Chapter 1073: Chapter 409: This is Mercy

…No wonder.

Aiwass suddenly understood the meaning behind the Serpent Celestial Marshal’s earlier words.

So, that was why the Serpent Celestial Marshal had said those words back then…

“–As long as the Reincarnation Ending is triggered, it’s fine. After all, all of this is only an illusion. Ensuring that more people survive is the best choice… That’s what you were thinking at the time, wasn’t it?”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal gazed at Aiwass, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth: “You and I are essentially the same person. Even if I have severed that weak humanity from myself, relying solely on reason and wisdom, I can still deduce what you would think.

“Your every move is within my expectations. After all, you are my greatest creation.

“And indeed, the reality is this… Since this world is already frozen, what does it matter if it starts again?

“When you play a game and face a particularly challenging boss… if you know for sure that you can’t win with your current attempt, would you still use those rare consumable items? I don’t think you would.

“You would sacrifice this life to explore the boss’s mechanics, to refine your skills for a future attempt–so that your ‘future self’ can achieve victory. This is a logical and correct choice.”

“Necessary evil and… premature death?”

Aiwass furrowed his brows, realizing what the Serpent Celestial Marshal was implying: “Foster father… Mr. James, was it really your hand behind this?”

“He was nothing more than a pawn. But his philosophy itself cannot be said to be wrong.”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal gazed into the distant void and said leisurely: “No matter how you take his theory to its extremes or dissect its logical contradictions… none of that changes one truth.

“–After hearing this theory, encountering a situation where it could be implemented, you would still subconsciously consider its possibilities.”

“Knowledge is poisonous… Is that it?” Aiwass murmured, recalling something.

“Rather than saying, ‘Knowledge is poisonous; once you know something, you can’t escape its influence,’ I prefer another perspective… Knowledge simply carves you into the shape you are destined to take.

“Your future self, your mature self, your complete form… would naturally make these choices. It’s only in your naive, immature, incomplete state that you fail to comprehend certain truths. Knowledge doesn’t change you; it merely reveals prematurely the shape you were always meant to take.”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal’s voice softened slightly, as if recalling something, his mood becoming less joyful: “Originally… this transformation should have required a series of trials and tribulations to achieve.

“Knowledge changes nothing. It does not corrupt; it does not transform; it does not intoxicate–it merely accelerates one’s realization of their true self.”

He turned his gaze back to Aiwass, his tone growing more solemn: “Each time the world resets, even the Nine Pillar Gods cannot completely transcend the power of this cyclic force. In every new rotation, the fated will still perish, and the destined gods will still ascend.

“Only a few beings can retain their memories… For instance, I, as the former master of this power; Amber, the current master; and ancient entities like the Gemini Mirror and Candle Master, which existed before the Cicada Slough and became Pillar Gods. Their existence surpasses the ‘Amber Egg,’ allowing them to retain all their memories and power.

“As for the Celestial Marshals, who existed back then, they may retain fragments of their memories, but they are unaware of the whole truth. This is why the Great Sage entered the Source River of ‘Truth,’ which contains the answers to all questions…

“–And because he witnessed the Truth, the Silent One remains utterly speechless.”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal revealed the truth depicted in the second painting.

Suddenly, Aiwass recalled the words the Serpent Celestial Marshal had spoken earlier:

“–As the world changes and the cycles turn, the essence of all things remains eternal.

“–The just shall remain just, and the corrupt shall remain corrupt. Kings shall always be kings; slaves shall always be slaves.

“–None shall rise; none shall fall. All things remain unchanging. The cosmos has solidified, like the Amber Egg; the world eternally cycles, like the Ring of Ouroboros.”

So… that’s what it meant.

“With each cycle, except for the interference of the Pillar Gods, this world always follows a similar trajectory; but each time the Pillar Gods intervene in the Material Realm, the future is reshaped into a new direction.

This is the true nature of the ‘Ascension Ritual.’

“The dungeons and trials aren’t randomly concocted by the Pillar Gods. They don’t have the time or energy to craft individual trials for every ascendant… They simply hand over unresolved pasts and futures to the ascendants for ‘testing,’ seeking new possibilities for the future of this cycle–or the past of the next one.

