Episode 896 Annular Solar Eclipse (1)
The ark does not move.
If they had intended to thoroughly protect humanity from all dangers, they would not have operated in secret; instead, they would have chosen to rule the continent.As Verden also swore, the Ark is a leader, not a protector, of humanity.
“However, since four of these captains belong to the continental forces, it does not matter if they act according to the goals of their respective factions. That is, without the assistance of the Ark.”“If the situation becomes serious enough for the Ark to intervene as well.”“The timing will be decided by the Higher One.”
The forces excluding Daricia, who is fulfilling her duties in the Ark, and Acetro, who has no power base.
Slayer of Calamity.Seeker of the Unknown.Watcher of the North.Breaker of Wonders.
Considering that Eres is the King of Prohas and cannot venture far from the northernmost part of the continent, three captains can handle the situation.
“Dappaja, I understand your concerns. It is an absolute rule at the One Captains’ Council not to discuss any interests of the continent, unless the topic is directly related to the Ark candidates or the survival of humanity.”
The history of the Ark is incredibly long.
The time when humanity was treated as the weak by all other races is a very distant past.Nevertheless, the reason it was able to grow in strength rather than disintegrate or collapse was the existence of strict rules and duties.
“It would be nice if I could do everything for everyone, but reality is undeniably reality. Clearly distinguishing between humanity and humans—that is the very secret to how the Ark has been able to survive until now.”“Yes, because if you try to embrace too much, you are bound to lose everything.”
Eres nodded.
Verden caught the unknown document that Acetro had tossed.He could feel magic inside it.
“If you use that on Arsis, you will be able to freely enter and exit the Ark’s docks.”“I see, that is Captain’s authority.”“You can utilize the Ark’s intelligence capabilities without directly affecting the continent, and you can also browse through every book in the library.”“In return, you must attend the Captains’ Meeting every year to share the status of duties and observe the candidates’ exchange battles. There are also times when you have to deliberate on the rewards for the candidates overcoming trials. There is more to do than you might think. Well, this senior captain will explain it to you gradually, so don’t worry, hahahaha.”
Legrit laughed heartily with his hands clasped behind his head.
The atmosphere was quite boisterous.
The addition of a sixth captain—that is, a new comrade—was good news for the captains as well. It meant they had gained one more person they could trust and rely on.
“I intend to conclude the meeting here. Do you have anything else to say?”“How do we utilize the Ark’s intelligence capabilities?”“A unit directly under the Wonders’ Breakers will be organized later. Through them, you will be connected to the intelligence network. If you have any urgent information, let me know. I will get it for you until your unit is activated.”“I want to find one person.”“A person?”
Five eyes fixed on Verden. To think that he was a figure the Divine Being was searching for, even going so far as to use the power of the Ark. It was impossible not to be interested.
“What’s your name?”“Xenia.”
Verden spoke in a low voice.
Xenia Deiros.
* * *
After finishing the captains’ meeting, they went outside the Exodium’s chairman’s quarters. The Fear of the Demon left first, followed by Darcia and Eres.
I told you, short meetings are better.
Legrit stretched out fully and spun around toward Verden.
“Just to give you a heads-up, I have decided to lead the Hyaremar expedition. Aren’t you excited to see what unknowns lie ahead?”“Things won’t go smoothly.”“When was it ever easy? Whatever happens, we just have to overcome it. Just like in the Desert of Silence, and just like your captain’s name is The Breaker, just as we have always done.”
She crossed her arms.
“It was already agreed that Transcendents would not be included in the Hiaremar expedition, but given the nature of the matter, that clause is likely meaningless in practice. It feels like it was just yesterday that we killed High Priest Tuhar, yet we have been given another opportunity to face a Transcendent.”“Are you physically okay?”“It is in a natural state, as if I have been this way since birth.”
The dragon’s characteristic vertical pupils split further into her golden eyes. She lifted her collar slightly to reveal her copper-colored nape, where some scales had grown.
“Shall I show you more?”“I refuse.”“Hahaha, don’t be shy. Next time, I’ll get Isabella’s permission. I have to hurry back to the Empire this time, so let’s meet on the continent.”“Legrit.”“Yes?”
