Episode 1067 Essence (1)
Yurion opened his mouth.
“Black magic. No, you mean Black Magic?”
There was no one here who did not know that the magic Verden had pioneered was elemental. That is why they were left speechless. It is common knowledge that a mage can only wield a single type of magic.
Of course, while it was known that Verden wielded the Darkmoon magic as well as the Dark Flame, the academic community could not officially conclude that he possessed two types of magic because they did not know his exact nature.After all, crimson lightning and pitch-black flames appear to be branches of the elemental system.
However, Verden has now put an end to that speculation.
Black Flame, Black Red Lightning, Death Energy.
Even if one has pioneered a wide range of magical paths, a mere single path would not be able to encompass those three distinct characteristics.
“A sorcerer who pioneered various paths…….”
Yurion let out a hollow laugh, looking utterly dumbfounded.
So the assumption was true.
Multi-elemental sorcerer.
It was a ‘scientific name’ created by the wizards of Highlandia based on hypotheses established while studying Verden’s mindset, actions, and magic.It was destined to become a new term in the magical world referring exclusively to Verden.
Yurion wasn’t the only one who couldn’t take his eyes off the dark magic Verden displayed.Vendie was the same.
Although the essence itself seems different, there are too many similarities. So much so that it is hard to say it is any different from the Black Mage I experienced.
Since Yurion was not on the island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea, he would have seen it for the first time, but it was not for Vendie. Vendie relentlessly unleashed deadly attacks on Draven, who wielded various magical techniques by linking super-level magic.
He severed Draven’s breath time and time again. Heshattered his homeostasis.If it weren’t for the other mage who refused death, he would have killed him long ago.
Vendie recalled the battle of that time. She revived every sensation, right up to the moment she countered Draven’s super-level magic with her transcendental skill,in order to definitively determine the true nature of the magic Verden had just unleashed.
Transcendental intuition was convinced.
“It is the First Servant’s magic.”“The First Servant? The leader of the Glory of the Dead?”
Only then did Yurion realize the true nature of the magic and watched the situation with interest.It would be rare to find anything more intriguing. After all,it was a situation where a transcendent being who had executed the first servant had mastered the first servant’s magic and was now claiming to the second servant as the leader of the group.
“……That makes no sense.”
Lunesica trembled slightly as she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hands.There was no lie.No matter how exhausted she was, her judgment had not been dulled to the point of failing to recognize the chains of fate. Yes, it was all true.
“How…?”“You should know very well that just because the body is dead doesn’t mean it’s over.”“You met Draven’s soul? That doesn’t make sense! Time has passed since Draven died. Unless it was preserved as an [Animus], it is impossible to meet a soul that has already departed. Furthermore, Draven gave up resurrection as the price for breaking His Majesty’s seal!”
Lunesica was instinctively convinced that Verden had encountered the dead Draven, but she forced herself to deny it and demanded an answer that she could accept with her head.
“Even… Draven’s soul would have been ruined by your magic long ago. Just as my soul is now on the verge of shattering into pieces.”“It would be different if it were already destroyed, but a soul being ruined by me can be restored. Just as I can fix your soul right now.”“Even so, there is no way to capture Draven’s soul.”“You believe me, yet you are demanding other proof.”
Verden immediately summoned [Gring Arcanum] as the national treasure of the Kingdom of Estiria.
“[Animus] isn’t everything.”“What is that book?”
While Bendie and Yurion merely sensed an inexplicable ominousness, Lunesica saw through the true nature of the Book of Souls at a glance.It was no less than the [Animus].Her soul reacted to the countless souls stored within.
“Oops……!!”
Lunesica, who had merely managed to delay the destruction of her soul for a moment with the magic stone given by Verden, eventually could not withstand the backlash and vomited uncontrollably.Having practically eaten nothing, only stomach acid dripped from the corners of her mouth.
Verden collected the book.
Oh dear, how unsightly.
Yurion held out a handkerchief.
Luneska glared at him and wiped the corners of her mouth with the handkerchief she had snatched.She squeezed her eyes shut.She took a calm, deep breath.She wanted to suspect Verden, even if she had to force herself, but she could no longer deny it.
“……Right, it certainly looks like you met Draven. So? What do you want?”
Lunesica forced a sneer.
“Did Draven ask you to deliver a dying wish to him? I don’t know what trick you pulled, but did you receive magic and knowledge from him in return?”“Magic is literally the path of a sorcerer. Transcendents of the magical realm follow that path to pursue their own unique ideals. Then, what on earth does it mean that I can wield Draven’s magic?”
Verden bent his upper body and rested his elbows on his knees.
The gaze drew closer.
Lunesica flinched and swallowed her tension.
“As you know, Draven Lemarque wished for no souls to suffer. He pledged his loyalty to Akhand because he judged him to be the monarch and the only tool capable of realizing his ideals. Lunesica, you also pledged your loyalty to Akhand for almost the same reason.”“…….”“For an immortal world where souls do not suffer, where the concept of life has vanished and only death remains.”
Verden’s blue magical power was stained dark purple, but it was quite different from ordinary deception.I can say with certainty that no being engaged in the realm of black magic would be able to find this brilliant and pure death unpleasant.
“But what if it was a deception from the start?”“What do you mean?”“How much do you trust Arkhand?”
Lunesica frowned, then let out a sarcastic laugh. How much do you mean to trust him? Her loyalty to Emperor Xerion is as noble as she is currently demonstrating.
