Chapter 1346: Designed Transcendence (24)
“I’ll make this clear right here, right now.”
In the mega-city of Vulcan, at Jenny’s bar in District 49.
The Fearsome Blood King, standing before dozens of superhumans, spoke with a firm, decisive tone, her arms crossed.
“I’m against Dadam’s proposal. I believe it’s far too dangerous.”
“……”
Silence fell.
Her companions, scattered throughout the spacious bar lobby, also remained quiet.
Not because they disagreed with her, but because they didn’t know what opinion to offer on the matter.
It was the day after Lennok obtained the mirror of the Ascension Relic and returned to District 49 with Jenny.
A late-night meeting was underway at the bar regarding Dadam’s proposal for the Ascension Ritual.
At this moment, when mercenaries were unusually cautious, wizards held their tongues, and administrators were steeped in silence, only a few dared to voice their opinions first.
This was likely because the situation directly concerned Lennok’s well-being.
Adamant Thunder’s Ascension Ritual, attempted using the mirror as a catalyst. His companions understood that the tangled interests were complex in many ways.
“Let’s first clarify Dadam’s proposal to Van. This situation has become trickier than expected.”
Jenny, standing before a whiteboard, picked up a marker and began to write.
- Dadam wants to destroy the mirror of the Ascension Relic.
- She needs Van’s help to destroy the mirror.
- If Van opens the Ascension Ritual and fails, the mirror will be annihilated.
- If the mirror is annihilated, Dadam will pay the price for the cooperation.
Jenny shrugged, having summarized the sequence of events on the board.
“…No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like something we should accept at face value, does it?”
“It feels like there’s too much we don’t know about how things are playing out.”
Mila said with a disgruntled expression.
“Why did Dadam come all the way to Vulcan to destroy the mirror in the first place? To destroy it ‘like an Ascendant’ because it’s such a dangerous item?”
“Dadam was an Ascendant who had been in seclusion, completely disregarding worldly affairs, until recently. Wouldn’t it be difficult to believe her words at face value?”
[But it’s clear that the mirror itself is an extremely dangerous item. I heard that the accident Van experienced yesterday was due to it.]
“News of Transcendent beings who visited Vulcan going missing or dying is widespread. Some media outlets have already attributed it to Van.”
“Those media vultures are annoyingly quick-witted about things like this…”
“Dylan. Do you realize that sounded like something a cheap villain would say?”
“Let’s put aside the complicated stories and focus solely on Dadam’s proposal.”
The Fearsome Blood King, sipping her ginger tea, spoke again in a cold tone.
“The issue of risk. If something goes wrong with this, we might turn an Ascendant into an enemy.”
“……”
“It’s different from the Subjugation Operation. You know that, right? There won’t be time to prepare thoroughly like back then. In the worst case, if something happens to Van, we…”
“It’s an ominous thought, but I understand what you’re trying to say, Racy.”
Interrupting the vampire, Jutiya settled into her chair and adjusted her glasses.
“Because she’s an Ascendant. Contrary to what she publicly declared, she might act ‘like an Ascendant’ at a certain point. That’s what it means to be a qualified being.”
“……”
“It’s a bit strange to trust Dadam, considering her mind has become almost plant-like. An Ascendant wouldn’t break a promise, but would a plant’s concept of a promise be the same as ours?”
“However, as Administrator Jenicia explained, it is true that the Ascension Relic harbors extremely dangerous power.”
Krod Azlan, adjusting his robe, closed his eyes.
“It’s a power too dangerous to leave in this city, and an item that absolutely shouldn’t be handed over to others. As the Tower Lord experienced a disturbance once before, wouldn’t more ruffians come to target the relic over time?”
“As in the Subjugation Operation, it’s not impossible to protect the relic within a Domain.”
Felix said in a heavy voice.
“But we won’t be able to prevent the disturbance that arises in the process. Even if the repercussions aren’t as vast as a war, it might become difficult to run the item business smoothly as it is now.”
“……”
“Of course, I’m willing to do my best to protect Van’s Domain even through that process, but…”
“Everyone’s been talking about risks for a while now, but I think we need to be more precise about this matter.”
Weian sat backward on his chair, tilting his head.
“So, Dadam wants to conduct an Ascension Ritual to destroy this mirror, right? It doesn’t matter whether the ritual succeeds or fails?”
“To be precise, she’s asking for Adamant Thunder’s cooperation, anticipating the failure of the Ascension Ritual.”
Jutiya said.
“It seems she knows Adamant Thunder has no immediate intention of becoming an Ascendant. So, it was closer to an offer of help in exchange for intentionally failing the ritual.”
“I don’t quite understand that part. Can the relic be destroyed simply by intentionally failing the Ascension Ritual?”
“The mirror, which forms the core of the Ascension Relic, holds immense transcendence, but it seems to be essentially a consumable catalyst.”
