Chapter 423 - Test (2)
The dignity of a Transcendent.
A proof of existence, unique like magic power, each bearing different properties.
'The incarnation of the Demon King was incomplete, so it could not reveal its true existence, and the tower master of Dark Warton held back, so he did not elevate himself to his true dignity.'
Only the outsider, Ignacia, had revealed the full power of her true self. Among the transcendent beings Verden had encountered, that had been the case.
Though it was seen through a mental body, her presence, which partially interfered with the world and forced a serene stillness, remained vividly in memory and sensation.
'By contrast, my dignity is....'
Boundlessly passionate and destructive.
It was on an entirely different level compared to when he had embodied only a portion of dignity as a Quasi-Transcendent.
Perhaps that was why.
Verden summoned his staff.
As transcendent magic power concentrated, Orient began to shake violently. The golden glow of the crystal embedded in its tip flickered menacingly.
An unstable resonance.
It was undoubtedly failing to withstand the awakened power of Verden.
'Not only that.'
The Ring of Permafrost (replica), Maybel's Earrings, the Amulet of Thunderwing... even the Ring of Rune, Exceed, all reacted in a similar way.
They could shatter at any moment.
It had become evident that only equipment of at least artifact-class could endure Verden's transcendence.
"If the wearer's realm is high, then with just the infusion of magic power, low-grade magic items can be blown apart... but this is just from activating your mana circuits? Well, that's very much like a Transcendent. But even that staff can't endure? Nearly twenty percent of the highest-grade metal was used in its making."
"The rebound occurs precisely because of its high conductivity to magic power. It won't break right away, but even optimistically, it won't last long."
Orient, the Dawn of the East.
He recalled the time he had obtained the staff, completed at the forge of the Marquis of Esperanza.
The memory was somewhat heavy.
Stowing Orient into subspace, Verden approached Isabella.
First, he handed over the earrings, ring, and necklace he had been wearing.
"...Why are you giving me these?"
"Just because I can't use them doesn't mean they're useless. For you, who wields water and ice-elemental magic, they'll be useful."
The first, Maybel's Earrings.
A rare magic item, auctioned at Roafra for 770 million Elk.
They contained a mid-to-high-level enhancement of elemental magic range and a concealment function that unified appearance.
The second, the Ring of Permafrost (replica).
A prize directly bestowed by the King of Riviant after Verden had taken first place in the tournament held during the principality's grand event. Its power amounted to fifteen percent of the original.
The third, the Center of the Three Primary Colors.
An accessory granted by the King of Riviant, after Verden defeated the Marquis Gardran, a member of Gluttony who had committed a crime intolerable to the principality.
It imbued the wearer with Chaos───allowing them to extract and reassemble the traits of elemental magic, to create a magic that should not, could not, exist.
The Center of the Three Primary Colors was still withstanding Verden's magic power, but that was a separate matter.
Already, with the Mado
The only reason Verden continued to use the Center of the Three Primary Colors was purely efficiency.
'But now, having stepped into transcendence, the opening of Mado
The necessity of relying on the artifact's functions had disappeared.
"Uh, uh."
Startled, Isabella unwittingly received the unexpected gifts.
She wore the accessories one by one.
The Center of the Three Primary Colors, its rainbow-hued black gem, matched rather well with her dark green hair.
Then, Verden removed from his left hand the Ring of Rune, Exceed.
Originally, because Exceed had been directly linked to his mana circuits, it could not be removed unless he cut off his finger, but as a Transcendent, that restriction had vanished.
'The sensory dulling... as expected, it's gone.'
The five senses, the sense of balance, the sense of internal organs.
Even though the effects of the high-grade rune that had enhanced all bodily senses had disappeared, nothing had changed.
'This too must be one of the influences of becoming a Transcendent.'
There was no weakening of his power.
His body remained strong, his senses sharper than ever in this very moment.
Verden placed Exceed into Isabella's hand.
"I'll hire a rune expert later to engrave it for you, so for now, just keep it safe. It's precious, so don't lose it."
Isabella's strength and regeneration already placed her in the realm of abnormal species rather than human.
If on top of that, all her senses were enhanced, a significant increase in combat power could be expected.
"Well... it may be that you don't need it anymore, but isn't this too much? I feel really burdened."
"The more burdensome it is, the more you'll shine through your efforts, and then you'll feel at ease. I'll be expecting it."
Gifts, when too many, become heavy.
Isabella felt even more burdened.
***
"..."
[....]
Adrian and Alpha looked at Isabella with a hint of envy.
It couldn't be helped.
Verden was a Mage, and thus had nothing suitable to hand down to a mini golem or to a human who had awakened aura.
Adrian asked.
"By the way, if you're planning to find dwarves, will you be heading to the Federated States of Iderat?"
Though dwarves were rare in the central continent, they were not nonexistent.
They could be found not only in the Federated States of Iderat, but also in Gargant. If he had wanted, he could have made contact with dwarves long ago.
"In the past, that was my plan... but now that I have the means to cross continents with ease, there's no need to scour the central continent."
His blue eyes tilted slightly.
"I intend to go to the western continent."
