Chapter 484 - Battle of Wits
"By nature, the self is defined through the perspective of another. A being remembered by no one, seen by no one, holds no meaning."
Dahit rolled up his sleeve.
A silver bracelet was revealed, studded with tiny metallic eyeballs.
"This [Horizon Observer] is a direct manifestation of that very thought."
By setting a domain, it observes existence in real-time, based on changes as trivial as breathing, then sends the owner's image to the observed being to force recognition.
Thus, by having the owner's existence redefined through others, it grants the unique ability to move without any backlash or restriction of distance.
Verden narrowed his eyes.
'So if I hadn't perceived the form of the [Horizon Observer], Dahit would never have appeared here?'
But even if he had known earlier, countermeasures would have been nearly impossible.
It was like being unable to ignore a sudden object flying at one's face.
To guard against it, one would need to move with every sense heightened to the extreme.
Yet roaming enemy territory in such a state was nothing short of suicide.
"That bracelet, is it an ancient artifact?"
"It holds far too much power to be considered a mere artifact."
At that moment, the bracelet shifted, and in an instant it corroded, rusting away.
"It does have the drawback of losing functionality for a long time after one use, but as you can see, it's more than useful. Especially for catching the one sent by those runaway masters of mine."
Dahit Wethroel sneered, uttering the names of the very first members.
He had partly discerned Verden's identity upon witnessing him forcefully open the gateway of the Great Hall whose code he himself had altered.
"Answer me. Whose successor are you?"
"All of them."
"Then it must be Melard and Cayman. I already confirmed the death of the other long ago, and Harkan died two years ago as well… A sudden raid by the Magic Tower Union, and the heir of Black Hour appearing in the Great Hall. Yes, there can only be one reason."
Dahit stroked his beard slowly.
"Your goal is the [Hourglass of Perpetuity]. To seize the symbol of Black Hour, weaken my dominion, and establish yourself as the new focal point of Black Hour."
He had seen through it in an instant.
Yet Verden betrayed no reaction. On the contrary, he felt conviction.
It meant that the Society's plan was effective, and that the [Hourglass of Perpetuity] was also something Dahit valued greatly.
Verden asked.
"Is that why you rushed back here, out of fear?"
"Why wouldn't I crush a bug that offends my sight? More than that, you should show a little more respect when addressing your 'senior'."
"…Senior?"
"We are both successors of the same lineage."
Both Verden and Dahit Wethroel had inherited something from the original members, both heirs to Black Hour.
The commonality was obvious.
Of course, their gazes toward each other brimmed with sharp hostility, mingled with faint interest.
"And yet you managed to deceive those old fools well. Gaining their trust enough for them to reveal everything about the [Hourglass of Perpetuity]. But how did you manage to enter the Great Hall? Even with Melard and Cayman, there should have been no way."
Dahit had no knowledge of Cayman's contract with a demon.
And Verden had no reason to enlighten him.
"You're surprisingly talkative."
"It's laughable."
Dahit sneered.
"That crippled bunch of masters dragging in some Transcendent to make a last-ditch stand. That they thought such a plan could succeed. That you, who still hides your face, believe you can steal the [Hourglass of Perpetuity] and escape."
Verden was disrupting Dahit's perception with [Veil] of Ainber, just as he did when facing the Empire's Transcendents.
Dahit recognized Verden as a transcendent being, but could not discern his true appearance.
Ssssshhhhh───
Dahit gathered his magic power.
From his plain staff, ominous flames began to rise.
"In that sense, it is a pity. If you were a widely known Transcendent, then killing you would be worth the effort. My name would be etched in all memory—as the Transcendent who slew another Transcendent."
"Doesn't it tire you, living so obsessed with others' gaze?"
"I told you, didn't I? A being unseen and unremembered by anyone holds no meaning."
Ruuuuummmble…!!!
The might of two Transcendents collided.
Oppressive, violent.
Below the bridge, countless ripples spread across the lake. The air was heavy with killing intent.
Clench.
Verden gripped Interis tightly.
'It's still too early for a decisive battle.'
This was not the main stage.
The slaughter for the throne of Black Hour had to be carried out in front of all.
Only then could Black Hour be absorbed without fracturing as a power.
'And Dahit could not have come alone.'
Otherwise, he would not display such composure. He must have already contacted his close aides in the Great Hall.
By now, they would be moving to eliminate the intruders who had passed the second gate of the deep layer.
Verden had only one task here.
To buy time.
Until Adrian, Isabella, and Alpha seized the [Hourglass of Perpetuity].
This was trust.
Yet just because stalling was the goal, he had no intention of holding back.
The only path to survival was to fight as if to kill Dahit.
Fwoooosh!
As his entire mana circuits activated, immense magic power made the very space tremble.
A quantity clearly surpassing Dahit's.
Looking at Dahit's raised brows, Verden declared firmly.
"The Transcendent who slays another Transcendent, you say. Then if I kill you, my name shall be etched in everyone's memory."
"How arrogant."
Dahit stepped forward.
"How befitting of a Transcendent."
Mado
Mado
At the same time, the magic was opened.
Blazing black flames, countless elements rising into the air.
───!
When the two Transcendents clashed, the entire deep layer of the Great Hall quaked violently.
***
───KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-BOOOM!
A thunderous roar resounded from afar.
The Great Hall shuddered under the overwhelming shockwave.
It was obvious without even looking.
Verden and Dahit had collided.
Isabella clenched her teeth.
"Shi—… Damn it, why is Dahit here of all places?!"
He should have been in the western continent, locked in a standoff against the Bohemirn Magic Tower Union.
The situation had turned.
What had gone smoothly so far had now become the worst.
Adrian, however, remained calm.
