Episode 959 Cumulonimbus (4)
Endless Negation, a special entity that emerged from the central continent, crossed the sea, and invaded the western continent, possessed abilities related to the soul… … According to the records of Isabella’s ancestors, this was revealed.
This was true.
Isabella, who possessed the [Replicating Eye], [Multiplying Nucleus], and [Reviving Blood]—the ancient heirlooms of the Deiros family and byproducts of endless corruption—perceived souls through the Circle of Reversal and the Vision.The countless human forms existing beyond the pure white boundary—her eyes would sometimes burst the moment she encountered a certain taboo concerning souls.
Swoosh.
Isabella, who stopped halfway down the stairs while descending from Eon’s airship, very carefully stroked her soft eyelids.
“… … I feel nothing. I don’t feel at all like I crossed the boundary of a taboo, unlike last time. Could it be that perceiving a soul in such detail isn’t actually connected to a taboo?”
She placed one hand on the railing and shifted her gaze.
There were two types of souls immediately visible.
Eighty percent seems free, but the remaining twenty percent is draped in opaque chains that appear fragmented like crushed glass. What is the difference?
Why did such a change occur so suddenly?It must surely be the influence of the Head of the House.The Head of the House, who has attained divinity; I cannot think of any other cause.
So Isabella pulled out the information the head of the household had shared from her mind and tried to connect it to this phenomenon in some way.
“Anyway… I have a strange feeling.”
For some reason, I had a feeling that I had experienced a situation similar to this one once before. Hmm, it probably wasn’t very recently.Probably last year—
‘ah.’
Isabella inwardly opened her eyes wide.
Gluttony!
Memories from before I realized the revenge I had longed for flashed before my eyes.
That’s right.
In order to track down Gluttony’s fangs who had joined forces with the Bohemian Magic Tower… …When I entered Daunt, a city in the territory of the Arnark Empire, I once found a Gluttony transplanter disguised as a human among the crowd.
Even a transplantee who appeared so outwardly natural that he would find the Ark bothersome could not deceive her eyes, which pierced through to the essence. ForIsabella, possessing the Vivid Eye, was the natural enemy of the Hidden Ones.
Based on my experience so far, I applied the case of the transplanter who had hidden in the forest of people exactly to the dock of the Iderat Federation leader here.
A soul clad in chains, if that is an enemy… … .
A potential danger that is impossible to distinguish from the transplant recipient by appearance alone.Such guys appeared a while ago.
“Don’t tell me the Followers of Fate? Are they in league with the Iderat Alliance Leader and Lennon Bernard?”
The possibility is high.Quite.Intuitively, her shoulders trembled slightly.
When the first servant raided the Holy Kingdom, a tragedy occurred in which the former king’s body was taken away due to the rampage of traitors, including the leader of the Iderat Alliance.
Even if the Holy Nation had let its guard down, the very fact that it had wreaked such a havoc on the heart of the world’s religion meant that it possessed power that no ordinary force would even dare to challenge.
Because a follower of fate can be interpreted as a follower of ‘you’.
Still, this is too much.
The souls bound in chains encompassed not only humans but also prisoners. They were found in high-ranking officials as well as among the laborers loading cargo on ships.It seemed as though they were everywhere.If they were to suddenly turn violent and run wild indiscriminately, at least thousands would die. The chaos that would ensue is unimaginable.
Of course, the assumption that all of them are enemies is nothing more than a worst-case scenario. Only some of them might be followers of fate.
Whatever it may be, the reality is that there is a lack of clues to clearly classify its identity.
First, calm down.
Isabella quickly withdrew her keen eyes, showing as little emotion as possible. She can identify her enemy, while the enemy is unaware of this fact.
It amounts to gaining an information advantage.
Under these circumstances, if she rashly gave her face away and was discovered, she would not only be throwing away a strategic advantage with her own hands but would also provoke them.Isabella was not reckless enough to willingly endure that hostility in the absence of the head of the household.
Now that things have come to this, let’s not rush into things and take our time examining the situation. The Head of the House would have done the same.
Whose soul is entangled in chains.Who are the potential enemies.Are there such beings within Eon as well?
Perhaps this could be an opportunity to catch the follower of fate off guard. Thinking this, Isabella naturally continued down the stairs.
A person dressed as a high-ranking diplomat from the alliance bowed deeply.
