Against the World II: Transgression
Special Story: Threat from the East, part 1
Note: If you haven't read “Special Story: Deus Guardian and World Observer” in Against the World: Initiation, don't have to read this. Not connecting later.
...—15th May, D204 | City Heavenly Crystal, Islan—...
TO the weapons experts, the weapons they use are extensions of their own hands. It has become an inseparable part of them. Without weapons, weapons experts like losing one part of his body ‒ they become incomplete. Hence, it was extremely rare to see a weapon expert passing by without carrying the weapon of their pride.
As for the blacksmiths, the weapons they created were just like their own children. That's a slightly exaggerated analogy, but that's how it is. From the coarse metal ores, a blacksmith melted them in hot temperatures. Then printed, cooled, heated again, and so on until a weapon is born that is ready to show. And for special weapons, usually the blacksmiths would give him the name that a father should name his newborn son.
As a blacksmith and weapons expert, Hernandez was not too different.
Gunung—especially sword—his share is part of life. Since he could think clearly, since then he has been wrestling with the metals every day. Sometimes it was just his grandfather working, sometimes his grandfather asked Hernandez to test the level of weapon lightness, and sometimes Hernandez played those weapons with both hands. If you remember, no day is missed without touching the metals.
While his mind was nostalgic, Hernandez's hands were busy at work.
In creating a sword, its length and difficulty depend on the main material used. Adamantite is harder than orichalcum, orichalcum is harder than mythril, and so on.
However, platinum and lonsdaleite are exceptions. Although the process of melting the metal ore follows the level of hardness of metal, but the process of carving runes into it is easier than others. Because platinum is so popular for weapons, runes can make it as hard as adamantite. Therefore, it is not surprising that Hernandez is rife with orders for weapons made from platinum as it is today.
Hernandez raised his right hand, carrying the greatsword-type platinum sword blade that he had just finished forging, looking at his level of sharpness and endurance. When he felt that the two things were appropriate, the blacksmith swung the iron blade that had not been installed by the handle several times, before then he threw it into a tub filled with silver-colored water typical of Lake Deus. Afterwards, the blacksmith again took out another sword blade that had been finished printing, doing the same with the greatsword-type platinum earlier.
Hernandez spent nearly an hour finishing all the weapons he had already printed. And after all the blades were finished, Hernandez moved on to the next phase: putting runes on the ordered weapons. Compared to everything, Hernandez liked this part the most. In addition, the installation of runes themselves is the most expensive thing from forging a armor or weapon.
Hernandez took out a sword from the water bath of Lake Deus, placed it on a large empty table in his study. A black magic circle was instantly created under that sword. And along with the appearance of the magic-circle, Hernandez's right index finger had already been shrouded [where] the ashes were.
There was no limit to how many rune formulas could be mounted on a weapon. Hernandez himself had made an adamantite shield on which he carved a hundred rune formulas. More than that, the number of rune formulas on his Kurtalaegon defeated the shield that Fie Axellibra ordered significantly. So, technically, Hernandez could carve runes on a weapon as much as he wanted.
However, it is not easy; it takes great precision so as not to make mistakes in the many rune formulas. And because of that too, the average blacksmith and [Rune Magic] user only carved an average of two to three rune formulas alone. It is certainly not without reason; mistakes that arise can sometimes trigger a big explosion. [Rune Magic] is not as simple as people imagine.
Hernandez's index swerved at the blade of the sword. Each scratch of his hand made a sound “hisss” and produced a little smoke. The sound of “hisss” and the smoke were raised due to the perfect reaction between each sword particle with carved runes. It showed that the installation of runes on weapons was not as simple as people thought, because it was also not all [Rune Magic] users could carve runes on weapons.
To be able to mount runes on an object permanently, a [Rune Magic] user must be able to align his [where] with the particle arrangement of the object. For beginners, it will greatly drain their concentration. But for Hernandez, it was as easy as turning the palm of the hand.
When a rune formula was finished being carved, Hernandez flowed his [where] on the sword. It made the rune formula glow, before then fading and seeping fused with the sword. When the ancient letters engraved with [where] it was no longer visible on the body of the sword, the rune formula was already etched perfectly.
