The Serpent of Origin

At Pernok’s shocking declaration, the Scale Tribe’s chiefs all swarmed before Krade.

Krade left the serpent’s corpse behind and spoke calmly.

“I’m unqualified as chief.”

At the words carrying many meanings, the chiefs fell silent and listened.

“Many of the previous generation were devoured by that god, and I accepted you all while unprepared. Then I used the power the god granted, calling it grace for the tribe’s prosperity. Not knowing it was poison.”

“We also knew.”

“You all must have accepted as fate that the war would continue eternally.”

“……”

“What shattered that was this human.”

The chiefs looked at Pernok standing calmly on the serpent’s head.

“I considered the god an absolute existence that would never fall, but to humans, gods are merely insignificant creatures. Could you have imagined it? That a castle looking down at us from that sky would exist?”

The chiefs shook their heads.

“While we revered the god here, humans achieved evolution beyond imagination. Now we must pioneer new paths for the children.”

“But such humans won’t come again, will they?”

“No, once a strait has been pierced, it will grant passage many times over. Even before this human came, didn’t we already receive one human and revere the seed he left like a god?”

“……”

“The moment we resist the turbulent flow, our beautiful scales also break and shatter. Now is the time to adapt.”

“If we follow that human, we won’t avoid war.”

“Yet the fact that he protected us doesn’t change.”

The chiefs squeezed their eyes shut and nodded.

“When do you think we’ll get another chance to meet a human friendly to us? And could that human be strong enough to kill a god?”

Krade firmly shook his head.

“No. No human exists with these conditions.”

“Will you share your destiny with that human, Clan Chief?”^[1]

“If our intentions align, what can’t we do?”

The chiefs who swallowed their sighs all nodded.

“We’ll follow the Clan Chief.”

“We know that human could’ve killed us all yet let us live.”

“For the tribe’s prosperity, we must ride this new wave.”

Krade smiled bitterly.

“I’m grateful. Then I’ll entrust persuading each tribe to you.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

The chiefs headed toward their tribe members, and Krade approached Pernok.

“I gave you enough time. Have you made your decision?”

“We’ll follow you.”

Pernok grinned.

“Good. There’ll be much to do ahead. First, we must restore relations with the Horn Tribe.”

“We’re prepared.”

“You’ll still rule the tribe going forward. I’ll make most of the approvals, but I won’t interfere in the tribe’s trivial matters.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ll navigate through many things ahead, so let’s not act stiff.”

“Understood.”

Pernok chuckled.

“First, we’ll move the serpent’s corpse to land. I’ll entrust the dismantling to the Tunnel Folk. If the Scale Tribe has skilled ones, have them join, and give me just one bubble.”

“Are you going below?”

“I have things to confirm.”

When Krade gave him a bubble, Pernok swallowed it smoothly.

“Wait on the island.”

After confirming the Scale Tribe clinging to the serpent and moving toward the island, Pernok headed again to the destroyed sacred site.

* * *

Pangemonia’s recording tablet.

When he wore the obsidian on his finger and placed his hand on the stone tablet, ancient letters revealed their white forms.

[I came to this place.]

Pernok savored each letter while tracing the longed-for writing with his fingers.

[Here existed the sea’s Origin, and water is the power that rules life, so I believed the research would surely lead to success.

The Saint’s disciple thought the same.

We who couldn’t get along studied the sea’s Origin with the mission of ‘resurrecting’ our masters.]

The Lord of Despair’s disciple got along with the Saint’s disciple?

Moreover, was that the resurrection ritual considered forbidden in Radiance?

Pernok carefully examined this unusual content.

[This sea was very clear and transparent, sufficient to become life’s foundation.

The Saint’s disciple draped heaven’s grace upon this place, and I ruled the sea’s Origin.

We succeeded in separating the regeneration and recovery properties from water’s inherent nature.

When we mixed this with Radiance, even severed arms regenerated immediately—a remarkable feat.

Our research with opposing natures approached the ultimate as it unified into one.

Creation beyond regeneration.

Death escaping creation.

Resurrection overcoming that.

The theory proceeded smoothly, but ultimately we couldn’t overcome one hurdle.]

Pernok examined the particularly white letters.

