Episode 1077 The Sinners’ Repentance (1)
“I will start the war.”
Akhand grabbed the dragon sword [Magrath] stuck behind the throne.The ground shook at the declaration of war.
Kugugugugugugugugu… … !
Rough waves surged from the open sea down to the base of the cliff, growing in height. Something was approaching. Before long, a vast shadow, with a radius approaching tens of kilometers, was cast in the middle of the bay.
The earth is rising.
It was a strange phenomenon that was not in the memory of the first servant, Draven.The difference between the past and the present.It was evident that this was a force that did not exist 800 years ago, such as the four undead accompanied by Akand as his closest aides and the evil dragon Nekbael, who had been resurrected as a complete ancient dragon.
Darkness surging from beneath the sea.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwagwagwa!
The seawater that had enveloped the entire darkness poured down as a waterfall, as if driven out like sunlight obscured by clouds. An astronomical mass drained away, and the ocean immediately swirled violently to fill the void.
Verden and Alpha slowly raised their gazes.
The Transcendents confronting the forces of the Xerion Empire, the Beast King Antias, and Emperor Zeracl all turned their gazes in that direction as if possessed.The same emotion rose in their eyes.It was undeniable astonishment.
“Sky, an island?”“Ha! A city in the sky. I’ve seen all sorts of bizarre things.”“There wasn’t anything like that before…?”
Excluding the massive city of Gargant, an ecliptic vaster than any major metropolis in human history manifested in the skies. Right on a colossal island suspended in mid-air.
New Xerion Empire Imperial City – Citadel.
That name echoed in everyone’s heads.
────────────────!
Verden’s extrasensory perception detected the undead legions stationed at the Citadel.Hundreds of thousands, millions, and even more.Moreover, many of them were quite ominous beings. Just as the World Alliance possessed national-level military power, the Xerion Empire also had such undead lurking within it.
[Abominable things… … .]
The evil dragon Nekhbael sat haughtily atop the Citadel, glaring at the world with eyes that hated and cursed all ideologies, including fate and resistance.
Clang.
Akand drew his dragon sword and rested it on one shoulder. The Emperor’s robes transformed into armor befitting the unique moniker of the Ancient King.As cold metal met metal, a chilling noise assaulted the eardrums like a ghostly wail.
This is my empire.
Finally, ‘your’ sixth apostle revealed the true dignity of existence.
The Apostle of Death who has fully recovered and overcome death, unlike in the Inland Sea of Hiaremar.The human who has killed the most transcendents in a thousand years of history.
That presence collided head-on with Verden.
Darkening skies, twisting atmosphere, terror that strikes fear into living beings, a sense of mission oriented toward destiny, resistance rejecting shackles, destruction opposing creation… … .
The sound disappeared from the surrounding area.
Even the continuous stream of lightning striking irregularly from all directions, burning the wilderness and staining the sea, could only display light and failed to unleash thunder.
Only two people broke the silence.
“I haven’t heard an answer regarding Luneska yet.”“The negotiations are over.”
Verden stood up facing him.
“Where and when will the war begin?”“The Central Continent. The border region between the Kingdom of Din-el and the Ternetia Federation, the Foltein Plains.”
Akhand swung his dragon sword sideways with a cold, disciplined expression. He twisted his wrist mid-trajectory to control the flow.At the tip of the sword, which had come to a halt like a taut bowstring, I had the illusion that the blood on the blade was trembling violently, pushed by inertia.
I will command it.
The desolate land shook from the mere aftermath of the crackdown.
The surface of the earth cracked as if a drought had occurred, and rock pillars formed by slow weathering over a very long period of time collapsed.
“I will not allow any intervention. This is solely the destiny given to me.”“…….”“Two days later.”
Akand asserted.
“We shall initiate a true war.”
The death energy spreading from the Citadel enveloped Arkhand, his closest aides, and Viola, who had fainted before they knew it. It was the same energy felt in the Nine Gates.
The Transcendents, including Verden, could have stopped the movement, but they did not.At least, now was not the time for a decisive battle.
Ssaaaah… … .
The cold licks the nape of the neck.
In an instant, the darkness intensified, obscuring the figures of Arkhand and his party; a gale raged to the west and vanished along with the Citadel.Marine creatures exposed to the aura of death swarmed to the surface of the sea. Eyes had lost their focus. The lowly creatures were annihilated.
Death has returned to the continent.
All that remained in the outer meeting room were antique tables, thrones, and chairs… and the emperors from the World Alliance and their guards.
“Pfft.”
