Iberia, where the border defense line is located.
"Too slow! You think you can be an Inquisitor like this?!"
"Yes!"
As the swords clashed, the specially reinforced longsword emitted a groan of strain, eliciting gasps of astonishment from the National Defense Force watching from the sidelines.
"Is this the special forces unit assembled by the new king? Are they really human?"
"I think so. Don't you know that guy? He was transferred from here a few years ago."
"... But he's completely changed! Not only has he grown wings, but he even looks younger."
The soldiers of the National Defense Forces vigorously ruffled their hair.
"And what's with that physical ability? How can a boxing punch be more powerful than a hand cannon?!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of the punitive soldiers watching from the other side all darkened.
Unlike the National Defense Forces, which operate war Machinery to defend against enemies, the Punishment Forces and Inquisitors are responsible for internal affairs; they are the primary users of the hand cannon, a deadly weapon.
Boom--!
In the center of the crowd, the shorter fighter's sword shattered, and a powerful punch slammed into his chest, causing everyone in the crowd to change color.
Surprisingly, the powerful punch, comparable to a hand cannon, produced a tremendous roar, and although the soldier fell to the ground, there was no horrific scene of flesh flying everywhere.
"Too slow, Robert! Why were you so distracted? Why didn't you get up immediately after falling?"
Laide, the captain of the first squad of the Holy Blood Angels, looked at the boy with a face full of disappointment.
"I'm starting to regret it. This carelessness will lead to your death on the battlefield. Do you want Lady Yuton to weep for you? Do you want His Majesty to be disappointed in you?!"
"No! Absolutely not!"
Family ties and faith simultaneously stimulated his brain; Robert's blood surged, the pain in his chest subsided, and with a roar, he rejoined the battle.
"You have enough strength, but not enough composure. Start over!"
I'm hungry!
Robert was sent flying once again, but Laide's seemingly stern gaze held a hint of relief.
The boy was very talented, and, in the king's words, his adaptability was perfectly suited to that of Bloodline Heir.
After requesting a second blessing from the new king, Laide gave his [Blood Transfer] to the boy, signifying that the boy had become a reserve officer.
The boy is not yet qualified to go to the battlefield. As a reserve soldier, he has only improved his physical fitness. It is too early for him to have the wings that represent the Holy Blood Angels.
I've heard that the king has plans to add other special units. If I can't die in battle soon, recommending the unpromoted young man to other units wouldn't be a bad idea.
At least, that loyalty can definitely stand the test of time.
"Laide Ryder, time is almost up."
A reminder came from his adjutant, Laide nodded, waving for everyone to return to their posts before taking to the skies.
The large-scale troop deployment on the border was not a mere exercise; the king's coronation ceremony was imminent, and it would be at that time that Iberia's return to the Daichi would be announced.
Laide calculated the time; the scheduled opening ceremony was not far off.
But... in what form will the king proclaim this to the entire nation?
Laide's skin sensitively detected the change in airflow; he frowned, looked up at the sky, and his pupils contracted slightly.
I see...
Meanwhile, residents of towns and cities across Iberia stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky in unison.
The Bloodline Heir Cluster received the message and underwent a brief transformation, giving them a luminous appearance.
Then, the images formed by combining them converged in the sky.
Shot from an overhead angle, a large crowd has gathered in the square, blocking a building.
That's the view of the church in Gran Faro.
"Your Majesty, the ceremony is about to begin. Have you truly memorized the proclamation?"
"You're so long-winded! How about I transform you into my likeness and you go up and give the speech?"
"I wouldn't dare!"
Dispelling the overly tense Saints, Vane refocused his attention on the group.
[Vane: Third brother, do you mean that Originium that has been corrupted by magic still has the ability to infect?]
[Gorth: To be precise, it's an incompletely infected individual. The amount of Originium that stores magical energy far exceeds that of Magic Crystal Ore Originium, which may explain its slightly lower generation efficiency.]
