novelraw Chapter 659: True Self (6.5k)
Chapter 659: True Self (6.5k)
The sea in Naris during early autumn is extremely beautiful. Precisely at this moment, during the time when the severe summer heat has yet to recede, and before deep autumn arrives, it retains the temperature of vigorous vitality, yet lacks that annoying dry heat, leaving behind only comfortable coolness.
When Fisher and Elizabeth walked down from the carriage, that tangible sea breeze stroked past his cheeks like icy cold tender hands, giving him an urge to stretch lazily.
But he still couldn't help but glance towards a certain direction behind the carriage. Outside the window in that direction, before leaving Naris he had once seen eyes and a mouth floating in mid-air. But now they eerily vanished without a trace, just like an illusion making him vigilant while simultaneously somewhat confused.
"Let's go, Fisher, I've already had the people below clean up the temporary palace we will be staying in, we'll go take a look right now."
Elizabeth from behind walked over at this time, ignoring the servants going to carry luggage behind her, merely opening her mouth towards Fisher like this.
Alicia who was in a poor state and Eimhart hugged in her embrace were also brought down from the carriage. Looking like flowers and grass in winter, listless and withered.
The degree to which the life chaos erosion on her body deepened was becoming increasingly severe.
"Okay."
The so-called temporary palace stood beyond the sandy beach about several hundred meters away from the ocean, at the foot of a mountain with verdant jade-green trees. It was a place built by a Godlin king many generations ago used to avoid the summer heat. Every midsummer the Godlin family possessed the custom of coming here for vacation. It was just because Elizabeth's birthday was approaching recently, and before Fisher came she exerted herself to make the country prosperous, she rarely had time to rest.
Counting it, this year was actually her first time coming to this place after ascending the throne.Thinking like this, Fisher suddenly felt he very much fit the image of a "Demon Empress" in those traditional Naris storybooks.
In past storybook tales there would always be such a set pattern: a monarch exerting themselves to make the country prosperous gradually becomes decadent after the arrival of a peerless beauty, neglecting state affairs and singing and dancing day and night. Thus the people of the world would pin the blame of inducing depravity onto the head of that woman, therefore she became a devil.
Perhaps Fisher at this moment was the same as them. Would he be innocently arranged by outsiders who don't know the details, saying that "damned Benavides enticed the sage Emperor, causing state affairs to slacken", and then tie him onto the pillar of shame whipping him frantically.
Then not only the history books of Naris, whatever new history books of the Southern Continent Dragon Court, new history books of the Northern Border Wutong Tree, would all coinciding without prior agreement have such an evil image bringing disaster to the people appear. Ultimately resulting in this writing style becoming a popular set pattern in the world, in all succeeding works for several hundred years there would appear such a "calamity to the nation demon empress" pulling an antagonist face...
But if it was like this, it still had to wait until the World-Ending Prophecy was resolved before it was possible right?
At this time inside and outside the temporary palace were all becoming active due to Elizabeth's arrival. This royal courtyard which had been on standby for several years finally reached the time to test its efficacy. All staff members up and down bustled about, servants lined up to welcome, while Diane who had already handed over with this side in advance determined the upcoming procedures to the side.
However perhaps due to the reason of not operating for too long, in Fisher's eyes it unavoidably possessed a sense of being in a frantic rush.
Fisher didn't keep listening to Diane determine the upcoming procedures. He merely watched those maids carry Alicia into the room to settle down first, he then turned his head towards Elizabeth speaking softly.
"I am going to take a look at Alicia, that child seems quite uncomfortable..."
But before he finished speaking, Elizabeth grabbed his wrist in one swoop, speaking softly to him.
"Then I am also going together."
"...Just looking at her physical condition that's all, are you still not reassured about this?"
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, following which imperceptibly pouted her mouth, yet still hadn't let go of his hand.
"Okay, at night I prepared a surprise for you, remember to come back quickly."
