Episode 945 Options (3)
Splashing sand.
Even if I push off the ground with all my might, I do not achieve the speed of reality. It is simply that physical fatigue does not accumulate; aside from the senses, I feel as though I have become an ordinary person.Just like the days before I transcended, before I deployed the Magic Circle of Reversal.
I feel a sense of nostalgia. Though it is also unpleasant.
Verden ran across the white sandy beach, feeling an unpleasant sense of nostalgia. His emotions are divided into before and after his time as a test subject at the Bohemian Magic Tower.The Alpha’s frame, gripping Verden’s ash-gray hair, shook continuously.
After running for quite a while, I finally arrived at a forest overflowing with life.
Saaaa… … .
The leaves brush against each other in the cool breeze.
[No trace.]
The shadow that appeared to belong to the child vanished without leaving a single footprint. Where could it have gone? Given that it deliberately appeared before his eyes despite knowing how to hide, could it be a sign to enter the forest? It isnot yet known whether the unknown entity lurking within Verden harbors hostility.
Still, moving forward is the only answer right now.
Verden lifted Alpha onto his shoulder and moved slowly, as if searching. Alpha attempted to scan by radiating the light of magic, but he was just as unable to handle magic here.
Magical power exists, butit cannot be manipulated at will.
That was the characteristic of this space.
It’s peaceful.
[Peaceful nature. Confirmed.]
Although no animal sounds were heard, the plants clearly radiated their unique presence through their characteristic silence and passive movements.
The forest gets deeper and deeper.
The tops of the trees soared high to cover the sky, and as the light was blocked, a brightness like midday shadow enveloped the two.It was not exactly the same, but it was an atmosphere that I had experienced in many ways.
[High similarity to Daesurim.]
It can’t be a coincidence.
Verden did not overlook even the smallest clue, but connected it to the information he had obtained in the past, even if he had to force a fit.
───Verden, do you know why the elf is reminded of me when seeing your magic?
───Yes?
───Because we are essentially the same. To be more precise, you are a concept of a higher dimension than me.
When she first met the World Tree’s main body in the primordial land, she hinted at a connection with Verden by mentioning its essence.
The elves did not view Verden as a different race.
It was said that the World Tree shares the same fundamental nature as Verden.
The remains of the ancient gods whom the World Tree slaughtered during the Great Divide, even going so far as to deplete the magical power of the fertile land to turn it into a silent desert. Thereason these remnants became the disasters of the silent desert and rushed toward Verden was that his magical power was very similar to that of the World Tree.
The moments Verden personally experienced support the World Tree’s statement.What changes occurred in his existence after his body was reconstructed using the Circle of Reversal, which sacrificed the power source of the Bohemian Magic Tower?
Question about the essence.
He had a hunch that perhaps this time, he might come across a fragment of the answer. No, it was the moment Verden became convinced that he would.
Pow!
Suddenly, the boundary of the Great Forest appeared and embraced the foot Verden had stepped forward. Sunny light briefly colored Alpha’s vision.
It felt as if the fresh air was soaking my lungs.
A vast area surrounded by forest welcomed Verden and Alpha. A towering, massive object revealed its majesty inside the circular foundation.
‘… … Giant tree?’
Standing in the center was a tree that was among the largest I had ever seen. Of course, it could not dare to compare to the main body of the World Tree;it was merely slightly larger and taller than the various giant trees of the Great Forest.
The two naturally raised their gaze from the trunk of the giant tree to its head. At the same time, the azure sky, which had been hidden from view for some time by the dense forest, was reflected in their eyes.
[Your Majesty Verden. Chains.]
Alpha pointed upwards.
[Several huge chains.]
Rings of unknown material were connected to one another to form chains, and those chains stretched across the sky.
That’s a massive size.
Even from a distance, I could visually sense how massive it was. I couldn’t even see where the chains originated or where they ended.The chains existed like the sun, moon, or stars rising in the sky.
Verden soon straightened his head and cast his gaze toward the base of the giant tree. In the magnificent shadow beneath the tree, there was a dark and profound human figure.
The child’s shadow.
It was undoubtedly the being they had witnessed the moment they emerged from the Sea of Magic. A voice of unknown gender and age seeped into Verden and Alpha’s hearing.
