Chapter 1424: Lord of Hell (7)

Black Edict. Twilight Veil. Reverent Void. Honheo…

The families that had inherited the concept of magic for the longest time in this world.

People had revered them, calling them the oldest bloodlines.

Unlike the Long-lived Beings who wielded primordial mysteries, they were pioneers who, as humans, had realized how to perform miracles.

The Black Edict (黑律) were those among them who had inherited black magic, called the most alien of magic systems.

[Black magic is the power that elicits the most twisted causes and effects among all magic systems.]

[As it does not follow the rules and exchange ratios of spellcraft, the answer of the Black Eedict holds the most deviant possibilities.]

[We shall view the world differently from others and pursue enlightenment from a different direction.]

The Black Law. As its name implied, black magic demanded an equivalent exchange or price different from any other magic system.

Its results, too, were often different from other spellcraft, so not many spellcasters could handle it proficiently.

However, those who inherited the blood of the Black Edict were all, without exception, born as outstanding black wizards with the disposition of a judge.

Everyone knew the reason was based on the existence of an Outer God (外神) the family had taken as its symbol.

Extinct Eye Acrottrinier.

A great demise floating in the Sea of Darkness, and one of the most dangerous and incomprehensible great evils.

[The Extinct Eye is one of the most alien and dangerous demises among the Outer Gods of that sea.]

[It is like a symbol of destruction that takes root in civilization and grows infinitely… but the Extinct Eye itself has almost no clear intellect or ego.]

[In that it destroys the world, it is undoubtedly a great evil (巨惡), but in that it does not harm life of its own will, there is certainly room for it to be used.]

[The ancestors of the family took note of this fact, researched the power of the Extinct Eye for a long time, and have steadily developed it by incorporating it into black magic.]

[But keep in mind. One must know righteousness to recognize distortion. One must know the right path to pursue a heretical one.]

[To leave the path, in the end, one must know the path….]

The five oldest families were beings who had inherited the power of magic since ancient times.

They had long enjoyed glory by inheriting and developing magic, but they were not the most outstanding in every era.

The Age of Gold, when the central city of Ars Nova was at its zenith.

The Emperor of the Empire was the cruelest and most arrogant being in all the history of the families’ existence.

Under the name of the Unification War, he destroyed countless nations, past and present, committed massacres, and stole their mysteries.

He inflicted punishments worse than death on those who did not obey, and trampled everything that resisted, leaving not even a single blade of grass.

It was rumored that wherever his gaze fell, rivers of blood flowed and mountains of corpses piled up.

It was an age of war, an age of conquest and unification.

However, the Emperor was so outstanding that even the five families had no choice but to acknowledge his arrogance.

Some families led their households and bowed their heads to the Empire, and the Emperor accepted them and granted them titles.

For a considerable time, the families cooperated with the Empire and enjoyed glory, sometimes even producing a Prime Minister.

That is, until one day, ‘he’ came to the House of Black Edict.

[“……You are.”]

[“……”]

The Emperor was cruel and arrogant, but he possessed an imperial mien that no one could defy.

He committed massacre and conquest as if breathing, but at the same time, he had the ability to make all those acts meaningful.

For a long time, the Empire prospered without end and kept countless people from starving.

An age of peace, an age of stability and prosperity.

Even at that time, ‘his’ existence was known to some extent.

The most incomprehensible Ascendant even in the Imperial Palace, where geniuses and monsters shining like stars gathered.

The continent’s greatest Manipulation Spellcaster, whom the Emperor considered the only one equal to himself.

There were stories that the Grand Duke of Grasping worshiped him like a god, and rumors that he was from one of the five families.

There were also talks that he had gained inhuman power from the curse of the sea or that he had been purging the Empire’s traitors for a long time.

They had no choice but to show courtesy, at least outwardly.

[“What… is the matter?”]

[“I intend to create a certain spellcraft.”]

‘His’ voice was much calmer than expected.

[“I won’t disturb you for long, so I ask for your cooperation.”]

[“What… is that supposed to…”]

The distortion of the black magic inherited by the House of Black Edict for generations.

He said he needed precisely the potential of the Extinct Eye Acrottrinier contained within it.

[“My Root Mindscape, in a sense, is close to a demise similar to the Extinct Eye. It is not something a living human can possess.”]

[“……”]

[“Because it is my own origin, and also belongs to a future self that will one day descend… it is impossible to control through ordinary methods.”]

A future self that will one day descend.

They couldn’t understand what he was saying.

As if he didn’t expect them to understand, he continued.

[“I intend to clash my origin with the power of the Extinct Eye to chip away at it, bringing it down to a level I can control.”]

‘He’ explained.

[“If I succeed, I’ll be able to adjust and handle the power I possess through the concept of spellcraft until the time of the end arrives.”]

[“……In that case, what can we gain?”]

[“I am not secretive when it comes to the research and sharing of spellcraft.”]

For the first time, ‘he’ smiled.

[“I will share with you the power to defy fate. Hmm, did that sound too much like a devil’s temptation?”]

[“……”]

The reply was so absurd it was baffling.