That adorable little appearance made Fisher's heart involuntarily move slightly. He looked at Elizabeth before him, and when she anticipated a response, he suddenly lowered his head kissing the corner of her lips. Then watched helplessly as she suddenly touched her own lips in surprise, her complexion also mildly reddening.
Other people couldn't see Fisher, only able to see Elizabeth. And Diane in front conversing with the person in charge of the royal beach noticed Her Majesty the Empress behind suddenly stopped her footsteps and even touched her own lips, involuntarily walking up with concern asking.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty, is there anything amiss?"
Looking at Diane walking up, Fisher was preparing to leave. He pinched Elizabeth's hand, and amidst her quite scolding gaze hurriedly caught up with those several servants holding Alicia leaving, leaving only Elizabeth standing in place sighing a breath.
However very quickly she smiled pamperingly, that smile quickly dissipated, following which looking at Diane expressionlessly saying.
"Nothing, continue arranging."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
Diane remained silent for a moment, yet seemingly was also unable to smile, merely turning her head continuing to work.
The location Alicia stayed in was the side palace for accommodation in the temporary palace. At the beginning of design there was a place here used to entertain guests for accommodation, the so-called side palace was exactly this.
Although the name was side palace, in reality it wasn't too far from the main palace where Godlin lived. Standing on the second floor of the side palace one could see the ocean several hundred meters away as well as Godlin's palace before it.
Fisher followed the two maids in front walking in the corridor of the side palace keeping silent exactly like this. At this time Alicia was uncomfortably half-squinting her eyes, her entire small face flushed red, seemingly still in a half-asleep and half-awake state.
The time the carriage took to come here was five or six hours. Little children are the most unable to endure this kind of travel. After quickly feeling bored, using sleep to pass the time was the only way.
Although Alicia was more mature than her peers, she still couldn't withstand the sleepiness of her body and slept. Which thoroughly terrified Eimhart, deeply afraid she would transform into a monster on the carriage.
However, although she didn't possess the tendency of usurping life transformation, she still hadn't woken up until now, and furthermore an appearance of being extremely uncomfortable. Making Fisher absolutely having to come and take a look, incidentally exactly attempting if the treasure properties on her body could be directly resolved right here.
"Little girl, wake up, we've arrived oh..."
"Wu..."
"She is still sleeping, let her rest well first, wait until later we'll come over calling her."
The two maids very quickly devoted to their duty brought Alicia into the prepared room. Considerately placing her on the bed and covering her well with the quilt afterwards, seeing how she didn't respond no matter how they called, they then turned their heads leaving first to stand by next door.
Waiting until the two maids slowly walked out of the room door, Eimhart who was always feigning death then floated up, sighing a breath muttering.
"Finally able to move a bit, this period of time I am fast about to be thoroughly dyed by the little brat smell on her body. You truly did every bad deed imaginable Fisher, you stay by Elizabeth's side indulging every day, I am beside her trembling with fear, this is unfair!"
"Am I not coming to resolve this problem?"
"Resolve? Wait, you can use your power?"
Just as Eimhart wanted to complain about something, he felt something transparent wriggling upon Fisher's body before his eyes. Connecting with that sealed rank which also began to surge up, until regaining to the original appearance bit by bit.
But he also very quickly discovered, under this state that was not yet familiarized with, that Concealment Blessing began to become extremely unstable. From the continuously wriggling and trembling transparent tentacles on Fisher's body one or two could be seen.
This forced Fisher to restrain himself a bit, before the tentacles stabilized.
"Yeah, your bitter days are fast coming to an end, thank me."
"Thank your mom, isn't it because of you I suffered sins. Oh, now not suffering sins I still have to be deeply grateful to you is it?"
Eimhart snorted "heng ji" standing on the still groggy little Alicia. But he was always sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Although his words inside and out were full of disgust towards this little brat Alicia, he still hoped Fisher quickly resolved the ailment torturing her body.
"Stop saying these, quickly act, otherwise this little brat is probably going to die in a dream."
"Mm, don't rush."
