Chapter 555 - Transcendents (2)
An entity permitted to transcend the innate limits of its race.
They are beings who can wield the power to interfere with the world, and march endlessly forward to realize their unique ideals.
Such rulers, steeped in their own tenacious madness, are called lunatics when they pursue pleasure like monsters.
"..."
The Mage Corps of the Magocracy, in charge of the ceremony, all turned to look at the castle gate. Struggling to hide their tension, some swallowed their saliva.
It was then that shadows began to stretch across the ground like twilight, from inside the castle gate.
───.
The wind ceased and sound vanished. The world was dyed in tranquil stillness.
The only thing that lingered was laughter.
"Ahahaha, it's been quite a while since I've come to the Magocracy, hasn't it?"
Beyond the boundary, Ignacia.
At the forefront was Urban of the Illusory Wings, and upon a palanquin borne by her eight followers, where only a plush sofa was placed, she lounged almost as if lying down.
She had taken on the form of an adult.
Her hair and eyes shimmered with the twilight of the Milky Way. Unreal, her very existence felt like a fantasy.
"It has been an honor, Lady Ignacia."
Greeting Ignacia was the granddaughter of the 7th Demon King, 'Medrail Ruin Arkenad'.
"Yes, hello. Your realm has risen since I last saw you? It seems you are being raised well, as the likely successor to become the 8th Demon King?"
"Thanks to my ancestor."
The bloodline of the first Demon King.
Far superior to the backgrounds of the disciples supported by the ten great magic towers.
Medrail clearly acknowledged that the environment she was born into was the foundation of her exceptional talent and effort toward cultivation.
She knew her place.
Different from the ants scattered everywhere.
'Worth watching. Though not remotely comparable to Asher.'
As Ignacia gazed at the transcendent talent Medrail held, she wrapped her arms around the sofa's backrest as if to embrace it and rested her chin upon it.
She glanced back.
"Our next guest has arrived."
Soft footsteps.
A heavy presence drew near, counteracting the aura Ignacia exuded. The stifled currents of air began to stir again.
The one crouched in the canyon───Keeper, 'Acetro Oldin'.
A man with slicked-back reddish-golden hair, wearing a monocle over his right eye, approached with hands clasped behind his back, clad in a flawless uniform.
At his sides, two adorable children, Yan and Yon, clamored noisily.
"Lord Oldin has arrived! Everyone must give him a warm welcome!"
"Everyone must applaud!"
At those words, a few mages instinctively tried to clap but froze. Their bodies suppressed by transcendent dignity.
Do not go along with the fuss of the children.
This was the Keeper's unspoken rule.
"Fufu, everyone should honor... hhk!"
Yan yelped in fright and hid behind Acetro's leg. Yon did the same.
They trembled finely, gazing up at Ignacia, who stared down at them.
"Be, beyond the boundary... why did you come so early..."
"Am I not allowed to arrive early? Shall I play with you?"
"Eek! We refuse! The boundary's games are no fun!"
The brats clamored noisily.
Such fuss was their usual, not worth pointing out.
The gazes of two Transcendents crossed.
Ignacia spoke.
"What prompted you to decide to attend the conference? You always kept yourself shut away in the canyon. Did you just feel like getting some fresh air? Or was there something interesting that drew you out?"
"At least not the latter. Unlike someone, I am no hedonist."
"Still, you admit you have some interest."
"..."
Acetro answered with silence.
The two did not get along well, their pursuits too different. The blame lay entirely with Ignacia, who delighted in pranks.
"Let's go."
"We agree..."
"Let's go quickly!"
Acetro's group passed Ignacia and Medrail by, heading straight for the conference hall.
Attendance continued.
"You still love being carried about by your followers, Ignacia."
Second overall in the magic towers' hierarchy, the Elder Outside of Rank of the Artison Magic Tower───'the Overseer, Indren'. True name, Indren Piersia Reit.
Though his face was that of a boy barely in his mid-teens, his manner of speech was that of a seasoned Transcendent who had existed for long ages.
"Of course. Being worshipped by others is instinctively fun."
"That amusement of yours, truly. And what are you doing here instead of going inside."
"Just watching who comes, waiting is boring otherwise. By the way, you came alone again? Didn't your tower assign you attendants?"
"They did, I forced them off. Why make it such a spectacle, bringing attendants? It is faster alone, easier for everyone. And do not flaunt your aura unnecessarily. Isn't Gargant enough to draw attention?"
"Oh my, are you scolding me? You, smaller than me?"
"A brat who flits endlessly between child and adult forms through illusion, speaking of height? Show respect. I've lived nearly twice your years... hmm, an unwelcome one approaches."
A fierce magical power swept in.
The ground quaked.
Above it, a dignified Transcendent appeared, his robe of sleek black fitted to his frame, golden trim embroidered on the collar.
Fourth overall in the towers' hierarchy, master of the Bohemirn Magic Tower───the Omnipotent, 'Balrog Bessias'.
With him was his chief elder, Tilon Narger, and he strode forward without hesitation. Mages suppressed by the aura stopped breathing.
Balrog glanced with black eyes at the Transcendents standing at the entrance.
"Hmph."
As though seeing something displeasing, he did not greet them and simply passed by. Only Tilon gave a small bow.
As their figures disappeared, Ignacia shrugged her shoulders and Indren shook his head.
"The master of Bohemirn is unchanged. Even after the Power Source incident, that arrogance and sense of authority has not abated. Perhaps it is because of that he could so swiftly elevate the tower's prestige beyond his predecessors since he took power."
