Lanqi Returns to the Horning Empire

[Warning from Tiberius, Lord of the Inverted—] [After making each choice, you will receive a phased deduction result from the Inverted Future Illusion and transition to a brand-new timeline.] [Personal Intervention can only be used once per activation of the Inverted Future Illusion. It requires a tremendous amount of energy to sustain an illusion closer to reality and conduct more complex divination and deduction of the future.] [After choosing the Personal Intervention option, you may personally experience illusions of death and pain, incurring an enormous mental burden. Use with caution.] Red lettering flickered across Lanqi's field of vision. "This magical artifact is pretty interesting." He leaned back in relaxation, interlacing his fingers as the office chair creaked under his weight. Sitting in an office gave him an odd sense of peace. From the looks of it, the illusion created by the Mirror of Tiberius shared uncanny similarities with a Shadow World. The only difference was that a Shadow World projected history from the past, while the Mirror of Tiberius projected the future. Furthermore, while a Shadow World required a lengthy duration to experience firsthand, the Mirror of Tiberius needed only a rapid simulation to yield results. "Meaning once you make a selection, it might fast-forward straight to a few hours or even a day or two later? And then swiftly transition to the next scene?" Talia asked in his mind. Even having entered the illusory space within the Mirror of Tiberius, Talia had still followed him over. That was the nature of their soul connection. Yet just as Lanqi could not use his original power at the moment and had completely become the Lord of the Black Sun, Talia, being Lanqi's natal card, was unable to materialize; she could only speak inside his mind. "I believe so," Lanqi paused before replying. He was slightly surprised that Talia was still around. But thinking about it, being trapped in an otherworldly illusion with an intimate friend keeping him company wasn't half bad. "Now you know how great your caring older sister is, don't you?" Talia gave a soft hum. She admitted that back when she taught Lanqi card making, she had been cold toward him, but she had her own tender side as well. Having spent so much time together, Lanqi had surely realized it by now. "After all, you're an eight-hundred-year-old established brand," Lanqi praised. "Then thank you ever so much for your patronage..." Realizing she couldn't do anything to Lanqi right now, Talia spoke in a terrifyingly polite tone. A chill immediately ran down Lanqi's spine. Talia actually played along with his banter? Right now, not only was she unable to materialize, but it seemed... she couldn't keep him in check with mental magic either. Didn't that mean he could chat freely with her inside the Mirror of Tiberius? That was simply too cool! Yet just as Lanqi began to feel restless with anticipation, he heard Talia's inner voice: *Just you wait, Lanqi.* *Once we're out, I'm going to sit on you and beat you up.* "..." Lanqi composed himself and focused on the information provided by the Mirror of Tiberius. The most crucial piece was undoubtedly his current status. He could click to inspect the identification results for every spell and piece of equipment in his possession, from first to last— [Undying Eternal Punishment] [Type: Active Spell] [Quality: Epic] [Affinity: Sealing] [Tier: 5] [Effect: At the cost of sacrificing a portion of the user's own health and mana, continuously locks the target's health status. This spell cannot be dispelled voluntarily; excessive attacks on the sealed target will weaken the sealing effect. Using wolf blood or demon blood as a medium reduces the health or mana cost.] This was the spell Lanqi cared about the most, and also the one he was most likely to learn. Back in the second Shadow World, the Banquet of the Sanctuary Scoundrels, he had found books related to this spell in the library of Lichtenstein Castle. At that time, he had been too weak, able only to understand and memorize the principles without being able to learn or master it. Later, through his own experimentation, Lanqi had worked out a budget alternative for sealing vampires. Consequently, he hadn't invested a vast amount of time and effort into learning this sealing technique that inflicted damage on oneself to harm the enemy. The Lord of the Black Sun possessed wolf blood and demon blood, allowing him to use it at low cost, but Lanqi had neither. Leaving aside how long it would take to master an Epic spell, even if he learned it, he wouldn't necessarily use it. "After beating a vampire into a weakened state, you can use this spell to seal them into a permanent near-death state?" Talia had also heard of this spell; Hyperion had told her about the magic involved in that Shadow World. In the original history, the Son of the Sun had obtained the wolf's heart and demon blood at Lichtenstein Castle, drastically lowering the cost of casting this magic from then on and allowing him to use this otherwise exorbitant spell as a regular core spell. Now, she was finally seeing the complete version of Undying Eternal Punishment. "Yes, this magic is specifically tailored for undead creatures. For enemies with super regeneration who refuse to die, it simply locks their maximum health. While it treats the symptoms rather than the root cause, it's effective nonetheless." In the magic tomes of Lichtenstein Castle, Lanqi had only seen the sheer helplessness of the sealing technique's creator. Later, after Lanclos learned and perfected it, it became a far more practical spell. Lanqi had once seen a similar Epic sealing technique in the real world. Namely, the ultimate move Old Sang had used on