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Episode 365: To the Center of the Continent (2)
Letia, the capital of the Kingdom of Estiria.
Deep within the palace of Esnoren, completely untouched by outside eyes, a secret meeting was taking place.
There were three attendees in total.
One is the real power that controls the royal family, one is his loyal subject, and one is the mediator between the kingdom and the underworld.
Princess and witch Silis put down her newspaper.
It was full of news that was quickly spreading around the world, about the incident that had occurred in Sacred, Republic of Beldirn.
“A large-scale raid, a stampede, and the sudden appearance of an undead dragon… Even though it’s an official announcement from the Church of Luas, it’s still hard to believe.”
Stampede can be like that.
Although it is rare, it is not completely impossible.
The Republic's neighboring nation of Kylians had been experiencing a surge of Ain races for months… …so it made sense, even if the locations were a bit different, since there were signs at the time.
However, the case of the skeletal dragon is completely different.
Although they are undead, dragons are a powerful transcendent species that has only been recorded in the long history of mankind.
In modern times, he is considered a legend.
Of course, it wasn't something that Silis, who inherited the ancient bloodline, should say, but anyway.
'If the bone dragon appeared in the kingdom───'
The damage caused by the undead incident last year by the group called Glory of Corpse would be incomparable.
Just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine.
“It wasn’t long ago that the Honorary Count of the Kingdom contacted us from Kylians, saying that the mayor had been assassinated… It seems that something much bigger than expected has happened.”
“Didn’t I tell you that, Father? There must have been a good reason why Asher did such a thing.”
“No, I never said Asher did anything wrong.”
“Anyway.”
Kalia lifted her chin slightly.
Her crimson hair flowed down her shoulders.
“Even without that, the influx of people into Loafra was increasing, and it was difficult for Bintert alone to manage them all, so this is a good thing. No one will dare to look down on the spot left empty by the Dragon Slayer, the King of the Underworld.”
“On the one hand, it is also a problem. Because of Asher’s status as an honorary count, our kingdom has been in the spotlight. We will soon have to reveal the absence of Leonil, which has been kept hidden.”
The death of Leonil, the head of the Kingdom's magicians, has not yet been made known to the world.
It was thanks to the witch's bloodline that Silis possessed. Currently, there was no one in the palace who could resist her mental interference.
“Well, it’s just something that will come to light someday, so it’ll be okay. The reason Leonil’s death was hidden in the first place was to prevent outside interference that would take advantage of his absence. But now that things have come to this… Asher’s presence will become a huge deterrent to protect the kingdom. At least from the outside.”
Silis responded calmly.
She, who once lived as a doll princess, now took on the appearance of a ruler who ruled over a country.
Although he is a non-official,
“That’s why I think we need to focus on the aftermath. The bounty on Asher in Kylians will soon be cleared, but that doesn’t mean we can just sit back and do nothing.”
Silis' platinum eyes flashed.
“If there are those with nefarious intentions toward Asher, let’s block them on a national level. Even if we leave them alone and they don’t pose much of a threat to Asher, dealing with such troublesome matters is the best we can do and our duty.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
The Esperensa family's father and daughter nodded simultaneously.
“However, since this is what it is, the aftermath will be very severe. So, I will go and represent the kingdom.”
“Your father himself?”
“Yes, it would be difficult for an average noble to handle. And…….”
The Duke of Esperance continued, his eyes narrowing.
“While I’m out there, I also plan to resume exchanges with other countries.”
The Republic of Veldirn and the Duchy of Riviant.
The time has come to renew diplomatic relations with them, which were half-broken due to the war about 30 years ago.
Change and the future.
That was the new dream that Silis pursued after completing her mother's revenge.
In this way, the Kingdom of Estyria is trying to move forward by escaping the swamp of injustice and corruption.
On those long-awaited days, Kalia smiled faintly.
I looked forward to a future reunion with Asher and prayed earnestly that he would achieve what he wanted.
