Akatsuki Translations

Before the conference began, the capabilities of the 【Dragon-Devoured Uuga】were explained to the three parties of Gradol, Envy, and Sloth. In addition, the achievements Uuga had made over the past two months were also shared.

The defeat of two giant-class monsters that had been controlling Gradol’s territory.

Including the defeat of the 【Slime King】 at the time of its birth, which makes three. It was an astonishing achievement and raised the value of the potential that Uuga holds.

However, the result also showed just how dangerous of a “monster” Uuga was.

“In magic, the difference between a ‘familiar’ and a ‘monster’ has not been clarified. The creation of familiars is nothing more than a technology to produce monsters that can be controlled by humans.” -Gloria

The similarities between monsters and familiars are numerous. So much so that some researchers even assert that there are none.

“I acknowledge that Uuga holds the power to destroy monsters that humanity has given up on dealing with and abandoned. But what about when the control of the ‘supergiant-class’ that can defeat all other giant-classes is lost, do we have the means to deal with Uuga?” -Gloria

Lacretia furrowed her brow. However, she did not hastily refute as she had done before. This was because when talking about Uuga’s usefulness and importance, the topic of its inherent risks was unavoidable.

If she were to hurriedly deny this point, it could devalue Uuga itself.

“I question whether Gradol, which has lost the protection of the 【Spirit of the Earth Urigandin】 due to the annihilation of the Caraleigh family and has been weakened, has the power to control Uuga.” -Gloria

There was no doubt that the Caraleigh family had been a hotbed of corruption in Gradol’s temple. And they were also the reason why the heretics were invited in. Nevertheless, the fact that their position had remained unshaken until this situation arose was undoubtedly due in part to the protection of the spirit of the earth.

They had lost that. No matter how much Gradol’s legitimacy regarding Uuga was argued, that fact remained unchanged.

“As a representative of the 【Seven Heavens】 who protect the world’s order, it is unacceptable to operate Uuga without any insurance against its dangers.” -Gloria

The scales swayed towards Gloria. The judgment spirit determined that there was righteousness in her argument.

“Do you have that?” -Lacretia

“It is possible if it’s the 【Heavenly Demon】 Greylei.” -Gloria

The scales swayed towards Gloria again. It indicated that it was the truth without any lies.

“If it’s him, he should be able to weaken Uuga to a level where there is no danger, or control it as it is now. He has both the power and the track record to do so. You would also acknowledge that there is no greater magician than him.” -Gloria

Lacretia had no rebuttal either. The 【Heavenly Demon】  was one of the seven strongest warriors recognized by the Wise Heavenly King. That point could not be denied either.

“It doesn’t seem desirable to leave Uuga’s risks unchecked for the sake of short-term benefits. If you can prepare the same level of technology and assurance as the 【Heavenly Demon】, I will withdraw this demand.” -Gloria

It was impossible. Gloria displayed a smile filled with confidence, clearly conveying that fact without words. And that confidence was correct. If they had such personnel, Lacretia would have played that card early on.

《Diz, is it looking bad? 》 -Ur

《It’s impossible. I can’t replace Greylei. 》-Diz

Ur checked if Diz, who was also one of the 【Seven Heavens】, could do it, but she denied it. Given that their areas of expertise differed, as the name suggested, it was certainly unreasonable.

“I-If control is compromised, Uuga itself is designed to lose its functionality.” -Echelle

Echelle explained Uuga’s fail-safe again. Of course, Gloria had already been informed of that point and had grasped it beforehand. Yet, she was still pressing the issue. Ur tried to have Echelle sit down, but Gloria set her sights on Echelle faster than that.

“What if the control is abused?” -Gloria

“That will not happen.” -Echelle

“On what basis? What guarantee is there that you will not follow the path of evil in the future? What if the control is taken away from you? Is there a possibility that the increased control could fall into the hands of evil individuals? It’s not impossible that you might simply make an operational mistake, right?” -Gloria

“If you go that far, doesn’t it mean that no tool can be used?” -Ur

Ur had no choice but to interject as Echelle’s mental state was being beaten to a pulp and on the verge of death.

“Even a kitchen knife can kill people. Famous swords that have left their mark on the world, relics from dungeons, magical tools created by magicians. They all have the risk of being used for ill. In fact, such incidents have occurred.” -Ur

Although it cannot be said openly, even the 【Spirit of the Earth】 was thoroughly abused during the Uuga incident. Ur had not forgotten how Aesula had freely wielded the spirit’s protection even before he became the Slime King, tormenting Ur and the others to the brink of death.

