Chapter 1435: The Power to Defy Fate (9)
Before regressing, Lennok had explored the Cradle hidden in the deepest part of Paradise Lost with Freya.
The secret place where Jinwa researched the Absolute Script using humans as material. Literally, the place for Jinwa to be reborn as an Outer God.
The memory of confirming Jinwa’s purpose with the boy’s help and facing her Incarnation Body in a fierce battle was still vivid.
The moment she realized Lennok wouldn’t use the Heavenly Abasement Spellcraft, Jinwa revealed her true form and went berserk.
Summoning the Hall of the Thunder God, using the ring’s power to recall past memories, and finally, regressing for the first time.
If not for that experience, he would not have been able to uncover the secret of the Heavenly Abasement Spellcraft hidden in Yeongheo Palace so quickly.
And Lennok wasn’t the only one who remembered the events of that time clearly.
“As soon as we escaped Yeongheo Palace, Freya was the first to make a suggestion.”
Hylaea said, walking at the forefront toward the Cradle’s location.
“She asked if we shouldn’t go to the Cradle, since there might be a weakness of Jinwa’s or a secret to her Spell-Word. Her judgment was that even if there was no significant gain, drawing the Ascendant’s attention, even for a moment, would be helpful in some way.”
“I’m touched, Freya. To think that you, of all people, were thinking of us so much—I never would have dreamed.”
Ermont asked with a sly grin.
“You usually nag us to death, but were you actually fidgeting anxiously behind the scenes? My, oh my, I’m not one to cry easily, but I feel tears welling up—”
“Shut up! Don’t make a fuss!!”
“Ugh…!!”
Freya, who had punched Ermont in the jaw, shuddered as if she had goosebumps.
Stomping on the collapsed black wizard, Freya spoke awkwardly under the baffled gazes of the others.
“I know the situation is what it is, but I just hated running away without being able to do anything. It’s not like I was certain, either.”
“Hoh….”
“If Jinwa wasn’t a Spell-Word user, I would have showered her with blessings and curses using my spellcraft, but the matchup was just too bad. I’m not trying to make excuses, but….”
“I don’t understand why you’re so obsessed with the fact that you couldn’t do your part. One doesn’t expect great feats from a Musical Scale Spellcraft user in the rear.”
Soryu tilted her head with a cold expression.
“Your role was similar when you worked in Kabahim, as I recall. There’s no reason to feel such a guilty conscience in Paradise Lost—”
“What, what nonsense is this?! I was the one who single-handedly drew people’s attention and evacuated them in the royal capital! Do you think you could have even entered the capital safely if it weren’t for my tour?!”
“—I can’t get a word in. I meant you don’t need to be disheartened just because you weren’t helpful in battle.”
“We didn’t come to Paradise Lost to pick a fight in the first place; we came to secretly steal the legacy.”
Sarin shrugged with a bitter smile.
“Well, things did end up this way as a result.”
“I, uh, I haven’t quite understood since a while ago….”
Agneta asked in a bewildered voice.
“That man, did he just take down an Ascendant by himself? Was there someone other than the Director who could do such a thing…?”
“….”
Everyone fell silent as if on cue.
They were trying to pass it off as a joke, but everyone was vaguely aware of just how absurd the current situation was.
They had just witnessed the death of one of the most widely known Ascendants in this world.
The great Spell-Word user who created the continent’s common language, the Seeker who was once the Whispering Grand General of the central city.
The unbelievable reality of witnessing with their own two eyes a human single-handedly facing and killing such an Ascendant.
Only the pale face of the wizard, walking silently without paying heed to the surrounding commotion, proved that what they had seen was not a hallucination.
“It’s hard to even imagine how much chaos this incident will throw the continent into….”
“Jinwa was a being who had accumulated immense karma, for better or worse. The repercussions of killing a living Ascendant will be beyond words.”
“In the world, there are as many who worship her as there are those who hate her. If this becomes known, the impact will be huge in many ways.”
“If it were to become known that the one who killed Jinwa was Adamant Thunder….”
“….”
“….”
A quiet silence fell along with Hylaea’s monologue.
“Ahem. I have a good idea.”
Ermont, his face swollen, nodded while crossing his arms.
