Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 482

Episode 482: The Great Hall (2)

South of the Western Continent.

Near the border of a small country within the Arnak Empire.

Black Hour's secret stronghold, built on the side of the third highest mountain in the winding mountain range, is concealed and protected by high-level magic circles and magic items.

This was a strategic point on the front line that mainly monitored the movements of the Helion Tower, a part of the Western Continent Tower Union.

“Damn, when on earth will this damn war end…!”

'Stigor', a Black Hour executive who periodically managed such strongholds, chewed his lips and spat out curses.

He once served as the head of the magic group of a small kingdom in the central continent.

It's been 11 years since he stole the Mandrake extract that the royal family he served happened to get their hands on, fled to the Western Continent, and became wanted by the magic world.

I lost my original identity and became a criminal in an instant, but there was nothing I could do.

If you have mandrake extract, can't you make a magic core?

That precious item, of which only about 10 bottles are produced per year, and most of them are taken away by powerful countries or magic towers… …!

Moreover, Stigor, whose realm was blocked at the top of the fifth level, had no other choice.

After running away for three years, he finally succeeded in creating and absorbing the magic core, but… … it was impossible to avoid the eyes of the magic world any longer.

So, as if he were going into exile, he went to the Western Continent and joined the group of death magicians, Black Hour.

Because there weren't many people who could become a top 5 tier wizard.

After living as a member of Black Hour for six years, he finally reached the lowest rank, the 6th rank.

It was a growth that would not have been possible without the magical abilities enhanced by the magic core.

However, I was unable to develop the magic sword… … Well, whatever.

Not only are there many wizards who failed to become magicians, but Stigor himself has risen to the 6th rank and become an executive.

Even though he was a lowly figure, being promoted to the rank of Black Hour executive was incomparable to being the head of a kingdom's magic unit.

With this immense power and strength gained by having the power of the transcendent on your back, you can do anything.

'It should have been done that way… … .'

A great war broke out when Black Hour was suddenly identified as the villain who caused the power source of the Bohemian Tower to go out of control.

The four magic towers of the Western Continent that receive assistance from neighboring countries… …and the three alliances that currently exclude the Diamun Magic Tower.

It was powerful.

The level was different.

If Stigor had acted a little bolder, he would have died long ago. Like the Black Hour executives who have died in the past two years.

However, thanks to the active movement of the Black Hour's Transcendent, the Magic Tower Alliance also suffered irreparable damage, such as the death of Diamun Magic Tower Master.

The nature of the war is like that of a hundred and thirty years ago.

In short, the two forces are engaged in an endless war of attrition.

“We’re not really going to keep fighting until someone gets wiped out, right?”

It was a situation I didn't even want to think about, but I couldn't shake off my anxiety.

Black Hour and Bohemian Tower.

The conflict between the two is irreversible.

There is no possibility of peace talks taking place. The damage is secondary, and the pride of the two transcendent beings does not allow it.

There is no way out.

Even if Black Hour miraculously kills the Bohemian Tower Lord and wins against the Western Continent Tower Alliance, it is meaningless.

Because another war awaits.

If the magic towers of other continents that can no longer stand by start moving… …the moment the transcendent beings of the magic world step onto the stage, it’s over.

In the end, there is only a dark future.

'Should I run away to somewhere else now? No, if I do, my location will be pinpointed by [Black Hour's Compass] and I'll be killed. Because my magical information is in the Great Hall. Shit, shit, shit, shit. How did I, how did I get in this position…?'

Stigor, who had come into the Black Hour solely for the sake of Boshin, chewed his fingernails like a mess, inwardly resenting Dahit.

Then why did you touch the power source of the Bohemian Tower? Even though you say you didn't do it, who would believe you?

If you're going to commit such a crime, at least let your executives know in advance.

Things I could never say in front of Dahit… … Even when I was alone, I complained to myself for fear that it might leak out.

It was just then.

Kwakwakwakwakwang!

Suddenly the stronghold shook.

Stigor, who had been absent-minded, raised his head in surprise.

Bam!

The subordinate came rushing in through the door with an anxious look on his face.

“S, Lord Stigor. Outside right now───”

Powerful magical response.

Stigor, with his eyes wide open, quickly created a strong wave around him to protect himself.

Immediately afterwards, there was an explosion of light.

The moment the heavy explosion struck the stronghold, the very foundation collapsed. Stigor's pupils shook violently as he blocked all sorts of debris pouring down from above like a shower.

“What the heck…! Could it be that the Magic Tower Alliance discovered this place?”

That can't be true.

Haven't you been observing the movements of the Helion Tower yourself until recently?