But the head of the House of Black Edict at the time accepted the proposal after discussing it with the elders.

They shared the research data on the Extinct Eye, passed down from their distant ancestors, and researched the spellcraft together.

[“Unbelievable. How can you handle a fragment of an Outer God so skillfully?”]

[“So many of our ancestors risked their lives to research how to handle a branch of the Extinct Eye, and yet…”]

As befitting the title of the continent’s greatest Manipulation Spellcaster, ‘he’ was an unbelievably skilled practitioner and researcher.

‘He’ handled the power of the Extinct Eye, which the family’s ancestors had researched for so long, with astonishing skill—

And at the same time, he didn’t desperately cling to the power of the Extinct Eye he had thus obtained.

As if it were enough to simply twist his own Manipulation Spellcraft and ‘chip away’ at it.

[“……I see now why the Empire’s Ascendants praised you so.”]

Researching the spellcraft together, every moment of handling the potential of the Extinct Eye felt like a dream.

Research and attempts that seemed impossible succeeded as if by magic, yielding results beyond expectations.

Perhaps this man could overcome even the destruction that seemed impossible to resist. Perhaps the great gods of that sea were also such beings in life.

The Transcendent beings of the Imperial Palace probably thought something similar.

But ‘he’ shook his head as if used to such words.

[“I am not the kind of person who can accomplish such a thing. If I had to say… I’m closer to a tool.”]

[“A tool, you say?”]

[“What if there was a person who knew from birth that they were a vessel?”]

[“……”]

[“What if they knew their end was already fated, that they were a tool with a set role?”]

[“I don’t quite understand what you’re trying to say.”]

[“Don’t mind it. It’s a story I don’t know well myself.”]

‘He’ smiled.

To the people of the family who spent time with him, he was a person who knew how to give a rather gentle smile.

[“Knowing that I have a set role isn’t a bad feeling. But it’s a little sad, too.”]

[“……”]

[“The me that wakes up next, will I truly be the same me as then?”]

‘He’ muttered.

[“Will the me of that time be able to consider all the things the me of now has done as meaningful?”]

[“My lord……”]

[“There isn’t much time left. There probably isn’t much time left where I can even speak properly like this.”]

[“……”]

[“But even if my very existence was a mistake, I intend to return that ending to its rightful place.”]

Time passed.

The spellcraft was completed, and he left the family without any lingering attachment.

[“Thank you for your cooperation in the research of the Heavenly Abasement Spellcraft. Take all the remaining research records.”]

Just as when he had first come to the family, ‘he’ walked out the door empty-handed and said,

[“As you may know, keep this a secret from the Emperor. Given his personality, he wouldn’t turn a blind eye to the family cooperating in such a matter.”]

[“From now on, what do you plan to do?”]

[“The Emperor persuaded me to work in the Imperial Palace for a short time. He is an undeniable madman, but to me, he was a good friend.”]

[“……”]

[“I don’t approve of his ways, but I respect his effort and ingenuity.”]

‘He’ walked on.

[“So I, too, must try to defy fate for as long as the time he has created for me allows.”]

[“……Is that so.”]

The head of the House of Black Edict bowed deeply.

[“Then we, too, shall strive to defy fate.”]

[“……”]

[“If everyone in this world has a set role, if we all must accept that end… then someone, like you, my lord, could try to resist.”]

A brief farewell. The lingering feeling left behind was close to an eternity.

Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, ‘he’ killed two Ascendants from the Eastern Continent, reaching a position no one could touch.

The House of Black Edict inherited the research records he left behind for generations, achieving great accomplishments and enjoying prosperity.

After experiencing countless things over a long, long time, on a day when the end drew near…

Ban-gung (叛穹), who was praised by all, lost his reason and went berserk, devastating the Imperial Palace.

The prince fell into critical condition, two grand generals and one grand duke were annihilated, and hundreds of nobles and tens of thousands of citizens lost their lives.

Ban-gung then left the Empire to wander the continent, killing hundreds of thousands, destroying eight nations, and slaying a god that had fallen on the northern continent, creating an eternal winter.

An allied force was formed to subjugate the Ascendant who had turned the continent into a hell, and all those related to him were arrested and sent to the Imperial Palace.

It did not take long for one family to reach complete ruin.

Clang!!!

[“Head of House Black Edict. Do you admit to the charge of aiding his massacre by cooperating in the research of the Heavenly Abasement Spellcraft?”]

[“Your family will be prosecuted for treason and will receive eternal punishment directly from His Majesty the Emperor.”]

Listening to the cold voice coming from beyond the seal of the Time-Released Prison, he thought.

In the end, was it the natural order of things for everything to go wrong? Was it wrong from the very start to accept his proposal and seek an answer?

He knew this might happen the moment he went against the Emperor’s will.

That’s why, rather than feeling resentful, he was simply curious.

He who sought to defy fate, did he truly achieve his goal in the final moment?

[“His Majesty wishes to once again confirm the conclusion of the Gabihaeng through you all.”]

[“The souls of your bloodline will become tools to reenact the Gabihaeng, and your descendants will become madmen who chase the deaths of others.”]

