Chapter 122: Ophelia, the woman who wants to cuckold your sister, seems to be more than one (6k)
The sun has already set, but the bright moon has yet to rise.
This is the deepest of nights.
Rast stands on the steep cliff, resembling a silent sculpture, while the roaring sound of crashing waves fills his ears.
The evening breeze carries a faint scent of the girl’s hair, reminiscent of cold cedar.
That warm and soft body seems to still be in his embrace.
However, below, the cold ocean has already swallowed everything, leaving only millions of tons of seawater churning beneath the cliff, with waves breaking into white froth against the black rocks.
Rast’s dark eyes have unknowingly turned silver, swirling with mysterious colors— the “Eye of Secrets” has quietly activated.
In the eye of secrets’ spiritual vision… the ocean where the Queen of the Underworld, Helen, fell has transformed.
The ocean that was once incredibly deep and impenetrable to any light is now completely transparent in this spiritual sight.
At the end of the deep sea, in the position that should have been the continental shelf…
At this moment, a fissure of pure darkness and dull yellow, devouring all light, quietly opens with the Queen of the Underworld’s fall, and then slowly closes again.
As if it were the Abyss formed from the remains of one of the oldest deities—the God of d*ath—after its fall.
No.
It is not the ethereal myths and legends fabricated by people, but a tangible reality.
In Rast’s eyes, the mysterious silver glimmer has become even more intense.
He withdraws his gaze from the dark sea below and turns to grasp the hazy, surreal chess piece in his palm, which seems somewhat out of place with reality.
Originally, this illusory chess piece was smoothly extracted after Rast shattered Helen’s heart, exuding a luminous jade-like appearance.
However, at this moment.
In the vision of the “Eye of Secrets,” threads of dull yellow patterns cover the entire glistening chess piece.
Like a densely woven spider web.
Numerous illusory pathways, resembling bl**d vessels, extend from that chess piece into the sky’s end, deep into the ocean, and beyond into the void.
Meanwhile, in the spiritual vision… this crystalline chess piece, along with the faint yellow illusory bl**d vessels swirling around it, pulses rhythmically.
Like a heartbeat.
With each pulse, the spider web-like dull yellow vessel patterns grow richer.
As if it were a true heart supplying its bl**d to the entire body.
However, this heart shell, connected by countless bl**d vessel-like pathways, is not something as insignificant as a human flesh body…
But rather the entire Royal City.
And even the whole realm known as “Paradise,” as well as the sky, the earth, and the sea that this realm encompasses…
……
“Is this the ‘Heart of the God of d*ath’?”
Rast looks at the illusory and hazy chess piece in his hand, his lips forming a faint smile.
“The relic of the God of d*ath”
“The remains of the Old God”
“The Heart of the Deity”
This jade-like chess piece has too many names and carries too many secrets.
When he first heard these extravagant titles, Rast thought they were mere exaggerations, flamboyant names.
Just like in those dubious domestic games of his past life, where any dagger would dare to call itself the “Dragon Slayer Blade,” any sword could be the “Heavenly Execution Sword,” and any passerby could be equipped with the “Pangu Axe”… it was just a name, so they made it as grand as possible, after all, boasting isn’t against the law.
However, after using the “Eye of Secrets” and carefully analyzing it in conjunction with the information he gathered from the Tower of Secrets—
Only then did Rast discover that these names do not seem to be mere fabrications.
Why is the existence of “Paradise” so special… as a haven for the dead, it can allow the shadows of the departed, who should not be allowed by the world’s laws, to persist in this world, even living as normally as any other person?
Why do both Cecil and the legendary “Graveminder,” who hides behind the curtains of history and rarely reveals himself… people of such stature, who are qualified to look down upon all beings, place such importance on the existence of “Paradise”?
Why did Cecil once say that every legendary path, every birth of a legend, is an irreplaceable miracle, each the protagonist of the era… but the Queen of the Underworld, Helen, possesses innate strength without any training, having a near-legendary status in Paradise?
All of this— is because of the remains of that ancient god known as the “God of d*ath,” left behind after its fall.
