Chapter 738: Deep in the Mausoleum
This doesn't seem any different from the original "disaster" spell. The fleeing pirates are still alive, and the surrounding ships haven't been affected. Angel looked at the spirit wind below and thought of a possibility:
This spell can simultaneously cause damage to the spirit world that overlaps with the target. It may affect enemies hidden in the spirit world or even in the "mirror".
For example, the "Queen Anne's Revenge," a ghost ship that can hide in the spirit world at any time, some high-ranking witches, or powerful spirit creatures...
Angel's mind flashed with the images of Anne, a girl with black hair and golden eyes; Katarina, the "ageless" witch who emerged from the mirror with an elegant temperament and a hint of liveliness; and Renette Tinicole, who was holding her four heads.
The latter's cold eyes made her stop fantasizing immediately and look at Azik, who was pulling her and Klein together and traveling through the spirit world with two secret dolls.
The latter's expression became somewhat serious ever since he "encouraged" Angel to blow up the ship for some strange reason. Especially after entering the spirit world, Angel could feel that several people were constantly moving forward, but seemed to be going in circles and not moving too far away.
"Mr. Azik, are we going back to Gurain now?"
She asked tentatively.
"No, let's go deeper into the Raging Sea," Azik shook his head and looked at Klein. "Give me the copper whistle. I have a hunch that with the ring, the copper whistle, and my own efforts, we should be able to find the location where the God of Death fell in the Raging Sea."
So fast?
Angel's heart tightened for some reason. She had thought that after getting this black ring that might be related to the god of death, Azik would first recall more of the past, and then, as before, search around for bits and pieces of memory, combine this information, and then find the real answer.
How come it’s so fast…
She looked at Klein and saw the same worry in his eyes.
But after a moment, the secret doll Enzo still took out his pocket and took out the copper whistle that was sealed in the cigarette box to prevent it from causing turmoil in the violent sea. He handed it to Azik. The copper whistle floated up by itself, as if supported by an invisible spirit, and stayed beside Azik.
At the same time, Klein also began to persuade:
"Mr. Azik, how about... we return to the Southern Continent first? Bayam would be fine, too. My dreams tell me this journey is extremely dangerous. Perhaps we should first seek out other members of the Spirit Cult and learn more about the 'Artificial Death God' before heading into the depths of the Raging Sea."
"After I put on the ring, there was a voice calling me, right there..."
He held one person in each hand and could only use his eyes to look in the direction of the raging sea to indicate his intention. The spiritual world in the distance gradually became dark. It was the raging sea that sensed the power of the copper whistle and started a new round of storm.
After saying that, he quickly moved forward with the two men and two secret dolls, entering a dangerous area where storms were sweeping and lightning was raging.
…
Backlund, deep inside Saint Samuel Cathedral.
Archbishop Anthony Stevenson, dressed in a robe, walked quickly into Chanis Gate, had a brief conversation with the guard, and after verifying his identity according to the procedure, he walked past the wooden shelves, passed between various material containers, documents, and potion formulas, and went down the stairs to the second floor.
Various "3" level and "2" level seals are sealed here. Only team leaders, deacons or bishops are allowed to enter, and they must go in groups of two or more to avoid accidents and not having enough time to call for help.
In a hidden corner, the archbishop opened the road to the third floor and entered the lowest floor, which was not very large.
He glanced over and confirmed that Seals 1-29 and 1-80 had not changed. They were still influencing each other as designed, offsetting negative effects, and sealing the most important seal of the Backlund Diocese.
"0-17".
Anthony recalled the emergency communication he had just received from the temple. The content was simple: activate the seal immediately.
Due to the principle of confidentiality, even the emergency communication did not specify which seal Anthony should activate, but he knew that this was the only one he needed to activate personally.
After removing the outer seal, Anthony took a deep breath and carefully observed the situation inside "1-80" through "1-29".
Then, he exhaled suddenly.
“0-17” is gone!
What's going on? "0-17" does occasionally break the seal and release its power to the outside world, but this situation is quickly controlled by "1-80". There has never been a case where the sealed object disappears before the seal is lifted.
The purpose of the temple is to let me observe whether this "0" level seal is still there, rather than actually let me activate it?
Anthony thought about it, but quickly shook his head.
