When Solenon opened his eyes, the surrounding machines moved.
-Gurgle.
An unidentifiable liquid was injected from the pipeline connected to the throne where Solenon sat. The liquid seeped through the chair and directly into Solenon's body.
"Kugh. Sssip, haa."
Each time, Solenon let out incomprehensible groans. His biological eye trembled, showing only the whites before repeatedly returning to normal.
Like someone intoxicated by drugs, his previously hazy pupils became clear, and his teeth, partially replaced with brass, were revealed.
Solenon's gaze turned toward Deliphiros.
"I roughly know the situation, but I need to hear a separate report."
Deliphiros met Solenon's gaze. He had the appearance of an emaciated old man. He looked so precarious that he seemed like he would crumble with just a light touch. This was the price for someone who should have died, doing whatever it took to prolong his life without regard for means or methods.
Nevertheless, unable to completely suppress aging, the remaining biological parts were dried up to a hideous degree. This was compensated for by injecting massive amounts of energy from external sources.
'Especially, what had the greatest effect was black magic.'
Ironically, black magic gained recognition in Tirna only after Solenon took an interest in it. One might think it would be fine to replace all remaining biological parts with machinery, but that was impossible.
Even the parts replaced with machinery had been done barely. His biological parts were too aged and frail; the moment they tried to remove them and replace them with machinery, Solenon would die.
'I wish that had happened instead.'
That was Deliphiros honest sentiment. However, that old monster who hated dying the most would never allow that to happen. Unable to modify his body further, he turned his attention to black magic for this very reason.
"Tirna is currently facing countless dangers. Division is occurring internally, and externally, forces are running rampant trying to bring down the city by any means. We've overcome numerous crises, but this time is a bit different."
"Because of the Sea Dragon."
"Yes. That's correct."
As expected, he knew. Deliphiros wasn't particularly surprised. Solenon was that kind of human—no, monster.
While considering him the most reliable subordinate in the world, he never entrusted everything to him. Solenon had many eyes and ears in this city. Just look at those machines connected to his body.
"Someone stole the Sea Dragon's egg and hid it in the city. Because of that, the enraged mother Sea Dragon is bearing down on Tirna. Bringing vast amounts of water vapor and clouds pulled up from the sea, causing a typhoon."
"Kukuku. So, did you find out who did such a thing?"
"We're currently confirming. There are so many forces that want Tirna to fall."
"Really?"
Solenon asked with a smirk.
Deliphiros felt the hair all over his body stand on end. The moment he saw the appearance of that old man before him, physiological revulsion washed over him.
Current King Solenon. Once the most brilliant king, he had now become a monster who had lived for ages.
The anecdotes recorded in history depicted him as a very benevolent and refined king, but what he showed in reality was like a pig in a farm, half-merged with machinery and receiving life force through black magic.
However, he could never be taken lightly. His gaze now, trying to verify this side, proved that.
'Damn old geezer. He's testing me to confirm that I know but am pretending not to.'
But Deliphiros was no easy opponent either. Without changing his expression, he maintained his smile and said,
"Recently, there have been cases where many of the informants sent outside have died. This has created gaps in information gathering. However, I do have suspicions about someone."
"Oho. Who do you think it is?"
"Isn't it obvious? Someone who could steal a Sea Dragon's egg from the distant sea. Among them, the existence most hostile to Tirna would be the Great Witch Mother Goose and her servant familiars."
Knowing this, he pretends to have vaguely caught on. Solenon smirked and nodded his head slightly.
"Right. I thought you'd become lazy after becoming mayor, but your mind is still working."
"I have no intention of being complacent in this position. Since becoming mayor, I've been working even harder."
"Don't forget. Who it was that picked you up when you were a nobody child, taught you, and made you mayor."
Deliphiros bowed his head as if it were natural. But his eyes shone sharply.
'The reason you made me mayor was because you needed it.'
A mayor for the people? That was just a slogan Solenon put forward. In reality, Solenon did nothing for the people. His actions had always been solely for his own safety.
"So, what happened with the knight?"
"Currently, he's probably receiving a briefing related to the Sea Dragon subjugation battle."
"Keep watching him. Knights are dangerous. Especially that guy named Osian who has risen unbelievably rapidly recently. Even Cromwell, who tried to use his power, was defeated."
Solenon spoke Cromwell's name with displeasure.
"I brought him in and supported him because he had skills, yet that arrogant bastard dared to harbor ulterior motives behind my back."
"But we can't eliminate him right away. We sent the Puppeteer, but he was repelled by Osian. Or shall we continue sending people?"
"...Never mind. It would just be a waste of time and resources anyway. Just keep watching. No matter how excellent a scientist is, without a laboratory, they have no value. The moment an opportunity arises, we'll dispose of him along with that annoying knight."
Deliphiros nodded in acknowledgment.
"Go now. I will enter into calculations again. The flow of the celestial bodies has begun to grow increasingly chaotic. Something will happen before long."
"Yes. Understood."
Solenon closed his eyes. His head drooped down and the surrounding lights went out one by one. In the dim darkness, all that was visible was the color of the strange liquid flowing through the transparent pipes.
It seemed like he had fallen asleep, but the reality was different. Solenon was entering into calculations, using his body synchronized with the machinery. His transcendent cognitive abilities and brain had only slightly faded with the passage of time but still exceeded common sense.
That's why he had survived in that aged body until now. He would calculate what was to come. And those calculations were accurate enough to be close to prophecy.