“I am Raselt Barha, the Multi-racial Deputy Chief Diplomat of the Iderat Confederacy. It is an honor to meet you in person, Lady Isabella.”“It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Barha.”
Even while responding to the other person’s politeness, Isabella did not forget to smile.She gently tightened the corners of her mouth.
I did not identify everyone at the seaplane dock with my own eyes, but I perceived the forms of the souls of those around me as if glancing at them.
Fortunately, all of Eon’s members, including Melad and Hares, possessed free spirits. Most of the people from the Allied nations who came to welcome Eon were the same.
Except for Raselt Barha.
Control your expression, control your expression.
There is the case of the leader of the Iderat Alliance. Thinking that someone who might be an enemy following fate was standing before him, it was not easy to hide his emotions.Nevertheless, perhaps because the act worked, Raselt showed no particular suspicion.
“When is the Cardinal of the Holy Kingdom expected to arrive?”“We are trying to contact him, but there has been no reply… Judging by his travel route, I estimate he will arrive within four days, but I cannot say for certain.”
Raselt wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
“The Alliance is doing its utmost to prove its innocence regarding the raid on the sanctuary. However, as you know, the Theocracy’s anger is so great that it is doubtful they will listen to us properly.”“Eon does not wish for the conflict between the Ruas Theocracy and the Iderat Alliance. We will also prioritize calming the situation.”“Ah…! Thank you very much.”“By the way, I heard that the Great Beastmen Tribe sent an envoy. Is everything alright?”
As the Iderat Confederation is a nation composed of various human species, it naturally maintains close ties with beastmen. Thiswas at odds with the Luas Theocracy, which valued only humans.
Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t have mattered as they tended to respect each other’s cultures to some extent, but it was somewhat doubtful whether the current Holy Nation, which seemed to have lost its mind, would actually avoid conflict with the Suin.
“The Great Beast Tribe sent envoys merely to assess the situation of their friendly allied nations, so they will not actually encounter the Kingdom of the Holy Ones. If everything goes according to plan, they should arrive at noon tomorrow…… .”
Raselt suddenly paused as he turned his gaze toward the back of Isabella. Isabella tilted her head slightly and then turned around.
Whoooosh!
A seaplane flying the flag of a coalition nation descended at high speed and attempted to land. People nearby were startled and stepped back outside.
“Why is the airship that went to greet the envoy already…? Wait, excuse me for a moment.”
Raselt excused himself and hurriedly ran toward the seaplane. Pushing his way through the crowd with the help of his escort, he arrived in front of the ship that had just docked.
Boom.
A massive shadow fell over the League Leader’s landing area with a roar. Its distinctive tail struck the ground with a thud. An ominous vibration spread in all directions.
Melard opened his eyes wide upon witnessing the figure who had jumped out of the airship.
“I, I can’t believe it.”
Isabella also could not hide her bewilderment.
“Why is King Su here…!”“The fields are noisy, but my land is quiet; I came here because I felt lonely.”
A ferocious glint flickered in his eyes. Those who had come face-to-face with the purest predator either lost consciousness or slumped to the ground.Raselt, too, looked up at him, unable to find the words to say.
As expected, it is full of interesting smells.
As an envoy of the Great Beast Tribe—Beast King Antias himself traveled.
* * *
21st step.
* * *
As ancient beings were revived on the continent, ominous clouds of war hung over the place, and the atmosphere gradually grew tense.
However, it had not yet sank in for ordinary people. For them, the daily difficulties facing them were the greatest danger.
“Run……!! Run!!”“Gasp! Gasp! Gasp!”“Mom……!”
Silver-ranked adventurers fled with all their might, abandoning the subjugation quest. It was a simple mission to deal with an orc leading a horde of goblins, but their will to fight crumbled in the face of an unexpected and unforeseen variable.
[Guuuuuuuuuuuu!]
The Triple-Headed Ogre swung the iron club he had taken from an adventurer he had killed long ago. The tree was crushed to the point of almost exploding under the sheer strength of this creature, which was neither just an Ogre nor a Twin-Headed one.
The risk level is at least Mithril grade.
If a mere Silver-ranked adventurer dared to challenge it, they would be dead from a mere graze.They even threw away their weapons and focused solely on running, but it was no match for the Triple Head Ogre’s stride.
“No matter how unlucky we are… …! Are we going to die like this? Just because we ran into an ogre in the forest? That’s impossible, that’s impossible… …!!”
The sound of vibration gradually grows louder.Shadows are cast.
