Chapter 1266: Light

For a demigod Beyonder, they experienced a qualitative change due to

their powerful souls. Even in death, their psyche could persist for some

time. Unless this was circumvented due to an enemy deliberately

destroying it, a High-Sequence Beyonder, who continued having a strong

desire or unresolved matters during their state of death, could have

their remnant will last longer. As such, he could slowly assimilate the

surrounding areas, allowing it to mix with the spirit world, and even

the Underworld, so as to turn it into an evil spirit.

Therefore, although Colin Iliad had stopped breathing, he was still able

to hear Derrick's cry while sitting at the top of the ancient god's

staircase in tattered silver armor. He turned his head to look at the

underaged demigod before smiling.

"Compared to the Elders of the past, it's a form of luck for Lovia and

myself to die here."

Upon hearing this, Derrick gaped his mouth, wanting to say something,

but felt something pressing down on his heart, blocking his throat.

Not far away, Klein raised the Staff of the Stars and attempted to use

Will Auceptin's "Reboot" to save Colin Iliad. However, he failed several

times in a row. Even the successful attempt didn't have the ability to

reverse everything. The effects were clearly inferior to the original's,

and it involved a Uniqueness---Amon's true body had descended.

*He's already dead, so he can't even be turned into a marionette. He can

only consider turning into an evil spirit, but there's almost no evil

spirit that can maintain their humanity. Even Dark Angel Sasrir failed

to do so... The only exception is the Red Angel Medici trio. But that

was only after "They" left "Their" "territory" and went to Bansy

Harbor... This Chief doesn't seem willing to take this route... To the

residents of the City of Silver, becoming an evil spirit is undoubtedly

a curse...* Klein sighed and cast his gaze elsewhere to observe

the Giant King's palace that had its shadows recede.

Colin Iliad examined Derrick's face and sighed.

"When you return, you'll be a member of the six-member council.

"I know. Relative to your age, this is a very heavy responsibility, but

everyone in the City of Silver has to be prepared to shoulder everyone's

fate."

Derrick nodded and said with a nasal voice, "Yes, Your Excellency!"

Colin Iliad revealed an amiable smile.

"Don't be worried that they'll misunderstand this. I'll tell you a

secret. Currently, in the City of Silver, only Waite and I know of it.

"When you get back, tell this to Waite immediately. He will understand

that Lovia's and my death has nothing to do with you. Otherwise, you

will not obtain this secret from me."

Having said that, Colin Iliad looked up at Gehrman Sparrow and nodded

gently.

"From today onwards, everyone in the City of Silver can freely change

their faith to Mr. Fool."

Derrick wasn't excited at all. He nodded heavily, indicating that he

understood.

Colin Iliad immediately retracted his gaze. A layer of solemnity and

bitterness appeared on his clearly exhausted face.

"That secret is related to the second god-level Sealed Artifact of our

City of Silver.

"It's called 'Gift of the Land.'"

Derrick wiped his eyes with his arm and listened attentively to the

Chief's description.

Colin Iliad sighed and continued, "It's precisely because of this Sealed

Artifact that Black-Faced Grass can grow around the City of Silver,

preventing us from completely sinking into the dark ages..."

Derrick's pupils dilated as the sadness in his heart eased.

He remembered very clearly that the textbooks mentioned the discovery of

Black-Faced Grass as the key turning point in the history of the City of

Silver. He believed that if there was no such safe and harmless staple

food, then the City of Silver would've long become a playground for

monsters.

At that instant, Derrick thought of many things. He finally understood

why the mushrooms that Mr. World had given had undergone a huge

transformation in the City of Silver, one that was different from the

original description.

Colin Iliad's gaze swept across his face, and his voice suddenly turned

deep.

"It's precisely because of this that we are burdened with the fate of

being cursed. Only people who are killed by their immediate family

wouldn't become a terrifying evil spirit.

"Cornucopia has a price."

Derrick's expression froze.

Murdering his parents left a wound that could never heal in his heart.

He had always blamed the corresponding curse on this land that had been

forsaken by the gods. But now, the Chief had told him the truth which

was unlike what he imagined. The curse gave them the food they relied on

for survival!

