Ian dragged Lairiere's body and moved toward the front gate of the art museum.
In the midst of that, the sound of Seongakja slicing the girl was clearly audible. The girl's screams also faintly reached him, but perhaps because her face and mouth had been torn, they soon disappeared.
‘After today, my treatment by the Administration will change...’
He sat for a moment on a relatively intact rest chair and stared at Seongakja swimming through the sky. Seongakja, feeling his gaze, winked one eye.
Until now, the only summoned creature Ian had used in front of the Administration was the Watcher. Ian knew well that the Watcher was by no means weak, but by summoning only one, he had subtly conveyed the nuance that his magic had some limits.
But today, that too ended. From the moment he summoned Seongakja and released the Messengers, it was as good as proven that his summoning had no limits.
Of course, he could pretend that the number of summoned creatures he could summon at once was around ten.
But even with just ten, it was more than enough to wipe out a city. No, with Seongakja alone, he could simply annihilate the Earth.
The problem was that he would also die in the process, but as a suicide button to press when there was absolutely no other answer, it was more than sufficient.
...Well, still, the Administration, seeing her running wild over there, won’t think something like, “Ah, this is dangerous, let's kill the mage!”
Because the Administration lacks the ability to bear the risk if they fail.
‘No, maybe they might. When the national system was paralyzed by an Outer God's attack, they executed some operation talking about a last stand or whatever. There's a good chance they have something in case things go wrong.’
But... using that something just to kill one mage seemed like a waste.
If he were a madman with whom communication was impossible, that would be another matter, but Ian was not that kind of mage. The Administration would know that too, so they wouldn't blindly charge in with their eyes rolling back.
Rather, they would probably treat him even better and try to maintain an alliance somehow.
Personally, he hoped they would. There was no need to refuse better treatment.
“Hoo.”
His thoughts had been long. Ian carelessly threw the finished cigarette on the floor, then began dragging Lairiere again.
Not long after, he arrived at the main gate. A noticeably reduced number of Administration agents greeted him.
“Ah, Mage-nim. Are you injured anywhere?”
“I’m not. More importantly, how many people are left?”
“Currently about seven remain. All the wounded have been evacuated, and because the escape conditions have changed a bit, it will take a little longer.”
“...The conditions changed?”
“Yes. But it's not a big problem. The waiting time, which was originally five seconds, has increased to one minute, that’s all. It's a change that would have been a major obstacle originally, but now...”
The Administration agent smiled faintly and trailed off. Ian nodded.
If there were still paintings here and the Observers were still rampaging, no one could hold out for a minute after one person left. The remaining people would probably all have died.
But now, there was nothing particularly threatening. Most of the Observers had been dealt with, and the remaining ones had followed the group including Kim Yul. The paintings had been destroyed along with the art museum and were just scattered on the floor.
Thanks to that, the only things that could be called ‘dangerous’ were Lairiere and the owner of the magic tome, and both were effectively neutralized. There was nothing left to obstruct the escape. It was fully understandable that the Administration agents’ expressions were good.
“It's all thanks to you, Mage-nim. I sincerely thank you.”
The man bowed his head deeply toward Ian. With a surprised expression, Ian let go of the chain he was holding.
“Thanking a mage. I thought the Administration didn't like mages very much?”
“Many are like that, but not everyone. I personally have no great grudge against mages.”
The man smiled lightly and glanced back at an old agent who was escaping.
“In the Administration, those who hate mages are divided into two types. First, those who lost family to mages. Second, those disillusioned by mages' actions.”
“....”
“Most belong to the first type. After all, insane mages often treat civilians as magical ingredients, right. A human with mysterious abilities who suddenly appears, kidnaps and murders people. It's practically monstrous.”
“Are you saying that in front of a mage?”
“Because I am certain that you, Mage-nim, are not that kind of person. I apologize if I offended you.”
“No, forget it. If you're looking favorably on me, I'm fine with that.”
With a faint smile, Ian plopped down onto Lairiere, who was face down on the ground. Perhaps thanks to the soft fabric, it was reasonably cushiony.
“You said one minute? Escape slowly. I'll watch your backs.”
“Thank you. I will not refuse your kindness, Mage-nim.”
The man bowed his head once more and returned to the remaining group. Ian stared at his back for a moment, then closed his eyes to the view of the art museum.
