Then, he turned to Ash and made a request, "Could you wait for me a moment?"

"Wait? Aren't you already casting magic?"

Ash, who had been on guard the whole time, took two steps back as he spoke, because the ground beneath Macht's feet had started to transform into shimmering gold. Even the protective spell around Ash eroded and disintegrated the moment it came into contact with the creeping golden surface.

This bizarre transformation felt as dangerous as sulfuric acid spreading across the ground, and he made a point of avoiding the advancing gold as best as he could.

Meanwhile, Gluck—who had neither strength nor fighting skills—made no attempt to flee. He simply took a long, final drag from his cigarette, looked at Macht, and smiled. "Macht, you're a dear friend and an irredeemable scoundrel, just like me. So… one day, you'll face the consequences."

"Will I?" Macht murmured, his head inclining slightly. But Ash, sensing the hostility and seizing the opportunity, abruptly interrupted their conversation. Without warning, he lunged forward, swinging his hand in a powerful strike toward Macht. "For example—like this."

A surge of gravitational force shot from Ash's outstretched arm, impacting the ground with crushing power. The earth crumbled under the abnormal pressure, but Macht reacted instantly, casting off his cloak, which transformed in an instant into a golden, wave-like shield.

Boom!!!

Macht was blasted back over ten meters, and the nearby houses collapsed in the wake of the gravity shockwave, sending clouds of dust and debris billowing into the air.

Yet, as the smoke cleared, the thin golden shield stood entirely unscathed. Even the ground itself remained intact, except for the patches that hadn't been coated in gold—those areas alone bore the scars of Ash's attack.

Ash clicked his tongue in frustration. "This is something else. This gold… is it really as indestructible as they say? Or am I just hitting my limits?"

"From what I hear, you're also from the Great Demon Clan. You're certainly strong," remarked Gluck, glancing at Ash. Though his lower body had already turned to gold, the transformation seemed to have paused, perhaps due to Ash's interference. Gluck spoke casually, observing Ash with a slight curiosity. "But don't you think it's better to retreat? Macht is far stronger than you realize."

"I think I've sensed that… but you seem pretty relaxed about it," Ash replied.

"Because I've lived long enough. I'm a villain who should've been dead long ago. It doesn't matter much whether I go a bit earlier or later," Gluck said indifferently, though he took a few more puffs from his cigarette as he spoke.

On the other side, Macht,—whose cloak had returned to its original state—transformed it into a golden spear in an instant. He began walking slowly toward them on a ground rapidly turning to gold beneath his feet.

"To be honest, I don't really understand why you came back. Are you looking to die?" Macht asked with a faint, amused smile.

"No, I just wanted to verify a guess," Ash replied calmly. "I needed to check on any humans who may have seen me with demons… But given the situation now, it seems there's no need to take action."

"In that case, why are you still here? I have more important things to handle and don't have the time to waste on you."

"Alright, then. See you later." Ash gave a casual wave, then added, "And as for you, Mr. Gluck… safe journey~"

Remaining in the air to avoid touching the gold-spreading ground, Ash had no intention of lingering. Without looking back, he disappeared into the sky in a flash.

"What an intriguing man. Should I not go after him?" Gluck mused with a smile, looking up.

"His flight speed is impressive. If he truly wants to escape, he'll be difficult to catch. Perhaps he's manipulating gravity to enhance propulsion? Typical flight magic doesn't achieve that speed," Macht observed, casting a brief glance skyward as the gold underfoot spread further.

"Is that so? Well, then, it's time for goodbyes, Macht. These years have been an unforgettable journey."

"I agree, Lord Gluck," Macht replied, nodding with a calm smile as the gold began to encase Gluck entirely.

When Gluck was fully transformed, the golden tide accelerated instantly, surging outward like a tsunami. Within moments, the entire fortress city was cast in radiant gold.

On the streets, pedestrians were captured in their final, everyday expressions, their lives frozen in gilded stillness by Macht's magic.

