Book 15 Chapter 21
Dismissal,
The Harbinger of a New Story
In a world not of this world, upon a pillar of space created by principles of perverted geometry, the man Zernix, who had been sitting in the lotus position, vomited blood.
Hemoptysis (咯血).
The higher the magic synchronization rate with the puppet, the higher the damage synchronization rate. The internal organ damage sustained from the hero's blow was more severe than expected.
‘Wait. I'll go to <Ikegrad> right now…….’
At that instant, a purple-pulsating killing intent (殺氣), no, a distinct aura of death, coiled around Zernix's entire body like a snake.
It was a blade.
The world called it a whip sword, in the form of 44 iron segments attached to a highly flexible spinal circuit.
「Where are you trying to go?」
Perhaps, this sword itself could be considered the archetype of the concept of a whip sword existing in this world.
True Sword, Yonoulan.
Those who wielded True Swords were True Heroes called Ascensicquarior, a class entirely different from the fake heroes artificially created by the Dragon Race.
“Haha, my lord, where would I go? Naturally, I'm trying to annihilate your enemies, am I not?”
Their power is such that the tales of valor written in legends and myths are by no means exaggerations, but merely understated.
Truly, they rip mountains apart and cleave seas.
The complete neutralization of Zernix's main body's parallel line barrier (340% more robust than the one remotely cast on the puppet) is proof of this.
「How commendable. You disobeyed my orders and ran around quite wildly, yet suddenly you've decided to be obedient?」
“How could I ever disobey you, my lord?”
「I intended to equally distribute flesh to anyone who desired power, and I commanded it to be so. My goal is not indiscriminate destruction. It is a growth pain for evolution.」
It was about giving everyone the opportunity to become strong, rather than letting the powerful monopolize it.
In that process, bloody battles will occur, and many will be eliminated, but that too is the natural order for the new world (新世界).
「But what about you? You and your minions were supposed to be the administrators of the flesh struggle, but instead, you seized it and gave it only to a few.」
Yonoulan's blade slowly burrowed into Zernix's flesh.
This blade doesn't just cut the flesh; it also severs the magic or soul bound to the flesh.
In other words, even a single effective hit inflicts a fatal wound. It is truly the ultimate force for fighting against the <Forgotten Kings>.
“Well, wouldn't that be more interesting, of course─ Kuh, Kuaaaah! I'm sorry, my lord! At this rate, my arm will fall off, truly!”
In texts dealing with the Age of Mythology, such an expression exists:
Eldia Mu (04), that wounds inflicted by Lycael's power could not be immediately regenerated even by the ancient nobles of the abyss.
If such power, which made those beings tremble, were inflicted upon a mere mortal…….
‘This crazy, monstrous hag.’
Zernix swallowed dryly.
The blade was withdrawn only after a seemingly eternal period of time. His wrist was barely dangling by tendons, on the verge of being severed.
Like a snake that missed its chance to prey and let its catch go, the blade of the True Sword snarled fiercely and menacingly even as it retreated.
「As of this moment, you are dismissed. Your assistance is no longer needed in this matter.」
“Eh?”
「Finish what you were doing in the northern part of the Aklard continent. Proceed with awakening the Spider Lord.」
“Are you saying I'm the only one to be excluded from this interesting matter? That's too much!”
「It's not an interesting matter, and above all, you were the one who squandered that opportunity. There will be no second forgiveness. Go. It seems you've developed extraneous thoughts due to resentment while doing this work; I will remove those memories for smoother task completion.」
Zernix bit his lip miserably.
Damn it…….
You won't be able to hold my leash forever. When the day comes that I get my hands on the Rosary of Bell Quiria and Osarius, those two things.
“Understood. Then.”
Zernix tore through space and disappeared through the rift.
It was then that a dim light illuminated the first pillar.
It was a table, and at each position, symbols representing the new world—Sun, Moon, Star, Land, Sea, Sky—were engraved. The silhouettes of those seated in the six spiritual seats were revealed.
“Why do you keep using that scoundrel, who's worse than an animal?”
The man seated in the [Moon (月)] spiritual seat said.
His appearance was that of a man with his robe pulled deep over his eyes, and his entire body from below his eyes wrapped in strange bandages.
He was a man fully qualified, both by lineage and skill, to belittle Zernix, the Sixth Archmage, as a scoundrel.
Fourth Archmage, Jullak Kephel.
The one who became an archmage during the golden age of magic.
In that era, when the teachings of the Great Sage Emitsa Page had not yet faded, skilled individuals were abundant, making it as difficult as plucking a star from the sky to even become one of the 10 Glados (4-star) mages.
He was someone who attained the Glados rank in such an era, was selected for the hero party of the 'First Faequarior', and participated in the 'Great Demon Extermination'.
For reference, he was the originator of the legendary secret art 'Crystallization (結晶化)' which elevated the Kephel family to the second magical house, following the Page family.
「Just as different knives are used to catch cows and chickens, there is a place where such a fellow is needed. Do not worry. Once humanity finishes its evolution and the new world begins, I will personally dispose of him.」
“If Your Excellency says so.”
「Since he has withdrawn, I will now entrust the matters on this continent to you, the Shincheon Kaditpol Knights.」
Shincheon (新天) Kaditpol Knights.