Heat Resistance, that was the rune formula that Hernandez had just carved. And then he would carve out three other rune formulas that his order wanted: Cold Resistance, Greater Hardness, Greater Sharpness.
...* * *...
Retsu had already been to Heavenly Crystal City a few times, but this was only the first time he had explored this most beautiful city of Islan in full. Before that, he had only come to visit the church and Lake Deus as well as several other places. Therefore, Retsu could not help himself not to take advantage of the empty time.
As the name suggests, the sky blue crystal dominates the intricacies of the city.
Wherever he looked, he found blue crystals that were very sensitive to [where] it was. Starting from roads, buildings, light poles on the road, even benches lined in shelter. Some act as foundations, upholstery, and of course the majority of others as ornamental ornaments. Those blue crystals were already like something that should exist for this city. There is not a single building that does not utilize the blue crystals.
Where did they obtain such a beautiful and hard blue crystal like that gem?
Such a question does not only come from Retsu; there is not a single entrant who does not ask that question. Because, after seeing the abundant blue crystal, how could they all not ask?
The answer is only one: Edenia’s Cave.
It was an underground sacred cave located on the north side of the city. That place was only allowed to enter by the Heavenly Crystal City residents who were born in this land. And it was also not free to enter just like that; everyone who entered there had to first wash their faces with the silver-colored Ethereal Water—air that filled Deus Lake.
The rule is not without reason.
According to the legend of the origin of Lake Deus, the god first set foot in the cave before creating and blessing Lake Deus. It is said that Edenia spent seven days and seven nights in the cave. Based on other rumors, Edenia made the cave as her resting place while in the world. Regardless of whether or not the legend is true, the beauty of the cave itself has been able to make all residents of the city purify Edenia’s Cave.
Retsu was eager to see the cave with his own eyes, but he had to obey the rules of this city. Even if he could sneak there secretly, he wouldn't. Moreover, given how well Hernandez had erected a barrier protecting the city, it was possible that the cave itself had been shrouded in various kinds of troublesome runes. Retsu had to forcibly swallow his curiosity.
“Ah... Miss is the newest Deus Guardian member?”
Retsu's footsteps halted for a moment, a resident had been side-footing him with a friendly expression on his lips.
“Ya, I'm the newest member, Bibi.”
“Oh! Nice work! Bibi can't wait to see who's a human being Mr. Hernandez's partner in Deus Guardian. What's the name Miss?”
“Retsu Vermillion, Aunt.”
“Nona Retsu Vermillion. what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman like Miss! Ah, it looks like my daughter will have a hard time getting Mr. Hernandez if she continues to be accompanied by the lady of Cementawan Miss.”
“Auntie is really excessive,” response Retsu with a smile concluded.
“Not at all, Miss, even the word ‘charming’ is not at all enough to conclude the perfection of Miss. Oh, by the way, I sell various accessories that are very suitable for graceful women like Miss. Want to try?”
Retsu let his lips curl wide. Now he knew what the aunt was going to do to him. And he must admit, it was a great approach to attract someone's desire to serve him. This aunt.she is very reliable in wooing buyers.
“Maybe next time, Bi, right now I want to get around this city. Sorry, yes, Bi, I'm sorry.”
“Ah, of course.. but do not forget to go back, yes! Aunt waiting for you, loh!”
Retsu simply responded to the accessories salesman's call with a smile before continuing.
However, just a few minutes walk, Retsu steps back to a standstill. However, this time the stop was not the traders, but the messenger Pope Gramiel who just—introduced the message that replaced the position left by Lyra.
“Nona Retsu, welcoming the invasion attempt that Veria is trying to make, Pope Gramiel has decided to get all the Deus Guardian members in pairs. And as you might have guessed, everything is in pairs according to race. Therefore, from today you will run your duties together with Mr. Hernandez.”
The introduction then gives a scroll to Retsu, which Retsu then receives with a question expression on the face.
