Episode 878 Sorrow (1)
Leaving the banquet behind,the moonless night deepened.
Thump, thump.
Vangelis led Verden and his party somewhere without taking anyone with him. The sound of their footsteps quietly echoed through the Centrum corridor.
I wanted to take only Verden if possible, though.
Adrian answered immediately.
“I have no intention of interrupting whatever conversation you have with your lord. I wouldn’t mind if you blocked the sound, just as you did in the training grounds. As long as it remains within my line of sight.”
That was the extent of what Adrian could allow as a bodyguard. Is the 8th rank such a big deal? He has no intention of overlooking any element that could pose a threat to Verden.
“What magnificent loyalty. To think that a swordsman, once notorious for his ill manners, has become a transcendent being and pledges loyalty to an individual. Even Rodrick Livandale acts for the Empire, not the Emperor. This, too, must be the unpredictable way of the world.”“Who said I was ill-mannered?”
[Adrian. Rude.]
Vangelis nodded after hearing Alpha’s objective rebuke.
“You can’t call it proper conduct to adopt a threatening attitude at the slightest provocation, regardless of status. I may have lived a long time, but this is the first time I’ve heard of a prosecutor of commoner origin treating royalty and nobility with contempt in a public setting. He’s not called a scoundrel for nothing.”“I’m glad to hear you’ve gained some rare experiences.”“Thanks to that, I look forward to what’s to come. It is a welcome sight to see more transcendents with diverse personalities. Besides, you seem like the complete opposite of Vendie Caenar, yet you are also similar in some ways.”
The Master is renowned for his outstanding character but also for being cold-hearted. And the Heavenly Sword is famous for being fierce and merciless.
What kind of future awaits us?
The flow of the world originates from the relationships between beings and changes constantly. Watching this was one of Vangelis’s long-standing hobbies.
anyway.
Vangelis was a much more sociable person than he appeared, so he was able to converse skillfully with Adrian, whom he was practically meeting for the first time, while cracking jokes.While he was easing the awkward atmosphere in this way, he suddenly turned slightly.
“But… since you’re always by my side, I rarely get a chance to ask you. Let me ask you one thing directly.”
Vangelis’s gaze turned toward Verden.
“Is the Golem technology entirely yours?”
Alpha and Beta did not look like natural golems, even from the perspective of an ordinary adventurer. Then who molded the children’s forms?
The entire magical world, not just Vangelis, had doubts about the origins of Alpha and Beta. They just didn’t express it openly to their faces.
Is Verden the creator?Is it someone else?Or perhaps it is some kind of magical artifact from an era much more distant than ancient times.
Artificial golems, possessing intelligence far superior to humans, were beings so defying common sense that many wizards placed their weight on the artifact.
Alpha dismissed this with a single word.
[dad.]
Alpha stretched out his small arms from over Verden’s shoulders as if to show off and tightly hugged his neck. Verden didn’t even need to answer.In every respect, there could be no greater display of closeness and affection.
Vangelis blinked blankly for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, the family has grown.”
It was the moment we arrived at a dead end.
Whoosh.
A light of magical power leaked out through the tiny cracks in the walls of Centrum. It was in response to the will of Vangelis, the owner of Centrum.
The entire wall was split into very small square granules and reassembled, soon transforming into a magnificent gate containing magical aesthetics.
Verden asked.
“Where does this entrance lead?”“The Hall of the Demon King.”
Vangelis grabbed the doorknob himself, twisted it, and pushed it forward.
This is where a great bloodline rests.
Whoosh.
The bright light inside instantly swallowed up the faint darkness of the hallway.
[… … !]
Alpha’s single eye flashed.
At the far end of the vast space adorned with magical elements, six portraits decorated the wall.In the center, a massive portrait featuring the majestic and vivid face of the First Demon King captivated everyone’s gaze.
* * *
Although more than five centuries have passed since the founding of the Akenad Magic Kingdom, there have been only seven Magic Kings in history.This is despite the fact that the first Magic King did not remain on the throne for long and suddenly disappeared one day. This is because three of the six kings excluding him were transcendent beings.
“It does feel a bit lackluster considering the number is small compared to the long history of the Magic Kingdom. Still, it’s not bad. It also demonstrates the special nature of bloodlines.”
Descendants capable of bearing a great bloodline were physically robust even if they did not awaken as transcendent beings. Their lifespans far exceeded the continent’s average.The previous Demon King remained vigorous even as he approached the age of 100.
No matter how great it was, it could not defeat time.
Vangelis walked toward the portrait adorning the front with his hands behind his back. He briefly set his gaze on Adrian and Alpha.
Verden gestured.
Adrian stepped back without a word. Alpha wanted to listen to the conversation with Verden, but without making a fuss, he climbed onto Adrian’s shoulder.
And so, Verden followed Vangelis’s lonely steps all alone.
“Since ancient times, the descendants of the first Demon King have been cremated rather than buried. It was a measure taken to guard against wizards who viewed the corpse as having research value. That is why there isn’t even an urn here. All that remains are the portraits painted during his lifetime.”“…….”“I, too, will meet the same fate someday when my lifespan ends. Just as I did, Medrail will burn my body… and hang my painting on that wall. Hahaha.”
Vangelis laughed emotionlessly and shook his head.
“Isn’t it ridiculous? We are called of great blood, yet we are in a plight where we cannot even be buried peacefully in the ground after death because we are afraid of grave robbers.”
Verden tried to gauge his feelings,based on his intuition.
“What is it that makes you so resentful?”“…….”
Silence fell.
