Chapter 178

EP.178

The history of the Astronomy Faction traces back to the Age of Myths. Even before the existence of the Milestone, the Astronomy Faction served as the king's advisor.

They read the celestial signs to predict fortune and misfortune. By observing the constellations, they determined the course of navigation. These two roles essentially meant guiding state affairs and diplomacy.

In other words, the ancient Astronomy Faction held the authority of a chancellor. They were the king's counselors, the rudder for state policy, and the compass for diplomacy. They were the captains steering the colossal flagship known as Kalion.

And then the Milestone appeared.

A powerful artifact that flipped all celestial signs in favor of the Elves. It was a turning point that heralded the end of the Age of Myths and the beginning of the Age of Civilization. The Elves no longer needed the whims of the gods.

They had created a god with their own hands. A powerful artificial god that would unconditionally love them under any circumstances, devoid of any whims.

There was no need to worship gods relying on divine power. The Elves could achieve perfection within Kalion.

Thus, the Elves no longer sought to expand their influence beyond Kalion.

Outside the influence of the Milestone was dangerous. There was no protection of the Milestone beyond Kalion, and the whims of the gods began to ensnare the Elves once again.

Mana perfectly suited to the Elves, luck meticulously arranged solely for them, and the most pleasant climates and flora for the Elves. Why would they need to give up endless resources and eternal prosperity to expand outward?

Therefore, the Astronomy Faction became unnecessary.

The king, who would have sought counsel, transferred all power to the Privy Council.

The skies of Kalion no longer predicted fortune and misfortune.

The Elves did not expand their territory beyond Kalion.

Those who were once the leaders of all civilizations faded away, learning old knowledge and reminiscing about their former glory.

After a long passage of time, during which none of the high authorities among the Elves paid any heed to the Astronomy Faction.

Veolgrin Grykencos joined the Hero Party.

He was bestowed with the title of the most powerful wizard in the civilized world.

"You are out of your mind too," Alexander said with a smirk.

On a calm night sea, the Milky Way adorned the starless expanse.

The prow of the ship gently rolled with the waves. With a light breeze caressing him, the high astronomer gazed down at the ocean.

"What do you see down there?"

"Stars."

Alexander turned his gaze at the man's response. The night sea mirrored the night sky, as if it stretched out, perfectly imitating it.

He soon raised his gaze to the sky and smiled.

"The astronomer reads the stars by looking at the sea. You can see the sky by just tilting your head a little."

"Do any stars show up above?"

Veolgrin smiled and turned his body. As he moved toward the cabin, he quietly muttered something.

The voice was too soft for Alexander to hear. He turned his head and asked.

"What did you say?"

"I tried praying."

"An Elf praying? Ha ha, right. What did you pray for?"

"To get an answer."

Veolgrin concluded as he stepped down the corridor toward the cabin.

"As always, there was no answer."

He playfully reached out towards the sky. Grasping at something as if trying to catch it, he lightly pulled it down—

-Bang.

The cabin door closed.

*

The Privy Council comprises 12 island lords that govern the islands of Kalion, 6 castle lords overseeing the military ports, and one representative each from the two shipyards building aerial battleships, along with the astronomer who advises the queen. In total, there are 21 seats.

All council members bear responsibilities akin to those of a monarch of a nation. Kalion is not much different from a confederation. They lack a united sense of patriotism.

Therefore, they can never gather in one place. Not only can they not trust each other, but even the queen is not to be trusted.

Thus, their "assembly" does not take place in a physical space.

"Has everyone arrived?"

Faint silhouettes scattered in the darkness. Islyph Rustpitz, the head of the Kalion Grand Council's Privy Council, scanned the silhouettes with tired eyes.

Eighteen silhouettes shone white in the darkness.

"Who are you? Who has started amusing tricks with our queen?"

One of the silhouettes shouted with a coarse voice. Islyph frowned and replied.

"Mind your manners. Sir Herwelder."

"Manners? What manners? We're making mistakes here. I'm not dying alone. If you wanted to bury me—."

"Shut up, Simon Herwelder!! Considering what you did 120 years ago, you are the most suspicious one!"

"What does a century-old event have to do with—!!"

The council chamber erupted into chaos in an instant. Meetings of the rulers of Kalion taking place miles away always unfolded like this.

