Fled Without Realizing I Had Prevented the Apocalypse

Mental image is the foundation that makes up the existence of a superhuman.
Transcending the laws of the world and becoming another law itself.
If we were to be specific, it could be said that it’s becoming the answer to the problems one faces.
That’s why they are superhumans.
Beings that have transcended humans.
Their mental image goes beyond mere imagination in the mind and forms a universe, so scholars called the answers created by superhumans a microcosm.
Another universe built within the universe.
Although they can’t completely escape it, the reason they can demonstrate transcendent feats is all thanks to such mental images.
If a superhuman couldn’t assert such laws, it’s the academic consensus that such displays of power would have been impossible.
However, for a very small number of beings.
Those who have reached transcendence beyond superhumans, in their very existence.

In the case of transcendents who have built up eight ranks by themselves, it’s known that they can show power close to that of gods even without mental images.
However, transcendents of that level naturally can’t help but attract the world’s attention.
That’s why transcendents known to have reached the 8th rank don’t move carelessly.
No matter how much they’ve transcended the laws, they’re still staying within the universe.
And beyond that 8th rank, those who have built nine ranks and become constellations in the dark night sky themselves.

The world called them ascendants. Or constellations.

Those who have gone beyond simply transcending laws to become a law and concept themselves.

If 8th rank transcendents receive the world’s attention when they move, constellations are those who are guarded against just by existing.
Therefore, their movements are incomparably more static than those of mortals.
Such positions naturally come with corresponding costs.
That was the price for breaking away from the world’s laws and surpassing the path of ascension.
**
“Since when has the Heavenly Thunder’s mental image been sealed?”
Elaine watched the Heavenly Thunder’s reaction while voicing her conjecture.
Although she couldn’t see his entire expression due to the mask covering his face, she could at least briefly grasp it through his eyes and behavior.
As she observed like this, it seemed that at least her guess wasn’t wrong.
“…Sealed, you say.”
“……”
“Why did you think that?”
Instead of denying, the Heavenly Thunder asks why she thought so.
Does he know that the moment he asks like that, it already reveals that her guess is correct?
‘He probably knows, most likely.’

Although the Heavenly Thunder is sometimes suspiciously oblivious, he’s a person who clearly understands his own intentions at least in situations like this.
Nevertheless, the fact that he throws such a question means he’s willing to give some answer after asking the reason for the guess.
“Because it wasn’t the Heavenly Thunder’s lightning.”
That’s why Elaine could voice her conjecture without any hesitation.
“It wasn’t the Heavenly Thunder’s lightning, you say.”
“Yes.”
Elaine nodded confidently.
It was a conclusion she reached because she could see the large-scale technique he unleashed, even though the battle unfolded at quite a distance.

“I don’t think I made any mistakes in terms of technique utilization though.”
“That’s certainly true. Who would argue about mistakes after seeing that technique?”
The wave of magic power that arose as superhumans clashed. The thick thunderclouds spread across the entire battlefield beyond the rumbling ground and howling sky.

The sight of embedding dozens of large-scale techniques, said to be difficult even for high-ranking magicians, into the clouds, adjusting each one while calculating the optimal moment to drop lightning.
And the amount of magic power that can pour out lightning at once by simultaneously deploying techniques the moment the entire legion enters the range of the thunderclouds.
That near-madness level of technique calculation and judgment is hardly believable to have come from a human.
It was a transcendent skill that would draw exclamations even from non-magicians.
That’s why Elaine readily admitted that there was no problem with the technique.

“But you know that I’m not simply asking about technique or judgment, don’t you?”
Certainly, what makes up the existence called the Heavenly Thunder might include that seemingly endless amount of magic power and the level of understanding that can grasp the opponent’s magic the moment he sees it.
And a situational judgment ability comparable to that might be added.
However, those are ultimately like flesh making up the Heavenly Thunder, not the main body.
What makes up the Heavenly Thunder, an 8th rank great magician, is only one thing.
“Mental image.”

