Deep within the Himalayas…
Lucian sat leisurely inside the temple’s main hall.
Standing respectfully before him were the Ancient One and Kaluu.
“So…”
“The temple is finished?”
Lucian asked with a smile as he looked at the two sorcerers, who appeared noticeably uneasy.
A trace of pride crossed the Ancient One’s face.
In just a single month…
They had completed an enormous palace covering nearly 100,000 square metres.
The entire structure had been built almost entirely from wood.
Very few people in the world could have accomplished such a feat.
After all…
The surrounding Himalayas contained virtually no trees.
There was plenty of stone…
But it all lay buried beneath more than ten metres of snow.
“Yes, honoured guest.”
The Ancient One bowed respectfully.
“Oh?”
“Then take me to see it.”
Lucian rose with an interested smile.
The Ancient One immediately opened a glowing portal.
Watching the circular gateway form before him, Lucian couldn’t help feeling envious.
What a convenient ability…
Need to go somewhere?
Just open a portal.
No travelling required.
Back in the Assassin’s Creed world, he had been able to fast-travel between synchronized viewpoints.
But after returning to the real world…
That ability had disappeared completely.
“Can I learn this magic?”
he asked while looking at the portal.
The Ancient One didn’t even hesitate.
“…I’m sorry.”
“That isn’t possible.”
“Oh?”
“Are you certain?”
A cold light flashed through Lucian’s eyes.
His voice became noticeably colder.
“I’m certain.”
“It truly isn’t possible.”
The Ancient One closed her eyes.
Her answer remained unwavering.
Then—
Lucian burst into laughter.
“Haha!”
“I’m kidding.”
“If it can’t be taught, then forget it.”
“Come on.”
“Let’s see what kind of temple you’ve built for me.”
He smiled as he patted her lightly on the shoulder.
The Ancient One quietly released the breath she’d been holding.
Fear lingered deep within her eyes.
Together…
The two stepped through the portal.
A moment later…
Lucian emerged inside another vast hall.
This one was even larger than the Ancient One’s own temple.
Countless candles hung from the ceiling, illuminating the enormous chamber with warm golden light.
“Excellent.”
He nodded in satisfaction.
Then he began exploring.
Half an hour later…
He had finished touring the entire complex.
Calling it a temple no longer felt appropriate.
It was a palace.
Built atop a remote snow-covered peak deep within the Himalayas…
It occupied nearly 100,000 square metres.
Wood and stone blended seamlessly throughout the structure.
The palace consisted of three levels, each one slightly smaller than the one beneath it.
Outside stretched an enormous stone courtyard.
Behind the palace…
A massive rocky ledge projected dramatically over the mountainside.
Standing there, one could overlook the entire mountain range.
As Lucian stepped onto the outcrop…
He paused.
Several deep claw marks had been carved into the rock beneath his feet.
He glanced at them thoughtfully before turning back.
“Very good.”
“Truly excellent.”
“Haha…”
“Master Ancient One…”
“I really have to thank you this time.”
The Ancient One couldn’t help twitching at the familiar title.
“You’re too kind…”
“…Mr.
Lucian.”
Lucian smiled.
“You don’t have to keep calling me ‘honoured guest.'”
“It sounds too distant.”
“Just call me Lucian.”
For the first time in quite a while, genuine happiness radiated from his face.
“Very well…”
“Mr.
Lucian.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
“You should head back now.”
Lucian looked around the palace one final time.
The Ancient One turned toward the main hall.
Halfway there…
She realized Lucian hadn’t moved.
She looked back.
“Mr.
Lucian…”
“Aren’t you coming?”
He looked at her in confusion.
“Why would I?”
“My palace is finished.”
“I finally have a place of my own.”
“So why would I go back?”
The Ancient One’s heart nearly leapt with joy.
He’s finally leaving!
That demon isn’t coming back!
Although inwardly ecstatic, she forced herself to look disappointed.
“…I understand.”
“Then…”
“I’ll be taking my leave.”
She bowed politely before walking away rather quickly.
Watching her retreating figure…
Lucian shook his head with a smile.
Am I really that frightening?
It’s not like I’m some kind of wild beast.
Meanwhile…
The Ancient One stepped through another portal and returned to Kamar-Taj.
Kaluu immediately looked toward her.
His expression silently asked the question.
The Ancient One understood at once.
“It’s over.”
“He isn’t coming back.”
Kaluu’s eyes widened.
“He isn’t?”
“What happened?”
“Don’t tell me…”
“Have you reached that level?”
Excitement filled his voice.
If the Ancient One had truly surpassed her previous limits…
Then even Dormammu would no longer dare threaten Earth.
The Ancient One immediately understood what he meant.
She smiled bitterly.
“It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“He simply said…”
“Now that his palace has been completed…”
“He already has somewhere to live.”
“So he won’t be returning.”
Kaluu stood there, completely stunned.
“…That’s it?”
“Why would he simply stay there?”
“Could he have some hidden motive?”
The Ancient One sighed helplessly.
“How should I know?”
“And even if he does…”
“What can we do about it?”
“At worst…”
“We’ll fight him with our lives.”
Silence filled the temple once more.
After a long while…
The Ancient One finally spoke.
“We should begin travelling down the mountain.”
“It’s time to search for suitable successors.”
Kaluu nodded slowly.
“…Yes.”
“I think it’s time.”
“I can already feel my life gradually slipping away.”
A trace of melancholy crossed his aged face.
The Ancient One smiled gently.
“Birth…”
“Aging…”
“Sickness…”
“Death…”
“That’s simply the way of human life.”
“Try not to dwell on it, Kaluu.”
Kaluu nodded quietly.
“I understand.”
With those final words…
The conversation came to an end.