Chapter 576 – Outbreak Of War (2)
Existence always yearns.
To sate a hungry belly, one shovels food down greedily, to fill a woeful lack of knowledge, one crams books into their head.
To broaden pitifully narrow horizons, one throws themselves into unexperienced trials, and… to be recognized, one proves their abilities in the most presentable way.
When empty, it is natural to fill, and only through this constant act of filling can existence truly continue to be.
The same goes for a transcendent.
For the sake of nothing but the ideal.
They gladly exhaust their very existence.
"…The tuning is complete."
At the topmost floor of the Bohemirn magic tower, Balrog rose his heavy body. Heat swelled within the breath of excitement bubbling up from deep inside his chest.
At last───the step toward realizing the long-desired ideal, the preparation to uncover the most hidden secrets of the magical world, was finished.
"Congratulations, tower master."
Two of the highest elders, Angelo and Tilon Narger, bowed their heads.
"The initiation of the national brainwashing proceeds smoothly, and the Black Hour has fallen silent again. We cannot ascertain when Dark Moon will move once more, however."
"Whatever form their ambush may take, all factors that could cause Bohemirn Tower meaningful harm have been eliminated. Thus, tower master, you may leave at any time."
At long last, the greatest master in the history of Bohemirn Tower was about to take his first step and taste the most sublime of fruits.
No external interference whatsoever would be permitted.
Balrog spoke.
"As long as the frontline nearest the Black Hour is fixed in its present state, Wethroel, that usurper cur, cannot intrude. He's the kind who cannot abide taking a loss, no matter what."
He calmed his mana. The countless great and small magic circles engraved densely across his flesh vanished in an instant.
"Maintain the current situation until I return. Luring in the usurper with bait comes afterward."
The omnipotent transcendent.
Leaving the tower, his consciousness focused on the number one ranked, the Lepraegium Tower.
***
Based on the scene recorded by Alpha, they had reproduced the continental map from Balrog's private laboratory into a three-dimensional model.
It was crudely done, using a massive chunk of rock reshaped through
There was no need to represent the terrain and landmarks in such fine detail.
The most important thing was the ones who would build the 'plan for total war' together.
The three leaders of the Black Hour, Verden.
The Sage of Power, Osgar, once a warlord of the Arnak Empire.
The Sage of Wisdom, Melard Tastienne, one of the very first founders of the Black Hour.
And the former high executive, Orland, who once devised strategies for war when the Black Hour fought the Western Continent's magic tower alliance.
Finally, Alpha and Beta assessed the many operations conceived with their logical and rational thinking, weighing possibilities.
Thus, together, all of them spent sleepless nights concretizing total war.
It would have been well if Medrant Keden, Sage of Protection and master of the Ostea Tower, had participated, but circumstances did not allow.
As an insider, he was wholly devoted to protecting and monitoring the frontline situation of the alliance in real time, unable to leave his post.
The subject of the former was Rovellin, and of the latter, those Bohemirn Tower insiders responsible for guarding her.
"…Phew, at last, it's done."
Osgar exhaled long, massaging his stiff shoulders.
Then he moistened his dry throat with a low-proof, high-sugar wine. With high-calorie snacks of salted ham wrapped in cheese as accompaniment, even his mental fatigue seemed somewhat eased.
Melard stroked her lips as she repeatedly scanned the map.
"No matter how many times I look again, I don't think there's anything more to consider. To think the holy one has such depth of insight even in war, I had not known."
When it was said the war plan would be built in just two days, he thought it might be too difficult, yet it had taken exactly a day and a half.
Such swift completion had been thanks to Verden's draft.
When the framework was so solid, adding flesh to it was not a difficult process.
"It was simply that I knew well the mindset of Bohemirn Tower. Without your help, it would have remained nothing more than idle thoughts."
"If you play humble, then what can we say? Just admit you are outstanding."
[His Majesty Verden is outstanding.]
Alpha's immediate response drew soft laughter. The relaxed atmosphere served as good lubrication to sustain tension for long.
As for why Alpha called Verden "His Majesty", no one knew, but none found it strange.
As a transcendent who even held a dominion, Verden was indeed worthy of being considered a king.
"..."
Meanwhile, Orland maintained silence without a word.
Beta, who had shrunk his frame until his head barely reached a human's chest, looked up at him.
[Why do you not smile?]
"Eh."
As though by prior agreement, everyone's gaze turned to one spot. Flustered, Orland forced an awkward smile.
"Ha ha, hah."
Of course, Beta's question was not, "Why do you ruin the mood by sitting there grim-faced while everyone else laughs?"