“When we get back, let’s contact the Director and form an alliance with Adamant Thunder’s Magic Tower. Or how about we join the tower?”
“More nonsense?”
“I’m serious. Are you saying we should go back to being hostile with that crazy wizard after this is over?”
“….”
“You all saw it in Gateway City, but he only looks fine on the outside; he’s completely lost it. That psychopathic Spell Master wasn’t following him around for no reason.”
Amid the silent agreement, Ermont spoke again as if persuading the others.
“He’s calm now because he’s satisfied after fighting an Ascendant, but he’ll start doing strange things again in a little while. We have to quickly form an alliance before that monster goes crazy again so we can be safe—Ooooh?!”
From behind Ermont, who was in the middle of a passionate speech, a thick hand appeared and lifted his head like a walnut.
Behind the black wizard, who was trembling and letting out a strange scream, the pupils of a bright yellow reptile glinted.
“I’ve been watching silently, and you’re spouting some rather interesting nonsense.”
“Hieeeek…!! Hnghhhh…!!!”
As his hand gripped Ermont’s head and pressed firmly on his temple, a deflating sound leaked out as if a button had been pushed.
A step too late, the other members recognized the crocodile giant’s presence and turned to look at him with stiff expressions.
“Croken….”
“I don’t know what useless worries you’re having, but that’s enough of your pointless floundering. You think he’s crazy?”
Croken said with a snort.
“He’s not like that. If anything, the problem is that he’s too sane.”
“What do you mean….”
“If you just stay put and keep your heads down, he won’t harm you first, so don’t worry about it.”
Croken’s gaze stared down at the other members.
Soryu and Sarin with stiff expressions; Freya, too pale to even meet his eyes; Hylaea with a bitter smile.
Brushing away Agneta, who was extending a spider leg from above, with one hand, Croken walked past them slowly.
“And ditch that dogshit idea about contacting the Director. Pathetic weaklings always trying to come up with clever ideas.”
“There’s… some other meaning to that.”
Hylaea, sensing a strange nuance in Croken’s words, asked.
“…Does that mean we shouldn’t contact the Director through Agneta?”
“It’s a busy time for him.”
Croken, tossing Ermont to the floor, said nonchalantly.
“He’ll be working, so don’t bother him.”
“….”
While the other members mulled over Croken’s words, the group had already arrived at the Cradle.
The traces of the purple-dyed orchard were gone, replaced by a desolate, arid plain.
The massive wooden structure that had stood in its center lay collapsed, half-destroyed and in shambles.
“It’s completely smashed….”
“Well, this structure was part of Paradise Lost, after all. It must have been difficult for it to withstand the shock of the Ascendant’s death.”
“This way. Hylaea has already found the path.”
Guided by Freya and Hylaea, they entered the completely collapsed Cradle.
Debris was piled up between the corridor and the ceiling, making it difficult to even squeeze through with their bare hands.
Maiya, who was silently clearing away the debris, asked.
“You said you explored this place with Adamant Thunder before regressing. Are we heading that way?”
“No, we’ve already checked that way. The direction we’re headed is different.”
Hylaea replied as she walked.
“Jinwa shut herself away in Paradise Lost even before the Empire fell. In her lifetime, she enjoyed power for a long time, so she must have had an enormous fortune.”
“I’ve been inside Jindun’s Cradle in the Hanghasa Labyrinth.”
Maiya said.
“The Ascendant’s Cradle I saw then didn’t have that many noticeable assets or treasures left.”
“Jindun… was quite frugal among the Ascendants. She wasn’t interested in anything other than researching Barrier Spellcraft until she died, right?”
“….”
“Jinwa was one of the Six Grand Generals loyal to the Imperial Palace, and she was very interested in boasting about her achievements. According to records, she was one of the meritorious retainers who received the most rewards from the Emperor at the time.”
“Indeed, it seems she liked to show off a great deal… but were there even records of that left in the Cradle?”
“There’s a faster way than explaining with words.”
Freya stepped aside.
“See for yourself.”
Rumble…!!!
Clearing away the debris of the half-destroyed Cradle, they headed inside.
A massive vault, located even deeper than the heart of the Cradle Lennok had previously visited.
Inside a massive cavern rivaling Yeongheo Palace, mountains of relics, gold, and treasures were piled up.
