Chapter 208: Only a God Can Defeat a God

Chapter 208: Only a God Can Defeat a God

Inside the ancient palace, countless sealing magics layered upon each other, forming an unbreakable barrier.

The Kamm clan, guardians of the south, created the Andrel sealing array, based on the principle of irreversibility. The Unified Empire, once the rulers of world civilization, had their national defense barrier. The Isolating Great Barrier, the pinnacle of modern court magic. The Sacred Guardian Barrier, passed down from the mythic age...

Trapped within these barriers, Frellian continuously analyzed the principles behind them. However, every time she broke through one layer, a new and different magical barrier would replace it.

This was a battle of innate talent and accumulated knowledge.

Frellian, with her unique talent in analytical magic, was locked in a unique confrontation with Sylia, who had amassed almost all the magic from the mythic age.

"Five decades, Sylia. How much longer do you plan to keep me here?"

The elf, finally showing a hint of frustration after another failed escape, demanded an answer, a bit angrily.

This ancestor had never been on good terms with her, but she never expected to be trapped in the barriers for half a century.

Sylia, propping her head on her hand as she sat on the throne, showed no expression. "It's almost over. Just a little more patience."

"So, why exactly are you keeping me here?"

Sylia remained silent, her face involuntarily turning a bit grim.

Her attitude surprised Frellian. No one knew better than her the power of this ancestor.

With less than a tenth of her full magical power, Sylia was already on par with Frellian's full burst. Mastering almost all the magic in the world, her theoretical knowledge and magical manipulation skills were unparalleled. She was the elf closest to the all-knowing, all-powerful goddess...

There was only one person who could make her fear.

"Think it through, and stay here quietly."

Seeing the change in Frellian's expression, Sylia pouted and turned her head away.

"I still don't understand."

Frellian couldn't figure out what she had done to offend the goddess. Though she didn't worship the goddess, as a member of the hero team that defeated the Demon King, she should have been considered a hero, right?

"You helped someone you shouldn't have. It wasn't a problem while He wasn't involved, but once He descends to settle the score, the consequences will be severe."

Frellian's mind pieced together several doubts, "I noticed a gaze that was always watching Luk. I investigated for a long time, but whenever I tried to tell him, something would always interrupt me..."

Her lips trembled as she finally asked, "Why would the goddess pay attention to an elf?"

The existence of the goddess could only be confirmed by the blessings of the saints and the holy texts. She had never interfered with the world, at least not in Frellian's era.

"I don't know either. I'm not Zelhardt or the Southern Hero; I can't see everything as they can." Sylia lowered her eyes.

"I can only speculate that something bad is about to happen, and it's very, very close."

"Even so, the goddess wouldn't do anything to harm others, right? She is a goddess."

Frellian couldn't imagine the goddess depicted in the murals of the holy city, holding a white dove with a compassionate expression, doing anything harmful. If anyone should be harmed, it should be the demonic races, not Luk. What had he done wrong?

"The world was originally a chaos until the goddess awoke from her long slumber."

Sylia recited the first line of the creation chapter from the holy texts, her expression serious. "Why do you think it says the goddess awoke from her slumber, not that she was born from the chaos?"

Frellian frowned and shook her head. She wasn't a priest and hadn't delved into such details.

"This means she was once awake, and her birthplace was not this world. Do you want to guess what happened to the previous world?"

Sylia sighed. The goddess wouldn't do anything bad because opposing her was the greatest evil.

Sylia herself was a whimsical person, and she believed that a higher being would be even more capricious.

If the goddess didn't care about the world, it meant she didn't care about anything in it, just as Sylia wouldn't care about ordinary people who didn't understand magic.

Luk was an exception.

But things weren't that simple. If the goddess truly wanted to destroy someone, Luk wouldn't have lived this long. Perhaps there was some other secret about him?

Sylia clicked her tongue, giving up on speculations she couldn't verify.

"Let me out."

"You can't help."

Frellian's expression changed, a bit deflated. "I know I can't help much, but I have a promise I haven't fulfilled."

