Episode 1076 Apocalypse
Emperor Zeracl assessed his opponent.
Emperor Xerion. They said he was the worst tyrant on earth who burned half the continent, but he is more impressive than the rumors say.
Black hair fluttering in the sea breeze and tickling his shoulders, and eyes of the abyss. His skin was fair, and like Verden, he had no beard.
He looked like a man who had just ascended to the throne.
However, the man seemed to possess an inner depth and darkness greater than that of Emperor Xerion, who single-handedly killed the transcendents 800 years ago, or any schemer, without a doubt.
Is this person… … truly a tyrant?
Akhand Lineage Tain Xerion.
The world called this innate transcendent being the ancient king.
“I am glad that the meeting has been successful, O kings.”
Akand displayed an attitude diametrically opposed to the historical records released by the Ruas Theocracy.He was neither ruthless nor violent.The dignity and courtesy of a benevolent emperor naturally permeated every word and gesture. For this reason, Pope Romanus, who was witnessing Akand in person for the first time, heightened his vigilance even further and did not take his eyes off him for a single moment.
“Sit down where you feel comfortable.”“That is a kind attitude, unbefitting of a war ringleader.”
Vangelis, one of the 7 Great Demon Kings who fought briefly when Arkhand broke the Provider’s temporary seal, mocked him as if to show off.
“Have you grown impatient hearing that Lunesica Anternoa is to be executed tomorrow? To think such humanity would remain in a being called the Lord of Death.”“I dispatched the messenger two days earlier than scheduled to respect your will. The current world’s determination to actively engage in our war. Of course, prisoner negotiations are also a part of the subject.”
Akand saw the members of the World Alliance.
“My interests and the other party’s interests. War is when the two clash. At least to me. Therefore, this meeting is a venue to confirm our mutual understanding.”“That is a grandiose procedure.”“A war must begin on a fair and equal footing.”
Akhand solemnly descended onto the throne.
“Ignorant and unilateral slaughter is nothing but a worthless pleasure.”“Your confidence alone lives up to your reputation, Old King.”
Vangelis, who had deliberately tried to provoke Arkand, felt a shiver down his spine.It wasn’t the meaning of the words, but the tone that bothered him.Beyond mere arrogance, the man had revealed a firm conviction that he could have crushed the World Alliance if he had started a war without notice long ago.
Just then, Verden leaned on the chair.
“I agree. You have to know who killed whom to have less lingering regrets. So that no one dares to even think about resurrecting like you.”
Verden sat opposite Akand. Alpha settled on the nape of his neck and glared at Akand with a single blue eye in an oval ring.
“I don’t want to drag this out. Let’s begin.”
Immediately afterwards, Adrian, Emperor Geracle, Romanus, and Grand Duke Rivandale took their seats centered around Verden. The rest of the state-level escorts stood directly behind the superiors, keeping an eye on Arkhand’s close associates.
As Verden threateningly provoked Akand, the ancient transcendents of the Glory of the Dead glared and showed their displeasure.In contrast, the four undead, who exuded a transcendent presence, showed no particular reaction and merely observed the transcendents’ expressions.
The skeletal viola stood quietly like a statue, awkwardly wedged in between.
“Very well. Then I will hold a meeting between the Xerion Empire and the World Alliance. The first topic is prisoners.”
Akand got to the point.
“Hand over Lunesica Anterno’s new recruit.”“The price.”“Pain and despair.”
A heavy silence pressed down on the atmosphere.
“If you send Luneska, I promise a reality without pain and an end without despair.”
Does this mean Grimmel Gromfar doesn’t even care what happens? After all, Grimmel was a force provided by the Followers of Fate to resurrect him; in reality, he had no connection to Arkhand.
anyway.
So they had no intention of negotiating normally from the start.
It was an arrogant ultimatum that regarded the defeat of the World Alliance as a foregone conclusion, but to Verden, it sounded like a whisper bestowing the utmost mercy and generosity.
“However, Akhand absolutely needs Lunesika to fully command the entire Glory of the Dead, so he would not give her up easily. In that case, do you intend to use the power of [Animus]?”
Whatever the case, there is no possibility that Akand will genuinely abandon Lunesica.That is what is desired. Becausethat is Verden’s arrangement.
