Episode 946 Options (4)
Adrian fell silent, having nothing to say in response to Beta’s merciless criticism.She was right.Adrian’s personality was completely unsuited for soothing or coaxing on the edge of others with peculiar eloquence.
It would have been easier if I could have persuaded them with a sword.
Smoothly resolving conflicts between others is troublesome in many ways.I do not have the confidence to step onto a stage like a world conference and lead the incredibly complex international community by utilizing information and my presence like a liege.
I felt much more at ease when I risked my life fighting against clear enemies like Jinyeon and Sandir Faen, even while acknowledging the disadvantage in skill level.
Adrian rested the back of his neck on the sofa and quietly stared at the ceiling. Thinking he might be discouraged by the extremely rational analysis, Beta spoke.
[His Majesty Verden has always said that abilities must be evaluated objectively. However, out of consideration for Adrian’s feelings, I may soften the level of the evaluation.]
Like Alpha, Beta had long since understood the concept of social tact. Of course, Adrian didn’t care how he delivered a sharp rebuke.Beta was one of the few people who could speak frankly to him.
“Hmm? Why soften it? I’ll ask you to stay as you are now. It’s easier to understand if you’re direct.”
[Understood. As Adrian requested, I will maintain the current level of composure. Adrian’s ability to unite will absolutely not be able to prevent international division.]
“I understand that. I don’t need to say it three times.”
Adrian straightened his head.
But even so, isn’t this a situation where we can’t just sit idly by?
[That is correct. If we lose the initiative due to His Majesty Verden’s absence, it is highly likely that things will go exactly as the opponent wants. Being a bystander is the worst.]
My Lord sought to unite the world’s power holders through interconnectedness by sharing a portion of the secrets of destiny at the World Conference.In doing so, he desired the formation of a third force unconstrained by either ‘your’ forces or the forces of the unwilling resistors.
However, ‘your’ forces are intentionally attempting to sever the integration by ordering betrayal against world power figures such as the leader of the Iderat Alliance.They have directly challenged the plan personally conceived by the Lord.
[Lederat Alliance Leader and Lennon Bernard are likely not the only ones receiving instructions from fate in the shadows.]
There are more than a few traitors.
[It is no different from having foreign matter stuck in the links of integration.]
“How to remove it?”
[Both Leader Iderat and Lennon Bernard were within the category of humans. Unlike Gluttony’s transplanters, their characteristics cannot be identified through scanning. For the time being, there is absolutely no way to identify ‘your’ forces.]
To use an analogy, it was like a fuse connected to a giant oil drum that had caught fire, but it was impossible to tell when it might explode.The only certainty was that unless they were completely eliminated, they would inevitably explode in the future.
Adrian untied his hands.
“……Then I guess I can just cut the wick before it burns out completely.”
[Does this mean that since Adrian’s charisma is insufficient to control the current situation, he intends to step in and put an end to the conflict early?]
Since the best option isn’t available, I have no choice but to choose the second-best.
Even if the wick is cut, the cause remains and the fire will flare up again, but it would buy time compared to just watching.Taking the place of the Lord and preparing for his return—this was the role of Adrian, Eon’s second-in-command.
“However, before that, the priority would be to gather information about the Old King from the Lefragium Magic Tower. If I draw my sword to quell the conflict as quickly as possible and the Old King reappears, I will truly face the worst-case scenario.”
Having seen the ancient king in person, I could understand the fragments of power inherent in him. Even in peak condition, one or two transcendents cannot handle him.In the midst of this, if we are defeated one by one without forming an alliance, the damage will spiral out of control.
As Adrian gained a rational insight, Beta’s single eye gleamed,as if surprised.
[Adrian’s intelligence has increased.]
“Intelligence?”
Adrian frowned.
“I have learned a great deal from being by my Lord’s side, too. Surely you wouldn’t be unable to think of something like this? Beta, what do you take me for?”
[He is a scoundrel. Adrian’s childhood friend, Keirel, did.]