There were no signs of an attack.

'Let's go out for now.'

Stigor hurriedly pushed aside obstacles and walked forward. His subordinate's body was crushed, exposed to the explosion and debris.

I ignored it and passed by.

As we went out into the world, unidentified wizards were confronting the surviving members of Black Hour.

“Tsk tsk, even though he’s a low-ranking official of the Transcendental Forces, how can someone like him respond so slowly? It seems he’s just focused on raising his level. I wouldn’t have even bothered to step up.”

A wizard holding a staff… … An old man who appears to be leading an uninvited guest is sitting on a collapsed pillar, clicking his tongue.

'These guys, they are not part of the Magic Tower Alliance.'

Stigor, his expression distorted, activated his magic circuit with all his might.

“You’ve lost your mind. Those unheard of and unseen things dare to go against Black Hour───”

“If the leader is wrong, the group will also be wrong.”

The old man, Osgar, stood up.

“The Black Hour of the distant past was so renowned in the magical world, but now these worthless things have taken their place.”

"what?"

“So it would be natural to clear out the irretrievable trash before we can restore the Black Hour of that time. Isn’t that right, Stigor Hawende?”

The magical power that rose from Osgar's entire body surged wildly.

The hierarchy is impossible to measure.

Stigor realized that his opponent was at least a 6th-tier being.

Sabak.

Osgar took a step forward.

It was a moment when the sound of stepping on finely chopped stones reached everyone's ears.

Hwaaaaah!

The wizards of the society launched a magical bombardment all at once.

The wizards of Black Hour immediately blocked it, but the scale and level were too great to withstand, and eventually casualties occurred.

Society and Black Hour clash.

Osgar and Stigor faced each other head-on, with the battlefield filled with various magical powers as the backdrop.

“Don’t even think about running away. We’re not that weak.”

“These little bastards……!”

Stigor quickly calculated the magic.

'We must retreat.'

Although the power was greatly reduced, the old man in front of him had an unusual aura. Basically, magicians become stronger as time passes.

First, they moved aggressively to deceive the eyes of the attackers.

but.

A wizard of the 6th tier.

A magician of the 6th rank.

The difference in level is self-evident.

Furthermore, the abilities of one who blindly increased his rank and one who was one of the Lords of the Arnak Empire were incomparable.

Kwajijijik!

Osgar, who had passed through the giant wave with his bare body, shattered Stigor's shoulder.

Then, by controlling his magical power and maintaining a narrow distance, he unleashed a fierce attack using gravity and flames.

The scales, which were tilted to one side from the start, never regained their balance.

Phew!

After a one-sided attack, Black Hour's stronghold was completely destroyed when Stigor's waist exploded after being hit by the staff.

“Is this all that the person who was the head of the small country’s magic corps ten years ago is doing? They say that the lower-ranking executives of Black Hour are just empty-handed people who are just filling positions. How weak.”

Osgar, the strongest man in the current society and the Sage of Power, sighed, shook his head, and raised his wrist.

The communication device was activated.

“It’s me. I’ve dealt with Stigor Hawend as planned, so I’ll leave the rest to you.”

───Okay, I understand. Let's move this side too.

The guardian sage answered.

And after a while.

The Western Continent's Magic Tower Alliance launched a large-scale attack on Black Hour's strongholds.

* * *

Cayman relayed to Verden and his party the exact situation he had encountered while traveling between the outside world and Libereas.

[Due to information leaked from the Society, four out of the seven hidden bases of Black Hour were devastated by the Western Continent Magic Tower Alliance.]

Two of Black Hour's lower-ranking officers, including Stigor, were killed, and another was captured with significant injuries.

However, it was impossible to capture the upper-ranking executives of Black Hour at any of their bases.

Not only did he deal with the ambush, he also counterattacked, eventually breaking through part of the tower's siege and fleeing.

Those classified as high-ranking executives of Black Hour are like Dahit's close associates.

It was natural that it was at a level that could not be compared to lower-level executives.

In any case, the spark of war that had been going on for a while with only small-scale skirmishes began to flare up.

It's suitable for optical illusion.

Of course, there was something else that was most important to Verden.

“What was Dahit Westroel’s reaction?”

Cayman's mouth twisted at the question of where the Black Hour's Transcendent was.

[Fortunately, Dahit's location has been confirmed.]

It was good news.

“Are you going directly to the battlefield?”

[He appeared alone and stopped the main force of the Magic Tower Alliance. The two highest elders of the Helion Magic Tower and the Ostea Magic Tower were seriously injured, but they survived thanks to reinforcements including the Bohemirn Magic Tower Council.]

