44 – 9# Sage Subjugation (1)

Let’s start from the beginning.

The sage primarily uses mind control magic. And in the previous world, he founded a cult called Salvation Church using that magic.

He tried to claim the achievements of the hero Revil as his own but failed. However, the sage, who should have definitely died there, somehow survived.

Furthermore, he is trying to intervene in this scenario and completely change the outcome. From Yushin’s perspective, it is extremely unfair that the sage is even alive.

There was nothing he could do. If the enemy appeared in front of him, he had no choice but to kill him. The problem was that the current sage was not easy to deal with.

The sage’s mind control ability was very powerful. In fact, it could be said that the academy had almost completely fallen under his control. Except for a few.

Student council president Ban Hayeon and principal Ban Serin were typical examples. Of course, even that was not perfect. Ban Serin, being proficient in magic, was able to resist.

In Ban Hayeon’s case, her mind was twisted in the opposite direction, making it barely possible. Even that could change over time, and no one knew what would happen.

“But no matter how much I think about it, it’s strange.”

“It’s too powerful. It wasn’t like this in our homeland.”

“What do you mean?”

“That guy has gained much stronger power.”

The sage’s mind control magic was not originally this powerful. At least, to control someone’s mind, it required a corresponding amount of effort and time.

But the sage, in just a day, no, half a day, made people recognize him as Hyunwoo. Not only that, he completely altered their memories.

No matter how much of a sage he was, the time was too short to do such a thing. In other words, the sage had become stronger in this place. There must be a reason.

Yushin recalled a middle-aged man he had met in a dream before. Why did that man’s image come to mind at this moment? There must be some connection.

“First, I need to find out what that guy is up to.”

And there was only one person he could ask about this knowledge. Principal Ban Serin, come to think of it, had the same surname as the student council president. Is there any connection?

“This child is my adopted daughter.”

“Suddenly appearing out of nowhere.”

“Sorry, but I don’t have much time.”

Ban Serin was somewhat aware of the situation. However, it was an incomplete awareness, and over time, she might completely fall under control.

For now, she was suppressing it with magic as much as possible. But even that was a matter of time. In other words, unless the fundamental cause was resolved, nothing could be done.

And in Ban Serin’s view, the fundamental cause was, of course, Hyunwoo, or rather, the guy pretending to be Hyunwoo. First, deal with that guy.

“But I am not enough.”

“Even with the principal’s power, it’s not enough?”

“Yes, that guy’s magic surpasses mine. Not only the technique but even the output.”

“Is that even possible?”

Ban Serin was undoubtedly a top-tier magician in this world. No matter how wise one might be, defeating him in just a day wouldn’t be easy.

“Perhaps he’s not alone.”

“Not alone?”

“I sensed a familiar presence. The feeling of a very dirty nemesis.”

“Aren’t you being too harsh?”

As soon as the words were spoken, someone interrupted the conversation between Ban Serin and Yushin. However, unfortunately, it wasn’t a person.

A crow.

A scrawny crow with most of its feathers plucked out and barely any flesh left on its bones was staring at them. Ban Serin, upon seeing the crow, clicked his tongue.

“So, it was you who intervened, Mephisto.”

“Mephisto, what an ominous name.”

“He is known as the king of all monsters. We’ve clashed several times in the past.”

“So, he’s similar to a demon king.”

If he commands all monsters, he must not be taken lightly. And indeed, Mephisto was the final boss of this scenario.

“What exactly are you after?”

“Don’t be so hostile, my old nemesis.”

“You raised such a creature, and you tell me not to be wary?”

“Calm down. I have come to give you the answer.”

Mephisto revealed his purpose in a very soft voice. However, despite the soft tone, Yushin felt quite threatened.

“Why would you help us?”

“Let’s call it a difference of opinion. There was a significant disagreement between him and me regarding the theory of rulership.”

“Tsk, so you plan to use us to get rid of the now useless sage.”

“That’s a harsh way to put it. Let’s call it a win-win situation.”

Answering slyly, it appeared before them. Mephisto, a name similar to that of a demon. And indeed, his actions were the same. Talking about deals.

In the end, he always made sure he benefited.

But it’s hard to refuse a deal with a demon.

That’s why people call them demons.

* * *

Mephisto, the king of all monsters.

Simply put, he was the final boss of this main scenario. And Mephisto testified that he personally reaped the sage’s soul.

In other words, it was Mephisto who revived the sage and gave him power. And now, he wants to betray us? Are we supposed to believe this?

“It’s simple. My deal with the sage is already over. In other words, I’ve gotten what I could get.”

“Even if I ask, you won’t tell me.”

“Of course not. I don’t like talking about personal matters.”

“So, now that we’re no longer useful, you want us to handle it ourselves?”

“Correct.”

In a brief moment, not even a day, what did he gain to speak like that? Yushin wondered, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.

Anyway, it’s true that the current sage is the most powerful enemy. So, we must first defeat the sage and then attack Mephisto.

If we antagonize Mephisto here as well? Then there would be no answer. That was the evaluation made by Principal Ban Serin, who had a conversation with him here.

“I refuse.”

But it was none other than Yushin who refused such a deal. Yushin knew all too well about such types. Profit-driven to the extreme.

There’s nothing more to gain from the sage. So, he comes to us with a deal, trying to profit again because our value has dropped.

The accumulated profit becomes Mephisto’s strength and flesh. Even if we defeat the sage with Mephisto’s help here, there will be no future.

“I know your kind well. You’ll surely stab us in the back next, won’t you?”

“So, what changes? Or will you just submit to the sage if you lose?”

“I have no intention of doing that, but if we lose due to lack of strength… we have no choice.”

It’s a very simple logic. If we can’t stop it due to lack of strength, we have to admit it and stop. And that’s the cleanest way with no aftermath.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I plan to lose.

As always, I’ll mobilize all my strength to kill the sage again. And again. So that he can never appear before us again.

“This is surprising. Are you saying that humanity’s survival depends solely on your strength? And you still call yourself a hero?”

“I was never called a hero because I wanted to be.”

“So, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose?”

“I will never lose. Even without your help.”

That was Yushin’s conclusion. He couldn’t give anything to this guy. Even if Mephisto intervenes right after fighting the sage…

Wouldn’t it be more disadvantageous to fight after giving something through a deal? Rather, as Yushin came out strong, it was Mephisto who was troubled.

‘This is troublesome, I need to deal with the sage here for sure.’

From Mephisto’s perspective, knowing the sage’s purpose, he wanted to deal with the uncertain variable here for sure. Of course, he could do it himself.

But the damage would be too great. In other words, the best way is to leave it to the humans. But if he fights head-on like this, the probability of defeat is very high.

If the humans are defeated and the sage absorbs their power and attacks again, the new humanity led by the sage would become a force even Mephisto couldn’t handle.

‘There’s no choice.’

I tried to gain the upper hand through negotiation, but even after fighting the sage, I could still get it. So, I have no choice but to concede here.

“Alright, I lost. This time, I’ll help you for free.”

“You’ve thought it through, and concluded that it’s beneficial, right?”

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“Of course. After all, isn’t it better for humans to fight each other and shed blood?”

“……”

“Besides, from my perspective, I’d rather you win than that monster sage.”

In other words, it’s a strategy of using barbarians to control and kill other barbarians. It’s annoying, but there’s no reason not to accept it.

“So, what exactly is that guy’s goal?”

At Yushin’s question, Mephisto answered lightly.

“To liberate the world directly from the gods.”

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