“Even so, the reason why humans continue to use fire and illuminate the darkness is because there is value in doing so. Simply listing the risks is a denial of civilization.” -Ur

“…I’m afraid I cannot accept you trying to divert the conversation by unnecessarily expanding it.” -Gloria

Busted. In fact, Ur was just talking to divert the attack on Echelle, so it was completely on point. Ur reflected that trying to casually dodge with just words was not his forte after all.

“Everything has risks. That may be true. No matter how thorough the preparation, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of accidents or abuse. However, it should be possible to reduce them. What I’m saying is that the preparation for Uuga is insufficient in that regard.” -Gloria

In the end, the conversation returns to where it started.

The pursuit that there is not enough insurance in handling Uuga. The reason why the 【Scales】 are still tilting towards Gloria is because that pursuit is correct.

And what is needed is something that can match the security of the 【Heavenly Demon】 that Gloria presented.

“Let me ask again. Do you have a guarantee that can match the 【Heavenly Demon】?” -Gloria

If not, for the safety of the world, we will manage Uuga. Gloria states it clearly. The gazes focused on us. It seems she had shifted her target to Ur this time. She probably judged it to be easier than directly dealing with Lacretia.

Ur had a premonition that if he avoided answering at this point, the tilt of the 【Scales】 would move in a bad direction again. Therefore, Ur remained silent, thought for a bit, and then fixed his gaze on one person.

In response to that glance, the other party nodded. Seeing that, Ur answered.

“We do.”

In response to Gloria’s questioning “What?”, the one who stood up instead of Ur was a small girl.

The wielder of the White King Formation, Lynne Nuu Leyline.

“I can replace the 【Heavenly Demon】 Greylei, you know.” -Lynne

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“You, replace the 【Heavenly Demon】?” -Gloria

Gloria’s words were filled with clear contempt and hostility.

There was no way that was possible. Clear contempt and hostility towards the small girl who made a statement that seemed to belittle her master. It showed how much she revered the 【Heavenly Demon】, Greylei.

“Greylei creates new magic every day and brings innovation to the world. He creates new magical machines to enrich lives and develops new weapons to support human pioneering. Almost everything that is widespread in the world today was created by him!” -Gloria

It was all true.

Why is the existence of the Envy Knight Order’s Strike Force, also known as the 【Pillager Unit】, tolerated? Why is it not a problem for them to steal the magical assets of various countries using methods that border on the abuse of the extralegal privileges of the 【Seven Heavens】?

It is none other than the fact that he continues to create value that surpasses what he takes.

Utilizing the 【Seven Heavens】, the Wise Heavenly King has brought forth the most significant achievements in terms of human development. The other 【Seven Heavens】 also affirm this.

It was presumptuous to try to be on par with him.

“Can you do the same things as him? A magician whose name and face are not even known!” -Gloria

“Lynne Nuu Leyline. I am a formation wielder.” -Lynne

The small girl suddenly stated her name, as if to say that if they didn’t know her name, that’s how it was. Then, Gloria, who had been raging with anger until just now, suddenly furrowed her brow.

“…Nuu… No,… Leyline…” -Gloria

“I have no intention of being presumptuous and trying to stand equal to that great person.” -Lynne

In the meantime, Lynne continues to speak. Due to her small stature as a hobbit, she stands up using the chair as a platform. However, in contrast to her physique, her voice as she speaks is clear and powerful.

“But what’s important here is whether or not there is a magician capable of managing and ensuring the safety of Uuga, right? There’s no need for them to be exactly equal to the Heavenly Demon Greylei.” -Lynne

Gloria had been repeating those words. The pursuit of the absence of insurance, citing the existence of the 【Heavenly Demon Greylei】, was intentionally being shifted. From the topic of there being no manager for Uuga to the topic of there being no one on par with the Heavenly Demon Greylei.

Lynne brings it back to the original point.

“And if we narrow the conversation down to the management of Uuga, it’s certainly not an impossible task. At the very least, I have a technique to interfere with this familiar that could be called a ‘supergiant-class.’” -Lynne

“–Is that really so?” -Gloria

At that point, Gloria interjects again. Hostility once again surfaced on her expression.

Along with contempt that was different from before, stronger.

