34. Seraphin Omega’s Ultimatum
At that moment,
Seraphin Omega—a member of the Oracle and one of the five Nova Empire’s Council elders—arrived.
The three fathers tensed up at her visit.
“Congratulations. You’ve created something marvelous.”
Seraphin Omega clapped her hands alone.
The three fathers, flustered, just stared at her.
“That table over there… hahaha.”
Seraphin Omega pointed at the table where the notebook lay.
The fathers stared intently at the table.
“The table is a high-sensitivity audio sensor, accurately recording all conversations. Ah… don’t worry about the Nova Emperor. This table employs quantum technology—the cutting edge of quantum mechanics—so hacking is absolutely impossible. Hahaha.”
Seraphin Omega laughed sinisterly.
“Why are you trying to sow discord like this? Are you perhaps playing both sides between the Nova Emperor and us… What are you aiming for?… We’re just explorers. We care about Earth, we care about our families… We’re simply explorers.”
Suri’s father spoke firmly.
“Our Oracle doesn’t care whether someone is an alien or an Earthling. What matters to us is control. Think of us as the Neo-Hegemony Syndicate that values control above all else. Hahaha… As you might have already guessed, we’re interested in possession magic. It’s also a powerful means of control. So, if you help us, we’ll help you escape the Nova Empire and send information to your children. Therefore… please execute the possession magic on the sword, Memory of the Stars. You must make the sword reveal the secret about the Nova Emperor’s bloodline.”
Seraphin Omega laid out her grand plan.
“That means… you’re plotting the downfall of the Nova Emperor. Is that the Oracle’s ambition? But this is not magic to be used recklessly.”
Suri’s father resolutely refused.
“Then, will you watch as the Nova Emperor uses the Lightning Shield to destroy Earth? Your family will disappear… and the children you love so dearly will vanish too… How about that? A dreadful dilemma, isn’t it?.”
Seraphin Omega smirked, twitching her lips.
The three fathers broke out in a cold sweat.
“…What should we do?”
Suri’s father asked.
“First, please inform the children about the Lightning Shield. But you must not destroy the possession magic as the Nova Emperor demands. And you must give that formula only to us. You must keep your promise. We are everywhere and nowhere… You love your children, don’t you? Isn’t that right? Hehehe.”
Seraphin Omega laughed, but it was by no means a friendly laugh.
“We believe that everyone should acknowledge each other’s differences. That’s why we tried to prove that we can connect with anyone by changing how we communicate. Whether they’re from a magic tribe or the Nova Empire… For that reason, we transformed possession magic into scientific formulas. But… but… please do not misuse this possession magic… Please… As long as it’s not misused… Fine. You must ensure Earth’s safety. That’s the safety of our children.”
Suri’s father was stern.
“Very well. I promise… What can I help you with?”
Seraphin Omega had now come closer.
“Yes… Please organize an exhibition of ancient artifacts. And include a music box and a catalog library.”
Suri’s father stared into Seraphin Omega’s eyes, hoping to catch even the slightest hint of deceit.
“Alright. I’ve heard that the Nova Empire has many ancient artifacts. It’s an excellent idea. But we must be careful not to let Nova find out. Nova has many bird spies, you see. They’re so small that they’re hardly visible… Oh, me?… Hahaha.”
Seraphin Omega took out her necklace—a safeguard pendant—and showed it.
It recognized DNA biometric signals, so it was applicable only to the person wearing the pendant.
“…It’s a device that blocks hacking by bird spies. It can withstand electromagnetic pulse attacks as well.”
Seraphin Omega turned as if to leave.
“Keep your promise.”
Sabi’s father emphasized once more.
Seraphin Omega left the room without a word.
“We need to prepare immediately. There’s no time. We don’t know what Suri is doing now or how far the lightning that comes once every 72 years has reached… Before the Lightning Shield is installed… Let’s move quickly.”
Suri’s father cleared the notebook from the table.
The Eye of Nova, the empire’s most significant artifact, was scheduled to be displayed at the exhibition.
The Eye of Nova appeared to be a stone orb, but while it looked like stone, it wasn’t actually stone. It was only known to have been created during the Big Bang.
A constellation map would appear when light was shone on this stone at a specific angle.
This constellation map showed constellations centered around the star Sirius. Still, it was different from the actual constellations in the sky.
This difference was a code that even the Nova Emperor did not know.
The three fathers crafted a music box.
They designed it so that a hidden compartment would appear when the music box gears were turned in a specific sequence.
Turning the gears would reveal the constellation code.
Inside the hidden compartment was a note with mathematical equations written on it. When this formula was combined with the constellation code, it became specific coordinates.
It was to be converted into ancient Sirius hieroglyphs.
The phrase [The lightning becomes a shield, and the shield becomes a sword] would appear in ancient Sirius script in the museum exhibition catalog.
[To be continued…]
** Starting November 2023, The Korea Daily is excited to publish the fantasy novel series “Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years” on our website. This new captivating series follows a trio of young adventurers on their quest to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations, including the Maya and Inca. In an exciting development, Netflix is currently adapting the novel’s storyline into a film.
The ‘Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years’ is the latest novel authored by Jeeyoon Ha, who created the “Pangaea series.” Ha’s debut novel, “The Pangaea: Finding Xibalba,” was selected by the Korea Creative Content Agency in 2022 as part of their initiative to support the global export of fantasy literature.
Readers can eagerly anticipate the online publication of two installments each month, with new chapters appearing bi-weekly, offering a regular escape into this magical realm. *Mark Oh translated the Korean novel into English.
