Episode 809 World Gathering – Two Days (1)
A world conference is, quite literally, an international gathering for making global decisions. In other words, it is a political arena spanning the entire continent.
In fact, the world conference has already begun.
Most of the faction leaders have gathered in one place in Gargant. Behind the scenes, various conflicts and collusions are taking place.
Even at this very moment, some are discussing agreements for profit, while others are plotting for shady purposes.
Be endlessly tense.
And, do not expect the strong to show consideration for the weak.
The greater the power, the more selfish the figure at the apex is bound to be. That is the norm. With so much already weighing on their shoulders, how could they possibly have the leeway to lift another’s burden?
Do not vent your grievances.It is meaningless.There is no respect in the decisions of the World Conference. Countless lives are turned upside down in an instant solely by the discussions among the leaders who reign over the continents.
Decades ago, the establishment of ownerless lands on the central continent was also the conclusion reached by the humans and beastmen attending the World Conference.
The Ruas Church expressed opposition, but all decisions are made by vote. No matter how world religions are, the number of votes is limited.If the number of supporters is overwhelming, the influence of religion cannot be used to pressure the vote.
That is how the ownerless land was designated.
The lords who ruled those barren territories before they were labeled as “ownerless lands” had neither the slightest choice nor the right to speak.They simply had to accept international conclusions without complaint in exchange for being forced to pay a suitable price.
There were also lords who did not give up their territories even after receiving payment. Instead, they took advantage of this opportunity to rule over the ownerless lands, but in the end, they all died before they could last even a year.
It is arrogance to believe that a rain of arrows will miss you on the battlefield.
Due to corruption, including embezzlement by the middle class, poor villagers who did not receive proper compensation were mostly unable to leave their homes and remained in the conflict zone due to livelihood issues and fear of the outside world.
How many must have died?How much must have been exploited?
On the other hand.
How much profit was generated?How much desire was satisfied?
Thanks to the ownerless land, this continent reaped a harvest far exceeding expectations. Great results were obtained from a small sacrifice.How efficient!Poor victims?To dwell on such things more than necessary is not the mark of a politician. To a truly great ruler, humans are essentially treated as numbers.
Globally, prioritizing reason over sentiment.
That is the essence of the world conference.
* * *
“Whether in the magic, martial arts, or political spheres, the times are truly chaotic. They say that bad things come in succession, and I don’t know who said it, but right now, I can’t help but agree.”
Celester Raven, the sorcerer of the independent magic group—the Magic Autonomous Regiment—shaken her head slightly and sipped her hot black tea.
“Still, the Bloodcry Plague is subsiding, and the Luas Cult has declared an end to the Undead crisis… so it seems things are under control to some extent. However, causing violent chaos again at this point might lead to a situation that can no longer be mended.”“If not now, it will certainly be too late.”
Mayor Mirdem, appearing as the representative of the City Alliance Kylians, clenched his fist.
“The Divine… the Commandments of Eon, which he leads, are interfering with nations beyond what is necessary. The continent’s underworld is merely the beginning. If we do not put the brakes on it now, every nation will have to watch the Divine’s every move. Watch the every move of that ruthless one! We Kylians have no intention of remaining silent and doing nothing, just like back then.”
The Kylians’ seven-city alliance system was shaken the year before last.
Guardian of Riverrun and Mayor died.Guardian of Third Mill and Mayor died.
They were all killed.
Among them, the person identified as the culprit who murdered the Guardian and Mayor of Riverrun was none other than Shinseong.As soon as the nearby mayors heard the news, they immediately issued a warrant for his arrest and pursued him, but Shinseong escaped Kylians nonchalantly, as if mocking them.
Of course, I later heard that the culprit who murdered the mayor was the terrible and cruel black mage who caused the Bone Dragon incident in the Republic.
However, the insult received at that time is a separate matter.
Before the Divine was called the Divine, Kylians had to endure rumors that he could not stop a mere single criminal sorcerer.His national power was being questioned.As the Divine’s reputation rose exponentially and he became a transcendent being, such scrutiny subsided, but the damage remains like a scar.
Kylians is clearly a victim.
If there were any misunderstandings, they could simply be resolved, but the Divine Being did not even pay attention to this side. The Theocracy of Luas merely expressed regret.There was no compensation.Naturally so. After all,Kylians did not suffer any harm due to the fault of the Divine Being or the Luas Church. Then what on earth was to be done with this pent-up resentment?
If they cared about the national interest, they should have forgotten the past and bowed down to Eon like everyone else. In fact, even Mayor Mirdem was fully inclined to do so…Just then, fortunately for Kylians, an ‘alternative’ emerged. A powerful backer who didn’t care if they went against the Divine.
