Chapter 386 - What Is a Transcendent (1)
Southernmost edge of the Central Continent, the Great Forest.
That place was a vast sea of vegetation where humans or beastkin and the like were not permitted to dwell, a cradle of the Elves.
And at its highest point, a being sat quietly.
Whether it was male or female, none could tell.
Overall, the figure resembled an Elf, a neutral beauty where elegance and charm intertwined.
Yet that being preferred the title of "Mother", and since the children also called her so, she claimed herself to be female.
"Merquien, thanks to that admirable child, I finally know who it is."
She lifted her head.
Facing the sun between the sky and the clouds, she whispered, recalling vivid memories of the past.
Though alone, she spoke as though addressing someone.
"…If I were to borrow the older sister's turn of phrase, a singularity of the world. Yet one holding a far greater meaning, a being who has loosed its own shackles now stands at the crossroads of choice."
A tranquil dialogue.
Still lingering within nature, her lips moved.
"This is an incident none could predict, an error none could even imagine… Already, no small number of things have changed, and conclusions once determined have fallen again into darkness. In contrast, the end has begun to raise its head once more."
Her transparent green eyes reflected the light, glimmering brilliantly.
"That is why, whether to the 'you who sleeps', or the 'resister who put you to sleep', or to 'we who are awake yet bound', no matter the time, the meaning of the choice he makes will never change."
Therefore.
"I shall act, as one who observes."
Merely giving a nudge from behind.
Whether that being would advance, remain still, or step back, no one could know.
That was the imminent future.
"I shall see you soon, Asher, or rather, Verden."
The wind stirred softly.
When countless leaves brushed past, the woman's form completely vanished.
Beneath where she had been, only the great tree rooted in the world remained.
***
The thick, towering walls of Gargant.
Reinforced by the highest-quality materials and every manner of advanced magical treatment, its durability could withstand even the bombardment of high-tier elemental magic.
'Truly an absurd size.'
Beyond the walls stretched a massive city, sprawling all the way past the horizon.
Its scale was of an entirely different order compared to the great cities he had visited before. By comparison, the level of development in the Ownerless Land was no different from that of savages.
The Central Continent.
A paradoxical tower where the lowest layer and the highest peak coexisted upon the same land.
That was the very summit.
Where mighty Transcendents dwelled, where the vanguard of the group ruling the entire world resided, and where academies to raise young talents stood.
He had heard countless stories both within the magic tower and outside it, but now he could understand in his bones why people proclaimed it to be the center of change.
Verden, who had been gazing down upon Gargant's scenery from the sky, descended to the ground.
After the forced march, he allowed a couple hours of rest before assembling the group.
Adrian and Cain stood on either side of Verden, and directly before him, Heras and twelve of Society's most elite Mages or Magi lined up like soldiers.
Verden spoke as commander.
"Balrog Bessias's second disciple, Rayshen Tailroad, has altered his body heterogeneously with various potions he created through his own Mado. Not only does he mainly wield 6th-tier lightning and ice elemental magic, but his mastery of magic circles is also top-class."
Rayshen usually immersed himself in unofficial experiments, rarely leaving the magic tower, but as one of the successors to Bohemirn's tower mastership, his ability was formidable.
"Furthermore, he's so cautious that he always prepares means to escape in times of crisis. The one we must be most wary of is the first-generation jewel crafted by Dexar."
"A first-generation…?"
"It's a magical artifact capable of storing up to 7th-tier spells and circles. And within it lies the tower master's spatial teleportation circle."
Bohemirn's tower master.
When the name of the Omnipotent Transcendent was mentioned, the members of Society each sucked in a breath.
"As you know, due to the traits of Dexar's Jewel, the circle activates instantly. However, since it is a spatial teleportation array, it takes precisely four minutes for the registered coordinates to be fully set."
"In other words, he must be stopped before then. Or else denied the chance to use the jewel at all."
At Cain's words, Verden nodded.
"Easier said than done. Rayshen always travels with three personal guards, not only strong but willing to give their lives for the tower, making them extremely troublesome."
Particularly dangerous if Verden were absent.