Adrian rested his head on Akand’s throne and spat to wash away the unpleasantness. However, that did not blur the impression of Akand that had already been imprinted on his senses.
The Emperors’ guards, who had vaguely believed they would likely win without being driven to the worst crisis because they were aware of the World Alliance’s total strength, felt both fear and excitement at the same time due to a tension they had never experienced before.
If you win, you will be recorded.If you lose, you will be recorded.
The outcome of the war will result in one of two things.
The meeting with the protagonists of the First Transcendental War came to an end like that.
* * *
“Archand’s Imperial Castle, the Citadel. It is based on a sky island and allows for physical movement, including spatial teleportation, just like before. It is truly a mobile fortress.”
Although it looks similar to Sky Island Ark and Noxias’s Rivereas, Arcand’s Citadel is one-dimensional compared to the two.
Arc and Libereas belong to separate three-dimensional regions, so they cannot be invaded unless a virtual fourth dimension is formed and passed through.
On the other hand, the Citadel is confined to the three dimensions where the continent exists, allowing for bidirectional interference. Just as the Citadel can directly affect the continent, the continent can also inflict damage on the Citadel.
In the end, as long as you make contact, there is no problem.
Although the existence of the Citadel had not been anticipated, there was no need to revise the plan.Verden judged so.
After the meeting, Verden spent time with the accompanying monarchs to discuss what influence the Citadel would have on the future war.
The Citadel’s own invasion of the continent.The possibility of Arkand joining the front lines.The predicted battle situation and damage to the region upon the landing of the Citadel.… … .
There was only one conclusion.
To eliminate Arkand, we must lure the Citadel into the battlefield, whether by force or otherwise. Attacking the main base will be the key to victory, preventing him from regrouping or being protected by anything.
The following were impressions of the meeting.
Verden asked.
“What did you see of Akhand and the Empire?”“He was a Hegemon. He possessed the magical power to move the hearts of others, but it seemed that military force itself was ultimately the core of power and dominance.”
Emperor Jeracle participated in this meeting to observe and assess Arkhand firsthand. He also intended to check if there was any opening to infiltrate his absolute rule.
There is no one in the World Alliance who can match Emperor Geracle in political acumen alone.
Armed with various artifacts of the Arnark Imperial Household, Emperor Zeracl was able to devote himself to political observation undisturbed, even amidst the immense pressure of the presence.
“I saw a subtle disconnect between the Transcendents of the Glory of the Dead and those four undead. It must mean that there are clearly distinct factions within the Xerion Empire.”“Do you mean the integration is not complete?”“Just as the black magic that governs the undead does, they will unconditionally obey the Old King’s commands; however, the Glory of the Dead are sentient beings capable of independent thought. In other words, they are human. Their loyalty may be directed in the same direction, but the degree differs. Furthermore, having been resurrected by the Old King’s power, they are encountering him in person for the first time, just like us; therefore, this immediate disharmony is inevitable.”
The undead merely follow, but humans instinctively seek to satisfy their need for recognition.
Loyalty is not stagnant water, but a flowing river.
The Glory of the Dead will ultimately seek to displace the undead and become the servant of the Old King, just as the first and second servants did.
“However, Draben and Luneska were the only ones who pledged direct loyalty to the former King, yet one is dead, and the other is set for execution tomorrow.”“That means… there is no one in the Empire to act as a close intermediary between the former King and the Glory of the Dead.”“That is correct. Therefore, the former King needs Luneska to fully seize control of the current Glory of the Dead. I do not know if the prisoner negotiation he proposed stems from genuine sincerity or if he is merely feigning composure, but giving up Luneska so easily does not make sense.”
Emperor Geracle expressed his opinion.
“If Verden’s claim that the [Animus] used for the resurrection of the old king was not destroyed is true, he will surely use it to reclaim Lunesica. Probably in the form of a soul.”“Hoho, then should we postpone the execution?”“Stopping the execution now would only lower the morale of the Alliance. Moreover, despite being aware of this, Verden announced Lunesica’s execution across the continent before the summit even concluded. Didn’t everyone hear it?”
Emperor Geracle lightly moistened his throat with cold water and continued speaking.
“Verden’s magic can liberate souls. On a continent where death has vanished, Verden was the only one capable of bestowing the death we know.”
As everyone suspects, the ancient king cannot continuously resurrect the dead; just as there is a reaction to every great action, the reason he cannot resurrect Draven is due to some powerful constraint… Emperor Zeracl summarized his explanation by presenting plausible logic.
If Verden interferes with Lunesica’s soul and prevents her resurrection, it could leave an unbridgeable gap between the former king and the glory of the corpse for some time.