* * *
Gargant, the largest city built on the central continent.
On the other side of the academy, there was a young man with a young face.
Theodore, a genius student.
A wizard who handles a new type of magic, summoning magic.
And he was a newcomer to the ark.
“…….”
After the Ark's exchange ended, Theodore returned from the Ark and spent most of his free time lost in thought.
Of course, I didn't miss classes or research.
However, because of his somewhat crazy appearance, not so good rumors were circulating.
Bam.
"oh my……."
Just then, someone came into the lab sighing tiredly.
Professor of Comprehensive Theory, Dale.
He was the one who created the framework and composition of the summoning magic.
Behind him, a woman with sky blue hair followed in.
<Psychokinesis> and holding boxes containing various magical tools and research materials in both hands.
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“Can I put it down here, Professor?”
“Ah…… okay. Thank you, Iris.”
“No problem. If you need anything else, just call me.”
Iris nodded and went out into the hallway.
Professor Dale muttered as he heard the footsteps receding.
“He said he would become an adventurer after graduating… His attitude was like that, but his magic skills in particular improved a lot. But he eventually quit being an adventurer and came back to the academy, so I guess he realized reality.”
He let out a sigh of regret and turned his gaze to Theodore.
“So, when are you going to come to your senses? Even if I wanted to help you, you wouldn’t tell me.”
“…….”
Theodore rolled his eyes.
Any information related to the ark was strictly forbidden to be disclosed.
“Well, if that’s difficult, then fine. By the way, have you read the newspaper?”
Professor Dale placed the newspaper he had in his arms on the desk.
“Oh, yes. I saw that. The whole academy, from the students to the professors, was buzzing with that news.”
“Yes, because a dragon has appeared. And since a strange merchant called ‘Ricentia’ is planning to sell the materials of the defeated dragon, it’s a completely normal reaction.”
He stroked his scruffy, short beard roughly.
“Dragon Bone… I’m sure many people will try to get their hands on it. There will be a lot of fighting. Hmm, it would be nice if the Academy had the opportunity to purchase it and study it.”
“Will this fit my budget?”
“Of course not. Even if we were to miraculously save them, there would be enormous external pressure from the Magic Tower and the Empire. The Academy would become a crucible of chaos. And the Principal would absolutely not tolerate taking such risks.”
In short, dragon bones are like a deadly poison.
If you get your hands on it, you'll be addicted.
It was best to either completely lose interest or step back from watching.
At that moment, Theodore opened his mouth hesitantly.
“Excuse me, Professor Dale. I have a question.”
“Speak.”
“Is it possible for someone who is not a transcendent being to completely subdue multiple strong opponents with <Magic Awe>?”
“Hmm, for example?”
“So, wizards who have reached the fifth level, or warriors who have awakened their energy.”
“I assume the latter is also at a similar level to a 5th-rank magician? Let’s see…….”
Professor Dale, who was lost in thought for a moment, soon gave an answer.
“It may cause some ripples, but it’s not completely impossible. <Magic Awe> wasn’t meant for that purpose in the first place. For those who have reached a certain level, it’s just a waste of magic power.”
“I guess so……?”
“You’re suddenly asking a common sense question. What on earth is going on?”
“Oh, no. Nothing.”
“It’s pointless. Anyway, once you’ve finished organizing your thoughts, focus on your research on summoning magic. The presentation date is approaching. I’ll go to the 3rd research lab for a bit.”
Professor Dale stretched and took a step forward.
Theodore, left alone again, picked up the newspaper the professor had left behind.
'If it is impossible to make people who have reached the realm of <Magic Awe> faint… … .'
Several names in the newspaper came into view.
“Asher, what on earth does this guy do?”
A newcomer to the Ark, like Theodore, who literally turned the Ark's exchange battle into a mess.
At that time, Theodore was the first to lose consciousness, so he only heard about what happened afterwards… … but he clearly remembered the overwhelming magical power he felt for a moment.
