Episode 1165 Power Source – 2
As the wind blew, the meadow rippled gently.
The World Tree approached in the form of an elf and stood about two steps away from Verden.
The bewilderment was brief.
Verden soon adapted to the sudden situation. He took deep breaths. He pieced together various clues. He tried to understand the phenomenon based on his own experiences and thoughts, and eventually, he understood it.
The First Demon King devised a semi-permanent power source in the Great Forest together with Beta. The foundation of the power source that emits infinite magical power in the modern era…It is said that in the process, the First Demon King deeply studied the characteristics of the World Tree.
Is that so? Was that how it was?
Verden realized why the World Tree was necessary for the design of the power source. The essence of the World Tree and the power source were not simply the same.
The World Tree was the starting point from the beginning.
“So the Magic Tower’s power source was yours. Not something newly created.”
The true nature of the power source of the Ten Great Magic Towers is intertwined with the most powerful taboo.It was established by the First Demon King.Verden had effectively reached out to the taboo, yet he did not sense that strange current. This was because he had not yet reached the complete answer.
The true nature of the power source originating from the World Tree.The ultimate goal that the First Demon King sought to accomplish using this power source.
Verden has not yet obtained two keys.
The World Tree smiled.
“I was born to exist. I embrace the world, yet I possess nothing. But Verden, you are different. This is the difference between being innately subordinate and becoming independent through acquired means.”
She naturally tapped Verden’s chest with her fingertips.It was precisely the heart area.
When what is derived from the root is perfected, it becomes a new source. Just as a child becomes independent from their parents, and one family becomes two.
The World Tree whispered.
“Verden, ‘that’ world is entirely yours.”
The lush meadows rippled. As the wind ceased, the World Tree had vanished without a trace, and a familiar, massive shadow covered Verden.
I looked back.
The giant tree I had seen in my inner world had its foundation in the primordial land. My heart was drawn to it. I slowly approached and placed my hand on the trunk.
“My world…….”
Verden became one with himself.
and.
When he opened his eyes again, Verden was in a cave with his whole body entangled in roots.
The Eastern Continent trembled gently.
* * *
Bringing down the magic city of Virente was not a particularly difficult task. After all,it did not require completely seizing control of the administration.It was merely a matter of massacre.
Draw the attention of Virente’s main forces with an undead army, infiltrate the city, and assassinate the leadership. In other words, eliminating just a few powerful individuals will inevitably cause the city’s defense system to collapse.
Just as limbs become useless without a head, the same is true for all groups.
President of the Magic Association and leader of the Magic Autonomy Alliance.
If both Orders and Celester are killed, the command center here will be wiped out, and even if only Orders is dealt with, a large gap will be created in Virente’s forces.
The fall of the magic city was imminent.
“……what?”
However, Nakhtel had to stop just before harvesting the fruit. The whisper of the undead conveyed a new order from the Citadel.His expression changed moment by moment.He appeared to confirm the facts with the undead several times, as if he simply could not believe it.
Orders muttered as he stood in a standoff between Nakhtel and Virente’s defensive lines.
“Something seems wrong. Could it be that reinforcements have arrived from Alliance Headquarters? From the Transcendent?”“If so, that would be a relief, but…”
For the time being, they hadn’t heard anything either.
Since Nakhtel’s voice could not be heard, there was insufficient information to infer the situation. In any case, it seemed clear that some variable had arisen.
“Tsk.”“……!”
Nakhtel, who was feared by the world and known as the Master of Amri hundreds of years ago, frowned and glared at Orders and Celester, among others, before suddenly turning around.Following him, the highest-ranking undead also disappeared into the darkness.
Virente’s mages were dumbfounded. What is this? How did this happen? The defenses were nearly destroyed, and if they fell, they would immediately face a decisive battle against the Transcendent.The odds were clearly higher for the opponent, yet they readily retreated instead.
And a message came through the city underground, replacing the malfunctioning communication device.
“The undead, the Xerion Empire is retreating! We have won!”
The undead forces that had rushed in as if to break down the magical walls are retreating.
Orders continued to stand still, staring into the darkness Naktel had turned toward. The fear that he might return and the incomprehensible situation held him back.
“What on earth happened?”
It is perplexing.
Nakhtel, who had retreated from Virente on the verge of victory, felt the same way.
“A retreat order out of the blue… what on earth is going on?”
