Episode 1173 The Sixth Apostle (2)
The scenery of the silent desert seen in Nuhara was mysterious no matter when I saw it.
A giant tree situated in the middle of a desolate sea of sand and lush nature… … It was hard to take my eyes off it because it could not possibly exist by common sense.
At first, that contradiction was somehow frightening.
That is the nature of the unknown, which cannot be understood by the mind. That is why it is addictive. Humanity does not hesitate to move forward even while trembling in fear; while this may seem reckless, it is precisely because of this that it is qualified to be pioneers.
The moment one finally grasps and understands the unknown, the thrill immediately turns into ecstasy. So how could one not love the unknown?
The Parched Sun.The World Tree.The Demon Race.The First Demon King.The Background of the Birth of the Magic Circuit.The First Magic Tower.… … .
Sheorn Kernodon heard various stories from the administrator. Regrit Narsilia cherished the knowledge gained here in her memory. Itwas the first time in her entire life that her heart had pounded so intensely since meeting the Superior and witnessing the Ark’s Sky Island.
“Life is too short to dig into the world…….”
The more I thought about it, the more my heart swelled with emotion.
The desert of silence was pioneered.
The feats achieved in this desert by the sixth captain—the marvelous explorer—Verden were indeed like a gift.New and wondrous knowledge was added to the Ark’s library.
It seems the war has entered a new phase.
With his eyes closed, the manager spoke as he placed his hand on the roots of the Giant Tree of Life.He had long since realized that the space had stabilized, but suddenly, just moments ago, he had been feeling the world through the giant tree. He could not discern the details, but perhaps it was as if he had come to understand the grand flow, like putting his hand into a river…
It looks like Verden has done something again.
He suspected it might be deeply related to Verden attaining divinity. After all,magic alone could not fully explain it.In many ways, it is reasonable to assume that Verden is behind any sudden, absurd phenomenon. The Administrator had learned this through experience.
“A dark figure is visible in the ownerless land. It looks like a massive island, and considering the clues, it is most likely the Citadel.”
The Old King’s Sky Island.
Elder Sheorn had also heard about it before coming to the Desert of Silence. It was very different from the Ark, but it had in common that it was an island that walks in the sky.
“Since the capitals of the Xerion Empire and Eon have met, the decisive battle must be imminent. Or perhaps it has already begun…”“What shall you do?”“I shall be taking my leave now.”
I did not know what decision the higher-ups had made regarding this war, but since I had come down to Earth, I wanted to see the outcome of the war for myself.
At that moment, Atalan, the hero of the Great Desert who was sitting on the ground, spoke.
“If you’re going, take us with you.”“……Are you saying you intend to intervene in the war?”“From what I hear, the war seems like it’s ending soon, so it feels a bit like I’m just piggybacking on it, but wouldn’t it be better than just standing by and watching?”
Atalan gestured toward the back of the hill with his chin.
If you want to get a free meal, you should at least earn your keep.
The apostate and the believer of the dry sun are now living together as one.
Although there were still some frictions, the deep rift of long-standing conflict had been bridged to some extent, and the state was now functioning quite well.
Military training was also part of that.
Although there were only about a few thousand troops available to enter the battlefield immediately, their morale was impressive as they were eager to play an active role upon hearing news from the continent.
Moreover, Nuhara’s forces were not entirely composed of only the humans of Tuhar.
Kugugugugugugu… … !
The giant snake that had been bathing in the sand lifted its head as if it had been waiting, and a massive, mountain-like boulder moved slowly.
Eye of the Shadow and Artan.
The ancient desert calamities, born from the fragments of the ancient gods slain by the World Tree during the Great Divergence, had long since submitted to Verden.
“…….”
Elder Sheorn pondered for a moment and looked at the administrator to seek advice. The administrator shrugged as if to say it was their choice.
“Understood. Let’s go together. It will take some time to open the space wide, so finish your preparations by then.”“Don’t worry.”
Atalan jumped straight down the hill.
Elder Sheorn opened the magic path and began connecting a three-dimensional passage, capable of passing even through ancient calamities, to the coordinates of the ownerless land.
The manager stroked his short beard.
“Is this the first war since you were born as a clone?”“Is that so… Yes?”
Elder Sheorn turned his head in surprise.
“Are you coming along, Administrator??”“Originally, I could not leave the realm of the Great Tree, but since becoming independent from the main body, I have pondered my limitations. Although I am a clone, what am I now that I have transcended the limitations of a clone? And, what can I do?”
The administrator’s eyes flickered in the turquoise color characteristic of the first Demon King.
As I did that, I grew a little.
