Episode 1038 The End of the Arcadium (6)
Verden pioneered two magic paths.
The magic of destruction is the result of a self-consciousness that defied fate by going against the heavens… … .
The Infinite Magic Path is the manifestation of the pure self he has longed for as a wizard.A life given a limited time due to the side effects of human experimentation. On the brink of death, he hoped for endless possibilities unbound by limitations when reconstructing his body.
Thus, Verden, who chose nothing in the abyss of magic he had entered during the magical battle with the Administrator, obtained infinity.
Breaking away from the computational system that manifests magic by transforming magical power solely through mental imagery.
Interpreting unfamiliar magic with magical understanding and immediately manifesting it, manipulating magical power and elements at will, and drastically shortening the time required to create countless magic circles without basic preparation steps… …Furthermore, the power to invade the realm of magic and mimic parts of it is the potential held within infinity.
Examples of this include the first Demon King’s
Even… … .
The concept of infinity decisively enables the full manifestation of another’s magic.Since magic is the path of a sorcerer and a unique identity materialized through enlightenment, the moment Verden perfectly understands another’s life, he becomes able to transcend mere imitation and recreate that magic.Just as he awakened the
However, even with successful precedents like *Infinite – The Lost Fire*, the complete reproduction of the Demonic Way is virtually impossible.This is because, no matter how advanced one’s insight may be, one cannot deeply fathom the very source of thoughts and emotions that change from moment to moment.
Others are others because they cannot be perfectly understood.
Unless one lives the life of a sorcerer, one cannot realize the meaning of enlightenment.In other words, Verden must become another person himself; that is the indispensable condition for the reproduction of magic.
Balok Besias’s magic
The magic of the first Demon King,
And countless other magic spells, etc… … .
Unless they receive all the memories like Dahit, they cannot unlock their magic.In particular, since Master possesses only a portion of the First Demon King’s memories, even if he receives all of them, the pioneering of the Source of Magic is impossible.
Draven’s Magic.
Verden remained seated as he gazed at the book Draven readily handed him. Host possessed books containing the lives of beings, including Verden.Within this book, Draven Lemarque’s entire life must surely be recorded. In enough detail to fully understand Draven.
“A transcendent being remains a transcendent being, even in death. Judging by the fact that his obsessive madness—enough to hand over even the magic—has grown stronger rather than weaker.”
Verden lowered his voice.
But why should I shoulder your ideals as well?
There is practically no overlap between Verden and Draven.
The magic itself is like that.
Verden has never learned or used black magic, and has no intention of learning it now, but Draven is a transcendent being of the black magic world.
What about the moves?
Although both walked a blood-stained path, countless screams and corpses of the innocent are buried beneath Draven’s feet. The number of people Draven has killed is on a scale that Verden cannot even approach.
Draven had willingly trampled on the dignity of others for the sake of his own ideals.Even if one strictly distinguished between the realms of the dead and the living, Verden had no reason to show Draven even the slightest favor.
“I know. I know it makes no sense that I, who have pledged my loyalty to Akhand, would entrust my ideals to none other than you. I know that even if you refuse my offer, you can still take as much information from me as you want.”
Draven’s gaze subsided.
However, this is not a path solely for me, but a choice for you as well.
Verden gestured as if to say, “Explain.” After placing the book on the table, Draven sat facing Verden again.
“In the War of the Transcendents, the forces of the Xerion Empire facing the World Alliance were mostly undead. The glory of Xerion… it was the result of the Emperor’s Guard Knights, composed of dark mages including myself.”
Draven opened his eyes, which he had tightly closed.
“In the undead legions under Akhand, there was neither betrayal nor rebellion. An army of immortality. Since the undead possess no emotion of fear unless they are highly intelligent beings, there could be no more ideal army. We crumbled in an instant with Akhand’s defeat, but now that he has conquered even death, his empire has neared perfection.”
The fireplace flickers.
“However, there is a flaw.”“A flaw?”“That Akhand does not doubt his dominance for the first time, just as he has always done.”
Draven had long been Akhand’s closest confidant and a loyal servant.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that their loyalty was deeper than the relationship between Verden and Adrian. IfAdrian had perfected his own ideals as Verden’s sword, for Draben, Akand was the agent who would realize his ideals.
Therefore, unless you were connected to ‘you’, there was no one within the Xerion Empire who knew Arkhand in more detail than Draven.
“……The most certain means for a sorcerer to prove their identity is magic. One could say that their unique magic is practically an ID card.”
and.
The forces of the Xerion Empire consist not only of the undead. There is also the Glory of the Dead, which I have led for centuries. Furthermore, thanks to the power of Arkand, all the servants who have died during this time must have been resurrected.
Draben pressed the book cover firmly, putting strength into his voice.
“The current strength of the Glory of the Dead, having endured for a staggering 800 years, is the greatest in history. If the undead commanders emerging from the Nine Gates of Death are Akhand’s right hand, then the Glory of the Dead is his left.”“…….”“The greatest difference between the two lies in the purpose of their loyalty. The undead merely obey absolutely, but the Glory of the Dead sacrifices their lives for Akhand solely because they desire an immortal world. Just as I did.”
Verden’s gaze changed slightly. It was an inevitable reaction. He began to understand the ulterior motive behind Draven’s words.
“Even if Akhand burns the entire world, an immortal world will not come. As I said earlier, the utopia Akhand desires stands cruelly in stark contrast to the ideology pursued by the Glory of the Dead.”
Draven revealed his teeth.
