Chapter 153. The Second Meeting (1)
Lyla felt it.
Ethnos had truly changed.
Unlike before, he seemed more at ease and his demeanor towards others had become somehow more comforting.
However, it wasn’t that he had become complacent; he was carefully preparing for the looming threats.
‘He changed just by closing his eyes for a moment, so why am I…’
Even though she was aware it was an unreasonable comparison, Lyla’s anxiety constricted her breath. This pressure was not a recent development.
‘Come to think of it, since I became independent from my mentor, I really haven’t made much progress at all.’
As she repeatedly engaged in the futile act of unveiling the secrets of enchantment, she realized her talents, once hailed as exceptional, were rotting away.
Meanwhile, others were surpassing her as she spent time on aimless endeavors.
She couldn’t even set foot within the mage consortium, which operated like a guild, and ended up wasting years.
It was by a stroke of fortune that, with Ethnos’ assistance, she could use enchantments, but it wasn’t a development she achieved on her own.
‘In the end, I’m relying on him for methods, materials, and environment—even for my growth.’
From an all-capable prodigy, she had fallen to a mediocrity who couldn’t accomplish anything without help.
Lyla’s increase in self-loathing and inferiority towards others fed her growing anxiety. Yet, what on earth was Ethnos thinking…
“Had some rest?”
Unlike how she saw him treating Mary and Eldritch, he had allowed her to spend most of her time resting.
“No, not at all.”
Lyla understood the intent of letting her rest to organize her thoughts.
It was possibly because as an enchanter, who could only grow through crafting and researching instead of battles, he might not be able to provide significant help, but…
“Resting doesn’t come that easily, you know? It’s more relaxing for me to make something.”
“Hmm…”
Ethnos stared at her for a moment. Lyla wasn’t fond of that kind of gaze from Ethnos.
He had a tendency of observing people like examining their organs, dissecting them with a chilling stare.
“What’s bothering you?”
“… What’s bothering me?”
At those words, Lyla couldn’t suppress the emotion welling up inside her.
“It’s frustrating dealing with myself, okay! I’m sick of constantly falling behind others!”
“What do you mean by falling behind? Your enchanted items are quite powerful, aren’t they?”
Lyla shook her head.
“That’s only because I can pour in your vast resources. In terms of skill alone, the items created by the mage consortium are advancing by leaps and bounds!”
You could truly sense the advancement in enchanted items when you visited the empire’s capital.
There, they no longer used torches or candles.
Enchanted items that harnessed and stored mana from the sun during the day, only to illuminate the city streets at night, ensured the empire’s capital remained brilliant even after dark.
“It feels like skills are advancing rapidly… Have you ever ridden an enchanted carriage used by the empire’s nobles?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Do you know how many enchantments are on those carriages? How advanced they are? And they’re being mass-produced!”
“Hmm, I didn’t think your cannons and ships were inferior to that extent.”
“They’re still competitive for now, but it won’t be long before they catch up! Didn’t you know the empire has started investing heavily in shipbuilding?”
It wasn’t mere self-deprecation but a sober analysis.
Lyla knew that if it were the mage consortium, they could easily produce ships and cannons at her level.
Given the chaos caused by the ‘Dwellers of the Abyss’, the empire was investing in tougher and more combat-effective ships. With the construction of a new port city underway, it was only a matter of time before Lyla’s ships were surpassed.
“It might be different if I could reach the 4th rank, but I have no idea how to achieve that!”
“Have you been thinking that all along?”
Ethnos’s response was rather calm. Such a calm and steady reaction only frustrated Lyla more.
“Yes! I’ve been stuck with these thoughts, you jerk!”
“You’re doing well.”
Lyla was taken aback.
“… What?”
“You are reflecting on yourself and contemplating ways to improve, aren’t you?”
Ethnos patted Lyla’s shoulder reassuringly and left the room.
‘What on earth did he learn from meditation to act that way?’
Lyla’s concerns only deepened.
* * *
The ocean floor where not even a ray of light reached. A black shape swiftly entered a shipwreck exhibiting a gloomy ambiance.
『What’s happening? Who—』
Swoosh.
The 4th rank Dweller guarding the entrance was killed without resistance. Orca roughly pushed aside the corpse and opened the door.
『I hope you wouldn’t kill my minions so carelessly.』
The moment Orca stepped in, she felt oppression.
The overwhelming presence made it difficult even for Orca to raise her head properly.
『You seem more interested in those lesser beings than me.』
Although the oppression was significant, it wasn’t enough to daunt Orca.
『I can hardly believe the likes of them are the same rank as I am. Why do you bother looking after them?』
『Without sailors, what use is a captain? Besides, at least they don’t engage in fighting among themselves.』
Though reproachful, Cahon wasn’t displeased.
Even though he tended to his minions, it was more out of duty than any genuine concern for their lives or deaths.
