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Episode 481: The Great Hall (1)
Looking back, it was blatant.
The gaze of the shadow demon.
Geras, a high-ranking demon who guides Libereas on Cayman's behalf.
Sudden kindness… … .
How can you not be suspicious when they are openly asking you to find out?
At this point, it's a done deal.
'The devil is very interested in my existence.'
That too, very much.
At the same time that Verden removed the hood of the robe, he removed the <veil>. The transcendental force surged inside the magic barrier.
Shiver.
Geras instinctively trembled violently… …but he did not try to run away or appear greatly intimidated.
He stared straight at Verden with his eyes still fixed on the ridge of his neck.
Colliding gazes.
Only then did Verden vaguely sense someone connected to Geras.
“……Well, it would be common sense that there would be almost no demons who would be able to release Cayman’s soul at will and give him power without any price, even though he wasn’t a contracted demon.”
[… … .]
“Isn’t that so? The Archdemon, Noxias.”
Geras did not answer.
One can clearly sense some of the powerful presence caught in the insight.
Silence was affirmation.
Verden continued speaking after confirming that the being staring at him beyond Geras's eyes was Noxias.
“Cayman may not want outsiders to interfere with his contract with the devil, but he has no intention of turning a blind eye to it.”
Cayman was a long-time friend of Harkan and Melad before he actively assisted the Verden party, even sacrificing his soul.
It goes without saying that you should help.
Because that's what you should do as a partner.
“But I can’t ignore Cayman’s determination and choice and make my own decisions. So when you try to completely take Cayman Vermont’s soul, I will be there. I will ask Cayman’s opinion again there.”
He respects Cayman's wishes by giving him the choice for himself, and promises to use him as an excuse to meet with Noxias later.
It was the best request as Verden.
Geras sent out a mental wave without even blinking an eyelid.
[I will follow.]
It was the moment when the contract between Cayman and the devil, which had lasted for decades, was half-unraveled.
With this, the collaborator's duty has been fulfilled.
'then…….'
Verden gathered all the doubts he had accumulated so far and condensed them. He decided that there was no point in hiding information in case of an unexpected situation.
We must step forward boldly.
At least you have to throw out that much bait so that you get some bites.
Verden started asking the next question.
“I know that the World Tree and the first Demon King are somehow connected.”
It was a sudden rush.
At the same time, Geras' pupils, which were reflected in Verden, became darker.
“And here, Libereas… the moment I saw the structure that was cut off from the world again, a demon was added to that link. So I ask.”
The walls flickered coldly.
“What are you hiding?”
Verden added again.
“Don’t mention things like choice and destiny, because the World Tree has already spoken about them. What I want to know is the details. Noxias, what on earth is the meaning of my existence?”
The world tree says.
───That day, you made a choice that did not exist, that should not have existed. That is why no one could have predicted it. Because of that, fate was rejected, and the flow of the world that was just beginning to come together became chaotically entangled.
The choice we are talking about here is not just about physical reconstruction.
If that were the case, Isabella, who had achieved partial reversal, would have been treated the same as Verden.
Intervention of the World Tree.
The devil's favor.
It all started with a reversal of power through the Bohemian Tower.
The high-ranking demon's eyes shook violently, as if an earthquake had occurred.
The flesh on his neck moves.
As soon as I opened and closed my eyelids like that, I regained my composure in an instant.
[The demon that put a curse on the face of the acquaintance you asked me to find out last time. That demon is probably at least a higher level demon.]
Geras took two steps back.
[It will take time to find out about the bastard and find a way to lift the curse. I don't know how long it will take, but… … When 'that time' comes, we will come to you first. Please wait.]
Geras──no, Noxias avoided giving a direct answer.
Do you not want to say it or can't say it?
I guess it's the latter.
Knock, knock knock… … knock… … .
Red liquid flows down Geras' cheek.
Bloody tears flowed from the stitched-up eyes, pooled in the corners of his eyes, and fell endlessly.
It's a miserable sight.
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But in contrast, the eye in the center of his neck was full of hope.
'It's not the time… … .'
Verden chewed over the devil's words that he would come to him first when he was ready.
It didn't seem like I would hear anything more from Libereas on my first visit.
There's nothing I can do.
That's all for digging up information.
It should be cut off at an appropriate line.
Because I didn't have the time or energy to spend any more time on it.
We'll postpone finding out what link the Great Demon is hiding until later.
'Revenge comes first now.'
Before moving forward, we must usurp the Black Hour and annihilate the Bohemian Tower.
Verden didn't forget his priorities.
* * *
Last spring, the destiny you had created was rejected.
And then, a few months ago, the gears of destiny that were just coming together came to a halt.
In a world where choices are forced, a being who makes choices appears.
I thought it was a mistake.
It is foolish to believe that a miracle will come in the midst of a crisis.
[… … but it was true.]
There is currently only one being residing in Libereas. I have checked several times, but the results have not changed.
Obviously.
Among humans, fortune-tellers such as astronomers and card readers will no longer be able to predict even a glimpse of the future.
Because that being has already distorted the fate that was already decided.
