Episode 888 Sixth (1)
A figure clad in distinctive, sharp, and rugged full-body armor strides toward us. As always, a massive spear is draped diagonally across his back. Hislarge physique and stride allowed him to walk at a speed comparable to that of others running.
The vibration gets bigger and bigger.
Isabella instinctively felt her nerves on edge due to the overwhelming sense of intimidation.She recalled the moment when Emperor Zeracl had provoked the Transcendents and stood in opposition to Ignacia at the World Council after his proposed conquest of the Demon Realm was rejected.
The Northern Watcher evaluated him as the strongest captain.
‘……what?’
It was fine during the world conference.
Today, Isabella felt an inexplicable sense of revulsion toward that slayer of calamity. No, it was closer to discomfort than revulsion. Shecertainly wasn’t as severe as Layla, who couldn’t keep her balance due to spatial motion sickness, but she felt like she might feel a bit nauseous if she let her guard down.
thud.
At the Adventurer’s Guild, the Slayer of Calamity, known as the Demonic Terror, stopped.It was within striking distance of Verden if he stretched out his arm.
I greet the slayer of calamity.
Listener paid his respects on behalf of the members of the Ark, including Tayla.
Everyone looked up at the flickering eyes inside the Slayer’s helmet. Even Adrian, the tallest in Eon, narrowed his eyebrows and raised his gaze.
Verden asked.
“Do you have something to say to me?”“……It was excellent…….”
The exterminator patted Verden’s shoulder with a voice that sounded as if his vocal cords had been torn to shreds. The Alpha sitting on the opposite shoulder shook.
“The Demon Realm…… and…… the Demon Sea…… shall…… be…… conquered…… the Red Dragon…… also…….”
The exterminator revealed his emotions for a moment.It was anger and hatred.
“……certainly.”
Thump.
Adrian raised his arm as if to block the exterminator’s hand. He had not intervened out of no ill will, but he had no intention of watching the exterminator continue to lay a hand on his lord.
The exterminator glanced at Adrian for a moment, then withdrew his arm. He then quietly left one more remark toward Verden.
“……Well done…….”
The sound of heavy footsteps faded away.
He did not turn around to see if his purpose was truly just a few words of praise. Darcia waved her hand slightly in that direction.The pressure vanished.Only then did those around him exhale the breath that had been lingering deep in their throats.
[Strange Captain.]
There is some truth to that.
Daricia smiled elegantly.
“It seems he really took a liking to you. This is already the second time he has expressed his intentions directly to you alone, following the last time.”“So he desired the conquest of the Demon Realm that much?”“The Demon Realm—or more precisely, the subjugation of the Red Dragon Sarkandra—is his long-cherished ambition. As a comrade, I cannot explain in detail why. If you are curious, ask him directly. He is not the type to enjoy conversation, but if it is you, he might give you a brief answer.”
She let her arms hang down, clasped her hands together, and asked for the understanding of others.
“With this, the next captain has arrived at the Ark, and all candidates for the coronation have gathered. Before the ceremony, there are a few things we need to discuss closely regarding Verden and the captain. May I do so?”“If My Lord wishes.”
[check.]
[Confirmed.]
Alpha skillfully climbed up and settled over Adrian’s head. Beta, heavier than an average rock even with the frame reduced, sat on Isabella’s shoulder as usual.Without Ki or magic power, relying solely on pure physical strength, she was the strongest in Eon.
“I’ll be back.”“Uh… have a safe trip, Gaju.”
Isabella returned the gaze that had been stolen and belatedly nodded. And so, Verden moved alone to the fortress of Ark, following Daricia and her attendants.
“It has been a long time since I have seen both Captains up close like this. I will go finish wrapping up the preparations for the coronation as well. Tayla, please guide me.”“Understood, Listener.”
[hi.]
The listener also left the seat.
Isabella muttered seriously at the now empty dock.
He was an incredible captain.
Adrian simply kept his mouth shut, knowing the true meaning behind those words. What she was pointing to was not the Slayer of Calamity, but the Watcher of the World.
“That was a truly tremendous presence…….”“Yes, that is Lady Daricia.”
Tayla expressed empathy as a fellow woman.
Layla, who had barely managed to calm her nausea while sitting on a nearby wooden box, tilted her head but did not bother to ask what was wrong.For some reason, she had a strong feeling that knowing would be pointless.
* * *
Several large and small sky islands slowly orbit around the Ark.Among them was an island where Regrit and Verden had fought an exchange battle two years ago, and an island where one of the Ark’s elders resided.
“……It’s strange. The more I look at it, the stranger it gets.”
Clang!
He carelessly tossed the bladeless weapon behind him. The surrounding area was littered with various biological and magical tools.Naturally, none of them were being used for unethical purposes.
The old man said.
“As expected, he is on a completely different level and class compared to Gluttony’s transplanter. Did you say he was a demon? To think a human and a hybrid would combine to become such a new race. It feels like common sense is completely off the mark, huh.”
Legrit yawned deeply.
“Is separation a failure?”“Just because a person loses their limbs, does that mean they cease to be human? It is the same principle. You have already completely transcended being human.”
dump.
The old man sat facing her.
“The physical resistance of your scales is comparable to that of an adult dragon. Your physical abilities have also increased since you became a dragonman. I really wonder how on earth this is biologically possible. Are there any other inconveniences? Aside from what I explained back then.”“No. If there is anything bothersome, it is that it has become more difficult to move as a War Lord.”
