Episode 894 Sixth (7)
Having successfully escaped Verden’s pursuit, Gamma stood in a place higher than the Ark, turning his back on the universe to gaze at the magnificent continents, seas, and white clouds.
[His magical power alone makes his ability to analyze magic immeasurable. Or perhaps, conceptually, should we consider his understanding of magic to be deformed? Why didn’t you tell me? We almost ran into each other.]
───I’m sure you said it was a singularity. You’re the one who bragged that there was no way we’d get caught.
All the magic Gamma manifests originates from the power of the Creator. She is able to transcend the limitations of a Golem and cast unique magic.If she decides to conceal traces of magic, even a transcendent being cannot detect them.
But I got caught.
Very easily.
In other words… …it comes to the conclusion that Verden’s magical ability, ‘understanding of magic,’ is, absurdly enough, almost on par with the Creator.
[I shouldn’t be saying this, but I do understand why ‘you’ tried to control the world by creating Fate. If a being like that were suddenly born, it would be a nuisance no matter what. If a more mature Verden helps the Creator, the odds of victory are certain. Well, the outcome of the Battle of Fate is irrelevant to me, though.]
Gamma crossed his smooth legs while sitting as if lying down in the air.
[By the way, what are you going to do if the Ark joins the Battle of Destiny? There was already a slight chance of that happening probabilistically, but now a sixth captain has appeared that wasn’t in the original plan. The variable of Verden is too big, so calculating right now is meaningless. I’ve made a judgment of sorts, but do you have anything in mind?]
The important thing is the result.
The Provider answered.
No matter how much the Ark’s power is damaged, as long as Ark is safe, there will be no setbacks. In the end, Lugart can just continue as the current leader of the Ark.
[So you’re saying it’s fine as long as Verden doesn’t become the leader? You’ve reached the same conclusion as me. Did you do some studying while I was hibernating?]
───Just be careful with your movements.
The Provider cut off communication.
[Tsk tsk. Judging by his personality, he’s just a low-class golem who only pursues efficiency. But it looks like he’s actually enjoying it a bit now that his plans have gone awry.]
Gamma looked down upon the world against the backdrop of the empty constellation, which flickered brightly.
[Hmm… … .]
Although they didn’t encounter each other immediately, Gamma had already been discovered by Verden.Since he had spoken with Omega, he must have heard that there were four artificial golems in total, not three, and he must have also discovered the individual names engraved on the streamlined tubes.
We are bound to meet someday.
A young wizard with creator-level talent and an unfinished artificial golem.A perfected creator and a completed artificial golem.
[I wonder what it will be like.]
Gamma flicked his fingers as he failed his future calculations one after another. The mission to protect the Ark would proceed smoothly, like a flexible joint.That alone would prove Gamma’s raison d’être.
but…….
I was not without a desire to perform brilliantly before the Creator.I want to show just how strong I am!While being created for the final arrangement is perfect, it would have been just as good to be created as an adversary to the Apostle of Destiny.
Becoming the most important being to the Creator.
This was the creature’s instinct.
* * *
Platinum blonde hair is fluttering.
“No matter how much I look at it, it’s a scene I can’t believe…….”
Silis Reven di Estria.
The First Princess of the Kingdom of Estiria—or rather, the Queen of Estiria, whose throne was effectively and officially recognized at the World Council—took to see the scenery of the Sky Island.As a member of the Ark, she qualified to attend the Captain’s coronation ceremony.
Acetro Oldin said.
“It’s a landscape you’ll never get used to in your lifetime. I, too, feel the same way every time I visit the Ark.”“Um, I won’t suddenly fall, will I?”“Absolutely not, but even if I did, you wouldn’t feel too wronged. If a mass of this magnitude were to fall onto the continent from this height, it would be the end of the world. You won’t die alone.”“Gasp.”
Silis trembled at the thought of the continent shattering into pieces.
Acetro stayed by Silis’s side without crossing a certain radius. This was becausehe had to maintain his rune magic until she left the Ark in order to block Ignacia’s mental interference both before and after her death.
A bothersome hedonist.
It seems they took him as a disciple and created an intersection in their mental worlds.
Objectively speaking, it is not bad.
