Chapter 306
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 306
Chapter Title: The Great Bloodline
Rumble—!!!
The heavens roared in fury, their wrath taking physical form as a bolt of lightning.
The world was dyed pure white for a fleeting moment as the thunderbolt crashed down.
...!!
Earth Embrace
The Colossal Sentinel, the target of that rage, immediately ramped up the output of its mana core and deployed a barrier overhead.
One of Jun's unique attributes, the earth attribute known as Earth Embrace.
The all-embracing property of the earth had merged with [Heavenfall Lightning].
Surrounded by the piercingly potent [Extreme Point], the Earth Embrace attribute struck like a lightning-forged awl.
The Colossal Sentinel's barrier shattered instantly, unable to hold even for a moment.
The thunderbolt then plunged straight into the Colossal Sentinel's head.
Its massive body, as if cleaved in two by a sword, split apart.
'The effect is definitely reliable.'
Lightning's explosive spread was fearsome in its own right, but concentrating that power into a single point made feats like this possible.
The idea of focusing all that power in one spot had worked perfectly.
"Insane..."
Several mercenaries who witnessed the scene wore looks of utter shock.
Among them was the mercenary who had mocked Jun as a "skinny twig" earlier, only to be beaten by Aiden.
A single spell had felled a Colossal Sentinel that would take dozens of men to bring down.
Now, one of the five Colossal Sentinels that had invaded the camp lay defeated.
Soon after, the remaining Colossal Sentinels fell as well, and the group hastened their steps.
"You used quite an interesting method there."
"You saw it?"
"Of course."
True to his status as an archmage of the 8th Circle, Ranes recognized Jun's spell immediately.
"I could sense Shylock's enchantment magic, but it didn't match perfectly... You've refined it even further from what you showed me before."
"I used the mana fluid I showed you in the enchant book."
By using ink mixed with mana fluid instead of regular ink to enchant the book, weaving the spell patterns had become far easier than before.
"Indeed, it's a spell that could change the world. Impressive."
"Just a lucky find."
After encountering the artifact Shylock and receiving its price.
In the alchemist's city where he happened to end up, discovering the mana fluid.
A spell born from such coincidences layered together.
Jun had merely adapted them to his own tastes.
But Ranes shook his head with a gentle smile.
"What seems ordinary to one may appear extraordinary to another. Mages are those who seek out that extraordinariness in the everyday."
"You're too kind."
"Why not? I take pride in living in an era that will go down in history."
He glanced toward the mages positioned to the right.
Perhaps because of Jun's spell just now, the mages who had noticed Ranes's gaze quickly averted their eyes.
"And I, too, wish to etch my name into history."
"You will, without a doubt."
To do that, they first had to survive this mission.
The mages and mercenaries quickened their pace toward the checkpoint visible in the distance.
It was just another ordinary day.
Pacifying the impatient nobles, reviewing future plans, tending the garden.
But Marquis Owen's ordinary day was derailed by a single letter that silently fell into his garden.
When the moon filled the sky.
The letter absorbed the moonlight, forming a hazy figure.
[Marquis Owen.]
"This... an esteemed guest has come to visit."
[It's hard enough to catch a glimpse of your face, so I've come like this.]
"If you sought this old man, why not send word?"
[Even if I did, would you see it? Especially when your health is poor.]
Marquis Owen rarely left his estate, handling most affairs from home.
Even when invited to nobles' gatherings, he declined citing poor health.
Dexter had pointed this out, but Owen merely chuckled it off.
"Heh heh... What can I say, age catches up."
[For someone your age, you seem remarkably hale. Don't you think?]
"I'm afraid this old body can't grasp your meaning."
[No need for me to spell it out. You know, and I know. You've been quite busy soothing the nobles lately, haven't you?]
"They're always such hot-tempered, pitiful souls. Their ignorance makes me worry for the empire's future."
[The empire's future...]
Owen's expression didn't flicker at Dexter's amused mutter.
Even unseen by his interlocutor, he maintained impeccable posture as he continued the conversation.
"Then, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
[What honor? I've never properly spoken with you since childhood, so I came. You know that.]
"Ah... Yes. How tragic it is. You've inscribed your name in the empire's long history once more."
Dexter, who had risen from first prince to crown prince.
Owen pitied him.
Born into this era of all eras.
Born into his era.
The path ahead for him would be one of thorns.
Though aligned with the nobles, Owen respected and revered the emperor and his bloodline more than anyone.
Knowing this, perhaps, Dexter's hazy mana hologram tilted its head.
[How peculiar. You represent the nobles' voice, yet revere the empire more than any. Even now, you genuinely pity me.]
Why wouldn't he?
Humanity had awakened under the emperor.
The current empire had ended the fractured, blood-soaked history in one fell swoop.