[As a loser, the World Tree, who should have remained a bystander forever, did not pay the price for breaking the 'taboo'. After all, it is the role of a bystander to regenerate a world where the flow has stopped. That's where the branching began. In the end, it's back to the starting point.]
An opportunity arose.
So you have to choose.
Now, will you surrender to 'you' and accept the eternal shackles of a cyclical fate?
Will you join forces with the once-leading leader… …now-mad ‘Resistor───Demon King, Oldark Ruin Arcanad’ and revive the arrow of time?
Or else we will go down a third path where everything is unclear… … .
Actually, the decision has already been made.
Thud, thud.
In the lowest level of the temple of Noxias, in the deepest darkness, footsteps are heard.
Soon a boy who looked to be about ten years old appeared.
As he raised his head despite having no right hand, the three highest-ranking demons were on one knee, bowing their heads in loyalty.
[If a human has a demonic curse on his face, he must have a deep connection with the great demon of parasites, Ipheakarn.]
Boy, Noxias commanded.
[So go out and find some clues.]
Then the demon with three pairs of wings on his back asked cautiously.
[Can I not tell that being? If I were to sacrifice my life, I would say at least three sentences, even if it is against 'your' taboo… ]
[no.]
The Great Demon growled.
[I can't lose you for just a few words.]
Kukukukukuku… … !
It has been over 600 years since Libereas was created.
Although the strength consumed in the process had not yet been recovered, the spirit of a being that had transcended the world from birth was overflowing.
[And if he is discovered even once, Libereas is finished. It can't happen yet. Hold your breath and wait. Don't get involved. Just disappear from the path.]
Noxias whispered firmly.
[Until the moment comes when we are absolutely needed.]
In the meantime, prepare.
Waiting was familiar to the devil.
* * *
Berden and his party, who had taken refuge in Libereas's residence, focused on memorizing and learning all the essential information about the Great Hall that Cayman had prepared.
A unique code that forces the opening of two deep gates.
The locations and types of security circles and magical guards located throughout the depths.
The know-how of the first member to be able to more smoothly manipulate the ever-changing ring that stores the [Eternal Hourglass], etc…
[Asking Isabella. When will it end?]
“I’ve almost memorized it all, so don’t complain…!”
[Tick tock.]
Verden took just two hours to process everything Cayman had told him, and Alpha took roughly three hours.
And the demonstration was completed using a simple test device prepared by Cayman.
Isabella spent about 17 hours memorizing the parts that were difficult to interpret on her own, learning one-on-one from Verden.
It never took long.
Because it was nearly impossible to immediately understand and apply the principles by looking at such high-level data.
It is also a talent to memorize in a single day some of the most advanced magical concepts, which are no different from the main beams of the Great Hall.
For an ordinary wizard, it would take several months.
Whoa whoa.
Finally, Isabella proved that she had mastered the knowledge by successfully handling the simple test device and fell face down on the desk.
“Sorry it took so long…….”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
[check.]
Verden and Alpha, who were looking at the demon map that implemented the miniature Great Hall, encouraged Isabella as she formulated a plan.
The demonized Cayman, who had been watching the scene, cleared his throat and cleared his mind.
[Ahem, don't be so disappointed. You learned this much faster than I expected.]
“The more I try to comfort him, the more miserable he becomes.”
Isabella muttered.
If my memory hadn't improved so much since I became a heteromorph, wouldn't my head have already exploded?
There are so many possible scenarios… … If Verden hadn’t been there as a teacher, it would have probably taken several weeks.
“Ugh.”
Isabella stretched her legs wide and headed towards the map of the Great Hall.
After a short break, he concentrated on chasing after Verden and Alpha, taking in the many plans they had meticulously jotted down.
A transcendent being who immediately understands the roots of the security of the Great Hall created by the first members putting their heads together.
A small artificial golem with magical understanding rivaling that of a man.
A woman who, although lacking in talent compared to the other two, stubbornly pursues them.
[… … much better than us.]
Cayman recalled the time when he and eight others created Black Hour.
A wizard who had previously experienced the magical world smiled faintly.
* * *
Phew, hoot, hoot.
The staff, ripe as they are, cross the sky without rest.
By shifting the weight, it takes a deceptive movement and mixes in <flight> in the middle to add irregularity.
yet.
Kwaaaaaaaah!
The gravitational flames focused on the staff's tip collapsed a large rock nearby.
Debris flew, sending ripples across the lake.
With extreme magical power control, he was able to rise above the water surface without <flight>.
“Phew…….”
There is no particular problem with the body.
I was able to withstand the backlash of the magic to some extent, and my skills in handling magic, sorcery, and magical powers had become stronger than before.
All that remains is practice.
“Sir, I have confirmed that the target has entered the base.”
A fully armed magician came to fetch the sage.
A short distance away, the wizards of the Society were detected waiting in formation.
“The communication device is really useful. We can communicate with each other immediately even though we are so far away. It would be embarrassing to make a mistake in such an advantageous situation.”
The wise man walked across the lake and became even more excited.
“Don’t miss a single one. Especially the Black Hour executives.”
Osgar, the sage of power.
A magician who was one of the founders of the Society and a former war lord of the Arnak Empire has set out.
The plan to infiltrate the Great Hall of Black Hour has begun.