Chapter 1189
The End of the Path of Authority
Eivass had pondered this question before.
The Knights had inherited a portion of the Silver Crown Dragon’s power, and the Silver Crown Dragon’s “power” came from Supreme Heaven, which obtained the position of Pillar God by devouring the sky-eating giant beast Nibiru. If the pollution of the Seventh Origin River predated Supreme Heaven’s ascension to godhood, then this was pollution that had infiltrated from the very beginning.
“So, the Crown Lord would choose Madam Morgan, who is completely outside this cycle…” Isabella murmured.
She frowned slightly, feeling that something was not right.
Soon, she had an inspiration: “Indeed, something is wrong, Eivass—if the pollution has been from the depths of the Origin River from the start, then why would changing to a new Pillar God solve this problem? Shouldn’t Morgan also be contaminated?”
“…At least it should buy some more time,” Eivass said uncertainly.
It was like replacing a filter cartridge in a water purifier—this was one of the original duties of a Pillar God.
“But, Eivass,” Isabella offered another perspective, “I remember you saying that Madam Morgan has been pursuing the Crown Lord, but the Crown Lord has not accepted her love—although he had relations with Morgan when he was still a mortal.
“For such a long time, Morgan received no response for her love; and now she is suddenly notified by the Crown Lord that she is to make a silent sacrifice by continuing in his place, while he will continue alone for a greater sacrifice…”
Isabella said seriously, “I don’t think she will rationally obey the Crown Lord’s command. It would be good if this love doesn’t turn into hate. This is my judgment as a woman who has also loved.”
“…I remember she is a Disciple of the Shadow Heavenly Envoy, and the Shadow Heavenly Envoy’s domain itself includes vengeance, betrayal, and hatred.”
Eivass’s brow furrowed slightly, realizing the problem: “You mean…”
“This might not be a ‘transfer of power,’ Eivass. This could be a betrayal—”
Isabella said softly, “I’ve heard about your and Sherlock’s research into the wisdom heritage of the Seven Heavenly Envoys… Love plus Authority, isn’t that the Transcendent Number?”
“…Highly likely, Lulu. Your guess is excellent.”
Eivass became serious, “I just realized something else—do you remember the descent of the Blood Heavenly Envoy?”
“Mm,” Isabella nodded.
“That incident was a betrayal by the Child of the Moon. We previously believed that this might have been due to the Child of the Moon’s foolishness and shortsightedness, and also because the Blood Heavenly Envoy placed excessive false expectations on his descendants without ever showing them his true self…
“Coupled with the rebellion of the troll plantations on the Southern Continent—the Lords of Good commanded the trolls to obey them and launch repeated destruction on the Southern Continent, ostensibly to rescue their kin; and in the Ancient Kingdom of Anxi, the uprising formed by slaves and sympathizing Free People has already launched the fourth Water War, holding the Lords of Good captive to seize water resources, this is also a rebellion ignited by ‘hatred’ and ‘vengeance’.”
Previously, Eivass had thought this was because the Father Snake was about to break through his limits, triggering a tide of transcendence from the Material Realm…
But upon closer inspection now, there were actually not many pure “Transcendent” beings among these events—transcendence was the domain of the ambitious, but these rebellions were basically ignited in the name of love or hate.
Of course, there might have been the influence of the transcendent tide… but perhaps it was affecting not the Material Realm, but the Dream Realm.
“The Crown Lord of the past conquered power with Authority, just as a monarch conquers barbarism with royal power and order, defeats giants, and punishes demons. And when the throne is eternal, love and hate in people’s hearts will breed. One day, the crown will fall, the throne will be blood-stained—kings will also be betrayed by their own kin—their lovers, children, siblings, or trusted ministers, generals, and followers… or by their combined efforts.”
Eivass said slowly, “Just as the birth and death of Heavenly Envoys and Pillar Gods affect the entire Material Realm… what happens in the Dream Realm will also manifest in the Material Realm like a projection.”
“You mean…”
Isabella softly asked, “The Crown Lord was ambushed by Morgan?”
“‘Morgan may love Arthur, or she may hate Arthur. And one day, Arthur’s royal power will wither under Morgan’s curse…'”
Eivass spoke prophetic words, “The current Crown Lord is very likely no longer Arthur.”
Or rather, he has become the true “Arthur.”
—The current Crown Lord is probably already the Calamity Demon Dragon!
That’s why Ruoan felt He was “strange” and “very irritable.”
The former Crown Heavenly Envoy was a Disciple of the Ring Heavenly Envoy. He split from the Path of Authority into Love and Power. And the Calamity Demon Dragon was the part representing “Love”… That’s why Morgan became His successor, rather than the Knights left behind by the Crown Lord.
And because the Calamity Demon Dragon actually did not master the power of the Path of Authority, the royal power in the Material Realm has been so violently shaken during this time. From a fated perspective, Yulia’s establishment of the “New Empire of the Powerless Emperor” might also be influenced by this.
This is why Morgan came here—the Calamity Demon Dragon urgently needs to “wash away” the Crown Lord’s Path of Authority by passing the position to Morgan and re-establishing the rules of the new path, making the newly born Path of Authority more aligned with the Path of Love, so that He can stay here.
This is like how Authority now faintly aligns with Transcendence, Love faintly aligns with Beauty, and Wisdom faintly aligns with Balance—although Pillar Gods ultimately only have a single Path, they were all influenced by other paths when they were mortals. This impregnation of concepts is irreversible.
The script of the Calamity Demon Dragon descending upon the Material Realm is likely no longer to happen.
“If nothing unexpected happens, the next one to be pulled down from the Path of Authority… should not be Morgan, nor the Calamity Demon Dragon.”
—But the former “Crown Lord” himself.
Eivass said slowly, “He will certainly not descend upon Avalon, nor the newly born New Hrasal… but will happen where royal power is challenged and the ruler’s authority is shattered.
“Just as in the not too ancient past, the Crown Lord led his Knights of the Round Table to the Isle of Avalon to destroy the Giant Kingdom—”
Now, the Material Realm should have a place where a rebellion of transcendence is launched in the name of love and hate.
And there is only one such place.
“—Anxi!”
“—That is Anxi.”
Eivass and Isabella said almost in unison.
The essence of the Fourth Water War is a war for the succession of Pillar Gods!
Morgan likened herself to a rebel army—one who loves but receives no response, and thus turns to hate.
The cold and heartless Crown Lord, who did not respond to her love, became the Lord of Good.
This is also one of the reasons why the Calamity Demon Dragon brought Morgan under his wing: her relationship with the Crown Lord could precisely form a mirror for projection, to symbolically project her relationship with the Crown Lord into a righteous battle that was easiest to win and least likely to be obstructed.
“If that’s the case…”
Isabella looked at Eivass with some worry, “If we help the rebel army, then the defeat of the Lords of Good will become the catalyst for the Crown Lord’s defeat; but if we help the Lords of Good, that would be tantamount to…”
“No, we will still help the rebel army, Lulu,” Eivass said, after a long period of contemplation, giving a firm answer. “If faced with a choice between the Dream Realm and the Material Realm… regardless, prioritize the Material Realm. The Material Realm is the foundation of this World… The Hourglass probably made the same choice back then.
“As for the Calamity Demon Dragon and Morgan… the change of history is ultimately irreversible, and the era of royal power is destined to end. However, if they are not competent enough.”
Eivass narrowed his eyes, “Then the Pillar God… may not be untouchable.”