It was not His Majesty’s royal command. However, it was an order that absolutely could not be refused. This was because the one who issued the retreat order was the second servant.Nakhtel had pledged loyalty to the former king, but in the end, his roots lay in the glory of death.
The second servant’s order was to immediately cease all fighting, reassemble at the ancient ritual grounds, and prepare to return to the Citadel.
I tried to figure out the reason from various angles, but I simply couldn’t understand it. Surely the Citadel couldn’t possibly be in danger, so why did they personally make a decision at this point that was of absolutely no help to the war…?
Lunesica Anternoa, what are you thinking right now?
The transcendent Naktel instinctively sensed an ominous sign.
Anyway, you will find out when you go.
* * *
“I have conveyed the coordinates of the ritual grounds to Nakhtel and Rucaria respectively. Since teleportation is now possible, they will encounter Lady Lunesica’s other soul fragments within a day at the latest…”“I see.”“…….”
Lunesica and Tiazra walked down the dark corridor of the Citadel.
Click, click, click.
The sound of two footsteps spread out in the empty space stained with silence and death.
Tiaz looked troubled. It was the face of someone who had heard a truth that would shake the entire course of their life. Although he had accepted it with his mind, he could not stop trembling, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Lunesica had a cold and resolute expression, like a sharp blade. Sharply honed emotions were visible through her eyes.
Boom!
I entered the empty audience chamber of the imperial palace.
Lunesica’s steps were unhindered. There was no loyalty, either. All that remained was hatred and rage, and she made no attempt to hide it. Shetrampled upon the very path where she had once offered deep loyalty and sincerity to the resurrected former king.
“…….”
Upon arriving in front of the throne, I saw a small circular table placed next to it.
A world map sat on the table, upon which lay delicate artifacts symbolizing the military power of the Xerion Empire and the World Alliance.The locations of the artifacts, situated across the three continents, corresponded to the number of ancient kings.
Lunesica stared at it for a moment, then grabbed the corner and struck it.
Crash!
The world map was turned upside down, and the objects scattered in all directions. The circular table rolled with a low sound and soon stopped.
“Your Majesty promised us a new world. To create a world where no soul suffers. That was the new world Your Majesty envisioned, the ideal of the first servant, Draven Lemarque, and the ideal of me, the second servant, Luneska Anternoa. It was also the yearning for the glory of the dead. That will remained unwavering for over 800 years, even when a false light aimed at my throat.”
Lunesica looked up at the ceiling and smiled.
“Ahaha, there is no greater comedy than this. Where else could there possibly be foolish transcendents who have been completely deceived by the very ideals they pursued?”“…….”“I ask you again, Tiazra Morton. Do you have no regrets?”“It is the way of the world to pay a corresponding price for truth or falsehood. Because that is the right thing to do.”
It was only then that Tiazra cast off the shackles of doubt and hesitation.
“I will be with you, Lady Lunesica.”
We will ask the ancient king: Did you truly dream of an immortal world, and why did you lead death through deception…?Once we hear the answer, as loyal subjects, we will demand the price for your betrayal.
Tiazra made a decision. I can assure you that Nakhtel and Rucaria, who will return within a few days, will make the same choice as her. Forno transcendent being could endure having their yearning for an ideal exploited.
“……I have sacrificed everything solely for the sake of an immortal world, so now I must receive it in return. A king who stands in the way of our ideals has no value to us.”
Lunesica sat on the throne of the old king, stretching out intense murderous intent.
Depose Akhand.
treason.
The last fragment of Runeshka’s soul, recovered by the Xerion Empire, broke the seal on memory and realized the whole truth about Arkhand’s deception,as well as the plan for internal division linked to Verden.
Although Luneska of the Citadel did not possess any communication devices, she was fully aware of the situation outside. This wasbecause Landerk of Manyeon, the third servant of the era, was secretly transmitting information between the World Alliance and the Glory of the Dead using pathogens as a medium.
A structure in which, when Alpha contacts another Lunesica via a communication device, that Lunesica passes information to the Citadel’s Lunesica through Landerck.
Akhand retreated after an overwhelming battle at the Scalum Fault. Since he could not return to the Citadel, something must have happened to him.
Now was the perfect time.
Boom.
The audience chamber closed. Inside, super-level magic was calculated. Filled with a sense of betrayal, the transcendents began to prepare to welcome the old king anew.They thoroughly severed their senses from the outside world and poured all their attention into the magic.