『But why have you come here?』
『I met a priest of Zeus. And also those serving the one you take interest in.』
『Oh? ‘Met’ you say… A rather gentle expression coming from you. Quite unusual.』
Cahon’s sardonic remark crinkled Orca’s expression.
“Yeah, I couldn’t kill them. Unless I’m crazy enough to engage in a fierce battle with a priest, I couldn’t go that far.”
From Orca’s perspective, Talia was undoubtedly powerful. The two followers of Ethnos who appeared subsequently were quite skilled as well. Yet…
“I could’ve killed them all!”
This was not due to obstinacy or arrogance but a conclusion reached after cold analysis. Cahon saw it that way too.
“I’m sure you could have. But did you come here to complain? I’m not that idle.”
“Next time, I’ll bring back the priest of Zeus’s head.”
Orca, pushing back against the pressure, raised her head to meet Cahon.
“I’ll hunt the Gray Calamity and bring his head afterward!”
“Arrogant.”
Though Cahon said that, he didn’t find it impossible. The difference in power was overwhelming.
Ethnos wasn’t even comparable to Orca’s prowess. But victory isn’t solely determined by strength.
“When I bring their heads, you’ll have to acknowledge me.”
This acknowledgment wasn’t about skill or strength.
“Is becoming my partner that important?”
“My mother gave birth to me for that very reason. And you’re the strange one, Cahon! How can you refuse their will due to mere petty and bygone emotions!”
High Priest Cahon had dismissed Orca.
This was only known to the two of them.
The Dwellers couldn’t conceive that Cahon, as devout and fulfilling his role as captain, had refused the will of Mother Hydra.
“You have no reason to speak about my emotions. Didn’t I tell you before?”
Cahon’s representation showed its displeasure in place of its main body.
“My heart once beat for someone else, but now, it only beats for this sea. My resolve is firm, regardless of being chosen as my partner or not.”
“But if I do bring back the head of the Gray Calamity, even you would have to accept.”
“If that truly happens.”
Dismissing it as a mere hypothetical, Cahon turned away.
“It’s time for the priests’ gathering. I must depart.”
Cahon’s figure dissolved into bubbles, leaving Orca clicking her tongue in frustration.
“They’ll offer everything to the Great Father and Mother, yet leave such unnecessary human sentiments.”
Orca couldn’t comprehend Cahon’s actions as captain or otherwise. Despite this, she couldn’t deny Cahon’s strength.
Even though Orca believed she could hunt the Gray Calamity Ethnos, she acknowledged she could never hunt Cahon.
* * *
‘It’s almost time.’
The second gathering of the Foreign Gods’ priests.
To ensure nothing went amiss, the room was layered with spider webs, and the party was on standby nearby for any emergencies.
‘Well then, let’s go.’
I closed my eyes and entered the realm of dreams. This time, those who arrived earlier were waiting.
“You’re here.”
Cahon seemed slightly displeased. On the other hand, Beatrice offered a relaxed smile, waving her hand.
Johann and the twins regarded me silently, but standing behind them was a large man I hadn’t seen before.
“So that must be the Gray Calamity.”
The tall man had a distinct appearance befitting a priest of the Foreign Gods.
‘Hmm… On the surface, he seems like a priest of the Twisting Harbinger of Ruin.’
His entire body appeared stitched together with decaying human skin, lacking both eyes and lips.
Occasionally, small infant-like hands protruded from his mouth, which he chewed on like snacks.
“Is everyone here now?”
“The usual, it seems.”
The twins looked around, conversing amongst themselves. Is this all of us?
“When I heard earlier, it seemed expected there would be more, but is this truly it?”
“This is everyone now.”
“You’ll hear detailed explanations soon enough.”
As the meeting officially commenced, structures began appearing.
I saw the emblem of the presumed priest of the Twisting Harbinger of Ruin.
It depicted a decapitated, massively obese body sitting cross-legged, with a black hole-like spiral motif in place of a head.
‘… Huh?’
Contrary to my gaze, the other priests of the Foreign Gods focused their attention on my symbol.
“It’s different now.”
“That child is fascinating. Though he awakened through various beliefs, his symbol changed.”
I looked back at my own symbol.
It had transformed into a burning circle from which four pairs of spider legs extended.
Having newly awakened as the Weaver of Destruction’s Threads, it appeared that my emblem had changed.
“In any case, I’ll start the discussion—”
“I’d prefer to introduce the topic first.”
Beatrice had begun speaking about the reward when Cahon interrupted.
“Wait, Tib. I have something I must address with this child first.”
“In that case, listen to what I have to say and then perhaps reconsider.”
Cahon calmly drew his sword and struck the table while directed a steely glare at me.
“I, Cahon Tiburon, declare war on the Gray Calamity Ethnos.”