The grizzled and exhausted-looking Colin Iliad's eyes glazed over as he

seemed to recall killing his father, mother, brother, sister, eldest

son, youngest son, daughter, and eldest grandson.

His voice became fleeting.

"Lovia once said that a dying person would not transform into an evil

spirit after leaving the City of Silver.

"Back then, I didn't tell her that this was the truth. As the Gift of

the Land's range is huge, most people who are about to die are unable to

leave the corresponding region in time.

"This is a secret that only the Chief can grasp. I tried my best

exploring and fighting, hoping that future generations wouldn't have to

suffer such pain."

The Chief of the City of Silver, who was clearly advanced in his years,

slowly exhaled. Without giving Derrick a chance to make a promise, he

seemed to recall something as he said, "Also, you mustn't fully believe

the situation of the Rose Redemption that is recorded in that palace."

Eh? Klein stopped scrutinizing his surroundings as he revealed

a slightly lost expression.

Colin Iliad added in a deep voice, "Earth Mother cannot be Giant Queen

Omebella.

"Omebella has long died. 'Her' corpse is in the City of Silver, and more

precisely, it's the Gift of the Land..."

This... When Klein heard this, his pupils dilated as a chill

ran down his spine.

*The real Giant Queen had long died in the City of Silver and became a

Sealed Artifact. Then, who is the one currently masquerading as Earth

Mother?*

In the kingdom that was covered in moon flowers and night vanilla, the

sunset giant's sword struck the heavy, pitch-black sickle and froze in

midair.

In the darkness that had been destroyed by the intense battle of the

gods, time seemed to come to a halt. Be it the giant wearing tattered

armor who was bathing in the dusk, or the humanoid demonic wolf with six

arms, "They" seemed to become a part of an oil painting. Everything

stood on the spot, maintaining "Their" previous posture.

However, a dark brown wooden cane had stabbed through the back of the

sunset giant, piercing through its heart as it frantically drained the

life of the deity, dragging "Him" down in an act of returning it to the

land, returning to a mother's embrace.

This dark brown wooden staff was held in the hands of the giant-like,

voluptuous woman. It formed a deep autumn scene with the withered

flowers, grass, and mushrooms.

The sunset giant slowly turned "His" head and looked at the woman who

was carrying the baby in one hand. "He" said in pain, "Li---li---th?"

At this moment, the dress-wearing "demonic wolf" with the head of a

female human let out a chuckle. The bird-shaped golden accessory in

"Her" hand flew out and accurately pierced through the gap of the sunset

giant's visor. Then, "She" threw the "Crimson Moon" in "Her" two other

hands at the voluptuous woman.

In the next second, a portion of the sunset giant's body collapsed. An

orange-red sunset pierced through the serene darkness and landed in the

real world.

Some landed on the battlefield, causing countless soldiers to die. Some

crushed the mountains, creating a lake that made all living creatures

age. Some fused with some lucky creatures, turning them into crazy and

powerful monsters, while others enveloped the Great Twilight Hall

outside St. Millom. The solidified orange light was extinguished...

In the Amantha mountain range, outside the Cathedral of Serenity,

Abomination Suah and other Mythical Creatures, who were helping Feysac

and Intis angels attack, seemed to sense something. The battle came to a

halt.

After the bloodshot eyes growing on the pitch-black tree rolled once,

Abomination Suah immediately entered the void and escaped into the

spirit world.

In the outskirts of Backlund, in a small cathedral that no one paid

attention to.

A golden-bearded pious priest wearing a simple white robe opened his

eyes. They revealed a childlike innocence and purity.

"He" calmly took out a golden potion and opened the lid, pouring the

liquid inside into "His" mouth.

The war ended just like that.

If Audrey hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she never would've believed

that the war would end just like that.

After the dark night swallowed the orange dusk and faded away by itself,

the Silver Knight in front of her seemed to suffer a heavy mental blow.

Even after recovering and composing himself, he didn't continue

attacking his enemy. He fled in a rather sorry and perplexed state.

