Chapter 1471: Hunt for the First Apostle (5)

“…The Eccentric Monk of Pandemonium?”

The old monk was deep in meditation, showing no reaction whatsoever to the Chroma Spell Master’s words.

But the moment Lennok saw the Eccentric Monk, he recalled a distant memory and his gaze shifted abruptly.

He was certain he had heard that name at the Pandemonium meeting he had attended as Victor.

[The Fisherman is out fishing for time outside the continent, and the Eccentric Monk is killing off those who try to become gods.]

[Adamant Thunder’s actions deviate from the objectives of the Transcendants who have strayed from reason, and it is no different within Pandemonium.]

The Eccentric Monk of Pandemonium.

A Transcendent who had strayed from reason, mentioned alongside The Fisherman as a particularly anomalous existence within the Pandemonium.

Did this mean the very madman said to be hunting down and killing those who would become gods had accepted the Alliance Leader’s request and joined this operation?

It seemed others were thinking the same as Lennok, as he could feel the gazes directed at the Eccentric Monk in the hall sharpen.

“Does this mean the apostate monk of Stania has sided with the Alliance?”

“Certainly, if it’s him, I can understand the Leader calling upon him, but…”

“In many ways, you’ve chosen a madman who is difficult to control.”

From the moment the Chroma Spell Master mentioned the Eccentric Monk as a cornerstone of the plan alongside Lennok, one could guess the extent of his power as a Transcendent.

The atmosphere was one of palpable caution toward the Eccentric Monk, yet they seemed to accept the fact that he was attending at the invitation of the Leader.

However, the fact that the Leader had separately called the Eccentric Monk despite already having made a proposal to Lennok meant—

“Spell Master.”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t given any separate notice from the Leader either,”

the Fairy Conjunction Master, sitting next to Lennok, answered calmly.

“There was talk of finding a replacement if you didn’t participate… but I think we’ll have to ask the Chroma Spell Master for the details.”

“…”

At those words, Lennok also recalled the Leader’s last message from the Glass Garden.

[I’d appreciate an answer as quickly as possible. If you don’t participate, we’ll have to call in a replacement.]

Could it be that the replacement the Leader mentioned back then was the Eccentric Monk of the Pandemonium?

Was the Eccentric Monk’s cooperation decided regardless of Lennok’s participation, or was there another reason?

Either way, it might have turned out for the best for Lennok, who had intended to hide the fact that he was the Leader’s collaborator—

While Lennok was lost in thought, the Chroma Spell Master surveyed the hall and spoke in a monotone voice.

“We will now officially begin the meeting.”

The meeting, held just before the reconstruction of the Great Connection, proceeded with surprising ease.

“We will entrust the western front to the Elder Druid. Would it be possible for you to create a forest as dense as possible near the battlefield?”

“It’s not impossible, but it will take at least half a day to sow the seeds and for them to sprout. We must prepare in advance before the ritual begins.”

“I’ll handle the supply of munitions. If we complete the production line within seven hours, we can mass-produce war machines and wipe out the cultists as they come.”

“I’d like to ask the Lord of Valefor Magic Tower to take on the role of a guerrilla unit. I’ve heard you’re renowned as the fastest Transcendent on the Southern Front.”

“I don’t mind, but arranging the battlefield and establishing the front lines comes first. My magic only works properly if allies and enemies are distinguished beforehand.”

Following the lead of the Spell Masters guiding the meeting, the Transcendants who had come from all over expressed their opinions in turn.

They decided who would take which role once the restoration of the Great Connection began and exchanged their views.

Perhaps because it was already decided that Lennok and the Eccentric Monk would be the cornerstones of the plan, everyone naturally divided the remaining roles and positions among themselves.

Lennok, watching the meeting reach a swift consensus without major clashes or conflicts, glanced sideways.

“Everyone is more proactive than I thought. Were there really this many people who wanted to participate in a war with the Guido Cult?”

“It’s more a difference in their position regarding this matter,”

the Fairy Conjunction Master said.

“The Alliance is the one waging war with the cult. The collaborators were simply asked to buy time.”

“I see. You mean the burden is less because they only have to buy time instead of winning?”

“And if they do well, they can achieve a great military accomplishment and establish a friendly relationship with the Alliance.”

The Spell Master shrugged at Lennok’s words.

