Episode 823 World Conference (7)
To ask if one believes in the light… that remark did not merely refer to light, but implied a divine being unique and one-of-a-kind, just asthe golden Holy Cross hanging around the strange old man’s neck did.
“If God exists, I will hate God; if God does not exist, I will loathe myself. Therefore, I believe in nothing.”“You wretched one.”“I refuse such trivial pity.”
The leader of the ark still looked down at the giant old man with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Are you the villain who attempted to raid Verden?”“That is a meaningless question.”“I decide whether it is meaningful or not.”
Crack.
An intangible sword strike split the wall.
Rough stone fragments tumbled down onto the fanatical old man’s shoulder. The tip of the sword mark etched into the wall was clearly aimed at the old man’s neck.Regardless, the peculiar old man leisurely stroked his beard.
“Excellent. It has been a long time since I reached a state where a sword is no longer needed.”
The leader of the ark paused.
“……You say it’s been a long time?”“The scenery you see is beautiful. Free. But I, too, eventually abandoned that. To lay down the sword is to lay down one’s convictions, and since I, who abandoned my convictions in the distant past, have come to possess new ones, how could I not wield my sword once more? Oh, Lord Luas.”
The old man’s murmuring and sudden prayers were truly fanatical. Uncontrollable, excessive faith is bound to blind the eyes and deafen the ears.
Further conversation is meaningless, and an inexplicable, strange anxiety is bothersome… The leader of the Ark thought this as his eyes flashed.
Whoosh!
The area between the old fanatic’s neck and shoulder was slashed. Blood gushed out from the torn rags.The tattered brown cloth, touched by the blood, is gradually turning dark red.
“…….”
It was only slightly more forceful than the blow previously delivered across space, but the old man was unable to react and suffered injuries bordering on serious.
Did they not stop it?Or could they not stop it?
It was the moment the leader of the Ark felt a sense of alienation.
“I cannot interfere with the present world, and conversely, the present world cannot interfere with me. The rules are strict. If I harm the present world, I will ultimately be banished; and if the present world harms me, I will be able to exercise power in proportion to the due price… Behold.”
The fanatical old man rose to his feet. Before anyone realized it, a weapon far too massive to be called a sword was held in his hand, which was wrapped in tattered bandages.A crimson aura seeped slowly from the old man’s entire body.
“I am the King of mankind.”
A shadow falls.
Ilgwang
Like the calm before the storm, a massive sword silently descended.Feeling the immense pressure of the energy for the first time, the leader of the Ark drew his strength to the extreme and swung his right arm back.
Great Sword Style – Heart Seal
Tangible sword and intangible sword.
The art of a king setting the world right clashed with the secret techniques of an adventurer harboring sacrifice and a great cause.
──────!
Shockwaves that failed to strike each other spread out in all directions. Buildings were destroyed, and the people in the vicinity were shattered without a trace.The aftershock exploded. Three zones of Gargant were devastated. All life within a radius of over one kilometer was annihilated.
A massive explosion occurred as the magical infrastructure collapsed.Flames engulfed the area. A terrible ringing in my ears struck my mind.
Eyes crossed in the burning, ruined megacity.
“We are beings assigned a role. We are puppets entangled in the threads of fate, and this world is a grand puppet show. However, just because the threads are gone does not mean we are no longer puppets. Your world, too, is a puppet show.”
As the bandage loosened slightly, the old finger pointed at the leader of the ark.
“Is it resistance without an alternative, or the only conformity? The time of choice shall come. Ark. O pitiful puppet, used by the mad resistor.”
The old fanatic slowly backed away into the blazing flames.
The leader of the Ark, who was raising his power for the first time in a very long while, clenched his fist, suppressing the slight trembling of his fingertips with force.
Disappeared.
The presence of the old fanatic was completely erased.As if he had never been there.
His identity is one thing, but… cleaning up the mess is the real problem.
Crunch.
The leader of the Ark bit his lip. He had no energy to pay attention to his surroundings. Anger surged at the fact that countless casualties had occurred unexpectedly.
Just then, the space behind him distorted, and Elder Sheoren appeared.
The leader of the Ark pulled his head slightly, as if feeling ashamed.
“Elder Sheorn, I’m sorry. Please help me sort this out.”“Sort it out… just tell me what needs to be sorted out.”“What?”
The leader of the Ark suddenly turned his head and looked back. He saw Elder Sheorn standing in the middle of the musty-smelling alley.
I looked around.
All the buildings were intact. The presence of those presumed dead, swept away by the sudden force, could be felt vividly.The clear sky and winter sunlight enveloped peaceful Gargant.
