Chapter 1260: Post-War Processing (13)
Ascendant Crimson.
While investigating the project, Lennok had heard that name several times.
An Ascendant who cooperated in Anathema’s expulsion and acted on their authority. A Transcendent who visited Kundara’s Ninth Tribulation and left traces.
Among past Ascendants, she had an unusual origin and a unique personality, apparently enjoying travels across the Outer Continent.
He heard that communication was impossible by ordinary means, but by following specific procedures, one could interact with her and borrow her power.
Her name was occasionally heard, but she left almost no trace or form in this world—
“Crimson’s soul is inside this Great Katana Flowing Soul…”
Whooooosh…!!
Lennok, who had been staring at the Great Katana Flowing Soul, which emanated demonic energy, crossed his arms and said in a listless voice.
“That explanation doesn’t sound particularly credible. An artifact of that caliber should at least react when its owner dies.”
“…”
“I’ve seen Song-ha fight a few times, but I never felt anything special about his Great Katana Flowing Soul. What’s the reason?”
Song-ha was a swordsman who, along with Ethan Bajour, had learned all the sword principles of the Sword Sect of Demise and reached Level 8.
However, Lennok had never felt any particular incongruity from Song-ha’s armament itself, beyond Song-ha himself.
The fact that Song-ha’s Great Katana Flowing Soul possessed a will was surprising, but an Ascendant’s soul residing within it was an entirely different matter.
If a soul of that caliber existed as an armament, shouldn’t it have intervened in some way at the moment of Song-ha’s death?
As Lennok had witnessed Song-ha’s death in front of The Doctor, it was true that The Doctor’s words lacked credibility.
“Crimson is an unusual being among Ascendants, and a Transcendent who presided over contracts and promises since Ars Nova was intact.”
But The Doctor did not refute Lennok’s words, explaining calmly.
“According to a specific procedure, she lends her power to those who seek her, and as proof, she shares a part of her soul.”
“…She shares her soul?”
“That Great Katana Flowing Soul is an object containing a part of Crimson’s soul, and proof that she cooperated with the project… in short, it’s like a materialized token of a contract.”
The Doctor looked at the silver-white Great Katana Flowing Soul, which was diagonally embedded in front of Lennok.
“Originally, the power should have returned to Crimson herself upon the death of the contract holder, but Hylaea’s ability merely holds it here. In fact, it’s an object that shouldn’t exist at this point.”
“…”
“If an intangible asset, which couldn’t exist as a spoils of war from the Subjugation Operation, was retained here by our abilities, wouldn’t that in itself create new value?”
Hylaea’s talent was the Talent for Duality, observing both sides of all things simultaneously.
Did that mean she forcibly held the fragment of soul, which should have returned to Crimson, in this world?
But Lennok focused more on the value assessment of the Great Katana Flowing Soul before him, rather than how it was possible.
‘Crimson’s soul…’
Kaiser had once mentioned that in his repeated Regressions, he had succeeded in borrowing Crimson’s power.
That must have meant Kaiser had obtained the ‘contract’ procedure for borrowing Crimson’s power.
Therefore, this Great Katana Flowing Soul was proof that Crimson had lent her power to the project according to the contract, and—
“Does that mean it’s the only medium through which we can attempt to communicate with Crimson right now?”
“That’s precisely hitting the core.”
The Doctor smiled.
“There might have been other reasons why Song-ha among the Deadrise Captains had the Great Katana Flowing Soul. Perhaps its Spiritual Presence helped in controlling superhuman abilities, or perhaps the Great Katana Flowing Soul itself was an excellent armament.”
“…”
“But apart from that, it’s clear that the greatest value of this armament is related to an Ascendant. We have the ability and knowledge to utilize that fact.”
Indeed, Song-ha’s Great Katana Flowing Soul had not broken even after being directly hit by the Incarnation Body’s lightning, so neither possibility was unlikely.
While Lennok was lost in thought, The Doctor’s explanation continued without interruption.
“I know this because I obtained relevant information while delving into the Operation System. Through it, I had pre-selected the items and artifacts that could be recovered by our abilities after the Subjugation Operation ended.”
“You pre-selected artifacts to recover?”
“The other equipment recovered in this settlement is also the same. We speculated that the Magic Tower faction wouldn’t prioritize the recovery of Forbidden Arts or human sacrifice-related artifacts, so we were able to achieve meaningful results. In a way, you could say we were lucky.”
Contrary to his humble answer, Lennok realized at that moment that The Doctor’s judgment had been accurate.
At the moment the Incarnation Body was slaughtering The Legion’s superhumans with the power of a Martial Artist, Lennok too was rushing his preparations for the final battle.
