Chapter 1323
“Huh? How did you…?”
“…Butterfly and Cicada, huh.”
After parting ways with Morgan for a long time, Eivass felt a sense of daze. Perhaps it was because he had merged with a part of the Shepherd, and the Winter Envoy’s fate resonated with Eivass – those snake tails, destined to never become “Eivass” and thus consumed to maintain the rationality of the Ring Heavenly Envoy, were they not also a form of “butterfly transformation”?
But Eivass couldn’t be like those passionate protagonists and shout without any reservations, “No matter what, I won’t let her die!”
Because Eivass knew – if it was necessary, he could sacrifice himself without hesitation.
Just like the “Forbidden” of the past, who turned his own students and lover into “Amber”.
Besides the Winter Envoy, how many other people, gods, and existences were like these “fuses”?
In another world line, Isabel, who became the “Queen of Flowers,” was like this; Sherlock, who “disappeared” while investigating, was like this; Janis, who lost control while trying to contain the Amber Heavenly Envoy, was like this. In addition, there was Bishop Mathers, who became a Fallen Paladin, Brother Edward, who merged with the heart of a magic dragon, and Haina, who became “Nameless”…
…Even Eivass himself was like this.
The meaning of their existence was to sacrifice; everything was to provide a margin of error for the Savior’s failure.
The reason Eivass could change their fate was simply because he had won.
He had replaced their sacrifice and accomplished what they were supposed to do. Therefore, they lived.
“…So that’s how it is.”
Eivass let out a soft breath.
“–In that case, all that’s needed is victory.”
The truth about the Winter Envoy filled Eivass with determination.
He bid farewell to Morgan with Isabel and headed for the Sea of Sorrow.
After leaving the cabin, the presence of the distorted sun immediately became intense – this sunlight was disgusting.
There was a hallucinatory feeling akin to a dream core, with the surrounding world distorted into abnormally vibrant and aberrant forms: The forest, sun-baked and limp like taffy; giant rocks with faces that sang when encountered; a few Phantom Demons they met had their original skin turned a deep blue like an Avatar, and when they turned back, their faces had five eyes; the sun in the sky seemed to have learned the Afterimage Technique, leaving a different colored clone every so often, and soon there were ten suns in the sky; the road would occasionally become extremely narrow, and at times it would undulate and writhe up and down like battle ropes…
For the first time, the Dream Realm showed Eivass what it felt like to be “like a dream.”
It was like eating too many mushrooms.
No wonder even those Phantom Demons were frightened.
Even Eivass dared not walk to his destination on foot anymore.
He summoned the Dream Realm’s common mode of transportation, the “Moon Deer,” and after entrusting Isabel with a secret, they quickly reached the Sea of Sorrow.
Dream Realm, Sea of Sorrow.
This was once the domain of the Abyss Heavenly Envoy. In the more ancient past, this was the domain of the “Forbidden.”
When the Abyss Heavenly Envoy was still alive, this was a pitch-black sea. Even under the illumination of the Heavenly Abode, it remained colorless and undisturbed. The pure black sea connected to the Shadow Realm, which intermittently refreshed with strange sea monsters, was part of the Sea of Sorrow. And the water summoned by the good lords was purified Sea of Sorrow water, “purified” by “cruelty.”
“–This sea is bitter, like tears.”
Some say it’s the solidified impression of the tears of all regretful people in the Dream Realm, while others say it’s the tears shed by the Abyss Heavenly Envoy along with all the sea beasts.
Only elements that could dilute regret, such as “anger,” “cruelty,” “hope,” and “time,” could purify the Sea of Sorrow water. If drunk without purification, one would die of sorrow.
Even merely touching it would cause one to lose consciousness and sink into endless melancholy.
Even when diluted, it could be used to seal Sin Thorns, paralyzing them and rendering them inactive… It was even more dangerous for Phantom Demons, whereas living people would be saved if they drank it.
The seabed here is connected to the Material Realm. Because of this, the seabed of the Material Realm is so forbidden that even a Sixth Tier being would die without a doubt if they fell into it.
According to Eivass’s calculations, the reason “Encyclopedia” met Cardinal Galatea here was likely because Cardinal Galatea had accidentally strayed into it.
After leaving the Sky-Piercing Tower ruins, Cardinal Galatea had said she wanted to resign and pursue the ruins of the Atlanteans.
And the ruins of the Atlanteans were underwater.
It was very dangerous there, and one could easily wander into the Sea of Sorrow if not careful.
When Eivass got married, he saw Galatea and thought she had given up on this idea. He didn’t expect that Cardinal Galatea wanted to witness Eivass’s wedding with her own eyes before setting off.
“…Perhaps before that time, she had already foreseen the danger.”
Now, after the Abyss Heavenly Envoy’s departure, the Sea of Sorrow had become much clearer, and one could even hear the faint sound of tides rising.
It was no longer a pure, melancholic black, but had turned into a serene deep blue, especially the foam, which showed a hint of blue light. If it was like black ink before, then now it was blue-black ink.
This sea was not boundless – the so-called “sea and sky meet” meant that the edge of the Sea of Sorrow was actually curled up and connected to the Heavenly Abode above, like a closed gong. The sky was filled with a blood-like scarlet, looking like the sunset clouds at dusk.
Sunset, dusk clouds, coastline.
As Eivass strolled on the beach, he saw a figure standing before him.
Her aura was like snow, with pure white long hair and ice-blue pupils.
Her seemingly frail body was so thin it looked like a shadow.
That was Cardinal Galatea.