“It was a scroll containing Pope Gramiel's response to the Council of Six Centaur Village Alliances. You and Mr. Hernandez are expected to bring this scroll to their village, it will be your first assignment as a pair of—detil your duties are listed in the scroll. That's it, I beg you to withdraw first.”
With that, without waiting for his response, the messenger simply disappeared from the face of Retsu.
Retsu let out a short breath. What can be done, it seems like he has to delay his intention to explore the intricacies of the city. He has a task to do immediately. With that, Retsu then turned his legs to the place where the residence of Hernandez was located. The daughter of the richest man in Islan was walking in a fast tempo.
Just a dozen minutes later, Retsu was already standing before the entrance of the two-story house that everyone who came to the city knew. The house is located not far from the shores of Lake Deus. The fence is made of layered wooden formations, the courtyard is wide enough to accommodate hundreds of people. And the house itself.Retsu had to say that it was very simple.
“Excuse me!” retsu shouted as he rang the iron bell hanging beside the door.
And the door opened exactly a minute later, featuring Hernandez standing next to a raised eyebrow.
“Wait a minute.”
The door closed immediately following the re-entry of Hernandez.
Retsu looked at the door in front of him with twitching eyes. The girl with the appearance of a princess was speechless with the treatment she received. Shouldn't he be welcome to come in and wait inside? Isn't it normal like that?
“...I can't believe he closed the door in front of my face,” muttered Retsu slowly.
“If I invite you in, it will cause unpleasant gossip.” That response came along with the reopening of the door. “In addition to Lyra who has often been back and forth here, no other woman has ever entered alone here. You don't want to be rumored as a Hernandez couple, do you?”
...—A secret cave, Dwarf Kingdom—...
Winged golems or golem angels, both names are perfect for calling a giant thirty-meter-high object all of which are made of pure adamantite. However, both names are not names that the creator gave. Titanus, that's the angel's golem name. A name coined by Stakhneth, the main architect in stringing the design of the giant golem.
“Hernandez will laugh at us when he hears that the golem's name is Titanus, Stakhneth.”
“Khrometh, why should we care about Hernandez' opinion?”
Khrometh frowned at Stakhneth's casual question. And if he thinks well, Hernandez has never made a golem. That is, throughout this whole of Islan, isn't the status of the best golem creator to him and Stakhneth? If so, why should he care what Hernandez thinks?
“You're right, Stakhneth. In terms of golem making, we have absolutely no need to care what Hernandez.” thinks Khrometh said while nodding his head, his right hand stroking his long beard.
Khrometh then turned his eyes to his bloodless brother. Unlike her, Stakhneth wore a black headdress. Stakhneth's beard was shorter than his. However, something that sometimes irritated Khrometh, Stakhneth was two cent taller than him.
“Are we going to introduce our masterpiece to King Zolloa?” ask Khrometh.
“Hm, I thought of introducing it after we tried it first in the upcoming war. What say?”
“That's a good idea,” said Khrometh approvingly, but suddenly he looked at Stakhneth with a very serious expression. “That will control the golem is you, right, Stakhneth?” tanyakanya.
“Take it easy, Khrometh, I know that you don't like being in golems. I will control it and show the greatness of our masterpieces to the world!”
Khrometh smiled with satisfaction at the excited response of his best friend. He could always rely on Stakhneth to do things he didn't like, and Stakhneth could rely on him to do things that dwarves don't like. They have known each other for a long time, they complement each other, and most importantly they understand each other.
“If I use this golem, what will you use, Khrometh?” stakhneth asked who had turned to face him, making their two brown irises collide with each other.
“Mwahahahahahaha, good question, Stakhneth!” chrometh exclaimed with a fiery face. “I've prepared a weapon that will leave Hernandez dumbfounded. That would be the first weapon that could fire a plasma laser! I will fight using that weapon and make—”
“You were inspired by that weapon after getting the experience of being bombarded by Miss Zestya's laser plasma, right?”
“…”
“…”
“...You know very well how to tear down my pleasure, Stakhneth,” said Khrometh with a long breath.
“Ha-ha-ha, the end of your big laugh is annoying, you know!”
