Chapter 120: Flame Part 1: The Secret of Darkness [VIP]

【……】

"Why, you can't accept my request right away?"

[I didn't expect the proof you requested was so simple. I thought you would ask for more from me...]

The black snake who called himself "Tower Master" let out a hissing laugh.

[It is still a long time before dawn, and I want to use this time to tell you a dark secret about the Holy Family.]

"What kind of dark secret?"

Believers in the Twin Gods and most scholars believe the Holy Family has a history stretching back five thousand years, tracing their lineage back to the Eternal Empire, which was destroyed six thousand years ago. In reality, the only thing that hasn't changed in the Holy Family over these five thousand years is the name "Santis."

“I’m not surprised by this.”

【oh? 】

"Duke Adlon of Dalavia once confessed that his dislike for Jarris wasn't just because of Grand Duchess Anna, but more because of Jarris's own uniqueness. He also told me that all successive generations of black-haired high priests look almost identical, as if they were the reincarnation of the same person."

【Go on.】

"I don't think they are reincarnations of the same person. I think they are more like clones of the same set of genes."

【You are smarter and more sensitive than I expected. 】

The black snake's voice was very calm and revealed an air of wisdom, so much so that Xiao Yun felt that it no longer mattered whether the black snake who called himself "Tower Master" was Yaris's "pet".

You are one of the few who have noticed the irregularities in the Holy Family and the High Priest system. Have you ever considered delving deeper into this mystery? For example, why do High Priests have two different appearances: black hair and black eyes, and silver hair and purple eyes? Why does the Divine Tower appear to have only eight floors, yet High Priests can enter the ninth?

Even if the Holy Family's bloodline is cut off, the Oracle will still descend. Those chosen by the Oracle undergo a specific ritual baptism and enter the sixth and seventh levels, open only to the Holy Family, to give birth to children with divine blood.

What is the basis for determining admission to the sixth, seventh, and eighth floors of the Tower of God? Specific genetic sequences? Voiceprints? Brainwaves?

"Sorry, I haven't been to the Divine Tower yet."

Yaris will take you to Denos, open the ziggurat, and crown you. I suggest you enter the ziggurat with the questions I've provided. With your intelligence and sensitivity, you'll surely discover more secrets.

"...I think you care a little too much about the sacred tower!"

Xiao Yun said coldly.

[Because the Divine Tower is the key to everything, only by finding the truth about the Divine Tower can I break free from the constraints of the Sin Tower...]

"Wait a moment!"

A flash of lightning flashed through Xiao Yun's mind.

"Tower of God? Tower of Sin?"

(…Is it possible that the Tower of Sin is actually the twin of the Tower of God?!)

What do you think of?

"I was wondering, if you really are Yaris's 'pet', why did you come to us today? We entered the Tower of Sin yesterday."

Because you were all too tired yesterday, and... okay, I admit I was a little grumpy. The story of the "Tower Master" was so widely circulated, but he never showed the slightest interest in the legend of the "Tower Master"... It was as if he didn't care about the origins of the "Tower Master" at all, nor did he want to know what secrets were hidden behind the legend of the "Tower Master"...

"I don't think he doesn't care about the legend of the 'Tower Master', but he is affected by the laws of the dimension and cannot be impressed by information related to you—"

【Your words make me very happy. I decided to believe you this time. 】

After saying this, the black snake raised its huge head and nodded twice gracefully like a subject saluting the monarch. Then its huge body turned into glittering black dust, rolling like a sea of ​​sand from hell and merging into the wall, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

At the same time, the moonlight shone into the room again, shining on Yaris's pale and transparent cheeks.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Xiao Yun: "I just fell into a nightmare. My body felt like it was being pressed down by an invisible boulder. I couldn't move or wake up..."

"Just now--"

"Something was here just now, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

Xiao Yun thought for a moment and told Yaris about his conversation with the "Tower Master".

"…it said it was my 'pet'?"

Yaris blinked in confusion.

"It said it can sense you, and you can sense it, but due to the limitations of dimensional laws, you can't release each other."

"this……"

Yaris frowned and thought for a long time: "Every time I ride in a carriage past the 'Tower of Sin', I always feel a strange sense of familiarity in my heart. Last night, this feeling was particularly strong, as if there was a familiar object right next to me, but I couldn't remember it, nor could I notice it..."

"You care about this, but..."

It claims to be your 'pet' and you are its 'master'. When we are in danger, once it proves its identity, I will give it the gem it wants -"

"What if it deceives you?"

"As long as I can help you,

"Um."

Yaris showed a relieved expression.