“All of them.”“Draven was like that too.”
Verden reached out and gently grasped Luneska’s head. His thumb rested on her forehead, and the remaining four fingers covered her temples.
“What.”“See for yourself.”
This is the truth.
The memory of the conversation shared with Draben’s soul in the Arcadium is conveyed to Lunesica. That moment when a new leader is born to inherit the glory of the dead.
───Yeah, I suppose this is the only answer.
A longed-for voice echoed in my mind.
You take it all.
A library surrounded by endlessly high bookshelves.A fireplace burning without firewood.
You, become the King of the Dead.
Draven Lemarque is sitting directly opposite, speaking with a determined expression. Luneska became Verden in her memory.
* * *
G’harun, having been escorted to a different prison from Verden’s party, is sitting roughly on the floor. In front of him, a dwarf, whose movements were restricted by physical and magical restraints, was laughing while clapping his feet.
“Hahahaha! I was wondering who had come looking for me. I recognized you at a glance! Then again, you must have been quite curious, too. Surely, a great dwarf would be.”
The dwarf resurrected by the glory of the dead through the power of [Animus]—Grimmel Gromfar—gazed with eyes befitting a prisoner.
“How does it feel to see the last king of the dwarves? G’harun, the Hammer of Integrity.”“So they said he was the worst dwarf on earth.”
Gharun displayed his distinctive eye.
It seems he has every right to strut around.
Gharun spoke in a calm tone, but inwardly he could not hide his surprise.The talent was extraordinary.Aside from himself, he had never seen a dwarf born with such talent.
“I heard from Verden that you destroyed one of the two land routes connecting the Eastern and Central continents while exploding with that bastard called the Prisoner of Massacre; indeed.”
Although I did not like Grimmel’s actions or way of thinking in the slightest, I could not help but acknowledge his overwhelming talent as a dwarf.
Gharun stroked his bushy beard.
“Anyway, to think you knew who I was. You must have had the nerve to pay attention to me, but seeing you captured like this in that state is absolutely ridiculous.”“Hahaha, I’m speechless.”
Grimmel’s hands had been severed. It was the mark of being cut off by Verden, who had pursued him. A dwarf without hands is as good as dead.
“If only I had enough time and resources, I would have dominated this era with my mechanical devices. If I had maintained the power of my prime, I could have killed Verden back then. To think I would end up wasting the life I worked so hard to gain like this.”“Does constantly dwelling on ‘what ifs’ like an idiot make you feel a little better?”“It only makes the regret grow! Still, being captured, interrogated, and spending time alone has helped me sort out my thoughts. I definitely lost to Verden. Now that both my hands are gone, I am beyond recovery.”
No matter how delicate the prosthetic arm may be, it cannot replicate a dwarf’s original dexterity. This is because every single nerve ending is his unique identity.There is no possibility of recovering to his prime.Honestly, Grimmel did feel despair, but he had already overcome those feelings. After all, no matter how much he kept acting up, reality wouldn’t change at all.
“But I want to live.”“You crazy bastard. You expect to live after blowing up an entire city? True to your moniker as the Worst Dwarf on Earth, you’re off to the execution grounds.”“A dwarf who has lost a hand is no longer a dwarf? If anything, I am currently the weakest dwarf on Earth. Of course, I’m not asking you to spare my life for free. Shall we call it a plea bargain?”“Ha! Verden would readily agree.”“You are the one I wish to propose to, G’harun.”
Gharun frowned, then gulped down strong liquor from the [Endless Bottle]. Hewiped his beard with his thick forearm.
“A proposal to me?”“When I heard about you, I was convinced. Grimmel and Gharun. We are great, but we pursue completely opposite directions!”
Grimmel raised his voice as if giving a speech.
“I hear that the Dwarf race currently has no dynasty and holds a tradition prohibiting mass production. It is the aftermath passed down to future generations precisely because of me. The dynasty I ruled devastated the Eastern Continent with the mechanical devices I mass-produced and waged war against the Central Continent. The Dwarves of that era did not want such history to repeat itself, so they imposed the yoke of tradition upon their descendants.”“Is that something to brag about?”“I love indiscriminate mass production. On the other hand, as a traditionalist, you absolutely reject mass production and craft weapons only for the qualified. It is rare to see such diametrically opposed relationships. But! Standing on opposite sides allows us to understand each other more deeply!”
Gharun tightened his piercing eyes as if telling him to get straight to the point.
“Look here, Gharun. Don’t you have an idea, too? Since it is right next to Verden. Is the war with the old king truly over? Will peace come once it ends?”
Grimmel twisted the corner of his mouth.
“A massive war is about to begin.”“…….”“That is why I make this proposal.”
The worst dwarf on earth whispered softly to the hammer with the incision.
“Don’t you want my machine blueprints? The power that will surely be of great help to Verden.”
* * *
Luneska’s focus blurred as she was swept away by Verden’s
Bendie muttered.
“What on earth…?”“You didn’t really need to be present to persuade Luneska. In fact, since I had to reveal one of my secrets, I should have come down alone.”
Verden spoke while exercising parallel thinking and maintaining
“Even so, the reason I allowed you to accompany me is because there is something I want to show you.”
Yurion asked.
“Something you want to show?”“Yeah.”
Verden straightened his gaze.
The essence of the Transcendent.
What happens to a transcendent being who unintentionally walks a path contrary to their ideals.
