Episode 1049 Summit (4)
Leonhardt was not at full power. He did not unleash his divine power to reveal his true strength, nor did he manifest various miracles; he merely drew out divine power.
Likewise, Adrian also utilized only ki without employing any skills or techniques.
Pure hand-to-hand combat.
Naturally, the swordsmanship and martial arts Leonhardt had mastered could not even come close to Adrian’s.
Adrian had a foster father and a respected mentor: the Flawless Raymond. Although he did not inherit his noble character, he not only fully mastered his swordsmanship and teachings but elevated them to a higher level.
Heavenly Sword
A being who, long before being reduced to a test subject in the Bohemian Magic Tower, took Verden, one of the four major powers of the Central Continent, as his liege and overcame numerous life-threatening situations to seize transcendence.
Adrian Chambers is already a world leader.
Boom! Boom! Crackle!
The more he accelerates, the heavier the burden becomes. The faster he is, the more frequently he exploits his opponent’s weaknesses. Even without wielding a lightsaber, Adrian’s martial prowess was already proven in the fierce battle against Mauler.
Boom!
Leonhardt’s chin lifted.
I’m prepared to accept any punishment, but… aren’t you hitting me too much…?
The instincts suppressed by reason stir. A fist landed in his abdomen. As his energy was transmitted internally, the resistance of the Holy Armor diminished.Just as his upper body bent over, Leonhardt grabbed Adrian’s arms with both hands.
“If you’re going to kill me… just kill me…!”“You’re such a crybaby, considering you survived the battle with Draven. With your miracles, you should be able to heal from a mere wound immediately.”“…If it weren’t for the Pope, I would have died.”“I heard you have a mother and a younger sister.”“…!!”
At the mention of family, Leonhardt’s grip tightened considerably. His eyes were filled with venom. His physical strength was just below that of Adrian.
You’re acting all nonchalant when you have no intention of dying.
He grabbed Leonhardt by the hair and slammed his knee right into the center of his face. The pain, as if his nose were being crushed, made him collapse.It was an impact strong enough to shatter the skull of an average fighter, but thanks to his resistance befitting a transcendent being, it stopped at just a nosebleed.
“Ugh…….”
Adrian kicked his leg once more with unseen speed.Crunch!Leonhardt was sent flying through the snow and fell backward.
“No, no mercy!”
It was the first time in his life Leonhardt had been beaten so mercilessly. It was also the first time he had encountered someone as physically violent as Adrian.He had expected to suffer a crushing defeat if he did not unleash his divine power, but he never imagined he would be beaten hundreds of times like this.
Adrian walks over.
“Are you not going to use miracles?”“Because they are meaningless. I don’t hold a grudge against anyone… it would only make the situation worse.”
Leonhardt lay there with his limbs stretched out.
“What are you going to do with me?”“I’m going to beat him up and drag him to the conference room.”
He closes his eyes.
“International relations… are in big trouble because of me… aren’t they?”“They’re ruined.”“Ah…”“Unless the Saintess runs wild.”
Adrian turned his gaze toward Nordwald.
“Seeing as it remains quiet so far, it seems the Lord has handled the situation well. Therefore, the international community, facing war, has effectively avoided the worst.”“Th-that’s a relief.”“Though for the Theocracy of Luas, it is practically the worst. Since the newcomer the Theocracy boasts of has attacked another force, I wonder what immense price they will have to pay to make amends.”“Ah…”“You naive fool.”
Adrian snorted.
“No one ignores the efforts the Theocracy of Luas has contributed to humanity. The Pope and the Saint of that time sacrificed their lives to seal the body of the former king, and they kept secrets for centuries to erase indestructible body parts through oblivion. The Luas religion made sacrifices, and My Lord is aware of this. At worst, it would be nothing more than making some concessions in this war.”“Concessions, if you speak.”“Ultimately, you have failed. Since you have failed, it is only right that you step back.”
Leonhard tried to understand what he meant. Having been a saint for less than a few months, he still found it difficult to keep up with such political issues.
“You’re way too thoughtful for your subject.”“Ugh!”
Adrian narrowed his eyebrows and kicked Leonhardt hard in the head. The rolling saint.Then he walked toward the holy sword [Luens] that had fallen to the floor.
“If you want to take responsibility, at least know what you’re doing.”“…….”“In my experience, you are the type who needs to learn by getting beaten. That’s why you’re in this state. No sophisticated guys would have taught you by beating you up.”
It is only natural.
