Chapter 110
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Chapter 110
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Name
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Deciding to openly declare the forces of evil as enemies in this chat room was a resolution I'd been harboring for quite some time.
That decision had started when the banquet hall was attacked.
No, more precisely, it began the moment I examined the black grimoire handed to me through Philip Deran's clone and realized the system within it stood in direct opposition to creation itself.
From that point on, I'd agonized over it for a long time.
How should I phrase it?
The most straightforward way was for me to step forward myself. Or more accurately, for '0' to do so.
There was no more blatant or natural method than that.
And beside me would be the anonymous members of the chat room. For some reason, thanks to Anonymous (1), that felt utterly natural.
I steeled my resolve and took a step forward. Or rather, I lunged ahead.
Unlike the words I'd spoken so far under the name '0', this time I was strikingly proactive.
It might seem like reckless advancement to me, but to those who already had an image of '0' in their minds, it would feel distinctly different.
Though I'd claimed everything was under my control, of course it wasn't.
I just intended to make it so moving forward.
I needed to act far more aggressively and gather more information.
In a way, the forces of evil had dragged me out into the open.
Is this the true meaning of apostles?
After we've reached the seventh member, for you to bring this up now—there must be a reason.
Ah, right.
Anonymous (7).
I'd been so focused on my own tasks that I hadn't paid attention.
With even Anonymous (6) still unfamiliar, another new member had joined.
Normally, newcomers would ask about their situation or try to gauge the nature of the conversations among the anonymities.
But this time, because I'd dropped such a bombshell, Anonymous (7) stayed silent.
Still, I had no choice. Right here, right now, I had to say it.
Events beyond my control were unfolding anyway.
From Anonymous (6) already possessing the Oracle Stele to the steady influx of new members.
Not just within the chat room—the forces of evil were stirring too.
That said, I believed the foundation for '0' within the chat room was solid enough.
To actively counter those variables, '0' was stepping up in earnest.
Timing for when we should step in seems important too.
After the matter concerning me is resolved, I suppose.
Since '0' says this is all part of the picture you've painted.
I'm fine with anything.
Love it. This is fun.
This is exactly what I hoped for.
I'll help if I can...
But there's still that unresolved matter.
Only after the issue with Anonymous (4) is settled can I stand by '0's side.
Anonymous (4)?
Was it about the request involving Arcana Bloom?
I knew Anonymous (3) lurked in the deep sea—an ancient race little known in the Empire, and their ruling king.
What conditions had to be met to emerge from the depths?
They'd planned to ask Anonymous (4) for help with that.
Whatever it was, it would only be possible after I achieved magical unification.
I wanted to help right away, but the timing wasn't right yet.
Anonymous (4) is preparing.
Anonymous (5) as well.
The time will come.
Understood.
Come to think of it, Anonymous (5) hasn't even opened up yet.
Anonymous (4) is recent too.
Of course... they've already touched divinity in that bizarre way of theirs.
Anonymous (5) through (7). To outsiders, even up to Anonymous (4).
The relatively new members stayed quiet.
It was probably hard for them to chime in easily.
Especially since Anonymous (6) and (7) were indistinguishable anyway.
The moment I realized that, a thought suddenly struck me.
The names—Anonymous followed by numbers—were starting to feel cumbersome.
Anonymous plus a number.
Newcomers would be hard to distinguish at a glance.
It would take a long time to discern their speech patterns and ways of thinking.
It wasn't necessarily bad, but with such a clear goal now in sight, change was needed.
I'd named them my apostles.
Assigning names so new members could easily recognize the veterans' identities.
Of course, using real names would contradict the anonymity we'd maintained so far.
Fortunately, I could discern their essences through mana patterns without meeting them face-to-face.
Not their actual names, but the very core of their beings.
For example, take Anonymous (1).
His mana pattern featured firm, straight lines.
Similar to my own trait-transformation lines, yet different.
Mine extended straight from each trait's angle, while his formed an orderly array of countless lines radiating rigidly from a central axis.
Like a tower.
And from what I'd observed, Anonymous (1) knew much from long life, had a fierce personality, yet cherished this chat room. Devoted, perhaps.
Many images came to mind from long observation, but the clearest were masculine grit and intellect.
If creation were the treetop of a vast tree,
Then for him: trunk, roots, branches—what concepts fit?
I approached it that way.
Like naming Anonymous (1), I examined traits for the rest and crafted names from their facets.
Then, in one go, I changed all the names in the chat room.
I briefly wondered if it was too abrupt.
It might be premature. I didn't even know Anonymous (6) or (7)'s personalities, let alone if they'd accept being my apostles.
Was there a smoother way...?
But on second thought, resolving it amid this turbulent atmosphere felt right.
Even if they disliked it, they couldn't deny it. These were their essences defined by mana patterns.
Granting names inscribed their existence. Those names would become part of my order.
It would help unify them into a single group amid the chaos.
Anonymous (1): Tower of Intellect.
Anonymous (2): Root of Understanding.
Anonymous (3): Merciful Crown.
Anonymous (4): Hidden Scales.
Anonymous (5): Son of Courage.
Anonymous (6): Naked Truth.
Anonymous (7): Blazing Glory.
Since I awoke, nothing has been more thrilling than...
'Anonymous (1)' has changed to 'Tower of Intellect'.
'Anonymous (2)' has changed to 'Root of Understanding'.
'Anonymous (3)' has changed to 'Merciful Crown'.
'Anonymous (4)' has changed to 'Hidden Scales'.
'Anonymous (5)' has changed to 'Son of Courage'.
'Anonymous (6)' has changed to 'Naked Truth'.
'Anonymous (7)' has changed to 'Blazing Glory'.
Huh?
Tower of Intellect?
Oh my.
My name changed right as I joined.
This feels a bit... exposed.
Like your name?
No, not like that.
I mean, I can't imagine a better way to describe me.
...You like it?
Setting that aside, it feels like my name.
Hmm.
Intellect, huh.
I am pretty smart.
I like mine.
Courage...
The members seemed to mull over their new names in their own ways.
Only '0' remained unchanged.
It would become Creation eventually, but that could wait.
Arsius felt it intensely.
'0' had begun moving in earnest.
The reason was likely that the leader of the so-called forces of evil had stirred from the shadows.
'0' had said it directly.
The one ruling the forces of evil was emerging from hiding.
Forces of evil. They were all the rage lately.
The clash between those two was imminent.
Had there ever been a battle between such great beings?
No.
If there had, the world wouldn't be this intact.
Half the continent wouldn't have even been able to spectate.
Of course, legends spoke of it.
Long ago, such confrontations might have happened, though it wasn't certain.
They said the endless lands beyond the northern borders had become uninhabitable due to such origins.
But even Arsius didn't know how far back.
Consider just the site of his own battle with the hero.
Even now, after so much time, that land remained unusable.
And this was a clash between beings a dimension above him.
It would go down in continental history.
He knew there was nothing more pathetic than being swept up and dying ignorant.
Existing as part of that battle felt far nobler.
One could call it being chosen.
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