801 - 809

Chapter 801: New Messenger

In Babel inside the Atomic Universe…

By the time Lucien returned, Natasha was still in a daze before the minor screen. She looked ahead while turning the Sword of Truth in her hand.

"What's up?" Lucien asked, finding it strange. Considering her arcana expertise, she shouldn't have been shocked for such a long time, should she?

Hearing Lucien's voice, Natasha seemed to be woken up from a dream. Her silver eyes glittering, she said, "Although the delayed choice experiment cannot conclusively prove that the law of causality can be destroyed, I am thinking whether or not the Sword of Truth is crafted based on such a mechanism. Are all the methods of resurrection nullified because the law of causality has been sabotaged?"

Lucien looked at her solemnly up and down. Despite her usual confidence and firmness, she was somewhat stunned. Could she be right?

The atmosphere was frozen for several minutes just like that. Right when Natasha couldn't stand it any longer and was about to speak again, Lucien suddenly smiled in great delight. "You are thinking too much."

"Really? I don't do that very often," Natasha said in a matter-of-fact, showing no frustration at all.

Lucien's smile was gone. He nodded and said, "It's a major progress to consider the arcana mechanism behind the blood power of the Sword of Truth. Only figuring out what it is exactly will you know how to walk on. Although I am still not certain, I have a vague speculation about your blood power. By the time I return from the primeval hell, perhaps I'll be able to tell you what it is."

"Really?" Natasha was both surprised and delighted at Lucien's words. The knight path up ahead was an important focus of her life. The seclusion every month had made her realize that understanding her blood power was an indispensable prerequisite for her to find out her own path of a knight. Otherwise, she could only become a level-three legendary knight after several hundred years like "Heart of Time", and she wouldn't be able to make any further progression.

For a knight who was better at fighting and persistence, exploring and studying her blood power was not her advantage. Chances were that she would have to spend a fairly long time on that. Thankfully, she had a grand arcanist by her side, one who was famous for his studies!

After she blurted out, Natasha noticed another point. "You're going to the primeval hell?"

She did not pursue the previous topic any further because she was certain that Lucien would not lie to her about such an important question. If he said that he had a theory, he definitely had a theory, and everything would be clear after he returned from the primeval hell.

"I have benefited a lot from the two experiments. After I construct another few spells, it will be time for you to pay a visit to the primeval hell to confirm one of my ideas. By then, everything will have an answer," Lucien said ambiguously. "Although the Lord of Hell has steadily arrived at the main material world, his real body must still be in the depths of hell. So, I have to go alone this time. Also, the situation is rather dangerous today. It's better to deal with the emergencies if you stay in Rentato."

Biting her lips, Natasha nodded slowly. "Alright."

She knew very well that, although she had the Shield of Truth and the Sword of Truth, which gave her an actual combat ability of level three of legendary, she would still be crushed when faced with a demigod. Also, she did not have as many peculiar life-saving spells as sorcerers did, and she would only be a liability if she were to follow Lucien to hell. As a top legend, he could fight or flee freely. There would be ways for him to escape even if he were faced with a demigod.

"I'm going to develop a new legendary spell which will help us communicate across dimensions. Should there be any emergency, we would be able to reach out to each other." Lucien tried to be prepared, but he was not really too worried. With Mr. President in Allyn, unless Viken performed God's Arrival without caring about his own life, or all the other demigods joined their hands, there wouldn't be anything that was worth a cross-dimension call. As a matter of fact, he was probably the one who would encounter strange things after he went to the primeval hell.

"Communicate across dimensions?" Natasha repeated those words. She had never heard of any way to communicate across dimensions except through the Portal to Alternate Realms. So, she was rather confused and curious.

Lucien nodded and smiled. "This legendary method of communication indeed supports communication across different alternate dimensions. However, it can only be used once and deliver limited information. Also, the code of the communication has to be settled in advance. Basically, when you settle a state on your side, a corresponding state will collapse on my side. Information can be delivered by combining such states, like the binary system."

"It feels like another application of the weird features of microscopic particles…" Having been taught for a long time, Natasha made the conclusion very confidently. Then, she adjusted her mood and chuckled. "You said that you benefited a lot from the two experiments today. What have you earned exactly? The confirmation of the observer effect, or the disruption of the law of causality?"

Lucien could sense her curiosity that she had been hiding. He replied with a smile, "For me, the most important lesson is that electrons can be used to complete the two experiments under such designs and circumstances. Mr. President and I planned to use photons."

"Is there any difference?" Natasha was confused. She understood the experiment perfectly, but the sophisticated questions where theories were involved were too much for amateurs like her to comprehend.

"You want to know the difference? It involves quantum field theory, wave mechanics, the matrix mechanics…" Lucien intentionally proposed a bunch of theories.

"Stop, stop, stop." Her head swelling, Natasha hurried to stop him and change the topic. "In the first experiment, the trajectory mark of electrons was erased by the design, thereby preventing the experimenter from obtaining the information. Therefore, the interferometric fringes still existed, and the observer effect was still sensible. However, it cannot prove the conclusion perfectly. If the trajectory mark is not erased, but the experimenter's eyes, ears, and all other senses are all blocked, will the interferometric fringes still exist? Will there be any 'observer' under such circumstances?"

Lucien looked at Natasha in surprise. Perhaps it was exactly because she did not know very much that she could ask such creative questions.

Thinking for a moment, he chuckled in a low voice. "Who knows? Nobody can know the result, because when anybody observes it, there will be an 'observer', but if nobody observes it, does the result really matter? It cannot be confirmed anyway."

"Then, let's assume that a mysterious existence that doesn't cause the observer effect is watching it…" Natasha made use of her imagination. "Why don't you take a guess from the theoretical point of view?"

"My guess?" Lucien smiled and said, "My guess is that there may be interferometric fringes, and there may be not. Hahahaha."

Natasha raised her head and looked at the ceiling, making up her mind never to discuss arcana questions with him again.

…

In June of 830, everything was being burned by the fiery weather.

In the Salvation Cathedral of Anhadur, a famous city in the Syracuse Kingdom…

An archbishop was pacing back and forth outside the praying room, waiting for the red robes.

"Why is the praying still not finished? Another cult has been discovered in a manor nearby…" The archbishop paced and sighed while scratching his head. In the past few years, cults had been emerging incessantly. After one was destroyed, another would pop up immediately. Although he was in his prime years, his hair had all turned white as he dealt with them. "Also, the cult this time seems able to summon senior-rank evil creatures. I don't think the people in the inquisition can take care of it."

Thinking about the ongoing battle over there, the archbishop grew more and more anxious. He decided to summon his courage and knock on the door.

Dum, dum, dum.

The archbishop knocked on the door, but the moment he exerted his strength, the door squeaked and backed off, leaving a gap.

"It's not closed?" The archbishop had a bad feeling. He hurried to open the door and looked in.

Then, his eyes were frozen.

Before the cross in the praying room, a broken red robe lay on the ground with strange burn marks on his body.

"Has… Has he been swallowed by the holy light?" the archbishop said at a loss.

It was not because he was particularly keen. It was because ever since Evans' two thought experiments were spread out, dozens of red robes had been swallowed by the holy light while they were praying. As a result, everybody was terrified whenever Lucien Evans was mentioned.

…

The sky was dim and gray, and nothing could be heard at all. The World of Souls was as monotonous as ever.

His hands in the pockets of his black double-breasted suit, Lucien wandered among the undead creatures. There were raging ghouls, slow and hideous zombies, floating ghosts, mummies that were covered in bandages, but none of them detected him, because he seemed to have dispersed in space.

Just like that, Lucien passed through the plain of death quietly and reached the Temple of Spirits. The legendary specters who guarded the place failed to detect him too, and they simply allowed him to visit and press further like a tourist.

On his way, Lucien did not meet any intelligent specter. It seemed that they had smelled danger and were too scared to approach.

Lucien observed the new changes in the Temple of Spirits as he walked, only to discover nothing. It was not until he reached the Furnace of Souls and was about to enter the Realm of Gates that he sensed the legendary specters like the Lich King. However, they did not feel the necessity to attack. After all, Lucien had come twice. There wouldn't be any losses if he came a few more times. Did they really need to fight at the risk of their lives?

They had been too heavily beaten up!

Lucien came to this place for the second time when he contacted Monster Viken for cooperation.

Looking up at the Furnace of Souls and watching Lucien and Xiafeng's overlapping faces, Lucien chuckled and walked to the entrance of the Realm of Gates.

"Why are you here again?" Monster Viken's coarse voice echoed. What he did last time made his situation much worse.

Lucien chuckled. "I'm here to tell you that I am going to pay a visit to the primeval hell."

"You've come for nothing better than that?" Monster Viken raised his voice, feeling that Lucien was the crazy one here.

Lucien took out his Moon Timer and opened the cover to check the time. "Can't I? Well, now that you've known it, I'd better be on my way."

Monster Viken was already rendered speechless.

Lucien turned around and left. He thought to himself that no changes happened after all.

After he was far away from the Temple of Spirits, from the garden near the entrance, an old man slowly walked out. Wearing a sacred crown and holding a planetarium staff, he stared at the place where Lucien disappeared. It was Pope Viken

Chapter 802: The Afterworld

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Navathe, the third floor of hell, was known by the sorcerers of the main material world as "Burning Metropolis".

