478 - Regressor of the Fallen Family
Chapter 478 "He’s coming? Without any conditions?" "Yes. Just mentioning the Golem Master was enough. At first, he seemed to ignore us, but on the second attempt..." "We didn’t even threaten him?" "Yes. There was no need. Perhaps the Tower Master's stratagem was effective." The old man's eyebrows furrowed at this remark. Calling it a stratagem was an exaggeration. It was merely a provocation using a half-dead body with a missing soul as bait to ruffle Logan McLane's feathers. ‘I was planning to threaten indiscriminate terror on McLane’s territory if he didn’t comply...’ He had assumed that deploying a terrorist of archmage caliber in the lands recently declared under McLane’s control would inevitably lure McLane in outraged pursuit. Yet, he complied even before such words were spoken? Rumors were that the Incarnation valued his people, but to walk so readily into such an obvious trap? ‘Is he fearless? Or does he trust in his own strength?’ If he was an Aura Master, especially at a level approaching that of a sage, that might explain it. Yet for some reason, instead of being relieved, he felt a persistent unease. "…Watch closely. Do not let the movements of McLane’s forces escape your notice!" "Yes!" The 'sanctuary' was already filled with the life and soul forces lost amid the chaos of war. Any subpar forces brought here would merely become sacrifices. However, if a great army led by the god of war, an Aura Master, advanced, that would be a different story and warranted caution. "Tell them that if there’s even a hint of McLane or the Holy Nation’s forces mobilizing, we’ll launch terror across all of McLane territory. That should prevent them from bringing an army." "Understood." "…At last, the time has come." Of course, all this depended on being able to hold Logan McLane captive until the moment of the ritual. ‘That much should be more than feasible.’ A perfectly prepared and even overflowing divine body and sacrifices. The energies gathered at the altar surpassed expectations by far. Moreover, the two sacred relics to control and manage that energy—the Supreme Bracelet and the Ruler’s Scepter—only fueled the old man's unshakable confidence. But. ‘If the gods intervene...’ It would indeed be troublesome if the divine incarnations, who ruined his lord’s initial grand undertaking, descended as apostles. However, the prophecy suggested that as time passed, it would become increasingly difficult for apostles to descend, with the last instance being over three hundred years ago. Notably, even when he ransacked a temple, no apostles appeared. This indicated that— ‘At most, the gods can perhaps move the Holy Legion. That is hardly intimidating.’ Truly, there was little time remaining. The altar was fully prepared, with impeccable divine bodies and living sacrifices to herald the initiation of the ritual, and the old man smiled gently. So engrossed was he in the ritual, he completely overlooked the collection of information from the world beyond. * * * —This is the era of McLane. Unaware of the peculiar movements of the Holy Nation, the common people regarded the current era in this manner. With the emperor missing and the empire’s territories fragmented, McLane, which had pushed back the empire, naturally assumed the position of being the continent’s strongest power. And despite the war’s end, many of the people couldn’t help but wonder why the McLane forces lingered in Ruthfelheim. Ultimately, the thought that loomed in their minds was: —Could it be that he plans to continue his conquest? Such speculation was based on vague fears. Naturally, public scrutiny gravitated towards the fate of the McLane forces and Logan McLane. Of course. —The soldiers who endured great hardship have been ordered to rest. The king occasionally appears in the royal gardens but is considered to be resting. Information that could allay their concerns was elusive. Around this time, the subject of intense public interest was descending upon a mountain range in the empire’s northwest. ‘I never specified when I’d arrive. There’s no need to adhere to their timing.’ Inhaling lightly, his senses expanded, piercing the surrounding darkness and analyzing everything in the vicinity. The location mentioned by the messenger from Kassel Tower, relayed by Louisa, was now close. His senses, extending a radius of several kilometers, easily identified the positions of the magicians and magic swordmen scattered around from Kassel Tower. All this without any ripple of mana or force. Furthermore, Logan could sense the presence of six powerful apostles keeping a distant watch on him. 'They plan to ambush me.' An impersonator might deceive others, but certainly not the apostles. At least, he found relief in his ability to accurately discern the apostles' abilities. Even their misconceptions. ‘They assume my sensory range is narrower than theirs. Yet, they’ve already entered my strike zone.’ It wasn’t unreasonable for the gods to hold this belief. Perception ability corresponded to the level of one's soul, so even gods confined within the bodies of apostles, with restricted abilities, would still outweigh an ordinary 8-class magic user. Recently, Logan had released a significant burden from his heart, stepping halfway into the realm of the saints. Although he wasn’t a complete god, he was confident he could handle two or three apostles easily. Of course, dealing with more would be challenging, which is why he had come here himself. ‘So far, all is well.’ Breathing a sigh of relief, Logan communicated all his known information to allies situated far from his location. To those allies who barely fell within the sensory range of his newly attained near-saint level. [After I engage, move according to the plan one hour later. Today, we uproot Kassel Tower.] Leaving behind the comforting replies received in his mind, Logan began to move again. ‘There it is.’ It wasn’t just the subordinates of Kassel Tower he referred to. The subtle traces of magic, the artifacts scattered below, and even the thoughts of the spirits managing all of it were now visible to him. The spectral movement technique, which had already allowed Logan to surpass his limits multiple times, enabled him to move as if he were a true phantom. ‘Louisa’s information was not wrong. This is indeed their main base.’ It was puzzling why so many forces were outside instead of inside, but if something was being prepared within, that was understandable. Logan dodged the sight of troops scattered around as he approached their hideout, the cave entrance. While he moved stealthily, would the apostles do the same? ‘Hiding from those far inferior to them wouldn’t be befitting of gods.’ Recalling the temperaments of the gods as described by Harmon and Ilia, Logan chuckled quietly and slipped into the cave like a ghost. Even if the apostles concealed themselves like he did, it mattered little. His plan was to incite conflict somehow. The collapsed cave and the perception-disrupting magic laid within posed no issue for Logan. As he proceeded further into the cavern. – BOOM! – Vermin! – Begone. As expected, loud explosions and furious shouts began echoing from outside the cave. ‘Just as I thought.’ Logan grinned. If they caused a commotion this overtly, enacting his planned strategy would be all the more straightforward. As long as the apostles were encased in human flesh, they couldn't fully focus on him while contending with the Tower’s forces. Logan raised his beloved sword, Lux, which radiated golden aura, high before thrusting it forward effortlessly. And this simple movement yielded truly tremendous results. Woooooooooom. Crash! A golden beam cascaded forward, cutting through the space in front of it. A feat made possible only after stepping halfway into the realm of a saint. A fusion of the two secret techniques of divine swordsmanship, Wave Cutting and Metal Cutting. As the result pierced through the complex tunnels and reached a broader chamber— – You have arrived!!! A thunderous voice bellowed, enough to shake Logan’s body, accompanied by an illusionary split of his form. One half charged into the cave with a commanding presence, while the other vanished like a ghost. And then. [It’s the cavern's interior.] [Has his temperament always been this hasty?] [We pursue him. Prepare for the worst case.] [Moving in.] The apostles, having arrived shortly after, transformed into beams of light as they disappeared into the cave. ‘As I anticipated, they didn’t notice.’ From beyond the folded space, where Logan emerged watching the apostles move, he smiled. Back when he considered imposing limitations on his soul— A moment arose where, having reached the extreme limits of an Aura Master, he let go of the desire for ascension and thereby discovered a different path. Specifically, a path through a shift in perspective. With a power that sliced through space and soul, he found a means to erase his presence and traces. Only a master whose dedication extended to considering self-imposed wounds on his soul could conceive such a method. This merged with the phantom shadow, birthing an unparalleled deception technique unprecedented in history. It was a technique undetectable by anything ‘merely’ at the level of an 8-class, despite its incapability in combat it proved useful here. ‘Intriguing.’ With his presence erased, Logan entered further into the cave. Though his pace naturally slowed, his demeanor remained entirely unhurried as he gradually advanced. – Servants of the false god! – In vain! – I’ll root out the High Priest of Jebrick! – Incarnation!? – Seize him first! Boom! As intended from the start, the clamor of battle reached his ears like sweet music. Finally arriving at the cave’s central plaza, the scene before him left Logan deeply satisfied. "You, damn it!!" The old man could hardly believe the situation unfolding before his eyes. He had been informed that Logan McLane was heading this way. And he was certain that even if Logan sneaked in somehow, the moment he set foot inside the ritual space, his presence would be detected. Once that point was crossed, the ritual would begin, and the Great One would descend. He was on the cusp of achieving the grand ambition to which he had devoted his entire life. Thus, when the golden light that shattered Kassel’s magic first erupted, he had instead shouted in jubilation. This would be moments before those damned ones showed up. Seeing the apostles, he realized. He had been overly optimistic about the situation. When the worst possible entities appeared before him, he found himself unable to think clearly. Panic paralyzed his thoughts. "Apostles!!" But only for a moment. His body surged with thick gray magic, activating the Supreme Bracelet and Ruler’s Scepter. Simultaneously, the magic gathered at the altar endowed him with power that transcended realms in an instant. Transforming into a colossal demon, the Tower Master unleashed fierce wrath upon the Great One’s foes. – Begone, servants of the false god! Amid the apostles’ bewilderment over the unanticipated turn of events, crimson flames engulfed them. Of course. "To no avail!" Apostles, radiating hues of blue, white, red, yellow, and black, effortlessly shrugged off the attack. They then collectively turned their attention to one another. "…Where is he?" "Where’s the Incarnation?" "Have we been deceived!?" The apostles, visibly displaying their displeasure, ignored the demon, the Tower Master, completely. The absurdity of it all drew a snort of laughter from the Tower Master, who then exuded an even more sinister aura. – …Oh god, forgive me. With an eerie chant, the presence of the altar diminished slightly while the demon-form of the Tower Master began to enlarge further. "Damn." "Leave his matter for later." "First, eliminate the High Priest of Jebrick." With the words of Aion's apostle, the man emitting a brilliant blue light, a dazzling and sacred array of lights began to intertwine chaotically with the crimson flames.