Episode 1160 Battle of the Workshop (1)
Meia’s staff flickered with a pure white light and soon expanded into a white staff. It was the very weapon seen at official events such as the General Assembly of the Magic World and the World Conference.Seven spheres of magical power rose around her and shot toward the wall, causing an explosion.
Bewilderment spread at the appearance of the Demon Realm Extermination Corps Commander, who had shown no warning signs, but the extermination squad members reacted reflexively.
“To the surface first!”“I wonder what kind of situation this is……!”
Isabella’s magic instantly created a rift in the material structure of the hut, and Frivalt pierced the ceiling from the front with a wave sword technique.Aldanis, Sigril, Xylon, Serphania, and Braonic followed behind.
“…….”“…….”
Cayman Vermont, who was not part of the punitive expedition, held his post. Meia said nothing. The reason they could not escape was simple.Sheroel had let everyone else go, but he had not allowed Cayman to leave.
“It’s been a long time, Agent. Is this the first time since the General Assembly of the Magic World long ago? There are countless things I wish to know, so a day is short and time is thin.”“…….”“However, isn’t that a bit too aggressive for a greeting?”
The outline of the wizard flickered amidst the thick rising dust.
Mado
A wiring network of magical power, as precise as a machine and devoid of any curves, manifested.A unique magical barrier resembling a blueprint blocked off the entire underground laboratory, and soon multiple wires extended from it, engulfing Meia.
Organic and inorganic matter that comes into contact with Sheroel’s magical power has its structure gradually understood, and the moment it is completely penetrated, even its thoughts are read.The more directly it comes into contact with the magical power, the faster the speed of insight progresses, but in return, if the magical channel closes, the progress of observation is reset.
Reckless Seeker───Finder.
It is no exaggeration to say that if you are analyzed by Sheroel, you can never defeat a transcendent being of the same level.
Crunch!
The magic wiring missed Meia by a hair’s breadth and struck the floor. There was not the slightest error in her actions, as if she knew every path inside out.
Mado
A magical awakened being with the bloodline of a prophet.
Meia observes future scenarios that have not yet materialized and acts first.
Sheroel forged a unique magic from a blind spot where it was physically invisible. The laboratory beneath the cabin was already Sheroel’s territory.At that moment, Meia, without even looking, resolutely tilted her staff and fired a beam of magical energy, shattering the center of Sheroel’s magic just as it was about to be cast.
It makes the unfulfilled impossible. It is a fraudulent length, no matter when I look at it.
A seeker who studies all concepts to discover the ultimate nature of phenomena.A prophet moving from the future.
Meia hesitated as she was about to sincerely attempt to subdue Sheroel. It was because she saw the possibility that Sheroel would raise both hands.
That future became reality.
Sheroel withdrew all fighting spirit while maintaining only the realm of magic.
“That is all. I have no intention of causing trouble with you. Nor with the World Alliance. I merely intended to entertain a guest. Although I am curious about your ‘true magic’—”“What are your ulterior motives, Forbidden Abuser?”
In today’s world, there are rules that must not be touched. If you cross the boundary, you are warned, and if you cross the line, there is no turning back.There are a few madmen who exploit the nature of such taboos for their own private gain.
Taboo abuser.
A seeker who indiscriminately grasps forbidden information is a ticking time bomb by their very existence. Those who follow fate, in particular, never use taboos as weapons.This is because it is a defiance against ‘you,’ and they know how terrible the price is.
“Taboos abusers… isn’t that an excessive derogatory term? I won’t deny that I’m trying to give you a little hint of secret knowledge, but this much is fine. After all, the international community has already gone so far as to label ‘them’ as traitors to humanity.”
Sheroel revealed his teeth.
You will soon come to know where the soul goes after leaving the body.
A taboo does not elicit a reaction simply by being mentioned. Complex factors come into play, including the extent of one’s awareness and whether there is a genuine will to break the taboo.
Although Sheroel did not actually break the taboo, his will and intention were so blatant that it was practically no different from leaking it.
Crack… his gums parted and blood flowed out. His eyes were slightly bloodshot. It was a small warning from the world that he was drawing near to the boundary of the taboo.
To think that one can experience the most secret price without risking one’s life. Could there be a more generous form of hospitality than this?