Just like this Silver Knight, the angels and saints of the Feysac and

Intis allied forces fled one after another. As for the Beyonders that

formed the backbone of the army, they collapsed in an uncontrollable

manner.

However, on Loen's side, the demigods, Low- and Mid-Sequence Beyonders,

and ordinary soldiers didn't attempt to pursue them. This was because

they were equally confused, perplexed, and puzzled.

Audrey walked back into the city and saw the surviving Backlund

residents coming out of their houses, shelters, or hiding spots, one

after another. They stared blankly at the scene which resembled a

primeval forest.

They didn't cheer, shout, or vent their emotions. Their expressions were

numb, and their eyes were vacant. They didn't know how and why the

disaster had suddenly ended.

There was no lack of people who had once been saved by the charity

foundation. Many of them looked familiar to Audrey, but their condition

wasn't much different from when those who queued up to collect food.

Audrey silently observed this scene before returning to Empress Borough

and back to her villa.

She saw her father, mother, elder brother, butler, servants looking out

of the window in confusion, just like the citizens on the street.

For some reason, a sentence suddenly flashed across Audrey's mind:

*Dying, he knew not his executor; surviving, he knew not the

circumstances.*

An orange dusk calmed the lightning storm that blazed with frequent

bolts of lightning. It sank into the dark, blue sea with an

indiscernible bottom, nearly swallowing the Dawn with it.

Queen Mystic had used her other Grade 0 Sealed Artifact in time,

allowing the ship to avoid a terrifying disaster.

She frowned slightly as if she had sensed something. However, her

expression eased up immediately, allowing the Dawn to continue moving

forward on an unsafe sea route. It was to engage in all kinds of

dangerous battles with strong winds, huge waves, lightning, and sea

monsters.

In the dark environment, Bernadette's gaze seemed to penetrate through

many obstacles, allowing her to see the light that she was chasing

after.

No matter how many obstacles she faced, she would not stop her approach.

On the staircase in the Giant King's residence which was covered in

orange light.

After telling Derrick the secret, Colin Iliad said to Derrick, "Go. Open

that door. I want to see what the sunlight outside is like..."

"Yes!" The rims of Derrick's eyes reddened once again. He pursed his

lips tightly and stood up.

He put down the hammer in his hand, and under the encouraging gaze of

Klein, he steadily circled around the iron-black throne and arrived in

front of the grayish-blue door which depicted the sunset.

Derrick stared at it for a second, bent down, stretched out his hands,

and pressed them against the sides of the door.

Then, he strained his muscles and pushed hard.

At that moment, he seemed to see his parents; his deceased teammates,

like Joshua and Antiona; Lovia in a purple-patterned black robe; and the

grizzled Colin Iliad.

They stood beside him and pressed their hands against the door, pushing

the grayish-blue door with him.

Beads of water streamed down Derrick's face as a heavy creaking sound

echoed in his ears.

A crack appeared, letting golden sunlight flood in.

The gap grew bigger and bigger, and a golden sea gradually appeared in

Derrick's eyes, presenting itself in front of Colin Iliad's eyes.

Upon seeing this scene, the corners of Colin Iliad's lips twitched

slightly as he bathed in the warm sunlight. The corners of his lips

pulled up slightly as he revealed a faint smile and a faint yearning,

his body "evaporating" bit by bit.

Light was the meaning to everything.

Author's Notes:

---Translation: Mrs. Matchstick Bepis \| Proofread:

Windvally---

The 116 chapters of Volume 6, to me, achieved the overall degree of

completion I expected.

During Volume 5, I mentioned that the pinnacle of the plot would occur

in Volume 6, note that I said pinnacle, and not climax.

Laughs

At the time, it was clear to me that it would be lacking in terms of

satisfaction and explosiveness, but the essence of the volume was to

bring a strong sense of shock. Regarding this, when Amon uttered

Chernobyl and when Colin Iliad said that Omebella had already died, I

could clearly feel the sense of happiness writing brings me.

