Episode 912 The Glory of the Dead (2)
The air is cool.
The silence hanging in the basement warehouse of an ordinary building weighs heavily on the nerves.
In the corner, a spider wraps its prey caught in the trap in its web. Other than that, not even the sound of a finger twitching can be heard.
The enemy is… impossible.
A heavy presence that transcends human boundaries.
He is a transcendent being.
However, he is of a different gender from Lunesica Anternoa, the second servant of the Glory of the Dead.Although his face is covered, he is undoubtedly a man.There is no reason for him to disguise himself here for no reason, so by the process of elimination, the opponent’s identity is reduced to one.
chin.
Medrant sat down on an empty chair covered in thick dust. A man who seemed completely out of place in the Ruas Theocracy looked at him with interest.
“Are you trying to save face before you die?”“I admit I can’t handle you, First Servant.”
Medrant did not avoid the man’s gaze, as if to show off.
“But can you also kill me with a single blow?”“…….”“If you’re curious, go ahead and test it.”
If Medrant is not dealt with in an instant, he will be discovered by the Ruas Theocracy.Even a Transcendent who has survived for over 800 years, including the Transcendent War, has no way to survive if surrounded by the Headquarters of Light.
Will you die silently?Or will you survive and make your presence known?
Medrant did not doubt his own magic and defensive spells in the slightest. He could withstand anything at least once. His confidence was his certainty.
“Better than the rumors said. Then again, that’s probably why you were able to join the Society rebelling against the Tower as the Tower Master.”
The first servant lifted the robe.
It is Draven LeMarque.
The first servant—’Draven Lemarque’—revealed his real name. This was Medrat’s impression upon seeing his face for the first time.
‘be young.’
Because the features were distinct, he didn’t look young, but he didn’t have a single wrinkle. Outwardly, he appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s.
Jet-black hair.Pale skin.Emerald eyes that looked somewhat weary.
The overall atmosphere felt similar to that of the Darkwarton Tower Master of the time, but Draven’s eyes were not dead at all.A strange passion could be felt.It was impossible to determine whether it was madness… or something else entirely. For one thing, it was self-evident that he was not just a crazy transcendent being.
“You look young for a transcendent being who has lived for over 800 years.”“The shell is just a shell. What matters is always the core. Just as the soul is.”
Draven’s insight gazed at the soul beyond Medrant’s body. A wariness intertwined with calmness was distinctly detected.Yet, not a speck of fear could be found in Medrant’s soul.
Then, Medrant asked.
“The leader of the Iderat Alliance is a pacifist who desires harmony among all races. To think such a figure would side with you. I cannot quite understand it with my mind; how did you deceive Teriwen?”“That is a meaningless question. I told you that the shell does not matter. This is how you are supposed to ask a question.”
Draven lifted the Scripture of Light lying on the floor using
Do you believe in the doctrines of Luasism?
……gospel?
Medrant could not figure out Draven’s intentions, but he decided to engage in conversation. Moving first would be tantamount to offering up his neck.
“There is no way to verify it theoretically, but for now, I believe it. After all, there is a basis called Divine Power.”“Divine Power does exist. But what I am asking about is doctrine. I mean Luas’s ‘truth’ built upon the basis of Divine Power.”
Bang.
The spider that had been sucking the bodily fluids of its prey was dragged over and grasped in Draven’s hand. The fingertips covered in the gauntlet pressed lightly against the spider’s body.
The religion of Luas clearly defines the world and the human soul through life and death. The scriptures state that the world is a place where humans shake off their own filth, and that because each person carries a different burden of defilement, their lives are also distinct.
Luasism believes that life is a process of washing away dirt.
“Humans who fail to wash away their filth at the end fall into depravity and descend into hell, while those who become clean ascend to the side of the Goddess Luas… Is this not a convenient logic? There could be no better means than this to enforce morality. Nor could there be a better religion for humanity. Since Luas’s power exists, there could be no logical argument to properly refute it. However, no matter how much it is packaged, a lie can never become the truth.”
The spider struggles just before being crushed to death.
“Behold. A mere lowly creature, inferior to a human, yearns for life in the face of death. Is this merely the instinct for life residing in the body, or the desperate cry of a soul unwilling to return to death?”“……The view that souls exist outside of humans was once discussed in the magical world of the past. However, since there was no way to prove it, it remained merely an opinion.”“It seems you were interested in the theory of souls. Let me specially reveal the truth of the world to you.”
