The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 400 Glory Lies Away (Seeking Monthly Tickets at the End of the Month)

The wind was howling.

The green forest in the distance of the hills seemed to be fast-forwarded, like a green curtain being pulled apart as the electric skateboard sped along.

The winding mountain road was like a rope bearing immense force, and the sound of the pulleys rolling made the long rope tremble.

Weber could no longer distinguish whether he was plummeting towards the ground or soaring higher into the sky.

In addition to his dissatisfaction with Rider's reckless behavior, he also harbored a fear of falling off his skateboard.

But amidst his wailing and howling, the electric skateboard sped up even faster under Rider's control.

It's even comparable in speed to the best sports cars on the market.

Beyond its speed, the agility it possesses—as if it were pursuing or dodging something—is something that no ordinary means of transportation can achieve.

It's not just leaving an almost afterimage trail on the asphalt road.

Rider is a noun meaning to ride or drive.

Under Iskandar's feet, the electric skateboard seemed to truly possess the power of a "divine wheel".

The lightning bolt pierced the forest.

Before the soft soil could sink in, it was thrown behind at such a rapid pace.

Tree trunks scattered across the hillside, layers of dead branches and fallen leaves, and sharp rocks hidden among them.

The air currents that traverse the forest are the guides given by this ocean.

Rider is riding the winter wind.

Rather than saying he's avoiding these obstacles, it's more accurate to say he's surfing through this forest.

But every expedition eventually comes to an end.

The whistling wind finally stopped in my ears.

When Weber reopened his eyes, shivering, the dim scenery before him startled him—

They seemed to be in a dense forest that shouldn't be on a hill.

Through the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the tree canopy, Weber saw a very complex and serious expression flickering in Rider's eyes.

This seriousness prompted Weber to instinctively use his "Insight" to assess his current situation.

The direction of the treetops, the position of the sunlight, and the sound of the wind he had heard earlier told him that he should be between two hills.

In other words, this should be a small flat area nestled among the hills.

Rainwater flowing down the hillside and the humus washed away all converge here, providing the forests with ample nutrients.

With only around noon when they receive sufficient sunlight, each tree strives to sprout new branches and buds, growing upwards.

After the initial thrill of charging through the forest subsided.

The chilly feeling of the winter forest, and Rider's recent unusual behavior, finally calmed Webber down.

He recalled more details—

Why did the Rider drive away from the main road and into the woods?

Furthermore, the incredible skill with which he just demonstrated is something that the current Rider is far from capable of.

Even without the inherent skills of a Heroic Spirit, Rider may still possess considerable skill in driving a chariot, but this does not mean he can handle a skateboard with the same ease.

But if he can't use the [Mount] skill, how do you explain what just happened?

On several occasions, the sharp sound of the wind indicated that the skateboard was about to collide with the tree trunk.

But in the end, it always seemed to fall just short—

Forever seems to be missing something?

Weber recalled the panel that Rider had once shown him.

"You have more time when you are in a charge/breakout operation."

If one's own "forensic eye" can perceive the past of the "case" as if one were actually there.

Could this "gaining more time" mean exactly what it says?

But upon realizing this, Weber had a bad feeling.

Charge or break through?

Whichever the outcome, it doesn't seem like a good choice.

This means that the enemy has already surrounded them here.

"The Eight Formations of Stone Soldiers, is this it?"

Iskandar's voice echoed through the woods.

With all surrounding sounds seemingly absorbed by something, they are transmitted to someone's ears with unparalleled smoothness.

This appears to be a response to Rider's statement.

A voice that Weber found very familiar but couldn't quite place echoed from all directions—the sky, the ground, and the forest.

"I didn't expect the King to still remember this."

The rustling sound of footsteps on leaves grew closer, and the person seemed to casually reveal some hidden secrets.

“I don’t recall… that the king on the Throne of Heroes would bring you this extra memory before he descended.”

As they drew closer, Weber could even make out a tall, slender figure with long hair.

The clothes gave him a strange sense of familiarity.

This even caused Weber to feel a strange sense of unease.

His discerning eye seemed poised to uncover the truth from the man's physique and actions, but for some reason, Weber exhibited a resistant attitude.

If I knew—

Something terrible might happen.

