Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Villain and Archsages
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Deep underground in the Alps Mountains, in a place untouched by the world's light, lay a mysterious conference room where millennial alchemy coexisted with cutting-edge science. Seven seats encircled a round table.
A mechanical voice echoed through the room, and seven silhouettes materialized as holograms at each seat. Before each silhouette, numbers from 1 to 7 glowed faintly.
"May all light shine upon wisdom."
A 3D blueprint of the destroyed facility rose above the holographic table at the center of the conference room. Amid the blue glow, parts of the building were marked in red, with endless streams of restoration data flowing over them.
"First agenda item: Status update on the Eden Research Institute restoration."
A voice of authoritative authority emanated from Silhouette 1—an elderly man's tone carrying the weight of ages, laced with absolute command.
"Current restoration rate is 67.3%, with projected completion within three months. The core facility, the Crown Workshop, is being prioritized and is already 85.7% restored in terms of experimental data."
It was the voice of an analytical, cold young man. With a gesture from Archsage 2, the hologram zoomed in, displaying various sections of the underground facility under repair.
"The budget has increased by 15% over initial estimates, but it was unavoidable. The good news is that the core facilities are already 70% operational. We've optimized the restoration speed by injecting additional funds from Black Lotus subsidiaries."
A middle-aged man's voice cut in from Seat 7.
"Um... but..."
A timid girl's voice stuttered from Silhouette 5.
"Um... what about... the security systems...? After... Omega's escape last time... I'm worried... something unexpected might... happen again..."
"Deployment of 200 next-gen Cherubim units is complete. Security is 43% stronger than before. We're also implementing new Ether technology and upgrading the Mistral defense system."
The Archsages nodded. The first agenda item seemed concluded.
"Second agenda item: Regarding the death of Doctor Lazar."
"Doctor Lazar's failure was foreseeable."
An elegant woman's voice flowed from Silhouette 4, tinged with subtle mockery.
"Lazar overestimated his own value. A disposable tool mistaking himself for an immortal. His ambitions outstripped his abilities. The predictable end for the arrogant."
Lazar's final moments appeared on the screen: the last battle footage, up to his annihilation by Everlin's black flames.
A crone's voice emerged from Silhouette 3.
"A foreseen sacrifice, an inevitable loss... Just as the darkest night reveals the brightest star, Lazar's death has brought us new insight."
"I predicted it from the start! Lazar was always a delusional megalomaniac! I told you Avyr Epir would kill him someday! Like a frog trying to hunt an eagle and getting crushed! The fool's end who thought himself brilliant!!"
Archsage 6's manic laughter reverberated through the conference room. The other silhouettes shifted uncomfortably.
"Um... from my investigation... Alpha's power... far exceeded... expectations... She achieved full control over black flames, which was deemed impossible... Uh, um... it seems so... Her power surpassed previous records by 300%..."
Everlin's combat data streamed across the hologram. The moment her black wings unfurled, all measurement devices melted from overload.
"Contact with Omega led to this outcome..."
"It's clearly the influence of Gray Matter. But no need for concern. We have Metatron."
All the silhouettes exchanged meaningful glances.
"There are... reports that Metatron's... condition is... unstable... Two recent instances... where control protocols were... ignored..."
"She's willful. She barely listens to us anymore."
"That doesn't diminish her value. Besides, Metatron desires the King's completion too. When goals align, methods are irrelevant."
The image on the holographic table shifted.
All of Lazar's data was erased, replaced by a glowing blue globe of Earth.
The globe rotated slowly, zooming into East Asia, then focusing on the Korean Peninsula. Finally, S City centered in the hologram.
"Third agenda item: Issue of expanding influence in S City."
"Korea is a far-eastern peninsula nation where our Order's influence is relatively weak. S City is an even greater problem."
A stereoscopic map of S City appeared. Buildings, subway lines, and key facilities rendered in intricate detail.
"Our penetration rate is a mere 17.2%. Significantly lower than the 50% average in other major cities."
Silhouette 5 continued cautiously.
"S City has... many powerhouses... we haven't... identified..."
