Episode 833 World Conference: Friction (1)
Based on the Central Continent, the Continental World Congress was held on the day marking the end of the year. Although there are some time differences between continents, the world has now welcomed the new year, approximately one day later.
The world conference is still not over.
I don’t know when it will end.
The visitors to Gargant occasionally gazed at the large rhombus dodecahedron located in the center of the city, enjoying a unique start to the New Year.
It’s warm…….
Iris, the Academy’s teaching assistant in comprehensive theory, wore a languid expression.
She was sitting by the window of a café overlooking the World Conference Hall with Professor Dale of the Academy of Comprehensive Theory and his student, Theodore.It was a so-called “Summoning Gathering” intended to officially announce summoning magic to the magical world.
Steaming hot coffee, green tea with a blend of slightly bitter and sweet flavors, and hot chocolate warmed their insides.
So, somehow, another year just passes by like this.
Professor Dale let out a heavy sigh.
“The Navy is holding the Mado Festival this year. I can’t believe four years have already passed. More importantly, I hope we get through this one smoothly.”“This time?”
Theodore realized his mistake.
“Come to think of it, that incident… I heard before that the situation was extremely serious.”“You certainly wouldn’t know the details of what the magical world was like back then. The high-ranking officials of each nation and faction thoroughly concealed information regarding the Bohemirn Magic Tower to control the chaos as much as possible. It wasn’t until about a year or two after the power source ran wild that the news really started to spread.”
Professor Dale nodded.
“Besides, Theodore, you were just a freshman at the Academy back then. And Iris here was active as an adventurer on the Eastern Continent.”“Hehe…….”
Iris smiled awkwardly as she recalled her days as an adventurer. Of course, there were many good memories, but it was also a time filled with frustration.
“Anyway. Was the situation serious? Of course it was. It was absolute chaos. Who would have thought that the Magic Festival would turn into a Magic funeral overnight? Even the Principal was speechless and couldn’t speak for a while.”
Bohemirn Magic Tower, ranked 4th overall and 2nd in military power, was half-destroyed. Thiswas due to a runaway power source.
It was news so unbelievable that even Professor Dale denied reality.
“As soon as the runaway power source incident was reported, the magic festival, which was always brimming with vitality, came to an urgent halt. In particular, the other magic towers vanished in the blink of an eye, claiming they needed to inspect the status of their power sources. It was the first time I had ever seen the towers panic so much. It was to the point where the Academy revised its history of magic the very next year. Hmm. Looking back, one could say that incident was the starting point of the recent extreme instability in the magical world.”
Iris lightly cut the cheesecake she had just ordered with a fork and put it in her mouth.
“By the way, are the other magic towers alright? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve heardanything proper about them.” “Judging by the fact that no one has mentioned it so far, it seems there aren’t any particularly noticeable problems. Uh, last year—no, the year before last—when Black Hour killed the Master of Diamun, I was certain they had tampered with the tower’s power source, yet it is still running perfectly fine. I suppose the power source won’t run wild again.”“That is a real relief.”“Indeed, I don’t know the circumstances, but it certainly is a relief. The fact that the magical world, and indeed this world, has grown at such a rapid pace is entirely due to the power source. Where else could we possibly find a resource from which pure magical energy flows ceaselessly?”
Professor Dale preached the importance of the driving force that leads the world with a broader perspective.Although it often appeared haphazard at first glance, his profound insight was second to none compared to any professor at the Academy.
“In that sense, the Darkmoon, Dahit Wesroel, is a historical transcendent being. In a good sense, and in a bad sense. Not only did he shatter the conventional wisdom that the Magic Tower’s power source was perfect, but he also enabled mages to transcend the hierarchy of limits… Two absolute propositions of the magical world crumbled completely. If the Darkmoon were still alive, his influence would have been truly enormous.”
Theodore seriously agreed with Professor Dale’s assessment of the Darkmoon.
