Chapter 177: The Finale and the Final Farewell |
Rhine said:
"First of all, the simplest truth is that destruction is much easier than creation. A magician who can reduce an entire kingdom to ruins often cannot build a city out of thin air and provide housing for thousands of people.
"More importantly, even if you have the ability, directly using magic to produce things will have a huge impact on society.
"Imagine conjuring a piece of bread and a bottle of milk to give to a hungry child. The child gets a meal and feels grateful—no harm done.
"But if you conjure enough bread and milk for the entire kingdom and give it to everyone for free, the bakers and milkers will lose their jobs. They’ll lose their purpose and place in society.
"Similarly, if you use magic to build a city, the construction workers become unnecessary. If you create tens of thousands of warm clothes with magic, a mother weaving at her loom will lose her livelihood. They’ll all become insignificant in the eyes of the world.
"Maybe you’ll continue to use magic with kindness. But if everyone becomes irrelevant because of magic, the magician who comes after you might not value them at all.
"That new magician might conclude that the people are useless—and see no obligation to support them."
Aurora pondered Rhine’s words.
A firm look returned to her face.
"But I believe these problems aren’t unsolvable.
"There may be many challenges along the way, but this is the right direction!
"Isn’t the Queen of the White Kingdom governing with magic?
"With proper use, magic can transform the entire Rose Kingdom—and the entire continent!"
"People will live better lives, and more 'Little Match Girls' won’t have to walk the streets on cold winter days! That’s more important than helping just one or two people."
Seeing Aurora’s determination, Rhine smiled gently and stroked her head.
"That’s the kind of thinking you need, Aurora.
"No matter how powerful I am, I’m still just a magician.
"But you—you’re not only the new 'Wish Wizard,' you’re the future monarch of the Rose Kingdom.
"I’ve always said: some things in this world can’t be done by magicians—they must be done by kings."
Rhine stood and saluted her with the grace of a sage.
"Your Majesty, you’ve learned my spell, inherited the spirit of the 'Wish Wizard,' and now wield a magic lamp of boundless power.
"You’ve copied my special ability—you won’t age, remaining forever youthful.
"You’ll inherit a prosperous kingdom, with the White Kingdom, the Western Kingdom, the Sea Kingdom, and the Land of Oz as your allies.
"The future of this continent lies in your hands."
He smiled.
"This is my parting gift to this continent."
Aurora was stunned.
She remembered her teacher’s promise—to leave her and the world a gift.
The blonde girl nodded firmly.
But sadness quickly followed.
He was saying goodbye for real this time.
"Teacher, once you return home... will you be able to come back?" she asked.
"I don’t know," Rhine replied softly. "I don’t know if the journey is one-way."
At that moment, a puff of green smoke emerged behind him.
Ye Ruge stepped from the smoke and looked at him lazily.
"Well? Learned the ritual to open the door between worlds?"
"I know it by heart," Rhine said calmly.
"Then let’s go. After all these years, I’m a little homesick."
"Just a few more minutes," he said, smiling at Aurora, then gazing out at the blue sky.
"I want to see this world one last time."
"Alright," Ye Ruge agreed.
Rhine vanished in a silver whirlwind.
...
In the palace of the Rose Kingdom,
The old king and queen were discussing Aurora’s succession with the twelve good witches.
They were delighted that the girl they had blessed long ago would soon be queen. Grandma Rosa, who loved her most, was especially emotional.
Then, a silver-haired young man appeared in the hall.
"Sage, you’re here!" the old king greeted him.
"I’m leaving this continent," Rhine said, something he had already mentioned before.
The king felt reluctant but gave his blessing:
"You are a hero. Rose will remember your deeds forever."
...
In Emerald City,
People in emerald glasses chatted happily in the streets.
In the palace, Oz now sat openly on his throne, giving orders directly to his ministers.
Ever since revealing his true form, he was no longer "The Great and Terrible Oz," just "The Great Oz." No longer a fraud—he was a true magician.
