Episode 899 Magic Festival (2) [Part 3 – Chapter 3: The Old King]
The Ruas Theocracy was not the only exploration team to discover mysterious ruins. Entrances leading to the distant underground were found throughout the island.
“It’s impossible to check the depth from the outside. There wasn’t any particular smell, either. If I’m like this, what could you humans possibly find even if you looked again? Unless you go inside, it’ll all be in vain. Heh heh.”
The cat beastkin—’Kyowang,’ the leader of the Cabaret tribe—licked the back of her hand and sneered.She was a direct subordinate of the Spirit King, one of the six strongest tribal chiefs among all beastkin on the continent, and was a beastkin with excellent detection abilities.
The perfect adventurer, Castian Linigea Tain Xerion, who uses the alias Lydian in the present-day modern era, agreed to this.
“None of us have encountered a single animal since arriving on the island. Unless we are solely focused on observing plants, we will eventually have to go underground.”“Hmm, the risks involved are too great.”“Wouldn’t it be best to report this to our superiors for now and wait for their judgment?”
Elder Leon and Elder Bradius of the Diamun Magic Tower expressed their concerns. The former was a supporter of Albert, while the latter was a supporter of Vantarun.
Since they were still competing for the position of Master of the Diamun Magic Tower, the two factions each selected an elder-level figure to join the exploration team.More achievements were indispensable to mobilize the cunning neutral faction.
“We all hold full authority over our respective factions. Now that we have reported on this island, is there any need to waste time waiting for orders from the mainland every time?”“One…….”“Now is the time for adventure.”
With the Adventurer’s Guild taking this stance, opposing opinions soon vanished. It was obvious that if we continued to hesitate, we would be overtaken by other exploration teams.
Aldanis said.
“I would like to hear the Adventurer’s Guild’s opinion on how best to proceed with the exploration.”“While a larger number of people ensures safety, as you know, not all exploration parties can concentrate in one place. Not only is it excessive, but we cannot rule out the possibility of miscommunication or conflict arising in unexpected situations. Therefore, I believe it would be best to proceed with the exploration by dispersing by faction, as originally agreed.”
Treaty No. 1 on the Exploration of the Hiaremar Inland Sea.
Individual exploration is the principle.
In other words, it means that joint exploration is impossible unless all exploration teams agree.
If they collude among themselves, there will inevitably be factions that suffer disadvantages.Of course, secret collusion cannot be prevented, but since there are countless eyes watching from all sides, their actions are restricted.
The purpose is strictly exploration.
Competition is inevitable, so friction may occur, but there are boundaries that must be respected.
For example, murder.
If one attempts foolish schemes and is discovered without completely erasing all traces, the international community will hold them accountable. This is because it is a matter decided at the World Conference.
If you are not confident that you can deceive the entire exploration team, which includes many powerful individuals, it would be in your best interest not to act recklessly.
“This is the Adventurer’s Guild’s stance. Do you have any objections or other opinions?”“…….”
The expedition leaders answered with silence.
Leona of Gekijin, the vice-captain of the Knights of the Word Spirit, stood up first and stepped out of the tent. A wind mixed with rainwater entered the interior.A cold voice was heard from outside.
───I will explore the underground. Everyone, arm yourselves.
Legrit chuckled.
“Highlandia is full of ambition, too. The Empire cannot fall behind.”“The lead belongs to the Magic Kingdom.”
With this, the direction of the exploration was determined.
thud!
Gregorban of Justice, the Cardinal of Samjeong serving as the expedition leader of the Ruas Church, drew everyone’s attention by clashing his fists together.
“Your enthusiasm for exploration is good, but never forget this one thing. We are not the only faction that has heard about the whereabouts of the Dragon Sword.”
At the world conference, uninvited guests stayed until the very end.Perhaps they are on this island.
“Glory of the Dead. If you find any trace of them, do not delay; seek out the Ruas religion.”
* * *
Whoosh───Rumble, crash.
The storm covering the head of the island showed no signs of dissipating. The forest had not dried up at all due to the rain pouring intermittently here and there.The occasional rumbling of thunder piercing the ears kept the sound of the rain from becoming tiresome.
