Episode 1051 Summit: Apex (1)
The Archdemon’s Refuge, the Other World, Libereas.
Atop Noxias’s massive, severed hand stands the City of Demons, and at its center lies the Great Temple, where terrifying darkness lurks.
At the lowest level of the temple existed the deepest darkness that rejected the radiance.
The figure of a boy sitting on the dark throne, the Archdemon of Darkness—Noxias tilted his head the moment he detected an external stimulus.
[… … Transcendent?]
A psychic wave tickled the boundary of Libereas like a thread brushing against the skin. To be precise, it silently knocked on the mental realm of Noxias, which encompassed the entire space of Libereas.When there was no response, the knocking continued a few more times before finally subsiding.
Noxias, who had discerned the uninvited guest’s roots through an extremely faint mental contact, immediately asked himself.
How did you find this place?
The Continent and Libereas are separated by a three-dimensional wall and cannot be physically connected as they exist in different three-dimensional planes.That is, unless Noxias, the master of Libereas, grants permission. For this place was a true refuge to escape ‘your’ influence.
However, there is one exception.
The spiritual world.
Unlike the body, the mind is not bound by the third dimension. The mind is free. There is a reason why the material and spiritual realms have been distinguished since ancient times. Justas Noxias did, it is possible to send the mind itself beyond the dimension… provided that one is supported by innate capabilities.
Noxias was lost in thought.
It was assumed that there is a transcendent being specialized in the mental realm capable of traversing dimensions, and the number of possibilities to find Libereas through ‘chance’ was calculated.
Conclusion: Impossible.
If there had been even the slightest chance of being discovered in that way, the second apostle, that fanatical human, would have tried to infiltrate long ago.
Then, the answer is decided.
Someone from the outside informed the transcendents of the mental realm about Libereas. There are two such beings: Verden and Oldark.
[… … If the deranged resistor had business here, they would have come in person. In that case, the Destroyer of Fate… … .]
Is an unexpected uninvited guest an ally or an enemy?
The essence of the transcendent is resistance.
Based on the War of Destiny, allies and all demons are ostracized… Both Destiny and the Resistors despise the demons, who are the byproducts of Destiny.It has always been this way. Unless one is the Destroyer of Destiny himself, it is right to be wary of everything. Even if the Destroyer of Destiny sent them himself.
[Farnium.]
[Did you… call…?]
Parnium, a supreme demon whose entire heart was enveloped in swirling darkness, answered the call. He was one of the legion commanders of the Archdemons.
[Use the Contractors to begin gathering the information that has been put off. In particular, regarding the transcendents of the mental realm. Since ‘your’ sixth apostle has descended, we will have more room to maneuver for a while.]
Noxias did not hastily send a messenger to Verden. If the fact that he was connected to the devil were to become known, it would be irreversible.
Noxias swallowed the hatred of an abandoned man with endurance truly tempered over countless years.
[What is the contractor’s situation?]
[I am… … alive… … However… … since… … no… … other… … news… … has… been… … transmitted… … .
[It’s better than expected.]
Libereas is isolated from the continent to the point of being almost completely isolated. Therefore, unless one is a high-ranking demon contractor, there is almost no way for Noxias to acquire information from the outside world.
In that sense, the performance of Cayman, the contractor of Parnium, was impressive.
Even though he borrowed the power of Parnium, he is still active in the Demon Realm.After witnessing the undead incident that occurred there, he temporarily suspended his mission, came out to the boundary of the Demon Realm, and reported to Parnium.
Thanks to this, Noxias was able to know that the sixth apostle had been resurrected.
He was sent to the Demon Realm at Verden’s request to obtain various information regarding the demonic curse residing in someone’s face—namely, the Great Demon of Parasitism—but…he was bolder than Noxias had anticipated and is growing stronger rapidly.
It is not the right time yet.
Noxias realized the change.
But, it is close.
In the end, will the devil be saved or go extinct while abandoned? Will a being appear who acknowledges that being born is not a sin? Will that be Verden?
Now that fate has crumbled, Noxias is waiting for the god he had imagined.Because he had imprisoned himself to survive alongside the pitiful demons, Noxias had not yet realized that the Demon God had been born.
* * *
Cayman Vermont, one of the original eight members of Black Hour and a fellow disciple, escaped after sustaining a fatal injury at the hands of Dahit Wesroel.Having barely survived through a devil pact, he is currently active in the Demon Realm.
I will correct it.