“If we can twist that, we might be able to create a significant rift in the old king’s system of rule. For politics is precisely what it means for trivial differences to become irreversible.”
Emperor Xeracle answered Vangelis, Grand Duke Rivandale, and Antias in turn.
It was indeed an insight befitting a transcendent figure of the political world.
Thanks to this, Verden was in a sense of relief. This was because the overlap between Emperor Zeracl’s conjecture and Verden’s intentions granted legitimacy to his future actions.
“Sensing the disparity between the Glory of the Dead and the Xerion Empire, he has nearly caught up to the information his liege uncovered through Draven’s memories. It’s not as if his brain structure is specialized for sowing discord. Is this why he is the Emperor?”
Adrian disliked politics, so he was wary of Emperor Xeracle. He felt that if the fellow were determined to cause trouble, even Antias and Ignacia would be no match for him.
Then, Alpha raised his small hand.
[I will not allow any intervention. That is what Akand said. What do you think?]
“It must mean it literally, that this war belongs to the World Alliance and the Xerion Empire.”
Emperor Xeracle recalled the mural left by Molgarn, the Archdemon of the Legion, located deep beneath the Imperial Castle, which he had also shown to Verden and Alpha.
The monarch sitting on a mountain of corpses.
The mural of the future advancing into an empty void hinted at the appearance of an ancient king. Additionally, other beings such as giants and dragons were present within it.
In other words… … no future dangers other than the Old King will step forward in this war. Emperor Zeracl interpreted the Old King’s words in this way.
It seems that the beings sculpted in the future murals were not integrated into one either.
That was as far as his thoughts went, but Emperor Jeracle remained silent about the mural.After all, he had no intention of revealing it.Not yet, anyway.
“In my view, Akhand is a being with a clear purpose. Although he possesses the full face of a tyrant, his temperament seemed to place weight on patience and reason rather than impulse. Just as his manner of speech was unparalleled.”“Haha, he wasn’t called the schemer of catastrophe for nothing.”
Bantoreon nodded his head.
Emperor Jeracle preached that he sensed the side of Akhand as a difficult politician to deal with.
“Did you say that the Milky Way Stone Verden possesses, the desperate scene shown by the Apocalypse, is our future? It might be true.”“…….”“Even so, I don’t believe it.”
Verden said.
“What is the reason?”“Because you shouldn’t trust a politician’s words. So there is no need to be swayed by a few sentences. If you want to fully evaluate a politician, looking at the process and results in the future will suffice.”
Emperor Geracle wore a cunning smile.
“Whether the Old King’s revelation is true or false will be known when the World Alliance is defeated.”
His perspective of viewing and responding to the ancient king not as an overwhelming transcendent being or a lord of death, but as a pure politician, was certainly unrivaled.
Believe only what you can believe.
That was the main point Emperor Zeracl intended to convey.
Everyone seemed to agree, as if their thoughts were similar or consistent with each other’s.
“…….”
Verden stared blankly at the Stone of Apocalypse on the table, then stored it in a subspace. He then shifted his gaze to Romanus.
“Those undead?”“They certainly remembered that deception.”
Pope Romanus grasped the Bible [Omen Code] he had kept in his bosom.
King Antijas also tapped his nose.
Me too.
The discussion continued a little longer.
He extracted as much of the potential clue as possible from the meeting. Verden nodded, ready to share the information with the other monarchs.
D – 1 until Luneska’s execution.
D-2 until the outbreak of war.
* * *
Magnus, the golden sinner who designed the Golden Vigo and was a great merchant eight centuries ago.
Reginalf, the greatest war merchant eight centuries ago and a criminal of death who founded the continent’s three major banks.
The two were currently staying at the headquarters of the Alliance of Transcendents in Highlandia. They watched the Alliance forces armed with the Golden Vigo’s armor.
With this, our duty is complete.
[It is not over yet. We must keep watching until Emperor Xerion is completely annihilated. That is the extent of our role.]
“Yes, now all that remains is to just watch…….”
The merchant of death who sold death to the world by trading vast weapons with the Xerion Empire, and the object of greed who provided enormous funds to the Xerion Empire.
Realizing their sins only after seeing the continent burned by the ancient king, they attempted to atone by performing the ritual of immortality improved by the first necromancer.
To continue their consciousness as the undead and pass on their legacy to a world alliance to be organized in the distant future.That was the mission the two had to fulfill, and they finally accomplished it.
However, as expected, it didn’t satisfy me.
Because the first Necromancer, who transformed into a powerful Bone Dragon by joining forces with the Necromancers of the time, and the Sinner of a Fallen Kingdom were not as formidable as they were, participation in the war was impossible.