Another underground entrance, untouched by the exploration team, gapes open. No matter how closely one examined it, the age of the structure could not be determined.
“…They said they had prepared His Majesty’s head. I never imagined it was a place like this.”
The man who spouted incomprehensible nonsense about fate being everywhere. It is impossible to guess at all what kind of force is behind him.
I never imagined that an island like this would suddenly appear instead of the Dragon Sword’s location being revealed in the Hiaremar Inland Sea.
It is extremely unpleasant.
They are inscrutable fellows, so it would be best to get rid of them eventually.Aside from the fact that there is one unofficial transcendent being, their full strength remains unknown, but it does not matter. Once the Xerion Empire reigns again, there will be no rivals.
I’ll just play along until then. On the stage you bastards prepared.
Low footsteps heading underground.
Lunesica Anternoa, the second servant of the Glory of the Dead, who had already invaded the island with the continental expedition, went down the stairs.
For the resurrection of the old king.
* * *
“It is certain that other Transcendents have entered, yet I cannot sense them at all.”“If you are determined to completely conceal your presence and even use external means, it is difficult to detect you, even from another Transcendent, unless you are quite close. I am glad that this works on me as well.”
A shadow fell over the island’s underground entrance.
“When we encounter a Transcendent, we will devise a means to buy time depending on the opponent, and if an unavoidable engagement occurs, the Senior Disciple will respond.”“I will take responsibility, Master.”
The Temple’s chief disciple lifted the sword, scabbard and all, and held it to his chest.
May your beliefs come true.
faith.
Establishing a single belief in one’s heart and living by keeping and revering it for a lifetime was the path pursued by Temple’s disciples.
May the disciples uphold their beliefs.
The Grand Master of the Temple.
Master, Vendie Kaenar headed to the depths of an island where absolutely no information existed.Alone.Her intuition determined that there was something at the bottom of the island.
* * *
The opposite side of the place where the expedition’s seaplane fleet landed.
An ordinary ferry boat that had braved the storm reached the cliff.To prevent the boat from being swept away by the rough waves, they pulled it up to a lower area and attached a rope to a slightly elevated rock.
“…….”
The unofficial transcendent—Dantel—turned his gaze toward the interior of the island.
I handed over the corpses of the worst dwarf on earth and the Prisoner of Massacre to the Glory of the Dead, but I never intended to leave everything in the hands of the Glory of the Dead from the start.
The wheel of fate has fallen, andthe variables have increased.
Bringing the former king’s last body part to this island was not enough… perhaps. Even for them, the future was now nothing more than fragments of uncertain information.
Everything is for fate.
Dantel steeled his resolve.
And, for ‘you’.
The transcendents who entered the island ignoring the exploration treaty of the Hiaremar Inland Sea.They were Dantel’s targets.
* * *
Gargant’s Academy.
“Hahahahahahahahaha!”
Professor Dale held Iris and Theodore’s hands and spun around in a circle.
“To think we’re the last ones to go! To think we’re taking on the final act of the opening…! It couldn’t be more perfect, it was worth the wait!”
The order within the middle and latter parts of the festival is determined randomly, but the order in the beginning is decided arbitrarily after discussion.
At the Magic Festival, the first and last announcements have the greatest impact. In the magical world, there was a strong belief that one should end on a high note.The end of the early part can exert an influence comparable to that of the Magic Tower in the middle part.
Common sense dictated that it was not a stage for someone like an academy student to stand on.
“The fact that we received support from Eon will surely play a big role. Right, there is no better stage than this. As long as we don’t make any mistakes, we’re going to be the talk of the town in the magical world. You got it, right? Did you get it?!”“Aaaah!”“Ah, yes, Professor!”
The two recoiled in shock as Professor Dale shouted with bloodshot eyes. Barely managing to escape his grasp, they calmed their startled hearts.
Theodore swallowed hard.
“So, can I finally announce a summoning spell? In this magic world.”
Now that the date was definitely set, the reality that I had to give a magic speech hit me.
My heart rate increased.
I broke out in a cold sweat from the tension, which was enough to make it hard to breathe.
I secured a very good position through external help rather than my own strength. I did feel it was a bit unfair, but that was probably just childishness.There is no one presenting something at the Magic Festival without backing.