Even if Adrian and Cain went all out, facing them head-on carried a high risk of letting him slip away.
Moreover, given the circumstances, it was clear that killing him recklessly was not an option.
"Still, there are openings. When the teleportation array is activated, it creates an immense mana wave, and being a delicate circle, it's highly vulnerable to shock. Furthermore, since Rayshen is moving in secret, he will choose a secluded place with no one around to cross the space. In other words───"
Verden snapped his fingers.
"Division, and the hunt. In Gargant, those are the two main points."
From subspace, fourteen sheets filled with elegant script were summoned.
With a light wave of his hand, he distributed them to all except Adrian.
"Inside are detailed notes on the terrain conditions suited for teleportation. From now on, search Gargant's vicinity thoroughly, narrow down the places that fit, and report them to me through Cain. Record everything, even if it seems ambiguous."
"We shall bear it in mind."
"Then lastly. Does anyone know well about the 'Panians' Mole'?"
Panian's Mole, a rare magical beast highly useful for magical experiments.
If it lived for several months in soil mixed with magic stone powder, mana would begin to flow through its blood, making it a high-grade ingredient for mana potions.
Of course, catching them was difficult.
With keen senses and excellent survivability, they mainly lived in deep tunnels in high mountain regions.
Being small and nimble, they had virtually no predators.
Heras was the first to raise his hand.
"I've studied them and even experimented with them directly, since I learned alchemy."
"Ever caught one?"
"About three times."
"Good. Then, can you catch at least four, preferably eight if possible? If not confident, you may refuse. I can take the time to catch them myself."
Why would he suddenly need mole beasts?
Though Heras wondered, since it was required for the mission, he did not speak the thought aloud.
He nodded firmly.
"Leave it to me, my lord."
"Good, terrain survey and mole capture. Reports are to be made every four days. Orders given, dismissed."
"Until later, senior."
Mana surged.
Led by Cain, they soared into the sky, soon splitting into three groups dispersing in all directions.
Only Heras, tasked with the individual mission, vanished another way.
"Let's move too."
"Yes, my lord."
Verden and Adrian set off toward the great city, Gargant.
***
White and exotic.
When they stepped into a place filled with people, before them stretched a bustling street, entirely different from the noisy market.
Rare foods and drinks were sold from stalls, filling the air with aromas.
Though the prices were high, not a single customer voiced complaint.
It seemed it wasn't swindling.
From all directions, mana of every sort surged, and magical goods displayed in the shops shimmered. Merchants clad in fine attire haggled with the pomp of nobles.
Meanwhile, people cheered.
"Wow, amazing!"
"Crazy, spines can bend that far? Is that even human?"
"Mhm, as expected of the Pahran troupe."
Performers, moving their bodies in strange and dazzling ways to showcase their art, stirred the street into lively cheer beneath fervent gazes.
There were even Mages of the elemental or illusion branch creating spectacles with magic.
Ssswaaaaaa.
From a waterfall, created artificially through magic, spray rose upward.
Before it, Verden and Adrian halted.
Each removed [Ainber] and [Shadow Spider], then draped magical robes for disguise.
At least this time, they had no plan to reveal their identities while moving about.
Verden murmured.
"Perhaps because I came from Arein, the contrast feels far too stark."
"Hm, it's been nearly fifteen years since I last came to Gargant… and compared to then, the buildings and everything else have advanced tremendously."
Moreover, rumors had quietly spread that Licentia was coming to Gargant, and Ignacia had even announced the auction date, so it would seem more lively than usual.
'As expected, secretly using spatial teleportation in the city center is impossible.'
That much was certain.
Frankly, unless Rayshen's neck was literally on the guillotine, he would not even attempt it. The uproar would be immense.
And in such a situation, Verden could immediately respond.
'Therefore Gargant itself is excluded from the actual hunting ground.'
Then, what should be done now.
Chasing Rayshen was out of the question.
At present, they could not even be sure he had arrived in Gargant. Even if he had, searching through this sprawling giant city to find him would be no different from looking for a needle in a haystack.
It was only reasonable to begin searching when the auction began.