Aris replied in a calm tone.
“Once the Ascension Ritual is opened in any way and the catalyst is used, the relic will be annihilated. I suspect that’s the result the Ascendant desires.”
“No matter how I think about it, that part is excessively dangerous.”
Jenny’s eyes turned cold.
“It’s about reaching Level 9. No matter how exceptional Van is, we can’t be perfectly certain of the ritual’s success or failure. Even more so when it comes to intentionally failing the ritual.”
“……”
“Even if it fails, there’s no guarantee it will fail ‘safely’. Even if Dadam offers to help with that, how much can we trust her?”
“It’s true there’s no guarantee an Ascendant would ‘care’ for Adamant Thunder, who would be in a weakened state right after a failed ritual.”
Peshia retorted in a rough voice.
“If an Ascendant suddenly snaps and stabs that guy, who could stop her?”
“But it’s also true that similar risks exist if we refuse Dadam’s offer.”
Tatiana said in a subdued voice.
“She’s an Ascendant who personally came all the way to Vulcan to destroy the mirror. If Van refuses the proposal, would that elf simply accept it and leave?”
“……”
“Now that we know the value of the mirror, the chances of things going smoothly are slim. In the worst case, she might try to use force, citing our refusal of the proposal as justification.”
“That’s a convincing hypothesis. She came to Vulcan, anticipating an act of force from the start?”
“Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to this city by projecting an Ideological Domain.”
Silence fell.
This was because, even at this moment, everyone was recalling the scene of the gigantic Great Forest encroaching on one side of the undeveloped district.
A transcendent art of manifesting an Ideological Domain into another reality, merely by projecting one’s will from beyond the continent.
Was it even necessary to explain how meaningless the constraints of time and distance were against an Ascendant like Dadam?
“Several people here have met an Ascendant directly.”
The Fearsome Blood King asked.
“Evelyn, what do you think? Can we handle Dadam if we make her an enemy?”
“Think simply.”
Evelyn, leaning against the bar wall with her arms crossed, said.
“The opponent is a Level 9 archer. Do you understand what that means?”
“……”
“When it comes to shooting an arrow, there are absolutely no spacetime constraints. I can’t be sure, but… she might be able to put half a star within her range with a single draw of her bowstring.”
Evelyn gave a wry smile.
“Considering how Dadam manifested in Vulcan, it seems there are conditions for setting a target, but the destructive power would be similarly absurd. If we enter an all-out war, not many of us would be able to withstand it.”
“What if we lure her into District 49 to fight? Would it still be difficult for us to even buy time?”
“That would probably be the only scenario where we could act proactively.”
Evelyn nodded.
“A brief antagonistic state arising from the clash between Van’s Domain and Dadam’s Ideological Domain. If there’s a moment during that process when the laws etched into their respective Domains and Ideological Domains cancel each other out, we might be able to engage once. Van’s Domain, as seen in the Subjugation Operation, possessed that much caliber.”
“In that case—”
“But that’s tantamount to saying we wouldn’t receive the protection of Ouroboros [Cycle] within Van’s Domain. In that event, if Dadam kills us, it would be a complete end right there.”
Even with Evelyn’s chilling words, none of her companions wavered.
“We were lucky during the Subjugation Operation. I don’t think we can fight by relying on such miracles every time.”
“It’s natural to risk your life if you have to fight an Ascendant, isn’t it?”
“I never even received Cycle during the Subjugation Operation. Are there still such weaklings among us?”
“Hey! You try fighting a Legion Commander. Want to die?”
“Enough with the pointless power struggle.”
Evelyn sighed and shook her head.
“Even if things go well and we can fight Dadam, most of us would only manage to briefly tie her down. Extracting some of her abilities or authorities would be the maximum gain possible. Even that would ultimately have to be left to Van.”
“……”
“There’s a high probability it will turn out like the final confrontation when Van fought the Marshal in the Subjugation Operation. The outcome will be decided in a flow of time that can’t even be perceived, and by the time we realize it, the battle will already be over.”
Evelyn looked around the now quiet room and said.
“As you’ve heard, no matter which way the fight goes, it will place an enormous burden on Van. Unless we’re extremely lucky, most of us will only hinder Van, not Dadam.”
“……”
“While we need to be cautious about Dadam’s proposal, we must avoid a situation where we fight her as much as possible. Otherwise, it will just be us fighting an Ascendant Subjugation Operation from the perspective of The Legion.”
“Hmm. That’s not wrong, but…”
“It’s surprising that Marcia is so skeptical about this matter in the first place.”
Murphy, the vampire doctor, glanced at her with crossed arms.
“Aren’t you from the same species as Dadam? According to your judgment, we might make an enemy of an Ascendant through this.”
“Yes. But it doesn’t really matter.”
Evelyn said calmly.
