Episode 54: Pandemonium #2
As the rift closed, the battlefield fell eerily silent, as if holding its breath.
Even the searing heat seemed to dissipate abruptly, and the soldiers stood frozen, staring at the spot where the rift had been.
The sharp clashing of steel and the monstrous cries were gone, leaving only a heavy silence.
“The rift…”
“Good heavens.”
“What in the world…”
The Sanburk soldiers slowly lowered their weapons, their faces drained of purpose or will to fight.
It was a clear surrender.
Part of it was because the core of the battle, the demonic Lair, had disappeared. But more importantly, closing the rift was a miracle in itself.
“…Quickly, deal with the remaining demonic beasts!”
Ricard’s decisive voice echoed across the battlefield.
The knights reformed their ranks and charged at the remaining demonic beasts.
The clashing of iron armor and the demonic beasts’ roars melded into the sounds of the final battle.
With the Sanburk army surrendering, it didn’t take long to deal with the remaining demonic beasts.
After all, the reason the Second Division had struggled earlier wasn’t just because of the ambush, but largely due to the presence of the demonic beasts.
Some of the demonic beasts that emerged from the rift had been of the highest grade, but their numbers were small, and the concentrated strength of the Second Division managed to handle them without issue.
By the time the First Division arrived on the battlefield, they were left speechless at the scene before them.
The ground bore clear traces of the rift, mixed with red blood and the remains of demonic beasts.
“Is it all over?”
Someone murmured.
“…What happened here?”
Approaching cautiously, Grand Duke Lenokhonen asked Deputy-Commander Ricard. His face was filled with confusion.
“It’s a long story, but to put it simply, Special-Class Mage Yohan Harsen ended the battle.”
Fedelian, overhearing this, narrowed his eyes.
“Special-Class Mage Yohan Harsen?”
“Yes.”
Ricard continued his explanation.
“The Sanburk forces launched a surprise attack and opened a demonic lair, but Special-Class Mage Harsen closed the rift.”
Fedelian’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“…Opened and closed a rift? What do you mean?”
“I don’t know the details myself…”
Ricard rubbed his neck with a complicated expression. He was just as confused.
“We’ll have to hear the details from Special-Class Mage Harsen, but isn’t this a good thing? It might just be the kind of blessing the Empire hasn’t seen in centuries.”
Grand Duke Lenokhonen chuckled and nodded. His words were true. The demonic lairs had plagued the continent throughout history.
“…Indeed.”
Fedelian forced an awkward smile in agreement. His lips curled upwards, but his eyes gleamed sharply.
Undoubtedly, closing the demonic lair was an unparalleled blessing in the Empire’s history. It was like discovering a long-elusive clue to an unsolvable mystery.
The problem, however, was that the one who closed the nest was Yohan Harsen.
‘…This is not ideal.’
Although a faint smile lingered on Fedelian’s lips, his insides felt icy. With scrutiny already increasing, he couldn’t afford to make any rash moves, and now, things were becoming more complicated.
If this miracle was merely a coincidence, it would be fine. But if it wasn’t, Yohan Harsen’s value would skyrocket, making everything far more difficult to manage.
Unlike before, the situation couldn’t be handled simply.
While Fedelian was lost in complex calculations, Grand Duke Lenokhonen sheathed his sword and spoke.
“Everyone must be exhausted after the sudden battle. Let’s discuss the details later and focus on regrouping for now.”
***
When the chaos of the ambush subsided, Sanburk sent a message along with their remaining forces.
“Under the King’s leadership, the hardliners have been purged. We will surrender our territory to Rozino. All we ask is to be accepted as citizens of the Empire…”
The letter was brief, but it carried the despair of a kingdom that had abandoned both pride and hope.
It was a declaration of surrender.
From there, events progressed swiftly.
The Imperial Army began their retreat to Rozino, and Sanburk formally delivered their surrender and territorial cession to the Imperial Court.
The investigation revealed how the Sanburk army had managed to open a demonic lair.
As expected, the hardline faction had collaborated with dark mages.
Upon learning this, the King was furious. When the truth was exposed, public opinion in the kingdom shifted drastically, uniting nobles and commoners alike in condemnation.
Thus, they chose to surrender.
“So many lives were lost, and now they surrender? They should’ve done this from the start!”
“Exactly. They acted as if they’d fight to the bitter end, and now this…”
The war was over, but dissatisfaction among the officers was palpable. Though, in the end, it was just grumbling.
“Yohan…!”
That night, back at the border of Rozino, Francia ran straight into Yohan’s arms. Her shoulders trembled with relief.
“I was so worried about you, you know?”
“I’m sorry. There was no other way.”
Yohan smiled softly and stroked her hair as she clung to him.
The tranquil moonlight illuminated the mansion’s garden. Its gentle glow soaked into the grass, erasing the stench of blood from the day, and the remnants of the battlefield faded into the shadows.
“But… what was that, really?”
“What do you mean?”
“You closed the rift of demonic lair, didn’t you?”
“Ah…”
Even Yohan didn’t know the answer. It was hard to discern what had happened to seal the Demonic Lair’s rift.
“To be honest, I’m not sure either. I’ve used magic on rifts before, but there was no effect then.”
The only difference between the rift at the Count Ekarsi’s territory and the one in this battle was this: one had formed naturally, and the other was artificially created.
But even that didn’t provide a conclusive answer.
“Hmm…” Francia nodded slowly.
“What do the commanders say?”
At her question, Yohan gazed into the air before answering.
