The black sun hangs high

Chapter 413 Message
The words that came from the invisible wolf were indeed somewhat vague and strange.

For a moment, Hugh even felt a little confused. Was the terrifying wolf beast that was talking to him completely devouring Krzlov's memories and consciousness, or Krzlov himself who had accepted a large number of memories but still retained a part of his will?

These words and phrases seem a bit too "human," which is very different from the image of the invisible wolf that Hughes envisioned.

After all, no matter what, Hugh never expected that a terrifying being who should have prioritized killing and hunting and harbored great hostility towards Vaan would, like those bureaucrats at the negotiating table, start by talking about specific conditions such as "rewards" and "compensation".

This was so far removed from the identity of the Invisible Wolf, which was almost like that of a "god," that even Hugh couldn't accept it.

He raised his head and began to stare directly at the enormous head that had come close to him.

As the distance between the two shortened, the face of the invisible wolf became even more ferocious and bizarre. It was now so strange that it was impossible to associate it with the word "wolf." On its head, Hugh could clearly see countless deep chains that were constantly moving and twisting, as well as a large number of columnar crystals and strange shadows that appeared quickly and then disappeared silently between those gaps.

The Dark Abyss Hounds that followed the Invisible Wolf still retained many bestial characteristics. However, as the true masters of the Dark Abyss Palace's courtyard, the Invisible Wolf seemed more like a concrete nightmare that contained the concept of "beast" and was pieced together and fused together from a large number of twisted things.

Are you confused?

The voice of the invisible wolf continued as it slowly paced around Hugh. Its massive form trod on the mirror surface formed from countless magical energies. The two forces, being of completely different natures, repelled each other, leaving behind footprints symbolizing gloom and decay in this pure realm with every step it took.

"In that sense, that vile 'clown' has protected you very well... He has never let you know or touch that eternal truth."

Clearly, the "clown" repeatedly mentioned by the invisible wolf refers to Theseus.

The Invisible Wolf did not have a good attitude towards this "traitor" who originated from the Dark Abyss Palace but chose to follow Mel and stand on the side of Vaan for various reasons. However, in his words, this terrifying being also gave Theseus a certain degree of respect.

However, for some unknown reason, Theseus chose to remain silent at this moment.

Hugh could clearly sense the guy's presence, but he never liked to be at a disadvantage in a verbal exchange, so this time he ignored the Invisible Wolf's words.

It has a strange sense of déjà vu, like "Yes, yes, you're right about everything."

The enormous wolf seemed unaware of this situation.

He stopped his sullen pacing and, with the swaying of the chains, continued to transmit that strange voice: "If so, you may ask questions... Even if you may ultimately become a sacrifice and prey, the eternal abyss will not be stingy with the shallow gift that should have been given to the 'pure offspring'."

This was the second time Hugh had heard the strange term "pure descendant" from the Invisible Wolf.

He was clearly referring to himself.

This puzzled Hugh, because literally speaking, the so-called "pure descendants" should refer to individuals who are highly associated with the Dark Abyss Court, and whose birth, growth, and development are closely related to the Dark Abyss.

Just like the three Atmir giant eagles that are called "Moon Heirs", they are no longer just simple followers or dependents who have received "favors". Instead, they are closer to being the direct offspring of a "great being".

"Why do you call me that? And why do you consider me a 'pure descendant'?"

Finally, Hughes asked his question.

The moment Hugh asked his question, the chains that were suspended around them trembled violently twice, and then Hugh heard a strange laugh that sounded like the panting of a beast.

“A descendant is a descendant…it has nothing to do with shallow bloodlines or form; it is buried deep in your soul, a mark, a shadow cast by the eternal black sun in your empty soul.”

As they spoke, the strange chains twisted in front of Hugh. Like malevolent snakes, they gently probed Hugh's body and face with their sharp tips covered in dark purple crystals, giving Hugh a strange sense of blasphemy.

"If it weren't for that eternal shadow, you wouldn't have been valued by that 'clown'... nor would you have been able to bear so many favors."

“Look at... look at these foolish followers in front of you, think of those poor wretches who yearn to touch the truth but can only be overwhelmed by it.”

"In that distant past that you have forgotten, you and your kin were only fit to be used as inferior sacrifices and soldiers. Your bodies and souls were utterly incapable of bearing the favor of any god, and this remains true even now."

Upon hearing this, Hugh couldn't help but glance at Krzylov, who had almost completely merged into the formless wolf's body.

At this moment, his body had been completely swallowed up by the chains and crystals, leaving only a severely twisted head. But even this head now looked more like an irregular, ugly piece of ore, which was embedded alone in the chest of the invisible wolf, inconspicuous at all.

This time, Hugh easily understood what the invisible wolf was saying.

As it stands, almost none of the living beings in Vaan are able to bear the so-called divine favor, not even the members of the Black Sun Society who are dedicated to studying lost magic and following in the footsteps of the gods.

Even someone as powerful as Krzlov, after accepting the power from the invisible wolf, could only become nourishment for the projection. As for the other ordinary members, it goes without saying that simply receiving some shallow power was enough to directly change their physical form, forcing them to change in the direction of the Dark Abyss creations.

Regardless of the specific circumstances, this path will only end in tragic distortion and complete demise.

So Hughes asked, "What exactly do you mean by 'mark' and 'eternal shadow'?"

"Don't you understand?"