"As long as our lord is here, Dahit cannot possibly come to this place. All we need do is retrieve the [Hourglass of Perpetuity] and bring it to him. We do our part."
"I know that…!"
Her voice shook, but not her resolve.
They pressed forward. Isabella, having passed the second gate, soared with
Before long, a massive door of a different form came into sight.
There was no mistake.
This was the deepest chamber where Cayman had said the Ring of Myriad Changes was installed.
[Open.]
It was not truly a gate, so Alpha matched the code in an instant and swung it open.
A vast chamber.
At its center rose a tightly stacked, square-pyramidal staircase, atop which rested a complex magical device.
And beyond, suspended in midair, were forty-nine rings fixed in the void—the sole mechanism for controlling the Ring of Myriad Changes.
Only Isabella and Alpha could manipulate it.
As they hurried up the stairs, it happened.
"...!"
With a surge of magic power, a massive spear of venom shot straight toward Isabella.
Just as she was about to respond, Adrian leapt forward, grasping his magic sword, Cadence.
Slaaash!
From above to below, a diagonal slash split the 5th-tier black magic in half with a single strike.
Landing on the ground, Adrian turned his gaze toward the direction from which the spell had been fired.
Three unfamiliar magi were walking toward them at a leisurely pace.
At their head was Carindin Lerhar.
"...Since the Great Hall was built, this is the first time intruders have entered, and yet you made it this far. Even a swordsman, not a mage? Hah, Cayman, Melard, they must have been rather desperate."
He was one of the original members who had founded Black Hour, and one of the two who betrayed their comrades in the past, siding with Dahit.
Carindin, accompanied by two 6th-tier magi, now faced Adrian and Isabella.
Adrian glared at them.
"I heard there's only one path to reach the deepest part of the Great Hall. Did you have a teleportation array hidden away?"
"Much has changed over the ages. But it is frustrating not to recognize your face beneath that veil. What is your realm, by the way?"
Carindin turned his gaze to Isabella.
"And why are you asking that?"
"To advise you to surrender. With Darkmoon here, escape is impossible. If you yield, you will be treated accordingly. Be it the magic towers or Black Hour, talent is always in short supply."
"You want me to betray?"
"There may be a difference in nuance, but the meaning is the same."
Betrayal.
That was Isabella's reverse scale. Veins bulged on her forehead.
"Carindin Lerhar."
"Oh? You know me?"
"I've heard much. One of the two who betrayed Black Hour, who yielded to his disciple, and led the way in killing his own comrades. Don't you feel shame, living so disgracefully?"
"Haha, a foul-mouthed junior indeed."
"Shut up, who's your junior."
Carindin brushed it off with a chuckle, but his eyes were nothing but murderous.
Words were meaningless now.
Battle was inevitable.
But to deal with those three, both Isabella and Adrian had to fight.
'So then....'
Isabella gave a subtle jerk of her chin.
Having learned the art of reading signals at Verden's side, Alpha immediately understood.
Hop!
Doo-doo-doo-doo!
Alpha leapt from Adrian's shoulder and scurried up the stairs. Still cloaked in
Reaching the top, he scrambled up the control device.
Alpha would manipulate the Ring of Myriad Changes, while the other two guarded him.
No words were needed—their will aligned.
And then.
Thud...
One of the Rings of Myriad Changes shifted.
Carindin, startled, lifted his head and frowned.
"What is this? Why is that suddenly moving───"
At that instant, Isabella's eyes flashed, and the orb of frost she had long since prepared was hurled diagonally downward with force.
The Black Hour member who had shot upward with
That was the signal. Adrian swung his magic sword with all his might.
New Moon.
A radiant violet crescent.
They might have inferred Adrian's identity from the form of his speed and aura, but this was no time for concealment.
One top executive of Black Hour, two high executives, against whom Adrian and Isabella unleashed their full strength.
***
If there exists a spear that pierces all, and a shield that blocks all, which one prevails?
The answer depends on the perspective of the one who watches.
But if there are two people, each bearing a spear that pierces all, then the result is singular.
They stab and stab again, until the one who cannot endure is defeated.
Verden and Dahit.
That was their very nature.
Kwooooooooom!
The space trembled.
From the shroud of dark smoke, Verden leapt forth, swiftly aiming Interis.
The Mystic Eye activated.
Flame-wreathed rocks, piercing the air in a deadly line.
Dahit stretched out his hand.
As he moved to erase the spell outright with his signature flames, Verden flicked his finger.
Flash!
A brilliant yellow blaze burst forth.
The fire, compressed to the extreme, erupted outward, engulfing Dahit.
But the raging inferno did not spread further. The flames faltered, then rapidly shrank.
"A Mystic Eye that unleashes spells instantly at range. A branch of ancient bloodline? I've never seen it before. Intriguing."
The
He curled his fingers.
Like snuffing out a match, Verden's unique spell vanished with ease.
'Even cloaked in
Even 6th-tier magic fueled by Mado couldn't reach Dahit. It was smothered in his black flames before it could land.
Dahit was still probing.
Cautious, because his opponent was an unknown Transcendent.
Prudent.
But Verden, too, was yet to bare his true hand.
'The time for trump cards is later.'
Both had the same purpose—stalling for time.
Dahit, waiting for his subordinates to suppress the intruders in the Great Hall.
Verden, waiting for Adrian's group to seize the [Hourglass of Perpetuity].
And the sooner one revealed their hidden means, the greater their disadvantage.
The Mado of Infinity.
For now, it would be enough to draw out one of Dahit's hidden cards.
'Let's see it.'
Verden raised Interis high.
'Even if I unleash every 7th-tier spell I have, will he truly emerge without a scratch?'
Triple Casting.
The magical bombardment began.
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