Infinite Mana In The Apocalypse (WN)

2952 The Mantis, the Cicada, and the Oriole! II

The Imperium stated that the Codex was impartial in this as nobody was favored…but very few Archons believed it.

This was why they called the last Contest…the Will of the Imperium.

It may very well be what the Imperium chose if one Archon lost favor with them.

But so long as one won the prior two Contests, the third Contest of the Codex wouldn't even matter!

So it was one's power that was the decider…and one's wealth.

Today, the power and wealth of the Legacies of Al-Abalem and Ignatius would be tested- and it was at the worst time imaginable!

Al-Abalem turned his gaze towards Ignatius as the darkness around this entity was just as obscure.

He then felt his connection with the Codex of Extremity…and observed that in the time wasted to stand before everyone here, the encroachment had only increased.

It meant that the Supernal and Nether Havens of Vitalis connected to the Codex of Extremity were already encroached upon for the most part.

And soon, he had an inkling that the Vacuous Hyperversal Domains would follow if nothing was done.

These dogs were sniffing around his Domain trying to fight for it when at this very moment, there was an infestation eating it up from below!

His eyes were sharp as he spoke out.

I have no issues beginning with the First Contest. But before that, my words were true that as guests…you all came at a bad time. I currently have the Codex of Extremity under my control for this Domain actively in use to take care of something. I need to tend to it as the Rule of Imperium Telos can be carried out after a day at most.

…!

If he had the time, he could take care of it.

He couldn't let them know he intended to descend himself and violate the absolute restrictions- this being an action that would hurt the Existential Domain itself as it wouldn't produce Fruits of Existence for 9 eons!

This would be considered a failure by the Imperium as it had to remain a secret until-

Haha, the great Archon Basileus Al-Abalem seeks for more time? The excuse is the Codex of Extremity currently being in use? Would you use that time to try and have your Dominium influence it to your favor for the Third Contest? I do not think so…

The Leashed Dog spat out with a smile.

And yet, shrouded in Existential Vacuous Authority, Ignatius replied.

You…we have been dealing with something concerning the workings of the Existential Domain itself. Our presence is needed to ensure its workings. You wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility of anything that happened because of us being held by such unworthy contests! The eyes of Archon Basileus Ignatius blazed as he seemed to be about to reveal some things and speak even more, but Al-Abalem roused his intent to stop this.

Ignatius did not know about the worsening situation and the Codex of Extremity.

He couldn't reveal any critical information right now as whether he would be given extra time or not…would depend on a single entity.

His eyes moved and came to land on the Imperium Royal Basileus Observer.

Not just his eyes, but the eyes of Basileus around him, those from the Legacy of Ignatius, and those from the Legacy of Lethith!

The golden haired entity shimmering with gold and purple brilliance took in all gazes without faltering as he spoke while stroking his cane.

It is all right. I, as the Imperium Royal Basileus Observer today, swear by the Imperium that any possible consequential weavings of the Codex of Extremity and the Lands of Vitalis and Vacuous it presides over fall to me. I will bear the responsibility for any issues caused by the delay in tending to the Codex as Archon Basileus Al-Abalem and Ignatius state, and the first two Contests can begin first.

…!

The purple golden eyes of this man smiled calmly as Al-

Abalem stared at him coldly.

From the perspective of all those here, they knew nothing could possibly happen with the Codex or the Lands before them as they thought…Al-Abalem and Ignatius were simply trying to buy time to seek a way out of this!

They wouldn't even give them the time.

And Al-Abalem stared between the Imperium Royal Basileus Observer and the visage of the Leashed Dog and the Veiled Herald of Flames behind him as he callously wondered.

Just how many Fruits of Existence did this give this Observer for him to be on their side this much? Did they want his Vitalis and Vacuous Existential Domains this much that they would leave him no way out?!

Very well…

WAA!

His intent weaved out with immense calmness.

The eyes of many lit up after this as they were ready for a show.

But the eyes of Archon Basileus Al-Abalem were filled with utmost coldness as he knew things nobody here would know.

He knew of the encroachment of the Codex of Extremity- undoubtedly by the Corrupted Seed that was giving it so much trouble.

He knew that the encroachment of the Vitalis Hyperversal Domain…was nearly complete as the Codex was calling out to him to intervene!

And yet…

And yet…!

If the Legacy of Lethith spent so much to the extent of even bribing an Imperium Royal Basileus Observer on their side for this venture, if they really wanted to take away what was his…

[...]

The eyes of Al-Abalem burned with heavy and Existential decisiveness at this moment.

And then…he let go.

He couldn't win the contest of wealth.

He should be able to win the contest of strength as the Leashed Dog couldn't entirely compare to him.

But the moment they went to the Third Contest and saw the state of the Codex of Extremity…he would lose this contest right away.

He would lose his right to rule these Existential lands!

...

If they really wanted to take what was his…

If they really wanted to proceed…he would have them feel as much pain!

WAA!

Since the Observer has stated that he would take all responsibility, we can proceed.

All of their Dominiums had recorded what the Observer had stated.

Any changes or losses incurred by the encroachment of the Codex of Extremity…would not fall under his responsibility from this moment onwards!

HUUM!

Even as he spoke, his Existential Soul Dominium buzzed as he sensed the Encroachment of the Codex of Extremity starting from the Vacuous Hyperversal Domains.

He kept his emotions from expressing their intent as his eyes hardened, steeling his resolve.

But still…

What the fuck was this Noah Osmont doing that he was moving so quickly to cause all pieces to fall apart?!