As Aaron's words fell, the entire Black Mist world trembled more violently, and Azik, whose aura was weak, immediately changed his expression, grabbing Klein, who was still confused.
Amidst the strange sounds of the void cracking and decaying, a longsword covered in twilight light sliced through the boundless black mist, completely shattering this unique space formed by the Death's fall.
The terrifying aftershocks were dispelled by the surging Darkness, but the aura of twilight's arrival and the decay of all things were enough to make the Wraiths and shadows swirling in the Black Mist world completely dissipate.
The serene Darkness, previously filled with Moonflowers and Night-scented Grass, which had disappeared after collecting the Death's Uniqueness, reappeared. However, unlike before, streaks of orange-red light shone into this Nation.
In the desolate twilight, a figure as large as a mountain vaguely emerged. Its limbs were abnormally long, and it wore silver armor full of a sense of decay. Its face was covered by a visor, revealing only a faint orange-red light.
It held an exaggerated longsword in its hand, letting the tip hang naturally, touching the dark "ground."
"God of Combat" Badheil!
Aaron, who realized something was wrong even before Azik, cursed under his breath. High-level individuals of the Warrior Pathway could conceal their malice and certain actions, especially for the God of Combat standing at the pinnacle of the Sequence. Before that sword strike was blocked by the Evernight Goddess, Aaron didn't even feel a spiritual warning.
Aaron restrained the instinct to mobilize the Nation of Disorder. At his current level, as long as he didn't actively expose himself, he wasn't worried about being seen through. He activated the Darkness Emblem to interfere with perception and unhesitatingly used the Crown of Stars to open the Gate of Banishment.
The Evernight Goddess needed to expend extra energy to suppress the Death's Uniqueness, making it difficult for her to attend to other matters. Aaron had to leave this place of trouble before more gazes from the Astral World fell upon it.
Not daring to wander in the Astral World, he relied on the Gate of Banishment to shuttle back and forth in the depths of the Spirit World. After confirming it was safe, Aaron returned to the Abyss of Ferrying with Azik and Klein.
The "City of the Dead," which had previously collapsed and sunk into the River Styx, had been salvaged. Symbols, vastly different in style but equally profound and obscure, now covered every corner of the entire city.
Sensing Aaron's return, Bernadette, who was using her own methods to repair the "City of the Dead," reformed her body in the void. After nodding to Azik, she frowned and asked Aaron:
"Did a divine battle erupt in the Astral World?"
With the "Sage's" particularity, even from within the "Abyss of Ferrying," Bernadette vaguely foresaw the anomaly in the Astral World. She didn't even need to scry to confirm it was related to Aaron's sudden departure earlier.
"The Evernight Goddess has obtained Death's Uniqueness!"
Without much explanation, Aaron believed Bernadette knew what this meant. He then looked at the largely repaired city beneath his feet and said to Azik, who had a complex expression beside him:
"The situation is urgent, so I made the decision for you. But now your soul is still incomplete; currently, you are only maintaining your current state by consuming Haiter's soul."
Azik massaged his brow, stopping Klein, who wanted to say something, and helped him remove the pollution caused by directly looking at the Artificial Death. He spoke calmly:
"I have grown accustomed to my current life, and this choice is also what I desired. Thank you for your help."
"The previous agreement is still valid, but I will need a period of sleep, of unknown duration, to recover."
Waving his hand to interrupt Azik, Aaron no longer stood on ceremony. Leaving Klein in place, he led Azik and Bernadette to the Underworld Gate deep within the "City of the Dead" before continuing:
"Now that things have come to this, you both should be prepared for some things. In a year at most, or half a year at least, a turmoil no less than the War of the Four Emperors will sweep across the entire world."
"More than one person will ascend to Godhood during this process, and similarly, Gods will fall."
"This origin point of life and Death, along with the authority of the Underworld imprinted into your soul, can help you devour Haiter's soul origin to strengthen your fragmented soul."
"You should now know the River of Eternal Darkness. Its waters can put the other half of your soul, separated from the Artificial Death, into eternal sleep."
"You can use this to gradually devour and repair it with your current soul as the main body, without worrying about reverting to being the Death Consul with only divinity."
"However, this must wait until the Godly Battle in the Astral World ends. For now, you just need to stay here, repair your soul, and slowly wait."
Unconsciously devouring the strange power seeping from the Underworld Gate, the stinging sensation from the depths of his soul lessened a bit. Azik was silent for a moment before slowly speaking:
"What do you need me to do?"
Slowly turning around, golden flames seemed to flicker deep within Aaron's eyes as he said with a playful tone:
"Completely reorganize the Numinous Episcopate and re-establish the Eggers family. I don't think this will go against your will."
"If there's a Pirate Kingdom on the Five Seas, then the Southern Continent can certainly have a Balam Kingdom!"
"When the Kings contend, the winner naturally takes all!"
-----------------
Klein, who had been deliberately left behind, only felt Azik's aura moving away. Fortunately, the pollution had been removed. After successfully transferring the damage, flesh wriggled within his empty eye sockets, and the faint black mist that entered his vision made him pause.
Just then, a voice sounded behind him:
"What is your relationship with His Excellency the Death Consul?"
Klein, who had been through so much recently, immediately tensed up. He turned sideways and retreated a step cautiously, manipulating his Beyonder Puppet, Ludwell, to stand in front of him, looking in the direction of the voice.
It was a handsome man in a black robe with crimson patterns. His bronze skin made Klein raise an eyebrow, especially when he noticed the other party's gaze, fixed directly on Azik's copper whistle on his chest.
Seeing Klein's cautiousness, the black-robed man gave a self-deprecating smile:
"My name is Arod Eggers. The great Death Consul is my grandfather...."
Another old Monster who has lived for over 1000 years.... Klein silently complained in his heart. Feeling the rare warmth from Azik's copper whistle, he carefully responded:
"Compared to that lofty title, I prefer to call him Mr. Azik. He is my teacher."
Nodding thoughtfully, just as he was about to ask about Azik's condition, Arod Eggers's expression changed. He obediently closed his mouth and voluntarily retreated to the side.
The thin black mist was torn apart, and amidst the flickering greenish fire, Alvin Gallows emerged from the Spirit World with several others.
He seemed to sense something, and his scarlet eyes subtly shifted, looking directly at Klein, who had tensed up again.