For Silis, a descendant of a witch, the Gyeoe was to be an excellent guide in his own way. After all, he had pioneered a special kind of magic even among transcendents of the mental realm.In fact, Silis’s mental magic had been undergoing changes since the World Conference.
You are free to choose who your teacher is.You are free to do whatever you choose.
The Ark does not collectively intervene in everything that happens on the continent, as long as it does not violate its mission for humanity like Gluttony.However, no matter how noble an individual may be, they cannot be absolute as long as others exist.
One of the duties of the captain who succeeded the Regulator of Balance is to prevent the Ark from being revealed to the world by external forces.
Taking measures to temporarily erase Ignacia’s influence from Silis was the proper thing to do, so she felt absolutely no sense of annoyance.It was simply that their personalities didn’t mesh well, which was a bit bothersome.
Beep beep.
Just then, the clock alarm went off.
“It’s time!”“It’s ready!”
Jan and Yon, the two little kids living with Acetro, held their wristwatches as high as they could. It was a magic item that Acetro had made for them himself.
“I will join the Cernadium.”“Ah, yes!”“You are joining!”“You are attending!”
Jan and Yon shouted at the top of their lungs and pinched Acetro’s pants from the left and right. Acetro adjusted his stride so that they would not fall over.
Silis opened his mouth slightly.
Judging by that vibe, he looks very family-oriented…
I guess they are a force for humanity after all.
As someone who had experienced how ugly and cruel humans could become, even to blood relatives, she liked that aspect of the Ark. The fact thatGluttony, who had turned the Kingdom of Estiria into a human testing ground, had roots in the Ark was hard to believe the more she learned about it.
───!
The inner plaza of Exodium, Cernadium, welcomed the Regulator. Silis, who followed him, swallowed hard and leaned in.
Cernadium was composed of four levels.
The first layer consists of the members of the Ark and captain candidates.The second layer consists of the captain’s direct unit and the members of the Ark.The third layer consists of the five captains and their closest confidants.The fourth layer consists of the leader of the Ark.
It was a structure where you could look down from above, but you could not look up from below.
Silis was located on the third floor.
It was a seating arrangement made in consideration of the special circumstance that one must not be too far from Acetro. I glanced down. A familiar face caught my eye.Belphons, the Second Prince of the Principality of Liviant, and Marquis Labishurn were on the first floor.
To think those people were also part of the Ark.
Several figures she never imagined she would encounter were confirmed in the first and second layers. To think she would see the faces she first encountered at the World Conference again here.Judging by their appearances and public reputations, they do not seem like they would serve humanity at all.
I realized once again how powerful and secretive a force the Ark is.
[hi.]
“Ah…! Hello, everyone!”
Adrian, Isabella, Alpha, and Beta were, of course, also assigned to the third floor. Silis’s face brightened as she met people she knew.
“It’s my first time visiting Ark, so I was flustered and couldn’t come see you earlier.”“Don’t worry, Silis. We’re just as hectic as you are.”
Silis and Isabella conversed comfortably like friends. The two shared the commonality of having achieved revenge with Verden’s help.
“Is it hello!””Is it nice to see you!”
[Hello. Confirmed.]
[Nice to meet you.]
Yan and Yon innocently circled around Alpha and Beta.
“You all just need to take your seats over there.”“When does it begin?”“The First and Second classes are all here. The captains will be seated within 10 minutes, so the coronation should be underway in about 15 minutes.”“I see.”
Adrian and Acetro exchanged only the essentials in a straightforward manner. A transcendent being of a ruffian background and a transcendent being who does not build a power base.Neither was the type to greet someone warmly just because they had met someone they knew.
As Acetro said, the remaining seats were soon filled as well.
“How should I put it? Gathering like this makes it feel like we’re holding another world conference.”
Watcher of the North, Eres Eindgel Prohas.
“Haha, I really wish that were the case. It was quite fun watching the Transcendents run wild. I wish I could have joined in, just like in the Desert of Silence.”
The unknown seeker, Regrit Narsilia.
“…….”
Slayer of Calamity, Demonic Terror.
“Hehe, the captain name I worked so hard to come up with will finally be made official.”
Watcher of the World, Darcia Stella.
The Ark’s full power was assembled in Cerdanium on a scale greater than the Ark’s exchange battle. On the fourth layer, a faint yet distinct and overwhelming presence was detected.
