novelraw Chapter 296
Chapter 296
"Yelia, whatever is right or wrong in Kumironi’s affairs... it isn’t your place to judge."
"And as for this ritual I’ve prepared—I have no intention of destroying the Secret Sea. If anything... if it’s possible, I want to save it."
Kanzaki Rei spoke slowly.
In truth, he already knew—continuing this conversation was meaningless.
Opposing beliefs weren’t something that could be resolved in a few words.
Still... this gave him the perfect window to stack his "Apex State" further.
He could also feel it—Kumironi’s heart was wavering.
"...You’re right. Matters within the Church of Life are not for me to judge."
"But eradicating evil... is my responsibility."
"Saving the Secret Sea? You’re saying that summoning the Pure White Descent is meant to save it?"
"I never imagined the Church of Life had fallen this far. Even Sophia’s successor... has sunk to this level."
Yelia frowned, a trace of pain surfacing in her expression.
Kanzaki Rei frowned back. "If you hate evil so much, then why take part in Aegmisa’s game?"
"Aegmisa is evil too, isn’t it?"
Yelia replied, "Do you think I’m some mindless hypocrite?"
"Evil with shallow sins still has a chance to return to the light. Only those steeped in grave sin are beyond redemption."
"I know the difference between right and wrong."
"I only learned recently that the Secret Sea is going to be destroyed."
"And what you’re doing now... isn’t it exactly that? Destroying the Secret Sea?"Her voice trembled slightly, laced with hatred.
"Who sets up a ritual for the Pure White Descent and calls it salvation?"
Kanzaki Rei replied calmly, "A ritual is just a form of power. Claiming I intend to destroy anything—that’s just your assumption."
"If I truly wanted to destroy the Secret Sea, why would I wait until you discovered it to act?"
"Don’t throw accusations around so casually. Is that how your Church of Light operates? Label people guilty at will... is that what you call purging evil?"
Yelia gritted her teeth. "Don’t insult the Light."
"How could anyone know what you’re really thinking? Who can see through you?"
"So I’ll give you a chance... right now, destroy this ritual. Then I’ll stay with you and watch your every move."
"That will prove you’re not the ones behind the Secret Sea’s destruction."
"Or... you can just kill yourselves."
"You should realize—we’re still in the Third Trial."
"Even if you die, you’ll just return."
Yelia’s gaze hardened.
"If all you want is self-preservation, then dying and returning is the best outcome for you."
They stood opposed.
Kanzaki Rei stared at her coldly.
That possibility... I’ve already considered it.
Ignore everything happening in the Secret Sea. Trigger the Authority of Life, die, and return to the ruins.
On the surface, that seemed like the correct choice.
But an uneasy premonition lingered in his heart.
If things were truly that simple, his instinct to趋吉避凶—seeking fortune and avoiding calamity—would have already pointed him toward that outcome.
Instead, every instinct told him—
this situation was far more complicated than it appeared.
The urge to escape clashed violently with the sense that he had to act.
That contradiction gnawed at him.
This... was the price of being a Seer.
If he knew nothing, he could live carefree—concerned only with the present.
But as a Seer, he was sometimes forced to make choices.
Kanzaki Rei replied, "Then what about you? You’re not planning to return?"
"Do you really think the destruction of the Secret Sea is something you can resolve?"
He looked at the death date hovering above her head.
Yelia’s death was not imminent.
Which meant—she would not die in this catastrophe.
Because he could see death itself,
Kanzaki Rei had chosen to stay.
If they wouldn’t die, then neither would he.
As for someone deliberately targeting him?
With the talent "Unsolvable Enigma", no one should be able to scheme against him.
So if others survived... he should too.
Yelia replied, "Now that I know about this—and I’m here—I have a duty to stop it."
"If this has nothing to do with you... then do as I said."
Impossible.
This ritual had to remain ready at all times.
Waiting until danger arrived to prepare it would be nothing short of suicidal.
You’re not the only one trying to change something, Yelia.
Of course... Kanzaki Rei had another trump card.
A Level 9 soul—Ansu.
That entity required a large number of souls to fully exert its power.
And if it were allowed to recover to a certain level...
the contract might no longer hold.
Kanzaki Rei understood Ansu’s thoughts.
Understood its intentions.
If it returned to its peak—
he might not be able to restrain it at all.
Kanzaki Rei’s expression gradually relaxed, a trace of helplessness appearing.
"Yelia."
"Honestly, I kind of wish you were more forceful... or stronger. If you could just kill me, then I—"
Buzz!
In an instant—
their positions shifted!
They were suddenly transported above the open sea!
"You don’t have to struggle with that choice."
Kumironi’s voice echoed in Kanzaki Rei’s mind!
"Kanzaki Rei! Don’t kill her!"
Oh—
I didn’t plan to.
Yelia... I’ll find a way to spare you.
You’re not a bad person.
But right now—
you’re in my way.
Almost the moment space shifted—
Yelia moved!
Her speed surged explosively as she tried to widen the distance between them!
But in the next instant—
Kanzaki Rei matched her speed perfectly, closing in without losing even a fraction!
She couldn’t shake him off!
"Sky Vault Style — Fifth Form: Lock."
Magic circles ignited in every direction!
Layer upon layer, interconnected—
like seals imprinted across heaven and earth!
"Eternal Light—"
She didn’t even get the chance to finish her chant!
Boom!
A straight, golden war spear descended!
No—how did he move?!
Yelia realized—
she hadn’t seen a single movement!
And yet—
the spear had already pierced through her!
The golden spear drove straight through her abdomen!
"Sky Vault Style — Fifth Form: Lock · Pierce.""Sky Vault Style — Sixth Form: Ultimate · Dragon Piercer."
The impact tore through her body—
and the residual force struck the sea like a colossal pillar!
The ocean exploded into towering waves!
At the point of impact—
countless magical patterns erupted across Yelia’s body!
Seals formed instantly, locking her down completely!
Yelia... you’re fast.
But no matter how fast you are—
you can’t surpass someone who can move in frozen time.
What a shame.
You’re not faster than me.
You’re not stronger than me.
You can’t make this decision for me.
In the end...
I still have to face this unknown danger myself.
Even if I’m afraid—
once I’ve chosen to face it—
I won’t turn back.
Kanzaki Rei looked down at Yelia beneath him.
She struggled in fury—
yet it was utterly futile.
He had already fought her dozens of times in simulations, within his sea of consciousness.
Even though she had grown stronger—
it still wasn’t enough.
Because—
he had grown even more.
I was never going to destroy the Secret Sea.
So stop worrying about that...
His gaze shifted—
to the golden sword in her hand, wreathed in holy flames.
A divine artifact.
Clink—
The restriction on the artifact was released.
Kanzaki Rei reached out—
and the sword slipped from Yelia’s grasp, flying into his hand.
So this...
was a divine artifact.
At last—
it was his.
Originally, if he hadn’t become enemies with Yelia, he wouldn’t have insisted on taking it.
But since she chose to stand against him—
he might as well accept it.
As he gripped the golden blade—
it felt as though he commanded infinite light itself.
Whoosh—
He swung the holy-flame-wreathed sword casually.
Boom!
Golden radiance surged—
and in an instant—
the entire ocean surface ignited in blazing light!