Episode 1150 Turning Point (6)
The centipede crawled across the earth with 555 pairs of legs and covered the sky.
A strange gloss that gleams without reflecting light.
Its carapace, a mixture of reddish-brown and black, resembled armor made of processed obsidian. Each of its intricate legs, characteristic of arthropods, rivaled a Gargant’s skyscraper.Its fangs, boasting an overwhelming presence, were heavily curved like a beast’s jaw.
Kugugugugugugu… … .
Whenever the centipede moved even slightly, earthquakes incessantly struck the area. Beneath the massive shadow, there were human species never seen in the Sea of Demons.
“This is unbelievable… Even if it’s a variant, this size is impossible.”“Are the Kings of the Demon Realm truly monsters in the literal sense?”“How many more of those are there…?”
Some members of the Demon Realm Extermination Squad, who had successfully joined by following the Executor’s thread after being transferred from the Four Gates, looked up at the centipede’s flat belly with their mouths agape. Theycould not even swallow.They were purely overwhelmed by its size; that was all they felt.
Obsidian-grade adventurers were no exception.
There were those who had subdued aberrant species reaching tens of meters in height, but such experience was meaningless. The difference in weight classes was simply too great.
Nevertheless, not a single one of them let go of their weapons. For even though they were intimidated, they were not weak enough to give up their precious lives.
Is it okay for a creature to grow that big?
Regrit, the War Lord of the Arnak Empire of that era, could not spare his inward admiration.The existence, even greater than the desert disasters he had witnessed in the Silent Desert stemming from the remains of the god slain by the World Tree, was moving in itself.
In the silent desert, there was a primordial history unknown to modern humanity.If so, what secrets lie within the Demon Realm?
What is here!!
There are so many unknowns that I have to uncover.
Legritte’s blood boiled as she witnessed the most primal aspect of the world she had never experienced in her life.She could not control her excitement.The impulsiveness, intensified by acceptance, pleasantly stimulated her brain and nerves.
Then the centipede’s antennae twitched, and its massive body twisted.
A pair of reddish-brown eyes.And 16 pairs of simple eyes filling the inside.
The centipede’s compound eyes illuminated the ground and soon spotted Regrit.
[Small, Dragon.]
The common language of the continent, sounding like a soft whisper, echoed for several kilometers away.
Several burnt-looking scars were etched onto his proud carapace. It was the creation of none other than the Red Dragon Sarkandra during a territorial dispute.
A gruesome mark that would not be erased, deeply ingrained in its existence despite molting time and time again…Even after thousands of years had passed, the burning agony was vividly etched into the centipede’s mind. And even the sound of the Red Dragon’s cruel laughter.
[Sarkandra… no. Not a pure dragon, either.]
The centipede’s head bent at almost a 90-degree angle.
[What is it. You.]
It was a resonance that conveyed a high level of intelligence.
The members of the extermination squad turned their eyes to Legrit, dumbfounded. The Great Emperor of Taecheon was undoubtedly asking her a question.
“under.”
Legrit let out a short gasp and manipulated the [Golden Radiance]. He released his helmet. The broken dragon horn attached to the upper right part of his forehead had grown a little more than before.
It is Yongin.
[employee.]
The centipede’s head, which had tilted sharply, slowly adjusted to a gentle slope.
The great man of Taecheon said.
[The concept of demons should have been extinct.]
* * *
For the first time in a long while—no, for the first time—the cabin mansion was filled with human presence.As many as eight guests took their seats in the Demon Sea, where the eyes of humanity never reached. In addition to the humans, there was one rabbit.
widely.
“This is made from tea leaves that can only be found in Mahae. It has a unique aroma and quite a good flavor, so I recommend taking your time to savor it.”
The owner of the cottage took a sip of tea first and then invited them to have some as well.
“Of course, you may drink it after checking the characteristics of the ingredients, or you may not. Since you two are skilled alchemists, you will be able to tell what kind of tea this is right away.”