The complete data of "0-17" emerged in his mind. That was information known only to the Pope, certain researchers, and the Archbishop of the Backlund Diocese. Moreover, every Archbishop had to use a seal to erase this part of his memory before being transferred.
"Number: 17; Danger Level: '0'; Name: Hidden Angel.
"Secrecy level...
"Sealing method...
"Description: This is not an item and cannot be exploited.
"Appendix 1: This sealed artifact first appeared in the Pale Age of the Fourth Epoch. Other details are unknown.
"Appendix 2: Data shows that He has been awakened seven times.
"Appendix 3: There are certain conditions under which it cannot be used. It has been confirmed that it can serve as a vessel for the goddess's descent."
Anthony suddenly opened his eyes and thought of a possibility, but he didn't dare to think about it too much. Even during the "Backlund Great Smog", "0-17" had to be awakened according to the procedure. What incident caused him to leave Chanis Gate on his own this time?
With a crimson moon painted on his chest, Archbishop Anthony restored the three layers of seal to their original state and quietly left.
————
After a dizzying moment, Angel opened his eyes again and found himself in a dark and cold mausoleum. The floor under his feet was made of hard stones, and beside him were open coffins with rotten corpses covered with white feathers inside.
Deep in the mausoleum surrounded by coffins, there is a stone staircase leading down. There is black air everywhere, like a heavy haze gathered together. The dark vision is blocked by it, and it is impossible to see through the situation inside.
Looking at the mausoleum that looked like the one in Klein's dream... Her scalp tingled. She quickly looked around and soon saw Azik standing beside the coffin, staring into the depths of the black fog, and Klein slowly standing up beside him. The two secret dolls seemed unaffected by the dizziness and stood by, lifeless.
"This is the mausoleum where the artificial god of death resides?"
She asked cautiously, but she already had the answer in her heart.
Azik turned around, and Angel saw a less serious expression on his face, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
Here, he had returned to his earlier state, the humorous Loen gentleman who liked to leave and then secretly return to laugh at us... Angel thought with some melancholy.
"Just now, that pirate general called me 'Death Archon,' and I didn't resist the title at all. Because, in the memories that gradually returned, I saw myself leading countless armies of undead creatures, sitting high on the Skull Throne. I saw the Beyonders and ordinary people who fell beside me. I saw them reborn as undead spirits loyal to me, rushing towards the next town and village, and I was indifferent, watching coldly."
Azik's gaze fell on Ludwell's mask, but he quickly looked away, looking at Klein and Angel. His tone was filled with inexplicable emotion as he explained why he was so eager to regain his memories.
In the cold and damp tomb, Angel learned about the countless life experiences of the "Archon of Death" who died and resurrected at the end of the Pale Age.
The first time, he crawled out of the pile of corpses and was taken in by a noble girl. After rescuing her, he secretly fell in love with her, but they could not be together because of the difference in their status. Of course, Azik eventually joined the army and became a knight. During the chaotic period at the junction of the Fourth and Fifth Epochs, he established his own title and fiefdom, married the noble girl, and had a child.
"That was the first Baron Ramde, whose fiefdom was in the small town of Ramde near Tingen. Do you remember the time I went there to purify the undead?"
Klein whispered to Angel.
Angel nodded, recalling the small town that had existed since the beginning of the Fifth Age, even earlier than Tingen City.
It turned out that was the fief of Mr. Azik's son... Thinking of this, she laughed and looked at Azik, and found that the corner of his mouth also curled up with a smile.
"He was a brave child. He looked up to me as a role model, determined to follow the path I once took, becoming a noble on his own, rather than relying on the shadow of his ancestors... Whenever I think of what he said, I feel a sense of satisfaction and pride. He was completely different from the bloodline I remember leaving behind in Balam, those who left behind to divide Beyonder traits or control the army... Oh, I was born that way too, how could I not know that feeling, that feeling of having no connection other than blood?"
Having said that, Azik shook his head, sighed, and continued:
"Unfortunately, that most beautiful memory in my heart didn't last long. Soon, I recovered most of my memories and gradually became gloomy, making my family feel unfamiliar. Although I tried hard to make amends, I could only arrange my 'next life' and die in the castle..."
He then recounted his second and third lives, up to the countless resurrection experiences that took place not long ago.