the northern border snowfields that could lock statuses. However, Undying Eternal Punishment differed from Asksan's spell in several ways. Apart from differing dispelling conditions, Asksan's spell locked all statuses, whereas this spell only locked health status—though locking health status could also radiate to certain other statuses. Overall, Asksan's effect was stronger. Moreover, once hit by Asksan's sealing technique, health could only decrease and never increase, allowing the sealed target to be slain. But once Undying Eternal Punishment took effect, health could neither increase nor decrease. Thus, Asksan's spell was an extreme debuff, while Undying Eternal Punishment leaned closer to a neutral status. "Lanqi, you're finally playing on the Lord of the Black Sun's maxed-out account." Talia hovered beside Lanqi like a ghostly assistant, examining the spell appraisal results; these were genuine Epic spells unlike anything she had ever seen. Although the identity Lanqi assumed upon entering the Shadow World Undying Eternal Punishment Endgame was the Sanctprant Pope, his innate Tier 6 rank hadn't changed. This magical artifact seemed to register information based on its unique dimensional judgment criteria, directly simulating the future of the Sanctprant Pope currently embodied by Lanqi. In other words, the Shadow World's judgment was supreme, followed by that of the Mirror of Tiberius. If the Shadow World proclaimed him to be the Sanctprant Pope, regardless of whether he truly was, the Mirror of Tiberius within the Shadow World would acknowledge him as the Sanctprant Pope. "After all, a Shadow World is a divine creation that stands above all else. That the Mirror of Tiberius can interfere with a Shadow World to some extent already proves its caliber reaches the divine realm," Lanqi chatted with Talia as usual. Before making a choice, he needed to take a serious look at the Lord of the Black Sun's peak condition. Only by understanding his current basic information could he make the best judgment. Right after Undying Eternal Punishment, another conspicuous spell was likewise of Epic quality. [Interlocking Edict] [Type: Active Spell] [Quality: Epic] [Affinity: Sealing/Earth] [Tier: 7] [Effect: Seals an immobilized target or a target far weaker than the caster into an interlocking stone pillar. The sealed status cannot be removed until the interlocking stone pillar is broken from within or without.] "I think I've seen this before," Talia murmured. She had seen the practical effect of Interlocking Edict in Caliera's Shadow-Weaving Record gem earlier. It was a tale from the original history corresponding to the third Shadow World. In the recording left by Caliera, Lanclos of the Black Sun had sat with Xigelei in the council hall of the Demon King Palace, while Caliera, in the nick of time, restrained the Fourth Progenitor Eduardo, who was on the verge of self-destruction; at the same moment, all the Great Demons were dragged into their respective fallen lands of gentle slumber. The first to awaken was the Tenth Progenitor, Marquis Ulysses, a vampire painter with a unique mental state. He had prepared to take away Xigelei, the last and strongest wolfkin seed. It was there that Lanclos overcame his fated tribulation, broke free from the fallen land of gentle slumber, attained mental clarity, ascended to Tier 8, and sealed the Tenth Progenitor Ulysses. The spell the Lord of the Black Sun had used in the Demon King Palace to seal the Tenth Progenitor Ulysses and Fourth Progenitor Eduardo was an eclipse-like twisting vortex accompanied by interlocking stone pillars. "Can you learn this spell?" Talia figured that since Lanclos could learn it, Lanqi should also be able to once he reached Tier 7. A sustained crowd control for the finishing blow. It was far stronger than Lanqi's Basic Etiquette. Lanqi often used Basic Etiquette to wrap things up on high heat. Not an ounce of a powerhouse's bearing. Using Interlocking Edict, on the other hand, had the aura of a sovereign. Although forcing enemies to kneel also gave off a kingly vibe... Talia didn't quite agree. "First, you'd have to give me a grimoire detailing the training method for Interlocking Edict. Then, after practicing for three to five years, I might be able to learn it. Frankly speaking, if I really had three to five years to spare, wouldn't doing almost anything else be more productive than learning a skill from scratch?" Lanqi said in an exasperated tone. He was already accustomed to rapidly acquiring new skills through magic cards; asking him to spend painstaking effort studying magic was practically impossible. "True enough." Talia had to admit that Lanqi's talents in other areas far surpassed his aptitude for traditional spellcasting. Looking further down, though Lanqi hadn't learned the next two Epic spells, their effects were remarkably familiar. [Radiant Corona] [Type: Passive Spell] [Quality: Epic] [Affinity: Light] [Tier: 6] [Passive Effect: Vastly increases the power of Light-affinity spells and imbues attacks with additional Solar Power.] "This is probably the Lord of the Black Sun's innate magic. He was the incarnation of the sun, the natural nemesis of vampires," Talia explained to Lanqi. As a demon, she could tell at a glance that the structure of this magic stemmed from a demonic talent. The reason Lanclos could develop a demonic innate magic was that after undergoing artificial modification in the Horning Empire's proving grounds, he was already considered a demonkin hovering between demon and human. Furthermore, by virtue of passing the Great Demon Trial and becoming a Great Demon, he had truly crossed the threshold into the demonic realm. Just as many half-demons or even one-eighth demons in the Protos Empire could manifest