Episode 871 Blood Relations? (2)
Magic is a discipline that requires research.
Just as humans differ in their ways of thinking even though the substances composing their biological tissues are identical, individual differences exist even within the common system of hierarchical magic.
This gap is maximized in the form of Madou.
Like the countless stars embroidered in the night sky, there is no end to the possibilities of magic. In this regard, there is a passage in the sayings of the First Demon King that reads as follows.
The mystery will continue even outside the world.
To use a race analogy, there is no finish line in magic. You must keep moving forward forever. Even if you sometimes look back, stop, or collapse from exhaustion, you must ultimately keep moving steadfastly forward.For if you give up, that is the end.
That is generally why wizards get stronger as they get older.
Reaching a higher level than others and wielding powerful magic is not the only path. Silently exploring magic for decades is also a talent.
The world calls that effort.
“However, as you all know, effort comes with a due price. Throughout history, various magical groups have attempted to revive ancient magical techniques, but have repeatedly been frustrated by the walls of reality. In the competitive society of the magical world, waiting without clear results inevitably leads to obsolescence.”
The Director of the Investigation Bureau continued speaking.
“At the last General Assembly of the Magic World, the Star of Eon spoke thus. That we are restricting the freedom of magic ourselves by pursuing only profit… Indeed, it was a phrase that penetrated this era. I think so.” “…….”“The improvement in efficiency has accelerated the progress of the times, but it has diminished the diversity of development. This is both the positive function and the harmful consequence of the efficiency that the modern era takes for granted. Therefore, as a nation that pursues the unknown and carries on the legacy of the First Magic King, the Archenad Magic Kingdom has spared no effort to never forget the fundamentals of magic. As you can see.”
The Director of the Investigation Bureau introduced the magic experiments being conducted at Centrum. Of course, excluding top secrets, these were the ones that could be officially presented.
The revealed magic testing grounds of Centrum consisted of 11 zones.Scrolls, golems, magical items, artifacts, magic stone conversion experiments… As you can see, among them, the restoration of magic lost in the past was also underway.
Beta looked around the Golem laboratory from a distance.
[The most important power core of the artificial golem is missing. Magical experiments are being conducted only on the artificial golem’s frame.]
“We were originally engrossed in nuclear research as well, but now there is no longer a need for that. This is because artificial golems beyond our imagination have reappeared in this era.”
The core of an artificial golem is not used merely as a power source. In this context, the core serves as both the heart and the brain in humans.It is the key element that supplies magical power to the frame while simultaneously determining its thoughts and actions.
Then how can the functions of the brain and the heart be combined?
I don’t know.
Not only the Akenad Magic Kingdom, but also the Artisan Magic Tower, which ranked second overall among the Ten Great Magic Towers solely through magical technology, failed.All they managed to complete was an artificial golem that merely repeated one-dimensional actions.
When attempting to imbue the power with intelligence, the estimated number of errors was countless. It was to the point where I couldn’t even begin to figure out where to start improving.
In the midst of this, technology several steps ahead of modern golem technology emerged.
Although I just spoke about the downsides of efficiency, it is still part of the magic. Just as the saying goes, “the right person in the right place,” isn’t the foundation of society complementing each other’s shortcomings with one’s individual strengths?
Verden said.
“So you want to export that to us.”“I saw a golem unit responsible for maintaining order in an ownerless land. Considering the magical principles and sophistication that defy common sense, I imagine that production, repairs, and maintenance would require a lot of manpower.”
While the Director of the Investigation Bureau’s view was valid, the First Demon King’s Golem Research Facility, which Alpha oversees, is equipped with mass production capabilities.As long as there are enough materials, the same type of golem can be easily manufactured.
In other words, there is no significant advantage to importing the frames developed by Centrum. The Magic Kingdom was likely aware of this to some extent.
Verden thought so, but… it was Alpha and Beta, not him, who decided matters regarding the Golem sector in Eon.
“That’s what they say. What do you guys think?”
[Not needed for existing Golem units.]
Alpha said it flatly.
