Chapter 380 – New Generation (1)
The top floor of the Silver Citadel.
The vast and desolate hall, its four sides blocked by alloy walls mixed with the highest-grade metals, could not let even a ray of sunlight in.
Moreover, it was thoroughly protected by magic, making it impossible to detect the inside from the outside.
Ku-woong!
At its center, two people clashed.
A young man and woman, with similar appearances.
Each wielding a training sword and a staff as their weapons, they engaged in a fierce close-range battle while deliberately limiting the distance.
Magic power was not used.
The rule of training was to rely only on physical skills and weapon techniques. It was far removed from the usual training of Mages.
A way of thinking different from deskbound scholars who only recited magic theories.
What they pursued was strength alone.
The collisions repeated endlessly.
Each blow was fierce, yet none touched the other's body.
Having already sparred not just hundreds, but thousands upon thousands of times, they knew each other's movements far too well.
'Unia' swung her staff, moving with dazzling fluidity.
An unreadable, irregular rotation.
It was like a raging storm, and yet, she herself was composed.
Unia spoke.
"Hey, hey, did you hear who's coming to the Society today?"
Cha-aeng! Chaeng!
'Cain', who was enduring her offensive with his characteristic swordsmanship, nodded.
"I heard from Ethan and Rebecca. The Sages have invited the Shinseong of the Eastern Continent."
"You know the details pretty well, for someone who only cares about training. Cain, looks like you had some interest too?"
"Of course I did."
Sparks burst between them, and the clang of metal rang out.
"He's the Dragon Slayer who subjugated a dragon. His age is similar to ours, yet his tier has already reached the extreme, and his fame echoes across the continent. On top of that, he's a noble of the Kingdom of Estiria, and the master of the underworld Roafra. He's someone worthy of respect."
"Hmph, respect? Even if it was a dragon, it was just a downgraded version like the Bone-Relic Dragon, and he caught it with the help of a Transcendent Saintess… well, still, a Dragon Slayer is a Dragon Slayer, so fine."
Unia slammed her staff onto the floor, using it as a support to leap up.
Her heel aimed at his head.
Cain blocked with his arm, stepping back two paces, and immediately Unia swung her staff.
Kaaang!
Even with his balance broken, Cain's sword was firm as a steel wall.
A contest of strength continued.
"Cain, honestly, aren't you curious?"
"About what."
"Whether the Shinseong is really the powerful Magus we've heard about. A rare kind of Genius, one of the few in the world. And whether he too is aiming for Transcendence, like us."
Unia and Cain.
These fraternal twins were born with overwhelming magical talent.
Truly, at a level among the very best in the world.
If the abilities of these two had been revealed to the public, they would have long since become famous across the continent.
But because of the nature of the Society, and the heavy responsibilities Cain and Unia carried, they had no choice but to remain in a closed-off environment.
Perhaps because of that.
In their twenties, brimming with vitality, the twins thirsted for the unknown.
The presence of a guest visiting the Society, was in itself both stimulus and curiosity.
Cain frowned.
"Wait, don't tell me… you mean to go see the Shinseong?"
"That's right."
"And when will the meeting even end."
"We can just wait nearby until it does. Then appear right at the end. Wouldn't that leave a strong impression?"
"Hmm, if we trouble the guest, the Sages will scold us. Even the Sage of Wisdom would be angry."
"Then we'll just get scolded, that's all. Didn't the Sage of Power say it? That when boldness is needed, we must be bold."
"And the Sage of Guardianship told us not to be seized by impulse."
"Ugh, come on!"
Their offensive and defensive exchange went back and forth.
Their blood heated up.
Thinking they had warmed up enough, the two pushed off the floor at the same time and leapt back.
Claaang!
Unia flicked her wrist, tossing her staff over her shoulder.
"Anyway, I'm going! If you're too scared, then just stay here swinging your sword."
"..."
"If you don't answer, I'll really go alone."
"Fine, I get it… but promise me. Don't do anything foolish to the guest."
"Of course!"
Unia shouted proudly.
Cain had seen it his whole life as her twin, but breaking her stubbornness was never easy.
Today was no different.
Cain let out a sigh, then reversed his grip on the sword and slid it into the rack.
But in truth, his own heart was pounding with anticipation just the same.
***
At Verden's declaration, the hall of the meeting was engulfed in shock and silence.