Cayman felt a strange atmosphere.
Meia exercised caution. She continued to survey the possibilities with magic, but confirmed no signs of hostility from Sheroel.What was he trying to do? Even if one could observe future possibilities, one could not know everything.
The problem is Ifekarn.
The Demon Realm and the Demon Sea are fraught with dangers that even she cannot let her guard down against, but the being she must keep the furthest at from them is, of course, the Great Demon of the Courtesan.
Sheroel Will Ronos is a ‘trader’ of Ifeakarn, a transcendent being who accepted Ifeakarn’s corruption in pursuit of ideals… … .
It is no coincidence that Meia arrived at Sheroel’s cabin.
This is the result of judging that if Ife Akarn intends to pull some kind of trick on the scattered members of the extermination squad, he will use that person.
If Ifeakarn carries out proper sabotage through traders and contractors, in the worst-case scenario, more than 60% of the subjugation army may not be able to return.
Furthermore, the fact that Noxias’s contractor is here is an unexpected variable.
It was just then that Meia was conscious of Cayman, who was nervous about the atmosphere of taboo.
“Did you ask what my ulterior motive was earlier? It’s nothing special. I am merely trying to help the punitive expedition you lead escape from the Demon Sea.”“……?”“Hehehe, your eyes are full of disbelief. But it is the truth. I speak with all my heart, staking my ideals on this news, which is not a single lie.”
Sheroel walked over slowly and defenselessly, stopped just a finger’s width away from Meia’s staff, and glanced at Cayman.Then, he sent a look of intense curiosity back to Meia.
“They say the World Alliance and the Great Demon of Parasitism have formed an alliance.”
Meia and Cayman opened their eyes wide.It was the reaction they had expected.
Sheroel smiled warmly and extended his hand.
Of course, unofficially.
* * *
Although they had escaped the cabin, contrary to expectations, no noise of battle was heard. Furthermore, Cayman remained in the underground laboratory with the Transcendents.
It was impossible to confirm whether something was blocking the way or what was happening down below.It was also impossible to retrace the path I had taken.
What happened?
It has been a long time since my head has been this cluttered.
Isabella was completely at a loss and could not act rashly.The others were no different.
Boom!
Just then, the Tragedy Rabbit broke Meia’s sealing magic and landed on the ground. Judging that it would show hostility given the friction with Meia, the rabbit merely yawned and scratched its big ears vigorously.
[I won’t hit you.]
Before I could even ask, the Tragedy Rabbit spoke.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on it.
Isabella stepped forward as the representative and asked.
“……why?”
[Because you shouldn’t hit.]
It was a tone of voice as if he had received an order or a request from someone.
[Aside from that, I won’t hit you because you’re ‘us’. It’s the same even if you weren’t a friend. Because you won’t die. You were fine even though you kept eating the concept of predation.]
I don’t know what kind of monster the concept of predation is, but the Tragedy Rabbit had absolutely no intention of attacking. Isabella felt even more troubled as she was being treated as one of the same kind by the kings of the Demon Realm.
It’s not bad, though.
The Tragedy Rabbit must possess a great deal of information regarding the Demon Realm and the Demon Sea. Furthermore, it is strong. It could be of help to the clan head in many ways.
Isabella pondered how to lure this ultimate black rabbit into Eon. Sheneeded to at least extract some new information.
Srrrr.
At that moment, Sword Saint Frivalt aimed his sword at the hut while manipulating his ki. The others scattered and concentrated their power on their staffs or staffs.
The area blocking the underground laboratory disappeared, and the presence of three people was detected.
You cannot feel at ease unless you verify it yourself.
The opponent is a transcendent being. Furthermore, he even resided in the Sea of Demons for decades. It would be correct to consider the vicinity as Sheroel’s territory.
Perhaps because the Executor is shrouded in mystery befitting an associate of the Lefragium Magic Tower, it is hard to imagine him being defeated. However,Sheroel, who went missing in the Demon Realm, is just as full of unknowns.
The target she is hostile against is the Archdemon of Parasitism… I reflexively followed the Legion Commander’s orders, but perhaps I should have eliminated the traps and joined forces instead. However, if a magical battle has broken out between transcendents, isn’t it too early to reach a conclusion?
