Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 461: Chapter 460: This Is the Power of the Seat of Apex!

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With Master Kara’s entry, the atmosphere in the entire arena suddenly shifted, and many cast different glances at Lieutenant General John and the fat representative. Although there is no hard rule regarding the rank of an opponent in individual combat, it is generally frowned upon to choose a dramatically mismatched opponent.

It was like everyone was playing at level four, and then you bring a level six behemoth into the mix... It would provoke public outrage, I tell you!

Even though Kara hadn’t made a move in decades, this world knows not the problems of aging. Once someone steps into the Legendary Realm, their lifespan greatly exceeds that of ordinary people. Kara is now almost one hundred and twenty years old, but his physique remains remarkably robust. Within the Legendary tier, he is considered to be in his ”prime,” meaning his power is likely only greater than before, not lesser.

So... who will fight on Fang Zheng’s side...?

Thinking this, many turned their eyes to Fang Zheng. To a lot of people, the best course of action for Fang Zheng right now seemed to be forfeiting his right to fight. This could be seen as giving face to both the Kingdom of Flame and the Land of Wealth, not offending them too harshly. After all, many in attendance were political figures, and the adage holds that it is best to be merciful when one has the upper hand. Forcing the Kingdom of Flame into a harsh corner, in their view, was clearly no wise choice.

And since the other side had sent Master Kara into the fray, it presented Fang Zheng with an opportunity to gracefully step down, perhaps with an excuse like ”I hold great respect for Master Kara’s achievements and do not wish to contend against him,” and then, with composure, choose to forfeit. That way, both the Kingdom of Flame and the Land of Wealth could save at least a modicum of face, no?

However, unfortunately for them, Fang Zheng’s thoughts were clearly not aligned with the rest of the crowd.

On the platform opposite Kara, a flash of radiance, and in the next moment, a girl dressed in a white robe, wearing a hat, and holding a Golden Scepter appeared before everyone.

”Who is she?”

”Judging by her attire... Could she be a Cleric from the Sanctuary?”

”I’ve never seen this girl before?”

Looking at the white-robed Shrine Maiden before them, the crowd was taken aback, and then a murmur of conversation began. Kara, however, stared at the girl with an emotionless gaze, his stare cold and unwavering.

”What is your name, girl?”

In response to Kara’s inquiry, Black Katie slightly tilted her head.

”Seat of Apex... Black Katie.”

”Eh?”

”This girl has quite the nerve...”

Upon hearing Black Katie’s response, many among the audience gasped. Nothing else shocked them quite like the title ”Seat of Apex”... To them, it was brazenly audacious! Even the Pope of the Sanctuary wouldn’t dare to use such a title for themselves, and here was a girl who seemed no more than a teenager, arrogantly assuming the title ”Seat of Apex” in front of the Dragon Slayer, the epitome of hubris!

”Hmph, foolish mortals.”

Listening to the whisperings of the surrounding spectators, Fang Zheng snorted coldly. These people did not understand that Black Katie did not claim her title out of arrogance, but rather, it was due to the customs of the Followers of the Crimson Realm.

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For humans, ”titles” might be something given by others, used to describe someone’s great achievements or battle style, like Kara’s title ”Dragon Slayer”. But for the Followers of the Crimson Realm, it is not the same at all.

The Followers of the Crimson Realm all have ”True Names”, which are the names given within the ”Crimson Realm”, but because some words do not exist phonetically in this world, they must be compressed and altered into a language that the humans of this world can understand.

Take ”Aralastor of Heavens Sooth’s Calamity Flame”, for example. His True Name ”Heavens Sooth’s Calamity Flame” where ”Heavens Sooth” represents both heaven and earth, which is the world. ”Calamity Flame” refers to the fire in the religious texts of Earth that is used to describe the destruction of the world, burning everything. But in reality, his True Name is ”The Flame God released by heaven to destroy the world”.

As for Aralastor, this ”name” is actually a moniker humans use to recognize their existence in this world. In the eyes of the Followers of the Crimson Realm, this name is meaningless.

Fang Zheng’s ”Ritual Snake” is similar. ”Ritual” stands for ceremonies that serve the gods, and the ”snake”, due to the phenomenon of ”shedding skin”, is often regarded as ”death and regeneration” in ancient mythology. Therefore, the snake is also a symbol of life, fertility, and the Earth.

Moreover, the Ouroboros signifies ”eternity”, therefore representing the power of the ”God of Creation” who is immortal and indestructible in this world. Hence, the real meaning behind ”Ritual Snake” is ”The undying and creative deity worshipped by the Followers of the Crimson Realm”.

As for Black Katie’s True Name ”Seat of Apex”, the ”Apex” in the language of this world means above the head, while ”Seat” refers to ”the gathering place of stars” (constellation). Thus, ”Seat of Apex” also conveys the meaning of ”the stars gathered above the head”.

At the same time, this name has another layer of meaning. ”Apex” represents the highest point, while ”Seat” is positioned below the divine. Therefore, another layer of the meaning of ”Seat of Apex” is ”Shrine Maiden serving under the highest deity”.

Since Black Katie is the Shrine Maiden directly under the ”Crimson Realm’s” God of Creation ”Ritual Snake”, she naturally holds the position of the highest Shrine Maiden among the Followers of the Crimson Realm.

By the way, Tilia’s True Name ”Aizenta” means ”devoting everything obsessively for him”. Of course, who that ”him” refers to needs no further explanation.

