Episode 1054 Summit: Establishment (2)
The lights of the summit hall illuminate a blue beard and hair.An old man, or a sturdy physique.
Although he was slightly smaller in stature than Triton Martus, who had experienced many battlefields as the master of the Helion Magic Tower whose main source of income was combat, his density was so high that one could not even dare to compare them.
Intuition based on experience said.
‘What is this? Isn’t he just like the God of Fighting…!!’
While there were several who had reached a state transcending Triton’s sixth rank, the aura of the transcendent being who introduced himself as Vantoreon was quite unfamiliar.It was truly spirit.Just facing him felt like standing on a fierce battlefield. Triton unconsciously twitched his muscles and activated his magic circuits.
This one… … is Vantoreon, whom my lord spoke of.
Isabella had seen Vantoreon when he visited Arrein, but Adrian, who was recovering from an injury sustained from Gareth at the time, was meeting him for the first time.
The clouds of war began to gather.
Vantoreon’s unique presence made the meeting hall feel that way.The northern sky flashed again.Thunder scraped against the eardrums. Eyes flickering with vivid lightning scrutinized the faces of the powerful, with the exception of Verden, whom he had already marked.
“I see. It’s stimulating. Enough to make me want to take them all on.”
Deus Widen.Vangelis Ruin Akenad.Reindel Nexreon.Vendie Kaenar.Gareth Cirilliad.Ersetia.Serendia.Antias.
They are the only beings that Vantoreon’s fierce madness points to. Race is irrelevant.The rest were excluded simply because they were ‘incomplete,’ ‘personal tendencies were disliked,’ or ‘limitations were self-evident,’ making it impossible to draw out his full potential.
“Is it the same for you?”
Vantoreon turned his gaze over his shoulder. Before he knew it, he saw Vendie aiming a dagger-shaped artifact at his neck.
“Master of the Temple.”“You seem to know a great deal about me.”“There are many ways to recognize another without meeting. Traces of existence are bound to remain where one has walked. Of course, seeing each other face-to-face like this is the most accurate method.”
Electric current began to flow through Bendie’s dagger, forming a magnetic field. The blade grew hot. The lights in the meeting room flickered rapidly, and the metallic materials and the magic map of [Materias] were also affected.The waves of magic and electric shock had caused the constituent materials of the metal and magic items to vibrate.
“I’ve heard that you judge the value of others’ existence based on your own standards. And if you decide that someone isn’t even worth understanding, whether they are a transcendent being or anyone else, you kill them or reduce them to a state worse than death.”
Bantoreon rested his elbows on the table.
“What do you think? My value?”“I saw your name in the true history revealed by the Ruas Theocracy. The Great Cataclysm of Light. One of the key figures who stood head-on against the former king and ultimately led the World Alliance to victory in the war against the Xerion Empire. Referring to the records from that time, you are a hero.”“That is a generous assessment.”“However.”
Bendy did not sheathe his sword.
“Many casualties occurred in the southern part of the Eastern Continent because the promise made with the Glory of the Dead was fulfilled in exchange for resurrection. Since there is a discrepancy between your past actions and your present state, I ask you here.”“I am listening.”“A difficult but fast path, an easy but slow path.”
Her head tilted slightly.
Which side are you on?
Every transcendent being dreams of the completion of the ideal, and the path to this is divided into two.
An ideal focused solely on results.An ideal pursuing both results and the process simultaneously.
Sandir Faen, whom Bendie destroyed to ruin his homeostasis, belongs to the former category. Because he defined the emotions of others as light and desired only a brighter light, he took the lives of thousands, even tens of thousands, of innocent people.
On the other hand… Ignacia is the latter. By this classification, she is clearly different from Sandir. She values pleasure, but she has not crossed the line by torturing or distorting the minds of citizens.Many may not admit it, but Ignacia is a fairly normal transcendent being. At least, from Vendie’s perspective.
Verden and Adrian are also, of course, the latter transcendents.
Verden established three commandments for the dignity of the sentient beings, and since Adrian acts for Verden’s sake rather than falling into the blindness of loyalty.
“Most… no, virtually all transcendent beings die before they achieve their ideals. They are like moths lured by unreachable moonlight. If moving forward alone is not enough, how could there be the luxury to look back? The conflict with the Xerion Empire was purely because they stood as an obstacle to my ideals.”
Vantoreon answered in exactly the format Bendie wanted.
“I am not a hero. Rather, I am very much closer to the nature of a slaughterer.”“Then it would be better for the world if you were not here.”“Surely it would be.”
A finger imbued with lightning touched the dagger. Bendie’s nerves pounded. A tension so intense that it wouldn’t have been surprising if he twisted his waist and unleashed a deadly strike at any moment.
