Chapter 819
Episode 205: The Call of the Story (Part 1)
Mid-level district, the ancient beastmen’s small city of Pirrol.
“Risrit suffered a crushing defeat, Kyun ended in a draw, and the Story Tower was utterly destroyed. Our predictions were spot on.”
Emperor Airan Biment smiled as he spoke. The royal family was pleased with the results of the invasion.
“This is thanks to Simat’s skillful persuasion, convincing the Red-Eyed Tribe to accept our terms. If we had sent the airborne fortress straight to the Story Tower, we might have faced another disaster like the Drek Horn incident.”
“Losing the Drek Horn was unfortunate, but perhaps it was for the best, Manof. Had the Drek Horn survived, it would have taken the Red-Eyed Tribe much longer to heed us so attentively.”
“That’s true, Your Majesty. Those foolish, arrogant fools seem to have finally come to their senses. When I communicated with Bibol earlier, they were practically begging for information about the Story Tower.”
As Manof said, the Red-Eyed Tribe requested communication with the royal family immediately after the battle, desperate to know what had happened at the Story Tower.
The royal family disclosed everything they knew about the Demon God Stone and the ‘manipulation’ powers, revealing that the only place where Ziphl’s abilities could be used was within the Story Tower.
“The Red-Eyed fleet was unable even to retreat, so it’s clear that Ziphl’s manipulation powers have begun to fully activate.”
“Since they couldn’t swallow Keliak and Shinu, it’s safe to assume they’re still in the early stages of entry. Even that was only possible with the priestess’s help.”
“Veradin must be aware of this too. Ultimately, there are limits to completing the Demon God Stone’s power through the priestess. Plus, since the Red-Eyed Tribe’s ultimate goal is the resurrection of the Sun God, there’s pressure on the priestess—she might betray them and collude with us. Though, in reality, that’s unlikely…”
The royal family was confident there would be no alliance between the Sun God’s faith and the Red-Eyed Tribe. Their goals were fundamentally different.
The Sanna sect sought the perfection of the world as they envisioned it.
In that perfect world, most immortals and mortals were unnecessary. Therefore, the moment Sanna’s faith was fulfilled, the Red-Eyed Tribe could no longer remain. Not just them, but all those not ‘chosen’ would vanish—over ninety percent of all life in the world.
“For now, the priestess and Veradin still need each other, so their relationship won’t deteriorate anytime soon.”
“In any case, things are progressing excellently. The Red-Eyed Tribe and Ziphl are locked in a war of attrition, and we’re steadily acquiring more of their technology as they grow desperate. By the time we awaken Temar Runkandel and Eltiot, we won’t need to hide anymore.”
Just as Jin had sensed a foreboding omen recently, the royal family had long planned to use Temar’s left arm to clone him.
And if they could also resurrect Eltiot, the Azure Clear Tribe’s warrior they had sealed away…
The royal family would instantly possess two legendary warriors. Combining Temar’s remaining data with the Red-Eyed Tribe’s technology, they could transform the Demon God Stone into the ultimate bio-golem.
With that power, they would crush the weakened Ziphl and Red-Eyed Tribe.
That was the royal family’s primary goal, with particular focus on Ziphl. Aside from the Sun God, no power surpassed the ability to manipulate history at such a perfect level.
If they obtained that power, dealing with the Runkandel-Bamel alliance and Kinzel would be no problem. They could even consume the entire underground world.
Lost in dreams of the future, the royal family basked in their ambitions.
“Prepare to inspect Eltiot. Make ready.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Ziphl, Story Tower.
Two days had passed since the official first battle between the Red-Eyed Tribe and Ziphl. Yet Veradin still could not manipulate the minds of the captured Vilka and the Red-Eyed warriors.
“Ugh… gah…!”
“Priestess! It’s been two days since the Gaju fell into this state. Have you found no solution? Why hasn’t the Demon God Stone’s activation been lifted?”
Octavia shouted as she watched Veradin writhe in pain. Though she herself was seriously wounded at Risrit, her worry for Veradin kept her from focusing on recovery.
“…I’m sorry, Commander. This is beyond my understanding. I continue to pray, but my faith has yet to reach him.”
Octavia was at her wit’s end.
Unlike other regions where they had achieved decisive victories, their Gaju was suddenly in this condition. The priestess kept talking about prayers, unable to hide her panic, and no one in the family knew how to improve Veradin’s state.
