Chapter 320: Penacony Arc 『 Part Fifteen 』, The Infinite Epilogue
"Collective consciousness,"
Friday said.
"Transforming disparate voices into a single melody, serving a communal movement. Any discordant note is either excised or assimilated."
—
「 Robin welcomed the Trailblazer's arrival, yet Stelle remained curious about what she had just done.
"Do not worry. She merely used the resonance of the 『 Harmony 』 to tune you, ensuring you can command your physical form within the Dreamscape with greater ease." Sunday explained with practiced elegance from the side. "The sweet dream of Penacony is, in essence, a world constructed from Memoria. Only by mastering its properties can one move freely within it."
After a brief explanation of the principles involved, the siblings went about their business. Stelle received a text from March 7th; she was currently on a shopping spree at the Moment of Dusk and asked him to check in at the Dreamscape Sales Store on her behalf.
The dream was teeming with people, a place where it seemed any fantasy could manifest into reality. He even saw billboards marketing themselves, one of which lurched forward to intercept him.
"What are the benefits of SoulGlad? Tell the truth and get a bottle for free!"
"Uh… if I don't drink it for a day, I start going into withdrawal," Stelle bluffed randomly.
The SoulGlad billboard was immensely satisfied with the answer. It hopped and skipped, enthusiastically thrusting a bottle of SoulGlad into his hands.
Marveling at the wonders of the Dreamscape, Stelle soon arrived at the Dreamscape Sales Store that March 7th had specified.
"Welcome to the Dreamscape Sales Store, Nameless of the Astral Express!"
To Stelle's surprise, the proprietor of this establishment was a gargantuan eyeball. It protruded slowly from a wooden wall, nearly half the size of a grown man.
The entity introduced itself as Dr. Edward, claiming it could provide Stelle with all manner of novel and wondrous dreams. Recognizing Stelle as a first-time visitor to Penacony, it warmly helped him select his first Dream Bubble.
It came from a private, anonymous donation. It was said that the memories within… belonged to the fallen Star God, Akivili! 」
「 .....」
〜OVERLORD World〜
Sebas pushed open the heavy obsidian doors, the metal knockers emitting a low hum beneath his palms.
Before him, a grand hall unfolded—obsidian pillars reached toward the vaulted ceiling, which bore a massive fresco of the Holy Kingdom. This was the sovereign territory of the kingdom's nobility, a place where none dared trespass, yet Sebas walked through it as if taking a casual stroll.
The demonic entities currently indulging in wine and carnal pleasures turned their heads in unison—
"Lord Emanator of 『 Abundance 』!"
A small imp flapped its tattered wings toward him.
"Are you also observing this journey to Penacony?"
Its spindly claw pointed toward the sky.
"This time, it is from the perspective of a Star God!"
"…"
Sebas did not offer a direct answer. Instead, he surveyed the demons within the palace with profound loathing. Half a month ago, they were the human nobility of the Holy Kingdom, but Demiurge had used his 'Demon Transformation' ability to convert them all into low-level demons. Initially, they were dissatisfied with their appearances, but they eventually accepted the excuse of 'Mara-struck' transformation.
"Why do you focus so intently on Akivili?"
Sebas furrowed his brow.
"Has your loyalty to 『 Abundance 』 wavered?"
"N-Never! Perish the thought!"
Not everyone within the upper echelons of the Holy Kingdom believed they were Emanators of 『 Abundance 』. According to Demiurge, the Holy Queen and her Paladin Order had refused their so-called 'Blessings of 『 Abundance 』'; it was only the worthless nobility who had accepted.
However, Demiurge insisted there was no cause for concern. He would handle the Holy Queen personally. Sebas only needed to stabilize this pack of demons who worshipped 『 Abundance 』.
They could then operate from the shadows as counterfeit Emanators of 『 Abundance 』, becoming the true power behind the throne of the Holy Kingdom.
"Is that so… then prove it."
As the words fell, Sebas's silhouette flickered slightly.
In the blink of an eye, his hands swept across the faces of every demon present. When he opened his palms, they held over a dozen pairs of demonic eyes.
Agonized screams erupted instantly. The demons clutched their gore-streaked sockets, wailing uncontrollably.
Sebas discarded the eyeballs with a look of disgust and calmly exited the hall. The solution was standing dutifully outside, offering him a pair of clean white gloves.
"Lord Sebas, why did you take their eyes?"
The girl asked.
"Images of the Star God of 『 Trailblaze 』 are about to appear in the sky. We may soon witness the manifestation of a Star God's grand power."
Sebas looked back coldly at the wailing demons.
"Their regenerative abilities are potent; they will recover on their own in a moment. I simply cannot allow any thoughts of disloyalty toward 『 Abundance 』 to arise after they witness the majesty of the 『 Trailblaze 』."
The power of a Star God could annihilate countless star systems with a mere thought. Even a Supreme Being like Ainz-Sama was likely nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust in the hands of a Star God.
"I shall use pain to seize their attention, and in doing so, demonstrate the restorative grace of 『 Abundance 』."
The girl still harbored concerns.
"But… isn't the risk of impersonating an Emanator of 『 Abundance 』 too great? That Galaxy Ranger…"
At the thought of Acheron, the girl's heart skipped a beat, plummeting as if into an icy abyss.
"If a Galaxy Ranger like Acheron comes for us, I will evacuate immediately according to Ainz-Sama's plan. As for these demons who believe themselves to be 'Mara-struck'…"
Sebas adjusted his gloves with indifference.
"…They can be left for the Galaxy Rangers to slaughter at their leisure."
—
「 Stelle pressed his forehead against the Dream Bubble, and the dream within manifested in his mind.
The vision began…
"Nameless of the Astral Express, do you plead guilty, Pam?" Pam looked at Stelle with a grave expression.
"What is going on?" Stelle was utterly bewildered.
Dr. Edward: I shall offer no explanatory or suggestive commentary regarding the contents of this Dream Bubble. Within this bubble, you shall share the memories of its owner, experiencing firsthand everything they saw and heard.
Pam: "The crimes you have committed are unforgivable, but the Conductor respects everyone's right to mandatory labor…"
"—Now get to cleaning, Pam!"
Stelle realized this Dream Bubble required him to provide the voice-over, so he chose the male version of himself to voice Akivili.
Pam: "Now then, do you, and the other passengers, admit responsibility for the following malicious incidents—"
"You rode snowmobiles into the Taikiyan Stadium and disrupted the match, causing the match to be suspended. Because of you, Twenty Trailblazers were forced to repair the severely damaged exterior of the stadium for three months without pay..."
"—Do you plead guilty to this charge?" 」
「 .....」
( Translator-kun: AUTHOR-SAN!! That's not Sebas, I refuse to believe that person is Sebas! )