Kaditpol means sunset, or the beginning of night, in ancient language.
Kaditpol's members are a total of six, from Cardin Alma (01) to Omec (06).
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Cardin Alma (01).
The First Faequarior who stood at the vanguard during the 'Great Demon Extermination' carried out in the year 112 of the Calendar.
In modern times, he is also recorded as the Faequarior Prototype.
“I shall obey.”
Cardin Bete (02).
The 'Archmage of the Hero Party' during the 'Great Demon Extermination' carried out in the year 112 of the Calendar.
The founder of Crystallization magic, which elevated the Kephel family to a magical house.
“Mm…….”
Cardin Del (03).
The girl recorded as the 'Harbinger of Disaster' for annihilating five nations at the young age of 16, in the year 788 of the Calendar.
“Hmm~ I came here during that important sermon, but can I leave now?”
Cardin Mu (04).
A high elf of Arch-priest lineage who swept through the demon race with the epithet 'Divine Punisher' in the year 324 of the Calendar.
His military record in demon subjugation is the greatest and highest among all punishers in history.
“If you've beaten Zernix's puppet, you must be quite strong; I'm already looking forward to it. Ahahaha! When will you arrive here?”
Cardin Kata (05).
The supreme Paladin who served the 'Punisher of Benevolence' in the year 906 of the Calendar, and went missing immediately after the failure of the 'Slayers' subjugation battle.
In the Elven archives, he is described as 'the strongest Paladin in history'.
“…….”
Cardin Omec (06).
A mysterious 'War Weapon' whose true identity even his Kaditpol comrades do not know.
Only rumors circulate that he was born from the heinous and malicious experiments of the Black Church's First Pillar.
「Then, complete your respective missions until I return.」
Why.
The reason why they, the minions of the abyss, imitated the Holy Elmire Knights, who annihilated the abyss and opened the dawn of the world, down to their organizational structure and member identification numbers.
Only they and their leader knew the reason.
* * *
Atlante, the dean of the Osarius School, opened her eyes from her sickbed.
The poison that had permeated her entire body was gone without a trace.
Winterwind Ricky and Gisela were slumped over, resting their arms on either side of the sickbed. It seemed they had nursed her all night.
Atlante lovingly stroked the heads of her two disciples, then raised her head.
A blue light…….
If the clear breeze that pleasantly blows when standing by a lake on a spring day could take form, it would probably look like this.
It was a Blue True Dragon.
The White True Dragons' whereabouts were unknown, but the Water Dragon Yeriserica, who managed the World Tree and gazed into the pure white dream, created new True Dragons to serve her; they are the Blue True Dragons.
“Thank you, Your Excellency True Dragon. If you hadn't come, truly…… I don't know what would have happened.”
The Blue True Dragon had taken on a draconic human form to enter the magic tower.
The human form adopted by the Dragon Race was exquisitely beautiful. This Blue True Dragon was female.
In the wind that swept through the window, her blue silken robes noblely fluttered with her hair.
「I am a servant of Lady Yeriserica, and a servant merely carried out the master's will. Give your thanks to her.」
“She commanded it, but you carried it out, didn't you?”
「She did not command it, but foresaw it. In the pure white dream, the minion of the abyss who would come here.」
Compared to the White True Dragons, the Blue True Dragons were inferior beings, but still superior to wyverns.
The Blue True Dragons, clear-headed and wise, followed the Water Dragon's will and strived for the tranquility of the world.
Perhaps Zernix concluded there was nothing to gain from fighting the Blue True Dragon, as he exchanged a few blows and then left.
「Do you wish to inform your disciple of this matter? If you write a letter, I will deliver it.」
“No. It's fine. And didn't Your Excellency True Dragon say so? That the Water Dragon foresaw the future of that child departing from <Tervenopl>.”
Because that child is gentle and kind…….
If she knew such a thing happened, she might not be able to depart for the world (世界).
She might even return here. So that child can fully leave the nest.
「Understood. Your treatment is complete, so I shall return to the World Tree.」
Just as the Blue True Dragon leaped out through the window, about to take on its dragon form, Atlante, who had been hesitant with trembling lips for a long time, spoke.
“But Your Excellency True Dragon, may I ask one more thing?”
「What is it?」
“Did the Water Dragon also foresee a future where my disciple returns here someday?”
It was a deep concern (心慮), like a thorn embedded deep in her heart, for the disciple who had embarked on an ascetic journey.
Since sending Rin away…… not a single day had passed with her heart at ease.
Late regret and agony had always plagued her, wondering if she hadn't sent that young child into a death trap called the world.
Is Rin alright?
Is she starving again, absorbed in magic books?
Is her sleeping place not cold?
Is the road not too hot?
What if she falls ill because of it?
Even if she's a genius, she's only thirteen; wasn't it truly too premature?
「The pure white dream should not be revealed by the desires of those who belong to mortality. Furthermore, the one who gazes into the dream is the Mother of Water, so I do not know.」
“…….”
「And even if I did know, I cannot speak of anything beyond what the Water Dragon has permitted. Know that, and strive for your own cultivation. I shall take my leave now.」