“Well… they only asked how it happened and didn’t say much beyond that.”
It seemed they had decided to discuss the details directly with the Emperor. Both the Crown Prince and Grand Duke Lenokhonen refrained from probing deeper.
The artificial opening of the rift of a demonic lair by dark mage and Yohan’s closing of it were both extraordinary occurrences, warranting discussion in the Emperor’s presence.
“I see.”
“Yes. It’s not an ordinary matter, after all.”
“Hmmm…”
Francia muttered softly, just loud enough for Yohan to hear.
“Maybe your pure and vast mana was what sealed the demonic lair’s rift?”
Yohan turned his head to look at her.
“Doesn’t that sound plausible?”
Her words held some merit. It was a hypothesis, but if the demonic lair was a void created by mana tainted with negative energy.
If filled with pure mana, it might be possible to seal them.
“Even when I visited the demonic lair in the Count Ekarsi’s territory, there was no such effect,” Yohan said, puzzled.
Still, it didn’t quite add up.
“The rift just formed, didn’t it? A newly opened rift is different from one that’s been there for a while. Wouldn’t it require much more mana to close? Besides, this one was artificially created by dark mages.”
Her theory, though speculative, wasn’t entirely without merit. It was worth investigating.
“Hmm…”
It was worth exploring, but that didn’t mean Yohan was convinced.
His mana was indeed remarkably pure and vast, making him exceptional. However, could there really have been no other mage in history with mana as powerful as his?
Granted, Yohan was special—and unique. After all, he was someone who had reincarnated.
“Ah, Special-Class Mage Harsen! How can the guest of honor be here all alone at tonight’s party?”
At that moment, officers and mages approached upon spotting Yohan.
“Oh, and you’re here with Special-Class Mage Fervache? Aren’t you drinking?”
Yohan chuckled lightly and shrugged.
“I just don’t feel like drinking.”
“Huh, why? The war’s over…”
“My mind’s a bit preoccupied.”
“Ah, fair enough…!”
One of the officers nodded in understanding, folding his arms.
“So, how did you close the rift of demonic lair?”
“Perhaps you’re a chosen saint?”
“Well, you certainly look like a saint.”
The officers were clearly intoxicated as they rambled on.
The current gathering was being held at a count’s manor near the border. Naturally, the estate had a stock of alcohol.
“Ah, is the setting uncomfortable for you?”
“Or perhaps you don’t drink at all?”
To their relentless questions, Yohan replied with a soft smile.
“I just have something to discuss privately with Special-Class Mage Fervache.”
When Yohan responded with a grin, the officers exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening.
Everyone among the officers knew that Yohan and Francia were a couple. The officers exchanged mischievous smiles and nudged each other teasingly.
“Oh, how rude of us to intrude!”
“Our apologies…!”
“Enjoy your time together!”
The knights hurriedly retreated into the villa, the boisterous noise reaching them even outside.
“They really don’t know that you can’t drink, do they? You’ve hidden it well.”
Francia smiled softly and leaned her head against Yohan’s shoulder.
“They don’t know because you told me to keep it a secret. I’ve avoided all drinking occasions. Everyone probably just thinks I don’t like alcohol.”
Other than the welcoming party on his first day at the Bureau, Yohan had never drunk with them. Whenever they invited him, he always declined with some excuse.
The knights, knowing that Yohan always left with Francia after work, eventually stopped offering.
He didn’t mind. He wasn’t much of a drinker in the first place, and he knew the risks of getting too drunk, so he had always been careful.
“I just worry if I’m restricting you too much. Not letting you drink with others…”
Francia awkwardly smiled, twiriling the strand of her hair with her fingertips.
“It’s not that you’re restricting me.” Yohan said with a calm smile.
“Even without your request, I’ve always avoided drinking unless it’s a special occasion.”
He continued, “Besides, I know I need to be careful because drinking puts me at risk. It’s not just because you asked me not to attend drinking parties.”
If he drank more than five glasses, he wouldn’t just get drunk—he’d black out entirely.
A glass or two wasn’t a problem, but at a party, people often pushed for more. That kind of atmosphere was hard to handle.
It was better to avoid drinking entirely and to keep his inability to drink a secret.
“Then that’s a relief.”
Francia smiled softly, visibly reassured.
The bushes rustled, swayed by the cold wind. The moonlight cast shadows across the garden, the quiet stillness enveloping them.
“It’s getting chilly. Shall we head inside?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Hand in hand, they walked back into the villa.
“He’s here!!”
“Damn it, the famous Special-Class Mage Harsen!”
“Today’s hero!”
“The man who ended the war!!”
The lively atmosphere inside grew even more intense.
***
The Imperial Palace.
Having received the news through a letter, the Emperor sat on his throne, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“To think he closed the rift of the Demon Lair…”
A truly unprecedented feat.
If it wasn’t a coincidence, and if Yohan Harsen truly possessed the unique ability to seal such rifts, his value would skyrocket beyond measure.
‘…I heard he is in a relationship with the daughter of the House of Fervache.’
The Emperor’s sharp eyes glinted.
If Yohan Harsen were to marry into the Fervache Duchy, he would undoubtedly remain loyal to the Empire.
But the Emperor had a better, more certain plan in mind.
He would make Yohan a member of the Imperial family.
“Summon the chamberlain.”
The Emperor raised his hand slightly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. What are your orders?”
The chamberlain, who had been standing by, immediately bowed respectfully.
“Inform the Third Princess, Raeliana, to come to the audience chamber.”