Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard
Chapter 382

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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Ian didn't want to play a game of jokes with a deity.

You should know your place before you stretch your legs.

Greek and Roman mythology was filled with cases of people being punished by gods for being disrespectful.

So he explained everything honestly.

"A trip to the afterlife."

The boundary between life and death was a space of pure mystery.

Yet this young wizard had uncovered that mystery far too early.

"If you're planning to preach about the comforts of the afterlife..."

[I'd never do that.]

If Ian went around on earth saying "I've been dead, and the afterlife isn't anything special," it might give Hrundal a bit of a headache.

The division between the world of the living and the dead wasn't without reason.

The living had their roles, and the dead had theirs.

If the boundary between worlds collapsed, terrible chaos would follow.

"I do like your sharp perception."

Hrundal smiled at Ian.

Ian couldn't help but smile back.

"Yes. I was planning to give you a gift when you came."

[A gift?]

Hrundal summoned something.

"Your magic skills have become quite useful."

It was a strangely formed jewel.

Or perhaps not a jewel at all.

Though it shined beautifully like a gem, the power emanating from within was noble and divine.

"And your fate has solidified now."

[You make it sound like it was once flimsy.]

"Flimsy? That's not entirely wrong."

Hrundal offered ghost-Ian(?) a seat.

Pouring fragrant mead into a cup, Hrundal said:

"You must know that you're an anomalous existence."

[...]

"The Sunbearer guided you here. And like transplanting a flower, made your fate take root in this land."

The transplanting analogy made perfect sense.

Ian was originally... from another world.

Somehow, he'd awakened in a different world.

Like digging up and replanting a flower, Ian's soul had been guided by the Sun God and crossed over to another world.

"The Sunbearer's greatest concern... was you returning to your original world."

[Is that possible?]

The phrase 'original world' felt strangely unfamiliar.

A world with computers and smartphones, with kimchi and ramen... or so he thought.

Honestly, it had been so long that he didn't feel any particular attachment.

Ian was already a resident of this medieval fantasy world, accustomed to bread and butter.

"If you had wished for it, perhaps it might have been possible."

[...]

Why are you telling me this now?

Ian glared at Hrundal, but she only smiled as if she found him adorable.

"But as I just said, the Sunbearer didn't want you to return to your original world. They brought you here in the first place, after all."

[Is that why you never told me?]

"Not particularly. The Sunbearer is beyond [Heaven], and it's difficult to reach humans from there."

Ian recalled a past memory.

The Sun God had said something similar to Ian.

That they wanted to meet Ian but found it difficult...

"The Sunbearer wanted to show you this world."

[...Why?]

"So they could make you love this place."

Hrundal pointed at Ian and asked:

"How do you feel after traveling yourself, Ian? What does this world mean to you? Do you love this strange world, or do you still wish to return to your soul's homeland?"

Ian didn't answer immediately.

What did this world mean to him?

He didn't need to think about it multiple times.

This medieval fantasy world was the world in which Ian lived.

It was his home.

The idea of returning to Earth now felt meaningless.

Here, there were countless people connected to Ian.

There were lovers who gave Ian love and whom Ian loved in return.

[This is my home, Hrundal. No matter what anyone says.]

Ian replied after organizing his thoughts.

Hrundal smiled a strange smile.

"Indeed. You truly deserve to meet the gods."

The goddess of the afterlife handed Ian a jewel imbued with strange power.

The jewel disappeared as if absorbed into Ian's chest.

['Fallen Star' obtained!]

A status window flashed like a cry of joy.

Ian had acquired another Anor-lsil component.

"I've confirmed your resolve."

Hrundal snapped her fingers.

"We'll meet again when the time comes for you to repay my favor."

[Yes, Hrundal. Thank you for showing interest and favor to a mere human.]

A cold wind blew.

The afterlife's wind, carrying the goddess's will, began to blow Ian's soul somewhere.

Surely, sending him back to the world of the living.

Ian returned to the ground, escorted by the goddess.

#

Ian's body was in a state where the soul had temporarily run away(?).

Could a mere corpse with its soul emptied remain intact?

The answer was 'yes.'

"...Mmm."

When Ian opened his eyes, a familiar face came into view.

A man with extremely bright eyes.

"Heavens preserve us!"

The man shouted toward somewhere.

"Ian is awaaake!"

Then he patted Ian's shoulder.

"Ian! Are you conscious?"

