Episode 897 Annular Solar Eclipse (2)
Golden rings hung in the eyes of everyone staring blankly up at the sky.The midday darkness that arrived without warning stirred up a multitude of emotions in the audience, including fear, astonishment, surprise, anticipation, and bewilderment.
A commotion broke out on the airship of the Magic Frequent Regiment.
“An annular solar eclipse today…….”“So the prophecy Lennon Bernard told was true?”“Does something like a prophecy really exist?”
A verse of prophecy, revealed at the World Conference and said to have been left by a prophet named Baaren Moru who lived about four centuries ago, came true.Wizards who did not believe in the prophecy could not hide their bewilderment. In the magical world, there were quite a few who viewed the prophecy as a fabrication.
Not long after, someone muttered.
“This… seems different from a typical annular solar eclipse.”
He was ‘Rontnell,’ who commanded the Hiaremar Expedition of the Magic Autonomous Regiment.He was a direct aide to the Lord of Magic—one of the four deputy directors—and a wind-element mage who had studied astronomy as a minor.
“What do you mean by different?”“Now, take a close look.”
Rontnell pointed at the dark sun with his trembling fingers.
“It’s been quite a while, but Geumhwan’s brother is still the same…?”
The duration of an annular solar eclipse never exceeds a few minutes, no matter how long it is. This is because the golden ring becomes distorted the moment the orbits of the sun and moon shift.That was common knowledge in astronomy, and that was the history of annular solar eclipses.
However, today’s annular solar eclipse shows absolutely no sign of ending. Rontnell felt terror at the strangeness of the natural phenomenon.Just as he was getting goosebumps from the gradually dropping temperature, the seaplane vibrated.
Kugugugugugugugu… … !
The violently turbulent inland sea of Hyaremar.
The waves crash violently.
The trembling of the inland sea was transmitted to the atmosphere as if a massive earthquake had struck. The shock was so great that it felt as though the entire world were shaking.
“W-what kind of strange phenomenon is this!”“A force of this magnitude without any warning……! Raise your altitude! If we’re not careful, we’ll hit the tsunami!”
The wizards looked down at the inland sea in astonishment, while Rontnell, who had belatedly grabbed the railing, still did not take his eyes off the annular eclipse.He remained in his place despite his subordinates telling him that he needed to go inside the ship.
Eventually───
The moon that had been blocking the sun suddenly stepped aside, and sunlight colored the sea. The eyes, which had been filled with annular rings, went blank for a moment.
“Ugh……!”
Rontnell twisted his head sharply, groaned, and opened and closed his eyelids. Not long after, his hazy vision gradually cleared.The wizards of the Magic Frequent Regiment all looked toward the southwest.
Thump, thud.
Cold water droplets touched the skin.
It is raining.
The darkness of the annular eclipse lifted, but the surroundings were bright for only a moment. Before long, layers of gray clouds covered the sky.The stormy sea had become murky, its depth impossible to gauge.
Drenched from head to toe, Rontnell gripped the railing with difficulty and opened his eyes wide. There was something in the sea, where only the horizon had been visible.
An object so massive that its form is visible even from a great distance.
“……island?”
Hiaremar Inland Sea.
A huge island rose in the center.
* * *
Did Verden say that with that in mind? I wonder where he got that information.
Legrit stood on the ship and watched the island rising rapidly from the seabed.The scale of the island was enormous, as if the massive earthquake that had just occurred hadn’t shaken the entire Hiaremar Inland Sea for nothing.
To exaggerate, it is practically comparable to a small country.
Even if all the forces participating in the exploration were to rush in, simply roughly surveying the entire island would consume a considerable amount of time and effort.
Where on earth did that island originate?
Could it have been submerged in the past and then resurfaced due to a strange phenomenon of unknown cause? However, there were no such records for at least several hundred years.
Instinct stirs.
It was an excitement similar to when she met Telor and the clone of the First Demon King in the Silent Desert.A dangerous unknown loomed before her eyes.
Rumble…
Thunder roared from the sky over the inland sea where wind and rain were raging.The robe fluttered in the rough wind.
“They said the location of the Dragon Sword would appear during an annular solar eclipse. I never imagined it would be like this.”
The Empire’s Sword Saint, Privalt, asks.
“What are you going to do, Legrit?”
Prevalt gazed at the island with her, looking slightly nervous.As a disciple of Grand Duke Rivandale who could sense waves, he understood that the magnitude of the earthquake was no ordinary one.
