Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 263: Apotheosis Ends
As I sit atop this hill, many thoughts course through me.
I reminisce about my life here.
The year and a half I have spent in this world, how I grew accustomed to it and thrived to the point of taking over its operations.
I remember my first day—or rather, night—in this world.
I died.
Many times, I failed.
But... I still succeeded in the end.
Yes.
The Great Bridgeworks have finally been completed.
As I sit on this tall hill, I can see the grand bridges and interconnected roads from a distance.
My mind is stunned by the incredible design of it all.
Not only are all the Great Nations connected, but even the small islands and every other area in the known world have been covered. Even uninhabitable regions have been taken into consideration, which will certainly foster more economic progress and the advancement of civilization.
Most importantly, this symbolizes a new beginning.
Its completion will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.
I am glad.
Everything I have worked so hard for has finally fallen into place. Although there were many challenges along the way, even after Enrydral perished, we managed to combat them and succeed in the end.
In all honesty, the one I owe all of this to is Tyrrion.
He is the true architect.
Fortunately, he has been recognized for his greatness in this world, and even the annals of history will not forget his accomplishments.
In fact, no one is as happy as he is when it comes to the completion of his life’s masterpiece.
This also makes me glad.
I managed to prevent his untimely death and gave him a happy ending.
And, although this is antithetical to Kalakuta’s vision for the world, I have finally achieved world peace thanks to the iron hand of the Dark Guild.
The Black Heart Poison’s effect is absolute.
My followers will continue to heed my instructions, even in my absence.
To initiate another into the Dark Guild and select a successor, the newcomer will also have to consume the Black Heart Poison and accept the terms I have put down.
’Haha... Look at me.’ I chuckle inwardly. ’It’s almost like I am writing my will or something.’
It’s not like I’m going to die or anything.
Right?
I am simply preparing for the end. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
The conclusion of this Trial Scenario... and the end of my Apotheosis.
’Oh look... they’re coming on now.’
I smile in silence as I watch brilliant dots of light flash in the evening sky.
They appear as balls of illumination—stars that drift high above.
They shine their glorious rays on the world below, illuminating everything in the roads and bridges. Their beauty and terrible wonder force my lips to stretch beyond their limits.
Such a wondrous sight mesmerizes me.
I am deeply moved.
As I watch from this high point, I feel my lips tremble while parting slowly.
I mumble words that I can’t even recall.
But what I do know is this: seeing the Sky Lanterns shine in full bloom has given me a new perspective on the wonders of life.
"Beautiful..." I whisper out loud, tears nearly appearing in my eyes.
I can’t help but be emotional while I witness this beautiful world I have created.
Just as with the Sky Lanterns, I know the future is bright.
It has to be.
’Ahh...’ My eyes broaden as I take in the light before me.
Something stirs inside my body.
Inspiration.
No... more than that.
—Enlightenment!
At this moment, I receive enlightenment about the Trial Scenarios—It is all about providing an optimal outcome for the unstable and strange world.
That is all there is to it!
Only by ensuring its stability can it thrive.
It’s like how the existence of Enrydral could not be supported due to having too many mystical characteristics, and it imploded as a result.
A Trial Scenario is an amalgamation of different components and realities.
People and concepts from different eras gather in this strange reality, causing its existence to be unstable—requiring correction. Without correction, it will collapse on itself, leading to the end of the absurdity that is the world.
Thus, it evolves into something more.
A Trial Scenario is born.
Naturally, this unstable world needs to be stabilized through external influence.
—A Leviathan’s Apotheosis.
This is how to complete a Trial Scenario.
"I understand it now..." While whispering those words to myself, I can’t help but ask myself multiple other questions due to the many things I am yet to comprehend.
Why do Trial Scenario worlds form?
Where do they exist?
I have heard they take place in a Secluded Domain, but what really is this Secluded Domain in which they occur? On what principle does it operate?
Where is it?
Most importantly, how does this affect Leviathans, and why is it a necessary component of Apotheosis? Why do we need to cross this hurdle to advance to the next Rank?
I know it is useless to ask myself these questions.
But I feel inspired to do so.
The urge doesn’t end!
Instead, the more I comprehend and know, the more bountiful the questions bubble up.
Then, I reach a threshold!
While mulling on these things, trying to digest the profundity of my experience, I suddenly begin to feel a stirring inside me.
This stirring is distinct from the feeling I obtained when I became ripe for Apotheosis.
If the former felt like a raging storm, this feels like a soft stir that quiets down all turbulence.
It is peaceful—relieving.
Then...
’Everything is becoming a blur.’ My perception experiences vertigo as I am unable to concentrate on anything else.
I feel myself losing control of my body.
My senses rapidly shut down, and I feel a qualitative change in my existence.
Something complex is happening to me.
This blur does not feel like all my prior experience with regression.
This...
It is enlightenment... and Ascension.
I did it!
I did not fail my Apotheosis.
There is no Deviation.
No death.
No madness.
No Depravity!
I am certain of it!
My first Apotheosis has ended, and I passed.
[A/N: I know many may have found this Arc boring, but I hope you enjoyed certain parts of it. This sets up a lot of things that will be explored in later Volumes.]