[Vane: After all, we are beings created specifically to store and transform information, so what does "incomplete contamination" mean?]
[Gorth: This means that Originium fully charged with mana will not be infected, but as the mana within them is depleted, they will gradually regain their ability to infect.]
Looking at this new intelligence, Vane seemed to be deep in thought.
He roughly understood the principle behind the Life Potion's treatment of Oripathy.
To be precise, it's not a treatment, but rather a form of inhibition similar to that of a blocker.
The magic contained in the potion fills the Originium particles in the patient's body, blocking their infection effect.
The potion's healing abilities extend to repairing damaged organs once the Originium stops corroding the body.
Looking back, it seems like a clever trick was used initially, as simply filling the body with magic would harm the infected individual.
The combination of Mana Spring Water and Life Potion was originally intended to save costs, but the dual effect of restoring both mana and health unexpectedly resulted in a healing effect.
[Vane: The question of whether magic can erode Originium has been resolved. Organize the relevant data and send it to the second brother.]
[Gorth: It's already being done, but there's one more thing: the supply of Magic Originium might not be enough in the future.]
[Vane:???]
[Vane: Didn't we calculate the production capacity? Iberia is in dire need of reconstruction; we can't afford any problems with this.]
[Gorth:... Iberia alone is enough, but we might need to consider Ursus as well.]
[Vane: What happened now?]
[Gorth: We recently found Cave Ice Worm. Do you know what happened to that thing? It ate an entire mountain range!]
[Vane:... You ate Originium?]
[Gorth: What do you think?]
Vane's expression turned strange. Had the ore shortage crisis, which was not expected for decades, started prematurely?
[Gorth: We don't know how much it ate yet, but its size alone is a big problem. Why didn't we have this issue on the Vitality Continent?]
[Vane: After all, the Vitality Continent has corresponding creatures to limit it, so this could be considered a biological invasion.]
[Gorth:... You don't seem worried at all?]
[Vane: It's nothing. You don't know much about Ursus's mineral reserves. At his size, he's a long way from emptying the entire vein.]
[Vane: As for its size... the mountain isn't even as big as Leviathan. If it gets too big, we'll make it roll into the sea, and if it gets any bigger, we'll throw it into space.]
[Gorth: Space... that's possible, but our reserves of Magic Originium are still insufficient. After all, relying solely on Crystal Giant Crabs to produce Magic Crystal Ore is too inefficient.]
[Vane: How about we find it a few mates and have more offspring?]
[Gorth:... Does Terra really have a suitable creature of that size?]
Vane thought about it. Since there are Originium Slug the size of Pompeii, maybe there really are?
[Vane: Let's take our time. We can't let him get involved with Golden Crab, can we?]
The Golden Crab sleeping peacefully underground in the Black Forest was awakened by a chill, and Gorth, who was watching all this, shook his head.
[Gorth: Take your time. Replacing it with Originium would be best.]
[Vane: Take your time? Let the Cave Ice Worms eat all the ore, then you can directly leverage your new energy advantage to settle in Ursus.]
[Gorth: It hasn't come to that yet. I spoke with a local Ursus teacher; there are still hopeful fighters in this land.]
[Vane: You think you can change things with just that few people? Given Ursus's current state, I'd recommend starting from scratch.]
[Gorth: Ursus is not asleep, they have simply taken the wrong path. Pointing them in the right direction will allow them to make their own choices.]
Vane stroked his chin, recalling the subsequent events of Ursus.
The Ursus Emperor's reformist camp, some rebel groups and other factions, the Grand Duchess's camp which introduced foreign forces, and the lurking Deathless Black Snake that keeps causing trouble.
It's a true battle royale, and even the enhanced Reunion Movement has little chance of winning.
Without the help of the Black Forest, unless the Reunion Movement can reach a cooperation agreement with the Emperor, or the Northern Demons cause chaos and disperse military forces, Vane cannot imagine any possibility of victory.