Even though they hadn’t revealed any information, Isabella and Aldanis were seen through as alchemists.They tried not to show it, but they couldn’t readily answer either.
“If you can see and feel without hearing, you can know many things. Moreover, compared to others, my talent for observation is quite superior.”
The owner of the mansion sat in the seat of honor, drank a cup of tea as if to show off, and refilled it.The Tragedy Rabbit also picked up a teacup with its adorable little hands.
It was Isabella who broke the awkward and subtle silence in the drawing room.
“I heard that a Transcendent went missing in the Demonic Realm about 58 years ago. Given the location of the disappearance, a search could not be conducted, and as decades passed, the disappearance was naturally recorded as a death.”“Ahem.”“I never imagined you would still be alive. Finder, Lord Sheroel Will Ronos.”
Sheroel Will Ronos.
As a transcendent being of the 7th rank of the magic world, he had many epithets to describe him, such as the bold researcher, the reckless explorer, and the seeker of truth. Hewas also known to the world as a reckless intellectual who had once entered the Sea of Magic alone, and as the teacher of the teacher who taught Queron Reklos.
“It may be an extremely simple inference, yet it is a good attitude to make a judgment filled with conviction by observing on one’s own without asking the other person. Even if it is a simpler deduction than revealing my identity, which has distinct characteristics.”
His calm yet unkempt white hair was long enough to reach his chest. His beard, like that of a typical dwarf, was also bushy.Having transcended age, he did not look young. He had fully embraced the passage of time. The wrinkles bearing the weight of his years had deepened.
You have good eyes.
Sheroel put down the teacup with a smile.
“You must have many things you want to ask.”
Clear blue eyes swept across the audience. Those eyes were proof of vast magical power. This was information Verden had heard from the Sky Dragon Aerodon.
His gaze lingered on Cardinal Serfania for 3 seconds longer than others, and on Cayman for 5 seconds longer.Finally, his eyes fixed on Isabella.
Isabella had a hunch.
I’ve been caught.
It was unclear whether the fact that Isabella was a demon had been discovered, but it seemed that the fact that Cayman was a human who had made a pact with a demon had already been figured out.She had not heard why Cayman, Aldanis, and Sigril were here. They had only exchanged greetings upon their reunion and had not had time to figure out the situation.
Serfania cautiously sipped her tea while stealing a stealth glance at Cayman. It seemed she sensed a strange aura befitting a Cardinal.
Cayman thoroughly concealed his emotions.Aldanis and Sigril looked nervous.
It would be good if things had passed like this, but the moment Sheroel opened his mouth, division was inevitable.The Cardinal of the Three Courts would try to exterminate the demon contractor immediately, and furthermore, he would dig into the connection with Eon to cause a massive ripple effect in the future.
If that happens, the only solution is to silence them.
Isabella’s eloquence cannot persuade the Cardinal of the Ruas religion. Anyone would be unable to do so. For world religions never compromise with demons.
‘but…….’
Regardless of whether they were subdued or not, they could not kill a person for such a reason. That was not Isabella’s way, nor was it something Verden wanted, nor was it the ideology pursued by Eon.
What would the head of the household have done?
Isabella found it difficult to bear the worst she could imagine. However, Sheroel did not utter a single word about the devil.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Sheroel showed only curiosity.
Xylon glanced at the Tragedy Rabbit and brought up the question he had been harboring in his mind.
“The rabbit speaks the common language of the continent. Did you teach it, Finder?”“I only taught it one thing to facilitate communication. It is entirely its own doing that it expanded that into ten in just a few days.”
Sheroel poured more tea into the Tragedy Rabbit’s cup.
“This rabbit possesses the concept of adaptation.”“The concept of adaptation…?”“It is literally the power to adapt to change. It is a power, and an ultimate quality.”
It took the others much longer than me.
The concept of adaptation.Concept.It was the word the Tragedy Rabbit had mentioned.