demonic talents, it was hardly surprising that Lanclos possessed a demonic talent of his own. And while Lanclos's forte as a human was Sealing, his most compatible affinity on the Radiant Demon side was Light, so the demonic innate magic that emerged was naturally Light-aligned. "Unfortunately, strictly speaking, my Great Demon Imprints are all on the Poet of Great Love. Neither my bloodline nor my soul has anything capable of carrying a demonic talent, so it's only natural that I can't develop one." Lanqi was quite philosophical about it. A demon's innate magic was essentially getting a free Common-quality spell with the highest possible affinity, which could then be continuously refined and strengthened alongside one's personal growth until reaching the pinnacle form of Orange Epic. Whether it was Fallen Land of Gentle Slumber, Hopeless Heavenly Army, or Path from Death to Rebirth, all were among the top-tier Epic spells Lanqi had ever witnessed. Of course, there were also rather lackluster innate magics, such as detecting whether someone was lying. "Hmm?" Talia had objections. Her innate magic was still Pink Sacred quality for now. Once it evolved into Orange Epic mind reading, it would be tremendously useful. Anticipating an opponent's moves in battle—how could that not be powerful? "Indeed. I haven't seen you use it much against enemies, but whenever it comes to busting me, you never miss." Lanqi suspected this spell had a specific bonus against him. "When you were a spy in the Cretan Empire, didn't you have me watching your back? I was trying my hardest to read people's minds for you, okay?" Talia said, sounding a bit aggrieved. "..." Lanqi was momentarily at a loss for words. "Alright, Master, you're the most useful." He rarely saw Talia acting aggrieved. It seemed he had taken the teasing too far. "Heh heh." Talia let out a soft chuckle. Iphatia was right after all: act pitiful, and a man would waver. Wrapping Lanqi around her finger really was child's play. "Is it really okay for you to think that so openly inside my mind...?" Lanqi felt Talia was beyond help. Between those two sisters, one was bold enough to teach, and the other was bold enough to learn. He returned his attention to Lanclos's spells. Familiarizing himself with Lanclos's spells gave him insights as well; their compatibility was exceptionally high to begin with. If he could memorize them, perhaps one day in the real world he could follow suit and learn similar spells. This innate magic was more practical than his little sun, Radiant Virtue. Because Radiant Corona was a passive spell that triggered on attack, unlike the summoned entity Radiant Virtue, which could be destroyed by enemies. Radiant Virtue's sole advantage lay in blocking line of sight, having that additional Sealing affinity. "This last Epic spell that I don't recognize looks a lot like your Nuclear Fusion Wolf too," Talia remarked as she stared at the appraisal result. [Ever-Shining Ruin] [Type: Active Spell] [Quality: Epic] [Affinity: Light] [Tier: 8] [Effect: Consumes all of the caster's mana to inflict super-wide-area indiscriminate damage centered on the caster.] "Being listed last, this magic is likely the ultimate offensive spell the Lord of the Black Sun spent his entire life comprehending." Lanqi could guess its origins. It had probably been learned after witnessing the Blood Ruin used by the Fourth Progenitor Eduardo in the Demon King Palace, and then studying the captured Eduardo to develop this ultimate magic. It required no expendable materials like the Nuclear Fusion Wolf, needing only Lanclos's own mana to trigger a world-shattering cataclysm. It was precisely from that point onward that the Lord of the Black Sun, having stepped into Tier 8 and mastered this ultimate magic, truly became a frontline powerhouse capable of turning the tide of battle. Six years after the Prant Empire declared war—corresponding to the timeline between the third and fourth Shadow Worlds, when the vampire assault struck Demon King City Naicalis—Caliera fell in battle to the Third Progenitor, Duke Rasheal. Having received Caliera's soul essence, the Lord of the Black Sun also obtained the spell gifted to him by the Lord of the Fallen: Final Land of Gentle Slumber. Its effect was virtually identical to Overflowing Land of Gentle Slumber—a weakened version of Caliera's innate magic. As for Indestructible Glazed Body, it closely resembled the Epic necklace Tear of Indestructible Glaze that Lanqi had traded to Frey. Both granted higher damage reduction and boosts to all basic attributes the more buffs and debuffs were active on the bearer. It could also negate one fatal blow and fully restore the user to peak condition, with the effect refreshing every full moon. Indestructible Glazed Body was a passive spell, a trait acquired after obtaining the heart of the wolfkin prince. "Lanclos spent his entire life mastering three Epic spells. That can truly be called the limit for a mortal being." Talia didn't look too closely at the other spells Lanclos possessed; most were commonly used ancient spells. The rest were mostly gifts from friends. Even Ivanos, Bishop of Ruin, had only mastered two active Epic spells on his own: Great Ruin and Embers of the Other Shore. And Ivanos had been an overwhelmingly gifted mage of their era. Lanclos's innate talent was likely inferior to Ivanos's, but Lanclos had endured hardships that simply did not exist in the present era. This had driven him to grow stronger virtually at the cost of his life, fueled by bone-deep hatred and a will that exceeded all limits. "It's a pity Lanclos didn't have the genius of Ivanos or Loren. His whole life was spent taking beatings on the path to growing stronger—experiencing loss, growing stronger, losing