novelraw Chapter 451: Born from the Cast-Off Shell
Chapter 451: Born from the Cast-Off Shell
Kael paid no attention to the dispute between them and continued speaking.
"Across millions of years and numerous reincarnations and exploitations, the Heart of Life eventually became known to the public, and now many covet it because, as the crystallisation of the power belonging to a former Ultimate Realm existence, and not merely an ordinary one, but one who possessed a Conceptual Authority, it may contain secrets related to reaching the Ultimate Realm."
"What a powerful item," one female Herald muttered. "It’s no surprise that Void wielder would desire it for himself."
She spoke of Jamie with a tone containing a contradictory blend of reverence and dislike, though none of those familiar with her found it strange since they already understood how deeply she longed to wield the true power of the Void, admired Jamie for possessing it, and despised him for standing against them.
"If the Heart of Life truly exists within Zanerth, then we must obtain it," Kael declared quietly.
The Heralds all reacted to his statement, and the monocle-wearing one then asked, "But Lord Kael, shouldn’t its power be something you’d naturally be able to sense?"
"Have you forgotten the person who supposedly concealed it?" Kael replied. "Jamie Westley’s Spatial Manipulation capabilities surpass even mine, and he possesses the Rule Breaker with the power to sever dimensions.
It isn’t impossible for him to conceal it somewhere even I wouldn’t be capable of sensing."
Hearing that, one of the other Heralds asked, "If that’s the case, then how are we supposed to locate it?"
"Through Miranda Scott," Kael answered confidently.
"I sensed her return to this universe shortly before Westley returned as well. She was also present during that incident that Westley caused near the Priestess of Causality’s Empire."
When Kael mentioned this, one of the Heralds hiding within a dark corner bowed his head and spoke apologetically.
"My apologies, my lord. My subordinates failed to uncover their intentions."
"It’s not an issue," Kael replied. "Expecting them to uncover what Westley was planning while the Witch of Chaos was present was impossible. Expecting them to survive the confrontation between the Witch of Chaos and the Eternal of Death was even more impossible."
Kael didn’t appear to care about the Herald’s failure to uncover the details of Jamie’s plan there, and instead seemed satisfied that the Herald had managed to discover Jamie was plotting something there in the first place.
’I sensed the Eternal of Reality descend shortly after I sensed the Aggressor’s presence, so clearly, things didn’t go well.’
"If Westley found the Heart of Life and concealed it here, then there’s a non-zero possibility that Miranda Scott was with him at the time. And now that he’s been sealed by the Priestess of Causality, there’s a high probability she may attempt to protect the item from those subordinates of the Priestess of Causality who are currently attempting to enter Zanerth."
Kael’s face tilted upward as they spoke, and two identical slits tore open across the upper half of their blank face, revealing a pair of eyes with spiralling irises, and through those eyes, they looked across space and time toward the regions outside the Zanerth Universe where Akari’s forces were gathered.
"Find where Miranda Scott would go, and we find the Heart of Life," Kael declared before closing their eyes.
"But following her while avoiding detection would require one of us Heralds to act. And she certainly isn’t going to obediently hand it over," one Herald said.
"No. Not one of you," Kael refuted. "One wouldn’t suffice."
Kael’s words caused the expressions of several Heralds to change, and the one among them with the loudest voice spoke again.
"But, my lord, she’s only just become a Supreme!"
"And she was capable of killing Supremes while still a Quasi-Supreme, a full two Existence Realms beneath them," Kael replied.
"What kind of power do you believe she possesses now that she’s attained the Supreme Realm herself?"
Kael’s question caused the Herald to fall silent, after which Kael continued, "Underestimate not any of the Hybrids. They are creations of the Witch of Chaos.
Being stuck at the Quasi-Supreme Realm for millions of years doesn’t mean they’re any weaker than Supremes. If I’m to be blunt, it would take at least 4 of you to come out victorious against just one of those Hybrids."
There were 20 dead lifeforms present before Kael, all Heralds, and not a single one of them was pleased with what they’d just heard.
"Frown all you want, it’s a truth that can’t be changed," Kael said, unbothered by their displeasure.
Kael fell silent for a moment before calling out, "A’da."
|Yes, my Lord,| a True Voice responded as a tall, dark, featureless humanoid clad in battle armour rose from within Kael’s shadow.
"Track Miranda Scott and locate the Heart of Life. Once you find it, hold her off."
Kael looked toward the Heralds and continued, "5 of you will accompany him. Divide the work among yourselves."
"""Yes, my Lord."""
The Heralds responded with deep bows, and Kael raised a hand, about to dismiss them with a wave, but paused midway.
"The Heart of Life," they began. "If I obtain it, not only can I use it to reach Ultimate, but there is a possibility that I can use it to grant you all conventional ’Life’ and free you from your dependence on this...Zone of Pseudo-nonexistence."
"!!"
Their words brought expressions of shock across many of the Heralds, though some didn’t react, as they had already expected such a possibility and weren’t surprised by the revelation.
Kael then waved their hand, dismissing them, before turning back to A’da to issue further orders.
◇ ◇ ◇
When the Heralds left Kael’s presence, one of them spoke up.
"That A’da. He’s new, and still the Lord trusts him with important missions."
His grievance was clear in his tone, and hearing this, the monocle-wearing Herald responded calmly. "He was born from the shell that Lord Kael cast off when he recovered his complete existence, so it’s only natural that the Lord would trust him."
"It’s still not right," the other Herald replied with a frown, his arms crossing.
"I’m more concerned about the Lord’s evaluation of the Hybrids!" the loud one shouted. "The Lord is overestimating them! How can they be so strong even though they were stuck as Quasi-Supremes for hundreds of millions of years?!"
"The Lord’s judgment is correct," another Herald immediately interjected, drawing all eyes toward the shadowed corner in which he stood.
"If they were weak, then it would be impossible for them to maintain a firm grip over control of this universe."
"True," a female Herald agreed. "The Supremes are not the highest power within Zanerth’s Empire.
There are Grand Supremes and Integration Realm Existences scattered across its vast colonies. They are the true powerhouses, and despite their presence, the Hybrids still hold firm control over the universe.
Of course, the reason those Integration Realms are docile is because of the Void Wielder, who is the strongest Zenith Haven this universe has ever produced and would likely ever produce, but the Supremes and Grand Supremes do not fear only the Void Wielder but all Six Hybrids."
"Exactly," the monocle-wearing Herald agreed. "The Lord’s judgment is accurate. None of us alone would be enough to take on the woman who is arguably the second strongest among the Hybrids."
"Tsk...!"
The loud Herald clicked his tongue in annoyance and walked out, while the others, their expressions ranging from understanding to faint displeasure, followed out in silence.