With the threat of another Red-Eyed invasion looming, Satlin, Ronil, and the other leaders remained at the Story Tower.
If Veradin were to go berserk, no one but them could stop him. Even the hope that he could be stopped was just that—a hope. Veradin’s instability was caused not only by his own abilities but also by the Demon God Stone’s power.
The Demon God Stone still sat at the center of the split Story Tower. The leaders had tried several times to deactivate it, but each attempt only worsened Veradin’s condition.
‘Why is this happening? We infused the Demon God Stone with the Sun God’s power from our sect—it shouldn’t cause any adverse reaction. The Sun God’s power harmonizes with everything… This must be a problem with Veradin Ziphl, not the Demon God Stone.’
Like the Ziphl leaders, Sanna was restless. If Veradin failed, she would bear full responsibility.
Moreover, Veradin’s failure could lead to Ziphl’s collapse, costing Sanna the most crucial piece in the Sun God’s resurrection.
‘Should I gather the priests to prepare for a rampage? But that would expose our sect’s strength. Kinzel City, please give me an answer. How can we resolve this…!’
Amid the turmoil, Veradin continued to scream, and the Demon God Stone visible beyond the window seemed to be reaching its limit.
“The Demon God Stone’s expansion is accelerating. We can’t predict exactly, but if this continues, it will soon explode.”
Ronil pressed his forehead.
“If the Demon God Stone explodes, everything we’ve done will be for nothing.”
“More than that, the entire area might vanish without a trace. We may have to make a decision. To save the family…”
“What are you saying, Satlin?”
“I mean we might have to evacuate, leaving the Gaju behind. If everyone gathered here dies, the family will be destroyed. It’s a desperate choice, but I’m sure the Gaju wouldn’t want that.”
“That’s nonsense!”
“It’s reality, Commander. The Gaju once told me that if anything happened to him, I should become the Gaju…”
“What matters to me isn’t becoming Gaju. If that were important, I would have acted before Veradin when my brother was dying. What matters is Ziphl itself! If we lose Veradin and the Demon God Stone now, the family is finished. We die together or live together.”
“Aunt!”
“Ronil, do you agree with this child?”
“The Gaju said the same to me.”
“Enough! I won’t abandon Veradin. As you know, I still don’t understand how Veradin ascended to the throne. But right now, he is our only hope. We won’t leave him behind.”
Octavia’s fierce voice echoed through the tower.
‘Maybe killing Veradin Ziphl is the answer. If we kill him and another leader takes the Demon God Stone, things might improve! This must be Veradin’s problem, not the Demon God Stone’s!’
Sanna was reaching the same conclusion.
“I believe the Regent’s opinion is correct, Commander. I will stay and continue praying. The rest should leave.”
“I’m staying. Those who don’t trust the priestess can leave.”
Sanna didn’t try to stop Octavia. When the leaders left and it came time to kill Veradin, dealing with the wounded Octavia wouldn’t be a problem.
The leaders decided they had to take Octavia with them at all costs.
“…I’m sorry, Aunt. Please forgive us for this. Since the Gaju chose you as the next Gaju, we cannot stand by and watch you die.”
Just as Satlin moved to restrain Octavia—
Suddenly, Veradin’s convulsions subsided. The Demon God Stone, swollen to bursting, quickly stabilized. Those nearby watched in stunned silence.
“Gaju!”
“Gaju-sama!”
Veradin seemed to regain consciousness, sweat cooling on his brow as he looked at the priestess and leaders.
“Are you alright?”
“I am. The suffering of the past two days wasn’t due to me or the Demon God Stone. You can all rest easy now.”
He calmly explained his condition, brushing his forehead and gulping down water from the table with a faint smile.
“Gaju?”
“Please explain in detail. We were agonizing over whether the family would end like this.”
“You called me by name in your panic, then switched back to formal speech, Aunt. I never officially told you to call me Gaju, so feel free to be more casual. Honestly, your polite speech always makes me a little uncomfortable.”
“Tell us what happened.”
“The Tower—the Tower of Stories—was using me and the demon stone to summon someone. That’s why I fell into a coma. It was completely unexpected, even for me, but it turned out to be an incredible stroke of luck.”
“The Tower of Stories used you to call someone…?”
Veradin set down his glass and replied quietly,
“Elona Ziphl. The Tower of Stories has broken her seal. Soon, she will return to the family.”