Chapter 798: Betrayal and Fanaticism (5)
The 8th underground level of the Memorial Tower. Pavelon’s Underwater Garden.
Sitting amidst the vast ruins located in the middle of the deep sea, Lennok was looking at his mobile phone.
Click, click.
“The connection… it’s not working.”
Even with Davi’s help to connect the line, the phone wouldn’t cooperate.
He had intended to check on Pandemonium’s situation during this brief lull, but things weren’t going his way.
The only record remaining was a single message Hylaea had sent just before Lennok entered Yorta.
[Victor. The interim settlement that was scheduled for Torquepaz has been canceled this time. The Doctor and a few other individuals have sent their intentions to be absent.]
“……”
[Pandemonium’s internal network is unstable. Something seems likely to happen soon, so be aware.]
Hylaea’s message ended with that simple dispatch, then went silent.
But Lennok realized that this seemingly simple message held a slightly more peculiar meaning.
‘It must mean something significant has happened, to the point where Agneta can’t even properly perform her role as a messenger.’
A hybrid of an ancient species, Pandemonium’s messenger who traverses the Imaginary Dimension to deliver messages.
It must mean a major incident has either occurred or is about to occur, to the extent that she can’t properly fulfill her messenger duties.
‘The last time I saw Agneta was clearly…’
After finishing the operation at Gillian’s Fortress, Agneta had left the continent at The Clown’s request.
If it was a warning that something significant might happen, it was probably related to that.
The moment he tucked the dozing Davi into his arms, a loud noise reverberated from behind him.
“Ah, there you are.”
Thud!!
The figure of a gigantic plaster door.
“The view here is quite good, isn’t it?”
The Arbitrator, who had ordered his Military Spirits to move him all the way to the ruins’ hill, asked with a smile.
“The river, flowing from both the Material Realm and the Spirit Realm, gathers the tears of the living and the dead… and thus, it never dries up.”
“……”
“In short, this river has deepened with the passage of time, and it is destined to flow until the very moment the world perishes.”
Leaving Lennok in silence, the Arbitrator smiled.
“Until then, only the gods of the Outer Sea will know where the spirits sleeping beneath this river are destined to go.”
“Gods, you say…”
At the words, too significant to ignore, Lennok silently looked at Oris before asking,
“Do you consider the Outer Sea Abominations to be gods?”
“Oh dear, you want to discuss theology in the presence of the cult’s Shrine Maiden? That’s not a topic I particularly wish to answer.”
[……]
The boy shrugged and replied.
“However, it is true that the cult and Yorta once held similar views regarding the existence of the Outer Sea. That is why the Papal See and the Court of Soul Pacification kept the Ascendant’s remains beyond the Infinite Void.”
“……”
“The bridge of souls created through the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade was also an expression of hope, believing the answer lay beyond.”
Yorta’s Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade was a grand ritual intended to create a bridge of souls to cross into the next world.
They believed that this ‘next world’ existed beyond the Outer Sea.
Oris, who had been silently watching Lennok, asked.
“Do you think they were wrong?”
“Is there a need to debate right and wrong at the point of failure? It was merely an inferior method, unsuited for the objective.”
Lennok replied indifferently, raising his gaze.
“However, I’m not unaware that there are those who think of the Outer Sea in such a way.”
“……”
“It wouldn’t be strange even if Yorta’s spirits felt awe when looking upon the Outer Gods…”
As Lennok, who had personally seen the monsters swimming in the dark sea, he didn’t find it strange to regard them as gods.
The essence and presence of the Outer Gods. It was, in a sense, only natural to fear and revere a power that could not be fathomed.
Not just ordinary humans, but even superhumans who knew the world’s secrets would be no different before them.
On the contrary, as the city that had existed for the longest time, Yorta might have even come to understand and revere the Outer Gods more deeply.
He simply hadn’t considered that Yorta and the cult had once colluded in that process.
“What a madman. Knowing about them, do you have no reaction to that fact?”
Oris said that, then nodded as if rather convinced.
“Ah, I see. Of course, only a madman like you could have inherited Onnion’s legacy.”
“……It seems you know what Madrich Onnion was doing in Vulcan.”
“The Black Consumer Project? Of course I know. Wasn’t that the last ascension ritual attempted on this continent?”