No matter where one looked, the art museum showed only signs of destruction. There was no trace of the bizarre appearance it had before. It just felt like ruins.
Since his goal from the first time he entered was to conquer the art museum, it didn't really matter.
‘They said that to conquer the art museum, you had to deal with the anomaly called the Painter. And that Painter is the owner of the magic tome...’
The Administration talked about killing the Painter and such, but if you thought about it coldly, they had absolutely no way to kill the girl.
The conquest method had to be a bit tricky; how on earth could they deal with a being that only died if you destroyed all the museums and annihilated it along with the art museum, with a force of about thirty people? They would probably all have died.
Ian himself would have been in mortal danger if he had slipped up just a little.
Still, he didn't think it was because the Administration's intelligence was lacking.
This was closer to a natural disaster, strictly speaking. Who on earth would have expected that a mage carrying an Outer God's magic tome would be squatting in a place like this? If they had known, the Administration would have selected proper personnel and deployed an elite force.
This doesn't mean the ones deployed now are weak. Most of those here are veterans, skilled people who have rolled in the field for years. But they are inevitably weaker than department heads or executive level.
‘If possible, I'd like to move with them someday. I'd like to see their skills at least once.’
Just as Ian thought that, Kim I-seo, drenched in blood, poked her head out from the end of the hallway. She stared at the main gate with a tense expression, then spotted Ian sitting unharmed and let out a sigh of relief.
“Shin Ian-nim. You are unharmed.”
“The painting?”
Ian asked. Instead of answering, Kim I-seo looked to the side and nodded. Then Kim Yul approached with quick steps and lifted a frame covered in cloth.
“Ta-da. We successfully secured it safely.”
“Is that Irene's painting? The evidence... hmm, there's no need to check.”
“Right? Because you can blatantly feel the aether.”
As she said, the frame Kim Yul was holding was thick with the unmistakable scent of aether, the remnants of magic. Without need for doubt, it was a mage's work.
“Good job. Any injuries?”
“No one was hurt. Those kids you summoned took care of all the Observers that swarmed us.”
[Kieeeek!]
[Kiek!]
At Kim Yul's words, the Messengers wiggled their tentacles with their plump bodies. It seemed they had eaten a lot.
“...Looking at them, they seem cute now. And also reliable.”
Mika murmured. Ian chuckled and waved his hand.
“Good work. Go back now.”
[Kiek!]
The Messengers dissolved smoothly at Ian's command. All the summoned Messengers returned to the Outer Sea, and the group approached him. Kim I-seo took the painting Kim Yul was holding and held it out to Ian.
“Here, take it. Avoid letting your face reflect in the painting. When checking the painting, you must wear a mask.”
“Okay, I got it. But I think I'll feel better if I receive additional compensation for this job. What do you think?”
Ian asked as he took the painting.
His thought that this incident was a natural disaster hadn't changed. But since even damages from natural disasters are sometimes compensated by the state, the Administration giving additional compensation was only fair.
Still, one has to take what one deserves.
“Of course, we intend to give compensation. I'll speak to the higher-ups so that all mages receive sufficient compensation, so please wait.”
Kim I-seo responded instantly. Ian smiled in satisfaction and stood up.
“Alright, then shall we escape?”
With this, all objectives had been achieved. Ian stepped on Lairiere's motionless head and watched the people slowly escaping.
The remaining seven agents all exited over seven minutes, and those who had gone to fetch Irene's painting also began leaving one by one. First Mika left, then Park Min-ah, Venus, and Kim Yul escaped in order.
“Then, I'll go out first. I hope you come out safely.”
Kim I-seo bowed to Ian as well, then exited the art museum.
“....”
Ian remained alone in the central hall and gazed at the sky. Seongakja, who had been dismantling the girl alive, met his eyes.
[Father.]
“After today, I probably won't see you much. It's true you're amazing, but the price is too great. Summoning you in reality is nearly impossible.”
[I understand. It's regrettable, but I cannot be a nuisance to you, Father.]
Crunch.
The sound of the girl's bones separating rang out clearly.
[It was a pleasure to meet you, Father. If I get the chance later, let's meet again.]
“But I'd rather not see you again.”
[You say hurtful things.]
Ian chuckled and approached the front gate. Then he spoke the painting's compliment, which was the condition for escape.