I, I don’t want to die!
The poor adventurers screamed inwardly, parched with thirst.An adventurer fell. As he hurriedly crawled on the ground, the sight of an ogre raising an iron club flashed before his eyes.
“Hiiik!”
It was then.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
The Triple Head Ogre, having been run over by the demonic terror heading toward the Iderat Confederation day and night, was shattered into pieces.Torn skin, crushed bone fragments, and mushy organs were scattered along with the blood.
“……??”
The adventurer wore a dazed expression as he saw the ogre reduced to rubble in the blink of an eye. Regardless, the demonic terror did not stop.Soon, shaking the earth, it did not bypass the city but went so far as to leap over it.
He rushed across the border without any intention of concealing his identity or taking a rest, so it was impossible for the allied nations not to notice.
Power gathers in the Iderat Confederation.In a sense different from the World Conference.
* * *
Dark Warton Magic Tower.
The first necromancer—Andes Necrail—entered the magic tower he had personally built for the first time in a long while and set foot in its depths.
Dense porcelain filling all sides.
A powerful negative magic surged, strong enough to make his undead body feel light. At the center of the depths stood a necromancer of the era.
Reindel Nexreon said.
“It is still unfinished, but what do you think? Compared to that of the ancient king.”
[The remains of the ancient dragon resurrected as an undead by Archand were truly monstrous. Compared to that, it lacks in size and power, but… … .]
Andes twitched his jawbone.
[It’s by no means far behind.]
While a magic festival was being held outside and the incident on the unknown island was unfolding, Reindel constructed a new Bone Dragon with the assistance of his only disciple, Haldirn, and the elders of the Dark Warton Magic Tower.It was a masterpiece into which 70% of the dragon materials the Magic Tower had preserved over the centuries were poured.
“Is it not inferior? If most of the remaining keel is used, a matchup should be possible to some extent.”
With eyes imbued with the concept of death, Reindel calculated how to modify the design of the Bone Dragon. He was filled with the thought of facing the Old King’s full power.
I have a question.
“…….”
[I understand your intention to craft the Bone Dragon to prepare for a full-scale war, but why didn’t you step forward even after realizing the gravity of the situation? Had you joined the battle, you could have easily turned the tide.]
Because I am undead, and because I was a transcendent being in life, I can assert this with certainty. Among all the dark mages I have seen so far, there is no one superior to Reindel.This includes Andes himself, the founder of the Magic Tower and the one hailed as the Black Sage.
[Innocent victims might not have been created.]
“Death is by nature indiscriminate.”
Reindel was just indifferent.
“I have been waiting for a change that would overturn my world as it has been until now. This era. I have no intention of getting in the way, nor do I intend to forcibly intervene to stop it. Nevertheless, I provided the information Verden wanted. Do not shift the blame for the situation onto me.”
I am simply curious about the ideals you pursue. The dream of your own that you seek to realize, when you would not even glance at the deaths of all mankind.
The Transcendent is a staunch idealist. Reindel, too, acts solely for the sake of ideals. He did not actually care in the slightest how many people died in the Holy Kingdom.
My ideals aren’t that great.
Reindel spoke freely about the dream he had.Upon hearing that sentence, Andes was left speechless.
To think that is just an ideal.
It was utterly ordinary, but precisely because of that, it was something Reindel could never achieve. In pursuing such an ideal, he was clearly insane.
Don’t go tell anyone.
[Don’t worry. I haven’t fallen so low as to chatter away at another’s ideals. I sincerely thank you for telling me about your ideals.]
If you are grateful, I will accept this as my return gift.
Reindel gestured with his chin toward the massive, unawakened Bone Dragon. To save time, an intellectual with overwhelming knowledge of the undead was needed.
[So that is why you willingly let me into the Magic Tower. Fine. What level of perfection do you expect?]
“Perfect.”
Reindel gave a faint smile.
“It is a gift for Verden. It has no meaning if it is not perfect.”
* * *
17 steps.
* * *
The subtle aroma of homemade tea lingers.
“I…….”“Please sit down.”
Bentier, having declined Enette’s offer, brewed tea himself for the guests. He placed steaming teacups in front of each of them.Of course, he did not forget some snacks.
Bendie took his seat opposite Adrian. Between the Heavenly Sword and the Master, the fierce dragon Enette was awkwardly squeezed in.
“Tell me.”
Bendie slowly stirred the tea.
“What exactly is that Continental Union?”
