Chapter 1381: Variation (20)
In the Central City, Ars Nova, there are nobles born with blue blood from birth.
Noble beings, infused with the True Blood of Long-lived Beings throughout their bodies, possessing talents and aptitudes on a completely different level from ordinary humans.
Blessed existences, whose talents and genes were selected even before birth, granting them powerful Bloodline Abilities.
The three Grand Dukes stood at the pinnacle of such nobility and were the origin of the long-practiced bloodline inheritance.
At the end of the project, Lennok, peering into Kaiser’s memories, became aware of the Three Grand Dukes, and only after initiating the Central Front offensive did he truly understand what they were.
Great Transcendent beings who had ceaselessly confronted the world’s most hideous failures. Demigods who, loyal to the Emperor, had ceaselessly corrupted their own empire.
The masterminds who designed and created corrupted Demonic Realms, including the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors, across the Central Continent.
It was no coincidence that those who had long resided deep within the Central Front, interfering little with worldly affairs, were now beginning to move.
Even the fact that their Herald appeared so openly in this Gateway City, which served as a forward base for Demonic Realm exploration, was part of it.
In the heart of Gateway City’s commercial district, bustling with countless people.
Amidst the crowds, a florist employee with a pleasant smile wore an apron.
Seeing the young man, who had adopted an extremely polite posture with his hand over his chest, Lennok spoke.
“One of the Three Grand Dukes, a vassal of Yeongheo…”
He remembered the emblem of the Three Grand Dukes that Kalien, the leader of the Reconnaissance Agency, had shown him.
A bizarre crest with hands clasped, spread like wings.
An authoritative crest with a crown superimposed on a staff.
A twisted crest, with the shape of [?] inverted.
Kalien had said that the crest with hands spread like wings belonged to the Third Grand Duke, The Grand Duke of Grasping.
If so, which of the remaining two Grand Dukes did the now-present vassal of Yeongheo symbolize?
As if reading Lennok’s thoughts, the young man smiled and spoke first.
“There is a message from the Great Grand Duke Yeongheo. Words personally left for an old acquaintance.”
“……”
A message sent for an old acquaintance.
He knew who was being referred to.
During his journey to Gateway City, an Ascendant had sought him out for a similar reason.
Great Ascendants and Demigods residing throughout the Central Continent remembered Lennok from long ago and sent messages of significance.
Old stories that Lennok could not now fully comprehend, yet could never ignore.
“I’ll listen.”
“Thank you for your permission.”
Jain, the young man, straightened himself and said.
“What I am about to say contains my own interpretation. Please keep that in mind as you listen.”
“It contains an interpretation?”
“First, accept my congratulations.”
Lennok, about to question the strange words, immediately fell silent at Jain’s next statement.
Jain’s mouth, suddenly expressionless, began to move, uttering incomprehensible words.
“I know you are still there, yet I cannot read your existence. This must be proof that you have finally obtained qualification.”
“……”
A strange sense of dissonance, as if Jain himself were being used as a living recorder.
As though a massive record plate had been shoved into his core, and Jain was being used as an interpreter to read it.
Lennok quietly listened, feeling as if he had heard that lofty yet imposing tone somewhere before.
“After a long time, the right and wrong of the past have finally been distinguished. Was the Emperor ultimately wrong, and you, right?”
A faint smile touched Jain’s empty lips.
“No. In either case, neither achieved what they desired. The Emperor wanted success, and you, failure. Even the reversal of your wishes seems to merely repeat the past.”
“……”
“After all this time, you are still reflecting on those foolish days.”
Jain mumbled absently.
“Every moment I was in the midst of hell, I thought of you, who abandoned everything and left.”
“……”
What kind of person was Lennok from long ago?
No, was his former self truly the self Lennok imagined?
He knew that Ban-gung from years past had volunteered to be a vessel to summon Lennok to this world.
Yet, there was a part of him that cherished everything Ban-gung had experienced long ago, like a distant memory.
Amidst the countless crowds, as Lennok remained silent, Jain spoke again.
“Do not go to Paradise Lost. She is searching for what you left behind.”
“……”
“Or perhaps, it is meaningless advice now?”
Jain smiled.
“Do as you please. After all, the current you is likely no longer the person I once knew.”
A casual, unconcerned message, as if delivered to an old friend.
At that moment, Lennok realized that something had completely vanished from within Jain.
A strange sense of dissonance, as if something left behind specifically for this moment had departed from Jain’s side.
Jain, too, clearly felt this loss, momentarily staggering significantly.
But he quickly regained his composure and politely placed his hand on his chest before Lennok again.
“This concludes the message left by the Grand Duke.”
“……”
“Please understand that some of my subjective interpretation is mixed in. Currently, Grand Duke Yeongheo is not in a state to communicate normally… this is a compilation of the will he conceptually conceived.”
“……I see.”
“You seem to be deep in thought.”
Jain, the young man, smiled and raised a hand.
“Shall we take a walk? Let’s talk while getting some fresh air.”
