TYPnovel Chapter 141 : Winds of Upheaval (1)
Chapter 141 : Winds of Upheaval (1)
Chapter 141: Winds of Upheaval (1)
I had obtained the result I wanted, but that didn’t mean the number of things I had to deal with had lessened in the slightest.
Still, before handling any of them, there was something I needed to check first.
After severing Dabios of Slaughter’s neck, I had immediately used Mana Devour.
Since the target was a top-tier SS-Rank Beast with an enormous amount of mana, even I, now freed from the curse, had needed nearly thirty minutes to finish.
‘Using the excuse that I need to investigate things is starting to reach its limit too, huh.’
There were far stranger and more mysterious abilities than Mana Devour in this world. The principle behind devouring itself was fairly simple, so explaining it wouldn’t be difficult.
Even so, the fact remained that I was using power stolen from Beasts. Someone could easily make a pointless issue out of it.
‘Making accusations, framing others, and stirring people up… that’s what those Bernhardt bastards do best.’
So for the time being, I decided to share it only with people I could trust and make sure no strange rumors leaked out.
Once the Beast invasion truly began in earnest, trivial rumors like that would become meaningless anyway.
That aside.
It was time to check the results of the devouring with my own eyes.
※ Due to the effects of Mana Devour, you have acquired the following abilities. [Black Azure Aura A, Spear of Black Darkness S]
Black Azure Aura A
Covers the body in a black-azure aura capable of both defense and absorption.
Spear of Black Darkness S
Launches spears of black darkness capable of both attack and retrieval. [Deployable Amount: 3]
※ Due to the effects of Mana Devour, the ranks of the following abilities have increased.
: Regen Stock E ―> Regen Stock A [Remaining Stocks +15]
: Mana Armor A ―> Mana Armor EX
: Iron Body D ―> Iron Body S
“…….”
That was quite the steep growth.
And despite such a massive increase in specs, the mental backlash had been almost nonexistent.
‘Is this also because I was exposed to dark magic for too long?’
I had endured Akasha’s attacks fairly well too.
It would be safe to say I had developed considerable resistance to corruptive abilities like mental contamination.
‘It’s probably also because I placed Clina deep within my consciousness.’
More than anything, becoming a Divine Vessel and obtaining Divinity had likely been the decisive factor.
Because of that, my mental strength and anti-magic resistance had skyrocketed.
‘…It’ll probably be hard to achieve such explosive growth again from now on.’
Unless I used the ability against a Beast even stronger than that monster, this was likely the peak of Eugene Carter’s current potential.
If the Beast was weaker than him, there was no need to even mention it. Even against an equal-ranked Beast, I wouldn’t be able to produce growth this dramatic anymore.
Anyway, that wrapped up the rough status check.
The time had just passed 2 PM.
Each faction was busy preparing to depart.
The first to finish their preparations was Dellowell’s side.
“We are invaders. Staying here too long would only provoke hostility.”
Though self-deprecating, there wasn’t a single wrong word in it.
Watching them leave Mallet through the main gate while reorganizing their formation, I stopped Karen one last time.
“Are you ready to leave the cradle?”
“…Whether I’m ready or not, that’s none of your business.”
“You’re prickly until the very end.”
“Hmph.”
Contrary to her tone, her expression looked considerably relieved.
Then Betty Scarletwood stepped in and spoke.
“Before the Beasts, we joined forces. I believe that through that process, you proved sufficiently that you are not evil.”
But that and coexistence were completely different matters.
“You who arrogantly seek to understand the laws of this world through the study of demons will never understand the sanctity of our faith.”
“Faith, huh….”
Crossing my arms, I asked with a firm expression.
“Have you never thought that you’re being used because of that faith?”
“…….”
“There’s a bastard desecrating even the name of a sacred god just to move everything according to his own desires, and you’re just going to watch?”
“…Choosing to serve such a person was also their own decision.”
“What?”
“As someone who chose of my own will to walk the path of a successor, I have no right to trample upon the free will of others.”
But… I understand.
Betty alternated her gaze between Karen and me as she spoke.
“If the world transforms into such a battlefield in the future, then I too will have no choice but to change my stance. Faith and free will are not more precious than life.”
Those were their final words.
Led by the two Executors, nearly nine hundred believers left Mallet just like that.
Quietly watching the scene, I turned and walked back inside.
There were still matters left to discuss.
---
The outcome of this war carried enormous implications for every faction.
Dellowell and the Ribenian Orthodox Church had been forced toward change.
Karbenna and the Special Task Force had gained a considerable advantage in the coming struggle for supremacy.
The same went for Duel—Mallet.
This victory made Duel Headquarters reevaluate Mallet, while simultaneously giving them justification to intervene in the world.
“If those ‘Gates’ that pour out Beasts continue to assault humanity as you said, the current system will never endure. It’s basically a ticking time bomb.”
After leaving the Master of the Magic Tower’s room, Gustav and I were once again coordinating our stance moving forward.
“There are the results of the Evil Spirit research too, but even just your achievements in this war alone will force Headquarters to change its position. It was that significant of an accomplishment.”
“Mm.”
Leaning back in his chair, Gustav let out a deep sigh.
