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Chapter 345 – Dragon Lord (2)

Titania and Randolph didn't know about this. It was a story that even the headstrong young dragons like Aquilo didn't know. An ancient dragon, Gluttony who was the grimoire from the Age of Mythology, and the grimoire's contractor, Theodore, were the only ones who understood the meaning.

Additionally, the grimoire was one of the Seven Sins. This was a secret hidden in the deepest part of the Age of Mythology, which remained unknown even when the 6th stage seal was released. 'There was a clue from Myrdal.' Theodore's eyes flashed as he recalled an old memory.

[It is because your thoughts are too different.]

-Me?

[That's right, Gluttony. Unlike the other six, you don't pay much attention to the fate of the world. Pride who wants to eat all species, the one who wants to stop the present world, …]

The rest of Myrdal's words had been stopped by Gluttony's cry, but there were no more powerful candidates. Theodore put aside Pride and Envy that he had defeated, Gluttony that was contracted to him, and Lust that was on the Eastern Continent.

Wrath, Parsimony, and Sloth were the only remaining candidates.

Before continuing with this thought, Theodore intervened in the conversation between the two beings, "Wait."

He knew that the dragon lord was an absurd existence and that this situation was related to one of the Seven Sins. However, Theodore had the right to interrupt the story. Before he got caught up in a story he couldn't afford to be involved in, he had to regain the initiative. "If I am Gluttony's owner, is it okay to proceed with the story without me? Lord."

Erucus's eyes widened and he cried out, "Please refrain from talking, human magician!"

[…No, Erucus. He is right. It is my mistake. Please forgive me rudeness, Theodore Miller.]

"Then please answer my question." After Clipeus acknowledged their mistake, Theodore spoke the questions he had in his mind. It was a clever conversation where he refused to give the initiative to the other party. "What is a dragon lord? If you are less than 10 years old on a human basis, then you are still just a hatchling. If so, it is hard to understand how you know about Gluttony, who is contracted with me."

[Umm… You struck at the core. The contractor of Gluttony is always unique, but you are different.] The serious looking Clipeus smiled bitterly. [I authorize the disclosure of my personal information, Gluttony. You can tell him the information you have recorded about me.]

-Hah, you talk with such benevolence, Gluttony snapped angrily before explaining in a voice only Theodore could hear about the reality of the 'dragon lord' that no one in this world knew. -You did well, User. As you can imagine, the dragon lord isn't an object. It is a defense function of the material world itself.

Gluttony paused before adding more slowly, -It exists in the place where it should be and when it should be. The fact that you encountered it here and in the form of a hatchling is all planned. The dragon lord is a safeguard against the destruction of the physical world.

'…Wait, this doesn't make sense? The world has almost been destroyed several times. Why is it only showing up now?'

-Even if it didn't show up, you overcame it.

'What?' Theodore felt confused.

So, Gluttony explained in a low and calm voice, -The work of a mortal can escape the plan for harmony in this world. The dragon lord being involved means it needs to intervene to overcome this crisis. And in this situation…

'It is the end if the dragon lord doesn't intervene?'

-That's right. The dragon lord is a tool to block the hole that will be drilled no matter what.

Theodore understood the whole thing and shivered.

It hadn't appeared when Laevateinn ran wild because it had foreseen that Theodore would defeat Laevateinn, and it hadn't appeared at the time of 'Pride' Superbia's attack because it had been foreseen that Pride's purpose would be frustrated. There had been no reason to move with Envy or Nídhöggur because it had foreseen that Elvenheim and Theodore would repel Nídhöggur.

However, the swamp was different. It had summoned all the dragons on the continent to this place and still couldn't resolve the problem without Theodore's cooperation. This was the arrival of a global crisis that couldn't be handled by mortals.

The moment Theodore recognized the situation, Clipeus spoke with an exquisite timing like they had read his mind again. [If you listened to Gluttony's explanation, you should understand everything. I will explain more the moment you accept our cooperation.]

"…Yes, I understand."

If Theodore refused, the world would perish. He didn't have much experience with intimidation or blackmail, but he didn't mind this one. Theodore was too brave to refuse because of fear, and his sense of responsibility was also high. Clipeus smiled softly with affection that seemed human. [I didn't think I would see the qualities of a hero from the owner of Gluttony.]

"You're overpraising me."

[Will you respect your contractor's intent, Gluttony? Will you help me reseal Sloth?]

Gluttony was driven to a corner and gave a long sigh. -I can't give a definite answer until I directly observe it. It wouldn't be impossible if the 6th stage function is used well…

"Yes, the 6th stage."

Clipeus made a curious expression at their words. [Okay. Then let's continue with the story.]

There was no reason to refuse. Theodore nodded, and Clipeus turned toward the three dragons who were making subtle expressions. The three of them followed with puzzled expressions. It was finally time to meet one of the Seven Sins trying to destroy the material world, Sloth.

* * *

Unfortunately, the three dragons were unable to confirm what 'Sloth' was. As they got closer to the center of the swamp, the dragons looked ahead with a serious expression. The three dragons were vigilant against something that could threaten them, but Theodore…

'…I don't feel anything?'

There wasn't even a flicker in the surrounding mana. Theodore walked a few more steps with a strange expression. Then a sharp voice rang out, "Boy, stop there!"

"What?" He was about to take a step when something grabbed onto his shoes. Theodore reflexively moved his right foot backward and felt a terrible pain rising from his toes.

The tip of his toe fell off along with the shoe!

"Ugh!"

He was hurriedly using healing magic when claws sprang up. It wasn't a big wound, but the pain of having his flesh torn was more than he imagined. During this moment in which he faced a threat that wasn't sensed by his super sensitivity, his alertness soared to the limit.

What would've happened if he had put his head in?

"…W-What?" An unbelievable sight entered Theodore's eyes as he stared at what was up ahead after doing first aid.

His torn flesh was hanging from a claw floating in the air.

[Oh, the warning was too late. The domain has expanded a few meters more than before,] Clipeus mumbled. [This is the domain of Sloth. With your strength, you can take a few more steps. But please don't try it.]

"No, what is this damn space?" Theodore cursed after his toe was torn. The sight of his blood-splattered toe still hanging in the air was too vivid, making him feel nauseous when he saw it.

As a magician, it was impossible for him to not know this phenomenon.

"…Time Stop!"

The former blue tower master, Blundell Adruncus, had been limited to stopping time for a few seconds in a very narrow space. Nevertheless, he had exhausted all of his life and died from the magic. Yet the time of this vast space was stopped…? This was why the dragons were on alert. They wouldn't be able to survive if they were caught up in that power.

-Look in front of you, User.

"In front?"

At Gluttony's low voice, Theodore stopped shouting and looked beyond it.

Then everyone gulped at the sight ahead of them.

A darkness without the concept of color was swallowing the world beyond them. Birds that were flying stopped in midair and the falling leaves didn't move. Any signs of life in the material world were frozen. The sight of the world stopping around the darkness was truly shocking.

-This is Sloth's unique power, the Cage of Chronos. It causes a time congestion that even light can't escape and freezes the entire world. The power to capture the area regardless of material or non-material—it is the purpose of the stationary collection grimoire, Sloth.

Only then did Theodore complete Mrydal's words. Sloth could stop the existing world itself; it was a grimoire that could end this world forever.

However, the sphere of darkness wasn't darkness. It wasn't dark because there was no light. Instead, it was because the light which entered it didn't emerge. This was a phenomenon that could be seen in a black hole, the ultimate gravitational magic that was only mentioned in the old records.

Then Theodore soon realized why the transcendents had died. If stagnating time was the unique strength of the grimoire, then their cause of death would also be this power.

What would happen if a heart only beat once or twice a year?

What would happen if the electrical signals in a nervous system were slowed by a thousand times?

What would happen if the rate at which the alveoli swelled were reduced to one-tenth?

Even transcendents beyond the limits of life wouldn't be able to hold on. No measures could be taken to combat it, and they would've suffered tens of thousands, maybe even more years of suffering.

Chill. Theodore trembled as he organized the situation in his mind.

'It would be better to die than to experience that.' Theodore barely regained his composure and thought about it. There was no way he could resist the power that transcendents couldn't. The only thing that could be relied on here was the Seven Sins grimoire, Gluttony.

"Gluttony, is there any way you can destroy or enter the cage?"

-Destruction is impossible. Any attack will stop the moment it enters. Even an attack at the speed of light will require 10,000 years to break through the Cage of Chronos. It is impossible unless it is a power that can destroy a dimension.

"Then is there a way to enter?"

-Ummm… Gluttony normally answered without hesitation, but this time his voice trailed off. The means Gluttony possessed were poor, and Time Stop was too powerful. When it came to the heart of the darkness, Gluttony couldn't do much.

-Um? At that moment, Gluttony made a loud sound. -What? Originally, there shouldn't be a gap… Yet there is a slight gap. It is a gap that can be opened if the condition that is the 'key' is met, like a passage that someone has opened.

"A key? Do you know what the condition is?"

-I don't know that type of thing. I can't see it.

The possible path that was opened had closed again. Theodore and the others sighed. It was at this moment that Titania suddenly cried out from the rear and there was a gust of wind. This wasn't a naturally occurring wind but one with force.

"W-Wait a minute? Geros, why are you suddenly appearing?" Titania couldn't hide her confusion at the appearance of the ancient elemental Geros.

Then at that moment…

[It is time,] Geros spoke in a grandiose voice. [I am a piece of Zephyrus, god of the western wind, who remained in this world according to the will of Prometheus. I have confirmed that all the conditions are satisfied.]

Thick, long arms extended from the body made of wind. As he spread open his palms, a brilliant light flowed from Geros' hands and shot straight into the darkness beyond them.

[You can enter. Or you don't have to enter,] Geros continued in a voice without any inhalation. His voice was clearly engraved in everyone's ears. [The time has come to turn off the fire of this world.]

TL Note: I double checked and the author definitely used Parsimony instead of Greed in the Seven Sins. I don't know why, but it isn't a translator mistake.

