Episode 974 Hwanguk (1)
After Verden lost consciousness and the Old King was temporarily sealed away again…Adrian and Isabella, acting as agents in Verden’s absence, kept the Followers of Fate in check, stabilized the international community, and built a Transcendent-centered alliance to build up the strength to oppose the Old King.
In the midst of this, Adrian dispatched Eon’s executives to execute punishment for violating the commandments against the Kingdom of Ronia and seize Mauler’s territory,with the assistance of the magic towers .The pretext was retaliation for the magic tower personnel Mauler had killed at the island’s ruins. Mauler’s actions had provoked the magic towers, and since this could accelerate international division, it was an indispensable measure.
Ultimately, Adrian’s goal was an official one-on-one battle with Mauler.To divert the public’s attention, which was overflowing with conflict, to a clash between transcendents, and to preemptively subdue the potential threat.
This is Eon’s initial plan.
However, as of now, 77 days later.
Several unexpected events occurred on the continent.
Undead forces have risen up everywhere across the Western, Central, and Eastern continents, just as the undead had suddenly appeared in the Demon Realm.
In this regard, it has been confirmed through solidarity with other nations that there are unidentified entities on each continent that summon large numbers of undead.
Judging by the circumstances, they seem like the old king’s henchmen who woke up at the same time as the old king was resurrected.
‘Amidst that chaos… … Eon faced the situation.’
Pan-continental spatial coordinate disturbance.Communication device signal damage.Due to the above situation, contact with the Aeon phases dispatched to the Kingdom of Ronia has been lost.
Amidst a situation changing urgently in real-time due to some kind of interference, Beta’s final communication was a condensed version of the information above.Immediately afterward, the Desert of Silence was completely cut off from the outside world and became isolated.
“That is all I know of. The communication device hasn’t restarted since then.”“…….”
Verden let out a silent breath and closed his eyes for a moment. At least until the space was connected to Nuhara, there had been no confirmed damage to Eon.It was a relief, but as the person in charge, he could not let his guard down because it was unclear what had happened during the dozens of days that followed.
Verden asked.
“How is it here?”“With the Great Tree of Life taking root, basic food shortages have been resolved, so Nuha is actually safer than the outside. Even when there is commotion, it subsides quickly. For your faith is here.”
Tuhar is a theocracy. As long as their faith remains firm, no amount of instability can ultimately shake the very foundations of the state.As long as Verden stands strong, Tuhar is a more stable nation than other countries.
“I tried to gather more information in my own way, but since the continent and space are not properly connected, I gained little. However, I did get the sensation that strange waves were rippling with quite long cycles, hindering spatial movement.”“So you are saying it is not magic.”“I am leaning toward aberrant species. Since the ancient king was deeply connected to the undead, it would be natural to assume that this is the appearance of that type of undead.”
The manager stared at the straight blue eyes.
“Verden, slowly uniting your soul and body to perfect the harmony of your realm is also a way. I can help you. Still, are you going to return immediately?”“I do not wish to delay.”
I cannot even gauge what further situations might arise while we waste time unnecessarily. Now that I have a rough grasp of the current situation, it is time to act.
If you act quickly, you can deal with it, butif you are late, it cannot be reversed.
“It will be incredibly difficult to control the new level you have reached.”“Master.”
Verden was confident.
“I can control it.”“……!”
The manager opened his eyes slightly at the answer, which was given without a shred of hesitation. Just what on earth had he experienced while asleep… It seemed that Verden, having attained divinity, had undergone a significant mental transformation as well.
The manager nodded.
Since spatial teleportation is difficult, we must cross the Desert of Silence. With your airship, you should be able to return to the continent in the shortest possible time.
As the captain of the Ark, Verden possesses his own airship. It isthe Arsis, a vessel that adapts to terrain. Even when he first wandered in search of Tuhar, he used the Arsis to traverse a desert where
“Common sense dictates that is the fastest way, but I have no intention of wasting even that time.”“Then?”“I will destroy space.”
A method of temporarily connecting a passage by damaging the destination spatial coordinates, that is, distorting the two coordinates, via a damaged spatial coordinate on one side.
It is a spatial teleportation devised after experiencing the fourth dimension beyond the third through the spatial control learned from Elder Sheorn and Balok’s super-level magic.If conventional spatial teleportation is the concept of opening an entrance, this transference is the concept of piercing through the front and back sides of the very thin paper called space by making wounds.To put it simply, it is somewhere between third-dimensional teleportation and fourth-dimensional teleportation.
Verden is still unable to activate the super-level magic
“I will escape the disturbance by directly harming the space…… I’ll have to watch the repercussions, but theoretically, it’s possible. Given who you are.”
