Chapter 143: In Memory, His Appearance (Three-in-One)
The moonlight was cold, casting its glow upon Shaya’s face.
Shaya sat up from the bed, gently tucking in the messy bedding beside him.
A soft murmur came from beside the pillow. A pale arm lightly tugged at Shaya’s clothes, igniting a fleeting urge in him to burrow back under the covers for a bit more intimacy.
Perhaps it was Sylvia’s arrival that made this girl feel on guard, as Shaya had been enjoying plentiful benefits these past few days.
However, Shaya managed to suppress the impulse.
He had more important matters to attend to.
“It’s okay, I’ll go to the balcony for some air and be right back.”
Shaya gently stroked Aerora’s cheek beside him, kissed the girl’s pale, cute face, then rose and went out onto the balcony.
With a slight flex of his mental power, he gently probed into the sealed cage of the Sixth Soul Pact Space.
“Master, you’ve finally come to the little black room to see me.”
“Do you know how pitiful I am, being locked up here? I’m like a stray dog abandoned by the roadside, no, more like a lump of dog feces stuck to a shoe…”
As soon as Shaya’s mental power entered, he saw the Sage’s Cup shaking, displaying text.
“Stop being glib.”
“Your command is my will, my Master.”
The white cup wiggled the handle on its right side, as if attempting a salute.
However, the cup’s body, lacking flexibility and extensibility, couldn’t complete the action, and it fell with a ‘bang’.
“First question.”
Shaya paid no attention to the cup.
He had already figured out the cup’s behavior pattern. It had likely been alone for too long in lost history, so it would babble incessantly to anyone it encountered, and even seemed to possess a talent for being amusing and cute.
Therefore, before probing with his mental power, he had used ‘Tsukuyomi’ to implant a mental suggestion in himself.
Shaya thought for a moment and then asked, “Describe in detail the current state of Isadorella von Freysburg.”
“You mean that King of Knights who defied history?”
The Knowledge Sage’s Cup displayed text: “She is protected by a Holy Sword. For mysteries even older than myself, my authority in the Spirit World might be shielded, allowing me to observe only certain aspects.”
“However, her current state is not good. The historical correction force has already dispersed most of the Holy Sword’s mystery, allowing me to observe the full picture.”
The Knowledge Sage’s Cup paused, then continued to display text: “Isadorella von Freysburg, using the mystery of the Holy Sword, traversed history and ascended to the throne as the King of Knights a thousand years ago.”
“However, due to the ‘Cain’, the ‘disaster-bringing person’, she refused to return to the correct history. Instead, she used the mystery of the Holy Sword to twist the river of history, opening up a brand new branch.”
“Of course, although the Holy Sword is powerful, it is not omnipotent. Its limit is to be able to resist human reason and the historical correction force.”
“But humans are not immortal beings; human lifespan has its limits. Her ability to survive until now seems to be by borrowing the power of the abyssal True God – ‘Crimson Moon’.”
Shaya’s eyes flickered: “Are you saying Isadorella was possessed or corrupted by the Crimson Moon?”
“Not at all.”
The Knowledge Sage’s Cup shook its head.
“The mental power of a person on the throne is incredibly powerful. Even an abyssal True God could never breach the protection of the Holy Sword to corrupt their true heart.”
“She chose to cooperate with the Crimson Moon of her own accord for a certain reason.”
“To await Cain’s return from the Hall of Heroes, she would pursue eternal life at any cost…”
The cup’s font changed from white to black: “She has already achieved the status of a throne, possessing the qualification to touch the divine realm… yet, due to trivial mortal emotions like love and affection from her weaker days, she actively embarked on such a path of no return. How foolish, how laughable.”
“And that Cain fellow.”
“He’s clearly a dead person, yet he drags others down with him. Not a good person either.”
The cup then jumped up again: “Actually, Master, you don’t need to concern yourself with her at all.”
“From the First Era to the Fourth Era, there have never been a shortage of demigods and even True Gods who, relying on Holy Relics or the peculiarity of their own authority, attempted to alter the grand momentum of past history.”
“And the histories they opened up, which deviated from the path, are also called ‘imaginary streams’.”
“But without exception, every King of the imaginary streams and the imaginary streams they opened up were eventually crushed into dust by the correction force, all traces of their existence erased, forgotten by the world.”
“The reason why those on thrones and mythical creatures rarely make a move is because they know that as long as they wait, these incorrect histories will eventually return to the right track, and nothing will change.”
Shaya glanced at the bouncing white cup.
“Let me tell you a secret.”
“Actually, I am Cain.”
