Episode 811 World Gathering – Two Days (3)
A vein popped out on Adrian’s forehead.
“You barge in while My Lord is eating and demand an answer? Did you throw manners to the dogs?”“I made my presence known on purpose.”
Tearel looked down at the light sword that was barely touching his skin.
“I’m showing you beforehand that I have no ill will, and as you can see, I’m even holding a knife to my throat. At this point, it seems like I’ve shown at least a minimum of courtesy. Do you still think I gave courtesy to a dog?”“If that is the case.”“Is that so?”
Tearel stared at him blankly, then just moved his lips with an expressionless face.
“Woof.”“…….”
The two transcendent beings met each other’s gazes without blinking. The manager standing behind them trembled. It could be felt that the atmosphere was becoming increasingly serious.It is a well-known fact that Adrian has a very fierce temper.
Verden mediated that.
“Step back.”“Yes, my lord.”
Adrian immediately sheathed his light sword. Only then did Rateon and Cain, who had been watching the situation, quietly retrieve their sword tips as well.
… … trickle.
Verden used
“Did you say I smell like the sea? I haven’t been to the beach recently.”“It’s not that shallow scent. It’s much deeper. I can feel it coming from you. And from the outside world surrounding you as well.”
Thearel kept moving his lips.
“In cases like this, it is highly likely to be an external factor. For example, it is similar to an ancient artifact connecting its owner to it through its imprinting function. That is why I asked.”
What item did you get?
Verden ruminated on what the smell of the sea that Tearel had pointed out was.The fact that she was suddenly acting this way, after having shown no particular reaction at the General Assembly of the Magic World, meant that a change had occurred in Verden in the meantime.
‘… … Gring Arcanum.’
If there was anything so extraordinary that the Transcendent Tearel reacted so sensitively to it, that was the only one. The World Forbidden Book of Knowledge, which ranked among the top three of the Six Great Legends. Ihave never personally imprinted upon it, but I have heard words that hinted at it.
───I am the fourth most intelligent one, encompassing both the past and the present. The one who has crouched at the very bottom. And, the one who presides over the banquet of knowledge. The Host.
Your name is Verden.
However, traditionally, true names are not used at the Banquet of Knowledge. Therefore, I will register the name Asher to refer to you at the banquet.
The being encountered through the Gring Arcanum listed Verden himself as the guest of honor. Of course, merely scribbling words would not have been all there was to it.
I don’t know what it was, but was some conceptual force at work in it?
Verden still does not know what kind of creature the host is. And understandably so, given that the clues given were far too scarce.
However, as I forced a connection to the sea that Thearel mentioned, I could somewhat guess.
The space where I met the host was dark. The breath I exhaled felt heavier than usual, and I felt a constant sensation of my body floating.
Verden’s gaze dwindled.
‘… … just like being underwater.’
My nerves are on edge.
A picture engraved on the mural of Molgarn’s future.The surging sea.
That’s right.
It is highly likely that the Host is a being connected to future destiny, much like Ishur, the god of the desert, or an ancient king. In other words, there is a high probability that we will face him as an enemy.However… there were unresolved questions that prevented us from simply confirming that.
Is the host a being related to ‘you’ and the first Demon King?
───Finding out that is exactly the homework I am giving you.
Even though Master knew what a Host was, he induced me to possess the Gring Arcanum. He even gave me the homework of figuring out the Host’s true identity. Why on earth?
Does it mean to deal with him before he gains full power as destiny, like Ishur, or does it mean to use him as a stepping stone for growth since he is a formidable enemy?Or is it for a distant plan that is currently unimaginable?
Naturally, Verden did not suspect the manager in a negative sense. Not even a little bit. His trust was not that shallow.
“… … Whatever it is, it is difficult to fathom Master’s intentions based solely on the current information.”
So Verden changed his mind.Focusing on Thearel.
While the exact ideals Thearel pursues have not been revealed, it is widely known that they are immersed in and obsessed with the sea. However, considering the question they asked the Provider at the General Assembly of the Magic World, I had a strong feeling that they were wary of the sea.