Khrometh snorted softly hearing that, but then his expression became solemn. “So, you are ready to engrave dozens of runes on my breakthrough weapon, right?”
“Of course, Khrometh! Do you need to ask a sure thing like that?”
Khrometh gave a wide grin at the rhetorical question of his bloodless brother, causing Stakhneth to take a wide grin. “Let's show our greatness to the world!” smouldering.
...—Rhodessemia, Ilamia Kingdom—...
Currently, there are only eight kingdoms in Islan: Elf Kingdom, Warebeast Great Kingdom, Vampire Kingdom, Dwarf Kingdom, Emiliel Holy Kingdom, Caligula Kingdom, Maggarithaz Kingdom, and Ilamia Kingdom.
Of all those kingdoms, the Maggarithaz Kingdom was the youngest of its age. The kingdom was only founded a century ago. Therefore, their population is not much when compared with other human kingdoms.
Zuthvert Akrecia currently stands on one of the roofs of buildings in the capital of the second oldest human kingdom of all human kingdoms.
The short silver-haired man was disheveled with a human-like appearance in his twenties put on a serious face.—ia was a man with a serious personality and did not like to mince words. His ashes were drawn to the royal palace in the heart of Rhodessemia. The royal family enlisted the help of the Deus Holy Church to deal with the rebellion that would divide the Ilamia Kingdom. Lucky or unlucky, Pope Gramiel sent Zuthvert to deal with the matter.
The half-human and half-elf-dressed elf-blooded man had already spent a total of three weeks in the Ilamia Kingdom. Unfortunately, there was no significant development of the task he took on. He still has not found the leader of the rebels.
So far, Zuthverth has only dealt with rebel forces attempting to attack the capital. Of course he had already interrogated every rebel force he met, but nobody had clear information about their original leader. Little did they know was the belief that their leader was in the royal palace.
And that explains why Zuthverth is currently landing his gray irises on the royal palace.
There are some people Zuthverth suspects, but none more suspicious than the prime minister. Normally, if it should be suspected then the right person is the crown prince. Because, of all, only he was unhappy with the existence of Zuthverth. However, the prime minister's overly open attitude towards him was more suspicious of Zuthverth.
Moreover, despite having suppressed his strength well, Zuthverth could sense that the prime minister was no ordinary resident. He might have succeeded in foiling the others, but Zuthverth was by no means a person who could be easily tricked. Zuthverth therefore decided to spy on the man in his forties who served as prime minister.
At least, that was what Zuthverth was trying to do. However, even after nightfall, Zuthverth did not obtain any results. He spent time in vain.
“Tsk!”
Zuthverth clicked his tongue with a lump. No, it was not because he was upset at himself for having spent time in futility. Zuthverth clicked his tongue as he felt an existence familiar to him.
“Evana, what are you doing here?” zuthverth asked, looking to the left.
Sure enough, it was not until a second after Zuthverth's question left his mouth that a tree sprout poked out from the roof. The tree continued to grow rapidly until it took out a flower bag, and out of it came a beautiful woman who must have attracted the eyes of any man to look. Long bunned white hair, clear blue eyes, and a stature that was like a woman in her thirties….
Evana Evrillia is a dream of men who love older women and are full of maturity.
“Zuthverth, that's not a good way to greet a princess, don't you know that?”
Zuthverth refrained from snorting, he was already used to Evana's behavior. Just because she was hundreds of years younger than him, it did not mean that the woman could play tricks on her at will. However, the woman did not care; in Evana's eyes, Zuthverth was like a child. The woman even shamelessly often tucked into her house with clothes that were less material— that was deliberately used to tease her.
“I'm not in the mood to joke right now, Evana, I've spent three weeks here; it's more troublesome than it should be.”
“Oh? In that case, why not rely on Kak Evana to help Dik Zuthverth who is having trouble~?”
Zuthverth wanted to shout saying that Evana did not need to speak sensually like that, but in the end he only let out a long sigh; he was too used to Evana—'s attitude which was strangely only aimed at him—it was.
“Alright, this time I will count on your help...”.