Therefore, every time Black Katie introduces herself, she is not flaunting her title, but rather reporting her position as if she were saying, ”I am a certain someone, holding a certain position, at a certain department of a certain company”. If her initial statement were translated, it would be, ”I am the Shrine Maiden who serves the highest deity, Black Katie.”

Of course, humans do not understand this custom, and the Followers of the Crimson Realm clearly cannot be bothered to explain—after all, the reason they choose to use these True Names for introduction is that human language cannot fully encompass and understand them.

”Girl, I can give you a chance, do you not intend to surrender?”

Kara, of course, did not regard Black Katie’s title like others might have; he simply watched her and then asked in a low voice. However, Black Katie did not respond; she did not even utter half a word, just fixed her gaze on the elderly man in front of her.

”Very well!”

Being so disregarded by the young girl before him ignited Kara’s anger. He was not known for his good temper. Since the girl had rejected the offer of a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, it was now time for her to experience his formidable nature!

”Since that is the case, then let me see what strength you possess, young girl!”

As Kara’s words fell, everyone suddenly saw flames burst forth like a fountain from beneath his feet. Along with the appearance of these flames, the air around them instantly rose to an unbearable level, so much so that some of the spectators seated in front of the arena hastily moved backward. They felt their throats dry out as the flames appeared, as if all the moisture in the air had been completely vaporized, and every breath they took was like inhaling flames themselves, painful to endure!

”What kind of power is this!?”

Alarmed by this force, everyone was shocked. They were fortunate to be protected by the barrier of laws in the arena. Otherwise, they feared that in the instant these flames appeared, they themselves would be thoroughly incinerated to ash!

Is this the power of the ”Dragon Slayer”?

Is this the true strength of a Legendary Powerhouse?

Just by summoning flames, one can burn the skies, destroy the earth, and even without the protection of a magical barrier, anything below Legendary would be reduced to ashes in an instant?!

What kind of power is this!

”This, this is not merely the power of the Legendary!”

At this time, even Bishop Carl’s complexion changed.

”He’s already half-stepped into that domain! That domain unreachable by mere mortals!!”

”What?”

Upon hearing Bishop Carl’s words, Grand Knight Astor turned his head in shock to look at Bishop Carl.

”Are you saying.........”

”I am certain, this power...... this power is not merely of the Legendary Rank. If it were just Legendary Rank power, it could not break through the magical barrier. You must know that the Judgement Ceremony was created by those four Transcendent beings. And the magical barrier they crafted was capable of withstanding the power of the Legendary Rank! Unless......”

”Unless, that old guy has already possessed the Power of the Extraordinary!”

Now, Grand Knight Astor’s complexion turned ugly as well. He finally understood why the Kingdom of Flame asked for their Guardian God—it had been hundreds of years since anyone on this continent had entered the Extraordinary Domain!

Although Master Kara’s current strength can’t quite be considered as entirely reaching the Extraordinary Realm—after all, although his aura passed through the magical barrier, it couldn’t fully affect others. This meant there was still a distance to the Extraordinary. But...after all, he was the being closest to that Realm on this continent now!

”Damn it, we’ve been careless. To think that the Kingdom of Flame would have such an ace up their sleeve. Damn it, where is that young lady?”

Thinking of this, Bishop Carl also hastily looked towards Black Katie, and then he stood there stupefied.

In the face of the flames powerful enough to burn everything to the ground, the white-robed Shrine Maiden showed no change in expression. On the contrary, she just raised her scepter in her hand and looked forward.

At this moment, Kara also roared angrily. Then, with a shove of his hands forward, flames surged under his command, rolling tumultuously towards the Shrine Maiden before him.

But just as the flames were about to completely engulf the delicate Shrine Maiden, a crisp sound quietly emerged.

”Ting-a-ling.”

It was a mere tinkle, so faint that if one did not listen carefully, it would go unnoticed. But...what followed was a scene that made everyone’s eyes widen.

The ferocious flames were extinguished instantly as if swept by an invisible cold wind, and Kara’s body also trembled violently, stumbling back two steps with his eyes wide open, staring ahead.

There, Black Katie still stood quietly in her place, holding the Golden Scepter, motionless.

”You...... you.........”

Kara slowly opened his mouth, staring at Black Katie, wanting to say something, but as soon as he began to speak, blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the ground.

”Master Kara!?”

”What on earth happened?!!”

Seeing this scene, all the onlookers were stunned! What was going on? They all could feel the immense power contained within those flames just moments ago, but why, why did the situation reverse in the blink of an eye?

”You...... how could...... you... Power of the Extraordinary.....”

Kara slowly raised his hand, pointing at Black Katie in despair, but before he could finish his words, blue flames suddenly erupted from his body. Within moments, they completely enveloped him and not long after, his lean figure vanished into nothingness along with the flames.

”..............”

The entire arena fell into deathly silence; everyone seemed to have been turned to stone, standing still in their places, watching the spot where Kara disappeared, unable to believe their eyes.

Kara is dead?

The Legendary powerhouse of the Kingdom of Flame, just disappeared so easily?

No, not just that. What did he say before he vanished?

The Power of the Extraordinary?

Extraordinary?!

With this thought, many faces turned pale, and they struggled to turn their heads, looking towards the Shrine Maiden who still stood silently on the platform, motionless.

Could it be...... that Shrine Maiden is a Transcendent being?!

Is that...... the power of the Seat of Apex?!

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