Episode 800 Standby (3)
For the first time in a long while, Medrant Keden and Melad Tastien met face-to-face in the Great Hall of Black Hour, rather than through a communication device.The reason for this gathering was none other than a report from Osgar.
“I never imagined Osgar’s true identity would be exposed. There shouldn’t have been any room for that information to leak. Especially since being merged into Eon.”“Rather than saying information leaked, it is more reasonable to assume that the Transcendent possesses special intelligence capabilities. It is highly likely that we were discovered as well.”“……This is getting complicated.”
It doesn’t matter to Melad, but it is a fatal situation for Medrant.
Medrant is widely known to the public as the Master of the Ostea Magic Tower. Not the founder of the Society or the twelfth Aspect of Eon.
If this collusion were revealed, the other magic towers would certainly not sit idly by.I was not at all afraid of being branded a traitor to the magic tower system, but the fact that it would hinder all future activities was a huge loss.
Political offensives cannot be ignored either.
In particular, Verden would bear a heavy burden for embracing an organization that directly opposed the Ten Great Magic Towers system.Moreover, if this were to be revealed to the whole world on the stage of the World Conference, the repercussions would spiral out of control and become impossible to contain.
Besides, seeing that he went out of his way to visit Osgar and mention it, he surely intends to use it as a means to blackmail Eon.
A demand to withdraw from the Eastern Continent.
It is an absurd demand to withdraw the designation of Eon’s territory, but even if we accept it, we will still be deprived of the initiative.
I was caught off guard.
Medrant was deeply worried about how to deal with the sudden appearance of the transcendent forces and their hostile attitude.
“……?”
Then, suddenly, I lifted my head.
Mellard, who should be showing legitimate concern and devising countermeasures, is unusually quiet today. Now that I look closely, she was leisurely sipping tea and displaying a composure completely out of place for the situation.
Medrant asked.
“Surely you don’t have a brilliant idea?”“It’s similar.”
Melad put down the teacup.
“You must know where the destination of the Divine, which was decided so suddenly, was.”“I heard it from Junia and Cain.”
Originally, only Adrian and Isabella knew that Verden’s party had moved to the Desert of Silence. This was because they needed to keep quiet since it was directly related to the Ark, not Eon.
However, that secret was naturally revealed to the Aspects of Eon as Isabella established a cooperative relationship with the Elves.Furthermore, since Verden had even brought locals from the nation of Tuhar in the Silent Desert, it could no longer be considered a top secret.
“I heard that in that silent desert, the Divine made wondrous discoveries and achievements.”
At Melad’s continuing explanation, Medrant immediately opened his eyes wide.Even he, who rarely loses his composure over ordinary matters, could no longer sit still and stood up, gripping the table firmly.
“……what?”
* * *
“So… are you saying this, this, this is the elixir?”
Aldanis could not take his eyes off the elixir—of which there were even two bottles—for a single moment, a knowledge that was no less than a legend.With the ultimate form of alchemy right before his eyes, what alchemist would put on airs?
At the sight of Aldanis’s innocent appearance, which she had never seen in all her time at the academy, Isabella secretly activated the memory golem.
Rito laughed heartily.
“With a clear sample in place, the direction of future experiments is practically set! The Magic Tower? The Nation? The Transcendents? As long as we do this properly, no one in the world of alchemy will be able to catch up to Eon.”“If we include Lysandro’s Fruit as well, we might just have to rewrite the entire history of alchemy.”“That’s right!”
No matter how sparingly you use Elixirs or Lissandro’s Fruits, their capacity is limited. Furthermore, consumption increases even more when conducting critical experiments.Since saving resources when you shouldn’t significantly increases the probability of failure.
Of course, Lito Barslan, Isabella, and Aldanis were not at all worried about whether they would be able to achieve sufficient results in the future.Success was inevitable.They trusted their own alchemy, based on innate talent and honed over almost a lifetime, enough to move forward with such belief.
Rito turned his back.
“Ah, you guys have to prepare for the World Conference, so you handle that. I’ll start first. There was a simple experiment I was working on with Isabella in Tuhar.”“We have plenty of time, so let’s do it together.”
Aldanis quickly calculated the schedule and grabbed Rito’s shoulder. He was overflowing with the desire to research the elixir right then and there.
I have something to do in a moment, so I’ll be back to assist in an hour.
Isabella quietly slipped out of the Great Hall’s laboratory and returned to her room.Then, using telekinesis, she spread out the map of Gargant city, which she had obtained by asking Ferne for it separately, wide in the air.
