Chapter 597: Eivass: Want another slice?
Once a flaw is realized, the more one thinks about it, the more loopholes appear. Eivass soon discovered that the professor’s provided timeline didn’t match either. In Eivass’s impression, the Ring Heavenly Envoy only started the Ascension Ritual three years after the “Ouroboros Ring” ritual was activated. By then, most of the Heavenly Envoys were already dead, the Dream Realm was empty, and the Great Deed of assembling the Ring Heavenly Envoy was accomplished.
But the professor said that this year—1899—the Ring Heavenly Envoy was going to complete the “parricide.” This is impossible. Because according to the normal timeline, the Ring Heavenly Envoy’s Great Deed, the “Ouroboros Ring” plan, hadn’t even been conceived!
“The beginning of the game’s history starts at the turn of autumn and winter in 1898— the first event was me being sacrificed by people from the Noble Red. If we use this event as a starting point…” Eivass murmured.
In the game, the Cruel Autumn began in the autumn of 1899, followed by Version 0. Version 0 began in June 1900. By then, the Fallen Heavenly Envoys who had been brought down had already committed widespread slaughter, violently ruling the Star Antimony Kingdom, and even affecting the stability of occupied Avalon.
The professor had just mentioned that the Rose Cross Society had a sacred ritual to perform on May 5th. Could this be it? After all, the “Rose Cross” is a secret society. How could they possibly invite people from all over the world to witness their sacred ritual? What if their techniques were learned? Unless their purpose was precisely to attract these powerful individuals.
Although Eivass didn’t know the exact date of the Fallen Heavenly Envoy’s descent… because their perspective at the time was focused on the Church and Avalon, and they had no idea what was happening in Star Antimony. However, inferring from nearby time points, the first Ouroboros Ring ritual was very likely to have started on May 5, 1900—because 5 is the Sacred Number of balance, very suitable for opening the world’s upper limit. Those Ritualists were extremely cautious and valued their lives. The first Ouroboros Ring ritual needed to maximize the success rate, and there was no room for simplification. Therefore, the correct date was essential.
Three years after that, on August 3, 1903, the world changed dramatically… The Ouroboros Ring completed its Ascension.
And because of Eivass’s influence, history has undergone significant new changes—
“The Succubus Emma triggered a war, and because the great chaos in the Church had not yet occurred, Avalon was successfully protected. Now Star Antimony has been bombed by the Gryphon Legion for three months, coupled with the Church’s clear stance in support of Avalon this time… the anti-war sentiment among the Star Antimony people will surely reach its peak.
“At the same time, the Armed Gargoyle has not yet been fully developed, and a rebellion has occurred in the Daffodil Territory where the Mage Legion is stationed. But Star Antimony’s economy has been collapsing for many years due to Goblin interference, with extremely high unemployment rates. They cannot afford to pay Avalon for a ceasefire, nor can they show weakness to Avalon. They can only repeatedly tell the Star Antimony people, ‘Our primary problem is the Daffodil rebellion,’ to bypass the Avalon issue.
“But the problem must eventually be resolved. The Star Antimony nobles are eagerly awaiting a power that can end the war… therefore, the Ouroboros Ring ritual has been forced to be moved up by a year. That is, this year… May 5, 1899.”
If this date is missed, the next activation might be next year. Although they might not be fully prepared… for example, lacking a year of propaganda and waiting, they might not be able to gather as many top powerhouses. But the ritual must begin. That is why they are making the ritual public and inviting powerhouses from all over the world to witness it. Originally, this ritual would have been held in secret, but they can no longer afford to do so.
—And this leads to another problem. If the plan unfolded according to the original timeline, Eivass would have had a full year to level up. He embarked on the path of the Extraordinary in mid-November last year. Now, after only four months, his level has reached Devotion LV32, surpassing LV29. If he had another year, Eivass would have had great confidence in raising his level to dual LV49, acquiring Divine Gear, assembling a small team, and preparing a full roster of Beasts of Sin.
But now, Eivass absolutely cannot block the entrance and defeat a newly spawned Fallen Heavenly Envoy.
In a few days, Eivass will undergo his next Ascension Ritual. If successful, he will be a Fourth Tier of the Dual Path. But with only one month, it’s impossible for him to max out his level—not to mention his equipment, Great Beasts, and team composition.
There is a good benchmark: the Fallen Heavenly Envoy that descends will definitely be stronger than the Eternal Pope. Although not significantly stronger, the Eternal Pope absolutely cannot defeat the Fallen Heavenly Envoy in a one-on-one fight. —This means that if Eivass doesn’t have the confidence to win against the Eternal Pope one-on-one, he cannot go. Going would be suicide.
