Chapter 793: Prophet of Yorta (7)
Tap, tap.
In the silent mist, only light footsteps echoed.
Lennok quietly walked down a corridor filled with hazy mist, where he couldn’t see even an inch ahead.
In this place, where even light barely reached, only the back of the person silently walking ahead barely registered in his vision.
Lennok walked silently behind him, then subtly turned his gaze sideways.
Whoosh…!!
The grand scenery of the colossal tower, buffeted by fierce winds. The dizzying view of the ground, visible far below his feet.
Yorta’s land paths, made up of multiple tiers, and the Headrain River cutting through them, were clearly visible.
The Memorial Tower, which Lennok had successfully entered, skipping all procedures, as soon as he mentioned the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade.
Now they were on their way to meet the great spirits, the Court of Soul Pacification, said to reside in the upper levels of the tower.
“How much farther do we have to walk?”
Lennok asked gruffly, subtly pulling out the Papyrus from his pocket.
“It feels like we’ve been walking for over thirty minutes. I should at least keep track of the time.”
“……”
The guide continued walking without any response, not uttering a single word.
It wasn’t surprising, as he hadn’t heard a single word from them since being handed over by the Stenberg District Manager.
Lennok, too, didn’t wait for an answer and pulled out the Chronicle from his pocket to open it.
From the moment he entered the Memorial Tower, the writings in the Chronicle were filled with more profound passages.
=The Memorial Tower, built as the culmination of the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade, continues to rise in height even now.
=The unfallen Myriad Ghosts remain, guarding the tower and ensuring the process can continue.
=The ancient spirits of the Court of Soul Pacification called this the act of building a bridge.
Yorta’s Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade. The meaning of the grand scheme devised for ascension in the oldest city.
The fact that it was a process of gathering all spirits and bodies in this world to build a bridge was something he had already recognized while facing Onnion.
What was important was where this ‘bridge’ concept began and where it was headed.
Machina’s Ascension Gate, instead of connecting to the next world, had linked to a second world that had already been destroyed, causing tremendous side effects.
If so, for what purpose was this Memorial Tower, left behind after the failure of the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade, continually being built higher?
Lennok had sought a way to enter the Memorial Tower immediately upon arriving in Yorta, precisely to confirm that fact.
All that remained was to uncover its secrets using the various artifacts he had acquired before coming to Yorta.
‘Guide’s Ring. Onnion’s Ghost Ship. Ethan’s Chronicle….’
Lennok, reflecting on the tools he still possessed and his actions so far, inwardly gave a bitter smile.
‘It will be difficult to return to Yorta again under the identity of Victor.’
Because he had abused shortcuts to enter the Memorial Tower quickly, rumors about how Lennok entered the city must have spread by now.
Considering Yorta’s reclusive atmosphere, the possibility of passing inspection again as Victor seemed quite low.
But Lennok quickly shook off such thoughts and organized what he needed to do next.
From the start, he had no intention of prolonging this trip in Yorta.
If possible, he had to finish his business as quickly as he could and resume tracing Kaiser’s whereabouts.
Kaiser Bajour and Alkaid. The Black Consumer Project, which they had started together and ended in failure.
Where the conclusion of that project—which sought answers by gathering all the failures of this world—lay.
He wouldn’t know until he found Kaiser’s body.
‘Yorta and Kundara. It’s certain that traces remain in one of these two cities.’
Lennok glanced at the words appearing on the Papyrus, lost in thought.
‘If possible, it would be best to confirm as much of that possibility as I can here before leaving….’
At that moment, for the first time, a strained voice emerged from the guide’s lips.
“We have arrived.”
Thud!!
The shape of a massive door, situated at the far end of the dark corridor.
The guide, still not showing his face, stood motionless before the door as if dead.
“When you finish your audience and come out, I will guide you back out.”
“……”
“Make sure you find your way out correctly. If you get lost, you’ll never escape this tower.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Considering that the Memorial Tower was continuously increasing its altitude in real-time, this was not something to be taken lightly.
Lennok replied, then slowly walked past the guide and grasped the doorknob.
An inorganic, jet-black color. The smooth turning of the hinges, despite their solid feel.
Click!!
The moment he opened the door and stepped inside, Lennok realized he was standing in a massive circular room.