Verden bestowed the significance of his existence as a master upon the administrator, who had intended to choose annihilation in accordance with the destiny given to his clone.He gave him a reason to live.As a master, the administrator had no intention of diminishing the status of such a disciple.
* * *
Kwaaaaang!
While everyone was focused on the Citadel, terror attacks occurred in various cities of the ownerless land.Unidentified explosions accompanied by loud bangs were seen throughout the streets.
“It, it’s collapsing!”“Run away!”
A building under construction collapsed, caught in the aftermath of the explosion.A state of emergency was declared, and while most people were taking refuge in their homes or fortresses, not everyone obediently complied with the evacuation order.
Young men, full of curiosity, were peeking near the city walls wanting to see the Second Transcendental War when they were swept up in sudden chaos.
“Waaah…… huh?”
I covered my head and waited for the falling bricks, but it didn’t hurt. I squinted slightly. A defensive golem deployed a shield to block the building debris.
Paaat.
The Identification Golem, which always accompanies the Defense Golem to maintain order in Arrain, scanned the young men.Upon confirming they were civilians, it glowed a blue ring that served as its eye. It seemed to be a signal to evacuate immediately, asking what they were doing there.
“Yes, yup!”“I’m sorry!”
As the young men who had politely apologized to the golem were being escorted to a nearby building by defensive golems, another loud explosion erupted from the southwest.
Wizards sprang out from the pitch-black smoke where the fire demon was bubbling and rising.
“What is it, what is it, what is it, why, why, why, how, how…?”
Glitch Corvo, the second of the six evils of Narbia resurrected by the Glory of the Dead when organizing the Underworld Blood Alliance, muttered in confusion.
“Why, why did things turn out this way?”
Shaking the capital of Eon’s territory was a meticulously planned move.
Select eight large cities from the ownerless lands and create terror almost simultaneously so that Eon cannot respond immediately… thenassassinate Grand Lord Liam Arrain to diminish Eon’s standing in the international community.
It was a stratagem that exploited the system by taking into account that Eon maintained a constant communication network using a magic item called a communication device. After all,Arrein would also fall into chaos upon hearing news that other cities had been attacked. Moreover, with the Citadel even appearing on ownerless land, there were more than enough openings for them to squeeze into.
I couldn’t fail.
After all, adding a few more corpses in the midst of a mess is a perfectly simple matter.
Nevertheless, they did not let their guard down and poured their hearts into the operation; as long as they precisely coordinated their timing with the assassination teams that had infiltrated other cities, there would be no variables. Theybelieved this without a doubt, and soon the disposable long-range signal devices manufactured by Narbia began to function properly, and the various terrorist groups took action sequentially.
The bewilderment of the high-ranking commanders soon becomes palpable.Military movements become extremely frantic.
They moved only after confirming the changes in the city arrangement.
The disruption team causes additional chaos outside, and the assassination team crosses the fortress, takes Liam Arrain’s head, and escapes the city via the planned escape route.
The operation would likely last at most around 30 minutes.
Paaaaat!
The defensive golems formed a line and deployed a magical shield to block the distance.
“Ugh……!”
Glitch Corvo abruptly changed direction and
Aaaaaaaah!
A scream was heard nearby. It was the voice of the Six Evils, Titi Rowen. Already defeated? I can understand the Five Evils being caught because they let their guard down, but in such a short time?
“As expected, this is──”
A sword sprang out from between buildings barely wide enough for one person to pass. Glitch reflexively pulled his head back and crossed his arms.Bang!He barely managed to block it with his gauntlet. Had he been sent flying, his neck would have been severed. Rolling on the ground, he drew a dagger that inflicts curses upon opponents and took a stance.
Lester Roadhart, who had quit being the mercenary captain and was now serving as the Northern Security Chief, came out into the alley and lightly clicked his tongue.
“What a shame. We could have ended it right there.”“I will ask you just one thing.”
Glitch asked Lester a question when he should have been running away again.He couldn’t help but ask.
“How did you know we were going to raid today? We never gave you any reason to notice. How did you figure out our infiltration before that? Who is it? Who ratted us out? Who betrayed us!”
Eon was waiting for Narbia’s Six Evils to make a move. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand it. How could they set up such a perfect trap when they wouldn’t have any information?
I can say with certainty that the only answer was an insider.
Squeak—
Bats were flying around.
Lester rested his sword on his shoulder blade and spoke.
“There was a competent watcher. It seems there might be an insider as well, but I’m not entirely sure.”“This bastard is playing a trick…!”“I’m serious, but you won’t believe me. Well then, goodbye.”
Glitch flinched as if asking what was being said, then quickly calculated his unique magic. He intended to kill at least three people, no matter who came.
