[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
Pirol, small town of ancient beastmen in the middle layer.
"Listin is a major victory, Qyun is a draw, and the Tower of Stories is a crushing defeat. Our predictions were accurate," said Emperor Airan Vermont with a smile. The Imperial family was pleased with the results of the invasion.
"Shimat handled the Red Plutonian tribe well, indeed. If they had sent the aerial fortress straight to the Tower of Stories, we might have faced another disaster like the loss of Drek Hon."
"It's regrettable to lose Drek Hon, but it might be for the best, Manov. If Drek Hon had survived, the Red Plutonian tribe would have needed more time to listen to us."
"That's true, Your Majesty. It seems those foolish and arrogant ones have finally come to their senses. They begged for information about the Tower of Stories when they communicated with Bibol earlier."
As Manov had said, after the battle, the Red Plutonian tribe immediately requested communication with the imperial family. They wanted to know what had happened at the Tower of Stories.
The Imperial family had generously shared their knowledge of the Demon God's Orb and "Manipulation" and informed them that the only place where Zipfel could utilize that ability was the Tower of Stories.
"The Red fleet couldn't even escape, so it's certain that Zipfel's manipulation ability has started to fully awaken."
"Since Kelliark and Sheenu couldn't be absorbed, it's likely still in the initial stages. It was only possible because of the Shrine maiden's help."
"Veradin must also be aware. Eventually, he'll realize the limitations of completing the Demon God's Orb with the Shrine maiden's power. Moreover, her ultimate goal is the resurrection of the Sun God, so he might feel pressured that the Shrine maiden will betray him. In reality, the possibility is slim, but still..."
The Imperial family was confident that there would be no alliance between the Sun God religious sects and the Red Plutonian tribe. It was because the goals they are trying to achieve through the Sun God were different, after all.
What the Sanna's sect wanted was the completion of their envisioned perfect world. In that perfected world, the majority of immortals and mortals were not needed. Therefore, when Sanna realized her goals, the Red Plutonian tribe could not remain in the world. Not just the Red Plutonian tribe, but anyone not chosen would disappear, over 90% of all life in the world.
"For now, both the Shrine maiden and Veradin need each other, so there won't be a drastic change in their relationship."
"Anyway, the situation is progressing excellently. The Red Plutonian tribe and Zipfel will continue to engage in an attritional war, while we gain more technological power from the increasingly desperate Red Plutonian tribe. By the time we awaken Temar Runcandel and Eltiot, we won't need to hide like this anymore."
As if echoing the ominous foreboding Jin had felt some time ago, the Imperial family had long planned to use Temar's left arm to clone him. And if they could also resurrect the Blue Plutonian tribe's Battle God, Eltiot, sealed during the grand seal...
Then the Imperial family would possess two Genesis Knights. Moreover, combining information remaining in Temar's body with the Red Plutonian tribe's technology, they could turn Majins into the strongest living golem.
With that power as the foundation, they would devour the weakened Zipfel and the Red Plutonian tribe entirely.
That was Emperor Airan Vermont's first goal, and he was particularly interested in Zipfel. Other than the Sun God, there was no authority surpassing the ability of complete history manipulation, and it didn't exist anywhere else.
With that power in hand, there would be no problem dealing with Runcandel, Vamel alliance and Kinzelo in future. Going further, even swallowing the entire underworld.
Lost in dreams of the future, the Imperial family was indulging in their fantasies.
[T/L: These are big plans, interesting.]
"I must go and examine Eltiot. Make preparations."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
***
Zipfel, Tower of Stories.
Two days had passed since the official first battle between the Red Plutonian tribe and Zipfel. However, Veradin was still unable to manipulate the minds of the captured Vilka and the members of the Red Plutonian tribe.
"Ugh, argh...!"
"Shrine maiden! Two days have passed like this. Still no way to break free? Why hasn't the Demon God's Orb seal been lifted yet?"
Octavia shouted as she watched Veradin writhing in pain. She, too, had suffered injuries during the battle in Listin, but she couldn't focus on recovery as she was deeply concerned about Veradin.
"...I'm sorry, Captain of Spectres. This is something even I cannot understand. I continue to offer prayers, but my faith has yet to reach it."
Octavia was frustrated.
Unlike other areas, Veradin had achieved overwhelming victory, but he inexplicably found himself in this state. The Shrine maiden continued to chant prayers, not hiding her bewildered inner thoughts, and no one in the clan knew how to improve Veradin's condition.
Moreover, they had no idea when the Red Plutonian tribe might launch another surprise attack. Sartin, Ronil, and other executives were also unable to leave the Tower of Stories.