Owen prided himself on loving the empire more than anyone.
But precisely because of that, he wished for its downfall.
Under the shadow of the founding emperor, humanity could no longer choose evolution.
They would forever depend on a single leader to navigate this world.
Having lived nearly a century, Owen could see it.
The empire—no, humanity—had stagnated.
By the founding emperor and the succeeding emperors who inherited his great blood.
History spoke of kings in the past.
But not all were wise; unwise rule saw kingdoms perish overnight and new ones born just as swiftly.
What of the empire?
Its people were too busy praising the emperor to awaken.
Owen wanted to shatter that history.
He hoped for humanity to grow autonomously.
"This old man seeks only the empire's good."
[The empire... Strangely, it sounds to me like you're doing it for humanity.]
"......"
In that moment, the marquis genuinely admired the crown prince.
See? He read his thoughts perfectly.
Was it the fickleness of time? Or had this aged body lost control of its voice, unlike in his youth?
No. He had worn masks his entire life—hiding his youthful passions, donning the cold mask of a noble blood.
It couldn't be exposed now to the crown prince before him.
He had merely discerned his actions—and in this moment, entangled with the Heavenly Church, his very thoughts.
'You've grown this much already.'
The first prince, once seen as merely young, had become emperor material.
Truly noble blood. Noble history incarnate.
"How delightful, Your Highness."
[Is it?]
"Yes. And it reaffirms that this old minister's thoughts are not wrong."
Emperor. And you, great bloodline.
You are perfect.
Thus, your perfection blocks humanity's evolution.
Your reign, warm as a god's embrace, hinders humanity's growth.
So this ungrateful old man, clutching his youthful tempests, dares to say:
Perfect ones. For humanity's sake, please vanish.
They arrived at the checkpoint.
The corpse of some colossal entity, visible from the 8th layer entrance.
The checkpoint had been built within its skull for protection.
"It's definitely different from the others."
Unlike previous checkpoints with at least small villages, the End Field checkpoint was utterly desolate.
As a perilously dangerous land, only the exceptional would hunt here, and with no steady resources, it drew little interest.
"Bern. Mind handling the base camp with the others? I need to attend the Mage Tower meeting."
"Of course! Leave it to me."
"Thanks."
Jun headed straight for the tent where the Mage Tower elders had gathered.
Not all were present yet—empty seats dotted the area—but Ranes occupied one spot.
Jun took the seat behind him, and soon the tower masters trickled in.
'What immense presences.'
The auras of 7th Circle powerhouses filled the tent.
In the past, he'd have been crushed, unable to lift his head.
But now?
'If you've got something to see, why keep glancing my way.'
Several tower masters shot furtive glances at Jun before looking away.
Most were not from the Conventional Sorcerers faction.
They were likely curious about the spells Jun had used on the way here.
But wary of the Conventional Sorcerers' mages, they hesitated to speak.
'Must be curious. Those were spells you'd need disciples for.'
Before reaching the checkpoint, his goal of drawing attention had been met to some extent.
Not tower master level, but even the Conventional Sorcerers' mages gave similar looks.
He'd garnered interest from various mercenaries too.
But this was Jun's limit.
Now, it was Ranes's turn to act.
The emperor's edict only ordered defending the End Field checkpoint, omitting any threats.
Thus, the mages had to resolve that mystery.
In other words, it favored those holding conference reins—like Endor, son of Marquis Owen and high elder of the Conventional Sorcerers.
From here, Ranes would confront the Conventional Sorcerers' mages.
Ranes alone was their sole pillar of resistance.
While the mages' conference dragged on one side.
"Um..."
Aiden, focused on setting up base camp with Bern, turned at the voice behind him.
The speakers were children who seemed out of place on the 8th layer.
The apparent leader stepped forward to address Aiden.
"What's up?"
Aiden, unused to children, forced a smile. The child relaxed a bit and smiled back.
"Uh, is... is the mercenary captain here?"
They were looking for Jun.
Aiden pondered briefly before pointing to a nearby tent.
"Wanna wait in there? Our... captain's in a meeting right now."
"Oh..."
Chatter erupted from the kids behind the leader.
"What do we do?"
"Master said not to move carelessly..."
"But waiting should be fine, right?"
"S-still..."
"What if we get scolded?"
"But I'm curious..."
"Master said mages resolve mysteries."
What frightened them so?
Aiden wondered if he'd been too stern, then realized how absurd that was.
'The orphanage... kids.'
Children abandoned by those who should never abandon them.
Aiden understood that despair better than anyone.
For these kids, still unclear on good and bad, conflicting masterly advice was bewildering.
With a far more natural smile now, Aiden looked at them.
"There's... snacks inside. Want some while you wait?"