Episode 857 Rapid Progress (3)
Before arriving at the blue mountain range… … .
Thanks to the World Tree’s advice, Verden realized why he had failed to become a transcendent being.Fear.The terror that he might lose his daily life again against his will turned into unconscious hesitation. That alone stood in the way of his choice.
He could have enjoyed peaceful days without ascending to a state of transcendence, or somehow finished his revenge and seized a new life—such relatively easy options certainly existed.
Nevertheless, Verden willingly chose the third path. He resolved not to back down out of fear, nor to remain merely a possibility.He decided not to choose just one, but to seize everything.
The consequences of the choice were heavy, as expected.
Even though they had dragged down the beings once regarded as the heavens one by one, using them as stepping stones to become the sky of the continent themselves… … .Above the lofty sky, there was another sky, and a vast universe. I mean the beings who stood at the pinnacle of this world and history.
Memories and imagination crossed my mind.
When I faced ‘your’ surface will in the silent desert, I moved desperately at the thought that I might lose Isabella.
What would have happened if Verden had someone to protect when he was reverse-summoned by the Gray Dragon, and if the Gray Dragon hadn’t helped him in the meantime?
Verden’s chances of winning against the strongest guards were very slim.
Even when I encountered a fanatical old man in Gargant and nearly had my neck severed, I was unable to protect others.
Then what about the Host, who is likely one of the beings pointed to by future destiny? He would be stronger than the unfinished Desert God, not weaker.
There is absolutely no information.
In that situation, I was thrown into an unfamiliar space again without proper preparation.
On top of that, this time even Alpha and Beta.
Judging by the Barnacle Man’s reaction, this phenomenon was highly intentional. It is completely different in nature from the randomness of the Gray Dragon.In other words, it can be seen as a case similar to the fanatical old man.
There is no reason not to define them as enemies.
It was the other side that first eliminated the possibility of peaceful dialogue.
“The host clearly said they would treat me as the guest of honor. But is this really that kind of treatment? Inviting us here as they please?”
Being alone is different from being together.Assuming the worst.Verden’s mind was already anticipating the absolute worst he could imagine. That was precisely Verden’s Achilles’ heel.
“There must be a valid reason.”“Kek, keek…….”
As the spatial pressure loosened, the Barnacle Man clutched his neck and bent over. Bubbles rose from his mouth.Barely regaining his senses, the Barnacle Man strained to squeeze out a voice.
“Oh, a misunderstanding. It is a misunderstanding…! I, I received orders from the Host, *cough*, to guide the Guest of Honor…!”“Has the Banquet of Knowledge begun?”“No… The Arcadium is still being prepared. The Host mentioned that since this is the Guest of Honor’s first time at the Arcadium, *cough*, they thought some advance guidance would be necessary…”
The barnacle man answered cautiously, trying his best not to laugh.
“I am Shelbron, one of the butlers of Arkadium. I sincerely apologize for having no choice but to use coercive measures against the guest of honor.”“…….”
Verden stood still and met Shelbron’s cloudy eyes. Feeling a chilling sensation, Shelbron naturally lowered his gaze.
Verden gestured with his chin.
“Guide the host.”“Ah, yes!”
Shelbron hurriedly guided the way, perhaps thinking he had been forgiven. With every step taken, the darkness within a certain radius lifted little by little.
Click, click.
A giant barnacle parasitizing Shelbron’s back makes a sound. Verden perceived his surroundings more clearly through his spatial sense and sent out his intention.
───Alpha, Beta. Prepare for battle.
Lies are mixed in with the truth.Also, hostility.
And do not mention my name.
Since suspicion has arisen, it is only natural to verify it.
Sparkle.
Instead of answering, Alpha and Beta gleamed the single eye of their blue ring.
* * *
A unique sense of resistance can be felt underwater. And due to the buoyancy, Verden’s gray hair and [Einber]’s sleeves float slightly and flutter.
Is this the seabed?
The deepest of the deep, where no light reaches.
It was certainly new.
Because the depth that humanity dares to explore is limited. If anything, the ocean is the most vast unexplored territory.
The spatial coordinates aren’t being captured properly.
Unlike when they entered the fanatical old man’s false space or moved to the defeated soldiers’ prison, Verden and his party’s true form was transferred.
Securing a passage back to the Great Hall is indispensable.
Verden became aware of the [Gring Arcanum] stored in the subspace. As of now, that was the only path connecting to the continent.Therefore, the top priority was to urgently find a way to handle the [Gring Arcanum].
Verden feigned calm, ready to unleash the
Alpha had already activated the memory golem function.
[Ruins. Confirmed. Sea Civilization?]
Shelbron turned his head slightly.
“Just as intelligent beings rule the continents, they rule the oceans as well. Their numbers are incomparably greater than those of the intelligent beings on the continents. Isn’t it only natural that there is a super-advanced civilization?”
Beta said.
[It seems there is nothing to call it a highly advanced civilization.]
Any civilization is bound to eventually go through cycles of prosperity and decline. This ruin was not originally in the sea. It is the result of a massive island’s foundation collapsing due to an earthquake and settling right there.
Shelbron walked through a nearly collapsed corridor adorned with strange coral reefs and pointed outside. The darkness in a certain area brightened.The traces of a city, now reduced to nothing but rubble, came into view.
“However, even though intelligent beings and cities may have vanished, knowledge still exists. To embrace everything is the very nature and concept of the sea. Not only I, but all inhabitants of the seabed are seekers of knowledge.”
[Fish too?]
“Haha, the fish that the mainland thinks of are food for us as well. To be precise, fish-men and mermaids are among the inhabitants.”