He cupped his brother's cheeks with both hands and solemnly warned, "Normally, people only enter the dream channel when they're soundly asleep. However, for beings with greater power... they can indeed cause them to dream while awake... It's also possible that the black snake has simply infiltrated your mind... In short, there are many things in the Sin Tower that defy common sense. You must be vigilant and don't be deceived."

"Just the fact that it showed up was terrifying to me."

Yaris added with a wry smile.

"I want to trust it temporarily, not only because it claims to be your 'pet' and asked me for the gem in order to meet you, but also because when it appeared before me, the 'Golden Blade' didn't react at all—it's clear that it's not of its kind."

"If the black snake isn't lying and it's indeed my 'pet', then having such a powerful helper is naturally a good thing... But... if..."

Yaris shook his head violently, trying to shake the unsettling thoughts from his mind.

"Don't overthink it, and get some rest. Your health is already weak, and lack of sleep... Plus, there's a high probability of a war tomorrow... Considering the tragedy at the Sacred Square, He's very keen on separating us and defeating us one by one."

"You're right. We must take this time to rest and get enough energy to deal with what's coming next."

Yalishi paused and reiterated, "If I am unfortunately captured, no matter how He uses me to provoke you, your heart must not waver in the slightest, and you must not compromise with Him for my sake."

"I promise you, no matter what happens, my heart will not waver."

"Um."

Having received the promise, Yaris finally closed his eyes with peace of mind.

…

…

After dawn, Xiao Yun woke up and looked out the window as usual, only to see the prison walls made of black basalt and the narrow sky cut into strips by the spires of the tall towers.

"It seems... the weather today is not very good..."

He muttered something under his breath.

Yaris smiled when he heard this.

"Why are you laughing?"

"This conversation makes me feel nostalgic, as if we were still living in the Little Cupid Palace or the Silver Moon Palace as usual... It's a pity that Kelly is not here..."

"...He is currently assisting Mikael and the others at the Little Love Palace."

"He is very capable and would have made an excellent knight."

Yaris's voice was very low: "But now——"

“Being able to spend the best years of your youth doing what you love most is a kind of happiness in itself.”

Then the two men rang the bell to summon the servants in the next room.

…

The servants walked into the room and assisted the two to finish washing in an orderly manner.

Xiao Yun, who had straightened his appearance with the help of his attendant, turned around and looked at his long black hair that was glittering like flowing water as it passed through the comb. He couldn't help but take the comb from the attendant and sighed as he combed his hair: "How strange——"

"how?"

Yaris asked in confusion.

Xiao Yun frowned. "Dr. Moss said that poor health, lack of sleep, and overuse of the brain can lead to significant hair loss. Yet, your hair...is always thick and dense, shining like a river flowing in the sun."

"Regarding this issue... My point of view is that my body is different from others. It prioritizes supplying all nutrients it can absorb to my head. Therefore, I am becoming increasingly weak below the neck, but my brain and my hair are completely unaffected..."

Yaris said half-jokingly, and suddenly held Xiao Yun's hand and comb: "Are you nervous?"

"Nervous? Why?"

"A decisive battle could happen at any time."

"Then make it happen."

Xiao Yun lowered his head and kissed Yaris's fingers: "Even if we unfortunately die as traitors, we will have a clear conscience."

"I'm relieved if you think so."

A smile appeared on Yaris's face.

"Owner--"

The shadowy figure of the mage emerged and reported to the two, "His Highness Kairusha has completed the integration and assembly of the Grassland Alliance and is preparing to march south to provide support."

"He is indeed a true hero who keeps his promise."

Xiao Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

After a brief moment of thought, Yaris took out a letter from a nearby drawer and handed it to the mage: "Send this letter to Alfonso in Barakanya. If you encounter any obstacles along the way, destroy this letter before you die."

"Yes, sir."

The magician took the letter and disappeared into the wall as if melting.

Yaris summoned a second mage and said, "Notify Adrian to gather the troops and march south to support us as soon as possible without affecting the border defense."

"yes."

"How long until noon?"

Xiao Yun suddenly asked.

"besides--"

"Young Master~"

Romila suddenly twisted her body and appeared in front of the two of them.

Xiao Yun frowned: "You are not staying with Ulysses——"

"There's an extra barrier around the palace. Even if I squeezed my body to the bone, I couldn't squeeze in."

Romila said aggrievedly, "This barrier suddenly appeared today, shortly after Ulysses entered the palace to report Lias's death."

"Wait! What did you say! Lias's death? Lias is...dead?"

Xiao Yun was shocked.

