Chapter 1470: Hunt for the First Apostle (4)

After the [Angel in a Bottle] brought before Lennok committed suicide, Betagron acknowledged his defeat with surprising speed.

Perhaps it was because, as much as he had confidence in his invention, he was now certain that Lennok was the Transcendent who had killed countless cult members.

Far from being disheartened, he seemed to feel a strong sense of approval.

“I see. So you were the infamous Demon King of Vulcan…!”

Betagron said, stroking his chin repeatedly with an unconcealed look of excitement.

“I thought your spirit was unusual, but you really are an Apostle-Slayer. They say you enjoy killing people so much…!!”

“Why are you admiring that part?”

“You truly are a peculiar person in many ways.”

The Fairy Conjunction Master tilted her head with a curious expression.

“These days, no one thinks of ‘Apostle-Slayer’ first when they see this man. Haven’t you heard about what happened in Paradise Lost?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is there anyone more suitable than an Apostle-Slayer for dealing with the cult in this matter?”

Betagron retorted calmly.

“I keep track of every superhuman who earns the title of Apostle-Slayer. The glory gained from hunting the abomination known as an Apostle is, unlike subjective evaluations like the Power Ranking, perfectly objective.”

“Even though your name is on that Power Ranking list?”

“Since the crusade ended, the cult’s activities have diminished, and so have the opportunities to kill Apostles. To have received the title of Apostle-Slayer in this era, one must surely be someone who despises the cult, no?”

Stroking his beard, Betagron’s eyes took on a chilling glint.

“I simply feel a sense of kinship with those who have experienced similar emotions to my own.”

“…”

It was impossible to know what Betagron had gone through, but it was clear he harbored an indescribably strong hatred for the cult.

It was also clear that he was quite obsessed with that fact and made no effort to deny or hide it.

Having seen countless avengers himself, Lennok had no intention of commenting on Betagron’s thoughts or goals, but—

“In that sense, you must be a truly excellent person, contrary to your notoriety. To have earned the title of Apostle-Slayer at such a young age and still participate in this operation to kill those cult bastards!!”

“…”

“Unlike the youth of today, you have a very thoughtful and commendable side. See, you really can’t trust public reputation or rumors!!”

Letting out a hearty laugh, Betagron casually approached and patted Lennok’s shoulder.

His cheerful attitude suggested that, in his mind, he had already formed an incredibly close bond with Lennok.

Like many other Transcendents, Betagron seemed to have a habit of judging everything by his own standards.

Setting aside the bizarre aspect of those standards being based on how many cult members one had killed.

[This organism has been acting overly familiar with Master. Should I dispose of it?]

“Hey. I think you’re mistaken. Adamant Thunder didn’t join this operation because he’s interested in killing cult members.”

The Fairy Conjunction Master said in a dumbfounded tone while stroking Davi in her arms to calm him down.

“This man is the type who’s fine with killing anything, as long as he gets to kill. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Oh! Is that so? I apologize if my narrow view offended you. I see I was being arrogant in front of a true expert.”

“…”

Ignoring the Fairy Conjunction Master, who was now playing along with Betagron, he walked toward the ivory tower.

The moment he entered the tower, which emanated a mystical light, he felt the surrounding atmosphere change completely.

It wasn’t just a change in the environment or temperature, but a sense of déjà vu, as if new spacetime coordinates had been overlaid.

Instantly realizing the nature of the sensation, Lennok raised his gaze to the sky.

“A Domain. Has someone deployed a Domain in the center of the Dimensional Corridor?”

“Hm? Ah, it’s the Preservation Spell Master’s Domain. He’s one of the more sedentary high-ranking spell masters, so headquarters must have summoned him for this.”

Frowning as she looked around, the Fairy Conjunction Master said.

“He’s strong enough to have been a candidate for Grand Spell Master, and his spellcraft is particularly useful, so many people seek him out. Even this Domain alone—”

“It’s a Domain that persists semi-permanently, independent of the caster.”

“…How did you know?”

“I’ve seen a similar Domain before.”

The Domain of Cyrus Ardeltio, the Central Noble staying at Lennok’s Magic Tower with Jutiya.

The sensation from his innate Domain, the Funeral Ship to the Sea of Return, was quite similar to this one.

Could it be that this Preservation Spell Master had also possessed a fundamentally different type of Domain from other superhumans since birth?

Kwooooooo!!!

As they entered the ivory tower, their field of vision expanded rapidly, and the space widened.

Befitting the Domain of a Preservation Spell Master, had he distorted and twisted the Dimensional Corridor to forcibly expand its area?

Beyond the instantly expanded space, a circular conference hall with an antique design unfolded.

The atmosphere was solemn and heavy, reminiscent of a courtroom.