Accordingly, chapter subscriptions exceeded 60,000, breaking the record

of the entire book, especially during the Amon arc, reaching over

63,000. As for this Omebella chapter, because I wrote this conclusion

before the 24-hour mark, I didn't have an accurate result, I only know

that during the first hour after the chapter was uploaded, chapter

subscriptions were already at 32,000.

These are the two pinnacles of Volume 6, one at the beginning and one at

the end, stringing together the entire volume. Both of these events were

arranged as early as Volume one. Even before I started writing Volume

One, these ideas were already thought-out and I started consciously

burying hints to depict the two events. When I first wrote "Chapter One

-- Crimson", I already had a complete picture in my mind, one of which

was an inspiration that gradually took shape as I was putting together

the story of the City of Silver and its curse, it was only after this

that Emlyn and the Church of Harvest came to be. I actually provided a

lot of corresponding clues, although they were relatively hidden, it

wasn't without foreshadowing.

And surrounding these two pinnacle, many secrets have been unveiled.

Generally, I don't think there were any problems regarding this portion.

It helped to gradually give shape to the overall universe, creating a

comparatively complete framework, thus, when I start unfolding

information and hints regarding the The Old Ones, Outer Gods, Ancient

Sun God and his family, it would become a lot smoother. Family, yes,

using this term to describe them seems to make them a lot more

relatable.^{[Cuttlefish uses an idiom, 煙火氣 which is an abbreviation for 人間煙火, which in essence describes the life of ordinary, mortal and mundane people. The literal translation describes the need mortals have to eat and toil to live, unlike immortals who do not require sustenance, which is why I translated it to relatable.]}

Speaking of relatable, I would have to discuss the criticisms directed

towards the war and "Justice".

Throughout the time I spent writing Martial Arts Master, I have been

compiling a set of methodologies for writing suitable for myself,

however at the same time many things were still vague to me, it wasn't

until I started writing Lord of Mysteries and the

corresponding experiments and results, that things started becoming

clearer, thereby adding to my methodology.

To me, the first business of writing, which is also the most important

step is encompassed by a very rustic word:

"Expression".

What is it that I wish to convey and deliver? This is something that

must undergo clear consideration before setting pen to paper, after

that, I would need to make a choice regarding what I will include or

omit in the writing to make sure my focal point doesn't deviate.

To put it simply, I will use a phrase that everyone abhors: centralized

thoughts.^{[Referencing peoples' dislike of one of the tenets of the Chinese educational system, whereby there is only one correct answer to very subjective questions.]}

Then what is it I wish to express in Volume 6?

First of all, it is the sense of impact that these two plot points will

bring.

Secondly, the insignificance and helplessness mortals feel when in the

face of gods.

Thirdly, despite being as small and insignificant as a moth, one should

always seek the light.

Regarding the second point, this theme isn't exclusive to Volume 6, it

is an inevitable component of any novel worldviews inspired by Cthulhu

and the Quasi-Cthulhu Mythos. Ones'[^12663] fear of the unknown as well as the

insignificance when faced with that "unknown", which is in the same vein

as the straw men from Volume 2^{[Regarding the reference to Volume 2 and straw men, Cuttlefish is referring to the events in Volume 2 Chapter 263/Chapter 476 - Straw Men, in which the life of the innocent and impoverished people of Backlund were but fuel (straw) for the various conspiracies.]}.

The more literal translation of the same terms could refer to a Chinese Cthulhu taletop RPG circle. The Cthulhu Mythos style represents campaigns that focus on adventure, treasure hunting and direct confrontation against an eldritch entity with no sugar coating eg: Eldritch Horror and Arkham Horror. Quasi-Cthulhu Mythos represents campaigns that look completely normal on the outside, focusing on the day to day lives of mortals in rural or urban areas, while e verything dark is moving in the shadows, puzzles which needs to be solved by the players. This represents a shift in the preference of players, as more and more players in China enjoy the Quasi-Cthulhu style, as it offers more variety and realistic horror (more helpessness) than straight up Bloodborne style hunting.

Windvally: I may be COMPLTELY wrong on this, but that's one way to look at it.