again, growing stronger again. He almost never had an easy battle," Lanqi assessed. It took Lanqi and Talia quite a while to review all of the Black Sun's spell and accessory slots. The accessories were mostly magical items that might have been potent at Tiers 4 or 5, but were practically useless to the current Lord of the Black Sun. For instance, the Witch's Warm Companionship: this earring could block a single Tier 8 attack for him. Yet the Lord of the Black Sun, effectively at the Tier 9 pinnacle, possessed outrageously high mental stats, bottomless mana, and magic resistance robust enough to casually tank Tier 8 spells without issue. That he still carried these accessories on him meant they were likely kept purely as mementos. "Time to get down to business." Lanqi shifted his gaze to the options Tiberius had presented before the desk regarding the future: Remain here, go to the Demon King City, or return to the Theocracy. Divination magic had its limitations; it could not create an entire, fully realized future world for him to experience firsthand and let evolve organically. Each time he made a selection, the Mirror of Tiberius would deduce the outcome based on his choice and skip ahead to the next critical juncture. Moreover, choosing the final option might deplete the energy of Purgatory Corridor Academy. Purgatory Corridor Academy and the Mirror of Tiberius shared the energy of the central hub. Right now, he was effectively diverting public energy for private use. Lanclos had only five and a half days of life remaining. Every subsequent choice had to be considered carefully, or this single simulation run of the Mirror of Tiberius would come to an end. "So what if he only has five days left? Invincibility is practically written on his forehead. He can go wherever he pleases." Talia suspected Lanqi would exhibit a similar presence once he reached Tier 9. Because Lanqi followed an unorthodox path distinct from Lanclos's, Lanqi's direct frontal combat strength was far weaker, yet his summoned entities bore a strange resemblance to Lanclos's spells. One could roughly consider Lanclos a maxed-out pure magic tank, whereas Lanqi was a rather unconventional shaman. "Would you want that kind of invincibility? I certainly wouldn't," Lanqi asked casually. If Talia obtained the Poem of Compassion and began her ascent, it truly might be a path to invincibility. "I don't want it either." Talia reviewed Lanclos's life in an instant and decided she could do without such invincibility. Strength gained only after losing everything was, in essence, a punishment. "I think if I pick the first option—staying at Purgatory Corridor Academy—it's basically waiting peacefully for destiny to arrive and passing away here," Lanqi tapped his fingers lightly on the desk as he analyzed. Even without divination magic, humans possessed reasoning and predictive abilities; the general implications behind each choice could be deduced. Choosing that option might end the simulation in a single step. "The second option, going to the Demon King City... What else is there to do besides seeing Melogas, the Lord of Sacrilege?" Lanqi continued pondering, his voice tinged with hesitation. "Don't you go see that lunatic! I don't want to see her." Talia ruled out the option for him immediately. Even now, she still found the scorpion-tailed witch Melogas revolting. Whether beaten or humiliated, Melogas always looked thoroughly blissful, even flushing with an inexplicable blush. Just the thought of it made Talia's scalp tingle. If she couldn't afford to provoke her, she could at least avoid her. "Option C it is, then," Lanqi concluded. As it happened, before departing from the Theocracy, he had promised his confidant in the Sanctprant Church, Grand Justice Elm, that he would visit the headquarters of Iron Fortress Oberon on the southern border of the Theocracy to witness the Fourth Anniversary of Peace and Restoration for the Land of Sevilia. Having learned his exact fated end, he wouldn't last until two weeks later. Lanclos probably wouldn't have wanted to break his word. Therefore, setting off first for Iron Fortress Oberon on the Theocracy's southern border could be considered fulfilling his final promise in life. As for the final option, "Personal Intervention," expending that chance right at the start made little sense. Besides staying, heading south, or heading north, there was nowhere else to go; intervening personally would merely waste time and energy. "I think if it were Lanclos, he would also choose to head south," Talia agreed. After all, Lanclos's hometown—a certain small town in the Horning Empire—lay to the south. Perhaps a desire to return to one's roots would make him want to visit his home one last time. "Let's return to the Theocracy." Lanqi nodded and gently tapped the translucent light screen. In an instant, the entire world before his eyes shifted. He felt himself turn into a blur of shadows, hurtling south at the speed of a Tier 9 powerhouse. The surrounding scenery receded at breathtaking speed, blurring into a patchwork of colors. After an indeterminate time, as the sky darkened and brightened again, he crossed the Demon Realm, crossed the Land of Eternal Night, and crossed the Sanctprant Theocracy. After flying perhaps tens of thousands of kilometers, a towering fortress city appeared in his field of view. This was likely the southern border of the Sanctprant Theocracy. The city walls reached into the clouds, majestic and imposing, as if proclaiming the fortress's invincibility to the world. Like a bird gazing down upon the mortal realm, he observed the panorama of the entire city from high above. Orderly streets, rustic and dignified architecture, and bustling crowds—everything came into full view. [You have