“Those chains represent ‘taboos.’ Whenever a taboo is established, these chains appear, prohibiting specific actions or giving birth to secrets that cannot be revealed to the world. However, the number of chains does not correspond to the actual number of taboos. Depending on the severity of the taboo, multiple chains of taboo can appear at once.”
The child’s shadow explained the object that had unexpectedly caught the two of their attention.
“Besides, those chains do not include past taboos. Aerodon spoke about the true meaning of taboos, and the Administrator explained the difference between current and past taboos—do you remember?”“…….”
I remember it clearly.
A taboo is an absolute rule directed at the world, and at the same time, an absolute law recognized by the world. It is the public will reflected through the contemplating being of one who has been qualified by the world. This is a taboo.
───’The current taboo’ matches what Aerodon explained. Since this was decided in the Battle of Destiny, I have no knowledge of it, but that is the conclusion. However, the ‘past taboo’ established by the World Tree when it annihilated the ancient gods is an absolute law that only a true god can handle.
Verden’s fingertips moved slightly.
Even if one were to set aside knowing the former Q&A, the latter was a conversation shared alone with the manager.Only a few individuals with whom Verden shared information knew what was discussed. However, the child’s shadow pinpointed the exact sentence from memory as if it had witnessed it right beside it.
“Why has your essence become like the World Tree? The answer lies within a taboo. It is a taboo established by Oldark herself. That is why, just like your identity, no one in the world dares to reveal it. The World Tree, and me, too.”
Then, Verden asked.
“Are you on the side of the resistors?”
[Enemy? Ally?]
Before asking exactly what kind of space this was, and before asking what the identity of the giant tree and the shadow was, I asked a question about the intention behind the approach.
Insight is safe.
Verden concentrated to discern the emotion hidden in the child’s shadow’s answer. Then, an innocent laugh rang out.
“I am neither ‘you’ nor on Oldarc’s side. My nature rejects the principles of fate, so although I used to support Oldarc, I currently stand on no side. In that sense, if we were to distinguish friend from foe…”
The child’s shadow moved.
“Shall I say they are close to being allies of Verden?”
As she emerged from the shadow of the giant tree, the shadow also lifted as if washed away. Her true form was revealed, and her clean, light green eyes flickered.A momentary silence descended at the appearance of the girl who should have been in ownerless land.
[Fortune Teller Granddaughter?]
“Aisha?”
Verden’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s not Aisha…….”
Outwardly and inwardly, the Aisha Verden knew was self-evident. However, his insight determined that the being before him was different from Aisha.
That gaze.Its depth is immeasurable.
“Is it the power inherent in Aisha, the power itself?”
Aisha has displayed strange abilities that even she cannot explain on several occasions.
She saw through the image of Verden, who had undermined the world’s perception with [Einberg]’s
Furthermore, he even received an evaluation from Munadim the Wanderer, the foremost prophet of Tuhar, that his talent as a prophet was on a different level.
Aisha’s true nature.That very being must be it.
“The First Apostle has already spoken of me. Since he personally intervened to interfere with Verden, I had no choice but to step forward. In fact, it was thanks to the Apostle’s careless exposure that the conditions were set for me to exert my power.”
A being made of light… The encounter with the First Apostle, which had held Verden back after he arrived on the island chasing the First Servant, flashed through his mind.
───You are tricky. To see through this distorted space-time with that level of mastery… … Ah.
To think you would receive the attention of ‘Time’. I did not expect this. It has been a long time since I felt this way. You are the first person since Oldark to have flustered me so many times throughout all of time. I suppose we have no choice but to end our conversation here.
Verden opened his eyes wide.
“You say you’re Time?”“And, Verden has known my real name for a while now. Alpha knows the same.”
[Real name? Your Majesty Verden?]
Verden retraces his memories as much as possible but cannot find an answer immediately. However, he soon recalled a single name.
“no way…….”
Doubt soon turned into certainty.
If Aisha hadn’t given me a hint, I wouldn’t have been able to easily break free from my mindset.I might not have realized it until much later.
The past is a trace, the present is progress, and the future is possibility.
The season of the great forest within Verden changes.
From summer to autumn.From autumn to winter.From winter to spring.From spring back to summer.
