Chapter 595
Two Pillar Gods of the Path of Metamorphosis
—No wonder Professor Moriarty has such a strong resonance with “Devotion” and “Adaptation.”
Professor Moriarty, now somewhat deranged, was like a player who had “decided to rewind, or even restart.” Although he didn’t yet possess the ability to rewind, he already considered it within his grasp.
So, how could he best utilize this rewind?
Naturally, it was to test things he would absolutely never do during a normal playthrough of the game.
This was precisely a form of “waste utilization.”
Because “this save” held no meaning in his eyes.
No, not just this save.
If he didn’t get an answer after the first reincarnation, he would inevitably continue to reincarnate. What he sought was not truth, nor perfection, but merely the possibility of “continuation.”
“That’s why I’m so patient with you, Eivass. I tell you everything, holding nothing back…”
The bird emitted a comforting and magnetic voice, as if extending its arms towards Eivass, “Because perhaps only you can accompany me to Return to the Past.
“I have not taken any of your traits, nor have I opened that door. I don’t know what will happen—whether I will gain your abilities, or whether I will receive your aid… whether I go back alone, or we go back together, or whether I must take your soul back with me. I don’t know any of these things.
“We might become partners, or you could call us comrades. Wandering through time, searching for the Light of Salvation. Don’t you think it’s romantic?”
“…Indeed.”
Eivass was silent for a moment, then said decisively, “But—I refuse.”
“It’s fine, you will crave it eventually.”
Professor Moriarty smiled slightly, “I truly didn’t expect Yulia could be saved by you… but that’s precisely why I’m sure you’ll be an unexpected variable.
“For a destined ruin, variables are even more important and precious. I will never make a move against you; on the contrary… I will even protect you in secret. My precious little key…”
“—You mentioned Yulia?”
Eivass’s expression changed instantly. “Are you threatening me?”
“Yes.”
The bird said lightly, “An untimely death only leaves fragmented memories. The most beautiful and unforgettable times in a person’s life are during their youth.
“You grew up together, relying on each other. You looked after Yulia from the time she was in swaddling clothes until she was fourteen or fifteen. At that age, the Phantom Demon Egg should have long since hatched.
“You should understand now that the potion capable of suppressing the Phantom Demon Egg’s activity could certainly not be concocted by an ordinary mortal apothecary. That very potion was obtained by me from the Star Antimony people, capable of numbing the phantom and delaying its growth… To obtain a continuous supply of the potion, I had to help the Lloyd Society establish a stable smuggling route. Of course, this wasn’t much of a hassle.
“The only Clergy Yulia had contact with was your divine art mentor, Bishop Mathers. He was also a member of the Golden Dawn, capable of keeping secrets. Only a Clergy of his level could alleviate the chronic damage the potion inflicted on the body.
“Didn’t you notice? Perhaps because you solved the problem smoothly, you naturally forgot about it—although Yulia’s illness was cured by a mysterious ritual you performed. But before that, the medicine’s supply had actually been terminated.
“When exactly was it terminated?
“—It was when you disrupted that smuggling channel. To be precise, after you caused the Pelican Bar to be sealed. Since then, Yulia hasn’t taken any more medicine, and the butterfly within her should have started to awaken.”
Moriarty said with a smile, “Think carefully. My departure was abrupt, a ‘sudden death.’ Oswald followed me soon after, so the drug supply definitely wasn’t stopped by us. But after Yulia recovered, did you ever receive a continuous supply of medicine? No, you didn’t.”
Hearing this, Eivass broke out in a cold sweat.
If it weren’t for the fact that he had extracted the Little Butterfly half a month earlier than expected…
“…Is this the ‘regret’ you specifically prepared for me?”
“According to the normal timeline,” Moriarty’s bird head preened its feathers nonchalantly, “it should have been three months.”
—In the game, Yulia self-destructed about three months after the “Pelican Bar” dungeon.
“The consciousness of the Phantom Demon Egg will be absorbed by the phantom itself, and after the phantom dies, it will return to the Dream Realm. After its complete demise, it will reincarnate from the Material Realm. This means that no matter what, Yulia cannot be resurrected.”
It wasn’t deletion.
It was overwriting.
Moriarty said, “When you realize that the root of all this… is because you were obsessed with Transcendent arts and eradicated the Pelican Bar, will you regret it?
“I believe you will. You’re such a good child who values family.