On this floor of hell that did not seem to have an edge, there were no plains, mountains, rivers, hill, or deserts, but only a magnificent city made of iron. However, since the underground fire was burning incessantly the whole time, even iron could be scorched. As a result, most of the iron buildings were in heated redness. Every pale ghost that approached was sizzling with black smoke, as if they would be vaporized into nothingness at any point.

The suffocating smoke enshrouded the sky, and all kinds of devils wandered in the iron city. They were quite in order themselves, but they treated every soul that entered the hell and the demons that had been captured cruelly.

It was said that at the bottom of the Burning Metropolis, in the middle of the infinite fire, there was an enormous prison where different intelligent creatures were caged. The most direct proof was that when somebody walked on the burning ground, they would often hear moans and cries that came from nowhere.

A squad of little devils escorted a group of fuzzy, pale souls toward the tower at the center of the Burning Metropolis. Now and then, they waved their special whips, making the souls that had entered the hell scream in pain. The more painful the captives were, the more excited the little devils were.

"No wonder so many posthumous customs are popular, and no wonder the Saint Truth was spread so fast…" In a huge business team, Lucien, who did not change his appearance and clothes, sighed in interest and pity. It was the first time that he had entered the hell.

According to the studies of the Congress of Magic in the past, after a human died, their soul would perish on the spot if they did not have special techniques, but in the river that flowed between the hell and the abyss, souls would pop up without their former memories and looks. It was impossible to tell their identities. Such souls would either degenerate into demons and devils in abyss and hell, or be crafted into "soul gems" that could cast special spells or abilities. Such gems were the hard currency in hell.

As for the nature of the soul and how it was generated, it was a conundrum in current arcana studies.

However, after the World of Souls was discovered, the arcanists had reasons to believe that one of the destinies of a soul was the World of Souls. If the posthumous customs could form corresponding spaces in the Realm of Gates, the souls who had strong willpower could certainly enter it too.

Perhaps because of his empathy, the idea occurred to Lucien that, after the Congress suppressed the Saint Truth in the main material world and while it explored the vast cosmos and other dimensions, it would also be necessary to get hell under control. Of course, considering the Congress' capabilities right now and the enemies it was faced with, there would be a long time before the goal was fulfilled.

"Get the hell under the government of the Congress of Magic… That's something that the Magic Empire dare not even think about." Lucien floated on the street. All the stones on it were red. If one were to put an egg on the street, it would immediately be boiled. Other than devils who were born in fire, even knights could not stand such heat for a long time. That was why the souls and captives were in such pain.

The business team Lucien was with was an "Alternate Dimension Trade Group" that the Congress of Magic organized. It had come openly for business. After all, devils were not virtuous saints who did not need food, resources, and entertainment. They too needed the resources that the hell did not have to craft weapons and improve their strength, and their luxury lives had to be maintained. So, they would ask the devil followers to gather resources for them in the main material world and then exchange for such resources fairly.

Such trade certainly couldn't have been done without sorcerers who were good at collection and alchemy. On the other hand, the Congress of Magic needed the special materials of hell. Also, monopolizing such trade could help curb the devils, in case certain greedy people provided strategic resources for treasure, strength, and peace of their souls after their death.

Of course, it was also because of such trade that sorcerers were considered more evil in the past.

Two devils with dark red skins walked to them from another street. Kicking away the soul of a human, they said to the leaders of the "trade group" respectfully, "Esteemed sorcerers, the duke is waiting for your goods."

The devils dare not show any disrespect for the guests of the Iron Duke, or they were likely to become the items that the duke offered to the sorcerers as part of the trade. Every part of a devil was a material, and they could be used as servants. Under such a threat, they behaved differently when they were faced with general humans and when they faced with the trade group.

Seit, the leader of the trade group, nodded proudly and turned to look at Lucien. "Your Excellency, are you going to the Iron Tower?"

As a senior-rank sorcerer, how could he not know the famous grand arcanist Lucien "Atom Controller" Evans?

Raising his head and looking at the red tower at the center of the Burning Metropolis, Lucien smiled and said, "I'm not going. I don't think the Iron Duke wants to see me."

On the top floor of the Iron Tower, the Iron Duke, who was in utter black, looked down solemnly. A top legend who had caused the demise of many other legends was certainly not the best "guest", particularly so for himself who was only level-two legendary and who could only resist level-three legends with the Burning Metropolis.

"If you ever need us, you can contact Colin in 'Balance of Souls'." Seit did not pursue any further. It was not wise to ask about the plan of a grand arcanist recklessly.

The Balance of Souls was the "alchemical cabin" that the Congress of Magic established in the Burning Metropolis.

Lucien nodded and soon melted into the crowd of devils and few "merchants" in the iron city.

"The Lord of Hell must've known that I have come to hell. Will he stop me?" Lucien knew very well that the hell was to some extent an incarnation of the Lord of Hell. No matter how he snuck in hell hiding his traces, it would've been barely possible to deceive Maltimus. So, he might as well come openly. "Now, I'll go to the Silent Hell on the eighth floor first and see if I can find the special Stellar Core. It will also be an indirect test of Maltimus' attitude. Then, I'll go to the primeval hell below the ninth floor."

The moment he made his plan, Lucien suddenly sensed something and looked at the other side of the street, only to see a young man walking toward the edge of the Burning Metropolis with a bag of materials and a smile of satisfaction on his face.

The only living people here were the sorcerers and the few devil followers who came for the trade. So, the young man was undoubtedly a soul, as could be seen from his floating state and his transparent body.

However, the souls in hell were either ignorant and stupid or full of hate and regrets. None of them kept their sanity. The young man's soul, however, was sunny and brilliant, giving Lucien a feeling that he was still alive.

"I also 'smelled' the air of the Silent Hell. Has he come from there to the Burning Metropolis for business?" Lucien speculated.

The Burning Metropolis was the center of trade in hell. On the other floors of hell, for various reasons, only secret deals were conducted.

Realizing that the weird young man's soul came from the Silent Hell, Lucien, whose curiosity had been triggered, tailed him and tried to figure out where he was going.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, the 'Stone of Poltergeists', 'Elven Leaves', and 'Steel of Burning Volcano' that you asked for have been bought." The young man reached a remote corner in the Burning Metropolis that was barely frequented by devils.

Outside of an iron building enshrouded in a fire, a haggard old man was standing there holding his stick. Before him were bottles of the "Fire Liquor" that devils liked most. He seemed to be the boss of a tavern who had come to the Burning Metropolis to shop for goods.

A human being? Lucien was slightly stunned. Was there any human being living in hell without being torn apart and eaten up by devils?

Right when Lucien was about to spread out his spiritual power and check if the old man had any magic cover, he suddenly raised his head. "Maman, why didn't you say that you brought a guest here?"

The "young man" Maman turned back in shock and saw Lucien who did not hide his traces. "I… I don't know him…"

"Forgive me. It's just that I wanted to get to know your grandpa, so I followed you here," Lucien said casually.

Maman scratched his head in confusion and shyness. "My grandpa is just an ordinary tavern tender. There's nothing special about him. You might have mistaken him for someone else, my dear guest."

"An ordinary tavern tender?" Lucien was amused. It would've been ordinary in the main material world, but this was hell.

The skinny old men stooped and sorted his liquors, before he looked at the "young man" with his cloudy eyes and said, "Maman, go buy another hundred bottles of 'Water Soul Wine' and deliver them to the old place."

Maman nodded and ran off merrily.

"A very special soul…" Lucien said softly.

The old man's eyes suddenly glittered. "What do you want?"

"Nothing. I'm just a bit curious." Lucien smiled. "I don't mean you any harm. If you're from the Silent Hell, I would like to ask you about something."

The old man eyed Lucien up and down. "Are you a sorcerer? Judging from your attire, you should be from the Congress of Magic. Has Douglas ever taught you not to enter the hell without a good reason?"

"Do you know Mr. President?" Lucien raised his eyebrows. Judging from his tone, he seemed unaware that Mr. President had advanced into the demigod level.

Chapter 803: The Town in Hell

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The haggard old man sighed rather regretfully. "I know his teacher."

"Mister, are you a legendary of the ancient Magic Empires?" Lucien was not too surprised. Even though the three ancient magic empires were destroyed, many legendary sorcerers survived. After all, they were experts who knew plenty of unusual spells. Some of them hid in the depths of the Dark Mountain Range, and some hid in alternate dimensions and other areas, like the Empress of Snow. So, it was not too strange that he ran into a legendary in hell.

Mr. President's teacher perished in the Battle of Antiffler during the War of Dawn. Whoever knew him was obviously an expert in ancient times.

The old man was dry and skinny, like a mummy without bandages. He said with mixed feelings, "The ancient sorcerers like us cannot keep up with the age anymore. Look at Douglas. How long did it take for him to become a top legend and surpass me? What are you doing in hell?"

"I'm planning to explore the primeval relics deep in hell and search for the special Stellar Core that the former Ice Duke hid." Lucien did not hide his attention. Now that the legendary sorcerer had been hiding in hell, it was possible that he knew a thing or two about the matter. "Right, mister. I don't know how I should call you yet."

Lucien remembered the records of ancient legendary sorcerers, hoping to confirm the old man's identity.

"Hehe. I am just an old man who's waiting to die in hell. Why do you want my name and title?" The old man touched his head, and a strand of white hair immediately fell. "The primeval relics in hell? The Stellar Core that the former Ice Duke hid? Young man, you must be a legendary sorcerer in the Congress of Magic who made the advancement recently, aren't you? I suggest that you don't be too adventurous.

