Chapter 557 - Excessive Desire (1)
Vandelis, after finalizing the sanction against Amwol—the central agenda of the Transcendent Conference—was planning to propose several magical exchanges.
A dialogue with awakened ones who had reached the pinnacle of magic would surely become a steppingstone for boundless progress.
Even if he had already become a figure of history, the seven Demon Kings' desire for advancement had not waned in the slightest, past or present.
But the plan came to nothing.
"This usurper dares!!"
Balrog Bessias, upon hearing of the calamity at the Bohemirn Magic Tower, immediately departed Centrum together with Tilon Narger and Angelo—the two Supreme Elders who had come in person to deliver the news.
Though the vicinity of the Magocracy's capital generally forbade spatial access by magic, this time was an exception.
Vandelis, even before the Bohemirn Tower could request it, specially permitted spatial teleportation by partially halting Centrum's functions.
The news that Amwol, who had vanished for months, was once more moving in the shadows, set the mood of the conference into unrest.
Indren frowned deeply, smacking his lips again and again.
"As expected, it seems the better judgment is to sanction Amwol at once, but…"
"The vote is already concluded, so the verdict cannot be overturned. The more we rescind our decisions, the more our consensus loses its meaning. Moreover, the disputes of the Western Continent are, after all, conflicts between the Bohemirn Tower and the Black Hour. Unless another Transcendent intervenes, there is no room for us to intrude."
"I know, Vandelis. That's why I don't loiter about and instead remain holed up in the Artison Tower, as I always have."
He rose from his seat.
"I see no reason to continue this Transcendent Conference any further. I'm in no mood to act either. Shall we disband here?"
Since even the most good-natured Indren strongly wished to return, Vandelis's hopes for social exchanges had sunk.
"…Very well, if that is your wish, then so be it. The discussion regarding Amwol ends here. I won't see you off."
Thus, the confidential conference of magical Transcendents held in the capital of the Magocracy of Arkenad concluded comparatively quickly.
"..."
The Delegate, Meia.
She subtly swept her gaze over the Transcendents preparing to leave.
Ignacia.
Ryndel Nexleon.
Acetro Oldin.
And even the empty seat that Balrog Bessias had vacated moments ago.
***
"Regardless, it was a pleasure seeing you after so long. Let's meet again in the Magocracy in a few months. Stay well."
Indren departed.
Meia, as she had before, only inclined her head slightly without a word, then disappeared with the white Mages of Lepraegium.
Ryndel alone.
Ignacia, upheld by her followers.
Acetro, with two children in tow.
The three, as if by tacit agreement, walked the same road out of the capital. Silence filled the space between them.
Before long, they reached a deserted hill.
Ignacia broke the silence.
"You two, what scheme are you up to?"
Ryndel and Acetro.
Both were hiding their true intentions.
Whatever it was, it was undoubtedly as clear as her own.
Sensing the discord back in the conference hall, Ignacia laid bare her suspicion without even bothering to test the waters.
Acetro opened his mouth.
"Not unlike you."
"What?"
"Just as you pursue subjective amusement and move accordingly, I too am willing to act for my own subjective conviction."
That was all his answer.
Acetro spread his hand.
A thick book manifested from the void, descending and opening wide. Pages dense with magical script unfurled toward the world.
Whoosh.
Magic power surged as brilliant light burst forth from the tome. Yan and Yon clung tightly to Acetro's legs, pressing their bodies close.
Moments later, the three figures gradually blurred and vanished without a trace.
'The Keeper seems to know I'm involved in Amwol's dream. Like the Delegate, he hides much, making it difficult to grasp his intentions.'
At least she could be sure he bore no hostility toward her. If he had, he would have exposed her during the Transcendent Conference.
'For now, I should regard him as taking a friendly—no, neutral stance toward me.'
Then, what of the Necromancer?
Ignacia's steady gaze met Ryndel's. Beneath hollow eyes, a low voice resonated.
"One day, a mighty being suddenly met death. After that, the incidents of breaking through tiers began."
"…Ahaha, I knew you were a Transcendent of Death, but I didn't think your insight would reach across the continent. So then, why hide Dahit's death?"
"I welcome change."
Change?
As Ignacia tilted her head in doubt, he elaborated.
"Yes, change. The 'Dark Moon' has set, and a 'New Star' has risen. How could that not delight me?"
"…!"
Ryndel smiled.
For an instant, the emptiness vanished from his eyes, replaced by vivid light flashing.
Even Ignacia, seeing the Necromancer's first genuine smile, was caught off guard and leaned back.
"I look forward to our reunion."
His murmur was not aimed at the Ignacia before him.
Shrouded in pitch-black mist, he soared skyward.
The master of the DarkWarton Tower vanished beyond the clouds.
"Haa."
Ignacia sighed and flopped onto a sofa.
"My, my. Seems I'm not the only one keeping an eye on Asher?"
"Are you displeased?"
"Ahahahahahahahahaha! Not at all!"
At Urban's question, Ignacia stretched both arms toward the sky. Her laughter, tinged with madness, rang throughout.
"Disorder. Irregularity. Unpredictability. Confusion. Chaos. Tumult. Transformation, irreversibility…! How could I be displeased? With but a single variable, everything changes, never to return to its former result, a world where not even a step ahead can be foreseen—isn't that truly a living world?"
A stage where everything goes according to plan cannot serve as a playground.
It is a dead world.