“What would happen if the Glory of the Dead were to learn the truth about Arkhand like this?”
Draven did not intend to blindly pass on the magic to Verden. Just as his mind was collapsing after nearly losing his reason for existence due to the Host’s knowledge, his madness found another path leading to his ideal.
“Verden, although unintentional, you mastered the Dark Moon’s magic, and this served as proof of your legitimacy, earning you recognition from all as the third ruler of Black Hour. The reason the Society and Black Hour have been able to coexist in harmony without major friction is purely because you were worthy.”“Surely you don’t mean I should become the King of the Dead…”“The Glory of the Dead was founded for the resurrection of Arkhand, but the servants followed me, not Arkhand, dreaming of an immortal world. The Glory of the Dead has never once changed its leader since its inception, but that is precisely why legitimacy plays such a crucial role.”
The servants, with the exception of Draven and Luneska, have never seen Akhand. Even if they tremble and revere his power, it must seem very unfamiliar. It would be differentif Draven and Luneska, who always commanded them, were present, but Draven is dead and Luneska is being held captive.
It cannot be denied that the ultimate purpose of the glory of the dead is the ancient king.
However, it is not the center.
The glory of the corpse is unstable now that the first and second servants have disappeared.Moreover, the resurrected servants will be uneasy as they must share power with the commanders of the mighty Xerion Empire.
“If he had enough time, Akhand could have completely dominated the Glory of the Dead. So, all I have to do is not give him that time.”
thud!
Draven slammed his fist on the table.
“Recreate my demonic path to prove your legitimacy, and ascend as the leader of the Glory of the Dead. And, ‘enlighten’ the ignorant servants.”
Verden recalled Kirondar… Telor Krendros, who had founded the first Magic Tower.Although he considered himself an enlightener, he had long desired the enlightenment of a superior being. This was because he wanted to receive guidance and truly realize his mistakes.
“and.”
Draven finally spoke of his plan.
Divide the Xerion Empire from within.
* * *
Internal division.
Strike Akhand from behind with the glory of death. Since Akhand is confident in his dominance, he will never be able to imagine betrayal.
Draven argued as follows.
Treason…
Verden thought it seriously. Since his opponent was an Apostle, he had never deeply considered such a strategy. This was because the Glory of the Dead was a force with an ancient past and a clear purpose, so he had never imagined they would betray Akand.
Inciting betrayal in the first place requires various methods of persuasion. Since it is unknown who is even considering betrayal, it was a perfectly natural judgment not to anticipate internal strife.
“To wear down the Empire from within and without, then gather all your strength to kill Akhand Linigea Tain Xerion. I assert that this is the only way to minimize the continent’s casualties.”
Draven held out the book again.
“This is the value of my demonic path.”“Let me ask you a few questions.”
Verden withdrew the fingertips that had been tapping his thigh while deep in thought.
“Are you truly convinced that the Glory of the Dead will rebel against Akhand based solely on the truth? That they will follow me just because they can recreate your magic?”“Of course, it would be difficult to persuade them alone. The key lies with Lunesica. Lunesica Anternoa, the Vice-Captain and Second Servant of the Glory of Xerion.”
Draven was convinced.
“Show Lunesica the Magic of Destiny and whisper my message along with the truth. If you do so, Lunesica will accept you as her leader.”“The basis?”“Because it is Lunesica.”
It seemed that Draven trusted Lunesica deeply. After all, having shared the same cause for so long, he would naturally have that level of trust.
‘Then… … I guess I’ll have to save Lunesica first.’
Lunesica died and was resurrected, but her soul is being eroded by the magic of destruction, and she is gradually dying. We will see at the summit, but according to the report from the Empire, it seems she will not last much longer.
Verden made a decision inwardly.
“Let us assume that the Rebellion of the Glory of the Dead ultimately brought down the Xerion Empire. No matter how you frame it, the servants have a history of degrading the dignity of sentient beings. Furthermore, there are no exceptions to the commandments of Aeon.”“Execute as you see fit.”
Draven answered immediately.
“The servants will make a choice. Whether to give up magic or accept death. That, then, would be the way of a world without fate.”“…….”
Verden looked at Draven in silence, then nodded slightly. The glory of the dead and the commandments of Eon were not urgent matters at the moment.
Eventually, Verden opened his mouth.
“I told you to take everything. Everything you left behind.”“Fine.”“Even if I shoulder your ideals, when the time comes to choose, I will prioritize my own.”“It doesn’t matter. In fact, that is what I want.”
Draven asserted it as if to show off.
I have no doubt that the world I desire exists in the utopia you pursue.
Draven wanted an immortal world. He sought to build a world without death. Now, he was seeing that world not in the old king, but in Verden.
What could be the reason?What dream is Draven having?
Now you shall know.
Whoosh.
Verden summoned Alpha and Beta’s frames and infused them with magic power.
[Alpha. Wake up.]
[Beta, I’m awake.]
The ones who had greeted Verden first turned around almost simultaneously. A single eye gleamed. Alpha pointed at Draven with his small hand.
[The First Servant. The End of the Arcadium?]
“Right, I safely reached the end of the Arcadium.”
Verden explained to Alpha and Beta clearly what had happened, as well as what he had heard from Draven.
Verden picked up the book.
Verden asked Draven before turning the first page. The center is important in a story. Understanding deepens only when you know what the theme is.
“What is your ideal?”“……Soul.”
Draven told his life story as if making a confession to God.
I wished that no soul would suffer.
The demonic path that destroys life,
The history of how Draven attained enlightenment began to seep into Verden.