“Whatever Dadam offers as a price for this, I believe nothing should take precedence over Van’s safety. Alright, Dylan, you too, right?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Dylan, who had been sitting silently at a table, flinched inadvertently.
Feeling the sharp gazes around him in an instant, Dylan sprang to his feet.
“W-Wait, wait!!! Don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t thinking anything else, absolutely not!!!!”
“Breathe while you’re talking, Dylan.”
Lennok, perched on the bar, chuckled as he tilted his glass.
“Did I ever scold you for being a little slow to answer?”
“R-Right?”
“Being slow to answer doesn’t matter, but answering incorrectly matters a great deal.”
Jenny, sitting opposite him, said in a cool voice.
“You’d best think carefully before you speak, Dylan.”
“Jenny… how much of an idiot do you take me for?”
Dylan sighed faintly, then shook his head.
“It’s not that. In fact, I was going to refuse Dadam’s proposal regardless of the outcome of this matter.”
“What?”
“I know what Dadam meant by making that offer to me.”
Dylan subtly lifted his gaze.
“Using Dadam’s magic, which reveals one’s essence without omission, might allow me to find my humanity within and return me to being human. For an Ascendant, it might not truly be impossible.”
“……”
“But I’ve already accepted myself as I am now. The reason I could reach Level 7 was because I accepted this current form as myself.”
Dylan drained his glass and said.
“I can’t say I have no lingering regrets, but I don’t regret it either. It’s just—”
“Let’s get back to the point. Ultimately, how Van feels about this matter is what’s important.”
“Hey!! If you’re going to talk like that, why did you even ask?!”
“I’ll state my opinion first. I think we should avoid clashing with Dadam directly, no matter what.”
Evelyn coolly ignored the agitated Dylan and turned her gaze.
“Even if we have to clash with an Ascendant, now isn’t the time. Regardless of whether we can trust Dadam, for now, accepting the proposal might be better.”
“I’m afraid my conclusion differs from yours, Marcia.”
The Fearsome Blood King’s red eyes gleamed.
“For Adamant Thunder’s safety, refusing this proposal is the right choice. Do you intend to keep being dragged along by an Ascendant’s plans?”
“However, it’s also true that we don’t know how the Ascendant will react if we refuse the proposal.”
Krod ran his hand over his collar with a troubled expression.
“To buy the Tower Lord some time to prepare for any contingency, wouldn’t it be better to at least accept the proposal for now?”
“You seem to be underestimating the Ascendant too much. If we try to buy time like that, do you think she won’t notice?”
Jutiya shook her head with a languid expression.
“If you truly want to eliminate risk, it’s better not to give any opening from the start. Once you get ambiguously involved, you won’t be able to pull back later.”
“Jutiya, I apologize, but is that from experience?”
“The point is, no matter which side we choose, we can’t be sure if we can avoid a clash with the Ascendant, Felix.”
Jutiya’s gaze, hidden by thick glasses, glinted strangely.
“If there’s risk no matter what choice we make, wouldn’t it be better to choose the option that preserves Adamant Thunder’s full strength, rather than expending energy preparing for a ritual?”
“Even considering that, I believe it would be better to accept the proposal for now to buy time, but…”
Felix, who had been replying with crossed arms, gave a wry smile and fell silent.
“…It’s an impasse.”
“……”
No sooner had Felix finished speaking than a sharp tension filled the bar.
An unprecedented situation where the Tower’s companions were divided into two opposing sides over Dadam’s proposal.
Perhaps it was because opinions had never been so sharply divided on a single topic within the Magic Tower before.
The fact that those on opposing sides were Transcendent beings, counted among the top few within Lennok’s Tower, was also a major issue.
It also meant that the existence of an Ascendant was a grave matter not only for Vulcan but also for the Magic Tower.
“If we keep arguing like this, we won’t reach a conclusion.”
Jenny glanced over.
“Van, I think you’ll have to decide. What do you think?”
“I’ve heard everyone’s opinions well.”
Lennok, who had been observing the situation until now, slowly tapped the table.
“However, there’s one aspect that hasn’t been properly discussed since the beginning.”
“What?”
“What is Dadam’s true objective?”
Lennok, looking at the opinions written on the whiteboard, said.
“It’s clear that it’s not merely to destroy the mirror. To be honest, it’s also highly improbable that an Ascendant, who has been in seclusion for decades, would suddenly act for the sake of the world now.”
“That’s… true, but…”
“It’s clear she’s hiding something. And that her goal is to use me to fail the ritual.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I believe Dadam sought me because she wanted someone who could voluntarily fail the Ascension Ritual.”
Lennok fell into thought.
“If a suitable Seeker used the relic, the ritual would likely succeed. So, she needed someone who could forcibly fail the ritual and ruin it.”
“…She wants to ruin the ritual itself? Why?”