If the host is a being related to the sea as speculated, then perhaps Thearel is sensing the host’s presence in some way.
Is it available?Can I seek assistance?
well.
It is premature to share information about the Gring Arcanum with Tearel. At least, not yet. After all, Tearel is not a member of the Ark, and their only direct or indirect interaction was a single meeting of the Magic World.
Unless it was an urgent situation or there was immediate value, readily sharing top secrets with someone you didn’t even know properly was never Verden’s way, neither then nor now.
It seems like he has an idea.
Tearel muttered calmly and took a sip of the wine Verden had given him.
Although Verden, having accelerated her thoughts to the maximum, was actually lost in thought for only a brief moment, she gained certainty even in that short instant.Transcendents are so stubborn that it is very difficult to dispel doubt.
That is why Verden did not hide it.Of course, he did not reveal it either.
“I don’t think now is the time. Well, the World Conference is tomorrow, after all. And you wouldn’t have expected me to meekly answer an uninvited guest’s question, would you?”“I did.”“Let’s meet again next time.”
Verden coolly ignored Tearel’s reaction, who said he had really been looking forward to it.
“I will contact you when I want to. I hope I won’t provoke Adrian by then.”“Hmm.”
Tearel let out a low voice and put down his wine glass.Then he nodded twice.
“I understand. You’ll find me before long.”
Tearel turned her head to the side. Her gaze lingered on Adrian, who was standing with his arms crossed as if he were displeased.
“And I wasn’t trying to provoke you.”“……?”“It was a joke. Iniktor said that would be good for lightening the mood.”
I could sense no malice in Tearel as she explained herself.The war of nerves she had exchanged with Adrian had appeared provocative to anyone, but it seemed she had no such intention.
And so Tearel left.
Adrian frowned as he watched her disappear from his sight until the very end.
“There’s more than one strange guy.”“Is that something you should be saying?”
[admit.]
Isabella pointed this out in disbelief. Honestly, compared to Adrian’s temper, Tearel’s innocent attitude was cute. IfEnette, who had been granted some free time to rest privately, had been here, she might have defended Adrian.
“…….”
Verden looked toward the balcony.
The forces of the Adventurer’s Guild headquarters, who had been waiting near the restaurant, moved to follow Tearel.Among them was Iniktor the Indomitable, an Obsidian-grade adventurer who had personally escorted Tearel at the General Assembly of the Magic World in Virente.
However, there was only one person who caught Verden’s eye.
An Obsidian-grade adventurer wearing full body armor that reveals not a single bit of skin… … a man known on the Ark as the Slayer of Calamity.
Standing on the roof like a statue, he exchanged glances with Verden, then turned his back without any reaction and left.
As expected, most of the captains are attending.
Slayer of Calamity.Seeker of the Unknown.Watcher of the North.Regulator of Balance.
Four captains, excluding the Watcher of the World who always stays in the Ark, gathered in Gargant.
Except for Acetro and Eres, the two were not transcendents or representatives of a force, but given their military power and status, it was certain that they would eventually attend the World Conference as escorts.
Gargant was boisterous on the outside, but incredibly quiet on the inside.
We are standing in the eye of the storm.
* * *
Yurion Highros, the King of Highlandia and known by the alias “The Oathbreaker,” let out an exclamation of admiration while lying comfortably on a soft sofa.
“Really? Fortunately, unlike Adrian, Verden seems to have a definite interest in the opposite sex. Good. It is more than welcome to see an increasing number of Transcendents considering marriage.”“Is that so?”
Leona of the Tremor, the vice-captain of the Order of the Knights of the Word Spirit, who is directly under the Oath Taker, said.
“Considering what happened at the Black Volcano, the fact that you openly revealed your identity when you could have kept it hidden suggests that the Divine has a desire to show off. Surprisingly.”“No. From my perspective, it is highly likely that Isabella’s side requested it. After all, Verden has a woman named Callia de Esperenza. There might be others as well. Isabella wants to say this to such rivals: that I am the legitimate wife.”