And what is called “Paradise,” the so-called Netherworld, is built upon the remains of the God of d*ath.
Even after having fallen for several epochs, the remains of the God of d*ath still emit power at all times, transforming the surrounding living beings into the dead, turning the once grand earth and oceans into the Abyss.
The heart of the God of d*ath’s remains has followed a certain law, turning into the illusory chess piece that appears before Rast, formed from the twilight’s glow as if it were a chess piece.
In later generations, the relics of such deities in the Tower of Secrets are uniformly referred to as—
“Star Cup”
Mythical beings that have touched the divine realm, after their fall and extinction… the crystallization of their divinity and authority that is extracted from their remains is what is known as the Star Cup.
Even with the passing of several epochs, whether the power from the God of d*ath’s remains or the divinity within the Star Cup has diminished significantly, they still hold great value.
Born with the Star Cup of the God of d*ath, Helen has never undergone any training or battle, the long sequence of the “God of d*ath” naturally reaches the sixth rank.
As the core organ of the remains of that deity, when she stands in Paradise, she can directly exert some of the prestige of those remains, reaching a nearly legendary realm.
Moreover, using the Star Cup as a key, she could gradually absorb all the power from the remains of the God of d*ath, ultimately becoming the new God of d*ath.
However—
If it were in the golden age of civilization, the prosperous time of the epochs, this heart of the Old God would undoubtedly be a rare treasure, allowing Helen to ascend to the throne of the Queen of the Underworld.
But…
At this very moment.
In this era of dwindling civilization, on the verge of ending, the “Star Cup” of the God of d*ath is no longer a divine gift fallen from the sky, a treasure that grants one the means to soar to the heavens.
But rather the origin of chaos and disaster, the source of conflict’s vortex.
A Star Cup left by an ancient god, containing all its divinity and authority… even the Graveminder would never let it slip away.
The status and benefits of the Star Cup itself do not hold much appeal to legends; they have long walked their legendary paths and could not possibly change sequences just for this.
However, this Star Cup is a key.
A key that might allow one to inherit all the legacies of the ancient deity “God of d*ath.”
From the perspective of the Guardian, Cecil would never allow this key to fall into the hands of the Graveminder.
The true gods that still exist, whether righteous or evil, must operate under certain limitations in the present world.
Perhaps due to different dimensions or some insurmountable barriers… they can only briefly descend their powers into the current world through sacrifices, pollutants, believers, and spreading faith.
If not for this, if the gods could roam the earth without restraint… a single legendary Guardian would not have been able to maintain the survival of human civilization amid the greed of numerous cult organizations for so long.
But—
The newly born, or already fallen mythical beings are exceptions that are not limited.
Should the Star Cup be inherited by those with ill intent, inheriting the God of d*ath’s legacy… or awaken the remains of this God of d*ath that has remained silent for several epochs,
Then everything would become irretrievable.
Therefore, surrounding the Star Cup of the God of d*ath, what is brewing— is a great storm that will sweep the Graveminder and the Guardian, pulling multiple legends into its chaos.
Helen’s level may indeed be comparable to a legendary one with the support of her home ground, but in the face of those true powerful beings who have reached legend step by step, her mentality and combat experience are no different from that of a child—
If she continues to hold the key that can inherit the God of d*ath’s legacy, standing at the center of the storm… then other than being torn to shreds by that immense storm, Helen has no other possibility.
An innocent person shouldn’t suffer for having treasure; this has been the case since ancient times, whether in Rast’s past life or in this different world he has traveled to.
So, at this moment.
The depths of the ocean, the Abyss formed from the remains of the God of d*ath… is far safer for Helen than the Royal City of Paradise, located at the center of the vortex of conflict.
As this thought flashed through his mind, Rast’s spirit suddenly paused slightly.
In the next moment.
