The Game of the Greatest Black Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 97

1.

A strange and mystical realm, veiled in a swirling, teal aura.

And within that realm, a single, serene, and imposing fortress drifted, exuding an air of silent majesty within this uncanny, otherworldly space.

It was the Dark Fortress, adrift in the Netherworld.

Long abandoned by its Master, the Dark Fortress drifted through the Netherworld. Only one being remained within, seated alone and forlorn upon the throne, gazing out upon the world.

Then,

-Cough.

Crimson blood splattered as a memory surged forth.

It was a memory of the past.

No, it was a memory of a nonexistent past.

A magic he had once set in motion had triggered, unleashing this memory.

The being coughed up blood as he quickly scanned through the recollection.

In them, he vaguely recalled his former master, now fading.

-I miss you.

His Master, who had immediately recognized that her existence was false and artificial.

A truly remarkable person.

He could even hear himself being scolded by her.

Nagging and reprimands.

Yet, he even missed that.

-I long to see you again, my Lord.

His Master, whom he so desperately yearned to see, was now gone.

He was ready to let go of everything and move on.

No, he was already doing so.

But in that glimpse of the past, he had witnessed it.

Not only his old master, but also the remarkable power of her successor.

He demonstrated more than enough qualifications and qualities to ascend to the throne.

Therefore, he must show respect accordingly.

But even though a new master had appeared, his expression remained lonely.

He rose from the throne, remembering his old master while shedding blood.

Now it was time to welcome the new master.

-He approaches.

The new master, whom he had not yet acknowledged.

The new master was journeying toward the Dark Fortress.

No, towards him.

Thus, preparations must be made.

For the sake of his new master.

2.

『To the Dark Fortress』

→《Main》

→Main Quest.

→You have learned of the entrance to the Dark Fortress—or rather, you have realized that the Dark Fortress lies within the Netherworld.

You must travel to the Dark Fortress and speak with its current master and sole inhabitant, 『Nocturnium』.

→Overlord-exclusive Main Quest.

→Reward: 『Dark Fortress』, Overlord-exclusive item, Overlord-exclusive skill unlock.

Seonghyun checked the new Main Quest; it was noticeably shorter than the previous one.

The content itself wasn't anything special either.

He felt like testing out the newly unlocked skills before going.

'But it says I'll get another skill as a reward.'

It would probably be better to test them after completing the Main Quest, wouldn't it?

And an exclusive item, too.

He was looking forward to it in many ways.

The Dark Fortress reward was likely in the same vein as Helena's Garden.

'Come to think of it... wasn't Helena's Garden originally attached to the Dark Fortress?'

Would they be integrated if he obtained the Dark Fortress?

Well, it wasn't too late to think about that after he got it.

Normally, he would devise some strategies and feel a bit nervous.

But Seonghyun showed none of that now.

As if he were simply going for a stroll, he immediately opened a teal portal to the Netherworld.

Or rather, he tried to open it.

[Do you want to open a portal to the Dark Fortress, not a Summon summoning portal? ]

[Yes / No]

The answer was obvious.

Fzzzzzzt.

Tiny sparks crackled around the teal portal.

It looked slightly different from when he was summoned before.

The one-way portal changed, revealing the other side.

The Dark Fortress, floating serenely in the tranquil space.

Its clean and beautiful exterior was well-maintained, as always.

But while its appearance was grand, it also looked lonelier than any other castle.

Ignoring the Dark Fortress, which even seemed pathetic,

Seonghyun leisurely stepped inside.

The cold, lifeless air of the Dark Fortress was devoid of any sound, only Seonghyun's footsteps echoing.

Step, step, step.

He had been here before.

He moved towards the familiar location, and soon arrived at the center of the Dark Fortress.

The throne room, where the grand lobby and throne stood steadfastly.

And there, a being he had seen once before in the past greeted him.

A being in human form, yet not appearing human.

A being that seemed like an old man, yet also like a young man, like a man, yet also like a woman.

