Episode 1065 The Divine Subject (5)
What soul should be breathed into the remnants of the evil god, which were little more than an empty vessel? Since countless souls were stored inside [Gring Arcanum], Verden’s options were endless.
However, there was only one best option.
The processed nerve bundles of Bargnon—the fragment of God—were completed into a humanoid body based primarily on the divine blood of Verden. Therefore,the soul to fill the vessel of God also naturally had to be deeply connected to God.
Knight of the Dawn, Eloris.
Thus, the soul of the ‘divine being’ and ‘apostle’ who received power from the Goddess of the Morning Star according to Verden’s will inhabited the remnants of the evil god.
Safely preserving the soul.Restoring life by bestowing a soul upon a dead body.
This was truly the power of [Gring Arcanum].
It was different in nature from [Animus], which uses the power emitted upon death and stored souls as expendables to cause phenomena beyond common sense.
The desire to manipulate the soul – Animus.
The Forbidden Book of the World Seeking Knowledge – The Book of Souls – Gring Arcanum.
Although they had something in common in that they could store souls, the difference between the first and third legends lay in the way they utilized souls.
If the former takes the soul itself as a resource, the latter was like a book that records the soul, much like knowledge inscribed in writing.
“The fact that the remnants of the evil god transformed to align with Eloris’s soul must be purely because the vessel itself is that of a god. Divine power, by its very nature, has no fixed form and manifests miracles according to one’s will. If Eloris’s soul had entered a different body, the external changes would have been faint.”
Verden fixed his gaze on the hand that had directly breathed the soul into.
‘… … Is this also a resurrection?’
The miracle of resurrection, usable only by the gods of the Luas religion, was accomplished by Verden’s hands. Itwas undoubtedly a form of resurrection, even if the cause and effect were different.
It was profound and also mysterious.
As it was her first experience of reviving the dead of long ago, the unfamiliarity did not easily fade. The presence of the souls resting in [Gring Arcanum].The sensation of her soul flowing through her hand still lingered.
However… … that was not the reason Verden was lost in sentimentality.
Most of the souls stored in [Gring Arcanum] came from primeval adventures.
The souls of the distinguished guests and attendees of the Arkadium were nowhere to be seen.Luzak Paltein, the sixteenth distinguished guest who realized his true identity in the adventure and rebelled against the host, was not in the book, at least. He waslikely either still held hostage or had been freed from his status as a distinguished guest in a form other than a forbidden book—it was probably one of the two.
The problem is that there are souls inside [Gring Arcanum] that didn’t exist in the adventure story.
They were all familiar faces.Of course.Because I had seen them recently.
Former Iderat Federation President, Terrywen.
The souls of the beings Verden ‘personally’ executed when he raided the fortress of the Followers of Fate in the west of the Kingdom of Maren were discovered in the forbidden book.
By destroying the power of the old king through destruction, their souls were prevented from remaining in reality, but instead of going to where they were originally supposed to go, they somehow ended up flowing into [Gring Arcanum].
The doubts deepen.
Host, what kind of knowledge are you looking for?
What exactly do you expect by transferring ownership of this [Gring Arcanum]?
Verden could not accurately discern the host’s ulterior motive in throwing out a topic of conversation amidst the chaos and stepping back to observe the situation.However, as he recalled the true form of the creature he had encountered in the deepest depths of the ocean, it felt as though he could hear a voice.
───{Are you really different from them?}
A kind of test, doubt, and question.
The Host is likely expecting Verden to walk a different path from the first Demon King and ‘you’. Or perhaps, they are expecting Verden to eventually walk the same path as the two of them and fall into despair.
There’s really no need to be conscious of it.
Verden turned his back as if he had gathered his thoughts and left his private study in the Grand Hall. It does not matter what path ‘you’ and the First Demon King walked. ForVerden’s ideals are not shallow enough to be swayed by the ideals they desired.
The choice lies entirely with Verden himself.
“Shall we get going?”“Alright.”
Gharun, carrying the giant hammer [Marcuav] on his back, stood up.
“Honestly, I am looking forward to it. To think the last king of the ancient Dwarf dynasty.”
Gharun was scheduled to travel to the headquarters of the Alliance of Transcendents with Verden to meet Grimmel Gromfar, the worst dwarf on earth.
Even Gharun, who had lived for nearly three centuries, considered the Dwarf Dynasty to be a distant past rarely seen even in ancient legends, so as a Dwarf, it was understandable that he could not bear not seeing its face firsthand.
“He’s a crazy dwarf, so don’t expect too much.”“Since he’s crazy, you should expect even more.”
Gharun loosened his shoulders.
That’s the only way I can beat you to death.
* * *
A certain canyon in Hainlandia that even Verden’s sensory abilities could not clearly see through.
Kugugugugu.
As the ancient gate beyond the thick fog opened, the headquarters of the Alliance of Transcendents came into view. Training was in full swing at the Alliance base.
Oh, what a magnificent view.
Although G’harun had appraised various artifacts for direct use by the Transcendent Alliance and classified useful magical items in the Golden Vault of Sinners, this was the first time he had set foot in this place.
The living heart of a dragon.A stone shining like the Milky Way.A sphere of dark crystal.
It was because, when the former king was sealed, Castian, the criminal of the fallen kingdom of the Xerion Empire’s imperial palace, and Magnus, the criminal of gold, were preoccupied with observing the treasures they had stolen and contemplating how to use them.
Verden also intended to check them together with Gharun once he finished his business here.
Having thoroughly read through Draven’s life, I know the origins of the Dragon’s Living Heart and the Dark Crystal Sphere, but…even Draven did not fully know about the stone that shines like the Milky Way.