If, by any chance, Veradin went on a rampage, no one except them could stop him. Even the hope of being able to "stop him" was merely wishful thinking. It was not only due to his abilities that Veradin's condition is unstable but also because of the added effects of the Demon God's Orb power.
The Demon God's Orb still sat in the center of the halved Tower of Stories. The executives had tried several times to release the seal, but each attempt only made Veradin's condition more precarious.
'Why is this happening? The Demon God's Orb was undoubtedly bestowed with the power of our faction's Sun God. His power can harmonize with anything without resistance... It's more likely that this issue lies with Veradin of Zipfel, not the Demon God's Orb.'
Even Sanna was in a state of unrest, just like the executives of Zipfel. If Veradin's health were to go astray, the responsibility would entirely fall on her.
Furthermore, Veradin's problem could lead to the collapse of the entire Zipfel, and if that happened, Sanna would lose the most critical piece for the resurrection of the Sun God.
'Should I gather the priests to prepare for his rampage? But then, exposing the full strength of our faction cannot be avoided. Kinzelo, please, give me an answer. How can I resolve this situation...?'
Amidst everyone's unease, Veradin continued to scream, and the Demon God's Orb visible beyond the window seemed to be reaching its limit.
"The expansion of the Demon God's Orb is accelerating. It's impossible to predict precisely, but at this rate, it will explode soon," Ronil said, touching his forehead.
"If the Demon God's Orb explodes, everything we have done so far will be in vain," Sartin added.
"Beyond that, the entire area might disappear without a trace. We might have to make a decision to save the clan..."
"What are you saying, Sartin?"
"I mean we might have to leave the patriarch behind and evacuate. If everyone gathered in the Tower of Stories dies, the clan will be annihilated. It's a desperate choice, but I'm sure you wouldn't want that either, Captain of Spectres."
"That's absurd!"
"It's the reality, Captain of Spectres. Besides, the patriarch once said to me that if something happens to him, the Captain of Spectres would become the patriarch..."
"What's important to me is not becoming the patriarch. If that were the case, wouldn't I have acted before Veradin when my brother was dying? What's important is Zipfel itself! If we lose Veradin and the Demon God's Orb now, the clan is finished. Whether we live or die, we do it together."
"Aunt!"
"Ronil, do you share the same thoughts as this child?"
"Captain of Spectres, patriarch mentioned it to me too."
"Enough! I won't abandon Veradin. As you all know, I still can't comprehend how Veradin ascended to the throne. But right now, he is our only hope. I won't leave him behind."
Octavia's angry voice echoed through the tower.
'Maybe killing Veradin Zipfel is the answer. If I kill him and one of the executives takes the Demon God's Orb, the situation might improve! This is undoubtedly Veradin's issue, not the Demon God's Orb!'
And Sanna was arriving at such a conclusion.
"In my opinion, the consul's idea seems right, Captain of Spectres. I will continue to pray until the end, so the rest of you should leave."
"I'm staying. Those who believe the Shrine maiden's words, leave."
Sanna didn't stop Octavia any further. If the executives were to leave, she would kill Veradin, and also deal with wounded Octavia. The executives must take Octavia away somehow.
"...I apologize, Aunt. Please forgive me for trying to restrain you. Since the patriarch chose you as the next patriarch, I can't stand by and watch you die."
As Sartin was about to subdue Octavia, suddenly, Veradin's convulsions subsided. The Demon God's Orb that was about to explode quickly stabilized, and those around watched with widened eyes.
"Patriarch!"
"Lord Patriarch!"
Veradin regained his composure, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and looking at the Shrine maiden and the executives.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. The pain I endured for the past two days wasn't because of the Demon God's Orb. You can all rest assured now."
Veradin calmly explained his condition. He wiped his forehead and gulped down the water on the table, even managing to smile.
"Patriarch?"
"Please explain in detail. We were tormented, thinking the clan was coming to an end."
"Your urgency made you address me by my name and now you are speaking formally again, Aunt. While I haven't officially mentioned it, you can continue treating me with the familiarity you've used before. In fact, hearing your casual politeness was a bit uncomfortable."
"Please explain what happened."
"The Tower. The Tower of Stories was calling forth someone through me and the Demon God's Orb. That's why I fell unconscious. It was entirely unexpected, but it was also an incredibly fortunate event."
"The Tower of Stories called forth someone through you...?"
Veradin put down the water glass and responded.
"Elona Zipfel. The Tower of Stories unsealed her. Soon, she will return to the clan."
[T/L: F**k, one after another.]
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]