To be precise, I am not active, but on the run.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Cayman raced through the cluster of parasitic trees with sheer force. His body, enlarged and reinforced by the contractor’s ability of demonization, crushed the roots and branches as hard as metal.
Swoosh, swoosh.
The stems were shattered into pieces, yet they did not die but regenerated. Normally, they should have died. However, starting from a certain day, death vanished.In a demonic realm overflowing with life, the disappearance of death is the catastrophe of catastrophes.
All kinds of parasitic and bizarre creatures are tracking Cayman. Even without looking back, a horrific sight was etched into his senses.
[Anyone looking at this would think it is the end of the world.]
Cayman sprinted at full speed and removed the hand covering his neck. The penetrating wound had healed. It was a wound that could have killed him instantly had death not disappeared from the world.
[It seems the way out is blocked. Is there no way to convey the news to your main body?]
Parnium’s fragment answered.
[Unless… … move… … to… … the… boundary… … of the Demonic Realm… … cannot… … reach… … the main body… … You… … should know … … that well… .]
[Another way! Heh!]
A giant sundew sprang from the ground and struck Cayman. Where the slime tentacles should have been, red, earthworm-like tentacles were squirming rapidly!He instantly tore them apart with his devil claws, changed direction, and accelerated.
I asked if there wasn’t a new way!
[Now… … it’s not… … .]
Parnium’s powder gave a desperate answer.
[Ipheakarn… … The Archdemon of Parasitism… … has… … recognized us… … .]
Why is Cayman being chased and unable to escape near the center of the Demon Realm?It is because he was discovered by the Great Demon of Parasites.
The region was cut off from the inside and outside.
Even if one could enter from the outside, one could not get out from the inside. He had fallen into a trap. Each and every one of the close associates following the Archdemon of Parasites was a monster comparable to or even overwhelming Cayman.
[Still… … there is… … hope… … .]
You mean the door that brings death to mind.
Within this vast trap where Cayman fell, there is a spatial rift from which the undead poured out. The continent is aware of this.Therefore, it was highly likely that they would organize a very powerful undead extermination squad and come to the Demon Realm.
in other words.
We must build an escape route by cooperating with the powerful forces pushing in from the outside. I have made up my mind. If there are two or more individuals stronger than Cayman, we should be able to create a small crack in the trap of the Parasitic Archdemon.
[That would certainly be the only way out… but I’m not sure if I can hold out until then. I don’t want to get caught, yet I’m in a situation where I can’t even die.]
[Live… … .]
[Of course, we have no intention of giving up. Even if we are eventually captured, we must deliver the information we have obtained to the outside… … Divine Being.]
Cayman went all the way into the Sea of Demons, the center of the Mirror World, to track down the traces of the Great Demon of Parasitism, and was finally able to uncover one of his plans.This was also a clue regarding the curse placed on the face of a certain adventurer that Verden had requested.
Even though I didn’t want to understand, I had no choice but to.
Cayman realized why the Great Demon of Parasitism had left such a curse on the adventurer, and why she was ‘protecting’ her so that she would not die.
‘Holy… absolutely, absolutely you must not let her die…!’
Bloody Sword Leila.
You must seal ‘it’.
* * *
The Nordwald conference hall froze at Deus’s subsequent remark.
Deprived King Su of his right to speak.
… … !
The Beast King is the representative of all the Beastmen. Every word he speaks represents the position of the Beastmen, and all his actions determine the direction of the Beastmen race.
To think they would exclude the pinnacle of such a race from the discussion, just for everyone to see.Even though the Water King had disregarded the Chairman, it was an excessive punishment.
If the Beastmen were to take a passive approach to the war, the continent would have to bear the loss, and as the king of a nation, Silis was inwardly filled with growing concern.
“…….”“…….”
Deus and Antias exchanged glances through the silence.
The heavy-moving second hand of a clock.
Antias soon let out a low laugh and shrugged his shoulders.
“May I speak only when a question is asked? With the Chairman’s permission.”“Yes.”“I will do so.”
Fortunately, Antias readily accepted my disposition.
Prince Noden, who was physically frail, felt relieved.
The Saintess had quieted down after a major conflict with the Divine, and since the Outsiders did not attend, there was no longer any reason for the meeting to turn into a mess.
Deus nodded and shifted his gaze.
“Saint Leonhardt.”“Ah, yes.”“If you have something to say, say it now.”
Leonhardt understood the meaning of his words and stood up from his seat.He bowed deeply toward the attendees.
“I have committed a breach of etiquette. I apologize.”“That’s enough, sit down.”“Yes, sir.”