[Vane: You really trust the Reunion Movement that much? I think it would be faster for you to take direct control of Ursus. Didn't the second-in-command do that?]
[Gorth: I simply believe in human potential. Gardener's job is to prune the rotten branches, not to uproot the plant.]
[Gorth: Besides, our plan might have oversights. Since the Underworld Paradise can preserve the souls of the victims, leaving a control group wouldn't be a bad idea.]
[Vane: The Underworld Paradise hasn't even been fully developed yet; we're not even sure if we can convince the boss and the others.]
[Gorth: That's why we need you to produce results, King of Iberia.]
That's true...
Vane stretched, and the Saints stood up with him.
Gregor, currently in Leithanien, has yet to find any trace of the Lich, and the response from Yan will also take time. The next trip to the Dungeon is imminent.
But before that--
"It's time to awaken Iberia."
The midday sun streamed into the church, its light reflecting the solemn figures of the congregation on the polished floor.
The guards on both sides pushed open the gate, revealing a long corridor leading to the rooftop lectern.
Vane took a few steps, then suddenly turned back.
"Huh? How did you end up here?"
He glanced at the stern-faced guard and smiled.
Isn't this the guy from prison? He even submitted his resignation before, which Dario rejected.
"You're living a good life now, got a promotion? Give me a smile!"
The guard tried his best to force a smile, but he couldn't hide the despair in his eyes.
"Your Majesty... you were ignorant back then."
"Hey, you're mistaken! We had such a pleasant chat back then!"
Vane grabbed Carmen, who couldn't see what was happening, and pulled her aside.
"Didn't you say Saint Carmen was your brother? Here, I brought her to you. Let's have a good chat~"
Vane moved forward, and the guards felt their legs go weak when they saw Carmen in front of them.
"Lord Carmen..."
"There's no need to worry. Every member of the Inquisition supports each other like family; you could even call them brothers."
Without making things difficult for the guard, Carmen patted him on the shoulder and chased after him again.
"Witness with us the glory of Iberia's resurgence."
Bang--!
Ignoring the waiters on either side, Vane pushed open the door to the top floor.
Sunlight shone on the Platinum robes of the saint, accompanied by the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.
"Very good, very energetic!"
Contrary to expectations of seriousness, the new king's attitude only fueled the already noisy clamor.
"Your Majesty! Are the previous events still going on? I've already bought a new wheelchair!"
"Your Majesty, are you still looking for a queen? The girls of Gran Faro are never short of passion!"
"His Majesty..."
The noise grew louder, Saints gestured to the broadcast control operator beside them, trying to get him to maintain order.
Vane didn't turn around, but waved his hand to stop him.
Are you happy?
The broadcast amplified the sound throughout Iberia; the words were short, yet they silenced many.
Are you happy?
The second question elicited confusion on many faces.
Are you afraid?
The third question was raised, but no one cheered in Gran Faro.
"Coarse grains were replaced with exquisite delicacies, old ailments were cured, meager wealth was expanded, and life safety was guaranteed."
Are you satisfied with the changes made during this period?
No one answered, for the image contained blood-red eyes that radiated a dangerous light.
"You're probably quite satisfied, aren't you? After all, you've been partying all day long, like the last dance before the end of the world."
"I know what you're thinking, are you afraid?"
[Perhaps these days will end soon, so enjoy them while you can, because things will eventually go back to normal.]
[This new king is truly foolish, thinking he can gain loyalty through these favors, when he's clearly a demon.]
[I could live off the subsidies and do nothing, or even use some weird ideas to get a position under that idiot new king. If I don't do it, someone else will...]
Have you ever thought about this?
"..."xN
Every word was accompanied by some people lowering their heads, and the atmosphere became completely awkward.
Even though they are thousands of miles apart, some people dare not look at the image in the sky anymore; they have indeed thought so.