Chapter 346 – Dragon Lord (3)

Theodore couldn't understand the meaning of Geros' words. However, he soon realized that the ancient elemental didn't want them to understand. Geros was just delivering words that Prometheus had left behind in the distant past. After saying the words, Geros' body blurred.

In spite of her great confusion, Titania tried to maintain the summoning. However, despite her efforts, Geros disappeared after delivering the 'key.'

"Geros," Titania muttered blankly as she stared at the empty space.

The ancient elemental that had been with her for maybe dozens of years had a strange story she didn't know about. So, it was natural for her to be shocked. Theodore approached Titania and asked cautiously, "What happened? Why is the ancient elemental you signed with acting like this?"

"I don't know. I tried to summon him again, but he isn't responding to my words. It is as if he is sleeping."

"Titania, if it isn't something you ordered, then it must be an arrangement left behind by the previous contractor…"

Theodore was referring to the former contractor of the ancient elemental Geros, Myrdal Herseim. Clipeus watched the conversation between the two people and stepped forward. It was unknown what clues were found in their conversation, but it was time to move on.

[Gluttony and Theodore Miller. It looks like the situation has changed. Can you look over there?]

"What…" Theodore looked in the direction that Clipeus pointed, and his expression stiffened.

It was because there was a single crack at the center of the Cage of Chronos where Sloth was located. Although it was difficult to get a sense of the size from this distance, it seemed wide enough to accommodate one or two human-sized creatures.

This was the only way to pass through the darkness.

'No, really?' Theodore couldn't accept his intuition. 'If that passage is a trap, we will be putting our heads in the tiger's mouth. It is hard to move on the outskirts of the time stagnation. Moreover, with the influence in the center…'

There was no way to escape, even for Theodore who could use space magic reasonably well. Strictly speaking, time manipulation corresponded to the upper levels of space manipulation. The possibility of escaping from a region with time stagnation was close to zero.

Even the dragons would inevitably hesitate.

…Except for one being—the dragon lord.

[Go inside.]

"Lord! You don't know what threat might dwell in there!"

[Your words are reasonable, Brasmati. But this threat is the reason why I have appeared in this material world.]

"Perhaps the passage itself is a trap?"

[Well, I don't think so. Isn't that right? Theodore Miller.]

Theodore smiled bitterly since he had come to the same conclusion. "…We can enter or don't enter. This means that our choice isn't important. Whatever we choose, things will happen. It isn't any safer staying here."

[I think so as well. However, we have to assume the worst situation in case we are wrong,] Clipeus added a few things to Theodore's words. [Sword master, you stay here. Your Aura Ability can unnecessarily stimulate time and space.]

"…" Randolph was dissatisfied with the instructions, but Theodore nodded in agreement.

'Acceleration' and 'Time Stagnation' were opposing forces, so they could cause some backlash. Randolph simply didn't have a chance to win against Sloth, who had killed over a dozen transcendents.

Clipeus' words didn't end there. [Erucus, Aquilo. You remain here as well. If Brasmati and I don't come back, you must preserve the dragon species.]

"B-But Lord!"

[I won't tolerate any objections.]

The dragon lord's command was absolute. Erucus, who was about to raise objections, immediately closed his mouth. Then Clipeus turned to Titania. She was a high elf who brought great grace to this material world, and Clipeus wanted her to stay here if possible.

"I respect your authority, but I will go with Theodore." Titania had decided that the moment Myrdal's name had emerged. "My teacher might be in there. I came to this swamp in order to meet him."

[…It can't be helped. I respect your decision, child of the Arv. Brasmati and I, along with you and Theodore Miller, the four of us will enter.]

* * *

Thus, an expedition was formed. It was an expedition consisting of one human, one high elf, and two dragons, which would be unprecedented in any age. Dragon Lord Clipeus took the lead, followed by the other three. Just like how it had been seen from afar, the path was narrow. It was barely enough for two adults to pass through, so it was impossible for the two dragons to change into dragon form.

"There is a gap, but it is pretty dark inside."

They were surrounded by an unknown darkness. Theodore summoned a ball of light and looked around. Light magic spread out before them, but the light failed to come back. The landscape where the light disappeared was even more mysterious. Even Brasmati, who was accustomed to ancient mysteries, found it mysterious.

"This is an unpleasant space. Both light and heat are stopped. It is no wonder that idiot Galatea was caught."

"Galatea?" Theodore questioned the name.

Brasmati replied, "An earth dragon who became an adult 800 years ago. She entered the darkness without waiting for the lord. Now, she is somewhere in this darkness."

[I wish it was just falling asleep…] Clipeus read the hope in Brasmati's voice and muttered with a long sigh. [Maybe I can relieve her pain.]

Time was more powerful than anything else. An elf who lived for hundreds of years and a dragon who lived for tens of thousands of years were nothing in front of time. It might be temporary, but a spirit crushed by eternity would be ruined to the point where it couldn't return to its original state.

Shadows filled Brasmati's face, but no one could comfort him. So, they moved on. Shortly afterward, the party reached their goal. The four people could move no further down the passage, and a space where time moved normally greeted them. No, it was more appropriate to call it an empty space.

If the darkness of Time Stagnation was water that filled an aquarium, then this space was an air bubble. It was proof that the power of Sloth wasn't functioning properly. The space which had been created by artificial means would collapse in 30 minutes.

An old man was sitting in an armchair in the middle. They couldn't see his face because he was turned away, but his white hair and wrinkles were impressive. However, this was a space that shouldn't exist. Brasmati guarded Clipeus while Theodore and Titania moved forward, but the two of them didn't try to fight the old man.

Once both of them neared, Titania called out before Theodore, "…Teacher?"

The old man sitting comfortably in the chair replied, "Finally, the time has come."

He turned around. With a beard that flowed down like hair and eyes that contained deep depths which anyone who saw it couldn't forget…

Titania's and Theodore's eyes opened wider. As expected, he really was inside. It was the greatest elementalist of the century, Myrdal Herseim!

"It has been a long time," Myrdal continued without caring about their reaction. "I have been waiting so many years for just today… in order to turn off the fire of this age and change my life into a handful of ashes."

"T-Teacher?"

As all types of emotions crossed Titania's face, Myrdal looked at Theodore's left hand with a grim expression.

"Do you understand the plan now, Gluttony?"

In response, a hole opened on the left palm, and Gluttony replied, -I see. You… Did you make a deal with Sloth?

"Yes."

-You used your brain quite well. You are the first to deceive Sloth in such a way, Myrdal Herseim. No, should I call you Prometheus's avatar?

The two beings didn't waste time.

"Call me Myrdal. Now that I've finished my last work, I am no longer Prometheus' avatar."

-Hah, I see. How much time? When is your end?

Myrdal listened to Gluttony's words distractedly while also looking at Titania. "In the next 15 minutes or so. I can leave my goodbyes."

Emotions appeared on his expressionless mask. The old man emerged and smiled softly. "It has been a while, Titania. My only apprentice. I knew it would be like this, but it is nice to meet you again."

"I feel the same. But Teacher, what are you trying to do?" Fear, confusion, and joy filled Titania's eyes.

Despite reuniting with the person she missed for many years, her intuition made her reluctant to take a step forward. It was because she couldn't help seeing through to the true essence of her wise and affectionate teacher. Titania didn't know what 'Prometheus' avatar' meant, but he was different from the teacher in her memory.

"…Yes, you are right. There is still time left. Our hero must know my will." Myrdal looked at Theodore and then at the ground.

Four chairs of dirt rose up, with the particularly dirty one being in front of Clipeus. Myrdal laughed at the group of strangers. "Sit, Dragon Lord. It is just perfect for you."

"You dare!" Brasmati was outraged and begged Clipeus, "Lord! Please allow me to kill this old man!"

[It isn't possible.] Clipeus was calm despite the provocation. [The center of this space is that old man. If you kill him, we will be eaten by the darkness and drown forever. I don't want to suffer that senseless pain.]

"Hoh, it makes sense. As expected from the dragon lord."

Why was Myrdal acting maliciously toward the dragons, especially the dragon lord? He didn't actually harm them, but it was obvious from his tone and behavior that there might be something bad between them that Titania and Theodore didn't know about.

Once the two dragons sat down, Myrdal looked at Theodore and started talking, "I want to ask you one thing first. You are now the greatest magician. Do you know 'me'? Not Myrdal, but Prometheus."

"Um…" Theodore thought for a moment about the question. Then he spoke what he had heard from Gluttony and his own investigation, "In the early days of the Age of Mythology, he rejected the ways of the old gods who ruled and handed the first 'fire' to the humans of that time. As punishment, he was cursed with immortality and forced to carry eternal pain. That is all I know."

"Well, it is okay. The story behind it wasn't passed on," Myrdal said, casually overlooking Theodore's words. Then he went on to ask a second question that was difficult for anyone to answer, "Before revealing my identity and purpose, guess what the 'first fire' is. What do you think 'fire' is an expression of?"

Theodore fell silent. However, the silence wasn't because he was trying to figure out the answer. He knew the correct answer from the beginning. The silence was because he was afraid to confirm if it was true. 30 seconds of silence passed by, but they felt like 30 minutes. He couldn't flee forever.

So, Theodore replied, "…It is the power to control mana."

Titania's eyes widened, and the eyes of the dragons sharpened. Meanwhile, Myrdal laughed loudly, "Hahaha! That is correct!"

One of the continent's greatest secrets was revealed.

Chapter 347 – Prometheus Plot (1)

10,000 years ago, during the Age of Mythology, the continent was too threatening for humanity. It was a time when countless monsters, that could tear apart mountains with their natural strength and power, wandered. Humans didn't have the same power as Vulcans or the Arv, making them a lesser species.

There were only two ways for humans to survive. It was to go under a more powerful species and beg for protection or become the slaves of another species. The beginning of humanity in the Age of Mythology hadn't been particularly good. However, there had been one being that recognized the possibilities of the humble species and threw away his life for them.

It was Prometheus, a titan of Olympus.