The Heavenly Thunder answered for the first time to Elaine’s question.
“You mean the mental image contained in my technique couldn’t face me.”
Elaine nods at the Heavenly Thunder’s answer.
As he said, the lightning that fell in the recent battle was powerful but uncontrolled.
Although the lightning made of techniques is inherently powerful, lightning without any mixture of the Heavenly Thunder’s mental image was merely a simple technique.
This meant that the power of the Heavenly Thunder, called the nightmare of the North, had decreased by about half.

“I thought something was empty from the moment I first saw you, but after looking at the battlefield just now, I could tell.”
The fact that your mental image doesn’t exist right now.
“……”
The Heavenly Thunder was silent at Elaine’s words.
She took his attitude as a tacit agreement and continued her story.
“There’s a lot I want to ask. Why a transcendent of your level had your mental image sealed. If the reason you disappeared for the past five years was to release that mental image seal, and so on.”
“…That’s.”
“But that’s solely your business, so I won’t interfere unnecessarily. I’m not in a position to do so in the first place.”
The Heavenly Thunder’s mental image was sealed, and what he did during the five years he disappeared.
Although it was certainly a curious matter, Elaine shook off the temptation in her mind.
Even if she asked, she wouldn’t get an answer, and asking such things itself would be impolite.
“Instead. Please don’t step forward in future battlefields.”
“What do you mean by not stepping forward?”
“I mean don’t take the vanguard position like just now. It seems you should take the original magician’s position at the rear.”
At Elaine’s firm words, the Heavenly Thunder frowned.
Although his mental image was sealed, he proved through the recent battle that he had reached the level of 7th rank.
So there shouldn’t be much problem in taking the same combat style as before.
As the Heavenly Thunder argued that he wasn’t directly facing the Northern transcendents, and there was no need for that when facing superhumans.
Elaine, without any reply, lifted the Heavenly Thunder’s right arm.
Pajik-!
At the same time, as she gently flowed her magic power, lightning sparked up as if in repulsion.
Of course, it wasn’t of a particularly great size, and its power was insufficient to penetrate a superhuman’s skin, but the important thing was that the lightning escaped the Heavenly Thunder’s control.
As if to prove this, the Heavenly Thunder’s right arm was blackened from the moment it blocked the lightning.
“Is there still no problem like this?”
“……”

A magician unable to control his own magic.
Especially the Heavenly Thunder, who was known to demonstrate control and understanding of techniques to the point of madness?
That was already proving that his power, having lost his mental image, was inferior compared to before.
Moreover, control is very important when dealing with dangerous lightning that can take the user’s life if not controlled.
This was proven by the ashes of numerous magicians who had died from failing to control lightning so far.
‘I should have noticed earlier.’
In fact, this was perhaps natural.
The sealing of a transcendent’s mental image, the foundation and pillar that forms their rank, was essentially like turning an empty ring.

Most superhumans would probably fade away without even touching the edge of transcendence the moment they lose their mental image.
Rather, it’s strange that the Heavenly Thunder faced the Northern legion despite losing his mental image.
This was close to facing superhumans with simple techniques without mixing in the understanding of techniques that superhumans should naturally contain.
It could be said that he crushed opponents with 1st to 4th rank level magic using only technician skills close to a transcendent.
If we were to be specific, it’s like running while circulating blood without the heart beating.
He’s moving his legs fine now, but it’s a situation where he could collapse at any moment.
Therefore.
“As Elaine Forest, the lord of Winter Forest and Margrave, I command the Heavenly Thunder.”
Elaine used the authority of the Empire, even using the title of Margrave that she never usually uses.
Solely to prevent one person’s solo act.
“One week until the Empire’s reinforcements arrive. During that period, I forbid the Heavenly Thunder’s independent actions, position change to the vanguard, and large-scale magic techniques.”
Margrave is a special title with authority surpassing that of a count, directly recognized by the Emperor.
That’s why she can give orders even though the Heavenly Thunder has been recognized with the title of honorary count by the Emperor.
Of course, usually, since the title of honorary count itself is special, no one gives orders no matter how high their rank is.
Doing so could lead to disapproval in social circles, and in severe cases, a letter might fly in from the imperial palace.
Nevertheless, Elaine used her authority to command the Heavenly Thunder.
“So, please take care of yourself.”
Solely for the Heavenly Thunder’s well-being.