Episode 982 The Gate of Death (6)
While spending a few days in the Kingdom of Estiria, I also recovered some of the central signal devices from the ownerless land through the intercontinental spatial teleportation tunnel, not just the kingdom.
[Direct modification begins.]
[I will begin.]
Wiiiiiiing──hiss─! Hiss──!
Alpha and Beta, who manufactured the new central beacon at the Golem Research Facility, took the existing beacons to the laboratory and began modifying them.
Maximized efficiency as the workbench itself automatically adjusts the height and position of the signal in real time, even if two people just move their hands in place.
Sparks from the welding machine fly intermittently.The parts are assembled by interlocking without the slightest error.
A micro-process was achieved that modern technology dares not replicate.
[I will increase the mana consumption to maximize the communication range.]
[check.]
Even additional improvements.
Two modified central signal units were completed in just a few tens of minutes, and two more were completed exactly the same amount of time later.
There is no margin of error in their judgment and dexterity in all mechanical aspects.
It is clearly different from primates.
Neither humanity nor even the legendary dwarf blacksmith G’harun will be able to play a significant role in this process.
I wonder if Tilber can even follow a quarter of that.
Tilver Spangear, a golem researcher personally introduced by Master Artisan of the Magic Tower, is currently in charge of managing the golem unit in the ownerless land, while researching various assignments given by Alpha.
With talent and strong passion, technical skills are gradually improving, but looking at the current state of Alpha and Beta, it is difficult not to despair over the gap in level.Whether or not this can be overcome depends solely on the individual.
Even Verden does not know what the future holds for Tilber.
[Regional network reopening possible.]
[We have secured a minimum modified central signaling device for establishing a communication network connecting the continent.]
“Well done. Then I’ll leave the Golem Research Facility vacant for a while.”
It is a waste of their capabilities to keep Alpha and Beta here. Since the original objective has been achieved, it is not too late to utilize the Golem Research Facility once the freedom of spatial movement is partially liberated. After all,there are already artificial golem units deployed in Eon’s territory.
Before that… … .
Verden told Beta what had happened in the rift between worlds. Beta’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Verden.
[Is His Majesty Verden now the god of demons? It is expected that the Theocracy of Luas will express strong hostility.]
So, I have to hide it as much as possible. At least until I get past the immediate hurdle.
* * *
The reinstallation of the central signal beacon is a grave mission that must not fail even if interrupted.It cannot be entrusted to anyone other than Eon’s status.
“Half of the central signaling system connects the Central and Eastern Continents, and the other half connects the Western and Central Continents. Aldeban, and Levana.”“Yes, Your Majesty!”“I entrust the former to you. Aldeban is to form a communication network from the center to the east, and Levana from the east to the center.”
Naturally, central signal stations are deployed not only on the continents but also in the oceans. Otherwise, communication with other continents would have been nearly impossible without connecting space in the first place.
The gist of the mission was to create a structure where the signal devices could exchange special magical energy waves, withAldevan going from the ownerless lands through the Kingdom of Ragvel to the ocean, and Levana going from the Kingdom of Estiria through the Principality of Liviant and the Republic of Beldirn to the ocean.
Of course, the existence of the central signaling device is one of the top secrets.
Since the Principality of Liviant and the Republic of Beldirn are effectively subordinate to Eon, staying in their airspace is possible; all that is needed is to move by seaplane and secretly install central signal beacons at each location. Asfor the Kingdom of Ragvel, it is merely a neighboring country, so all that is done is to infiltrate it from the start and hide the central signal beacons.
In effect, it is espionage activity that clearly infringes upon the territory of another country, but as long as it is not detected by the outside, there is absolutely no hesitation.
Violation of sovereignty?Violation of international law?
If an honest person were to condemn it in that way, the world’s politicians would not spare their ridicule. Force is the very embodiment of power.Eon is not a group of saints, but a transcendent force that reigns by power.
Whoosh!
Verden and his party returned to the Central Continent.
Aldevan immediately moved with his troops, carrying the central signal device. As he descended from the spatial teleportation platform, a woman with dark green hair greeted him.
“house owner.”
Isabella, having returned to Arrain, ran over and hugged Verden tightly. Crunch, crunch, crunch… Given the sheer strength, Verden also felt the pressure.
I made you worry.