For now, they had arrived early at their destination.
Until Cain came to report, they had leisure to explore Gargant further.
'I do have some interest in the academy….'
But before that, there was someone he absolutely had to meet, so he postponed it.
Verden turned his head.
In the distance stood a building of considerable height.
As it was one of Gargant's landmarks, there was no need to ask what it was.
"I plan to meet Ignacia now. There shouldn't be any major issue, but I think it's best for you to wait outside."
Adrian had once been caught off guard by Ignacia's ambush.
It would indeed be uncomfortable to face her.
But Adrian politely refused Verden's consideration.
"I will accompany you."
***
A structure built with magical architectural techniques, leased at immense cost from the Magocratic Nation, so-called Sanctuary of Illusions.
Its master, Ignacia, rolled on her bed as she welcomed her guests alone.
"Hello, Asher! Adrian! The auction hasn't even started yet, but you're already here? Anyway, welcome to the largest city on the continent!"
It was the same girl-like appearance as before.
At her truly innocent mannerisms, befitting that age, the two men remained silent.
Regardless, Ignacia spoke.
"So, you came to see me the moment you arrived in Gargant? How admirable. I really like that. I like people who think of me and care about me."
She lay with her neck hanging over the end of the bed, hugging her pillow tightly.
"And, perfect timing. As host, I was going to explain to my clients about the theme of this auction. However…"
Then, her eyes, like a dazzling Milky Way, fixed upon Adrian.
"Only Asher has the right to converse with me. Heaven's Sword, Adrian Chambers, you're not bad either, but… honestly, you lack fun."
Without mockery, without derision, she pointed it out as though it were self-evident.
Adrian's eye twitched.
Ignacia, seeing this, smirked and raised a finger.
"So, why don't you just sleep for a while?"
An intangible surge of magic.
Though Verden perceived it instantly, he did not bother to react.
In the blink of an eye, it struck Adrian's mind. His vision flashed white, his head jerking backward even as he stood.
"Now then, the nuisance is gone, so we can───"
"A sealing-type spell, similar to what you used in Arein, is it."
Adrian straightened his head again.
Veins bulged at his temples, yet he endured the mental seal.
From his whole body, a violet aura wavered.
"Did you think, I would fall to the same trick again, Ignacia."
Even before a Transcendent, Adrian did not raise his speech. It was simply his nature.
Ignacia blinked, then grinned, clapping lightly.
She did not flare up at his arrogance.
She was a hedonist.
"Stronger than last time, yet it still didn't work? Resistance isn't something you can achieve with will alone… I like it. This time was fun. You pass. I'll specially allow you to stay awake."
Two plush chairs appeared behind them.
Understanding the meaning, Verden and Adrian leaned back into their seats.
At once, a small table with drinks and snacks floated between them.
"We're facing each other, drinks are ready. Then let's begin our talk… wait, wait."
Abruptly, Ignacia gazed at Verden this time, intently.
Then she asked softly.
"Asher, do you have something to say to me? It feels like there's something, you are dying to know."
Though her manner was light, her essence was Transcendent.
The insight she displayed surpassed Verden's level.
"If I ask, will you answer?"
"If it's fun, of course. If it's boring, I might lie. Depends on you, not me."
"Then, I won't hesitate to ask."
Though the chance came unexpectedly, he did not waver.
A question he had long harbored.
And one stirred anew by the Abyss of Mado not long ago…
Gathering it all, Verden opened his mouth.
"What is a Transcendent?"
A question none but a Transcendent could answer, a question none dared to define.
Ignacia raised her upper body.
She perched on the edge of the bed, licking her lips.
"Heh, so you too are aiming for transcendence. Same for Adrian beside you, I bet? Interesting. Bold, rude, and fun, that question is."
Before they realized, Ignacia's form shifted into that of an adult.
A captivating smile spread.
"What could a Transcendent be. The debate has gone on for ages, and opinions differ from one Transcendent to another. There are parts we agree on, and parts we are skeptical about. But if I were to give my own conclusion───"
Ignacia tapped her head with a finger.
"Transcendents, are all lunatics."
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