The being, who was called Nocturnium in the past, was there, facing Seonghyun.

Would he give him a new test?

Or perhaps something else would happen?

Nocturnium approached Seonghyun, who was inwardly anticipating something, and gave a courteous greeting.

-Welcome.

It was a stark contrast to the tone of the letter he had first received through Fiora.

The letter had stated that he would never be acknowledged.

It had even mentioned giving him a test to earn that acknowledgment.

Of course, it was also completely different from what he had seen in the past.

This was polite, giving a strong impression of servitude.

With a respectful bow, Nocturnium spoke again.

-As you may already know, I am Nocturnium. The lord of this fortress, its sole inhabitant, and the spirit of this fortress.

"Hmm?"

So he was the spirit of the Dark Fortress.

He had never dreamed of it.

No wonder he had the power to control and raise the surrounding land.

Seonghyun knew his name and abilities, but he hadn't known that he was the Dark Fortress itself, and he looked at him with some surprise.

He had also wondered if there would be a new test.

But that didn't seem to be the case.

Though, sending him to the past could be considered a test in itself.

Still, he felt a bit disappointed that there wouldn't be a test.

He had thought a new test would be a good opportunity to try out his new skills.

But that wasn't important right now.

He could put that aside for a moment.

-I dare ask for your forgiveness for having tested you, my Master, when I am but a mere servant.

"Hmm, it's fine."

He hesitated, wondering whether he should use formal language.

Or just speak casually. In the end, he chose to speak casually.

Balthar and Fiora, who had been with him since Helena's time, and even the new summon, Barpur, had all said they were much more comfortable with Seonghyun speaking informally.

‘Let's speak comfortably.’

Nocturnium also seemed pleased, smiling contentedly.

He was glad that Nocturnium was satisfied.

Then, Seonghyun remembered something he had almost forgotten.

He recalled the note Helena had asked him to deliver to Nocturnium.

He had originally intended to hand it over after the test.

But since there didn't seem to be any test.

Now was probably the right time to give it, right?

With that thought, Seonghyun took out a note he had kept in his inventory.

Nocturnium looked at the note with a questioning gaze.

"Here, take it."

-……What is this?

"Ah, it's a note from Helena, she asked me to give it to you."

-……From my former Master……?

At Seonghyun's words, Nocturnium carefully unfolded the note.

On the note, words were written in an elegant and refined handwriting.

Nocturnium, deeply missing that handwriting, recalled past memories and slowly began to read the words.

『Hello, Nocturnium of the future.』

The opening was typical of Helena.

Nocturnium smiled softly at the greeting, but his smile seemed very sad and lonely.

The former Master he had so desperately wanted to protect.

The former Master's words he had so desperately wanted to see.

Nocturnium slowly savored the letter, reading it carefully.

『I've heard what happened to me in the future.

My heart goes out to all of you. I'm so sorry.

I'm sure my future self felt the same way.

But... that's just me, isn't it?

It breaks my heart to think of the pain and sorrow you've endured, but I have faith that you'll overcome it.

There will be those who act according to my will.

And there will be those who, unlike my will, are steeped in sorrow, reminiscing about the past.

Or I think there will be some who are so saddened that they have gone mad.

But I believe you will all be strong enough to overcome it.

I believe in you.

Because you are my children, of whom I am more proud than anyone else.』

At those final words, Nocturnium finally shed thick tears.

He had known.

No, more than known, he could have done it.

He and the others could have overcome this deep longing and sorrow.

But they hadn't.

He didn't want to make excuses about lacking a catalyst.

The empty space left by Helena was simply too vast.

It was more accurate to say that he had just let things flow as they would.

The emergence of a new Overlord in his life.

Could be called a catalyst

But he hadn't wanted to easily acknowledge it.

He hadn't believed that any new Master could surpass Helena.

But had she read even those thoughts?

『By the way, Seonghyun is far more talented than I ever was.

Perhaps he might even reach the 'realm' I aspired to.