The giant god, who had been favored by Zeus for having more intelligence than any god, had dared to commit a rebellious act. He had handed untapped power to the mortals, rather than one of the upper species. This was the 'first fire' of humanity.

He had shared with humans the ability to feel and handle mana, the source element of this material world.

「 Look, Prometheus! You broke Olympus' great rule and hastened the chaos of the material world! This is Zeus' order. Prometheus, you will be immortal until you repay the error with your own hands. You will experience the pain of your liver being eaten until that day! 」

When Zeus, ruler of Olympus, became aware of it later, he was greatly enraged and cursed Prometheus. However, Prometheus didn't regret it. In fact, he had known it would be like this from the beginning.

Even the contents of the penalty that Zeus gave him—Prometheus had foreseen it all and was pleased at the thought of being able to watch humanity's prosperity after this era. The 'first fire' that he had smuggled out would bring about the end of the Age of Mythology.

Human history had come about with the rebellion of a giant god. Of course, there were no big changes in the early days. Humans didn't have the concept of mana and had difficulty building up mana in their bodies, using it in a primitive manner. At first, it had been hard, like creating a fire without coal.

The gods, who had been wary of Prometheus' plan, were glad to see it. Then humans developed it with time.

Mana compressed at high concentrations―this power would be called aura.

A genius whose name was no longer known had come up with the concept of 'aura' and devoted his whole life to proving it. It was a crude feat compared to the later generations, but historically, it was a big step. The days when humans had difficulty dealing with wild beasts alone were forgotten.

The power of the gods, the demons' tricks… The beginning was just an imitation, but someday the same realm would be reached. This imitation was called 'magic.'

A priest of a clan had preached this method, systematically explaining the structure of the world and exploring what direction mana should take. It was something that could be seen in elementary textbooks now, but for the ancient people, this enlightenment had been just like the first fire.

The development of humans after achieving these two powers, aura and magic, was dazzling. It had only been one thousand years.

The two pioneers had spread the knowledge throughout the continent, and humanity threw off the chains around their neck. From a human point of view, it was a long time. However, consider the fact that the lifespan of an Arv was over a thousand years old.

Compared to other species in the Age of Mythology, humanity was developing at an impossible rate.

"Not long after that, transcendents appeared," Myrdal told this old story with a warm expression. "Humans in those days were more spiritual than modern humans, and the mana concentration in this material world was dozens of times higher. It was a natural phenomenon."

As transcendents appeared to lead humanity, the concept of 'nations' was eventually introduced into humanity's history. Unlike the upper species in which each individual was powerful, humans were aware of their own weaknesses and cooperated.

There was no caste system, and no gap between the rich and poor. Before the gods, demons, and upper species, humans joined together and lent strength to each other. The first golden age of humanity began like that.

A few generations later, hundreds of transcendents were born. Humans were influential on the continent and faced the upper species and gods on an equal footing. It was a desperate situation for the gods, who weren't coping with the demons. Fortunately, humans hadn't forgotten Prometheus' grace. They allied with the gods and fought a long battle against the demons who invaded this material world from the outside.

It had been the beginning of the 'struggle', the biggest turning point in the Age of Mythology.

"…Hrmm, I won't explain what happened next. It is a history that isn't related to my story."

"Sigh…"

Myrdal let out a long breath after speaking so many words, and the breathless Theodore barely remembered to breathe. Even Theodore, who knew more secrets than anyone else in the magic tower, was struck breathless from what he heard in these 10 minutes. It was because all of the deeply hidden secrets of humanity's history had come pouring out at once.

'The starting point of humanity was the rebellion of a giant god. He is still on this continent and watching us…'

This summarized everything. The rest of the contents were worthwhile but held no meaning in the present situation.

Theodore arranged the information in his head before talking to Myrdal, who seemed to be waiting for something. The story wasn't long, but he could tell that this old man was similar to Gluttony. Myrdal was the type of person who answered a question with another question.

"What does it mean to turn off the fire? Do you plan to take away the ability to handle mana from humanity?"

Myrdal nodded. "Correct. Humans can now live without relying on mana. I became the host of Sloth for this moment and sucked up the mana of the continents for thousands of years."

"…The mana of the continents, don't tell me?!"

"Gluttony is aware of it. The mana concentration of this material world is gradually falling. Dragons will no longer be born, and the gaps between dimensions will soon close. There are fewer magic and aura users becoming transcendents."

Brasmati made a menacing face when he heard that no more dragons would be born. However, Myrdal just laughed at him without changing his expression.

Then he clapped and said loudly, "Isn't it the perfect plan? Until the day that they gain the power to explore outside this star, humanity can prosper without fear of destruction. Gods, demons, or dragons… No existence can threaten them. This is the plan that I, Prometheus, completed."

Theodore was speechless at the absurd story. Meanwhile, Clipeus made a bitter expression. [Complet…ed. It is already done.]

"You know. The moment you appeared in this form, I knew that the world had embraced my plan."

[I wouldn't have appeared as a hatchling if I was supposed to stop you. The material world is finally done with my species.]

As it was mentioned earlier, the dragon lord was the defense mechanism of this material world. If Prometheus' plan was to bring ruin to this material world, then Clipeus would appear in the form of an ancient dragon and demonstrate a power that could destroy even Sloth.

However, the material world provided him with the form of a hatchling. It was a form that couldn't interfere with Prometheus' plan, but it could still help with any threats. The world preferred Prometheus' plan over the conservation of dragons.

"This is the last gamble, arrogant species. But I will pay homage to those who have preserved the material world for all these years. Do your duty until the end."

[No matter what you say, I will do so,] Clipeus replied with a resigned expression.

Then Myrdal looked at Titania, who still didn't understand the situation. Myrdal had remained in this world as Prometheus's avatar in order to ensure his plan worked. He had stopped by Meltor's magic towers and left his knowledge, as well as a fragment of his memory at the world tree. However, this wasn't the reason why he accepted a child as his disciple.

"Titania." Myrdal had lived for over a thousand years and become familiar with pretending to be human. Now, he was shaking off his last lingering attachment. "I know your heart but I can't accept. I am a puppet who moves according to Prometheus' will. I'm not brave enough to be responsible for your life. I didn't even have the courage to leave you until you were an adult."

"T-Teacher?"

"Leaving Geros to you as well as a message to that young man were all planned. But…" The tool who only followed commands spoke his mind, "Be happy Titania."

Originally, all of the world trees needed to be burned in order to lower the mana concentration. More than half the high elves would be killed. It would be easy if he intended to do that. However, Myrdal couldn't do it. He denied his instincts and changed his plan.

As Titania made a pained expression, Myrdal turned toward the young man. "Theodore Miller."

The young man who was the protagonist of Prometheus' plan, a just and excellent magician who didn't stop moving forward—it wasn't an exaggeration to say that there were no other humans in the current world who could become transcendent. No, in fact, Theodore might reach a higher level after transcendence.

So, what choice would he make?

"There are five minutes left. I will stop the Cage of Chronos. Ban Sloth from this world and protect the future of humanity."

Everything was useless now. Myrdal raised his palm with the last of his strength. He couldn't interfere in ordinary space usually, but in this place, he was like a god. The moment that Theodore opened his mouth to reply, Myrdal's space magic wrapped around the four people.

Surrounding by the stillness of nothing, the old man muttered, "…Is it finally the endgame? I'm sadder than I thought."

It was the time for Myrdal Herseim's long story to come to an end.

* * *

Flash!

A group of people suddenly appeared in the air, but the four of them weren't confused or upset. Theodore, Titania, and the two dragons realized their surroundings were familiar as they descended to the ground. It was the point where they had separated with the rest of the group before entering the Cage of Chronos.

"Theodore?"

"Boy!"

"Oh, Lord! You're safe!"

Randolph's, Aquilo's, and Erucus' voices rang out respectively. They wanted to rejoice at the reunion, but Theodore couldn't afford it. According to Myrdal, the remaining time was five minutes. They had to overcome Sloth and find a way to expel it out of this material world.

[Theodore Miller.] Clipeus came to the same conclusion and looked at Theodore. [Is there a way to expel Sloth as outlined by Myrdal? Even if the Cage of Chronos is released, I don't think the Seven Sins grimoire will take it lying down. Maybe it will trigger a powerful defense.]

"Umm… I think so as well."

[Please tell me if you need anything. In the name of the dragon lord, I will give every support possible.]

Clipeus' words lifted Theodore's hesitation. It was impossible for a magician of the 8th circle to expel a grimoire like Sloth from this world, but it might be possible if he used the stage six function as Gluttony said previously. Theodore guessed that if he used the sixth stage ability properly, he would be able to exert a mythical-level strength. With that, it would even be possible to destroy the Cage of Chronos or expel Sloth.

However, there was a problem.

-Do you know, User? You only have 1,280 achievement points. It isn't enough to use the function.

A huge amount of achievement points was needed. Theodore was reminded of this fact and looked around at the dragons with a serious expression. They were a species with a powerful instinct to collect treasures. Even a young dragon like Aquilo had a pile of treasures. So, then what about the older dragons? They wouldn't hold back if the lord ordered them to.

Thus, Theodore could say it, "I'm not the one who needs it. It is Gluttony."

[What do you mean?]

At Clipeus' naive expression, Theodore let out a long sigh. "Take out all the magic worthy treasures or artifacts that you have. They should be at least of the rare quality."

The dragons looked dumbfounded.

Chapter 348 – Prometheus Plot (2)

['Ancient Kingdom's Sword' has been consumed. The amount of magic power it contains is large.]

['Glory's Armored Ring' has been consumed. The amount of magic power it contains is large.]

['Draconic's Buckler' has been consumed. The amount of magic power it contains is huge. It interacts with Aquilo's Blood and the efficiency of the absorption is doubled.]

['Sage's Orb' has been consumed. The amount of magic power it contains is huge.]

