Episode 1055 Summit: Establishment (3)
It was a mere puzzle piece. It was such a faint clue that even after reaching the place I was supposed to go, I couldn’t even begin to imagine the completed puzzle.But as those pieces gradually filled in the gaps, a clear picture suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Since when on earth?
The situation where the lifting of restrictions on heteromorphic species agreed upon at the World Conference granted them legitimacy to join the Alliance at the Emergency Summit.And not just any heteromorphic species, but a Bone Dragon.Even an Undead Dragon that claimed to be the first Necromancer.
It is an undeniable reality.
The nobility that overwhelmed the morale characteristic of the undead shattered her loathing and hostility. It is hard to believe. Just how holy were the ideologies she harbored for them to permeate her very presence?It was an unfamiliar death that no one but the legendary first Necromancer himself could dare explain.
Since when… … have you had this moment in mind?
Verden used the agenda of the World Conference to lay the groundwork for preventing the Luas religion from denying the possibility of coexistence with the undead.Given the circumstances, he must have conspired with the Darkwarton Tower Master beforehand.
Perhaps the very act of discussing the overall social coexistence of non-humans by including intelligent beings or demons was a deception.
After a back-and-forth struggle to preserve its pride, the Holy Kingdom eventually signed the treaty.
Regardless of when they came into contact with the first Necromancer who appeared as an undead, the Theocracy of Luas was already on a well-arranged board.
However, what was disturbing Ersetia was Verden’s… … ‘nobility’.
While everyone was resting on their laurels in a long period of peace, he was preparing for an ancient danger that would engulf the world, and over the course of a few years, he absorbed the Black Hour and the Society to form a new force called Eon.
Battle against the Glory of the Dead.The Plague of Bloodcry.The Resurrection of the Old King.The Founding of the World Alliance.
Even in the absence of the leader, Eon thoroughly counterattacked the Glory of the Dead. In every respect, Verden’s response was too swift and strong.
Could it be… could it be that Verden is a trump card prepared by the Darkwarton Magic Tower for the future from the very beginning, in anticipation of the return of the ancient king?
Isn’t that right?
One day, the wizard Verden really ‘suddenly’ began to make a name for himself in the Principality of Liviant.
The gray zone in the central part of the Eastern Continent, where all kinds of unofficial requests are exchanged, commonly known as “From Gray to Sunlight.”The reputation built from the bottom up was a prime example of self-made success, but what he did before coming to the Duchy has never been properly revealed.
Ersetia questioned herself inwardly for a split second.
Did Verden really stand alone?Couldn’t he have a master?The first Necromancer was a wizard who was the perfect mentor to the magic world. I considered the possibility that Verden might be Andes’s disciple.
Considering that, the fact that Verden cannot use black magic is bothersome… …Rather than him being completely independent from beginning to end, it was a much more reasonable guess that he had the background of the first Necromancer.
If we assume that, it becomes immediately clear why Reindel is close to Verden, why he stood in opposition to the Glory of the Dead as much as the Holy Kingdom, and how he immediately countered the Glory of the Dead’s plans.
Of course, if Andes and Reindel had heard it, they would have reacted by saying, “……?? A disciple? Who is whose??” or “What is the name of the novel?” but she never revealed such inner thoughts to them.
It lags behind in the greater good.It falls behind in justification.Its achievements fall short even.
Saint Ersetia finally realized the sense of mission Verden had set forth for the world. At least in the second war against the old king, the Ruas religion was not in a position to protest against Verden.
Ersetia flinched as Verden took a step forward.
“Answer.”“……I understand.”
It was as if the crazy younger sister, who used to have a seizure whenever her older brother said something, had become an obedient and compliant younger sister.
“I will follow the Alliance Leader’s will…….”
As a side note, Ersetia was three years older than Verden.
anyway.
Finally, Ersetia was crushed.
* * *
The appearance of Andes Necrail and Bantoreon Rodon Taranis was more than enough to impress most of the attendees.
After all, aren’t they the legendary transcendents?
Especially the Andes.
They desperately suppressed their urge to ask questions and focused on the resumed meeting, gazing at the massive Bone Dragon with its face half-poked into the summit hall.
[… … They say that doing your best is a matter of attitude, while being the best is proof of the result.]
Andes calmly recounted his reflections from eight centuries ago, as if to prove who he was. Even without further elaboration, no one would have doubted his existence, yet everyone listened attentively to his story.
[Our karma has become a source of anxiety, leaving the resolution with Akhand to future generations. Though our hearts were steeped in regret and sorrow, the people of that era ultimately focused on rebuilding the times, firmly believing without a doubt that they had fulfilled their duty. That was the right thing to do. Since neither the past nor the future is within our reach, we have no choice but to face the present.]
