The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years-Chapter Season 2 615

Translator: Alpha0210

He didn't think there would be any difficulty in persuading them.

Retip, Iris, and Reject were all the same.

First of all, he knew Retip's tendencies all too well. He could recite exactly how to coax him even in his sleep.

The problem was Iris, but Residue wasn't particularly obsessed with her either. Of course, the role of the Black Witch was central to the plan, but if she wasn't there, he was prepared to fight without her.

If she wanted to run, let her run. Instead, he would tell Lukas about it later… He entertained such trivial thoughts simultaneously.

"This is a crazy plan."

"So, are you not going to cooperate?"

"……."

Iris clicked her tongue and glared at him. Then, without responding, she disappeared. At first, he thought she had fled, but soon she reappeared not far away and resumed her battle against the tentacle tree.

For now, she had decided to cooperate.

That meant all that was left was to wait.

"A good wind."

Residue leaned against the rooftop of a building, welcoming the rain and wind. His mind felt clear. The thunder and rain, which had once caused headaches, now felt like music to his ears.

To be honest, the situation had not improved in the slightest. In fact, the collapse of the city had accelerated the moment he pulled Iris away, who had been holding back the assault of Destruction.

"Do you really have time to be so relaxed?"

Retip, who had been watching, asked in a dumbfounded voice, and Residue smirked.

"There’s still some time before the plan is executed. It's not like I’m just going to sit around doing nothing. Once the humans have mostly evacuated the city, we’ll begin."

"Then wouldn’t it be better to assist the Black Witch a bit…?"

"That woman’s abilities aren’t suited for coordinated attacks. She’s most effective when she moves independently."

"……."

"Even if you're anxious, hold it in. And don’t chew your nails like that Reject next to you."

At those words, the ‘Reject who was chewing his nails’ flinched and looked at Residue.

Retip found it strange how Residue often picked on Symetra. His attitude was a bit puzzling. The original Lightning God had no particular interest in Symetra. Perhaps not even in Retip.

But what about now? He was constantly making sarcastic remarks, but if he were truly indifferent, he wouldn't bother. And, though it might sound odd, there was no real malice in Residue’s attitude.

That was also curious.

Symetra and the Absolutes had tried to kill Residue. Was it a miracle that there had been no conflict between them? That didn’t seem likely either. Residue had spoken as if he knew about Symetra.

"What are you thinking?"

Retip snapped out of his brief contemplation.

"…About the plan you mentioned."

"Hmm."

The smirk on his face made Retip feel like his thoughts had been seen through. That was an overstatement. Right now, Retip was not his subordinate.

Even if he had once been the same being as the Lightning God, Residue could not exert any influence over him now.

"Do we really have a chance of winning?"

"And if we don't?"

"Then I’ll run away."

"Haha. Refreshing."

Residue burst into a hearty laugh.

"You don’t need to worry. If there was no chance, I would have been the first to flee."

"…Are you saying you would run away? You?"

"Why are you surprised? Didn't you also once advise me to flee?"

That was true.

But wasn't the situation different now?

The Residue who had once wandered the streets, on the verge of breaking with a single push, and the Residue who now laughed boldly in the face of Destruction.

They were surely the same person, but…

"What happened?"

"I got scolded a bit."

"……."

He didn’t seem inclined to elaborate, so Retip sighed.

"My role is to assist you in entering that tentacle tree, correct?"

"That’s right."

"Fine. I’ll cooperate only up to that point. Afterward, I’ll watch how things unfold, and if it looks hopeless, I’ll run."

"A reasonable decision."

His arrogant attitude, despite receiving help, reminded Retip of the Lightning God.

Meanwhile, Residue glanced sideways.

"And you, Reject."

"……."

When there was no response, Residue snapped his fingers. Crackle.

"Kyaaa!"

The lightning strike shot forward and pierced through Symetra. She let out a scream as the electrifying sensation made her hair stand on end.

Watching that scene, Retip let out a quiet sigh.

…The authority of a Lord, whose identity had been built on composure and calmness, had truly hit rock bottom.

"What a thunderous scream. I thought your throat was clogged, but apparently not."

"Y-you…! What do you think you're doing…?!"

"Lower your voice, you fool. Do you think you're the only one here?"

"B-but you were the one who shot lightning at me!"

"I can do it twice, too. It’s just a habit of mine when I’m surprised."

"……."

Only then did Symetra shut her mouth.

At that moment, Residue's expression changed.

"Listen carefully, Reject."

He looked as if he was about to start a serious conversation.

"Your thoughts, personality, values, appearance, and everything about you is the very definition of a Reject. You are a Reject through and through, to the point where even calling you the epitome of rejects wouldn’t be enough."

"……."

"But your abilities, at least, are somewhat useful. If you contribute to this operation, you might feel a sense of satisfaction, and maybe, just maybe, that satisfaction could serve as a stimulus to help you break free from your pathetic state."

Symetra responded in a strained voice.

"…I am not a Reject. Stop calling me that."

"Is that what you think?"

"Of course…!"

"Are you really sure?"

Symetra hesitated.

For the first time, Residue's tone had changed. He was still smiling, but Symetra's lips felt frozen, unable to form words.

"The Lords who were around you… I only killed about five of them, so at least fifty should still be left. Where do you think they all went? Did they flee in disgrace, or are they hiding somewhere nearby?"

""...That's."

"It's obvious. Either they all died to Destruction."

The red necklace around Residue’s neck swayed.

"Or they were Destruction all along."

"……!"

"And no matter which it was, you wouldn’t have put up any real resistance. You probably curled up, waiting for mercy, or ran away with your tail between your legs. Either way, that’s exactly the kind of pathetic response I’d expect from a Reject."

