Episode 953 The Rift of the World – 1
“Adrian?”
Isabella checked the communication device.The connection was already lost.She tried to contact it again, but no signal reached her, perhaps because the spatial teleportation circle had disappeared.
Between Nuhara, the capital of Tuhar, and the continent lies a vast Desert of Silence.Since it is not yet possible to install a central signaling device to relay magical power in this desert, communication devices cannot be used unless the space is connected.
“He said he was going to find the Golden Path with the Golden Sinner, but what is he doing right now? He wouldn’t have contacted me just wondering if the Head of the House had really woken up.”
Isabella tilted her head and decided to ignore it for now.She would find out when she returned anyway.
“It doesn’t seem like a major matter.”“Yes, judging by the voice, it doesn’t seem to be an emergency. They haven’t said anything, so I’ll have to go over to find out what’s going on, though.”
Isabella stood beside the administrator maintaining the Source of Magic. She gazed endlessly at Verden’s face, who was still asleep.
The manager said.
A change just occurred within Verden.
Isabella leaned her face closer in surprise.
“What kind of change is it?!”“It stirred for a moment, then quickly fell silent. Silent, like a forest where not a single breeze blows. It seems to have finally fallen into a deep sleep, as if it were dreaming.“A dream… …”“It doesn’t look like there is anything else to discover even if we examine it further.”
Even the administrator had limited information available from the outside, but that alone gave Isabella a sense of relief.Not knowing how to rest even while unconscious—that was very much like Verden.
“……It’s not right for me to stay by your side like this, is it?”“You already know that.”
The manager assured him.
We will keep an eye on Verden. You, do what you have to do.
Whether it is a deity or whatever… there is nothing she can do for Verden right now. The Administrator is in the same predicament, as are Omega and the Great Tree of Life.
I have to wait.As always.
Verden is at least a step ahead of others as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Always. Isabella, Adrian, Alpha, and Beta all end up unable to walk alongside Verden and merely follow behind him.
She was afraid that they might drift too far apart to reach. But above all, Isabella was most worried that Verden might be lonely.
The current international situation is in the height of chaos. Now that I have confirmed that Verden is fine, I must return as soon as possible and stand guard alongside Adrian. That is the only way to help Verden.
Isabella nodded and carefully placed her hand on Verden’s forehead. Hishot body heat heated his skin.
“Manager, what kind of dream do you think Verden is having right now?”“Dreams often reflect a continuous psychological state.”
The administrator slowly withdrew the magic.
“Even in dreams, he is likely moving forward just as he is in reality. After all, he is a transcendent being pursuing ideals.”
* * *
We were born unwillingly by fate.We rebelled.Defined as evil by an unwanted Creator, we instinctively… … and inevitably resisted, and resisted again.
Did you say that faith is belief?Did you say that faith is complementary?
We, too, know how to believe.We, too, yearn for our 부족한 hearts to be supplemented.We, too, know how to give faith.
But why do we have nowhere to turn?But why do we still have nowhere to go?But why must we live in hiding for the rest of our lives?
‘You’ hate us, andthe resistor does not stand for us.
Is being born like this a sin?
Even if we have the power to choose, the option we truly desire is nowhere to be seen. This is because the world has defined our very existence as a sin.
But I can’t give up.
Because I have poor children by my side. So I will build a shelter and wait endlessly for that time to come.
The moment fate crumbles.
Eventually, the moment our god is born.
The moment our souls are finally saved.
The moment when we can finally shed tears.
───Noxias, the Archdemon of Darkness, creating Rivereas, the Archdemon’s Refuge───
* * *
A tranquil world.
I go up against the turbid current of time.
“…….”
Verden quietly lifted his eyelids. He saw the forest pouring down bright sunlight. He raised his upper body, which had been weighed down by the grass.
The first thing that came to mind was the moment I assimilated into the giant tree of my inner world with Hiante and Alpha before me—in order to realize my inherent divine power and to perceive everything connected to my existence.
This isn’t the inner world.
He clenched and unclenched his fist.At the same time, he examined his body.
But it is not the reality I live in either.
Infinite magical power resides in the heart, but no magical circuits can be felt. They have vanished. At this rate, there will be difficulties in opening the path of infinity and destruction.
Verden was not wearing [Einber], but rather shabby brown clothes. It was modest attire suitable for a young man living on the outskirts.
