Chapter 82: I, Shaya, Like Saying No to the Arrogant the Most
The radiance of the magic lamp cast itself upon the text of the simple book.
Shaya silently closed the book, his eyes vacant as he stared at the pure white ceiling.
“Son of a b*tch.”
In front of Shaya, the black-skirted maiden’s movements paused slightly.
Then, she lightly covered her mouth and let out a tittering laugh like silver bells: “Esteemed customer, although I don’t really mind, scolding people in my shop incurs a fine, you know?”
“I wasn’t scolding you… I was scolding some heaven-defying thing.”
“That unlucky fellow really screwed me over.”
Shaya’s mood was incredibly complex right now.
Every single word written in black and white within that simple book connected all of Shaya’s previous clues and speculations.
If, previously, Shaya could bring the familiar “Crimson,” an Historical Echo, into reality through a Soul Pact—it could be explained by theories of parallel planes or small worlds.
And the System’s Historical Legend Status—”The Forgotten Man.”
This could also be barely explained as a trophy or achievement after clearing a game, not necessarily possessing any true significance.
But when added to the evidence collected from the Shadow Council just now.
All the clues and signs pointed to the single, inevitable answer.
The so-called “Historical Echo”—
Was not, in fact, what Shaya initially understood as a lingering imprint of history, a recreated illusion, or a parallel world.
But rather, a genuine past event.
A historical event that occurred in the past of the current worldline.
Why did most cults maintain a tacit understanding among themselves, but the Ash Cult and the Twilight Cult clashed in Holy Calendar year 350?
That was naturally because, just four years prior, in Holy Calendar year 346, Shaya had shoved the nearly revived Twilight demigod back into the soil in the Azure Court Duchy.
And in doing so, he had exploded all the Divinity and Authority fragments accumulated within that demigod.
In his final moments, the Twilight demigod detected the aura of the Lord of Ashes within Shaya’s Amaterasu, thus confirming Shaya’s identity.
For these Mythical Creatures, the revenge for the plundering of Divinity was no less than patricide; how could they not retaliate fiercely?
Even now, those from the Twilight Cult probably still believed that Shaya at the time was a secret weapon cultivated by the Lord of Ashes himself, specifically designed to plot against Twilight.
And the cultists of the Ash Cult were likely equally bewildered.
Even if there were those among them skilled in divination, who could have imagined that five hundred years later, they would lose a piece of a left finger bone pollutant in a riot, and this same item would actually appear five hundred years earlier?
“Hiss—”
“The sins I’ve committed seem quite substantial.”
Shaya gasped in shock.
Other than that, everything else was manageable. After all, the people he had interacted with in the Historical Echo were not that many.
Norton, whom he had interacted with a bit more, had grass growing over his grave that was already over two meters tall.
Only Sylvia…
Although it was all out of goodwill, he had still played with her emotions twice.
And in the end, to ensure she could survive better in the chaotic world of the Land of Calamity, he had directly planted a deep-seated hatred for himself in Sylvia’s memories.
According to the history of the current timeline, Sylvia had genuinely achieved the position of a Legend.
If she were to come seeking revenge… wouldn’t his small frame be at her mercy?
Hoo—
Shaya exhaled a breath of stale air, forcing himself to calm down.
“Actually, this situation is unlikely to happen; I’m worrying about nothing.”
Firstly, it had been over five hundred years since the “Azure Silver Witch” Sylvia last appeared on the Western Continent.
Even looking at the lifespan of a Legend, this was an extremely long period of time—
Perhaps she had already passed away, or perhaps, like other missing Legends, she had become lost in the dimensional rifts, unable to return.
Secondly, even if that Azure Silver Witch were still on the Western Continent.
Compared to five hundred years, the few years of her youth would be but a drop in the ocean.
It would be like a middle-aged person recalling the passionate vows of their youth and only smiling faintly.
The passage of time could dilute many things. Legends stood higher than ordinary people, seeing a broader landscape and world.
Having experienced over five hundred years, her Divinity had likely long surpassed her humanity.
The separation and death that common people perceived might have been witnessed thousands of times by these Legends, making it difficult to stir any further ripples.
Therefore, the experience of less than a year in her youth might be seen by the current Azure Silver Witch as mere childish antics, not something to be overly concerned about.
Thinking this way, he might even be able to use that experience to gain some benefits within the White Tower by posing as a reincarnated being.
However, the thought of the innocent girl who once called him “Brother Shaya” and acted as obediently as a cat by his side…
Now she had become an unreachable, high-and-mighty figure above the clouds, looking down upon all beings—
Shaya felt a faint melancholy in his heart.
Perhaps this was the complexity of the human heart.
He tidied his thoughts and refocused his attention, only to find that the black-skirted maiden was staring intently at his profile.
“Ahem—”
Shaya coughed lightly.