However, before he could even realize it, the short sword pierced Glitch’s solar plexus.
“Burp, ugh…!”“You went to all the trouble to resurrect, only to die in vain.”
Eon’s seventh phase, Grave Ludworth. He was a former high-ranking officer of Black Hour and a mercenary of the magic city of Virente.Grave’s magical specialty was spatial disruption assassination through multiple
“I must hurry to the battlefield, so you may go now.”“Th-!!!!”
Glitch gripped the short sword tightly and shouted with all his might.
“Narbia, run away!!!!”
The short sword twisted and shot up.At the same time, the dagger pulled at the exposed neck.
Whoosh!
Glitch’s head fell into the alley as his upper body was almost split in two.
* * *
Narbia took advantage of the chaos with two other evils, neutralized the magic circle’s security system with the
The Jade of Emptiness was a magic item that destroyed Verden’s magic circle when the Blood Alliance attempted to assassinate Liam. Its creator was Narvia herself.
At this point, the assassination was as good as done.
“Ah…… ah…….”
Liam Arrein slumped over, fumbling with the desk with his bloodstained hands.The blood loss was significant.The slain guards lay scattered around him.
Il-ak, Narbia licked the awl-like dagger and tasted the blood.
“It tastes just so-so. Still, it’s not bad. I wonder what kind of emotional reaction the Great Transcendental One will have upon seeing your wretched corpse…… Heh.”“Ugh……”“Let’s display your head before we escape. Fabian, cut off some of your fingers and hang them up here and there.”“Yes, Sister.”
The Three Evils and the Four Evils approached the dying Liam, letting out cruel laughter. Soon, a rustling sound filled the eardrums.
No matter how thorough you were, this is too easy.
Narvia stood by the window, yawning. It had been shitty yet fun when she was captured and executed by the Master of the Zentir Mage Tower before.Still, she tried to be satisfied with the fact that she had killed one of the Lords of Eon.
But why is it so quiet?
Glitch and his group should still be carrying out terrorist operations, but at some point, the loud explosions disappeared. Something felt off.It was the moment when an inexplicable sense of unease threatened to erase her smile.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
Liam started to laugh.It was chilling.The two felt the danger and stepped back, and Narbia turned her back.
[Thank you. Thank you very much.]
Liam twisted and transformed into a person with no face at all.
A Thousand Voices, Mnemosy.
The intelligent doppelganger, who had come to the ownerless land to enter the paradise of sentient beings that Verden intended to create, trembled his shoulders.
[With this, we have come to prove our usefulness to the Great Overlord… … .]
“What?”“Sister, over there!”
Liam’s guards, whom Narbia’s party had killed, slowly melted away.Clothes and slime remained in their place.
Lee Hyung-jong? Lee Hyung-jong??
While Narbia was flustered, vampire dukes, ghost-like mutants, and quadrupedal humanoid beetles appeared here and there.In the midst of them was Levana, the sixth phase of Eon.
Narbia stood there blankly for a moment and then asked.
“What is this?”“What else could it be.”
Levana opened the mental magic.
It’s a trap.
The monarchs of the Yihyeongjong clan, who had pledged loyalty to Verden, rushed in immediately.
* * *
Although Akhand’s body was not intact, he was still heavy and sharp.His total power had not weakened.
The same was true for Verden. As Elixirer’s unhealed internal injuries actually strengthened his magic, the two clashed their full powers against each other.
Boom!
Verden scraped the floor and killed the shock.
You’re strangely dragging this out.
Akanda seemed ready to settle the score at any moment, yet he avoided an extreme, short-term battle. What on earth was he aiming for?There were still many aspects of Akanda that Verden did not understand, such as his fundamental motives.
In that case, I have no choice but to push harder.
Give flesh and take flesh;give bone and take bone.
If Verden were to run wild right on the line of death, Akand would eventually have no choice but to reveal his hidden hand. It was the moment he was about to turn the surrounding space upside down as he breathed and approached Akand.
widely.
Someone placed a hand on Verden’s shoulder.It was Deus Widen.
“There is no longer any need to risk one’s life.”“……What?”“It is time to harvest the fruit.”
The mages of the Lefragium Magic Tower overtook Verden and surged toward Akand. While they distracted the crowd, Deus pointed upward.Castian and Andes were seen rapidly approaching the battlefield.
“Fruit?”
Verden ruminated on his words and paused.
“Surely not…”“I imparted knowledge of the Ritual of Immortality to the First Necromancer and had him create three sinners. One was tasked with providing funds, another with weapons, and the third was forged into a spear to end Arkanth.”
Deus asserted.
That is our arrangement to kill the sixth apostle.
