The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years

Book 2 Chapter 631

The Council of Absolutes of the Top Universe was composed of a total of 216 members, as far as Residue remembered.

216 members, or 216 seats... there were many names by which they were called, but that wasn’t what mattered.

Anyway, these 216 seats were further divided into six categories. Although they had names they used among themselves, Residue roughly classified them as [Radical Faction], [Moderate-Radical Faction], [Moderate Faction], [Moderate-Conservative Faction], and [Conservative Faction].

The remaining 36 seats were taken by those who mostly abstained or declared neutrality on important agendas. The reason they were distinguished from the Moderate Faction was that they made different decisions depending on the situation.

For example, they might support the Radical Faction on one agenda and then, before that meeting was even over, side with the Conservative Faction, without it being considered strange.

"How strange. It’s a system that’s hard to believe was established by Absolutes."

Kiel, who had often dealt with Absolutes in the course of work, had come to understand their tendencies to some degree.

Residue nodded and said.

"That’s right."

"Why did they create such a bothersome institution like a council?"

"I don’t know."

"……."

Kiel blinked, seemingly flustered.

"I don’t know much about the Top Universe, either."

"...Weren’t you the one who shared memories with the Ruler Lightning God?"

"I do know everything Lightning God knew. And yet, there are things I don’t know. The Top Universe is the representative example. Even when I was Lightning God, I never entered that place."

The impact of these words was far greater than simply saying "I don’t know."

"Was it that you didn’t enter, or that you couldn’t?"

"At the time, I believed it was that I didn’t. But thinking about it now, it seems more like I couldn’t."

"……."

Only Absolutes could enter that universe. The fact that a Ruler couldn’t enter presented a contradiction Kiel seemed to ponder deeply.

Residue did not wait for that thought process to end before speaking.

"Of course, I never seriously considered breaking in by force. I wasn’t that interested. Let’s just say I didn’t want to enter so badly that I would destroy the place."

If forced entry were attempted, the Top Universe would likely end up half-ruined. There was also the thought that touring such a place after wrecking it would be meaningless.

But thinking back now, the Top Universe at that time was a place difficult to enter unscathed, even for a Ruler acting alone.

"The Top Universe was nothing more than a training ground where fledgling Absolutes learned the rules they must uphold and received the minimum training. I didn’t think it was worth the hassle to conquer it."

"What was the reason you couldn’t enter?"

"There was a membrane surrounding the entire Top Universe. That membrane was deeply fused with the inside, so if you broke it, the interior would collapse along with it." 𝖗𝙖Ọ₿Εs̩

"……."

"Anyway, the same membrane from back then is now protecting that city."

Kiel spoke while gazing at the city in the distance.

"Does it still look difficult to break through now?"

"That’s how it seems. Honestly, this body’s compatibility with it isn’t very good, either."

Around that time, from the wrecked Amdal, a small figure came scurrying out and looked around. Then, realizing she was being watched, ran over in a straight line.

It was Luca.

"What took you so long?"

"Ah. I was trying to rescue the crew and some of the detainees."

"Did you save many?"

"About half…"

Luca had a slightly bitter expression.

Residue placed a hand on her head.

"You did a commendable thing. Shall I praise you?"

"It was just for my own satisfaction."

Though Luca’s voice was indifferent, she smiled brightly as if enjoying the pat. Then suddenly, her gaze turned toward the city on the lake.

"Can you see the membrane surrounding the city?"

"Yes."

"Do you think you can break it?"

"Maybe…?"

Kiel, who had been watching quietly, looked at Luca in surprise. That a little girl like her might break the membrane of a city that even the former Ruler Residue said was difficult to penetrate?

Residue chuckled.

"Why so surprised? Anyone who travels with this body should at least have this level of capability."

"...So she’s not just a servant you brought along to run errands."

"A capable errand-runner is exactly what I am."

Luca answered with a smug expression.

Kiel spoke with a complicated look on his face.

“Then does this mean we now have a method of entering the city?”

“No. This method is also rejected.”

“Why?”

Residue pressed down hard on Luca’s head.

“Gehk.”

“This little one has other uses. I can’t waste her strength just to invade the city. Besides, I don’t want to make the [Council of Absolutes] an enemy right now.”

“Then what do you intend to do? If your destination is the Underground City, it seems like you’ll have to enter that fortress city first.”

“That’s no problem.”

Residue grinned.

“This body knows more about Absolutes than anyone. And now that I’ve lost the power of a Ruler, I more than meet the minimum requirements to enter that city.”

“Hmm. That may be fine for you, but what about us?”

“No need. You two have other things to do, so stay outside and wait. Especially you, Luca. You should conserve your strength even more.”

“Will hyung be alright on his own?”

Residue flicked Luca’s forehead.

“Ow!”

“You’re ten million years too early to be worrying about this body, kid.”

“You could’ve just said it with words…”

Luca held her forehead with a tearful expression.

“But how are you planning to enter that city?”

When Kiel asked again, Residue uttered a word that perhaps least suited him.

“Peacefully.”

***

Residue stood atop the walnut-shaped protrusion.

He didn’t even try to conceal himself. His robe fluttered as he took in the lake, the statues, the city, and the sky beyond it all at once.

“Hmmm.”

Then he began to stretch his body slowly.

After carefully loosening his muscles and joints with light stretches, he broke through the lake in a single bound.

Bzzzzt-.

It was a speed that could not be seen with the naked eye.