What is this place?Assessing the situation is the priority.
Verden walked among the trees, breathing in the fresh scent of grass. The chirping of birds and the chirping of insects could be heard from time to time.
Before long, I left the forest.
Far away, beneath a gentle hill, an unfamiliar metropolis came into view. However, the form of the city walls was far removed from the modern era of magic.
‘… … Signs of many.’
It is not just the city.
Ordinary people are strolling along the road leading to the big city. Drumming, rumbling. Those in carriages have also traveled the same path.As you can see, they look perfectly fine on the outside.Even with keen insight, nothing felt particularly strange. There were still far too few clues to make a judgment.
Snap, snap.
Verden, who had been gazing at the scenery, soon crossed the hill to approach the big city. He lay prone to avoid being seen. With hishands on the ground, he cautiously peeked his head out, and the open castle gate came into clear view.
It is quite strict.
Guards armed with armor and spears strictly controlled entry and exit.Everyone attempting to enter the big city showed their wrists, and each time, the guard nodded to permit passage.
They don’t even check the supplies loaded in the wagon. That’s an unusual inspection. It seems the markings etched on the body function as some kind of permit.
Verden lifted his worn sleeve high. Naturally, there was no mark. However, just as in reality, the magic circle of the Reverse Heaven remained intact.Even his ash hair and blue eyes.There were several parts that remained unchanged even after his magic circuits were gone.
Well, anyway.
As long as people exist, does that mean a way to obtain information about this world is open? Though there may be differences from humanity in reality.
Entering a big city.
Having decided on his first destination, Verden pondered how to enter the city.
Whether physical,or some available magic.
While it is possible to climb over the city walls, one could be discovered if one is not careful, as the surveillance system of a large city is unknown.For this reason, it might be advantageous in many ways to attack the front, which is clear yet extremely vulnerable.
“hmm.”
Lying on the hill, Verden gazed at the blue sky in deep thought. As he stared at the shape of the sun obscured by clouds, the sound of horses’ hooves brushed past his ears from behind. Notonly that, but the heavy rumble of rolling wheels as well.
Verden moved immediately.
The blades of grass rustled slightly as his new form swiftly cut across the forest. Verden did not mind much for the moment that he lacked a magic circuit. Thiswas because, unlike in his inner world, his physical abilities had not weakened.
Whoosh.
I arrived at the road in the forest. I could see the backs of three wagons heavily loaded with supplies.
Two people wearing expensive clothes.Eleven armed guards.
Merchant procession.
With superhuman agility, Verden kicked off the tree in an instant and climbed it. Stepping on the branches one by one, he broke through the guards—whose only weaknesses were visible—and slipped into the middle carriage.
“Yawn…….”“Ah…… I’m so tired I could die.”
A long yawn stretches out from beyond the wall.
No matter how I look at it, he is undeniably human. Except for the fact that his voice conveys his intentions directly to my heart.
They seemed to be having a perfectly normal conversation among themselves, but to Verden’s ears, the language was so blurry that he could not distinguish exactly what it was.
Having encountered various types of aliens up until now, I remained vigilant and did not let my guard down.While eavesdropping on the routine conversations of the guards and merchants, I arrived in a major city.
The security guard spoke coldly.
“Token.”“Here it is…….”
The guard relaxed his expression only after thirteen people showed their wrists in unison.
“You must have had a tough time getting here. Given that you just arrived, it looks like you drove straight here without even camping. You look tired, but it’s amiracle you’re still in good shape.” “Oh my, don’t even get me started. There are just so many ‘demons’ these days. It’s a good thing I’m lucky; from now on, I plan to only move around on nights when it doesn’t get dark.”
devil?
“Won’t that mean you’ll have to close down your business?”“Haha, life comes before money, you see. At least there are hardly any demons near here in ‘Rendivar,’ so I’m relieved. It truly lives up to its reputation as the world’s largest city.”“The nobles recently conducted a large-scale extermination of demons, so it is clean now. All of this is thanks to the grace of His Majesty. Furthermore, I hear he has brought a spectacular sight this time. I heard that an execution ceremony will be held today for the first time in a while.”
The merchant’s eyes gleamed.
“An execution? You caught a talking demon?”“It was locked inside a cage, squealing and wailing; it was absolutely spine-chilling. It’s hard to believe such a monster is in the city right now. Didn’t they say that long ago, demons resembling us used to sneak into the city? I heard even the markings didn’t work on them. Just imagining it is terrifying.”