arrived at the southernmost reaches of the Sanctprant Theocracy, Iron Fortress Oberon. Here, preparations are underway alongside the border cities of the Horning Empire for the Fourth Anniversary of Peace and Restoration for the Land of Sevilia.] [Continuing south, you enter Helsrhein, the northern province of the Horning Empire.] "Lanqi, you're flying!" Talia's voice echoed in his ears. The flight speed of Tier 9 psychokinesis magic was already staggering, and the Mirror of Tiberius had fast-forwarded the process. "At this rate, the simulation will probably finish very quickly." To Lanqi, the interludes felt like they were running at a hundred times normal speed, without requiring any manual control. On the border of the Horning Empire after the war, the cold winter sun shone down on the snow-blanketed capital city, glinting with crystalline radiance. Inside the towering walls once ravaged by war, the former wasteland had been transformed into greenhouses. Even in the dead of winter, lush green fruits and vegetables flourished, with children occasionally frolicking nearby, their innocent laughter ringing crisp and sweet against the bitter wind. Closer to the city center, the bazaars and merchant plazas teemed with life; people chatted and laughed freely, enveloped in the peaceful joy of the winter festival. The repurposed energy plants and hospitals now served as vital pillars of the fortress, providing magic energy and medical care to local citizens. Schools had been erected where the fortress barracks once stood, where the children of the Horning Empire studied, preparing for a future in an era of peace. War ruins had been converted into peace memorial parks, where the empire's people commemorated history and prayed for lasting peace. [The scars of war have been healed; with diligence and hope, the people have rebuilt their homes.] [This land, once baptized by the flames of war, now radiates vibrant vitality, presenting a thriving scene everywhere you look.] [This is the very homeland you have long yearned for—the Horning Empire—transformed into a state you no longer recognize.] [Lifespan Remaining: 4 days, 9 hours, 24 minutes] [Your deteriorating condition has left you noticeably weaker.] Simulation results from the Mirror of Tiberius surfaced periodically in Lanqi's vision. "Why didn't Lanclos return to his homeland for so long after the war ended?" Talia couldn't help asking. Deducing from context, she realized that in the three-plus years following the victory, Lanclos might never have set foot in Horning again. "He was probably afraid." This homeland had long turned into an obsession for Lanclos. Decades had passed; it was so unfamiliar that he dared not approach, yet so familiar that he feared drawing near. "Oh..." Talia gave a half-comprehending murmur. Surprisingly, she could relate to that feeling a little. Though her situation was completely different from Lanclos's, deep down she harbored a quiet resistance to returning to the old lands of the Demon Realm, as it would dredge up too many memories of the past. [Looking at what little time you have left, you realize this is your final opportunity.] [The homeland you have avoided for so long lies right before you. If you do not fulfill your last wish now, you will never gaze upon the town of Brunswick again.] [The origin of your life—how could you bear to let it go?] [It was your original aspiration, and your dream.] [You decide to travel alone into the Horning Empire. Because your identity as the Sanctprant Pope, Lanclos St. Anastasius, is inappropriate, you adopt the guise of a young merchant named Randall, quietly infiltrating deep into the territory of the Horning Empire, now designated as the Southern Continent.] [There is still a long way to go.] [Before reaching your hometown, you pass through a certain place.] The sky shifted once more. It felt as if Lanqi had traveled quietly through the Horning Empire for a long time; mere moments ago it was dawn, and now it was dusk. When his vision settled again, he saw himself clad in a casual vest, standing on a massive commercial plaza. Across the sunset sky dotted with sparse clouds, flocks of birds flew in the distance. Splendidly dressed merchants and vibrant townsfolk bustled to and fro. All around stood grand architectural complexes, many adorned with weathered statues depicting legendary deities. Away from the thickest crowds, a winter breeze brushed gently against his cheeks; the clamor of children at play, the melody of busking musicians, and laughter and singing from unknown voices all drifted his way. "Is this today's Horning Empire?" Lanqi gently raised his hand, cupping the sunset and the petals drifting on the wind. Given time, flowers would clothe the coming spring in a kaleidoscope of butterflies. Given time, trees and grasses would transform the wasteland into green plains. Lanqi admired the tranquil winter streets of the Horning Empire, bathed in the twilight glow, as though washing away past sorrows. "So even if Lanclos felt unwilling, after three years, he finally understood that the war is over, and it's time to let go." Talia let out a soft sigh. If the future inside the Mirror of Tiberius was such a scene, she could at least rest easy. She could feel Lanclos's state of mind gradually finding peace. Lanqi wouldn't be led to comprehend anything dangerous either. Coming to understand that life is unpredictable, and that some things are simply beyond one's control. Lanclos's suffering was born of love, but love was a strange and miraculous thing. The harder one clutched at it, the deeper it dragged one into despair; yet the more one learned to let go, the more it would brim over. By learning to let go and lay down the burden, Lanclos's heart would finally approach