“……”
For someone who introduced himself as a vassal of Yeongheo, one of the Three Grand Dukes, it was an incredibly unpretentious reply.
However, Lennok realized that the young man was very different from an ordinary human and calmed his expression.
Even when he activated his Magical Perception to read the young man’s presence and will-thought, he found nothing.
A strange sense of dissonance, as if a human form existed without a human will-thought.
Would this be the feeling if an alien with a completely different thought circuit or emotional system mimicked a human?
It was different even from the Yaksha of the Order Alliance he had seen in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors; it seemed as though even basic survival instincts and reactions had been suppressed.
But precisely because he was such an existence, he could blend in with the people of Gateway City without drawing the attention of other superhumans.
How long had he been watching Lennok here? Today, or a few days ago?
Perhaps he had been aware since the moment they discussed the importance of the Three Grand Dukes in this plan.
The timing was unknown, but it couldn’t be a coincidence that he appeared as soon as Lennok became aware of the plan’s details.
Perhaps the worst possible adversary was aware of this side from the very beginning—
“You don’t need to overthink it. We can’t watch you everywhere across the entire Central Front.”
Jain, the young man, who had been squatting outside the bustling street, said.
He handed a flower to a child he happened to meet and pulled out a candy from his pocket to give them.
Jain waved goodbye with a smile to the child, who was walking away holding their parent’s hand, then turned his gaze to Lennok.
“The Empire’s territory is vast, and the places where the eyes of the Great Ones can reach are also limited. Nevertheless, we came to meet you today because…”
Jain slowly brushed off his clothes and said.
“Your existence is like the eye of this chaotic storm. You know that yourself, don’t you?”
“……”
“In the midst of meaningless uproar, only you remain quiet. Here lies a silence that soothes the heart just by listening.”
Jain smiled gently.
“Like a butterfly drawn to the scent of a flower, we were naturally drawn to you before a great undertaking. It’s not strange, is it?”
It was a vague question, but Lennok had no difficulty understanding Jain’s words.
Quiet in chaos. Eye of the storm. Butterfly drawn to a scent.
This was because he surmised that everything Jain said was a different way of describing Lennok’s Targeted Resistance.
Ezekiel Ron Maize, the imperial royal of the Empire, had understood, upon seeing Lennok, that Targeted Resistance was a very special talent.
Therefore, the Three Grand Dukes, beings comparable to him, would also be aware of Targeted Resistance.
Lennok also knew that the “qualification” conveyed by Grand Duke Yeongheo referred to Targeted Resistance.
“So, you weren’t here in Gateway City because of me.”
Having assessed that, Lennok spoke.
“Did you come here for something else and coincidentally meet me? What does the Grand Duke you serve desire?”
Jain had not read Lennok’s existence and sought him out from afar to Gateway City.
Targeted Resistance was a talent that prevented even Outer Gods from reading Lennok’s existence.
Even Outer Gods could only infer his existence based on the fact that they “could not read” him.
Jain had become aware of Lennok’s existence because he felt an unreadable void among the countless presences moving around him.
A talent that made Lennok’s existence imperceptible from afar, yet, up close, proved his existence more than anyone else.
“It seems you are still unaware of the conclusion reached by the noble beings, esteemed one.”
But Jain simply smiled gently, even after hearing Lennok’s question.
“As of now, they do not communicate or think in human language. They exist in an eternally conceptual state, dwelling at the very boundary of ideology.”
“……”
“They abandoned the path of humanity and ascended to the path of hell, embracing new laws within themselves. By now, the means themselves have long become the end.”
Jain said.
“I am here today to further elaborate on the Grand Duke’s words. Please consider it light advice.”
“Advice?”
“If you are planning a journey to Paradise Lost, I advise you to reconsider for the future.”
“……”
“Since the defeat of the Black Edict’s master there, an unending night has fallen upon that garden of words.”
Slowly, walking beside Lennok, Jain casually uttered dangerous words.
“The master lost all rights to maintain his existence, and the countless deaths he bore also lost their way.”
“……”
“The battle ended with her victory, but the settlement is not yet complete. If you step into Paradise Lost now, you will face great misfortune.”
“Settlement, you say.”
Lennok said with an expressionless face.
“Who… or what… needs to be settled regarding the Nether King’s end?”
“The last master of the Black Edict was a being bound by a remarkably tragic fate.”
Jain smiled gently.
“He had to bear the unwanted deaths of others his entire life, and even his end was destined for a miserable failure.”
“……”
“Nevertheless, with transcendent willpower, he held himself together to the very end, creating a conclusion that everyone could accept.”
Jain asked.
“To now unearth that secret would be to diminish the master’s wisdom. Is that truly what you desire, esteemed one?”
Jain was saying that Myeong’s end was perfectly righteous, and to unearth it would render his legacy meaningless.
He claimed that Lennok’s journey to Paradise Lost would be unhelpful.
But listening to Jain’s words, Lennok was thinking of something other than his persuasion.
It was close.
The secret about Myeong that had long been shrouded in illusion.