However, the next declaration made everyone look up again.
"Don't feel guilty, I allow these thoughts."
Facing a chorus of questioning gazes, Vane smiled and said:
"Everyone has their own talents, and I allow for your moments of inactivity outside of those talents."
"That's why I specifically chose to hold the ceremony at noon, so that none of you will be unable to get out of bed."
The lighthearted jokes eased the tension, and some members of the public laughed along.
"As I have said, you are my protected people, and as long as I am in this country, no one will harm you."
"But--"
"I have no expectations of you, just as you have no expectations of yourselves."
Smiles froze on their faces, and some members of the public, who had already anticipated this, glared angrily at the figures in the video.
They noticed it from the start: the arrogance on his face, the disdain in his eyes.
The figure on the high platform didn't take them seriously at all.
"What's with those expressions on your faces? Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
Vane continued to laugh, but his laughter grew increasingly grating.
"Fearing the rule of the Inquisition, they chose to keep their mouths shut, using silence to confront violence."
"Seeing no hope for the future, they choose to blindfold themselves, using scriptures to numb their senses."
"Indulging in present comfort, choosing to cover one's ears and shut out the warnings of others."
"Are you all like this? Am I wrong?"
The king mocked his people, and the midday sun shone down, yet it chilled them to the bone.
"The coronation ceremony is successfully completed, the new king has ascended the throne, and your carefree life will continue perfectly... Are you satisfied?"
Seeing the fearful or angry looks in those eyes, Vane's expression changed.
"But I'm not satisfied!"
"To be your king is a disgrace to me!"
"If an ending doesn't satisfy me, then it's not an ending at all!"
He's insane! He's absolutely insane!
Perhaps it's the other person's words that expose the darkness in your heart, or perhaps it's the fear of those ever-changing emotions.
Some people began to leave.
"Who gave you permission to leave? Cowards!"
Echoing the king's anger, the warm sunlight faded, and blood-red clouds enveloped the entire Iberia.
The vision arrived so quickly, just like that sudden disaster that had awakened the dormant fears of the Iberia.
The crowd wanted to scream, but were horrified to find they couldn't make a sound.
Great Silence! The same kind of Great Silence!
The survivors of that era stared wide-eyed, their eyes bloodshot. As the sound faded, the next moment—
A tsunami is coming.
Thanks to the aerial images, people who have never lived near the sea also witnessed that apocalyptic scene.
That's a kind of horror that Blue Kawu movies could never capture...
The sea roared, the clouds merged with the sea, and a blood-red curtain enveloped the entire field of vision, as if the sky had collapsed.
Is this the Great Silence?
Some young citizens thought so.
They had heard their ancestors recount the horrific disaster, and perhaps even laughed at it, but when they truly faced it, they understood just how utterly desperate it was.
"Are you afraid?"
A voice broke the silence, and the crowd stared in disbelief at the source of the voice.
This was a scene they had never imagined.
Vane stood tall in the sky in the posture of Vistians, with the apocalyptic tsunami seemingly frozen behind him.
Is this the King of Iberia?
No, no king has ever been so powerful!
Those beings were simply not in the same league as them, they were practically...
This idea inevitably appeared in everyone's minds, and along with its emergence, the faith in the former gods also disappeared.
"Look, it's so easy for me to destroy you."
The master of the sea flipped his palm in boredom, and the tsunami reversed course, the catastrophe that would destroy the world being treated like a toy in his hand.
"But this calamity will not harm you in the slightest, for you are my people."
Even after the tsunami receded, the lingering dark clouds reminded everyone that what had just happened was not an illusion.
No one dared to glare angrily at the figure in the sky anymore.
Even if the scorching sun leaves the Daichi barren, farmers find it hard to hate the other side; it is simply out of reach.
I'm right here.
Thus said the King of Iberia.
"When I first came to this country, an Inquisitor showed me what Iberia was like, and that was a very memorable experience."