Yurion confidently expressed his view as if it were the correct answer. He had always been confident that he was the most master of romantic relationships among the Transcendents.In this era, the number of married Transcendents is extremely small.
Yurion waved his hand in front of his face.
“Think of Verden. Not only is he an outstanding figure himself, but his background is truly formidable. It’s impossible for the opposite sex not to be swayed by him.”“Are you saying that the Holy One is promiscuous?”
Leona pondered over Verden, whom she had seen in the black volcanic zone and the ownerless land, then tilted her head.
“It didn’t look that way at all, but rather, I strongly sensed a ruthless side. Indeed, the Divine has shown a bloody trajectory. Therefore, I think it is regarded as an object of fear rather than reason.”“Promiscuity is a word suited only for low-class individuals who roam around with dozens of women solely for the sake of lust. And rational interest does not stem from kindness or fear itself, but from curiosity.”
Yurion placed his hand on the armrest of the chair.
“The progression of a relationship between the opposite sex begins with digging into the other person’s inner self. Why do people say nice guys are boring? It’s not that being nice is a bad thing, but because the water is so clear, you can see the bottom immediately, making it easy to lose interest. That’s why people often say ‘bad guys’ are popular. There is a certain pleasure in getting to know the other person.”“…….”“Whether you are satisfied or disappointed later, the interest is bound to last through that process. The relationship also lasts a long time. And the longer that lasts, the more affection is bound to develop. That is why a taciturn, cold, and intimidating man is rationally advantageous. Because you are curious about what lies inside that shell. Alright, so, to briefly summarize what I said?”“Shinseong is a bad guy?”
Leona answers indifferently.
As a knight pursuing ultimate strength to protect Yurion and Highlandia, she had absolutely no interest in things like reason.
Yurion let out a sigh.
“……You’re still the same, Leona. I’m sure I’ve told you this before. Time flies. Try taking an interest in the opposite sex before it’s too late. You only truly realize, ‘Ah, so this is why people get married,’ after actually starting a family. I’m telling you, you’ll regret it when you get older.”“Ah, yes.”
Leona cut off the conversation in a harsh tone.
Yurion was an extreme advocate of marriage, so he would ramble on whenever the topic came up; in such situations, it was best to just let it go in one ear and out the other or change the subject.
Leona asked.
“So, do you intend to proceed with the World Conference as originally scheduled?”“Ah, of course.”
Yurion completely erased his expression. The presence of the man, whom he could not believe he had been chatting with just moments ago, stirred within him.
“The Bloodcry Plague, the Undead Crisis, incidents and accidents occurring across the three continents, secrets hidden by factions, and all that other stuff. I don’t like it. My wife, my daughter, and my country could have been harmed. This is as far as I will stand by and watch.”
Crunch, crunch.
The metal armrest was bent.
“I’m going to dig this up and take it all out this time. Whether it’s the Luas Church, the Magic Tower, or whatever.”
Yurion, who had foreshadowed turmoil toward the World Conference, sprang to his feet.Then, a smile crept onto his face.
Your wife and daughter have arrived.
Yurion walked quickly out into the yard with his hands clasped behind his back.Not long after, the sound of his wife, daughter, and the Knights of the Word Spirit who had escorted them chatting amicably could be heard.
Yurion Hyros.
To Leona, he was a humane and revered king who was willing to lay down his life… and he was an iron-willed king who would do anything for his family and country.
* * *
Chirp chirp chirp.
The bird is chirping.
The 7th Demon King, Vangelis Ruin Akenad, looked up at the deep blue sky.He was trying to anticipate the agenda items to be raised at the World Conference, while at the same time thinking of Verden.
We will meet again soon.
Medrail answered.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Medrail’s eyes were filled with tension and anticipation, and that anticipation was directed purely toward Verden.However, it was by no means the look of a woman gazing at a man.
Eventually, time passed, and the day ended—I don’t know how many times in the world—and midnightpassed once again.
World Conference D-0
