Episode 960 Cumulonimbus (5)
Although a variety of topics were planned, Bendie wanted to get straight to the point. She always prioritizes the essentials.
“The Provider intervened and could not watch the situation to the very end, but as you know, the Old King was not someone who would make such a simple exit.”“Immediately after the seal was broken, and the wounds inflicted by Verden. By any measure, he had not fully recovered his strength, yet the Old King’s power was extraordinary. I understood in an instant why the Luas Cult had been so wary of him.”
Bendie added a personal assessment.
“Assuming both sides are fully armed, the former king is not someone who can be executed alone.”
Vendie single-handedly overwhelmed Draven Lemarque, the first servant who utilized the souls of the ancient transcendents and the servant of the glory of the corpse.Had it not been for the magic of Kaesillus, the fourth servant who continues to resurrect at the cost of aging, Vendie would have severed Draven’s lifeline in the battle of the transcendents.
If there is a Provider in the magic world,there is a Master in the martial arts world.
She acknowledged the ancient king, a born transcendent being, as a powerful being of the highest rank.
To think Master would say that. Just how strong must he be…
Enette was inwardly curious about who was the bigger monster between the fanatic of Gargant, who had shattered her beliefs just by encountering him, and the old king.
Adrian said.
“Right, no matter what trump card the Provider possesses, it is reasonable to assume there is no possibility that he could have killed the Old King alone in such a short time.”“However, sealing him would be possible.”“In fact, traces of the Old King being sealed were confirmed at the bottom of the Hiaremar Inland Sea where the island was located.” “I didn’t know that.”
Although the Temple is a force of transcendent beings, it is essentially a group composed of Bendie’s disciples. Its financial and technological capabilities fall far short of Eon’s.The same goes for its intelligence capabilities.Rather than being professional personnel, the members of the Temple were much closer to ascetics who constantly cultivated themselves based on their individual beliefs.
“The key now is when the seal of the Provider blocking the Old King will be broken. Since we have no way of knowing how much time remains unless the Provider speaks, it would be the right choice to hurry and prepare for the Old King’s return as much as possible.”“So that preparation is the Continental Alliance.”“I called it the Continental Alliance, but it is practically closer to an Alliance of Transcendents. After all, the head of the Alliance will be a Transcendent.” “An alliance among Transcendents, huh….”
Bendie tapped the teacup he was holding with his finger.
“When Draven Lemarque raided the sanctuary, a massacre occurred among the citizens. Ordinary people, who were not manipulated and had no suspicious past, betrayed the Theocracy. It is self-evident that an unknown force has already aided the Glory of the Dead.”“…….”“Even the Ruas Theocracy failed to identify them early enough and was defeated. Naturally, it is highly likely that they have infiltrated the Continental Alliance as well. If we fail to weed them out, the Alliance will split before it can exert its full power.”
She asked in a low voice.
“It is a situation where carelessly entrusting your back to others could result in a knife being thrust into your vital spot. Do you have the confidence to build a massive alliance in this state?”“That is why I intend to make the Transcendents the core.”“Does that mean you can trust the Transcendents?”“Because the Transcendents are that kind of people.”
Adrian was convinced that the Transcendent would not betray the Continental Alliance. Vendie instinctively sensed that there was some basis for such belief.However, Adrian did not elaborate, only displaying an unwavering, empty gaze.
“Did Verden authorize this matter?”“I carry out the Lord’s will on his behalf.”“The Continental Alliance was your judgment… Seeing that Verden still hasn’t recovered from his coma, it seems he pushed himself too hard back then. Then again, he even went so far as to wipe out an island of that size without leaving a trace.”
Bendy did not forget the dark red light he had seen on the unknown island.
“It was a chore for me, too, to drive out the power of Verden that had seeped into my body. I imagine it is the same for other Transcendents. Compared to that, you seem to have fewer aftereffects, regardless of the severity of your injuries.”“I sparred frequently with my Lord and learned a way to minimize the impact in my own way. Of course, that destructive power is not something one can adapt to, so it is useless if I get hit directly.”
Bendie opened his eyes slightly.
“Are you sparring with Verden?”“Isn’t that obvious?”
Although there were differences in skill and level, both had entered the realm of transcendence.Verden and Adrian were the best sparring partners for each other, with whom they could test their unique techniques without reservation or concealment.
High desire for improvement.
Bendy calmly gathered his thoughts and shifted his gaze to the side.He saw amber eyes.
It looks like you are doing well in Eon, Enette.
Enette, who had been quietly sipping her tea, flinched and lowered her head.