[No souls dwell in this place.]

He couldn’t help being slightly surprised at that passage.

Resurrection in the lower realm means the complete regeneration of the dead.

The process where flesh attaches to bones and the completed body moves is called success, called taboo, and prevented.

But all those series of processes are merely hollow research.

No matter how perfect the body created, souls trapped in Netherworld absolutely cannot interfere with the lower realm, so it is merely an empty shell.

‘The Lord of Despair’s and the Saint’s disciples realized providence that none but the dead could comprehend?’

Where was that research’s end heading?

Intrigued, Pernok read the glowing letters.

[Why is this so?

Everything is stiff like dolls.

Research proceeded again, and we discovered the answer to another problem.

Admeis.

There lies the final piece to resurrect our masters……]

Admeis.

A word he’d never heard.

He tried to find more about what it meant, but the bottommost section was broken.

[Those who explore Origin… absolutely…..]

The fallen stone tablet fragment touched his feet.

Pernok lifted the fragment.

[……don’t repeat the mistake……]

After seeing the letters containing regret, he could know who this tablet’s owner was.

“Lyle.”

The Lord of Despair’s last disciple.

When processing the obsidian, he stepped forward before anyone and survived to the end, but his talent wasn’t exceptional.

He couldn’t sprout the seed barely planted and only touched the faint portion of darkness.

But the memory remains that his obsession toward the Lord of Despair was excessive.

“He seemed to dislike getting along with the Saint’s disciples, but they boarded the same ship……”

To resurrect their masters.

If that theory truly succeeded, the Lord of Despair and the Saint in Netherworld would be dividing the continent by now.

However, they failed and left descendants somewhere while collapsed.

Or perhaps they made successors who inherited that research.

“Admeis, I should try finding that place first.”

Pernok took the tablet and returned to the castle.

* * *

After placing the tablet in a safe place in the castle, Pernok met with the research director.

“Perhaps because of Trident Force, Lionic’s condition is slightly unstable.”

At the research director’s words, Pernok nodded.

“It would be. Since we shot out output beyond the limit to neutralize the serpent, we must let it rest for a while.”

“Then when will you set the departure schedule?”

“We’ll have to go as soon as business here is finished. But before that, there’s something I’d like you to do, Director.”

“Yes?”

“Tell Kelt to investigate Admeis, then return to the mountain range.”

“Who is Kelt?”

“When you arrive at Clax Port, enter an inn called Wind Flower. If you say you came to see Kelt there, they’ll take care of it.”

“But how do I get to the port when I’m on the island?”

“I’ve already spoken to the Scale Tribe, so depart immediately.”

When Pernok grinned, the research director, who had been smiling awkwardly, finally followed the Scale Tribe out with a resigned expression.

And after landing the castle around the island, Pernok entered the cave where the chiefs were waiting.

The Horn Tribe’s chief Katish and his son Mati.

And between the Scale Tribe’s chief Krade, an awkward atmosphere was flowing.

“Have you exchanged greetings?”

When Pernok entered naturally and sat in the seat of honor, gazes naturally gathered.

“Fortunately, it doesn’t seem you’ve grabbed each other by the collar and fought.”

“The war has ended. What matters is what we must do going forward.”

“Chief Katish forgave us. Going forward, we promised to gather strength together with the Horn Tribe.”

The Horn Tribe’s anger was surprisingly directed not at the Scale Tribe but at the serpent that had incited them.

The Horn Tribe taking the lead in mincing the serpent’s corpse to pieces must be to shake off the resentment accumulated until now.

“Fortunate that you match each other. Including the Tunnel Folk, your race alliance will act as my vassals going forward. The governance rights of each tribe will remain with you as is, but don’t forget that if you arbitrarily cause trouble and create chaos without my order, there will be severe punishment corresponding to it.”

“Regarding the chief, consult with Mati, not me.”

Pernok turned his head to Katish.

“I only intended to perform the chief’s duties until protecting the island. After that is Mati’s world. From the beginning, it was also Mati who brought you, so it should also be Mati who fulfills the promise made wagering his horn.”

“Are you going to step down like this?”

“Heavens no! Brave Horn Tribe don’t forget grace! Since you protected this land where our ancestors’ spirits dwell, I will offer all my bravery to you.”