[······]

Dozens, hundreds of artifacts entered Theodore's left hand through the open hole. The four dragons, three to be precise when excluding Clipeus, made pained expressions because of the sacrifice. These were relics and treasures which would be preserved in museums of the present age. The dragons watched their treasures, of which the values couldn't be calculated, be consumed with a devastated expression.

"B-Boy. The necklace that I've saved…"

Despite the beauty's begging eyes, Gluttony's tongue swallowed the necklace without hesitation. Aquilo sat on the floor like a broken puppet and stared into space with empty eyes. Brasmati and Erucus couldn't escape the suffering either.

"Aaaah! You are absorbing all of them, human!" Brasmati screamed at losing the fortune he had gathered for thousands of years, while Erucus made a grim smile.

They would've kept some of their precious treasures hidden, but the promise Clipeus made was an absolute force that applied to all dragons. Their bodies would release all of the treasures, even if they didn't want to.

'Surely I won't become enemies with the dragons because of this…?'

They were the strongest species… Theodore didn't think those who defended the material world would have such a narrow mindset, but the expressions on the dragons' faces were really terrible. There was no guarantee that Erucus, the green dragon who wasn't known for being greedy, wouldn't hold a grudge. However, Theodore had no other choice.

'Gluttony, how many points do I have?'

-335,000 points. It is possible to do it maybe once.

'Only one attempt is possible with 335,000 points. It is the worst.'

Once his achievement points reached the appropriate value, Theodore stopped eating, then he looked at the summoning conditions of 'that person.' Gluttony wanted to clear out the remaining property of the dragons, but it wasn't the one who would bear the grudge of the dragons. Since there was only less than 20% left, it wouldn't be a big help anyway.

So, Theodore said, "Okay, I can do it somehow."

As soon as Theodore spoke, the dragons moved the remaining treasures into their spaces at lightning fast speed. He wondered what would happen if he asked them to bring the treasures back. Clipeus looked at them and sighed. [It looks like everything is ready. Is there nothing more we can do to help you?]

"No, this is enough."

The 330,000 points were even more than what he gained from swallowing Jerem's Tartarus a few days ago. Nevertheless, the points could only be used once. Gluttony's 6th stage function had a high potential, but a corresponding cost needed to be paid. In retrospect, Theodore had wondered about it since the time that the Hall of Fame was opened.

Was it possible to call the souls directly using the achievement points at the sixth stage? This hypothesis was verified with the sixth stage.

"Request for Evocation."

There was a message in response to Theodore's words.

[The A-Rank Evocation is invoked.]

[Please speak the name of the target.]

It was the strongest figure that required 330,000 points to be called. Theodore hesitated before calling his name, "Simon Magus."

Simon Magus had been the magician who established the system of Gnosticism. He had challenged the trails of the 10th circle and lived a glorious life as a transcendent at the apex of the Age of Mythology, when all types of monsters had roamed around.

In the past five years, Theodore had spoken to a number of transcendents and made great strides through their advice. However, he hadn't been able to even talk Simon Magus. The reason for that was very simple.

[Are you sure you want to open 'Simon Magus'? 163,210 points will be consumed to awaken this soul.]

A huge amount of achievement points disappeared at once, and Theodore was able to see a light appearing around the portrait hanging in the Hall of Fame. It was an opportunity that had come unintentionally, but he could finally wake up one of the greatest magicians of the Age of Mythology.

Simultaneously, the 6th stage function, Evocation, was triggered.

[Simon Magus has been summoned to this material world.]

Shortly afterward, the light of an unknown character poured out from the hole in Theodore's left hand. No, it probably wasn't light. It was a higher level of power flow that living things couldn't recognize. Only the dragon lord, Clipeus, could detect the shadow of a human in the light.

"―Urgh." There was no need to wonder who made the noise.

With the exception of Clipeus, everyone stepped back in fear of the unknown shadow. Even the dragons who could erase a mountain with a single breath felt crushed by the pressure on them as if gravity had increased by several times. A few seconds later, the light cleared away.

"The air is stuffy. I'm glad I wasn't born in this age." It was a cold voice. Simon Magus, the person who reappeared in the material world after thousands of years, turned to Theodore who called him. His gaze was filled with annoyance. "Hey, talk."

"…Simon Magus?"

"Did you call me to ask me that? If so, I will return." Simon Magus turned around.

Theodore cried out anxiously, "I-I need a spell of banishment from this dimension!"

"Hoh?" Simon Magus' eyes narrowed, and he turned back. "This is a spell that no one uses, and there isn't much need for it, so it was buried. Why?"

"I need to banish a grimoire from this world."

"Hmm?" Simon Magus' eyes shone as he saw the Cage of Chronos that was slowly starting to disappear. This was a magician who had been at the height of the Age of Mythology. "It is Sloth. It has gathered an enormous amount of mana. Did it suck up the continent's mana for thousands of years? If it explodes, a hole will be blown in this dimension. You want to expel it from this dimension?"

To think that Simon Magus pierced through this matter with one glance…? Theodore thought it was ridiculous, and his mouth dropped open. While the rest of the people were drowned out by Simon Magus' presence, Clipeus alone walked forward and spoke, [Do you know what kind of changes will occur to this world if you banish Sloth?]

"The constantly circulating mana will leak in large quantities, and you will become extinct. It is already an inevitable fate. Accept it, Dragon King."

[…I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.]

Just like what Gluttony said about inheriting old memories, Simon Magus and Clipeus knew each other. However, their relationship didn't seem intimate.

Simon watched Sloth for a moment before speaking to Theodore, "Dimensional Banish will take about 10 minutes to expel the target. With your remaining achievement points, Dimensional Banish can only be used once. If I participate in combat or suffer a direct blow, my summoning ma may be cancelled. Be careful."

Theodore was embarrassed by the one-sided words and asked carefully, "No, it will take 10 minutes?"

"From the beginning, it wasn't a magic made for combat. It was magic designed for dealing with engineering wastes. The cost was a lot cheaper to blow them up through the atmosphere. The problem was that I drilled a hole in the dimensional plane."

"Ugh." It was a horrible side effect. Theodore didn't need to ask why Dimensional Banish had gotten buried.

Simon Magus fell silent while looking at the Cage of Chronos, as he no longer had anything to say. Theodore gathered the dragons, and the two people together to prepare for battle. Yet there was one question that couldn't be resolved. After the Cage of Chronos ended, what method would Sloth use to interfere with them?

However, that question was quickly answered.

* * *

Someone spoke, "It is starting."

Five minutes after Myrdal warned them, the Cage of Chronos wrapped around Sloth started to collapse. The darkness collapsed like melted chocolate. This darkness that didn't allow a single light to exist slowly diminished in size, eventually shrinking to the size of a small carriage. Perhaps this mass of darkness was Sloth's body.

'What will it use to try and stop us?'

He didn't dare underestimate the power of the Seven Sins. Pride and Envy were both monsters that he didn't want to face again. After all, Theodore himself was the owner of Gluttony. If he were an ordinary magician, he would avoid fighting with Gluttony's contractor. As part of the Seven Sins, it was clear that Sloth would have a trump card to overturn this situation.

Crack. Unsurprisingly, his super sensitivity started ringing in alarm.

"…What?" Titania's fingers twitched as she stared into the darkness without blinking.

It was because four unknown lumps had fallen from the unmoving darkness that was Sloth. At first, their shapes were ambiguous, similar to mud or shadows. However, as the outline became clearer, the presence of the shadows was revealed.

-This is an impressive last hurrah. Don't die, User, Gluttony advised, having noticed their identity before anyone else. -They are the transcendents that Sloth has collected. They are just empty shells without souls, but their combat power is still a threat.

"What? Then we have to deal with four transcendents?"

As they heard Theodore's words, the faces of Theodore's companions stiffened. Grandmasters—they were monsters born in the body of a mortal but had surpassed their limits. One of them could demonstrate fighting abilities equal to those of a dragon, and now Theodore and his companions had to face four of them!

"One piece of advice should be fine," Simon Magus spoke as he was creating a magic circle. ��Dragon King, take the one in the rear. All of you can handle the rest. If possible, don't come near me."

[I understand.]

There was no more time to explain. Clipeus nodded as the four shadows finished looking human. There were swords in some of their hands, and the armor around them looked real. Their terrifying presence that one's shook skin was evidence of their transcendence.

"―They're coming!"

It took literally a moment.

Kwarururung!

Two of the transcendents flew faster than the speed of sound, only for Brasmati and Erucus to confront them and push them in the opposite direction. It was in order to fight as far as possible for Simon Magus, who was casting Dimensional Banish.

[I'll leave the remaining one to you.] Clipeus also decided their opponent.

As Simon Magus advised, Clipeus targeted the transcendent at the rear. Clipeus' dragon body was much smaller than the other two dragons. However, that didn't diminish the power of their breath.

――――――���―――――――!!!

Light poured from the mouth of the small golden dragon. No one could escape the speed of their breath, and the transcendent was blown a few kilometers away. Despite this, Clipeus hurriedly pursued the transcendent as there was a chance that it might escape.

"…Damn."

Finally, a magician with glassy eyes remained. Theodore, Randolph, Titania, and Aquilo faced him. They had enough power to wipe out some kingdoms, but the scale of power tilted toward their opponent. The opponent was a magician who reached the level of transcendence—a 9th circle magician.

The moment a black staff appeared in the hands of the mysterious magician, Theodore instinctively shouted, "Scatter―!"

Shortly after that, the space where the four of them were standing shattered.

Chapter 349 – Prometheus Plot (3)

'Space magic!'

The space was broken without the enemy uttering one syllable. Space magic ignored normal defenses and could cause a fatal wound with just a light scratch, and this was at least at the level of an 8th circle killing magic! The tips of Theodore's bangs were cut off the moment he warned his colleagues, causing his spine to turn cold. If he had delayed for even a few more seconds, his head would be gone.

However, Theodore regained his composure and shouted loudly, "Aquilo! Don't transform! You will die as soon as you become a dragon!"

