Episode 1052 Summit: Apex (2)
Emperor Jeracle did not stop his faint smile, which seemed to be filled with inexplicable euphoria. He also did not withdraw his right hand, which was raised with the elbow bent at a right angle.
“……after.”
Grand Duke Rivandale, who knew Emperor Geracle’s true intentions all too well, sighed openly and cast his vote in Verden’s favor.Even though he was called another emperor of the empire, he had never opposed the will of the imperial family in such an official setting.
There is always only one Emperor of Arnak, and the Grand Duke is a loyal subject and sword of the Arnak Empire, and has never not been a subject.
Unfamiliar atmosphere.
Verden’s declaration to become the apex of the World Alliance and volunteer for the most dangerous front line, along with the support of a great empire ranking among the top few on the entire continent, forced these leaders to stand at the edge of a precipice.Whether they accept or reject, once the decision is made, there is no going back.
In a way, it is a self-destructive choice. But Verden, if that is your will, I will support you flawlessly as your family.
Vangelis expressed his regret that he had not stepped forward for the first time because he was deep in thought.
“The Archenad Magic Kingdom will join us.”“The Bohemirn Magic Tower will follow Eon.”
By coincidence, the gazes of the two people who raised their hands at the same time crossed.
Lobelyn flinched.
Vangelis inwardly tilted his head in confusion, but recalling that the Bohemian Magic Tower was practically subordinate to Eon, he accepted her swift decision.Only a very small number of people knew about the relationship between Verden and Lobeline.
The choices continued like that.
“Blessings of the Great Mother to the Brother of Mother Nature.”“Hmm, if the Empire agrees…….”
Serendia and Arcul did not object either. The elves of the Great Forest are in cooperative relations with Eon, and the dwarves of the Volcanic Region are in cooperative relations with the Empire.
“That is a bold ambition.”“I don’t think there could be a smaller loss than this.”
Reindel Nexreon wore an unfamiliar smile toward the attendees. Wendell Magnus stated his position as the representative of the continent’s three major banks.Since they were entangled with the first necromancer and three sinners who had prepared for war against the old king for eight centuries, they had no other choice.Of course, Reindel intended to help Verden unconditionally, regardless of such circumstances.
“…A hoe wouldn’t even be nearly enough to stop that wave of death.”“I agree.”
Salber glanced at Tearel and agreed with Verden’s opinion.She had already joined the Alliance of Transcendents, so how could she possibly oppose Verden, the de facto leader of the alliance, right in front of him?
Well, actually, even if it wasn’t Thearel, there was no reason to reject the World Alliance.
It is a massive war.
Even with Lee Hyeong-jong, who hates the living… … .
The Adventurer’s Guild’s unique hunting ability, backed by 300 years of history, cannot put an end to the rampage of the undead, which is unprecedented since the guild’s founding.
A command structure is needed.
The Adventurer’s Guild cannot be the leader. Because it is a group organized by the First Adventurer, whom I respect more than anything, to protect humanity!
As the Guild Headquarters Chief, Salber had neither justification nor plausible logic to refuse the World Alliance. On the contrary, he ought to ardently support Verden, who was determined to shoulder all responsibility and reach the pinnacle.Adventurers need a shield to properly unleash their full power.
Bendie and Yurion responded to Verden’s spirit as transcendents.
Gareth muttered to himself, “That crazy, crazy bastard…” and, true to his nature as a member of the Alliance of Transcendents, he eventually gave up.
The continuous series of position announcements by the Senate came to a brief halt. The world’s attention turned to the House of Representatives, who had not yet reached a decision.
“Lord Verden’s will is the will of Estiria.”“The Principality of Liviant as well!”“We, the Republic of Beldirn, have not forgotten Lord Verden, who saved the city and its citizens from the wicked schemes of the Glory of the Dead.”
Three nations located in the center of the Eastern Continent raised their voices.
What about other countries?
As expected, the concerns of most of them were no different from those of Salbert.
“If an 8th-tier transcendent being of the magical realm—one of the few in history—personally jumps into the front lines… … the blood we have to shed will be reduced by a great deal!”
Even if peace returns to the continent, it is meaningless if one cannot enjoy it; this is a natural selfishness that can never be criticized.
