The Wizard of Fairy Tale World

Chapter 148: Oz’s True Thoughts

After a brief explanation, the misunderstanding was finally resolved.

The officer who had imprisoned Rhine suddenly realized, "I see! The great Oz’s teacher doesn’t just take on those extraordinary forms—like a hundred-meter-tall flame giant or a beast with dozens of eyes—but also has a completely ordinary appearance!"

"Incredible!"

…Rhine felt the misunderstanding had only deepened. But he was too lazy to correct it.

Adjusting his green-tinted glasses, he followed the soldiers toward the palace.

Inside a small chamber within the palace, Oz was trembling with fear.

For years, he had lived in constant anxiety, doing everything he could to hide his true identity from the Wicked Witches of the East and West.

Now, his already weary face was twisted with worry.

He had immediately ordered Rhine’s release and invited him to the palace, hoping to gain the kingdom’s sage’s forgiveness.

If not for the need to maintain his mysterious image, Oz would have rushed to find Rhine himself!

"I’m doomed. The all-powerful magician is here, and now he knows I’ve been impersonating his disciple… and faking my identity as a great wizard."

"For years, I’ve never let even my closest aides see me in person. I’ve used illusions to appear in different forms, making everyone believe I’m a terrifying and ever-changing magician!"

"But Rhine has seen my true self. He knows who I really am."

"What will he do to me?"

"Will he expose my lies before all of Emerald City?"

"Will he announce to the world that Oz is nothing more than a fraud with no magic at all?"

"Or… will he simply kill me in rage, just as the fearsome wizard I pretend to be would?"

"All I can do is pray that he has some mercy. Maybe he’ll just deny knowing me as his disciple instead of completely exposing the truth."

Pacing back and forth, Oz felt no different from a condemned man awaiting execution.

Just then, a clear voice rang out behind him.

"Long time no see, Oz."

Oz nearly had a heart attack.

He spun around and saw Rhine standing behind him, gazing at him calmly.

The silver-haired boy looked exactly the same as he had over a decade ago—untouched by time.

Terrified, Oz, the small, shriveled old man, dropped to his knees and wailed,

"I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry! Lord Rhine, I shouldn’t have pretended to be your disciple! I’m just an ordinary person—I had no right to impersonate a great magician. Please forgive me! I’ll do anything, just don’t punish me…!"

"It’s fine," Rhine said casually, shrugging. "I already confirmed your identity to your men."

"Huh?" Oz blinked, unable to process the words.

"They all believe you’re my disciple, and I didn’t deny it. From now on, you are my disciple."

Rhine’s calm statement left Oz feeling like he was dreaming.

"On the way here, I noticed how much the people of Emerald City admire you. They say you’re a great king—kind and just, yet powerful and fearsome. To them, you are a mighty magician who punishes the dishonest and the wicked," Rhine continued.

"They believe in you, Oz."

Oz looked down in shame. "Please don’t mock me, Lord Rhine. You know the truth—I’m just a weak old man with no magic at all."

He sighed, then began to recount his past.

"When I arrived in these lands by balloon, the people saw me descend from the sky and assumed I was a great magician. They were willing to follow me, so I had them build this Emerald City.

"Of course, as someone as sharp as you must have noticed… Emerald City isn’t actually greener than any other city. I simply made everyone wear green glasses so they believe it’s filled with shining emeralds.

"Once the city was built, I shut myself inside the palace, rarely showing myself.

"My years in the circus gave me skill in illusions and tricks. Whenever someone came to see me, I used magic tricks to appear as a giant beast, a flaming orb, or some other fearsome creature. That way, they all believed Oz was a magician of unimaginable power.

"But deep down… I always knew the truth. I’m no magician.

"I was terrified of the Wicked Witches of the East and West. Their magic is real. Luckily, they believed my reputation and never dared to challenge me."

Finishing his story, Oz’s face darkened with shame.

"You must think I’m nothing but a fraud, a liar who deceived an entire kingdom."

Rhine watched the pitiful old man slump in despair and spoke reassuringly,

"Yes, your identity is a lie, and Emerald City’s so-called ‘magic’ is an illusion.

"But the people’s respect and love for you? That’s real.

"It’s like a magic show at the circus—it may be an illusion, but the audience’s joy is genuine.

"If that’s the case, then you don’t need to feel guilty.

"And since I’ve acknowledged you as my disciple, it’s no longer a lie. It’s the truth."

Oz’s eyes lit up.

"Really? Oh, thank you, great sage!"

This felt like a dream—one he never dared to hope for.

"From now on, you can continue ruling the Land of Oz. Forever." Rhine smiled.

But at those words, Oz’s face suddenly darkened again.

The thin, wrinkled old man shook his head.

"I’m afraid not. My secret is bound to be exposed soon, so I’ve been planning to leave."

"I wanted to take a balloon back to the Rose Kingdom, but I was afraid the king was still hunting me…"

"The King of the Rose Kingdom is not after you," Rhine said. "The fraud with the golden plate was your brother’s doing, not yours."

"Really? That’s wonderful!" Oz was overjoyed. "That means I can return home! I won’t have to live in constant fear anymore, pretending to be someone I’m not!"

"Hold on." Rhine narrowed his eyes. "Why do you think your secret is about to be exposed?"

Oz hesitated, then finally voiced the fear that had been haunting him.

"A few months ago… a magician named Magrito arrived in Emerald City…"