“Yes, Master…”“I am not your master. You were excommunicated, and you did not return to the Temple as a disciple.”
Enette immediately composed herself.
“Excuse me, Master.”“Still, as your master, I am proud of you for overcoming your shattered beliefs and rising again. It seems you have had many good experiences.”“Thank you, Master. I was lucky… fortunately, I made many connections.”
Bendie does not know that the excommunicated Ennet was an unofficial test subject of the Bohemian Magic Tower. Ennet had no particular intention of saying anything either.Ennet glanced at Adrian, and Adrian took a sip of tea as if nothing had happened.
Their relationship is probably one-sided.
The thought that Enette would harbor such private feelings for a man made Bendie feel like he was about to let out a wry laugh. It was by no means a mockery.He understood, to some extent, how Enette felt.
“Heavenly Sword, Adrian Chambers. The reputation of being a scoundrel does not suit him now. To think he could have changed this much from the past.”
Vendy revised his long-held assessment of Adrian as he recently encountered him multiple times. He was now a pretty decent man.
Bendie spoke.We got back to the main point.
“Assuming I accept your proposal, have you thought about the next Transcendent to visit? And how to bring them into the Alliance?”“I came to ask for that, while I was at it. Enette.”“Yes, Lord Adrian.”
When Enette removed the cloth at Adrian’s signal, a sword was revealed inside. The blade was extremely refined and smooth.
“Paemyeong, [Arthur Nail]. It is a gift.”
This is an artifact brought from the Golden Treasury, a legendary sword with the function of exploding a wave of energy by consuming a massive amount of energy and stamina.
It was so exceptional even among artifacts that it was clearly too much to give as a gift, but unfortunately, no one in Eon had awakened the energy to wield this weapon. Thiswas because the burden was too great.Gharun’s assessment was that ordinary warriors could only use it in extreme, short-term decisive battles.
Adrian possesses the light sword [Silendar], and [Arthur Nail]’s wide-area attack did not hit him, as he is specialized in speed and single-point focused sword techniques.
Therefore, rather than keeping [Arthur Nail] in storage and treating him as a burden, it was preferable to hand him over to the ally best equipped to handle him.Of course, in exchange for a commensurate reward.
“A gift……?”
Enette held out her sword. Vendie quickly caught it and examined it closely.As a transcendent being capable of wielding all weapons regardless of type, she was also the most famous weapon collector on the entire continent.
Bendie’s eyes sparkled as he observed Arthur Nail.
“Do you like it?”“This is no ordinary artifact. It is good enough to be given a separate number among the weapons I have collected.”
She gently stroked the blade as if it were her own child.
“To give an item of this caliber as a gift—what on earth are you planning to ask?”“Oathbearer, Yurion Hairos.”
Adrian said firmly.
“Bring that guy to the Alliance. You do it yourself.”
Yurion and Bendy share a personal bond close enough to enjoy tea together. Having maintained this relationship for decades, one could say they are practically friends.Although Yurion usually visits unilaterally without notice, Bendy has never exactly refused his visits.
There is no one more suitable than Bendie to bring Yurion into the Alliance without any trouble. Furthermore, Bendie’s reputation makes him perfectly suited to be the Alliance’s face.
“You intend to use me to draw in other Transcendents… Are you saying you will make the most of the relationships someone else has built up over a lifetime? There surely isn’t a better way to form an alliance quickly. Who gave you that advice?”“I thought of it myself.”“…….”“Don’t look at me like that. I’m smart enough, too.”“I still have some preconceived notions. It’s not just one or two thoughtless things you’ve done in the past. You even got into a fight with the Temple’s disciples.”“So, is it a refusal or an acceptance?”
As Adrian tried to retrieve [Arthur Nail] as if urging him to make a quick decision, Bendie pulled back exactly the same amount as the narrowed gap.
“Aside from the gift, I am in favor of establishing the Alliance. I will meet with Yurion. And, as a token of the Alliance, let us send the Temple’s High Disciple to Eon.”“That is all.”
Adrian gulped down the half-cold tea.
Hurry as much as possible.
The thrill of seeing a plan he had personally conceived come to fruition—it was a feeling he had never experienced before. Enette clapped softly, saying it was good news.
And so, Temple joined the Continental Alliance.
* * *
15 steps.
* * *
Even a soulless flesh doll can think and make judgments based on instinct.Although these memories are recorded only in the body and will not remain anywhere if the brain is destroyed… at least as long as that body moves, voluntary activity is possible.
Crunch, crunch.