“Because in the process where the ritual’s success and failure diverge, the power contained within the mirror will burst forth.”
Instantly, the bar fell silent.
This was because Lennok had previously explained to his companions exactly what kind of power resided within the mirror.
Only then did Aris, dimly guessing what Lennok was implying, murmur.
“So Dadam’s statement about wanting to destroy the mirror wasn’t a lie.”
“She just omitted the part about targeting the power contained within it.”
“She’s targeting the World’s Ten Laws? The ones connected to the Concept of Level 10?”
“Are such things even real?”
“If we delve into this, two fundamental questions arise.”
Lennok silently fell into thought, ignoring his bewildered companions.
“First. Is Dadam targeting the World’s Ten Laws contained within the mirror? Second. If she acquires the World’s Ten Laws, what does she intend to do with them?”
“……”
“If an Ascendant hides her intentions twice, then as discussed earlier, both accepting and refusing the proposal carry risks. If we consider the worst-case scenario of clashing with her, it might be better to refuse the proposal and preserve our full strength. However…”
Lennok, leaning against the bar with his chin in his hand, murmured.
“It’s also clear that the stakes involved in this matter are exceptionally high among the rewards an Ascendant can offer.”
“…That’s…”
“Since an Ascendant has publicly declared it, she would never break a promise in such a situation.”
Ideological Domain.
The authority permitted only to an Ascendant who has reached Level 9, literally constructing their own world.
Unlike a Domain, which projects the Root Mindscape into reality, an Ideological Domain directly imprints an ideology onto reality.
All laws within an Ideological Domain operate solely according to the Ascendant’s own will and intention, like a world unto itself.
Although Lennok hasn’t properly reached Level 9, he might certainly be able to emulate it now that he has acquired Ultimate Lightning.
Dadam must have vaguely heard the results of the Subjugation Operation, which is why she offered such a reward to Lennok.
If Lennok could learn the method or knack for manifesting it from Dadam, it would be an immense help.
Among the prices or rewards that could be obtained from an Ascendant visiting Vulcan, it was undoubtedly the most valuable.
“I know Dadam is hiding something, but I can’t immediately discern anything more than that. Yet, there’s a return that’s hard to ignore…”
“……”
“I understand. In the end, there are aspects we won’t know unless we confront them directly.”
Jenny turned her gaze with a grim expression.
“Van, can I take that as your conclusion?”
“…Indeed.”
Ultimately, the opinions of others on this matter were merely for reference.
Only Lennok’s direct judgment could determine the Magic Tower’s alternative and direction.
The silence filled the bar. Feeling the gazes of his companions, Lennok closed his eyes and said.
“I’ll make a list of the necessary catalysts and materials; please prepare them.”
“……”
“In this city… it seems it’s time to attempt an Ascension Ritual.”
His companions, who had been watching Lennok with grim expressions, slowly nodded.
“Alright. If that’s what you wish…”
“Accepting Dadam’s proposal is unpleasant, but there’s no choice.”
Although opinions had been divided and clashed, since Lennok had made his decision, no one would raise an objection.
The companions gathered in the bar naturally began discussing their respective tasks.
“It will be a very large-scale ritual. It will require a lot of time to prepare in many ways.”
“It will be an Ascension Ritual watched by tens of millions of people. Cooperation from the Central Council is half-mandatory.”
“Since it’s an issue involving an Ascendant, the City Government will cooperate willingly. Let’s try to secure their budget as much as possible to handle this.”
“I understand that the Countermeasures Committee led by Councilman Meyer has immense authority. I’ll contact them.”
“Even without trying to deceive Dadam, we can at least buy some time. We’ll do our best on our end too.”
“Don’t we need a contact person to communicate regularly with Dadam? Is it okay to leave it to Evelyn as it is?”
“Alright, Dylan, are you suggesting I’d betray you? Do you actually want an arrow to the head?”
According to Dadam’s proposal, it would be an Ascension Ritual attempted across Vulcan, watched by tens of millions.
To proceed smoothly and conclude safely, the companions also had much to prepare.
There were many questions, but since Van had decided, following his lead was the right course of action here.
However, Lennok shook his head, looking at his companions.
“No. Such discussions are unnecessary. I never intended to accept all of Dadam’s proposals from the start.”
“…What?”
“I merely summarized the situation before beginning the work. My explanation was a bit lacking.”
Lennok smiled, looking at his surprised companions.
“Since I can guess Dadam’s objective, if I acquire just one thing in this matter, everything else will follow.”
“Surely not…”
“There’s no reason to be dragged around by an Ascendant, now that the Subjugation Operation is over.”
Leaving his astonished companions behind, Lennok lifted his gaze.
“I will delve into the Ascension Ritual and acquire the World’s Ten Laws. Let’s start by putting a leash on the Ascendant’s power.”