The usurpation of Black Hour…
To take another Transcendent's power in order to topple the Bohemirn magic tower?
It was an outrageously reckless plan, and yet it could not be denied immediately.
For present here was one who had founded Black Hour, and also the one who had been robbed of it.
Melard's pupils trembled.
Verden pressed his momentum, bolstering persuasion with Harkan's knowledge.
"As you three already know. Black Hour was seized by Dark Moon, Dahit Wethroel. Even if Dahit was designated as the successor of Black Hour, the fact remains, he took the seat without any formal procedure."
At first, he thought securing the first button of cooperation properly would already be enough.
He had never imagined becoming a secret society, a community with the Society, in a single day. Building trust gradually and gaining necessary benefits was the best path.
But then, the unexpected variable appeared: Black Hour, and the presence of its very first members.
So he disregarded the other two Sages.
Targeting only the Sage of Wisdom would create the greatest ripple.
"To lead Black Hour, one must be a successor of one of the original members, and must also gain the approval of all its founders. And then ascend to the throne before everyone's eyes. That is the rightful procedure."
Verden fixed his gaze on Melard.
"As one of the founders of Black Hour, I ask you. Is Dahit Wethroel, who rose to power through rebellion, truly the leader of Black Hour?"
"…He is not. Absolutely not."
Melard denied it firmly.
Her gaze was blank, her voice trembled, but the answer was certain.
Verden spoke.
"Black Hour cannot simply be seized by force. To minimize damage, and to take the majority of their forces intact, what is required is legitimacy."
"Legitimacy, you say."
"As Harkan Dazest's successor, I dare declare. I will become the leader of Black Hour."
Harkan's legacy, his life's masterpiece — the Celestial attribute — resided within Verden.
It had been but a fleeting connection, not even a true master-disciple bond, yet his qualifications exceeded abundance.
"Good grief… perhaps it's because I've heard too many shocking statements in a row, but my head spins."
The Sage of Power rubbed his forehead.
Just hearing it was enough to weigh upon the heart. The Sage of Guardianship watched with folded arms.
Melard narrowed her eyes.
"Shinseong, the seat of Black Hour's leader is not a thing to be uttered lightly. Especially not before me."
"I know this."
"Do you really? To me, it sounds like nothing but a lofty ambition, meant only to win the Society's cooperation."
The mood shifted in an instant.
Melard's troubled heart suddenly turned cold.
Her kindness vanished, and a crushing pressure filled the space.
"Speak, then. Do you even have a blueprint that could convince me?"
"I did have something in mind, but it no longer matters. Melard, you will be the plan."
Though crippled in the lower half of her body by Dahit, Melard had not given up, and had created the Society like this.
Could she really have left Black Hour alone?
Of course not.
Someday, to reclaim Black Hour, she must have made many preparations.
Her gaze, filled with regret and obsession over the past, was no different from Harkan's.
Melard sneered.
"So, you mean to use me. Then tell me, why should I, who once lost everything to Dahit, trust you — a Shinseong — who offers not even a plausible means?"
From the start to the end, what she wanted was never a perfect plan for everything.
It was, after all, only the minimum basis that could make her grant trust.
So he would give it.
"I do not forget promises or debts. Harkan's will is no exception. In that sense, Melard, I promise you this."
"What───"
"I will strip Black Hour of its infamy as a group of death mages, and assimilate it into the magical world as a proper part of it. Just as it was meant to be."
Resolve glimmered in Verden's gaze.
"To guide Black Hour in the right direction, is that not one of your unfulfilled wishes?"
Melard's face stiffened.
This much was enough. Verden turned his head and spoke to the other two Sages.
"Balrog Bessias of the Bohemirn magic tower, Dahit Wethroel of Black Hour… even setting aside the forces they rule, the might of Transcendents is overwhelming. And yet, the Society was created."
How many Transcendents must they face, if they wish to change the magical world in line with the ideals of the Society?
It would not be merely one or two.
"Surely that means you possess some means to stand against Transcendent beings. A Transcendent is too much for an individual to bear, but they are not invincible. And now, when such an opportunity has arrived, will you do nothing but wait?"
"..."
"The Society does not need to stand at the forefront. I did not come here to demand others' sacrifice, anyway. It is enough if the Society supports from behind. We will take the lead."