The Arbitrator retorted, as if it were nothing important.
“I heard stories that, taking our failures and Machina’s as a mirror, they obtained unimaginable results.”
“……”
“That’s right. When a man named Kaiser died, Yorta must have also tried to find his soul… I’m not involved, so I don’t know much about it.”
Though he wished to ask more, there was no need to reveal a connection to a mega-city under Victor’s identity.
“You seem very interested in the city’s power structure.”
Therefore, Lennok deliberately turned the topic towards Oris.
“Constantly bringing up Onnion’s existence, and now, using the Court of Soul Pacification’s failure as a pretext, do you wish to seize their position?”
“……It seems I’ve explained too much. Your words have been sharp since earlier.”
Oris smiled bitterly, as if his intentions had been immediately seen through.
“Yes, you are right. I want to depose the Court of Soul Pacification and change this city, which has stagnated since the Night Parade failed.”
“……”
“There’s no need to overthink it. If the Court of Soul Pacification’s standing is shaken by my helping you, then I might just take their place.”
The boy, speaking with confidence, declared with his hands on his hips.
“Don’t I possess a dignity more befitting the pinnacle of Yorta than those dullards trapped in gloomy gravestones?”
[……]
“……Well, I wouldn’t know.”
Regardless of the Grand Arbitrator being a powerful Military Spirit, the boy’s appearance didn’t strike Lennok as particularly dignified.
The Shrine Maiden’s spirit body, behind Lennok, merely shook her head as if dumbfounded.
However, he could understand the boy’s ambition to escape the tower’s underground and usurp the Court of Soul Pacification’s position.
“Anyway, you know more about Yorta’s situation and structure than I expected.”
Oris’s gaze, fixed on Lennok, sharpened.
“Meeting the Court of Soul Pacification right after entering the city, and all… did you receive knowledge from the Guide’s Ghost?”
“No, it was because of an item I found in the prison where you confined me.”
The Arbitrator’s expression changed strangely as he examined the papyrus Lennok took out.
“……Ghostly Chronicles?”
“It knows a way to secretly peek into the Infinite Void by visiting the Court of Soul Pacification.”
“Hoo, Chronicles, you say…”
A strong curiosity sparked on the Arbitrator’s face.
He, too, must have recognized at a glance that this papyrus was no ordinary item.
“This ancient city certainly has more than one or two extraordinary artifacts, but this one has its own unique flavor…”
“……”
Revealing the existence of the Chronicles to Oris at this point had the potential to act as an unforeseen variable.
However, there was a reason he took out the Chronicles in response to Oris’s question.
It was because he knew that these Chronicles, after all, served as the most powerful repository of knowledge within Yorta.
At this point, with a clearly defined goal, he had to consider the best way to utilize the means he possessed.
If Oris was a participant in the Night Parade, perhaps he would know a better way to make use of these Chronicles.
After hearing Lennok’s explanation, Oris nodded.
“Good. With this, no separate preparations will be necessary.”
“Preparations?”
“I had prepared various materials to teach you Yorta’s customs, conventions, and procedures…”
Saying that, the Arbitrator had his subordinate Military Spirits slightly flip over the plaster door they had brought up.
Engraved within the plaster were enormous quantities of writings and records in tiny letters.
Realizing it was a record board inscribed with Yorta’s internal conventions and procedures, Lennok retreated with a look of disgust.
“You were trying to make me study? You have too much time on your hands. Where would I find the time for that?”
“No, but it is absolutely necessary.”
The boy nodded firmly.
“To enter the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress, you must memorize these procedures.”
“……The Ghost Dragon’s Fortress?”
“No need for me to explain it myself.”
Oris said that and glanced at the Chronicles.
“How about you check it with that item?”
As he spoke, the writings of the Chronicles slowly appeared on the papyrus the Arbitrator had returned.
=The Ghost Dragon’s Fortress. The upper-tier command sector of the Thousand Ghosts District, located in Yorta’s northernmost region.
=An extraterritorial zone not subject to the Court of Soul Pacification’s rule, and an iron-blooded fortress governed by Ghost Dragon Yao Xun. The only city defense facility in Yorta.
=An ancient sanctuary where the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void is located.
“……”
Only then did Lennok realize why Oris had mentioned the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress.