A mock garden filled only with puppets dangling from strings holds no joy.
"Ah, but."
Ignacia suddenly lifted her torso.
"I don't know why Asher is targeting the Bohemirn Tower, but… well, that hardly matters. In the end, I've gained time without much effort. Counting the auction hall last time, Asher now owes me twice. How should I use this to make things entertaining? Urban, don't you have some brilliant idea? What about the rest of you?"
"Hmm…"
Urban stroked his chin, genuinely pondering. His heavily trained muscles twitched.
Even the followers carrying his palanquin strained to come up with ideas of their own.
"Ahahat, with two chances at hand, it's really hard to decide."
Ignacia's cheeks flushed slightly.
"How delightful."
***
With the conclusion of operations in the Western and Central Continents, the Bohemirn Magic Tower's overall strength had been damaged to a meaningful degree.
Verden, having once again driven the Black Hour into hiding, moved on to pre-emptive preparations.
"Senior, I brought the moles!"
Unia came carrying four of Panian's moles inside a container. These rare beasts were part of a stratagem to deceive Balrog.
By removing the Coercion engraved upon Rayshen's party and transplanting it onto the moles, Balrog would fail to notice the anomaly.
Thanks to this, the Bohemirn Tower believed Rayshen to be alive, and without the slightest suspicion, they succeeded in luring Elder Omar Boldrak of Itium into the open and disposing of him cleanly.
But now, they were no longer needed.
What Verden wanted was to inflict severe confusion upon Balrog Bessias, enough to blur his judgment, even if only a little.
At this point, if Rayshen were to vanish as well, it would deliver quite a shock.
Of course, Verden had considered using the moles to draw out the Bohemirn Tower's high command, but after careful thought, he discarded the idea.
'While Balrog has heightened his vigilance to the utmost, exposing his position like Omar did and luring him into a net would be extremely dangerous.'
Even if the four moles were released separately to scatter the enemy, it would be impossible to control who would go where, and when.
Instead, the number of variables would only skyrocket.
'If I recklessly use bait, there's a high chance the entire trap will be obliterated.'
Holding Dahit's memories, Verden understood Balrog's magical capacity far better. He had to exercise the utmost caution.
Thus, the best, the supreme judgment, was to anticipate the Bohemirn Tower's responses from a blind spot, and aim for piecemeal annihilation.
Crackle.
Verden cleanly dispelled the Coercion placed upon the rare beasts. With this, Rayshen Tailroad's death became official.
Meanwhile, Panian's moles gained true freedom.
"Release the moles into the deep forest. They're extremely sensitive creatures, so best not to think of keeping them around."
"Do you take me for a kid? Just because they're cute doesn't mean I'd keep them as pets… But the Society's island is wide and plentiful, wouldn't releasing them there work just fine?"
"If it's there, the moles would lack nothing for habitation. Do as you wish. Here, a gift."
"Huh? A gift?"
Verden produced a document.
Unia received the rolled, sealed paper and asked.
"What is this?"
"Deed of land and building."
It was part of the property acquired from a senator of the Beldirn Republic—funds Verden and Alpha had extracted during their visit to the Anonium Bank.
The deed testified ownership of the senator's land and the villa built upon it. Nothing extravagant, but it carried considerable value.
"A building owner, me, who was freeloading at senior's place…?"
"It's in joint name with Cain. When things settle down, you two can go and decorate it or tear it down as you like."
"Why would we tear it down?! I'll make good use of it!"
Unia, startled, hugged the deed as if it were treasure.
The twin, born with genius magical talent, sought fame as proof of ability while also yearning for independent growth.
As the new generation, they had to become the leaders who would one day guide the Society. Even a minor environment that they could take the lead in would surely be helpful.
Verden intended to nurture Cain and Unia in his own way—not as a master, but as a supporter.
"And from the spoils we obtained this time, there's something for you and Cain. Isabella should have finished the sorting, so ask her for it."
"…From sis?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Isabella sis is kind of scary."
The sight of her purging the remnants of the Black Hour en masse, and in particular, pummeling a Bohemirn Tower Elder into paste with her fists.
The brutal display of killing intent, founded on heteromorphic power and the heights of the sixth tier, was unlike anything Unia had experienced.
That was why she spoke to Isabella with unusual formality.
By that standard, she should also address the Transcendent Verden formally.
"But senior is senior, right?"
Apparently Unia had her own criteria.
Well, in any case.
"How is Enette's condition?"
"Enette? Oh, that woman you brought? The Sage of Wisdom herself is tending to her, but she still shows no sign of waking. I peeked in last time, and she was drenched in cold sweat like she was having a nightmare. I'll let you know when she comes around."
"Understood."
"Then that's it for my report. Thanks for the house deed!"
Unia waved the deed in hand and disappeared down the corridor of the grand hall.
Verden was also preparing to move outside once more, but… first, there was a small matter left to attend to.
"Adrian."
───Yes, my lord.
"Bring him in."
Pure curiosity.
Which did he despise more?
Those who had driven Verden to death through an unofficial experiment, or the one who, though unrelated to the experiment, had stolen the theory and set everything in motion.
***
"Mmm."
His body squirmed slightly, heavy eyelids slowly lifting. As his senses sharpened, he felt the chill of the floor.
Rising sluggishly, he found himself met by a sealed chamber.
"…Where is this."
Lucard Maniacs awoke in the prison of the Black Hour's grand hall.