So, please take good care of him by being on his side.』

At the letter from his former Master, still relying on him.

Nocturnium closed his eyes tightly.

Memories of his former Master, Helena, now distant in the past, flashed through his mind.

The first time she had arrived at his body, the fortress.

And when she had given his will form as a spirit.

When Fiora was born.

The many happy days spent laughing and playing with numerous disciples in this fortress.

All those days were filled with happiness.

He missed them.

But now it was time to let go.

No matter how much he tried to hold on.

It was already a past that had flowed away.

Even if he wanted to keep it in his heart, he could no longer do so.

The new Master.

For the sake of the new memories and happiness he would build with him.

With that resolution, Nocturnium bowed his head and spoke to Seonghyun.

-It is a long story, but after the previous Master passed away, we were lost.

"……."

A story close to a lament.

But Seonghyun listened silently, nodding in understanding.

-The previous Master's will was that if a new successor appeared, we should serve them. Those who followed that will, formed the current organization known as Over Palace, and those like me, who could not let go of their lingering attachments, began to move separately.

"Hmm."

-We did not band together, but wandered the world alone, moved to other dimensions, or wandered the world, driven mad by the grief of losing our ruler.

Seonghyun flinched slightly at the mention of some of Helena's followers being in such a state.

Indeed, the loss of someone so trusted and relied upon is like that.

He could understand.

-Even in this vicinity, I sense it. I sense the presence of a former comrade. The presence of one who has gone mad, having already lost their soul.

[You have acquired a clue for a new Main Quest.]

Seonghyun remained silent at the seemingly important story.

-I, too, was one of them, living alone here in the Netherworld. But now, I will cast aside those lingering attachments and longing, and pledge my allegiance to you, the new Master, the successor.

Nocturnium bowed his head and knelt on one knee.

-I serve the new Master. Now, I offer you everything I have.

With those words, Nocturnium offered up the throne, and though Seonghyun felt a bit awkward,

He headed towards the throne.

Step, step, step.

The sound of his footsteps echoed, filling the hall.

And when Seonghyun reached the throne.

He ascended and sat upon it.

It seemed like this was what he needed to do to complete the quest.

He was right.

At that moment, a powerful light burst forth from Nocturnium, and his form changed.

His appearance, which had been indistinct and confusing, transformed completely into that of a young man.

Following his former Master's will, his mysterious and ambiguous appearance, with the new master decided, took its definitive shape.

Along with that, the appearance of the Dark Fortress began to transform as well.

Kwaddeudeudeuk——!

Kwazizizijik——!

Ppudeudeudeuk——!

Various sounds echoed as if it were shedding its old skin, transforming from its dingy appearance.

The signs of previous use were also disappearing.

As if the memories of the past were also being sent back to the distant past, Seonghyun felt a sense of wistfulness as he watched the entire process.

The Dark Fortress, which had been black and imposing, began to transform into a fortress filled with a heavy, dark, inky aura.

Perhaps it should be called the Obsidian Fortress rather than the Dark Fortress?

It transformed into a stately, impressive form with an antique, inky black color.

Before Seonghyun had time to be surprised by the fortress's sudden transformation.

Reward messages, like the ending credits of a movie, appeared, signaling the end of the Main Quest.

[You have cleared the Main Quest, 『To the Dark Fortress』.]

[Main Quest rewards are given.]

[You become the master of 『Dark Fortress, Nocturnium』.]

[Summon, 『Nocturnium』, will grow in accordance with the Overlord's level.]

[From now on, you can enter and exit 『Dark Fortress』 at will.]

[Helena's power remaining in 『Dark Fortress』 is fully transferred.]

[The power of the past Overlord is inherited.]

[The power of the past has been inherited.]

[Rewards are given.]

[As a Main Quest reward, you acquire the class-exclusive Almighty-rank skill, 『Fallen Thorns of Obsidian』.]

[As a Main Quest reward, you acquire the Overlord class-exclusive Almighty-rank item, 『Tome of the Overlord』.]

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]