Episode 1144 Magic Rampage (2)
The Kingdom of Estiria is the country where Ferne lived as an information broker, and the core of the Eastern Continent region where Verden’s influence reaches.
In effect, Ferne serves as a direct intermediary between the World Union headquarters and the command structure of the central Eastern Continent. She was fully aware of the importance of her role here in the Eastern Continent.
but…….
The moment a threat presumed to be a transcendent doll was discovered in the kingdom’s territory and it was determined that severe noise in communications was hindering information transmission,Ferne immediately moved by horse or airship while maintaining the intelligence network to the fullest extent.
Even though he was accompanied by Eon’s wizards as an escort, the undead were rampant everywhere.
Encountering a high-ranking undead would make survival difficult, but she couldn’t simply wait indefinitely inside the city for the communication device to be repaired.A tool is just a tool.Relying solely on tools disqualifies one from being an intelligence officer. True to her background as an informant in the gray zone, she handled informants and worked in the field.
That was also the reason I was able to arrive at the battlefield so quickly as soon as I obtained the latest information that had crossed over through Roafra’s intercontinental spatial teleportation tunnel.
Ferne delivered Alpha’s message to Verden, who had come to the Kingdom of Estria.
Closed the First Gate of the Southern Eastern Continent.Closed the Gate of the Maren Kingdom.
With this, I first reported the good news that ‘five of the Four Gates’ out of the nine—including Delharun, Lake Pendren, and the Ternetia Federation—had been captured.Excluding the former king, if we now deal with only ‘three of the Four Gates,’ the Xerion Legion will not increase any further.
Master defeats the 3rd Commander.Gareth defeats the 8th Commander.
With additional commanders, including those from the asymmetric forces, eliminated, there are three commanders remaining.Among them, the 1st Commander is the only one from the asymmetric forces.
With this, the World Alliance is a few steps closer to victory.
Next, bad news followed.
At the Prohas Gate, a gigantic, human-like undead is attempting to break the seal and enter the continent.War escalates at the border of the Arnak Empire.The magic city of Virente is raided.Contact has been lost with several cities in the Iderat Alliance. An investigation is currently underway.The Red Dragon Sarkandra has appeared in the Demon Realm—the fate of the extermination and support forces that entered the Demon Realm cannot be confirmed.Cain is killed by the 8th Commander.Yurion, Kalia, Dreadmere, and Blue are trapped in the closed Gate and have gone missing.… … .
The price of victory was cruel.
“What did you just say?”
Verden asked back, not even knowing what expression he was making.
“Cain?”
Melad Tastien felt a sense of unreality.Who had died?She had long since braced herself for her own death, but she had never considered the void left by the twins. After all, they were the children most precious to her.
Ferne trembled all over and could not speak properly. Enette, the Black Beast, Rienje, and the others could not even breathe.
Although he asked again, Verden already knew it was pointless. Given thatFerne had come all the way here, there was no possibility that it was a lie. There was no way he would have rushed here just to provide unverified information.
It is all true.
You must already know. That once you reach the realm of transcendence, there is no turning back.
Verden had to confront the resolve he had pledged to himself when he chose transcendence in the Blue Mountains. Not through vague imagination, but head-on.
“……! your majesty!”
As Verden staggered for a moment, the members of Eon hurriedly tried to support him. “I am fine,” Verden immediately reached out a hand and silently calmed them.
For now… … .
With his stomach churning and his head throbbing, he approached the Transcendental Doll. He focused once again on the traces of deception he had just detected on the corpse.The war was not over.Somehow, he distorted the torrent of thoughts and steered them in a different direction.
“Ferne, what about the Principality of Libyant?”“Huh? Ah, the Principality was also out of contact, so we sent an airship to check on them. There were no signs of a major attack at the time. However, the capital is far away, so we are not yet able to determine the King’s whereabouts or whether he is alive…”
The Principality of Liviant appeared to be largely unaffected by invasion. However, the morale emanating from the Transcendental Doll extended westward.Melad, a master of water magic and a dark mage, failed to notice this.
A faint trace that cannot be tracked without transcendent-level sensory abilities.
Verden instinctively sensed the artificiality.
It’s a trap.
It was a trace that had not been found at all in the Transcendental Dolls of the Central Continent. It is clearly intentional. Then, who on earth was this bait aimed at?The Kingdom of Estiria and the Principality of Liviant share a single characteristic. Verden has officially declared both countries to be within its territory.
“I am going to the Principality of Liviant.”“The Principality? Support—”“Support is not needed. Do not approach the Principality’s borders at all, and focus on defending the Kingdom just as you are now.”
Verden activated his magic circuits as if he were about to leave at any moment… then spoke in a low voice while looking down.
I’m sorry, Melad.
Verden blamed himself for the deaths of those around him, including Cain.It was he who had led Eon this far.
“divinity……!”
Whoosh!
Melard was momentarily lost in sorrow and tried to say that it was by no means his fault, but before he could do so, Verden headed for the Principality of Libyant.
* * *
The whole does not represent the part.
