Episode 836 World Conference: Verden (2)
‘at las…….’
Isabella let out a quiet sigh, rose from the Senate table, and watched Verden walk down the stairs as if to show off.Even though she wasn’t stepping forward herself, she was so nervous she could barely swallow.
The gazes of the attendees and the guards deepened in many ways. Emotions such as wariness, anticipation, curiosity, anxiety, discomfort, goodwill, and hostility stirred.
Killing numerous transcendent beings.Concluding a continental trade agreement through the Kingdom of Estiria.Revising the representative system regarding the coexistence of异형종 (abnormal species).Demonstrating a strong desire to conquer the Demon Realm alongside the Arnak Empire.The Provider’s real name.Deep ties with the Elf race.Physical strength used to intervene and lead mediation during the physical conflict between the Beast King and the Saintess.Dark red magical power presumed to be sorcery… … .
The image Verden has shown so far has truly been the epitome of variables. And now, he has become the subject of the representative system.
With what kind of remarks are they trying to shake the world again?What is their ultimate goal?
Hmm.
Indren, who sought stability more than anyone else, naturally couldn’t help but express his concern. Feeling thirsty for no reason, he couldn’t bring himself to let go of his wine glass.
Unlike him, Feldianne glanced at the Provider, then fixed her gaze back on Verden and smiled broadly.
widely.
As his pitch-black robe fluttered, Verden stood at the center of the world. He felt intense interest, as palpable as the presence detected from all directions.
The Provider said.
“If it is unbearably hot, it blazes; if it is unbearably cold, it freezes. Likewise, when oppression is strong, desire is suppressed until it explodes, and when oppression is weak, desire runs wild. Stability requires a proper balance of symmetry. That is why the necessity of war, which stands in symmetry with peace, was discussed at past world conferences.”“…….”“Blood is shed on an artificial stage according to mutually agreed-upon rules. At the time, the Ruas Theocracy vehemently opposed it, citing the violation of morality and ethics toward humanity that would take place in a barbaric land; however, the vote in favor ultimately overwhelmed the opposition, and the representative system was passed. That is the background behind the birth of the Masterless Land.”
Excessive control leads to rebellion, and unrestricted freedom causes chaos. For this reason, the state controls society to some extent through laws.
A hardline attitude without compromise has significant side effects.
It is not without reason that countries neglect back alleys and the underworld.Of course, while cost and manpower issues are significant, the fundamental reason is that such places also have high utility value, and leaving them alone makes it easier to monitor various sources of instability in the shadows.
If you stir things up rashly, the cockroaches that were not eradicated will simply hide out of sight.
Ownerless land is a kind of outlet that prevents excessive desire from accumulating and bursting—a necessary evil for lasting peace.
“Land without a master is inherently barren. Even if a foreign nation were to claim it as their territory, the poor food supply makes it a place where the losses outweigh the gains. However, once designated as a land without a master, it attracted the world’s attention. Astronomical profits began to emerge through the conflicts among lords vying for control of the land, involving arms exports, labor hiring, and logistics. As the spotlight was fully focused on it, several mines were discovered, further increasing the land’s importance. Of course, there was a sacrifice of the weak behind it, but this was thoroughly ignored because the world had reached a consensus. After all, every outcome is bound to involve sacrifice in one way or another.”
Some attendees nodded in agreement to the providential’s remarks.
“Verden, you must have been aware of the most important rule of these ownerless lands. Yet, using the northern city of Arrain as your pivot, you secretly appeased and purged the rulers of the west, the great lords of the east, and the Southern Alliance of the south to unify the ownerless lands.”“Not wanting the ownerless lands to be unified by a specific ruler is merely an unspoken rule to maintain the conflict. Ignoring it shouldn’t be officially taken issue with.”“That is true. However, it is a fact that the significance of the ownerless lands has faded as a result.”
The existing conflicts disappeared because Verden ascended as the great lord of the ownerless land.
The symmetry of peace has been broken.
Furthermore, the flow of numerous profits generated through ownerless lands was blocked. Notably, the Magic Tower, the nation, and even the underworld suffered a major financial blow.
“When a well-deserved profit is unexpectedly lost, it is often regarded as a loss. Verden, do you intend to take responsibility for this?”“I did nothing wrong, so there is no reason for me to take responsibility.”
Verden looked around.
“And even if that were the case, who would hold me accountable?”
The kings of the House of Representatives, who met the blue eyes for a moment, lowered their gazes or cleared their throats. Some Tower Masters merely frowned and could not answer immediately.
Having always reigned as the strong, they were uncomfortable accepting the perspective of the weak, but thinking rationally, they tried their best to let whatever was said go in one ear and out the other.
What compelled him was the status of divinity.
“At the last General Assembly of the Magic World, the ownerless lands were declared Eon’s domain. This representative system appears on the surface to judge the legitimacy of my actions, but in reality, it merely formalizes the declarations I have already made. Am I wrong?”“…….”