Upon hearing the news that the Kingdom of Ronia and the Lower Beastmen tribes had collapsed due to the opening of the two gates, the leaders prioritized survival above all else.The best course of action was to seek maximum survival by putting Verden at the forefront.
The course of the war is important, but cannot we ignore the aftermath?What use is it to live today if you die tomorrow?
No political leader should harbor the mindset of turning a nation into mere ashes to become the cornerstone of world peace.It is the responsibility of a leader to reign by stepping on the ashes of others.
The nations permeated by the influence of Eon, the Empire, and the Magic Kingdom cautiously expressed their views. Agree, agree, agree, agree, agree, agree… … .
Now, only rulers wary of the Ruas Church remained. The Ruas religion had not yet chosen between approval and rejection.
Romanus felt a throbbing headache, having completely adapted to the strange presence emanating from Verden and no longer being captivated by the oddity.
To say you will stand at the very forefront… As an individual, it is an excellent resolve worthy of praise. However, weighty responsibility is akin to immense authority…
If they agree, the Ruas religion must follow Eon.There is no telling what Eon might force upon the Ruas religion with his power, nor is it acceptable for the Ruas religion to be unable to command the war against the Old King. For purifying the dead is the noble role of Light.
If the war ends in victory, it is difficult to gauge just how formidable a force Eon will become.
But… does that mean we must oppose it? Is it out of fear that the dignity of the Ruas Theocracy will fade? Is it out of concern that Eon might harm the Theocracy? Or perhaps… is it out of worry that Eon might become a model of the new light?
Romanus mocked himself.
As you can see, the international community desires a world union in Verden.If world religions oppose this trend, it is no different from pouring ice water on heated pottery to create useless rifts.
He had already been entrusted with the role of judgment by Ersetia and Leonhardt. Even in Ersetia’s eyes filled with madness, hesitation was visible.
“…….”“…….”
Chairman of the Summit—Deus Widen—gazes intently at Romanus. He is awaiting the decision of the Ruas religion. The creation of the World Union cannot be prevented, but participation in the Union depends entirely on the will of each nation.
Whether or not an incomplete world union without the religion of Luas is established will be determined by Romanus’s decision.
The light of the goddess is.
Romanus’s voice rang out.
He always warmly shines a light on the courage of ‘everyone’.
In the end, the Ruas Theocracy, the foremost of human religions, recognized Verden as the leader of the alliance.As the last domino fell, the discussion concluded.
The remaining senators and lower house members, including Acetro, Eres, the Ten Great Magic Towers, the Magic Autonomous Regiment, and Virente, expressed their convictions in unison like a wave.
Antias, deprived of his right to speak and unable to open his mouth, flicked his massive forearm and watched Deus with a gleeful look that seemed to say, “What are you going to do about it?” At this, he declared.
I confirmed the will of the world.
There is no official vote.In an emergency meeting, every remark and expression of opinion is part of the procedure.
“We hereby announce the establishment of a global coalition based on the international community.”
Deus settled everyone’s decision by tapping the table three times with his fingertips.
“Verden of Eon. We recognize him as our pinnacle until the end of the war.”
Meia was somewhat dissatisfied with having lost the initiative, but she did not go out of her way to show it.
A flow was formed.
As of this moment, Verden can exercise total command over the international community.
“Since the representative of the current international community has decided, I will hand over the role of chairman to Verden.”“Let’s proceed.”
Verden did not speak of his feelings about becoming the leader of the Alliance of Transcendents and the World Alliance. Since he had already conveyed what he intended to do, the rest was superfluous.He was resolute, as if this outcome were only natural, and his movements were uninhibited.
The first minor ritual is the Gate of Death, commonly known as the Nine Gates of Death.
War negotiations led by Eon have begun.
* * *
There are quite a few who have witnessed the Four Gates or experienced the disasters they caused.
The undead born from creatures of the Demon Realm.Lake Pendren contaminated by death.Traitors unwilling to accept death.… … .
Rumors spread, but the reality resulted in a tragedy far greater than the rumors.
It was not merely a massive undead army threatening lives.A fear qualitatively different from the Bloodcry Plague had permeated the hearts of the people. This was because the inability to identify the cause of the sect had maximized anxiety.
Clearing away the unknown.
This is a prerequisite that must be addressed before determining the central strategy.