There is room for error in all time and events that have not yet passed the present, so there is no predetermined outcome. Just as time exists everywhere, beings who perceive the past, present, and future also exist everywhere.
The sense of strange presence was maximized.
“A new possibility that has overcome fate, and Verden, who will become a new god. Honestly, I think it is too early, but since an uncertain future has led us here, we greet you.”
Aisha smiled.
The concept of time is ‘Hiante’.
2nd Legend: The Tense of Past, Present, and Future – Hiante.
It was not an object, but a life.
* * *
The Zentir Mage Tower seeks retaliation. Against Mauler’s ‘territory’.
Adrian raised his eyebrows at Sigril Lavinia’s bold remark, which was mixed with anger.
You’re prepared.
It was likely a decision made for the sake of the prestige of the Zentir Magic Tower and, beyond that, the Ten Great Magic Towers, but even so, it was a declaration that could not be easily made.
“Since you can’t confront Mauler directly, are you planning to target that territory?”“Because realistically, that is the limit.”“How about overall?”
When asked about Adrian’s method, Sigril explained the main points as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“The moment we are discovered by Mauler, we will conversely provide him with a pretext for retaliation. We at the Zentir Tower have neither the intention nor the capability to take that risk. Therefore, rather than Delharun, the mainland ruled by Mauler, it would be safer and more effective to target the territories under his influence.”
There was no wavering in her answer.
“The Kingdom of Ronia and the City Alliance of Kylians. I intend to target one of the two. No matter how formidable Mauler is, given the distance, an immediate response will be impossible.”“Are you confident in the capabilities of the Zentir Magic Tower?”“Originally, magic towers have not reigned alone but collectively in the magical world. If the Zentir Magic Tower takes action, there is more than one tower to assist. For Mauler did not provoke the island’s scouting party, but the pride of the Ten Great Magic Towers.”
Sigril pulled up the corners of his mouth.
“As long as we don’t get caught, that’s all that matters. The Magic Tower specializes in this kind of scheme.”
Even when magic towers waged war and competed against each other in the past, power struggles mostly took place beneath the surface. There were more than a few wizards and people associated with magic towers who died in sudden accidents with no apparent cause.
“I can explain the detailed design plans to you right now.”“…….”
Adrian was lost in thought for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.
“Go outside and wait.”“Yes, please call me anytime.”
Sigril followed the guide without a word and left the reception room, heading to another room in the main hall. He considered it half a success in that he had not been refused.
Adrian rested his chin on his hand while looking at the spot where she had been sitting.
“beta.”
[I am listening.]
“The way I see it… it looks like bastards called Followers of Fate, like the Leader of the Iderat Alliance, are aiming for the division of the world. Do you think that’s getting ahead of me?”
Several magic towers, including the Zentir Magic Tower, are planning to retaliate against Mauler.According to international intelligence obtained from Eon’s intelligence officers, the Ruas Theocracy is heading toward the Iderat Confederation without even providing notification.
He must be trying to find out about the Federation Leader’s betrayal.
We don’t know what kind of friction might arise in the process.
If things spiral out of control, the international community will be shaken uncontrollably. Bloodshed could occur on the continent even before the Lefragium Magic Tower reveals what ultimately became of the former king.
The reason Adrian thought that way was precisely because of his liege’s purpose.
The Lord intended to establish the foundation for world integration at the World Conference to prepare for the enemy that would appear in the future. However, a rift formed in the integration because the Leader of the Alliance committed such an act in the capital of the theocratic nation and disappeared.
Above all.
Medrant, the sole witness to the Alliance Leader’s betrayal, did not reveal the truth, yet the news has already spread across the continent. Under the name of rumors and speculation.
Who on earth spread this?
I asserted on intuition that it was highly likely to be a scheme by a follower of fate.
Beta also affirmed.
That makes perfect sense.
“In that case, the best I can do right now is to mend the rift…… Hmm.”
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
“Beta, what is the chance that I can quell the conflicts among the forces of the entire continent, just like my liege?”
[None. Calculated considering Adrian’s communication skills and unique personality. None.]
The guy emphasized it twice.
“Is there not even a little bit?”
[If calculated in extremes, it is not entirely non-existent.]
Beta added.
[It is possible if all Transcendents, excluding His Majesty Verden and Adrian, die under mysterious circumstances.]
“…….”
