Episode 922 The Glory of the Dead (9)
[Scan. Scan. Scan. Scan. Scan. Scan.]
Alpha scanned the pitch-dark underground, illuminating the light of magic with one eye.It was difficult to locate the source of the problem due to the tangled waves of magic, but after a while, he was able to gradually pick up speed as he discerned the repetition of the wave patterns.
Kugugugu… … pfft, pfft.
The ground shakes violently.
Dust and stone fragments fell from above, pounding against the frame. Fearing burial, Alpha advanced along the optimal path while calculating how the load in the underground space was supported.
[?]
Blue light seeping out from a small crack.
I looked inside.
The basement, which was practically sealed off by building debris, and an unidentified mechanical device attached to a pillar in the center of the basement caught my eye.
[find.]
Alpha, flapping its small arms and squeezing through the gap with all its might, attempted a scan.
Several huge magical particles existed inside the rectangular metal material. They were gradually getting closer to each other over time.
[Collision in 7 minutes 34 seconds. Danger.]
Earlier, when Verden returned to the Zantra Ruins after missing Grimmel on the Central Continent, he heard the rest of the story about the magical power-using technique Grimmel had mentioned from Gelton, a wizard who was still conscious.
Magical Power Chain Explosion.Magical Power Split.
It was a brief explanation lasting less than a minute, but that alone was enough.For both Verden and Alpha.Destabilizing magical power to cause an explosion was quite a surprising idea, but having grasped the overall principle, it was not difficult to understand it in depth.
[Magic Power Composition. Zantra Collapse. 99.78% Probability of Magic Power Splitter]
If magic particles collide with each other and explode, the Luas religion will suffer a severe blow.
Alpha should have immediately reported the spatial coordinates via the communication device, but instead, he quickly piled up large and small debris to create a platform.
[His Majesty Verden is busy. Certain. Can be resolved at Alpha’s level.]
If Alpha could completely dismantle Grimmel’s device and take it, it would be of help to Eon.Alpha was ready to be praised.
[Magic Splitter Bomb. Deconstruction. Initiation.]
Alpha reached out his hand toward the bomb that would blow up 30% of the Kingdom.
* * *
The bad news of Zantra, a city in the Free State of Formene, was conveyed to the Luas religion through a request for support from Eon, and in the process, it was also passed on to some of the forces participating in the magic festival in Gargant.
The ominous threat revealed at the world conference reared its head.
The Archbishop dispatched to Gargant has lost contact with the Ruas Theocracy, spatial teleportation to the vicinity of the Ruas Theocracy has become impossible… and so on.
The leaders of each faction quickly grasped the anomaly in the Ruas Theocracy, as they knew what the ancient threat was immediately after.
The Akenad Magic Kingdom and the Arnark Empire, which reigned over the Western Continent alongside the Ruas Theocracy, sought various ways to reach the Theocracy’s capital immediately. This was becausethe travel time to get there would be too long without traversing space.
However, before the Imperial Magic Ministry and Vangelis could even attempt various maneuvers, a hole was pierced in the barrier-like structure covering the Theocracy and its surroundings that had been hindering the transfer.A tiny rift had opened up.Regardless of the circumstances, they did not miss this sudden opportunity. After all, it was a situation where they had to accept that level of risk.
Swoosh.
Grand Duke Rivandale gazed at the sky painted crimson.Since the attack on the headquarters of the Ruas Theocracy was not merely a national invasion, even he, the Sword of the Empire, had crossed the border on a special order from the Emperor.
“If there is a landscape of the end of the century in this world, it might be something like this.”
Just being under a sky that seemed to be on the verge of collapse sent shivers down my spine.It was an unfamiliar experience.I had to exert considerable effort to forcibly suppress the instinct whispering that I should get out of the way immediately.
Vangelis also took in the unique magical colors he had recently seen.
“……That’s brutal.”
Judging by the scale of the magic and the intimidating aura that dominates the area, this sky is interpreted as a premonition of the super-level magic designed by Verden.
“The level of the Demonic Path has changed since I last saw you. But it doesn’t feel natural… Could it be that you temporarily surpassed the 7th Rank Limit? As if you were breaking through the hierarchy?”
To think that the Darkmoon Dream could be transformed and used in such a way… As a wizard, I was genuinely astonished, but this was not the time to be in awe.
If you forcibly raise the level itself, you cannot gauge what kind of backlash will follow.
This is especially true because he is a transcendent being.
The barrier separating the 7th and 8th ranks is not low enough to be crossed at will.The higher the wall, the greater the impact when falling.
It must mean that dwarf is a dangerous foe, dangerous enough to warrant such a strain. How strange. A dwarf attached to the Glory of the Dead.