While Verden was secretly plotting… Pope Romanus, having heard Akand’s words, contorted his good-natured appearance into a menacing grimness.
If it is pain and despair… … !
In the past, the Xerion Empire massacred every living thing within their reach.Taking lives was not the end of it.They left no survivors behind, beheading them one by one and hanging their heads on spears, and repurposed their corpses as undead.
The saint’s notes from that time described the streets of the cities occupied by the Empire as being filled with the rotten heads of innocent and helpless people. They even said thatchildren in their mothers’ wombs were dug up and impaled on spearheads, including their unripe skulls… Just imagining such a cruel tragedy made my rage surge.
Of course, emotions must not take precedence. That is the reason for leaving the Saint and Saintess behind. It is the World Alliance Leader’s responsibility to lead the negotiations against the Xerion Empire.
Romanus turned his head.Verden signaled his permission to speak.
“……The Xerion Empire inflicted unprecedented sorrow upon humanity during the War of the Transcendents. Had it been merely a war of conquest, public opinion might have been different; however, you prioritized the desecration of life over land and resources. And even now, 800 years later, you are attempting to repeat the same actions by burning the world.”
Romanus asked.
“What exactly is the purpose of the Xerion Empire? For what reason have you gone so far as to resurrect yourself, only to now attempt to trample upon the entire peaceful world beyond humanity?”
None of Arkhand’s motives had been revealed to date. Even the gods who sealed him by cutting off his body parts, the first necromancer, and the ancient transcendents did not know the reason why he started the war.
Didn’t Akand say earlier?That this meeting is a place to confirm mutual understanding.
As the Pope of the Ruas Principality, Romanus focused on the important questions and answers for the World Union rather than the aversion felt in the Xerion Empire.
This was a matter discussed with Verden before heading to the meeting place. Not only Romanus, but everyone present at the meeting had their own role to play.
“That is a question befitting the Pope of Light. However, it is a foolish inquiry. To ask me the background of death is no different from asking time itself the reason for the flow of time.”
Grand Duke Rivandale crossed his arms.
“So, does that mean you exist solely to annihilate this continent?”“It means everything is destiny. An innate purpose of existence that needs no explanation. To use a transcendental analogy, it is the ideal given to me. Of course, its essence is completely opposite to yours.”“What do you expect me to understand from such an answer?”“The only thing I can show you is the pure result.”
Akand extended a hand as if making an invitation.
“The outcome is in the hands of the Destroyer of Fate.”“The Destroyer of Fate……?”“To Verden?”
Vangelis knew who the Destroyer of Fate was referring to. Those who did not belatedly turned their gaze toward Verden.
A stone reminiscent of the Milky Way. Take that out and take a look.
* * *
The treasury of Xerion Imperial Castle was truly filled with countless treasures, but among them were three extraordinary treasures.
The living heart of a dragon.A stone shining like the Milky Way.A sphere of dark crystal.
Akand’s younger brother, the Sinner of the Fallen Kingdom, and the Golden Sinner from his lifetime entered the United Sand Imperial Castle after the war ended and brought them out.
To keep it in the Golden Vault.To support the world when Arkhand is resurrected in the future.
Eventually, after a long time had passed, the Golden Vault was opened. And, the three treasures were currently being managed by Eon to make the most of them.
On the day he introduced G’harun to Eloris and Isabella said she wanted to join the Demon Realm Suppression Corps, Verden also personally examined the heart, stone, and sphere.
The living heart of a dragon was perfect as material for weapons, but G’harun was deliberating as it was a material he had never handled before. Thedark crystal sphere, on the other hand, was identified as an artifact capable of influencing the course of the battle and had been classified as a trump card.
The problem was the last one.
“Even I couldn’t discern the true nature of the stone shining like the Milky Way. So, judging that I needed time to gain insight, I kept it stored in a subspace… … To think you saw right through it. It doesn’t seem like intuition.”
It seemed that the stone was more closely ‘connected’ to Arkhand than I thought.Perhaps it is related to ‘you’.
Whoosh.
Verden summoned the Milky Way Stone without trying to hide it.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.
Akand laughed softly.
“I never imagined that stone would end up in you. Indeed. I suppose this, too, could be called fate. A chance fate not constructed by the wheel of destiny.”