It became quiet all around.
This is the reality.
The Tower Master of the Volcanic Island, who had confronted Verden to pay the ransom for Elder Melconi, who had been defeated by Junia in the past, scratched his eyebrows and let out a small groan.
Damn it. I can’t possibly refute this.
Let’s assume that a vote was taken to reject the legitimacy of Eon, thereby dethroning him from the ownerless land. How would one deal with the immediate fallout?
If Eon withdraws the territory but exercises dominion according to the rules of the ownerless land, there is no way to stop it.
Waging territorial wars to seize land and cities?
It makes no sense to even bring down one of those ten Great Magic Towers. If so, how can one possibly bring down the forces of the Transcendents with such meager military power?Especially Eon, which possesses as many as two Transcendents…
It was evident that unless backed by other transcendent forces, using war as a means would result in irreparable damage.
That is not all.
In responding to the undead outbreak and the Bloodhowl Plague that swept across the continent, Eon surprisingly played a role comparable to that of the Ruas Church. Hecontinues to contribute significantly to reducing the number of casualties from the plague, which is gradually coming under control, through the development of the Bloodhowl Plague mitigation agent and the identification of infected individuals using identification golems.
In addition to the Kingdom of Estiria, the Republic of Beldirn, and the Principality of Liviant, there are quite a few countries and forces that have received help directly or indirectly, such as the Kingdom of Belmair.
Eon’s influence has already taken firm root in the world.
This is especially true when considering the future.
The complete restoration of golem technology lost in ancient times, Eon’s alchemy, friendships with other transcendent beings, alliances with the elves who manage the Great Forest, etc… Whether viewed from the perspective of the magical world or the world, Eon was already one of the axes of the world.
It might have been different if it were a private vote, but voting on ownerless land requires publicly declaring approval or disapproval.Naturally, it was bound to be a burden.Ignoring all of that and openly opposing Eon was madness.
“The necessity of the ownerless land will be fulfilled in a different form by Eon. However, I assert that no one can replace Eon’s place.”“…….”“Therefore, what kind of relationship one forms with Eon, and what one gains and loses, will depend on each individual’s choice.”
Verden put strength into his voice.
“Here, I will propose a motion to abolish the representative system regarding ownerless land.”
Verden, who had proposed a representative system amendment regarding the coexistence of heterologous species at the first small council, still had the authority to raise the agenda one more time.
The Provider pulled his chin.
“I accept. However, as this matter aligns with the legitimacy of Eon’s territory regarding the ownerless land, I will unify it through a single vote.”“No objections.”“Very well. Next, I will proceed with the question-and-answer session.”
Now that the speaker has presented their argument, it is time for rebuttals and questions to follow.
Who would strike first and pound Verden’s defenses? Amidst heavy tension, countless eyes rolled ceaselessly.
Raise your hand, questioner.
As the attendees in the House of Representatives were looking around, a sound was heard from the back. Someone in the Senate had raised their hand.Where the eyes of dozens were directed, Mauler was raising his chin.
“Mauler, Gareth Cyrilliad. Ask your questions.”“There is no room for disagreement as to whether the ownerless lands fall under Eon’s domain. Having unscrupulously settled in long ago and reorganized the system of governance to their own liking, it is now impossible to reverse the situation.”
Mauler agreed with Verden’s argument in a sarcastic tone. It was a remark unbefitting of the leader of Delharun, who was in conflict with Eon’s territory in the Eastern Continent.
“Fine, do as you please with this ownerless land, Verden. After all, you are a Transcendent being, so naturally, I should acknowledge that right. Though you are being a bit too greedy.”
At that moment, Mauler lowered his voice.
“But… there is one thing that needs to be properly clarified before the vote.”
Emperor Jeracle watched the situation as if he had expected this to happen.The real point was something else entirely.It was a moment that made one curious about what pretext he intended to use to hold Verden back.
“What is the relationship between Eon and the Society?”
The moment Mauler began his revelation, Adrian’s expression turned cold.
It’s finally barking.
* * *
The Society was not a publicly known organization of wizards, but any force with even a modicum of influence had heard of it.The ones who saw through their true nature the most deeply were none other than the Ten Great Magic Towers.
Zentir, the Tower Master, tilted his head slightly and furrowed his brow.
“If you mean the Society… are you referring to the aforementioned anti-Magic Tower forces?”
Over time, the Society had interfered with the Magic Tower’s activities quite a few times. It was not a serious problem, but it was enough to be considered a thorn in the side.
Above all, the reason the existence of the Society was unsettling was that they harbored impure motives to overthrow the Magic Tower system.
Recently, a series of rapidly changing events have occurred in the magical world, and the world has been in chaos. Perhaps because of that, the Society had quieted down, so I had forgotten about it for a while… …I never dreamed that the name of that organization would come up at the World Conference.
