Episode 930 The Glory of the Dead (17)
Crackle───!Crackle───!Crash crash crash crash───!
The Interis Great Area and the Keraus Great Area unleashed ceaseless thunder, tearing the atmosphere of the underground cavity to shreds.Wherever the storms met, reactions far exceeding light and heat erupted violently.
I have never encountered such magical power.
Indren felt as if his magical circuits were rippling from the intimidating pressure of indirect magic. It was a feeling akin to falling into the deep sea and being crushed by the water pressure.
“It would be flawless even if called super-tier magic… To manifest such massive magic with only a brief premonition. The price must be high since the preparation process was short, but the level Verden has built up so far is far more magnificent than I ever imagined…!”
The storm, which at first glance seemed like destruction, generated lightning strikes just like the blue lightning storm created by Draven.As the lightning strikes generated from each other’s storms collided, they did not immediately reach Vendie and Indren, but they had a strong intuition that it was dangerous.
Dark red lightning storm.
Judging by his magical experience, it seemed that he defined all beings except Verden as enemies and intended to destroy them.
‘furthermore.’
Indren gulped and instantly displayed insight.From the body of Verden, who had just leaped through space and pushed Draven away single-handedly, not only dark red lightning but also pitch-black flames were burning.
“It is just as the first servant said. That black flame must surely be the magic of the Blight pioneered by Darkmoon Dahit Wesroel, so how can Verden use it? To completely imitate another’s magic? Is that truly possible? Is it even plausible?”
Although Draven seemed to be borrowing the magic of others, it was ultimately a power from the outside… On the other hand, Verden seemed natural, as if it were his own unique magic. Heappeared to feel no burden whatsoever in manifesting the Flame of Annihilation.
Indren’s thoughts stir, discovering unimaginable possibilities.
Dahit Wesroel, who killed the all-powerful Balok Besias, the master of the Bohemirn Magic Tower; Verden, who killed the wounded Dahit Wesroel.
The serial killing of transcendents was a fact revealed by Verden.
There was no particular room for contradiction.
Dahit himself appeared on the front lines of the Magic Tower Alliance, and because of a trap hidden by Balok using his disciple Robelin as bait, Dahit was teleported into space and disappeared right there.
After that, the Eternal Cliffs, which had disappeared from the map due to the first battle between the Bohemian Magic Tower and the Black Hour War, had even the entire surrounding area of the cliffs completely erased by the second battle, which turned out to be the last.
Other forces, as well as the Artisan Magic Tower, had long since confirmed the traces.With this evidence and Verden’s testimony coming together, the War of the Transcendents in the Magic World was brought to a historical conclusion at the General Assembly of the Magic World.
But what if it wasn’t that?
What if Verden killed Dahit in the past, and avoided the Transcendents’ Discipline sanctions by using the Flame of Destruction to pretend to be Dahit and execute Balok?
The problem was that there was also no room for contradiction in this.
Thump.
‘Verden, you are indeed an extremely dangerous transcendent being.’
The very existence of Indren Piercia Reit, and the ideals he pursues, negate Verden.His fundamental aversion was by no means inferior to that directed toward Draven. If Verden is left alone, the world will be engulfed in cruel chaos.
I had been watching from the sidelines until now, but I have finally reached a conviction I can no longer ignore. I must kill him. By any means necessary.Ideally, dealing with him together with Draven would be the simplest method. Now is the perfect time, as Verden’s attention is focused on Draven.
It was just when Indren’s magic was about to target two people instead of one.
“And, did you say sacrifice earlier?”
Verden blocked the old king’s arm, displaying intense determination and loathing.
Sacrifice is something you volunteer for and bear alone.
… … !
“I’m not killing just anyone while boasting about how noble I am, like you bastards.”
Those words pierced Indren’s mind.
Draven answered, but it didn’t register. The fundamental ideology Verden had revealed, even if only partially, was far more important.
To be honest, it was shocking.
Most of those who have achieved or seek radical change are self-centered.They blindly pursue only transformation, regardless of the consequences for their surroundings and others, thereby uncontrollably distorting the world.
Society is a living organism.
If the environment changes in an instant without preparation, one cannot adapt. For example, the Magic Tower could not digest the immense power known as its power source and rotted away from the inside over decades.Indren, who spent his childhood amidst factional struggles over power, dedicated many years to rectifying the ills of the Artisan Magic Tower and accommodating stable changes.