Akand saw his younger brother on the island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea, but he appeared unaware of the Golden Vigo built by the first Necromancer and the three sinners.
It is a good sign.
This means that Arkhand does not know the details of the World Alliance’s total power. He boasts of exceptional strength, but he is by no means omniscient.
The Apostles share only one thing in common: being bound to ‘you’ by fate; there is no such thing as camaraderie among them. You could say they are individualists faithful to their own purposes.
───{Basically, “Apostle” is a term referring to a being endowed with power by a god, and therefore applies only to those with deep faith. However, there are always exceptions. Bloodia is one such case. In other words, she is an Apostle invited from the outside.}
───{In a sense, their personalities are similar. Of course, their essence is on a completely different level from mercenaries. For the reasons mentioned above, solidarity among the Apostles is weak. It might be different once the Battle of Destiny resumes, but for now, that is the case. That is why information transmission is limited.}
Aside from those directly involved, I am currently the only Apostle who knows exactly what happened in the rift between worlds.
According to the host’s explanation, since the Apostles are faithful only to their own purposes, it is highly likely that nothing at all about what happened in Arcadium was known to Arkhand.This includes the fact that Verden won and obtained Draven’s soul.
Of course, it doesn’t matter if it becomes known. They won’t expect that I, who understand Draven’s magic and ideals, would try to steal the Head of the Glory of the Corpse.
Akand was not aware that Verden had become the God of Demons.Neither was Bloodia.
Overall, I have the information advantage.
Did Arkhand say he overcame death?If so, Verden can destroy anyone.
Verden placed the Milky Way Stone on the table, imagining the destruction of the Akand Empire from its roots. Then, he pointed at it with his hand.
“What is this?”“The Book of Revelation.”
Akand whispered softly.
It is your future because of me.
Thump.
The power of the sixth apostle pulsated.
The Milky Way embedded in the stone began to rotate and rapidly spread outward like paint. Prince Rivandale, Romanus, Vangelis, and Adrian reacted immediately. Notonly them, but even those whom Verden had entrusted with scouting the vicinity joined in like wind and lightning.
It was truly a fleeting moment.
thud.
Three transcendents of the Glory of the Dead stood in opposition to Vangelis and Romanus.The Undead of War aimed their sharp swords at Adrian, while the Undead of Famine clashed with Grand Duke Rivandale.The Undead of Plague and the Undead of Death crossed their gazes with Vantoreon and Beast King Antias, separated by five steps.
Antias, who had been waiting to check if there was anything worth noting nearby just as Verden had said, bared his fangs in case of an emergency.
“These are high-quality prey, better than I expected. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to settle this here.”“But the Akhand I know wouldn’t end it so anticlimatically.”
Vantoreon glared at Akand, whom he had faced alongside other transcendents when he was in the 7th rank, and smiled with a competitive spirit.
“Isn’t that so?”“Bantoreon Roden Taranis.”
Akand also pulled up the corners of his mouth and turned his gaze back to Verden.
As I said before, there is no death. Not even now. So, do not be wary.
Eventually, the Milky Way surrounded the surroundings.
It is merely a glimpse into the future of the world.
The stars embroidered in the darkness twinkled for a moment, then cleared away like mist. The Milky Way vanished.And a different landscape unfolded, one that was not the wilderness cliffs overlooking the sea.
Alpha’s single eye gleamed.
[A Ruined World?]
The fantasy realm originating from the Milky Way Stone needed no further explanation. There was no one there. A facet of a continent where life itself did not exist.There was no way to describe it other than as a ruined world.
It is your world, defeated in the war.
Akand gestured lightly. The vision of the future was once again enveloped in the Milky Way, illuminating another world different from the previous one.
“And this is your world, where you gave up resistance and surrendered to me.”
Death exploits life. Humans, barely clinging to their fading lives, stood emaciated and ruled by the dead.It was horrific, but better than before.At least they were alive.
Thus, you have two options.
Akand stared directly at the Fate Destroyer.
“What is your choice, Verden?”“The third one.”
Kwagwagwagwagwa!
The destruction caused by Verden shattered the illusion shown by the Milky Way. The landscape of reality returned. Verden revealed his full presence as an 8th-tier transcendent being.
“War, and victory.”“In that case.”
Akand got up.
“I will start the war.”