“Fairy Conjunction Master. Welcome back to the Dimensional Corridor.”

A spellcaster guarding the front of the hall recognized the Fairy Conjunction Master and bowed respectfully.

“The other spell masters are waiting. And this is…?”

“A guest I invited. You heard about it, right?”

“I will guide you immediately.”

Without asking any further questions, the spellcaster turned and led the group into the conference hall.

As they walked down the carpeted corridor, they were assailed by a succession of intense presences and will-thoughts from all directions.

Sensing the atmosphere in the hall, which was filled with clear hostility and wariness rather than simple pressure, Lennok let out a small smirk.

“The atmosphere inside doesn’t seem very pleasant. They haven’t already had a brawl, have they?”

“I don’t know. It wouldn’t be strange if something like that did happen.”

The spell master glanced back at Lennok.

“You’ll be fine since you’re with me, but the other spell masters and collaborators are probably keeping a close watch on each other.”

“I vaguely recall. Didn’t you say the Order Alliance was divided into opposing factions?”

He remembered what the Fairy Conjunction Master had told him when she visited the banquet celebrating the victory of the Subjugation Operation.

She had said that the internal power struggles were so severe that even the Grand Spell Masters were in conflict, and the restoration of the Great Connection would not be smooth.

Hadn’t the Fairy Conjunction Master given him a Black Fairy as a gift to ask for his understanding in advance, and left the Corpse Ghost Spell Master at his Magic Tower as a hostage?

It was something Lennok had already considered when he decided to participate in this operation, so he was prepared to tolerate it to a certain extent, but—

The Fairy Conjunction Master slowly shook her head, and it seemed what she wanted to say was about something else.

“I think I need to explain more about that part. There were actual casualties during the conflict over who would fill the vacant Grand Spell Master position.”

“…”

“If the leading candidates, the Preservation Spell Master and the Chroma Spell Master, hadn’t withdrawn, it wouldn’t have ended there. Anyway, in the process, it was decided that the Fusion Spell Master would take the new Grand Spell Master position, but—”

As Lennok remained silent, the Fairy Conjunction Master whispered in a voice too low for Betagron to hear.

“The point is, because of that, I don’t intend to reveal that you are a collaborator of the Leader.”

“What do you mean?”

“No one knows yet that the Leader summoned you ahead of the Great Connection’s restoration. It’s only known that the Leader himself will descend to face the Second Apostle.”

The spell master’s eyes turned cold for a moment.

“If they find out you came at the Leader’s request, spell masters will emerge who will try to use you in the internal power struggle to borrow the Leader’s authority.”

“Is it because the Leader’s authority within the Order Alliance is that absolute?”

“Many spell masters believe that the Leader will start taking a more prominent role after this incident. They believe the hunt for the First Apostle will be the beginning.”

The Fairy Conjunction Master said, looking toward the conference hall.

“They’re desperate to stand even a little closer to the Leader in the process. If necessary, they will try to use you to get into the Leader’s good graces.”

“So the chances of getting entangled in troublesome matters are high.”

“It’s known within the Alliance that I invited you here. Let’s stick to that story for now.”

The Fairy Conjunction Master’s words were sudden, but the explanation itself was not difficult to accept.

Just as the cult’s followers strive to catch the Pontiff’s eye even once, it was natural for the Leader to hold such a status within the Alliance.

Even the four Grand Spell Masters who supported the Order Alliance were merely serving as bridgeheads to maintain the Great Connection created by the Leader.

If the high-ranking spell masters knew this, wouldn’t they naturally try to get on the Leader’s good side?

“Alright, then let’s go inside.”

Creek!!

The moment they stepped into the hall, countless gazes poured down on Lennok as if they had been waiting.

Without turning his head, Lennok followed the Fairy Conjunction Master and crossed the hall in a straight line.

“…”

A chilling silence.

But within it, he could feel countless unseen and unheard will-thoughts and telepathic messages being exchanged.

The moment they saw Lennok walk in behind the Fairy Conjunction Master, they instantly sensed his identity and became extremely wary.

Superhumans who exchanged glances without a word or immediately fell silent to watch his reaction.

It was not surprising.

If the people gathered here were the best of the best chosen by the Alliance, they would have the insight to guess his identity even if they didn’t know his face.

Unless they were an unusual case like Betagron, it was natural for other Transcendents to react this way upon seeing Lennok.

“This way, Adamant Thunder.”

As if to confirm their suspicions to the countless gazes, the Fairy Conjunction Master turned around, calling out to Lennok with a strange smile.

“There’s a good spot here. Let’s sit here.”

“…”

Without a word, Lennok followed the Fairy Conjunction Master and took a seat in a corner of the hall.