"Yes, he's dead. According to the driver's confession, he came to the Sin Tower yesterday afternoon to meet you. He left the Sin Tower after dark and was already dead in the carriage when he returned home. He died of poisoning."

Romila recounted what had happened.

Xiao Yun frowned. "He did come to the Sin Tower yesterday and did meet with us, but he came to us to help us end Edmund's tyrannical rule. He said he was afraid of implicating his wife and children, so he wouldn't openly betray the emperor. He also planned to report the meeting to the emperor the next day as a failed attempt to persuade him to surrender."

"...Now Lias's relatives and friends all believe that His Highness deliberately poisoned Lias to death."

Romila said cautiously, "After all, His Highness is nicknamed the Grand Duke of Magic, and in the minds of the public, magic is always associated with curses, poison, darkness, and conspiracy."

"them--"

Xiao Yun was speechless. "Lias has the 'Demon Spore' in his body, so he won't live long anyway. He has asked me more than once to chop off his head before the 'Demon Spore' consumes his mind, lest he become a puppet of the 'Demon Spore' and harm his family and friends."

"I know... I certainly don't believe that the young master and His Highness are the murderers of Lias, but Lias's relatives and friends don't know. Ulysses, Ulysses... wait a minute!"

"What's the matter?"

"There are no 'demon spores' in Lias's body!"

"What?"

Xiao Yun was shocked.

"...While Lias's butler was directing the servants to carry Lias's body into the living room to prepare for his funeral, I secretly examined his body. I was originally trying to find out what kind of poison had killed him, but I discovered that the 'demon spores' that had been firmly attached to the inside of his cervical spine had disappeared."

Romila looked at Xiao Yun and Yaris in distress: "How could the 'demon spores' suddenly disappear?"

"This question... I'm afraid the answer can only be found by having a magic master who is familiar with 'demon spores' and poisons personally examine Lias's body."

Yaris said coldly, looking towards the corner of the room: "'Dark Night Mentor', you can come out now!"

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from Her Royal Highness the Princess."

The "Dark Night Mentor" emerged from the darkness, his old face covered with wrinkles like dirt as usual, and his eyes shone like lightning.

"Master..."

Romila panicked.

During the time when the "Dark Night Mentor" disappeared, he spoke ill of the old man every day.

"Oh!"

The Dark Night Mentor glared at the succubus, then walked up to Xiao Yun and Yaris Bai and said respectfully, "I'm very pleased to see that Her Royal Highness the Princess and the beautiful bird are not only safe but also looking even more radiant."

"We're glad you're alive, too."

Yaris said calmly: "Can you explain your long disappearance?"

"That guy is a more terrifying monster than I imagined. That space is more than just space. I tried to escape from it, but was nearly eaten by Him... I had no choice but to hide in the cracks of the void and drift for a long, long time before finally returning to the world... Then, due to severe damage, I secretly returned to my residence... Last night, I sensed His presence trying to cover the entire royal capital, so I rushed from my secret residence to rescue you overnight!"

The old wizard gnashed his teeth and spoke, as if venting his anger.

"I knew He was powerful, but I didn't expect He could construct a mirror dimension and also build such a powerful double barrier with the Palace of Light as its core! What a terrifying monster! Even I can't bear to see our world fall into the hands of such a monster! Fight! Let's fight together!"

"...I can't believe you would say such passionate words."

Xiao Yun teased the "Dark Night Mentor".

"What do you mean by that—"

The "Dark Night Mentor" was not convinced.

Yaris smiled and said, "My brother meant that we were already thinking about how to get you to fully help us fight Him. Now that you speak so passionately, we are surprised and relieved."

“…”

The face of the "Dark Night Mentor" was extremely ugly. He could only take out a wine glass from thin air and pour himself a glass of wine to moisten his throat and suppress his anger.

"I want to drink too!"

The succubus said flatteringly, "Give me a glass of wine."

"You idiot! I really regret why I... Well, he's not the only one under my command, but they're all zombies, ghouls, undead, monsters, things that shouldn't normally appear in human cities..."

While muttering, the "Dark Night Mentor" poured a glass of wine for the succubus.

After drinking the strong liquor, Romila regained her spirits and told the "Dark Night Mentor" about the powerful barrier that rose up in the palace after Ulysses entered, which even she could not enter.

"Sure?"

“I tried several times but couldn’t squeeze in.”

Romila looked resentful.

The Dark Night Mentor thought for a moment and explained, "Regular magical barriers essentially interfere with the mind's cognitive function, causing a person to stop in a specific area or even become confused, making it impossible to make correct judgments. However, the most significant characteristic of magical creatures like succubi is their emptiness of mind, while their bodies can be deformed and twisted at will. Therefore, they can easily pass through most magical barriers in the world."