She had promised to watch the half-century meteor shower with her fellow heroes. Trapped here for fifty years, she gradually understood why her companions would smile bitterly when she mentioned this promise.

At that moment, she finally began to understand the brevity of human life.

Thinking back, the people at the Campbell Manor were the same. They would disappear when she turned her head.

Human lifespans were far too short. If she didn't fulfill her promise this time, they would never have the chance to see it again.

At the very least, Simeon and Hetta wouldn't live to see the next half-century meteor shower.

Selia fell silent for a moment, reluctantly making a concession, "Then let's go, but in a different way."

...

Central Kingdoms, the capital city.

Frylean looked around the drastically changed streets, momentarily puzzled about where to find anyone.

"Frylean."

Hearing someone call her name, she turned and saw the elderly Simeon.

No longer the young and strong hero he once was, his blue hair had all fallen out, replaced by a white beard, and his body was hunched, making him half a head shorter and leaning on a cane. Only his sky-blue eyes remained unchanged.

Frylean's tone was surprised, "You've become an antique."

The elderly Simeon's tone was calm, "That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

His gaze swept over Frylean's unchanged appearance, "Did you encounter some danger?"

Though aged, Simeon's sharp eyes could see that the Frylean before him was not her true form, but an illusion.

"Because of some matters, I can't come in person. The illusion magic is the best I can manage."

Frylean moved her body a bit, "For now, everything's fine. Let's leave it at that."

"Alright, then."

After a brief rest, the two made their way to the city gates, where the equally aged Hetta and the unchanged Aze were already waiting.

"You've become quite authoritative, Hetta."

"Well, I am the Archbishop of the Holy Capital now."

Hetta patted Frylean's head, "You, on the other hand, haven't changed a bit."

Frylean smiled at Aze, "Aze hasn't changed much either. Truly, a dwarf."

Aze lifted his head, touching his long beard, "To you, I haven't changed at all."

"So, where can we get a good view?"

Frylean pointed in the distance, "Balum, where a friend of mine once held a wedding. That area is perfect for watching the half-century meteor shower."

Though it was usually desolate because it only happened every half-century.

Thinking of the half-century meteor shower and Balum, Simeon naturally recalled Luk.

After returning from the Demon King's Castle, he had settled in the capital and had visited the Campbell family to find Luk, but the head of the family said he hadn't returned since leaving a few years ago.

Slightly worried...

Simeon looked at his aged body and chuckled. It seemed worrying wouldn't help much; his body was no longer capable of any significant battles.

With everyone assembled, they set out like the old hero squad, following the road markers. Frylean and Aze dealt with the monsters along the way, reliving old memories.

Each person's nostalgia was stirred, and as they grew older, those youthful memories were like a fine wine, becoming more fragrant and enchanting with time.

"We're here."

Frylean stopped by a pond, sensing a familiar magical aura. Her staff unconsciously waved, breaking the shielding magic.

A beautiful flower field appeared on the nearby clearing, with vast fields of star blossoms in full bloom. Luk, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, was standing in the center of the flower field.

He opened his eyes, his gaze and expression showing surprise as he met the eyes of the hero squad.

Simeon quickly approached, "Mr. Luk, it's been a long time. Have you been staying here all these years?"

Luk nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Aze and Hetta before settling on Simeon and Frylean, a rare smile appearing on his face.

"Never thought I'd see you all again."

Frylean hesitated, as if making a decision, and took a deep breath, "Luk, I have something to tell you, before—"

"No need to say it, I'll know soon enough."

Luk shook his head, interrupting Frylean. She had already helped him a great deal, and if she helped any more, even Selia couldn't protect her.

Simeon, sensing the unusual situation, let out a light laugh and changed the subject, "Such a rare and beautiful sight shouldn't be wasted. Mr. Luk, why don't you join us and watch the half-century meteor shower?"

Luk nodded slightly, "Sure."

...

The meteor shower arrived on schedule, with brilliant starlight piercing the night sky.

Luk looked at the familiar scenery and softly spoke to Simeon, "Am I interrupting your team's reunion?"