…
“Being able to share Master’s secret is my greatest hon—”
The text displayed on the Knowledge Sage’s Cup abruptly stopped.
Only now did it realize that the target of its criticism just now included Shaya himself.
Furthermore, considering this logic…
That Crimson Empress Isadorella, who defied history and created an imaginary stream.
She might very well become his future Mistress.
“Actually, Master, I think Empress Majesty is also very much in need of salvation.”
“A thousand years of waiting, what a noble and great love this is…”
“Next question.”
Shaya glanced at the white cup, whose expression changed faster than flipping a book, and interrupted.
If not for the Tsukuyomi hypnosis he had used earlier to forbid himself from complaining, he would surely have complained a few times about this sycophantic holy grail.
Shaya narrowed his eyes slightly.
With a subtle movement of his mind, the crimson power was transmitted through the Third Soul Pact, converging into a thin, sharp blade at his fingertips.
Shaya’s finger moved slightly, and a small gash appeared on his palm.
But immediately after, the gash healed rapidly.
“Where does the origin of my self-healing ability come from?”
“Master, the mystery contained within your spiritual origin is too profound for me to discern.”
The sycophantic cup’s text paused, hesitated for a moment, and then reappeared.
“However… if I’m not mistaken, this healing power seems to carry a trace of abyssal aura.”
“It’s similar to that Crimson Moon, yet different.”
The moment these words were inscribed, the Knowledge Sage’s Cup trembled.
Could it be that his Master was actually an ancient god from the abyss?
Shaya thought for a moment and then spoke again, “Next question.”
“Master, that…”
For some reason, the Knowledge Sage’s Cup now displayed a hint of shyness and coyness.
“Just say it directly.”
“According to the laws set in the Sage’s core when I was born, I must adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange.”
“The forbidden knowledge you previously gave me counts as the stake for the first question, but this is the third question now…”
“Humble as I am, may I ask Master to answer one question for me?”
Shaya nodded: “Ask.”
“May I ask, what was the last dish of your last meal?”
Shaya recalled: “Goji berry soup with roasted lamb kidneys.”
He remembered a prediction made by a divination master in the Imperial Capital a long time ago.
The prophecy given to him at the time was, “Drink more goji berries, eat more kidneys.”
Looking back now, the divination master truly lived up to his reputation.
“A perfect answer!”
Bright white light erupted around the Knowledge Sage’s Cup.
“Master, you may proceed with your questions.”
“Then, the final question.”
Shaya’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Tell me all the information you know about the Golden Dawn, and the purpose behind the letter they sent me.”
…
About ten minutes later, Shaya’s mental power stirred, and he withdrew from his Sixth Soul Pact Space.
The cold wind howled on the balcony, blowing against Shaya’s face, clearing his mind.
He had to admit that although this Knowledge Sage’s Cup was talkative and liked to embellish, its authority to pry into secrets was indeed extremely powerful and unquestionable.
It was truly the right decision to spend one hundred and seventy points to redeem it.
In this world of the supernatural and mysterious, whoever possessed information held the initiative.
Shaya extended his hand and slightly parted his palm.
The next moment, the letter, laden with starlight and inscribed with the imprint of a semi-decayed World Tree, was silently materialized from his Spatial Pocket.
His index finger twitched slightly, and one by one, the seals placed upon it by Sylvia were unlocked.
Immediately after, the envelope was opened by Shaya, and the text within materialized.
【Respected ‘Starfarer’ Shaya Egut, Your Excellency.】
【Your valiant fight in the Ancient Azure Court in the Holy Calendar Year 346 has become one of the turning points of human history.】
【’Starfarer’ is an honor bestowed upon those who become turning points in human history, lay the foundations of human reason, and complete the ‘Path of Stars Expansion’.】
【Therefore, this is also an invitation from the Golden Dawn.】
【Perhaps you have heard of us before, perhaps not, but all of that is not important…】
【We are witnesses to human history, and also guardians of human reason, maintaining the correct course of history.】
【We have witnessed the dawn of eras, and we have also heard the end of eras.】
【You may have never heard of our name, but surely you have heard of the Golden King Rhine, who was one of our former leaders.】
【If you wish to join the Golden Dawn, please follow the spiritual guidance within the invitation letter at the dawn of the first day of next month to participate in our gathering.】
The moment Shaya finished reading the letter, it scattered with specks of starlight, leaving no trace behind.
“They really have a high level of pretentiousness.”
Shaya mused to himself as he watched the letter dissolve into starlight.
Look at their description.
‘Witnesses to history’, ‘Guardians of human reason’… they were blowing their own horns to the heavens.
The most crucial point was that they seemed to have the capital to brag.