Did you show me an illusion? No… it wasn’t that kind of trick.
The leader of the Ark calmed his inner turmoil and straightened his gaze. He looked at the spot where the old fanatic had been sitting just moments ago.On the wall above, the marks of the Invisible Sword, used for intimidation, remained.
The old man was clearly real.
But now, the only thing before my eyes is a world without that old man…
“Did you come looking for me because you sensed my energy?”“You suddenly manifested a partial presence… what happened?”“…No, nothing.”
The leader of the Ark released all strength from his body.His presence vanished without a trace.
“It seems there are more secrets in the world I don’t know than I thought, Elder Sheorn.”“Yes?”“The search is suspended. It appears the culprit will not appear again.”
The leader of the Ark turned his back, recalling the identity of the old fanatic. As he walked from the dark alley into the sunny street, he was lost in thought.
A deranged resistor.Puppet show.A puppet being used.
He had no idea what the old man meant, but there was only one fact that irritated him more than that.
The old man knows the Ark, including my identity.
Who on earth is it?
* * *
After the leaders of the federation, Verden and Iderat, proposed the minor agenda in turn, the first minor assembly became a stage for the attendees of the lower house.
Since the Provider instructed them to refrain from unnecessary emotional friction until the end of the First Council, the Senate could not have been quieter.
King Itel of the Western Continent urged a response regarding Black Tobacco, Faber, and various drugs that are spreading rapidly in the shadows, whilethe President of the Virente Magic Association announced that the supply of magic stones has recently decreased significantly and proposed countermeasures.
And King Silis of Estiria also added a word.
The Kingdom of Estiria suffered significant damage to its granary regions due to the Undead outbreak the year before last. Although it was recovering smoothly with the support of the Theocracy of Luas, the Bloodhowl Plague and the renewed outbreak of the Undead have raised concerns about long-term food shortages. Surely, this worry is not unique to the Kingdom of Estiria alone.
The Kingdom of Estiria is considered the country that has suffered the least damage in the current situation.
Of course, it was thanks to Eon.
The neighboring Principality of Liviant was personally protected by the Heavenly Sword, and the Republic of Beldirn also received various forms of direct and indirect assistance.
Just because they are in the zone… … !
King Ronia swallowed his jealousy at the fact that nations of the same Eastern Continent had benefited. He had merely done what was expected of a king, yet he was openly persecuted by the Saint, making the jealous gaze even more vicious.He looked forward to the day he would enter Mauler’s domain and wield absolute power.
Then, Silis said.
“So, I propose intercontinental trade.”“……!”
Deals discussed at world conferences have a different meaning from ordinary deals.
It is precisely because the world certifies it.
What has been promised to one another must be fulfilled no matter what happens. Otherwise, even a transcendent being will face global sanctions.
The Provider said.
“Since intercontinental trade indispensable requires forces from each continent to respond, a secret ballot that is not classified as a continent loses its meaning. Unless at least one entity from the Western Continent and one from the Central Continent publicly respond to the Kingdom of Estiria’s trade proposal, the matter will be discarded. Therefore, those who are willing, raise your hands.”
The Eastern, Central, and Western continents each have their own characteristics, and humanity has grown by giving up what is abundant and filling what is lacking.
However, direct trade between the Eastern and Western continents was extremely difficult, so they always maintained indirect exchanges through the Central continent as an intermediary.Consequently, the connection between the Western and Eastern continents was inevitably weak.
This is the second button Lord Verden mentioned.
Silis did not know the exact details, but he understood that Verden wanted various countries to exert their influence toward one another and form close ties.
The relationships referred to here are, naturally, formed through money and resources. This is because those two are essential elements in the operation of a state.
That’s right.
What Silis and Verden ultimately aimed for was a connection between continents. A connection so deep that if you tried to break free, you would be torn to the bone.
At this, Serendia raised her hand.
“If it is about restoring damaged nature, we elves will join you.”“……?!”
The elf readily agreed to the trade agreement.
Mauler scratched his chin with his fingertips as if pressing down hard.
Eon and the Elves are allies. It is highly likely that the Elves’ will is Verden’s will. However, the two did not accompany each other in the opening ceremony procession.
As expected, was it an alliance formed for mutual benefit rather than some kind of emotion? Exactly what kind of relationship is it? Is there even a gap to squeeze into that?
Not only Mauler, but most of the attendees shared this sentiment. They were willing to endure some sacrifice if it meant establishing even slightly friendly relations with the elves, the inhabitants of nature.