“What did Kairel say?”
[He said, “It seems his personality has improved quite a bit since he started following Lord Verden and becoming a transcendent being, but that scoundrel Adrian is the type of guy whose fists fly before his thoughts, so you’d better not let your guard down.”]
“…….”
Adrian cleared his throat, licked his lips, and scratched his eyelids. Kairel knew everything he had done as a child, so there was nothing to refute.
“Anyway. We can’t keep hanging on to when the Lefragium Magic Tower will finally release the information. Has there been any contact from the Black Sea yet?”
[It was announced 3 hours, 12 minutes, and 34 seconds ago that the exploration of the Hiaremar Inland Sea would begin. It is predicted that results will emerge in some form or another soon. However, for Adrian’s plan to conclude successfully, the ending is more important than anything else.]
Beta said firmly.
[You must win the battle against Mauler.]
Would I have said that without even having the confidence to do so?
[I believe in Adrian. However, Adrian’s body has not fully recovered yet. The same goes for Mauler, but there are more variables when injured.]
The wounds sustained during the Transcendence period have healed only on the surface; the internal injuries remain. Furthermore, the aftermath of the Super-Level magic has caused the magical power of destruction to seep deep into the body.
“If I hadn’t sparred with my lord often and become somewhat accustomed to destruction, or if it weren’t for Lysandro’s fruit potion, I wouldn’t have been able to move like this.”
Adrian pressed firmly on the sword mark near his chest, hidden by his clothes and bandages. The pain, however, awakened his sharp mind.
While My Lord subdued numerous transcendent beings, I captured only one. Even then, I barely managed to do so with the assistance of others. Since awakening as a transcendent being, I have merely swung my sword; ultimately, I have failed to determine victory or defeat in duels against opponents of my own caliber. Given this, do I dare to stand by my Lord’s side as His sword?
[No one thinks so.]
I cannot admit it.
I engaged in two brief skirmishes with Mauler, and somehow ended up temporarily forming an alliance against the Transcendents of the Glory of the Dead.I also witnessed their transcendent abilities.I have gained enough experience to know exactly where his level stands.
There are several options to choose from here.
“Don’t worry. I’ll win.”
Adrian made a choice.
Naturally, Mauler had accumulated combat experience as well, but even taking that into account, Adrian was certain of victory without a shred of doubt.Beta saw Verden in Adrian.
“Of course, just as you advised, I shouldn’t be too early, and naturally, I shouldn’t be too late either.”
[Don’t worry.]
Beta affirmed his choice.
[I will set the stage so that Adrian and Mauler can face off one-on-one without any interference at the appropriate time. I need time to formulate a plan with Eon’s strategists, including utilizing the forces of the Magic Tower, so I will instruct Master Zentir of the Magic Tower to stay here in the Great Hall for only a few days.]
Adrian nodded.
Beta continued speaking.
[Here is the next item on the schedule. It is said that the Golden Sinner has recovered all of his past memories.]
With the resurrection of the ancient king in mind and in preparation for a great war to come, the first Necromancer and three sinners have spent about 800 years preparing ‘something.’Finally, an ancient golden key to unlock that secret has been prepared.
* * *
Shooooooook.
The Black Sea Tearel, a transcendent of the Adventurer’s Guild, explored the dark and cold region by manipulating the currents deep underwater.
This is the Hiaremar Inland Sea.
The coordinates are definitely around here.
Dark red destruction… …that is, she dived alone to search for traces of the unknown island known to have vanished without a trace by Verden.
I am not doing this because someone asked me to.I was just curious.
I am granting Eon’s request to check on the situation at the scene, killing two birds with one stone. After all, I am indebted to him regarding the Arcadium matter.
Judging by the presence of activity detected here and there on the surface, it appears that other forces have also cautiously set out to investigate. However, across the entire continent, no one can match Thearel when it comes to closely examining the sea.
It was not long after Tearel, who was thoroughly searching the bottom of the Hiaremar Inland Sea, discovered a strange object.