“…But she also seemed not to be Cardinal Galatea.”
Because at this moment, she was not standing upright in her Star Crystal Person form – but in the form of a mermaid. She was not wearing her Cardinal robes, but had transformed into a mermaid. Her entire body was covered only by a few ice-white scales at the crucial parts. Her posture, standing from the sea, was like a fish emerging from the water.
This was not surprising.
After all, the essence of the Star Crystal People was a construct created by the Atlanteans who did not wish for their souls to perish. It was the prototype of the Lich ritual, or rather, the most ancient Lich.
And if Galatea died, she would naturally enter the Dream Realm with her original Atlantean soul.
“…Is this your form as an Atlantean?”
Stopping at a spot not touched by the seawater, Eivass looked at Galatea from afar, his heart feeling somewhat complicated: “How did you die?”
“I was exploring the Atlantean ruins when the Abyss Heavenly Envoy was pulled into the Material Realm by the Ouroboros Ring, and I was sucked into the Dream Realm. A mortal body cannot exist in the Dream Realm, so I shed my outer shell. Because of this, before I entered the Origin River… I directly entered the Sea of Sorrow, a former domain of a Heavenly Envoy.”
Galatea’s voice was soft and clear, like a melancholic song: “As I predicted before… the essence of those sea monsters is my kin.”
“Sea monsters are Atlanteans…”
Isabel exclaimed in shock.
She could not possibly associate those ferocious, terrifying, tentacled sea monsters with the beautiful Galatea before her.
“–Not only Atlanteans, but also Star Crystal People.”
Perhaps due to being immersed in the Sea of Sorrow, Galatea seemed somewhat melancholic, but her pupils were so bright, as if she had regained the hope of life: “I finally know why there are sea monsters in both the Dream Realm and the Material Realm, why I couldn’t find even one of my kin – because other Star Crystal People, under the distortion of the ‘King,’ became sea monsters in the Material Realm; and the souls of the Atlanteans who entered the Dream Realm all became sea monsters in the Dream Realm.
“I was able to escape the transformation of the Great Abyss because of the protection of the Twin Mirror. I am indeed the last Star Crystal Person… and even the last Atlantean.
“Because when I entered the Dream Realm, the Abyss Heavenly Envoy happened to be leaving the Dream Realm. So I became the only soul that was not transformed…”
As Galatea spoke, many tentacles floated around her.
“–Beneath the dark and tranquil sea surface, who knows how many sea monsters were hidden!
They clustered around Galatea. These mindless, forbidden beings seemed to regard Galatea as their new queen.
She extended her fair, slender hand and gently touched the tentacles, as if stroking pet dogs.
And her eyes were full of sorrow. Yet also full of joy.
Because these sea monsters might have once been her mentors, her friends… even her parents. But she couldn’t recognize their original forms at all. They were the people she longed for most when she lived alone in the world.
“So after my death, I gained the goal of ‘living’ – I want to become the new King of Winged Ones.”
Galatea said firmly: “If I can become a new Heavenly Envoy and take charge of the Sea of Sorrow… perhaps I can give them the chance to regain bodies like mine.”
“…Turn into mermaids?”
Eivass chuckled and encouraged her: “That’s not bad either – are you asking me here because you need my authorization?”
“It’s partly one of the reasons.”
Galatea replied frankly: “I have recovered many memories… You are the King of Winged Ones. Until the old king dies, the new king cannot be enthroned. Only by obtaining your token can I become the new King of Winged Ones.”
“…I see.”
Hearing this, Eivass unhesitatingly threw the Certificate of Friendship hanging around his neck to Galatea.
Galatea instinctively reached out to grab it, but felt the power within and was immediately stunned: “Wait, it’s a bit… I don’t need something so precious and powerful! Just a token is enough—”
“I didn’t need it in the first place. It won’t help me fight him, and will only leave me with more flaws… It’s perfect for you.”
Eivass looked at the jeweled shoulder strap with some nostalgia: “This is proof of friendship between the past King of Winged Ones and the King of Winged Ones. Now that I have become the new King of Winged Ones… giving this to you is most appropriate.
“I plan to create a new race of Winged Ones, and you plan to create a new race of Winged Ones. History is an Ouroboros Ring, and it has returned to the beginning here. This is also a form of mirrored beauty, isn’t it?”
“…Thank you.”
Hearing this, Galatea no longer refused but accepted the gift and expressed her sincere gratitude.
“We are friends, no need to be so formal,” Eivass smiled, “Besides, I also wish for the Winged Ones to be born again…”
Just then, Galatea interrupted Eivass: “Besides this, there is another matter, my King.”
“I summoned you here for another reason… that is to inform you of something.
“–Do not participate in the Full Moon Ritual for your next Ascension Ritual. That existence has already noticed you… The foundation for the Ascension Ritual is at the bottom of the Sea of Sorrow. I discovered it has been modified at some point, and it will likely be interfered with during the next Ascension Ritual. Under such circumstances… if it is an Ascension Ritual that emphasizes teamwork, the difficulty will likely increase even more.”
“…Do you know how it will interfere with me?”
Upon hearing this, Eivass became serious.
Galatea shook her head gently: “It might be by controlling someone who enters the Advancement Ritual with you, or changing the rules… or even incarnating in person. ‘That thing’ has no physical form, but the Ascension Ritual is a ‘Dream within a Dream,’ and It can enter without a physical body… From this perspective, I think promoting it from the end of the month would be better.”
“I understand. This is truly crucial information.”
Eivass sincerely thanked her: “Thank you, Galatea.”
(End of this chapter)