Fisher squatted by her bedside, gently stretching his hand pressing onto that flushed red Alicia's forehead. Upon sensing the existence of that "Treasure", the Life Chaos hidden away upon Fisher's body also began to become restlessly turbulent.
"Big... Big brother..."
"Alicia, don't be afraid, I will help you."
"Mm... Thanks... Ha..."
She seemingly wanted to say something, but very quickly was uncomfortably unable to catch her breath, her body also began to tremble involuntarily.
Fisher's eyes slightly froze, but in his mind before coming he had already thought of the method to resolve this problem.
He squatted by the bedside, stretching a hand towards Alicia. The tentacles entwined on his arm also began to gradually become visible from transparent turning golden, simultaneously the golden color in his eyes also began to emerge out.
Before coming he unlocked the ability of another authority of Azanroth, which is exactly [Gathering].
This authority could copy the abilities and creations of other authorities, just needed to consume points of researching demi-human girls.
According to the rhetoric of the Demi-Human Girl Completion Manual, which meant having to be like the duo research investigating Raphaela and Jasmine previously, and moreover couldn't be repeated.
Ha, this is formidable. Even she wouldn't know how to do it. Thinking about it carefully the only tiny possibility is digging out the currently being sealed Eliog. In this aspect Eliog is relatively open, and then choosing another one to pair...
Mm, speaking of it indeed truly a bit too vulgar.
But fortunately, when unlocking this ability the Demi-Human Girl Completion Manual gifted Fisher one time's points, this therefore meant he could use this authority to copy one item.
He was still unclear about the method of how to alter the Treasure, but this aspect should be recorded in the life completion manual of the third part. Then the upcoming actions would also be very clear.
He wanted to copy the property of the Treasure onto his own body then unlock the content of the third part of the life completion manual, then rely on the content of the third part altering the property on Alicia's body helping her break free from the entanglement of chaos.
Thus, Fisher then gently placed that golden tentacle onto Alicia's forehead, softly reciting the honorable name of this deity.
"Azanroth, please."
"Gu ji..."
Under the wrapping of countless illusory suckers radiating bright golden light exactly like bubbles, a certain property within Alicia's body was very quickly tightly grasped by the tentacle, transmitting following the tentacle back into Fisher's body.
In the instant that property transmitted back, Fisher's entire person's body slightly trembled. He very quickly realized his own body began to transform.
Succeeded!
He was truly transforming towards the so-called "Treasure"!
Truly obtaining without effort...
"Wait a minute, Fish... Fisher! What happened to you!?"
"What hap..."
Fisher didn't feel anything, only feeling unprecedentedly comfortable. But simultaneously, Eimhart beside him suddenly emitted a sharp hissing, obviously deeply terrified.
This made the utterly confused Fisher blankly stretch out his own hands. Lifting to take a look, yet discovering his own hands unknowingly since when became semi-transparent. Furthermore it completely wasn't human hands at all, but some kind of illusory appearance resembling tentacles.
No, what is this thing?!
Could it be it failed?
"What else, look, look! How did you become a Chaos-kin?! This appearance of yours, you... wow, my goodness!"
Chaos-kin?
Fisher was deeply terrified, yet hurriedly wanted to get up finding a mirror to look at his own appearance. The result was upon getting up his entire person directly floated up entirely, exactly as lightweight as a soul without a physical body, instantly making him think of Renee's insubstantial state.
He unbelievably flew to the bathroom, turning on the bath light looking at the mirror surface within. The result was it instantly made him dumbfounded.
What entered his eyes, was an illusory human figure extremely similar to his original appearance. But this human figure not only had no facial features, his entire person was exactly like a coffin box. At the position of the brain there was a strange black hole resembling a black whirlpool. While his remaining four limbs were entirely irregular tentacles, instantly making him think of that "Pisces" seen in star magic at that time.
Right when he became insubstantial transforming into this appearance, all other items upon his body slipped off. Clothes, fluid sword, and other completion manuals. Yet uniquely only the Demi-Human Girl Completion Manual remained plastered to his heart's position, exactly like a paper plaster connecting with his illusory epidermis.
