NOVEL WEB Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Arkanum Veritas (12)
The Gaia communication system utilizes magical towers known as Obelisk Vitae, which play a crucial role in its magical infrastructure. Each Obelisk is connected to a central crystal called the Nervium Core, housed in the central plaza of Thirtos. This is the heart of information for Gaia—where all diplomatic messages, military orders, and legal records circulate in the form of energy glyphs, creating a complex and vital information network for the sustainability of political and social governance in Gaia.
This action, referred to as the "Third Crack" by Arkanum Veritas, is a pivotal step in their strategy. The two previous cracks involved infiltrating royal staff data and leaking Lord Ludwig's dark correspondence. However, the Third Crack represents a full symphony that demonstrates a significant enhancement in the bold and strategic tactics they employ to achieve their greater goals.
Rinn stealthily slipped into the guard tower, causing the entire visual surveillance to be delayed by 30 seconds—just enough time to enter and exit without a trace. Before executing this maneuver, Rinn meticulously planned each step, leveraging his skills in reconnaissance. He spent days studying the guard's patrol patterns and gathering information from fellow recruits, which included names and habits of the guards that might slow down their responses. His struggle was not only with enemies outside but also with the uncertainty and guilt that often haunted him, creating profound emotional tension. Rinn frequently recalled his past, when he acted as a savior before the decision to join Arkanum Veritas, which added depth to his internal conflict. While he believed that this action was the only way to free Gaia from tyranny, he felt the heavy burden of sacrificing his own principles.
Orvin plants the glyph "Zalakar"—an ancient glyph capable of turning the tide of information into chaotic noise and false images. Before he can execute this task, Orvin grapples with a profound inner battle regarding his decision to wield such immense power. His background as a former member of the Council of Sorcery adds a sharp conflict to his struggle; he is acutely aware that while this glyph can create extraordinary chaos, it may also spell doom for countless innocent lives caught in the turmoil, creating a moral dilemma that ensnares him in emotional turmoil.
Kael Juno infiltrates from within, pretending to be an Earth technician who is "stabilizing Nervium synchronization." He possesses remarkable skills in magical techniques, yet the guilt of harming his innocent colleagues constantly haunts him. Kael understands that if he is recognized, the risks extend beyond himself to encompass the entire team. Simultaneously, he struggles with guilt towards his family, who remain loyal to the rulers of Gaia. Since childhood, Kael has found himself caught between loyalty to his family and his calling to seek justice for the oppressed.
The political system in Gaia is deeply structured and complex. It consists of multiple layers of power, ranging from a supreme ruler with absolute authority to nobles who control smaller districts, each with their own ambitions. Nobles often lobby one another for influence, creating tensions that provide opportunities for Arkanum Veritas to exploit these conflicts. Social life in Gaia is also harsh, with the lower classes frequently betrayed by the empty promises of the elite in power. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, prompting many to join underground movements in search of justice.
The security and defense system of Gaia is intricate, protected by magical rituals that serve as strong barriers and cloaking mechanisms. Each Obelisk tower functions not only as a communication hub but also as a defense point against infiltration. A layer of magic surrounding the Nervium Core ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the information circulating within it, yet vulnerabilities in its physical control always exist, waiting to be exploited by those bold enough.
The three cracks—first, the infiltration of royal employee data; second, the leak of Lord Ludwig's dark letters; and now, the Third Crack—are intertwined in a highly complex network of conspiracy. Each preceding action has created a strategic footprint that allows Arkanum Veritas to solidify its presence amid the ever-changing political turmoil. Rinn, Orvin, and Kael realize that their actions are not merely about sabotage; they are also about altering the course of Gaia's history, where every step they take could trigger a wave of change far greater than they had previously anticipated.
"Mirror Null: Lux Inversa," Elena uttered.
The magic she wielded is high sorcery drawn from ancient manuscripts that are not even taught at the Atlantis Academy, making Lux Inversa a highly valuable and mysterious spell. Lux Inversa operates by creating a false echo of every message sent, and for a full 8 hours, all communications between the palace and the troops transform into the sound of children's songs in reverse language that is unintelligible.
All messages sent between the palace and the troops turn into children's songs in reverse language.
Important names in the documents appear as "Not Recorded."
The central alarm detected all systems active as usual—since the magic did not damage but only reflected things in reverse.
Panic in the Main Hall of Gaia: Some nobles suspected a magical coup. They began to distrust one another.
Anger from the Earth side: Instead of receiving a diplomatic message that was supposed to declare peace, they received a declaration stating, "The tears of blood cannot be washed away."
The reputation of Arkanum Veritas soared among the people due to their strategic successes. The first graffiti appeared, expressing public discontent: closed eyes with the inscription "Those who can speak must now listen," reflecting the struggle of the people to be heard amid the chaos, showcasing that hope for freedom of speech still exists amidst the escalating injustice.
Before executing the sabotage of the Gaia system, Rinn, Orvin, and Kael Juno had conducted a series of secret planning. Rinn, known for being clever and strategic, mapped out the strengths and weaknesses of the Gaia communication system. He spent hours analyzing data obtained from Arkanum Veritas intelligence, ensuring that every step of the sabotage was meticulously planned.
Orvin, on the other hand, concentrated more on the hardware to be used in this sabotage. During his intensive training, he focused on the devices surrounding Gaia's communication network, exploring the vulnerabilities in the commonly used message networks that heavily rely on advanced technology. He designed tools constructed from stolen components, making them appear as if they were part of Gaia's official systems, ready to be integrated undetected and leave little evidence behind. Burdened by the guilt that haunted him since his actions for the sake of Arkanum Veritas, he faced a moral dilemma during his mission.