Even if that weren’t the case, establishing contact with the Kingdom of Estiria was a very welcome development. After all, this meant creating a point of contact with Eon as well.
Next, Emperor Jeracle and Grand Duke Rivandale raised their hands.
The Arnark Empire will respond.
Satisfied trade conditions.
Other attendees also sensed the strange flow and were about to hurriedly raise their hands for fear of being late, but the Provider suppressed the atmosphere and stopped them.
“With this, the minimum requirements for a continental trade agreement have been met. After the first small council concludes, any factions wishing to participate in trade shall consult and draft an official agreement. I will pass the turn. Is there no next proposer?”“…….”
The House of Representatives was quiet.
In fact, there were plenty of proposals they wanted to propose for their own country’s interests. However, if they were to bring such trivial matters to the meeting, they would face disapproving glances from the Senate.The kings of the House of Commons sweated profusely from the unfamiliar experience of having to be mindful of their superiors.
“I will now conclude the first subcommittee meeting. We will take a brief recess before the vote on the subcommittee agenda, and the discussion will begin in 10 minutes.”
The Provider checked once more and tapped the table. A resonance different from before vibrated the hearts of the attendees.
A brief break is given… … .
Exactly ten minutes later, the discussion on the sub-agenda began in earnest. As various conversations took place, there were brief shouting matches, but it was not enough to make an issue of the chairman.
And so, the discussion on the revision of the representative system regarding the coexistence of two types and the intercontinental trade consultation ended after a full 13 hours.
* * *
The revision of the representative system was led by Eon, the Ruas Theocracy, and the Darkwarton Magic Tower, and the attendees of the House of Representatives struggled to draft a trade agreement.
Who am I?Where am I?
Prince Noden, already physically frail, felt his vision blur during the arduous discussion.His clothes were soaked with sweat.As the sworn brother’s incantation wore off, his mind and body, stained with tension, were becoming unstable.
Everyone, calm down.
Peace of Radiance
The oath-taker’s incantation and the Pope’s miracle enveloped the attendees of the House of Representatives. Their physical and mental fatigue vanished completely, and their condition stabilized.Immediately after they offered their thanks, the Provider drew everyone’s attention.
“I will now begin the vote on the first sub-agenda of the World Conference…….”“Wow, finally the vote!”“Ignacia, a warning.”
Ignatius grumbled that he was being too stingy, but the Provider paid no heed.
I will now begin the vote on the first sub-agenda item of the World Conference.
Perfectly identical stamps and ballots were delivered to each person. A ballot box, which had not been there until now, took its place on the table.
thud.
All attendees were trapped inside walls that were completely cut off from the inside and outside. Only the voice of the Provider, who had constructed a kind of partition, echoed.
“Attendees voting on the representative system amendment proposed by Shinseong and Verden, decide whether to vote for or against using your ballots and fill the ballot box.”
Since there had already been ample time to make a decision, the actual voting time was short.The partitions disappeared. The ballot box was carried outside in its entirety and headed toward the chairperson.
The Provider opened the nearest ballot box first, as if to show off. This is to publicly reveal the results of the private vote.
One vote in favor.
The vote counting continued.
The ballots with decided votes for or against gradually piled up. Eventually, the last ballot box was opened, and the last ballot was placed on top.
Considering the duplicate representatives from the Republic of Beldirn, the Federation of Tertenia, and the Diamun Magic Tower among the 54 attendees, the actual number of people eligible to vote is 49. Of these, a total of 22 participated in the vote.
The Provider announced.
22 votes in favor, 0 votes against. Accordingly, I declare that the representative system regarding the coexistence of Lee Hyung-jong has been revised.
The meeting room vibrated three times in rhythm.It was passed.Although it was the expected result, it feels quite good when it becomes a reality.
Verden took a sip of wine.
The beginning has passed.
The continental trade agreement proposed by Silis has also been well-received and is practically already passed.Lobelin’s proposal, which will be presented at the second sub-assembly soon, is also not divided at all, so the plan is unlikely to go in a different direction.
The buttons prepared by Verden are not just one or two.
However, the problem is… … .
Although there were many obstacles piled up before the World Conference came to a close, the one of the most concerning was the Arnark Empire.
The Empire plans to propose ‘a single agenda item’ at the World Conference. Therefore, Eon, you must vote in favor without asking for the reason.
In exchange for the Arnak Empire and the nations under its influence choosing Gargant as the venue for the World Conference, Verden accepted Emperor Zeracl’s somewhat unilateral deal.This was to repay one of the two debts he owed to Ignacia.
What exactly will the Emperor propose?