Nine doors encircled the circular room, and in the center, nine steles darker than jet-black stood, aligned with the doors.
Flicker!!
The moment he stepped into the room, faint flames surged from atop the steles, softly illuminating the room.
As Lennok gazed intently at the sight, a low telepathic message echoed in his ears.
[Come closer.]
“……”
Lennok slowly walked and stood on the platform located in the center of the nine steles.
Without a word, the nine flames flickered, as if intently observing Lennok.
Were these faint spirits, surging from atop the steles, the ancient spirits that formed the Court of Soul Pacification?
Their presence was unbelievably weak and hazy, too much so to be leaders managing all of Yorta.
As Lennok fell into thought, one of the spirits spoke quietly.
[You do not appear to be a spellcaster of a lineage Onnion would favor. Even to say you have awakened spiritual talent, you already possess too many abilities.]
“……”
[Spellcaster of the Pandemonium. The reason we answered your call today is… because the promises we made long ago are too deeply intertwined.]
The spirit’s telepathic message seemed to turn bitter for a moment.
[Even after the Night Parade ended, the promises remained… and we are trapped in the flow of time, unable to move forward, left to wander.]
Were they recalling the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade that existed long ago, seeing Madrich Onnion and the Guide’s Ring?
The words conveyed by the spirits of the Court of Soul Pacification seemed to have little to do with Lennok himself.
“The fact that this Memorial Tower is still increasing in altitude itself is proof that it’s building a bridge towards ascension.”
Lennok ignored the spirit’s soliloquy and spoke first.
“But in this world, where there is no ‘next’ world, why haven’t you finished the Night Parade yet?”
[…….]
Lennok asked.
“Using this bridge of souls you call the Memorial Tower, where do you intend to arrive now?”
Perhaps because he was probing too deeply into Yorta’s secrets, an answer to the question was not readily given.
It was a long time later that one of the spirits finally responded.
[Who, upon beginning to wish, would assume failure from the start?]
“……”
[We believed that at the end of the path, where all spirits and bodies were gathered to connect meaning, an answer would surely exist.]
The spirit spoke to the silent Lennok.
[You have the qualifications but have not found the answer, so you too harbor the same fervent wish as we did on that day.]
Were they implying that Lennok’s situation was similar to theirs in the past?
Just as Lennok shook his head at the message he couldn’t quite empathize with, the spirit murmured.
[The Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade has not yet ended, but neither is it continuing.]
Flicker!!
The power of the flames surging from atop the steles grew slightly stronger.
[After the Night Parade failed once, our resolve was lost, and the gate to the Infinite Void was also firmly shut. Only a contract worse than nothing remains in its place.]
“……”
[Therefore, spellcaster, if you wish to obtain something from this city, you must follow the proper procedures befitting our promise.]
Did they already know that Lennok’s initial purpose in contacting the Court of Soul Pacification was the Infinite Void?
Yet, even knowing this, the spirits of the Court of Soul Pacification seemed to have no reservations about Lennok’s actions.
Perhaps such emotions had withered away in the long passage of time,
or perhaps they had become so worn down that they had forgotten everything except their initial fervent wish.
But instead of probing into the Court of Soul Pacification’s ambiguous response, Lennok pulled down his hood and said coldly.
“Typical of spirits left with only will-thought, you’re spouting nonsense. Do you think such vague words can hide Yorta’s flaws?”
[…….]
“If you responded to my message and called me to the Memorial Tower, it must be because the Court of Soul Pacification also desires something.”
Lennok’s eyes gleamed behind his mask as he looked back at the spirits surrounding him.
“If you want to make a deal, state your terms clearly. What must be done to reopen the Infinite Void and enter it?”
The Court of Soul Pacification allowing Lennok into the Memorial Tower wasn’t because the spirits were benevolent towards him.
His battle with Madrich Onnion. His acquisition of the Guide’s Ring.
Something among the two causalities Lennok possessed must align with the Court of Soul Pacification’s objective.
At least under the identity of Victor, there was no need to play coy or walk a tightrope, knowing this full well.
The spirits of the Court of Soul Pacification seemed to ponder Lennok’s words for a moment, then emitted a telepathic message far clearer than before.
[If you are the one chosen by Onnion, you should be able to command the Guide’s Ghost and restart the Night Parade.]