Reginalf and Magnus were excellent merchants, but they were weaklings who could not even wield a sword themselves. They could only ask others to make sacrifices.
“Can we truly atone with this alone?”
[Well, it’s not like anyone is going to forgive our karma. But it is clear that if the Alliance is defeated, there won’t even be a chance to atone.]
The golden skull rattled its jawbone.
So let us pray only for victory.
“To the goddess Luas?”
[Anyone. I will trust Lord Verden, who gathered the three golden bones, Hohoho!]
Hmm, I guess I should do the same.
The two sinners prayed in their hearts toward the World Union Leader, then raised their heads again. And they spoke of the sinner who was not present.
[But where have you gone, you sinner of a fallen nation, that I cannot see you at all? Weren’t you supposed to join us here and move?]
“He said he would be late because something came up. Still, we are able to stay in touch through communication devices, so there shouldn’t be any major issues. After all, he is different from us.”
The reason Castian Linigea Tain Xerion called himself a sinner of a fallen kingdom was that he failed to prevent the tyrannyof the former king, who was of the same bloodline. He was not a sinner like Reginalf or Magnus, who were blinded by money and failed to recognize the former king’s true intentions, thereby aiding in the expansion of the Xerion Empire’s war.
“……I suppose you need to prepare yourself.”
Reginalf dared to understand Castian’s feelings.
“Even if he is an unforgivable being, it is a tragedy to have to kill one’s own brother.”
* * *
Castian, the sinner of a fallen kingdom who had finally lost consciousness on an island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea, woke up at the Adventurer’s Guild headquarters.While hovering between life and death, he had a dream. It was a dream so intense and fateful that he could never erase it from his mind.
Castian found himself falling for that strange attraction more and more often,to the point where he even forgot the urgent situation.
And, after the old king was fully resurrected and proclaimed the reconstruction of the Xerion Empire, Castian began to have dreams every day.
It was all the same illusion.
A dream of piercing an ancient king with a single spear.
It materialized day by day and stimulated the soul like a divine revelation.
In the end, Castian, who was moving from the Adventurer’s Guild headquarters to the Transcendent Alliance headquarters, could not resist his instincts and turned back.
Crunch.
Castian climbed a secluded cliff. His grip cracked the rock fragments. He crawled up the steep rocky terrain to find the place he had seen in his dream,slaughtering every demi-human and monstrous creature he encountered along the way.
Eventually, I found a small cave.
It’s exactly like what I saw in my dream.
Castian slowly walked into the darkness with his sword hanging low.There was a light in the distance.Something was reflecting the light that had seeped in through a crack in the ceiling.
“……ah.”
A window that looks ordinary yet somehow antique.
Was it a premonition?The dream became reality and came to me.
Clang.
Castian, having dropped his sword without realizing it, cautiously approached and reached for the spear.He grasped the shaft.At that moment, a mysterious energy overflowed, and the spear was drawn into him. When he blinked, only a trace remained where the spear from his dream had been stuck.
“This is…….”
Castian stared blankly at his palm, then instinctively became conscious and bent his fingers.
Whoosh.
A spear was summoned.Along with the feeling that it could kill anything.
“……[Lugina Horn].”
Castian muttered the name of the spear that had surfaced within him and opened his eyes again. An intense gaze. Fingers filled with conviction gripped the spear tightly.The helplessness he had felt toward his brother—Emperor Xerion—was no longer visible.
Sinner revenge price sorry revenge revenge I’m sorry revenge revenge revenge revenge suicide revenge die together die die Empire’s revenge hatred destruction finally!
Souls cried out from within the artifact embedded in Castian’s chest. These souls were the source that granted him life and strength without him becoming undead.Grudge and resentment, sorrow and joy.The emotions of the citizens of the imperial capital and his parents, who had been sacrificed to the Emperor, felt closer than ever.
Now, please wait just a little longer.
Kill Akand.To atone for my ruined country.
I will finish everything.
Castian reflected on the mission he had set for himself as a sinner of a fallen nation.
* * *
Lefragium Magic Tower.
Meia, the Executor who had been concentrating her consciousness with the magic path open, opened her eyes.
“The adversary of the Sixth Apostle, confirmed.”
As arranged in the past, the fourth of the six legends, the spear that kills each other—Lugina Horn—has fallen into the master’s hands.
They always resisted fate.
* * *
A day has passed since the meeting.
Verden took action personally, as if to assure everyone that Lunesica’s execution would be carried out as scheduled no matter who interfered.
That place was Gargant.
