Episode 1191 Spoils (2)
‘You’ was a very different being from what Feldianne had described as indirectly as possible.
The dimension of the trajectory traveled is different.
How could one possibly describe something that cannot even be roughly estimated? The very act of attempting to judge her solely from a mortal’s perspective was an error.
Indren, the Transcendent and the Outer Elder of the Artisan Magic Tower, furrowed his brow.
Did you tell me to choose my treatment?
‘You’ declared that you would neither kill nor harm Indren. Feldianne, who is hostile to fate, actually returned alive.In doing so, she presented Indren with two choices.
First, will you return to the continent?
Second, will we get a glimpse of the background of the taboo?
The former is stagnation, and the latter is change.
Indren always guarded against rapid change, believing it would cause uncontrollable chaos, yet he never sought to remain stagnant.Excessive stagnation leads to inevitable elimination.A wizard who sits idly by and falls into ruin deserves no title. Given this, how could a transcendent being of the magical realm refuse progress?
Indren simply prefers gradual development.
For him, the right balance is the coexistence of gradual change and controllable chaos.
If I try to look at the other side of the taboo, I will be swept away by a massive wave of change. One I cannot control at all, and from which there is absolutely no way to escape…
He witnessed the fierce battle between Verden and the Old King—the war between God and the Apostles—but he heard almost none of the secret conversations. This was because matters such as the taboos of the soul and the mission of the Sixth Apostle were not permitted to him.
Well, you’ve really hooked me.
Indren lamented that he had no choice but to throw himself into the uncontrollable waves. It was decided the moment he saw the truth. If he retreated, he would fall into decay.
I realized that this is truly ‘your’ way.
You are given the freedom to choose, but the paths you can select are limited. This is no different from being a puppet moved according to ‘your’ will.
Indren opened his eyes.
I will get a glimpse of the background of the taboo.
The most accurate and clear way to bypass a taboo is through its creator.
“……Wasn’t the taboo something you created?”
=Taboos are also the most important knowledge. If I am the destiny of the universe, the Host is akin to the knowledge of the ocean itself.=
Who is the host, then?
Although he had absolutely no idea what it looked like, Indren had a strong hunch that it might be the polar opposite of his own personality.
Whoosh.
‘You’ stared at the being named Indren with your right eye fully open. She gestured. Behind Indren, a blood-stained ancient temple gate appeared.
=Ancient Adventure. The theme is the Battle of Destiny. The moment you cross the gate, a side game of the Arcadium begins, and you experience the scene of the Battle of Destiny.=
“…….”
It is a reenactment of the past, but for you, it is also the present. Please keep in mind that death in the past is no different from death in reality.
The corners of your eyes curved.
However, if you overcome all adversity, you will be able to get closer to the choice Oldarc made.
‘You’ whispered that if you risked your life, you could access the secret that Oldark had concealed.
Indren nodded without hesitation.
Even though I didn’t know the detailed principles, I knew that ‘your’ purpose was a cycle driven by fate… but it was because I had absolutely no idea what the first Demon King was ultimately trying to do.
I will keep that in mind.
With those words, Indren turned around immediately and placed his hand on the door.
Screeeeeeek───
A continent unfolded in the distant past. The era where the greatest war had broken out and destiny had finally begun welcomed a transcendent being from the modern age.
Boom.
The completely closed door to the Arcadium disappeared along with Indren.
‘You’ erased your expression.
Then he spoke to the messenger, who was ‘part’ of the young gods and had not been born during the Great Divide, in the characteristic languid voice of someone not fully awake from sleep.
It seems like the time has come to see everyone again after a long time.
The countless gods nailed to the true cross soon cried out as if in agony.
Assemble, apostles.
* * *
Although not yet officially announced, the Second Transcendental War has ended.
The official declaration was scheduled to be made by Verden as the leader of the alliance once the cleanup was somewhat complete.Emperor Jeracle had said that it would be better to take the time to spread rumors and then put an end to the war, rather than hastily ending it, in order to absorb the social repercussions.