“I’ve actually heard that the number of wizards who worship the Darkmoon has increased since the Darkmoon Dream incident. There are even suggestions among students to form a club to study the achievements of the Black Hour.”“Evil deeds are evil deeds, and great deeds are great deeds. I can say with certainty that the name Dahit Wesroel will never disappear. Not until the magical world is completely overturned, or until the world is destroyed.”
Iris asked slyly.
“……Then, what about the Holy One?”“The fearsome Three Leaders of the Black Hour, the High Lord of the Masterless Lands, the Dragon Slayer, the Absolute Ruler of Estiria, the Leader of Eon, the New Star of the Current Magic World! What more needs to be said? Even considering he killed the Master of the Bohemirn Tower and slayed the wounded Darkmoon, his stature can never be taken lightly.”
Professor Dale spun the green car around and around.
“While you may not be able to achieve a feat greater than that of the Darkmoon, Lord Verden, too, will undoubtedly engrave his name in the history of eternity. Ah, of course, I am not saying this just because Eon is supporting our summoning magic, so keep that in mind.”“Hahaha.”“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
Iris covered her laughter with a cup. She was proud to have shared an adventure, even if only briefly, with such an extraordinary person.The magnificent appearance of the World Conference Hall was once again reflected in her sky-blue eyes.
Suddenly, the faces of the transcendent beings I had seen at the opening ceremony came to mind. To think that each and every one of them was on par with, or even superior to, that Dark Moon. Igot goosebumps, realizing anew just how magnificent an event the World Conference is.
Theodore asked.
“At that world conference, surely incredible stories beyond our imagination are being exchanged,aren’t they?” “Of course.”
Professor Dale raised his teacup and pointed to the world conference hall as if offering praise.
“I’m sure an infinitely serious and solemn meeting is taking place over there, one that an ordinary person wouldn’t even dare to endure. I wish I could at least catch a glimpse.”“They aren’t exactly fighting, are they? Conflicts can get deep during meetings, you know.”“What? Hahahaha. No way. There might be some squabbles, but they certainly won’t actually clash.”
Professor Dale laughed, saying that couldn’t be true, but then his expression hardened calmly.
“Because that would be a disaster.”
* * *
Bang───!
The moment the Holy Lance of God and the Claws of the Beast collided, light and a roar erupted. The meeting hall shook. Neither of them took a single step back.
The Saintess stared blankly ahead with a gaze tainted by fanaticism.The Beast King, reflected in the eyes of light, wore a broad smile.
Kugugugugu… … !
The spear shafts and fingernails trembled, and a transcendent aura enveloped the surroundings. The ground the two stood on was not only collapsing but was also deeply gouged.
Adrian crossed his arms.
“You truly deserve to be called the strongest in the realm of faith, my lord.”
The Saintess is able to withstand the strength of the Beast King.
Although they only revealed a fraction of their full power to each other, it was still impressive.
Humans primarily wield three forces: Ki, magic power, and divine power, but for Beastmen, pure physical ability is the entirety of their strength.Among such Beastmen, the being regarded as the strongest creature of all time is the Beast King.
The fact that he can match the Water King in close combat means that, in terms of physical ability alone, he is not lacking even when compared to a transcendent being in the martial arts world.
thud!
At that time, several partitions for non-participants in the Pledge of Truth were broken.
Adrian, Grand Duke of Rivandale, Eres, the Black Sea, the Agent, the Saint, and the Pope sensed the serious aftermath and came out to check on the situation.
The Black Sea rested its chin on its hand.
“So you finally faced off. It looks like the Water King kept picking a fight along the way.”
The master said.
“That’s true, but Ignacia was the one who caused it in the end.”“I knew it.”“I knew it.”
Grand Duke Rivandale and the Black Sea nodded as if they were not surprised at all.
Eres watched the situation before him with interest and a small gasp of admiration, while the Executor glanced at the Provider with a dissatisfied look.
