Chapter 715: Madness in His Later Years

"I've long obtained the potion formula of Knowledge Emperor from that

most ancient organization. Now, it's time to seek the corresponding

ingredients. It might already belong to a particular angel, and it

might've fused with an object around it, turning into a warped and evil

monster, or a chaotic and terrifying Sealed Artifact. In short, I have

to be careful. It's best that I find a suitable helper.

"Knowledge Emperor. This Sequence 1 potion name is rather interesting.

If I hadn't directly seen the Blasphemy Slate, I would've imagined that

it belonged to the Reader pathway, making it belong to the Church of the

God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Even stranger, these two pathways aren't

switchable.

"I once discussed this matter with that mysterious leader and Old Mister

Hermes. We basically came to a consensus and believe that the Reader

pathway represents the 'omniscient' part of 'omnipotent and omniscient.'

And the Mystery Pryer and the Savant pathways correspond to knowledge

itself which is categorized into two aspects; one is more about mystery,

while the other is more about reality.

"Heh, when I become a Knowledge Emperor, Bernadette can stop worrying

about the Hidden Sage's infusion of knowledge. She can also stop being

afraid of pursuing knowledge."

*The emperor eventually switched to the Mystery Pryer pathway? I wonder

if he successfully became a Knowledge Emperor... Perhaps it's because of

this that his ties with the Church of Steam completely fractured, making

him the public enemy with no one to help him. All he could do was place

his hopes on the Twilight Hermit Order...* Klein thought

poignantly as he came up with possible conjectures.

Apart from that, he was rather interested in the emperor's explanation

of how the Reader pathway wasn't interchangeable with the Mystery Pryer

and Savant pathway. He believed that by deepening his understanding of

it, he might be able to figure out the rules and rationale behind the

interchangeability of Beyonder pathways.

*To the typical Beyonder, the Reader, Mystery Pryer, and Savant pathway

belong to the "knowledge" domain. There should be a very strong

connection between them, yet the former is different...*

*Reader belongs to the "omniscient" part of the phrase "omnipotent and

omniscient." Then, the Secrets Suppliant, which is the Shepherd pathway

is the "omnipotent" part? Then, there must be a certain intersection

between the two. For example, being potent as a result of being erudite,

and being erudite as a result of being potent. Therefore, they can be

interchanged...*

*Starting off from this angle, the Storm pathway can be understood as

omnipotence in the sea, land, and air domain. The Spectator corresponds

to the psyche, making it a powerful supplement for Storm. Then, why can

the Sun pathway be interchanged with them? Considering how there was an

ancient sun god who was deemed to be "omnipotent and omniscient," does

this mean that the Sun pathway is the foundation that accommodates

"omnipotent and omniscient?"*

*Yes... according to such a thought process, Mystery Pryer and Savant

are different aspects of "knowledge" itself. That's why they can be

interchanged. Then, how is Assassin and Hunter differentiated? What

about the Evernight, Death, and God of Combat pathways?* In

moments, Klein thought of many things, but he didn't have the time or

sufficient knowledge to delve deeper into his analysis. All he could do

was temporarily throw the corresponding questions to the back of his

mind and will the third diary page to the top of the stack.

At a cursory glance, Klein suddenly became focused. This was because the

diary page was very different from the past ones.

It didn't have a date, and the words were spaced apart. Because it was

the original copy, the weight placed on the page when the words were

penned was obviously out of the ordinary!

Klein swept through the page as the contents were reflected in his mind.

"No! Impossible!

"How can that happen!?

"If my predictions aren't wrong, I'm not the only one who met with that

encounter!

"No. No! How can that happen!?

"The thing that I saw tells me that everything will be destroyed.

Likewise for everything I've created! No! I can't accept such an ending!

"I have to work hard to save myself. I can't rely on the seven deities!

"As long as I ascend to the throne of Sequence 0, only then will I and

the things I value be preserved!

"Should I attempt to pull Mr. Door back into the real world? No!

Although 'He' claims to be only a Sequence 1, I believe that 'He' isn't

just an ordinary Sequence 1! It's very likely that 'He' will bring

unexpected catastrophe upon me!"

The Chinese words which were much larger than those on the first two

pages had occupied the yellowed piece of paper in a haphazard manner.

There wasn't much content, but it left Klein's head throbbing painfully.

Back when he was writing this diary entry, Emperor Roselle was very

likely a Sequence 1 Knowledge Emperor. The content he wrote was infused

with a potent sense of mystery and was colored with his emotions. This

also meant that if Klein had read the contents in the real world, he

might very well turn mentally unstable or go mad and lose control on the

spot!

*Thankfully, Ma'am Hermit doesn't know Chinese; otherwise, she would've

mutated when she was memorizing the contents... Even if she doesn't

understand Chinese, she must've found it especially tiring and

draining... If one is exposed to it for extended periods of time, visual

and auditory hallucinations can't be avoided. Furthermore, there's a

high chance that early signs of losing control will appear...*

Klein thought, congratulating himself for his good luck.