Will the Continental Alliance standing against the old king be stronger, orwill the current Ark be stronger?
Adrian imagined such a scenario with a look of great interest. As a warrior, it was a natural instinct to gauge who was stronger.In the midst of this, the presence of a transcendent being seized control of Serdanium.
Is this the main point?
Exactly 15 minutes passed as Acetro mentioned.
* * *
Distortion of space.
Before they knew it, three elders were standing in a line on the stage. It was the moment the candidates for the Ark realized this fact belatedly.
thud!
Elder Ren Balhag stood in the center of the Serdanium and stomped his foot. A heavy vibration spread out, extinguishing even the slightest noise.It felt as though the already dim lighting was becoming even darker.
Countless eyes flying in from all directions all fixed on one spot.
Elder Ren Balhag recalled the time when he was once a captain.
Humans were weak.
Reciting the origin of the ark.
Humans were more numerous than any other intelligent race, yet they were ultimately the weak. That is why, since ancient times, humans have been perceived as a marginal race deprived and exploited. Beastmen were strong, dwarves were exceptional, and elves were harmonious. Humans, who betrayed and distrusted one another, dared not be their match.
The silence was brief.
“but!”
Elder Ren Balhag’s voice rang out loudly.
The uniqueness possessed by humans was the most superior among all living things. Among thousands, among tens of thousands, among dozens. And once every ten years, once every hundred years. Humans who irregularly deviated from the norm were born, and the humans led by such individuals were not the weak. No longer mere prey or slaves, they were finally humanity.
He clenched his strong fist without wearing white gloves. His hands, hardened by overcoming adversity, were covered in scars.
“The captain commands, and the crew follows. That is indeed the journey of humanity and the background of the Ark’s birth. Today, we shall welcome its fruits together.”
As its origins suggest, the ultimate purpose of the Ark is to find and nurture a captain capable of leading humanity through countless trials.
The next captain is coming up.
Verden walked alone along the path leading to the center of Cerdanium. The captain candidates on the first level looked at him with envious eyes.
Verden’s coronation was very significant.
As it was an occasion for the transcendent being who reigned over the continent to publicly declare himself the captain of the entire Ark, Verden, unlike the other captains whose identities were not well known, effectively came to represent the Ark in this era.
chin.
Verden faced the three elders. Immediately behind the elders, the fourth layer stood firm like the sky.
“Asher. The Holy. The Three Great Leaders of the Black Hour. The Overlord of the Masterless Lands. The Absolute Ruler of Estiria. The Elders of the Ark shall ask Verden of Eon, known by many names, for the Captain’s Oath. Therefore, the Next Captain shall declare.”
The elder from Gluttony spoke.Their gazes crossed.
“Would you swear that you would never abandon humanity at any moment?”
Verden answered immediately.
I swear.
The elder spoke again.
“The Ark is not a guardian of humans, but a group for the human species. Will you swear that you will not weed out humanity through excessive intervention?”
Verden answered immediately again.
“I swear.”“Then, as captain, to what shall I lead wretched humanity?”
Verden took his eyes off the elders and spoke to the crowd, just as he had proclaimed the founding of Eon in the Great Hall of Black Hour.
“Freedom through power.”
… … !
It was a rather ferocious declaration for the mindset the captain of the Ark should pursue. The elders were slightly taken aback. Just then, applause was heard from afar.From the Fourth Layer.The leader of the Ark had acknowledged what Verden was striving for. The entire Ark in Serdanium understood that lofty purpose.
Soon, applause poured out.
Theon, Locke, and Listener enthusiastically high-fived.Layla also joined the ranks.
The scale was grand, but the coronation ceremony was short, making it even more impressive. And it was Elder Sheorn’s job to put the finishing touches on it.
Thus, humanity once again embraces new hope.
The elders declared in a low voice.
“The Sixth Captain. Infinite respect for his leadership and dedication to humanity.”
Watcher of the North.Watcher of the World.Seeker of the Unknown.Slayer of Calamity.Regulator of Balance.
and.
The conqueror of wonder.
That was the new alias of Verden, who had overcome the tomb of the first Demon King and conquered the Silent Desert.