Common sense dictated that it was absurd, but his judgment was correct. Dragon bones were surrounded by scales even stronger than mithril, but they couldn't overcome the magic that directly interfered with space. In particular, the enemy magician was a monster who had reached the 9th circle and could easily overcome a dragon's magic resistance. If Aquilo took the form of a dragon, she would just be an easy target.

"I understand! I will trust you this time, Boy!"

It was unknown if the pride and arrogance of the dragons would allow them to follow Theodore's instructions, but Aquilo was different. She had realized her limitations during the fight against Pride and that Theodore's power surpassed her. Several compressed water beads appeared around Aquilo as she prepared to fight in human form, firing compressed water at extremely high pressures.

Kakiing.

However, there were one person who switched to attack mode quicker than she did.

"Showing a gap in front of me, what an idiot!" Randolph accelerated so fast that his body was a blurry afterimage, while the light of aura from his two blades stretched out like a comet tail. Exceeding the speed of sound, Randolph's swords swallowed up the enemy.

Clovis Two Swords Style.

Special Hidden Meaning Technique.

Thunder Claws.

It was Randolph's perfect deadly blow. The whirlpool of blue aura maintained its momentum, not leaving a single piece of flesh behind. This was different from five years ago. Randolph had perfected his family's swordsmanship since then, and his speed had more than doubled. If he concentrated his aura, he could even cut mithril.

'…What?'

However, the sensation under his hand was strange. It felt lighter than a thin piece of wood, like air―

"Randolph!" Theodore's voice awakened him.

Jeeeong!

A merciless shockwave blew Randolph body far away. If he hadn't blocked reflexively, he might've died from just one blow. As blood ran down his throat, Randolph floated through the air and realized his mistake. Transcendence—he had forgotten what this name meant in reality.

'Damn, it would be a disgrace to die like this.'

The magician was aiming his staff at Randolph, who had yet to land on the ground and whose aura was still shaky. It was impossible for him to defend against or avoid this blow. The reaper's scythe was aiming at his neck. It was at this moment that…

Pipipipiping! The tip of the staff was shaken by arrows that came at it from every direction. Titania had covered for Randolph from the rear. The transcendent stopped trying to kill Randolph and aimed at Titania instead.

"□□□□," the transcendent muttered a word, and the arrows that could pierce through walls of steel turned toward their owner.

Complex magic that combined both distortion and refraction was completed in an instant! Titania started evasive maneuvers in response, while Theodore measured the capabilities of the enemy transcendent after seeing these spells. The spells drove Randolph into a corner and completely neutralized the projectiles. This wasn't even the full extent of the enemy's abilities. Monster was the only word that would emerge to describe their enemy.

'He avoided Randolph's aura by expanding the space. Shortly afterward, he shrank the space and created a shockwave. The magic that reflected the arrow is a higher application method that makes all physical forces flow in the reverse direction… I can't beat him with space magic.'

Even if it was Orta with his magic eyes, there was no reason to fight a magician in the same field that they had already reached the peak. Theodore envisioned a few strategies in an instant and delivered a message to Aquilo. The two of them were connected by blood, so they were able to communicate at high speeds.

[Okay, I will attempt what you said,] Aquilo responded.

Unlike Randolph, who had just started to stand up, and Titania, who was avoiding the arrows she fired, Aquilo had room to move. The beads floating around her headed in one direction, and the transcendent looked back as he sensed them. However, Aquilo's attack was quicker.

Piiiiiik.

The eight beads shot forward as water jets. It was an attack method that exceeded Randolph's swords and Titania's arrows when it came only to speed. Several years ago, Theodore had almost been killed by this water jet when he first met Aquilo.

32 jets of water shot out almost simultaneously, aiming for the space where the arrows had been shot.

"□□□."

At that moment…

Wuuuong…!

Even so, Aquilo's attack was blocked. There was no time to reflect them, but the water jets coming from all directions were blocked. It was a simple response to an attack that was several times faster than the speed of sound, as well as proof that a surprise attack wasn't enough to put him in the wrong spot.

"No, you thought you blocked it." However, Aquilo ridiculed him as if she had foreseen this situation.

The 'real attack' wasn't the water jets. A blue dragon's true power was their absolute dominance over the 'moisture' that existed in this material world. The water jet was Aquilo's favourite technique, but she had other ways to attack when it came to just killing.

After all, no creature could survive without water.

Dehydration—the water stream that stopped at the transcendent's body faded, and the water dried up without leaving a drop. It was the method Blundell had used to kill Theodore a few times during Abe no Seimei's test a few years ago. Dehydration dried up all the water in the body, making creatures die instantly.

Wuuong!

One or two seconds passed by. The transcendent's flesh outside his robes split like rice paddies. It was then that he realized the seriousness of the situation and jumped through space. His soul wasn't present, so his body moved instinctively. Theodore used precise timing to grasp the fatal weakness of the magician. He read the destination of the space movement and cast a special magic at the coordinates before the enemy arrived.

「Rise, imaginary fingers! 」

'Order!' It was the trick Theodore had learned from the warlock, Jerem. The Order, based on the power of Dragon Words, inflated Theodore's magic power by several times. The original Eternal Prison (Aeternum Carcerem), a high-level shadow spell, required five seconds to cast.

Once the transcendent finished his space movement…

「 Lock on for eternity, swallow it in your stomach! 」

Theodore's hands came in contact with each other, and the shadows under his feet crossed like steel bars. It was dimension magic that space magic couldn't interfere with.

Like ordinary shadows, they had no physical force, and once the target was completely confined, there was no way for them to get out of it. Although it might be possible with ultimate magic, Gluttony didn't think that was possible in this situation.

-Once the soul is worn, the ultimate magic can't be used. Using the soul as the key, that is the ultimate magic that dominates the world. An empty shell without an ego can't challenge that area.

A transcendent who couldn't use ultimate magic had their power halved. Thus, Theodore decided to fight. Based on the average magic power, Theodore was above an average 8th circle magician, and he still had three colleagues with him.

'Of course, it would be best if he spent the 10 minutes in this prison…' Theodore stared at the gradually diminishing 'Eternal Prison.'

The attribute of light was one which could never coexist with shadows. However, there was a dim light on the wall of shadows. It was around 1 centimeter in diameter. It was a hole was that difficult to fit a finger through. The hole was only narrow enough for breathing, but Theodore smiled bitterly. '…Well, I thought it would be like this.'

The enemy might not be sane, but a transcendent was a magician who had crossed the limits of existence, touching the 9th circle. Perhaps he used instincts to find a way out of this shadow prison. He wasn't an opponent that would be blocked by something like this.

Theodore felt Randolph return behind him as he concentrated his senses.

"Be prepared. He is coming out soon."

"Yes."

Speaking was too slow in a real fight between masters. Their lives would be cut off several times before they could even speak the signal words. Therefore, Theodore and Randolph remained silent and concentrated hard enough that the powers of the two masters could serve as senses.

'Ah.'

Shortly afterward, the strike came.

Paijijik.

Theodore's supersensitivity cried out as his body flashed with a blue light. Using lightning, he momentarily pushed past Randolph's acceleration. The moment that a shadow popped out of the one-centimeter hole that was too narrow for an adult male body to pass through…

Fairy Dance's Direct Transmission.

Four Major Hidden Techniques.

Rain like an Axle.

Theodore's lightning fist scattered dozens of after-effects as they landed on the transcendent, who showed no signs of blocking them.

Kwarururung!

The second hidden technique used one's fists. The power of one punch exceeded the level of 6th circle attack magic, and it was equal to Aquilo's water jet in terms of speed. A shockwave spread through the surroundings with a loud thunderous sound. It was a perfect surprise attack.

'What?' However, Theodore was the only one who felt surprised. 'Not one of them hit…?'

It was a different situation from when the transcendent avoided Randolph's sword. Rather than expanding the space, he bent it sideways and twisted it in all directions. Some of Theodore's blows lost strength by bumping against each other, and a few shot out in random directions.

The more surprising thing was that the origin of the space distortion was the staff in the transcendent's hand!

"Randolph! This bastard… close combat match is possible for him…" Theodore understood the situation at once and moved one step closer to the nameless transcendent.

Puhak!

No, it just seemed like a step. A common 'gap' was meaningless for a guy who could stretch and shrink space like a rubber band. The outstretched staff struck Theodore before swinging back and hitting Randolph's wrist. Despite two attacks, the sound only came out once.

"Kuk!"

"T-This!"

It was an experience similar to when he fought Zest Speitem, 2nd Sword of the empire. After the space was cut down, the two masters felt a terrible feeling go down their spines. The transcendent continued to hold his staff expressionlessly. Nothing could be felt from him. His martial art was just efficient movements of the body.

However, space magic was added, and any gaps disappeared. What type of magician trained to the level of a master in melee combat?

-You are spitting in your own face, User.

'Shut up,' Theodore snapped at Gluttony who couldn't read the mood and used his lightning again.

A high-speed attack wasn't the answer. The duration had increased considerably over the years, but the consumption of magic power wasn't negligible. It was best to buy time with the recovered Randolph. In addition, both Aquilo and Titania were still alive.

-Let me ask you something. As I have said before, in the old days, humanity had much better spiritualities and physical abilities. It was an era when a monster would destroy a hill with a single fist. There will be magicians who are used to close combat.

'Indeed, there would be those type of magicians.'

It might not be explored properly, but if a magician who dealt with space magic, as well as his own hands and feet, was this powerful… What was the use of martial arts against a person who could change the distance or pull the enemy in front of them?

Grandmasters at the apex would laugh at this. However, Theodore and Randolph were still a long way from confronting it. But…

"Well, isn't it just ultimate self-defense?"

Any attempt to move through space was blocked by Theodore. However, if the transcendent ran away on both feet, he wouldn't be able to beat Randolph's and Theodore's movements. It was perfect as long as they didn't put their bodies in the range of the space shredding.

They would use the tactic of range to defeat the magician. As a great being once said, transcendents who allowed enemies to approach were rare. Once the pattern of melee combat style with space magic was detected, it wasn't unbeatable.

"□□□□." The problem came from the transcendent who recognized this crisis. "□□□, □□□□□."