She might not have been able to leave the Arnark Empire and come to Ark. After all, since she appeared out of nowhere with dragon horns, the Empire naturally had no choice but to keep her captive.Had it not been for Emperor Zeracl, who was accommodating her, she would have been the only captain unable to attend Verden’s coronation ceremony.
“What about the sexual urges you said were hard to control? Did you react to others as well?”“It is still only with one person.”“In that case, it is clear that as your instincts have strengthened, you have become honest about your attraction to the opposite sex. It is a natural phenomenon, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
The old man stroked the scars covering his skin as if by habit.
“……Anyway. It’s really strange. Even if there are differences in the way the dragon material is combined, your species has changed while the Exterminator hasn’t. What on earth is the reason?”“I’m curious too. Why I feel nauseous whenever I see the Exterminator lately.”
Regritt knows more conceptual clues about the demon race, and she also knows about the sorcerer who became a demon before her, but she did not report that far.
Of course, if the informant had not been affiliated with the Ark, everything would have been revealed long ago, but unfortunately, that person was not just a candidate for the Ark, but none other than the next sixth captain.
Legrit had no intention of speaking unless Verden gave permission.
Swoosh.
Legrit’s eyes tilted.
“Verden has arrived.”“Is it time already?”
The old man moved to the window only after hearing her words. The surreal and dreamlike scenery of the arc greeted him.
“I feel a bit nervous. I wonder how a man who abhors human experimentation will treat me.”“There is no need to worry. It might have been different in the past, but now, no matter what happens, Verden will not try to kill me.”“Death itself is of no concern. I am only afraid that if I die, there will be no one left to heal and care for the Exterminator’s body. But even so, I must face it.”
Erasing distrust in the Ark.
“As a man of the ark.”
That was the duty that Elder Ren Balhag and Elder Sheorn Kernoden, and the old man in the same position as them—the Elder from Gluttony—had to fulfill.
* * *
Ark’s Fortress, Exodium.
The place Daricia guided us to was the top of the Eastern Tower, where the Ark was clearly visible. Having dismissed everyone around, there were only the two of us there.
It’s peaceful, isn’t it?
I looked down at the residential area of the Sky Island. Although the population was small compared to its size, well over a thousand residents were going about their daily lives.The place where they lived was unique, but their lives were no different from others.
“Are they all locally born?”“About 90% are from Ark. They are descendants of humanity who migrated to Ark about 300 years ago. The remaining 10% are people who recently arrived from the continent. Most of them are family members of those affiliated with the Ark.”
They were also the people selected by Daricia as the Watchers of the World.
Still, the criteria were not as strict as when selecting candidates for the Ark.Unlike the members of the Ark who constantly traveled between the world, the residents of the Ark would never, under any circumstances, descend to the continent in their lifetime.Since there was no possibility of information leaking, the standards in that regard were somewhat lax.
“Guess where I’m from?”“You must be from Ark. Judging by how you’re asking.”“That’s right. Look, I was born in that little house over there. My parents still live there. I don’t get to see them often, but I soothe my longing by catching their eye whenever and wherever I am. Ah! Of course, I’m not invading your privacy, so please don’t misunderstand.”“Hmm.”
Verden asked.
“How did you become the captain?”“I was chosen by the previous Watcher. My suitability as a Watcher was very high.”“Suitability?”“Yes, suitability. That is a topic you need to know before you take the captaincy.”
Daricia explained softly.
“At this point, the five captains of the Ark inherit not only their respective spaceships but also unique symbols along with a mission for humanity. You know this well, don’t you? You have actually seen it before.”“You mean the Sword of Eres?”“That is correct.”
The Slayer of Calamity wields the Dagger of Reversal.
The regulator of balance is the quill pen of balance and volume.
The unknown seeker [Torite] classifies and identifies magical energy waves emitted by terrain features.
The northern watcher is eleven, Nivis.
The watcher of the world is the eyes of the world.
“Here, the concept of suitability exists for the Regulator, the Overseer, and the Watcher. Even if one possesses sufficient qualifications for a captain—such as strength or character—if suitability is lacking, one ultimately cannot inherit these three captaincys. That is why predecessors find and train successors in advance before handing over the position. Unlike the Overseer, who is succeeded by bloodline, the Regulator and I fall into this category.”“Is that eye the price for becoming a Watcher?”“That is correct once again.”
Daricia stroked the cloth covering her eyes.
“The Watcher of the World inevitably has to sacrifice their eyesight. Otherwise, they cannot fully control the eyes of the world. Still, since I can see much better than before, I wouldn’t exactly call it a price. In that sense, you and I have something in common.”“In what way?”“In that we use tools made of dragon material?”
Verden opened his eyes slightly.
“A dragon?”“Hehe, you certainly are a wizard. Judging by your reaction to the word ‘dragon.’ Shall I show you?”
Darcia slowly pulled the chain hidden by the collar of her dress.The necklace near her chest was revealed.
“Here—”
widely.
Verden, who had approached in an instant, captured the world’s attention and observed closely.The distinctive sky-blue eyes adorning the center of the necklace. The moment he met that light, Verden instantly recognized the true nature of the necklace.
This is the eye of the sky dragon Aerodon.
