Chapter 866 Four Pillars: Too Good to be True

Chapter 866 Four Pillars: Too Good to be True

Watching the conversation unfold from afar, Valyr's eyes lit up in realization as the pair of individuals introduced themselves as the Arbiters.

Recalling the conversation he had with Ryvrthe back when he had inadvertently come across the land of Ecalos, the young man gradually became more and more certain that the sight unfolding before him was none other than what Ryvrthe had told him back then.

Though there were a few discrepancies between the memory and the story Ryvrthe had told him, most of them still matched, prompting the young man to keep all of his senses peeled for what was to come.

'According to Ryvrthe, he had no clue as to what conversation occurred between Vaughn and the Arbiters, but it ended up with almost all traces of humanity disappearing at that point.'

'Time to find out what kind of conversation the two sides had back then.'

As this thought popped up in his mind, Valyr examined the two Arbiters in greater detail, finding it somewhat interesting that the two looked just like a normal pair of humans.

After all, from what Ryvrthe had told him and what he had seen and heard just now, the pair of individuals came from a place incredibly far away.

Of course, as he had more or less seen everything Greater Beyond had to offer in his past life, Valyr knew that humans existed beyond Veldanyr.

Though they took on a similar appearance, these extraterrestrial humans had capabilities that were vastly different from the humans of Veldanyr, adapting and adjusting themselves to the environments they were given.

'I guess it's to reduce the shock involved,' thought the young man after looking at the two for a bit more, coming to the conclusion after recalling the words one of the two had uttered.

'It would be difficult for Veldanyr to accept something like salvation if they came out of the mouths of alien creatures, after all.'

With that in mind, the young man continued to watch the situation unfold, his hypothesis turning out to be correct as the young Vaughn visibly relaxed at those words.

"What... do you mean by salvation?" asked Vaughn, the gears in his mind working on overdrive at that moment.

In response to the question, one of the two smiled back at him. "There is no different meaning. Only salvation."

"Out with the old, and in with the new," said the other individual once the first one was done. "We offer your civilization the opportunity to adopt the welcoming of a new era. By welcoming this new era, you thereby accept the salvation we offer."

Feeling as if the two were speaking in a cryptic language, a hint of confusion briefly appeared on Vaughn's face as he made a few gestures to the assistant that accompanied him.

Nodding in response to those gestures, the assistant swiftly returned to the building the two of them came from, leaving Vaughn alone with the two individuals that called themselves Arbiters.

"What... is this new era you speak of?" Vaughn looked at the two with slight curiosity. "Is this some sort of elaborate prank?"

"There is no comedy involved." One of the two shook his head. "As for your first question, it will only be answered if you and the civilization of Veldanyr accepts."

At this point, Vaughn began to look at the two with suspicion. "I don't know who forced you two to do this, but you can stop."

"I don't know how you two were able to send messages that came from the Trametria Galaxy and arrive here so soon, but the fact that you two are able to converse with me just fine tells me you're not from there."

However, as they watched the man continue to manipulate the bluish flames as if it were an extension of his limbs, that thought gradually disappeared in the people's minds.

Instead, they began to look at it for what it really was.

"Magic," uttered Vaughn at some point, his expression solemn.

"Correct," replied the one that did not make a move, nodding as he looked at Vaughn. "By accepting salvation, you would be able to tap into the energy that makes the blue flames you see possible. The energy that makes magic possible."

"The limitless energy... called mana."

"Mana..." As Vaughn committed this word to memory, the pair continued to do a few things that seemingly would have only been possible with mana.

From forming a barrier out of the energy, to flying in the air at great speeds, the pair had undoubtedly left the population of Veldanyr in awe.

Of course, Vaughn was also awed by what was possible with the energy, knowing how its existence would propel Veldanyr to a higher level of existence.

Yet, as he thought about accepting what they called salvation, the man began to feel that was something was off.

"So, have you thought about it, Vaughn Darkstar?"

Seeing as they've given the leader of Veldanyr enough time to think about it, the two individuals stood in front of him and asked once more, their expressions slightly expectant.

"Having access to such wondrous energy definitely sounds great and all," said Vaughn in response. "But why do I feel like we would be giving up something in exchange?"

"Only a small sacrifice must be made in exchange for salvation," replied one of the two individuals, the man's expression turning into a soft smile.

"For one, all must adopt something called the Apparatus. This facilitates the connection people will have towards mana, while at the same time aiding the growth of one's individual strength."

"It is thanks to the Apparatus that we are able to arrive at this place without the need for a star ship," the man continued. "Of course, there are many civilizations that still rely on it, though their properties are empowered thanks to the existence of the Apparatus."

"That sounds a bit too good to be true," replied Vaughn, really getting the feeling that there were downsides to the situation. "Is there really nothing else?"

There was one side of him where he thought he was being a bit too suspicious at this point, but he would make sure to see it to the very end.

After all, his decision as the leader of humanity would affect the entire population of Veldanyr.

"There is one other thing," said the other one in response to Vaughn's question. "But compared to the adoption of the Apparatus, it is but a trifling matter."

"And that would be?" Vaughn raised his eyebrow in curiosity.

In response, the man merely smiled.

"Your allegiance and surrender to our rule, of course."