‘[Ivines] is an artifact, but it’s a robe I wear every day, so it’s a bit boring. Then what should I wear? And as for the schedule… … .’
Isabella planned how to spend the time alone with Verden.She put a great deal of thought into it.
* * *
To think there was a nation in the silent desert… … .
Lobeline’s muttering could be heard from the other end of the communication device.It came as a significant shock to her that a region considered a dangerous, uncharted territory for a very long time had already been settled.
It was as if I had glimpsed the secrets of the world.
Wait, did you peek?Anyway.
Despite her surging curiosity, Lobeline offered a simple greeting instead of asking for a detailed explanation. In fact, that was her true intention.
───I’m glad you returned safely. Even a transcendent being isn’t invincible… … Ah, that wasn’t something I should have said to you.
That’s true.
Verden, who had buried as many as four transcendent beings from last year to this year, was well aware that transcendents are not absolute.Of course, that principle applied to Verden himself as well.
───So when are you going to see Director Myla? After the World Conference ends?
I have a lot to worry about, so that’s what I plan to do. Well, it’s not like it’s urgent.
He originally intended to make only a modest donation to the orphanage where he spent his childhood, but Aldevan, judging the situation to be dire due to the Bloodcrying Plague and other factors, effectively moved the entire orphanage to ownerless land.He received a separate report that the orphanage was being protected near the center of Arrain.
“Since things have turned out this way, I think it would be better if we met face-to-face. Once the World Conference concludes, I will send a formal invitation to the Tower of Bohemian Magic.”
───Huh? Oh, okay. I’ll coordinate the schedule… … .
See you at Gargant.
As soon as Verden turned off the communication device, he leaped through space in succession. That is how he arrived at Dalehin’s fortress in the ownerless land.
Fine, who was polishing the guard golem standing tall in the corner of the hallway until it gleamed, opened her eyes wide and clasped her hands together in a polite greeting.
“Welcome, Lord Verden!”“Keep up the good work, Fine.”“Hehehe, have a wonderful day today!”
The girl whom Verden saved as soon as he arrived in Dalehin has become a proper maid who has adapted to a daily life of occasionally encountering transcendents.
I arrived at the lord’s office.
“Hmm…? Ah, you have arrived, Your Majesty!”
Dumal, Dalehin’s acting lord… now effectively the real lord, rushed over, made a seat, and poured himself some warm tea.The vampire, thoroughly steeped in human society, was no different from a human.
Verden sat in the seat of honor and leaned his back.
“How are the Irregulars?”“As I reported through the Wizard of Eon, they have already adapted and are currently handling city management duties well. They are also efficient because most of them do not require sleep. However, unlike me, their exteriors are not exactly bright enough to be exposed to the outside world, so I have provided them with a large separate living space inside the castle.”
The reason there were many highly intelligent, heteromorphic beings in Dalehin who were permitted to survive in human society was due to Bank President Magnus’s suggestion.
It was an invitation to be introduced if I was interested in capable heteromorphic individuals; since Verden’s criteria did not include any races and I was curious about Bank President Magnus’s motives, I accepted.
Dumal lowered his voice.
And I also prepared a separate space for the person you asked me to serve with the utmost care; shall I call them in now?
[I don’t think that’s necessary.]
Andes, who had entered the office before anyone realized it, sat diagonally to Verden’s left and was gathering hand bones stripped of flesh.Dumal, his heart sinking from shock, froze in place.
Verden asked.
Are you experiencing any inconveniences while staying here?
[Of course not at all. Thanks to you, I can leisurely enjoy the scenery right in the middle of the city, so I’m just happy. There are a lot of Lee Hyung-jongs nearby, so I feel a sense of camaraderie as well.]
“In that case, that is a relief.”
Dumal swallowed hard at the series of conversations.
To think Your Majesty is speaking to me with respect. As expected, you are no ordinary undead. Unlike the undead I know, I see absolutely no hatred toward the living.
I dare not join in.
Dumal silently bent over with the movements of a vampire, scattered into hundreds of bats, and escaped through the window.
[You are a talented vampire.]
He had a talent for running the city.
Verden took a sip of tea.
“But when will we be able to face the remaining two sinners?”
Even sinners have their own work to prepare.
Andes twitched his jawbone.
[The exact date hasn’t been set, but the Sinner of Death and the Sinner of a Ruined Nation will be visiting shortly after you finish the World Conference. Meeting them right away would be awkward for you anyway, wouldn’t it? I don’t know the details, but it seems they have a lot of official business.]