……
[You have forged a brand new “bond,” the Library of Fools · Heart of d*ath long stage has been unlocked]
[You have unlocked a new card — “God of d*ath” · Akshia]
……
[Your bond with Akshia has deepened, the Library of Fools has gained new power]
[The current bond level of “God of d*ath” · Akshia has increased from 1 to 2]
[You have unlocked a new archetype “God of d*ath · Dark Vision”]
……
[Your bond with Akshia has deepened, the Library of Fools has gained new power]
[The current bond level of “God of d*ath” · Akshia has increased from 5 to 6]
[You have unlocked a new archetype “God of d*ath · Pale Body”]
……
Like a long-unused QQ account, lines of azure text flicker vividly in his mind, rapidly scrolling.
This is the feedback from the Night Blade “Library of Fools,” and only now does it seem to burst forth like an explosion.
And deep within Rast’s spiritual world.
In that dark tower, devoid of light, only twenty-one long stages stretch infinitely,
A brand new pure white staircase stands before him, and the illusory light golden chains sealing it silently dissolve, revealing the endless stone steps leading forth.
Among those pure white long stages, six have already been illuminated by light, while four have yet to be lit, shrouded in deep, mysterious darkness.
The bright points of light before the long stage are gathering, forming an illusory, dazzling card that slowly rotates.
On the back of the illusory card is the God of d*ath, riding a pale horse, holding high the flag of the rose cross, looking down upon all beings; at his feet kneels a crowned king.
On the front of the card is a girl with dark purple eyes and flowing ice blue hair.
She wears a pure white school uniform dress, adorned with the emblem of Starry University, her delicate white face revealing no ripple of emotion, as indifferent as an iceberg.
As Rast gazes at the slowly rotating “God of d*ath · Akshia” card, he lets out a gentle breath.
Whether it’s the illustration of the God of d*ath card or the information from the Library of Fools, both reveal an unmistakably clear message to him.
It confirms the hypothesis that has long lingered in Rast’s mind—
The Student Council President of Starry University, Chief of the Round Table, and holder of the “d*ath’s Messenger” Night Blade, Akshia… is the same person as Helen, the Queen of the Underworld, who has accompanied him for half a month.
However, for some unknown reason.
Akshia and he appear in the same echo of an era that should be impossible to enter as a team.
Moreover, it seems that his memories of being Akshia, as a Night Traveler, have been suppressed by the Night World, allowing him to live on in this identity of the Queen of the Underworld, Helen.
“The Library of Fools was silent until now when it finally revealed a prompt…”
“Is it because my so-called bond with Queen Helen is merely an illusory memory created under the suppression of the Night World?”
“And now, with the seal of memory on Akshia being pierced by the Light Dagger that Cecil gave me, the memories of being a Night Traveler awakened…”
“This bond has thus transformed from an illusion into reality.”
“And my bond level with Akshia is at bond grade six…”
“The unlocked archetypes are all abilities corresponding to the long stage of the God of d*ath sequence, and the Night Blade ‘d*ath’s Messenger’ has not been unlocked yet.”
“It seems that the Night Blade of ‘d*ath’s Messenger’ does not possess multiple layers of utility like Hiltina’s ‘Infinite Sword,’ but it only needs to be unlocked once… such a powerful Night Blade may require a bond level of seven, the special number corresponding to the ‘legendary rank’ to unlock.”
Rast focuses on the text on the Library of Fools’ panel, falling into subtle contemplation.
This is, so far, the highest bond level he has established on the “Library of Fools,” surpassing his previous bond level of “5” with Hiltina.
However, if one were to estimate the bond level between Rast and Queen Helen, that bond should be even higher than bond level six.
For that naive Queen of the Underworld, he is the only light in her life, the male protagonist of a fairy tale manifested in reality, appearing before her as if walking on clouds.
In addition to the final act of betrayal during their embrace, which shattered the hope of the Queen yearning for a fairy tale, plunging her from hope into the abyss of despair…
Such a deep bond, even if it has not reached level nine, should be somewhere around level eight or seven.
But at this moment, his bond level with Akshia is merely bond level six.
A reasonable explanation would be that Helen is not everything about Akshia.
The “Queen of the Underworld Helen” in the Night World is simply an NPC reflecting back due to the power of the Night World in the echo of the era, an illusion of past history… the illusion itself is void, only gaining significance because Akshia plays a role in it.