Adrian let the recent incident slide, as if it were a bother.As Adrian—the direct victim—acted this way, it contributed to an atmosphere where those who had suffered indirect harm accepted the apology without complaint.
Is it because I got hit?Is it because I’m young?
Leonhardt was on high alert. It was a much better look than when he suddenly unleashed his divine power and went on a rampage like he had just done.
With this, I conclude the measures regarding the disruption of order within the summit.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I will end the recess and resume the summit.
The suspended meeting resumed.
Representative government is war.
Lobeline swallowed hard at the atmosphere, which was completely different from the world conference.
This emergency summit is solely for the purpose of preparing for war. Here, the world must finalize the policies, strategies, and systems that will form its framework. Therefore, refrain from unnecessary questions and remarks.
Deus gave a sufficient warning and leaned his upper body against the backrest.
Raise your hand if you wish to speak.
Swoosh.
Braonic Strom, the interim leader of the Iderat Alliance and the chief diplomat of the multi-racials, raised his arm.With the chairman’s permission, he stood up and pointed to the center of the table.
“……As you know, death has now vanished due to a certain power possessed by the former king. Unless the body is literally ground to dust or biological tissue is sufficiently destroyed, it is in a state where it can move even with just a head or vital organs gouged out.”“…….”“However, Teriwen…… the Alliance Leader is showing no signs of life, unlike the others, even though his head remains intact like that.”
Braonic asked a question.
“Shinseong, how on earth did you kill him?”
Braonic began to view Verden favorably starting from the World Conference.Although intelligence was his ultimate criterion, he highly regarded Verden’s efforts to embrace not only humans but also heteromorphic and demi-human races as a multi-racial diplomat.
However, now… … Verden was difficult.
It was one thing that he had brought the head of Teriwen, a longtime friend even if he was a traitor, but above all, the determination swirling in his blue eyes was heavy.To Braonic, the inside of Verden’s mind felt like an unfathomable mystery.
What is death?
Verden, having gained the right to speak, stands up.
Braonic sat down listlessly, as if he had fulfilled his calling.
“The Master of the Darkwarton Magic Tower would know best about death, but to answer nevertheless, there are many forms of ‘human’ death. However, the focus of death in a conceptual sense lies precisely in the ‘soul.’”
When the breath ceases, the physical body comes to a halt, and the soul departs from it. The soul leaving the material world to go where it is destined to go—this is the commonly understood explanation of death based on the soul.
“The principle by which the ancient king temporarily eliminated death from the world lies in the soul. To hold onto the soul so that it does not depart from the reality where its life has ended—that is the true nature of the phenomenon.”
Thearel took advantage of this fact to deal with the Followers of Fate. Since the body is the terminal of the soul, he scattered the bodies without leaving a single handful behind, preventing them from exerting any further influence on the material world.
Complete destruction of the body.A state where only the soul remains.
This was truly one of the deaths of a continent where common sense death had disappeared.
“Wait, just a moment, Verden.”
The Saint paused for a moment and looked toward Deus. She continued only after Deus silently gave her permission to speak.
“Humans aren’t the only ones currently free from death. Does that mean… that souls exist outside of humans? Even beasts and insects?”
A look of distrust.
Luas’s doctrine explains that souls exist only in humans, and therefore only humans can go to the side of the goddess Luas.
As a saint, she naturally could not accept the logic that souls exist in other races, or even in lowly creatures, according to doctrine.
I could shatter the doctrine of light concerning the soul right here and now. However, the losses would overwhelmingly outweigh the gains.
Reindel Nexreon must have understood the concept of the soul at least as much as Draven did. Yet, he never once refuted the doctrines of the Holy Kingdom. Thiswas likely due to his characteristic disinterest in the world, but also because rebuttal would only lead to extreme confusion.
Verden’s judgment is the same.
There is no slight advantage to officially dismantling the doctrines of Luasism. Unless, of course, Luasism must be made an enemy.
So, I left a little room for explanation.
“Didn’t I tell you earlier? That there are various forms of ‘human’ death. What I have discovered is strictly the influence the ancient king exerts on human death. I am still trying to figure out how other creatures escaped death.”“……Ah.”“If you have any questions, ask them later. It interrupts the flow.”
Ersetia realized she had made a mistake and quietly accepted it. The Saint’s madness inhibitor. Bendie and Romanus recognized anew another value of Verden.
“I will continue. Did you ask how I killed Teriwen? Simply put, I freed Teriwen’s soul, which was forcibly trapped in reality.”
A dark red light formed on the gray gauntlet.