“Phew.”“Ah, um.”
The Pope sighs. He did not seem to have any particular intention of urgently stopping the Saint.The Saint looked uncomfortable, not knowing what to do.
After some of the partitions were damaged, the remaining ones soon disappeared as well. The attendees, who had been resting soundly while the Pledge of Truth was taking place, opened their eyes wide in surprise.
Yunia yawned and rubbed her eyes, then shouted in surprise.
“W-what is this all of a sudden? Why are you suddenly fighting?!”
The inside of the partition was so quiet and comfortable that I was sleeping soundly, but just as I woke up, the Saint and the Beast King were emitting a suffocatingly fierce power.
Of course, one can’t help but be flustered.
Isabella and Rateon also stared blankly at the center of the meeting room. Most of the attendees and guards gaped in amazement.
Verden reached back and pushed Junia a little further inward.
“Stay behind us.”“Yeah, got it…… Ugh!”
The Water King, who had been moving lightly, gradually increased his speed as if his blood was boiling. With every swing of his arm, a gust of wind so strong it was difficult to open one’s eyes raged.The Saintess, who had been dodging and parrying each of those blows, suddenly closed the distance.
Ignacia crossed his fingers.
I guess I’ll have to expand the stage much more.
Bang──!
The tables of the Senate and the House of Representatives remained the same, while only the scenery of the meeting hall changed. Originally, this place was an illusion created by Ignacia’s super-level magic.As long as she has the will, the space of the world conference can transform into any form.
Vast nature unfolded.
Around me, undulating meadows formed by gentle hills stretched out, beyond which several dense forests stood, and on the outermost edge, a mountain range rose in a line. Itwas bright in all directions.The scent of nature brushed past my nose.It was not just the outward appearance that was like this; the actual scope had expanded just as much.
At the same time, divine power exploded.
The Water King, having been sent flying with his soles lifted off the ground, obliterated an entire forest with his whole body. He put the brakes on by thrusting one hand into the ground and lightly loosened his shoulders.
Rumor is the wind, but reality is a storm.
It wasn’t just my imagination; his entire body looked bigger than before.
It is overflowing with rewards for the hunt.
Suwang lowers his upper body and pulls both elbows as far back as possible, assuming a stance. As he concentrates on his leg strength, the ground begins to tremble.
Ignacia clapped his hands.
“Ahaha, the winning side is our side…… huh?”
It was then.
Bang!
The Saint burst in like a beam of light, snatched Ignacia by the neck, and thrust straight forward, pinning him down into the middle of the green meadow.Ignacia, slammed into the ground with his neck still held, asked.
“What, what are you doing?”“Did you think I would let you get away with acting like that? Ignacia, you too have indirectly insulted the god Luas. However, the Holy Light always shows magnanimity.”
The saint smiled.
“Will you also believe in the light?”“Oh dear, how come.”
Ignacia smiled back.
“I don’t believe in religion.”“Then just die.”
Pure divine power, not a miracle, shattered the earth created of illusion. Ignacia, appearing from the void, straightened her hair.
“To tell me to die just because I don’t believe in that measly religion. Just like a fanatic—”
Holy Spear, Granter flew in.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwagwang!
A massive light swept through the void where Ignacia was standing and pierced through the mountain range. It was a blow even more powerful than the strike that had fallen on the head of the Bone Dragon in the past.
King Su whispered.
“Where are you looking?”
Five claws capable of cleaving even the body of a transcendent being hung before the Saint’s eyes. Then, in an instant, the Holy Spear returned to her hand.Bang!Pushed back leaving a trail across the meadow, the Saint regained her balance by spinning the Holy Spear once.
“Aren’t you going to ask me if I’m going to believe in the Light? Huh?”“You have no intention of doing so anyway. Besides, it’s not too late to ask after everything is over. I can repent as much as I want, even if my limbs are severed.”“Hahaha, that’s true.”