Sheroel smiled.
Language is contagious.
The language of humanity, transmitted through the Tragedy Rabbit, was also conveyed to highly intelligent beings. This was the reason why the circulating masses were able to speak.In other words, it meant that the kings and creatures of other demon realms could also speak the common language.
‘If, starting from this point, the creatures of the Demon Realm form a systematic society like humanity… … .’
Zylon was speechless, as it was a disaster beyond his wildest imagination. Wasn’t it possible that the Demon Realm might invade the continent rather than humanity conquering it?
Frivalt said.
“Leaving the language aside. Do you know what situation the continent is in?”“I heard that a war with the undead has broken out. I even visited the Soul Passage that appeared in the Demon Realm. It was a kind of commotion never seen in the Demon Realm.”“Soul Passage? Are you talking about the Four Gates?”“Is it called the Four Gates on the continent? That’s intuitive. Indeed, that term suits it better. From now on, I will also call them the Four Gates.”
Sheroel was unaware of the news from the outside world, but he seemed to know more than the Allied Forces.As long as they were searching for survivors, they could not afford to waste any longer.
Resolve necessary questions and,with Sheroel’s assistance, accelerate the search for survivors.
Isabella made that decision and asked directly.
“Why are you staying here instead of returning to the continent?”“I am merely fulfilling my duty as an intellectual and a wizard. Research. Nothing but research. It has been no different now than it was in the past.”“Are you researching creatures of the Demon Realm?”“It is more than that. It is research that encompasses not only the Demon Realm but the entire continent. I have not yet completed it, but I am ready to reveal it.”
Sheroel, having answered Braonic, leaned on the table and stood up.
“The wise man does not linger. He seeks to move forward without staying. For only then can he see, hear, feel, and grasp.”
I snapped my fingers.A crack appeared in the drawing room floor.
thud.
The door leading to the basement swung wide open, revealing a staircase shrouded in darkness.
Take a step if you want.
Sheroel took the lead with his hands behind his back.
My laboratory is open.
* * *
Sheroel’s underground laboratory was vast and neat, yet messy.
There was no dust at all.
Instead, countless research materials completely dominated the space. Anyone with poor physical control would have tripped over the piles of paper long ago.
I followed Sheroel toward the center of the laboratory.
Isabella and her party saw a system built in a pyramid structure there. The numerous terms positioned within the hierarchy were familiar words.Light, darkness, flame, wind, wave, illusion… all were terms commonly used in the world.
“What is a concept?”
Sheroel stood right in front of the system.
“It refers to the general knowledge or universal ideas we always encounter. But if we delve deeper, a concept can be said to be the totality of phenomena. And—there are beings who deal with these concepts themselves.”
A reverent voice spread softly.
“Among them, the Transcendents are the most representative example. Just as the Darkmoon deals with annihilation, the Otherworld with illusion, and Grand Duke Rivandale with the concept of waves.”“……!”“Again, what is a concept?”
Sheroel continued speaking, enjoying Frivalt’s surprised reaction.
“All phenomena and forces in the world can be explained by such concepts. The Demon Realm is the place where the concept of survival can be studied most closely. That is why I am staying here.”“Then…”“Beyond survival is desire, and based on desire, a concept beyond that. I observed and gained insight. Gradually building a tower in this way, I began to discuss the ultimate nature of concepts, and I succeeded in gauging it, at least to some extent.”
Sheroel continued to explain without taking any questions.A distinctive madness could be felt.
“Concepts are indeed symmetrical. The Goddess Luas is a being who deals with the concept of light. On the other hand, the Archdemon of Darkness wields the concept of darkness. The wider the scope of a concept, the greater its power. Light and darkness. Concepts of this magnitude are worthy of being called divine.”
but.
“There is a concept higher than light and darkness. It is creation. And───”
Sheroel pointed to the highest point.
Where there is creation, there will be destruction.
