Chapter 4474: Pathos II

The words of THE Living Elemental emerged with forced calm.

"Let us simply continue our discussions and forget this incident occurred. My sincere apologies for overstepping boundaries."

At such words, THE Living Emotive’s expression shifted instantly, transforming from apparent fury to exaggerated happiness in single breath.

Down below, her foot continued twisting on Malphas as she drew more and more concentrated misery from his existence.

"Yes, yes! Let us continue discussing THE Loom’s entry requirements..."

Her eyes shone with manic light containing countless swirling emotions.

This was her Way of Existence.

This was the true Emotive!

The scene on the illusory screen began fading as the recovered memory reached its conclusion.

Malphas, the present version observing this revelation, trembled violently. His eyes looked lost. Decimated. Absolutely shattered as he shook his head with broken whisper.

"I... I knew her differently. All the memories I retained portrayed her as kind to me and others. She would confide in us. Share her Everythings of anger, of misery, of doubt. We were..."

...!

What he thought he knew about his previous Master crumbled rapidly.

Malphas seemed almost defeated by this revelation!

Nearby, Heidrun moved closer, nudging his hand gently with her muzzle to provide wordless consolation.

Yoshinami hesitantly raised her hand as she awkwardly patted the butler’s shoulder with uncharacteristic gentleness.

Noah sighed as he articulated his measured observation.

"Nobody reveals their true nature easily. Even those closest to us can witness entirely different faces than what actually exists beneath surface presentation. Masks are universal...worn by weak and powerful alike."

His voice carried weight of promise.

"In the future, if and when we grow sufficiently capable... I will see about the possibility of arranging a face-to-face encounter with THE Living Emotive herself. And just as she stepped on you and called you an insect... if you possess it within your existence to reciprocate such treatment... I will attempt to make that outcome possible."

...!

BOOM!

His words discussed such terrifying prospect casually... as if confronting THE entity was merely a future logistical challenge rather than suicidal impossibility.

Malphas trembled as he nodded absently...as if he hadn’t truly processed the statement and remained locked in internal turmoil.

Noah turned toward the newcomer.

Riya.

He saw her melancholic expression clearly as his own demeanor shifted. His eyes narrowed as he spoke with directness.

"Really? You’re telling me there’s absolutely no change? Nothing at all?"

He could read her existence with precision unlike Kael and her father who remained oblivious to what she alone perceived.

Her entire existence was surrounded by melancholy as at this moment, the normally bright Riya nodded with an exhausted expression.

"With Civilization Specialization creating such a terrifying explosion of accumulated power... with all these newly rising entities capable of forming a glorious Bastion of Mana... every time I witness all these magnificent developments occurring around you, all these incredible achievements you continue accomplishing..."

She paused with visible strain.

"I check for the brilliance of Mana in the future. And... even now, Mana still dims. It doesn’t make sense. It truly doesn’t make any logical sense given what we’re achieving..."

Her voice dropped to near-whisper.

"The only change I can perceive is that Mana doesn’t disappear completely anymore. Instead of total extinction, 99% of the brilliant sun that is Mana gets snuffed out. Only embers remain flickering in darkness where blazing glory should persist."

...!

Noah absorbed this information as his eyes flashed with coldness.

So even with all this, everything still collapses?

And only glimmer of my Civilization survives because it’s Primordial?

Only for me to emerge like Khor or THE Dead Order...returning from near-total dissolution in some distant era?

"..."

His gaze was absolutely frigid.

It truly didn’t make sense that with all this unprecedented progress, the only change manifesting was... not complete collapse.

But even while hearing this devastating assessment, it still didn’t alter what he planned to do.

I will continue regardless. I will advance until either I succeed or existence itself prevents further progression.

Riya reached out toward Noah at this moment. Her blue eyes showed exhaustion from being the only one who continued feeling Mana dimming in future, a burden she carried alone while others celebrated victories.

Her voice emerged as quiet plea.

"Can you...keep me company for a bit? Just to occupy my mind with something other than watching everything we’re building fade into darkness?"

...!

Could he keep her company.

Noah’s hardened gaze softened at such vulnerable request.

He looked at this gorgeous woman before him as...

He scooped her into his arms with a smooth motion.

She closed her hands around his neck gratefully as she laid her head against his chest, seeking comfort from the one anchor that remained constant regardless of what futures she perceived.

Noah turned to Malphas as he spoke with firm authority.

"Take time to process what you’ve learned. Let me know if you require anything. Unlike your previous Master who viewed you as disposable insect... I consider you one of the more capable existences surrounding me. You can achieve unfathomable immensity that THE Living Emotive could never have imagined possible."

...!

Malphas nodded with an expression mixing devastation and gratitude.

Noah took single step and disappeared in the next moment.

Because as always in existence, you had to make time for little things.

Sometimes the little things made existence fulfilling.

The golden grasses swayed in breeze as Malphas remained kneeling...supported by Heidrun and Yoshinami.

---

In The Transcendent Law Folds.

In The Heart of Law.

Inside a coliseum-like structure filled with rising white marbled pillars that stretched toward impossible heights. The sleek silver marbled floor reflected ambient light with mirror-like perfection. Multiple statues of legendary Dukes of Law surrounded the space...each one carved with meticulous detail depicting figures who had shaped Law’s history across eons.

At the center of such magnificent architecture sat Alexander and Seraphina Valorheart on thrones arranged around silver marbled table.

The figures of Dukes of Law composing the Kleos Council could be observed scattered throughout...standing amidst pillars with expressions mixing anticipation and mounting tension.

Near Alexander stood Malphas in his characteristic butler attire.

He looked upward suddenly as if perceiving something others couldn’t detect yet.

"The Master arrives."

...!

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