Episode 863 Rapid Progress (9)
What happened?
[Cough!]
Aerodon belatedly realized the pressure against which he dared not resist. His body and soul were overwhelmed. No voice came out. It was not so much thathis throat was firmly gripped, but rather that the bewilderment was too great.
The being that suddenly emerged from the power source had an indistinct appearance due to some kind of magic, but… … it bore a striking resemblance to the presence in the memory of that day about 330 years ago when Aerodon met his physical death.
At that moment, I felt a slight sense of relief.
[Ke, Keheuk. O, Olda, Oldarc… … .]
Aerodon flailed its wings and legs, slumping almost limply. It was disoriented. It was practically hanging from Oldark’s hand.Even for a hatchling, it looked helpless, unbefitting of a dragon.
It is the natural order of things.
Because Aerodon is merely prey in front of a monster that even the four great Elder Dragons cannot defeat.
However, just because a battle was completely impossible, the Sky Dragon was not so weak-willed as to be too terrified to say a word.
[I don’t know why… … you are here, but… … .]
Aerodon’s gaze was still almost fixed on the source of the power. At least for now, that aggregation of magical energy was more important than Oldark.
[Are you out of your mind… …?!]
My mind is clearer than anything, Sky Dragon Aerodon+
Oldarc opened his grip. The Aerodon, having tumbled to the ground, took a deep breath, clutched its throat, and choked.With tears welling up slightly, the creature shouted without even catching its breath.
[You bastard Oldarc! To think that, to think such a crazy thing is possible… … absurd! It’s impossible! Absolutely not! Once ‘you’ fully wake up, you’ll realize it the moment… … ! Are you planning to wage an all-out war against ‘you’ in this era!!]
Oldark, having emerged from the magic tower’s power source, looked down at Aerodon as if addressing a child.Though his appearance may have been indistinct, his nobility could not be hidden.
I oppose the concept of fate, but it is a predetermined future. The War of Destiny is a ceasefire, not an end to the war, since neither I nor ‘you’ have died yet.
[I know that too!!]
Aerodon got up.
[But! Even if you have risen from defeat and are fully prepared, the difference in power is stark. Of course! You think you can close that gap? By using such a ridiculous ‘weapon’? I’ll say it again! That is an insane idea that even ‘you’ wouldn’t consider—]
Aerodon suddenly shut its mouth.
Think of your own business.
Oldarc might not have established the power source to kill ‘you’.There is something more to it.After all, the First Demon King can see much, much further than you can.
Saaaa… … .
A chilling, strange flow trickled down the sky-blue scales. As soon as Aerodon noticed it, it opened its eyes wide.
That, taboo!!
According to what Aerodon discovered in the past, one of the conditions for qualifying for the Forbidden is to reach transcendence by one’s own choice.
Oldarc naturally possessed the stature of transcendence, but she did not know how to truly handle taboos. This was because she had never heard of or seen such a thing.
‘Huh? No, wait. This isn’t the taboo I know. The Observing Being… I don’t feel the energy of the World Tree at all… ?’
Was a taboo not an absolute rule and law applicable to the world, and a vain will reflected through the World Tree?
Anyway, it is dangerous.
Ultimately, if you touch upon a taboo and cross the line, you never know what will happen. Not only must you refrain from speaking about it, but you must also be careful about thinking about the subject.
Aerodon took two steps back, channeling all his thoughts into reality.Oldark remained standing, staring at the Sky Dragon.
I have no idea what’s going on.
This situation.That secret.That being.
Fear seeping from the unknown consumed Aerodon’s mind. He swallowed hard and asked in the strongest tone possible.
[What on earth is the purpose?]
Oldark answered.
+Hope+
Kiiiiiiiing.
As Aerodon entered, the door to the engine room, which had been closed, opened. An unfamiliar magical energy was felt. Someone had entered!Aerodon, who had been distracted by Oldakr, turned his head in realization.
“Who dares to set foot in the Hellion Magic Tower!”
Ulkar Duin, Commander of the 1st Combat Division of the Hellion Magic Tower, aimed his staff.He immediately launched a response without warning.
Mado
Sharp, heavy whirlwinds imbued with earth attributes spun and shot out from three directions. Their destructive power was enough to instantly pierce through even a formidable magical castle gate.
Ulkar is the second-in-command of the Hellion Magic Tower and one of the top experts in siege magic.
Shhhhhhh!