The gazes of the nine spirits simultaneously turned to the ring Lennok was wearing.
[Since the Guide’s Ghost has returned, a new body will be needed to awaken its qualifications.]
“……”
[Find someone who wields Incarnation Spellcraft and procure a body for the Guide.]
“……Incarnation Spellcraft?”
[Do so, and you will be able to discover what lies beyond the Infinite Void, as you desire……]
Were they saying that by entrusting the fallen Guide’s Ghost with the role of leading the Night Parade again, the closed gate to the Infinite Void would open?
Only then did Lennok realize what the Court of Soul Pacification was offering him as a deal.
Incarnation Spellcraft, which was extremely rare even within Yorta itself.
The act of constructing a new body for a spirit using divine skill that physically manifests and builds the spellcaster’s alternate self.
Were they offering him the chance to open the closed Infinite Void and enter it, in exchange for entrusting this task to Lennok?
Thud!!
Without waiting for Lennok’s answer, the spirits’ flames burning atop the steles slowly extinguished one by one.
At the same time, the circular room rapidly darkened, and the nine doors burst open simultaneously.
Lennok looked at the now silent steles, then easily chose the door he had entered through and walked out.
The guide, who had been waiting behind the door, immediately turned his back to Lennok and began walking.
“The way out is over there.”
“……”
Lennok had tried talking to the guide the entire way to the Court of Soul Pacification to extract information, but he hadn’t gained anything so far.
However, the Chronicle, which he consulted without much expectation, contained unexpectedly unusual passages.
=The guide of the Memorial Tower is not a living being, but neither is it a machine that performs predefined commands.
=Having become Military Spirits and part of the tower, they harbor considerable lingering attachments to life.
=If one spoke to them about worldly matters, one could naturally distract them.
Lennok quietly gazed at the Chronicle, then subtly turned his gaze and opened his mouth.
“Do you know what the weather has been like outside Yorta recently? The weather has warmed up, and the flowers are blooming vibrantly.”
“……”
“Soon the seasons will turn, and the rainy season will arrive. If the swamps overflow, the Headrain River will also be affected.”
“……”
“The dock managers seem to have trouble securing space for ships every time—”
Just as Lennok threw out a few more experimental remarks to the unresponsive guide, at that very moment.
The guide suddenly spoke.
“I, too, used to work at the docks outside Yorta.”
“……”
“Even while clearing away the accumulating petals with every change in weather, I didn’t actually dislike it much.”
The guide seemed to be slowly opening up, then continued to murmur, trailing off from his own words.
“I miss those days when all my senses were vividly alive. Now I’m subjugated to this dark tower and fulfill my duties, but a very long time ago—”
He seemed to be recalling memories from his life, temporarily forgetting everything around him.
The moment the guide’s monologue filled the silent corridor, even erasing the sound of their footsteps.
Snap!!
Lennok immediately threw mana threads onto a window on one side of the corridor and leaped outside.
Swish!!
The tower’s outer wall, composed of countless flows of Military Spirits, as if rippling like waves.
Lennok bit and swallowed a painkiller, then immediately extended mana threads and began climbing the tower’s outer wall.
His destination was the Infinite Void, a colossal emptiness that revealed nothing, located on the uppermost floor of the Memorial Tower.
Rumble…!!
Lennok, entering the stairwell corridor where the Infinite Void became visible to the naked eye, unhesitatingly pulled out the Papyrus.
=The Infinite Void, which observes the flow of all curses in this world.
=An inviolable sanctuary, where even access is forbidden after the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade failed once.
=After traveling throughout Yorta and dealing with the fallen Myriad Ghosts, I caught the eye of the Court of Soul Pacification and obtained the tower’s entry records.
Ethan Bajour had hinted in the Chronicle that he had visited the Infinite Void once and overcome his talent in the process.
Therefore, the process of how he was able to enter the Infinite Void must also have been recorded in the Chronicle.
Lennok knew that, regardless of his deal with the Court of Soul Pacification, he could potentially enter the Infinite Void directly from this very spot.
=What I confirmed by moving through the Memorial Tower multiple times was that entering the domain of the void required time.
=The Myriad Ghost guarding the Infinite Void is such a cunning and intelligent being that penetrating its boundary is not easy.
