Episode 829 World Conference: The Pledge of Truth (2)
In the Senate, it appears that the Adventurer’s Guild, the Bank, the Iderat Alliance, and Prohas did not participate in the Pledge of Truth in order to remain neutral.
In addition, since having more participants from the same faction was actually disadvantageous, the Ruas Theocracy and the Arnak Empire each sent exactly one representative.
On top of that, even the Lefragium Magic Tower.
Verden gazed at the entire meeting room and took a sip of red wine. He pondered the reason why the Provider had attended this oath.
Of all the attendees at the World Conference, the Magic Tower of Lefragium holds the most secrets.Compared to the No. 1 Magic Tower, which adheres to extreme mysticism, whatever Verden and the Ruas Church have hidden would be nothing.
By all accounts, the Lefragium Magic Tower is in the most disadvantageous situation. Does this mean it is here because it is worth taking such a risk? Perhaps there is a way to bypass the oath.
To be honest, I don’t think even the Provider can completely deceive the attention of the transcendents gathered here.
It is, after all, a story of possibility.
It was Verden’s long-standing habit to consider even the impossible.
In any case, the Provider would not have sworn the Pledge of Truth merely for fun, like some others. Given the circumstances, questions might be directed at the Provider.However, who seizes that opportunity depends on the roll of the dice.
Verden doesn’t like leaving things to chance, but since they were all in the same boat this time, he didn’t really have any strong objections.
When my turn comes, who to ask and what to ask.If a question comes, how to answer.
Verden established a central outline in his mind and roughly organized it.
Focusing on a plan from start to finish makes you vulnerable to variables.
Verden had no intention of skipping the Pledge of Truth in the first place, but unlike the Lefragium Magic Tower, he was effectively forced to take the oath.
The Kingdom of Luas is not the only prey the King has chosen. Now that he has become a target, he needs to prepare for even unforeseen variables.
And now it is the King of Water’s turn.
“Number 5, King of Water, Antias. Ask your question.”“…….”
As the event progresses, the Water King’s distinctive pupils move slowly, very slowly. In stark contrast, the thoughts of the transcendents flow rapidly.
Will it point out the suspicion that Verden killed a large number of transcendent beings, or will it dig into the fact that the Luas religion concealed a certain group called the Glory of the Corpse… … .
The participants, unaware of the inside story, did not hide their suspicion and interest.
What other eccentricities will King Su perform?
The atmosphere of the world conference hit rock bottom again and again because of the Water King, but on the other hand, it was also purely enjoyable.
It is not fitting for powerful beings who reign over the continent to discuss and reach a conclusion in a friendly manner.
This place is the site of vortices.
If you get caught in a vortex, you have no choice but to collide. Whether you get torn to shreds unable to withstand the shock or smash others to pieces, it is up to your own capabilities.
This is truly the world.
Gareth Cyrilliad.
… … !
King Su himself singled out Mauler, who was neither a Verden nor a Luas follower. Receiving the gaze of 14 people, King Su smirked and stuffed a handful of cookies into his mouth.
“You only throw meat at those with teeth.”
Crunch crunch.
In other words, it meant that if they were so curious, they should seize the opportunity to ask questions and interrogate them. It was a message that he had thrown them bait and told them to fend for themselves.Some of them twitched their eyelids at the sight of being thoroughly dragged along by the Beast King’s intentions.
Mauler spat on the floor.
“That damn proverb. Stop bullshitting and just ask, you beast.”“You definitely should have died.”
King Su lowered his voice and abruptly brought up Mauler’s death. This was an extension of the conversation briefly shared at the beginning of the World Conference.
I clearly slit your heart, and you fell down a cliff where not even the bottom was visible. Even if you hadn’t died instantly, you shouldn’t have lasted long before dying. How did you survive? What was in that abyss?
Your intuition must have dulled.
I wonder if that is really the case.
Long ago, the King of Water and Mauler engaged in a life-or-death one-on-one battle, and Mauler suffered a crushing defeat. He appears to have sustained a fatal wound that was close to instant death.However, just as he is alive and breathing here now, he ultimately survived.
King Su was denying that outright.