The guard sighed and stepped back.
“Anyway, they say the execution is happening in the square later, so come if you want to watch. I plan to go as soon as I get off work.”“I certainly can’t miss the execution. Then I’ll see you in the square.”“There are so many people that I’m not sure if we’ll even run into each other, but oh well, I understand.”
The guard let the merchant party into the city without checking the interior of the carriage. Verden, who had been keeping his presence hidden, crossed his arms.
It’s full of unfamiliar information.
Demon.Talking Demon.Rendivar.Your Majesty.Function of the Mark.
To summarize───
The large city that Verden infiltrated is known to the public as Rendibar, and is considered the largest city in this mysterious world that is not reality.There are monsters called demons.There is a ruling class called His Majesty.Demons can be distinguished by a mark.The demons they mentioned in terror are executed in the square of Rendibar.
‘… … Even looking at the people here, I don’t get any particular feeling.’
I observed the street where people were coming and going through the gap in the carriage. It seemed to be a city of only humans, without any beastmen, dwarves, or elves.
Then, is the evil spirit the answer?
There must be a reason why Verden drifted into this place. We must find out. If there is even the slightest suspicion, it would be right to verify it.
Swoosh.
Verden, wearing the robe stored in the carriage, naturally stepped out onto the street. He pulled his hood down to hide his striking hair and eyes.
Where should I start asking around?
Since there seemed to be no random checking of marks on the street, Verden now appeared to be a citizen of Rendivar.Memories of working as a mercenary for Pale in the Gray of the Principality of Liviant came flooding back.
This is truly the fruit of experience.
Verden has already finished adapting to the unfamiliar world and environment.
Anyway…
Verden looked around the city again.
I don’t know when the setting is, but it seems to be from the distant past.
The architectural styles and the attire of the citizens.The scenery of the city.Not to mention the magical aspects, it was difficult to find anything that could properly be called technology. It was shockingly crude and poor.
* * *
After a brief inquiry, I obtained information that a talking demon was in Rendibhar’s special prison.Since it had been transported openly out of the street, there was nothing to call a secret.
It is troublesome if there are many people.Therefore, there is no reason to wait for the execution ceremony.
“flaw……?!”
The knight, whose carotid artery was compressed by Verden, lost consciousness in an instant. He was unable to even resist. Even though numerous knights and soldiers were blocking the path, Verden was subdued before they could even catch a glimpse of him.
At best, he isn’t even at the level of a city’s knight commander.
Although their forces were not exactly weak for managing a special prison, they could not dare to stop the infiltration of Verden, who did not use magic, with this level.
Clank, screeching.
I opened the prison entrance with the bundle of keys I found at the knight’s waist. Perhaps because it was a special prison, there were no prisoners, and it was extremely dark.The air was parched. The smell of old blood wafted from everywhere.
However, there was a fresh scent of blood mixed in it.
It’s over there.
I roughly located the talking demon and took long strides. The faint groans were growing louder,along with a contrasting humming.
I turned the corner at the end of the street.At the far end of the alley, a separate space separated by iron bars was provided.
Two people inside the bars.
“I have to prepare for the execution~~ hmm~~ hehehe~~!”
A massive, obese man is sharpening a knife while dancing. His face is covered by an iron mask, and he is wearing only pants and an apron over his bare body.Despite being human, he evoked a sense of revulsion even greater than that of the grotesque monster.
and.
“Sobbing…… sobbing…….”
Another person was weeping, their limbs bound to a cross. Skin had been peeled off in places with a knife, revealing their pink flesh underneath.Their eyelids had also been roughly severed.Whenever their dry eyes twitched, tears of blood trickled out. They had no fingers, no toes, and one leg was missing. It was a scene of torture that had crossed the line.
He was in a state where it wouldn’t have been surprising at all if he had died instantly, but he was clearly alive. Even though he was much smaller than an adult, like a child…What shocked Verden the most was his appearance.
Four eyes.Pitch-black skin.Wings nearly 70% severed.Half human.
“……devil?”
I came looking for a talking demon, only to find none other than a devil right before my eyes. Although its form differed from the devils I had seen so far, it was undeniably a devil.Within the vast framework of the devil race, countless individuals exist.
“yes?”
Upon hearing Verden’s question, the fat torturer snapped his head.
Who are you?
