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Chapter 113 - Chapter 113: Departing to Find Serie

Chapter 113: Departing to Find Serie

"But there shouldn't be any problems, right? It's possible Serie just wanted to travel west," Norn quickly added, not wanting Kurtz to worry too much.

"Give me some more time."

Kurtz had spent considerable effort to reach El Kingdom.

When the black mud engulfed him, he, like Serie and the others, had accidentally triggered a teleportation array, sending himself to a secluded underground cave.

There, Kurtz was able to reconstruct his body undisturbed.

Though he'd adapted to this body, his magic power needed rebuilding from scratch. Kurtz had to ensure he possessed enough strength for self-preservation before setting off to find Serie.

After another period, El City welcomed another winter. Snowflakes fell, turning the entire city white.

In the basement, El's light still gave off its warm glow. Kurtz had recovered a third of his previous strength.

He raised his hand and spread his fingers. A gentle, magical fluctuation flowed through his palm at his will, easily controlled.

Norn stood quietly to the side, wrapped in a thick overcoat.

"It seems you've recovered quite well," Norn's aged voice contained a smile.

As expected of Kurtz, to recovered so much magic power in such a short time. Now, his strength was probably no less than Norn's own.

Only by holding El's light could Norn be sure to win against him.

Kurtz withdrew his magic power and opened his eyes.

He looked at Norn, this old friend who had devoted his heart to the kingdom. Complex emotions stirred within him.

If not for an accident, he would actually be like Norn now, with white hair and weathered hands.

But now he has found a way to achieve a longer life.

Feeling reluctant, Kurtz spoke: "Norn, do you want to live longer?"

He still remembered the magic of absorbing life force. If Norn wanted to learn, he would teach him.

However, Kurtz worried his actions might lead his old friend to the same end as Eric.

Then he could only see his friend off for the last time, with no other choice.

"Like you? But the authority of life can't reconstruct a body for others, right?"

Norn stared at Kurtz's still youthful face, his expression unchanged.

"Yes, but I have another method that can extend one's lifespan. It's just that..."

"The price will be severe, won't it?" Norn immediately guessed what Kurtz was about to say.

"Yes. Perhaps at first you won't notice, but as time passes, a hundred or two hundred years later, your soul will be corroded. You'll become an existence that only thinks about survival."

Norn listened to Kurtz's words and suddenly laughed.

His laughter filled the small space with warmth.

He slowly shook his head. "Kurtz, oh Kurtz. Have you forgotten? I saw how Eric was slowly corrupted. This kind of ruthless pursuit of survival, I'd rather die as a human than become like that!"

He walked to the narrow basement window and looked at the snowflakes falling outside.

"Look at this city," Norn said softly. "Behind every light, an ordinary person is striving to live. Human life is truly short. To live one's life fully and leave everything to the next generation, that's how humanity has reached this point today. Birth, old age, sickness, and death are how humans are meant to be."

Kurtz silently watched his old friend's back.

"I'm sorry."

He understood his old friend's feelings. Perhaps he'd been inconsiderate.

"No need to apologize!" Norn turned around and joked, "If I live too long, won't there be more government affairs to handle? I might as well die sooner!"

Kurtz couldn't help but smile.

He knew Norn was using humor to comfort him.

"I understand." Kurtz nodded. "Then let me help you heal your body. The holy scripture can repair the hidden injuries within you."

Norn didn't refuse this time.

As Kurtz cast his magic, Norn felt warm magical power flowing from him. Even his aging body began to show vitality again.

Though he knew this was merely temporary.

In his youth, he'd experienced too many battles. This body was riddled with damage from decades of service.

If he hadn't learned magic from the holy scripture, he'd probably be bedridden by now.

He extended his hand, covered in age spots, feeling the warm magical power from Kurtz's palm.

That power was very warm, just like the legendary hero before him.

"Speaking of which," Norn mentioned casually, though his voice carried urgency, "I received news this morning that someone saw Serie in a forest near Godfall Land."

As Serie continued exploring the continent, her reputation grew.

She was already called the strongest mage of her time.

Though there was still some gap from the strongest mage in history, she was an elf. As time passed, the magic power within her body would only increase.

She would eventually become the undisputed strongest mage.

"She's getting closer to Godfall Land!" Kurtz stood up swiftly, the healing magic dissipating.

Instantly, Norn understood Kurtz's meaning and nodded. "Are you leaving?"

"Yes! I must go."

He looked at Norn with a gaze that made it clear any persuasion would be useless, though Norn had no intention of persuading him anyway.

"Then I'll see you off!"

"There's no need." Kurtz intended to refuse but was interrupted by Norn.

"There is a need. After all, this parting might be the last time we see each other."

Hearing Norn's calm words, Kurtz no longer spoke, allowing him to escort him out of the city.

Both had disguised themselves, so they didn't cause any commotion as they made their way through the snow-covered streets.

"Kurtz," Norn's voice was solemn as they reached the city gates, "Take good care of yourself."

"I will."

Kurtz took one last look at his old friend, memorizing the lined face that had shown him such kindness. Without extra goodbyes, he strode away from this human country.

Norn gazed at the spot where Kurtz disappeared until his footprints were covered by heavy snow. Then he slowly pulled his overcoat tighter.

In the end, he still couldn't discuss Eric's matter with Kurtz. Perhaps even he hadn't made up his mind.

But ultimately, that decision had to be made.

Seeing his old friend off for the last time, allowing him to rest in peace, was the best choice.

[End of Chapter]

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