“As my fingernails tore apart your heart and organs, I clearly felt the Transcendental’s homeostasis shatter. Just moments ago, I even tore out your nerves to render you unable to move properly. And on top of that, you fell from that height. No matter how regenerative you are, there was absolutely no chance of survival.”“…….”“You say my intuition has dulled? That can’t be.”
The Water King revealed a murderous intent. The hunter’s gaze, filled with conviction, glared at Mauler.His vicious pupils split vertically.
“How on earth are you still alive, Gareth?”
* * *
King Su’s heavy question was posed.
He was the one who had always disrupted this situation with a dignified yet playful attitude.But this time, it was different.The Water King’s voice, which resonated low like a growl, was infinitely serious.
Silence engulfed the meeting room.
“…….”
Mauler glared at the Water King with deep shadows around his eyes.
The moment of my death comes to mind.Facing death, everything I saw at the bottom of the abyss flickers before my eyes.
Kkuguguk.
My body tensed naturally, and my forearms split along the grain. My large fist, with the distinct shapes of bone and tendons, twitched.
The oath of truth shone upon Mauler.
“……I refuse to answer.”
Mauler exercised his veto power starting from the King’s first question.
That was also a kind of answer.
There are circumstances regarding how Mauler survived that cannot be revealed to the outside world. If he had simply survived by luck, there would be no reason to hide it.
This is the meaning of making a vow of truth.
The moment you respond to the question in any way, new information is bound to be revealed. Here, it was confirmed that there is a secret to Mauler’s survival.
King Su let out a low, amused laugh, saying he had expected that.
“I see. Did someone help you?”
[Seventh Rule — All answers must include new information related to the question. Even when refusing to answer, the reason must be briefly explained.]
Mauler said, veins bulging in his neck.
I cannot say its identity.
The seventh covenant was satisfied by Mauler directly acknowledging that there was assistance, even though his identity could not be revealed.
“So you are saying that, in the end, someone’s hand saved your life. If so, I can understand it a little… but thinking about it, it just doesn’t make sense that there was someone capable of treating you down at the bottom of that dizzying cliff. It’s like the leaves rustling even though the wind has stopped.”
Clang!
The bowl of cookies thrown by Mauler passed by the King of Water’s head and crashed into the wall. The sound of shattering pottery brushed past his ears.
“다른 새끼한테 질문이나 해라. 괜히 떠보지 말고.”“그럴 생각이다. 규약이 그러하니.”“……개새끼가.”
Is the Beast King’s instinct to so nonchalantly offend a transcendent being with his glib tongue?It was an unfamiliar sight to everyone, including Verden, to see their strong patience turned upside down so easily.
The Provider said.
Re-select the subject of your question.
[Fourth Rule — Each participant may ask only one question. However, if a question is denied, they may ask another participant.]
The Water King was given a second opportunity to ask a question. Once again, a gaze searching for prey flashed across his face. Then, that wild instinct focused on one spot.
Lord of the Lefragium Magic Tower.
… … ?!
King Su pointed at Seoprija. With a belligerent voice, sharp, gleaming claws aimed from a distance as if to pierce Seoprija’s neck.
“I’ve heard you are an acclaimed 8th-tier transcendent being, though it has never been confirmed with my own eyes. Do you… do you think you are the strongest here?”“Partly not, but.”
The answer was immediate.
Overall, that is the case.
The Provider declared that he was the first among all human species and the official transcendents.
Whoosh!
The eyes on the ceiling gazed at the Provider, emitting a bright light. It was as if they were praising that unhesitating answer.
The oath proved the truth.
That’s quite a bit of confidence.
The Water King wagged his tail and licked his teeth.His eyes conveyed a desire to fight.Although they didn’t say it outright, some transcendent beings showed a similar reaction. After all, you never know the outcome unless you fight them directly.
However… after a while, the spirit of defiance toward the Provider vanished, and only feelings for the Water King took root in his heart.
It is only natural that the Provider considers himself the strongest.After all, he is an 8th-tier transcendent being.Even though there are no actual records of that level being witnessed, everyone knows that the Provider is on a different level from other transcendent beings.
If that is the case, was that really necessary to be asked?
I just wasted the opportunity for nothing.
Now, unless the Provider exercises his veto power, he will be able to answer the question just one more time and be no longer questioned, and will be able to keep the oath of truth.