What cleric would resort to violence and brutally inflict teachings upon Leonhardt, who awakened after his villagers—who were like family to him—were horribly murdered?Even the Saintess, famous among the transcendents for her fanaticism, would not dare to do such a thing.
So what?
It was none of Adrian’s business. He had absolutely no interest in Leonhardt’s tragedy. After all, the world is cruel to begin with, and life is such that if you fail to overcome one tragedy, you are bound to face another.
Click!
With the will of the sword alone, he returned the light sword [Silendar] to its scabbard, picked up the holy sword [Luens] with his own hands, and tossed it in front of Leonhardt.A metallic sound emanated from the holy sword embedded diagonally in the snow-covered ground.
“Follow me.”“…….”“Unless you want to get beaten up.”
The moment Adrian feigned a strike, Leonhardt flinched! His body reacted immediately, despite the considerable distance between them.He realized through his senses that Adrian could close the gap of this magnitude in an instant.
“……yes.”
Leonhardt got up, still unhealed, and retrieved the Holy Sword. He quickened his pace slightly and immediately followed Adrian.
“……Excuse me.”“What is it?”“I’m sorry.”
Did the tightness in my chest finally clear up after being beatenso much? Or is it because my nose is stinging?
For some reason, Leonhardt felt tears welling up. It wasn’t sobbing. Just a few tears flowed, leaving only tear stains.
and.
Adrian was distracted. He quietly looked at the palm gripping the holy sword, then immediately frowned.
‘what?’
I feel terrible.
* * *
Not long after, the figures of Adrian and Leonhardt emerged from the ridge of the snowy mountain.As Verden had said, the Saint was injured, but that was all…
Bleeding and bruising remaining on the skin.Tear marks left on the cheek.
Leonhardt looked pitiful enough to evoke sympathy. How should I put it? He looked like an honest young man who had gotten into trouble with neighborhood thugs and been beaten to a pulp.This feeling was amplified by the stark contrast with Adrian, who was completely unscathed.
Bendie and Yurion whispered to each other.
“Seeing him follow without a word, it looks like Adrian must have set him in order. But don’t you expect to take a punch or two when you’re doing that? Instead of just completely crushing him.”“That’s just not his nature.”“That’s true. That’s why he’s such a scoundrel. I wonder how he’ll raise his own children if he has any.”“…….”
Yurion, a renowned advocate of marriage, took an interest in Adrian’s child-rearing. The chaotic atmosphere showed no signs of subsiding.
Silis, the Queen of Estria, looked around cautiously.
Vangelis struggled to restrain himself from wanting to clap and put his arm around the shoulder of the incredibly admirable Verden.
Gareth looked at Verden as if he were a madman.
Ersetia felt confused amidst the impulse and the situation, unsure how to react.
Reindel turned his head slightly.Meia also fixed her gaze in the same direction.
Deus stared at Leonhardt’s emaciated face, then tapped the broken table with his fingertips. Exactly three times.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“I declare a one-hour recess. Everyone stand by outside Nordwald, and as Chairman, to prevent chaos, I strictly prohibit contact between different factions. Be prepared for sanctions if violated.”
The summit faced an unprecedented situation where it was suspended as soon as it began.
* * *
While the meeting hall in Prohas was being reorganized, Verden and his party waited in a secluded snowy mountain. The other Transcendents also moved to a sufficiently distant location.
No one ignored Deus’s firm declaration. In fact, if the meeting were delayed any further, only the international community would be driven into a corner.
The topic of the meeting is war countermeasures.
Even though there was some leeway until the former king sent a messenger, Verden certainly did not want the discussion to be delayed more than necessary.
“The Saint’s impulsive behavior was unexpected, but the Saintess’s venom seems to have sufficiently drained away. With this, we have firmly secured the upper hand in the negotiations. Well done, Adrian.”“Thank you for your words, my lord.”
[True Education]
[Calculations show that the probability of the Transcendental Alliance taking the initiative in the war has surged to 83%.]
The reason the conflict with the Ruas Theocracy erupted immediately after the opening was precisely due to ‘trust.’ Since the Transcendents are rooted in resistance, the probability of a traitor emerging from among them is virtually non-existent.
“The unofficial transcendent being who targeted me on the island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea is weighing on my mind… but he actively sided with Fate.”
In Draven’s memory, the Transcendent being directly handed over two coffins containing parts of Barkazel and Grimmel Gromfar to the Glory of the Dead.It seemed to know far too much to consider it merely a tool used like Draven.