The Director of the Investigation Bureau showed a look of regret but was not disappointed. After all, the Golem Frame currently under development was the result of researching the architectural technology of the Magic Kingdom.Even if it is not an artificial Golem, it can be usefully applied in other fields.
It was then.
[However, frame manufacturing technology is a separate matter. It is well worth researching. We believe it can be utilized to design new forms of artificial golems.]
“……!”
The architectural technology boasted by the Magic Kingdom is rooted in the era of the first Magic King, and over the course of hundreds of years, successive Magic Kings reinterpreted this technology to create a variety of architectural techniques.What Alpha, who possessed the knowledge of the first Magic King, was interested in was precisely that diversity.
Verden said.
“I will discuss the Golem technology matter with the Demon King. Let’s move on.”“Thank you. Then, I will continue with the tour.”
The Director of the Investigation Bureau politely bowed and introduced the publicly disclosed magic experiments one by one. Alpha and Beta asked questions occasionally, and Verden showed particular interest in the research related to scrolls.
Adrian and Isabella continued their tour leisurely, as if they were on a sightseeing trip.
Levana was anxious inwardly, wondering when an incident would break out.
After looking around the Centrum’s laboratories, I also toured laboratories related to various fields of magic and landscaping facilities such as gardens.
Turn from left to right, draw a curve following a straight line, and penetrate the center where four of the six lines intersect… … .
Verden accelerated his thoughts as he looked at the spot he had passed about an hour ago. The location of the Centrum facility flashed through his mind.
The movement path is inefficient.
Since I did walk quite a bit, there might be some overlapping parts of the route. However, if I looked closely, I could have shortened the actual travel distance a little more.
Is it to fill the gap until the dinner?Or is there another reason?
Whatever the case, it was clear that there was an intention behind it. The Director of the Investigation Bureau of the Akenad Magic Bureau was not the type of person to overlook such a trivial detail.
Verden was contemplating whether or not to sound out the Director of the Investigation Bureau.
“Have you ever seen a War Mage of the Arnark Empire?”
Adrian answered the Director of Investigation’s question.
“I have seen them.”“War Mages operate Ki and Magic Power simultaneously; they are those who transcend the extremes of Magic Manipulation to wield a technique known as Magic Control. They are truly combat mages specialized for actual battle. The boldness of wielding two conflicting forces is impressive. However, precisely because of that, it is difficult to regard them as pure mages.”“So.”“I will show you what distinguishes the mages of the Magic Kingdom from War Mages and other mages.”
The Director of the Investigation Bureau bowed slightly politely and spoke firmly.
I will escort you to the Centrum training grounds.
* * *
The reason the first Demon King is revered is not merely because he reached the 9th rank. His reputation is based on clear records.
Before the Arkenad Magic Kingdom was founded.Before he was called the first Magic King.
There were powerful figures on the continent who stood in opposition to Oldarc Ruin Akenad.They were those who did not believe his rumors, those who believed them but were arrogant, and those who challenged him despite believing them.
Separately, even demi-humans and heteromorphs, who were treated as special entities, once attempted to covet the Magic Kingdom. Even transcendent beings… … even dragons.
The results were divided into three branches.
Annihilation, surrender, escape.
The criminal group was annihilated, the Transcendent barely escaped with his life and never set foot on the Western Continent again, and the special entities and dragons were hunted down and used as materials.
A living natural disaster.The pinnacle of elemental magic.
Unbeatable.
That was the very being known as the first Demon King, the sorcerer of heavenly transformation.
and.
The wizards of the Arkenad Magic Kingdom admired that power and poured their talent and effort into following in the footsteps of the first Magic King, even if only slightly.
How to increase the destructive power of the elements.How to utilize the flow of the elements.How to approach the elements of the First Demon King… … .
Over the course of centuries, the research into elemental magic was repeated over and over again.Because all the Demon Kings spared no full support, that passion did not stop at a small spark but burned even brighter.
All of this is concentrated in the First Mage Division, called ‘Elemar,’ which represents the Magic Kingdom of Akenad and is directly under the Magic King.