At that fact, the participants of the oath deliberately wore expressions of displeasure.Verden was also quite annoyed.
“Oh dear. The questions are already over. I have to pass the turn, so I’ll roll the dice.”
The Water King, bearing the full weight of hostility, held up a giant die with a mocking smile.It was obvious he did it on purpose.He was openly mocking the curiosity of the transcendents regarding the Provider.
“Wow, you really have a true personality. You’re even worse than me.”
Ignacia laughed heartily and spoke with complete honesty. Arcul, the leader of the Red Volcano Clan sitting next to Emperor Zeracl, also added his personal opinion.
I really want to beat the hell out of this.
The Saintess nodded involuntarily at the dwarf’s sincerity. Regardless, the Beast King pulled his arm behind his back and threw the dice.
Whoosh───!
The dice shot out at furious speed and traced a clean straight line. At the end of that path was none other than Verden.
Verden dominated space, briefly grasped the dice, and bent its momentum into a curve.
The dice spun along the curve of the meeting hall at a sharper speed than before and instantly landed in front of the King of Water’s temple.
The Water King caught it again and threw it. This time, the dice flew toward the Saintess.Bang!The dice slammed into the floor of the meeting hall as the Saintess swung her hand.
“What are you doing?”“What are you doing?”
King Su held up his wine glass.
It just added some entertainment.
Suwang gulped down Magnus Bank Mountain red wine and assessed his opponent by instinct. The taste of the wine, which he was tasting for the first time, awakened his wild nature.
“For a magic-based and faith-based being, their physical reaction speeds are unusually outstanding. As expected, both seem to possess overall physical abilities strong enough to rival those of a martial arts transcendent being.”
The Water King had a deep interest in transcendent beings of human origin. Their strength was sufficient to soothe the Water King’s long-standing boredom.
As a result, I failed to kill Mauler, but I enjoyed it sufficiently in my own way. Now that I have experienced a transcendent being of the martial arts realm, the next steps are the magic and faith realms.
Well, I plan to take my time and enjoy it.
Fortunately, there are as many as a dozen transcendents in this era. Perhaps we might face a battle unlike anything we have experienced before…
The scale is 8.
The Provider proceeded with the oath without intervening in the slightest, as if to prove that his promise not to take issue with a certain degree of emotional friction was true.The die, flung by the Saint’s hand and slammed into the floor, showed exactly an 8.
“Number 8, Guardian of the World Tree, Serendia. Ask.”
It was the elf’s turn.
Provider.
Serendia chose her opponent without hesitation, as if she had been waiting for this moment. Having selected the same questioning target as the Beast King, she parted her lips.
If the Provider answers, he will be released from the oath of truth. Sighs escaped from all around at the thought that a valuable opportunity, or a spectacle, had been missed.
However, Serendia’s question was strange.
“Is the Archdemon of Prostitutes, Ifeakarn, in the Demon Realm?”“……Huh?”
The Saintess opened her eyes wide. She never imagined the word “Archdemon” would come from an Elf. And a Archdemon of a Prostitute at that….Reflexively, the Saintess turned her head toward the Provider, the respondent.
Providence answered a little late.
“……I refuse to answer.”“Why?”“……Confirmation is dangerous.”
It was a brief reason that could hardly be called an explanation, but Serendia asked the other participants as if satisfied with it.
“Verden.”“I am listening.”“If the elves do not betray you, will you protect them to the very end, no matter what happens?”
Verden was only surprised for a moment, and his answer came without the slightest delay.It was because the question asked was so obvious.
Of course.
The oath says.That it is the truth.
Serendia gave a gentle smile.
“Thank you. I will end my questions here.”
Unlike the Water King, Serendia took the dice and threw them without provoking anyone. The dice spun one after another at the center of everyone.
The situation unfolded so quickly that it seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, but no participant failed to understand the moment immediately preceding it.
Ignacia blinked.
“No, I mean. Are you saying there is a Great Demon of Courtesans in the Demon Realm? Right now?”
There is a great demon in the Demon Realm.
and.
The Elven high command baffled the Provider just a little. What on earth was the relationship between the Elves and the Lord of the Lefragium Magic Tower?And what about Verden, who seemed to be caught in the middle?
What is the truth?
The dice roll.