If I remember—

They might even lose the glory and achievements they've worked so hard to attain.

It seems that, in the days I can't remember, my soul has become quite familiar with this scene.

The escapist tendency hidden deep in his heart stubbornly surfaced again.

Weber instinctively chose a path... a path that would allow him to avoid learning the truth.

He closed his eyes.

……

The voice seemed quite surprised by Weber's actions and choices.

"Oh? There's actually such an option?"

Weber truly never imagined that his other self would use such a simple method to evade the truth.

“No…it’s not just that.” He then dismissed his own idea.

This should be a new path.

At this time, Weber would theoretically have been unable to suppress his curiosity.

Moreover, considering the part of the calculation formula related to the "phenomenon"...

Weber's eyes gleamed with an orange-red light.

He, who has never been good at using the power of breaking limits in battle, will now use his eyes, which can truly see through everything—

Rider stepped forward, shielding Webber behind him.

"Don't move, kid," he whispered. "Maybe we won't fight."

Seeing Rider's seemingly deliberate attempt to conceal his actions, Weber's eyes became even more inquisitive.

Under such gazes, Iskandar couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure.

The kid in front of me was like a lifeless machine, evaluating everything according to pre-programmed reactions.

And then there's the formation from earlier—as a Rider, I'm undoubtedly countered by Waver, who has the Caster class.

Cavalry is least adept at positional warfare.

Currently, the entire forest appears to have been turned into an enemy stronghold.

"The Matou residence is located on the mountain, and those traces are now easily observable."

Seeing that his "old friend" still hadn't responded, Rider had to remind himself that he had already taken some measures.

His words carried a subtle threat.

Iskandar was not lying.

He deliberately left the highway and chose to travel through the woods via a small path.

On the one hand, it's to avoid pursuers, and on the other hand, it's to leave traces that can be tracked by the strong winds generated by the skateboard and the wheels.

The startled forest birds and the flocks of crows flying and screeching are undoubtedly symbols of something unusual.

Rider discovers Weber at the same instant as Weber discovers him.

He immediately realized what Weber wanted to do.

Regardless of what agreement the Matou family, or the Alliance, made with this guy, they clearly got some things wrong.

For Waver, the success or failure of this Holy Grail War is of no importance.

It was clear that the Holy Grail ritual had absolutely no chance of success.

Weber's initial goal was to collect and replicate intelligence, or rather, anomalies.

This is their instinct.

They are simply trying instinctively to understand, and to extend that understanding to more and broader things.

[Iskandar] would never acknowledge these as his subjects or subordinates.

He wasn't even sure if these things could be called "human."

For example, this forest where the "Stone Soldier Eight Formations" have been used.

There was no trace of magic, no fluctuation of spiritual energy, and no sign of any spell being cast.

If it weren't for the fact that I suddenly gained the ability to use the [Riding] skill—

His ability to break through was not only derived from Conan's "deduction" ability, but also from the inherent skills of a "Heroic Spirit".

These things simply exist; they exist only as a phenomenon.

To outsiders, Weber may undoubtedly possess a soul.

Moreover, his every move seemed to be made with the same level of thinking as a true "primate".

But that was only "as if".

Rather than being human, it's more like AI spontaneously responding to external actions based on corresponding models and databases.

They were merely echoes from the stone walls they encountered, or streams of water that continued to flow after being separated.

This is also why Iskandar, as a "strongman," would leave a contingency plan in his cooperation with Weber City—

Except for the actual first time.

Every Holy Grail War within the multiverse system of the Type-Moon universe.

Iskandar knew the whole story without a doubt.

This is also why he picked up those two books from "The Alliance" at that time.

Cooperation between "strong" entities is naturally reciprocal.

While his own fragmented spirit became a "probe" for the City of Weber.

Iskandar also sealed some information within the spirit realm in the form of "phenomena".

The instant connection between him and Waver, the conversations at the magic circle that summoned him, the seaside park, and Martha's cabin were not coincidences.

This even went unnoticed by the Alliance.

Because Iskandar was originally designed so that the information hidden in the Spirit Origin would only be unlocked if something did not conform to the Compilation Items.