Looking at Mati shouting with a resolute expression, Pernok smiled.

“I’m completely prepared! I’ll serve you as promised!”

“No, to my eyes, you’re still lacking too many things.”

“Huh?”

“If I release the Horn Tribe or Scale Tribe into the world like this, they’ll merely become mages’ prey.”

Though it touched tribal pride, no one could object.

Having seen Pernok’s overwhelming power, they also had to leave the evaluation of the human world to his judgment.

If he said it wasn’t so, then it wasn’t so.

“However, you have racial unique characteristics that humans don’t possess. I’ll awaken those for you. Even if creatures like that serpent appear again, to the extent that if you combine your strength, you can sufficiently resist.”

To the chiefs burning with fighting spirit, Pernok clenched his fist.

“First, shall we tap into the mana sleeping in those bodies?”

* * *

Mana is the power mages are born with.

However, those who were born and raised in this clear and clean place surprisingly harbor mana in their bodies.

They simply cannot manifest it as magic.

Circulating the mana itself within their bodies was entirely possible.

Pernok focused on enhancing the characteristics of the Horn Tribe and Scale Tribe using an application of Mana Reinforcement.

“Horn Tribe, keep concentrating mana in your bodies so that speed emerges even when heavily armed!”

“Scale Tribe, circulate mana momentarily to your tails! If you do so, you’ll obtain propulsion several times faster than now!”

When he even transmitted breathing methods suited to each race’s characteristics, like drawing pictures on blank pages, their growth became faster with each passing day.

‘The framework is well established.’

He taught them the basics and had them practice autonomously.

Though he took his eyes off them briefly, even so, their mana didn’t go astray and blew vitality into their bodies.

When all pathways proceeded correctly, Pernok taught each chief advanced courses.

As a result of looking after them individually and carefully guiding them so mana wouldn’t tangle.

After a month passed, Katish, Mati, and Krade reached the stage of handling mana freely.

“Pass this method as is to your tribe members.”

“Understood. But with this, if we clash head-on with mages, can we sweep them away!?”

When Mati asked excitedly, Pernok answered firmly.

“Half-baked guys can’t stop you. But once they’re level 5 or above, your flesh and skin are destined to be pierced. So help the Tunnel Folk’s mining and equip yourselves with weapons and armor. Remember this. If you face mages barehanded without weapons and armor, you’ll all burn to death like the serpent.”

“A-all right……”

“Human wars are more brutal than your imagination, so don’t let your guard down and devote yourselves to training. So you can rush over whenever I call.”

The chiefs nodded with firm expressions.

Pernok smiled and packed his luggage.

“Then I expect you to be perfectly prepared by the time we meet again.”

Receiving the other races’ farewells, Pernok rode the castle and crossed Wailing Strait.

* * *

After landing the castle on the uninhabited island Ruin had bought to use, Pernok descended at Clax Port with his party.

“You must go carefully to the mountain range so the Tunnel Folk aren’t discovered.”

“Yes. But what about the castle?”

“Ruin will go soon.”

The research staff hid the Tunnel Folk in carriages and headed toward the mountain range.

And Pernok entered the Wind Flower inn.

A man with a warm impression was pouring beer at the counter.

“I came to see Kelt.”

“Who sent you?”

“A friend.”

When they exchanged this trivial question and answer, the man stood up and went outside.

Shortly after, a man with a bushy beard entered inside.

“Uhehehehehe! Long time no see! Have you been well!”

He sat in a corner seat while clasping hands with Kelt, who approached happily.

“Still as messy as ever. You’ll catch a disease and die like that.”

“Hahaha, don’t worry. There are so many joyful things lately that it’s hard to die easily.”

Pernok chuckled and handed him beer.

“So. Did you meet with the person I sent?”

“Yes! We were just talking about it. At first he was saying incomprehensible things, but when I looked into it, it was absolutely amazing.”

“Did you find Admeis?”

“We discovered it together.”

Pernok asked with anticipation.

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s a dialect of a certain region. It means holy nation!”

Kelt emptied his beer in one gulp and grinned.

“Hundreds of years ago, the land called Admeis has now become the Holy Kingdom’s capital, Armosa!”