The fortress of Ghost Dragon Yao Xun.
The Military Spirit City’s sole defense facility, and an extraterritorial zone not subject to the Court of Soul Pacification’s rule.
And was it a name referring to the ancient sanctuary where the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void was located?
It must be like a gateway that had to be passed through to reach the Reverse Gate.
While unintentionally cross-referencing the existence of the Reverse Gate, the Arbitrator pointed to a vessel docked in the underwater garden.
“We don’t have much time, so perhaps I can explain in detail as we go?”
“Ghost Dragon Yao Xun is not originally a native of this city.”
Grooowl!!
The mysterious cry of the Ghost Shark echoed from beneath the river.
Oris explained as the vessel, pulled by the shark, swam beneath the river.
“As you’ll know if you hear his alias, he wasn’t even human to begin with.”
“I have seen texts mentioning the existence of a creature called a dragon.”
“That’s right. Yao Xun is an ancient species from Kundara. What’s more, he was born into the True Blood Dragon Tribe, and then became a Military Spirit.”
“……”
The Outer Tribulation City, Kundara.
The mysterious city where ancient species reside, striving to avoid destruction.
Yao Xun was a member of the dragon tribe, revered as True Blood, reborn as a Military Spirit in that place.
Among Lennok’s acquaintances, only Aris’s teacher, Claris Richellen, could be said to be similar.
The boy said, indifferently picking at his teeth.
“I don’t know if you know this, but ancient species do not possess souls.”
“……”
“That’s why ghosts of ancient species never come into being, and all existing Military Spirits are either human or demi-human in origin.”
“Then why is the Ghost Dragon called by such a name?”
“That’s because of the Incarnation Spellcraft the Ghost Dragon has mastered—”
Having said that much, Oris paused and fell into thought.
“Hmm, it would be better for you to see and judge this for yourself. There’s a risk that my personal opinion might get involved.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because the spellcraft the Ghost Dragon wields is the kind that is fiercely debated, both for and against, even in this city.”
The Arbitrator raised his gaze and said.
“And it’s even more so under the rules existing within that fortress.”
Swooshhh!!
At that moment, the vessel ascended explosively, then burst above the water’s surface as if rebounding.
Above the vast and tranquil water, unbelievably wide for something called a river.
At the very edge of the horizon, a gigantic fortress faintly glowing in grayish-white was visible.
“Yao Xun has a very strict disposition, so he didn’t get close to anyone. I, too, haven’t had frequent interactions, so I don’t know much about him.”
“……”
“The fact that the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void was hidden here was a secret I only learned right after being exiled… Ultimately, the Court of Soul Pacification must have been secretly harboring other intentions, hiding them from everyone.”
The Arbitrator waved his hand, speaking self-deprecatingly.
“From now on, I intend to negotiate with the Court of Soul Pacification. Thanks to you possessing the Chronicles, I’ve gained some time.”
“……You’ll face the Court of Soul Pacification alone and buy time?”
The boy grinned at Lennok’s reaction.
“Though I am exiled, having given up on the Night Parade, I am still a part of the Tower. They won’t try to eliminate me easily.”
Did he mean that while Lennok searched for the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void in the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress, the Arbitrator would face the Court of Soul Pacification and buy time?
That must be because if the Court of Soul Pacification concentrated all their capabilities, they could exert their influence even in the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress.
“Find the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void inside the fortress. I’ll leave Yao Xun’s cooperation up to your judgment.”
“You’re stating the obvious at length. I intended to do that from the start.”
Lennok replied, yet at the same time, he stood on the deck and began to gauge the distance to the fortress.
Regardless of Oris not being able to step forward directly, merely providing the information about the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void was enough.
The remains of Ascendant Dorye. The Pontiff’s old vessel existing within the Infinite Void.
Once he confirmed its existence and was certain of the knowledge’s value, he had to move, no matter the situation.
It wasn’t simply a problem involving just one Pontiff or one cult.
Almost certainly, Ethan Bajour must have also confirmed Dorye’s existence from beyond the Infinite Void and emerged.
If so, wouldn’t the ‘Art of Resurrection’ that Ethan obtained also be a power related to the Ascendant’s remains?
“……”
All the strange and mysterious secrets Lennok had seen and heard in Yorta were connected to the remains existing within that Infinite Void.
