C528
"Persuade him? How?"
First of all, would persuasion work on the "Ruler of Thunder and Lightning"?
With such an arrogant being? Lucas couldn't easily imagine that scene.
[There's a good chance.]
The Lightning God spoke with a gloomy voice.
The Lightning God said it was possible. It wouldn't be a bluff. It's clear that the current him has at least the minimum means to persuade his past self.
"And what benefit do you get from that?"
[…]
"It won't be easy to persuade him. Considering the risks of things going wrong, it doesn't add up that you're being so cooperative."
The Lightning God fell silent.
Is he thinking about how to escape?
'Lightning God.'
Lucas didn't press him.
He spoke in a normal voice, even calmer than usual.
'As you know about me, I also know about you. I know you're not a being moved by goodwill or compassion.'
For Lucas,
or out of pity for Lee Jong-hak.
Those can't be reasons for a being like the Lightning God.
The current him must have another goal, or a reason.
[…I'm going back to this timeline's Lightning God]
And Lucas was stunned by the response he received.
Because he couldn't immediately understand the meaning of the words.
"…Go back?"
[Yes.]
"Wait a moment. I don't know what you're saying, do you understand what state you're in now?"
[…]
The Lightning God's consciousness isn't separated now. It's copied. The Lightning God residing in Lucas's mind now, although weak in power, is as identical to the "Ruler of Thunder and Lightning" as his consciousness world is.
To attach such importance to a mere remnant as to copy its consciousness. (Placing such importance on mere residual thoughts and replicating consciousness.)
Probably, in all the Three Thousand Worlds, there are very few beings capable of such a feat.
In other words, the current situation is a tragedy born of the omnipotence of the Rulers.
[Of course I understand.]
"But, are you still going back? You and the Lightning God are already separate beings."
[…]
"If you return to [this timeline's Lightning God] and encounter him, it won't be a fusion. That's... just absorption."
Still, there was no response. Lucas's calmness was beginning to break. He felt uncomfortable with the impatience he felt, but he continued speaking.
"For the [Ruler of Thunder and Lightning], there will be no change. But [you], the [you] talking to me now, will definitely disappear. Aren't you understanding me?"
If a raindrop falls into an infinite sea, what happens? The answer is "nothing happens". At least from the sea's point of view.
But the raindrop is different. The raindrop loses its identity. It becomes an infinitesimal part of a huge being, completely losing the independence and individuality it once had.
The Lightning God is trying to commit suicide.
[─And?]
The sharp voice left Lucas speechless for a moment.
"What...?"
[Don't you understand? In this situation, you're the one who doesn't understand what's going on.]
It felt strange.
Was he thinking something wrong now? Did Lucas not fully understand the Lightning God's situation?
Thinking about that, he continued speaking as calmly as possible.
"I'm sorry for your situation. But that has already happened."
[…]
"Is that really what you want, to go to [this timeline's Lightning God] and die?"
With no response, impatience turned into anger.
'What the hell?'
What's wrong with you now?
I can't understand it.
That's... just giving up.
Waiting for death like a powerless patient, or like a criminal walking to the gallows, accepting one's fate without a fight.
"Why are you showing me that attitude?"
Lucas's chest filled with an inexplicable oppression. He could barely see Yang In-hyun's perplexed expression in front of him.
Just before trying to convince him again...
[What do you know about my condition?]
A harsh voice came.
The Lightning God continued speaking with a furious tone.
[Loss of existence? That's what I myself desire now. If I am absorbed again by "me," and my current consciousness disappears without a trace, that would be my desired end.]
"…You."
[Right now... I feel so much disgust and shame for my own existence that I can't bear it.]
His voice continued, as if it could fade away at any moment.
[…I just want to disappear. I would do anything for that.]
"……."
[Help me, Lucas Traumen.]
…Damn it.
His anger intensified. His fists clenched involuntarily from an indescribable revulsion.
Now he understood the reason. Lucas had also been an Arrogant Absolute in the past. He couldn't help but know, albeit distastefully, what kind of beings the Rulers were and the weight their name carried.
…He didn't want to see it.
He didn't want to see this weak figure of the absolute being that reigned supreme at the top of the Three Thousand Worlds.
He didn't want to see it.
------------------------
He left the Floating Cloud Pavilion with Yang In-hyun.
The location of the house built near the mountain peak was the perfect place to admire the most beautiful view of Mount Hua. However, Lucas, instead of admiring the miraculous landscape, anxiously searched for a person.
He couldn't see Pale anywhere.
"I thought she'd be nearby..."
"Hmm."
Yang In-hyun's expression became uneasy.
It's natural, of course, for a being like the Blue Knight to roam freely in her territory. It's more surprising that he has been able to remain calm until now.
Lucas said cautiously:
"What do you think will happen if other members of Mount Hua discover Pale?"
…The main sect's rules don't allow intruders under any circumstances. If she doesn't directly reveal she's a Knight, she's likely to be met with drawn swords. I've made a mistake."
Yang In-hyun sighed quietly.
"It seems we must find her quickly before things worsen."
Lucas nodded in agreement.