"...Takarion."

In Takarion's hand was a genuine holy scripture.

It seemed he had been reading scripture beside Ian.

[I told him so many times it wasn't necessary.]

Takarion believed that Heaven's watchful gaze protected Ian...

But in reality, what protected Ian's body was the phoenix Winnie.

A phoenix had nestled inside Ian's body.

Thanks to this, Oberon couldn't even approach Ian.

"What are you doing there?"

"Caw!"

[It's... a bit awkward...]

Ian rose from his spot with a slight smile.

As he stroked the phoenix, he felt vitality flowing throughout his body.

That explosive, powerful life force had preserved Ian's body perfectly.

Though he'd become a corpse and awakened, Ian was perfectly healthy.

"Ian-!"

"Ian!"

Kira and Maria embraced Ian almost simultaneously.

As Kira hugged Ian from the front, Maria went around to his back and held him like she was getting a piggyback ride.

Suddenly turned into a sandwich, Ian burst into laughter.

What an enthusiastic welcome.

There weren't just two visitors.

"How was your tour of the afterlife, Ian?"

"Not bad."

"Next time, ask for a tour of heaven."

Belenka and Sir Salvador approached with smiles—

"Ian! How's your physical condition? We need to examine you immediately...!"

"You really are an impressive madman."

"Hmm."

"Stop the chatter! We need to call a doctor!"

The quartet of wizards, whose presence was inexplicable, also approached.

That wasn't all.

Holy Knight Sir Reshach and Lisa Silverwind. The Emperor and Elia. Even assassin Aesis...

Everyone Ian knew came to see him.

Of course, they approached because they were close to Ian.

People unrelated to Ian—the mercenaries and knights—were busy with their own work.

"How did the battle go?"

"We won, of course."

The Emperor answered.

He pointed somewhere, where people locked in wagons could be seen.

Duke Roxlan and Antios were visible among them.

"So we won..."

Only then did Ian breathe a sigh of relief.

There had been numerous conflicts and moments of crisis, but...

The [Golden Rule Society] was shattered, and Antios was defeated.

Ian had won.

"Let's go home, Ian."

"Yes."

While others were busy with the aftermath,

It was fine for someone like Ian to slip away.

Ian got into a wagon and left the forest.

#

The first to leave was the phoenix Winnie.

[I only came to see your face.]

The phoenix said, flapping its wings on Ian's shoulder.

[I'm glad I could recall warm memories.]

"Me too. Thanks for your help, Winnie."

[Don't remove the ring. I don't want you to die.]

If Ian sustained a major injury or collapsed in the future, the phoenix would come to protect his life.

Ian resolved to never remove the ring if possible.

A life +1 ring.

It really was like a fantasy item...

"Ian..."

Having returned from chaos, everyone had much to do.

Ian returned to the lodging the Emperor had provided, intending to rest for a while.

But Kira barged in forcefully, ruining that plan.

Kira embraced Ian and remained silent for some time.

Just as Ian was beginning to wonder if this was alright,

"..."

Tears fell drop by drop along Kira's long eyelashes.

"I was... so scared..."

"Kira."

"I know you're good with magic. I know you contact mysteries because you have the ability. But..."

Kira hugged Ian with all her might.

Like someone afraid that if she loosened her grip, Ian would disappear.

"Don't ever do that again... not ever..."

"I understand."

"You're not a black wizard... You don't need to do such dangerous things to explore the mystery of death..."

"I'm sorry, Kira."

Ian slowly stroked Kira's back.

At that, Kira burst into tears she'd been holding back.

Ian felt guilty enough.

But... Ian had done his best too.

If Ian hadn't contacted the mystery of death, the demon would have continued its rampage.

In the worst case, the lives of Belenka or Sir Salvador might have been in danger.

Was it okay because it was the knights' lives at risk, while the wizards at the rear were safe?

Such nonsense wasn't worth considering.

If Ian had truly been in danger, he would have backed out. But he went in because the phoenix promised to help.

...Explaining that to Kira probably wouldn't work.

Kira was genuinely shocked.

She'd almost become a widow(?) before even getting married!

While Ian was busy comforting Kira,

"Ian?"

Maria peeked in quietly.

Kira didn't want to cry in front of Maria, so she busily arranged her hair, pretending she hadn't been crying.

Of course, it was a completely useless effort.

Maria would certainly notice.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you."

Maria sat down naturally beside Ian.

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