Even as the girl's voice trembled, her fingers moved swiftly. Red dots appeared across the city, each annotated with threat levels and ability analyses.
"S City ranks third worldwide in superhuman density and first in Korea. Key factions include the Hero Association, the Top 10 Corporate Alliance, underground villain networks, and independent forces drawn from around the globe."
"Koreans are highly wary. Especially of foreign incursions. Historical trauma is etched into their collective unconscious. Overt approaches would be unwise."
"That is where our King resides. We must expand our influence there, at any cost."
Number 7 proposed immediately.
"I propose corporate acquisitions through the Black Lotus Group and establishing a local research institute. Basic operations can be completed within two months."
"Approved. Proceed immediately."
The hologram shifted again. This time, Grimoire's silhouette appeared at the center. Gray energy emanating from her horns visualized as data streams.
"Fourth agenda item: Status report on Omega and Gray Matter."
Before Number 1 finished, Number 6 lunged forward excitedly.
"Gray Matter manifestation rate has risen again! This is the highest on record! The horns act as a perfect emitter and amplifier! Isn't it amazing? Proof of the true King! Such immense energy from that tiny body!"
"The King's authority... Gray Matter is no mere superpower. It manipulates the boundary between reality and possibility. Not simple probability alteration, but the restructuring of causality itself... It produces 'fortunate coincidences' favorable to Omega."
As if to support his explanation, Grimoire's activity data appeared. Bank robbery, park monster extermination, live broadcast success—all showed dramatic gaps between 'expected probability' and 'actual outcome'.
"Um... so... it's not just... good luck... but unconsciously... reshaping the world...?"
"Precisely. Gray Matter is the key to reshaping the world. That is the King's authority. The power to remake the world according to one's will."
A heavy silence fell over the conference room. Grimoire's recent footage played on the hologram: her innocent smile toward the camera during the live stream, her faintly glowing horns in the background.
"Fifth agenda item: Decision on Omega retrieval. State your opinions."
Number 6 reacted instantly to Number 1's question.
"Retrieve her now and dissect her! Unravel Gray Matter's secrets!"
"So hasty~ Flowers and fruits have their season. Rushing won't help. Isn't that basic common sense? Pluck too soon, and it's just worthless ornamentation~"
"Is that so? Then let's raise her more! More stimuli! More crises! Explode the Gray Matter! Fill the world with chaos!"
"Cost-benefit analysis shows it's premature. Inducing natural growth yields greater returns with less risk. The 'Crown' is still incomplete besides."
"But... if we wait... too long... control might... become difficult..."
"Inevitability: All converges to one. Forcing the flow only drags us into greater whirlpools... Remember, patience is the mightiest wisdom."
"We will vote. Shall we leave Omega in S City?"
Continue growth: 4 votes. Immediate retrieval: 1 vote. Abstain: 2 votes.
The hologram shifted to scenes of Grimoire's daily life: shopping at the mart, watching TV with Everlin, playing with rats.
"With no further agenda items, I declare the 712th Council adjourned. For the glory of Elohim."
"For the glory of Elohim."
Their voices united, resounding through the conference room. The holograms began to fade one by one.
Finally, only Archsage 1 remained.
The old man's outline was faintly visible: white beard, deep wrinkles, eyes imbued with wisdom and ambition.
The eldest Archsage. Solomon.
An immortal being versed in primordial alchemy. The first alchemist and head of the Elohim Conclave, high priest for the ordained King.
A ancient monster who had lived for millennia by changing bodies, ever-present in history's shadows like humanity's dark undercurrent. All for one goal.
"The King's return draws near... When that day comes, the world will kneel beneath Elohim's order. And we..."
A cold smile spread across his lips.
"...shall become gods."
The final hologram vanished, leaving the empty conference room.
In the darkness, ancient glyphs and symbols etched into the walls glowed faintly.
Strange hieroglyphs and equations stretched from ceiling to floor.
Atop them loomed the emblem of the Hermetic Order.
The serpent devouring its tail: Ouroboros. Eternal cycle and perfection.
The wall glyphs pulsed slowly like a heartbeat before vanishing into utter darkness.