Therefore, before I started writing Volume 6, even before Volume 5, I've

been considering what kind of story would be necessary in order to

deliver the things I wish to express into the readers' mind.

If I started to expand on the war, then the focus would shift to the

various mystical powers, battleships, machine guns and cannons. This

would comparatively be more fresh, and with the inclusion of elements of

sacrifice, exhilaration, the brutality of war and other deeper themes,

it would deviate from the crux of what I wish to express. Because once

you arrive on the battlefield, the significance behind death and

survival become apparent, there wouldn't be a sense of befuddlement over

why you're still alive or why you're dying.

At the same time, the story has always depicted fights between

Beyonders, and arriving at Volume 6, I even began unravelling the

secrets behind the various Kings of Angels and Gods, if I was to also

expand into the war between ordinary humans, not only would the two

sceneries conflict with each other, it would be rather weird as well.

With this in mind, as I mentioned very early on, I wouldn't go into the

details of the war, instead the primary focus would be on the life of

ordinary people embroiled in the war. I purposefully made these people

indistinguishable and without names, which is another interpretation of

the title of Volume 2, Faceless, to exemplify the concept of the

numerous, of the masses, and to decrease the relative pain and sorrow

people feel, instead accentuating the feelings of loss, apathy and

confusion.

The only people with a name were the Landlord and lady, this part was to

emphasize the pain and hardship of the people, otherwise the scene where

Audrey determines herself, kneels before her parents' bed and kisses

them before leaving would lack the necessary force.

Originally, there was no need for the scenes where Audrey engages in

charitable behavior to be repeated, but in order to increase the sense

of apathy, stupefaction, pain and confusion of the people, I

intentionally wrote a few more of these scenes, consequentially these

scenes were a little monotonous and insistent, whilst failing to reflect

the changes within Audrey's heart.

However, I don't think there were any problems with her two

conversations with Klein, each encompassing a different sense of

confusion; nor were there problems with her behavior after resolving

herself and her subsequent manipulations. There was no delay, no

encumbrance because she has her own internal conflicts and the relevant

tensions in the story still exists.

In summary, I combined the build-up of determination within Audrey's

heart, her own growth and the insignificance of mortals together, and

combined them into one thread, resulting in a situation where I'm

writing about her, but the real focus wasn't on her, which made Audrey

seem like a tool^{[工具人, a tool-person, is someone who helps you without reservation, but you never reciprocate their feeling or acknowledge them. They comfort themselves with the fact that you might need them after all. An example is Ikanser Bernard of the Machinery Hivemind, aka the sacrifice to communicate with Arrodes.]} for the plot.

This is probably a "Spectator's", mandatory duty and sacrifice.

Sigh

However, I would like to thank everybody for your tolerance and

understanding, during these chapters, subscriptions basically didn't

drop, resting at around 53,000, it let me proceed calm and nonchalantly,

enabling me to encompass everything I wanted to express.

During the final battle at Backlund, the reason behind unfolding it from

Audrey's perspective was to demonstrate the changes the battle between

gods would bring to Backlund, and to conclude all the things that I have

been paving for up to that point.

As this Spectator walked down the streets and alleys on her way home,

she witnessed the same confusion inside everyone, down from normal

citizens, up to nobles and finally to herself, a demi-god, welling-up

and culminating in the lament:

"Death without reason, life without purpose"

I have this impression that the relevant plot wasn't a waste of time,

and I feel like the plot which was somewhat adrift has finally found

its' grounding, deep, heavy, stable and solid.

Additionally, this part also ties into the build-up of emotions in three

parts, from the senselessness, insignificance and sorrow that Audrey

experiences, to Bernadette's pursuit and certainty that regardless of

how dark and bleak the journey would be, she would continue, and finally

to the City of Silver, which has spent millennia questing the darkness,

who have at last, opened the door, laying eyes on a sliver of light and

on the thing named hope.

It is for this reason, my original plan to feature Roselle in Volume 6

was pushed back to Volume 7.

Hmm, this progression of emotions could be reversed, but that would be

extremely despairing, it wouldn't suit the title "Lightseeker".