wholeness. [Beholding this scene, you stand dazed in the plaza for a long time.] [As the sun sinks below the horizon,] [you can quietly fade into the crowd, let the weeping memories pass, believe you were right all along, and embrace the next chapter of life—which is also your final days.] The view before Lanqi shifted once more. Just like a dream. Every few moments brought a brand-new setting. He continued south, and before long arrived among towering, jagged mountains. Under the night sky following total sunset, he arrived in Hansabeck, a north-central province of the Horning Empire. Looking around, peaks soared into the clouds everywhere, their sheer cliffs piercing the heavens. Clouds and mist coiled through the valleys as mountain winds howled. Atop the highest peak stood a dark gray castle, imposing and solitary. "Originally, this was a kingdom called Hansabeck, bordering the Horning Empire. Over twenty years ago, when Horning invaded northward across the board, Hansabeck was absorbed into the empire's territory, becoming the Hansabeck Province." Lanqi explained the geography of this era from tens of thousands of years ago to Talia. He still recalled that during the second Shadow World, the Banquet of the Sanctuary Scoundrels, the young master of the merchant guild—who had played the role of a geographer—had briefed them on the geography surrounding Lichtenstein Castle. Back then, the Horning Empire had not yet expanded across the entire Southern Continent. Now the timeline was twenty-eight years later, and everything had changed. "So the castle on the cliff we're looking at now is Lichtenstein Castle, which originally sat on the Horning Empire's northern border before its expansion?" The more Talia looked, the more familiar the terrain seemed. It bore an uncanny resemblance to the scenery in the recording of Lanqi's second Shadow World. "That's right, it should be Lichtenstein Castle. For me, that castle in the Shadow World holds only fond memories, but for the Lanclos of original history, it was the most unforgettable chapter of his past. It's understandable that he'd want to see it one last time before dying." Having personally spent five days and nights inside Lichtenstein Castle, Lanqi knew the structure intimately. The ancient castle, built in the Horning Empire style, featured towering stone walls and pointed battlements. Every rampart and turret bore witness to centuries of weathering yet stood resolute. Moonlight bathed the castle's gray stone walls, where weathered abrasions could not obscure their rugged character. Before the double-winged front gate, shadows of moonlight flowed freely through window tracery, passing through stained glass to dapple the exterior in shifting light and shade. After arriving, he took a brief walk through the interior before stepping back outside. He walked farther away, heading toward the precipice. Even before his gaze touched the drop, the cliff—nearly a thousand meters high and hundreds of meters across—struck him with tremendous visual awe. Leaping down from the cliff, he landed on a secluded stone stairway. A cluster of tombstones stood here. His vision dimmed, as if his eyes were closing. Amid the darkness, only subtitles in demonic script appeared. [You find the Witch's grave. Leaning against her headstone, you close your eyes, and in the blink of an eye, an entire night passes.] [At dawn, you descend beneath the cliff. The seal on the last prince of the werewolves remains intact. Seeing that, despite having lost his heart, his vitality is slowly recovering, you are relieved. You reinforce the seal; perhaps in another century, he will awaken anew. And the golden age you once spoke of with him—you have achieved it on his behalf.] When his vision brightened again, the next day had arrived. [Lifespan Remaining: 3 days, 13 hours, 33 minutes] [With your life drawing to an end, you have grown weaker still.] "Is this the original timeline of the second Shadow World, the Banquet of the Sanctuary Scoundrels?" Talia recalled that among the Shadow World rewards Lanqi, Hyperion, and Frey received, a story had been recorded. Pieced together, it was the ending of the Son of the Sun, the Lady Witch, and the Last Wolf Prince after their five days and five nights at Lichtenstein Castle. "It appears the Mirror of Tiberius is indeed simulating Lanclos's historical timeline," Lanqi concurred, answering Talia. Since it identified him as Lanclos, it would naturally follow Lanclos's story. This further confirmed that the fourth Shadow World, Undying Eternal Punishment Endgame, differed little from the true historical timeline: the Prant Empire had indeed won, and the subsequent founding of the Sanctprant Theocracy and Lanclos's tenure as Pope were genuine historical facts. "I see," Talia said, pleased. So far, the Blood Moon Ruined World had led to what could be called a fulfilling resolution. Even though far too many sacrifices had been made, they had succeeded. His field of view shifted once more. [Having visited old friends here and fulfilled another wish, you continue south, passing through a border town in Hansabeck Province several dozen kilometers from Lichtenstein Castle.] [Perhaps because this town bears too much resemblance to your homeland, you cannot help but wander in for a look.] [As the saying goes: the mountain path twists and turns; let the mind wind with the road, and the heart remains vast.] [At this moment, you are no longer the godlike Pope, but a young traveler savoring the journey.] On a bright, pleasant day, a brown-haired, green-eyed traveling merchant stepped onto the winding trail leading toward the mountain town. On either side of the trail, lush green trees swayed gently in the breeze, the air infused with the fragrance of fresh