The land where Verden had been born.
The Arnak Empire, the Bohemirn Magic Tower, the Church of Luas, the mightiest continent.
The land where the dwarven race gathered.
"Meeting with the dwarves of the central continent first and getting an introduction isn't a bad idea... but sometimes, directly colliding with things yourself works best. The fewer people who know about dragon bones, the better."
Verden, in many ways, was cautious.
'No matter if dwarves are a race of metal and creation, each individual's disposition and craftsmanship must surely vary widely.'
The level of merely being called an artisan would not suffice.
What he needed was a dwarf of overwhelming skill, one who could properly handle the material of a dragon, and who, even with a blade at his throat, would keep his mouth shut tight.
The last thing he wanted was for rumors to spread, and the whereabouts of the dragon bones to become known to the world.
"In essence, I must search for a dwarf master without having any information at all. I cannot promise how long that will take."
Of course, he could return periodically.
But there was no way to fill the gap in the meantime, and the problem was that Verden would not be able to respond personally to variables.
"I fully understand what you are concerned about. All the same, please leave it to us."
Adrian immediately added,
"My lord, you are a Transcendent."
Indeed.
Now, Verden had stepped into the same ranks as the monsters that stood at the summit... but precisely because of that, he could no longer act recklessly as before.
If he revealed his existence, Black Hour and the Bohemirn magic tower would recognize the emergence of a new Transcendent, and not only that, other Transcendents would begin interfering, placing restrictions on his actions.
It was an inevitable drawback.
Verden had to act as much as possible on unseen stages.
And more than anything.
"The battlefield of the Ownerless Land, does not suit my lord's level."
The shiver experienced in the Blue Mountains.
It was because Adrian had felt that fragment, that he could say it firmly.
"This place, we will pacify."
East, west, south.
The rulers dividing up the Ownerless Land and sitting upon it, were not to be brought to their knees by Verden himself, but by Verden's faction.
"Good, I'll leave it to you."
Verden accepted.
Thus, each had their task...
"But, my lord."
"...?"
"Before you head alone to the western continent, wouldn't it be good to test yourself once?"
A gleam of fighting spirit flickered in Adrian's eyes.
"The power of a Transcendent."
***
Verden, as soon as he finished awakening, returned to the Ownerless Land.
By observing his inner self, he had grasped his strength to some degree, but he had not yet confirmed with his eyes the new realm he had reached.
'Truly, directly measuring the level is a necessity.'
No matter the situation, being able to exert one's full strength was the most basic of basics.
It was not a matter of blindly charging forward, just because he had grown stronger.
Besides, Adrian was the only one among them who had faced a fully realized Transcendent.
And not just anyone, but Verden's ultimate target of vengeance, the Omnipotent Transcendent, Balrog Bessias.
'Yes, to me, he is the perfect sparring partner.'
Moreover, by showing his strength, Verden could help Adrian and Isabella to deepen their understanding of the realm of a Transcendent.
"There is sense in that."
There was no reason not to test it.
***
He inscribed a spatial magic circle, and moved into the depths of a deserted forest, a place where even a large-scale battle would cause no problem.
The benefits of breaking free from spatial restrictions were immeasurable.
"I'll watch for anyone approaching, and spectate from that cliff over there."
Isabella was excluded from the test.
Mado
Moreover, its ability to reduce magic resistance would not work on Verden. Perhaps in the past, but against a Transcendent's resistance, it was impossible.
And relying only on her abnormal physical abilities and her knowledge of elemental magic, to fight, would only be more of a hindrance to Adrian.
The reasoning was sound.
"Don't overdo it, and don't push too hard."
[Be victorious, Lord Verden.]
"You should be cheering for Adrian this time, he's the one fighting a Transcendent, isn't he?"
[Lord Verden, long live.]
With the mini golem, Alpha, perched on her shoulder, Isabella soared into the sky.
Insects buzzed.
A small stream trickled through the valley. The scent of trees and soil brushed against his nose.
Verden stood barehanded.
If he regulated his magic power appropriately, he could use Orient without severe damage, but as Adrian had said, this was a test.
He intended to show some degree of his power.
Thus, even without wielding a real weapon, it was enough.
A Quasi-Transcendent, who had once boasted overwhelming might.
Now, Verden stood on an entirely different plane, even compared to then.
Verden and Adrian faced each other.
"Come to think of it, this is the first time we're meeting head-on, with our minds intact."
In the autonomous territory of Midros, Adrian had been under brainwashing caused by Coercion.
Commanded by Balrog, his mind dominated, he had suffered a complete defeat against Verden.
"This time, I'll be much better."
"Of course you must."
Verden tilted his chin slightly.
Adrian, hand resting on the hilt, exuded a sharp presence.
'Focus only on the sword.'
Even if it was his lord, he resolved to fight with the intent to kill.
Adrian knew full well, just how mighty a being a Transcendent was.
This was no time for courtesy.
Courtesy would be arrogance, something Adrian was not permitted.
'The first strike will be light.'
Adrian dashed forward.
With the draw of his sword, violet sword energy slashed diagonally.
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