The Golden King Rhine was a monumental figure who established the Holy Calendar and had his effigy imprinted on every coin on the continent.
Before Shaya had gotten to rely on the strong support of Sylvia and Isadorella, he would stare at Rhine’s face on the coins every day, desperately hoping to make one coin last for two uses.
And such a powerful figure was merely a former leader of the Golden Dawn.
Moreover, according to the supplementary information from the Knowledge Sage’s Cup, the entry requirement for this ancient organization, the Golden Dawn, was at least Legendary.
The only exception was the so-called ‘Starfarer’.
Only those who completed the ‘Path of Stars Expansion’ could be called Starfarers…
What is the ‘Path of Stars Expansion’?
For example, ancient scholars studying diligently, pioneers who opened up sea routes to new continents, or pioneers of Magitech and Arcane knowledge.
Each one was a hero who left behind great achievements in history and became a turning point in civilization.
“According to their words, does that mean I owe this to Sylvia?”
Shaya’s thoughts raced.
The minor skirmishes within the Ancient Azure Court alone could hardly be considered a turning point in history.
His being recognized as having completed the ‘Path of Stars Expansion’ was mainly because he had altered Sylvia’s fate, or rather, directly contributed to the birth of the ‘White Tower’.
The White Tower, as a purely academic organization dedicated to teaching and nurturing talent, became a beacon of civilization’s unbroken lineage during the era of calamity.
It could be said that the butterfly effect caused by his saving Sylvia had directly changed the course of future human history.
“For an organization of the Golden Dawn’s stature, it’s not surprising they could discern my identity within the Historical Echo of the Ancient Azure Court.”
“After all, when I entered the first Historical Echo, I had no concept of hiding my identity and acted completely in character.”
“Coupled with the fact that later, during that banquet, Sylvia and I were exposed to the attention of the entire continent, it’s traceable that they might have seen through us.”
“However, if that’s the case, they must be completely unaware of my Cain persona.”
Shaya couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief.
Speaking of which, his Cain persona could indeed be called a ‘Starfarer’.
Moreover, it was achieved through his own efforts, without relying on Sylvia’s influence.
Although the reputation left behind was a negative one.
“It seems this Golden Dawn isn’t as powerful as I imagined; they can’t even see through my Cain persona.”
“A gathering on the first day of every month…”
Shaya recalled the contents of the letter.
And, after the letter dissipated, those wisps of starlight that converged into a mysterious guidance.
He could feel that as long as he followed this guidance, his spiritual origin would transcend the barrier of the Prime Material Plane and reach a certain high and distant place.
“Is this the address of that Golden Dawn monthly gathering?”
“Yes, Master.”
The Knowledge Sage’s Cup respectfully displayed text in the Soul Pact Space.
“The Golden Dawn must possess some ancient mystery, perhaps involving the power of the World Tree… Their monthly gathering place is independent of the Prime Material Plane.”
“It does not exist in any known Sub-dimension, Astral Realm, or Spirit World.”
“The only way to participate in the gathering is to follow the spiritual guidance at the dawn of the first day of each month.”
“Before the appointed time, even a True God, let alone a demigod, could not glimpse that place…”
The Knowledge Sage’s Cup continued to inscribe text.
But the next moment, its movements froze slightly.
Because it saw brilliant starlight flashing around Shaya.
Black mist diffused outwards, and Shaya’s spiritual origin, following the spiritual guidance, disappeared from the Prime Material Plane.
Leaving only the Knowledge Sage’s Cup in the Soul Pact Space staring blankly at the newly generated little black room.
What was this Master of theirs’ background?
…
Shaya felt enveloped by black mist.
It made him feel as if he were in the clouds.
This world of only black mist did not belong to the Prime Material Plane, nor to the Spirit World or the Astral Realm.
However, it possessed a high and distant status, unlike Pocket Dimensions or Sub-dimensions which were inherently diminished.
“It’s not even time yet, why am I already here?”
Shaya was also somewhat bewildered at this moment.
He had initially just intended to try it out casually and, at most, note down the location of the spiritual guidance.
He hadn’t expected to actually enter.
Moreover, it didn’t even require him to expend mental power; it was as if this black mist was actively welcoming his arrival.
“I’m becoming more and more curious about what secrets I’m hiding.”
Shaya looked at the swirling black mist that seemed to welcome his arrival, and fell silent for a moment.
He wasn’t an idiot.
If his unreliable system could be explained away by the perks of being a mechanical godsend transmigrator,
Then, even setting that aside, the anomalies surrounding him were too numerous.