With a sound that tore through the air, a unique spell passed over Aerodon’s head. Ulkar had judged, based solely on instinct, who to subdue first before scrutinizing his opponent closely.
At this… … Oldark moved her head slightly.
The gaze was directed at Ulkar.
Whoosh!
The magical form reverted back to magical power, and the magic channel was forcibly closed. All functions of the magical power circuit ceased temporarily.The magical power did not budge.The legs supporting his weight gave way, and Ulkar collapsed.
There was no strength to resist. There was no time to sense the gap or tremble in fear. There wasn’t even time for one’s breathing to twist irregularly.The speed of reaction of the body and mind simply could not keep up with the situation.
Rolling…
Immediately afterwards, the staff rolled out of the hand of the 6th-rank high-ranking mage. The chill of the silence seemed to lick Aerodon’s tail.
Oldarc snapped her hand.
Memory Manipulation
Recent memories emerging from Ulkar’s head were manifested through magical power and unfolded. Various visualized scenes were distorted or erased moment by moment.In this way, newly edited false memories seeped back into Ulkar’s head.
[Did you tamper with my memories…? Doesn’t that kind of magic require one… or the opponent to pay a price for magical balance? With that power, some of that sorcerer’s brain functions must have been damaged. You are truly wicked…!]
Causing physical or mental damage as the price of memory magic is a shallow level. True magical beings regulate balance through ‘constraints.’ Whether by providing the opponent with deserved memories or limiting the number of times they can be designated as a target of memory magic…
Ulkar, who had lost consciousness, periodically rose and fell.His breathing was normal.His physical functions were intact, and he appeared to have no mental issues.
Aerodon, who had been blinking his eyes to verify if Oldarc’s teachings were true, was startled and moved a little further away from him.
[Do you mean to think you’re trying to manipulate my memories too?! You bastard Oldarc! If you think the truth will be hidden that way, you are greatly mistaken!]
I have no intention of touching your memories.
Oldark spoke in a low voice.
+Since my
[……what?]
Aerodon opened its mouth blankly.The corners of its eyes trembled.
[What do you mean… … I mean, you’re saying you’ve already manipulated my memories… … ? W-When on earth?]
Aerodon opened its eyes wide.
[Surely not on the day you killed me?!]
Your eyes can see many things. Beyond their station. That is why you don’t truly know much, and you become interested in things you shouldn’t dare look at.
Oldark approached and gently stroked Aerodon’s head. It felt as though he were being treated like a pet, but Aerodon could not shake off the hand.
[My body… … where was it used?]
+To Part of Hope+
Clang!
Chains made of concepts brushed past the Aerodon’s presence. A sound like something locking echoed in the soul.
Knowledge that remains silent is as if it does not exist in the world. You will be safe. As long as you do not force yourself to speak later.
The essence of the Magic Tower’s power source. And the sudden meeting between Aerodon and Oldark and the conversation they shared were sealed as a taboo.
Oldark turns her back and walks away.
Aerodon, gazing at the unclear figure of the first Demon King, hurriedly asked.
[Verden! With the power source of the Bohemian Magic Tower gone, the Wheel of Fortune has collapsed! Was this all your and the World Tree’s plan?!]
+Verden+
Oldarc stopped walking.
A single human rejected fate and utilized the power source at will. It was a variable that neither ‘you’ nor I dared to anticipate. Using the World Conference to sever the threads of destiny, taking my alter ego—created with positive ideology—as my master, and much more.
He, who was called the primordial wizard, gazed at the power source of the Hellion Magic Tower.
So I am interpreting it.
[Verden?]
+It is a wizard’s instinct to unravel the unknown+
Oldarc continued speaking.
After the wheel of fate fell that day, I am retracing my steps starting from the territory of Baron Paite in the Principality of Liviant, which is presumed to be the starting point of Verden. Perhaps because it has been a long time since I traveled in a straight line, it was quite enjoyable.
Aerodon swallowed hard at the new fact that none other than Oldark himself was personally examining Verden’s past.
[Ha, you have nothing to do, Oldarc. Is it really okay to spend your time so leisurely? What if ‘you’ wake up?]
‘You’ have already opened your eyes. And the more I intervene in reality, the faster ‘your’ sleeping consciousness will be drawn beyond the boundary.
The power source emits light.
Signs began to appear.
Oldark moved forward again.
If you want to see hope, survive until the end.
Paaaaat!
The blue light bursting from the magic tower’s power source.
