The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 114 - 115 – Departure

Sailing across the sea would be too roundabout. The waters were unpredictable, filled with dangers unseen.

In the end, Hutson made his decision.

He would travel north through the Kingdom of Doris. Once past its borders, he would turn east—toward Moonlight Woodland.

Unfolding a map, his keen eyes traced the route. Thanks to Doris’ well-maintained roads, reaching the northern border would take no more than half a month. But beyond that, the real journey began—four to five months of travel through unknown lands before he could set foot in Moonlight Woodland once more.

With the route planned, it was time to settle unfinished affairs.

Descending the staircase, he called out, "Ed!"

Hurried footsteps echoed from the garden. Moments later, Ed appeared, clutching a pair of pruning shears. He had been tending the flowers in the courtyard, the scent of fresh earth still clinging to his clothes.

Hutson looked at him and spoke, his tone calm yet firm. "I will be leaving soon. This house... I won’t be coming back to it. You and Judy should live here from now on."

A flicker of shock crossed Ed’s face, quickly replaced by fear.

"My lord, where are you going? I will follow you—I will serve you as always!" Ed dropped to one knee, voice trembling with urgency.

Hutson shook his head. "You are an ordinary man, Ed. The places I go... they are not for you." His gaze softened. "You are safe here. Stay, build a life with Judy. Elusha will find work for you, something steady. Learn a craft, earn your living. That will be enough."

Ed’s breath hitched.

Slowly, reverently, he pressed his forehead to the ground—a silent vow of gratitude.

Once a mere slave, Ed had been granted a new life. Elusha had arranged for him to receive citizenship in Ryan City—a trivial act for her, yet for Ed, it was as if he had been reborn.

Now, Judy could leave the squalor of the slums, never again forced to endure streets rife with filth and death.

Owning a house of this value was beyond their means—beyond their dreams. But if Lord Hutson willed it, then Ed would guard and care for this home with unwavering devotion.

Hutson turned away. "Come. We go to the City Lord’s Manor."

Ed clenched his fists, suppressing his sorrow, and straightened his spine. If this was his lord’s will, then he would serve until the last moment.

Snapping the reins, he urged the carriage forward, guiding it through the bustling streets of Ryan City. The city lord’s estate was a place familiar with Hutson’s presence; the guards recognized his carriage immediately. Without hesitation, they led the horses to the rear courtyard, ensuring the beasts were watered and fed.

Ed remained behind, awaiting his master’s return. If Hutson chose to stay the night, he would rest in one of the servant quarters, knowing the city lord’s staff would provide for him as they always did.

Hutson, however, walked forward alone.

He knew the way by heart.

Elusha’s chamber.

Stopping at the ornate wooden door, he lifted a hand and knocked—just once.

"Come in," came a languid voice from within.

She already knew it was him.

Had it been Levan, he would have announced himself formally. But for Hutson—no such ceremony was needed.

Inside, Elusha reclined upon a chaise before a grand, floor-to-ceiling window. Sunlight streamed in, spilling across the velvet drapes and polished marble, casting a golden glow upon her form.

She lay there, basking in the warmth, her every movement one of graceful indolence.

Hutson paused.

For a fleeting moment, the scene before him felt like a painting, a masterpiece of light and shadow—a moment too perfect to belong to reality.

"I’m leaving," he said quietly.

Elusha did not stir. She did not speak.

Silence hung in the air, fragile as glass.

Then, without opening her eyes, tears slipped down her cheeks.

She exhaled, brushing them away with a delicate hand, as though willing herself to remain composed. Yet when she spoke, her voice held the faintest tremor.

"...Will you return?"

Hutson hesitated. A strange feeling—something almost like weakness—tightened around his chest.

"Likely not. Don’t wait for me." He forced the words out. "I am a wizard."

The meaning was clear.

A wizard’s life was long.

By the time he returned—if he returned—she might be old, frail, a stranger to him.

For him, this was merely a farewell.

For her... it was possibly the last goodbye.

Not every departure held the promise of reunion.

Elusha turned her face toward him, her expression unreadable. Then, she smiled—softly, sorrowfully.

"Then go," she whispered. "And never come back. Even if you do... wait until I am gone."

She closed her eyes once more.

"That way, at least in your memory, I will remain forever young and beautiful."

Hutson stepped forward, kneeling beside the chair.

Without a word, he buried his face in Elusha’s embrace, eyes closed, his breath steady yet heavy with unspoken emotion.

Elusha cradled his head, her fingers tracing gentle circles along his cheek, as if committing the shape of his face to memory. The world outside faded into silence, leaving only the quiet rhythm of their breaths and the fleeting warmth of their final moment together.

Three days later.

Hutson and Elusha stood at the grand entrance of the City Lord’s Manor.

Behind them, Ed waited in silence. He had remained in the courtyard for three days, never straying too far, awaiting the inevitable farewell.

Hutson slipped a ring from his finger—the Ring of Soloro’s Fireball.

A simple magical artifact, enchanted with a minor fireball spell. Once, it had been useful, but now? Insignificant. His mastery over fire magic had long surpassed such trinkets; conjuring flames was as effortless as breathing.

He reached for Elusha’s hand, sliding the ring onto her slender finger.

"This is enchanted. A single pulse of mana will activate it. If you are ever in danger, use it."

Elusha stretched out her pale fingers, gazing at the ring with quiet delight.

"Mmm, I will keep it with me always."

Her magic was weak, but it was there—just enough to wield this enchantment when needed.

With their farewell complete, Hutson set off.

As before, he chose to travel with a merchant caravan.

This particular caravan was heading north, crossing the borders of the Doris Kingdom, then continuing east into the Kingdom of Raelna. From there, it would cut westward through the Violet Kingdom, before finally looping back to Doris.

It was the perfect route. Along the way, Hutson would pass through Moonlight Woodland.

His previous carriage had been left behind. Or rather, Elusha had purchased it and claimed it for herself, now housed within the City Lord’s estate.

But she had not sent him off empty-handed.

Instead, she had prepared an entirely new carriage—one far more luxurious than before.

Drawn by two majestic warhorses, its interior was spacious, lavishly furnished, crafted from only the finest materials. Its worth? Immeasurable.

Of course, Elusha had no concerns that such an extravagant display would invite trouble.

Those weak and desperate enough to steal from Hutson... would never succeed.

And those strong enough to pose a true threat?

Wouldn’t care for a mere carriage.

Ed had been adamant about driving Hutson’s carriage himself—until Hutson kicked him off it.

Hard.

With Judy pregnant, there was no way he was letting Ed risk his life on this journey. Everything Hutson had done for them would have been for nothing if Ed never made it back.

There were plenty within the caravan eager to take up the reins.

After all, Hutson was no ordinary traveler.

Everyone in the caravan had witnessed Elusha herself escorting him to his carriage, a rare honor that left no doubts about his status.

The one ultimately given the role of driver was the caravan leader’s youngest son—an arrangement clearly made in hopes of forging a connection with the mysterious sorcerer Elusha had personally sent off into the world.