"How could you? Hetta and I have always respected you, and even though Aze doesn't know you well, he holds you in high regard. He has great respect for the wise."

“I don’t think my actions qualify me as a wise man.”

Luk tapped his forehead, thinking that if he had been more willing to listen to advice, he might have had an easier life.

Or perhaps, this was the folly of a so-called wise man?

He glanced at the aged Simer, who looked like he had seen better days.

“So, in the end, you never confessed to Frelia?”

Simer chuckled, “If I couldn’t be with her forever, it was better not to start.”

“Caring too much about others’ feelings can be a disadvantage.”

Luk lowered his head, looking at the sea of flowers and the gravestones in the distance. “If you had half the cunning of my wife when she was young, Frelia would have been yours long ago.”

Simer wore a helpless expression. “I’m not very good at tricking people.”

Luk smiled faintly. “After all, you are the Hero Simer.”

Frelia, who had been standing nearby, seemed to be sulking. “What are you two whispering about?”

“Simer was telling me about how you got swallowed by a treasure chest monster on your journey.”

Frelia was speechless for a moment.

Luk shook his head with a smile. “It’s 99% likely to be a treasure chest monster, yet you still took the 1% chance. I don’t know what to say about that.”

He stood up, watching the last meteor disappear into the sky. “I should be going now.”

“So soon!” Frelia exclaimed.

“Meteors are fleeting, and staying here makes me worry that you won’t be able to keep your mouth shut.”

Luk’s gaze softened as he looked at Frelia, addressing her with a formality he had never used before.

“From the moment you accepted Amir’s request to teach me magic, all these two hundred years, thank you for your help, Teacher Frelia.”

Frelia felt a lump in her chest, unable to speak as she watched Luk vanish from her sight.

“Is Mr. Luk going to do something very dangerous?”

“Probably.”

Frelia felt tears streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Simer, am I useless? I can’t even protect my own disciple.”

“I think it’s better to trust Mr. Luk. Crying like this won’t do any good,” Simer’s voice was soothing.

Frelia wiped the tears from her face. “Why?”

Simer smiled as he saw Heta and Aze rushing over, alarmed by Frelia’s crying.

“Because it would be embarrassing to see each other again.”

...

“Using the current time as the axis, spread out all possibilities to gather all the information.”

Luk walked step by step towards the mountains on the outskirts of Balum, muttering to himself. “Although it’s called past sight, it’s still fundamentally the same, just a more comprehensive way of future sight.”

After completing the spell, he realized that Schalhart’s omniscience couldn’t truly probe the past and future. Instead, it recorded the current time and allowed future inquiries about that specific time point.

In other words, he could query the past, but only if he had already learned the spell during the time he wanted to investigate. Without that, there would be no recorded time axis, and the query would be impossible.

“Schalhart, are you there?”

The shadows began to wriggle, and the cloaked Greater Demon slowly appeared, kneeling before Luk.

“I have always been here.”

“The time you mentioned has come, hasn’t it?” Luk’s gaze sharpened.

“Yes.”

Schalhart stood up. “Future sight will allow you to observe the world from a god’s perspective, and each use will make your emotions more distant. That’s why it’s allowed, but past sight is not.”

“Breaking the rules once will result in my death, so I must use it wisely.”

“Like, transferring the time axis I’ve recorded to you.”

Luk looked at him. “Why would you risk death to do this?”

“This is the agreement I made with the Demon King.” A slight flicker of emotion appeared on Schalhart’s otherwise expressionless face.

“Besides the Demon King, demons don’t have human emotions, but after observing countless possibilities, I have developed some unknown anomalies.”

“The Demon King’s wish is for humans and demons to coexist peacefully, which goes against the Goddess’s design. No matter what he does, it will fail. He wants to resist but is powerless.”

Schalhart placed his hand on Luk’s chest, transferring the time axis he had recorded since Luk learned the spell.

“Humans cannot fight against gods, and the same goes for demons.”

As he spoke, cracks began to appear on Schalhart’s body, and he shattered like fragile porcelain, dissipating into raw magic in the air.

His final words echoed loudly:

“The only one who can defeat a god is another god!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end