Even though the World Alliance was gaining the upper hand, screams did not cease on each battlefield.
A city finally captured.Allied forces requesting reinforcements.The number of casualties rising day by day.The erratic nature of the undead legions.… … .
Even with spatial teleportation, the World Alliance’s capabilities were far from sufficient to encompass the entire continent, so imagine how much worse it must be now that the shutdown is ongoing.
Dozens of days have passed since the war broke out, and in the meantime, it has long since entered its midpoint. The undead’s inability to tire was fatal.As the Allied forces moved to keep up with the undead’s movements, the engagements did not cease, and the density was too high.
At the Allied headquarters, it felt as if I was hearing hallucinations from the repeated communications, and on the battlefield, my senses had become dulled as I grew accustomed to the agonizing screams and horrors of my own comrades.
The unresolved fatigue gradually accumulated.
[Map updated.]
[check.]
At the Alliance headquarters, only Alpha and Beta continued their activities day and night, without shifts or fatigue. The two were truly the center of the Alliance’s intelligence system.
I zoomed in on the 3D map [Materias] to confirm the locations of the cities of the Iderat Confederacy that had lost contact.
[It has been confirmed that there are no survivors, and some cities were destroyed without a trace.]
[Military power equivalent to or greater than that of a commander.]
Although a large undead army was confirmed nearby, their attention did not turn in that direction. The ultra-high computational power embedded in the memories inherited from the first Demon King.Alpha and Beta exercised rational intuition, and their judgments coincided.
[Urgent. Old King. Continental expansion confirmed.]
Pale flinched.The Alliance headquarters was in a commotion.
“The old king…?”“You said the old king?”
[We are advancing south from the Iderat Confederation.]
Beta manipulated [Materias] to connect the destroyed cities with lines and predicted Arkhand’s movement path using the information obtained from the traces.
Gargant, the ownerless land, Highlandia.
Unless you leave the central continent, you will pass through at least one of the three.
[Red Dragon Sarkandra. Providence. Commences response.]
Alpha pointed somewhere in the center of the central continent, his single eye shining.
[Others. All Transcendents within the Central Continent. Assemble.]
I will issue the order immediately.
[This place. Weapon cluster. Installed.]
With his unique intellect, he envisioned the future landscape that would soon unfold in that region.The massive canyon will become a new grave.
[Arkhand Lineagea Tain Xerion. Extermination.]
Alpha prepared to hunt the old king.
[If not. At least. One arm.]
To lighten the burden His Majesty Verden has voluntarily imposed upon himself, even just a little.That was all.
* * *
In the center of the ownerless land stands a dwarf fortress based on a massive mine.The sound of hammering that had been heard every day has finally ceased.
“No, Master. Are you really going?”“Are you deaf? How many times do I have to tell you I’m going?”“Have you really lost your mind?! What on earth do you plan to do on the battlefield…!”
Linus tried to dissuade him, but G’harun was already preparing to leave the fortress. A true dwarf among true dwarves. Once he made up his mind, he never wavered.
“It looks like Gharun has braced himself for something!”“Don’t just stand there watching; please stop the Master!”“I don’t know what whim this wicked world has pulled, but before we knew it, my brother and I have lived for nearly 300 years. It is rare to find something that can truly move a heart worn down by time.”
Geraldine asked loudly.
“Do you have the confidence to come back alive!”“If I were going to die, I would have died long ago.”“Hahaha! That’s true!”
Geraldin laughed heartily and took a deep breath as if to show off.
“Go on!!!!! My little brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”“Have a safe trip, Lord Gharun!!!!!!!”“Damn it!”
The fortress echoed loudly.
The dwarves all saw G’harun off as he headed out to the battlefield.
Okay.
Gharun took a step forward, shaking the liquor bottle and carrying a ‘huge mechanical device’ on his back.
Linus clutched his ears, which felt like they were bursting, and looked back and forth between G’harun and Zeradin. He didn’t have much time to think.
“Oh, fuck.”
Linus hurriedly packed his bags.
“Let’s go together, Master!”
* * *
Principality of Liviant───Martes.
This is the city that Verden, who escaped the Bohemian Magic Tower four years ago, visited for the first time after passing through the Paite estate.Here, he met the adventurer Iris and Gluttony’s assassin Theon, and also eliminated Gluttony’s doctor and his test subjects.
Caw───Caw───
Verden still vividly remembers the scenery, but when he revisited Martes, no trace of his former appearance remained.
Citizens were impaled on wooden posts from their crotches to their necks, decorating the streets.
Crows ate the corpse.
I saw familiar faces.
Mayor Martes, who welcomed me and paid the bounty for the bandit I defeated in the Paite Estate.The librarian who lent me dozens of books.The owner of the Lorix Inn, where I stayed briefly.Oscar, the head of the Martes Adventurer’s Guild, who arranged the extermination of the undead that appeared in the mine.The employees of Magnus Bank.Jason, the second-in-command who raided the Doctor’s hideout, led by Verden.The people of the Paite Estate who fled to Martes.… … .