After all, as a "powerful being" existing on the Throne of Heroes, Iskandar is essentially always next to the "weapon" most closely connected to Chaldea. Only in this way can he try his best to protect those Wavers in the Branch Wars that affect the entire multiverse.

……

Weber was clearly aware of this as well.

He waved his hand, using an array to block his other self's perception of the outside world—

With the target now having more to observe, he had to abandon the opportunity to betray the contract and target Weber.

With a hint of regret, [Weber] spoke:

"So that's how it is, Your Majesty. Were you the only one who was wary of your most loyal minister from the beginning?"

Iskandar completely ignored this statement.

The most loyal subject—a term that sounds somewhat ironic nowadays.

It wasn't until the establishment of Waver City that Iskandar realized just how much of a rift had grown between himself and Waver.

Even the desire to "conquer everything" no longer seems so appealing.

And this is precisely what Weber doesn't understand.

"My king, where does the difference between you and me now appear?"

He tried to persuade Iskandar to rejoin his ranks.

"Iskandha, as a [Heroic Spirit], is ultimately just information composed of 'spiritual particles', and we have simply taken this matter a step further."

"Just tell me about my current situation..."

He paused, then said meaningfully, "Perhaps this version of me will also be just as happy to join us."

However, Waver's words were immediately stopped by a flash of lightning in Iskandar's hand.

Becoming a phenomenon can disregard many barriers.

Furthermore, it allows Weber to freely travel between the outer and inner sides of the world without consuming the power of breaking limits.

But until the tower is completed, the Compilation Matters will undoubtedly be one of Weber's greatest nemesis.

This is also the thing Iskandar regrets the most—

He laid an unshakable foundation for that tower that had strayed from the right path.

This kind of conquest that unites all things with me is neither the kind of conquest that Iskandar desires, nor the way of the Conqueror King.

That's not about touching or shocking someone, or winning them over on a spiritual level.

The path to Webber City will directly "melt" the heart of the other person.

What does the true self, who resides on the Throne of Heroes, really think?
Iskandar did not want to think about this issue any further.

Because it's as absurd as trying to conquer the world to the ends of the earth, only to find out that the world is a sphere.

"I don't know if I, sitting here, will regret this decision, but if I could do it all over again, I would never agree to this kind of cooperation."

These hurtful words only made Webber shrug.

Ultimately, we don't really have any decisive power, do we?

Weber took a step forward.

The wind howls and the grass seems to be a threat.

These two idioms now seem to have materialized and manifested themselves.

Although the surrounding environment has not changed at all.

But a pervasive aura of death, an irresistible force, was about to manifest itself invisibly.

Heaven and earth, wind and clouds, Qian, Kun, Xun, Gen.

Dragons soar and tigers wing; birds fly and snakes coil.

The four-sided formation is praised, and the four spaces should be transformed into the main formation, serving as the main force.

There is nothing more terrifying than the overwhelming force of historical inertia.

Under such a terrifying formation, even if hundreds of "strongmen" joined forces, they would probably be killed in the midst of it.

Iskandar had already figured it out, in order to prevent the most important thing from being discovered by the enemy—

To prevent the "purpose" of that tower from being revealed.

Weber probably had no intention of going out with me at all.

"Actually, I originally thought of being a pioneer for you, and experiencing the memories of the past together again."

The remaining [limit-breaking power] in his body is now decreasing at an extremely rapid rate.

The Reality Marble belonging to Conan, supported by the Throne of Heroes.

Now, it is in turn resisting the historical inertia that wants to completely break through it and realize the [compilation matters] that the tower leads to.

Regardless of whether it's World War IV or World War V, there's a certain "historical inertia."

They all instinctively deny the future that Weber City is trying to uncover.

The world constructed using the entire Nine-String CYZ Effect also reacted in the same way.

The inversion from spacetime itself immediately begins.

The universe will roll back everything in this region—even the phenomena within it—as if denying the existence of magic.

But Weber didn't care about any of that.

Whether it's the sword shadow that seems to fall from the sky and pierce through time and space, or the oppressive force from something even grander.

He was simply trying to capitalize on the aftermath of this reaction.

This most thorough "cleanup method" is precisely why the many secrets of Weber City were not known to everyone during the Branch Wars.

Webber wasn't even worried that this would alienate the League from him.