Regarding the death of the Chief, because Lovia died earlier, I didn't

want to reiterate the sorrow and sensationalize it, instead it was with

restraint that I described his condition, to let the relative sorrow be

hidden deeper and instead focus on the light, on his expression of

regret, release and hope.

The problem with Volume 6 was that it required too many battles cramped

in succession, the middle of the volume lacked the necessary pacing for

the tension to loosen, resulting in reading fatigue. This is something I

would need to pay attention to in Volume 7.

Besides, if I don't write about the war, I would lose the chance to

expand on the rest of the world, it would seem like the scope of the

story was limited, however this was something that I anticipated. With

the existence of 22 pathways, numerous different countries, gods and

angels, if I was to open up these areas, Kleiny boy would end up having

to run all over the place, that would feel very cumbersome and bloated.

It would be akin to a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water, to

scratch the surface superficially, and not go deeper. I might as well

not write it.

Therefore, even though I already have a very detailed framework

enveloping the Republic of Intis, the Kingdom of Feynapotter etc, I

can't introduce them. Regarding this, a certain "one and a half metered

classmate" could testify on my behalf, while I was making preparations

for Lord of Mysteries, she asked me what the outline of the

story was, so I copied a portion of the settings surrounding Intis, and

that was probably a very detailed version of it.

This was something I set my mind on before I started writing *Lord of

Mysteries*, I would limit the scope of the story to the utmost

extent, focusing instead on one country and making it as vivid and

meticulous as possible, thereby bringing out the distinguishing

characteristics of other countries in contrast, establishing a more

coherent framework for the entire world. Achieving this, the purpose

behind writing Lord of Mysteries would be accomplished. Hmm,

you guys should be able to feel that I've been keeping some things back.

Concerning the other countries and other pathways, I originally hoped to

manage it, that is, under the same world, to write a second, maybe even

a third book, under different perspectives, using things that I didn't

have a chance to use in regards to Intis, Feynapotter, the various

secretive cults, organizations, the Western continent and other products

of my world-building, utilizing this approach to complete the entire

universe of Lord of Mysteries.

I even thought about some possible storylines that I may or may not take

up, for example a certain Blessed One of The Old Ones attempts to

infiltrate and sabotage things, but fall prey to an accident, losing

their memories and eventually getting picked up by the Church of

Knowledge and Wisdom, "indulging" in exams and textbooks day in day out,

or someone who starts out as a hunter and ends up receiving instructions

from Saint Danitz, crying as he loots Anderson, contesting wit and skill

with the Red Angel, etc., etc.

This might be the main storyline of the second book. As for the third

book, it might be a story based on the Western continent, an Eastern

oriental themed Lord of Mysteries. I was smiling as I read

comments on how you guys theorized a "Sky Lord of Heaven and Earth"

route. Of course, regarding the power level of the Western continent, I

left a few connections, but nothing concise yet.

Hmm. There might not be a third book, but at the moment, I can promise

there will be a second book, but it wouldn't be the next one I write. I

intend to change the theme of the story, change my mood, write about

something else, after all, I have accumulated a lot of inspiration, with

two especially interesting ones taking shape. One leans towards Fallout,

and the other Xianxia, it's hard to decide which one at the moment, I

will consider it in detail after gathering materials and completing

Lord of Mysteries.

Small talk at an end, the same rule. Three and a half days of rest,

updates will recommence 7 p.m. of Sunday. (It's actually four days, but

considering the fact that this summary has exceeded 3,000 words, let's

count this as a chapter.)

As for the name of Volume 7, as many of you have guessed correctly, it

will be "Hanged Man".

Finally, since I uploaded this chapter, how could I not make a request

for monthly tickets? I will upload the first chapter of Volume 7: "The

Hanged Man" punctually at 7 p.m. Give me your monthly tickets!

On a side note, average subscriptions have reached around nine thousand

eight thousand six hundred^{[Author's own numbers.]}, please subscribe on the official version, I

hope to surpass 100,000 as soon as possible!

Lastly, gimme your monthly tickets!

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