“I agree. Even so, boundaries must be crossed. Absolutely. Whether it’s the zones or the code of conduct, Eon is too radical.”
King Ronia, sitting opposite, nodded slightly. His thick flesh rippled as his neck briefly disappeared before reappearing.
Tolerate this any further would amount to wickedness. As a member of the international community, how can we simply stand by and watch? I do not believe that is morally right.
King Ronia clasped his hands together in a subservient manner and hunched his back.It was a posture of submission.
“Is it not so, O Great King of Delharun?”
The ruler of Delharun—Mauler—is seated in the place of honor, puffing on a strong tobacco.His muscular, massive frame, clad in full armor (excluding the helmet) and a thick cloak, exuded an immense sense of intimidation in itself.
Mauler raised the corners of his mouth.
“Shinseong. Even considering you’re just a young transcendent bastard, you were overflowing with hotheadedness. Not only did you ignore my offer made in good faith, but you went so far as to trample on it. You are the first guy to reveal his ambition so blatantly the moment he awakened.”“Hahaha, indeed! Truly arrogant—”
Smack!
The woman standing next to Mauler slapped King Ronia across the face. His fat body staggered. His nose bled, and his cheek swelled up.As if that weren’t enough, the woman grabbed King Ronia by the hair and slammed him onto the table.
“Is the Transcendent your friend? How arrogant.”“Ugh, uh…!”
Tendons popped out on the back of the woman’s hand.
Mauler exhaled thick tobacco smoke through his lips.
The murderous aura is gleaming.
Even if he is an enemy I dislike considerably because he is too arrogant, he is a transcendent being. I cannot tolerate non-transcendent beings spouting nonsense.
This was Mauler’s iron rule.
“Watch your mouth, King Ronia.”“I, I, I am sorry…!”“Treat me.”“Yes.”
A top-quality potion, personally strained by a woman, was poured onto King Ronia’s face. The minor injury vanished completely in no time.
Mayor Mirdem bowed his head.He also kept his mouth shut.Whatever the case, he had no intention of questioning it. After all, his opponent was none other than a Transcendent. If he just endured, he would be able to enter the Transcendent’s realm.
Someday, Kylians’ national power would surpass that of the Kingdom of Estiria and the Republic of Beldirn, becoming the strongest in the central part of the Eastern Continent.That was of the utmost importance to Mayor Mirdem.
Tuk tuk.
Mauler flicked the ashes amidst the suddenly heavy atmosphere.The conversation continued.
“Magic Master, didn’t you say that causing further chaos here might lead to an unmanageable situation? What on earth does that matter? It is the nature of existence to achieve what one desires, regardless of the fate of the world.”“…….”“Isn’t it the same for you?”
Celester lightly twirled her wrist while holding the tea,recalling the General Assembly of the Magic World.
“I merely questioned the recent Tower of Magic system. To think that the Bohemirn Tower conducted large-scale human experiments for decades, and that the Lord of the Ostea Tower was a key figure in the Society, an anti-Tower force? No matter how rigid a castle is, it cannot last forever. If a problem arises, it must naturally be repaired.”
Mauler chuckled.
“You are being too greedy.”“It is for the sake of this magical world. And…….”
Celeste shrugged his shoulders.
“In an era of change, it is not entirely unprecedented for the lineage of the Magic Tower itself to be overturned.”
The Magic Autonomous Regiment maintains its power by seizing control of parts of the magical world that the Ten Great Magic Towers cannot occupy. To put it bluntly, they are essentially insignificant janitors.
Even beasts dream.
Given this, how could a sorcerer not look up at the sky? Celester Raven desires ownership of the Magic Tower.
“As Eon is exhibiting unprecedentedly unconventional behavior, he has many weaknesses. If you shape public opinion based on the information I have provided, you will not have much trouble achieving what the Great King desires. However, since Shinseong is an unpredictable transcendent being, I cannot make any absolute guarantees.”“I will handle that myself.”“Yes, then…”
Celester was about to step back when he added one more question as if he had forgotten.
“By the way, how did you obtain information about the Society? Considering the secrecy they have shown so far and the Divine’s internal grip, it doesn’t seem like there is a mole.”“…….”
Mauler smoked a cigarette in silence for a moment, recalling the past.Defeated by the Beast King… falling off a thousand-foot cliff, with even his homeostasis shattered, the being who had visited him at the moment of his death, and that terrible whisper, sticky like a swamp.
simplicity and honesty.
Mauler crushed the tobacco with his hands.
It’s nothing to know.
* * *
The deep crimson sunset illuminates the saint beyond the stained glass of the Church of Gargant, which depicts the Goddess Luas and her grace. Herfaith was immeasurable.Her holy prayers were enough to leave even the Pope speechless.
The saint, sensing an unpleasant presence, slowly lifted her eyelids.