“The only thing I miscalculated was that Yulia was saved by you through some unknown technique. But this also gives me encouragement—because you possess the quality of a ‘variable.'”
…Wait?
—Unknown technique?
Eivass was stunned.
His mind suddenly cleared.
If Moriarty returned from the year 2000, then he must have experienced the promotion of the Ring Heavenly Envoy. He even knew that “Transcendent” was replaced by “Metamorphosis”… then there was no reason for him not to know about the advanced professions of Sin Scholar and Lord of Great Beasts.
To him, the Illusion Card should have been an ancient technique invented a hundred years ago.
This indicated one thing.
The future known to Moriarty was not entirely the same as the future known to Eivass!
“…Hmph.”
Eivass suddenly burst into laughter.
The sense of urgency from Moriarty’s threat actually made him relax again.
He looked at Moriarty, his state of mind returning to peace. “I have one last question for you, Father. After this, we go our separate ways.”
“Alright.”
Moriarty said readily, “I’m very curious what you’ll ask me.”
“Since you said… the Ring Heavenly Envoy will eventually kill the Father Snake and ascend to become a Pillar God. Governing the Path of ‘Metamorphosis.’ Then what is the profession He created?”
“What, do you want to get ahead of yourself?”
The bird laughed, “Then you’ve come to the right person. I was an Extraordinary of the Path of Metamorphosis in my previous life.
“When the Ring Heavenly Envoy was the Heavenly Envoy of Reincarnation, He created the Alchemy system. He was the earliest Alchemist, and it is said His former name was Hermes… which sounds very much like the surname of that great Detective.
“The ‘Ouroboros’ itself signifies infinite cycles and self-regeneration. The reason one thing can transform into another is that, on a deeper level, they are the same thing—like ice melting into water, and water evaporating into mist.
“Therefore, from a grander perspective, all things in the entire world are inherently one. There must exist a smallest, unchanging thing; and there must exist a largest thing that encompasses everything.
“And these two things combined are the ‘Ouroboros.’ Generating itself, thus remaining eternally unchanging yet ever-changing. This is the Path of ‘Metamorphosis.’
“After the Ring Heavenly Envoy ascended to become the Pillar God of the Path of ‘Metamorphosis,’ the ‘Endless Knot,’ the Alchemists of the former Path of Balance fell into the Path of Metamorphosis. The demons of the former Path of Transcendence disintegrated and regenerated, their power merging with the Fey realms, forming the Six Great Element Spirits. The elemental powers of the six attributes cycle back and forth, easier to exchange, and continuously regenerate…
“—Therefore, the name of the newly born profession is [Elementalist]. And its two advanced professions at the Fourth Tier are called [Element Tutor] and [Element Shaman]. In the future I know of, there was even an Elementalist who reached the Sixth Tier, honored by people as the ‘Emperor of Elements.'”
…Heh.
Eivass’s lips curved upwards slightly.
As expected.
The words of the Lord of Scales and Feathers appeared in his mind:
“—That is the ‘Ouroboros Ring,’ the Lord of the Path of Metamorphosis. ‘Metamorphosis’ represents the constant nature of eternal change in all things… That which goes up will go down, that which goes down will go up; all things ebb and flow, with only ease and difficulty remaining unchanged.”
The understanding of the Path of “What goes up will go down, what goes down will go up, all things ebb and flow, with only ease and difficulty remaining unchanged,” and “infinite cycles, self-regeneration, eternally unchanging yet ever-changing,” although similar… their essence was undoubtedly different.
“I have no more questions, Father.”
Eivass gracefully and reservedly performed a hand-on-chest salute. “I will cultivate Alchemy well…
“—Of course, I will also protect everyone around me. I won’t let your conspiracy succeed.”
“It seems you’ve grasped some key point.”
Moriarty also smiled. “Very well, the more variables… the better. If you regard the act of saving the world as a conspiracy, then so be it.
“By the way, the ‘Rose Cross’ society of the Star Antimony people is very interesting. It’s said they will hold a holy ceremony in May—May 5th, on the sacred day of the Hourglass. You can come and witness it then.”
The Sapphire Bird chuckled, and the birdcage opened on its own. “Dad has an appointment next month with the Star Antimony people that I must attend… so I won’t wait here. I’ll go and keep my appointment early.
“Please remember to tell Her Majesty Titania that I’ve taken my leave.”
(End of Chapter)