There is no doubt that the Transcendent Ones possess overwhelming power, but the highest elders of the Magic Tower are beings who have reached the extreme limits of humanity.

You can't deal with them as easily as catching and killing flies in large numbers.

'More than anything, Dahit is wary of Baloch.'

Even if he is the leader of Black Hour, it would be difficult for him to handle the Bohemian Tower Lord alone, who is accompanied by the elders of many towers.

By now, you must be on edge, investigating the background of the sudden surprise attack by the Magic Tower Alliance and keeping an eye on the situation.

Yeah, now is the time.

* * *

Fully equipped, we followed Cayman towards the outskirts of Libereas, where a small plaza was filled with demons.

Eight faceless demons wearing red robes are gathered together to form an unfinished circle with one passageway open.

At its center was a demon, his entire body enveloped in swaying darkness.

The energy that makes Geras laugh.

It must be the highest level demon, as it possesses undeniable power.

Cayman said.

[Begin the ritual, Parnium.]

[… … .]

The highest demon, Parnium, turned around.

He caught a glimpse of Verden's figure and then looked straight ahead again.

Swish.

A slender arm stretched out from the figure made of darkness. Long, clawed hands held the air.

[The ceremony is held… …]

Hooooooooo.

The heads of the eight demons surrounding Parnium turn red. The life force flowing out of them is concentrated on Parnium.

A pitch-black sphere appears in your hand.

The manifestation of unique powers through sacrificial rituals.

Parnium's hands, which had received enough power from the demons, were shaking like crazy.

The pure white light that flashed from within the darkness he was wearing moved ceaselessly, searching through the spaces beyond.

Soon, their gazes were fixed.

[Coordinates… … confirmed… … .]

I succeeded in observing the spatial coordinates of the Great Hall that Cayman had mentioned. At the same time, the sphere exploded and the shadow spread out.

As two eerie waves reverberated silently across Libereas, a huge oval-shaped darkness appeared in front of Parnium.

The passage on the back.

With this, Libereas and the Great Hall were temporarily connected.

Isabella laughed awkwardly.

“This… I think we’ll look like some kind of great devil to other people.”

That's right.

Because he is surrounded by strange-looking demons and is receiving help, anyone who sees him might mistake him for a devout devil worshipper.

I don't think it matters though.

At that moment, Parnium moved slowly and stepped aside from the entrance.

The path leading to the Great Hall of Black Hour was a straight line.

[… … Now it’s goodbye.]

Cayman, who had taken his gaze away from the passage created by Parnium, looked at Verden and his group.

[Our wish to regain Black Hour is a stepping stone to your goal. Whatever it is, please do it. Do it without dying, and be safe.]

Then, without anyone being able to respond, he hurriedly left.

[The time when the space of the two worlds is connected will not be long. If you hesitate, you will miss it. Please hurry and enter before that darkness disappears.]

He spoke calmly, but had a bitter smile on his face. He knew that by the end of this, he would become a complete puppet of the devil.

Since Cayman would soon find out about the additional details regarding the contract and the soul anyway, Verden didn't bother to say anything.

“See you next time.”

“Thanks for your help, Cayman.”

[thanks.]

Verden walked among the demons, Isabella following closely behind.

Alpha waved his arms toward Cayman while sitting on Verden's nape.

“…….”

For a moment, Verden looked to the side.

Parnium, who had caught the eye, bowed slightly to show respect.

'When will I come back to Libereas again?'

I couldn't know, but I had a feeling that the 'then' that Noxias had told me through Geras wasn't that far away.

Soon, Verden and his party stepped into the back passage.

The darkness that had completely engulfed them slowly dispersed and disappeared.

Silence fell over Libereas.

[The contract is now fulfilled.]

Cayman took several deep breaths and nodded resolutely.

[Parnium, take possession of the remaining souls. I am ready.]

It was a resolute determination.

I have no regrets about my life, which should have died a long time ago if it weren't for the devil's contract.

The last one was dedicated to my friends, and to reclaim the Black Hour of the past… … .

At that moment, Parnium stretched out his arm again from the darkness and waved his hand.

[Soul… … is not needed… … .]

[……yes?]

[The contract… … is postponed… … because something more… … more important… … has come up… … .]

Parnium's claw touched the center of Cayman's forehead.

Through him, he was granted the power and authority of a more powerful supreme demon.

[Cayman Vermont… … Go out into the world… … Find. The Great Demon of Parasites… … Ifeacarn… … Traces… … … On the face… … The one with the… … Demon’s Curse… … Investigate… … .]

Not only was he given more power without a contract, but he was given an unexpected order to find the traces of the Great Demon that had disappeared in the past.