‘… … ?’
Tearel slowly stroked the surface of the deep sea, which was completely different from the rocks.
Tree roots?
Huge tree roots of tremendous thickness covered the bottom of the inland sea. It turned out to be exactly the coordinates where the unknown island had been.Tearel, who had been tilting his head underwater, stepped back and instantly created a wedge of water current, shooting it lightly.
Boom───bubbling.
There was not a single scratch on the tree root. At the same time, its absurd hardness and strength were transmitted to her through the flow.
Super-level magic… … No, still, destruction is impossible. It looks like there is an empty space beneath the roots, but what is down there?
Tearel observed the tree roots that looked as if they were in the form of a ‘seal’. A sense of emptiness washed over him from beneath the unidentified roots, which were intertwined so densely that no gaps could be found.
and.
Even a strange, faint, ominous presence.
Is the ancient king down here by any chance?
* * *
Painful groans echoed continuously from an underground cave somewhere in Delharun. It sounded like a wounded monster gritting its fangs and howling.
Bang!
Mauler, Gareth Cyrilliard slammed his fist against an innocent cave wall. Debris fell from the ceiling. His sweat-stained body was twitching.
“Is it…… over now……!”
[There is still some left.]
Crackle.
“Crrrrr……!!!”
[It is now finished.]
Gareth supported his battered body by gripping his thighs and the wall. The pain was excruciating, enough to cause him to lose consciousness and then wake up again.
[I tore off your skin, muscles, and nerves while you were still alive, and scraped out your bones to separate the destructive magic that had seeped into your body. I wish to take you as you are for research, but… … .]
Crackle!
The moment the dark green tentacle touched the dark red glow, its tip perished. It cannot be controlled at will. It cannot be stored in a special container that holds magical power.
[It’s impossible.]
As the tentacles retreated as if regretting it, the magical power extracted from Gareth vanished without a trace.
[With this, the force eroding homeostasis has been eliminated. However, even with that resilience, it is difficult to achieve full readiness right now. Bear this in mind.]
“Verden, you damn bastard…….”
Pfft.
Gareth spat out saliva that was no different from blood and gasped for breath repeatedly. Even with his homeostasis and alien regenerative abilities, the wound was not healing quickly.Just as the guy said, it seemed he needed some time to recover his original strength.
The tentacle spoke.
[A concept of a truly different dimension. A destructive energy never before seen, even in the Battle of Destiny. It is truly regrettable that I have only now realized its true value.]
“So what? Are you saying you want to parasitize Eon?”
Gareth scoffed.
“I think Verden would have a seizure immediately if a sly bastard like you approached him.”
That is not my job. It is your job.
“What nonsense…….”
Bang!
The tentacles instantly multiplied and tightly constricted Gareth’s neck and wrists. Significant pressure constricted his blood flow and breath.
[I ordered you to bring the Dragon Sword Magras from the island, but you failed. For whatever reason, failure is failure. The contract could not be fulfilled.]
The tentacles dug into the wound.
Gareth grabbed the tentacle with his grip without even screaming.His eyes, full of defiance, glared at the tentacle.
[Follow my instructions to enjoy freedom]
“…….”
[The abyss into which you fell after being defeated by the Beast King Antias. My generosity in saving you as you lay dying there, and my power to complement your strength. Remember the covenant.]
An unpleasant whisper burrowed into my eardrums.
[I am needed for your ideal.]
The tentacles retreat.
[Strive for recovery.]
The bizarre presence disappeared.
And so, Gareth was left all alone in the cave filled with the scent of blood. Gareth ran his hand through his disheveled hair as he looked at the black blood smeared all over his body.
“You fucking great devil bastard.”
* * *
Just as the continent was bustling with activity, the situations in Verden and Alpha were also moving at a rapid pace. Although the flow of time they perceived might have differed, their own time had passed in the same way.
“……A new god?”
Verden was trying to recognize his own divinity, which he had never known before.