“The problem is the Imperial Government’s stance. The chances of the current government accepting support from Duel Headquarters are close to zero….”
“Yeah, that’s true… but let’s wait a little longer on that matter.”
“You have some kind of plan?”
“At this rate, humanity has no chance anyway. Reform is mandatory.”
“For the word reform to come out of your mouth….”
I stroked my chin before smiling.
“I’m going to tear everything down. The Imperial Family, the Parliament, the military.”
“…The entire Empire is going to descend into chaos.”
“I’m counting on you, Master. Mallet is my strongest allied force.”
“Could you stop messing around with the title already? Aleph has returned and all.”
“Heh heh, depends on how you behave.”
We exchanged quiet laughs for a moment.
Then suddenly, Gustav shot up from his seat.
Lowering his head deeply, he pressed a hand to his chest and began speaking apologetically.
“I hope you can forgive the evil deeds I committed twelve years ago, including the memory manipulation.”
“…Hm?”
“If you forgive me, then in the name of Master Aleph and Mallet’s honor, I shall fight as your trusted ally.”
It seemed his state of mind had changed quite a bit.
“…….”
I was briefly wondering how I should answer when—
The door suddenly burst open without even a knock.
“Master! Lord Aleph has regained consciousness! Quickly….”
It was Agent Meriel.
“Ah… would it have been better if I came a little later?”
Perhaps because we had been having such an embarrassingly sentimental conversation, Gustav’s face had turned unusually red.
“No, it’s fine. We were more or less finished talking anyway.”
Gesturing toward him, I started walking first.
Gustav awkwardly scratched his forehead before following after me.
Inside the treatment room.
Around Aleph, who had awakened after roughly six hours, stood all the key figures of Mallet.
“Could everyone please step outside for a moment? There’s something I wish to discuss privately with Cadet Eugene Carter.”
Aleph abruptly said that, sending everyone away before immediately asking as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“You came because there was something you wanted to ask me, correct?”
“…Well, yes. But it wasn’t urgent. I thought there would be another opportunity later.”
“There will be no later.”
“What do you mean…?”
Wiping the cold sweat beading across his forehead, he smiled faintly.
“I plan to leave the Tower at midnight.”
“…So suddenly?”
“As I told you before, there are things I still need to do. And while I’m at it, there are matters I must relay to Headquarters as well.”
“You’re pushing yourself too hard… are you really alright? There’s still time. You don’t need to rush this much….”
“There are still several months before the calamity spreads throughout the world.”
But my own life does not have that luxury.
After saying that, Aleph urged me again.
“Now then, if there is something you wish to ask, this is your chance. Ask whatever you wish.”
“…Well, if you insist that much.”
If it had been anyone else, I would’ve concealed parts of the truth and spoken carefully.
But this opponent was an exception. There was no need to play games in front of the Empire’s strongest Archmage and Sage.
So I immediately got to the point.
“Master Aleph. You foresaw this incident. Before the turning point of the era arrived, you wanted to confirm my qualifications.”
“Yes.”
“How were you able to predict this? Just what future did you see?”
Then—
Aleph’s pupils suddenly turned completely white.
And as though possessed by something, he began reciting strange phrases.
“The end and the beginning are one and the same, and all shall return to the primal origin.”
“O those ruled by desire, accept death. For only then shall they live.”
“They shall choose. They shall perish.”
“He who stands alone shall truly die, while he who stands together shall truly live.”
“…….”
Not long afterward, his eyes returned to normal.
The old man wiped the blood dripping from his nose and let out a sigh.
“…A prophecy from the Red Prophet, encountered at the end of my journey.”
“The Red Prophet….”
“It was a prediction made by someone from the Dark Age about a future eight hundred years later, so I believed it completely unreliable… but your appearance changed my thoughts.”
“…I see.”
Closing his eyes quietly, Aleph caressed his wrinkled skin.
“I am old. My stamina, my mana, my abilities—they are not what they once were. I merely hope I can be of some help to the next generation.”
“They say excessive humility becomes arrogance. What magician in the Empire could possibly surpass you…?”
“Isn’t one standing right beside you? A great magician who will surpass this old man.”
“…Rubia and our generation are still unstable. We need someone beside us to guide us.”
I extended my hand toward him.
“Please stay here and help us, Master Aleph. Help establish the Empire’s anti-Great Beast magical doctrine and tactical systems.”
Of course, naturally, he did not take my hand.
“Leave behind outdated people like me and run toward the era ahead, Eugene Carter.”
“…….”
“For that alone shall be the only way to seize the future.”
That was the end of the conversation.
Sensing the feeling of farewell, I briefly shifted my consciousness deep within.
‘Don’t you have anything you want to say?’
— No.
‘This might be the last time.’
— Everything that needed to be said was already said eight years ago when he left this place.
Clina shrugged with a light smile.
— …Well, I’m glad I got to see his face one last time at least.
‘…Is that so.’
If even they were saying this much, there was no need for me to force anything further.
Repeating the contents of the prophecy over and over in my mind, I rose from my seat.
The last glimpse I caught of his face was filled with a smile of absolute conviction, and seeing it made me smile as well.