Kael Juno, as an experienced infiltrator, blended his knack for disguise into this plan. He practiced altering his appearance, mimicking the movements and speech patterns of Earth's technicians until he felt perfect. Where some may have doubted him, Kael continually nurtured a strong belief in his success. However, deep within, he struggled with the urge to do good again, even as the mission unfolded smoothly.
The political system in Gaia is highly complex, characterized by a tightly organized structure of power. A hierarchy filled with emotions and ambitions creates fierce competition among the elite. The nobility and the political oligarchy dominate key decisions, while the populace is trapped in uncertainty, resulting in deep social tensions. This atmosphere generates conflicts that can be exploited by Arkanum Veritas, which is poised to undermine the foundations of power built over centuries, leveraging the discord between the upper class and the oppressed.
Despite appearing impressive on the surface, Gaia's security system harbors exploitable vulnerabilities. There is an over-reliance on advanced technology, which in many instances leads to sudden fragility. Meanwhile, Rinn and Orvin are not only contemplating ways to evade surveillance but are also devising strategies to deceive potential magical detection, weighing the associated risks.
"Queen Iris must take action," declare the leaders of Gaia in the palace hall.
"If only Echo-Eater were still here," murmurs Iris.
Queen Iris faced immense pressure and had to act to prevent the nation of Gaia from collapsing amid the ongoing crisis, all while striving to maintain her power in the face of the increasingly urgent threat posed by Arkanum Veritas.
"Activate the Rhetorical Extermination Right, Veritas Excidium," Queen Iris declared loudly, prompting cheers from the nobles.
The Rhetorical Extermination Right is an emergency magic and legal protocol that allows a ruler of Gaia to:
Silence all narrative magic, including public speeches, glyph messages, theatrical performances, and even collective dreams deemed subversive.
Systematically erase or reverse message content across the entire Nervium network and magical archive spaces.
Regard 'word' as an illegal weapon, where any rhetorical use that evokes a "resonance of the people" is deemed a form of high-level magic—thus subject to punishment as magical crime.
Executed with a powerful magic known as "Ordo Silens," this ritual takes place in the Hall of Silence, right beneath the city of Gaia. Four Hieromancers will recite the "Anti-Narrative Prayer" while focusing their energy on the Rhetorical Heart, a crystal that contains the archival voices from the past thousand years, serving as a link between the past and present within the social and political context.
Once the magic is activated, its effects are immediately evident throughout the region, creating conditions where freedom of expression becomes impossible and all public communication is frozen.
All word-based magic (singer's spells, spoken mantras, even poets using rhythm as a medium) will fall into silence.
Words lose their power. Only actions speak.
Yet, amidst this fearful slumber of the populace, someone dares to speak. Arkanum Veritas has lost their primary weapon—narrative and public opinion, which once served as a force to mobilize the masses. The people grow restless yet mute, for the fear of merely asking questions is deemed subversive and a threat to their safety, highlighting how rare the desire to speak out and fight for justice has become in the face of overwhelming uncertainty.
The sky was as dark as spilled ink over the city. Buildings appeared as broken silhouettes amid the silent fog. Every person in Gaia, from beggars to nobles, was trapped in the same dream: endless fields of ash, where their tongues vanished and their voices were but shadows. In the midst of that plain, a faint light flickered—not from the sun, but from the eyes of a man cloaked in black and white, standing alone on a silent hill. He was Fitran. And here, in the silent land of dreams, rhetoric had not yet died.
"They have silenced you. But they forget: true voice is not born from the throat—it is born from fear... and the courage to transcend it."
"I am not a savior. I am not a revolutionary. I am merely an echo of the possibilities you have discarded."
"Your tongues have been severed, but your dreams are still alive. Listen closely... Listen not with your ears, but with the wounds that have yet to heal."
"(Then Fitran snapped his fingers. From beneath his feet, ancient rhetorical symbols grew: circles, arrows, and voices in the form of light.)
For some reason, ever since his powers were sealed, he felt as though the darkness within him had vanished. Initially, Fitran only wished to observe the chaos he created and how it affected people in this world. However, over time, he realized that this was not the reason he had thrown everything away. He understood during his battle with Pastor and Julie that magic could not change a person's heart. It was as if the heart was being guarded, revealing that the power of emotions could overcome even the strongest magic.
Amidst this chaos, some community leaders began to rise, forming a coalition to understand and decrypt the symbols. They gathered in an old café, where the walls were adorned with paint and scribbles depicting those symbols. Meetings were held every night, featuring passionate discussions and agreements to delve deeper into the meanings behind what was happening.
Simultaneously, the curiosity began to spread, like wildfire among the inhabitants. Some started performing rituals in hopes of directly communicating with the spirit of Fitran. Branches of magical practice and local beliefs were involved; witches and priests united to face this phenomenon together. They utilized materials from nature, hoping that these elements would bring back clarity.
Concerns began to arise as signs emerged that the Order of Silence was losing control over the chaos. Some of its members started deviating from the set path, following the inaudible voices within themselves, seemingly enchanted by the call of Fitran. "Have we strayed too far?" thought an older Hieromancer, gazing at the symbols moving on the wall, "Or is this just the beginning of a greater power?"
That night, as the full moon rose, the symbols painted on the people's bodies began to glow softly, emitting colorful light. Those who beheld it seemed to fall into a subconscious trance, swept away by the beauty and peace enveloping them. Within their hearts, one question resonated: "Is this a miracle or a curse that will change everything?"
The answer is but one,
The former strongest paladin, once recognized as a steadfast and unyielding protector, had turned traitor. With a gaze filled with doubt and unsteady steps, he now stood as a piercing symbol of betrayal, reflecting the darkness that slowly gnawed at the souls of heroes and brought the haunting emptiness that tormented all who had ever trusted him.