The advice was that it is the citizens, not the World Alliance, who are eager for a great victory and peace, and that utilizing this well would make it easier to win over public sentiment.Emperor Jeracle believed that giving the people hope and then fulfilling that hope relatively leisurely, yet surely, would be advantageous for long-term rule.
[Emperor Jeracle. Cunning.]
[Emperor Jeracle has many aspects that differ from previous Arnach emperors. It seems worth taking a close look at the emperor’s system of governance.]
As the Citadel was destroyed, the undead of the battlefield fell on the spot, but hordes of the Xerion Empire’s undead found across the continent still persisted. Thisis likely because, despite the influence of the old king, they ultimately originated from natural causes.
“If you die here, it’s a truly meaningless death! Do you understand! So don’t let your guard down!”“Yes!”
The main force of the World Alliance first returned to their respective territories to recover from accumulated injuries and fatigue while dealing with the undead remnants, whilethe Alliance forces responsible for cleanup concentrated their manpower on the Citadel crash site.
“……What a tremendous amount. To think I’d see this much undead byproduct. I really do live long enough to see everything.”“I, I’m speechless…… Even if we purified it and salvaged just a quarter of a quarter of that, or even a quarter of a quarter of that, just imagine how much this is.”“The Luas Church and the Darkwarton Magic Tower won’t be able to rest.”“The Adventurers’ Guild must be busy recording this new undead race, too.”
From special entities to lower species, undead corpses were literally everywhere. It is common sense that the higher the danger, the higher the value, whether magical or physical. Thisis especially true if the corpse is intact. In particular, the magic towers were glaring with anger at the byproducts of high-ranking entities and actively engaged in the cleanup.
The war with the Xerion Empire was a war of transcendents and a desperate struggle against the corpses.It was different from the wars everyone knew, but nevertheless, a war was a war… and thus, the victors were met with fitting spoils of war.
The first was a byproduct of the undead, andthe second was also a byproduct of the undead.
However, the level of the spoils from the second one was different enough to warrant distinguishing it by numbers.
The corpse of the Evil Dragon Nekhbael!
“It cannot even dare to be compared to the Bone Dragon’s…!”“Our Magic Tower must somehow secure at least a single scale. Although the Transcendents defeated it, as a member of the World Alliance, let’s demand even a minuscule share. If I can’t get this, I’ll go crazy.”“…I’ll ask His Majesty Verden.”
As defeat became imminent, Necbael attempted suicide, but for some reason, it stopped midway. Thanks to the demonic terror inflicting a fatal wound and weakening its power, parts of its form remained.Consequently, scales and bones of no less than an ancient dragon fell into the hands of the international community. Many mages believed that this alone made the war worthwhile.
And, the third is the Dragon Sword [Magras].
Even though it had been broken by Verden, the legend contained within it had not yet lost its luster. The Allied Forces were currently scourging the wreckage, desperate not to miss even a single small fragment of the sword.
“The Dragon Sword is the spoils of war of the World Alliance Commander! Anyone who steals it will be executed on the spot!!”“Find the Dragon Sword first!! For His Majesty!!”
Finally, the fourth is Cerasium.
Meteorites were discovered in the underground cities created by the crash of the Citadel.And not just ordinary rocks, but metal that fell from space… Historically, such a scarcity was so rare that it was worth whatever price was asked, and the immediately confirmed reserves alone were comparable to a mine.
How valuable is it financially?How much can it advance the international community?What is the historical significance of this discovery?
No one could determine anything.
“Could it be that this undamaged building is made of processed Cerasium?”“Are you saying that if you succeed in processing Cerasium, the constituent materials are swapped? Hmm. That certainly makes sense. After all, a large amount of Cerasium exists here…”“Anyway, the Citadel being a meteorite? Even if we assume it is based on a fragment of cosmic rock, and even if we assume it actually came from space… who on earth made this?”“If the ancient king didn’t do it, then it must have been received from someone, or discovered.”“So, who made the Citadel?”“Well… perhaps a god.”
These wizards, who were also historians, had already started a heated debate, formulating various hypotheses as to whether the Citadel might be an island from space, and whether the Sky Island was originally an island created in space.