[Are the two different?]
They are strictly separate species. They are practically sworn enemies, so please be careful.
Verden frowned and glared at Shelbron for a moment. As if he hadn’t noticed at all, he continued his explanation without falling into silence, acting as if he were truly the butler of Arkadium.
“Arkadium signifies a banquet of knowledge, but it also means a mansion where all knowledge gathers. That is why my position is that of a steward. In the Arcadium, the hierarchy is subdivided into four levels.”
Host.Guest of Honor.Distinguished Guest.Guest.
“Most of the inhabitants of the underwater world, including myself, are guests. Distinguished guests are beings of far greater honor than the nobles of the continent, and their number is said to be only a dozen or so.”
Verden asked.
“Who are the guests of honor?”“I have heard that they existed in the very distant past, but I have never actually met them—except for the present, that is. That is why there are many distinguished guests who have high expectations for this Arcadium.”
Shelbron bowed his head slightly.
The fourth guest of honor is here.
Does this mean there were about three more guests in the distant past? Considering the history of Arcadium’s existence, it was a truly small number.
Who could those three be?
Verden buried his curiosity in a corner of his mind and soon raised his gaze.Before long, as the distance narrowed sufficiently and the darkness lifted completely… … an underwater mansion, much larger and more majestic than the imperial capital of the Arnach Empire, emitted a splendid light that colored Verden’s blue eyes.
[and.]
Alpha marveled in genuine admiration. Beta didn’t try to say it out loud, but his reaction was similar.Watching Verden and his party, whose gazes were captivated by the treasure trove of true knowledge, Shelbron wore a brief smile on one side of his mouth before wiping it away.
“Due to a minor misunderstanding, my formal greeting was unintentionally delayed. Welcome to Arcadium, Guest of Honor───”“So you are the fourth Guest of Honor.”
Tap, tap, tap.
Someone approached from right beside him, leaning on the ground with a cane.Shelbron hurriedly bent over.
“I greet Sir Luzak.”“Humans and small golems. Certainly a very unique combination befitting the guest of honor.”
A humanoid being with a face strikingly similar to a walrus blinked.Luzak.He ignored Shelbron like a mere pebble scattered across the deep sea and stared at Verden and his party, alternating between Verden, Alpha, and Beta.
Verden asked.
“And you?”“Luzak Paltein. I am treated as the sixteenth distinguished guest in Arkadium. Compared to you, that is a meager number and status.”
Luzak placed both hands on his cane and finally looked straight at Verden.
“It is still a little while before the Arcadium opens in earnest… Hmm, judging by the looks of it, it seems you have come to hear an explanation before attending the banquet.”
Shelbron added.
“The host has invited you.”“I heard that the host is currently very busy preparing for a banquet. Of course, he will be arriving soon. However, it seems unlikely that we will be able to meet right now, so would you mind chatting with me while you wait? Since this is your first time here, I think it is a good suggestion.”
As Verden sent a silent glance, Shelbron nodded,unconsciously stroking his neck.
“……The Host is currently outside the Arcadium.”“Is that so?”
Verden continued speaking calmly.
“Then I will do so.”“To have a meal with the guest of honor for the first time. It is an unparalleled honor.”“I will guide you.”
Shelbron took the lead, and Luzak followed behind at a suitable distance.Then, Verden, maintaining a certain distance from Luzak Paltein, walked toward Arcadium with Alpha and Beta.
Anyway, that’s questionable.
Although the Luzak felt very complex to be described as a specific race not transmitted to the continent, that was a secondary issue.
Verden observed the back of Luzak’s head.
‘Is that sixteenth VIP… … really a living being?’
The grayish-white brain is clearly exposed.Motionless, as if dead.
* * *
The interior of the Arcadium did not deviate significantly from the form of a mansion overall. Although there were quite a few unheard-of styles that seemed to combine dozens of different civilizations, I quickly got used to them.
Shelbron stood close to the wall like a decoration, while in the middle of the spacious room, Verden’s party and Luzak sat facing each other.
I would love to treat you to something, but all consumption is prohibited until the banquet begins. The host strictly adheres to that rule. Therefore, I ask for your understanding, Guest of Honor.
Verden asked arrogantly, resting his chin on his hand in a natural manner.
“What is it?”“I see you dislike unnecessary details. Haha. I am glad we get along. For I, too, am an intellectual who deeply loves maximum efficiency.”
Luzak leaned his cane against the side of the chair.
“As you are aware, Arcadium is a banquet hall for sharing knowledge, as well as a mansion for exchanging the knowledge contained within one’s mind.”“…….”“However, a significant number of intellectuals believe that knowledge should not, by its very nature, be provided for free. I am one of them.”
He puffed out his chest.
So, Arcadium usually enjoys playing games.
[game?]
“Indeed. A game. It involves making a bet to grant the winner the right to receive knowledge and the loser the obligation to yield it. This is precisely the essence of the ‘Feast of Knowledge’.”
Luzak gestured.
Shelbron rushed over and took out dozens of pieces and a board. Chess. No, it was something much more complex than chess.
“So, how about we play a game? By doing so, I grant the winner the right to ask a simple question. The rules are not difficult for an intellectual at all, so you should be able to learn them quickly. Ah, of course, since it is your first time, I will concede three moves.”
A bet… … .
It was just as Verden was about to answer Luzak after a moment of contemplation. Alpha tugged at [Einber]’s sleeve with his small hand.
[It’s my turn.]
Alpha, the creation that inherited the intellectual abilities of the first Demon King, wished to participate.