Footsteps pierced my ears as the portraits of the Demon Kings gradually drew closer. It was some time later that the conversation resumed.
“Having a piercing eye for people at such a young age must be a natural talent. Even those who have known me the longest have never asked me that.”“Because you didn’t try to hide it.”
If Vangelis had tried to conceal his emotions thoroughly, no one would have been able to figure them out. For an 8th-tier transcendent, controlling oneself is an easy task.
Just because something isn’t hidden doesn’t mean everyone can see it. Every existence is different, and they are bound to harbor just as much narrow-mindedness.
I stopped in front of the portrait.
The Demon Kings prior to Vangelis were looking straight ahead with solemn expressions. The distance between them and Verden was about fifteen paces.
Vangelis said.
“All great bloodlines have worshipped and respected the First Demon King. The undisputed greatest mage and transcendent being. With such a being of a different caliber as the founder of our family, who would not take pride? It is thanks to the founder that I possess the potential of the 8th tier.”
He slowly raised both arms as if supporting the first Demon King.
“The reason the Akhenad Magic Kingdom was able to prosper to this extent is purely due to the power of the first Magic King. In that sense, I am deeply grateful to the Progenitor.”
Bang.
Vangelis clenched his hand tightly.
That is why I resent it.
* * *
Rage filled Vangelis’s eyes as he glared at the portrait of the first Demon King. It was not a false act, but an emotion stemming from his genuine feelings.The intensity of that emotion was so deep that even Verden was surprised.
“Verden, have you ever lost someone precious to you?”
Verden looked back on his past. Even during his time as an unofficial test subject, he ultimately had no memory of losing someone who was like family.
“……There is none.”“Transcendents have longer lifespans than others, so they must experience the deaths of those around them. It is an unavoidable flow unless one overcomes time. The emotions at that time vary from person to person, but they are generally devastating. Among them……”
Vangelis placed his hand on Verden’s back.
The most painful thing in my life was the death of my children.
The two people took a step forward at the same time.
My vision wavered.
… … !
Among the portraits of the past Demon Kings, other portraits of varying sizes appeared. The ages of the figures within them varied, but as one could see, the majority were young or on the younger side.
They are children who could not overcome the curse of their bloodline and did not live out their full lifespan.
Vangelis stood before a small portrait in which two men and a girl were smiling. They appeared to be, in order, a middle-aged man, a young man, and a girl.
“My second son loved physical activity. He often mingled with the knights of the Magic Kingdom to learn how to train his body. However, he never made it past the age of eighteen; as his magical power surged on its own… his heart ruptured, and he closed his eyes.”“…….”“The following year, my youngest daughter died. Was it because her magical power was too strong? A strange phenomenon occurred where her magical circuits detached from her body. I was by their side, but there was nothing I could do.”
The deaths triggered by the curse of the bloodline were unpredictable and unavoidable. The moment it manifested, they inevitably breathed their last,as if a supernatural concept had determined their deaths.
“My eldest son was sickly from birth, yet he lived a long life. He was a child who loved to sit in bed and read books. He was also responsible. To continue the bloodline, he struggled to have children in his frail condition, despite my repeated objections. And his efforts bore fruit, as the cry of a child echoed through the Centrum.”
Verden said.
That child is Medrail.
Vangelis nodded.
“……Medrail’s mother lost her life during childbirth. His father’s health deteriorated rapidly, and he left my side before he had survived more than a month, as if he had barely clung to life for the sake of the bloodline.”
The blue eyes turned toward the sky.
“For the past five centuries, those chosen by the great bloodline have had to endure such suffering. Yet, they had to have children to the very end. Why? Because the great bloodline must not be broken no matter what happens, for that is the duty of one who carries on the great bloodline.”
but.
Even that has now reached its limit.
The excruciating pain of giving birth again and again until a child capable of enduring the bloodline was born took a heavy toll on the mind and body. Even as a descendant of the first Demon King, one could not dare to endure that moment continuously.
“Only Medrail and I remain as descendants of the first Demon King…….”
The gradual decline in the number of descendants was a situation foreseen from the beginning.
“Someday, when I meet my end, Medrail will become the 8th Demon King. That child will be able to awaken someday. But precisely because of that, he will have to endure painful days. After all, those around him would never leave the last remaining member of the Great Bloodline alone.”
Medrail takes after her father and possesses a strong sense of responsibility regarding her bloodline. She will surely strive to continue the lineage by any means necessary.Then, the nobles will look for an opportunity to mix their blood with that great lineage. Neighboring nations will also try to target the Magic Kingdom.
What kind of expression will Medrail make there?
Udeuk.
Vangelis imagined his granddaughter’s future and showed his anger.
“The suffering caused by a great bloodline must end with my generation. I cannot let my only treasure experience such pain. Absolutely not… That is why, Verden. That is why I need you.”
Vangelis strode over and grabbed Verden’s shoulders.
“You are of great blood. You must be of great blood. Now that you have mastered
His eyes blazed.
You are the only hope that can give Medrail freedom.
I gradually began to understand what Vangelis’s ideals were. His dream was not grandiose, but humble, like that of an ordinary person.
I will ask just one thing.
Verden parted his lips.
“What would you have done without me?”
What would Vangelis have done for Medrail if there hadn’t been a new bloodline? He soon broke the silence with a determined look on his face.
After all, it is the Magic Kingdom that imprisons Medrail.
… … Is it just my imagination?
The image of Oldark Ruin Akenad was reflected in Vangelis’s face. The 7th Demon King asserted in front of the portrait of the 1st Demon King.
“I’ll have to destroy the Magic Kingdom.”