The manager stroked his short beard.
“Are you going to go alone?”“That would be the fastest way. I will check the area first and return. And I am not alone.”
Verden summoned a mini-golem with its power unactivated in subspace and infused it with magic.A light immediately flashed into its distinctive single eye.
[Alpha. Resurrection.]
Alpha waved his hand.
[Admin. Hello.]
“So, did you sleep well?”“Alpha, I’m sorry to bother you, but you have to get moving right away as soon as you wake up.”
Verden’s memory containing the previous conversation was conveyed to Alpha.
[Confirmed. Wait briefly on the administrator’s shoulder.]
Alpha hopped up and climbed onto the manager’s right shoulder. The manager chuckled softly at this behavior, which seemed to be in perfect sync with Verden, and stood up while focusing on the magic currently open.
“Verden, when you are ready, I will withdraw the power that has severed your soul and body.”“Yes.”
Verden rose from the cradle prepared by the Great Tree of Life.Aisha was still asleep.
“I’m ready.”“Let’s begin.”
Origin of magic, release.
The moment the administrator withdrew the magic, a change occurred within Verden. It felt as if two lights, which had been fundamentally at rest, were slowly drawing closer.
Soul and body… … .
It was time for the true crystallization of God, who pursued ideals, to finally be revealed. Even the manager could not know what kind of changes would appear.
Talk.
In the time flowing slowly toward each other, the inner and outer selves aligned. The sound of a regular and massive heartbeat hovers in the air.The faint light lingering in the gray [Einber] and [Interis] grows stronger.
A heavy silence.Something boiling up within it.
‘… … is coming.’
The administrator watching Verden immediately deployed a magic barrier with
A blue light exploded.
Infinite power emanated from the bowed Verden, forming a pillar of blue magical power. A repulsive force strong enough to reverse the surrounding gravity swirled forth.
Kugugugugugugu───!
The giant tree of life upon which they stood moved its massive branches as if to roar. An indescribable vibration traveled through the roots and stirred up the entire Nuhara.
The silent desert watching Verden.
The citizens of Nuhara who were praying to the new desert god, the former desert believers who followed Ishur, the former apostates who rebelled against Ishur, the former exiles driven out by the desert faith, and the ancient desert calamities that are now almost tamed and protecting Nuhara… … .All the mages belonging to Eon remaining in Nuhara were looking in the same direction.
This is Verden of the 8th rank, who has attained divinity.
The manager, unable to withstand the full pressure at close range, is gradually pushed back.
Indeed, you have every reason to be confident…!
He is worthy of being called a god.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwa!
As gray light mixed with the vast pillar of magical power that pierced vertically through the heavens, the sky of Nuhara was also dyed the same color.
The gray color gradually spread.
As time passed, far from diminishing, its power exploded even further. I thought that if things continued like this, the entire Nuhara might be stained gray.
The atmosphere above was turned upside down.The sense of hearing reacted.
“──────!! ────!!!!”
With veins bulging on his face and tendons and muscles swelling all over his body, Verden let out a shout while gripping [Interis] tightly.
As I ascended to the original 8th rank through the union of spirit and body, an uncontrollable power surged. Impulses based on concepts attempted to engulf the mind once again. Onlyby skillfully controlling this can I attain the full rank.
However, that was not the only obstacle to overcome.
The excruciating pain from all the wounds inflicted by the Second Apostle, the elevated status of a transcendent being infused with divinity, the price for forcibly wielding power and super-level magic…The changes applied to the soul from the rift in the world surged into the body in an instant.
Extreme destructive impulses stemming from the concept of destruction gnaw at the mind and brain, and pain that feels like it has pierced the heart tears at the brainstem.
It wouldn’t be surprising if consciousness vanished in an instant.In fact, that would be the natural outcome.The administrator had advised taking time because he was concerned about this situation, but… there was a reason why Verden was confident in his control of the power.
The magical power disperses.The gray light fades.
The power to control the uncontrollable.
Reason and faith overwhelmed everything.
“…….”
As Verden raised his head, an expression of rage was revealed. Even if one has controlled their fundamental destructive impulses, they do not disappear unless they are resolved.He stretched his arm to the side, bent his fingers, and twisted his wrist.
Crunch crunch!
The space became distorted and a small crack appeared.
The manager observed the aftermath.
“This method of spatial movement places too much strain on the space itself. We must not abuse it as much as possible until safety is ensured.”
[Your Majesty Verden. Ready.]
Alpha settled into [Einber]’s neck as usual. Verden, whose breathing had become cautious due to the impulse, spoke slowly.