What do you mean, what should I do?
Legrit laughed roughly.
“Melissa, report the current situation to homeland and stand by in the rear with the main fleet. Frivalt and I will scout the island.”
Sorcerer, Melissa Pesfield, blocked the pouring rain with magic.
“Aren’t you in contact with the other expeditions?”“It won’t be too late to do it after we arrive. The other expeditions will eventually head to the island as well. Fortunately, it seems we are the closest.”
Legrit signaled the seaplane to accelerate immediately.
The Empire will be the first to set foot on that island.
Lord of the Grand Ducal House of Rivandale.Lord of the Imperial Magic Castle.War Lord.
Three of the six Lords were assigned to the expedition organized by the Arnark Empire. And the one who received full authority was the War Lord. Even though hewas quite often absent at will and would suddenly return one day wearing dragon horns, Regrit was still Regrit.
Unquestionable loyalty, and strength.
Emperor Geracle sincerely trusted the free-spirited Regrit.The strongest among all the War Lords of all time.
Landing.
The Arnak Empire exploration team led by Yongin headed to an unknown island.
* * *
Whoosh───
As if to prove that it had been submerged at the bottom of the inland sea for a very long time… traces of dried coral and dead shellfish remain here and there on the island.
However, no living creatures were visible at all.
It was only natural that there were no land creatures since we had been underwater all this time, but it was truly strange that not aquatic life was to be seen at all.Normally, there should have been fish and things swept up as the island rose scattered everywhere.
Whoosh.
Eon’s fleet of seaplanes landed sequentially on the outermost edge of the island. Countless waves repeatedly crashed and broke against the nearby cliffs.
As expected, it seems far from pure nature.
Aldanis, standing on the deck, narrowed his eyes.
The outer part of the island is covered in rugged and sharp rocky terrain, but the interior is filled with ‘forests’ and ‘mountains’.It was impossible to tell whether the leaves swaying in the pouring rain were alive or dead.
“It is unbelievable that an island of this size rose above the water, but it is equally absurd that the forest remains intact. The grass and trees should have absorbed the seawater, rotted away, and disappeared long ago. What on earth did that annular eclipse cause to…?”“There are countless things in this world we do not know. This must be just one of them. No need to overthink it.”
Grave spat out the wet tobacco.
“The annular eclipse occurred as scheduled, so the information obtained from the deep sea has been confirmed. Since the island’s total area could not be verified with the naked eye, it appears to be at least the size of five or six decent territories combined. Ha. It’s not like it’s some mysterious nation submerged underwater.”“It does not appear to be directly related to the Xerion Empire, though.”“Well, I suppose that is the origin of the island itself.”
If the island and the ancient king were connected, the Theocracy of Luas would certainly know about it. After all, the inner workings of the War of the Transcendents are preserved intact in records.At the very least, it was certain that this island did not exist eight centuries ago.
thud.
“It’s actually a relief. At least we don’t have to search the entire Hiaremar Inland Sea anymore.”
Adrian came out of the cabin after reporting the exploration status to Eon.
“The Lord has ordered you to cooperate with the aforementioned forces to explore the island. The Adventurer’s Guild is landing over there, so make contact.”“Understood.”“Yes.”
Grave and Aldanis moved swiftly, giving instructions to the wizards of Eon. They prioritized the safety of the airship fleet.This was because a central signal device capable of communicating with the continent was installed there.
“…….”
Adrian, who had sneaked in ignoring the exploration treaty, glared at the island.
I don’t really feel anything.Except for the unsettling feeling of the island shrouded in dark clouds.
Magic Autonomous Alliance.Delharun.Arnach Empire.The Nine Great Magic Towers excluding the Lefragium Tower.Theocracy of Luas.Iderat Confederation.Adventurer’s Guild.Arcenad Magic Kingdom.Highlandia.Great Beastman Tribe.Temple.Gargant.Eon.
Some of the forces participating in the exploration of the Hiaremar Inland Sea brought Transcendents with them.By now, they are likely making decisions on how to proceed while thoroughly concealing their presence, just like Adrian.
We will eventually meet.
If there is a figure hostile to Eon, a massacre could unfold. After all, this is a place where transcendents are officially not allowed.
In other words, even if you kill your opponent, you are not bound by the rules of the transcendent.
Adrian was determined to slaughter every single obstacle.