Information regarding the Followers of Fate is scarce, so I have no choice but to remain as vigilant as possible. And that would likely be the best course of action.
The problem of the transcendent being who follows fate was postponed for now.
Isabella let out a deep breath.
“I was so terrified, thinking the Head of the Family and the Saint were actually fighting… Fortunately, things went the way the Head wanted, but is it really okay to be that bold?”“It was a bit of a gamble. It was also somewhat emotional.”“Emotional… Ah.”
Verden is, quite literally, a god. And not just any god, but the god of demons. In a way, it was only natural to find the saint’s attitude of forcing faith offensive.
“The essence of a god… Honestly, unless I see it with my keen eyes, it doesn’t really feel that real. To me, the Head of the House is the Head of the House.”
Isabella hugged Verden, who was sitting on a rock, from behind. Their bodies were pressed very close, but she was not embarrassed at all.
“By the way, how was Arcadium? Did you get the necessary information?”
[Mountain of Information.]
“Right, we have obtained information crucial enough to pressure the Luas Church and seize complete control, even if it means going to great lengths. Deus declaring a recess using the atmosphere as an excuse must have also been intended to give us time to share information amongst ourselves.”
What is the relationship between Arcadium and Deus?
Adrian and Isabella listened. They huddled together and talked, just as they had before founding Eon.
At this, Verden stated the conclusion first.
Mado
Dark purple magic rose from Verden’s hand.
“I have inherited the magic of Draven Lemarque.”“……!!!”
The two of them opened their eyes wide at the sight of the glory of the corpse and the leader’s demonic power manifesting.
“W-If the Head of the House wants to mimic the magic, he has to understand all of the sorcerer’s memories… Then, surely not.”“Did all the memories get transferred, just like with Dahit Wesroel?”“The process is different, but the result is.”
Deus and Bloodia encountered in the Arcadium.The first game.The second game. The third game.Reunion with Draven.Conversation with the Host.… … .
Verden gave a concise summary of what had happened in the deep sea, while Alpha and Beta supported the explanation from the sides.They intended to show the products of the evil god obtained from the ancient adventure after the meeting, as Verden also needed to research what they were.
anyway.
“Through Draven, I discovered the true nature of the Gate of Death and confirmed the continued existence of Animus. Furthermore, I mastered the crafting method for ancient scrolls lost in history and devised a plan to sow internal discord within the Old King using Lunesica.”
Verden spoke as the leader of a faction.
“Adrian, Isabella.”“…….”“We are the pinnacle.”
Only when Verden stands at the very top can it utilize its information and resources with maximum efficiency. To do so, resistance from other factions must be minimized.
Therefore, Verden exerted unreasonable pressure on the Ruas religion. After all, if the theocracy backed down, even other great powers would not be able to step forward.
This meant that Verden would decide the outcome of a global war… and that Verden would bear the brunt of all the repercussions caused by the war.
Sacrifice is something you choose yourself.
Adrian and Isabella imagined Verden leading the army on the front lines. Even for Verden, it would be a grim path.
“Well, we’ll have to discuss the detailed strategy to know for sure, but Eon must—”
Verden stopped speaking. Adrian turned his gaze forward, and then Isabella immediately opened her keen eyes.
Whoosh.
As Verden released the magic circle distinguishing inside from outside with a light gesture, a familiar, massive shadow climbed up the hill.
“You two get along well.”“I thought the Chairman said that contact between factions is prohibited.”
Verden asks.
“What’s the matter, King Su?”“Hehehe.”
King Anthias, who had arrived alone, moved his dragon-like tail. Then, he took a few more steps closer and sat down in front of Verden.His physique was so imposing that his eye level was even higher than Verden’s, who was sitting on a rock.
“No matter how much I observed, it was ambiguous, but after continuously comparing you to an ‘Elf,’ I began to understand a little. How your presence has changed compared to before.”“…….”“I sense the energy of the World Tree emanating from you, an energy usually felt only in Elves. Of course, I can assert with certainty that you are not the World Tree. Clearly not. However, the Saint, the Pope, and the Saintess… seem to have instinctively sensed something in you, Verden, something they themselves do not know.”
Antias continued speaking in a voice full of curiosity.
“What on earth did I feel that made me feel so intimidated? As I racked my brain, I recalled how the World Tree is treated.”
A wild smile turns toward Verden.
“They say the World Tree is the Elf ‘god’?”