“The so-called Galaxy Stone, which could not be grasped even by the insight of a transcendent being of the Black Magic Realm. Given that Arkhand personally ordered its safekeeping, there must be some hidden backstory.”
If it were Verden, he might be able to discern the secrets that Draben failed to see at the time. After all, he is not only an 8th-rank transcendent being but also a god.
anyway.
Verden and Gharun entered the city that serves as the core of the Alliance of Transcendents. Alpha, Beta, Adrian, Isabella, and others did not accompany them, as they each had their own duties.As Eon’s territory expanded and its authority grew stronger, their role was immense.
The presence of the transcendents was felt in the passageway leading to the prison.
“I see you again so quickly. You have to command the World Alliance and look after the prisoners. Without spatial teleportation, you wouldn’t even be able to go home.”
The Oath-taker – Yurion approached Verden, waving his hand.Beside him was the Master – Bendie.
“Forming the subjugation legion should probably take about two more days. We finished long ago while forming the Alliance of Transcendents, but the other factions aren’t in the same boat. Hmm, honestly, even two days might be a bit tight.”“Understood. Let me know if it looks like it will take longer.”“I will. But… are you the legendary dwarf from the volcanic region? The Hammer of Incision that crafted your staff?”
Yurion seemed interested in Gharun.
After all, the Knights of the Word were also present at the site where Verden, concealing his identity, clashed with the Arnak Empire in the volcanic region.
Verden introduced it himself.
“I am Gharun.”“I have a mouth of my own, so there is no need for me to introduce myself. I am the dwarf, Gharun.”“I have heard much of your reputation. They say you are the greatest craftsman of the volcanic region and a staunch orthodoxy—”“Oathborn, I do not accept a commission to craft your weapons.”
Yurion widened his eyes slightly for a moment and asked seriously.
“What is the reason?”“Because you don’t need the weapon.”
Yurion exerts power through spoken words.
Although he possessed weapons such as a sword and armor, they were merely auxiliary means.Furthermore, since Yurion’s equipment was his exclusive weaponry reinforced by infusing it with spoken words over a long period of time, other equipment was unnecessary at this point.
“……As expected, it’s different. I’ve never heard of a dwarf having this kind of insight. Verden, you aren’t some kind of dwarf transcendent, are you?”“Transcendents are the exclusive property of humans.”“What about me?”
Bendie pointed at himself with a rare look of intense curiosity.
Gharun stroked his bushy orange beard.
“Even if you can wield many weapons, you ultimately have only two hands. Master, it appears you do not need my weapons either. At least not right now. Therefore, I decline the request.”“I see.”
Bendie reached out his hand.
“I am Vendie, the Master of the Temple.”“……? Right.”
Gharun accepted the handshake, wondering why he was suddenly introducing himself.
Bendy showed little change in expression, but his gaze was anything but ordinary. How should I put it? It was the reaction of someone meeting a celebrity.Was it because he was a collector of weapons?
Verden said.
“Let’s head down now.”“Let’s do that. Oh, by the way, can we come along?”“If you don’t want to, I have no intention of joining in.”
Yurion and Bendie instinctively felt that he wanted to confront Lunesica alone, but contrary to their expectations, Verden shook his head.
“It doesn’t matter if you guys are here. Once one of you comes down, there is no turning back, so you must cooperate with me. If you don’t want to, wait outside.”“It looks like you’re about to say something significant. In that case, I certainly can’t back out.”“I promise to cooperate. This way.”
Bendie led the way toward the prison entrance. The disciples of Temple guarding the place paid their respects and opened the firmly closed gate.
“I will go meet that dwarf.”“We will meet again here after the audience is over. Guide Gharun to the dwarf prisoner.”“Yes!”
The dwarf headed to the left.The three transcendents headed to the right.
They entered through entrances leading to different underground levels and descended the silent stairs.
* * *
Lunesica, who had fallen asleep hugging the magic stone imbued with Verden’s magic power, twitched. She slowly opened her eyes and adjusted to her vision.
It wasn’t cold anymore.
She sat up, realizing that she had been transferred to another prison while unconscious. Then, she rolled her eyes to greet them, who had finally arrived.
Squeak.
Three shadows fell.
Verden summoned four chairs from a subspace and placed them inside the prison. The structure was such that three chairs faced one.
“……It’s been a while, Verden. Is this the first time since the Hiaremar Inland Islands?”
Thanks to the magic stone Unia had given her, her mind and body were somewhat stabilized, but her strength was still weak. Lunesica looked up at Verden, who was sitting in the center.
Verden asked.
“Have you sorted out your thoughts?”“Shut up and speak.”
Lunesica gritted her teeth.
“Tell me.”“…….”“Tell me how you know that.”
I will wait for you on the Hill of Liberation first.
How did Verden know about the Hill of Liberation, which only Draven and Lunesica knew? Lunesica could not die to find that out.
“Speak……!”“Lunesica Anternoa.”
Verden whispered firmly.
“I have inherited the glory of the corpse.”“What?”
Lunesica moved her lips again as if she had absolutely no idea what she had heard.
“what??”
Bendie and Yuri On had the same reaction. With blank expressions, they looked from the left and right at Verden, who had nonchalantly blurted out a strange remark.
This bastard… … what did he just say?
* * *
The depths of the Great Hall.
As Verden said, it originally took time for Eloris’s soul and body to achieve complete harmony, but her consciousness recovered faster than that.
Swoosh.
Eloris opened her eyes.
‘Where am I…?’
The Apostle of the Morning Star has awakened.
Footsteps are heard from outside. The distance is gradually closing.They belonged to Cain, Enette, and Junia, but Elloris had no way of knowing that.
I need to subdue him first.
Eloris entered battle stance.