Sure enough, there were hardly any traces of battle to be found on their bodies as they emerged from underground.
Meia made no attempt to hide her displeasure, but Sheroel wore a gentle smile. Cayman simply remained silent.
Sheroel said.
There was a minor misunderstanding. I have resolved the misunderstanding with the agent through conversation, so something like that just happened won’t happen again.
Frivalt asked back.
What misunderstanding?
Sheroel walked into the encirclement nonchalantly with his hands behind his back.
“I will assist the extermination party in their search and return to the continent.”“……!”“You are free to slack off, but you won’t have much time. The Red Dragon Sarkandra has made its move.”
He seriously lowered his expression.
Her ‘toys’ will be coming.
[Toys are dangerous.]
Sheroel is suspicious in many ways. He is an untrustworthy being. That is the case right now. Therefore, sufficient grounds are required to condone his assistance.
Meia gave the order.
Let’s hurry.
I don’t know exactly what was discussed right now, but it was a decision made by the Corps Commander.And so, an uncomfortable journey began.
* * *
The rabbit hopped around and settled on Isabella’s shoulder as if wrapping around her neck.
It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but as a demon, her physical strength alone was enough to call her a monster of the Demon Realm, so it wasn’t difficult.Being this close actually made it easier to have a secret conversation.
Isabella asked cautiously.
“I told you earlier. That the concept of predation ate me—or more precisely, my concept.”
[huh.]
“What kind of guy is the concept of predation?”
The Tragedy Rabbit answered readily.
[The concept of evolution through eating. We were close. You kept not dying, and he kept eating. But about 500 years ago, you left. Later, he disappeared too.]
Do you know where it went?
[I don’t know. I looked it up later and it seems like they went to the mainland.]
“The continent? When?”
[Probably 400 years ago.]
If the monster of the Demon Realm had headed toward the continent, it would have been normal for chaos to ensue. However, such an event had never been heard of in the grand history of the past.
Except for one.
Approximately 400 years ago.The concept of evolution through eating.
Isabella flinched.
Gluttony?
It is likely no exaggeration to say that Gluttony, who betrayed the Ark, crossed your mind.
The conversation between Isabella and the Tragedy Rabbit was not heard by anyone.It was thanks to her magic.
However—Meia walked ahead with her head held high, yet secretly kept an eye on Isabella with her eyes slanted to the side.
* * *
Roughly ten thousand undead were scattered haphazardly. Even the highest-ranking individuals were in a situation not much different from the lower ones.
“Ugh…!”
Gluttony’s claws, sprouting from his forearm, pierced the vital organs of the black mages trapped among the undead legion.
The leader of Gluttony───Valion Freya.
Whoosh!
Intervening in the battlefield alone, he nervously dismembered the corpses.The voice would not leave his mind.
───You cry out for perfect humanity, but… … your actions are nothing but those of a petty coward… … !
What do you think the Old Humanity is?
Is the World Alliance the only Old Humanity? If so, what is that ancient nation called the Xerion Empire? Is the Glory of the Dead, which brought about their return, not the Old Humanity? Is the ancient empire desired by such a Glory of the Dead not a product of the Old Humanity?
───Do as you have been doing all along. The annihilation of the Old Humanity. Is it perhaps bothering you that opposing the Xerion Empire seems like the way to help the Old Humanity?
───Perhaps that is the case in the end. However… … the intention is different. If you merely wish for the mutual destruction of both sides, it would be right to observe… … but since what you, Gluttony, are pursuing is the birth of a new humanity, what will that fetus of the new humanity learn from your attitude?
I can assure you that it is at least not an attitude of pursuing perfection. After all, they say a child is a mirror of their parents.
If you want an ideal child, you will have to become an ideal person yourself first.
Jose
I don’t know what kind of miracle that damn heretic performed, but he actually influenced Balion, completely disregarding the difference in rank. Ifelt like I would kill Jose if I stayed there, so I wandered outside and ended up on the battlefield.
Killing those worthless things put my mind at ease a little.
However, the underlying resentment was not resolved.
Just what kind of god is he… … !
Valion roamed the continent, contemplating what on earth that power was.And, by chance, he ended up discovering it.
“Sky Island……?”
Balion found the Citadel, the capital and center of the Xerion Empire.