Undoubtedly, the traces of the project Kaiser Bajour left behind would be the same.
As long as he had a conjecture about who Alkaid was and what qualifications he had obtained, there was no time to hesitate.
Swoosh!!
As Lennok’s body descended onto the river surface, the Ghost Ship rapidly shrunk and disappeared inside his robe.
The boy’s spirit body, sprawled in the helm, was forcibly bounced off and splashed into the river below.
“Damn it, would it kill you to give me a heads-up?!”
Leaving Oris and the Ghost Shark grumbling as they disappeared beneath the water, Lennok stretched out his hand downwards.
Crackling!!
A portion of the water touched by his hand froze solid, transforming into a thin board that glided across the river.
Manipulating it with Mana Threads, Lennok immediately moved towards the dock where the fortress was located.
Whoooosh!!!
Lennok slowly tilted his head, confirming the fortress’s ramparts, where waves crashed and split, and the presence of sentries.
Circling around the edge of the fortress, Lennok walked out to a nearby dock and muttered.
“I need to find a way to get in. The security seems tighter than I expected.”
[You don’t intend to sneak in, do you?]
“Because I might need the Ghost Dragon’s cooperation to find the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void. There’s no need to break Yao Xun’s rules already.”
Lennok replied, pulling up his hood, and stepped into the street.
As someone being pursued by the Court of Soul Pacification, if he maintained this appearance, someone would surely recognize him.
But Lennok thought that if he could sense such a presence in advance, he could exploit the situation itself.
[Wouldn’t checking the Chronicles’ records provide a clue?]
“I intend to, but investigating the Ghost Dragon’s Incarnation Spellcraft comes first.”
Lennok replied, slowly emerging from the crowd and massaging his shoulder.
“Oris implied the Ghost Dragon’s spellcraft was related to the fortress’s essence. If he told me to judge it for myself, it must be true.”
[It seems the Arbitrator thought wrong. Can the discernment of an eccentric spellcaster like you truly be trusted?]
“Is that all a fanatical cultist’s advice from behind me is good for, just useless nagging?”
Lennok replied, gazing at the passersby.
“However… there are many people wandering lost around this street. It’s proof that many outsiders have recently flowed into this area.”
[……]
“Perhaps, near the fortress, an event or ritual that outsiders could participate in—”
Whoosh……!!
At that moment, Lennok felt something graze his senses and vanish.
An intense murderous intent, beyond merely observing him, glaring as if overtly demanding recognition.
“……”
The Shrine Maiden, sensing Lennok’s chilling reaction, asked.
[……Sir?]
“No, it’s nothing.”
Lennok gave a small laugh and turned around.
“I was just a little surprised they found me earlier than expected.”
Crunch!!
Following where his gaze led, he quickly left the bustling street and entered a quiet back alley.
It was sparsely populated even in broad daylight; was this street usually used as a night market?
Stacked boxes lay scattered, and various fruits spilled underfoot.
Whooshhh!!
In the chilling wind blowing, the scenery behind the night market slowly began to come into view.
Surrounding Lennok, standing in the middle of the night market, were dozens of ghostly figures, hanging in various places on the street and glaring.
A Military Spirit squadron, each donned in tattered cloaks, grasping long, curved blades and sickles.
Only the faded epaulets on their shoulders merely hinted at the fact that they were moving in an organized manner.
“I thought you’d come eventually, but your reaction is excessively fast.”
Lennok looked back at them and asked.
“Has the Court of Soul Pacification already begun to move for my pursuit?”
“There aren’t many places for a lost Yorta sinner to escape to.”
A pale-skinned man, hanging upside down and gazing at Lennok, replied.
“If you’re still in this city, we simply thought you must have headed somewhere beyond the Court of Soul Pacification’s reach.”
“……”
“But abandoning countless hideouts and sanctuaries, the fact that you specifically chose this fortress…”
Had his intention regarding the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void already been discovered?
As Lennok thought that, drawing up his mana, the moment he was about to grasp Mana Threads with both hands,
A completely unexpected remark suddenly burst from the Spirit-Ghost’s mouth.
“Because you are the designated successor to receive the Ghost Dragon’s Incarnation Spellcraft, aren’t you?”
“……Incarnation Spellcraft?”