“To my mage.”
Verden can bestow death in a world where death has vanished. Anyone who knows his achievements would have no doubt.Verden’s magic is strangely specialized in the concept of destruction. Indren has experienced ruin firsthand to the extent that it needs no explanation.
“Did that answer your question?”“……Thanks for the explanation.”
Braonic expressed a positive sentiment.
but.
Verden was still standing. Questioning eyes poured in from all directions. Verden slowly looked around at the attendees and opened his mouth.
“You still can’t believe it? That it’s war.”
At the World Conference, the kings who had been members of the House of Representatives and the representatives of nations took a sharp turn. Some Tower Masters showed a no different reaction.
The mayor of Kylians, a city alliance whose eyes met Verden’s, cleared his throat.
“Ah, I suppose a little…”“I understand. You have never seen the ancient king and have only heard of him through rumors. Even if there were signs, a continent-wide war? Logically, it’s impossible for it to feel real.”“…”“With various great powers participating and even transcendent beings scheduled to take the front lines, you might think it’s not a matter for you to intervene in. You’re being complacent, thinking that since the main force of the enemy is the undead, you can just leave it to the Ruas Theocracy.”
Thump. Thump.
Verden bent his index finger and tapped the table heavily.
“There was a time like this 800 years ago. The War of the Transcendents, in which the Xerion Empire, led by an ancient king, and the World Alliance waged an all-out war over the continent.”
War of the Transcendents.
Originally, it was widely known that as a result of the conflict between the transcendents, half the continent burned, blood flowed like rivers, and corpses piled up like mountains… …However, after the World Conference, the leaders came to know the truth about the war.
It is true that the transcendents led the war for supremacy, but the fact is that the continent was ultimately turned upside down because of a transcendent being known as the Old King.
The Emperor of the ancient empire has returned to the continent. Of course, when comparing military power, the modern international community is more formidable than the world coalition forces that triumphed back then. However, the scale of the enemy nation has changed even more than that.
Verden put strength into his voice.
The Old King has overcome his only weakness. He has fully restored the glory of the corpses that the Ruas Theocracy dealt with or that faded away over the past 800 years; Nekhbael, the Evil Dragon who was once nothing more than a colossal skeletal dragon, has regained his full power and intelligence for the first time; and the commanders of the Xerion Empire have manifested through the Nine Gates.
What would happen if pure power clashed against power?Even if you won, nothing would remain.
“Even here, traitors to humanity—no, to the world—are hiding, just like Teriwen, instigating international division. They are even devising ways to avoid the Covenant of the Oath-Solvers and the Inquisition of the Holy State.”“……!!”“Enemies are everywhere. In a situation like this, whom are you going to trust? Fate?”
Verden’s gaze fell upon Deus.
“I will propose the war countermeasures conceived by Eon.”“Speak.”“I propose the creation of a global coalition army centered on the Alliance of Transcendents.”
The head of the Alliance of Transcendents is Verden. In other words, it meant that Verden himself intended to become the leader of the World Alliance.
“Ultimately, sacrifice is inevitable. Someone will be swept up in the war, losing their life and their family. There is no way for me to win the war without suffering any harm.”
No one believes that not a single person will die in a war. Nevertheless, Verden pondered the matter and understood that it was impossible to do so on his own.
However, the command has absolutely no intention of weighing your lives.
Verden asserted.
I will stand at the very front.
It was a heartfelt appeal.
“Put me at the forefront. To the front lines of the ‘Second Transcendental War’.”
It is a contradiction to jump into a dangerous front as the supreme commander. If the leadership disappears, the World Alliance will be shaken and may even collapse.
However, Verden is not just a conductor.
8th Rank Transcendent.
One of the beings closest to the pinnacle of the world.
Along with the Divine, to war?
Triton Martus, the Lord of the Hellion Magic Tower known as the Frontline War, imagined standing on the fierce front lines led by Verden.It was… … indescribably ecstatic and glorious.
The meeting attendees were left speechless by Verden’s resolute declaration.
Hahahahaha.
Except for only one person.
“That is truly, truly human.”
Emperor Jeracle let out a sound as if finding it difficult to suppress his laughter. He raised one hand as he had been clapping alone, as if offering praise.
“I’ll gladly follow.”
Emperor Xeracle Dian Sereanor Arnach.
In the past, five captains discussed the possibility of recruiting him as a member of the Ark, but…a figure who had completely withdrawn contact after judging that his ideology was excessively dangerous despite serving humanity has agreed with Verden’s choice.