=However, if it was merely to peek beyond the Infinite Void without being detected, there was a surprisingly easy method.
=That was to cast a curse upon oneself and observe the flow of that curse from beyond the Infinite Void.
“To cast a curse upon oneself, you say…”
Lennok read the Chronicle with a bitter laugh.
=The raison d’être of the Infinite Void is to observe the flow of all curses existing on this continent.
=Therefore, I can make myself the target of a curse and perceive the flow of the curse generated within the Infinite Void, then replace it with my own consciousness.
=Using this method, I peered beyond the Infinite Void many times without being detected, and obtained a way to enter it.
An illogical idea: not intervening at the boundary to peek into the Infinite Void, but rather damaging oneself to force the Infinite Void to recognize you.
However, Lennok knew why Ethan Bajour could unhesitatingly choose and use such an idea and means.
Born as Kaiser’s son, a being who possessed prodigious talent but couldn’t live long.
Perhaps it was because he had no particular feelings about his own life and time that he could even use himself as a tool to achieve his desired goal.
Click!!
What Lennok pulled out from under his shadow robe was a dagger with a particularly twisted blade.
It was an artifact containing various curses, obtained from Soryu, a member of Pandemonium and the Prince of Kabahim.
Lennok, who had been silently looking down at it, slowly plunged it into the back of his hand.
The moment he detected the stinging pain and simultaneously felt the curse’s magic flowing into his body.
Lennok unleashed his full magical power and began observing the will-thought fluctuations emanating from beyond the Infinite Void.
Hummm!!
Lennok’s will-thought, transcending his five senses, synchronized with the newly generated flow of curses beyond the Infinite Void.
He began to peer into the other side, as if connecting sensory lines that shouldn’t exist, and pressing his eye to a narrow crack in a door.
Immediately after he subconsciously thought it resembled the Revelation Ability used by a Shrine Maiden.
Lennok paused, holding his breath, as he confirmed the scene revealed beyond the Infinite Void.
“……”
In the absolute darkness, a man sat, his entire body dyed jet-black.
A throne excessively huge and ornate for the man’s physique.
From the man’s body, slumped against the throne, no signs of life could be felt.
A quiet aura, as if buried in the flow of time, like a corpse left neglected long ago.
However, Lennok instinctively gasped, realizing that the power and will-thought emanating from that corpse had reached an unbelievably immense and dangerous level.
That was not the corpse or remains of a mortal.
It was the physical body of a Transcendent who had surpassed the Seven Stages of Self-Modification and reached a state beyond.
The conclusion of a challenger who had gained the qualification to challenge ascension, and as proof, possessed a status equal to the world itself.
Yorta’s Memorial Tower. The Infinite Void, which observes the flow of all curses on the continent.
In that sanctuary, where only the formless flow of curses should be observed, the corpse of an Ascendant was preserved.
The moment Lennok realized that fact and his stiffened fingers twitched.
“Oh, dear, dear.”
A hoarse voice echoed from behind him.
A white-haired youth in a pure white robe. A peculiar figure, standing like a ghost with his hands clasped behind his back.
The being who had once stopped Lennok when he tried to look into the Infinite Void using the Shrine Maiden’s revelation.
“There have been many audacious mortals who tried to peek beyond the Infinite Void, but you are the second to enter by casting a curse upon yourself.”
He gave a bitter smile, looking at Lennok.
“Surely you won’t claim you simply got lost and stumbled in here?”
“……That sounds like something I should be asking you. Yorta’s Myriad Ghost.”
At the youth’s eerie question, Lennok turned his head with a stiff expression.
“Why is the corpse of an Ascendant preserved beyond the Infinite Void?”
“Well, asking me that is rather contradictory in many ways.”
The Myriad Ghost chuckled and shook his head.
“That is because it is something we left behind through a long-ago bargain with a failed savior.”
“……What?”
“There seems to be someone who knows even more about that than we do.”
The Myriad Ghost’s gaze precisely landed on the spirit of the Shrine Maiden standing behind Lennok.
“Isn’t that right, Shrine Maiden of the Cult?”
[…….]
Ignoring the silent Shrine Maiden, the Myriad Ghost murmured mockingly.
“A new vessel prepared for the incarnation of the savior you serve. You came to Yorta to confirm that very thing, didn’t you?”