"I've been to the primeval relics twice, and twice I was almost lost and turned into phantoms that forever wandered there. More than six legends of the empire were confirmed to be dead during the exploration of the place. Those who could enter and return safely were mostly only the top legends like Thanos and Douglas. That is, when the Lord of Hell did not attack him.

"As for the Stellar Core that the former Ice Duke hid, it was something from thousands of years ago. I suspect that somebody has already taken it away. Otherwise, the current Ice Duke wouldn't be as clueless as he is right now."

Lucien listened to the old man and checked what he heard with the files he acquired from the president and Mr. Rhine. He felt rather odd. Generally speaking, the ancient legendary sorcerers were more or less gloomy and mysterious due to their cruel experiments and weird spells. Few of them were as kind and talkative as the old man here.

"Do you think I'm a chatterbox?" The old man smiled. "If it were in the past, I wouldn't have wasted my time talking to you at all. You are free to die if you want to. However, after spending thirty years with her in hell, I have become soft and sympathetic. Otherwise, special souls like Maman would've become my experiment subjects a long time ago."

"Thirty years? Her?" Lucien did not give a reply but asked in great interest. It would be easier to obtain intelligence if they were closer.

The old man's face that was full of wrinkles suddenly turned gentle. "Now that you've come to hell, why don't you visit my tavern, the Paradise of Souls? It's right in the Silent Hell."

"Alright." Lucien nodded with a smile. He had to go to the Silent Hell after all.

The old man stopped talking, and Lucien enjoyed the burning fire and the splendid iron building in it casually.

After a long wait, Maman ran back delightedly. "Grandpa, the Water Soul Wine has been delivered to the old place. They'll ship it to the Paradise of Souls today."

"Let's go home." The old man touched Maman's head affectionately.

Lucien followed them through the river to pass through the first few levels of hell before reaching a snowy plain.

Freezing wind was blowing on the plain, so fiercely that souls could be directly torn apart. However, there was no sound at all. Also, the ice land was spacious and covered in snow. Other souls and devils could not be seen at all. So, one could not help but feel the everlasting quietness and tranquility.

Lucien did not need to look to know that souls had been frozen in the ice below the snow. Consolidated, senseless, and unconscious, they forever slept in coldness and darkness.

The wind of peace and death hovered around Lucien and the old man, only to be ejected by uncanny forces. Maman was not frozen by the wind either.

After a long time, a town appeared up ahead. At the periphery was a wall made of ice, and inside the wall were rows of houses made of "Blood Warming Stones", which was a local specialty of the Silent Hell that could effectively resist the soul-freezing coldness.

In the main material world, due to the rarity, a Blood Warming Stone of mediocre quality was already worth fifty Thales, but it was used to build a town in this place.

The residents of the town were floating souls, whose genders and ages varied. Their bodies were transparent and similar to Maman, they had their regular wisdom, except that they did not have a sunny and warm feeling.

"Old man, you're finally back. I was waiting for the Fire Liquor." A brawny man who had a mustache floated over and stared at the storage bag in Maman and the old man's hands thirstily.

In the Silent Hell, even souls could enjoy the Fire Liquor.

The old man chuckled. "You drunkard, I won't take any responsibility if you are frozen again outside after you're drunk."

Lucien glimpsed at the old man, feeling it odd. The legendary sorcerer was not bothered at all to be called by the ordinary souls as an old man. It seemed that he did not stress the hierarchy of the ancient Magic Empire.

The old man talked to the souls and walked to the tavern at the center of the town with his storage bag. Maman followed him and asked Lucien curiously, "Mister, are you not a human? I've never seen a human like you before. You have a warm body and muscles, just like the devils."

"Human? What do you think a human should look like?" Lucien asked in amusement.

Maman raised his chin and declared, like a proud kid, "Humans are people who look like me."

"Who told you that?" Lucien had guessed the answer.

Maman bulged his eyes in confusion. "My grandpa, of course."

He became frustrated when they talked about his grandpa. Finally finding someone he could talk to, he said, "But grandpa doesn't allow me to practice with uncles. He only asks me to do useless meditation."

"Your grandpa is an awesome man. There can be nothing wrong listening to him." Lucien patted his head with a smile.

"How so? Uncles and aunts all say that grandpa is just a common old man and that he does not have any capabilities other than cooking food and making wine." Maman disagreed with Lucien.

Well, a special soul who has a legendary sorcerer grandpa with a concealed identity. It's like a tale of the bards. Lucien thought in amusement but was too lazy to explain to Maman. He followed the old man and entered the tavern.

The arrangement of the tavern was more or less the same as those in the main material world. However, behind the bar counter was a female soul who was fuzzy and slow.

"I'm back. I've bought a hundred bottles of Water Soul Wine this time…" The old man walked behind the bar counter and reported it to the female soul. Although it was just daily talk, he seemed gentle and satisfied.

However, the female soul remained stunned as she washed the cups mechanically.

The old man spoke for a long time before he finally turned around and looked at Lucien who had been seated before the bar. He introduced, "This is my wife. Do you want a bottle of Fire Liquor?"

Lucien shook his head and asked curiously, "How did you find her?"

Generally speaking, the souls who entered the hell would be beyond recognition.

"She died because of a certain mistake of mine. So, I was able to make preparations in advance and mark the soul in special ways." The old man opened a bottle of Fire Liquor and had a mouthful of it. "However, despite my profound understanding of the soul, I cannot find out its true nature and its transformation. So, by the time I found her, she was only slightly better than common souls. Perhaps she will completely disperse in another hundred years."

Lucien nodded his head. From the description, he had basically guessed which legendary sorcerer the old man was. After all, few of them who were adept at soul studies had survived.

The old man went on. "After I found her, I accompanied her and watched her quietly to make up for what I did. Hehe. How time flies. It's been thirty years in the blink of an eye."

"The souls outside are the products of your experiments?" Lucien did not believe that a legendary sorcerer would give up so easily.

"Yes." The old man nodded and had another mouthful of wine. "I tried to awaken their memories, but in the end, I only recovered their abilities to think. They are totally different persons from the past. Also, as time goes by, they will also completely disperse or be frozen in the ice, caught in the everlasting quietness."

"What a shame." After a brief silence, Lucien said, "It's too bad that there's still a gap for the Congress to make groundbreaking progress on the study of the soul."

Lucien was actually not referring to the Congress of Magic but himself.

The old man looked at Lucien's face. "The soul is the most intangible domain. It is in fundamental contradiction with arcana, which highlights proof and mathematics. Even Vicente, a one-in-a-thousand-years genius in necromancy, only made a minor breakthrough. Although I haven't been out of hell for thirty years, and I don't know the updates of the outside world, thirty years is still a very short time for magic studies. I remember that I spent a hundred and twenty-seven years near the Styx to study a certain feature of the soul."

Before Lucien said anything, a gentle, refreshing male voice suddenly echoed at the door, "Hehe. Although it's hard to believe, I can say confidently that the development of arcana and magic in the past thirty years is greater than thirty thousand years in the Magic Empire."

Without turning around, Lucien already sensed a person with his spiritual power. The stranger was wearing a white tight suit, and he had pale and sickly skin. His eyes were red, and he had a pair of delicate silver horns that were full of dense patterns on his forehead.

Based on his undisguised air, Lucien could conclude very easily that he was exactly Memphiste, the incumbent Ice Duke and the Lord of Mysteries!

Chapter 804: Let's Take What We Need

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

As Memphiste, the Ice Duke, strode into the tavern, the place immediately became lifelessly quiet, like the frozen plain covered by the blizzard; cold, silent, and never to change.

"Thirty years is better than thirty thousand years?" The old man, who was likely to be a legendary sorcerer in the field of souls, chuckled. It was obvious that he thought the Lord of Mysteries was carrying out his specialties as a devil and bluffing other people with the exaggerated truth that was not to be believed. "In the past ten years, you barely walked out of the Silent Glacier. I almost suspected that you had quietly arrived at the main material world. To what do I owe your visit to my little tavern today?"

He was reminding Lucien that the Lord of Mysteries might be concocting a great scheme that involved the main material world during the past ten years so that Lucien wouldn't be tricked.

Memphiste laughed aloud and sat next to Lucien. He took a bottle of "Fire Liquor" and a bottle of "Water Soul Wine", blending them into his favorite mix. "You can ask Evans whether or not it was an overstatement. In fact, he is the best evidence himself."

He acted as if he were Lucien's best friend.

Of the three legends, one was mixing the wine behind the bar counter, and two were sitting on the high chairs before the bar. On the bar counter were delicious wine, cups, and dim candles, exactly like any other tavern looked like. Who could've thought that they were three legends?

"Huh?" The old man paid attention to his statement after hearing Memphiste's repetition. "In the first thirty thousand years of the Magic Empire, many legendary spells were invented, different schools were classified, a preliminary magic system was established, the fundamental knowledge of mathematics and astrology was concluded, the attempts of alchemical items were made, and blood power was synthesized. Could they have been done in thirty years?"

Having been born in the last glorious phase of the Magic Empire, he was like an old noble who clung to the former glories. Therefore, although he paid attention to the Congress of Magic and the development of arcana, he did not really join it. Also, he could not accept that "arcana" could accomplish what the Magic Empire achieved in thirty thousand years with only thirty years.

The Ice Duke looked at Lucien, who had been listening quietly as if it were none of his business, and chuckled. "During the thirty years, the major achievements include the discovery of the mysteries of gravity and the localization of the sun…"

He was not an arcanist, and naturally, his words were not too accurate. If it were Lucien, he would've only said that there were preliminary achievements on the nature of gravity.