The spider, having barely escaped Draven’s grasp, fell downwards. Before anyone realized it, it landed on the scripture of the Luas religion, which had been opened wide.Crunch!The pages slammed shut as the spider burst. Draven flicked his fingertips. A ‘white sphere’ rose from within the book, which was stained with the spider’s remains.
“The answer is, yes.”
What appeared to be the soul of a spider was absorbed into Draven’s gauntlet.
“The doctrine of the Luas religion is wrong. It is not just humans; beastmen, elves, and dwarves possess souls. Even insects and beasts do. Of course, human souls are special. In that they can be ‘used’ most efficiently.”“……Use?”“All of this is the result of the Luas religion’s own doing.”
Draven’s eyes blazed.
“If one who has cleansed himself of impurity, as written in the scriptures, had found rest beside the God of Light… I would not have walked this path.”
Whoosh.
The scripture burns in ‘dark purple flames’ that snatch away life itself. Soon, a third-party voice was heard from Draven’s wrist.
I just crossed over to the Western Continent. But it looks like I’ll be about 10 minutes late.
The reason is.
───Hahahahahaha! There was an unexpected accident! But don’t worry. I will create the scenery you want perfectly for you.
Anger can be felt within the laughter.
I, definitely.
Draven is conversing with a stranger using an unknown device. Medrant glanced down at his wrist.
The communication bracelet is sparkling.
A member of Eon made a call. It should connect immediately once the bracelet is activated… … The top priority is to somehow convey this situation to Verden.
It seems Eon has a small means of contacting the outside world privately as well.
Draven advised.
“Do you want to hasten your death?”“I told you.”
Medrant answered firmly.
“If you’re curious, go ahead and test it.”
I have no intention of giving you 10 minutes.
He reached for the bracelet at the same time as activating the magic circuits of his entire body. Even so, he did not take his eyes off Draven.
Tsk.
Draven drew the ‘Demon Sword’ from his waist and closed the distance in an instant.
Mado
A demonic path that literally destroys life itself was unleashed and inhabited the elements. Dark purple flames were imbued in the blade of the demon sword.
Draven Lemarque, Commander of the Imperial Guard of Emperor Xerion. The Xerion Empire’s greatest swordsman and sorcerer.
Mado
Medrant’s unique magical barrier overlapped to protect his entire body. There was no time to properly read and judge the trajectory of the magic sword.
The purpose was clear.
Whoosh!
The magic sword instantly sliced through the line of death, severing even solid protective magic. Blood splattered. The robes of the Lord of the Ostea Magic Tower slowly turned red.
Medrant curled the corners of his mouth.
You couldn’t kill him.
A fatal injury was avoided.
Medrant’s broken shield flickered and emitted a dangerous light.His unique magic was activated.
The Curtain of Reflection
The shockwave contained in the sword strike instead spread in all directions, engulfing the basement.
* * *
The night in the Theocracy of Luas still shines with the magic festival. In a city filled with clergy, people laughed and chatted in a state of safety.That is, until the earth began to shake.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
Something exploded underground.
Medrant, who had soared into the sky, barely managed to fly and slow his descent, but he could not control his magic at all and plummeted to a different location.
Fortunately, there were no casualties from the explosion, including inside the building, as the Archbishop was out in the city center praying with people.
The crowd gathered at the sudden loud noise.
The Seven Archbishops—the Archbishop of Eternal Blossom—approached the site of the explosion.Bewilderment spread across his face.
“What is this…?”
An explosion in the Theocracy of Luas?
It is impossible.
This is not an event that could have occurred by chance. That would imply that someone had orchestrated it, but… that didn’t make sense either.In the history of religion, the Ruas Theocracy had never permitted an external attack!
The building debris shook.
The Mage of Defense. A Tower Lord with a tenacious life.
Draven appeared, holding a cursed sword ablaze with the flames of death. The eyes of the clergy, citizens, and envoys from other nations fixed upon him.
The archbishop of the movie opened his eyes wide.
“How, how could a human possess such a death aura—”“Draven LeMarque.”
Cardinal of Samjeong—Deello of Patience—stepped to the very front.Majesty.A massive ring of light, exceeding that of an Archbishop, formed behind his back. Powerful divine energy gradually purified Draven’s morale.
“To think that a mere first servant of the Glory of the Dead would dare trespass into the sanctuary. There is a limit to arrogance.”“I have no business with a mere Cardinal.”
Draven raised his gaze.
At the highest point in the Ruas Theocracy… …in the sanctuary that could only be entered by climbing countless stairs, there was a being that Draben was watching.
Pope Romanus.
Divine power dispels the darkness. A holy voice was conveyed to Draben.