“In the first place, most of the outsiders participating in this are like that. People like Betagron are the strange ones.”

“Then with this, we will conclude the arrangement of deployments and roles ahead of the restoration of the Great Connection.”

The Chroma Spell Master, standing at the podium, looked around and said.

“We will take a short break before moving, so if anyone has additional questions—”

“Spell Master, I’d like to discuss borrowing the Alliance’s special-grade vault after this is over…”

“Can I get confirmation on receiving the authority to enter the Stillness Spell Master’s domain…”

As soon as the break was announced, several Transcendants gathered around the Chroma Spell Master as if they had been waiting.

With serious expressions, they discussed borrowing the Alliance’s internal facilities, resources, and personnel.

As Lennok watched them, a deep voice sounded from right beside him.

“The influence the Order Alliance has across the continent is something no one can ignore.”

“…”

“It’s not just because of the Alliance’s power, but because so many diverse and unique Spell Masters are positioned within it, many wish to borrow their abilities.”

A centaur with a massive build had approached Lennok and the Spell Master at some point.

With his arms crossed, the druid looked at the two with a heavy gaze and opened his mouth.

“It’s been a while, Fairy Conjunction Master. Have you been well?”

“Ah, is that you, Maorn?”

The Spell Master nodded toward the druid.

“Weren’t you secluded in Larabelli? I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“If I want to borrow power to solve the World Tree’s problem, I’ll eventually have to help the Alliance out once.”

After answering, the druid, Maorn, slowly lowered his gaze to look at Lennok.

“But I never thought you’d choose this human of all people as your collaborator and bring him here.”

“…”

Lennok ignored him, and the Fairy Conjunction Master turned her gaze, surprised.

“What, you two know each other? You should have said something if you were acquainted. I would have introduced—”

“This man is the one who brutally slaughtered our brethren of Larabelli on the Western Front,”

the druid said, cutting off the Spell Master.

“I heard several high-ranking druids, including Azelan, met their end at his hands. I could never forget that name.”

“…Aha, so that’s what this is about.”

“Even after killing so many in Vulcan, you’ve stepped into another bloody war.”

As the Fairy Conjunction Master’s expression turned sour, Maorn stared at Lennok’s face.

“Do you have any last words for the comrades who died by your hand and returned to the earth?”

“Let’s see… I don’t really remember the names of the druids who died back then.”

Lennok, who had been sitting with his arms crossed, said nonchalantly.

“You druids have a habit of not looking before you leap when it comes to getting your hands on a fragment of the World Tree. For example, you’d even try to kill someone you were fighting alongside just moments before.”

“…”

“I understand the sentiment, but next time you plan to backstab someone, it would be better to approach it with a bit more planning.”

On his way to Kundara, he had been betrayed by druids who wanted to seize the World Tree’s Leaf.

It seemed this centaur remembered Adamant Thunder from hearing about that incident, but Lennok had nothing more to say.

Maorn’s eyes, which had been silently listening to Lennok, sank.

The centaur stomped his hoof, striking the ground fiercely, and took a step toward Lennok.

At that moment, a hand appeared from the side, placing itself on the podium and naturally blocking Maorn’s path.

“Oh, excuse me.”

A man with green hair and a cheerful impression looked up at Maorn.

“If you’re done with your greetings, could you step aside? Sorry, but I have something to discuss with this friend as well.”

“…The Lord of Valefor Magic Tower.”

“As fellow Tower Lords, we have something important to discuss. It’s important.”

Maorn stared silently at the winking man, then slowly drew back his hoof and turned away.

As the centaur turned his body and left the hall, the man finally looked back at Lennok.

“You should be careful when talking to the demi-humans of Larabelli. They might look fine on the outside, but you never know when they’ll snap.”

The man grinned and ran a finger across his neck.

“Centaurs are especially hot-blooded. When they get excited, they run wild like fierce horses. Get hit by a back-kick and you won’t have any flesh left.”

“An interesting story. I take it you’ve seen it yourself?”

“We didn’t meet as enemies, but I’ve fought them a few times.”

The man smiled and extended his hand toward Lennok.

“I am Kalion of the Valefor Magic Tower. It is an honor to meet the greatest Grand Mage of the Eastern Continent.”