While Lennok’s attention, which had never strayed from the battlefield, was divided for a fleeting moment, did they, led by Hylaea and Chebien, collect artifacts that the Magic Tower faction wouldn’t prioritize?
If they changed their policy and acted immediately upon seeing the Incarnation Body’s power, it wouldn’t be strange for Pandemonium to have achieved some success on the rapidly changing battlefield.
Rather, the fact that they achieved such results despite being on the defeated side of The Legion suggested The Doctor’s competence.
“We’ll have to disclose the recovered artifacts and determine ownership later, but this is undoubtedly one of the most precious artifacts from that battlefield.”
The Doctor asked.
“Victor, would you agree to take this, as you achieved the greatest contribution in the Subjugation Operation?”
“…”
Instead of answering, Lennok gazed intently at the silver-white Great Katana Flowing Soul diagonally embedded before him.
A strangely elongated Great Katana Flowing Soul, taller and wider than Lennok himself.
Through its transparent, silver-white blade, a faint shadow shimmered, seeming to meet Lennok’s gaze.
Great Katana Flowing Soul. An armament whose name, ‘weapon with a flowing soul,’ suited it perfectly.
“If you don’t plan to take it, can I have it next?”
The vampire, perched on a chandelier hanging from the museum ceiling, smiled eerily.
“Though not comparable to that monstrous Manipulation Spellcaster, I also remained until the end of the Subjugation Operation. If we’re talking about contribution, I’m not unqualified, am I?”
“…”
“Sarin. I didn’t know you’d covet this weapon.”
While Lennok ignored her, The Doctor asked in a leisurely tone.
“Didn’t you only use armaments made of your own blood due to your vampire characteristics with Blood Manipulation?”
“There are restrictions due to the blood binding, but it’s not to the extent that I can’t use other armaments at all.”
Sarin shrugged casually.
“It’s unnecessarily big, but it’s still a sword, so it’s not a weapon I can’t handle. And the mention of an Ascendant’s soul inside is intriguing.”
“…”
“Most of all, taking the sword that Song-ha used to the Crimson Star Clan holds special meaning.”
The vampire, resting her chin on her hands placed on her knees, met Lennok’s gaze with a swirling smile.
“I’m personally quite interested in it, if you don’t mind, how about the Crimson Star Clan acquiring the Great Katana Flowing Soul for a suitable price?”
“From earlier, everyone keeps making such worthless proposals.”
At Lennok’s cold retort, Chebien’s puppet slightly paused its movement.
“If you want something, first tell me what you can offer. Did you think I’d just accept a proposal if you casually dropped the Crimson Star Clan’s name?”
“Oh, I apologize. A True Ancestor Vampire like me has a binding, so it’s difficult to speak about the Crimson Star Clan’s abilities unless it’s in the form of a transaction.”
Sarin giggled and tilted her head.
“I can’t be specific, but it’s an item that helps with Bloodline Ability or physical transformation. Something that artificially bestows racial traits that are absolutely unobtainable by an individual’s power… let’s just say it’s that kind of power.”
“…”
Upon hearing those words, Lennok momentarily halted the mana he was drawing up.
Lennok, too, vaguely understood what Sarin was implying with her roundabout words.
As if anticipating Lennok’s reaction, Sarin smiled pleasantly and waved her hand.
“Your thought is correct. Especially for a Trait-type Spellcaster with twisted talent like you, it’s an invaluable item. It might even be something that could change your hierarchy.”
“…”
“Anyway, you’re not a swordsman, are you? Even if you received a Great Katana as a reward, wouldn’t it be difficult to use effectively?”
Sarin said in a seductive voice, as if coaxing the silent Lennok.
“Rather than taking it just relying on Crimson’s name, it wouldn’t be bad to secure a reward that would definitely aid your spellcraft.”
“You’re mistaken.”
Lennok sneered, crossing his arms.
“I wasn’t deliberating on the Great Katana Flowing Soul’s use simply because I’m not a swordsman.”
“Huh?”
“I was merely considering how much to value it at this point.”
Lennok’s eyes glinted beyond his obsidian mask.
“I hesitated for a moment, but there’s no reason not to take it. Get out of the way.”
“…Get out of the way?”
At that instant, Sarin, not understanding his words, tilted her head, just as an eerie presence was felt behind her.
A sound like worn cloth brushing. An inhuman presence that even she, a True Ancestor Vampire, hadn’t noticed until just now.
As Sarin turned her gaze with an ominous expression, something clad in a black robe brushed past her.
Shhhhwip—
“…!!!”
A bizarre sight: a hawk-nosed giant, clad in a tattered robe, extending eight arms like a spider as it descended beneath the chandelier.