“I devoted all my resources to assessing the former king’s current military strength from the moment death vanished from the continent until just before arriving in Nordwald. And, I achieved quite considerable results.”
Verden gestured with his chin. Teriwen’s head, with his eyes closed and lips slightly parted, was proof of the action and a sample of its fruition.
“The true identity of the Four Sects, too.”
Verden stepped onto the table and moved toward the center. Eyes followed him.Teriwen’s head, having served its purpose as a kind of evidence, was stored in a subspace, and a massive rectangular object was summoned.
Ancient Artifact, [Materias].
A three-dimensional map recording all continents, and Balok’s tenth collection, has been revealed.Just as Balok spared no effort in squeezing out Verden’s knowledge, Verden is making full use of the objects Balok collected throughout his life.
“So far, six gates have been officially confirmed, but with the exception of the one sealed in Prohas, the rest have long been open.”“All of them…?”“In terms of location, two in the Western Continent, one in the Central Continent, one in the Demon Realm, and two in the Eastern Continent.”
Whoooosh.
With a gesture, he expanded the [Materias] to unfold a map of the continent. Then, he twisted the ‘six’ terrains to form a rift pointing toward the Four Gates.
“Before sharing the information I have, is there anyone among the attendees who has obtained meaningful research results regarding the inquiry?”
Verden is not the only one who has come into contact beyond approaching the Gate of Death.
“Acetro Oldin, speak.”“The Four Gates of the Demon Realm transform organisms whose functions have completely ceased.”
Keeper—Acetro Oldin revealed the data he had obtained through independent research.The Transcendent, who was the first to notice the abnormal state of the Demonic Realm, recalled the moment he witnessed the Four Gates alongside the terror of demons and the reckless intellectual.
“Creatures trampled by the undead mutated into undead retaining their abilities from their lives within minutes. While the transformation times varied for each individual, they were incomparably faster than the natural occurrence of the undead.”“What if humans die in the Demonic Realm?”“Unless the corpse is burned or purified with divine power, they transform into the undead. I can assert this without any proof. The moment one enters the Demonic Realm, the space where life and death coexist begins.”
Acetro calmed his voice.
Even the Transcendent would be no exception.
When a member of the extermination squad dies, they soon turn into an undead and direct their hatred toward the squad. To think thatthey would have to consider the mutation of corpses in an already perilous demonic realm. The kings could not imagine at all how they would deal with this.
“Still, the powerful creatures of the Demon Realm won’t immediately degenerate into the undead. The era of death applies to the Demon Realm as well, and those beings are more obsessed with survival than anyone else. However, if the Demon Realm’s Gate of Death is left unchecked, an irreversible moment will surely come.”“When will that be?”“I am not precise, but…”
Crouching in the canyon between the Demon Realm and the Continent, he finished his calculations.
You will regret your choice by mid-autumn.
If the aura of death emanating from the Four Gates were to eventually swallow up the life force of the Demon Realm, at least more than half of the Central Continent would have to be abandoned.“If we do not respond quickly, the worst will become reality and bring down the international community,” was Acetro’s conclusion.
“Have you found a way to destroy the Four Gates?”“The uncertainty in the Demonic Realm is so great that I did not make contact with them. Perhaps the Four Gates sealed by the King of Prohas hold the key.”“To do so, the seal must be broken. The Four Gates will also be fully opened immediately afterward. You will need to be fully prepared to conduct an investigation.”“I see.”
Acetro finished speaking with Eres’s final remark. Next, someone raised their hand and was given the right to speak by Verden.
Understander of Death – Reindel Nexreon.
In a sense different from the Luas Theocracy, there is no authority comparable to him in this field.Furthermore, everyone listened attentively because the Darkwarton Magic Tower is a group of black mages worthy of a true magic tower, standing head-on against the glory of the dead.
“May I stand next to you?”“Sure.”
There are absolutely not many people who are genuinely respected by Verden.Reindel was one of them.
Thump, thump, thump.
Reindel stood to the left of Verden, crossing the table. Staring intently at [Materias], he understood the controls by intuition alone and zoomed in on the upper part of the Eastern Continent… …the forest between northern and southern Delharun.
Whoosh.
Heartless fingertips created the seventh gate in the three-dimensional forest.
A gate has opened here.
Reindel also willingly shared information.
The interior was quite cozy.