“Van.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Antares. He said you were the best War-Mage he’s ever seen.”

Kalion grinned as he shook Lennok’s hand.

“If I ever get the chance, I’d like to invite you to our tower. Perhaps we could witness your skills sometime later? There are a lot of guys in our tower who admire you.”

“…”

The Valefor Magic Tower. He had heard that among the continent’s magic towers, they were extreme pragmatists skilled in advanced combat techniques.

A unique group famous for not allowing its members to engage in outside activities unless they were proficient in combat, and for showing favor to any wizard who fought well.

He remembered the wizard from the Valefor Magic Tower he met at the Vulcan hearing had expressed goodwill in a similar fashion—

“You seem to be close with Antares. Do you meet with him often?”

“Not now, but we used to be in the same mercenary group.”

Kalion grinned and pointed to himself.

“Wizards from Valefor often go through mercenary groups to gain sufficient practical experience. I also wandered the continent before becoming the Tower Lord.”

Was he also part of the mercenary group that Antares, Croken, and Aronbaiger Kabahim had belonged to?

He hadn’t expected to meet a member of the mercenary group that had disbanded after failing their pilgrimage long ago, but it wasn’t surprising.

When Antares had explained the Valefor Magic Tower to him before, he had hinted at knowing quite a lot about it.

“But didn’t you say you had something to discuss with this man as a Tower Lord?”

The Fairy Conjunction Master looked up at Kalion from the side.

“For someone who said that, you seem to have been talking nonsense this whole time. Should I leave?”

“Hm? No, no. It’s fine. That was just something I said to get rid of that centaur friend.”

Kalion waved his hand and replied with a smile.

“Those friends, their bodies are animal but their minds are half-plant, so you never know what they’re thinking. He could have really snapped and charged at Van right there, you know?”

“It wouldn’t have mattered.”

“Hey, still, we can’t let someone die in the meeting hall.”

Kalion’s smiling expression momentarily turned cold.

“There’s no need to reduce the number of our allies before the reconstruction of the Great Connection even begins, is there?”

“…”

At Kalion’s unusual words, Lennok and the Fairy Conjunction Master exchanged glances.

They both sensed that this was what he truly wanted to talk about.

“You have something else you want to say. Are you trying to tell us that the restoration of the Great Connection won’t go smoothly?”

“Hmm… alright. For Antares’ sake, I’ll be honest.”

Kalion nodded.

“I was fighting the Guido Cult until three days ago. In the process, I learned that a new Priestess has been enthroned in the Pantheon, replacing the 11th Priestess.”

“…”

“I won’t mince words. She’s a monster. As a priestess, her abilities might be the greatest among all the priestesses in history.”

With his arms crossed, Kalion spoke with a contemplating expression.

“Of course, the Priestess of the Cult won’t come out in person for this, but a spiritualist of her caliber could probably shower all sorts of blessings and protections from her seat in the Pantheon.”

“I see…”

“It’s an occupational hazard to assume the worst-case scenario. Even if it’s someone I don’t like, it’s better to have one more hand on deck, right?”

Lennok was already aware of the new Priestess who closely resembled Seina Naydree.

Therefore, what Lennok was thinking about was not the new Priestess, but the existence of Kalion, who was explaining this fact.

Not only had he been fighting the Guido Cult until a few days ago, but in the process, he had found out about the new Priestess and her talent, and had returned alive?

He said it casually, but that alone was enough to guess how skilled the Lord of the Valefor Magic Tower was.

The Fairy Conjunction Master, listening from the side, seemed to have similar thoughts.

“You said you were participating in this plan through a contract with another Grand Spell Master? Who was the Spell Master that called you?”

“Sorry, but not disclosing the contract details is part of the condition. Anyway, it’s best to be careful.”

Kalion smoothly changed the subject and glanced around.

“Just looking at the faces of the Transcendants gathered here shows how dangerously the Alliance views this matter. The fact that the Young Master of the Twilight Veil Bloodline is participating says it all.”

“You seem to take quite an interest in other Transcendants.”

“In our tower, we regularly gather information on the movements of the continent’s powerful figures, and his is one of the names that always comes up.”

Kalion grinned and replied.

“He’s not comparable to you, but rumors of his incredible genius are rampant. They say he beat out all the other candidates in his family and seized the position of Young Master at the age of 21.”