“All the paintings in this place are exceedingly beautiful. So, wishing to preserve that beauty, I purchase one painting, and I hope that on my next visit, it will be filled with even more aesthetic paintings.”
Thus, the condition was fulfilled. Now all he had to do was step out backward, and it would be over.
But instead of leaving immediately, Ian faced Seongakja's blue eyes directly and smiled.
“Time remaining?”
[Three minutes.]
“Not much. Shall we chat before that?”
[If Father wishes, I am always welcome.]
Seongakja smiled and continued.
[Actually, all my younger siblings want to taste Father. They are all curious about the being that Mother pointed to for the first time in her life. I am the same.]
“That's scary... but I'm glad you're holding back.”
[Some of them might not hold back, so please be careful. For example, in the case of the Conqueror, he might try to devour Father the moment he sees you.]
“The Conqueror. I'll remember.”
Two minutes.
“How are you born? Does the ruler of the Outer Sea procreate with someone?”
[No. Mother has never done anything other than predation in her life. She moves purely for her own interest and desire, but she has never performed reproduction. Our birth, strictly speaking, is closer to doll-making.]
“Dolls... So you mean she made you with her own hands.”
[Correct. Originally, in a region where there was nothing but Mother, she suddenly, out of boredom, made experimental works including me. She loosened some of her own flesh, tuned it, then granted intelligence and released them into the sea. Then she let them evolve on their own and selected the first child. That became me.]
“She doesn't seem like a good mother.”
[It is indeed so. Still, since meeting Father, she has been restraining her wild nature and desires to some extent. Ah, but conversely, as she is experiencing sexual desire for the first time in her life, that alone is exceedingly high, so please be careful.]
“…….”
One minute.
“I was told that if I get devoured by you, I’d be dragged to the outer sea. Is that true?”
[It is true. However, I do not wish to harm Father. Nor do I wish for you to go to Mother’s side. Most likely, Mother would keep Father by her side forever, and use you as she pleases without restraint.]
“…….”
[Of course, since her love for Father is genuine, she would refrain from acts that Father dislikes. But still, there is a high chance she will fail to control this first love and run wild. Perhaps, for the first time in her life, she might even conceive a child in her womb.]
“Let’s stop with the obscene talk. It’s draining my energy…….”
[Heh heh, understood. Ah, Mother also just sent a message telling me to shut up. She seems to be embarrassed.]
Ten seconds.
“Seongakja.”
[Yes, Father.]
“Thank you for this time. Without you, I couldn’t have resolved it.”
[I am nothing if not glad to be of help to Father. More than that, there is no time left. Soon I will lose my reason and rampage to kill Father. Before that, hurry.]
“Alright. I’ll be going then.”
Tap.
Ian took a step back and smiled slightly.
“Then, as you said, if there’s a chance next time.”
[Yes. Father, definitely.]
The moment Seongakja said that, her eyes were dyed crimson. She stared silently at Ian for a moment, then opened her mouth wide and let out a shriek.
A high-frequency cry that was even difficult to describe. Ian quickly retreated backward, watching Seongakja tear at the very space.
“See you later, daughter.”
Rumble.
The space began to turn black. Just before it reached his feet, Ian opened the main door and escaped outside the museum.
In that instant, he found himself standing alone outside the museum.
Blue sky. Bright sun. Birds chirping in the woods before the museum entrance.
Ian briefly gazed at the pure white museum panorama, then spotted the dark blue magic tome fallen at his feet and burst into laughter.
[Submersion of Le Luié]
The masterless magic tome vibrated briefly, as if asking to be picked up. Ian secretly stowed the tome away, then grasped the Book of the Covenant he had placed inside his coat and murmured.
“His protection is only for those beneath His own veil. Those outside are no better than insects, dust, or less. Thus, as His agent, I command: withdraw.”
Swoosh.
As he recited the incantation, the magic tome was wrapped in cloth. Chains rising from the center of the cloth coiled around the entire tome, and the backlash of magic made Ian cough up blood, which soaked the cloth thoroughly. That only further empowered the spell.
‘With this, it won’t be able to escape. I’ll take it and smash it to pieces.’
With a bloody smile, Ian put the magic tome into his bag. The Records of the Deep Sea and Touch of Recreation, which had been waiting inside the bag, warily stamped their covers into the corners to fend off the uninvited guest.
With this, the mission is over.
Now it was time to return home.