Vangelis gave some insight into Grimmel and gestured lightly.
“Stay far away and surround him widely. He is someone difficult to handle unless one is a transcendent being.”“I shall ensure that no one interferes.”
The elite mages of the Magic Kingdom swiftly retreated and scattered. Soon, the Empire’s elite troops, acting on orders from Grand Duke Rivandale, also left their posts.
Whoosh!
“Verden, it seems the war started long ago, just as we expected. So conserve your strength. If you get exhausted from the start, it will be difficult to make it to the end.”
Vangelis gripped the staff [Lindale] tightly and activated his magic circuit. The magical power of nature, suppressed by
Mado
As the ground split open, the rank of the 8th hierarchy was opened at this spot.
We’ll take care of him.
* * *
A massive lightning formation takes shape centered around [Interis], which is covered in countless shrouds. The magic, half-out of control, shook violently.Even Verden’s hand gripping the staff began to be affected by the destruction.
14 seconds have passed following 2 seconds, and at the point where 7 seconds are flowing.
Vangelis and Rodrik, and on top of that—
There were not two, but three transcendent beings who had just arrived here. Strictly speaking, the other one could not be classified as a transcendent being, but their power was beyond the ordinary.
The full force capable of capturing Grimmel Gromfar has assembled without a single variable. Even if the Followers of Fate intervene, they absolutely cannot stop it.
At this rate, there is no reason to take a gamble.
It is wiser to prevent the resurrection of the old king while preserving our full strength.Above all, the moment the super-level magic is activated, Vangelis, Grand Duke Rivandale, and even the elite mages positioned around them will be swept away.
If you get exhausted from the start, it is hard to make it to the end… That was good advice.
The thunder scattered.The sky slowly returned to its original state.
The
thud.
Having made his decision, Verden descended to the ground, calming the magic. A sense of exhaustion washed over him even though he had only broken through the hierarchy of magic for a mere dozen seconds.Taking a deep breath, he spoke to the two men who had braced themselves.
“You allowed the intrusion into the sanctuary. I’ll take care of it with a pincer attack.”
Vangelis furrowed his brow.
“That sanctuary…… is unexpected.”
Grand Duke Rivandale strengthened his entire body with his ki and drew his beloved sword, [Etes].
I will take the lead.
Grand Duke Rivandale kicked off the air with a single stroke and shot forward.The entire blade, imbued with a distinctive wave, vibrated.
“To try to kill me without even saying hello on our first meeting. You have absolutely no manners!”
Crunch!!
Grimmel smashed the weapon’s entire control system without hesitation. The weapon would explode if it overheated, but this was not the time to worry about such things.
One wrong move and you will die.Just like in the old days.If you die, you will return to that place!
“They probably don’t have resistance to natural magic like Verden…!”
Magical particles ejected from the weapon hung down before Grand Duke Rivandale. Grimmel clutched his machine-covered hand and spread the magical waves.
Magical Power Chain Explosion.
Unstable magical particles explode in a chain reaction when exposed to a specific wavelength. At that, Grand Duke Rivandale unleashed a slash into the air.
The wave was cut off.
The magic particles passed straight through the sky without exploding. Grimmel, with his eyes wide open, pulled a magic blade from his mechanical forearm.
Boom!
Grimmel and the Grand Duke faced each other at close range, their blades locked.
“To think you could cut through the wave itself. Each and every one of the Transcendents possesses a troublesome power…!”“I’m just as surprised.”
The Grand Duke spoke with an expressionless face.
To think a dwarf parried my sword.
Hyunyeon
A fierce wave raged.
Sparks flew as dozens of consecutive strikes were delivered in an instant. Grimmel, having blocked all of them, spun around and stepped back significantly.
Whoosh───CRASH!
The magical power concentrated in the mechanical hand turned into a beam of light and pierced through a straight line. Hot air brushed past the side of the Great Duke’s ear.A small mountain at the end of the beam’s path exploded and vanished without a trace.
“He is using that complex machine to supplement his lacking physical abilities. His main attack is a menacing explosion powered by magic. He is just like a dwarf mage.”
I wonder what kind of metal it was made of; even his wave sword barely scratched the mechanical arm. Where on earth did a dwarf like this come from?
‘……for a moment.’
Listing the characteristics, they seem somewhat familiar.That’s right.Even though I haven’t actually seen one, I have heard about strange dwarves.
The Worst Dwarf?
The worst dwarf on earth.
Now that I look at it, he bears a striking resemblance to a character from the old tale of the Sky Dragon. Still, I thought, “Surely not…” but keeping the possibility in mind, I narrowed the distance.