Residue passed by, lightning followed the same path, and only afterward did the lake surface explode violently with a splash. That disturbance quickly spread across the entire lake. The once calm lake instantly turned into chaos, as if a sea monster were rampaging within it.

Despite all this noise, the six statues did not respond. The guardians of the Top Universe truly acted like statues, not even moving a single finger. This too was as expected.

Residue crossed the long lake in an instant and reached the central island.

After arriving at the island and walking a bit further, he soon reached the gray castle wall at his feet.

“So damn big.”

He muttered as he looked up at the wall.

How many bricks were used?

He didn’t deny the foolish thought that suddenly popped into his head, and while folding his arms, began counting the bricks as he waited.

Kkkkgrrk-

Soon after, interference began.

The bricks of the castle wall started to move on their own. They split to the left and right, creating a space wide enough for several people to pass through comfortably.

What was curious was that he could not see what lay beyond that space. It reflected Residue and the scenery behind him, just like a mirror or water surface.

Soon, ripples formed in that surface, and someone suddenly appeared.

“What brings you here?”

With a stiff voice, an old man with graying white hair appeared.

Upon seeing his face, Residue almost burst out laughing.

Hold it in.

“Is this the Top Universe?”

“It’s a place once called that. Are you an Absolute?”

This was going smoothly. His efforts to broadcast himself by firing off lightning everywhere had paid off.

“Yes. I was passing nearby and felt a familiar energy, so I came here.”

“…….”

The old man’s eyes turned to Residue’s face. But all he could see was the mask, of course. Residue was currently wearing the mask of The Beginning Wizard.

The man was formally looking at his face, but there was no need to confirm a face to identify an Absolute.

“Can you show me external power?”

The old man demanded to see a power that only Absolutes could use. This too was expected, so Residue nodded.

Bzzt-.

Sparks burst from his body.

It wasn't excessive at all, just enough to make the surrounding scenery slightly pale, but that alone was sufficient.

The old man, now looking far less suspicious, spoke.

“You’re definitely an Absolute... Hmm. This is a personal question, but did you happen to serve the Lightning God?”

“Something like that.”

“I see. Then one last question.”

“Ask.”

“That massive vessel hovering above the city just now…”

The old man's gaze sharpened, and there was a pricking pressure, as if being poked with needles. He had intentionally begun releasing external power to corner Residue.

“Were you aboard it?”

“No.”

Residue answered in a completely unwavering voice, even adding casually.

“Rather, it was the external power I felt when that thing was destroyed that led me here.”

“Is that so. Hmmm…”

The old man mulled it over briefly, then glanced behind him and muttered.

“You all proceed as planned and search the area where the vessel crashed. It’s to the west.”

A reply came from behind, from the space that might have been a water surface or a mirror.

“Understood.”

Whoosh.

They passed by Residue at tremendous speed, never once revealing their forms.

Of course, Residue was fully able to note their number: seven in total, six Assistants and one Manager.

That level should be manageable for Luca or Kiel somehow.

“I’ve kept you standing too long. This city does not reject Absolutes... But before that, may I ask your purpose for visiting this place?”

The old man continued.

“You came here with some idea of what this place is, didn’t you? Was it to meet with many Absolutes? Or to see what became of the Top Universe? If so, are you an envoy sent by the Lightning God?”

“Due to circumstances, I’ve been traveling alone ever since the worlds merged, and I’ve hardly encountered any Absolutes. Along the way, I got curious how the other Absolutes might be living.”

Residue answered in the flow of consciousness.

But surprisingly, despite the half-hearted reply, the old man showed a pleased expression.

“That’s wonderful. We always welcome those like you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Would you come inside first? Seeing it directly will help you understand more quickly.”

“……”

There was still a chance it could be a trap, but Residue nodded.

“Very well.”

Then he stepped forward toward the distorted space, whether mirror or water surface, that even his insight could not penetrate.

***

The moment he entered, Residue realized that this fortress city was far larger and more expansive than it appeared from the outside. At this scale, it wouldn’t be wrong to call it an entire world unto itself. Still, that alone wasn’t surprising. He had experienced such things many times before.

But.

Swaaah-

He heard the sound of waves.

Residue stood on a small island. An island so small it could barely hold even a few dozen people.

What stood out was that there was a road, but not one on the island itself. It jutted out from the island, extending in a straight line toward a single point. This extended road was fixed in place as if glued to the ocean, and did not budge in the slightest despite the rising, surging waves.

And at the end of that unrealistically long, stretching road, there was a city.

“……”

Since the Destruction Invasion,

He had never seen a scene like this anywhere.

A clear sky, the cries of seagulls, the wide-open ocean.

The city unfolding against that backdrop was beautiful, and magnificent. Even from this great distance, one could feel its strong vibrance and liveliness.

“Surprised? The Top Universe you remember surely didn’t look like this.”

“……”

“This place is no longer called by that name. Welcome, truly. You’ve arrived in Sin City, the world of the Absolutes.” (T/N: The name 'Sin City' is a direct romanization of the Korean version. If it had been translated, it would be called 'God City', but the 'city' part in the original Korean is a romanization of English rather than Korean. So I romanized the name as 'Sin'. It could also be romanized as 'Shin City', but I prefer 'Sin' for the double meaning, hence 'Sin City'.)

Without replying, Residue suddenly looked up, higher into the sky.

And there it floated.

A symbolic presence that brightly illuminated the sky, the sea, and the city.

Residue saw the sun, and

“……”

The smile vanished from the face behind the mask.

*****

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