Verden offered a piece of advice.
“Bring as many seaplanes as possible. And take on those who can be used as full power.”“……There must be something.”
Legritte raised the corners of his mouth sharply.
I’ll take the advice gratefully.
The presence of Yongin fades away.
Anyway, looking at Legrit’s physique, there is no way the Empire would simply let him go. Emperor Zeracl was also a man with quite an extraordinary way of thinking.
Acetro approached.
“Are you returning now?”“I should.”
I wanted to meet with the Gluttony Elder or leisurely look around the library, but there were only four days left until the annular eclipse.I had to be fully prepared.The time to deploy Eon into a real battle where anything could happen was right around the corner.
“In that case, I’ll tell you on the way. Do you remember what I said last time? That the Ark candidate, Layla, has a somewhat strange background.”“I remember. You said you couldn’t confirm it yet, and that because the matter was serious, you were investigating it independently without telling any other captains. I was actually planning to ask you if I got the chance.”“It was suspicion back then, but now it is certain. It’s not just strange. There is definitely something odd about Layla’s past.”
The two transcendent beings slowly take steps.
Acetro handed over a document containing Layla’s personal information from his pocket.Her past was recorded in detail.
‘Hesnier,’ located in the northwest of the Federation of Ternetia. Leila’s hometown is a remote mountain village with a population of fewer than 70.
Parents and younger brother.
Layla’s family consisted of a total of four people.
“One day, Layla’s family was brutally murdered by a demon that appeared suddenly. The curse remained deeply etched on the face of the sole survivor. That is the past Layla revealed herself, and which the Ark had previously confirmed.”“…….”“In this record that appears to be a perfect and ordinary tragedy, the reason I began to harbor suspicion was precisely Layla’s biological tissue.”
In order to determine the devil’s curse, various materials were indispensable, and with her consent, hair, fingernails, and a few drops of blood were collected and studied.
Of course, there was nothing strange about it.
In every respect, it was a human thing, bearing no trace of a demon.Since Layla joined the Ark, she attempted to observe it periodically, but, quite naturally, found nothing.
As Daricia observed, Leira was undeniably a pure human.Qualified to enter the Ark.
“However, several years ago, a sudden change occurred in Layla’s blood.”“A change in biological tissue that had long since separated from the body?”“It was only for a fleeting moment, but I belatedly captured with magic the instant it turned black and then returned to its original red. It would have been better if I could have observed it in real time. At the time, I didn’t have time to pay attention to my surroundings, so my reaction was delayed.”
Verden paused for a moment as he scanned through Layla’s materials.
“Exactly how many years ago was that?” “It’s been nearly four years. That was when the power source ran wild at the Bohemirn Magic Tower in the middle of the Magic Festival.”
… … !
The day the Wheel of Fortune was destroyed.The day Layla’s biological tissue showed a strange reaction.
In Verden’s opinion, the overlap of the two periods was by no means a coincidence.
“After that, I decided it would be best to investigate Layla again from the beginning. I personally and meticulously retraced Layla’s history, which had been verified on the Ark. It was here that I identified a subtle rift.”
Acetro lowered his voice.
“We cannot confirm what Layla did before she joined the Adventurer’s Guild.”“Does that mean there is a gap in the records?”“Layla realized her talent for martial arts and trained her sword and body on her own. Although she wandered from place to place wearing a crude mask to avoid the gaze of others as much as possible, she had no choice but to live amidst society to obtain weapons and food. Naturally, there are bound to be eyewitness accounts of her. In fact, this was personally verified on the Ark several years ago.”
however.
“I looked into it the other day, and no one had seen Layla. Not a single person. Even though she wears a mask and has an unforgettable impression.”“And?”“The decisive factor was Layla’s hometown.”
Acetro narrowed his eyebrows.
“There is no village named Hesnier in the Tertenia Federation. To be precise, there was.”“……!”“About six centuries ago.”
The village of Hesnier was a village that had perished so long ago that its history is hard to find. It was during the First Great Crusade, when the Luas religion clashed with the Great Demon.