Above all, the one who supports Theodore is the divinity of Eon.
The Ark’s new captain!
My heart was pounding so hard when I attended Ark’s coronation…
For Theodore, it was a stage where the mere thought of it made him feel like he would collapse from the pressure.However, the sight of Verden standing before everyone and swearing out the captain’s oath was truly the ideal wizard Theodore had envisioned.
“Someday… I will, too.”
Theodor, who admired Verden, envisioned himself becoming a great man. Compared to such a dream, the stage of the Magic Festival was nothing.
match!
I slapped my face hard with both palms.My cheeks stung.It was a crude method for a genius student, but it relieved some of the tension.
As Theodore let out a sigh and straightened his head, his eyes met those of Professor Dale and Iris, who were staring intently at him.
“Ah, *clears throat*. Well, I heard that shock therapy is good when you’re nervous… huh?”
Upon closer inspection, the gaze is directed elsewhere.
Theodore also looked back.
The academy grounds were clearly visible through the window, and people were gathered there. Students and professors. At the center of it all were two people.
One was the headmaster of this academy, and the other was… … .
“The, the Holy One!”
Professor Dale grabbed the two arms again.
“He must be here regarding the academy lecture. Let’s go and greet him. It would be rude to dawdle!”
It seemed that Professor Dale intended to regard Verden as his benefactor for life. One could already see loyalty in his eyes.
“yes yes!!”
And so, led by Professor Dale, they went outside the building. Theodore’s breathing became heavy from suddenly running as hard as he could.In contrast, Iris, who had experience as an adventurer, was fine.
“Dale greets the Peak of Eon. It is an honor to meet you.”“Oh, you have come at just the right time. Holy Spirit, this is Professor Dale, in charge of Synthetic Theory.”
Ilmarion, the headmaster of the Academy, introduced Professor Dale, who had rushed over, to Verden. Theodore also approached at the gesture to come over.Iris was about to follow without thinking but immediately stopped in her tracks.
I… I’m just a teaching assistant.
The wizards who established the summoning magic system were Professors Theodore and Dale. Iris was only involved briefly as an assistant in comprehensive theoretical studies.
There was no room for her to squeeze in between them.
She was afraid of what Senior Verden would think when he saw her. She had always thought of herself as pathetic for giving up being an adventurer and returning to the Academy.
It was then.
The murmuring around Iris, who was staring at the floor, gradually grew louder. When she belatedly and slowly raised her head, a connection from the past was right before her eyes.
It’s been a while, Iris.
Verden reached out his hand.
It looks like a lot has happened since I last saw you.
I recalled the farewell we shared in the carriage returning to the city of Martes after defeating the undead in the mines of the Principality of Liviant.
See you next time.
See you next time, Senior.
Iris reached out her hand, drawn by the memory of that time without realizing it. It was the second handshake between the adventurer who had returned to the Academy and the wizard who had become a transcendent being.
“……You too, Senior.”
It was a reunion after about four years.
* * *
The Magic Festival, held every four years, is not an event solely for the magical world. As it is a global occasion, the Luas Church is also busy with its activities.
Among the seven archbishops, Joseph, the Archbishop of the Holy Order, traveled the world to preach the teachings of light for the people.
Countless people flocked to follow the Archbishop’s footsteps to hear his speech.
City Goldhill.
And the location of today’s speech was a region famous for the incredibly beautiful scenery of wheat fields that turn golden during every harvest season.
Reciting the scriptures of light.Praying.Boosting people’s faith.
The cities and villages Archbishop Joseph has passed through are filled with sincere faith, and a happy atmosphere befitting a festival illuminates life.
It will be the same at Gold Hill.
I had to.
“Jo, Archbishop Joseph?”
Bishop Lena lay sprawled on the ground, calling out his name blankly. The eyes of the Paladins and the Believers of Light slowly widened.
Drip… … drip… … .
Drops of blood fell on the street.
“Ugh, ugh…….”
Archbishop Joseph groaned in pain as he gathered divine power. From his back to his abdomen, the arm that had pierced his body turned red.
“quite.”
The prisoner of the massacre twisted the corner of his mouth.
You have good intuition, befitting a member of the world’s religions.
It was the beginning of a different festival.