Of course, the priorities were set.
The important thing is the ancient king’s weapon.
The reason Lennon Bernard revealed the prophecy of the annular eclipse is still unknown, but…if the Five Great Legends, the Dragon Sword Magras that subjugates all things, truly exist on this island, then the glory of the dead must have also reached somewhere here.
The magnificent island will soon become a battlefield.
Secure the Dragon Sword. In the process, kill the Servant of the Glory of the Dead if possible. Prevent the resurrection of the Old King if possible.
Adrian’s task was absolutely clear.
* * *
Meanwhile, the Central Continent.
Last year and the beginning of this year were chaotic, but as the Magic Festival approached for the first time in four years, society gradually began to come alive.Medium-sized cities and larger on the continent were in full swing with preparations for the festival.
As the last Magic Festival was interrupted by tragedy, the magical forces, including the Magic Tower, have made full preparations for this event.
The magical world is a competitive society.
Your own gain becomes the loss of others.
They must recoup all the investment funds they failed to recover four years ago this year. The mid-tier magic towers were grinding their teeth in order to rise in the ranks.
anyway.
Many cities were buzzing with anticipation for the festival.
Ah, this should be enough.
A small but substantial presence suddenly vanished between the buildings.A rookie security guard, patrolling the streets in plain clothes with a sense of duty despite being off duty, witnessed the scene.
He was bulky for a kid… … Ah, surely not a thief?
With the rapid increase in foot traffic, thieves have been running rampant recently. Even if he wasn’t a thief, there was ample reason to stop him.Dragging his old robe on the ground was highly suspicious.
The new guard slipped into the alley, keeping his footsteps quiet. When he went deep inside, he saw the suspicious figure crouching and fiddling with something.
The new guard intervened without hesitation.
“It’s Zantra’s guards! Get down on the ground right now and raise your hands!”“You suddenly chased after me, and you were a guard? It looks like your day off, but you’re working hard. Just wait three seconds. Ugh, I’m almost done.”“What…?”
He was flustered for a moment, then shouted again.
“Get down right now, or I’ll subdue you!”“It’s over.”
The suspicious figure stood up and turned his back.
The new guard opened his eyes wide.
“Dwarf… H-Huh, are you a dwarf?”“Is this your first time seeing a dwarf? How old are you?”
The average lifespan of dwarves is longer than that of humans.
The new guard lowered his guard a little, recalling knowledge he had picked up somewhere long ago. It was difficult to say anything since the old dwarf was acting so friendly.
“I’m 21.”“Oh! That’s great!”
A suspicious figure—a dwarf—reached out his arm toward the new guard. His hand and forearm were covered in a mechanical device emitting a blue glow.
Life is best ended when you’re young.
Plates of magical power formed above the new guard’s head and beneath his feet.
Crunch!
The plates of magical power met. The rookie guard trapped between them could not withstand the vertical pressure at all and was crushed like a meat patty.The corpse and blood were enveloped in the light of magical power and vanished without a trace.
“Ah—this sensation. My invention is the best, after all.”
The alley became quiet.
“I just need to install three more now. I still have time, so I’ll take my time. I want to visit a cafe too, you know, hahahaha!”
The dwarf who had killed the human laughed heartily and confidently walked out of the alley.
The worst dwarf on Earth infiltrates the city of Zantra.
* * *
“There are quite a few of them. Is it because the Luas Cult is hosting that magic festival? It wouldn’t be a bad start for a massacre.”
High in the sky.
The flapping-winged beastman licked his lips while gazing at the city in the distance. He must endure. Because the target had not arrived yet.
“I wonder what it feels like to tear the archbishop of the world’s religions to pieces.”
It must be a delicacy.
Prisoner of the Massacre, waiting near the city of Goldhill.
* * *
A carriage flying the flag of a nation in the Central Continent speeds across the Western Continent. The procession was quite long due to the heavy load, but it did not seem particularly suspicious. This was becausethe flag was so well-known, and the person riding in the carriage was famous.
And… …a transcendent being was riding right in the middle of that carriage. So naturally that he wouldn’t raise any suspicion even if someone were to check him.
Thanks to that unknown force, we have fully equipped ourselves with power and plans.
I was very bothered by their intentions, but I tried hard to ignore them.I focused on my objective.
You only get one chance.
The first servant of the glory of the corpse, to the Kingdom of Luas.