What to do? Should he disrupt the ritual… or let them proceed?
“…Forget it. The Star Antimony people want to die, I won’t stop them.” Eivass shook his head. On the enemy’s home ground, facing at least five or six top powerhouses just below the Eternal Pope, the danger is actually comparable to facing a Fallen Heavenly Envoy—either way, he dies. And even if Eivass stopped them, they wouldn’t be grateful. They would only think that Eivass proactively attacked them and disrupted their sacred ritual.
So, let them do it.
Those Heavenly Envoys who were brought down cannot leave their initial cities. That is why they each have their own territories and dispatch subordinates to control the surrounding areas. Although this “Earthly Divine Kingdom” will gradually expand, it will not have a significant impact in the short term.
The capital is occupied, the Fallen Heavenly Envoy seeks revenge… combined with the rebellion in the Daffodil Duchy, Star Antimony is doomed to perish this time. This means that Version 0 will arrive a month early—
Version 0 hasn’t even begun, and the Church’s issues haven’t been resolved, yet a new powerful enemy has appeared! Two versions are overlapping! Eivass felt a headache just thinking about it.
Therefore, Eivass had to settle for a lesser option and consider how to respond if the Fallen Heavenly Envoy successfully descended.
“First… before the Ouroboros Ring ritual begins, stop the Gryphon Legion’s continuous bombing.” Otherwise, if the Fallen Heavenly Envoy were to spawn and be struck by a stray Gryphon, its already angered state might cause it to go mad on the spot. Originally, it was supposed to vent its anger on the Star Antimony people who pulled it down, and gather a large number of Demon Scholars to research how to send itself back… If the Gryphon Legion carelessly attacked, it could easily divert the hatred of the Demon Army towards Avalon. It’s not that they couldn’t win, but there’s no need for it.
“…Then, I still have to make a trip to Star Antimony.” It’s not that he wanted to chase the professor. It’s because he needs to “rescue” some “supplies.” The Ouroboros Ring ritual is scheduled for early May. Once the ritual is established, Star Antimony will be engulfed by the Fallen Heavenly Envoy’s Earthly Divine Kingdom, and demons will directly control the entire territory.
After that, crossing the border will be extremely dangerous, and the higher the Energy Level of the Extraordinary, the more dangerous it will be—because it might attract the attention of the Fallen Heavenly Envoy themselves. Before that, Eivass must find a way to enter Star Antimony and scout around: quickly poach valuable talents, or tie them up first if they can’t be persuaded, it would be too regrettable if it ended like the Death of Archimedes.
Originally, the Ouroboros Ring was not supposed to be held at this time, but on this day next year. If something that was originally fine, turns out to be crucial and gets killed in the capital a year early… Eivass felt that he would also bear some responsibility. He also needs to quickly explore the ruins that must be explored and pick up any unclaimed treasures that can be taken.
—Coincidentally, Eivass needs to rendezvous with his archaeology mentor in April. Before May, he needs to quickly transfer the old man out… don’t let the old man die in there.
“So busy…” Eivass felt a headache. The Ascension Ritual, the Pope election… and then he has to go to Star Antimony.
“If only I had some clone ability…” Eivass subconsciously murmured, “The ‘Egg Moon Secret Chronicle’ seems to be able to split off a copy of oneself…” As soon as he finished speaking, he froze. Then he shuddered.
—No splitting! No splitting! The Ring Heavenly Envoy probably thought the same way back then, and ended up splitting off Eivass, who now constantly thinks about how to usurp power… If Eivass also split off a piece, it might become “New Eivass.”
“…I can only say, as expected of me. Our thoughts are aligned…” Eivass gave a self-deprecating smile.
At this moment, Madam Grace finally arrived, albeit fashionably late. She pushed open the door, panting, and seeing that she had managed to make it, breathed a sigh of relief. “I haven’t even gotten on the carriage yet…” she complained, then changed from running to walking, strolling in leisurely.
Then she looked up and saw the Little Eivass in the birdcage. Madam Grace was immediately startled: “Her Majesty Titania! Why… why have you locked Eivass up!”
“…Ah?! What are you talking about?” Hearing her name called, the sleeping Titania suddenly woke up. In that instant, her face lacked the maturity of a queen, appearing rather young and innocent, even somewhat flustered. Like a little girl who is suddenly called upon by her teacher during class while sleeping.
(End of chapter)