[“Suffer by infinitely reenacting the distortion you pursued until the very moment the world ends.”]

Were the scenes floating before his eyes reality, or an illusion?

Were the memories unfolding in his mind Lennok’s own?

A brief illusion. A moment’s hesitation.

Awakening from the memories of the past that had unfolded in an instant, Lennok flinched and raised his gaze.

Fwaah!

“……!!!”

He gathered his confused thoughts and recalled what had just happened.

Myeong’s message that he would summon the Extinct Eye Outer God to this place to show him memories of the past.

At the same time, Lennok had looked into old memories, not knowing whose they were—

And upon awakening, he understood what had happened.

“……Just from a simple omen, I saw the memories and returned?”

It wasn’t that summoning the Extinct Eye Outer God had allowed him to see into the past.

The Outer God hadn’t even descended yet; its mere omen had been enough to shake causality and begin reading the memories.

The gods from beyond the heavens, who could pierce through laws and seals to illuminate the truth just by glancing at this world for a moment.

However, what agitated Lennok now was not the existence of the Outer God.

“How……”

Facing an unbelievable vision within the memories of the past, Lennok’s hand trembled.

Unconsciously, his face had turned deathly pale, drained of all color.

The memory of when the House of Black Edict helped Ban-gung create the Heavenly Abasement Spellcraft.

But what was hidden within was of a kind so shocking that it was difficult for Lennok to accept.

That Ban-gung knew his role and reason for existence.

That despite this, he tried to defy fate until the very end.

That he ultimately failed, destroyed the Empire, and killed countless people.

All the way to the final conclusion where an allied force was formed to subjugate Ban-gung, and the House of Black Edict was executed for treason.

A past where everything had ended in catastrophe, ruined far beyond what Lennok had ever imagined, of a certain… that—

“I’m sorry I had no choice but to show you this way.”

“……Myeong.”

With the giant black hole unfolding beyond the horizon at his back, Myeong stood looking at Lennok.

“The Empire hid Ban-gung’s existence beyond the end, which is why so many things related to him remained as they did.”

“This…… was the memory of him that the House of Black Edict kept?”

“If you saw the memory that far, you must have understood.”

Myeong walked on.

“You are different from him. You don’t cling to or become subordinate to a failed ending; you try to watch all those failures until the very end.”

“……”

“You give new meaning to all things that seem meaningless and only try to move after understanding everything, just as you are doing now.”

Myeong said as he walked past Lennok, “At first glance, it seems foolish, but that itself is your answer, your path to enlightenment after obtaining the Kaleidoscope… and it is proof that you are different.”

“Is that… the conclusion you’ve reached…?”

“Some might say you were an unreasonable being, merely a chosen one from the beginning.”

Myeong walked on.

“But I know that the answer you are creating is solely your own. I also know that your answer is meaningful because it is a pure, earnest wish that does not originate from your past self.”

“……”

“Back then, seeing what you did at the Well of the Codex, I realized who you were… and was finally convinced. Your actions and struggles up until now are proof of who you are now. And even if you regain all your memories, that will not change.”

Seeing Lennok’s clouded expression, Myeong smiled.

“So even if my fate was used as a tool to confirm the conclusion of the Gabihaeng… I think it’s okay now.”

RUMBLE!!!!

The black sea surged high on the horizon, rising up like an altar.

Beyond it, the giant rotating black hole glowed black and began to shatter into pieces.

An eerie sensation—in this other dimension where until now only omens had been transmitted, an irresistible god of demise was descending.

“……Even though I’ve already seen the memories, surely not.”

Only then, realizing why Myeong had sought to summon the Extinct Eye Outer God, Lennok was at a loss for words.

Just from the omen of summoning the Outer God, he had already been able to see all the past memories Myeong had intended to show.

Yet the reason Myeong didn’t stop and continued to summon the Extinct Eye Outer God was not simply to show Lennok the memories—

“Van. Hell is a term for an other dimension created when a qualified Transcendent falls into corruption. Because they fell instead of transcending the world, the lord of hell is called a demon and possesses authority like that of a demigod.”

“This isn’t the time for explanations. Myeong, right now—”

“Normally, only a being who has obtained the qualification and ascended to demigod status could manifest a hell. But I created a forbidden other dimension through the Emperor’s privilege and the Gabihaeng.”

Myeong said, turning his gaze.

“Only a being who has reached demigod status can manifest a hell. Conversely, that means a being who has obtained a hell can wield its authority without becoming a demigod.”

“……”

“Within this hell, you can fully enjoy the authority and blessings of a demigod without becoming one yourself.”

Crack, craaack…!!!!

The countless black coffins that stood facing the black sea slowly began to rise.

From the center of the shattering black hole, the form of a cosmic calamity revealed itself.

Beyond the horizon, the shadow of an Outer God, growing beyond the galaxy, was faintly visible.

At that moment, the god of that sea finally recognized the coordinates of the other dimension and sent down its gaze.

“This…… is my last desperate struggle against the fate the Emperor set for me.”

Looking at the speechless Lennok, Myeong smiled gently.

“I will hand over to you this throne of hell that I have created over my entire lifetime.”