Change and… … sacrifice.
That’s right.
Indren also made a sacrifice for the sake of the Artisan Magic Tower and its members. He performed surgery on the organization itself to solidify the foundation of the current Artisan Magic Tower.In doing so, he established a balance closer to the ideal than before, but from the perspective of the Artisan Magic Tower, it was a cataclysmic change that exposed even its very foundations.
Adaptation and development through gradual change.Resistance and improvement that cuts out the part rotted away by rapid change to allow clean new tissue to grow.
Indren pursued the former, but did the latter for the sake of the former. It is not a simple change, but a revolution and a reform.
‘If the changes Verden brings about do not merely cause terrible chaos… …but aim for some kind of revolution in a direction similar to my past self, and if that revolution does not deviate significantly from my standards.’
One family leads to another.
Indren’s mind repeatedly pondered, dividing the seconds into dozens again. Meanwhile, the situation unfolded urgently.
Kwa-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-gak!
Adrian’s lightsaber precisely sliced through the point of contact between the storms. This was possible because the massive waves collided, canceling out their respective sealing functions.The electric shock conducted through the blade penetrated his muscles and bones, but trusting in his own resistance, he pressed the sword down all the way.
A purple sword energy created a gap.
Mauler stomped on the ground with all his might while thrusting one shoulder forward. A heavy impact was applied to the point where the large zones collided.
An earthquake occurred with a loud roar.
Mauler , having broken through the seal of the Great Realm, disappeared outside—that is, beyond the passage leading to the end of the labyrinth where the Glory of the Dead was preparing for the resurrection of the Old King.Adrian stood in front of the passage for just a moment, sharing thoughts with Verden.
You must kill the second servant.
I will take responsibility and execute him, my lord.
Adrian, suppressing the urge to kill Draven, disappeared following Mauler. As always, his liege’s command came first.
“How dare you……!!”
Draven switched the old king’s arm to wield the demon sword [Morbein]. Verden retreated to the rear, crouching low to dodge the sword strike.At the same time, Holy Spirit magic forged from the demon eye targeted Draven.
Locked Star, Regnarum.
The gray constellation representing the fourth star formed a circle and sealed Draven’s movements. A battle of magic ensued between Verden and Draven.
We cannot get out unless we do so now, while the large-area attacks are canceling each other out. Hurry up and get out before the path closes. It is difficult to hold onto Draven for long.
Ultimately,
If the power cancellation breaks, the storm will quickly regain its original form, so allies except Verden need to evacuate urgently.The influence of the massive area-of-effect attack will affect everyone except Verden.
───It certainly looks difficult for us to stay safe if we get trapped here. In that case, let’s find an opportunity to eliminate Draven before then.
Bendy did not leave and found another weapon in the artifact’s armory. Her armory is not much different from a subspace.
Because that is the more reasonable option.
───I agree with her opinion. I cannot let you take such a great risk alone. I will take care to avoid being swept away by the dark red storm. Also, while you were on the front line, I succeeded in detecting the connection point of the external power that Draven borrowed.
A very slow-moving cane.
I will prepare a super spell. You two, buy us a little more time.
Indren was determined to seal Draven’s power completely with all his might. Even if he could not imprison it all, it would have a fatal effect on Draven.
What does Verden truly intend to transform?
Indren decided to reserve judgment on Verden until he found that out. His fundamental aversion had long since vanished.
No matter what you dare to plot, nothing changes.
Draven’s intention intervened.
I could not hear what Verden, Indren, and Bendie were saying to each other, but I could sense the fact that they were exchanging thoughts.
Crunch, roar!
Draben swung his left arm wide and shattered Regnarum’s seal. Thump. The cycle of his soul seizures was gradually speeding up, but that actually became a source of strength.
The ideal that gets closer as one dies.
As a transcendent being, how could I not be happy?
With three out of five Transcendents, and one preparing some kind of magic in the rear, there are only two Transcendents left to face me.
With a face darkened by death, Draben unleashed an even more ferocious aura, like the fleeting flash of light just before the sun sets.
“I will kill you one by one.”“I heard that the fragmented body of the former king could never be mutilated. However, after dealing with you for a while, it seems a little different from the rumors.”