"To take the lead, you say. Are you claiming that your forces have that much strength?"
In the end, it was power.
Whatever lofty purpose one held, if weak, nothing could be achieved.
That was the world.
Now, it was time to drive in the wedge.
Tak.
Verden pressed his hand upon the table and rose.
At the same time, through
There was no need even to mention his forces.
He manipulated his magic power with the utmost delicacy, minimizing its impact on the surroundings, concentrating it solely upon the three Sages.
Ku-gu-gu-gu-gu…!
An overwhelming quantity of magic power, far beyond the sixth tier.
A fragment of a Transcendent.
Verden's blue eyes flashed fiercely, as he declared to the stiffened Sages.
"I am strength itself."
He admitted, he was not yet equal to a Transcendent's full might.
But only one step remained, perhaps not even one, only half.
The path was clear, and he walked upon it, toward the direction he believed right.
What, then, was still lacking?
That belonged to the realm of enlightenment, so Verden could not know it clearly, but it was only a matter of time.
Having finished his proof, Verden lowered his magic power.
The oppressive force that had filled the hall gradually receded.
The Sage of Power, wiping the cold sweat from his palm, stammered.
"A meeting, a meeting is needed."
The other Sages silently agreed.
***
Having given the Sages time, Verden left the hall alone.
He stood at a nearby railing, gazing out at the far-stretching sea.
"Hoo."
A rare sigh escaped.
Though he had lived a life of dense intensity, never before had he attempted persuasion to draw the cooperation of so great an organization.
Had it worked?
A worry rose, but he soon cast it off. The arrow had already left the bowstring.
Now, only the result remained to be awaited.
It was not familiar, yet the tension did not feel unpleasant.
It was then, as he passed the time.
Sensing an unfamiliar presence approach, Verden turned.
"The meeting isn't over yet, and here you are outside. Well, that aside. Hey, are you Asher?"
A woman's voice brushed his ear.
There stood a man and woman, side by side, appearing as siblings.
Magi, bearing a staff and a sword respectively… even from the quality of their gear, they were not ordinary.
'One of the Society's forces, perhaps.'
And yet.
"Hmph, for someone called the Shinseong, you don't look like much."
They suddenly provoked him.
***
An Elf who had slaughtered hundreds of soldiers alone.
A rare situation indeed.
Only then did Adrian belatedly recognize the Elf's identity.
'The Central Continent's Four Greats, Merquien.'
Known for hunting humans who harmed the great forests and Elves.
Even after decades of activity, never once had their position among the Four been threatened.
'Why is he looking for the Lord?'
Could it be connected to that Guardian Elf said to have been met in the Kingdom of Estiria?
Yet, from Merquien, no hostile killing intent was felt.
What should be done?
This was not an opponent easily subdued.
Should battle break out, the aftermath could endanger Liam and Keirel.
Adrian silently mulled over it, then came to a decision.
He fixed his gaze on Merquien, seated upon the red tree.
"You will not meet the Lord even if you go to Dallehin. He is absent at present."
"The Lord? Ah, so you're Asher's subordinate? Considering you seem different from other humans, I suppose it makes sense. You're credible."
"State your business. Depending on it, I may be willing to guide you to the Lord."
"Unlike those trash I just killed, you're polite. I'm not in a desperate hurry. However…"
Merquien looked down at Adrian.
"Why should I follow the words of a mere human? If you don't want to be pierced by arrows, get lost at once."
A sharp force shimmered.
He had expected as much.
Elves had a strong tendency to shun humans.
As far as Adrian knew, there was only one human ever treated as kin among that closed-off race.
"If you refuse, then it can't be helped."
If a commotion broke out, Keirel would naturally lead the subjugation force back to Arein.
Adrian tightened his grip on the demonic sword.
"I will not kill or cripple you. I'll beat you enough to carry you before the Lord."
"I won't kill either. I don't want to make an enemy of Asher. I'll just rough you up a bit, so take it as an honor, human."
A hostile will, though not murderous.
Adrian's violet sword energy sliced through the surrounding trees, while Merquien leapt high, firing an arrow infused with the magic of nature.
Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwang!
In an instant, they crossed.
The clash of two strong beings of different races devastated the area in moments.
You can read more chapters in organised way on my website:- https://revengernovel.com