When Aerodon, who had momentarily covered his face, opened his eyes again… … Oldarc’s form and presence had vanished without a trace.Only a quietly flickering power source filled his sky-blue pupils.
An empty silence slowly settled down.Deep into the dragon’s scales.That sensation made me realize that the situation just moments before was not a dream, but reality.
[… … I’m ruined.]
Aerodon glared at the power source, gritted his teeth, and hurriedly left the power room. Regardless, the power source protected the foundation of the magic tower.
It was some time later that Ulkar Duin woke up in front of the power source.
* * *
“I heard that an abnormal magical energy wave emanated from the power source of the Helion Magic Tower, causing the personnel on duty in the power room to lose consciousness, and that Ulkar Duin, sensing the power, entered the room alone and barely managed to resolve the situation.”
The meeting between the Arnak Empire and the Helion Magic Tower, originally scheduled to conclude in the early evening, was interrupted due to an unexpected situation.
It is because an unexplained problem occurred in the power source.
Given that there had been a case of a power source runaway at the Bohemian Magic Tower… upon receiving a direct report from Ulkar, the Lord of the Hellion Magic Tower evacuated everyone without the slightest hesitation.
If he did not conceal the information, the reputation of the Helion Magic Tower might suffer, but if the power source were to run wild and all the high-ranking mages, including himself, were to die, it would be the end.
How are we supposed to bear the responsibility if we even hesitate and the Emperor of the Arnak Empire or the Sword of Arnak suffers the slightest harm?
Reputation and safety.
It was obvious which of the two was important.
After hearing such a polite explanation of the situation from Triton Martus, Emperor Xeracle, who had set off on his journey back home early, tilted his head.
“Aerodon, are you the cause?”
Aerodon, having safely joined the group outside the Hellion Magic Tower, rolled his eyes to the side.
[I know nothing. I didn’t do it.]
“…….”
Emperor Jeracle narrowed his eyes.
So, what did you find out from the power source?
[that…….]
Aerodon scratched his cheek.
[Um, I need some time to sort things out.]
“how much.”
[A bit too much… … No, quite a lot? So, stop worrying about the power source for the time being. I’ll teach you anything else you need… … .]
Aerodon continued to hesitate. The confident demeanor he usually displayed, shouting “I am a Sky Dragon!”, was almost entirely absent.
Grand Duke Rivandale asked with just a glance what he would do.
Emperor Zeracl shook his head.
Once Aerodon had decided to keep its mouth shut, breaking the silence was virtually impossible. In this respect, dragons were a very tricky species.
‘He must have obtained some information from the Magic Tower’s power source… I’ll have to figure out a way to break that tightly shut mouth.’
While Emperor Xeracle was coming up with a solution of his own, Aerodon pondered, recalling what Oldark had said.
Finding out which parts of my memory were manipulated is a problem, but revealing the truth means instant death without fail. Even thinking deeply could lead to death. It seems Verden is a much more important figure than I thought… Even if I wanted to give him information, there is no way. What should I do? What should I do? To think Oldark is on the move, and ‘you’ have already woken up…!
At this rate, the second half of the battle of destiny will unfold before long. There is almost no chance that an Aerodon, being nothing more than a hatchling, will survive.Even if it were an adult, nine out of ten would die, so what could it possibly do with such a small body?
How on earth am I supposed to do this?
However, what Aerodon needed was not an ally to protect him. There was absolutely no expectation that Verden could accomplish anything in the war between that ‘you’ and Oldark.
If the war resumes, the world will be devastated.
How can I get out of the continent?
Aerodon needed a ‘safe place’ completely free from the influence of the world.
* * *
Sky Island, Ark.
The Five Captains of the Ark—the Watcher of the World, Daricia Stella, was lost in deep thought in her room, holding a writing instrument.The corners of her eyes, covered by a soft gray cloth, twitched occasionally.
“The sound of this one seems good…… and as for the meaning…… I think this one would suit that person. So, if I combine these words……”
Swoosh, swish.
Although Daricia is blind, she possesses an extraordinary vision worthy of being called the Watcher. Writing on paper was no difficult task for her.
The second hand kept moving.
yet.
“……! Done.”
The name, which she had agonized over for months and refined over the past few weeks, finally took shape in her elegant cursive.No matter how many times she repeated it to herself, no better combination of words came to mind.
Darcia gave a gentle smile.It was a smile for the new colleague.
“They will surely like this, right?”
The Watcher of the World, the fifth captain of the Ark, completed the proper name referring to the sixth captain of the Ark.