“Whoa, what is this….”
Clatter-clatter-clatter!!!!
Merely stepping into the vault caused the gold coins piled up on all sides to cascade down with a jingling sound.
Artifacts and accessories adorned with splendid jewels. A statue that seemed to be a sculpture of Jinwa’s face. Plaques and commemorative medals received from the Imperial Palace.
Insignias and banners symbolizing the rank of Grand General. Splendid ceremonial robes and silks hung in rows, emitting an auspicious glow.
The vault’s interior was so dazzling, with light glinting from every visible surface, that it hurt the eyes.
The members who entered the vault in order let out quiet exclamations of awe.
“This is… even more incredible than I thought.”
“For a Grand General of the central city, the total volume of the vault is on an unparalleled level.”
“No way, are these all artifacts and relics?”
Indeed, the vault’s area and contents were more spectacular than any other vault Lennok had seen.
If he had to make a comparison, it wouldn’t fall short even when compared to the warehouses of the Long-lived Beings left in Kundara’s Ninth Tribulation, or the Mausoleum of the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.
The fact that a warehouse containing the remains of Kundara’s highest-ranking Long-lived Beings could be compared to the vault of a single Ascendant was a testament to Jinwa’s status.
The members naturally approached the treasures and relics piled on all sides, bringing back items that caught their eye one by one.
“Look at this. There are three Nyx Badges, which the Duris Workshop custom-makes only for VIP clients.”
“This is the Forbidden Armament ‘Pride,’ which was said to have been lost in the holy war 30 years ago. I know it as a weapon of slaughter that turned a small city into antimatter.”
“The sacred relic made by the Ikanthara demon-worshipping cult, the Throne of Lingering Blood. How did Jinwa get her hands on something like this?”
The members of Pandemonium were all individuals with unique backgrounds or abilities.
Perhaps for that reason, many of the items they recognized and brought back from the vault were bizarre.
“Perhaps because she was a fallen Ascendant, magical tools and Forbidden Armaments are scattered everywhere….”
“What would she have hesitated about, after using humans as material? She would’ve collected whatever she needed.”
“We could become rich just by taking a pouchful of the items gathered here. So, what are we going to do?”
Ermont asked.
“I mean, if we leave this here, some thieves who find it later will just take it all. Shouldn’t we take what we can?”
“I guided you all here because I wanted to discuss that very issue.”
Hylaea replied.
“The Spell Master and everyone else went through a lot, but in the end, if it weren’t for Adamant Thunder, we wouldn’t have been able to resolve things this way.”
“….”
Only then did the other members look at Lennok with strange expressions.
Because they realized that even after entering the vault, the wizard hadn’t spared the treasures a single glance, instead staring intently at the opposite side of the vault.
“Before we distribute what Jinwa left behind, I think we should hear Adamant Thunder’s opinion first. Anyone disagree? No one?”
“If you’re going to do this, why bother asking for an opinion?”
Ermont grumbled quietly, but no one pretended to listen.
They simply waited for an answer from Lennok, who was silently gazing into the vault’s interior.
“Adamant Thunder, what do you think? Are there any relics or treasures here that catch your eye?”
Maiya bluntly asked Lennok first.
“Either way, it would be better for you to decide. I don’t mind even if you decide to take all the relics here.”
“….”
Only then did Lennok tear his gaze away and look at Maiya and the rest of the group.
At his gaze, the others unconsciously straightened their postures, then belatedly cleared their throats.
After checking on Croken, who was staring at an insignia hanging on the side of the vault with his arms crossed, Lennok spoke.
“Do as you please.”
“Do as we please…?”
“I don’t feel like examining every single relic and tool gathered here. Just take whatever you want.”
“….”
At the unexpected answer, the others tilted their heads.
“Such magnanimity, as expected of Vulcan’s Magic Tower Lord… Does this mean the treasures gathered here aren’t even to his liking?”
“I heard his personal wealth is astronomical, so it’s understandable that he wouldn’t be interested in physical assets… but then again, Jinwa wasn’t like that.”
“You’re misunderstanding something.”
Lennok let out a small laugh watching Freya and Ermont whispering quietly and said.