The observing members instinctively drew up their mana, wary, then realized its identity belatedly and stopped.
“Wait, surely…”
“The one summoned from the labyrinth…!!”
The Tailor of the Imaginary Dimension, a Trait-type artificial summon Lennok had called forth just before deploying his Domain in the center of District 49’s labyrinth.
As the members who remained on the battlefield recalled that image and flinched, the hawk-nosed giant moved.
[Heheheh…]
Slowly letting out a gloomy laugh, it wound its eight arms and crawled down towards the ground like a spider.
In the center of the silent museum lobby, the hawk-nosed giant, hanging upside down, slowly extended a hand.
The moment its withered, ashen hand grasped the silver-white Great Katana Flowing Soul diagonally embedded before Lennok.
Clank.
[…Heh.]
Simultaneously, the Tailor’s laughter died down, and an eerie silence descended.
Clank, clank.
Between the Tailor’s dry fingers, the silver-white Great Katana Flowing Soul trembled, as if rejecting its touch.
But Lennok, watching this, said calmly in a modulated voice.
“Since a soul has no form, a Spirit-Forged Armament is ultimately closer to an object where a soul is solidified and fixed into a specific shape.”
“…”
“It merely takes the form of a Great Katana because it had Song-ha as its owner; there’s no reason it can’t change its form depending on the owner. And if that owner isn’t human, but a summon representing the essence of a spellcraft—”
Lennok tilted his head.
“Wouldn’t it naturally take the form most suitable for the spellcraft I use?”
Clank, clank, clank!!!!
CRACK!! CLATTER!!!
The Great Katana Flowing Soul trembled even more violently in the Tailor’s hand, the silver-white gleam on its blade intensifying.
As the Great Katana Flowing Soul’s shaking grew severe, its blade distorted and scattered left and right, losing its original shape.
The Tailor, gripping the hilt so tightly that the veins on its hand were visible, forcibly pulled the Great Katana Flowing Soul from the ground.
KWA-AAAAANG!!!
A silver-white mist exploded, filling the vast lobby hall.
Within the dense mist, the Tailor’s colossal silhouette swayed slowly.
A hunched figure, draped in a tattered robe, looking down at the ground. Numerous arms dangled beneath the robe.
And diagonally slung over its shoulder, a colossal silver-white—
“…Scythe?”
Whoooosh!!!
Wind blew, clearing the mist, revealing the Tailor holding a colossal silver-white scythe.
A hawk-nosed giant, clad in a robe, holding a massive scythe and cackling, a sight resembling the embodiment of the Grim Reaper.
[Grrrruuhhh…]
As it let out a gloomy laugh and beckoned with its hand, the great scythe slung over its shoulder moved smoothly, carving through the mist.
Each time, chilling whispers and mournful cries, as if caressing a soul, gently settled on its shoulder before vanishing.
As the members were struck speechless by the bizarre yet overwhelming presence, Lennok, observing, nodded.
“Now it looks more fitting.”
“…”
Only then did the members, understanding the meaning of Lennok’s actions, mutter in bewildered astonishment.
“He changed the form of the Spirit-Forged Armament from a Great Katana to a scythe… Unbelievable…”
“From the beginning, he intended for the summon to wield it, not himself?”
“Hmph…”
While Chebien, Hylaea, and Ermont grunted in thought, The Doctor nodded.
“I understand the feeling you were aiming for. Indeed, it’s not strange for a weapon made of a soul to change its form.”
“…”
“However, choosing the form of a scythe is interesting. Even considering it’s for a summon, it’s not an efficient form. Is it a personal preference?”
As The Doctor said, a scythe is not a mainstream cold weapon among those used by superhumans.
It has a tricky usage, requiring a pulling swing to cut, and surprisingly, its range is not long despite its size.
It must cut by pulling close, yet it’s difficult to deal with if an opponent initiates close-quarters combat first, a contradiction.
It’s hard to use without the ability to maintain a gap, neither too far nor too close, to the point where Lennok had rarely encountered a superhuman using a scythe.
However, the reason a scythe was chosen as the armament for the Tailor was vaguely understandable.
“The more peculiar the form of an armament, the stronger its image due to its unique characteristics.”
Lennok said, looking up at the Tailor carrying the colossal death scythe.
“It seems it judged that this ‘reaping’ form was suitable for maximizing the function of my spellcraft.”
“…Why do you speak as if you didn’t decide it yourself?”
“As The Doctor suggested, the fragment of Crimson’s soul will be taken by me.”
Lennok ignored Sarin’s question and walked away.
“I’ll be adjusting my spellcraft, so you all sort out the remaining settlement among yourselves.”
The Great Katana Flowing Soul, an armament made of a fragment of Crimson’s soul, was a Spirit-Forged Armament with no fixed form.