That is true.
[The Golden Sinner’s memories have not fully returned yet, so please wait a little longer. Regrettably, that moment will come soon. But is that all you need?]
There is one more.
Whoosh!
Verden released the being he had sealed in [Archeo]. The Shadow Demon rolled its eyes floating above the darkness.
[It’s that demon you captured in the desert.]
It feels like a waste to keep the artifact sealed away, so if it’s not too much of a burden, would you mind taking care of this one?
I intended to keep him in my possession because there was still much to uncover about the demon. Releasing him could lead to unnecessary harm.Besides, even though he is a demon, I couldn’t really get rid of a guy who bursts into tears just by making eye contact.
With the power of the Andes, there would be no chance of being discovered by the Ruas religion, even by a slim chance.
[Of course, it’s no burden at all. It’s my first time managing a demon, but I’ll take good care of it. As long as it hides in my shadow, it won’t get discovered.]
The Shadow Demon hesitated and glanced back at Verden. Tears fell again. Then, as if understanding Verden’s intentions, it quietly disappeared into the shadows of the Andes.
It’s not like I’m a kid who was forcibly left at an orphanage…
Verden struggled to shake off the situation he had witnessed many times at the orphanage. He never dreamed that he would feel this way from a devil.
I plan to enter meditation before departing for Gargant. If any urgent matters arise, please let Dumal know.
[Are you trying to consolidate your cultivation? I get it.]
Andes nodded.
[Oh, by the way, how are those who came over from the Desert of Silence? The environment is so different that I think they might have trouble adapting.]
Verden enjoyed the subtle scent of tea again.
He seems to be doing well, much better than I expected.
* * *
Those who crossed the
Most humans and beastmen who enjoyed nature far more abundant than the silent desert succeeded in adapting to the new environment.
Pale smiled faintly.
“This friend’s name is Symes. As you can see, his speech is a bit hesitant, but having worked with me for a long time, he has seen, heard, and learned a great deal. He would make a pretty good mentor, wouldn’t he?”“Ah, yes. Hello. I am Arion Barslan from Tuhar.”“Symes.”
Symes, who had been working as a close aide to Intelligence Officer Pale since the Principality of Liviant and was wrapped in bandages all over his body, took on the role of Arion’s guide.
“So, you’re saying you’re a former Tuhar rebel who’s good at drawing?”“Um, Lady Isabella said that talent in the art world is indeed talent. Here you go.”“……Oh, you do have good dexterity.”
The apostate Ramisha built a good relationship with Keirel by showing him or drawing pictures for him. Ramisha’s skills were more than sufficient to be immediately published in international newspapers or covered in information-related matters.
Meanwhile, the wandering Munadim spent most of her time taking walks rather than socializing with others.For her, having spent her entire life wandering the desert to escape the Tuhar Creed, such a vibrant winter landscape was a blessing in itself.
The world is certainly vast… … It’s so good.
As the wandering Munadim strolled through the gardens of Arrain Fortress, he came to his own realization of just how narrow even that vast desert was.
It was then.
“Grandma, I asked Mires to bring some tea!”“Thank you so much, Aisha. Still, you must not bother Lord Arrain’s secretary as much as possible. She must be very busy.”“Yes, Grandma!”
A grandmother and her granddaughter were walking slowly through the garden, holding hands. Munadim the Wanderer, who had been quietly gazing at the beautiful scene, paused.
‘for a moment…….’
It is a somewhat familiar face.
Come to think of it, the voice wasn’t unfamiliar either.
A memory suddenly came to mind.
‘… … ! There’s no doubt about it.’
The mysterious foreign girl standing at the center of the collapsed city that the wandering Munadim saw in the prophecy is right before my eyes.
Please select.
The girl’s voice resonates from within.
At the same time, the gazes of Munadim the Wanderer and Aisha crossed. That was all, but his mind and vision suddenly went hazy.With his legs completely giving way, Munadim the Wanderer slumped to the ground.
“Gasp, gasp, gasp……!”“Are you okay, Unnie?”
Aisha approaches and holds out her hand.
Beyond Aisha’s bright light green eyes… the wandering Munadim, as a prophet, witnessed a prophetic being of a different dimension.
Why.
He thought he knew why Verden had brought him here.
World Conference D – 12.
and.
Verden went into seclusion for a few days. Even during that time, the world continued to move.