“…”

“It’s the same for the others. Betagron, who launched satellites across all four continents. The Pathfinder from Pioneer who explored three Demonic Realms and returned alive. The Iron Lion of the Mercenaries, who stood at the forefront of the Paradox Blue conquest. And, above all…”

Kalion turned to Lennok and quietly gestured with his eyes in the opposite direction.

“The fact that that monk is sitting here says it all.”

“…”

Sitting in a corner of the hall, hands clasped, was the old monk, frozen in place like a stone statue.

He had no presence, no movement, to the point one would suspect he was a corpse or even an inanimate object, not a human.

He felt like an ascetic whose mind and body had been worn down, with no magic or hierarchy to be felt, but Lennok knew that wasn’t all there was to him.

“He was an old master even in the era when my master’s master was active. No one knows how old he really is.”

Kalion said, looking at the Eccentric Monk with sharp eyes.

“News of him cut off after he joined Pandemonium, but I never imagined that madman would participate in this. The Order Alliance Leader must be really determined.”

“It seems the Eccentric Monk’s authority or spellcraft has a transcendent aspect to it.”

He wandered the continent, killing those who tried to become gods. Until recently, he was on the outer continent.

It was hard to believe, but if it was true, it meant the Eccentric Monk had been killing Transcendants on par with Ascendants or Demigods.

The authenticity was unknown, but The Fisherman, who was mentioned alongside the Eccentric Monk, literally possessed an authority of movement that strayed from reason.

Naturally, it was right to interpret that the Eccentric Monk also possessed a tremendous authority or spellcraft comparable to The Fisherman’s.

But Kalion’s answer was slightly different from what Lennok had expected.

“Well… in his prime, he was said to be a legendary Incarnation Spellcaster and an Avatara, and a monster with the continent’s strongest brute strength. He might be far from an ordinary spellcaster.”

“…Brute strength?”

At those words, Lennok instinctively looked at the Eccentric Monk’s withered arms.

His two arms, clasped together, were so dried up as if they hadn’t received any nutrients that his bones were visible.

He looked like an ascetic who had given up food and drink, yet he was famous for his brute strength with those withered arms?

“Everyone, thank you for waiting.”

Crash!

At that moment, the hall door opened and the Chroma Spell Master walked in.

Following behind the Spell Master were the superhumans who had been discussing their rewards with him throughout the break.

The Chroma Spell Master stood before the podium, looked at the Transcendants seated in the hall, and slowly nodded.

“Time has been delayed more than I thought. If you have rested enough, we will move immediately.”

“Move immediately? Where are we going?”

A giant wearing an iron mask, the Iron Lion of the Mercenaries, asked, leaning on a massive iron fragment on the floor.

“All that’s been decided in the meeting are our roles and tasks. There should still be preparations needed for the restoration of the Great Connection.”

“You are mistaken. The Alliance does not make its invited collaborators wait long.”

The Chroma Spell Master said calmly and raised his brush.

“The reason we have summoned you all today is that all preparations for the restoration of the Great Connection are complete.”

Fwoosh!!

The moment he brandished the brush, using the air as his canvas, his magic painted over reality, creating a new landscape.

It painted over the entire wall of the hall, and simultaneously, the wall disappeared, and a massive dimensional gate unfolded before everyone’s eyes.

Fwaaaaaah!!!!

A strange power, as if space itself had been painted over to artificially summon a dimensional gate into the hall. Was this the Chroma Spell Master’s unique spellcraft?

But what stole everyone’s gaze was not the Chroma Spell Master’s spellcraft, but the scenery unfolding within the dimensional gate itself.

“This is…”

“The Milky Way?”

Countless star clusters formed a great river, flowing like the Milky Way and illuminating the sky.

The transcendence that followed the planetary orbits connected and bonded, becoming a pan-cosmic concept.

A nameless wasteland unfolded beyond the dimensional gate. Above its night sky stretched a Milky Way so beautiful it made one’s eyes ache.

The moment they saw it, a massive current flowing endlessly and covering the world, everyone simultaneously realized its identity.

“There is no reason to delay the plan when all necessary preparations are complete,”

the Chroma Spell Master said, tucking the brush into his robes.

“We will now begin the restoration of the Great Connection. Everyone, follow me.”