grass and damp earth. Taking in the scenic views along the way, he pondered the destination of this journey—the rural town of Brunswick, nestled among the mountains deep in the heart of the southern Horning Empire. As for the town before him, not far from Lichtenstein Castle, it was cradled between interlocking peaks. Buildings of dark gray and pristine white contrasted against the rolling terrain, blending harmoniously with the mountain ridges. Warm morning sunlight rimmed the town in gold, set against azure skies and billowing white clouds like a picturesque painting. Lanqi felt everything slow down. A rich floral fragrance drifted through the air accompanied by distant, melodious music, relaxing the spirit. Carrying the chest of a traveling merchant, he strolled through the town. Looking around, it appeared to be a relatively prosperous border town. "What a lovely town," Talia marveled. She now thought the Mirror of Tiberius was truly wonderful, able to take someone on such a scenic and healing journey. "It really does feel like walking Lanclos's path in life." Lanqi walked step by step toward the finish line. It felt as though Lanclos had nothing left to fear. There was nothing left to lose. [Suddenly, you notice something about this town—] As fresh demonic characters from the Mirror of Tiberius materialized, Lanqi felt himself physically standing in the town. Just like before in the Headmaster's Office, he could briefly experience the illusion firsthand. It seemed the next decision point was approaching. Lanqi walked along the street, glancing casually at his surroundings. The townsfolk were watching him strangely, their gazes toward this outside traveling merchant laced with deep wariness. "Is that hostility, or fear...?" Talia muttered in bewilderment. "Probably both." Lanqi also realized what the hint from the Mirror of Tiberius was pointing to. "That doesn't make sense. You aren't dressed as the Sanctprant Pope, and with your abilities, there's no way commoners could see through your disguise, right?" Talia was certain that even a Great Demon like herself couldn't pierce the disguise of the Tier 9 Lord of the Black Sun. Unless he gave himself away, no one could possibly recognize him. "Then that only means the situation in this town makes them fear any unfamiliar traveling merchant," Lanqi provided the answer. It was very peculiar. If only a few residents were afraid of traveling merchants, it might be explainable. Right now, virtually every resident in town looked upon him with the exact same watchful gaze. [Y-o-u- -r-e-a-l-i-z-e- -s-o-m-e-t-h-i-n-g- -i-s- -a-m-i-s-s.] [The battle-hardened instincts of a veteran make it impossible for you to ignore this.] [You decide that even if it delays your journey, you must linger in this town to uncover the cause of this dissonance.] [Although the vast majority of residents view you with wariness, a few do not avoid you as strictly, and certain shops are willing to do business.] [Before long, leveraging your natural charisma and communication skills, you learn the town mayor's whereabouts: Rielm Town Church.] New demonic runes from the Mirror of Tiberius floated over the street before Lanqi, visible to him alone. [You head to the church and meet the mayor.] Ripples spread as if through a dream. Lanqi blinked, and what met his eyes was no longer the street, but shafts of sunlight pouring through window grilles, washing the interior of the church in shifting hues through vibrant stained glass. A central cross and holy murals along the towering walls stood bathed in kaleidoscopic light, illuminating the clean-water stone carvings upon the steps and floor tiles. The masons' craft had rendered every detail exquisite, built to withstand the ravages of time and storm. And within the church sat an elderly man whose eyes did nothing to hide his wariness. [Meeting this elderly mayor, you sincerely display your high-tier wares and wealth, expressing your intent to trade, showing great interest in acquiring the rare herbs unique to this town.] After a conversation so brief it was nearly skipped over, the old mayor studied the young merchant before him, a hint of surprise and apology surfacing in his eyes. For a high-ranking merchant registered with the Prosperity Chamber of Commerce to visit a small place like theirs was a stroke of good fortune; mistaking him for a suspicious peddler had been their own poor manners. The old mayor warmly invited the Lord of the Black Sun to take a seat, showing keen interest in the proposed transaction. In the course of their talk, the Lord of the Black Sun casually brought up his past as a mercenary during the war, hinting that he also possessed ample strength to help resolve troubles for the town. Upon hearing this, the old mayor's kindly expression suddenly turned solemn. "Mr. Randall, how strong are you?" the old mayor asked urgently. "Anything below Tier 7, I can handle." Randall was the traveling merchant alias Lanclos used while moving through the Horning Empire. "I see..." The old mayor sighed, looking as though he had found a savior yet still carrying deep worry. "I imagine that when you arrived in our town, you noticed everyone's wary stares. But please believe me, we meant no offense. We are simply burdened by troubles beyond our endurance..." [The old mayor believes in your strength and senses your sincerity, beginning to confide their recent circumstances to you.] "Recently, in the central and southern regions of the Horning Empire, evil creatures have appeared. They excel at deception, able to disguise themselves flawlessly among humans and even replace the people around us. Many victims have already turned up in nearby cities; wealthy merchants, nobles, and even commoner households have been wiped out