"What? The sun has been found?" The old man dropped the cloth with which he was wiping the cup. He interrupted Memphiste and looked at him and Lucien in shock.

The location and the very existence of the sun had been a conundrum that bothered the Magic Empire for tens of thousands of years. There were no sorcerers who did not want to unravel the secret. He was not an exception either. However, even the brilliant geniuses like the Sun King, the prophets like Mr. Maskelyne, and the experts who were as strong as demigods like the Stellar Mentor—he was the first top legend of the Magic Empire—had to lower their proud heads before the problem and admit that there was still a long way to go for them to reach the truth of the world.

Now, the sun had been discovered?

The Ice Duke did not mention why he came at all, as if he was here specifically to enjoy the old man's shock. He pointed at Lucien with a smile and said, "Naturally, you are looking at the discoverer of the sun and the founder of the relativistic system."

"You discovered the sun? The relativistic system?" the old man asked in a hurry. What is the relativistic system?

When he left the main material world, there hadn't been such a term in the Congress of Magic. After only a brief thirty years, the world had become so strange?

Lucien did not give a straight answer but answered with the rigorousness of arcanists, "Technically speaking, the main reason for the discovery of the sun was not the relativistic system. It was only a secondary factor."

I don't know much about arcana. You must be fooling me… The old man couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. He hurried to take out his crystal ball that had been covered in dust for years.

Because he was in the Silent Hell, the effect of his prophecy was limited. However, the Ice Duke knocked on the table and released the suppression of his demiplane. So, the old man drew the conclusion. "The sun has really been discovered… What's wrong with this world?"

The sun had a special position in astrology. It was also a special symbol in the spiritual domain.

"I don't know what's wrong with this world either, but now that a top legend has come to the Silent Hell, I have to check on him, in case the Silent Glacier is attacked someday in the future and I don't know what's going on at all," the Lord of Hell said merrily, as if he were not checking on the enemy but closing a deal with Lucien.

"A top legend?" The old man stared at Lucien again. Although he did not know all the senior-rank sorcerers and archmages of the Congress, he did know most of the Highest Council. Thirty years ago, the young man couldn't have been a legend, and after thirty years, he had reached the peak of legendary? It was even more unbelievable than Brook!

"As far as I know, it's only been a dozen years since Evans began to study magic. Well, he did not become an official sorcerer until the year when the former Ice Duke died," the current Ice Duke added. In the old man's shock, he observed, "Now is not the ancient times, when the big shots could hide for decades but still retain the ability to change the situation. Today, whoever lives in seclusion and does not pay attention to the development of arcana, he'll be completely outdated in ten years. Instead of being a mastermind or a key force, he will be crushed by the wheel of time."

He seemed to be mocking the old man for his confusion after living in isolation for thirty years.

"A dozen years…" The old man could not express anything with language now. What could be achieved in a dozen years? After he began to learn magic, it took him a dozen years to become a fifth-circle sorcerer.

Confirming the information that Lucien did not cover with his crystal ball again, the old man heaved a long sigh. "The very existence of you has suggested the terrifying development of arcana in the past decades."

After his remark, his eyes suddenly turned passionate, and he stared at Lucien. "Just now, you mentioned that the Congress of Magic almost made a breakthrough on the studies of the soul, didn't you?"

"Theoretically, yes." Lucien did not understand why the Ice Duke was helping him to convince the old man, so he was rather prudent. "Mister, what's your opinion on the nature of the soul? For example, if a soul loses the past memories and can never regain them, and it does not have the way of thinking and the personality before, with the waves and vibe of its spiritual power changed too, can we still say that this soul is identical to the soul in the past?"

"Well…" The old man hesitated. He had considered the question before. His wife next to him was a vivid but not extreme case. His special mark had prevented the soul waves from changing.

It was both a philosophical question and one that touched the nature of the soul. Obviously, it was not easy to answer. After a long time, the old man finally replied, "I don't think so. After the five main features of the soul are changed, it will be a new soul."

"Then, if we give the soul memories of the past, raise the previous way of thinking and personality, and forever change its spiritual power and vibe with magic, will it become the previous soul? Is the soul natural-born and above society, or is it social and can be artificially 'raised'?" Lucien proposed a sharp question. "A different case. If another soul is melted with this soul and inherits its memories, thinking, personality, and wave frequencies while retaining its previous memories, will it equal to the current soul?

"For example, if Duke Memphiste occupies your wife's soul and simulates her memories and other features, will he be equal to your wife? What's the most fundamental quality of the soul?"

Looking at his "wife" next to him, the old man looked gloomy and could hardly give an answer. The Ice Duke intentionally enlivened the atmosphere. "As a matter of fact, the most fundamental quality of a soul for me is the devilish core."

"I wonder, what's your opinion on the question, Mr. Evans?" The old man looked at Lucien both earnestly and expectantly.

Thinking for a moment, Lucien said, "I have been to the World of Souls, where I saw the Furnace of Souls."

"The World of Souls? The Furnace of Souls?" The old man further felt that he had been abandoned by the passing of time.

Lucien briefly introduced the World of Souls and the Furnace of Souls, and instead of telling his central studies, he said more abstractly, "I believe that the soul should have a quality that is of a higher level and more fundamental. It is deeply associated with the Furnace of Souls. As for the specific conditions, I'm afraid that I can only discuss with the arcanists with papers after I return from the primeval hell."

Looking at the Fire Liquor before him in silence, the old man did not say anything until a long time later. "I have some studies about the soul myself. I would like to exchange our works."

As expected of a legendary sorcerer. He knows what I am implying clearly. Lucien smiled in satisfaction and had a fair and square exchange with the old man with his current understanding about the soul, excluding the parts that involved other arcana knowledge and a certain model that was to be confirmed on this trip.

The old man's files on the soul were very detailed, including his works on the soul and two legendary spells about the soul. Some of the experiments were too cruel for Lucien to complete himself. He had been looking for other ways to confirm the results until he got the information here. Also, the old man provided his knowledge about the primeval relics in the depths of hell, which added to Lucien's confidence.

The old man also thought hard as he read the files that Lucien provided. He rubbed his forehead nonstop, as if it disrupted something that he always believed in. He said to himself, "… In such a case, resurrection, phylactery, and the effect of the Sword of Truth can all be explained self-consistently…"

Next to him, the Ice Duke put on a solemn expression as he looked at Lucien and said, "I'm here today to ask for your favor, Lucien. I'll provide more detailed files about the primeval hell."

Crossing his hands, Lucien did not give a reply immediately. Was it his attitude, or the Lord of Hell's?

Chapter 805: The Primeval Hell

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Memphiste, the Lord of Mysteries, was not bothered by Lucien's silence. He simply went on, "The favor I ask is probably also your purpose, Evans."

"You know my purpose?" Lucien raised his eyebrows and asked back.

The Ice Duke chuckled. "You have specifically come to the Silent Hell before you go to the primeval hell because you want the special Stellar Core, don't you? As a matter of fact, based on the clues I've found, the Stellar Core is not on this level but has been hidden by Tiphotidis into a certain relic in the primeval hell as hope for his resurrection."

"I would like you to go to the relics, find that Stellar Core, and erase all the possibilities of Tiphotidis' return, Evans. The Stellar Core and the detailed files of the primeval hell that I provide will be the reward for you."

"Why don't you go there yourself? If you know the primeval hell so well, why don't you erase the hope of the Master of Argent's revival in person? You can never relax unless you are the one doing it," Lucien said without giving an answer.

Memphiste looked like a pale and sickly man. Had it not been for his silver devilish horns and his evil red eyes, he would've been neglected very easily. In a self-mocking smile, he said, "I dare not enter it exactly because I know it too well. I fear that I'll become a carrier for the primeval devils to arrive. At the very least, I would rather not take the risk until I reach level three of legendary. Sometimes, ignorance means courage."

As he spoke, he glanced at the old man, as if he were mocking the guy for exploring the primeval hell after he just became a legend years ago. Had it not been for luck, he would've been melted by the primeval devils and wandered in the broken relics henceforth.

"Do the primeval devils really exist?" Lucien suddenly opened his mouth and asked.

Memphiste smiled. He knew that Lucien had accepted his request but did not want to set up a contract, in case he would have to worry about the enforcement of the contract if he ran into emergencies in the primeval hell. After all, when the mission was fulfilled, the Stellar Core would be his, and nobody could steal it away.

"If you believe that the primeval devils exist, they will indeed exist. They wander in the relics in the primeval hell and receive the summoning from the main material world and all the alternate dimensions. However, if you don't think they exist, they will no longer exist. They're more like an exterior projection of the negative feelings in yourself. Everybody sees different things according to their memories and strength, but the intense negative feelings are the same." Thinking for a moment, the Ice Duke told his knowledge about the primeval devils in his own way. "Therefore, the most important thing is the control over feelings and desires."

"It shouldn't be dangerous for you. Your title is 'Lord of Mysteries'. Since you are best at manipulation, you can certainly control your own feelings and desires well. Also, you have the help of extraordinary abilities like 'everlasting peace'." Lucien did not know the real name of the extraordinary ability, so he simply referred to it with its image.

Memphiste sighed and said, "However, when the primeval devils appear with the wandering souls inside, they can be as strong as top legends. Although it cannot last, that's enough to crush me. Also, the primeval hell is different from other places in that the slightest negative feelings will be magnified tenfold, a hundred times, and a thousand times. The primeval devils will take advantage of the weakness and plant seeds in your mind. So, you must stop all the negative feelings from appearing in the primeval hell, or you wouldn't be able to free yourself."

