Chapter 68: The True Gaon and the Shattered Barrier

“Yes.”

Hmph…

Jack let out a low groan.

It was understandable. The Gardion Tower had already sent several 6th Circle mages to fulfill the request.

All had failed.

The last, Helta, a 6th Circle mage, said only someone skilled in formations or a 7th Circle mage could succeed.

“Surely it’s not an archmage,” Jack muttered.

The Gardion Tower had only three 7th Circle archmages.

Given their status, it was unlikely one had come.

“Who’s here?” he asked.

He was curious. Who would come knowing multiple 6th Circle mages had failed?

“Well…” Eden hesitated.

“…?” Jack was puzzled.

Why such a reaction?

Finally, Eden spoke. “Elder Baren.”

“Elder Baren?”

“Yes.”

“Wasn’t she 5th Circle? She doesn’t meet the requirements…”

Jack stopped mid-sentence, his eyes gleaming.

A piece of information came to mind.

“Is the mage named Gaon with her?”

“Yes! How did you know?” Eden asked, surprised.

Jack didn’t answer.

His mind raced.

I was already curious.

A shocking report had arrived recently.

A mysterious archmage had appeared.

Not entirely mysterious—he openly claimed to be Gaon from the Gardion Tower.

That’s why he was called mysterious.

Using the name Gaon in the Gardion Tower was unthinkable.

And there was something odd.

Elder Baren was with him.

Why would Baren tolerate and travel with someone using a false identity?

It made no sense, so Jack assumed the information was wrong.

He’d expected accurate details eventually.

But now Baren and Gaon were here.

“Where are they?”

“The first reception room.”

“I’ll meet them myself.”

This was a chance to verify the truth.

If he’s a 7th Circle archmage…

Jack’s priority wasn’t Gaon’s identity.

It was whether he was truly an archmage.

If he was?

Swish.

Jack glanced at the barrier.

Please hold on.

He left, heading straight to the first reception room.

Swish.

On his way, a figure in a black mask approached.

It was Veslin, head of the Belmar Duchy’s first intelligence unit.

Veslin handed over documents. “Fresh information. Unprocessed.”

“Unprocessed?” Jack asked, taking them.

Most information was refined before reaching him.

Unprocessed reports were urgent or critical.

What was so important?

“…!” Jack was shocked upon reading.

The documents detailed events in the Bretan Kingdom.

Parn is dead? Lamu’s taken control?

King Parn was dead.

Duke Lamu of the Patran Duchy had seized power.

The cause of Parn’s death was key.

Gaon…

The Gaon he was about to meet was responsible.

“Is this true?”

“That’s what the current information says.”

Jack handed the documents back. “Verify thoroughly. Report any new details immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

Veslin bowed and left.

Jack resumed walking, thinking.

He’s definitely 7th Circle.

King Parn wasn’t a pushover.

He had a 7th-grade beast, Aslan.

How Gaon killed him was unclear.

But one thing was certain.

He’d crossed the wall.

If he hadn’t, he couldn’t have killed Parn.

Why did he kill him?

One thing puzzled him.

Why?

What was the reason?

Is it safe to meet him?

He could be unstable.

Meeting him might be risky.

No, he’s just a mage.

Jack was a peak Sword Expert, facing the wall.

Even against a 7th Circle archmage, he was confident he wouldn’t die.

This was the Belmar Duchy’s stronghold.

Countless knights and soldiers were here.

Plus, mages, spirit summoners, and shamans resided as guests.

If a fight broke out, Gaon, not Jack, would be in danger.

Step.

Jack arrived at the reception room.

He swallowed hard, calming his nerves.

Creak.

Fully composed, he opened the door and scanned the room.

“…?”

He was puzzled.

Only Baren was there.

No Gaon.

“Elder Baren, it’s been a while,” Jack said, approaching.

“Yes, it has,” Baren replied, standing.

“Where’s the one called Gaon…?”

“Oh, he stepped out briefly. He said it’s urgent but won’t take long.”

“…!” Jack was slightly surprised.

Baren’s attitude was overly respectful.

Like addressing a superior.

It was baffling.

Baren, an elder, knew the name Gaon was forbidden in the Gardion Tower.

Why was she so deferential?

What was Gaon’s true identity?

“I see,” Jack said, recovering.

This is perfect.

He had questions, some awkward to ask with Gaon present.

Now was his chance.

But then—

“Is the request about dismantling a barrier?” Baren asked.

“…!” Jack was stunned.

Baren knew about the barrier.

Those who’d seen it were bound by a mage’s oath to silence for three years.

How did she know?

Did 6th Circle mages break their oaths, sacrificing their circles?

“How do you know?” Jack asked.

“Gaon-nim told me,” Baren replied casually.

“…What?”

Jack was bewildered.

How did Gaon know?

“He knew what kind of barrier it is,” Baren added.

“…!”

Jack was shocked.

The duchy’s intelligence couldn’t identify the barrier.

Neither could the mages or shamans who’d seen it.

Yet Gaon, without seeing it, knew its type?

No time for this.

Jack snapped out of it.

He couldn’t stay shocked.

He needed to confirm Gaon’s identity.

“I’ll be blunt,” Jack said.

“Go ahead.”

“Can you tell me Gaon’s true identity?”

“True identity?” Baren asked, puzzled.

“Yes. I know the name Gaon is forbidden in the Gardion Tower.”

“Correct. Even if it’s your birth name, you must change it to join the tower. No one can use that name.”

Baren nodded.

“…?” Jack paused.

She knows, so why…

It made no sense.

Why tolerate it?

“Why…” Jack trailed off, looking at her.

Understanding his gaze, Baren smiled. “Because he’s the real Gaon-nim.”

“…What?”

Creak.

The door opened.

“…!” Jack flinched.

His senses were extended, prepared for anything.

No one was at the door.

Who opened it?

He raised his energy, looking.

A young man with dark hair stood there.

Baren stood.

Jack knew from her reaction.

This was Gaon.

But he wasn’t alone.

Someone floated behind him.

“…!” Jack was shocked.

He knew the figure.

The masked man.

How did he…

The masked man was powerful.

A wall-crosser.

Not invincible, but killable only at great cost.

He was the key to solving the barrier.

How was he subdued?

“Did you deliver the message?” Gaon asked.

“Not yet,” Baren replied.

“Then let’s solve the problem first.”

Jack was bewildered by their exchange.

Baren’s claim that he was the real Gaon.

The subdued masked man.

Solving the problem.

Everything was confusing.

“Jack Belmar,” Gaon called.

Jack flinched. “Yes, sir.”

He instinctively used honorifics.

“Don’t you want to dismantle the barrier?”

“…!” Jack’s eyes gleamed.

“Can you do it?”

“Yeah. I don’t know who’s inside, but their condition will worsen with time. Better hurry.”

“…I’ll guide you!” Jack, startled, took the lead.

“Loyalty! Greetings, Duke!” the knights saluted as they reached Marek’s bedroom.

Creak.

Jack entered, looking at the barrier.

It always took his breath away.

How would Gaon solve it?

He stepped aside.

Gaon strode toward the barrier and placed his hand on it.

Jack was puzzled.

What was he doing?

Examining it?

Then—

Crack! Crackle!

Cracks spread across the barrier.

As if a tap would shatter it.

“…!” Jack flinched, worried something was wrong.

And then—

Swish!

The barrier vanished.