A Side Story – Immortality [1]
[27]
A brief silence fell.
The darkness that had been undulating like ragged breaths gradually began to be sucked towards Anthonyus.
Anthonyus, his crimson eyes glowing, spoke again.
“This is not a struggle for survival.”
“…”
“What we must achieve is far too significant to be diminished by you.”
Yes, this is not a struggle for survival.
This is a fight to shed the disgusting shackles and obtain true freedom—a great revolution.
For that reason, the current power dynamics of the continent are entirely different from what appears on the surface.
Publicly, the Empire and the Sacred Country maintain a passive hostile relationship but collaborate to halt the expansion of the Demonic Realm.
Publicly, the ‘Demon King’ is regarded as the Apostle of the Dark God who brought ruin to the South and is the most dangerous threat to the safety of the continent.
However, the truth beneath this facade differs greatly from what is outwardly shown.
Darkness and light have joined hands, and the Sacred Maiden and the Sacred Country have become tumors deceiving the continent.
Luna, who protects the Empire, and the Demon King who destroyed the South share the same goal of excluding transcendent beings, so they tacitly cooperate.
As Speira once mocked… this world is terribly distorted.
But this distortion is by no means meaningless chaos.
When all the chaos ends, the mortals of the continent will finally sever ties with their powerless past.
If only they can endure this hellish time.
“Speira has achieved full awakening as a hybrid.”
Anthonyus, who participated in the Demonic Realm expedition to eliminate Preches, described Speira using the familiar term ‘hybrid.’
“The Empire must reveal Speira’s true nature publicly.”
Speira’s purpose is not to protect the Sacred Country.
Her goal is to become the leader of the Sacred Country, seize its ‘symbolic importance,’ and cause division across the continent.
“Collapsing the Sacred Country through high-level magic alone would be an ignorant choice.”
Simply destroying the Sacred Country by force would only aid Speira in achieving her objectives.
Even if the Sacred Country were obliterated by Meteors or similar fire-heavy spells, Speira would undoubtedly survive.
The intact Speira would then pose as a persecuted Sacred Maiden under the evil Empire, expanding cracks from the shadows.
Among the ruling class of the continent, there are many who value justification and symbolism over rationality for survival. If the Empire further loses its reputation as an Empire, the division will accelerate.
Of course, Luna could eventually suppress all resisting organizations by force…
But while she does so, the darkness will inevitably invade.
“What the Empire must take from Speira is not the Sacred Country, but its symbolism.”
The gem of Prizzran, the Guardian of the South, the Apostle of El-Lam, the miraculous Sacred Maiden—Speira Prizzran.
What the Empire must seize is this brilliant symbolism.
“Whether you lure her into the Empire or invade the Sacred Country, make sure to expose Speira’s hybrid nature publicly.”
It wouldn’t be an easy task. Moreover, Speira had the option to abandon the Sacred Country and flee.
Attempting to reveal Speira’s identity clumsily might lead to complications difficult to resolve.
Nevertheless, it had to be done. Even if they could kill Speira, they needed to first clearly establish her hybrid nature publicly before doing so.
Listening to Anthonyus’ demands, Delun casually asked,
“…If we reveal that Speira is a hybrid, does that mean everything will be over…?”
“…”
Though seemingly casual, Delun’s question was quite sharp.
There are countless myths about mortals who suffered divine punishment for their arrogance.
In the doctrines of the church, arrogance is a feeling that should be guarded against as it develops into sin.
Moreover…
There is also the story of how the god who bestowed grace became angered by humanity’s original sin, purifying the world with fire and water, and only those chosen by the god received salvation.
An extreme eschatology that speaks of salvation after destruction.
While such content doesn’t resonate well in peaceful times, it holds enough power to captivate humans during periods of confusion like the present.
“…”
Are all within the Sacred Country ignorant of the ‘power’ Speira possesses?
There might already be people who recognize Speira’s dark radiance and still follow her.
Accepting without resistance the betrayal and change of heart of the transcendent being that the continent has followed and received blessings from for thousands of years would be difficult even for those distant from the sacred order.
Let alone devout clerics—they would find it hard to accept the truth outright.
Thus, perhaps…
A current of corruption based on whispers of salvation after destruction might have quietly spread among the upper echelons of the Sacred Country.
“…”
The anguish and corruption of the clerics were almost inevitable since the point when El-Lam and the Dark God colluded.
Therefore, it was even more crucial to quickly reveal Speira’s hybrid nature to the public and paint her as merely a ‘corrupted traitor who betrayed El-Lam.’
Publicly announcing the collusion between El-Lam and the Dark God would hardly yield positive results.
“…Before I am completely consumed, the Empire must resolve this.”
Anthonyus was ultimately destined to be consumed by the will of the Dark Gods.
Though he could delay this consumption with his willpower, he couldn’t prevent it, and choosing self-destruction was also difficult for him.