"Magnified tenfold, a hundred times, and a thousand times?" Lucien's black pupils in his deep eyes seemed to be glittering.

The files on primeval devils that Lucien had before came from Douglas and Rhine. Their explorations of the primeval hell were relatively smooth, and they were never possessed by the primeval devils. The old man was almost lost and only made his way out with a special legendary item. He was unable to tell exactly what happened. Therefore, it was the first time that Lucien heard such a theory. It matched his speculation very well!

Memphiste put down his special mix and nodded solemnly. "In hell, a lot of devils went to the primeval hell for adventures and enormous strength. Therefore, I have millions of cases as the foundation of my analysis."

The number had been accumulated for tens of thousands of years.

"Hehe. However orderly devils may see, their hearts are always evil and full of desire. When they are not strong enough, it's barely possible for them to stay out of the influence of the primeval devils." Lucien smiled casually, not bothered at all that he was faced with a great devil.

Memphiste laughed aloud. "That's very correct. Therefore, knowing myself very well, I dare not go in personally. Frankly speaking, the devils will suffer no losses after they are possessed by the primeval devils. At worst, their desires will be stronger, and their lives will be much shorter, but their strength will grow significantly. Such desire matches our ambitions and our way of thinking very well. It will not influence other thinking abilities, but will only make us smarter."

That's what we say "ever since I suffered mental diseases, my mental state has been much better"… Lucien chuckled to himself.

After his laughter, the Ice Duke went on, "After you enter the primeval hell, except for the few fixed relics, the environment that every intelligent creature sees is different. In such an environment, the wandering souls will turn into the family, friends, teachers, and students that you value, as well as the enemies that you hate, under the domination of primeval devils. They will play the scenes of betrayals, slaughters, pain, and lust before you.

"We all know that such simple illusions cannot affect the judgment of legendary sorcerers, but for the primeval devils, they do not hope that the people who enter the relics can be bewildered by the illusions so easily but aim for the emotional fluctuation that is from natural instincts. After all, there's a gap between natural reactions and the sensible judgment of oneself."

Lucien nodded his head. "The problem can be avoided by casting spells such as 'Mechanized Mind' in advance."

"Therefore, for top legends, the most important thing is to take care of the sudden attacks from the primeval devils who hide in such illusions. In the primeval hell, they will never be killed. They will be reborn and attack the enemy incessantly. If there weren't a time gap, and if more than three primeval devils could show up simultaneously, even the top legends would not be able to resist the fearless attacks of the seven primeval devils," the Ice Duke mentioned something that Lucien did not know.

Lucien frowned. "Why would there only be three primeval devils at most every time?"

That was his greatest question.

"That I do not know. However, I know that 'Arrogance' always acts alone, because he is an embodiment of arrogance. Also, 'Hypocrisy' never joins the attack but is more used to attacking in secret. If 'Jealousy' takes action with the other primeval devils, he will be your 'helper'. The other four devils often appear in pairs, but they never take action together," Memphiste said in his opinion.

Lucien was rather interested. It's rather creative to consider the problem from such a perspective.

Also, as long as the seven primeval devils were not attacking him at the same time, he would be confident to leave safely even though the other four devils were to join their hands. After all, they could only behave as top legends for a short while.

"Sometimes, the primeval devils wouldn't show up, and the explorers could go into the relics normally and find the ways to summon them…" Memphiste told Lucien the files of the primeval hell that he knew.

…

On the ninth level of hell, Lucien walked deep into the core of the sphere through a bottomless crack.

After descending for a long time, Lucien's feet finally stepped on soft, weird mud, which shivered all the time as if beating hearts had been buried below.

Lucien was holding a piece of time-worn paper in his hands. On the paper that was made from the skin of grand devils, eerie patterns that Lucien had never seen before were drawn. The moment he saw the paper, he felt that he saw greed, arrogance, pain, and other deep negative feelings.

It was the "map" that Memphiste provided for Lucien. As a belonging of Tiphotidis, the Master of Argent, it marked the relic where he hid the Stellar Core. On the other hand, the old man who was good at spirits packed up his stuff, ready to return to the main material world with his wife and Maman to go to Allyn.

Zigzagging forward, Lucien unleashed his air and scared off a bunch of strong hellish devils before he reached the gate hidden at the deepest part of the canyon.

The gate was old and did not have any decorations. Revealing a bronze color, it gave the air of transcendence.

"There is the Gate of Immortality and the Blue Gate. Perhaps this one should be called 'Gate of Desires'." Lucien extended his right hand and pressed the gate.

Feeling the coldness, he found that the gate was opened, revealing the splendid corridor behind it.

"The corridor of a castle?" Lucien, who had been enhanced with multiple spells, walked in slowly.

Different rooms were on the two sides of the corridor. The dark red wood on the doors implied their state-of-the-art quality. Their lower edges were covered in what appeared to be golden foils.

After a few steps forward, alluring moans suddenly entered Lucien's ears.

"Is 'Lust' the first to come?" Lucien looked in through the half-opened door. "It sounds rather familiar…"

Inside the room was a big bed with a red sheet, on which two naked bodies were rolling. The one on the top had purple long hair and a graceful curve, as well as a vigorous face with the beauty that Lucien couldn't be more familiar with.

Natasha?

Natasha's eyes were blurry as she looked down at the girl below affectionately, who was also naked.

Huh. A girl?

It was not until then that Lucien realized that the girl was Sylvia, who was already dead. Her beautiful face that was as pure as a lily was flushing, and her eyes were half-closed, as soul-stirring moans burst out of her lips. Her small but firm breasts were rubbing against Natasha's tightly…

It seemed to be a scene from when Natasha and Sylvia were still together.

Lucien's lips curled, and he chuckled without being affected.

"Jealousy?"

…

In Duchy of Orvarit, Aalto…

Hardly had Gossett, a red robe, entered Philibell's library when he saw that the Grand Cardinal rose in a hurry.

"His Holiness has summoned the Grand Cardinals for an emergency meeting. You will supervise the divine power circle of Aalto for now." Philibell gave the instruction while he walked to the teleportation circle.

"An emergency meeting? Did something happen?" Gossett immediately became grave.

Chapter 806: Secret Mission

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

In the Bright Hall in Lance, the Holy City…

By the time Philibell arrived, all the Grand Cardinals who were free had been gathered. Benedict III stood above the stairs with a platinum staff in his hands. Behind him was an enormous, sacred cross.

"I've summoned you today because I have a secret mission for you, which concerns the glory of the Lord, the survival of the Church, and your future," Benedict III said solemnly; his slightly cloudy eyes were as thoughtful and peaceful as ever.

Melmax, the Holy Avenger, stepped forward and said, "Your Holiness, what mission is it exactly that requires half of the Grand Cardinals to accomplish?"

He hadn't recovered from the wounds he suffered during Douglas' advancement into the demigod level. Therefore, he was rather prudent about missions.

Instead of giving a straight answer, Benedict III looked at the glass window near the dome of the Bright Hall. As the brilliant sunlight penetrated through the colorful glass, dreamy shadows were left on the ground.

"Douglas' advancement gave confidence to the sorcerers and showed them the bright future of arcana and magic. As long as the path is not proved to be a dead-end, they can hardly be tempted. Also, the situation in the world has been greatly changed. Our estimation of the future has to change accordingly." Benedict III repeated the current situation with a low voice, "Admit it or not, one demigod, four top legends, and an equal number of legendary experts are out there, and the Congress of Magic is already as strong as us.

"In the meantime, we have to face the northern heretics, the great devil Maltimus in the Boundless Ocean, and the evil god 'Silver Moon' in the Dark Mountain Range. The situation is very rough."

None of the Grand Cardinals said anything because it was an obvious fact. Although the Congress of Magic had to take care of the Lord of Hell and the northern hectics too, the Dark Congress and the Elven Court were at least their allies for now. The Church, on the other hand, was almost helpless.

It seemed to be an inevitable process during the decline of every reigning force. Because their power had left too deep an impression on other forces, and an irresolvable feud had been struck between them, the other forces were likely to reach an agreement to overthrow the reigning force first before they fought each other. It was exactly like what happened to the Magic Empire!

Benedict III's old and heavy voice echoed in the Bright Hall, "Although I have informed you of the status transformation and the method to gather godhood through the power of faith granted by the Lord, and your strength must've increased over the past few years, we still have to face one problem after twenty years of arcana development and the subsequent expansion of the Congress of Magic."

He paused and looked around at all the Grand Cardinals present.

Saint Maria, Saint Kati, Philibell, Astira, and the other Grand Cardinals all lowered their heads and avoided the pope's eyes. Over the past years, they had made great contributions to the ever-surging cults under the territory of the Church.

Moving his eyes back, Benedict III went on, "Considering the current trend, until your strength has fundamental improvements and the number of new legends catches up with that of the Congress of Magic, the Congress of Magic will certainly divide and conquer us with its overwhelming strength, exactly like how the Congress of Magic was destroyed by us in the past.

"This is not a threat with the worst possibility. You should know well that most sorcerers in the Congress of Magic haven't really digested the products of arcana development during the recent two decades. After all, it's normal that the expansion of strength is ten years behind theoretical development. You should know very well how strong they will be in another ten years."