“So the disaster at Goldhill was for this purpose.”“It would be troublesome if there were a saint as well.”
Even though he was surrounded by light, Draven had no intention of retreating. On the contrary, he was rejoicing, as if the opportunity had finally arrived to unleash the hatred and resentment of the past 800 years.
‘How on earth did you… … to the Holy Kingdom… …’
The Pope feigned composure, but inwardly, he was filled with more than a few doubts. He had conducted thorough security checks. There would be no way for a dark mage of Draven’s caliber to enter, no matter what it took. Forthe aura of death inherent in him was something that could not be hidden, no matter how hard one tried.
Your Holiness.
A high palidin emerged from the sanctuary and reported.
“I cannot get in touch with the Saint.”“……Is that so?”
The Pope cast a distant gaze.
I saw a scene where a hazy curtain, completely invisible to others, enveloped the Holy Kingdom. It felt as if I could hear terrible screams.Just as I saw it, it was a wall made of human souls.
I can’t go out, andI can’t come in.
The Ruas Church… … sanctuary has been closed.
God of Light, Luas!!!!!
The shout let out by Draven echoed through the capital of the Luas Theocracy.The gauntlet connected to the unknown power of Animus—the desire to manipulate souls, one of the six currently forgotten legends—gloved.
“You wretched woman concealed the truth with false doctrines and deceived the world. You claim to be acting for the sake of humanity? Don’t make me laugh!! I will personally smash that false mask……!!”
Draven’s sword tip aimed beyond the Pope at the God of religion itself.
“I shall reclaim Your Majesty’s body.”“I address the believers of Light.”
The majesty embodied by the Pope’s divine power illuminated the entire city,just like the midday sun.
“Execute the blasphemer.”“Into the innocent light.”
Light dwells in the whole body.
The Grace of Glory
Cardinals, Archbishops, Paladins, Clergy… all the believers of Light have elevated the level of their faith by receiving the Pope’s miracle.
Fanatics who cannot even distinguish between truth and falsehood.
As a transcendent being of the dark magic realm, Draven drew out all his power.
“Fine. I’ll kill them all.”
They lured the Saintess out as planned and locked her in the sanctuary to cut off external intervention, but… … .
The situation has taken a slight turn because of Medrant Keden and Grimmel Grompar. I must endure the all-out offensive of the Ruas Principality alone for ten minutes, no, nine minutes.As long as the Pope is supporting me, I need to make sure I get rid of them one by one. I cannot underestimate even the inexperienced saint who is somewhere out there.
We stand our ground.There is no defeat.
Draven LeMarque bet everything on this one move today.
It was then.
Phew!
The blade pierced the cleric’s spine and went through his organs from behind. The cleric let out a faint scream, opened his eyes wide, and turned his head.
“……what.”
Blood is scattering.
“Kyaaaak!”“Aaaah!”
People who appeared ordinary on the outside killed citizens in addition to the clergy.
The envoys were no exception.
Tilen Haugen, the member of the Larian Magic Tower Committee in charge of the Blue color among the five colors, who had barely managed to evade the silent surprise attack, clutched the wound on his neck.
“Everyone, watch out……!”
Indiscriminate murders occurred all around.
The enemy is hiding among the crowd!!
It was not only the Pope who was flustered by the current sudden situation, but Draven as well. However, Draven suspected who the culprit behind this commotion was.
It’s those guys.
* * *
The communication device is dead.
It seemed as though the capital of the Luas religion had temporarily become a prison. Medrant, having drunk Lysandro’s fruit potion, let out a gasp of breath.
The wound is healing, but the process is slow.On top of that, there is extreme pain.
Annoying magician.
If Draven’s magic had reached my heart, I would have died helplessly.Still, considering the circumstances, this was a cheap price to pay.
The Pope will lead the extermination of Draven.
Medrant welcomed the person who came to see him before heading back to the battlefield.
“No matter how I look at it, it’s not a fake.”“…….”“Why did you betray us, Terrywen?”
Teriwen closed his eyes.
“In the coexistence of humans and multiple races… the Luas religion, which holds human supremacy as its central doctrine, stood as an obstacle to my utopia. As long as such extreme beliefs exist, harmony among our race cannot be achieved. Forever. That is why! That is why… I had no choice but to raise the hand of the Glory of the Dead.”“What insane nonsense…”“That is roughly the superficial reason. There is only one basis for our actions. Only one.”
Teriwen opened his eyes and flashed his usual friendly smile.
Everything is for ‘you’.
Medrant narrowed his eyebrows.
“……you?”