“I just don’t want to waste time searching for immediately useful relics or magical tools. Just divide them amongst yourselves.”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Isn’t that the same thing?”
“I don’t mind you dividing them, but I mean that if you’re going to have them, keep them safe.”
Lennok said nonchalantly.
“Because if I need them later, I’ll have to take them from you and use them.”
“….”
Only then did the members, finally understanding what Lennok was saying, get sour looks on their faces.
“So, you’re going to take them when you need them, so we should just hold onto them until then?”
“What, do you want us to be human inventories? You’re no different from a robber.”
“No wonder… it was strange that he’d just hand over this much treasure.”
“His way of thinking is different….”
Grumbling but seemingly convinced, the members started deciding amongst themselves what to divide.
They moved through the mountains of gold and treasure, discovering and appraising relics.
“Everyone, watch your step. The magical tools and artifacts here are barely maintained. Something might explode if you step on it wrong.”
“To collect so much wealth and just shove it in the Cradle… is she a dragon hoarding jewels in a cave?”
“I wonder if the Ascendant’s greed for material possessions gradually faded over time.”
Soryu said.
“It’s common to feel that worldly affairs are transient when pursuing enlightenment. It wouldn’t be strange if Jinwa felt something similar while trying to become a god.”
“True, if she was planning to become an Outer God and live in the sea, she wouldn’t have been able to take these things with her.”
“No… I don’t think that’s it.”
At that moment, Lennok, who had been silently looking around the vault, responded to Freya’s words.
“According to someone who knew Jinwa, she was famous in her lifetime for only finding meaning in material things. It’s unlikely that her fundamental nature changed so easily even after becoming an Ascendant.”
“…Then?”
“Rather than her greed disappearing, I think her standards just got higher.”
Saying so, Lennok walked across the space between the piles of gold and treasure.
“If it wasn’t a treasure more valuable than the relics and artifacts piled up here, wouldn’t she not have even bothered to store it properly?”
“….”
Hidden behind a mountain of jewels was a magnificent display case, located at the very back of the Cradle.
Inside a transparent case in its center, a single quill pen glowing with rainbow light was floating at an angle.
Ooooh…!!
The shape of a long, transparent feather, white as snow, wreathed in an auspicious rainbow luminescence.
From below the sharp nib, a deeply condensed violet light flowed out like ink.
“That is….”
The form of the quill was so mystical it was impossible to even guess what being’s feather had been used to make it.
But despite that, its intense presence caught the eye before any other relic in the vault.
The moment the other members saw the unusual quill and focused their ocular power.
“It’s called the 「Quill of Oaths」.”
A soft voice echoed from behind the display case.
“It’s the greatest masterpiece among the artifacts Jinwa created by borrowing the Emperor’s privilege.”
“….”
“For a long time, it was used according to the Emperor’s will, and at times, it was a symbol that acted on behalf of the Imperial Palace’s edicts.”
A tall girl with a mature air stood alone beside the display case.
Her appearance suggested she was in her late teens, looking as if she had just become an adult.
“It was one of Ars Nova’s national treasures, lost at the same time the Imperial Palace fell, one that intervenes in ‘fate’.”
“…You are.”
Kiiiiing—
However, the moment they saw her figure, which seemed no different from an ordinary human, the others raised their mana.
The direction Lennok and Croken had been staring in since entering the vault, ignoring the surrounding treasures.
Because the other members now also intuited who existed at the end of that gaze.
“Nice to meet you. It’s probably the first time we’ve met like this, right?”
The girl waved slowly at the people and greeted them casually.
“I’m Pan Ord Inepin, one of the Six Grand Generals of Ars Nova.”
“…What did you say?”
Clang!!!
At the same time Ermont’s jaw dropped, Soryu drew her treasured sword, and Maiya activated her prosthetic arm.
Freya aimed a microphone-like relic she had picked up in the vault, and Sarin bit his thumb.
In the vault piled with mountains of all sorts of treasures and jewels, the members instantly surrounded the girl.
But the girl didn’t even seem to care about the spellcraft and armaments aimed at her from all sides.
“I came because there’s something to discuss about the next Grand General position.”
Saying so, the girl gazed intently at Lennok.
“One of the Grand General seats is vacant, so someone has to take on that role, don’t they?”