Thus, talk of spoils breathed new life into the weary World Alliance.After all, wasn’t it a reward for their toil?
For now, it was time to savor the victory earned through blood, sweat, and sacrifice.At least, for now.
Grief and mourning for the deceased and the missing may be postponed just a little while.For the sake of none other than everyone…
* * *
The Great Hall of Black Hour.
Verden returned to his base with the Aspects and the Order of Mages. Celebrating the victory came later. Verden ordered a rest and went to the reception room.It was not only the members of Eon who had set foot in the Great Hall together.
“Have you composed yourself?”“…….”
Duke Esperensa of the Kingdom of Estiria.Captain Roan of the Order of the Knights of the Word Spirit.
Callia de Esperensa’s father and the loyal retainer of the Oath-Wielder Yurion Highros… … they could not fully feel this victory.For Callia, Dreadmere, Blue, and Yurion were trapped in the sealed gate and vanished without a trace.
Gulp, gulp!
Director Roan gulped down the strong liquor Verden had given him and spoke in a strong tone.
“I thank Your Majesty for your comfort, but it is not needed here in Highlandia. His Majesty Yurion is alive. Our covenant, which has not yet vanished, proves this.”“I know.”
Verden accepted it as if nothing had happened. His overly nonchalant reaction actually took aback Duke Esperensa and Commander Roan.
Roan’s glass was refilled.
“I didn’t secretly invite you as soon as the war ended to offer comfort.”“Then…”“I know where Kalia and Yurion are.”
… … !!
As Verden awakened to a status akin to that of the Absolute, he sensed the presence of an outsider who had set foot in one of his divine realms. It was aninstinctive—or rather, a divine—reaction, and it happened that way even though he had not intended it otherwise.
The Rift of the World───Land of the Devil.
Kalia, Yurion, Dreadmere, and Blue were in the place where Legion Commander Hadras reigned.When the Gate of Death is closed, the beings inside fall into the Fifth World, and it seemed they had luckily flowed into a rift between worlds during this process.
Duke Esperensa asked urgently.
“Where is Kalia…?!”“I cannot tell you right now, as that is beyond your capacity to handle. Instead, I promise.”
Verden asserted.
I will take responsibility and bring everyone back.
One cannot move arbitrarily through the rifts of the world. However, a way will eventually be found. Verden did not think that time was far off.
Gulp!
This time, the two people emptied their glasses at the same time.
“……His Majesty Yurion once said that if anything were to happen, we should take refuge in Eon.”
Commander Roan spoke to Verden, struggling to suppress his bewilderment. He, too, was one of those who had witnessed the Citadel being destroyed by the Ash. Of course, the same was true for Duke Esperensa.
“Just… what is Your Majesty?”
It is not who, but what…
Verden quenched his thirst with alcohol just like them and stood up from his seat.
It is like your thoughts.
Verden was very busy, so he left the reception room after finishing his business.
widely.
Commander Roan and Duke Esperensa could not get up from their seats for a while. Instead, they silently emptied the liquor Verden had left behind.
* * *
Verden walked alone down the dark corridor.
…It’s quiet.
Isabella was with her younger sister, Xenia. Since so much had happened over time, it would take quite some time to calm the shock of their reunion.Not only Adrian, but the other Phases as well as everyone in Eon were at ease.
This place, which had been bustling with activity due to the war, was silent at least today.
Hiante.
Verden was going to Hiante. This was because he had something to ask her. Aisha, possessed by Hiante, had already arrived at the Great Hall.
While walking like that, I saw a white wizard walking toward me from the opposite side.
Did you come looking for me?
Verden headed toward the administrator. It was the administrator’s first time visiting the Grand Hall. No matter how busy he was, it was only proper for him to personally guide him as a disciple.
Master.
The manager stared at him without saying a word.
Verden wore a welcoming expression, then slowly wiped the smile from his face. The manager’s eyes were too deep. Even his presence suddenly became indistinct.
‘no way…….’
Verden opened his eyes wide.
+Congratulations on the victory+
Oldark smiled.
+Verden+