“Then let’s spend the rest of my credit.”
“I want to confirm the exact connection between the Ceylon disaster and the Borgia Family’s ‘Crimson Rose.'”
“Certainly.”
The black-skirted maiden’s plain white fingers tapped lightly in the air, and another simple book suddenly appeared in the darkness.
“We just received detailed information recently; the intel level has been updated.”
“From ‘Saint’s Last Bell’ to ‘Death’s Herald,’ with a total cost of four thousand Rhine gold coins.”
Shaya put down the book, his face suddenly darkening: “Is my credit not enough?”
“That’s correct, so you currently owe the Dark Night Garden two thousand Rhine gold coins.”
“This establishment does not accept credit.”
“Of course, for our highest-tier clients, we wouldn’t use simple and crude monetization methods like we do for lower-tier customers.”
The black-skirted maiden lifted her chin, and her eyes, concealed by the darkness and illusory and hazy, seemed to carry a hint of a smile.
“Work at the Shadow Council for a week, and it’ll clear your debt.”
“At this price, you could hire a peak five-ring Beast Tamer on the black market. What do you think?”
“I admit the price is tempting—”
“But, I refuse.”
“I’ll pay with cash.”
Shaya sighed and took out a few banknotes from his nearly depleted wallet.
After realizing the banknotes were insufficient, Shaya also added some of the remaining extraordinary items he had prepared earlier to be cashed out, finally paying off the two thousand Rhine gold coins.
After paying, he grabbed Aerora by his side and turned to leave, quickly exiting the Dark Night Garden.
The black-skirted maiden did not stop them.
She merely sat at the dining table, silently watching Shaya pull Aerora away.
Her eyes, shrouded in darkness, flickered with an unreadable, complex expression.
After a long while, the person in charge of this Dark Night Garden quietly entered.
He stood by her side and slowly said, “Lord Augustina, they have both left.”
“You seem to be quite concerned about them.”
The peak five-ring manager’s words were exceptionally respectful as he cautiously tried to gauge the superior’s thoughts.
“Perhaps… do you require us to send someone to follow them secretly…”
“No need…”
A hoarse and lazy voice echoed in the silent dining room.
The humanoid figure woven from darkness and shadow stretched slightly.
Beneath the hazy and intricate black dress, a slender and graceful curve was outlined.
It was like a queen ruling over darkness and secrecy.
“Moreover, unless it’s a Titled-level expert specializing in stealth.”
“Otherwise, even if you went yourself, you’d only be tricked to death by him.”
“My lady is correct.”
A drop of cold sweat trickled down the manager’s forehead, and he dared not speak further.
Although in his heart, him, a peak five-ring expert, tracking a youngster not even a four-ring was undoubtedly a complete waste of talent.
As for being tricked to death, that was even more far-fetched. While he was also a “Beast Master,” his surname wasn’t Luo.
However, in the face of this immensely powerful figure whose every word could determine his life and destiny, he naturally dared not voice any objection.
The manager waited in silence, and just as the sweat was about to fall uncontrollably, he suddenly heard the person before him speak again.
Still in that hoarse and lazy voice.
Completely opposite to the bell-like maiden’s voice from before, yet carrying undeniable majesty.
“Regarding him, and the information about the maiden by his side—”
“From this moment on, classify it as ‘Prometheus’ level.”
“Except for myself, all high-ranking members of the Council are forbidden from accessing it, and it is also prohibited to sell it to any outsiders.”
A flicker of astonished shock flashed in the eyes of the branch manager.
Almost all clients of the Shadow Council believed that “Death’s Herald,” which potentially involved demigods, was the highest level of intelligence within the Council.
However, only those like him, who were qualified to manage a region and had truly entered the management layer of the Shadow Council, knew.
Above “Death’s Herald,” there was indeed another level.
The “Prometheus” level.
Or, the “Fire Stealer” level.
This was a rank personally established by Augustina, the leader of the Shadow Council.
It was said that its meaning originated from an ancient myth, where a god named Prometheus stole the fire from the divine realm and brought it to the human world.
In anger, the gods bound him with unbreakable chains to a steep cliff, piercing his chest with diamond nails.
He was forbidden from sleeping, his weary knees could not bend, and every day an eagle would peck at his liver. His liver would be eaten during the day, only to grow back at night.
This myth was told by Augustina herself, and no one knew its true origin.
“Death’s Herald” symbolized demigods, while “Prometheus” signified the wrath of the gods.
With his authority, the branch manager did not even know how many pieces of intelligence of the “Prometheus” level existed within the Shadow Council, but he was certain this was the first time he had witnessed the birth of intelligence at this level.
Simply—
For two youngsters, who were currently not even four rings.
The manager suppressed his surprise and shock, nodding respectfully.
“As you command.”
