Chapter 235. Seizure (1)
‘……A Quasi-Transcendent?’
Verden blinked slowly.
Not only had he become a Magician, but he had become an existence nearing that of a Transcendent. It was so sudden, the sense of reality was utterly lacking.
Of course, it was different from the Transcendents known to the world.
It was a realm below even the incomplete Transcendents, such as the Administrators.
He still could not reveal the dignity of a true Transcendent, nor give birth to superlative magic.
Even so, according to the Administrator, it was undeniable that Verden’s realm had reached the word “transcendence”.
The Administrator spoke.
“According to the memory of the main body, you are the only one in such a case. But though not the same, there do exist similar ones.”
“What would that be?”
“A unique trait.”
Among the countless Mages in existence.
A very few are born with special talents related to magic power. Since long ago, such things have been called unique traits.
“Those who possess unique traits generally manifest magical abilities that do not belong to existing magical theories. Have you ever seen such people?”
“Yes, I have.”
Two, in particular.
His childhood friend Rovellin possessed a unique trait specialized in the fire attribute. The flames she manifested were of an entirely different level compared to Mages of the same rank.
And the siblings he had rescued from the underworld, Aiden could heal his own wounds with magic power, much like the holy power of the Luas Church.
“Unique traits are similar to Mado in terms of diversity and originality. There even exist unique traits inherited by ‘bloodline’ and ‘memory’. However, the world of magic never recognizes that as Mado. Do you know why?”
“Because of the value of the realm of the Magus.”
“Correct. The Magus is the grand goal of all Mages, the realm of true enlightenment. One who does not even possess the proper qualifications of a Mage cannot call themselves a follower of Mado just because they have a unique trait. That is something my main body also believes.”
However,
“Magically analyzed, unique traits are part of Mado. Special magic power and mana circuits fulfill some of the conditions. In other words, due to one’s innate body, fragments of Mado are revealed.”
“Fragments……”
Verden mulled over the Administrator’s words.
He had always been somewhat interested in unique traits, but had never studied them in depth. For him, the Demon King’s insights were immensely valuable.
This new magical knowledge regarding unique traits.
Verden felt his knowledge expand. Even without research, just with personal questions and the hypotheses that followed, it was enough to write a thesis on the spot.
“Now, to return to the original topic. In terms of domains, you could be considered belonging to the same category as those with unique traits. However, that is all, the actual level is on an entirely different dimension. Your body has far surpassed the natural order.”
The Administrator rose from his seat.
“That is all I have to say about your realm. So let us end today’s conversation here. You look very tired.”
“I’m fine.”
“Your half-closed eyes don’t make that sound convincing. Enough words, focus solely on recovering your body. Once your wounds are completely healed, there are things I will give you.”
Give?
“What…….”
“The Administrator was defeated by you. And Alpha recognizes you as the Demon King. Therefore, unless the main body returns, this facility belongs to you. Thus, as the victor, you should rightfully seize. What I shall give you is exactly that.”
The Administrator turned his back.
As he stepped outside, he smiled faintly at Verden.
“Well, you may look forward to it.”
His footsteps faded away.
Verden, left alone, stared at the ceiling. He recalled his conversation with the Administrator again and again, and then looked at his own hands.
Twice he had Defied the Heavens.
Through that, Verden’s body had completely broken past magical limits. As he focused inward, the realm of the 6th tier coursed vividly along his mana circuits.
‘If I fully awaken Mado here, I become a true Transcendent, is that it?’
His lips twitched unconsciously.
Even now, he could stand against a 7th-tier Transcendent. After pioneering the Infinite Mado, he had driven the Administrator into a corner with elemental magic, proving it.
He did not know what spiritual enlightenment truly was.
But it was certain that the direction of the path he had walked so far was not mistaken. That was why he had been able to climb all the way to the realm of Quasi-Transcendent.
Therefore, he only needed to keep going forward, unbound, without hesitation.
Verden closed his eyes.
And in his soul, intuition whispered.
‘At last.’
The time to begin his revenge in earnest was drawing near.
His consciousness slowly sank into slumber.
Until then, Verden savored his lingering emotions.
***
The life of a heavily wounded man held no vitality.
Meals were settled with jerky and water, and whenever the time came, he unhesitatingly drank the highest-grade potions. Thanks to that, the contents of his spatial bag diminished by the day.
It was a life on a hamster wheel.
After several days, his injuries recovered just enough for him to move about.
‘The Administrator said to devote myself to full recovery, but…….’
It was boring. Above all, his whole body felt stiff.
Having decided, Verden freely manipulated water to wash himself. Truly, Mado was convenient. Afterwards, he put on a spare set of clothes.
It was a blue garment he had received from Conrad in the Duchy.
“……”
The Robe of the Wanderer had been completely destroyed.
The Mage’s Regret had lost its upper half, leaving only the tattered lower portion. Even that was nothing more than rags now, its function as a magic item long lost.
The <Boots of Weight> that had been nearly split in half were the same.
‘Now that I think about it, it really is a pity.’
At least they had fulfilled their role before being destroyed. The Recovery Bracelet, however, had disappeared before he could even use it properly.
Still, it was fortunate that equipment such as the Chamelios Leather Gloves remained intact.
Verden staggered to his feet.