After Benedict III finished, Astira asked in confusion, "Your Holiness, it's very visionary of you to describe the comparison of our strengths in the future. You've analyzed our dilemma too. However, the greatest and most fundamental difference between us and the Magic Empire is that we have you, the Lord's spokesperson on the ground and the strongest demigod. The Magic Empire, on the other hand, only had top legends.

"Demigods are a deterrence and a balance. As long as the demigod is not destroyed, it will be barely possible to eliminate his force, because it will make the demigod fearless and wreak havoc on his enemy. Therefore, demigods who can mutually destroy each other's forces are the best guarantee of peace, exactly like our strike on vampires. I believe that the Congress of Magic will take that into consideration too. Perhaps the situation where we confront each other with the Storm Strait in between will go on, while we gradually carve up the forces that do not have demigods."

Saint Kati also stood up. "Astira is right. The unkillable demigods will keep the current situation. Also, more importantly, as the strongest demigod, Your Holiness can perform God's Arrival. Neither the Silver Moon, the Lord of Hell, nor Douglas can resist it. That's the best guarantee for the Church's position. They will not dare to attack us easily.

"By the time our strength is increased, we will be able to wake up the Lord. Under the brilliance of the true god, all evilness will be melted."

He was only talking about his hope, as to whether or not the God of Truth could be awakened, and in exactly what way it should be done, that was a whole different matter.

Benedict III heaved a sigh. "Demigods are not really immortal. At the very least, I have a lot of problems myself. If they can grasp those problems, even if they cannot completely kill me, they will be able to imprison me like I imprison the monster. Since I have God's Arrival, I must be the primary target for Douglas, the Silver Moon, and Maltimus. It is possible that they will join their hands. How are we going to deal with that?"

No Grand Cardinals were able to give an answer in the Bright Hall. The atmosphere became depressive and frozen. Although the danger was still far away, the worst possibility seemed to be happening sooner or later based on His Holiness' analysis.

"Your Holiness, what is the mission that you want to give us?" Melmax suddenly broke the silence. "Is it about our future disaster?"

Benedict III slowly raised his platinum staff. He looked solemn and grave.

Seeing that, all the Grand Cardinals immediately kneeled and drew crosses on their chests while praying devoutly, "Only Truth lives forever!"

It was the gesture to proclaim the Lord's oracle!

"The Lord has given me an oracle, telling me how the problems can be resolved." Benedict III's voice was filled with "sincere gratitude". "The reason why negative feelings cannot be controlled or separated even though 'containers' are used is that the power of negative feelings and the power of faith are not equal during the last step before turning into a demigod."

Saint Maria frowned subconsciously. "Not equal? They're both the surreal power of the mind. How can they not be equal?"

She suddenly realized what she just said. "Your Holiness, I am not questioning the Lord. I'm only hoping that you can fulfill my ignorance."

"Because Mountain Paradise is behind the power of faith, the projection of Mountain Paradise will appear when one tries to become a demigod. The power of negative feelings, on the other hand, can only gather the seven primeval devils. How can they be equal to Mountain Paradise? As a result, the balance is lost, the problems are left," Benedict III explained expressionlessly.

"How can they be equal?" Philibell asked. It was a question that they really cared about because they believed that they would reach the step sooner or later.

Benedict III put down the platinum staff and nodded his head. "We need more 'primeval devils'. We need to gather them into a primeval hell, which requires your cooperation because I cannot accomplish it myself. Actually, it completely matches the core of our path to the demigod level; gathering the power of the people and turning the weak into the strong."

For some reason, when they heard Benedict III's announcement, the first thing that the Grand Cardinals remembered was Lucien's paper and the prediction in it; the evolution from a weak observer to a strong observer!

"Your Holiness, what should we do?" Saint Kati asked. They certainly had to ask every detail clearly. After all, it concerned their own safety. What if their attempts failed, and the primeval devils in their bodies lost control?

"Based on my speculation, such 'gathering' will result in subsequent changes in the primeval hell. After that…" Benedict III spoke of his whole plan without hiding anything.

After identifying the key of the plan, the Grand Cardinals accepted the mission, each thinking about their own business. They left the Bright Hall for the final preparations.

After they all disappeared from the Bright Hall, Benedict III still stood where he was and looked at the gate with thoughtful eyes.

...

"Jealousy?" The moment Lucien opened his mouth, "Natasha" and "Sylvia", who had been entangling with each other in bed, stood up. One of them stood in the front, and the other clutched her timidly.

"I'm sorry. You are great, but I still love her." "Natasha" stared at Lucien fearlessly.

Lucien's lips twitched, only because the line was too familiar. Then, he smiled. "It's useless. If I do not have such confidence, how do I deserve to say love? It's time for a new trick, Jealousy."

As he talked, Lucien was already prepared for an attack because Lust might be hiding in the dark. It might be dangerous if they attacked together.

"Haha." "Natasha" and "Sylvia" both giggled in a voice that was completely different from their own. "What a boring man."

In their laughter, their bodies crumbled into dust.

Lucien had thought that the two primeval devils would attack together, but out of his expectation, they simply left.

Turning his head, Lucien saw the dressing mirror on one side of the bed and his reflection in it. It was wearing the same black double-breasted suit, top hat, and black shoes, but on the familiar handsome face, it was not a smile but disdain.

"Lucien" in the mirror suddenly sneered and said, "Do you know that you have been too arrogant? Because of your top legendary strength and your powerful, weird spells, you despise the seven primeval devils and think that they cannot cause you any harm. You laugh at them for their every attempt to manipulate your feelings.

"Your idea is the purest arrogance. Arrogance is never a feeling. So, I have been born in your heart for you to look at yourself. You can never kill me or defeat me, because I am you!"

It walked out of the mirror one step after another, and its black shoes stomped on the tawny carpet.

Chapter 807: The Stellar Core

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The Lucien that Arrogance turned into walked out of the mirror gracefully and slowly; its black shoes glittering.

"If you call the most fundamental conclusion that is based on facts arrogance, then arrogance will not be the name of a devil but that of an angel." Lucien did not attack immediately but observed Arrogance who looked identical to himself except for the countenance in great interest.

Arrogance was still as disdainful as a moment ago. "You dare say that there is not the slightest condescension and mockery in your heart? Arrogance is not a feeling but comes from your mind. It's the bias caused by your experiences of success. If you say it is a devil, it will be a devil, and if you say it is an angel, it will be an angel. Therefore, it cannot be blocked by your spells. Were you not arrogant when faced with the wrong arcana theories, or when those weaker than you challenged you? Just admit it. Arrogance is not bad at all. It's a symbol that distinguishes the victors from the losers, like…"

It paused and suddenly raised its right hand while letting out an intricate spell from its mouth.

"Snow Goddess' Forgiveness!"

…Like when you created 'Snow Goddess' Forgiveness', the legendary spell which was close to absolute zero. Were you not proud of it? Did you not feel subtly jubilant when you dealt with the enemy with the spell?

That was arrogance!

With the indescribable gesture, Arrogance performed the ice-type legendary spell on Lucien, as if it were a real but arrogant Lucien!

Its attack came without any warning. The translucent pillars of light, under the restraint of invisible light and grids of darkness, surged toward Lucien.

Lucien, who had been staying on alert, was prepared for the attack. The moment Arrogance raised its right hand, a dark and profound universe appeared on his back, and in the middle of the colorful stars, an enormous fireball emitted terrifying heat.

It influenced the environment as if it were real, immediately vaporizing the red bed and the tawny carpet in the room.

Snow Goddess' Forgiveness was blown into this Atomic Universe. However, under the heat of the sun and the magnificent storm of energy, the magnetic field and the lasers that bound it were contorted and affected. Therefore, the unimaginable frigidity burst out in advance. Stars were frozen one after another, making the dark cosmos even more desolate.

When the light was finally frozen by the darkness, Lucien had already disappeared from the spot.

Before Arrogance was able to take action, the jolly ticking sounds echoed next to its ears, before everything was ended by a crack.

All the glamorous colors of the exquisite castle were gone, leaving nothing but the monotonous monochrome, where the "Lucien" that Arrogance turned into looked like a puppet from an old picture.

Outside of the window, Lucien's figure appeared. Holding the silver and delicate pocket watch, he chanted the spell that led to unusual waves.

"Luxury Cracking!

"Luxury Cracking!

"Soul Smite!"

All the three legendary spells had been attached with "Hand of Uncertainties". The last one was one of the few legendary spells that Lucien picked up recently specifically to deal with spirits, primeval devils, and other enemies who did not have real entities.

Since his destination was the primeval hell, he naturally had to be prepared. Lucien never looked down upon any opponent. Unless he had other purposes, he always tried his best however weak the enemy seemed!

After the three legendary spells were cast, the feeling of frozen time was broken, and the extravagant colors like red and yellow returned. Inside the "old picture", Arrogance cracked nonstop as the magic effects were gone.

All the effects on its body, including "Spell Trigger", had completely collapsed under two rounds of "Luxury Cracking".

Then, after a thud, its body became blurry, and black gas jetted out of its eyes, neck, ears, mouth, and pores, as if a water ball had been smashed by an invisible hammer, with juice splashing everywhere.

"Soul Smite" had heavily wounded and rigidified Arrogance. Lucien certainly wouldn't let go of such an opportunity. He blew out "Silent Blue", which he exchanged with Hellen using "Snow Goddess' Forgiveness".

The black air around Arrogance and Arrogance itself was frozen and caught in the silent and freezing blueness, losing all the activity.