Just as Grimmel was about to retreat once again, a presence fell to his left and right. Shadows stretched by the moonlight covered Grimmel’s face.
Tsk t
Two staffs and one sword rained down from all directions.
“dastardly……!!!”
Grimmel was unable to respond to all of them and endured the offensive, trusting in the resistance of his weapon. He blocked the blows he could not directly block with a magic barrier.At that moment, Verden and Vangelis simultaneously extended their right hands.
Arcane: Transmigration
Different internal shockwaves pierced the magic barrier, passed through the weapon, and collided inside Grimmel’s body.Gulp. Hisinternal organs ruptured severely.Even Grimmel, born with a unique body, could not withstand it and gaped his mouth wide open.
“Krrrrrr───Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
Grimmel plunged both hands into the ground, letting out a scream-like shout.A blue light emanated from the earth.
Flash.
The surrounding area was blown away by the explosion.
Since there was no magical barrier, Grimmel also had to take damage, but there was no other way. Taking advantage of the chaos, he activated his magical cloaking field and escaped.
“Even I have no answer against a head-on. The beast probably feels the same way. At the very least, I’d need to craft a magic splitting weapon to have a chance… …! I need to prepare, ugh!!!”
My insides were practically reduced to a pulp, so escaping was a struggle. Still, I took every precaution to avoid being discovered, and I was cautious again and again.That is, until a man of massive physique clad in full armor blocked my path.
“I heard that due to the situation that just occurred on the continent, there is a very high possibility that the exploration of the Demon Realm and the conquest will be delayed…”
It was a terrible sound, like being scratched with a knife.
Grimmel looked at the man as if he were a madman and tried to walk around him, but stopped short. It was because he could feel a gaze following him, hidden behind a helmet.
You say I’m visible?
Grimmel hurriedly checked that the magical cloaking field was functioning properly.The ground shook at the heavy footsteps.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The man in armor strode forward and took out the huge spear strapped to his back.
“Are you…… the cause…….”“……?!!”
Grimmel reflexively raised his left arm and unleashed a magical explosion. Although his location would be revealed, he found himself unable to make a rational judgment.
W-that momentum just now is unbelievable.
A violent aura he had encountered just once in his lifetime… Grimmel recalled the being that had accidentally made him feel the fear of creatures.
The supreme being among dragons.The Four Great Ancient Dragons.
‘How can a mere human be reminiscent of those monsters… …!’
Bwaak.
The armored man───Demonic Terror, an Obsidian-grade adventurer, or the Slayer of Calamity, the strongest of the Ark’s captains, stood within striking distance through the smoke.
Boom!
Grimmel was sent flying backward after being struck squarely by the spear. The aftermath of the impact belatedly uprooted or broke the nearby grass and trees.
Does this mean the continent is currently ruled by such transcendent beings?
The worst weapon was severely damaged.
What the hell is this crazy era…!
Grimmel, having plummeted onto the flat ground, bounced and rolled across the floor. Mechanical debris from the weapon was scattered here and there.
“Gelton asked me to. He told me to make sure I avenge him.”
Verden trampled on Grimmel’s arm and created the Spear of Destruction.
“Be, Ruden……!!”“The escape route is closed.”
Crack.
“This bastard, ahhh!”
Grimmel’s wrist was severed.The hand, the dwarf’s most powerful weapon and pride, lay scattered.
* * *
Transcendents possess powerful life force based on homeostasis that restores them to their original state, so they rarely die. Evenif half of their body is blown away, as long as their heart and brain remain intact, they can avoid instant death from any fatal injury as long as their homeostasis is not broken.
Of course, enduring the resulting pain was a matter of individual capability.
A puddle of blood pooled on the floor.
It severed and cast off parts of the flesh where dark red fissures flickered. As soon as they moved away from Draven and were no longer protected by homeostasis, they were erased.
……thud.
Draven roughly tore off the ancient necklace inside the robe.
“I will replace me.”
The artifact was activated on the trigger word.
Draven’s intact body manifested from the broken necklace.Of course, it was an empty shell devoid of soul or instinct.
Slithering… … slither.
Flesh and organs fell off the shell and covered Draven’s wound. It was an exact replacement for the missing part of Draven.
Burned the shell and left the space.
The hallway was quiet.
His Majesty’s body is… … over there.
He can feel where his body parts are even without artifacts or magical items. His ‘body’ guided him in that direction.
I went down into the basement, and into a deeper basement.
Draven, who had infiltrated a secret place of the sanctuary while avoiding the eyes of the priests, stopped. A young man was standing in the center of the only passageway.
“You are… the first servant.”
Leonhardt, the new saint, volunteered to be the gatekeeper, wielding the holy sword [Luens].