Although it had been transformed into a scythe and placed in the Tailor’s hand, adjustments were needed for proper use.
The time it would take for the other members of Pandemonium to complete the settlement of the Subjugation Operation’s results would be sufficient.
Flash!!
As Lennok turned and walked away without waiting for an answer, he Flickered and vanished down the lobby corridor.
Lennok’s transformed body instantly arrived on the building’s rooftop, leaping over the museum’s stairwell through space.
With the ruined scenery of Bailuts behind him, Lennok was about to summon the Tailor again.
Click.
The rooftop door opened behind him, and someone walked out.
“Victor.”
“…”
Hylaea, holding rosary beads in one hand, stood on the opposite side of the museum rooftop.
Had Hylaea followed him out as soon as Lennok left the settlement location?
Hylaea approached Lennok, who glanced at her, and cautiously spoke.
“I apologize for disturbing you. But I have a few things I’d like to say about this settlement.”
“Where are the others?”
“The Doctor is probably handling the settlement in our stead by now.”
Hylaea answered calmly.
“In terms of distribution, he’s next in priority after you in this Subjugation Operation. The other members won’t have any complaints.”
“…”
Though not comparable to Victor, The Doctor’s contribution in planning the operation and opening the Ascension Gate in the labyrinth was also immense.
If he distributed the spoils of the Subjugation Operation in Hylaea’s stead, other members couldn’t object.
But Lennok, reading Hylaea’s true purpose from her answer, asked.
“You have something specific you want to tell me.”
“That’s right.”
Hylaea, who readily affirmed, came to stand beside Lennok.
Leaning against the railing overlooking the ruined satellite city, Hylaea was silent for a moment before speaking.
“The Iron Chain Dragon King has expressed his intention not to receive any spoils from this settlement.”
“…”
“He said he didn’t participate with the intention of sharing Short-lived Beings’ belongings or artifacts. So we’re thinking of diverting his share to you. Is that alright?”
“It seems there are leftovers even after all participants here have taken their share of the Subjugation Operation’s results.”
“Most of the spoils were already recovered by the Magic Tower faction, but as The Doctor said, there were equipment and artifacts that they didn’t prioritize for recovery.”
Hylaea nodded.
“Forbidden Arts or human sacrifice-made artifacts… indeed, the Adamant Tower isn’t very interested in those. It was quite visible that they didn’t prioritize those items in their recovery efforts.”
“…”
“While we couldn’t bring powerful strategic weapons like Primo Alert or Enginium Fortress, there are equipment and components that can only be repurposed by us. We plan to restore their functions with The Doctor’s help.”
As Lennok refrained from Forbidden Arts and human sacrifice, his Tower colleagues also avoided handling items related to taboos if possible.
Moreover, items made with Forbidden Arts were often difficult to store or even dispose of unless they were to be used directly.
Naturally, it wasn’t strange that items of that category were lower priority in the Subjugation Operation’s spoils recovery.
In fact, Lennok participated in the mid-term settlement partly to check if anything was missed among the items not recovered by the Tower.
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
“No. What I wanted to tell you was about what comes next. We’re settling the Subjugation Operation’s results now precisely because of the next plan.”
Saying so, Hylaea slowly twirled the rosary beads in her hand and fell silent.
A peculiar atmosphere, as if she were hesitating for a long time, choosing her words before speaking.
Glancing at Lennok, she cautiously opened her mouth and said,
“As you may have heard… the Nether King and Jinwa clashed in Paradise Lost. After a battle lasting three days and nights, the Nether King was defeated.”
“…”
Lennok’s presence sharpened immediately upon hearing those words, but Hylaea, though flinching, did not stop speaking.
“You, who joined through the Nether King’s recommendation, must have known. But there’s something I need to tell you about it.”
“Speak.”
“…Just before the Nether King entered Paradise Lost, he left his legacy within the Central Front.”
Lennok’s breath, which had been slowly wavering beneath his robe, hitched.
Hylaea watched Lennok’s reaction and quietly whispered.
“His ‘fruit’ which he failed to achieve through Gabihaeng… we estimate that it still remains near Paradise Lost.”
“…”
Only then did Lennok understand why Hylaea wanted a private conversation with him.
She wasn’t trying to grant Lennok special favors or ask for his understanding regarding this settlement.
The information Hylaea wanted to convey to Lennok first, secretly from the other members, was—
“The Director’s permission has been granted, and we’re already recruiting members.”
Hylaea looked up at Lennok and asked.
“Pandemonium’s next plan will be an operation to recover the Nether King’s legacy from the Central Front. Victor, I’d like to put you on the entry list first, is that alright?”