"Even if you were to squeeze your body into a shell, you wouldn't be able to squeeze through the newly formed barrier in the palace. This shows that this barrier isn't a traditional magical barrier designed to interfere with the mind, but a more advanced one that incorporates super-science and extra-dimensional knowledge."

The Dark Night Mentor added.

"A simplified version of the mirror dimension?"

Xiao Yun asked.

The Dark Night Mentor nodded: "Very likely."

"So--"

Yaris smiled and said, "Now our biggest question is why did Ulysses suddenly enter the palace?"

"To avenge Lias!"

The succubus blurted out.

Xiao Yun shook his head: "He is a cautious person and would not be so impulsive."

"So what does he want to do?"

The succubus couldn't figure it out.

The Dark Night Mentor spoke again at this time: "I don't care what Ulysses intends to do, but there is one thing I want you to pay attention to immediately!"

"What?"

"As I said before, I sensed His presence in my hiding place, attempting to cover the entire capital and build such a powerful double-layer barrier with the Palace of Light as its core."

"Yes, you did."

"The barrier that rose around the palace, which even a fool like Romila couldn't squeeze into, is the first layer of the double barrier He built. So, where is His second layer?"

“…”

Xiao Yun and Yaris fell into silence.

The Dark Night Mentor licked his lips in satisfaction and pulled out a crystal ball. "This is what I observed when I entered the capital!"

"Um?"

Yaris frowned.

In the eyes of ordinary people, the crystal ball that the "Dark Night Mentor" took out was just a very common household crystal ball decoration with a model of the royal capital inside, but in the eyes of the magician -

Not only was there a lifelike model of the royal capital in the crystal ball, but the entire city was also shrouded in a thick layer of gray-green smoke, and a creepy dark green vortex was hovering above the palace.

"This is what I saw, a double barrier! One hovering over the palace, and one trying to cover the entire city."

The Dark Night Mentor said worriedly, "You must leave as soon as possible before the second barrier is completed. Once the second barrier is completed, everyone will be trapped here forever!"

"I see……"

Xiao Yun suddenly realized, "No wonder He caused such a tragedy without any scruples, and then magnanimously let us go after the tragedy. It's because He had already completed the preliminary preparations and planned to use a double barrier to trap everyone in the capital!"

"Yes, He doesn't care about the lives of civilians at all."

Yaris said sadly: "When the entire city is shrouded in gray-green smoke, this place will become a demonic city belonging only to Him."

"In fact, if He had been more patient and waited until the double barrier was fully deployed before taking formal action, there would have been no chance of survival for all of us."

Romila said self-righteously.

Yaris shook his head and said gravely, "You're wrong. He caused the Sacred Square tragedy not because He lost His patience and was eager to show us His power, intimidate us, and make us give up resistance, but because... the widespread blood, fear, and resentment will make His barrier stronger and more solid."

"He is more cunning, cruel, and vicious than we expected."

Xiao Yun added, "And we still don't know what effect his barrier will have on those trapped within it, nor how many monsters he has secretly created within the Royal Knights during this period."

…

…

"Well……"

Ulysses slowly opened his eyes and felt that there was no part of his body that didn't hurt, and he felt so painful that he almost fell apart.

It was pitch black all around, not because Ulysses had lost his sight, but because there was only dim light in the room.

"…Is this…a prison cell?"

"This is not a prison cell, this is your new residence."

A knight with a horse's head and a human body holding a candlestick appeared before him and saluted respectfully: "Welcome, Prime Minister."

"I……"

"His Majesty said that he did not fully trust your loyalty, even though you told him that you had begun to hate the person you once served because of Lias's death and that you had decided to serve His Majesty wholeheartedly from now on."

The Horse-Headed Knight said this and placed the candlestick on the table.

In the dim light of the candlestick, Ulysses found himself in a dungeon, with his hands and feet bound with heavy, cold chains, and a chain around his neck extending from the wall.

"...you imprisoned me in a dungeon...because you didn't trust my loyalty..."

[No, no, no, I have never doubted your loyalty. On the contrary, I admire you very much. I admire your persistence and determination in giving everything for your faith!]

A deep and serious voice echoed in Ulysses's mind, and his brain felt like it was being pierced by an ice pick and was almost splitting with pain.

Ulysses, I've always admired you. You're dark, thin, and small, like a bat, but you're smarter, more capable, hardworking, and adaptable than most people. You're not lustful or greedy for money, and you're resolute, loyal, and tenacious... To me, your only flaw is that your loyalty isn't to me.