Sometimes he was a hardworking businessman, building happiness for his family with his own hands; sometimes he was a brilliant scholar, finding beautiful love while studying; sometimes he replaced someone else's identity and occupied their life, only to feel regret after regaining his memory...
In his life again and again, Azik would always recall those fragments of memory from the Fourth Epoch that made him feel terrified and that made him feel like he had become another person. The contrast with his current happiness made him feel disharmony and that he was split into two different identities: "Archon of Death" and "Man who keeps resurrecting in search of happiness."
"Remember the cemetery I took you to?"
Azik looked at Angel again, his eyes filled with endless sadness.
“That was the home of my daughter from one lifetime, and in another, I became a soldier who invaded her home, killing the residents, demolishing the houses, and destroying all the beauty…
"It's like some kind of destined ending. The beauty and happiness I've gained will always be destroyed by my own hands the next time I'm resurrected. This makes me wonder if my true nature is the 'Archon of Death' that destroyed the Northern Continent and brought about the Pale Disaster..."
"No, Mr. Azik!" Angel was still considering how to answer this pointed question when Klein quickly spoke, "I believe that 'Death Archon' and 'Azik Eggers' are the same person. The former is a Beyonder who has lost control due to the influence of his Beyonder characteristics, while the latter is you who has lost your memory and started a new life. You are kind, enthusiastic, and full of emotions. This is your truest self."
Although Klein's words lacked evidence, they did align with Azik's thoughts. He nodded thoughtfully, his expression softening slightly.
Angel also thought of an important concept and said hesitantly:
"Perhaps, these repetitive lives are the 'anchor' that the 'Death God' path uses to combat the madness and uncontrollable tendencies within the Beyonder characteristics?
"So, you shouldn't view them as a burden, but rather as a part of your life, perhaps even a large part... In fact, this journey has been going on for over a thousand years, right? I'm afraid the time you've experienced in the Fourth Epoch isn't even as long as this stage."
Angel wasn't actually sure when Azik was born in the Fourth Age, but even though she didn't have a deep knowledge of history, she could confirm that the entire Fourth Age wasn't as long as the Fifth Age to date.
The two men's persuasion silenced Azik. He pondered, his expression somewhat bewildered, and soon he heaved a sigh of relief, saying:
"Perhaps this wasn't the reason I was trapped in the cycle of death and rebirth in the Fourth Epoch... but now, I do think so."
After saying this, his expression became firm, and so did his tone:
"I understand your concerns, and I don't want this to come true either. But in my past memories, every time I gradually grasped the truth, I would fall into a new round of slumber. This time is undoubtedly the closest I've ever been to the answer... After over a thousand years, no matter what, I want to grasp it."
As he spoke, he looked towards the wriggling black mist deep within the mausoleum.
"Remember to close your eyes and wait for me to come back."
After saying this, he held down the silk hat on his head, walked step by step along the gap between the coffins, walked up the stone stairs, and walked into the dark depths of the mausoleum.
Angel and Klein exchanged a glance, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. However, as Azik approached the black fog, and the black fog dispersed on its own as if it had come to life, revealing the illusory things hovering at the bottom of the mausoleum, both of them felt the rising breath of death.
Following the instructions, they quickly hid behind the tall coffin, closed their eyes, and listened carefully to the movements coming from behind.
…
In East Balam, the streets of Gurain Castle, built on the mountain, gradually rise.
A team of people wearing different clothes but all wearing bright red gloves was moving forward. It was already dawn, but these people who had obviously worked all night did not look tired at all. Instead, they were full of energy.
Daly Simone followed the group of night owls, yawning continuously. Suddenly, she stopped, shaking her hand and pressing it to her forehead. This made the "Red Gloves" captain Soster, who had been secretly watching her, approach with confusion and asked:
"What's wrong?"
Daly's tone was a little disembodied, as if she were mumbling in her sleep: "Just now I heard a strange call, as if asking me to surrender, and I almost gave in..."
Enemy attack?
This was the first reaction of all the "Red Gloves" when they heard this, but Leonard Mitchell from the same team turned his head slightly and looked towards the harbor in the northwest, looking at the sea surface that was gradually regaining the color of the sunrise.
The sky in the direction of the turbulent sea was pitch black. There was no strong wind, no lightning, no heavy rain or huge waves, and even the sunlight could not penetrate.
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