[???]

Cayman blinked his eyes, unable to follow the explanation.

* * *

A deep, wide, slanted passage connecting the strata and depths of the Black Hour.

A soft blue light is emitted from the stone lanterns installed at precise intervals.

Dark and blue… … The colors, as if on the border between shallow and deep seas, filled all around.

Phew.

In the center of that passage, a back passage appeared, spitting out Verden and Isabella, who were accompanied by Alpha, one after another, and then disappearing.

A feeling of floating.

The two people who landed on a passageway with an incline of nearly 70 degrees lowered their bodies as much as possible and placed their hands on the floor to prevent falling.

Verden looked around.

‘… … It seems like we arrived safely.’

A space almost identical to the structure of the passageway Cayman had mentioned was reflected within the wall.

There appears to be little coordinate error.

Immediately, I cast <Magic Detection> on a large scale very secretly through Arcane.

I have confirmed that no new magical security devices have appeared throughout this passage since Dahit usurped the Black Hour.

Originally, this was the only path leading to the depths of the Great Hall, which only large, dedicated magic elevators could pass through.

'It's quiet all around, so the elevator isn't running. I don't think we'll get hit on the way.'

Verden raised one hand and gave a simple signal to Isabella.

They both kicked the seats at the same time.

Pulled by gravity, it gradually accelerated towards the bottom of the passage.

Before long, the first destination came into view.

After reducing her falling speed with minimal <flight>, she landed safely. Isabella even rolled forward once to dampen the impact.

[arrive.]

Alpha looked around and confirmed.

Verden took out [Archeo].

“Liberation from powerlessness, and freedom.”

The external cube of the starting word was opened.

Adrian, who had been sealed inside, appeared with a bright blue light.

Verden asked.

“Wasn’t it boring?”

“It wasn’t so bad because I had a lot of time to meditate… but if it had been just a little longer, I think I would have gotten bored and escaped.”

Adrian cracked a joke and did some light stretching to loosen up his body.

[Archeo] was originally an artifact that sealed a neutralized opponent.

It causes the sealed opponent to fall into a deep sleep.

In Adrian's case, if you are trapped without intentionally resisting, you can wake up at will and even break the seal.

“By the way…… I guess this is the gateway.”

“Yes, it is the entrance to the depths.”

A huge door stands in front of everyone.

At the end of the passage connected to the layer where the Black Hour wizards were active, there was a starting point that led deep into the Great Hall.

“I’ll open this.”

Phew.

Isabella stepped forward and activated the device next to the gate. Black Hour’s unique characters formed by magical power appeared in the air.

Ten fingers move quickly along with golden eyes.

I entered each and every component of the specific code that would forcefully open the deep gateway of the Great Hall, which Cayman had told me about and which Verden had explained to me in principle.

Ten minutes passed like that.

Kuung.

Kookookookookook… … .

The first gate has been opened.

For a moment, a cold current swept through and brushed past my skin.

[… … .]

Alpha wanted to record the current scene with his memory golem, but held back.

I read the heavy atmosphere.

Verden, who summoned Interis from subspace, took the lead.

“Go in.”

The divine forces have entered the depths.

* * *

“How much is the estimated damage?”

“That, that…….”

The lower-ranking officers of Black Hour reported the status of the base to Dahit Wesroel with a very difficult expression, observing the situation.

An unexpected large-scale surprise attack.

Because of this, the Black Hour front line, which had taken a whole year to recover, collapsed.

“…….”

Dahit just listened quietly.

There was no anger.

He didn't even try to kill the lower-ranking executive in front of him who was talking about bad news. What good would there be in reducing his own power?

That's just stupid and extremely inefficient.

'But something is strange.'

Dahit assessed the current situation more objectively.

It was not clear that the Bohemian Tower Alliance had collected this much confidential information and had been waiting for the right time to launch a surprise attack now.

There is something missing.

Just as Dahit's thoughts reached that point… …the unusually shaped accessory adorning his wrist began to vibrate.

Ancient Artifact [Horizon Observatory].

An ancient magical relic that randomly registers a location and observes and identifies beings within that range little by little over time.

If it were normal, I would have just ignored it for now.

Because there were more than one or two people, including high-ranking executives, who were permitted to enter the depths of the Great Hall that was under the influence of [Horizon Observation Ship].

but.

“I told you not to let anyone set foot in the depths for a while.”

Did someone disobey the orders?

no way.

There can be no disobedience to Dahit, the absolute ruler of Black Hour.

What I mean is… … .

“A rat came in.”

Dark Moon raised her body.

A variable has been created.

To each other.