overnight. The residents of our town are terrified that our town will be next," the old mayor explained with a troubled face. "How could such a thing happen? Are these evil creatures very strong?" [You press for details.] [This sounds like no minor issue. From the old mayor's fear and the residents' panic, it is clear that these evil creatures have imperiled citizens across wide swathes of the Horning Empire, and news is becoming impossible to suppress as the crisis continues to escalate.] "According to reports on them, these evil creatures vary in strength—some weak, some strong—and some might be hiding right by our sides... Because that war inflicted such horrific casualties on the people of the Horning Empire, many strong fighters perished on the battlefield. Nowadays, in small towns like ours, the strongest person around is nothing more than a Tier 2 novice knight," the old mayor replied. [You fall silent at this.] [In that war, countless powerhouses of the Horning Empire fell at the hands of the Sanctprant Theocracy coalition and the demons.] [Though the vampires were the true instigators of the war, most people remain ignorant of this truth.] [In their eyes, the Sanctprant Theocracy was the butcher, and the people of the Horning Empire were the victims—nothing more.] "Do you have more detailed information about these evil creatures?" [You still cannot turn your back on any living soul in need of aid.] "Demonkin." The old mayor leaned closer and spoke with certainty, his voice tinged with dread. "The Horning capital, St. Trick, has already dispatched vampire powerhouses to help us. They may arrive in Hansabeck Province in the next few days. But there are only so many vampire lords; they will surely investigate the major cities first before ever reaching a remote town like ours. If demonkin appear in our town before then, our fate..." The old mayor's voice grew raspy, the wrinkles on his face bunching together, as if he dared not finish the sentence. "...?" [Inside this church, the young man's eyes fill with bewilderment.] [This familiar word echoes in your ears: demonkin. It originated in the Horning Empire, the product of the Horning Empire's proving grounds over thirty years ago—and the empire's final bid for self-preservation.] [Yet many years have passed, and no one understands that truth anymore.] Standing inside the church, Lanqi was momentarily lost in thought. Ever since the adolescent Lanclos underwent modification in the Horning Empire's proving grounds, his time had been frozen at that very moment. The taboo artificial creations produced by the Horning Empire proving grounds' modification surgery were known as demonkin. Only a single batch of successful subjects existed many years ago; this unit was ordered to infiltrate the Demon Realm, learn the legacy knowledge of the demons, and seek opportunities to combat the vampires. They were neither demons nor humans. The mortality rate of the demonkin modification surgery was astronomical, requiring countless horrors to yield a sliver of hope for success. To an extent, it was tantamount to abandoning one's own species, transforming oneself into a chimera of a monster. As a drawback, far from gaining the true longevity of demons, one's lifespan was drastically shortened compared to an ordinary human's. Perhaps for Lanclos, surviving into his forties was already a miracle. Every passing second likely demanded withstanding unimaginable agony, relying entirely on his soul's indomitable defiance against the reaper as he dragged along a body on the verge of collapse. This secret was known only to the few comrades of Lanclos still living, such as Empress Khesia. "That's impossible. How could demonkin appear in the Horning Empire?" Talia also realized something was terribly wrong, her heart thumping. The more she thought, the more startled she became, then enraged, and finally terrified. An artificial taboo like "demonkin" should have been worn away by time, buried in history long ago. Aside from the Blood Moon Ruined World, no information regarding "demonkin" had ever appeared in the history of any other Shadow World, nor had it been passed down among demons. That proved demonkin must have gone extinct in later eras, and their modification methods were undoubtedly destroyed in the era of the Blood Moon Ruined World. Based on her experience in Palieu, the City of Flowers in the Kingdom of Posen: if the Senate could no longer suppress the news and one or two berserk spell-wielding demons broke out, it meant the entire city was likely full of potential berserk spell-wielding demons. Thus that night, the City of Flowers Incident suddenly erupted, nearly overturning the entire Kingdom of Posen. And in the Horning Empire right now, it was no longer a matter of one or two demonkin surfacing—even this remote border town lived in terror of them. Perhaps something had been brewing unseen, reaching a boiling point. The jarring plunge from peace into dread felt to Talia like falling into a nightmare. "Before the vampire lords arrive to help us, could you please help us screen for demonkin and protect our safety?" the old mayor pleaded, gazing at the traveling merchant the Lord of the Black Sun was disguised as. The idea that vampires would help them hunt demonkin gave them a sense of security. Human powerhouses capable of fighting demonkin were rarely seen in out-of-the-way places like this. At this point, the query from the Mirror of Tiberius floated onto the church's rose window: [Faced with the plea of the Horning Empire townsfolk, you will choose to:] [A. Turn a blind eye] [B. Interrogate the townsfolk] [C. Accept the commission] [D. Intervene personally] [Lifespan Remaining: 3 days, 11 hours, 51 minutes] [You have grown considerably weaker once more.]