"Fisher, speak! No, how did you become like this, failed? Or..."
"No... I seem... didn't fail..."
Fisher blankly looked at the mirror surface before his eyes, a hard to believe thought suddenly generated in his mind.
He attempted urging the power of the life completion manual, and the next second, he very quickly returned to his familiar human appearance bit by bit. Even better than his previous state, even more ruddy complexion.
"You changed back again, this is great, what exactly did you just..."
"No, Eimhart..."
Fisher opened his mouth, touching his own face, increasingly unbelievable, yet still turning his head muttering towards Eimhart beside him.
"I seem to... not be 'changing back' now, but just now, just now I was truly 'changing back'!"
"Wha... what meaning?"
At this time Fisher's brain was also a burst of dizziness, but he very quickly realized what was going on. It was just that this was too hard to believe, that's why it made him temporarily unable to accept.
He indeed succeeded just now, his indeed copied the property of the Treasure on Alicia's body onto his own body.
Still remember the property of the so-called "Treasure"?
That is, no matter how "usurping life" acts, his essence would not undergo changes.
In other words, when Fisher entered the "Treasure" state he would change back to his own essential state. Just like how no matter how the chaos of usurping life changed Alicia at night, her essence was human.
When Fisher obtained the property of the Treasure, he also returned to his essential state. In other words, next no matter how he used the life completion manual, his would not depart from his essence.
And his essence, was actually a Chaos-kin in the "usurping life state" from beginning to end! Until he unlocked this "Treasure" property was he then restored into his original appearance!
He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, but still attempted to deduce.
"You should have seen previously, when we went to Naris we had once been to a former residence where a Transferred Person lived. That Transferred Person according to true meaning should be akin to my... mother. Within the chaos of the soul I couldn't see my past life, this means from the beginning I wasn't a normally birthed life, but an existence created by her using various imitated chaos authorities..."
Fisher stretched his own hands, looking at his palms, continuing to say.
"Which means, from birth I was actually unconsciously being maintained in human form by the [Usurping Life] authority she copied. It's even possible, my soul, my everything was formed by the authorities she copied... But I still haven't figured out, why my essence is exactly identical to a Chaos-kin."
Eimhart opened his mouth, but still very quickly calmed down, beginning to analyze with good reasons and evidence.
"Which means, from beginning to end you were never human... No wonder ah, no wonder you don't like doing human deeds."
Fisher cast a sidelong glance at him, seemingly already considering from which angle tearing his book cover off would be more suitable. Terrifying Eimhart hurriedly continuing to speak.
"...However, regarding why you present the characteristics of a Chaos-kin I do have a bit of a thought. So-called Chaos-kin, in reality are exactly powerful souls born from the Spirit World Sea of Souls. In other words, the reason they present this kind of countless bizarre unique properties is entirely related to the Sea of Souls. You said you have no past life, your soul might have been forcibly created by that Transferred Person through the authority of chaos. Then is there a possibility, there is something else upon your body that comes from the Sea of Souls?"
"Something coming from the Sea of Souls..."
"Yeah, you see those Chaos-kins all have the characteristic of Yin and Yang reversal. If it is like this, shouldn't you become short and soft like the Sardin Woman's Country people? You don't have this property either, so probably there is something with Sea of Souls properties upon your body right?"
"... This wait until later to consider, I will handle Alicia's matter first before saying."
"Also true, that little brat is probably fast approaching the limit."
He pondered for half a day without a clue. After thinking for half a day still decided to put clothes on first, wait until later to ask the avatar of Azanroth.
Right as he slowly put on the clothes on his body, picking up the items scattered on the ground, he then arrived by Alicia's side once again.
He took out the life completion manual and opened it, exactly as expected, after he obtained the property of the Treasure, the originally locked to death content of the third part also opened towards him.
The climber's story continued following the verses. After the original climber died, of course there were other admirers of the climber attempting to challenge the third high mountain. Yet all returned without achievement in front of the angel guarding the gate demanding a treasure.