Verden stroked her hair.Alpha and Beta were sitting on Verden’s shoulders.
[Isabella. Hello.]
It’s a relief that Alpha is safe, too.
Even after seeing Verden’s changed appearance, Isabella reacted only briefly.It did not seem to be solely because she had heard about the 8th Rank.
“……Do you know?”“I heard it from the manager.”
Isabella quietly moved only her lips without making a sound.
Should I call you God now?
The essence of Verden, illuminated only a part by adjusting the intensity of the vision, had also changed.To be precise, only the atmosphere was like that.
Holy?Sacred?
If you looked just a little deeper into the essence, it was blinding, even if only for a moment. And I also felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation, enough to freeze my soul.
It just happened that way. The Rift of the World, Aisha, the Second Apostle, the Demon of the Rift… there’s a mountain of things to talk about.
Isabella, having received Verden’s intention, finally showed a look of surprise.Still, she did not ask anything immediately.
“You’re going straight to the Western Continent, right? And then crossing over to the Eastern Continent.”“I’m just going to collect what I’m owed by Gharun and leave right away.”“It always feels like we’re pressed for time… but I’m sure the day will come when we can regain our composure.”
Isabella led his hand and placed it on her forehead. Leaving behind the regret of their very brief reunion, she spoke.
Look at my memories.
Isabella asserted.
“I think I’ve found the cause of the spatial movement obstruction. Perhaps even the source of this situation.”“……!”
* * *
Undead with a soul.Mentioned in Heaven.The form of nine rifts emitting an extremely ominous aura, captured by the Eye of Vision.
As Isabella returned to Arrain, she formulated several hypotheses. Making the most of the information she had obtained this time… … one of them particularly stuck in Verden’s memory.
Transcendental doll that appeared on the central continent.
For what on earth are they attacking people? For what purpose were those beings, which likely originated from an ancient king, created?
It feels somewhat unsatisfactory to claim that it was merely to exacerbate the chaos. If that were the intention, it would have been better to inflict maximum damage on the city and distract the international community through guerrilla warfare, such as by going into hiding.
Verden rested his hand on his chin.
The transcendent doll ate humans.
Why do humans eat food?To be active.There is a purpose behind activity, including survival. In other words, it can be seen that we consume nutrients for the sake of a purpose.
It is not that there are those who eat simply to eat… but usually, consumption remains merely a means. The Transcendent Doll was too intelligent to be said to be consumed by that means. Nor was it indiscriminate, acting purely on instinct.
Assuming that the Transcendent Doll is accumulating power through cannibalism and using it somewhere, if that somewhere is connected to the Nine Rifts;and if those rifts take on the characteristics of entrances, just as Isabella saw.
“Consequently, if the Transcendental Doll is moving to open a rift under the command of the Old King… does that mean the rift has already occurred in the Demonic Realm?”
We would need to examine the interior of the Mirror of Evil to find the answer, but that is a possibility.Regardless of the exact nature of the rift, it is evident that it is the root cause of the massive undead outbreaks and the disruption of global spatial travel.
… … A transcendent doll that appeared on the central continent.
If rifts exist across the entire continent, there will be a threat to the Western and Eastern continents equivalent to at least a Transcendental Doll.
Perhaps even in the Kingdom of Ronia.
“Are you that worried about them? With so much anxiety, how do you think you can become a ruler?”“Gharun.”
Gharun appeared holding a sword wrapped in gray cloth. Just before heading to the Eastern Continent, I had already sent someone to tell Gharun that I wanted to meet him.
The wind blew on a secluded hill near the city of Arrein.
Even the little golem is fine.
[Gharun. You brat.]
“Hahaha, you’re still as arrogant as ever.”
Upon seeing Verden, Gharun stroked his beard and grinned.
“You are becoming a monster day by day. That robe seems drastically different, too. Though I can’t see it clearly with my own eyes.”“Still, it wasn’t enough.”“It looks that way. I don’t know if there is something lurking in this damn world, though.”
Gharun was deeply interested in the current situation.
Dragon Sword, Magras.
Because the sword crafted by Gharun’s ancestor long ago appeared in reality, transcending mere rumors.For reference, Gharun detested that ancestor.
This is because the Dragon Sword was not created for the master who wields it, but solely for the Dwarf cause.