Verden’s plan struck deep into the heart of the enemy lines.
It was then, as time was passing like that.
Kugugugugugu… … .
The Citadel, which was moving in the Silpera Autonomous Region, suddenly jumped across space.
* * *
Thanks to Vangelis’s efforts over several tens of days, the shutdown was lifted, and as Arkhand was forced to retreat without ever being able to cross the Alliance’s wall at Scalum Fault, a new vitality returned to the Alliance headquarters.
Several news stories followed.
A figure who appeared in an unidentified airship began to attack the Prohas Gate single-handedly.
Even though all the commanders guarding the Gate had been annihilated, considering the strength of the giant undead, it was by no means a simple matter.Without hesitation, the figure entered the Gate immediately and moved in search of the source entity that, unlike the others, remained hidden from view.
It was said that the Allied Forces tracked his footsteps but eventually lost him inside the gate, which was filled with snow-covered mountains where a blizzard was raging.
Alpha and Beta were ordered to guard only the entrance to the Prohas Gate.A postscript was added stating that they must absolutely not get involved in anything else.
“The Second Gate of the Eastern Continent. His Majesty Vangelis has commenced the assault with additional reinforcements. Mauler has already joined them via the spatial magic circle, and the Master and the Pope are scheduled to arrive on the battlefield within a day with the First and Second Extermination Legions.”“Finally… finally, the end is in sight.”
Currently, five out of nine gates have been closed after sacrifices.
Once the Prohas Gate and the Second Gate of the Eastern Continent are finished, only two will remain.
The Mirror of Evil and the Old King.
Due to the appearance of the Red Dragon, I could not determine the fate of the Demon Realm Extermination Corps, but seeing that no undead were appearing, there was a possibility that the raid had already been completed or was currently in progress.Lacking information, I held onto hope. I dispelled my anxiety with faith.
“They say the Undead Legions have retreated from Virente and some other cities. Furthermore, even the Transcendent of the Glory of the Dead has arrived. I must investigate what has come to pass.”“At the border of the Arnak Empire, His Highness Grand Duke Rivandale is clashing with the 5th Commander. Although no conclusion has been reached, the Empire holds the upper hand; how about sending the remaining reinforcements to drive the wedge?”
[Emperor Jeracle says he is not needed.]
Ah, yes.
The battlefield is still fierce, but overall, I feel more at ease. The pressure pressing on my solar plexus has eased a little, allowing me to catch my breath.
The Xerion Empire was the greatest and worst evil to be recorded in modern history. It was unimaginable what would have happened had the international community not united.
However, in the end, the outcome was decided.
Although the Xerion Empire’s asymmetric forces were all destroyed, the World Alliance remained relatively intact. The probability of defeat, whether in an all-out war or otherwise, had significantly decreased.
“Phew…….”
Pale stepped out into the hallway, wiping away the sweat clinging to his face with a handkerchief. Needing fresh air and a cool breeze, he stood upright by the window.
A space undetectable even to the Transcendent.A scale capable of training thousands of troops.
Blue sky and white clouds.A giant sky island.Gently undulating green land.
That wide-open scenery.
At the edge of the canyon in the highlands of Highlandia—beyond the Ancient Gate—there would be few places more suitable than this to serve as the Alliance’s headquarters.Though, it would be good enough to use as a resort instead of a headquarters… wait.
“……?”
Pale’s gaze was fixed.
A huge, dark sky island lay silently in the sky where there should have been nothing. I immediately understood what it was.
Citadel.
Pale burst into the control room at the fastest speed he had ever seen in his life.
“Get down!!!!! This is the Citadel!!!!!!!”
There wasn’t even time to use honorifics.
While everyone stared wide-eyed, Beta deployed a veil of magic. Immediately afterward, a massive iron chain flying from the Citadel struck the Alliance headquarters directly.
* * *
Although Landerk’s pathogens were stationed in the Citadel, there were limitations in consistently tracking the Citadel’s location and direction of movement.Logically, it was impossible to determine where on the continent it was just by looking at a mountain range that could be seen from anywhere.
Above all, the Citadel’s
I didn’t even have time to think abouthow I was discovered .
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Chains nearly hundreds of meters thick surged from the Citadel, piercing through the ancient fortress designated as the Alliance headquarters.Soon, an aura of death flickered, and all the chains exploded in unison.
────────────!
The World United Headquarters was annihilated.