He was indeed completing the plan he had promised the Alliance in the fastest and most efficient way.

As long as the details of this formation are not leaked.

The final outcome will only be an unsolvable accident.

……

Weber was also able to sense this threat.

The soul, the body, and the spirit—each of them—instinctively warned him.

In fact, it doesn't even need any feedback from these "external things".

The character design of this "Webber Velvet" -

The character who has just embarked on the path they chose is now lamenting the impending consequences.

No matter how long he traveled on the other route.

Under this terrifying force of "wiping everything out and starting over," everything is now coming to an end.

but--

I heard the familiar thunder, the familiar sound of the bronze wheels turning.

A beam of white light that seemed to cleave the entire world in two.

His king is racing along that white light toward the more magnificent, forever unreachable sea at the end of the world.

How could a person possibly break through the ocean?
But that person possessed such a spirit, the ambition to break through the sea of ​​fate that had bound and trapped him.

"Boy, it seems my conquest is coming to an end."

"But—since I promised to help you prove yourself, I cannot go back on my word."

A pair of thick, warm hands pushed me somewhere.

"Boy, no, my subject and my dearest friend, along with my share, conquer your destiny along the path you desire."

……

Now, the sacred ox, knowing its master was about to "sacrifice" itself, let out a mournful cry.

But under the king's command, they moved with overwhelming divine might, as if they were about to transform into raging waves rushing into the depths of the ocean.

--charge.

Facing the now estranged Waver, Rider drew the Sword of Cyprus, raising its tip high.

"Kid, do you know what's missing from this formation?!"

With his call, a magnificent horse leaped out from the cleaved void.

That was the divine steed Busephalas, the legendary horse that carried the conqueror king as he ravaged Eurasia.

"Throughout history, the key to victory in any war lies in following the will of Heaven, adapting to the times, and relying on the people."

With such unrestrained laughter, watching the [Divine Wheel] rushing backward, Rider made a pronouncement to his former subjects.

"Boy Weber, you can be considered to be in accordance with the will of Heaven and the times, but why is there not a single person to be seen in this army formation?!"

Rider mounted his horse, his gleaming sword slicing through the air and unleashing a storm of hot sand.

"If you think that my [Mind Image] just happened to receive support from the [Throne of Heroes], you are sorely mistaken!"

It is not in the form of a "Heroic Spirit".

Instead, it is the spirit of Iskandar himself, the dream that was once shared with the king and that extends to the ends of the earth, from the other side of time where "no one exists".

"My people, come forth!" the king roared. "Let us also surpass the figures etched into legends of the past!"

At this very moment, this glorious elite cavalry, this group of warriors who have been elevated to eternity, is about to surpass the perfection and eternity they have already achieved.

Iskandar today is far from perfect, but he is even more than perfect!
"My warriors! Show our might to that original destiny!"

"Indeed! Indeed!"

Amidst the deafening shouts of battle, Weber showed no surprise or emotion.

There can be no second ending.

The tides of history will wash away any sandcastles carefully built on the beach, leaving only the flat ground that was there at the beginning.

……

However, on that [Divine Wheel] that was speeding towards the distance.

Weber clutched tightly the thing Rider had tucked into his arms as he helped him into the car.

The silvery-white light in his arms was as dazzling as the lightning under the hooves of the divine bull.

Forcibly suppressing his tears, Weber mustered all his courage and resolutely shouted through gritted teeth:
"Cross-world shelter!!"

……

That's it.

The joy of beginning to shake history and about to shake destiny made Iskandar let out a long roar.

Even if the trajectory of fate changed everything from the inside out from the very beginning.

But the joy of running towards the ocean at the end of the world remains unchanged.

Iskandar recalled how he had once wavered because of the words of the boy "Wave," and even made the grave mistake of agreeing to his request—

That's incredibly stupid, and utterly inappropriate.

However, let that kid fix the mistakes he made.

Now, the "end" he had been longing for, that insurmountable "sea of ​​destiny," stood before him.

As the King of Conquerors, Iskandar was ready to conquer them.

At this moment, all I could hear was the sound of waves crashing in my ears.

The endless dream of conquest may finally come to an end.

The two figures, heading in different directions, seemed to merge into a beam of white light.

Glory lies in the distance.

(End of this chapter)