“You fall short of my standards, but… unfortunately, since you currently belong to the Alliance, I will postpone judging you for the time being.”
Bendie recovered the dagger.
“Verden, I respect your wishes. However, do you have the means to control him? It would be fatal if he became an enemy on the battlefield. Furthermore, we cannot overlook the danger even after the war ends.”“Do not worry about the post-war period.”
Verden affirmed.
“I will handle it myself.”“……!”
“You will kill me once the war with the ancient empire ends?” To say that to the very person’s face, both the Senate and the House of Representatives took note of Vantoreon’s reaction.
“Hahahahahahahahaha!”
Far from being angry, Vantoreon was laughing.
“I made a proposal to Verden. I asked if he would fight me with all his might, without regard for life or death, in exchange for standing on the side of the Continent. I hadn’t received a clear answer yet, but can I consider it his acceptance now?”
Verden pondered what to do with Vantoreon, but after returning from Arcadium—that is, having gained a deep understanding of the Xerion Empire through Draven—he decided to bring him into the Alliance.The notebook Vantoreon had left behind in Arrein.There was not a single lie among the information about the Xerion Empire recorded within it. It was simply illegible handwriting.
“Very well, I promise.”“Very well. Then I promise right here and now that I will not betray the continent. Since we are transcendent beings who know what shame is, this promise will surely be kept without any separate restraints.”
Vantoreon immediately stood up from his seat, gulped down Verden’s share of Prohas strawberry wine, and soon bared his pure white teeth.
“It’s a happy day. It really is. The liquor even tastes excellent. Hmm? Why aren’t you guys drinking? If you want, I can drink for you.”“P-Please have some.”
Duke Liviant and Brillan, the Supreme Council Member of the Republic of Beldirn, presented untouched liquor to Vantoreon, who had approached them before they knew it.
“Oh, the Water King of the present. Shall we toast?”“…….”“Why aren’t you speaking?”“Because the previous Chairman stripped me of my right to speak.”“Oh dear, oh dear, I’ve been deprived of my right to speak a few times at past Alliance meetings, too. Discipline is a nuisance, but complying with punishment according to the rules is also a virtue of the strong.”
At Vantoreon, he clinks his cup with Antias, Yurion, and Emperor Zeracl in turn.Antias laughed silently as if finding it quite amusing, and Yurion was quite fond of him for valuing his promise as a sworn brother.
Amazing affinity.
Having gained momentum, Bantoleon was undeniably a cheerful old man overflowing with energy.
“That’s enough for the introductions.”“I apologize for the intrusion. I will refrain from showing my emotions.”
Vantoreon immediately stepped back at Verden’s command.The atmosphere was still complicated due to the sudden appearance, but one fact was as clear as the dawn sky.
A new 8th-tier transcendent has been added to the alliance under Verden’s responsibility.
That alone provides more than a few new strategies and tactics to use, and the continent’s chances of winning will increase in proportion to that.
The kings sincerely understood why Verden had volunteered to be the leader of the World Alliance. Without him, command would be hindered.Information and military power. Judgingsolely by what had been revealed so far, there was no one more suitable than Verden to fill the pinnacle.
At that moment, Leonhardt hesitantly raised his hand.
“Then… is there a possibility that the Empress and the Great Emperor could join the Alliance?”“They are different from Vantoreon. They won’t side with the Xerion Empire, but even so, they have neither the nature nor the reason to willingly join the Alliance. Above all, while the Great Emperor might be an issue, the Empress poses a potential problem.”
What Verden had in mind was Antias, that is, the Beastmen. This was because the Empress was a transcendent being who met her death from exhaustion after killing the Beast King and many Beastmen during the interspecies war three centuries ago.
“Beast King, Antias. You may speak.”“The beastkin races I rule do not question the reason for the hunt. There is no need to harbor ill will. On the contrary, I would like to ask the Empress when I meet her.”
Antias gestured with his chin as he chewed on several strawberry cookies with his large hands.
“How it felt to kill King Su.”“I will take note.”
Verden nodded. Bendie took his seat again, mindful of Vantoreon. In this way, the uninvited guest gained the rights of an attendee.
“With this, the Alliance’s strength has been reinforced. Let me say it again. We must set aside the past and prejudices, even if only for a moment, and bring in powerful forces from the outside. Raise your hand if you have anyone worthy of recommendation.”
Even after witnessing the prime example of Vantoreon, most attendees remained motionless. It was only natural. The summit was a gathering of the continent’s top military powers.Aside from them, how many other powerful figures could there truly be worthy of global discussion?
Grand Duke Rivandale closed his eyes.
The Sky Dragon Aerodon is just a hatchling, so it poses no significant threat, nor is there even the slightest reason to reveal it. Hmm, though, if the Imperial prisoners were used, they could be quite a sharp blade depending on how they were wielded… … .