It was nothing but pure curiosity.
"M-my apologies, holy one."
Orland hastily tucked in his chin, bowing his head. His complexion had gone pale, filled with fear and unease.
Why was he so restless? There was only one reason.
Because he had once performed human experimentation.
Even though, during the great purge, he had surrendered himself to Isabella and renounced his standing as a mage, his vile past could never be hidden or erased.
"No need to apologize."
"Thank you…"
"The same goes for your position."
Verden, arms crossed, addressed Orland firmly.
"You and the other mages have already paid the price for your actions, and I have recognized and accepted that. What more words are needed now?"
Once a matured lower-class 6th-circle magus, Orland could no longer wield even the most basic magic. He had lost his magical abilities.
To those of the Black Hour who had likewise forsaken resistance and lost their ranks, only pure magical research was permitted.
Mana could be substituted by magical items, and their knowledge still remained.
They had chosen to preserve their lives, instead of meeting death as a mage.
Yet the sense of loss from losing power… the thought that they had become useless, that they might be discarded at any moment, gnawed at them instinctively.
To this, Verden declared:
"I take responsibility for everything in this collective. Without exception. Do you understand?"
Orland swallowed deeply.
The great transcendent before him had indeed inherited the flames of annihilation through some causality… but clearly, he was different from Dark Moon.
"I shall bear it in mind."
At last, Orland's expression seemed to ease a little. Melard, who had once worked alongside him, smiled faintly.
The meeting returned to its main thread.
Osgar stroked his long beard.
"Still, it is a little regrettable that, until the very end, we could not reduce the possible outcomes these three variables might cause."
Verden nodded.
The first variable, the artifacts held by Bohemirn Tower.
From what Verden had seen and heard, and with the Society's information network, he was confident they understood at least eighty percent of their strength.
'But the problem is the curiosities.'
Like the artifact stored in Balrog Bessias's private laboratory, a world map suspected to be of ancient-class grade…
Where did he obtain such things?
Even for Verden, who knew the most secret aspects of Bohemirn Tower, as nothing more than an unofficial test subject, he could not know such matters.
And the second variable, the mysterious experiment led by Balrog Bessias, discovered in the great magic circle of his private laboratory.
'Though I found signs that the experiment was recently conducted, and discovered that bizarre blood mixed with Balrog's and a human's, the clues are too vague.'
Even if he tried to conjecture Balrog's unique ideal and connect the dots, there was nowhere near enough paint to draw a picture.
'Still, it is by no means a negative element for us. If anything, it is favorable.'
They would keep watch in moderation, but it was not something to dwell upon deeply. His goal was almost certainly unrelated to total war.
Most importantly, the core was the next.
The final, third variable.
'Sandir Paen.'
The fact that two transcendent beings resided under the dominion of Bohemirn Tower was a decisive unknown, one that could determine the success or failure of their plan.
All who belatedly received the news could not help but have their minds tangled.
Of course, in this process, the identity of Gluttony was thoroughly concealed. There was no need to bring up the Ark, as there were already more than enough reasons to put forth.
Naturally, trust would have to be the foundation.
Orland let out a low voice.
"…Indeed, there seems to be no answer other than isolation."
"The answer may be set, but the process is difficult. If Sandir Paen were to intervene when we are already assembled, nothing could be better, but… if Sandir goes berserk before a containment net is even formed, then the situation will grow uncontrollably vast."
As Osgar said, save for Verden, none could withstand a martial transcendent through individual might, and if one after another were to fall, it would lead to catastrophic damage.
But hoping a transcendent would blunder into a perfectly prepared trap was no different from entrusting one's life to luck.
"The best course is for someone to bind Sandir Paen's steps first. Until the holy one's elite forces can gather."
They spoke of sacrifice.
Verden neither affirmed nor denied.
"…Sandir Paen may be the most critical variable, but it is not necessary to kill him in this total war. If by chance he remains far from the battlefield, then it is permissible to exclude him entirely from the operation."
The very fact that Sandir could not simply appear out of nowhere with a sudden 'ambush', was one of the foundations on which this plan could be boldly executed.
Bohemirn Tower was not the only one with secret artifacts.
"The key is location. Thus, Sandir Paen's handling must be judged directly, once we confirm where he is."
As Verden rose to his feet, all but Melard rose as well.
"This concludes the meeting. Well done, all of you. Rest fully tonight."
"Yes, holy one. We shall see you tomorrow in the Grand Hall."
***
Alpha and Beta had returned to the Demon King's golem research facility, preparing combat golems to be deployed in total war.