'The only subject he failed to predict was Osian.'
Was the reason Solenon was wary of Osian because he couldn't analyze his potential? Or was there another reason?
Deliphiros recalled the heavy sensation in his inner pocket. It was a pistol for self-defense. The moment he drew it and pulled the trigger, he could kill that old monster.
But Deliphiros hesitated for a moment, then slowly turned around. It wasn't time yet.
'In the world of humans where I live, monsters like you are not needed.'
Deliphiros boarded the elevator with a firm resolution inside. A single artificial eye glittering in the darkness intently watched Deliphiros' retreating figure.
The briefing ended. The people gathered in the conference room agreed to the Sea Dragon subjugation. It was unanimous except for one mutant who had been knocked unconscious by Osian.
When there was time to prepare for the next operation three people had somehow attached themselves to Osian's side, to be precise, three people and one skull.
"What. Aren't you guys moving separately?"
When Osian asked, Elise and Fernando just stared blankly at him. Instead, Terence, who had been reading the mood, spoke up.
"We received the same request anyway, so if we're going to do it, it's better to work with people we know, right?"
"That's strange. In the past, I would have thought you'd tell us not to hold you back."
"Hey, who said that!"
Terence's face turned red as he shouted. The way he subtly glanced at Elise while saying that was quite amusing.
'Well, even without Elise, that would be his true feelings.'
Though Terence had been arrogant, after experiencing various things after meeting Osian, he had become considerably subdued. Of course, he was still a lacking older brother who gave his younger sister headaches, but he had definitely become more human-like than before.
"I don't mind. I had something to say to you two separately anyway."
When Osian pointed at Elise and Terence, both of them looked puzzled. Then Elise made an "Ah" sound and asked with gleaming eyes.
"Are you finally thinking of signing the contract?"
"Are you joking?"
When Osian frowned sharply and retorted, Elise dejectedly lowered her head.
"Ah, why are you frowning at her!"
"And who are you?"
When Osian sent a sharp gaze, Terence also shrank. At that sight, Osian had to barely suppress a sigh.
These two were material that could become heroes of mages and black mages respectively. And he needed to recruit them somehow for the events to come.
Osian looked around. The people weren't paying attention to this side, busy talking amongst themselves about the Sea Dragon.
Some were glancing over, but they wouldn't be able to hear the conversation. This was enough.
"I have something to say to you two. So, it's difficult to know where to start. Let me ask you something to confirm. Elise Denarova and Terence Progenen. You two...you can use magic from all factions, right?"
At those words, Elise showed doubt, while Terence showed shock. Terence's eyes widened as he looked around. Then he lowered his voice and asked.
"What. How do you know that?"
"As I thought. Elise Denarova. You're not particularly denying it either, so you must be able to use all black mage magic."
Elise slowly nodded her head. She was from a family related to necromancy and was known to the world as a necromancer, but the reality was different.
From handling shadow birds to blood magic, she had mastered magic from all factions related to black magic. The reason it wasn't known to the world was because Elise spoke little.
It was the same for Terence. That he could use other magic was a secret. Even his younger sister didn't know this fact. But Osian asked as if he had been certain of this from the beginning.
"You seem curious about why I know that. I'll explain the reason."
Osian conveyed to the two of them the information he knew. That among mages and black mages, there are those born with the qualities of a hero. And that they can use all attributes.
He also told them about barbarian warriors, paladins, rogues, and priests. In other words, the fact that there were several people like himself.
After hearing the story, Terence looked dumbfounded.
"I just thought it was because I possessed insanely awesome talent. Because I'm a genius."
"Well, for a mage, that could be the case. Same for black magic."
Since magic and black magic also had academic aspects, understanding everything would naturally be called genius.
"But beyond this innate talent, the duty given to you is weighty. This world is in danger."
"You're talking about the Sea Dragon coming, right?"
"No. It's far more massive than that. The Sea Dragon is Tirna's crisis, but what's coming is a danger that will go beyond this continent to the entire planet."
Terence still seemed not to understand. It was inevitable. Who would immediately accept that a crisis of destruction was suddenly approaching? From Terence's perspective, Osian must have seemed like an apocalyptic preacher.
But Elise was different.
"Exactly, what kind of thing?"
"Beings from outside. Outer Gods will descend upon this world."
Elise seemed to ponder for a moment, then soon nodded.
"What do I need to do?"
"Huh, huh? Wait a minute, Elise. You, you believe what he's saying?"
Terence asked back in surprise. To believe such absurd words immediately without any verification? Wouldn't she easily fall for scams like this?
"Yes. I believe. That man doesn't lie."
Elise said with conviction. Rather than the credibility of the facts Osian conveyed, she focused on the person named Osian who conveyed them.
Terence tried to argue that it didn't make sense, but then recalled the things Osian had shown. He didn't like that he was handsome, and he didn't like that he drew Elise's attention. Honestly speaking, he was annoying. What was even more frustrating was the sense of helplessness that no matter what he did, he wouldn't be able to surpass him.
But setting aside all those personal feelings, Osian was definitely a trustworthy person. At least he didn't deceive people with lies.
He had helped him, accepted his younger sister's request. He solved the Saint Tree incident, and was involved in several major events afterward.
Though he didn't show it, he had heard and knew that Osian had rescued citizens from the military in District 44.
Terence's deliberation was brief.
"So, what do we need to do?"