His focus quickly turned back onto the diary entry as a sense of

puzzlement surfaced.

*What did the emperor see that made him so emotional? His mood was also

rather extreme.*

*No, the agitation and rashness, as seen in the words, are a little

abnormal. It doesn't match the image of someone who has occupied a high

position for extended periods of time. It doesn't match the level of an

angel. Even in his final days, he said that after he dies, he didn't

care if floods deluge the heavens. He didn't lose his composure or

appear that agitated back then.*

*Who influenced him? Or did something corrupt and pollute his

thoughts?*

*Also, he mentioned that he's not the only one who met with that

encounter. What is he referring to? Transmigration? It's true that he

isn't the only one who transmigrated for no baffling reason. There's

also me... or even more?*

As thoughts flashed through his mind, Klein didn't waste any time. He

made the three diary pages vanish as he smiled at Cattleya.

"Have you thought of the request?"

Cattleya bowed in preparation as she said, "I wish to know why Emperor

Roselle went mad in his later years."

Audrey, who was in the same row as her, blinked. She believed that she

had heard wrongly, as she didn't expect Ma'am Hermit to immediately ask

such a heavy question.

*Furthermore, how does she know that Emperor Roselle went mad in his

later years? Also--- Also, she only handed three pages, so how can she

ask a question of this magnitude. It doesn't abide by the principle of

equivalent exchange!* Audrey had many thoughts arise in her

mind, but she didn't stop Ma'am Hermit's question. Instead, she waited

for Mr. Fool's response with piqued interest and inexplicable

excitement.

Alger, Emlyn, and Fors similarly held their breaths. They cast their

gaze at the end of the bronze table. Only Derrick and The World seemed

oblivious.

Klein thought and chuckled.

"First, we need to accept reality.

"I'm not omniscient, nor am I omnipotent."

He had said those words in a relaxed, self-deprecating manner, but The

Hermit and company didn't show any signs of unrest. Instead, they

appeared even more reverent.

To them, it was obvious that Mr. Fool wasn't omnipotent and omniscient.

Ignoring their guesses regarding Mr. Fool's state, this hidden

existence's honorific name didn't have any related descriptions that

explained the problem.

Furthermore, none of the present true gods and evil gods had honorific

names that involved omnipotence and omniscience!

After setting their expectations, Klein began to answer The Hermit's

question.

"I also wish to know what Roselle encountered in his later years.

"At present, it can be confirmed that due to an unknown cause and source

of stimulation, Roselle cast his gaze on Sequence 0."

He didn't explain what Sequence 0 corresponded to. In the Tarot Club,

there were more people who knew of it than those who didn't. Even those

who didn't know could've guessed something.

*Sequence 0... The emperor wanted to become a god? It's no wonder that

it's said that he went mad in his later years...* Audrey knew

what Sequence 0 meant as she instantly sighed. Likewise for Alger.

Cattleya clearly knew what Sequence 0 implied. She expressed her

gratitude while in thought as she retracted her gaze.

Sequence 0... Emlyn and Fors ruminated over the phrase, as

though they had just realized that there was a position above Sequence 1

that belonged to true gods!

Derrick looked at Mr. Fool with a muddled expression. He didn't

understand what was wrong with Emperor Roselle's attempt, someone who

had a strong presence in history. In the City of Silver, if anyone had

the chance, every resident would wish to become a Sequence 0 true god,

so as to create a more sustainable living environment, or to lead

everyone out of the forsaken land.

Klein didn't elaborate as he leaned back into his chair and surveyed the

area.

"You may begin."

With that said, he controlled The World to look at Derrick before

smiling deeply.

"The Notary potion formula you want has been acquired."

"Thank you, Mr. World. According to the agreement, I will remember the

debt and await your request," Derrick said sincerely.

"Alright." Klein gave a response by controlling The World before making

a show of him requesting Mr. Fool to conjure the formula.

Before long, the potion formula was in Little Sun's hands.

Derrick received it in glee as he ravenously scanned the contents of the

goatskin.

"Sequence 6, Notary. Main ingredients: 1 set of crystallized roots of

the Tree of Elders, 5 feathers of a Spirit Pact Bird. Supplementary

ingredients: 100 ml of Radiance Spirit Pact Tree's juice, 1

golden-rimmed sunflower, 1 white-rimmed sunflower, 5 drops of Aqua Fern

juice."

Without waiting for the others to speak, The World looked at Alger and

said once more, "As you know, I have your Ocean Songster potion formula

and main ingredient."

Ah? Audrey and company were momentarily dumbfounded.

Cattleya couldn't hide her alarm as she looked at The World. She vividly

remembered that Gehrman Sparrow had just hunted Slaughterer Kircheis a

week ago. How did he obtain the Ocean Songster potion formula and main

ingredient?

*Don't tell me he killed an Ocean Songster? That would be considered a

quasi high-ranking member in the Church of Storms... It's only been a

week!* Cattleya found this unrealistic.