He looked around with only his eyes.
[However, I thought I had not yet fulfilled my duty to history. A delusion, yes, surely it must be a lingering attachment. Perhaps I could not accept the reality where we had to be content with a victory that was not a victory, despite the sacrifice of so many lives… … Like the glory of the dead who could not accept defeat.]
“…….”
[Some of you may have already realized this, but as the price for being resurrected as an undead, I lost my transcendence. It was because I abandoned a being bound by ideals through suicide. However, thanks to the Darkwarton Tower Master of this era, I have obtained a power different from the past, so I am not entirely powerless.]
There was one inevitable problem in the process of creating the special bone dragon with the high elders of the Darkwarton Magic Tower, led by Reindel.
How will this be controlled?
As it is an individual created to fight the Evil Dragon of the Xerion Empire, it possesses strength that overwhelms ordinary Bone Dragons, but the aura of death is so intense that the moment it lets go of the reins, it will scatter hatred toward all living things in the vicinity.
There was no black mage other than Reindel who could ‘perfectly’ control it. And rather than wasting his power in that way, it was more rational not to use the Bone Dragon at all.
Here, Andes came up with a clever move.
Corpse merging and mind transplantation.
The unique magic of the
Andes dissolved its own bone marrow and seeped into the entire body of the Bone Dragon. Soon, it engaged in a desperate tug-of-war against the Bone Dragon’s instincts within the mental realm.Its ego was successfully established, and an undead dragon capable of unleashing the magic path was born.
[Of course, despite all that, I am still nothing but an old ghost. Well, since I have changed like this, if I had to give it a name, perhaps I should call it a dead dragon.]
Andes showed his humanity by cracking a joke that was unbefitting of his massive form. Soon, a sense of responsibility flared up in his eyes of transparent purple flames.
[I know very well how hostile the dead are to the living. I understand that hatred and loathing better than anyone. However, if one were merely swayed by instinct and emotion, why would an intelligent being strive to exist in the world by repeatedly contemplating?]
Andes declared without wavering.
[Please, feel free to use my death.]
It was an appeal to utilize him as actively as possible, and if you are worried about him being undead and want to exclude him, to use him instead to weaken Arkhand’s forces.
“I die for the living. You are truly out of your mind. To pursue that altruism even to the point of being reborn as an undead by transforming the death ritual written by the Glory of the Dead in Arkanth—you will be recorded in history once again as a man madder than the Transcendent.”
The reason I was able to make such a choice was probably due to my obsession with ideals.
“The contradiction of having to abandon ideals for the sake of ideals might also be a virtue of a transcendent being. It is a pity that you have lost the realm of transcendence, but it is not bad. I particularly like that strength!”
Bantoleon, sitting on Andes’s head, stroked his chin.
This must truly be a world alliance.
The War of the Transcendents about eight centuries ago was, in fact, a conflict solely between humans. The concept of the Transcendents exists only among humans to begin with.Since the conflict with the Xerion Empire was between the Luas religion and the Transcendents of that time, elves, beastmen, and dwarves were hardly involved.
But, look at this spot!
Humans, elves, beastmen, dwarves, and even the undead are gathered in one place. If the Xerion Empire has grown stronger, the alliance has expanded further.
“This is going to be the greatest war in history……!!!”
[Maintain your dignity.]
A transcendent being of the magical world, driven mad by battle, burst into maniacal laughter. The moment that mad laughter subsided, Verden lightened the mood.
“It would be safe to say there are no objections regarding the Andes Necrail joining. The same goes for the Luas.”“Yes, of course.”
Pope Romanus answered immediately, glancing at Andes several times. His eyes were as bright as those of a child who had actually met a hero from a fairy tale.
“…….”“Phew.”
Saint Ersetia nodded slowly, perhaps intimidated, and Saint Leonhardt felt relieved that there was no friction.
Andes smiled. Even though it is a Bone Dragon, you can tell whether it is smiling or not.
Thanks for accepting.
“Oh my, saying such a thing…”
Several Tower Lords bowed reflexively. Whether undead or not, the authority of the founders of the Ten Great Towers enforced etiquette upon them.The Mayor of the Magic City of Virente and the leader of the Magic Autonomous Regiment had long since lowered their eyes.
anyway.
Since no one raised their hand in attendance after Verden and Reindel, it seemed that the joining of external forces, which absolutely requires international agreement, had ended here.
Then, let’s resume the first minor ritual.
Although the conversation dragged on for a while, the first minor ritual was not over yet.
The Nine Gates.
