Akatsuki Translations

【True Babel】

This was the tallest structure in the world, built for the One and Only God, Zerudia and the first 【Wise Heavenly King】 to exchange vows. When one looks up at the sun in Proudia, they naturally end up looking up at Babel.

The sun rises towards Babel and sets from Babel.

The people of the city offer prayers to this sacred tower, which also serves as a temple. They give thanks for the peace until today and pray for it to continue tomorrow. Using these prayers as power, the Wise Heavenly King wields the authority granted by God to weave barriers for the cities of the 【Grand Federation】.

Not only is it the center of Proudia, the 【True Babel】 is the center and keystone of the world.

Due to its function, few are allowed to enter Babel. Even the residents of Proudia cannot enter without permission, let alone nameless individuals.

While parts of it may be opened indiscriminately to city residents during festivals like the 【Sun Festival】, the doors of Babel are never light on ordinary days.

Ur and his companions were now inside this tower of Babel.

“…I’m really nervous, as expected,” Ur said.

Naturally, it was Ur’s first time setting foot inside 【Babel】.

During his wanderings, he had inevitably stayed in Proudia, the world’s center, for considerable periods, but Babel had always been a distant existence to look up to and pray to.

As a child, he had fantasized about what the interior might be like. He had vaguely imagined manifested spirits flying about, many important-looking priests engaged in seemingly crucial meetings, or endless stairs existing within the tall 【Babel】, finding it all quite fascinating.

And now, seeing the reality, he realized how completely off the mark those imaginings had been.

The inside of the tower was pure white, with nothing in it.

A wide, long corridor stretched on endlessly. Although 【Babel】 was the world’s tallest tower, the area it actually used shouldn’t have been that extensive. Despite this, the flat path continued on and on. And above all—

“…There are no people,” Ur noted.

As far as the eye could see, there were no human figures besides Ur and his group.

“This isn’t the place for priests’ duties, prayers, or the exercise of spiritual power. They’re in a different space,” Diz explained.

“Space?”

“It would take a whole day to explain the mechanics of 【Babel】, so maybe another time if we have the chance.”

Ur was confident that even if he were given a full day of careful explanation, he wouldn’t understand anything. So he gave up on understanding and continued walking with the others, observing their surroundings.

Soon, a massive door appeared at the end of the corridor. It was as white as the corridor itself. Despite the absence of any intimidating features, Ur felt an instinctive urge to flee, similar to facing a giant monster.

“We’ve arrived,” Diz announced.

In front of the door, Gradol’s Shinra, Lacretia, was already waiting with her escort of Sun Knights. Ur felt slightly relieved at the sight of a familiar face. Echelle seemed to feel the same, quickening her pace to approach her.

“Lacretia-sama. It’s been about half a month.”

“Yes, Echelle-san. Everyone else too… I never imagined we’d end up greeting the 【Wise Heavenly King】 in such a large group.”

Lacretia’s smile, as if to say “oh well,” appeared unchanged. However, Ur noticed a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth, as if it wasn’t moving quite right.

The Sun Knights guarding her also wore expressions even stiffer than usual. Even the leaders of other countries are forced to feel tense in this place.

As for Ur himself, he was no longer sure if he was feeling nervous or what. Perhaps because the scene before him seemed unreal, he felt as if he were in a bad dream.

Amidst all this, Yuri exchanged glances with the knights guarding 【Babel】 in front of the door. They nodded and stepped away from the door. The white door slowly opened without anyone touching it.

“We will now begin the audience with the Wise Heavenly King. Be sure not to show any disrespect.”

Soon, Ur and the others were enveloped in light emanating from the door.

                    ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

As the white-out view cleared, Ur realized that he had been transported to a different place from the pure white corridor they were in earlier.

A high, wide ceiling. The emblem of the Sun. Figures of the spirits that follow it were engraved.

This design continued to the walls, as if depicting all the vast spirits that fill this world without exception.

Through the windows, the outside scenery was visible. The cityscape of Proudia could be seen from high above.

Several pillars stretched straight up. Sun Knights stood in rows.

And from where Ur and the others stood, a crimson path extended straight ahead, leading to a single throne.

The man sitting there was the 【Wise Heavenly King】 Arnold Shinra Prominence.

The ruler of this world.

Golden hair. A dignified appearance as if radiating energy from his entire body. His figure, clad in the highest-ranking ceremonial robes, was divine. Normally, describing someone as divine in the presence of the one true god would be disrespectful, but his status allowed for such an expression. For he was the agent of God.

And next to him, another figure. A child standing as if to assist him.

White hair, white skin, white ceremonial robes. And a child with both eyes covered by a black band. Their gender was unclear at first glance. This was 【Heavenly Prayer】 Sua Shinra Prominence. One of the 【Seven Heavens】, a blood relative of the 【Wise Heavenly King】, standing quietly.