The transcendent's expressionless face distorted slightly, and light of an unknown color emerged from the staff in his hand. Then…

Kiiiiing!

The world turned black and white, while Randolph's and Theodore's bodies and spirits froze. Due to being at the 8th circle, Theodore wasn't completely stopped and struggled to break through this crisis.

'Time magic? Moreover, this phenomenon is… Don't tell me—!'

It was possible, although he wanted to deny the reality. Time magic had the top compatibility with space magic, and it was possible for a transcendent who trained in space magic to use time magic. However, time magic was usually in the ultimate magic realm, so Theodore had been sure the opponent wouldn't be able to use it.

"□□□□□, □□…" In the black and white world where everything was stopped, the free transcendent muttered strange words alone. It was a considerable burden to use this ultimate magic, and the transcendent couldn't keep his balance.

Theodore couldn't understand the meaning of the words, but he sensed it.

'I have to break this Time Stop somehow!'

Within the stopped world of black and white, Theodore's blue eyes flashed once. In a way, this was his first challenge against ultimate magic.

Chapter 350 – Prometheus Plot (4)

Fortunately, this Time Stop wasn't complete. Theodore was facing the 'wall' of the 9th circle, but if this were a complete ultimate magic, his mind would've already stopped working.

Theodore put his strength into moving his finger but soon changed his mind. Unlike his mind, the nervous system of his body had completely stopped. It was impossible and had nothing to do with his effort.

'I need to make the breakthrough with my magic.'

In order to overcome this situation, he had to break the transcendent's Time Stop with his magic. A non-transcendent was trying to break the ultimate magic…?

Any magician would answer that it was impossible to succeed. It was the same for Theodore. Even if this Time Stop was incomplete, it was still the ultimate magic. Randolph was already neutralized, while Titania and Aquilo were outside the sphere of influence and couldn't intervene.

Time magic was defined as the ultimate magic for a reason.

"□□□□…! □□□…!" The voice of the transcendent, who had been crying out like a madman, became thinner. His shaking body was gradually calming down.

'Damn, there is no time.' The transcendent would kill Theodore the moment this magic stopped. There was an illusion that Theodore's hair was bristling as he accelerated his thinking desperately.

Neither one minute nor one second could be wasted. He gave up on all meaningless hypotheses and concentrated on breaking the ultimate magic.

Elemental magic was removed from the options, along with summoning magic. He couldn't summon anything in a space where time was stopped, and he would be interrupted before he could chant a few words. His priority was to get out of the area of Time Stop.

Pajijik.

At this moment, a very small light appeared inside Theodore's skull. It was a faint and weak electric current that he wouldn't have been able to feel if it wasn't for this situation. One second later, his super sensitivity screamed.

―It was coming!

Theodore didn't know what it was, but he pulled out the three defense spells he had kept in reserve.

Block of Space.

Force Decline.

Shield – Impenetrable Wall.

They consisted of an 8th circle magic, Seimei's shamanism, and a single wall of defense. These were enough to stop even a dragon's breath. Then suddenly, a terrifying shockwave ripped through Theodore's barrier.

―――――――――――!!

The world was cut off.

'Time, acceleration, space compression…? They've all been inflated at once!'

It was concentrated on the area within one meter around Theodore, and the shockwave caused him to fly kilometers back into the swamp. The word 'destruction' was insufficient to describe the devastation. The surface was cut, the trees were slashed, and the air had evaporated.

Theodore returned a few beats later and looked at the destructive power of this blow. He couldn't block it twice. If he hadn't realized that Time Stop was being released, he wouldn't be alive right now. Moreover, if he hadn't prepared magic in advance or if he didn't have his super sensitivity… Just lacking one of these elements would've killed him. Theodore analyzed the situation with cold eyes.

Fortunately, he had survived. Then what about Randolph?

"Theo! I'm fine!"

Theodore discovered Randolph dozens of meters away and sighed with relief. 'Phew, the emergency escape magic circle seems to have worked properly.'

The escape magic circle was inscribed on Randolph's sword just in case of an unknown situation. It was a magic circle that performed a Teleport to a random space when there was enough power to instantly kill the person. Unlike Theodore, Randolph didn't have a means to stop the shockwave.

The problem was what came next. It was fortunate that Time Stop was released just before the attack―

"Hmm?"

No, that was wrong. Theodore looked back and his guess changed. It was a guess based on what the transcendent showed so far.

"Time Stop can't be used in conjunction with attack magic…?"

The spark in his head just before the shockwave arrived had obviously been him sensing his lightning. Accelerating his thoughts with magic and Memorize had saved him. He hadn't noticed it when he had been desperately using the spell, but he could see it now in hindsight.

"□□□! □□, □□!" The transcendent pointed the staff at him crazily and screamed out a strange grief. It wasn't magical or meaningful. The wisdom that remained in the old body and traces of the soul had become tangled up and unclear.

Looking at the transcendent grimly, Theodore organized his thoughts. It wasn't a perfect solution, but he envisioned a method to cope with Time Stop.

"Randolph! Stand as far as possible with the other two!"

"What? But…"

There was no time to explain. The transcendent was in an unstable state and could use Time Stop at any moment. After Time Stop, aside from Theodore, all of his colleagues would become helpless. With Theodore looking at him silently, Randolph processed the instructions with tight lips, "Tch, understood! Be careful!"

However, Randolph could tell that there had been an unrecognized attack and then he had appeared in a place that was dozens of meters away. He would've died if it hadn't been for Theodore's magic circle. His help would just be a burden to Theodore. So, Randolph moved away, and Theodore was finally left in a one-on-one situation.

'It looks like the transcendent has set me as the priority. It is fortunate.'

It would be an unpredictable melee if the transcendent chased Randolph as it wasn't possible for Theodore to protect his three colleagues, who were defenseless after the variable called Time Stop appeared. Nevertheless, Theodore's chances weren���t high.

An imperfect transcendent and a mortal close to it… The difference wasn't something that could be jumped beyond with luck.

"If you can win, fight. If you can't win, don't fight."

It was a foolish way of living life. Clearly, he hadn't committed to a modest way of life after passing through Seimei's test. Theodore's eyes glowed as he prepared to win. "Come, I will end your pain!" The transcendent pointed out with his staff as if in response to Theodore's provocation.

Kiiiiing!

Once again, the world became black and white. It was Time Stop targeted at both the transcendent and Theodore. Theodore wasn't a transcendent and was fine mentally, while the transcendent's reaction speed was slowed. However, Theodore had already experienced this deadlock.

Memorize.

Then he triggered a magic one beat late.

Forced Harmonization.

Astral Plane Walker.

It was his first attempt to harmonize with shadow magic!

Sususuk.

The shadow rising from his foot spread throughout his whole body. He was wrapped entirely in black, not allowing a single ray of light to reach him. It was a shadow in a human shape that didn't feel three-dimensional. This was the moment that a senior magician overcame physical limits by harmonizing with shadow magic.

"…Success?" Theodore realized that his mouth moved and knew that his hypothesis was correct.

The negative dimension connected to the imaginary world wasn't influenced by time stopping. Of course, if it were just a shadow, then it would be stopped since the light didn't move. However, Theodore mixed with the shadow could move at will.

He wasn't helpless like before.

"□□□□….?" The transcendent muttered in confusion as it struggled with the phenomenon he couldn't understand. However, Theodore was different. The shadow body moved according to his will.

Peeok! He smashed against the transcendent, who had yet to grasp what happened.

'I can't use magic in this state, but it doesn't matter!'

It was different from when he used shadow magic. Theodore assimilated with the negative dimension and lost the right to use the mana of the material world for a short time. Since he belonged to a separate time and space, it was no longer possible to use magic normally.

Theodore put these thoughts aside and kept moving.

"□□! □□!? □□? □□□···!" The transcendent's face was hit several times and quickly became bloody. In the few seconds that the transcendent took to grasp the situation, his body was hit by Theodore's fists several times. However, after a while of this overwhelming superiority, the transcendent wielded his staff with a groan of pain.

"Eh?"

Time Stop was released. Theodore looked at the transcendent, who had moved far away, and took in deep breaths. In his shadow state, magic couldn't be used. In other words, there was no way to attack the enemy floating in the air.

'Tch, I couldn't break his windpipe. Still, I have a way to cope with Time Stop…'

The trancendent's one-sided advantage was gone. Theodore tried to predict the next development.

"Fool," a voice was heard saying clearly, despite the distance. "You are busy shoveling with that miracle force."

It was Simon Magus, a magician at the peak of the Age of Mythology and a transcendent who challenged the trial of the 10th circle. He looked down at Theodore with a contemptuous attitude while casting his Dimensional Banish magic. Theodore felt uncomfortable despite his feelings of awe toward Simon and was about to refute the words.

"Kuaaaak!" However, it was then that his assimilation with the shadow was lifted, and Theodore's five senses raged. He struggled as thousands of colors and lights pierced his eyes, and scents pierced his nostrils. His eardrums burst from all types of noises and blood that flowed, while his stomach felt like he had eaten rotten meat.

It was a critical side effect that was completely unexpected.

"No living being can assimilate to the negative dimension. What happens if the coin is turned around again? It is more pathetic than you using garden scissors to cut the dimension," the mocking words with some advice still flowed into Theodore's ears as he struggled with the crazy sensations. "Listen carefully, fool. You already have the means to overcome your limitations. You just haven't realized it. How can you be stupid enough not to realize?"

[Simon Magus' advice has consumed 5,000 achievement points.]

"You don't even know what 'Gnosticism' is and used the Abraxas. You almost completed it and don't even know its value. If you were my disciple, I would've killed you a hundred times. Don't worry about the shadows. If you have the strength to do that trick, hatch your own egg."

[Simon Magus' advice has consumed 11,500 achievement points.]

"Time Stop is a useful trick for mortals like you, but the bastard who relies on such a trick is nothing. If you lose despite my teachings, I will tear your soul in thousands of pieces."