Even someone like Isadorella, who was on the throne, would be constrained by the historical correction force when traveling to the past with the power of the Holy Sword. She could only act in accordance with the general trend of history; any attempt to forcefully violate it would invite irresistible destruction.
Yet, he had traveled through Historical Echoes twice. Regardless of what he did within them, even if he caused immense repercussions, he had never encountered significant obstruction.
Then there were his peculiar Fourth Soul Pact and Undying Body.
All of this strongly implied that the secrets hidden within him were extraordinary.
However, if one were to put it that way, his origins were indeed somewhat unclear.
From the time he could remember, he had been adopted by an old ice hunter in Northern Territory Ceylon. However, according to the old man, he had found him in some abandoned ruins in the ice fields.
“If I have the chance, I really should make a trip back to Ceylon.”
A hint of nostalgia flashed in Shaya’s eyes.
He wasn’t the kind of person who liked to be kept in the dark. With Shaya’s personality, he preferred to plan meticulously and act, controlling the overall situation to feel at ease.
Shaya’s thoughts stirred.
The next moment, behind him, black mist billowed.
Several light golden branches wove themselves behind him, forming a throne woven from golden branches.
Shaya sat upon the throne woven from branches and fell into deep thought.
“So, I am the master of this world?”
“According to the Knowledge Sage’s Cup, this black mist should be the gathering place of the ancient organization, the Golden Dawn.”
“And now, I’ve preempted them?”
Shaya attempted for a while within it.
This was not a physical world, but merely a spiritual origin point.
However, he truly possessed many authorities within it.
After a long time, Shaya finished his attempts and lightly tapped the armrest of the golden throne beneath him.
“With this being the case,”
“My plan in Escarnia can proceed much more smoothly.”
From beginning to end, Shaya had not forgotten that he was still in a distorted history.
And his primary objective now was to correct that erroneous history.
“The disaster-bringer… Cain.”
Shaya’s eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the assessment of Cain in the current history books.
“Then, let Cain, and Dawn.”
“Truly become disaster-bringers.”
…
Freista Empire, Imperial Capital.
Hall of Thrones.
A silver-haired woman stood alone in the solitary palace.
Before her was a massive canvas.
The artwork was now nearing completion, with only the final touches remaining.
The silver-haired woman held no brush in her hand. She simply extended her pale fingers and tapped in the void, and brilliant strokes were meticulously sketched onto the canvas, lifelike and vivid.
It was a magnificent scroll.
The painting depicted a slender figure wearing a black robe with red clouds and a masked face with a swirling pattern.
The background was a vast valley at night.
Opposite the valley were countless monstrous demons as black as ink.
And that slender figure faced the army of ten thousand horses before him, his back to all beings.
In the night sky, a Holy Spear pierced the night, emitting endless brilliant star beams, descending from the heavens to the earth.
…
The clear moonlight fell through the windows of the Hall of Thrones.
It illuminated Isadorella’s cute face, casting light on her beautiful eyes, as deep and secluded as a dried-up well.
“Your appearance now truly makes me feel a sense of unfamiliarity.”
A shadowy figure, woven from dark shadows, materialized subtly beside the Hall of Thrones, forming an illusory and hazy black-robed silhouette.
“Kurohime, are we that familiar?”
Isadorella’s gaze did not shift from the painting; only her clear, cold voice echoed within the Hall of Thrones.
The black-robed silhouette let out a tinkling laugh: “In the correct history, we had some interactions.”
“I’ve already forgotten.”
The silver-haired Empress’s expression remained unchanged, not even a hint of emotion showing in her secluded eyes.
She didn’t even turn her head.
“Although I don’t remember what our relationship was in another history… here, you and I are purely enemies.”
“Do you want this Shadow-body to be permanently left here?”
Golden radiance appeared, and the Holy Sword’s pressure surged violently— a pressure unique to a throne, capable of severely wounding ordinary legends.
However, moments before the Holy Sword manifested, the black-robed silhouette had already turned into flowing shadows and vanished into the night.
“The price for cooperating with Crimson Moon and seeking eternal life… is to forget humanity, forget past memories, forget mortal emotions.”
“To become a repulsive sight, unrecognizable even to your past self.”
“If I told you… that everything you are doing now is actually a misunderstanding, that your persistence is a futile and meaningless effort…”
“And that even Cain, if he were to truly revive, would only find you monstrous and repulsive, and feel disgusted by you.”
“Would you, regret it?”
The black shadow dissipated, leaving only the bell-like voice echoing in the Hall of Thrones.
Isadorella’s gaze remained fixed on the painting.
Or, more accurately speaking—
On the slender boy’s silhouette within the painting.
“No regrets.”