Right when Lucien was about to impose all kinds of seals so that he could bring Arrogance back for further studies, it suddenly put on a weird smile inside the Silent Blue before destroying itself!

Even the Silent Blue could not completely trap it!

BOOM!

A fireball rolled and rose, and the powerful blast swept across the whole castle. The valuable building collapsed as if it were a sand statue on the beach that embraced a tide.

Lucien blinked to the sky outside of the castle. Looking at the burning remains below him, he considered the features of Arrogance.

"It seems that the devil can simulate all my spells and magic effects including the legendary ones, which makes it look like my duplicate. It's very similar to Monster Viken in the Realm of Gates, except that it is not half a level higher than me…

"… It does not have a Moon Timer, so it could not get rid of 'Advanced Time Stop'… Does it mean that the devil cannot simulate the effects of my items?

"… It could not transform its status in my unique way. It's obvious that the nature of the world on such a level is beyond what the primeval devils can touch and duplicate. It can only do it in a similar way to the primeval devils. That's why it could not avoid 'Silent Blue'…"

While Lucien analyzed the situation of Arrogance, laughter burst out in the debris and the wilderness at the same time. "It's useless. You can't kill me, because I am you!

"It's also a behavior of arrogance that you cannot treat yourself fairly!"

The laughter gradually died down. Out of Lucien's expectation, Arrogance did not attack and consume his spiritual power with a protracted battle. Instead, it melted into the darkness without giving any more sounds, like a ferocious predator that tailed the prey quietly and held itself back from a fierce attack until the prey was exhausted.

Staying on alert, Lucien observed the environment. It was a wasteland where nothing grew. The dim red blood seemed saturated with blood, giving a painful and miserable feeling.

"The Desert of Pain…" Lucien heaved a sigh. It was almost a "landmark" that every legendary sorcerer who came to the primeval hell had seen before. As the greatest feature of the primeval hell, it had been named by a certain ancient legendary sorcerer as "Desert of Pain".

Lucien continued to fly in the previous direction. After all, if he were scared off by Arrogance just like that, he would never be able to explore the primeval hell.

After flying for a while, the "map" in Lucien's arms suddenly unleashed intense waves.

Taking out the map that the Lord of Mysteries gave him, Lucien saw that the eerie symbols on it wriggled as if alive and pointed at a certain direction.

The special Stellar Core that the Master of Argent hid is around? Lucien thought to himself. Considering for a moment, Lucien decided to take a look at it since there were no other emergencies.

Navigated by the map, Lucien flew in the dim, dark sky for a while until he saw a shaking temple below.

The old temple was very similar to the temple outside of the Blue Gate and carried the style of the primordial times. The dome was supported by enormous stone pillars.

However, the stone pillars of this temple had half collapsed, and the air of aging and rotting was spreading out.

Lucien observed for a long time with magic, before he finally descended and landed. He then walked into the temple.

The wall of the temple was painted with simple but vivid illustrations. They were the pictures of cruel punishments, including whipping, beheading, hanging, mincing, and drowning, as well as the sacrificial rituals that a bunch of human-like creatures conducted with those punishments.

Looking at the shabby paintings, Lucien almost failed to control his feelings of pain and hate.

"Is this the beginning of the summoning of primeval devils? Have the primeval devils drawn them to allure the adventurers?" Thanks to the help of magic, Lucien kept calm. He recorded the paintings while he pressed further in the temple.

Although the temple was enormous, it was nothing but a minor library for a legendary sorcerer like Lucien. Very soon, he saw the brilliant Stellar Core that was placed on the altar of the temple.

The Stellar Core was smaller and brighter than the one Lucien used to make "Moon Timer". The space around was curved inwardly because of its attraction, giving the feeling that it was extremely heavy.

The most unique feature of the item was that it carried certain transcendental air. Through the brilliant core, one seemed able to see the shadow of an enormous planet.

COMMENT

Lucien put on a sincere smile after seeing the Stellar Core, not because the material was precious, but because the specialness of it had allowed him to further approach the truth.

Despite his delight, Lucien was not careless. He began to inspect the Stellar Core and the environment with all kinds of spells, in case it was another trap like the Time Plate, or it was part of the Master of Argent's scheme.

Hardly had Lucien cast his magic when the brilliance of the Stellar Core on the ground suddenly constricted and stretched out into a male in a tight suit. It was exactly Memphiste, the Lord of Mysteries.

"Pleased to meet you, I am Greed." The devil introduced itself with a smile. Then, pointing at its face, it said, "You must've fallen into this guy's scheme."

It was obviously referring to Memphiste.

"Huh?" Lucien sniffed with a smile.

Greed chuckled. "Although the guy is not strong, he is exceptional at plotting, and he likes to hurt other people for no reason. You already fell into his trap when you agreed to help him fetch the Stellar Core.

"I know that you did not sign a contract with him, but when you think that you need to come and fetch the Stellar Core, you have essentially handed over the knife to us, the primeval devils."

Lucien's smile was gone, and he listened quietly.

Greed was even more satisfied. "Normally speaking, if a top legend like you enhanced yourself with all kinds of spells and entered the primeval hell without any emotional fluctuations, you would've only encountered some illusions and the wandering phantoms that were possessed by us, and you wouldn't have encountered so many of us in a row. However, because you already had the greedy thought that you had to fetch the Stellar Core, there was a gap in your defense that we could make use of very easily!"

Lucien listened quietly but did not give a reply.

"What about it? Isn't his scheme barely noticeable?" Greed said with an exaggerated tone.

Lucien was still silent.

After waiting for a while, Greed asked with a smile, still pretending to be casual, "Are you not mad? Do you not want to take him down?"

"Whether or not what you said is true, will anger help anything? It will only give your old partner, 'Abhorrence', a chance to project into my heart." Lucien finally opened his mouth. His smile was gentle and peaceful, like the tender light from the bright moon.

Chapter 808: The Devils

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Memphiste, or Greed, was stunned for a moment and then grinned. "I just wanted things to be easier. No matter how you feel, what would happen had already happened. I've told you. The moment since you wanted Stellar Core, your defense cracked.

"… Then you'll see the true primeval hell and all the primeval devils there!"

It was not hiding its greed at all.

Every facet of the pure Stellar Core suddenly reflected a figure; a humanlike monster with goat horns!

The many figures then jumped out and joined together in the air, until they formed a huge monster. Its eyes were scarlet, skin pale, with big wings on its back. On the top of its head, there were two silver goat horns. It was Tiphotidis, the Master of Argent, which fell many years ago!

Its scarlet eyes were burning with fury as it hated everything in this world so badly. Coming from the deepest death, it wanted to burn every living thing down.

"It's all your fault! All of you! My plan was perfect!" it cried in a bitter tone.

Obviously, the resurrection method saved by the Master of Argent had been used by the devil of abhorrence. It was now only a container of the devil!

Speaking of which, the white halos surrounding it spread out in all directions. That was the biggest difference between it and Memphiste. Only the Lord of Silent Hell and a great level three legendary devil could own the power of Ice Death Halo!

The silver-white halos like waves reached further and froze the gray bricks, broken stone pillars, dark-red soil, and even the air.

The freezing was not from extremely low temperature, but the power of corrosion from death. Even the lifeless buildings had been infected by the dead air, and the entire place now felt like a cold tomb.

The devil of abhorrence was the devil with the worst temper. It was used to launch a direct attack to let out the hatred within!

The moment the halos spread out, Greed had started using Memphiste's extraordinary power, Ice Duke, to launch its attack.

At this time, they heard a gentle, remote clicking sound.

In the cold and silent space, the sound seemed to be so cheerful that it was almost creepy.

Click.

Lucien pressed the button and everything instantly came into a pause.

The world had become even quieter now. Lucien then gave Luxury Cracking to each one of them.

He then blinked to a place far away from the temple. He lifted his right hand and the Atomic Universe appeared behind his back. The raging, huge fireball was right beside his right hand, and the extremely high temperature was twisting the air, creating unrecognizable illusionary images.

"Eternal Blaze!"

At this time, Lucien did not care if the Stellar Core would be ruined in the explosion. Just seeing it with his own eyes had made his journey worthwhile!

Lucien could not let greed blind him at this crucial moment.

BOOM!

When time resumed, the power of Eternal Blaze took over!

The entire space was ablaze with the dazzling light, as if a sun god had arrived.

The temple in the middle and the two primeval devils were vaporized within a second before they could even release a bitter cry.

After the extremely high temperature and the blinding light, the powerful energy storm had come to Lucien. However, the almighty power could not hurt Lucien at all, what with the layers of twisted air shielding him.

Because of the special environment in this primeval hell, the mushroom cloud, while shockingly gorgeous, now appeared to be even more beautiful, but in a creepy way, like a huge red straw hat.

After everything calmed down, there was only a huge pit in the ground left. The devils were now gone forever.

Lucien was surprised to see something at the bottom of the pit. It was a shining "gem".

It was the Stellar Core. The great power of the spell did not destroy it. Lucien started casting the spells to rule out any possible danger from it.

The gravity pulling time and space in from the core had disappeared, and maybe this was the reason why it could stand the horrible power. Although the stellar core had temporarily lost its power to affect its surroundings, its power was still slowly recovering.

Lucien picked it up and put it into his pouch.

At this time, when Lucien was about to leave this place, he suddenly heard the high-pitched, exaggerated laughter.

"There's no use! You can't kill us!"

"The defense of your heart has cracked. Then you'll see the true primeval hell and all the primeval devils there!"