Akshia and Rast are akin to the male and female protagonists in a stage play.
Due to various coincidences and misunderstandings created by the director of this stage play, the Night World, they have jointly performed this love story in the illusory echo of history.
And now, with the misunderstanding resolved, as Akshia’s original memories are restored, she knows her identity as a Night Traveler and understands that she is merely the female protagonist in a stage play… the recent performance was just for effect, and she took a memory-erasing pill for the show, it’s all for show, all scripted, not to be taken seriously.
Then, what the actors playing the male and female protagonists should do next is naturally to perform the finale, bid a calm farewell, and return to their respective lives.
However—
Although bond level six is slightly lower than the relationship typically depicted between the main characters in a script.
It has already far surpassed the relationship of “colleagues playing a part in a fleeting act.”
“Fairy tales are false, but love is real.”
In the fiery red sky stained by the setting sun, the words sincerely written by the ice blue-haired girl seem to linger before his eyes.
So, for her—
The “fairy tale” in that statement does not merely refer to the book “Chronicles of Silver Wings”…
It also refers to the fairy tale played out by Queen Helen of the Underworld and Rast, the leader of the Guardian squad as its male and female protagonists, doesn’t it?
The performance is fake, but the emotions that blossomed during the performance shine with sincerity like diamonds and are anything but illusory.
This is Akshia’s attitude.
Fully aware of the falsehood of fairy tales, knowing the coldness and cruelty of reality, yet still firmly believing from the bottom of her heart…
Whether she is the Student Council President of Starry University or the Queen of the Underworld of the Netherworld, this sentiment has never changed.
So what about me?
From beginning to end, has my role also unknowingly involved me in a fairy tale stage play?
Not just in the echo of the era of the Night World, but also—
“Canaan”
Gazing at the glistening chess piece in his hand, glimmering with dull yellow light in the night, the Star Cup of the God of d*ath.
A rare flicker of bewilderment passes through Rast’s usually dark eyes.
But soon, that fleeting bewilderment disappears in an instant, and his gaze returns to its clear void.
Whether Helen is Akshia or not…
From beginning to end, what he needs to do has never changed in the slightest.
“Give the dreamlike fairy tale a perfect and happy ending.”
“If Mr. Silver finds out that I am working so hard to preserve its other source of income… will the ‘Moon’ card of the Library of Fools also have a chance to level up again?”
As he mutters to himself with such thoughts, Rast slowly raises the Star Cup of the God of d*ath.
Ever since he touched that hazy and illusory chess piece,
In the perspective of the “Eye of Secrets,” countless dull yellow vein-like pathways surge relentlessly from the Star Cup towards Rast’s right hand.
As if it has finally found a new host…
However, every time these twilight-vein-like pathways are about to penetrate Rast’s skin, a pale light flashes, blocking these dull yellow veins from entering Rast’s flesh.
Night Blade archetype “Silence Disqualified · Withering Stone.”
But at this moment, as he looks at the dull yellow threads surging toward his flesh, reminiscent of a thirsty poison snake,
A smile bends the corners of Rast’s mouth.
“Since you’re so eager to find a new host, a new shell…”
“Then I shall give it to you.”
The unvoiced words drop.
Just as Rast is about to take further action, he suddenly pauses slightly.
From behind Rast, in the rugged path leading to the peak’s cliff, hurried and chaotic footsteps suddenly echo closer.
With each passing moment, the ascending footsteps grow clearer and more distinct.
……
In the present world, the Tower of Secrets.
With a worried expression and a fluffy tail drooping, the silver director, who has been pacing back and forth, suddenly stops his circling steps.
Beside him, Ophelia, with an unnatural blush on her porcelain white face, also pauses in surprise.
“Little Tina’s sister.”
“It seems that it’s not just me; even your champagnes have popped a bit early.”
The silver director’s words drift over, carrying a trace of gloating satisfaction.
“The woman who wants to put a green hat on your elder sister.”
“Seems like there’s not just one, huh…”
(End of Chapter)