As the dwarves and Gharun had only just begun developing the mines in the unclaimed lands, the materials for mass-producing golems were in short supply… yet they would commit them regardless.
They must exert their full strength.
Separately, it was also in part to accumulate necessary data before golems were openly revealed to the world.
"..."
In a dark chamber, without even lighting a lamp, Verden sat alone, steeped in silence.
War was at the doorstep.
This would be, without doubt, the largest battle he had ever experienced, wholly different from the battlefield of death's glory he had encountered in the Kingdom of Estiria and the Republic of Beldirn.
'This total war begins with me.'
In a war where all seek to kill and be killed, there was no way to avoid bloodshed, and from the start, what Verden sought was blood.
Vengeance.
He wished to repay, with blood, far more than what had been spilled in the past.
The Black Hour had long been near-enemies of Bohemirn Tower. By now, the accumulated conflict had reached the point of refusing coexistence.
And the Society's ultimate goal was to collapse the system of the towers.
Their interests aligned, yet… even if conflict of opinion arose later, they could not go separate ways.
They were bound as one.
At the summit of this new force, Verden naturally had to lead them all.
…Therefore, he must bear all results that would follow.
Even the pain and death of those who trusted and followed him, must be borne solely upon the shoulders of the leader.
'Therefore, when danger comes, I shall stand foremost of all.'
Responsibility.
That was the duty Verden had to uphold.
...
Night had already passed.
It was now the morning of the second day since returning from Balrog's private laboratory.
He slowly lifted his eyelids, and stepped toward the door.
"You have risen, my lord."
"From what I see, you haven't slept at all, have you?"
Adrian and Isabella, fully equipped, awaited him. By now it was a most familiar sight.
Naturally, Verden passed between them and led the way.
"Let us ascend."
From the depths of the great hall, they moved toward the surface.
***
In response to the summons, hundreds of mages had gathered in the Grand Hall, filing through the corridors. The atmosphere was solemn, without a single idle word.
This was the third time Verden had stood on the dais before such numbers.
"For roughly the past three years, the Black Hour has waged an unfavorable war against the Western Continent's magic tower alliance, centered around Bohemirn Tower. As you all know, it has been long, tedious, and exhausting. A conflict with no end in sight."
The presence of the transcendent pervaded.
"That accursed war now approaches its end."
The clear voice resounded, low and heavy, sending tremors through the space.
As all knew, Verden's objective was the eradication of Bohemirn Tower's leadership.
There was no need to face the immense numbers of the Western Continent's entire alliance. By removing the core, they would put a period to the conflict.
Moreover, it was not victory alone.
In its aftermath, Verden's Black Hour would also gain, from the magical world, absolution for the runaway tower power sources.
Finally, they would reclaim stability.
"Bohemirn Tower's strength is currently scattered across the continent."
Verden continued.
"In the Principality of Riviant in the East, in the Kingdom of Maren and the Free State of Formene in the central continent. In the Kingdom of Itel and the Confederation of Barimtiel in the West… they are weaving schemes against these small states. There is a fair chance an elder of Itium has been dispatched. It is perfect ground for piecemeal destruction."
And.
"At the border where the Western Continent meets the northern continent, a massive magical laboratory that Bohemirn Tower has hidden with utmost secrecy has been identified. If we strike it, we can surely draw out the tower's high-ranking personnel into the open."
Verden personally allocated forces across the continent for each operation. Those whose names were called answered with loud voices.
Thus, after determining those to be dispatched to the smaller states, he selected the commander who would lead the most crucial battle at the northern laboratory.
Blue eyes gleamed with chill.
"Adrian Chambers."
"Command me, my lord."
"Lead the fleet of the Black Hour to their laboratory. Then, hold position as instructed, and when the signal comes, reduce it to ashes."
The Black Hour too possessed many flying ships usable for war. Unfortunately, none of large scale.
It was then, at the conclusion of the assignments.
"From this moment."
Thud!
Verden struck the floor of the great hall once with [Interis]. The weighty reverberation churned the hearts of all, then settled utterly.
"I declare the outbreak of war."
At last, the plan of annihilation was set into motion.
***
Through the teleportation circle constructed by the mages of the Black Hour, they moved to the eastern continent. The surrounding area was deserted.
So startled were the insects and birds by the spatial waves that even they had fled, leaving all silent.
"Ugh. Last time, there was hardly a chance to do anything, which left me restless."
Whoosh, whirr.
With light warm-ups, his staff spun.
"That must be why my blood feels even hotter."
At the vanguard stood the detachment led by the Society's Sage of Power, Osgar.