Chapter 54: Karina

The mercenaries were on high alert.  

The Sea Mercenary Guild was a gathering place for the most skilled in the southeast, with many mana users among them. They were well-versed in the ranking system and, living in a dog-eat-dog world, couldn’t possibly be unaware of a supreme-rank mage.  

“Golden eyes…”  

At the faltering voice, Rita’s gaze shifted side to side. 

Soon, a man stepped forward on behalf of the mercenaries.  

His face was covered in unkempt stubble and bore a large scar, giving him the appearance of a seasoned veteran.  

His bear-like build and steadfast demeanor made a strong impression.  

Called the guild leader, he crossed his arms and looked down at Rita with an impassive stare.  

“I heard a supreme-rank mage emerged from the Mage Tower recently. But I didn’t expect someone so young—quite surprising. So, what brings a great mage to a backwater like this?”  

Unlike the mercenaries’ guarded attitude and the tense atmosphere, the guild leader spoke courteously, though with authority.  

Yet he feigned ignorance of the situation.  

Being closely tied to Karina, he surely knew her circumstances.  

But Rita didn’t beat around the bush.  

“I’m Rita from the Mage Tower. I heard Karina is here. I’d like to meet her.”  

Contrary to what one might expect from a supreme-rank mage, Rita bowed first, and a spark of intrigue flickered in the guild leader’s eyes.  

“What do you plan to do after meeting her?”  

“You all must know that a large-scale beast-slaying expedition is underway in the north. Transcendent beings beyond comprehension are devouring people. Since the expedition began, our forces have suffered heavy losses, and just yesterday, we paid a steep price.”  

“And?”  

“The north is practically the beasts’ stronghold now. If this continues, the south’s safety can’t be guaranteed either. That’s why I’ve come to request Karina’s help.”  

Rita spoke with sincerity, but to the guild leader, her words sounded dry and businesslike.  

He furrowed his brow and raised his voice.  

“Why is the Mage Tower so shameless? Wasn’t it enough to harass and drive her out? Why bother her again?”  

“On behalf of the Mage Tower, I’ll apologize for past rudeness. And today, I’m here not as a representative of the Mage Tower, but to make a personal request.”  

Despite her polite words, the guild leader’s expression didn’t soften.  

What if he refuses to let me meet Karina?  

Approaching Karina recklessly in this situation would surely cause friction.  

As Rita carefully considered how to persuade him, the guild leader gestured.  

“Follow me.”  

He led them to a quiet beach below the harbor.  

Beyond the boundary of sand and forest stood a small, charming house.  

Past a low fence, two figures were visible: a middle-aged woman and a younger man.  

There was no need to ask who they were.  

That’s Karina…  

Karina had always been a figure Rita only heard about.  

Seeing her in person was shocking.  

Unlike Talos, with his white hair and wrinkled face, Karina looked no older than her mid-forties.  

Her auburn hair was vibrant, and her sunset-like eyes brimmed with passion and dignity.  

The elders used to slander Karina, saying she poured mana into her appearance.  

It wasn’t impossible, but it was absurd.  

Maintaining youth with mana required more energy than purifying corrupted mana and demanded extreme mental focus, even more than casting large-scale offensive spells.  

If true, it would be worthy of respect, but the elders were busy tearing her down, claiming she tarnished mages’ reputations.  

Back then, I believed Talos and thought she was that kind of person.  

But the Karina before her showed no such traces.  

She was simply naturally youthful.  

Even if it was due to brainwashing, Rita regretted her past misconceptions and reflected.  

Karina’s gaze was fierce.  

Since becoming supreme-rank, everyone’s feared or been wary of me. 

But Karina is different.  

Her expression was brutally honest, her eyes radiating distrust and hostility.  

They almost seemed to burn, like her sunset-colored eyes were ablaze.  

“What did you come to talk about?”  

Karina spoke first, her tone seemingly casual but flat.  

Rita noted the house behind her.  

Standing with a staff, blocking the entrance, signaled she wouldn’t let strangers in.  

‘She’s sizing me up, knowing I’m supreme-rank…’

Her sunset eyes were filled with defiance, ready to fight if needed.  

Even if Rita would likely win, potentially costing Karina her life, she stood firm with pride.  

“I’m Rita, recently elevated to supreme-rank. On behalf of the Mage Tower, I apologize for past rudeness.”  

As if addressing royalty or nobility, Rita bowed deeply with her arm bent inward.  

As expected, Karina looked momentarily baffled.  

“I have ears too. I’ve heard a bit about you, the new supreme-rank. They say you’re Talos’s direct disciple?”  

‘If you weren’t supreme-rank, I’d have killed you.’ 

That’s how it sounded to Rita.  

Understanding her resentment, Rita answered sincerely.  

“I was until recently.”  

“Not anymore?”  

“Now, I’m just a supreme-rank mage of the Mage Tower.”  

She wasn’t sure how Talos saw it, but having left the Mage Tower once, she was no longer his “direct” disciple.  