They all died.
The people living and breathing in Verden’s memories had become gruesome corpses. Organs spilled out from beyond the decaying flesh and coiled up.
Verden walked the path of death.
At the end of that road was Martes Square.
“Ah…… Be, Verden…… Sir.”“Hah, hah…….”
Two people were seen dying, surrounded by the undead.They were the merchant Conrad and Lord Paite.They were the first people Verden had ever formed a bond with after falling into the world all alone.
The Empire’s 7th Commander, whom they had seen at the Delharun Gate, lowered his familiar mace menacingly, as if he were about to smash their heads at any moment.
Whoosh, clack.
A communication device thrown by another undead flew toward Verden. It was one of the four undead who had attended the meeting with Arkhand.
[Take this. His Majesty says he has a message to convey.]
Verden lifted the communication device with
“What happened to the Darkwarton Magic Tower Master?”
You really went out of your way to ask.
The First Commander of the Xerion Empire—the Apocalypse of Famine, Germael—answered briefly.
Face the reality before your eyes.
Verden turned on the communication device without averting his intense gaze. The channel connected. Unlike before, there was no static at all.
How is it? The death of loved ones, and the pain that comes with it.
“…….”
Even if you destroyed the Wheel of Fortune, you could have led a fulfilling life as a transcendent being if you had not interfered with fate any further. You must know this well yourself. This is the path you chose.
“…….”
Did you truly think you would lose nothing while walking that path? Did you hope that by volunteering for such a trivial sacrifice, you could take the place of the deaths of all? Did you judge the blood you shed to be of such value?
“……”
Foolish, Verden.
The communication device vibrated.
In the war of the past, the continent already became ‘yours.’ The earth you stand upon, the sky you bear. The entirety of it. The battle of destiny to resume later is merely the cleanup to engrave the final period that was left unfinished back then. Do not become arrogant by overlooking the true meaning of an Apostle.
Akand put strength into his voice.
I am ‘your’ vanguard.
Akand is a being who wields the power of death and fulfills destiny with overwhelming forces.His movement was proof that the main force of ‘you,’ who brought down the resistance of the First Demon King, had begun operations.
From now on, I will head toward the ownerless lands and annihilate the territory you have built. I will engrave in your soul who you dared to make your enemy.
Akand added with a mocking smile.
How far can you take responsibility?
Crunch!
The communication device was crushed.
Debris tattered from Verden’s hand. The magical energy stirred. The moment he showed any sign of moving, the 7th Commander grabbed Conrad’s head.
“Ugh, ugh!”
[If you attempt to approach, I will kill these two immediately.]
Germael summoned the undead hidden throughout Martes by holding hostages. He then seized control of the many corpses adorning the city using the power of famine.
The corpse was completely dried out.
The evil spirits emanating from him possessed the undead, and countless dead themselves formed a ritual to strengthen the power of the Apocalypse.
Famine: Exhaustion
A monstrous scream echoed through Martes as a ritual of curse was inflicted upon Verden. The power received from the Apostle gradually consumed his body.
Conrad, who was forced to look at Verden like that, struggled to squeeze out a voice.
“Our merchant family’s motto……! Do you remember……! An eye for an eye. A tooth for…… a tooth……!! So! Please, don’t…… mind…… me.”
Conrad, who had survived the goblin and orc raid thanks to Verden, flashed through my mind as he rode in the carriage, chattering away.
“I beg of you, just avenge me…!!”“Fortunately, I sent my retainers… back to their hometowns rather than to Martes. I remember… the drink we had after defeating the bandits back then.”
Lord Paite also nodded.
Do not lose everything for the sake of something small, Your Majesty.
The two people accepted death.
The First Commander, the Seventh Commander, and a city composed of countless undead. This must be Arkhand’s trump card aimed at Verden.
In other words… … if we annihilate them, Arkhand will suffer an irreparable blow. An unfillable void will be created in the Xerion Empire’s forces.
So there is no need to endure any longer.
Magic Rampage.
Dark red magical power surged explosively from Verden as he let go of control of his mind.His blue eyes turned the same color.His skin cracked.The magic of destruction, overloaded as a consequence of crashing the meteor of destruction from outer space, had exceeded its extreme limit and conceptually deepened, affecting even Verden.
The First Commander felt a chilling shiver.
Another realm distinct from divinity.A state that further transcends the stage of the self-destructive manifestation of magic.
All magic has reached a peak it has never reached before.
You will not die today.
In the blink of an eye, a dark light flashed, and Verden appeared before the 7th Commander.
[… … !!]
The guy reacted half a beat late, leading with Conrad, and swung his mace. Verden did not hesitate for a moment and unleashed a straight [Interis].
The thunderbolt exploded.
A fierce thunderclap spread along with residual lightning. However, neither Conrad nor Lord Paite perished; only half of the undead’s body was blown away.
“──────!”
Verden put all his strength into his legs, twisted his waist, and delivered a second strike. The light of destruction consumed half of Martes.
Lord Arcane: The Disaster
The 7th Commander died.