Salute to the new star.
The training ground in the northern section of Centrum, with a radius approaching a whopping 300 meters.
The thirteen members of Elemar saluted Verden in unison. They were not just ordinary wizards. Each and every one of them was a wizard who had pioneered the path of magic.Starting from at least the upper ranks of the 5th tier, their pinnacle stood at the extreme point of the 6th tier.
So you’re saying mastery is the basics?
A power distinct from that of mages of the same rank could be felt from them. Although their ages varied, everyone seemed to have reached their own level of limit without exception.
Truly the wizards of reversal.
Even including the Bohemian Magic Tower and Black Hour, this was the first group of mages with both body and mind fully developed.
Hoho.
Adrian also gauged the experience Elemar had accumulated and briefly marveled. Isabella and Levana expressed their astonishment at their spirit.
“How is the essence of our Magic Kingdom?”
Medrail, who was standing right next to Elemar’s captain, approached. She was holding a staff that was designed solely for practicality.
Verden said.
“Your spirit is formidable. Good enough to be called the pride of the Magic Kingdom.”“I am simply grateful that Lord Verden, who wields all elemental attributes, says so. Of course, I did not summon Elemar merely to show off to the dignitaries present here.”
Medrail raised the corners of his mouth.
“To everyone—I have something I would like to show Lord Verden.”
She turned her back.
“Start.”“Everyone, open the magic path,”
At the commander’s command, all members of Elemar, including the commander himself, unleashed their magical powers. Paths specialized for different elements opened.Waves of magical energy emanating from them swept through the training ground once.
The manifestation of the ancient flame.
Centered around the captain, twelve members of Elemar formed a large circle. They paired up in groups of four and manifested the attributes of lightning, fire, and wind, respectively.The captain stretched his hand toward the sky, and elemental magic surged onto his palm.
Kwaaaaaaah───!
The moment lightning and flames clashed wildly, the temperature skyrocketed, and the wind intervened in the collision of the two attributes, further amplifying the chaos.
Intense light and heat surge.
Verden, who had been closely observing the elemental combination attempted by the 12 mages excluding the captain, soon realized the true intention and opened his eyes wide.
That’s… …?
Bang.
He clutched the commander’s hand.
An unprecedented change in light flickered between his fingers. Under heat and pressure far exceeding his resistance, his skin peeled off and his flesh burned.
Nevertheless, the commander of Elemar did not change his expression. Soon, a new flame was burning on the palm of his hand as he spread it out again.
Pale green flame.
Although it fell nowhere near the flames Verden had personally seen and felt in the past, the process of elevating the rank of a specific element was similar to that time.That is, when the Administrator… manifested white flames using the main body’s super-tier magic.
“It is said that the Progenitor who pioneered the
The flame transferred from the commander blazed at another’s fingertips. However, his skin was neither peeled off nor burned.
“According to the records, the Progenitor called it the Primordial Element. All previous Demon Kings devoted their time to reaching the Progenitor’s Element. In the end, no one was able to create the Primordial Element, but the years piled up layer upon layer to form a single mountain.”
A fiery atmosphere hung over.
“How is the spark moving toward the ultimate?”
The 7th Demon Kings, Vangelis Ruin Akenad and Verden, stood facing each other with flames between them. Pale green flames flickered in their blue eyes and turquoise pupils.Silence descended.It was a hot stillness, as if the entire training ground were about to burst into flames in an instant.
Verden broke the silence.
“What is your intention in showing this to me?”“I believe that exchange is what drives the advancement of all magic. Interaction, trade, giving one to receive another. Because I hold this belief, I am not afraid to reach out first.”
Vangelis continued speaking.
“Given your deep knowledge of elemental magic, you will surely understand the value of this flame we have unveiled.”“You asked me what I wanted.”“I wish to promote our advancement as we reach the pinnacle of magic. Ultimately. Well, I’ve spoken of it grandly, but it is a simple request.”
Vangelis bent his finger all the way to extinguish the faint green flame.The color of the training ground returned to normal.
“Verden, let’s have a match.”
