"So why place something so important here? Both you and we went through so much trouble to convince those damned fools.
This is a world scar, a demon could breach it at any moment. Wouldn't this tower be taken over by the demons then?"
A representative from one faction slammed the table and said angrily after hearing the Four Gods Church's decision.
Just as the meeting began, the Four Gods Church had already announced the location of the twelve Trial Towers.
They all agreed that placing them here was too unsafe.
Alka sat at the side of the conference table, with Sofia and the others standing behind him.
The conference table was filled with representatives from various factions, accompanied by a number of attendees.
Hearing this, many members of the factions nodded.
The archbishop of the Holy Mother Church glanced at the speaker and spoke. "This is a joint decision of the Four Gods. Don't get carried away. This is the only place we have the ability to hold the demons at bay. If this place falls...
Although only a small island has been lost, I must tell you that its fall means the countdown to world destruction has begun.
If you can't reach the outer world, defend this place with all your might."
This statement was blunt and incredibly blunt.
But it was obvious.
Everyone present knew this, but they returned to their seats with grim expressions.
The demons we face now are already numerous.
But for true demons, numbers are just that.
What limits the number of demons is not the number of invading forces, but the territory they occupy.
And the extent of the defenses they need to attack.
The rifts in the abyss can continuously transport demons to the front lines.
It seemed endless.
But in reality, the area they occupied was the limit on the total number of demons they could transport.
Due to the nature of demons, you can't completely fill an occupied area with them. If you did, the demons might already be engaged in group-based battles before they could even attack the enemy.
This is the result of the demons' chaotic nature.
Even with their current numbers, the mutual attrition among the demons could be as much as half of what they'd incur by attacking humans.
This is the ocean.
If this island falls.
Then the demons would pour endlessly from the rift, day and night, without stopping.
Even if the rift leading to the abyss didn't widen at all, the number of demons they would face would increase exponentially and begin to spread across the vast ocean.
All islands would be threatened with destruction by demonic attacks and battles, and the entire world would be reduced to chaos, little better than a shattered world.
Because this world is an ocean, it's difficult to organize an effective defense.
If the demons were released into the free ocean, this world would practically suffer at the hands of the demons, their advantage growing ever wider until the world is destroyed. Not to mention the gods outside the world, who are still watching covetously.
The fact that the four gods were able to trap the demons and their rifts on this island, on this tiny piece of land, early on was a feat of effort and good fortune.
Right now, the demons on this island are like cancer.
But the cancer hasn't spread yet, so it can still be stopped.
But if defense is abandoned, the cancer will spread like a tide across the world.
At that point, all that can be done is a slow, desperate death, a death in a desperate war.
Even their souls will be unable to rest in peace, becoming food for demons, coins of the abyss, and reborn from the abyss as a demon of chaos.
It is precisely because these major powers are fully aware of this that they are fighting tooth and nail to resist.
"Alright, everyone, instead of worrying about where these 12 Trial Towers are located, why not listen to what functions these 12 Trial Towers actually provide?"
The wise elder of the Holy Machine Church looked at them and said.
Everyone nodded.
"These 12 Trial Towers are the predecessors of the Golden Age, structures constructed by several gods."
Hearing this, the representatives of various forces were somewhat surprised.
They truly had not expected that these 12 dark towers would have survived from that era.
This also meant that the functions of these 12 Trial Towers would be extremely extraordinary.
"Like their name suggests, they will test anyone who enters."
"But even if we don't collect all twelve towers, they will still test those who enter," a representative from one faction said.
Because one of the towers was already under their control, they had a fairly good understanding of these trial towers.
"That's just one. Once all twelve are gathered, their functions will be amplified and become even more powerful.
After passing a certain trial, they will provide a suitable treasure for free."
The words dropped like a bombshell on the crowd present.
Representatives from all factions began to discuss loudly.
"A free treasure?"
"What kind of treasure? What can a Crown-level person provide?"
"Are there any requirements for those who undergo the trial?"
"..."
A variety of questions flooded in.
Yet, you couldn't help but admire the representatives of these factions; every question hit the nail on the head.
"Silence!"
A sea creature shouted, slapping the entire table with a single slap, nearly sending it flying.
This is the Storm Priest of the Church of Poseidon.
It's rare for representatives of these factions to encounter members of the Church of Poseidon of this caliber, as they rarely attend such meetings.