Satellite, Theav.
The fifth star, an eight-attribute satellite that adds additional elemental damage to magic, orbited around the center of Verden.
“I think it can be destroyed.”“Nonsense…”“Do you really think so?”
Draven could not answer immediately and was momentarily speechless. The dark red magic was fundamentally different from the sorcery he had seen for hundreds of years. Itwas so alien. So alienthat even if those words were merely meant to shake his resolve, he could not ignore them.
“……The whims of the heavens are unpredictable.”
Draven displayed the same rage as when the old king’s body was shattered.
“Why on earth did I bring you into existence in this era, when His Majesty’s resurrection is taking place?”“Don’t be mistaken.”
Verden’s magical power spread.
“I am the one who chooses. Not the heavens.”
At that moment, the
The only gap disappeared in an instant.
Now, no matter what kind of slaughter breaks out inside, no one can leave unless Verden dies or Verden reclaims the territory.
Will the resurrection ritual of the ancient king happen sooner?Will the transcendents of the continent die sooner? Orwill the servants be executed sooner?
Time.
That was the key to the war.
* * *
Legritt stopped somewhere in the island’s underground labyrinth and looked around. It was quiet. The mummies that had been swarming just a short while ago were nowhere to be seen.
“……I missed it.”
The unofficial transcendent being wielding a dagger thoroughly used mummies to conceal their body and launch surprise attacks, eventually concealing their presence completely.Even when trying to track the unpleasant energy, it was difficult to pursue, perhaps because they had moved too far away.
“I failed to properly assess their capabilities. They were particularly adept at concealment. It seems they have already fully adapted to Transcendence, so I wonder which faction sent them.”
No matter how much I thought about it, no notable group came to mind.
A transcendent being directly connected to the underground ruins of an unknown island?Given that the island itself had risen from the bottom of the Hiaremar Inland Sea just a few days ago, there were no clues to be found in this information.
Anyway, since they used mummies to sabotage things, they could be seen as helpers of the Glory of the Dead, but… the fact that there was a separate, unidentified force helping the Glory of the Dead was quite concerning.
“Thinking over this won’t yield any results. Should I join up with Freebalt for now?”
Concealing the characteristics of a dragon,it manipulated golden armor to cover its entire body.
It was in this way that Legrit was searching for a way to return to the Empire’s exploration team. He sensed a presence within the limited range of his sensory abilities.As he headed in that direction immediately, two familiar figures caught Legrit’s eye.
“The Adventurer’s Guild and the Luas Church?”“Ah, the Empire’s…!”“War Lord of the Empire! Why are you here alone?”
They were the Perfect Adventurer commanding the Adventurer’s Guild expedition and Cardinal Gregorban leading the expedition of the Ruas Theocracy.
“There was a reason for it. And what about you?”“I was separated by myself because the Mummy Knights suddenly swarmed in. The adventurers should be waiting on the ground by now.”“It’s the same for both of us. It was an unavoidable situation due to the sheer number of them. The massive Mummy Knights were enemies too difficult for the clergy to handle.”“That was a challenge. But what are you doing here instead of moving?”
Gregorban nodded slightly.
The perfect adventurer answered.
“I am seeking the glory of the corpse. I sensed that energy not far from here, so I was in the middle of finding the way.”“Energy…? I don’t really feel anything.”“They say you possess that kind of artifact.”
Regrit readily accepted it. There are many extraordinary items among the artifacts.
“So, did you find the way?”“Not yet. I’ve only figured out the direction. If I take the time, I should be able to find the way.”
Since the exact structure of the labyrinth was unknown, it was impossible to know how long it would take. However, that did not mean they could simply back down.
Gregorban was a cardinal of the Ruas religion, andthe perfect adventurer had the sinner’s mission to prevent the resurrection of the old king.
Legritt asked.
“Is the direction north?”“It is northwest.”
Where the perfect adventurer pointed, there was a thick wall of the labyrinth. Regrit approached and struck it hard with his gauntlet.
It’s thick. And solid.
She grinned.
“But that doesn’t mean it can’t be destroyed.”“Huh?”“Both of you, help me.”
Beneath the golden helmet, the dragon’s eyes flickered.
I will find a shortcut.