What meaning can there be in a tool without an ultimate purpose?
The Dragon Sword has lost its meaning of creation.
By imbuing the weapon itself with a great cause, it conversely consumes the owner and makes them manipulated… Creating a weapon that cannot even be properly used is a disgrace to the dwarves.
The End of Order, [Interis].The Dragon Sword that Defeats All Things – Magras.
Which of the two is superior?
Needless to say, [Interis] is the greatest masterpiece and the greatest work of Harun’s life.
“joy.”
Gharun lightly threw the weapon he was carrying on his shoulder. As the cloth came off, the ivory sword naturally landed in Verden’s hand.
Ivory-colored sword, [Shaiol].
[Ishur’s Divine Artifact. Confirmed.]
“I must have lived too long. To think I would actually see a god.”“Did you notice?”“Of course. You said it was a divine artifact you stole from the God of the Desert. Its name itself is ‘Divine Artifact,’ so who but a god could possibly wield it?”
The Spear of the Sun [Latir] suddenly flashed before G’harun’s eyes and vanished. It was a phenomenon that could not be explained by blacksmithing skills alone, and he instinctively sensed that it was surely related to Verden.
“I have examined the Divine Artifacts as much as I could. I cannot even look into their blueprints yet, but I suppose it will work out somehow. So, how do you feel about becoming a god?” “Hmm, has your sense of responsibility grown stronger?”“You’re already such a diligent fellow. At this rate, you’ll try to take responsibility for this world as well. Well, anyway, as long as you’ve returned safely, that’s all that matters.”
Gharun crossed his arms.
“Go ahead, Verden.”“I’ll bring some alcohol next time.”
Verden soared into the sky and headed north toward the ownerless land. The figures of Verden and Alpha instantly turned into dots.
Gharun clicked his tongue.
“Is the alcohol important? The drinking partner is what matters…….”
* * *
Hares, a member of the Society, busily scoured the underground levels of the Grand Hall.Information, information, information. As manpower was woefully insufficient compared to the flood of information pouring in from across the Western Continent, Hares had even taken on the duties of an intelligence officer.
Since there is no communication device, there is no time to rest.
Tension filled Hares’s face as he glanced at the latest information document.
Besides, I don’t know how to handle this… Lord Melard would be horrified if he found out.
Melard, who is temporarily commanding the Great Hall of Black Hour, has not been able to sleep well recently. The situation on the Western Continent is changing rapidly.
If there had been a communication device, there would have been time to receive the information immediately and make a judgment, but as the information was delayed, the time to think also disappeared.
Above all, since there was no entity in the Great Hall capable of standing up to the Empire, the Magic Kingdom, or the Luas Church, it was quite difficult to step forward boldly.
“……huh?”
Hares suddenly sensed a sense of déjà vu and stopped in the hallway.
──────!
An unknown resonance struck. It was not a wave of space, but a sensation as if dimensions were twisting that spread throughout the entire grand hall.
‘Th-this is, the Lord of the Bohemian Tower… …?!’
During the battle against the Bohemian Magic Tower, the image of Jinche’s artillery fleet, which had crossed dimensions and invaded the Great Hall, flashed through his mind.At that time, Hares had nearly died after being struck by a surprise
“Heh!”
Hares reflexively threw the document behind his back and drew his staff. However, what appeared was not something like an airship, but an gray wizard.
“Melad is in the depths. Is Tearel still here?”“Uh, yes…? Huh?”
[Floor. Check information document.]
Verden patted Hares on the shoulder and floated a few of the documents scattered in the hallway into the air. Hares, still unable to hide his bewilderment, could not even speak.
“The Holy Order of the Holy Nation…….”
Blue Eyes read out the text written directly by Eon’s intelligence officers. Alpha was also present. Beta was left behind in the ownerless land as a full force.
Verden asked.
“Hares, when did this information come in?”“Ah, th-that.”
People who sensed Verden’s magic were coming toward the hallway where they were. Only then did Hares realize that Verden had arrived and continued speaking.
It was four days ago.
Hares put even more force into his voice.
“Four days ago, the Order of the Saint’s Law invaded the borders of the Arnak Empire. Claiming to conduct an Inquisition… At this, the Sword of Arnak moved.”
The transcendent being of the Luas Church and the transcendent being of the Empire clashed.