“This is already the ninth time. There’s a certain probability that this world will continue operating like this… perpetuating this 8,000-year cycle of endless repetition.

“But there’s also a possibility that the ninth reset is the limit. The ninth reset, with the world entering its tenth iteration, might irreversibly plunge the entire cosmos into the Void…

“–And that’s why, this time, I plan to sever the cycle.”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal spoke in a grave tone: “Only during the first cycle did I become the Ring of Ouroboros; in the others, I was the Endless Knot. Thus, in this final cycle, I will once again become the Ring of Ouroboros, completing the loop of the cycle.”

“To transcend the cycle, one must sever the twilight; to sever the twilight, one must confront the Void–every time the Serpent Father has chosen to break through the Amber Wall in each cycle, he has never returned alive. So, to even have a chance, one must become stronger than the Serpent Father, stronger than the annihilator hidden beyond the time loop that seals it off before anyone even reaches it.”

“I hold no hostility toward you, Aiwass. We were never enemies. For nine cycles, I placed you in the Material Realm to be nurtured, as a part of me, accumulating the power of nine lifetimes of reincarnation… And now, the time has come to reap the harvest.

“Before the final moment arrives, I will reclaim my property, my fragment of self–my lost humanity and ego.”

As he spoke, the Serpent Celestial Marshal placed a hand on Aiwass’s head: “Don’t resist, Aiwass.

“Do it for the world, won’t you? If we end up fighting against each other, the power we’ve accumulated will undoubtedly diminish. And if even the Amber Wall cannot be breached, how will we face the apocalypse?

“You’re a reasonable child… Don’t make this difficult. Hand over your soul to me. You have already become complete. As for Aleister, I will wait for her to finish gathering the Great Sin Beast before reclaiming her.”

“–No.”

Aiwass suddenly refused.

He gripped the Serpent Celestial Marshal’s arm, staring straight into his eyes: “It’s not that I’m unwilling to sacrifice myself for the world. It’s just… I don’t trust you.

“As much as you understand me, I understand you. I know all too well… If I were to abandon all my conscience, humanity, and morality, what kind of person I would become…

“Using truths to deceive, concealing your true intentions; exploiting others’ trust to achieve your goals; destroying others after using them… More of a pure villain than a savior. Besides, as you yourself admitted… Whether you devour me or I devour you, the result is the same. So why not transfer the power to me instead?

“–Moreover, you’ve already given all your dedication to me, so what do you plan to do with this power for the world?

“And since you’re the Reincarnation Celestial Marshal and have coexisted with the Pillar Gods for countless cycles, why have they all chosen to assist me… instead of you?”

“…I detest little creatures with sharp instincts like you.”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal narrowed his eyes slightly: “Did you really have to say so much?”

With that, he pulled out a small bottle of wine from his coat.

It was a palm-sized flask of blood wine.

“What else could I want?”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal twisted open the bottle as he sneered: “I want to go home–that’s all. It’s not as if I have no way to return. I’ve already found the path back home.

“Unlike you, who were born into this world… While I no longer have a home in that other world, it’s still far better than this one, which is on the brink of destruction. I could even take you all with me–wouldn’t that be a better option? When you resign from your job and move back to your hometown, it’s only natural to bring along everything you own from your rented apartment, isn’t it?

“But, if you refuse…”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal unlocked the seal on the bottle completely.

A potent, intoxicating fragrance instantly paralyzed Aiwass’s mind–

What… is this…?

Though he existed only as a soul, he felt an unprecedented, overwhelming allure!

“This is our shared blood–the last vial I saved back when I was still called the ‘Shepherd.’ Though I foresaw this moment, I still harbored a slim hope. I had meant to keep it as a memento… Don’t forget, you’re also in a soul state now–you, too, are a Phantom Demon.”

The Serpent Celestial Marshal sneered, tossing the bottle of blood as though in mockery at the despondent Aiwass: “Drink, drink deep… Feast on my blood, which cannot be sung or spoken!

“I am the Sacrament…

“–This is… Grace.”