“Welcome, Necromancer.”“…….”
Reindel Nexreon, the Darkwarton Tower Master known as the Understooder of Death, stepped into the interior of the Holy Church.It was an aura of impurity, contrasting with divinity.There were very few men as out of place in the church as Reindel.
“Did you come regarding the Glory of the Dead?”“Don’t you think that is strange?”
Let’s get straight to the point.
“Speak.”“The whereabouts of the former king’s body parts, unknown to both the Ruas Theocracy and the Darkwarton Magic Tower, have all been revealed. In such a short period of time. And the glory of the corpse was always one step ahead of us.”
The Saint understood the meaning even before Reindel had finished speaking. Rising from in front of the statue of the goddess, she faced Reindel.
“So, do you mean there is an apostate in the Ruas Theocracy who has turned their back on the Goddess?”“I do not know. There are too many inconsistencies to make a definitive claim.”“It is the intuition of a Transcendent. And your magic must be what strongly supports that claim. Do you sense that many deaths might occur as well?”
The saint took a step. She stopped quietly right next to Reindel.Their gazes met.
“Still… what a terrible look in your eyes. You are like a fallen being who cannot be a believer in the Light. It is repulsive. You can never be saved like that.”“…….”“Since you yourself do not desire salvation in the first place, perhaps it does not matter? Well, it is useless advice, but I won’t pretend I didn’t hear it. Still, next time, bring me evidence that I can accept. That speculation that there is an apostate in the Luas religion…….”
The saint passed him,her eyes bloodshot.
Because it was a bit insulting.
She held absolutely no ill feelings toward the Master of the Darkwarton Magic Tower. On the contrary, she considered him a comrade with whom she was working to benefit the world.
However… … Reindel Nexreon was an absolute exception.
Heartless eyes rejecting the light.An unbeliever with not even the slightest possibility of harboring faith in the light.
The saint’s pure benevolence is strictly limited to humans capable of becoming believers. She rejects all other beings.She is a staunch humanist based on fanaticism.
thud.
The saint left the church.
Reindel stood still, gazing at the retreating figure of the Saint. At that moment, there was neither anger nor displeasure in his eyes, which held emotion.
It contained only pity.
* * *
The sunset disappeared below the horizon.
Darkness fell.
There was so much to see and do on the night streets of Gargant that I did not return to the mansion. Even after sunset, the day went on.
Hehe.
Dreadmere stopped in front of a small park on the outskirts of Gargant where no one was around.It was quiet.Under the starry night sky, Verden and Isabella sat side by side on a bench.
Isabella fidgeted with her hands.
“Gaju… um, today was really fun. Much more than I expected.”“I had fun, too.”“Really?”
She hesitated.
“Wasn’t it burdensome?”“…….”
I fully know what Isabella’s intention was in asking. Looking at the park illuminated by the stone lanterns, Verden opened his mouth.
“If I had intended to refuse from the start, I would have stayed away and avoided it. Because I cannot accept something I cannot take responsibility for.”
Had he not chosen transcendence, he would have answered Isabella with his true feelings. However, having chosen transcendence, he could not do so.Relationships between men and women, children, family, and so on… Verden, confronting his fate, had not yet been able to envision such a future in his mind.
Isabella asks.
“What if it’s all over?”“I will answer then. I promise.”
sudden.
Isabella grabbed Verden by the collar with all her might. The sound of a kiss on the cheek brushed past her ears.
Just then, midnight passed.
A day has passed.
“With this, the schedule is over…….”
Isabella muttered softly with a bright red face. Verden blinked for a moment, then sat up, smiled, and pulled her by the hand.
“Alright, I shall return now.”“I shall serve you, my lord.”
[Beta. Coachman.]
[All right.]
As soon as the day ended, Adrian, Alpha, and Beta appeared. Isabella, who was barely cooling her flushed face, met Adrian’s eyes.
Adrian covered the corners of his mouth.
“You were quite bold. Indeed…”“Ah, get lost!!”
Isabella swung her arm and struck Adrian in the side. Alpha and Beta hurriedly stopped the Memory Golem and boarded the carriage, while Dreadmere grumbled, urging them to hurry back to the mansion.Indeed.This was the daily life of Verden.
“……!”
Verden snapped his head. He directed his gaze toward the buildings untouched by light. It was only for a split second, but he felt as though something were watching him.
Nothing else is detected. Has it already disappeared?
Even if they searched, they wouldn’t find a single trace.For now, they simply heightened their vigilance.With that, Verden averted his gaze and boarded the carriage as if nothing had happened. The Dreadmere, carrying everyone, moved forward.
… … Swoosh.
Just then, eyes filled with madness rose from the corner of the alley.
The fanatical old man grabbed the sword.