My skin tingles with madness.
The strongest of the Luas religion and the strongest of the Beastmen engaged in battle. Spearheads and claw blades clashed ceaselessly.With each clash, the vegetation of the grassland could not withstand the force and was uprooted and scattered.
Hiss───!
The blast of heat unleashed by the Beast King’s claws passed by the Saint and flew toward the Upper Chamber. Before it could even reach the vicinity, Adrian drew his light sword and deflected it.
“What a crazy couple.”“Pfft.”
The Master burst into laughter, covering only the corners of his mouth so no one would notice.
Verden looked to the side.
“Are you seriously not going to stop it?””If you really want, you may intervene.”
The Provider gestured toward the back with his chin.
The two people communicated solely through their eyes, without conveying any intention.
The Provider did not seem to plan to let the conflict go to the very end, but neither did he seem to have any intention of mediating right now.
Deus Widen, so you’re saying you won’t help easily.
It can’t be helped.
“My Lord, I will stop him.”“No.”
Verden got up.
I’ll go.
We had already managed to raise the spotlight with the Pledge of Truth, so it wouldn’t be good to have the attention diverted any further by unnecessary conflict.Above all, the priority was to stop the Saintess before she went completely astray. It would be troublesome in itself if the rift with the Water King were to deepen now.
The foundation must be laid perfectly.
Thump, thump.
The moment Verden stepped down from the Senate, a strange shadow suddenly blocked his path.
“The King of Water is out hunting. So, please wait for Sinseong.”
The mountain king, the goat beastkin chief of the great beastkin tribe, let out a snort of excitement.
There are several chieftains in the great beast tribe, and they are granted the title of King under the Beast King and reign as the power of the beast tribe.
The rumors didn’t spread because the Water King is abnormally strong, but in reality, there are some powerful individuals among them who are so strong that calling them transcendent is an understatement.
And the Mountain King was a beastman close to the transcendent strength of the beast race.A level overflowing with pride in his power.It is no coincidence that he was selected as one of the Beast King’s bodyguards.
‘Verden. I heard you are one of the most dangerous beings among the transcendents of the human world… but I don’t feel as much of a sense of crisis as I expected.’
Another king identified Verden as a dangerous figure based on the information he had gathered, but the Mountain King tilted his head, unable to intuitively understand it.
Still, a competitive spirit was stirred.
Burning with a spirit of challenge against a strong opponent was an instinct shared by most beastkin warriors.Thump, thump!The Mountain King provoked by pounding his armor-covered chest.
“If you are feeling lonely, I, the Mountain King, will be your opponent.”“Move aside. You will get hurt.”“Why would a warrior fear getting hurt? I do think it will be entertaining.”
Verden gazed up at the Mountain King’s massive body for a moment before taking a step forward. Interpreting this as acceptance, the Mountain King immediately unleashed his wild nature.
Calamity fire
At that moment, Verden unleashed the flames of the Manghwa that he had forcibly suppressed.Although it was not visible on the outside at all, within, black flames fueled by infinite magical power burned like mad.
Sanwang broke out in a cold sweat.
‘Danger!!!!!!’
Verden summoned [Interis] and swung it lightly horizontally. The Mountain King, who had immediately assumed a defensive stance without even having time to draw his weapon, was severely bent over.
Bang───!
The Mountain King, having crashed into the ground several times, struck a massive hill. The hill exploded. Thick clouds of dust rose across the vast meadow.
The other guards of the Water King and the kings of the beastmen tribes narrowed their eyes.
The Mountain King with a single blow… … .
The Transcendents took note of Verden’s presence, which had changed drastically and suddenly. Unprecedented pressure was felt. It was a sense of intimidation much heavier than what had been felt at the General Assembly of the Magic World.
Verden threw a remark at the Mountain King, who was buried in the half-destroyed hill.
From now on, distinguish between courage and recklessness.
Even things suitable for entertainment have different levels.