As Ur and the others entered, the priests were leaving. Confirming this, the 【Heavenly Prayer】 turned their hidden gaze towards Ur’s group.

“Next,” they said.

Though no amplification magic was being used, the 【Heavenly Prayer’s】 voice echoed loudly from their high and distant position. Led by Yuri, Ur and the others advanced to the throne of the Wise Heavenly King, then all knelt and bowed their heads.

First, Yuri and then Diz stepped forward and spoke.

“【Heavenly Sword】, Yuri Seira Bluesky. I have brought the new Shinra of Gradol and those who contributed to Uuga’s liberation.”

“【Hero】, Diz Gran Fenex. I have suppressed the upheaval of Uuga, captured Yog, one of the heretics, and returned.”

“Well done,” the 【Wise Heavenly King】 spoke for the first time. While the 【Heavenly Prayer’s】 voice was like a clear bell, the Wise Heavenly King’s voice was deep, heavy, and seemed to shake the core of one’s body through the ground.

Diz and Yuri, directly acknowledged by him, stepped back. At that moment, Yuri’s ears twitched slightly. Ur remembered what Diz had said about her being happy, but he refocused, knowing this wasn’t the time to be distracted.

“Now, new Shinra of Gradol, raise your face and state your petition,” the 【Heavenly Prayer】 commanded.

Lacretia raised her face.

“I have been entrusted with Gradol as the new Shinra. I am Lacretia Shinra Gorian. I have come today to report this and to greet you.”

“We have heard. Fulfill the role of Shinra, connecting God, spirits, and humans in place of Caraleigh.”

“Understood.”

It was an unexpectedly brief greeting.

There was not a trace of the ceremonial exchange of words following various customs between high-ranking individuals that Ur had imagined. It was surprisingly focused solely on efficiency. Or perhaps they were confident that the King’s dignity could be maintained by the charisma of this place and the individuals alone, without any “proper customs.”

“Next, regarding the satellite city Uuga, which was transformed after the turmoil with the heretics…”

“We have heard about that as well. Do as you please.”

“Do as we please… you mean…”

But the next words were so concise that even Lacretia was confused. The Wise Heavenly King didn’t continue speaking as if he had said all that needed to be said, and an awkward silence fell. Then, the 【Heavenly Prayer】 beside them whispered,

“King.”

Even Ur understood that this was pointing out an oversight. The Wise Heavenly King seemed to understand this too. After closing his eyes for a moment, he spoke again.

“Uuga is deemed unfit as a satellite city. The construction of a temple is not permitted, and a Barrier of the Sun will not be granted. Therefore, Uuga will become a pure asset of Gradol. Proudia will not interfere with the handling of Uuga. Strive to operate in accordance with the laws of the Grand Federation.”

This time, there was a sudden increase in information.

For a moment, Ur was confused, but he was able to grasp it because what the King said largely aligned with the information Black had testified during that trial. As expected, Uuga would not become a city. And because of that, for better or worse, the final conclusion would live on.

“Regarding Greylei-sama of the 【Heavenly Demon】, is it correct to understand that his intervention was personal?”

“That’s right. We have also heard about the results of the 【Heavenly Demon’s Trial】. Assistance to the 【Sun Devourers】 is permitted.”

“King!”

It was 【Heavenly Sword】 Yuri who interjected here. Without breaking her posture, she nonetheless directed a clear rejection towards Ur and the others.

“Are you allowing them to participate in the 【Sun-Devourers】!? Their goal is neither loyalty to the King nor a mission to protect the world, but merely to build a track record!?”

She must have heard about the outcome of the 【Heavenly Demon Trial】 from somewhere.

“Moreover, it was that Black who ultimately guided this to Proudia!! Nothing good will come of it!”

Ur wondered how Black, who was referred to as “that” even by the 【Heavenly Sword】, was treated in Proudia.

And while he wanted to agree with her opinion, he had no intention of backing down this time. Despite the coercive power of the 【Spirit of Judgment】, Ur and the others had decided not to overlook the value hidden in Uuga as a place to belong, so they had no choice but to accept Black’s proposal, even if it was no good.

Even if the Sun-Devouring Ceremony was something questionable.

“Capable priests who wish to participate are also allowed. There can never be too much fighting power. We do not question the purpose.”

“But…”

Saying this, Yuri glared at them. But Ur felt it wasn’t contempt. The emotion mixed in her words and gaze was something more pure — pity.

“If you can liberate a city cursed by heretical schemes and further turn it into a power to resist dragons, then by all means, try. As ‘Black’ says, your contribution in the 【Sun Devouring】 will serve as proof of your conquest of Uuga,” the Wise Heavenly King declared.

However,

“But do not forget to be prepared to lose everything, Uuga included.”

These cautionary words fell upon Ur and the others with the heaviest weight of all the Wise Heavenly King’s statements.