Many elves might hold an illusion about this gathering. An illusion of noble rulers running political affairs with smiling faces and filled with political implications.

The reality is harsh and even vulgar. This conference room, filled with respected leaders from society, often turns into pandemonium within ten minutes of the meeting's start.

The weight of their responsibilities is too heavy. The lives of tens of thousands of people rest in their hands.

"Everyone be quiet!!"

One silhouette shouted loudly. Islyph looked at the shaking silhouette with weary eyes. It was the voice of the Swordsmanship faction.

"I will speak."

"Go ahead, Cohenulf."

"Those council members who have meddled with Milestone, raise your hands. To be clear, while I was away, there was a lot happening on our side as well."

At Edelplat Cohenulf's statement, the other silhouettes shook violently. Soon, noise surged.

"What accusations—"

"Are you trying to cover your tail now? Are you blaming your actions on your subordinates?"

"Know your shame!"

As the uproar reached its peak, Edel's voice rang out quietly.

"I killed them all."

"...What?"

"I took advantage of my absence to root out the forces attempting to overthrow the Swordsmanship faction and killed them all. About half of the Swordsmanship faction was executed, and we barely managed to normalize Milestone. What they intended to do, I suspect—"

Manipulation of relative time through Milestone.

In other words, it is a technique intended to forcibly transition those within the influence of the Milestone into the "Realm of Superhumans."

It could be seen as a kind of consideration for those who have not yet reached the Realm of Superhumans.

"The intention is virtual, but the law is law. Therefore, it has been handled. Now, please tell me. What did you intend to achieve with the Milestone, and how much of it?"

The room fell silent. After a brief moment of silence, Edelplat opened his mouth again.

"I have heard that the Alchemy Faction has halted the Milestone and collected magical beasts by restoring the mana of the sea area."

"Ahem."

The Milestone is an artifact that absorbs and purifies mana from the sea area near Kalion, then disperses it into the atmosphere. There is no mana in the sea area where the Milestone is operational.

As a result, the seeds of magical beasts dry up. Consequently, one could say that the seas become clean. Without threatening creatures, it would not pose any issues to even set sail with a small boat for fishing.

They stopped it and collected magical beasts using the revived mana of the sea area. That was the goal of the Alchemy Faction.

"I hear the Life Faction is conducting research to produce divine power by squeezing souls?"

"W-What? How could that be—No, how could you make such a public statement—!!"

"Is that true? Does that work?!"

"Good heavens!!"

The conference room erupted into chaos again. Edel raised his voice sharply to calm the crowd.

"Now, please tell me. How many have ceased operation, and how many are functioning normally? Can anyone among us answer? How many Milestones are needed at a minimum for the Blessing of Kalion? I am weak in magic, considering I am a martial artist."

Not every Milestone will be needed. In fact, even when the Alchemy Faction halted the Milestones, the colossal magic enveloping Kalion remained intact.

So, how many can be considered safe? And are there any side effects from stopping the Milestones?

And, crucially.

For several centuries, no one dared to touch it; the manipulation of Milestones was strictly forbidden by the law. What on earth made "all factions simultaneously" attempt such a feat?

As if someone had lured them.

There are no coincidences. It wasn't a matter of one or two individuals. There must be an orchestrator behind this—

"When Her Majesty the Queen...."

and the other half of the answer flowed out.

"And the advice from Lord Grykencos...."

When the remaining half of the answer finally came to light, all attending council members simultaneously sighed in realization.

Veolgrin and the Queen were holding hands, halting the Milestones one by one.

At least since 30 years ago. Preparing meticulously all the while.

"What on earth is happening?"

Now all the members will begin managing the Milestones. Regardless of the plan, it is already too late. The attempt to halt the spell of the Milestones has already failed.

Thus, the question arises.

The one who raised the alarm regarding the Milestone was the Queen. The fact that the Queen's inspection team is traversing the island to check the Milestones.

Where exactly is the schemer who would destroy the plans they have built with their own hands?

As Ivan was moving to the next island after entering the Swordsmanship Faction, he suddenly looked up at the night sky.

There were a few clouds in the dark sky.

He was about to turn the ship's bow after relaying the information obtained from the Life Faction to Edel. Assuming he would stop at each island once, it was obvious that it would take at least a month, so he needed to speed up.

After all, he had to return to Prichenkaya before the next semester began.