Now that we have brought in additional forces to utilize in the assault, it is time to discuss strategy. Adding flesh and bone to everything directly shared by Keeper Acetro and Reindel, the Understooder of Death.
“I will say it again. Despite being on the receiving end of an attack, we must launch an offensive. In a war against the undead—whose numbers are endless and tireless—the longer it drags on, the lower our chances of victory and our morale will be. Therefore, we are in a situation where we must seal off as many gates as possible in a quick, decisive battle.”
Beta partially magnified the eight Four Gates located across the continent using [Materias]. Since the remaining Four Gate is the ancient king himself, its current location cannot be determined like the others.
“However, each of the Four Sects possesses different domains and powers. The interiors of the Sects shown by the Darkwarton Tower Master are also vastly different, so one would have to go inside to find out what exists there and where the source lies.”
King of the North – Eres nodded.
“So you are saying that a single tactic is insufficient.”“Yes, the point is that, as of now, the realm beyond the Gate of Death has not been grasped, so we cannot devise an optimal strategy excluding the confirmed Gate of Death of Delharun.”
Even to Draven, the leader of the Glory of the Dead, information about the Four Gates remains partially veiled. His sole purpose was to open the Four Gates created by the influence of Akhand’s resurrection.Since there were no Four Gates during the era of the Xerion Empire, he had no way of knowing their structure.
However, through various clues, the identity of the sect is already known.
The Four Gates are the space of the soul.
The Four Gates are deeply connected to the Fifth World, where the source of destiny resides.Perhaps a kind of byproduct?It is surrounded by the boundary of taboo. And while the Empress of Delharun and Reindel were allowed to pass, Verden was strictly denied entry.
The Host warned that collapsing the Four Gates with the concept of destruction would result in a catastrophe. So, I suppose I am the only one who cannot enter the Four Gates.
Therefore, Verden must take charge of the Gate of Death, which does not require entry.Indeed.The Old King—Arkhand.He must distract the forces commanded by him on the front lines until the Allied Forces strike the Gate of Death. That will be Verden’s primary role.
Verden had no intention of revealing the true identity of the Four Gates in its entirety. It was for the same reason he had mentioned the power of the Old King.To discuss the concept of the soul would require refuting the doctrines of the Luas religion. If the gods of light were to understand the soul, it would be better to let them realize it naturally.
Verden said.
“Furthermore, I even attempted to enter the Four Gates in the Kingdom of Ronia myself before, but I could not get in.”“What is the cause?”“I do not know. I do not know how many others have been in the same situation. Given the significant risks involved, it would be reasonable to deal with the most dangerous issues first rather than prioritizing efficient deployment.”
Verden himself let go of why he could not pass through the gates, and then expanded all three gates to their maximum size for everyone to see.
One in Lake Pendren in the southern Western Continent.One in the southern Eastern Continent.One in the Demon Realm.
“If Lake Pendren, the second largest lake on the continent, becomes completely contaminated, the neighboring Kingdoms of Itel and Valdera will be devastated, and the undead will start swarming all the way to the borders of the Arnak Empire.”
King Itel and King Valdera were terrified. King Itel, in particular, had permanently lost a city due to the Four Gates of Lake Pendren. The neighboring King of Barimtiel also swallowed hard.Unlike them, Emperor Zeracl quietly gazed at [Materias] while holding his wine glass.
“And, if the influence of the Four Sects that have devastated the entire southern Eastern Continent expands and corrupted individuals appear on a widespread scale, we will not be able to trust even the family members right beside us. Even more so than the traitors of humanity. Furthermore, with another Four Sect nearby, the difficulty of subjugation increases several times over.”
Those who chose betrayal out of fear of death became corrupted and, in turn, threatened the survivors of the Kingdom of Ronia and the Lower Beastmen tribes.If their influence spreads across the continent, complete recovery will be virtually impossible.
Lastly, the Hell Realm. The Keeper explained this place, so there is no need to say more. If left unchecked, there is no hope.
Verden reverently clasped his hands together.
“I can say with certainty that if we fail to strike even one of these three, it is the end. If we cannot do anything even by deploying excess power, the future of the World Alliance is all too obvious.”
No one denied it.
“I will select three corps commanders from the punitive expedition to command the field.”
Verden called out the names of the personnel he had thought of in advance.
“Meia, Agent of the Lefragium Magic Tower.”“…….”“Commander of the Magic Mirror Legion.”
All eyes converged on them at once. Deus, the Master of the Lefragium Magic Tower, was one of them.Meia, suddenly illuminated by the spotlight, blinked her eyes and muttered blankly.
“…Me?”