Using Orient as a staff, he slowly stepped out of the chamber. His purpose was to tour the facility, Alpha accompanying him as a guide, leading the way.
[Your Majesty the Demon King, I shall guide you to Section A-1.]
Following Alpha, he entered the deeper parts of the facility.
There, unlike the golems that roamed the halls, special golems lay dormant. Among them were accessories in the form of bracelets.
He listened to Alpha’s explanation.
‘Golems that record and project memories, and a magical communication device that allows contact from afar, eh.’
Both were technologies abandoned by the world of magic.
The former, because handling memory was deemed impossible, and the latter, because of magic power.
It was not difficult to link magic power over long distances, but most Mages could detect it.
All the more so for the demi-humans and abnormal species, whose senses were especially keen.
And once one’s skill in manipulating magic power reached a certain level, it became possible to tamper with it artificially. Of course, Verden himself was capable of such manipulation.
A communication system that could be interfered with freely from the outside—how could it hold any value?
To overcome this problem, a unique magic connection was required, one beyond the reach of most Mages. But the Mages had failed.
‘Yet here lies something close to success.’
Looking over the schematics, it seemed infused with golem technology.
It used a special type of magic that allowed only the golems themselves to send and receive transmissions. In some sense, it resembled unique traits.
It was nearly indistinguishable from an artificial artifact.
[Overall progress, 88%. Research resumed following the recovery of the power source.]
What the world of magic had despaired of, the golems were solving.
How in the world had the Demon King created such golems?
And why had he developed magical technologies related to information mediums? Even the Administrator did not know the reason, and so it remained an unanswerable question.
[Your Majesty the Demon King, shall I guide you through more of the facility?]
“Do so.”
Verden nodded.
Then he turned his gaze to Alpha.
“Alpha, can you not change the title by which you call me?”
At first, there had been no choice, but to continue being called the Demon King was unpleasant. All the more so before the Administrator, who was a fragment of the Demon King himself.
[Request confirmed, Your Majesty the Demon King. Please state the title you wish to use.]
“‘Verden’, that will do.”
Here, there was no need to use a false name.
Alpha’s single eye gleamed.
[Correction confirmed, it has been changed, Your Majesty Verden.]
“……Why does the ‘Your Majesty’ remain?”
[Your Majesty is Your Majesty. You are Your Majesty Verden.]
Alpha spoke firmly.
Though the voice was mechanical, there was an unmistakable stubbornness. Verden tried once more to correct it, but Alpha continued to refuse, insisting on “Your Majesty Verden.”
[Your Majesty Verden, then let us move on to the next section.]
Alpha trotted out ahead.
Was he simply avoiding the matter because he did not want to comply? Truly, he was a most human-like golem.
What would happen if Alpha were shown to the world of magic?
Surely it would cause a massive uproar. Even more so than the Multi-dimensional Continuity Theory Verden had devised. With the name of the Demon King attached, it could overturn everything.
‘And such an existence is walking ahead of me now.’
It felt profoundly mysterious.
Watching Alpha, Verden soon followed after him.
***
Time flowed once more.
Verden swung Orient lightly.
Though it felt slightly awkward at first, he quickly regained his sense. His wounds had fully healed, without leaving a single scar.
In the mirror, the only thing faintly glowing was the magic circle of Defying the Heavens.
“I am glad you have recovered without issue, Verden.”
“It is thanks to you, Administrator.”
“Seems you have forgotten that I was the one who tried to kill you. In any case, now that you are healed, follow me.”
Together, they headed for the Administrator’s chamber.
The door that had separated it from the secondary power room was completely wrecked by Alpha, and the interior had been utterly devastated by the battle between Verden and the Administrator.
Seeing it again now, he truly realized how fierce the fight had been.
The Administrator moved behind the collapsed throne.
As he pressed his hand against the wall, hidden lines of magic power flickered. At last, an opening appeared. A corridor filled with darkness stretched into view.
The two of them stepped inside.
“What I shall give you consists of two things. But whether you will be able to seize them both in their entirety remains uncertain. Proof is required.”
“Proof…… you say?”
“To be precise, one has already been proven, so you will have little difficulty in obtaining it. But the other cannot be known unless you confront it directly. And if it does not acknowledge you, then even my main body could not wield it.”
“Not even the Demon King…….”
What in the world lay ahead?
Verden quietly followed the Administrator, his heart swelling with anticipation.
Soon, an artificial cavern appeared.
Though pitch-black darkness filled its entirety, at the center, one light shone with solemn brilliance.
Beholding it, Verden gasped deeply.
“That is……!”
Something he had never before encountered.
Yet with but a glance, he understood what that light was.
Anyone with knowledge of magical equipment sufficient to use <Appraise> would have recognized it instantly.
His heart pounded fiercely.
The Administrator smiled, pointing toward the light.
“That is an integrated equipment set, personally crafted by my main body. A robe blended with tunic and trousers, as well as shoes, all composed as one complete set.”
It gleamed with pure white overall.
Upon the chest, a golden starlight shimmered, while the edges and designs were adorned with gold.
Around the forearms were leather vambraces, and the shoes bore a grayish hue.
At last, the Administrator introduced it.
“It is called [Ainber]. This shall be the first of the Demon King’s artifacts that you will seize.”
Está interesante, lo voy a seguir.