"He's just an ill-mannered bastard."
"And you are no less ill-mannered. Anyway, I'll go in now. Medrail, mingle with Ignacia moderately. It's good for your health."
"I'll remember that, Lord Indren."
Satisfied with the spirited response of a much younger mage, Indren quickened his pace.
From afar, he could be mistaken for an academy student on a field trip. In fact, such cases had occurred before.
Up until now, even though four Transcendents had visited the royal castle of the Magocracy's capital, Medrail still firmly held her ground.
Stretching lightly, Ignacia asked.
"Still more attendees left?"
"Yes, two remain."
Two?
'Who could it be? It feels like all the Transcendents worth attending are already here. Could it be the Black Sea? No, that one never comes unless it's near the ocean.'
She recalled other official Transcendents of the magical world, but only tilted her head. She couldn't quite grasp who it could be.
At that moment, goosebumps began to rise on Ignacia's skin.
'This is...'
A presence so ominous and unsettling, even impressive to her, a Transcendent of illusion.
And from the darkness that crossed the castle gate, death alone arrived.
Ranked 3rd overall among the magic towers, master of the Dark Warton Magic Tower───Necromancer, 'Ryndel Nexleon'.
Bearing the outward appearance of advanced old age most befitting of a Transcendent, he leaned on the staff made from the dragon's skull, the symbol of Dark Warton, tapping it against the ground.
Ignacia's brows rose sharply.
'What, the Necromancer came?'
In those lightless eyes of Ryndel, there was nothing.
No joy, no sorrow.
Utter detachment, perhaps.
Not that he was entirely without interest in the towers or the world, but his attending a Transcendent conference like this was a rare occasion.
Medrail bowed respectfully.
"It has been a long time, Lord Nexleon."
Ryndel halted.
"Am I the last?"
"No, one more remains."
Who could it be?
Soon, Ignacia's curiosity was resolved.
Step, step.
From the gate of the Magocracy, five mages in dazzlingly white robes walked forward in unison, their pace slow and measured.
All of them wore hoods pulled low, their faces concealed with special magical treatments, not a glimpse visible.
Not even perception could pierce it.
But the mage at the lead differed noticeably.
The curves of a woman.
A slender, pale hand gripping a silver staff.
Her identity was clear.
Ranked 1st overall among the towers, from the Lefragium Magic Tower───acting on behalf of its master, the Delegate, 'Meia'.
She was a 7th-tier Transcendent.
'To think even the Lefragium Tower, which only involved itself in absolutely essential formal events, would appear here...'
Ignacia smiled.
"Ahaha. This conference will be fun."
***
At the very heart of the Magocracy's capital stood the colossal structure personally constructed by the first Demon King, Oldarc Ruin Arkenad.
The Magic Fortress, counted among the three great citadels of the continent alongside the imperial castle of the Arnak Empire and the sanctuary of the Luas Papacy.
Though it had stood for a long five centuries, its majesty had not dimmed in the least.
Its absolute mystery would endure until the world's end.
In its broad upper chamber, the mighty rulers who had accepted the Magocracy's invitation were gathered.
Beyond the boundary, Ignacia.
The one crouched in the canyon, Acetro Oldin.
The Overseer, Indren Piersia Reit.
The Omnipotent, Balrog Bessias.
The Necromancer, Ryndel Nexleon.
The Delegate, Meia.
And.
"Welcome, to Centrum, the supreme citadel of magic."
The reigning 7th Demon King, 'Vandelis Ruin Arkenad'.
Seven Transcendents of the magical world, gathered for this conference, sat around the vast round table, each seat spaced in exact measure.
Vandelis's sapphire-blue eyes, inherited through the bloodline of the Demon Kings, gleamed.
"I was quite surprised when I saw your acceptances. I thought at most four would attend, but seven? Not all, but historically rare turnout indeed. It must mean everyone has great interest in the current matter."
"Well, maybe it's just that all us lunatics think alike?"
"You still haven't fixed that tongue of yours."
At Ignacia's remark, Balrog lowered his voice, glaring. The others either frowned or ignored it.
Which was to say, no Transcendent enjoyed being called insane.
"Oh my, did I offend your mood? My apologies, I'll be careful next time, half-wit."
"Do you wish to die?"
"Enough. Let us refrain from needless topics."
Acetro cut off the quarrel.
"We are gathered here for one matter that has deeply shaken the magical world. Not for petty conflicts between Transcendents."
"I agree with that."
Indren nodded.
Meia and Ryndel remained silent.
Vandelis spoke.
"Still, there is no need to rush. The Hierarchy Break incident is not so urgent as to demand hasty resolution. I believe it is fine to share some casual words first."
For the record, Vandelis was most pleased at this gathering. Rarely did so many awakened ones of the magical world come together.
By nature, Transcendents are solitary.
Balrog furrowed his brow.
"Such things are unnecessary..."
"I like it!"
Ignacia responded cheerfully, siding with Vandelis. After all, she had promised Asher to buy time.
So she intended to stretch it out properly.
"On that note, don't you offer food? I crossed the continent, but this hospitality is rather poor, isn't it?"
"I was waiting for that."
Vandelis snapped his fingers.
The conference hall opened.
Plates laden with luxurious food floated over, descending upon the round table.
A feast, prepared with utmost care for the Transcendents.
"Please, partake freely."
Vandelis offered the meal, while Ignacia mischievously guided the conversation, reaching for snacks. Entirely leisurely.
Thus, the conference was briefly postponed.
"..."
Acetro and Ryndel gazed silently at Ignacia.