“Please take care of Aisha.”
[Admin. I’ll be back.]
Alpha’s emotions seem to be growing richer day by day.
As always, there is nothing to worry about here.
The administrator saw them off with the Great Tree of Life and Nuhara in the background.
Go ahead.
Boom!
Verden and Alpha, who had instantly soared into the air, threw themselves into the gap in space.
* * *
Thump, thump, thump!
Several warhorses hurriedly crossed the forest path, leaving a trail of dust behind. Count Loud and the Knights, drenched in sweat, urged their horses on without rest.
“Still…!! Is it still chasing us?!”“I can’t see it, but if it’s that monster, it will catch up in no time…!!”
The hand gripping the reins tightened.
A force of nearly a thousand soldiers from the Kingdom of Belmair was annihilated by a mere single individual. Even a royal knight, acting on the king’s orders, was accompanied by him, but he was killed alive with his neck torn off as if he were being devoured.Faced with such absurd brute force, the armed soldiers were nothing but mere prey.
“Surely that guy… it must be that thing, right?”“Yes, probably…”
If that monster is one of the truths behind the rumors currently spreading across the Central Continent, I can accept it. Even if there were three thousand people instead of a thousand, the result would have been the same.I was half-doubting, but I never imagined I would actually come face-to-face with it like this.
“I barely managed to break through the undead forces blocking the border… Ha, it’s a mountain to be reckoned with.”
Count Loud sighed as he found himself heading to the battlefield against the undead in just a few dozen days. Recalling his peaceful life, he read the terrain.
“We will soon arrive at the boundary of the ownerless land. If that fellow pursues us again, do not try to protect me; you must make contact with Eon by any means necessary. Prioritize the King’s orders at all costs.”“Your Excellency, however,”“the fate of the Kingdom of Belmair depends on it.”
Count Loud did not lose his patriotism, even while trembling with fear.
“Without Eon’s help, the Kingdom cannot survive—”“Damn it, here I am!”
A shadow whizzed over the Count’s party at tremendous speed. The humanoid figure that had suddenly blocked their path laid its sword down.Just as the knights each drew up their ki and magic power, a slash flew in, skimming the ground.
The horses’ feet were all cut off.
“ah……!”
The Count and the knights slumped off their horses with their eyes wide open. Given the speed, the necks of the warhorses snapped instantly.
“Protect His Excellency!”“Yes!”
Those who avoided falling thanks to the magical effects of the armor hurriedly formed a formation. However, everyone knew that it was meaningless.
“Fleeing from war—truly a disgrace. What shameful ones. Therefore, they deserve to die a shameful death befitting their stature.”
A young swordsman with somewhat pale skin approaches, covered in the soldiers’ blood. His strength was so insurmountable that it could be felt on the skin.Also, an indescribable madness.
Such beings appear irregularly on the Central Continent, committing massacres and cannibalism. After the damage caused by them came to light, the Luas religion defined their true identity as follows.
“Transcendental Doll,” they said.
‘A being originating from the corpse of a past transcendent… …was it said to be a transcendent who lost their transcendence?’
Count Loud, like most people, did not know what transcendence was. Nevertheless, he knew that the monster would chew them up.
“There is no solution, is there?”“I would like to tell you to trust only me, but… the Royal Family’s personal knight was defeated in just a few exchanges without even leaving a scratch.”
The Knight Commander let out a hollow laugh.
“It would be a stroke of luck to even parry a single strike.”“Phew…….”
Count Loud wanted to send at least one person alive to make contact with Eon, but no matter how much he racked his brain, nothing came to mind other than complete annihilation.
Should I throw the royal letter into the forest?Perhaps the animals might deliver it to Eon?
Count Loud, having indulged in his delusions to the fullest, smiled weakly. The fate of the dead warhorses was no different from that of themselves, who were destined to die.
“You’ve worked hard.”“It was an honor to be with you until the very end.”
Although they had shown a resolute will of their own, the Count and the knights, unable to hide their fear in the face of death, began to tremble.
Hahaha.
The transcendent being, who had been killed by an ancient king 800 years ago and turned into a doll, raised his sword while mocking him. Just then, the sound of something breaking pierced the ears.
Crackle.
The Count and the knights jumped in surprise and cast their gaze behind the swordsman. The swordsman also frowned and turned his head back.
The prosecutor muttered.
“……what?”
An unidentified rift appeared in the empty air above the road.
chin.
A hand rested on the edge of the rift.A wizard clad in a gray robe emerged from within.
Verden, who suppressed his violent destructive impulses.