"Oh?"

Elpheira, who was standing next to him admiring the night sky, suddenly turned her head impatiently.

"It's snowing?"

"Hmm."

"We're seeing the first snow of the year together!"

It was now the middle of winter. Due to Kalion's warm temperatures, it was hard to recognize, but it was clear that Prichenkaya must be terribly cold by now.

So, it wouldn't be unusual for it to snow—

"Why is it snowing?"

With a faint smile approaching Elpheira, Ivan took a step back and asked again with a serious face.

"Does it snow in Kalion?"

"Yes? Well, the water meets the cold air—"

Of course, it rains in Kalion.

One of the blessings of Milestone is to maintain 'the most suitable climate.' It's natural that crops grow and humidity is maintained when it rains, so rain can often be encountered in Kalion.

But snow is different. Snow means that the atmospheric temperature has dropped below freezing, and elves dislike cold weather.

Thanks to Milestone's blessing, Kalion always maintains 'the most suitable climate for elves.'

That climate did not include winter.

"Eh?"

Elpheira, understanding his meaning, hurriedly looked up at the sky.

*

High-ranking astronomer Hermon leisurely left work as usual.

The nighttime street was dreary. A cool breeze brushed past his ears. He instinctively wrapped his coat tighter and started to walk, suddenly looking up at the sky.

The clouds were thick.

It's going to rain.

He didn't think he had heard such news, but did he not confirm it?

Well, it had been quite a while since it had rained, so it was about time.

As he pondered this, he suddenly saw the clouds parting in the wind.

Stars were shining through the gap.

"What?"

Hermon's footsteps halted. He rubbed his eyes for a moment and looked back at the sky. By now, thick dark clouds were concealing the sky.

He hurriedly ran back to the observatory. He almost tripped several times. As he rushed up the stairs, the shouts of his startled secretaries echoed from behind.

Finally calming his breath, he returned to his office and opened the terrace door wide.

—Whaack, a gust of wind blew. His hair fluttered long. The humid smell of the sea pricked his nose.

He lifted the telescope. The enormous telescope, which had been left unused for so long that it was covered in dust, came into his hands.

He swallowed hard and gazed beyond the horizon. He adjusted the aperture and focused beyond the range of the dark clouds.

The sky is visible.

"What the—."

I tightened my grip on the telescope and moved forward. I hurriedly ran in the opposite direction, kicked open the secretary's office door, and ignored the startled secretary as I opened the terrace.

I focused on the distant horizon for a moment.

"What in the world—."

He jumped up and headed for the top of the tower. He was in such a rush that he stumbled a couple of times.

Bang! He kicked the rooftop door open roughly and looked up at the sky.

The clouds parted again, and for a moment, a cluster of stars appeared.

Hermon sat down, staring blankly at the scene.

"What is happening...?"

The entire sky was ominous.

Under the blessing of Milestone, it seemed as if the long years during which only good omens had been observed for the future of the Elves had come to an end.

In the darkness, beyond the clouds, faintly, the mana brushing past the constellations flowed ominously.

*

Inside the dark cabin, Veolgrin sat cross-legged, intertwining his hands and exhaling deeply.

He wore a faint smile and had his eyes closed tightly. Although he was present in this place, his mind was soaring to a higher realm.

It looked like a deep and dark abyss or the distant celestial universe. In their stillness and emptiness, they could be seen as the same.

Veolgrin reached out above.

"All the words have gathered."

From beyond that far darkness, hands appeared. The illusion of a chess piece popping up on the chessboard emerged.

"I ask of my sky."

A chess piece was grasped in Veolgrin's hand. Stretching out once again, a pawn moved with a clack.

"Whom do the gods pray to?"

His question echoed in the empty darkness without a reply.

Veolgrin chuckled deeply.

*

The Astronomy Faction hears the will of the heavens (天聞).

The astronomer gazes at the sky and contemplates its meaning (天文).

Veolgrin asked the heavens for his will (天問).

The gods do not answer the questions of their followers. They merely extend their hands according to their whims.

If the hand extends, might it not be possible to grasp it? Thinking this, Veolgrin smiled at the piece he held.

At that moment, Ivan was gazing at the snowing sky, feeling a familiar gaze amidst it all.

With a clack, the pawn moved.

With a clack, the queen on the other side of the chessboard stirred.