Both descended the mountain while quickly surveying the surroundings, and Lucas blamed himself as they did.
Though it was a joy that his relationship with Pale had deepened, her fundamental nature hadn't changed. It wouldn't be surprising if she unleashed a massacre against the people of Mount Hua they encountered here.
Therefore, Lucas should have warned her more firmly or kept her close to him.
'Have I also become careless?'
Or was it because of the Lightning God?
Thinking about it now was futile.
"Ah."
Yang In-hyun, swiftly descending the mountain, let out a sudden sigh. His gaze was directed towards the middle of the mountain.
A wide plain stretched out over a long stone staircase, and several enormous buildings could be seen erected there.
It was the place that seemed to be the headquarters of the Mount Hua Faction.
Pale was there.
Lucas and Yang In-hyun exchanged glances once and then headed there immediately.
"Phew!"
Pale exhaled, her back resting on the ground, gazing up at the sky. It wouldn't have been a problem if it was just that, but there were six necks around her.
At first, they were taken aback. At first glance, they looked like necks severed from members of the Mount Hua Faction. But they soon realized it was an illusion.
"Ugh."
"It's bothersome."
"Where the hell did this monstrosity come from...?"
Even though it was the Void World, one couldn't speak when their necks were severed. The members of the Mount Hua Faction were simply buried in the ground.
'Hmm.'
Upon closer inspection, they weren't just disciples but Elders of Mount Hua who even had relations with Lucas.
When Pale and the Elders turned towards their direction, their expressions suddenly changed.
"S-Sect Leader!"
"Lucas!"
The elders looked at Yang In-hyun, while Pale quickly approached Lucas.
"What's going on here?"
"Hm? Ah, them?"
Pale laughed as she spoke.
"I was taking a stroll on the mountain and got a little tired, so I laid down for a bit. But it seems I've caused a commotion even this way."
Normally, they would have died.
...In other words, they were still alive.
Lucas knew from experience that the Elders of Mount Hua used to be rude and arrogant individuals. They were so different from Yang In-hyun, modest and rational.
There was no way they would show a suddenly polite and courteous attitude when they discovered Pale, an intruder. Surely, they would have been rude.
From the viewpoint of an Apocalypse Knight, she had enough justification to kill them or eat them.
'So, has Pale overlooked this rudeness?'
Perhaps Lucas was wrong. Maybe there had been a change inside Pale.
Meanwhile, Yang In-hyun slashed the ground with his sword. The Elders emerged from their staggering positions. Upon closer inspection, at least two places on their arms and legs seemed fractured, and they appeared to have considerable wounds. Well, if they didn't have such severe injuries, they would have escaped on their own.
"Sect Leader."
"I'm sorry. Even now with that intruder..."
"That's enough. They're guests."
"What...?"
Yang In-hyun pretended not to see the bewildered Elders and continued speaking.
"First, return to your residences and treat your wounds."
"But..."
When the Elders showed disapproving faces, Yang In-hyun's voice grew lower.
"At Mount Hua, those who hold Elder positions have been defeated."
"!"
"Do I need to explain what that means?"
"..."
"Return to your residences. I won't say more."
"I'm sorry."
The Elders got up with somber faces and left. Yang In-hyun watched them go and then sighed deeply to himself.
"The conversation dragged on. We should go to where Lee Jong-hak is."
Yang In-hyun said that and began walking first. Pale approached Lucas, who followed his steps, and whispered to him.
"Was it a good explanation?"
"For now."
"Hmm. I see. But where are we going now?"
Come to think of it, he hadn't given Pale any explanation. Though I appreciate her for following me without saying a word... I think it's better to explain the situation at least minimally.
Maintaining a bit of distance from Yang In-hyun, Lucas summarized the situation as briefly as possible.
Pale, after hearing everything, nodded.
"Hmmhmm. So, that's what happened."
Pale, after thinking for a bit, said:
"However, if the goal is to eliminate the residue, there's a safer method."
"Even if it's a residue, it's something the Ruler himself left behind, so I don't think just anything would work."
"It doesn't matter. There's someone who specializes in eliminating that kind of thing."
"Someone who specializes in eliminating it?"
Come to think of it, when I mentioned the residue of the Lightning God to Pale, she mentioned something like that.
─ But speaking of something else, I know someone who can eliminate that kind of residue in a specialized way! It might be a little difficult to convince him, but for Lucas's sake...
"Do you have someone like that among your acquaintances?"
"Yes."
"Who is it?"
"It's Elle."
"...Elle?"
"Hmm. So that Lucas understands better..."
Pale smiled widely.
"The Red Knight."
That name came up again. It's true that it wouldn't be strange for a being of the caliber of the Red Knight to have the means to eliminate the residues of the Rulers... but asking for help right now is a bit ambiguous.
After all, Lucas decided to accept the Lightning God's proposal.
'...Calling the Red Knight is a last resort.'
Let's leave it in the hands of the Lightning God for now, and postpone it for when things really go south.
However, those thoughts became futile the moment they arrived at their destination.
"..."
Inside the prison, beyond the bars. The place where Lee Jong-hak should have been was completely empty.
Tags:
TGMRA (Novel)