In the roaring and laughter, Lucien was stunned for a second as he did not expect that they also liked the term "primeval devils".

Lucien ignored the mocking but headed for the relic in the depth of the primeval hell.

After quite a while, Lucien finally saw the magnificent palace at the tip of the peak, which was built from gold, shining in the remaining glory against the dusk sky.

After carefully checking around, Lucien landed in front of the palace and pushed open the heavy gate. He then walked into the boundless darkness.

According to the information provided by Douglas and Rhine, once he stepped in, things that every single individual would face would vary depending on what they believed was the most dreadful.

In the dark corridor, there was only dim candlelight providing the last touch of brightness, like lamps in a tomb.

As Lucien walked in deeper, the numbers of candles increased. Then, he saw a hall in front of him. In the hall, there were lots of silver candlesticks, and there were also crystal lamps hanging down from the ceiling. The entire hall was thus very well-lit, to the point that Lucien could see everything here.

It was a library!

A library that was full of bookshelves and books!

The arrangement looked very, very similar to that of Lucien's spirit library!

Lucien was a bit amused and speechless. Was this the place he was afraid of?

He walked in the library silently and went toward the biggest bookshelf.

"The Periodic Relation between the Nature of Elements and Prediction of New Elements"

…

"The Energy Distribution of Black-Body Radiation"

…

"New Alchemy"

…

"On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies and Mass-energy Equation"

…

"A Relativistic Interpretation and Geometric Description of Gravity and a System of Relativity Under a More General Frame of Reference"

…

"On Quantum Mechanics"

…

Those were all papers that Lucien once published, and all of them triggered all his memories. However, there was only one difference. The author of the papers all remained unknown. The big, scarlet question marks were sharp and intimidating!

Lucien reached out his hand and gave the papers and books a gentle stroke as he smiled. "Several years ago, I would definitely feel extremely shameful seeing this, but now, I can say proudly that, by standing on the giants' shoulders, I've got something valuable of my own, and I finally have some of my own understanding of the world."

Then he bowed solemnly. "Your exploration and study have led to us approaching the truth of the world. Without you, the great minds, all the human beings here in this world, and I would have lived in ignorance and darkness much longer…

"… I will keep going while bearing your will."

Suddenly, all the books fell from the shelves as the entire library started shaking fiercely.

Lucien just stood there silently and let the books fall on him. Of course, none of the books could break the protection from Space Staff.

After the library was gone, there was a dark, black gate in front of Lucien.

Lucien realized that he was in a place that looked like a civil court in Holm.

There was a handsome, young man who was wearing a top hat and a double-breasted suit sitting up there. The smile on his face was warm and gentle. The judge was Lucien himself!

He smiled. "Welcome to the real primeval hell!"

On the one side sat six plaintiffs. And they were all Lucien!

One looked extremely arrogant; one kept checking his treasure; one looked rather pissed with everything; one was soaked in agony; one was burning in the flame of envy; and the last one's eyes were full of lust.

They were all shouting, "He's sinful! We accuse him! We're witnesses!"

Lucien was a bit speechless. Without a doubt, the primeval devils were fans of roleplay. However, he was a bit surprised that the seven primeval devils were all here, which was completely different from the information he got from the president and Mr. Rhine.

Facing the seven top legendaries, even if their powers did not last, even if Lucien was also a leading top legendary, he would not be able to handle it. He had better retreat for now.

Chapter 809:

Cunning

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

"Silent! No shouting in the court!" The "judge" picked up the gavel and brought attention back to the bench, looking rather unbiased.

It was Hypocrisy!

Looking at Lucien, Hypocrisy announced, "With regard to the accusation against you, a fair sentence will be given to you. Please go in the dock. Don't worry. I am the most upright and impartial judge in the primeval hell."

As soon as Hypocrisy finished the words, Abhorrence sprang up from the chair and said aloud, "I accuse him of the violent desire for killing! Anyone who pissed him off was killed! He killed the followers of Argent Horn, the night watchers, and so many! Even a hundred sheets of paper is not enough for the list!"

"I accuse him of being jealous all the time although you can tell nothing from the outside," Jealousy said. "His guts are on fire with envy, all the time! He was jealous of the gangs' life when he was poor. He was jealous of Natasha's love toward Silvia. He hated Felipe's reputation, the Hand of Paleness, and even all the great sorcerers in arcana! His body is only a hollow container of acidity as his soul has gone forever because of envy. Disgusting!"

Greed joined and said, "His heart is full of the desire for treasure and reputation. He put his name on his students' papers and attacked those who didn't agree with him. He wants everything, leaving nothing to anyone else!

"Those are just on the surface! The deepest reason is that he's more than arrogant! He looks down upon all the arcanists in the Congress, including Douglas and Fernando. He despises the Saint Truth, including the popes and grand cardinals. He laughs at all the intelligent creatures in the world and believes that he is the only one knowing the truth of the world and the only lighthouse in this dark age!"

"In his mind, all other creatures are savage and silly, and he's the only one standing above while watching everything with full awareness. Therefore, he's cold, he doesn't care about other people's lives, and he is full of jealousy! All because he's arrogant!" said Arrogance excitedly, waving its arms, as if it was the true judge in the court.

When Indulgence and Pain were about to join, when Hypocrisy was lifting the gavel again, Lucien suddenly smiled, and there a silver pocket watch appeared in his right hand.

Click.

The court suddenly came to a pause, and everything in the space now looked very pale.

Hypocrisy's gavel remained in the air, while Arrogance had become a solid statue, which looked like it was giving a long speech.

And the rest of them had all frozen into statues.

Like an old painting in gray and white.

Without hesitation, Lucien was about to blink to the other side. After all, the devils were too many, and he could not manage to give each of them a Luxury Cracking within the time range given.

Lucien's plan was that after there was a distance between them, he would use Space Shackle to trap them all and then throw Eternal Blaze at him. He knew that this one single strike could not kill them all, but it would earn him time.

At this time, he heard a mix of sounds!

The seven pocket watches and the clicking sound were mixing together. Faster and faster, as if it was going to blow at any time!

Lucien saw that each of the seven "Lucien" had a silver pocket watch in their hand! Exactly the same pocket watch!

There was a sarcastic smile on their faces, as if they were saying, We were all lying! We could even copy your legendary items!

Hypocrisy reached out its right hand.

"Luxury Cracking!"

The previous fights were for Lucien to lower his alert. Arrogance, Greed, and Abhorrence purposefully made Lucien believe that he could run away because of Moon Timer at any time so that he could be confident enough to come to this place where the seven of them could show up together!

Meanwhile, Arrogance grinned at Lucien and said, "Storm Barrier!"

The devils were grinning in triumph. Lucien had to pay for underestimating them!

Lucien had to pay for his own arrogance!

Without his arrogance, Lucien wouldn't have fallen into such a trap.

Abhorrence reached out its right hand and was thrilled as if it had seen Lucien's death.

"Positron Cannon!"

We were devils! Known for our cunning tricks of playing with human minds!

So cry, shout, and die!

Jealousy took a gloomy glance at the rest of the devils and said in low voice, "Eternal Blaze!"

You shall all die!

Meanwhile, Soul Smite from Greed, Space Staff from Indulgence, and Snow Goddess' Forgiveness from Pain were all shooting toward Lucien.

This was totally out of Lucien's expectation. For a second, he was stunned. Facing the seven most powerful spells, for a moment, Lucien understood how his enemies felt.

No one could take the seven top legendary spells all together, including any top legendaries!

Earlier, Arrogance, Greed, and Abhorrence were just pretending that they could not copy extraordinary items!

But how could they? How was this possible?

Where did the substance come from?

Like all the classic villains who did not want to accept their fate, Lucien kept asking the same questions…

However, as an arcanist, Lucien's thinking went much deeper. There was something wrong.

If it had been someone else, it would have taken the arcanist much longer to realize what was wrong here, and within seconds, the spells would have destroyed everything. But Lucien was different, as he was here for a reason. He was here to verify an idea!

Seeing that Lucien had given up on defending himself, the devils were gloating wildly.

At this time, a meaningful smile emerged on Lucien's face.

From another perspective, this had verified Lucien's guess!

Hypocrisy and Arrogance first realized what was going on, and they looked totally shocked, as Lucien's body suddenly collapsed inward.

Meanwhile, the stars in the Atomic Universe behind Lucien were orbiting in the mysterious tracks. The huge fireball had revolved to the other side and left a black hole there. The black hole looked rather intimidating as even light could not escape from its power of pulling in!

The dark hole and Lucien's collapsed body started linking with each other in a creepy way. Then, Lucien himself had become the cluster of darkness, and the horrible attraction was twisting the surrounding time and space.

Luxury Cracking hit it, but then nothing happened!

Storm Barrier had disappeared!

When Positron Cannon hit the dark hole, it only shrank slightly!

None of the seven legendary spells worked, and the darkness still existed. It then stretched and pulled and converted into Lucien again.

"This isn't arcana…" Greed took a step back.

Arrogance cried out of great shock, "How is this possible?! This thing can destroy the entire world!"

Hypocrisy looked at Lucien and murmured, "How…"

"As long as you dare to imagine, the world can be anything, isn't it?" Lucien smiled, having no intention to launch his strike right away.

Hypocrisy's eyes suddenly went wide. "You've known about it?"

"Of course. Do you wanna see Gamma-Ray Burst, God-Killing Swords, or Eternal Return?" Lucien joked.

He then closed his eyes, and his consciousness soared!