Until one day, a climber holding a certain treasure arrived before the angel. He offered up this piece of treasure with both hands, simultaneously speaking to the angel.
"I have a piece of treasure here, regardless of time flying by, mountains and rivers changing shapes, it will maintain its original face; regardless of day or night, it will radiate light no different at all; regardless of male female old young, looking at it will all be one appearance; no matter how rubbed and beaten, its weight on the scale will not have any change... Honored angel, don't know if such a gift don't know if it can be called the most expensive treasure in this world?"
The angel was filled with doubt and suspicion, then received the treasure, speaking to this climber.
"Surprisingly there is such a thing? Good, please let me take it for God to look over, letting him determine the value of this piece of treasure."
Thus the angel vibrated its wings leaving, until seven days later it returned, profoundly sighing speaking to this climber.
"For a hungry person, the value of a delicious meal is even more expensive than dazzling jewelry; for a supreme sitting on the world, a piece of treasure forged by exhausting the world's power is unknown how many delicious meals more expensive...
"The scales of value in the world change in numerous ways. For an ant, an angel, up to an omniscient and omnipotent God, the so-called 'precious' cannot be spoken of in the same language. But the treasure you offered up surprisingly made an ant, a pauper, a king, an angel, and that God see equal value in their eyes. Then, this is indeed a piece of [Treasure]."
Thus, the angel joyfully nodded, opening the large gates behind, revealing the appearance of the third mountain.
That was a high mountain taller than the celestial vault. Inside were entirely angels without physical bodies existing in natural shapes immortal and undying. Their existences lacked fixed meanings, just operating all the time following the law of nature and instinct merging into one.
Everywhere on the mountain was dazzling gold, yet there were no greedy angels to pluck from. Only taking them off simply because they could be used, completely no different from using scrap copper and iron.
Everything here became like a dream. The changes in matter, the appeals of desires all became ethereal lacking a set form. Uniquely that towering high mountain, uniquely that highest point soaring straight into the clouds still attracted the climbers looking upwards.
The angel smiled slightly, returning the treasure offered by the climber back to him, simultaneously speaking to him.
"Now, please continue your journey of true self, climber."
Under the wrapping of the Concealment Blessing, Fisher enthusiastically read the content of the life completion manual, yet unknowingly right outside the window of the room, that eye and mouth abruptly floating in the sky was deadly staring at Alicia on the bed.
While outside the corridor, the two maids standing by also wanted to see if Alicia in the neighboring room woke up or not. But right upon exiting the door, suddenly discovered standing unknowingly in the corridor were several burly men wearing the religious attire of the eastern side of the West Continent.
They were currently gripping weapons, standing in the corridor of the side palace staring with a face full of hatred out the window towards Godlin's temporary palace.
There, was the residence of that Naris Empress.
"Koterlu, that tyrant has already settled down..."
"Good, we..."
The words they opened their mouths for were interrupted by the maids opening the door behind. The two maids blanked slightly, just wanting to say something when they saw the firearms gripped in their hands and the eastern attire they wore, very quickly realizing these were assassins coming for an assassination.
The defense here was so tight, what more when Her Majesty the Empress was traveling, they had long blocked the interior and exterior tightly in three inner and outer layers, and there were also Cardinals and magical guards. How did they get in?
"You... Wu wu!!"
Before the maids' words finished speaking, they were grabbed on the mouth by the burly men before their eyes in one swoop, instantly shoved back into the room. Very quickly those sounds of struggle and resistance all vanished without a trace as well.
At this time on the entire royal beach, countless illusory destiny rope knots were continuously twisting. And in the hidden corners of various buildings, easterners gripping weapons constantly passed through those illusory destiny rope knots entering this place to stand by.
"Weng weng weng..."
Everything was quietly gathering, yet that eyeball and mouth floating in mid-air staring at Alicia within the room always remained motionless. Just opening the embroidered mouth, spitting out even more illusory rope knots again, covering up this stretch of beach.
(Still have one update at night ha)