A pale being is tearing at meat. It is to obtain resources for its body to utilize.The remains of rabbits, deer, wild boars, goblins, kobolds, and others have made a path through the forest. The stench of blood overwhelmed the scent of grass.
“Ageuk, ah, ah, ahgeuk…….”
The soldier with his abdomen ripped open had no choice but to watch helplessly as his comrade, with whom he had been drinking just yesterday, was eaten alive. Withhis chest gnawed away to expose his lungs and heart, he eventually died.
“I’m finally starting to feel full. Haha.”
The pale being tossed the corpse aside after devouring it just enough.Pieces of flesh flew out.
“I really don’t like how inefficient I am. I am. Still, it is a relief not having to cling to ideals anymore, though.”
He licked the blood off the corner of his mouth.
The soldier who collapsed with his internal organs exposed shed tears.
“P-please, save me…… My child, my child, at home…… My child…… My wife…….”“Do you have a family? Where are they?”“Over there…….”
The soldier, incapable of sound thought, pointed west with a trembling hand. A pale figure glared in the direction he looked.
“You aren’t full yet, so this is good. I’ll make sure your family enjoys the meal as well. Trampling on a mother in front of her child, and eating a child in front of a mother—it would make for a truly delightful feast.”“Eh… yes…?”“Of course, I will kill you even if you aren’t hungry.”
Pressure was applied to the soldier’s head.
“Because that’s all I have left.”“Ah, ahhh……!! Aaaaaaaah!”
Crunch, crunch.
The soldier, whose skull was split in half with fingers stuck in his eye sockets, breathed his last. The sensation of murder traveled through his nerves and flowed through his entire body.
“Let’s fill our stomachs. Let’s open the gate, the gate…….”
It took a step.
For Emperor Xerion.
Eight centuries ago, the corpse dolls of the transcendents killed by the ancient king drenched the region in blood to open the Gate of Death in the Central Continent.Soulless bodies.Having been forcibly stripped of their ideals, they were nothing but lost madness and desire.
Not long after, the traces of the devastation left by the pale being were discovered by a patrol of the Ternetian Federation that had come to search for the missing soldiers.
“To think I was eaten alive… this is horrific.”“I was defeated without even being able to put up a fight. I don’t know what it is, but it’s no ordinary monster. Judging by the signs of being eaten, it appears to be a humanoid variant.”
The patrol captain hurriedly mounted his horse.Recovering the bodies came later.
“If we don’t organize a punitive expedition immediately, the damage will be severe. I will report to the Lord right away.”“Yes, Captain.”
In this way, the influence of the former king began to be recognized, consciously or unconsciously, in various places.A storm of bloodshed was imminent.
* * *
In the real world, events are unfolding one after another in a chain reaction. Time has continued to pass. By now, the continent might be overheated with conflict.
However, in the world within the gap of the world, it was something that could not be noticed.There, only the sound of silent footsteps echoed continuously.
11 steps.10 steps.
7 steps.
5 steps.
3 steps.2 steps.1 step.
Eventually, the sound of footsteps stopped.
Srrk.
The old man sitting on the throne in the royal castle of the City of Destiny, Rendibhar, slowly opened his eyes. He was not wearing rags as he did in reality.
He wore glorious royal armor, fluttered a cloak emblazoned with the national flag, and carried a great sword, boasting an appearance of solemn dignity.
The first king of the human world.
The old fanatic, who had returned from the rift of the world in the form of the pre-destiny era, rose from the throne.Immediately afterwards, the nobles who had come to the royal castle knelt on both knees and bowed their heads.
“O King of Destiny, command.”“I summon all the nobles.”
The false world of the gap encompassing Rendivar shook for a moment.
Marching into the darkness.
Toward the death of the Destroyer of Fate.
* * *
The waves that vibrated the rift in the world were transmitted even to the shadows of the rift.
‘hmm?’
In the dark silence, Verden, who was uniting the infinite magical power and unique divine power contained within his heart, reacted reflexively and stepped out of the space.
Is something wrong?
[The shadow of the gap is somewhat unstable, so such shaking occurs from time to time. Do not worry, our God.]
Cranbel, a high-ranking demon, added.
[By order of Lord Hadris, I have something to show our god. The long preparations will be completed soon, and I will come to escort him when that time comes.]
preparation?
“Understood, I’ll wait.”
Verden patted the shoulder of Cranbel, who had lowered his head as if it were a habit to deal with a demon. Cranbel bent even deeper to hide his emotions.
There is no fear.Only fighting spirit wells up.
Since God cares for the devil,the devil will willingly lay down his life for God.