Then what is Layla?Then what on earth is the village of Hesnier that the Watcher of the World observed?Then what on earth were the people who claimed to have seen Layla…
“The Watcher of the World is watching, but that isn’t enough. We need someone to observe Layla from closer up. You must be the right person for the job.”
Acetro adjusted his monocle.
“This, too, might be a ‘wonder’.”
Uncover and define the wonders of the world.The enemy of humanity.
Acetro Oldin was wary of the demon in Leila’s background. The Breaker of Wonders. A duty arose for Verden to fulfill.
* * *
The Great Battlefield of Black Hour.
Eon’s fleet of seaplanes was waiting to depart from that dock. About two days had passed since Verden and his party returned from the Sky Island.
Although the meeting held in the Iderat Confederation ended just yesterday, it had been several days since the consultation on the exploration of Hiaremar, the first topic of the meeting, was concluded.As soon as the exploration discussion ended, the coordinated exploration schedule and treaty were delivered to each faction, so there were no difficulties in getting ready.
“Report every three hours after entering the Hiaremar Inland Sea, and contact us immediately if an emergency arises. If communication devices are unavailable, ensure your safety until you rejoin our forces. Overexerting yourself could actually ruin the operation.” “Yes, Your Majesty.”“Leave it to me.”
Seventh Phase, Grave Ludworth.Eighth Phase, Aldanis.
In the past, high-ranking officials of Black Hour took command of the exploration.On the surface.
Verden turned his head.
The treaty is a facade. Act assuming combat with a hostile Transcendent. If the aforementioned situation seems likely to occur, immediately determine the territory using ‘that bracelet’.
Adrian held up a silver bracelet studded with several small metal eyes. He pulled a dark navy robe down low over his face.
“I entrust the Dragon Sword Magras to you. Whether it be the Glory of the Dead or the Transcendents in Delharun, cut down everyone who stands in your way.”
There is no need to control the force.
Adrian showed a determined attitude.
I will keep this in mind, my lord.
Verden nodded and gestured toward the airship.
Adrian gave orders to the entire fleet.
“Set sail.”“Set sail!!!”
A fleet of seaplanes rose above the dock with a furious roar. It was clearly an overload of force to be said to be for exploring the Hiaremar Inland Sea.And only to be expected.After all, fierce combat had been anticipated from the start.
Alpha, Beta, and Isabella waved their hands vigorously from the rear.
Verden asked.
“Alpha, Beta. Did you check what’s inside that relic?”
Verden’s Relic.
It was up to the brother to examine what Gamma had left behind. Alpha held the cube above his head with both arms.
[Confirmed. Technical blueprint.]
[We have confirmed new Golem technology. It is clearly superior to what we possess.]
New Golem Technology… … .
I don’t know why Gamma tried to convey such a thing. I also can’t imagine what kind of arrangement is hidden behind it yet.
That doesn’t mean I intend not to use it, though.
Verden sought to strengthen Eon’s military power by every means possible, as if to fill the gap of time far removed from the glory of the dead.
like that.
The Mado Festival is approaching.
* * *
There were only a few days left until the Mado Festival.
Two days had passed since each faction focused on exploring the vast inland sea of Hiaremar. There was still no news regarding the whereabouts of the Dragon Sword.
It was then.
“……uh?”
The sky gradually grew dark.
As I lift my head, the moon, which had appeared out of nowhere, is swallowing the sun.
The sunlight disappeared.
Normally, there should have been a time difference due to varying observation angles across continents, but this bizarre phenomenon occurred simultaneously and identically across the entire world.
Eventually, the moon covered the sun.
The shape of the sun that the moon could not obscure appeared as a white band.Just like a gold ring.
A wizard opened his eyes wide.
“That, an annular solar eclipse…?”
A pitch-black coffin hanging in the west.In Mother’s cold yet warm embrace.In that pool.The entire body of a blood-soaked dragon will rise.
The annular solar eclipse written in Baaren Moru’s Book of Prophecy has now occurred.
Kugugugugu… … .
The sea───
The inland sea of Hiaremar began to shake.