"This makes me wonder, what exactly can represent Iberia?"
The king pointed to the Inquisitor below.
"Is it Inquisition? But they aren't even recognized by the people."
The king pointed to the hanging flag.
"Is it the king? But the last king has been dead for decades."
The king pointed to the fleet in the bay.
"Is it the Golden Armada? But Iberia survived even without them."
"Finally, after much thought, I came to a conclusion that I found absurd."
The king's finger moved slowly, pointing to the people below.
"You are the true Iberia."
The Iberia looked up in astonishment at the answer and saw those inquisitive eyes.
"Your tenacity is astonishing."
"You survived the worst disasters, so why?"
The King of Iberia asked sincerely, like a scholar seeking knowledge.
"I see absolutely no trace of that Golden Age in you now. Are you... truly Iberia?"
"Did the destruction of the Golden Age break your backbone?"
"Has your courage sunk into the deep sea with the waves?"
Who is standing here?
Is it a tragic remnant of that glorious era, or the creator of another glorious era?
Answer me, Iberia!
The sound grew louder and louder, making people's eardrums buzz, as if the gods were angry.
You have to answer. You absolutely must answer.
The Iberia opened their mouths, but no sound came out for a long time.
But the Great Silence had faded; what had rendered them speechless?
Iberia has finally fallen asleep...
The heavy burden of the disaster overwhelmed her, forcing her to fall into a deep sleep to recuperate.
When their calls went unanswered, the Iberia chose silence.
And what about now?
Iberia still slumbers, but the terrible wounds have long since faded, and the return of the Golden Armada has restored her strong and powerful arms.
All it takes is a shout, a chance.
Someone needs to awaken Iberia.
"Will you be like duckweed drifting with the current, or like a giant whale riding the waves?"
The dark clouds dispersed, and sunlight illuminated the figure high in the sky. The King of Iberia, bathed in gold, extended an invitation.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime wave, Iberia... Will you continue to slumber?"
"No!"
Finally, someone spoke up; it was an elderly man.
"Absolutely not! I will raise my sails; my ship is waiting for me, the sea is waiting for me!"
The King of Iberia asked with a smile.
"But you are already old, are you really not afraid that the waves will sweep away your life?"
"Iberia sailors are never afraid of the sea!"
"Arrogant! But this is the Iberia!"
The King of Iberia made no attempt to hide his delight; he landed on the ground and extended an invitation to the sailors.
Congratulations, brave sailor.
"You still believe in yourself and that you have the potential to be a part of this glorious era and to contribute to its creation."
"Now, make your choice--"
"To be or not to be?"
On June 28, 1038, the golden land of Iberia issued its final, resounding call.
Iberia will not fail.
Iberia will surely win.
[Iberia, immortal!]
But less than an hour after the king's decree was broadcast, the weak signal from the capital was cut off.
All voices fell silent; Iberia no longer spoke.
Now, the sailors gaze upon the King of Iberia, their chests held high.
"Can my voice reach all of Iberia?"
The King of Iberia was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter.
"Of course not... Your voice will resound throughout the entire Daichi!"
The King of Iberia waved his hand and proclaimed in a high voice:
"Turn the citywide broadcast to maximum!"
"But..."
"No buts! The new physiology of Iberia should be known throughout the Daichi!"
The King of Iberia gave this command, and the whole Daichi heard his voice.
Answer me, Iberia!
The king looked at all his citizens through the images.
"Announcing your return to the world!"
On January 1, 1091, the golden age of Iberia will once again raise its voice.
They raised their heads and hands, shouting along with the awakening Iberia.
"Iberia will not fail!"
"Iberia will surely prevail!!" xN
"Iberia will live forever!!" xN
Less than a minute after the Iberia declaration was broadcast, the entire Daichi was abuzz with excitement.
Facing the watchful eyes of the entire Daichi, the King of Iberia responded without fear.
"Glory to Iberia!!"