The reason he attempted the Gabihaeng and plunged the entire continent into death was close at hand.
“The clash in Paradise Lost ended with the Nether King’s defeat, but she too had to pay no small price.”
Jain said in a calm tone.
“The Nether King etched a part of himself into Paradise Lost at the cost of his life, and as a result, the entire Ideological Domain is plunged into immense chaos.”
A story of the aftermath of Myeong and Jinwa’s battle, which he had never heard from anyone until now.
Did Myeong, even in defeat within Jinwa’s Ideological Domain, inflict an indelible wound upon her?
“The closer you stand to transcendence, esteemed one, the more perilous your journey to Paradise Lost will be.”
Gently, as if admonishing, Jain tilted his head.
“Especially for you, it would be even more meaningless.”
“What do you mean?”
“You already possess what Jinwa sought to obtain, even through her unsightly degeneration. Is there any reason for you to enter Paradise Lost?”
Seeing Lennok deep in thought, Jain whispered.
“If you wish, you can become a Demigod at any time. You already know that, don’t you?”
“……”
The World’s Ten Laws, the unique magic of the Transcendent System.
Among them, the first law Lennok acquired was Demigod Transformation.
For some unknown reason, Jain knew that Lennok had obtained it.
At the same time, he also mentioned a conjecture Lennok had vaguely considered while researching the World’s Ten Laws.
If the first law of Transcendent Magic was Demigod Transformation, then perhaps the World’s Ten Laws was a methodology for becoming a god.
That another method existed besides Ascension, and that the Three Grand Dukes, who became Demigods, were those who had mastered that method.
The reason the Emperor could become an Outer God and leave this world. Yet, the reason the Three Grand Dukes remained in this world as Demigods.
If he accepted Jain’s invitation now and cooperated with them, he might discover that reason.
But—
“No.”
Lennok had already read the other side existing behind Jain’s proposal.
“You aren’t trying to deter me out of concern or because it’s dangerous for me. If anything, you’re wary of outsiders interfering with Paradise Lost.”
“……”
“If, as Maiya said, your existences are linked to Myeong’s end, and someone needs to settle the results of that battle…”
Lennok slowly clenched and unclenched his hand, slowly drawing up his magic.
“Then, ultimately, the core of this matter hinges on the ‘legacy’ that Myeong left behind in his death.”
The decisive battle between the Nether King and Jinwa that took place in Paradise Lost.
What happened in that battle that created an unending night?
Why did Myeong leave a legacy in his death, and why was Jinwa taking it out of Paradise Lost?
Why were the Three Grand Dukes trying to settle it with Jinwa after that battle?
The answer to all those questions lay in Myeong’s legacy.
At the very least, it was clear that the concept of that legacy held an unspeakably significant meaning for both Ascendants and Demigods.
“No matter how I think about it, I don’t think I can hand that over to anyone else.”
“I see. That’s unfortunate.”
Jain looked up.
“One can draw any picture on a pristine white canvas, but it’s hard to overlay the truth on a sullied paper. You’ve seen and heard too much, making it impossible for you to discern right from wrong.”
“I apologize for not giving you the answer you wanted, after you took the time to come here.”
Lennok replied.
“But as the Grand Duke you serve said, I will do as I please. There’s no reason now to heed anyone’s advice or warnings.”
“I understand. I, too, do not deeply empathize with everything the Grand Duke conveyed.”
Jain slowly turned around and said.
“For example, I sometimes wonder if a certain human, whom the Grand Duke treats like an old friend, truly has such worth.”
“I thought you were quite polite, but your true thoughts are completely different.”
Lennok chuckled.
“If you wish, I’ll let you confirm it directly. Shall we move somewhere else first?”
“No, there’s no need for that.”
Jain turned away.
“As you said, esteemed one, the original reason I came to this city was not for that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We wish for no interference before the events in Paradise Lost are concluded. However, the chaos filling the Ideological Domain due to the Nether King’s remnants has become uncontrollably immense…”
Jain quietly said.
“Therefore, to ensure no variables arise while Jinwa attains transcendence, we must erase all traces of the Nether King, both inside and outside Paradise Lost.”
“……So, you’ve returned to this city to erase the Nether King’s traces?”
“No.”
Jain denied.
“It’s not about erasing the Nether King’s traces remaining in this city, but rather eliminating all of the Nether King’s movements remaining on the Central Front.”
“……What?”
At that moment, Lennok saw countless blue lights falling like a meteor shower above Jain’s head.
They grazed past the brightly burning Flame Flower, slowly descending diagonally to the ground.
It was an uncanny sight, unreal even as he watched it, without a sound.
As soon as Lennok noticed it, dozens of meteor showers plummeted into the heart of the commercial district.
With a tremendous explosion, they turned the entire street into a sea of fire.
KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWANG!!!!!!
“AAAAAAH!!!”
“All destinations where the Nether King undertook a Gabihaeng within the Central Front are targets.”
Amidst the clamor of screams from all directions, Jain, standing against the backdrop of the inferno, said.
“We have come here today to wipe this Gateway City off the map.”