If they attend, it means the meeting is important.
This is a fisherman-like creature, a form of some deep-sea monster.
To be honest, it looks much more imposing than Pororo.
And, of course, much more ferocious.
You wouldn't think it was intelligent, just a murderous monster.
But it worked; everyone present immediately fell silent.
"Why don't we let our treasure master answer these questions for you?"
The archbishop smiled at Alka and extended his hand.
Alka sat up straighter when his name was suddenly called.
He had assumed they were just there to make a presence.
The people from various factions also turned their attention to Alka, each with a kind smile on their face.
They had never smiled so brightly at the archbishops of the Four Gods Church.
There was nothing they could do.
They might not have anything to ask of the Four Gods Church, but they would have something to ask of a treasure craftsman like Alka.
After all, Alka was the only treasure craftsman in the entire world who had heard of him.
He was powerful, and with the church's backing, he was untouchable.
When they couldn't force him, they naturally had to curry favor.
Alka coughed, cleared his throat, and said, "I believe some of you are aware that within the Trial Towers, there are some formidable figures who survived from the Golden Age.
They were once devoted followers of the gods who built these 12 Trial Towers.
From now on, you can all call them instructors."
"From their mouths, you can learn that The functions of the 12 Trial Towers and those beyond them will not be cancelled.
They can even train the strength, willpower, and even the spirit of those with greater strength.
In addition to training, trials are also targeted at the weaknesses of individual test-takers.
Those at Stage 4 or below who complete the Trial can obtain a Holy Grail-level treasure.
You don't have to complete the Trial, but you must demonstrate your determination to strive forward to the instructors and even the Trial Tower.
For those above Stage 4 through Stage 6, completing at least half of the Trial Towers is required to obtain a Scepter-level treasure.
To be honest, the requirements are much higher than those Alka had previously met.
However, there's no limit to the number of treasures you can obtain by completing the Trial. Each person counts as one.
Alka, the total number of treasures that can be granted is limited to one.
After Alka finished speaking,
A representative of one faction briefly explained the technique and then said, "Although this may sound a bit offensive, I'm genuinely curious. Where do they get all these treasures?
Or are these treasures actually limited in quantity, on a first-come, first-served basis?"
"Treasures are unlimited, as long as you can pass the trials. However, these treasures are different from the treasures we normally obtain. They possess the same abilities and bring the same benefits.
However, they are not passed down to future generations. Upon the owner's death, the divinity within the treasures will automatically return to the world itself.
It's as if you passed the trials, and it's been loaned to you through some pre-existing technology and the generosity of the world.
Don't try to stop this process; it's an inevitable rule."
After hearing Alka's explanation, everyone understood.
As for how this process was accomplished, they understood it perfectly and didn't ask any questions.
After exchanging a few more details, everyone nodded in satisfaction.
"So where exactly should the 12 Trial Towers be placed?"
Alka asked.
The members of the Church of the Four Gods looked at each other, then pointed to an area on the map.
Simply put, it would be a circle around the massive stone pillar in the center.
"There can't be any other buildings in the center; it must be open space. This also affects the building's function," Alka retorted.
Hearing this, they were forced to rethink their storage plans.
In the end, they simply placed it in the center of the city.
As for the central administrative center, it was simply demolished and moved elsewhere.
After all, for these powerful treasure controllers, building a building was a piece of cake.
They acted immediately, and the notice was quickly issued.
The administrative capital was relocated to the surrounding area, leaving a vast square in the center. All the buildings were quickly demolished, creating an expansive open space.
The vast open space attracted a large crowd, each wanting to know what the purpose of leaving such a large square in the center was.
It seemed as if something major was about to happen.
It should be noted that the current port city occupied an absurdly large area, almost the largest in the Infinite Sea.
After ten years of rapid expansion, this city had become the largest city in the Infinite Sea.
The current population here must be at least several million.
And the number of powerful individuals gathered here was countless, reaching an extreme level in both quantity and quality.
In just one day, preparations were complete.
Alkadu was somewhat surprised.
The next day, he arrived at the square.
Standing before him was a vast, empty square, several times larger than the space required for a football field.
And it was packed with people, all eager to know what was going on.
The church officials didn't intervene.
There was no point, after all, it would be so conspicuous.
Arka clasped his hands tightly and walked to the center of the square.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, he took a deep breath.
Then he opened his hands.