Though Anthonyus resists, he is undoubtedly a champion of unprecedented strength.
The Dark Gods did not wish to lose such a valuable asset.
They wanted to fully bring Anthonyus under their control, even if it took a long time.
Thus, the actions Anthonyus took toward self-destruction were thoroughly suppressed by the Dark Gods.
“I don’t have much time left.”
Time was running out.
Before Anthonyus fully awakens as the Demon King, the continent must stabilize its current chaotic system.
Even if eliminating Speira fails, the command structure must be consolidated around the Empire.
“Relay this to the Empire… to Luna.”
“…”
“Make sure everything is settled within three years at the latest. Beyond that, I cannot guarantee anything.”
Tsik!
The swirling darkness formed the shape of a helmet and enveloped Anthonyus once more.
Then Delun, who had been staggering, stood up and gripped his hoarse voice tightly.
“Is that all?”
Delun’s voice still carried traces of anguish.
The suffering of always having to watch the struggle from one step away was evident in Delun’s voice.
“What… What can I do?”
With his dull mind.
With his insufficient talent.
With his weakened will.
Other than parroting your words…
“What else can I possibly do?”
Delun asked.
*
Johanna failed in her mission.
She failed to secure the artifact that should have been her top priority.
Not only did she fail to retrieve the artifact, but numerous elite forces also perished.
Worse still, De伦n, who had closely assisted Johanna, went missing, and among those who entered the underground facility, only Johanna and Jusephin returned alive.
Acting hastily and skipping proper reconnaissance with a small elite team led to the worst possible outcome.
Externally, the incident was reported as the Empire’s investigation team retreating after failing to withstand a sudden attack by demons.
Speculations ran rampant about what formidable foe had caused Johanna’s retreat.
Some claimed it was definitive proof that Johanna’s achievements on the front lines were exaggerated.
Regardless of what others said, Johanna informed the upper echelons of the Empire about Speira’s existence while maintaining secrecy externally.
After delivering a request to continue keeping silent, Luna recalled Johanna to the Imperial Capital.
Despite severe injuries, Johanna underwent minimal emergency treatment before returning to the capital.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Capital, Johanna immediately sought an audience with Luna.
Luna looked at Johanna’s severely battered body and softened her gaze.
“…”
Speira Prizzran.
Considering Johanna’s testimony, it seemed certain that Speira had awakened as a hybrid.
Having survived despite confronting the hybrid Speira, Johanna deduced that Luna had detected Anthonyus’ involvement.
Although neither Luna nor Anthonyus had spoken since the sky turned red, both were well aware of their collaborative relationship.
As Luna continued to remain silent, Johanna, her eyes bloodshot with indignation, asked,
“What exactly is that…?”
“…”
“What exactly is that thing?!!!”
“…The second hybrid.”
Luna responded in a subdued tone.
Six hundred years ago, the first hybrid was born.
Preches, whom Luna had encountered, merely mimicked that first hybrid.
Preches was a half-formed entity who relied on the Dark Gods instead of El-Lam to distort his powers.
Yet, even Preches’ distorted power was potent enough to push the continent to the brink of destruction.
Given this, it was clear that the special nature of the dark radiance wielded by Speira, who truly awakened as a hybrid, surpassed Preches’ distorted power.
Initially, the dark radiance was created as a manifestation of power by transcendent beings to kill mortal talents capable of threatening beyond the stars.
Six hundred years ago, it was used to eliminate Harshia, resulting in the creation of the first hybrid.
Speira inherited that power, and even the current Luna found it challenging to confront her directly.
At least, she would need to face Speira in the home ground of the Imperial Capital to have any chance of success.
To counterbalance Speira, she would need to utilize all the mana from the mana veins and pour all her strength into the battle.
If Luna rashly ventured into the Sacred Country to expose Speira’s identity, Speira could sacrifice revealing her true nature to swiftly achieve her ultimate goal by killing Luna.
That’s why Speira didn’t bother to stop Johanna’s escape, accepting the risk.
However…
There was one thing Speira misunderstood.
Even outside the Imperial Capital…
Luna could decisively kill Speira under any disadvantageous conditions or locations right now.
But to do so, Luna would have to expose her current level and all her power to the beings beyond the stars.
The beings beyond the stars still underestimated Luna’s growth rate, which is why they continued to monitor the continent while mutually restraining each other.
In this situation, if Luna were to use all her strength to eliminate Speira, it would grant her a short-term advantage but cause a fatal disadvantage in the long run.
“…”
Luna stepping in should be the absolute last resort.
As Luna paused momentarily in thought, Johanna spoke again.
“Luna.”
Johanna’s eyes gleamed eerily with desire.
“Teach me.”
“…”
“How to kill an Apostle.”
*
“So, it seems I’m the one you’ve come to see?”
Resina smirked disdainfully at Johanna, finding her visit amusing.