A system message followed every time the grim voice was heard. 5,000 points, 11,500 points… This abuse consumed achievement points? Theodore gritted his teeth as he struggled against the pain. He wanted to answer Simon.

'Dammit, move it! Don't talk anymore!'

His body trembled. Theodore looked in Simon Magus' direction and barely opened his mouth, only to close it. It was because he remembered what he heard a few seconds ago.

'What the hell did that crazy person say?' Theodore desperately rolled his head. 'Abraxas, egg, hatch? Am I a chicken?'

That's right.

'…Eh?'

He was a chicken.

Great magic Abraxas (ΑΒΡΑΞΑΣ)

The selflessness that came with enlightenment led to its own mana. Yes, mana of all attributes gathered and struck each other as if they were attracted. It was also pulled into the eight circles engraved on Theodore's heart.

'A magician's body is its own world. If I want to go beyond the limit, I have to destroy that world.'

He could see it. The teachings mixed in with Simon Magus' words and raised the spirit of Theodore, who was injured, to a higher level. Abraxas, which appeared in Gnosticism, was an angel of God with the head of a rooster, the body of a human, and the legs of a snake. Unlike humans, chickens and snakes were born in eggs.

If Theodore wanted to go beyond a human, he had to break his egg.

Forced Harmonization.

The power mixed into Theodore's body, and the great magic Abraxas was turned on Theodore himself.

He spoke in a trance, "ABRACADABRA (It will be done as you say)."

It was the beginning and the end. The moment that Theodore's eight circles were shattered, the last transcendent of this material world was born

Chapter 351 – Overload (1)

If a human's vitality came from the heart, then the power of a magician originated from the circles.

The circle—they were a power that upgraded the status of humanity, a sub-species in the Age of Mythology. It was the heritage of the ancestors who tried to copy the powers of the god and a demon. The result was the ability to interfere directly with the laws of matter by constructing the cogs of the world in the body.

The power to make fire in a space that was empty, and the power to create wind to disturb the sky…! The value of the circles was infinite and eternal.

'No, that is wrong.' However, Theodore realized something after reaching the end. 'Eight circles are all that the human body can afford. From there, I have to give up my existing circles system and step into an unknown territory.'

The 8th circle was the end of mortality, the limit that humans could reach. No matter how much knowledge and power were obtained, it was impossible to exert more power in the soul and body of a mortal. This was why so many magicians had stopped at this level.

The path filled with the wisdom and experience of ancestors changed into the abyss of the unknown. If one wrong step was taken, it would be a waste of decades, maybe even a hundred years, worth of effort. Giving up the circles engraved on their true heart was a scary threat for a magician.

Wuuong…

However, Theodore broke his eight circles without hesitation.

Wuuuong…!

As the eight circles overloaded, collapsed, and released their magic power, his whole body was enveloped in weightlessness and began to float. The amount of magic power was dozens of times more powerful than that of other magicians.

Old memories appeared in Theodore's mind. It was the day he had tearfully read books in the academy's library, desperately looking at the difference between his practical and written grades. The difference between his old self and his current self was like the difference between the sky and the earth.

'Ahh…'

Those days had created the present Theodore. Vince Haidel who took care of the class dunce, meeting Sylvia and the change in their relationship after the challenge, gaining Veronica's help with their first meeting, Ellenoa's affection as she whispered that she loved him… There were many other experiences that made him who he was today; he couldn't count them all.

Thus, he smiled. His magic power scattered, and all his effort flowed away like grains of sand. At that moment…

The phenomenon known as 'Shedding' in the East Continent took place. Theodore's body and soul became empty after losing all eight circles. Then his five senses that saw the surface of the material world sublimated to a higher level. That's right. For magicians, transcendence meant nine circles.

"Unifying the body and soul itself is like a circle. No, it is more than that." Theodore laughed as he reached enlightenment.

Simon Magus' words were correct. Simon was a person who had reached a higher level of transcendence. Looking at it from his point of view, Theodore's situation really was like a chicken and an egg. Theodore had ignored the shortcut in front of his eyes and dug at the ground. After a moment of floundering, he had then soon realized his mistake and was now reborn as a transcendent.

'I feel like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, a snake shedding its skin. All the theories that were previously confusing and hard to understand are now organized.'

The small world, that had existed only in his body until now, had expanded outside his body. This feeling was difficult to express in words.

It felt like his head had poked out of his skin, and he could feel the spiritual world. Magic was composed without chanting or formula calculations. If he thought about it, the mana moved according to his will and finished the desired phenomenon with maximum efficiency.

In less than a second, he repeatedly constructed and cancelled a few magic spells.

"□□□□□···!" The transcendent instinctively sensed the change.

'Not a big deal… It is a bit hard to say, but the words certainly aren't wrong.'

It was as Simon Magus said. Interference in time and space was fatal for a mortal, but it was different for transcendents. The Cage of Chronos that trapped Sloth was an unknown, but time magic that couldn't escape the frame of the material world was available to transcendents.

Furthermore, Theodore's vision became more intense after being born again as a transcendent. He could now completely see through the enemy. The transcendent facing him was inferior, even if his soul wasn't gone. All the qualities that could interfere with the material world were far below Theodore's levels.

The transcendent noticed the gap and suddenly moved.

"□□□□! □□□!" The transcendent shouted like he was having a seizure, and time stopped again.

Kiiiiing! A ringing noise occurred in his ears as Theodore confirmed that his surroundings had turned black and white. Then his body moved normally and he laughed. 「 Get lost. 」

The short words forcibly cancelled Time Stop!

Kaaang!

Color returned to the black and white world as the backlash of cancelling the magic hit the transcendent. The person who felt pain from the aftermath of Time Stop rolled on the ground. The expression on the transcendent's face was one of misery.

"…I will end your pain." Theodore made a bitter expression and pointed his left hand at the transcendent. Despite being his opponent, the transcendent was just one of Sloth's victims. Shortly after that, a green ray was fired from Theodore's left hand.

Wiiing!

It was Soul Calibre, a soul sword that could even kill high ranking demons. However, this wasn't Reynolds Spencer's sword. It was Theodore Miller's sword that pierced the unnamed transcendent, and it could free the grimoire-binding magic. Once the nucleus was broken, even stopping time couldn't save the transcendent. Sure enough, the transcendent's body stiffened.

-…I was wrong. I thought the soul was gone, and he was already dead. Was the flesh fixed to the time when it was still alive? It is in bad taste to keep the ego.

It was as Gluttony said. The body of the transcendent quickly turned grey and started to crumble, falling down like pieces of limestone. In a sense, it was like a marble statue being dissolved by acid. The scattered figure looked unrealistic.

"Hmm?" In the meantime, Theodore could see it without a doubt.

In an ancient language learnt from Vince's book, the unidentified man muttered his gratitude, "Tha-nk… you."

Then he was completely broken down before Theodore could reply.

Pusususu…

Theodore looked at the pile of ashes and muttered, "A person from Balcia? I wouldn't have known if I hadn't heard the language. What a coincidence."

It was the only ancient language he knew. Vince could speak a few more, but Theodore had lost interest in ancient magic since gaining the strongest Dragon Words. However, to think that was the Balcard language? It felt like meeting someone from his home country in a faraway country.

"Theodore!"

"Boy!"

"Theo!"

At that time, his colleagues hurriedly rushed over from the distance.

"You won? How? No, is your body okay?"

"I knew you would somehow do it! I'm just sorry that my turn was too short this time."

Unlike the clamoring Titania and Randolph, Aquilo looked at him closely before opening her mouth with a surprised expression, "…"

Then she said, "…You crossed the border, Boy."

The dragon noticed the change in him before anyone else.

"Did you see it? Yes, you are correct."

"How did…? All the magicians and swordsmen in the continent might fall down frothing."

"If you say so… I can't believe it yet." Theodore laughed lightly as he looked down at his hands. He was still the same as he had been a few minutes ago, despite having a power that separated him from humans. Well, he couldn't feel it, but he knew it with his knowledge.

Transcendents were outside the framework of fate. They lived for a long time without getting older or sick; it was something like eternal youth. It wasn't impossible for Theodore��s heart to be stopped, but he didn't need to worry about it now. Right now, there was another problem to worry about.

'I will be the last transcendent of this material world.'

Sloth, who had sucked in a large amount of mana, was going to be expelled from this material world. The average mana concentration in the world would fall, and it would be hard to build up magic and aura. Apart from transcendents like Theodore, it would be difficult to utilize atmospheric mana or exert the same brute force as before.

Of course, the situation would remain the same for a few hundred years before that happened.

"…Myrdal Herseim—no, Prometheus," Theodore muttered the name of the god, and his expression hardened.

The god, who had provided strength to humanity, would kill off the dragons and get rid of aura and magic in a few hundred years. Theodore didn't think it was done maliciously, but it was natural to feel displeased at the person who treated the world like it was at his own disposal.

"Hey," a voice with no distress or disturbance was heard. "It is done. Is it okay to activate it?"

Simon Magus spoke and gave power to the magic circle without waiting for a reply. He had no intention of listening to the answer from the beginning. Rather than feeling uncomfortable by his attitude, Theodore was struck in awe by the magic circle that had expanded to several meters.

'A-Amazing!'

His vision had grown since being a transcendent, and he could now figure out Paragranum's wards. He could also release a few overlapping 8th circle magic circles in a few seconds. Yet he couldn't grasp the magic circle currently floating in front of Simon. It required a high level of knowledge and technique that magicians of the present age didn't have.

Indeed, this was the person who challenged the 9th circle and made Gluttony remember his name.

"――――――." Simon Magus pointed a finger at the horizon.

It was the dark sphere that could be called Sloth. Sending out the four transcendents seemed to be the limit of its defense function, and it didn't resist anymore. Thanks to this, Simon's target assignment was a success, and the magic circle shone.

Kuoong―

Dimensional Banish—like its name, it was magic which blew the target across a distance in space that would take thousands of years to travel. Everyone paid close attention to the magic circle.