The wolf's head suddenly loomed beside Hugh, its numerous crystalline eyes, emerging from the gaps in the chains, flashing violently, radiating an intense malice that nearly overwhelmed him: "I can smell its scent, I can hear its voice... so melodious, so..."

As the invisible wolf drew closer, the metal disc hidden within Shug's mental world began to react.

Then Hugh "saw" that the huge disc, which had been enveloped in dense magic and maintained a steady speed, suddenly stopped. Then, the disc, which was his source of power, began to operate in the opposite direction! At this moment, the magic that had been flowing in the cracks and patterns of the disc also began to change. The gloomy colors that originated from Theseus began to fade rapidly, and in their place was an extremely clear and pure azure blue.

It was exactly the same light that existed in the central area of ​​Watchtower.

Just then, the voice of the huge wolf beast beside Hugh abruptly stopped.

It clearly sensed something amiss; the eyes on its head that had been radiating intense malice suddenly stopped flashing, and the chains that had been swinging around Hugh froze in place at that moment.

An unprecedented and peculiar feeling is expanding within Hugh's body and mind.

This feeling was very unfamiliar, unlike any of the mutations Hugh had experienced in the past. It was gentle yet rapid, flamboyant yet restrained... Its complexity reminded Hugh of the boundless ocean, of the calm surface and the surging undercurrents hidden beneath, and of the different lives swimming in this boundless body of water.

Finally, this power completely merged with Hugh's spirit.

The dark mist that had filled his eyes was now replaced by a faint blue glow.

"No!"

The invisible wolf reacted extremely violently, letting out a low growl, its voice now containing several additional, extremely distorted emotions.

Disgust, hatred, resistance, aversion...

In addition, it seems to contain confusion and panic.

These chaotic emotions shouldn't have been perceived by Hugh, but at this moment, he felt a close connection with every magical force around him. The slightest change in any place would be transmitted by these active magical forces, which were like the mischievous ghosts in the ancient stories of Vaan who would deliver messages, revealing every secret they perceived to Hugh.

Eyes like dark purple crystals focused on Hugh, and then, under the will of the invisible wolf, a large number of chains swept towards Hugh. In the blink of an eye, these chains formed an impenetrable and deadly encirclement. They spiraled, they squeezed, and they continuously exerted their destructive power on the very center of the encirclement.

Just like the countless "blasphemous rituals" they have performed in the past.

However, in the center of this terrifying encirclement, the flowing pure magic formed a tough yet gentle "cocoon," its surface as smooth as water, cleverly blocking all external forces from intruding. Under its protection, a voice was gently echoing in Hugh's mind.

"Now, you should be able to feel it, right?"

A familiar voice slowly said, "Magic is so peculiar and vibrant. It can split into itself and be used by different individuals, or it can come together in an instant, exerting its power on the world itself and bringing about unimaginable changes."

The language used by the voice was very peculiar. It sounded quite similar to the common language of Vaan today, but there were clear differences in pronunciation. However, the difference in language could not hinder communication on a spiritual level. Hugh was still able to clearly understand every word and sentence expressed by the other party.

Hughes raised the cane, which was coiled in black and blue, without any hesitation. The surrounding "water flow" immediately changed. It easily repelled the dark abyss chains that were attacking him and then formed a seemingly thin barrier above Hughes, easily blocking the crushing and clawing attacks from the invisible wolf.

Thinking and judgment seemed meaningless at this moment; Hugh didn't even know why he had taken such a step.

His attention was completely focused on the pleasant and gentle voice in his mind, as if the owner of the voice possessed an extremely strong and inescapable charm.

Then the voice continued, "So, from the moment I became aware of this power, I developed a very, very distant fantasy."

"If... if this strange power could no longer belong exclusively to the gods of Vaan, and could no longer be possessed and divided by their kin, but instead exist universally in every part of this world, shared by all living beings that walk on land, swim in the ocean, and soar in the sky, then Vaan would surely be able to usher in the day when it completely sheds the shadows of the past."

“Charlon, that great Lord of the Sea, taught me so much… and so I gave this distant fantasy a name after that.”

“I call it the ‘Sinnar Sea’.”

"The name means the magical sea that connects all things in Vain."

Amidst gentle words, this seemingly tranquil magical realm began to transform. The calm magical energy spreading along the ground began to churn, and the undercurrents hidden beneath the orderly lines became exceptionally turbulent. The invisible magical energy formed tangible "giant waves," crashing towards the outsider who had trespassed into this area.

What descended here was ultimately just a projection of the invisible wolf from the dark abyss.

Whatever power it originally possessed, it could only retreat in the face of this relentless onslaught.

Under wave after wave of continuous and pure magical impact, the crystals on the invisible wolf's body constantly collapsed and regenerated, but no matter what method it used, it could not truly approach Hugh's side again from the level of magic.

The positions of the offensive and defensive sides have now been reversed.

However, Hugh, who was now on the offensive with a clear advantage, remained standing firmly in place. He silently leaned on his cane, the blue light in his eyes constantly flashing. Although the source of danger was still active around him, Hugh was deeply immersed in those gentle words.

He knew that this was the voice left behind in this world by the former "Goddess of Magic".

At the same time, Hugh was also able to realize that Mel's words were not actually directed at him.

She was just like an ordinary elder, or an ordinary mother.

She is using the simplest words to describe to any future person who may have a connection with her the beautiful fantasy that existed in the distant past.

(End of this chapter)