A silver breeze swept through the hall. A young man appeared.
"Teacher!" Oz called out, surprised.
"I’m heading to a place far beyond this world," Rhine said calmly.
Oz lowered his head, visibly disheartened.
Rhine plucked a strand of silver hair and blew on it.
"This hair holds my magic. It links the two places. You can return to Rose—or here—anytime you wish."
Oz gratefully accepted it.
"By the way," Rhine added, "Aurora will soon become Queen of Rose."
He smiled, enjoying Oz’s shocked reaction.
...
In the White Kingdom’s back garden,
Winter flowers bloomed under the Queen’s magic.
She held Snow White’s hand as they strolled.
"Mother, what flower is this?" the girl asked.
The Queen crouched, studied it, and finally said:
"I don’t know, sweetheart. I’ll ask the mirror later."
Neither noticed the bird watching quietly from above, unwilling to disturb their peace.
...
In the prince’s chamber of the Western Kingdom,
Princess Ariel danced with grace. Her song, unmatched on land or sea, moved all who heard it.
When she finished, Prince Eric clapped.
"Your voice is more beautiful than ever," he said. "Everyone will envy me for marrying such a stunning princess."
Ariel blushed.
Then, a silver wind blew open the curtains. A figure appeared.
"Rhine!"
"Mage Lord Rhine!"
They greeted him joyfully.
"I’m leaving for a world beyond this continent," he said. "Soon, Aurora will become Queen of Rose.
"I hope you’ll support her as fellow monarchs."
Ariel smiled.
"I look forward to seeing her again. After all, half my soul came from her."
Eric saluted:
"She will be a great queen. As you wish, Lord Rhine."
Rhine observed the couple with emotion. The once-rebellious youths would now rule kingdoms.
He disappeared and reappeared high above the sea, watching ships leave port, mermaids guiding them on their journey.
...
"I’m back..."
Rhine appeared beside Ye Ruge in the Brass Palace.
"You took your sweet time," she muttered.
He removed his silver shoes and handed them to Aurora.
"These are yours. With them, you can go anywhere."
Aurora accepted them silently, sadness in her eyes.
"Let’s start the ceremony," Ye Ruge yawned.
They stepped outside, lit a fire, tossed spices in, and chanted the spell.
As the spell peaked, wind howled, sand flew, and a shining door appeared.
Rhine and Ye Ruge approached it.
"Teacher..." Aurora called, her voice choked.
She waved:
"Goodbye, Teacher!"
"Goodbye, Aurora," Rhine replied, smiling through tears.
She watched him disappear into the light.
"He’s gone."
"The rest is up to me."
"I am the Queen of Rose, the new 'Wish Magician.'"
Aurora held the magic lamp, rose into the sky, and looked down upon her kingdom.
...
**Many Years Later**
"Your Majesty, the Eastern route has opened. The Sea King will send mermaid guards to guide the ships."
"Thanks to your magic, we are the most prosperous nation and the first to solve hunger and poverty."
"Your Magician Academy is now enrolling all talented children—regardless of status. Poor families get subsidies. In ten years, we’ll have the best magicians on the continent!"
"The Ende Empire has agreed to an alliance—perhaps because their emperor has Alzheimer’s. Now, all Western nations are our allies."
"King Eric and Queen Ariel would like to meet you."
...
In the Rose Palace, the young queen worked tirelessly.
But even she harbored longing in her heart.
"Teacher said he wasn’t sure if he could come back... Will he ever return?"
"Maybe, one day, he’ll invent a way to travel between our worlds..."
She lay in bed, staring at the silver moon, lost in thought.
On nights like this, she dreamed of seeing him again.
Morning came.
Aurora opened her eyes.
And saw him.
The silver-haired boy smiled, reflected in her green eyes—until the reflection blurred with tears.
"Long time no see, Aurora! I’m back."
Rhine greeted the Queen of Rose with a smile.
**(The End)**
Comments 2