Sitting down next to the silent Lennok, the Fairy Conjunction Master crossed her arms and looked around.

“Is everyone who’s coming here? If we’re the last ones, shall we start right away?”

“…Mm. Understood.”

At that moment, a young man who had been sitting on the dais holding a brush slowly stood up.

The tired-looking young man, with a hunched back and dark circles under his eyes, placed a hand on the dais.

“Welcome, everyone. I am the Chroma Spell Master, in charge of the Order Alliance’s northern branch.”

He had a peculiar appearance, as if he had just crawled out of a studio after painting all night.

Standing before the high podium, the tired-looking man, the Chroma Spell Master, spoke.

“The Alliance, facing the critical task of restoring the Great Connection, has decided to borrow the strength of collaborators in preparation for the war with the cult. First, let us introduce the collaborators who have accepted our invitation.”

Flick!

As he spoke, spotlights illuminated the conference hall, shining down on the Transcendents seated throughout.

Holding the microphone on the dais, the Chroma Spell Master began to speak in a monotone voice.

“The Young Master of the Twilight Veil Bloodline has come in response to the Alliance’s friendship.”

“…The Twilight Veil?”

Just as Lennok paused at those words, a young man with a deathly pale complexion raised his gaze with a blank expression.

The Chroma Spell Master continued the introductions immediately, without waiting for a response or applause from the others.

His attitude was business-like, as if he were simply reading off a predetermined list.

“A member of The Designers. Satellite Betagron has attended for the war against the cult.”

In response to the gazes, Betagron removed the goggles he was wearing.

“The Elder Druid of Larabelli. Maorn has decided to join the war in the name of the World Tree.”

A centaur with the form of half-man, half-horse crossed his arms and bowed his head.

“The Tower Lord of Valefor has attended this gathering based on his contract with a Grand Spell Master.”

A cheerful-looking man with green hair grinned and waved.

“Abraham of the Pioneers has accepted the invitation…”

“The Iron Lion of the Mercenaries has come for this war…”

As names were called out from all over the hall, Transcendents in various spots gave simple acknowledgements.

Every name and faction the Chroma Spell Master mentioned was one Lennok had either heard of or knew.

The Young Master of the Twilight Veil, one of the five oldest families.

The Elder Druid leading the plant city of Larabelli.

The head of the Valefor Magic Tower, known as the most skilled combat specialists on the continent.

Even Transcendents from the Pioneers and the Mercenaries had come in response to the invitation.

Watching the scene with an interested expression, Lennok whispered to the Fairy Conjunction Master.

“More famous people attended than I expected. You said you were borrowing the Alliance’s connections, but was it to this extent?”

“Mediocre forces would be of no help at all. If the other spell masters have any sense, they would have chosen carefully.”

To be able to draw in so many Transcendents for a war with the cult, it was a testament to just how great the Order Alliance’s influence and scale were.

While Lennok and the spell master were talking, the introductions of the Transcendents were nearly complete.

“Finally, I will introduce the two individuals who will be the cornerstones of this plan, and then we will begin the meeting.”

The Chroma Spell Master’s gaze passed over the hall and stopped where the Fairy Conjunction Master and Lennok were seated.

“I doubt any special explanation is needed. The people here might know them better than I do.”

“…”

“Adamant Thunder of Paradise Lost has accepted the Fairy Conjunction Master’s invitation and joined this operation.”

The moment Lennok’s name was announced, the air in the hall grew heavy.

But upon hearing this, Lennok just chuckled in disbelief.

“…Adamant Thunder of Paradise Lost. Anyone would think I was a Spell-Word user.”

“I get it. It’s the best phrase to describe what happened at Paradise Lost, right? You can have it.”

The Fairy Conjunction Master whispered nonsensically to Lennok amidst the murmurs.

However, the other Transcendents did not hide their emotions or reactions, staring openly at Lennok.

The collapse of Paradise Lost and the death of Jinwa were currently the hottest topics on the Central Front.

Everyone present was reacting so sensitively to the fact that the person responsible had joined a war against the cult less than a month later.

“And, along with the Tower Lord of Vulcan, there is one last person I must introduce. This is the first time I am meeting him in person as well, but…”

The Chroma Spell Master said, turning his gaze.

His eyes stopped on a diminutive old man sitting in the farthest corner of the hall, dressed in worn monastic robes.

At a glance, he gave off no presence or aura, not even a trace of vitality.

But the name that came from the Chroma Spell Master’s lips was something Lennok had never expected.

“A prescient one who has killed those who tried to become gods on the outer continent.”

The Chroma Spell Master said.

“The Eccentric Monk of Pandemonium has accepted the Leader’s invitation and decided to attend. Please welcome him with a round of applause.”