“The Leyline family. One of the descendants of the apprentices of the 【White Witch】 who sealed the Dungeon of Sin, the mother of the founding of the magic superpower, the 【City of Sin, Lust】.” -Gloria

The name of the magic superpower Lust is known to everyone present here. The power that name holds is certainly not inferior to that of the Heavenly Demon Greylei. If they are descendants of the apprentice of that country’s founder, many expectant gazes gather on Lynne.

However, Gloria’s expression of contempt did not change.

“Among them, the Leyline family was supposed to be the most degenerate, with their magical formulas corrupted.” -Gloria

Ur, who was listening to this from the side, thought without showing any emotion.

Please don’t “snap,” he thought.

“Given our position, we have visited the 【City of Sin, Lust】many times. We have sometimes taken custody of the magical assets that city possesses, and conversely, we have also provided them. In the process, we had many opportunities to come into contact with the descendants of the White King.” -Gloria

Depending on the circumstances, they may have demanded that the 【White King Formation】 be provided. Gloria didn’t say that, but they probably did that as well. Therefore, their understanding of Lust’s 【White King Formation】 is deep.

“Many of them were properly utilizing the 【White King Formation】 they inherited. They researched, refined, gave back to the city, and elevated their status–but the Leyline family is different.” -Gloria

She looks at Lynne. As an elf, Gloria looks down on the small girl from a high place.

“They were at a loss with the inherited magical formulas. Unable to handle the characteristic of magic circles being inflexible due to their rigidity, fearing change, they stagnated and fell into decline. You can tell from the fact that they remain in the lowest official position in Lust, where the supremacy of magic prevails.” -Gloria

The position of Nuu is the lowest among the priests. Of course, even so, they should be paid respect, but no matter how much pretense is put in place, it doesn’t change the fact that they are not much different from ordinary citizens.

The fact that the White King’s descendants in the magic superpower Lust were content with that position supported her words.

“Can her technique stand up to this unprecedented familiar? Or even if it can be controlled temporarily, can it serve as a guarantee that there will be no problems from here on out?” -Gloria

“–That’s right.” -Lynne

In response to Ur’s concern, her voice was terribly calm. Even when faced with words that would be understood as strong insults by anyone, not just Lynne, there was not the slightest tremor in her voice.

“As you say, indeed, the Leyline family struggled with the handling and refinement of the 【White King Formation】. The development of magic circles that draw formulas on the earth and perform magic, and therefore complex and difficult to arrange. There is little room to ‘mix’ with new magic, resulting in it being old.” -Lynne

She recounts the history of the Leyline family.

A history of hardship and misfortune, but there was deep affection in Lynne’s voice as she spoke of it. It was as if she was saying that the past era of struggles that led to her present was also precious in itself.

“But in recent years, the Leyline family has succeeded in repurposing the White King Formation. With the development of the 【White King Talisman】 that minimizes the decline in effectiveness, the usability of the technique has progressed. In various other ways, the White King Formation continues to refine itself to develop.” -Lynne

Lynne says that and looks at Gloria, who tried to disparage her family.

“The progress is slow, but it hasn’t stopped.” -Lynne

However, Gloria’s attitude still had composure. As an elf who had long served under the 【Heavenly Demon】, her understanding of the magic superpower Lust was deeper than anyone else present. She had directly seen and heard of the 【White King Formation】 of the Leyline family.

Therefore, she still had conviction. If she pressed, it would collapse.

“I think the effort is admirable, but it’s meaningless if there are no results. In the end, the information that you’re ‘trying your best’ doesn’t serve as proof that you can control Uuga, right?” -Gloria

“–Then I just need to prove it, right?” -Lynne

“Huh?” -Gloria

However, she doesn’t know.

That the 【White King Formation】 has reached a new breakthrough in the past few months.

“Then, behold.” -Lynne

In an instant, Lynne’s tied hair comes undone. Each strand of hair becomes strong, shining, and they spread out.

Everyone present is taken aback, and the knights hurriedly try to draw their swords, but faster than that, the strands of hair squirm, each moving in a completely different way, constructing a formation in the air in the blink of an eye.

“—-” -Gloria

Faster than anyone could move, the 【White King Formation】 was completed in front of Gloria’s eyes.

Its dazzling brilliance undoubtedly signifies the activation of 【Ultimate Magic】.

“It would be easy to burn you to death without you being able to put up any resistance whatsoever.” -Lynne

Ur held his head. She snapped after all.