The Master of the Hellion Magic Tower muttered.
“By the way, a connection between the Society and Eon…?”“It seems you have never come across that information. It is a waste of the Magic Tower’s reputation. To think you didn’t even know there was a traitor within.”“A traitor?”
Larian the Tower Master was terrified, asking what that meant.
Mauler grinned.
“멜라드 타스티엔과 오스가르 파르건에 이어 소사이어티의 창설자 중 한 명인 오스테아 마탑주, 메드란트 케덴. 안 그러냐? 에온의 개새끼야.”
Medrant narrowed his eyes with a calm expression.
Just as I expected.
A brief silence fell, then the atmosphere boiled over again in a different way.
“W-What?!”“The Master of the Ostea Magic Tower is a member of the Society? And on top of that, the first member of the Black Hour and even the former War Lord of the Arnark Empire…?”“You don’t mean to say that the Arnark Empire and the Black Hour have been connected to the Society for a long time?”“That can’t be…! Medrant! Get up and explain yourself!
The Tower Masters went into a frenzy, spitting as they went wild.
Even while asking Medrant for the reason, they arbitrarily found a reason for Medrant’s betrayal of the Magic Tower system and fitted it into their logic.
‘Ostea Tower is the lowest-ranked magic tower.”As the lowest in the hierarchy, it has suffered a lot of unfair treatment. So, it has no choice but to hate the magic tower system.”Surely that must be its justification.’
It is not that I do not understand Medrant Keden’s choice, but that is all. As the master of the Magic Tower, I absolutely cannot overlook that act of betrayal that seeks the downfall of the Ten Great Magic Towers.
The Hellion Tower Master shouted.
“Medrant Keden, if you have a mouth, speak!”
As expected, the reaction of the Tower Masters is severe. The political situation in the magical world has instantly spiraled into its worst phase, just as Mauler intended.
Just then, the magician, who had been leisurely observing the situation, subtly raised a question.
“Wait, so you mean the Society tried to collapse the Ten Great Magic Towers system from within under Eon’s orders…?”
The eyes of the Tower Masters were fixed on one spot.
“As one of the masters of the Ten Great Magic Towers, I ask. Is that statement true?”“It is true that the Society was integrated into Eon along with Black Hour.”
Verden readily admitted to the controversy.
“… … ? What is it?”
Mauler found that arrogant attitude, as if asking what the problem was, somehow irritating. Surely there was no way to escape the Society’s problems.
“You showed hostility toward the current Magic World at the General Assembly. Even so, how could you openly embrace a terrorist group seeking to dismantle the Magic Tower system—”“The Society is founded on the reform of the times. And their essence is no different from your Magic Towers. They pursue the ideology of the ‘First Magic Tower,’ which delved into and researched magic for the sake of the people.”
Verden gazed at the faces of the Tower Masters, who were filled with rage.
“However, most of the current Magic Towers are so consumed by selfishness that they have forgotten their roots. Just like the human experiments led by the former Lord of the Bohemian Tower. In that sense, the Society is actually more suitable for the position of a Magic Tower.”“What, what sophistry!”“That is going too far!”
bang!
Gentir, the Tower Master, Sigril slammed his fist on the House table.
“Holy One!! By what right do you say such things!!”“Deus Widen.”
Verden raised his gaze.
“What is the current number of magic towers?”
The Tower Masters paused in bewilderment at the sudden and absurd question.
“Numbers? Of course there are ten magic towers…….”
The Provider answered.
“It’s eleven.”“……???”
Not the 10 Great Magic Towers, but the 11 Great Magic Towers?
“Well. What do you mean?”
Even if I count by folding my fingers, the number of magic towers does not exceed two hands. That cannot be. How can 10 become 11?
The Provider continued speaking.
Throughout history, numerous magic towers have been born and fallen across the continent. In this current era of magic, ten magic towers reign over the continent, yet… spanning both the past and the present, there has always existed a single magic tower whose demise was never definitively confirmed, even if it merely vanished. Always, without fail.
Ostea Magic Tower.Helion Magic Tower.Diamun Magic Tower.Larian Magic Tower.Volcanic Island Magic Tower.Zentir Magic Tower.Bohemirn Magic Tower.Darkwarton Magic Tower.Artisan Magic Tower.Lefragium Magic Tower.
and.
The first magic tower.
“……!”
The first magic tower ever built was mentioned. Indren got goosebumps for a moment. The attention of all attendees was drawn into the conversation between Verden and the Provider.
Verden asks again.
“Then, how many Tower Masters attended the World Conference?”“Last time, there were 10.”
The Provider spoke in a low voice.
“Assuming the Bohemian Tower and the Diamun Tower are normal, it is 11 this time.”“That is my answer, Sigril.”
Verden revealed his new identity, obtained in the Desert of Silence, to the whole world.
“The first Master of the Magic Tower—that is my qualification.”
Verden is also the clear master of the magic tower.