It is nowhere near comparable to Bantoreon, whom Verden recommended.Furthermore, since how to utilize prisoners is at the discretion of the state, not the authority of the World Alliance, it was not a subject to be brought up at the meeting.
At that moment.
Reindel raised his hand nobly. Perhaps because everyone else had nothing to say about the current topic, he stood out even more.
“There is someone who requires official recognition. If necessary, I will summon them now.”“I grant permission.”“Then…”
The demonic path of the deadly realm beckons outward.
How many minutes had passed?
A massive presence approached the fortress, as if it had crossed space. The gods of light widened their eyes at the distinctive ominousness that was gradually becoming clearer.
Ersetia couldn’t stand it anymore and stood up.
“Death energy…!”“This magic power? Hah, I can’t believe it.”
Vantoreon stroked his beard blankly, then let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.
“You, are you alive?”
Vibrations occurred as a huge shadow covered the roof of Nordwald.
Roar… … !
A great commotion broke out in the street. One by one, they manifested their magical power and energy. Judging by their anxious faces, it seemed they were ready to enter battle stance at any moment.
Its eyes were cast on the windowpane.
Bone Dragon.
A sharp undead dragon, larger than the one Glory of the Dead had handled, turned its gaze toward the attendees of the summit.
“You said you had work to do with the current Necromancer at the Darkwarton Magic Tower.”
This sight was unexpected even for Verden.
I never imagined it would appear as a dragon.
The corners of the mouth of Andes Necrail, the first necromancer inhabited by the spirit of the Bone Dragon personally constructed by Reindel, soon parted.
[Nice to meet you. I am… … .]
Andes Neckle!
Vantoreon laughed heartily and spread his arms. The two were also comrades who had stood back-to-back in the brutal war against the Transcendents.
“To think the first Necromancer would appear as an undead! Hahaha! As expected, your life hasn’t been easy, either!”
[… … Vantoreon. You are exactly the same now as you were before your resurrection. Ahem.]
Andes showed no hatred whatsoever, unlike a typical undead. He cleared his throat lightly, just like a human, and continued speaking.
[It’s the Andes neckline.]
Founder of the Darkwarton Magic Tower.The first Necromancer.The Black Sage.Friend of Saint Ethanbelt.
At the appearance of the Wizard Dragon, the very root of the current 10 Great Magic Towers, the Tower Masters, who were unaware of his existence, were left speechless.
The Pope was like that, too.
There was a record left vividly by the Saintess of that time stating that although the Pope and the Saint sacrificed their lives at the moment the Old King was sealed, it would surely have failed without Andes present…The fact that the Luas Church maintains a cooperative relationship with the Darkwarton Magic Tower to this day proves just how deep the friendship was between Andes and the newcomers back then.
This situation… isn’t sudden at all. It’s all planned.
Ersetia immediately climbed onto the table and approached Verden.
“……Even if that Bone Dragon is truly the first Necromancer, to bring the undead into the World Alliance… This is unprecedented. At the very least, you should have given us a heads-up……!”“We did give you a heads-up.”
Verden answered immediately.
“At the World Conference.”“The World Conference……?”
Ersetia paused. Memories of the discussions and agreements exchanged at the World Conference flashed through her mind in an instant.
Removal of racial restrictions on Heterogeneous Species.Recognition of Heterogeneous Species residential zones within Eon’s territory.
───The Adventurer’s Guild will oversee other variants as before, but the Undead will be reviewed simultaneously by the Darkwarton Magic Tower and our Luas Cult. Unless the two forces agree, the Undead cannot coexist in any way. If this clause is not added, we will reject the Divine Petition.
I never imagined the Ruas Theocracy would distrust the Darkwarton Magic Tower this much. To think they proposed a simultaneous examination just because they couldn’t entrust us with a mere task of verifying the undead.
───In that case, declare right here and now. That the Master of the Darkwarton Magic Tower will take responsibility for the sins committed by all the undead who have come to coexist in society.
───… … Fine, I’ll take responsibility.
───If you insist that, I suppose I can no longer object. Let’s exclude the undead from the additional clauses. Holy One, will you accept?
Verden desired coexistence with the undead with intelligence, and after discussions, it was agreed that only undead individuals who agreed would be accepted for coexistence, in exchange for the Darkwarton Magic Tower assuming infinite responsibility.This was done without the review of the Ruas Theocracy.
“Surely not, since then?”“He passed the Darkwarton Tower Master’s screening. He is a subject of coexistence, so there is no basis for him to be ostracized on a racial basis.”
Verden took a step closer.
“If you want to object, provide a reason other than the fact that they are undead.”