Jijijik! The space within a five-meter radius around Sloth was cut away. It was like the world was a thin piece of paper that was cut. As Simon Magus's Dimensional Banish activated, the world twisted and the dimension shook.

"Shut up."

However, the shaking couldn't withstand those two words. Simon Magus stopped the dimensional shaking, and placed his thumb and finger together. It was a finger snap.

Ttaak! A cheerful sound resonated.

Syuok! The cut-off space with Sloth in it was sucked somewhere. Even with Theodore's power, the boundary between dimensions couldn't be seen. The abyss engulfed the space in an instant, making a noise similar to a drain on a rainy day. However, after a while, the drilled hole was quickly filled. As the people watching stared blankly, Simon Magus rubbed his palms with an impatient look. "Hrmm, it is over."

This was a futile end to one of the Seven Sins.

Chapter 352 – Overload (2)

-Well, there is nothing to say except that the opponent was too lousy. Simon Magus is a monster that even the 6th stage Pride would lose against. Prometheus's Sloth wouldn't be a big deal.

'Not a big deal?'

-Originally, Sloth would've expanded infinitely if it wasn't for the Cage of Chronos. But Prometheus became its contractor through trickery and restricted its expansion, keeping it at the center of this swamp. Moreover, in the end, he released his power to act as a spear and shield at the same time.

It had brought out four transcendents as a last hurrah, but fortunately, Theodore and the others had the power to stop it. In the end, Sloth couldn't flee or fight and was struck by Simon Magus' Dimensional Banish. There was no way to escape, even for the Seven Sins.

"―It seems my job is over," Simon Magus stated.

Theodore, who was surprised by the unintentional checkmate, stared blankly at the person before him.

Theodore faced Simon Magus and said, "T-Thank you for the good work."

"Stop the silly greetings. I might be pretending to be human, but Simon Magus is just a piece of debris left behind in the grimoire," Simon spoke in a cold voice. Then he continued, "Slightly less dumb guy, I don't think you are smart enough to understand me, but I will leave you with a few more words."

Theodore hadn't known it right away, but he realized how mysterious Simon's words were. So, he immediately raised his head and listened. Then Simon Magic opened his mouth, "You made a contract with that damn tongue and will someday reach a crossroad."

"What…"

"Shut up and just listen. You understand that the 8th circle is the limit that a mortal can reach. Then what is the limit of the 9th circle and what wall will block you?"

It wasn't a question that could be answered by Theodore who had just awakened his abilities. No, Simon Magus opened his mouth to speak again like he didn't expect an answer in the first place. However, nothing came out of his mouth. Simon noticed it himself and glared at Theodore's left hand. "You."

-I won't allow you to say anymore, Simon Magus.

"Hah, what will you do? Will you delete my soul? Or will you lock me like last time?"

-I promise that it won't be as good an experience as you think.

The atmosphere suddenly became ugly, and Theodore watched the confrontation between the two with wide eyes. So far, dozens of magicians, aside from Simon, had been called using Gluttony's function. However, this was the first time they had acted like they knew each other and were even hostile.

Simon Magus wanted to give Theodore a few clues, but Gluttony wouldn't allow it…?

However, victory and defeat had already been determined from the beginning.

"Tsk, I'll drop it. I will go back and sleep like a dead person." Simon Magus might have been a transcendent in his lifetime, but he was currently just a fragment of a soul captured by Gluttony. Despite receiving higher treatment than other souls, he couldn't resist the grimoire that he was bound to.

At least, he couldn't do anything alone.

"…You too, you are speaking like that," the words had escaped from Theodore's mouth without him realizing. Simon Magus couldn't help turning his body in response.

Theodore didn't miss this moment and asked quickly, "Can I know why?"

"Well, you heard it. You aren't stupid anymore." Simon Magus smiled for the first time. Perhaps Theodore's direct question triggered something. "Yes, it is as you guessed. I am one of the magicians who contracted with Gluttony. Unlike you, I was a genius who reached the 9th circle on my own. But I guess I am a loser now."

Theodore swallowed a breath. Gluttony had existed for many years and contracted with magicians before. Furthermore, 9th circle magicians had been much more common in the Age of Mythology. Among them, Simon Magus would certainly be qualified as the strongest person. The word 'loser' was a bit jarring, but Theodore's thoughts were interrupted.

"I know there is more that you want to ask. But that damn tongue is restraining me, so I can't talk about it. Dig into it with your own power."

"Yes," Theodore expressed his gratitude to the senior who led him to a higher level, "Senior, thank you for teaching me."

"…" Simon Magus' grim facial expression changed to a laugh. "Your personality is still the same despite awakening your powers? Indeed, I know why Prometheus picked you."

"Huh? What does that…?"

"I can't say. Listen to the rest from those who are coming soon. I will return now," Simon's body scattered after his last words. He disappeared in an instant.

The peak magician of the Age of Mythology—his actions were as fierce as his language. Any disciples he had would be troubled. Theodore couldn't help laughing at the thought.

* * *

"That is what happened."

Theodore gave a short description to the three dragons who returned shortly afterward.

'It wasn't an easy fight.'

The dragon lord was fine, but the two dragons were different. The traces that remained on their human bodies showed the intensity of the battle. Brasmati had lost one eyeball and one arm, while Erucus was covered with scars that cut down to the bone. Their power dominated the surrounding area but the overall amount of power was greatly reduced. Wouldn't it be possible for Theodore to beat both of them now?

[I understand. You did well, Theodore Miller. I am deeply grateful as a representative of the dragons,] Clipeus said, bowing their head.

Theodore waved his hands. "It is nothing. I just did what I was supposed to do."

[Even though it is necessary, the value is still unchanged. It won't be a big problem if I hand over my baton to you.]

"Huh?"

Was it fashionable to talk like people from the old days? There was Simon Magus and Gluttony. Now, this gold dragon was also difficult to understand. As a distorted view was built up in Theodore's head, Clipeus spoke with an embarrassed expression, [It is a story you will know when it is time. Someday when you get the key to this material world, I hope you will lead it in the right direction.]

"I don't understand it at all, but okay." Theodore nodded.

Then the dragon king pulled out another topic with a guileless face, [Ah, can you give me your hand once before you go? It won't take long.]

"My hand?"

[Yes.]

It was a strange request, but Theodore didn't hesitate to hold out his right hand. There was no reason for Clipeus to attack him in this situation. His super sensitivity which had evolved to a higher level was also quiet.

[In the name of Clipeus,] the golden dragon said, placing their palm lightly on the back of Theodore's hand and invoking its power, [As infinite gratitude to the benefactor of this world, I will make him the successor to an old but great mission.]

'This…!' Theodore was greatly bewildered, but he didn't pull his hand back. The 'something' that existed in Clipeus' body was already moved to his hand, mixing with his magic power. Then a golden pattern was engraved on Theodore's right hand.

Clipeus released the hand and smiled in a manner that was less sparkly than before. [I have definitely handed it over.]

Theodore's voice was subdued, and he barely replied, "…The burden is heavy."

[The order of this material world will be led by the human race in the future. Only you qualify for that role, Theodore Miller—humanity's last transcendent.]

More than half of it had been handed over. Clipeus, the dragon lord had given him the 'control authority' of this material world. It was possible to drag out all of the existing resources and even temporarily reverse some natural laws. Theodore grasped all the abilities and was thrilled to realize just how powerful the child before him was.

'Oh, my god. This strength is god-level, and it is possible to reverse the entire gravity of this star…'

As Gluttony had said, Clipeus was literally the final weapon of this material world. They would be the absolute destruction of any 'enemies' of this world. The dragon king, who had been born for this purpose from beginning to end, forsook the reason for their existence.

Theodore had no choice but to answer like this, "I will do my best."

Fortunately, Clipeus grinned at the answer. Then they turned to the half-resigned dragons. [Now, let's disband. In the future, it will be a world where we aren't needed. So, let's try to live our own way.]

"…I understand, Lord," Brasmati spoke with a bitter face.

Meanwhile, Erucus sounded like the sage of the forest, "The leaves that have played their role are scattered, haha."

Aquilo was still unsure of the situation and alternated between looking at both sides.

[Aquilo.]

"Ah, yes! Did you call, Lord?"

[Do you plan to follow him?]

There was a moment of hesitation at the unexpected question before Aquilo nodded with a determined expression. She had been called to the swamp due to the lord. Otherwise, she would have enjoyed playing around Theodore.

"Yes, if the boy will allow it."

[Umm…] Clipeus made a strange sound and smiled. [Okay, be well.]

"Huh…? U-Understood."

[The fate of our species hangs on you.]

"Why have my shoulders suddenly become so heavy?" Aquilo was greatly confused.

Meanwhile, Clipeus once again looked at Theodore. Then they invoked their dragon power.

Flash!

It was space movement that functioned differently from magic. The light disappeared, and no one was left in its place.

"W-What happened? Boy, do you have any guesses?"

"I don't know."

"Why does the fate of my species hang on me?" Aquilo had a rare look of panic.

Titania and Randolph couldn't help laughing, causing her to glare at them. It was a skit that couldn't be found anywhere else in the continent. After all, there was no place in the continent that would include a sword master, a high elf, and a dragon.

'Is it time to return?'

The disturbance in the southern swamp was somehow settled, and Theodore had no reason to investigate anymore after reaching the 9th circle. So, he decided to return to Meltor soon. Aquilo was still grumbling while the other two sprinkled potions on their wounds.

"Don't move," Theodore said.

He had never tried this before and never thought it would be possible. Going from the swamp in the southernmost part of the continent to Mana-vil in the middle of the north… It was a distance that Orta had never imagined jumping. Yet, a giant magic circle had now appeared at their feet.

'I can do it.' Theodore was confident. It wasn't hard. He turned his palm over and felt the almighty feeling of the world moving according to his will. It connected to the magic circle in the underground laboratory in Mana-vil. The distance was more than a thousand kilometers and protected by several layers of magic, but the connection was easy.

「 Open. 」

ABRACADABRA (It will be done as you say).

Flash!

…And it was done.