CHAPTER 69: AURELIA

Truth be told, Zephyr was used to feeling constant threats and danger.

When others see a beautiful field filled with flowers and butterflies, he sees the occasional thorns and bees. His survival instinct, honed by his previous life, was tuned to find and respond to danger.

The only reason he survived the confrontation with the necromancer was because of this very instinct. Any other mage in his position would have died ten times over.

Now, the same instinct was coming alive once again, screaming at him to take action. His heartbeat quickened as he expected the water ball to crash into his body.

’Water is an incompressible fluid. A waterball thrown with enough force could break ribs, possibly compress my heart, and kill me. It was dangerous.’

Zephyr’s eyes stared right into the eyes of the mage who cast the waterball.

The man was older than him, possibly in his twenties.

’At that age, he should be capable of understanding the consequences of his action. Thus, the water ball might not come with the force to kill me. But still...’

Zephyr channelled his mana.

’...I can’t allow his actions to decide my life and death.’

Zephyr, drenched in the cold rain, looked miserable. The grey, washed-out robe of his was covered in mud and grime.

On the other hand, the mages that showed up looked pristine. The raindrops were sliding off their robes, not leaving a single mark.

Zephyr didn’t need to think hard to realise they were nobles who grew up getting everything they wanted.

’I can’t expect those who never suffered to hold back. Even if they didn’t kill me, they will make me feel pain.’

The mana from his cores flowed into the railgun spell structure. He didn’t have the mana to activate it in its entirety. But half activation was possible.

’If there is no choice but to feel pain, I should retaliate with force...if possible with overwhelming force.’

In game theory, tit for tat was kind of a winning strategy. But against bullies, it was not enough because they do not play by the rules.

Hitting them back in the same way would only make them angry. Therefore, you have to make it clear to them that you are willing to take extreme measures.

’If they want to break your finger, you should break their arm.’

’If they want to break your arm, you should break both their arms.’

’If they want to go even further, breaking all their limbs is not out of the question.’

Thinking that, Zephyr activated the railgun. The mana moved in his body silently, creating a subtle aura around him.

At the same time, he activated the earth spike spell to attack them from the ground.

The thunder clouds flickered slightly as if responding to Zephyr’s calling.

The moment they attack, he would go beyond what is considered reasonable to retaliate.

Zephyr was excited.

However, unfortunately for him, someone else meddled.

A young woman from the Royal Academy’s side flew over and stood in front of the mages.

"What are you doing?" She asked, pulling back the piece of cloth covering her head.

With the hood removed, her silky smooth golden hair came into Zephyr’s view. At the same time, he noticed the beautiful eyes that could enchant everyone, turning to look at him.

’Do I know her?’ Zephyr wondered.

But there were no memories of the original Zephyr flashing into his mind. That must mean any familiarity he felt came from his own life experience.

’An NPC perhaps?’ He tilted his head.

Meanwhile, the mage holding the water ball quickly changed his menacing expression and showed an exaggerated servile smile.

"Princess Aurelia, is there any misunderstanding?" he asked, completely masking his intent to attack Zephyr.

"What are you intending to do with the spell?"

Aurelia pointed at the waterball.

"This...we were trying to help a fellow mage clean his body. As you know, water magic can remove stains."

The mage shrugged, hiding a smile. The other one standing next to him did the same.

"You can’t do that. I won’t allow you to." She said and turned to look at Zephyr. "Come with me." She ordered.

Zephyr watched the short exchange and finally recognised the person standing before him.

’Freaking Aurelia of Armageddon...’

Zephyr almost screamed aloud.

The person standing before him was the linchpin that held the world together.

Zephyr swallowed hard.

The entire plot of Arcana Link was set into motion by the tragic fate of this fair lady.

Zephyr clenched his fist.

Aurelia is the fourth child and the only daughter of Solomon the Third. In the near future, she would fall in love and marry the prince of Ashland and leave the Azure Kingdom.

All is well up to that point.

However, what happened next would throw the human domain into chaos and war.

Zephyr thought back to the lore.

The tension between the four kingdoms controlling the human domain was slowly growing as time passed. With the advancement in magic technology and weapons, they were nearing a point at which a single spark could light up the entire world.

’She is called the Aurelia of Armageddon because she will be the spark that lights up the fuse of war.’

’The love marriage between her and the prince of Ashland would create a power imbalance. The alliance between Azure Kingdom in the north and Ashland just south of it will not be well received by the Holyland and Philarune Empire.’

’This will create minor conflicts for a while. But that changes into a full-blown war when Aurelia gets burned alive and barely survives an assassination attempt.’

’Later into it, the fairy domain and demon domain would also be pulled into the conflict.’

’Simply put, the moment she gets burned, the entire world will spiral into chaos. Many people would die, and at the end of all that, Aster will take on the role of protagonist and go on a journey to fix everything.’

’The journey was the game.’

’The game starts five years later. But the seeds of war will be planted much earlier.’

In the past, Zephyr used to believe it was all just a coincidence. But now, he was rethinking that assumption.

There could be more to the war than meets the eye.

’During the war, many godspawns are released into the world. It couldn’t be a coincidence, right?’

Godspawn could emerge naturally from their temples. But, to awaken at the right time when humanity was at its weakest...it was suspicious.

’Anyways, that’s for the future me to worry...’ Zephyr thought while lifting his head to look at Aurelia.

The young woman was in her early twenties. With a perfect face and body, she was a beauty who could topple kingdoms—literally.

Now, she was standing up to the bullies, defending him.

Zephyr gave her a look of pity before turning around.

Though she asked him to follow her, he had no intention of doing that.

’The second reason she was called Aurelia of the Armageddon was that she was a crazy person.’

Although she didn’t look crazy at the moment, who knows what’s hiding in a person’s mind?

He ignored her and took a step forward.

His eyes swept past her figure and watched the mages who blocked him.

"I am going home." He muttered and continued to walk.

Aurelia frowned. This was the first time someone had openly rejected her. Her mood turned sour. However, she wore a pleasant smile, hiding her emotions, and asked.

"Are you sure you don’t need my help?"