“As long as you’re part of the Mage Tower, young mages have no choice but to serve the Mage Tower Master. I get that. But I have a question.”  

Karina pointed her staff beyond Rita’s shoulder.  

“Do those behind you and the Mage Tower’s mages share your views?”  

“I don’t know about my companions’ thoughts, but the Mage Tower does not.”  

At her candid reply, Karina scoffed.  

“So, you came here relying on those golden eyes?”  

“Yes. Because the Mage Tower Master can’t meet Karina’s demands.”  

Rita spoke without hesitation.  

“I’ve been recognized as the Mage Tower’s representative by the Rihanes Temple’s pontiff and entrusted with its management by Princess Sercia. Though, due to circumstances, the Mage Tower Master is handling my duties for now, that ends today.”  

“So, you’re here to negotiate with me?”  

“Not negotiate, but to make a request. Depending on the situation, a deal is also possible.”  

Karina tilted her head, puzzled.  

She never imagined hearing “request” from a Mage Tower mage.  

“That’s odd. My strength is nothing compared to yours. Why bow and make a request?”  

“The more allies, the better. And this isn’t a situation where I can rely solely on my supreme-rank power.”  

“I’ve heard there are many monstrous things.”  

“And our forces need a wise commander.”  

Karina’s gaze shifted to Blena, Seth, and Alois.  

No matter how young, a supreme-rank mage was a supreme-rank mage.  

Rita was a great mage of her era, rare enough to deserve more respect than the Mage Tower Master.  

Yet she traveled with peers who seemed like classmates, not seasoned elders.  

Whether intentional or not, it’s clear Rita’s at odds with the higher-ups.  

Karina, knowing the Mage Tower’s true nature, could easily imagine the situation.  

The Mage Tower’s leaders likely treated Rita as a subordinate, citing their experience.  

Talos, riddled with inferiority, probably didn’t acknowledge or respect her abilities.  

But the supreme-rank mage before her seemed highly self-driven, clashing with them.  

“The Mage Tower is finally at a crossroads,” Karina said, chuckling softly.  

Rita didn’t react but inwardly agreed.  

‘I didn’t intend to reform it, but as I push to eradicate Iskis, the Mage Tower will surely change.’

Just as she had changed.  

“Talos demanded my submission,” Karina said, planting her staff in the ground with a stern tone.  

“What do you demand of me?”  

“To lead the Free Mages across the regions to deal with the northern beasts as much as possible. Nothing more.”  

“You’d gain nothing from this. You might even be criticized for involving me.”  

“I don’t care. I’m used to criticism.”  

Her calm tone made Blena, standing behind, cover her face with her hands.  

It wasn’t wrong, but as a friend, it stirred complicated feelings.  

“The situation in the north is dire. Morale is low, and everyone’s scared. They’d welcome support.”  

“And Talos and the elders’ backlash? It seems you came to me recklessly.”  

Karina let out an incredulous laugh, but Rita replied calmly.  

“You may not know, but I’m the subject of an oracle. It hasn’t been officially announced kingdom-wide, but the Saint has acknowledged and proclaimed it. You can verify with the Rihanes Temple.”  

It was embarrassing to say herself, but it was necessary to gain Karina’s trust.  

“It wasn’t just a rumor?”  

That Rita was the oracle’s subject was known in the north, but as she said, it wasn’t officially declared by the Temple kingdom-wide.  

Amid the national crisis, and because Rita didn’t want it, the oracle spread only by word of mouth among northern soldiers.  

Given the distance between the war-torn north and this Mage Tower-hostile region, the Sea Mercenary Guild and Karina didn’t believe the rumor.  

In chaotic times, heroic tales often get exaggerated.  

“You don’t seem like a braggart, but it’s surprising. Not only did you reach supreme-rank, but you received an oracle too? With that immense power, you’ve only hunted beasts?”  

Unlike her earlier stoic demeanor, Karina began showing emotion.  

“It’s absurd. If I were you, I’d have swept through the Mage Tower first. You don’t seem fond of those old fogies either. Why haven’t you?”  

“I considered it once,” Rita replied casually, glancing at Blena and Seth.  

“But that can be done anytime, can’t it? If I’d upended the Mage Tower before the expedition, those who resent me would’ve left, weakening our forces.”  

“So, you’re holding back for the expedition?”  

Rita neither confirmed nor denied it.  

Karina, watching her nonchalant expression, let out a hollow laugh.  

“You set aside personal feelings for the greater good?”  

“Nothing so grand. I just addressed the most urgent task first and made rational choices.”  

The hollow laugh, like the sound of the wind, grew longer.  

Karina’s initially fierce demeanor had softened considerably.  

“I understand your intentions. You should head back now. I need time to think.”  

As Karina turned away, Rita promptly did the same.  

Blena, wide-eyed, grabbed her arm.  

“What? That’s it? It’s over so anticlimactically? We’re just leaving?”  

Seth and Alois sent anxious looks, but Rita nodded with satisfaction.  

As Karina turned, she wore a faint smile, having already made her decision.