...

...

The city, bustling only moments ago, was now enveloped in an eerie silence.

Every blade of grass, every brick and tile, and every person had turned to shimmering gold. Only Macht, the spell's originator, remained able to move.

He strolled along the familiar streets, his brow furrowed, lost in thought.

Before he could come to any conclusions, Ash, who had initially left, returned and floated above, surveying the surroundings with curious eyes. "So… what's the outcome?"

"...You're quite bold to come back."

"Don't take it so harshly," Ash replied with a light grin.

"...Hard to say." Macht closed his eyes as though he were trying to sense something within. "At the moment this place turned to gold, I felt… something. An indescribable feeling welled up inside me, but it was gone in a flash."

"Is that so? Well, maybe you'll figure it out if you ponder it," Ash said, sensing Macht's fleeting emotion yet refraining from questioning it further, knowing he himself couldn't fully grasp it.

This was an expression Macht had anticipated, yet he couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"In your 600 years of life, you've never been exposed to anything remotely connected to emotions," Ash replied, his tone calm but firm. "You've lived entirely in violence and killing. Now, after only 30 years of dabbling in emotions, do you really think you could understand them? Even if you were human, that would be nearly impossible."

"Impossible? Should it be?" Macht frowned, clearly unwilling to accept this reasoning.

"No, think about it," Ash continued. "It's not just a matter of time. Your worldview and values were cemented centuries ago. It's like a human who, from the start, is shaped by their environment and circumstances into a murderer or villain. Once that foundation is laid, there's little hope of undoing it."

"Little hope? Does that mean there's still a chance?" Macht pressed, his expression darkening.

"Perhaps. After all, nothing is absolute. But at this point, you're undeniably a failure," Ash stated bluntly.

Hearing this conclusion—one that Macht had spent 30 years striving to avoid—he fell silent. Ash, having maintained a considerable distance from him during their exchange, took his leave shortly after, unwilling to linger and risk unnecessary trouble.

Macht remained alone, wandering the now-golden streets, his thoughts tangled in Ash's words.

What would ultimately become of Macht? Ash didn't care. He lacked the means to counter Macht's power to turn anything to gold, rendering him incapable of taking any action. If Macht acted recklessly again, Serie would surely intervene, so Ash felt no need to concern himself further.

---

Now, over forty years had passed since that fateful day.

The Golden City remained unchanged, still glittering in the sunlight as a monument to Macht's power. A massive, bowl-shaped barrier encased the fortress entirely, sealing it off. However, Macht, as a great demon, required nothing more than magic to sustain himself. Eating, for him, was little more than a hobby. In this state of confinement, he wouldn't die—merely exist.

"I recall it was a group of first-level magicians who worked together to set up that barrier," Ash mused, observing the Golden City from a distance. "Macht's fate really is pitiful."

Staring at the shimmering fortress, Ash couldn't help but recall the events of over four decades ago. Part of him wanted to approach the city, to see it up close again, but the presence of guards from the Continental Magic Association deterred him. He remained at a safe distance, content with simply observing.

In the flying carriage, Aura leaned against the window, her gaze fixed on the Golden City. A smug expression played on her face. "Serves him right. That's the price of defying Lord Aura," she said, clearly gloating.

"Is that so?" Linie, seated comfortably on Ash's lap and nibbling an apple, replied absentmindedly. "But I thought this had nothing to do with Lady Aura."

Aura froze, her expression hardening. She turned to glare at Linie, her voice sharp. "Is that what I taught you to say, Linie?"

"Ugh… I'm sorry, Master Aura," Linie mumbled, lowering her head in apparent shame. Though she had no idea what she'd done wrong, she still apologized, her tone aggrieved.

Watching the exchange, Ash felt a sense of déjà vu, as if this conversation had played out before. Without saying a word, he placed a hand on Linie's head, silently comforting the outspoken girl.

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T/N: Almost 3k words