The twelve Trial Towers he had secretly held materialized.
Twelve tall, dark towers suddenly appeared, startling everyone around.
Everyone stepped back.
Then the twelve dark towers formed a circle, evenly spaced, in the order Arka had gathered them.
With a rumbling sound and a cloud of dust, the towers came into place.
Naphtos appeared again before Alka.
He glanced around.
"This place is truly disgusting! I smell the scent of that damned demon. Are you sure you want to put it here?"
Alka nodded.
"It seems your generation is truly courageous. Well done!" Naphtos exclaimed, clearly understanding the situation.
Then he looked at Alka and said, "Please clear out all those in the center of the towers."
Alka nodded and relayed the information to the others.
All those trapped in the center of the towers retreated to the sides, and more and more people gathered around.
After all, the sudden appearance of the twelve Trial Towers in the heart of the city, which had been cleared only yesterday, naturally attracted everyone's attention.
Alka even felt it, and not just the gazes of these people; he couldn't help but glance up at the sky.
Even the gazes of the Four Gods were cast downward. Even the gazes of the gods who had forsaken the world, and even the gazes of demons, could not help but fall upon this place.
"I, with the will to forge ahead..."
A golden energy form resembling elemental life, Naphtos chanted a prayer to the God of Trials in the center of the square.
Then, the power of the twelve Trial Towers began to connect with one another.
Alka could even clearly sense this interconnection, even reaching deep into the earth.
Deep into space.
Even into his own dreamland.
Bound to the rules of the world, firmly fixed in place.
Alka finally understood why he could not move. It was because this had become almost part of the world.
Or rather, it had already become part of the world.
How could he possibly move without blasting the world to pieces?
After taking deep root...
These deep roots served to connect to the laws of time, which were scattered throughout the land.
After connecting to these laws, the once pitch-black exteriors of the twelve Trial Towers, eroded by time, began to fade.
The scene Alka had once witnessed in the Naphtosna Chronicles reappeared.
Sculptures, each bearing a different meaning, reappeared on the surface of the Trial Towers.
Suddenly, Naphtos's voice reached Simon.
"Simon, I remember you have a guidance mechanism that's still unrepaired, right?"
Simon nodded at the voice.
"Give it to me."
Simon casually reached into his space ring and tossed the half-repaired triangle out.
Naphtos took it and seemed to imbue it with a certain emotion and power.
Arriving at the center of the triangle.
Then the damaged parts of the triangle rebuilt themselves.
He recovered.
"Alright, I need a break. I'll leave the rest of the guidance to it."
With that,
Naphtos vanished.
The triangle seemed to regain consciousness and floated in the center.
It gazed at the twelve Trial Towers surrounding it, its entire body trembling.
Arka, the leaders of various factions, and the head of the church had all gathered in the center.
"Arka, thank you,"
The triangle spoke, floating around. The voice was mechanical, but one could sense the gratitude within it.
It wasn't for saving him, but for allowing him to see again a scene that once existed only in his mechanical memory.
Arka smiled and said, "Let me introduce you to the Trial Tower."
The triangle spun around and shook itself. Then he began to explain.
‐‐The rules remained the same.
‐‐For example, the Trial Tower was divided into two modes: training and trial.
‐‐A person could only take the trial once.
‐‐When was the best time to take the trial, and what level of strength was required.
‐‐Clearly, he knew more this time.
‐‐And the frequency of instructors appearing during this training session would no longer be as demanding as before.
‐‐Because the 12 Trial Towers had been refreshed, their essential function no longer required specific qualifications as before, but was open to all.
‐‐As long as one possessed a certain level of qualifications, training would be available.
‐‐More instructors would awaken from their slumber, once again fulfilling the divine will they believed in and passing it on.
‐‐Soon, after a fierce competition, the first 12 spots were chosen.
‐‐Alka took a look.
The 12 spots were assigned to strength levels ranging from 1 to 6, with two players from each level.
They were clearly being used for experiments.
Arka smiled and stopped caring. After all, the 12 Trial Towers were of little use to them, but they were immensely useful to the world as a whole.
Arka was more concerned with the fact that the auras of the three treasures he had received from the New God had been completely removed.
The New God himself had likely already removed them, or perhaps they hadn't been used in a long time.
The aura that had stained them was a temporary addition during his battle with Arka.
This also indirectly indicated that the New God had long been stripping away these divine attributes.