Symetra’s words got caught in her throat, and her face flushed red with shame.

"The most disgraceful things you’ve done, the things you want to hide the most, you can’t hide from yourself. You already know how pathetic you are, and your expression shows it. And yet, you don’t want to be called a Reject? That’s the most ridiculous argument I’ve ever heard."

"……."

"Fortunately, I am merciful. I sometimes grant even worthless rejects opportunities on a whim. Now, are you finally able to understand the situation with that dull head of yours?"

"…Are you forgiving me?"

Crackle. Another bolt of lightning shot out.

"Kyaaah!"

"Don’t get ahead of yourself, Reject. That’s not for you to decide. Now shut up and get back to your position. Looks like the human evacuation is almost complete."

"Uuugh......"

Coughing out smoke, Symetra staggered away to the designated location. Since she was a Lord, she made for a perfect outlet for venting. If it had been a normal human, they would have been reduced to charcoal from the lightning strikes, but for her, this much was nothing.

Residue then turned back to Retip.

"Are you giving her a chance to redeem herself?"

"It’s more like correction. That one and I might be a little alike."

Retip asked, half on impulse.

"Are you saying you’re a Reject too?"

What was even more surprising was Residue’s response.

"I was worse. I was nothing but residue."

"……." freewёbnoνel.com

"Being a reject is better than being residue, isn’t it? A third party might not see much difference, but even among trash, there’s a hierarchy. Her situation is better than mine was. …But what are you doing?"

Residue looked at the cigarette in Retip’s mouth and asked.

"Hm. Just a little mood booster."

"Puhaha…."

Residue burst into laughter.

"What a funny joke. The leader of the Thirteen Thunderclouds and the Conqueror of Thunderous Lightning trying to lift his mood with a mere cigarette…"

"……."

Retip let out a short chuckle and flicked away his cigarette, extinguishing it.

"It's just a habit. Back in my previous world, on a place called Earth, I smoked a few times."

"Why?"

"I watched a movie where some actor did it in such a stylish way that I ended up trying it on impulse."

"What a fine reason. It's because of posers like you that things like smoke-producing candy exist."

"There's candy like that?"

Residue shrugged and then spoke.

"So, what were you thinking about?"

"Excuse me?"

"While smoking, I mean."

Hoo… Retip exhaled the last wisp of smoke and said,

"…About the Half King."

"Oh?"

"I'm starting to find it strange. The commotion here has been going on for quite some time now. And as far as I know, the Half King has the subordinates who rule the most advanced civilization in this world under her command."

"The Twelve Void Lords’ Futurix."

"Yes. I heard Futurix has launched thousands of satellites into space. Supposedly, she has a more precise grasp of the world's current situation than even the Black Witch over there."

"In other words, the Half King's side should have noticed the disturbance in this city a long time ago?"

Retip nodded.

"If she isn’t coming, there must be a reason. Something must be preventing her from doing so."

"Something more important to the Half King than subjugating Destruction…? Hard to imagine. Don’t you know how utterly insane her ideology is?"

"Of course I do. I even fought her myself."

Residue’s indifferent tone made Retip widen his eyes in shock.

"You fought the Half King?"

"Yeah. I fought her."

"And the result?"

"I got completely wrecked. No chance of winning. You hear that, Lightning God?"

Residue suddenly said that, as if directing it to someone else.

"The Half King is beyond even you, so keep that in mind."

"……."

Was he joking? No, it didn’t seem like it. Even if Residue had fallen, he was still a former Ruler.

If anyone else had spoken of a Ruler’s defeat, Retip wouldn’t have even bothered to scoff. But this time was different.

Rumble…

A faint thunder rumbled from the dark clouds above.

That was the Lightning God's response. Residue let out a small chuckle.

"A scoff? Yeah, I suppose you’re nothing but pride, through and through."

"…You no longer see yourself as the same being as him."

"I no longer have a reason to. Well then, I suppose that's enough small talk."

He reached out his hand toward Retip.

"Let’s go."

"…Was this really the only way?"

"Why? Having second thoughts now that it’s time to do it?"

"A little."

"There’s no other way. This is the only method to maximize our offensive power."

Hoo…

Retip sighed and took Residue’s hand.

Boom!

At that moment, Astrafe descended from the sky and pierced through Retip’s body. Powerful discharges erupted from his entire being, and gradually, his form began to change.

Crackle-

Soon, his body completely fused with Astrafe and transformed.

Into a single sword, coursing with raging lightning.

Residue examined the blade with a serious expression.

"So this is one of the Four Great Swords of the Three Thousand Worlds, Retip Sword, or rather, Resod. It has a cool and heavy feel."

[…….]

Retip sighed inwardly.

He was starting to feel uneasy like he had boarded a ship captained by a complete lunatic.

Swish!

Residue casually swung the sword, and the space around them was torn apart.

The overwhelming sensation of his power being unleashed beyond its limits sent shivers down Retip’s spine. It was an extraordinary feat that Residue, who possessed the Lightning God’s memories and senses, could accomplish.

"Shall we go, Retip?"

[Yes.]

"Uh-uh. That’s not how you’re supposed to answer."

[Do I really have to do that?]

"When you’re about to pull off something crazy, you need to be a little crazy yourself. It’s the same reason people drink before doing things they wouldn't do sober."

It was a very human analogy, but Residue was completely serious.

What they were about to do was absolute madness.

And that meant they needed to loosen their minds a bit in advance, to let their consciousness flow freely.

"If you don’t want to, forget it."

[…No, I’ll do it.]

"Is that so? Then, once more… Shall we go, Retip?"

Retip longed for a cigarette but suppressed the urge and responded.

[Reti-Reti.]