The vast sea.
A huge, billowing wave.
It was a thrill that shook the young wizard's life to its core.
* * *
Hwaaaaaaaah… … !
The dizzyingly swirling magical power gradually subsides.
I slowly regained my vision.
Then, an unfamiliar city, stained with splendor like autumn leaves, appeared in my eyes.
The streets are far from rustic, and the buildings are stacked higher than those of the Republic of Beldirn.
There is a sense of energy here and there.
And colors that look harmonious in some places and disharmonious in others.
It was truly an exotic landscape.
'Is this the central continent?'
My heart is pounding.
It's clear that Verden himself hasn't changed at all, but he feels so new.
It may not be just because we have come to a new land.
“……Ugh.”
Next to me, Leila let out a small breath.
It was a trembling caused by space movement.
Adrian faltered slightly but quickly recovered, and Verden was completely unaffected.
As you can see, the differences are stark from person to person.
Three people came down from the intercontinental space shuttle and sat down on the corner of the street.
In the meantime, Leila, who had stopped feeling seasick, said.
“Now that we’ve arrived at the Central Continent, our journey from Kylians has come to an end. I never dreamed that things would turn out this complicated.”
Help Leila, who was commissioned by the Luas Church, and in return use the intercontinental teleportation team.
The transaction was thus completed in perfect order.
The time has come for each of us to go our separate ways.
Leila took out something wrapped in thick cloth.
Its thickness was smaller than the entrance to a space bag, and its length was longer than a person's upper body.
“This is a special object, the claw of Septa Horn. It was torn to pieces by the skeletal dragon, but fortunately, some materials remained. I received it as a reward for subduing it while dealing with the Adventurer’s Guild. Take it.”
“Why are you doing this to me…?”
“Information about the devil. That’s the prepayment.”
Although Verden said he couldn't guarantee anything, Rayla didn't budge.
It was so thick and dark… … it had the feel of an all too familiar longing.
Verden, who had no reason to refuse, accepted Septa Horn's claw.
“Okay, then I’ll take it.”
“Thank you. Please contact me. I’ll be waiting.”
Only then did Leila, who had answered in the aforementioned voice, step back.
“See you later, Asher. And…you too.”
After greeting each other in turn, Leila set off on her journey.
Her gorgeous blonde hair fluttered in the wind. Soon, her back was hidden by the crowd and disappeared.
* * *
Verden stored the materials of a special entity in the subspace.
Then he continued his conversation with Adrian on the Eastern Continent.
“We did that in Midloth before. Let’s move forward, and if we get the chance, let’s find Leishen and eliminate him.”
But it was a strange thing.
Because in this vast land, it was nearly impossible to encounter a hidden Reishen.
Of course, Adrian was also aware of this fact.
“Yes, we have no means of tracking it. But since you said this… do you have any clues?”
“No, there are no clues. Likewise, there are no new means. It’s still a waste of time to move to find them yourself.”
so.
“We have to make him come himself. The dragon bones will be more than enough to act as bait. He will definitely try to get his hands on the materials from the Bohemirn Tower.”
“……!”
“Of course, our goal is still to build a power base. We just need to adjust our plans as the situation has changed.”
Within, Verden asserted.
“Within the next three months.”
His blue eyes were filled with intense murderous intent.
“Make the necessary preparations and drag Rayshen out and kill him.”
Bohemian Tower Master, the second disciple of Baloch Besias.
A non-human who has forcibly squeezed Verden's magical understanding to the limit through all kinds of drug experiments.
A mad magician who achieved great success in the Magic Tower in exchange for Verden's life.
Rayshen Tail Road.
The first objective the two will achieve in the Central Continent has been decided.
And as Verden had expected, the Bohemian Tower was in an uproar due to the dragon's appearance after such a long time.
The aftermath also reached Verden's childhood friend, Robelin.