Prohibitive Edict (27)
A dark sea that existed beyond the stars.
Gods who swam through chaotic spacetime, dreaming infinite dreams.
Lennok had noticed that the giant knight he faced in the Ice Sanctuary was a being of the same kind as them.
And precisely because of that, he also realized that the knight was not a living Outer God.
To those apocalyptic beings swimming in the Outer Sea, humans on land were no more than insects.
Only madmen of the level of a High Priest could be loved by them and act as vessels of their will upon the earth.
If the opponent were truly an Outer God, Lennok knew this situation could not possibly exist as it was now.
[It is a dream abandoned after the god’s death.]
The knight replied.
[A dream once dreamt by a god who indulged and transgressed his own nature and desires to their limits. The lingering attachment he left behind.]
The blazing light within the helmet flickered slowly.
[That is what I am.]
“A dream… after an Outer God’s death……”
Lennok muttered with difficulty, unable to believe it.
It was hard enough to believe that the gods of the Outer Sea could die, but even harder to accept that their remnants could remain as a space of consciousness.
And even more so that such a sanctuary was tied to the Kabahim royal family.
Having reached that thought, Lennok lifted his gaze toward the knight.
“Don’t tell me… you made a deal with the royal family to maintain this sanctuary?”
[…….]
“So that’s why you granted blessings to the royal bloodline. The bloodline ability passed down through them was the remnant of a dead Outer God.”
One could not receive blessings without being prepared for a curse.
The words Soryu had spoken while fighting Feysha were a miracle built upon that very contradiction.
“In that case, the [Gate] said to exist beneath the royal capital—”
A passage leading to the [Sanctuary] created from the power of a dead Outer God.
Though the knight said nothing, Lennok’s speculation rapidly expanded based on what he knew of the Kabahim Dynasty.
The knight, silently looking down at him, spoke.
[You transcend reason with intuition, waiting for what comes next while dreaming beyond the end.]
“……”
[Using even the faintest trace as a compass to navigate the dark sea—what need is there for assistance? The impressions of others are nothing but impurities in that journey.]
Rumble!!
The knight slowly turned his helmet.
[There is no need to elaborate on the dynasty’s contract. It is enough that you recognize such a thing existed.]
“A contract……”
[That you were able to reach this place is because you possessed an artifact capable of concealing the sanctuary.]
The knight’s gaze shifted to the white bracelet on Lennok’s wrist.
Seonryeong Precept Bracelet. A barrier that accumulated virtue and protected the soul.
The artifact given by the Second Apostle had allowed Lennok to enter unnoticed by the Outer Gods.
[Though not a legitimate procedure under the contract, even that result symbolizes your existence.]
“……”
Shing!!
The knight placed a hand on the ice monument behind him, his voice resonating.
[Thus, this moment shall be engraved as an ice seal, becoming a mark that proves your rank.]
Rank.
The ring’s name, Ice Seal, truly meant it was both the dynasty’s seal and relic.
The Kabahim had built their foundation on those blessed by the Snow-White Count, enforcing order through power and rank.
Only then did Lennok understand why Kabahim maintained a monarchy on this continent.
If they had carved the power of a dead Outer God into their bloodline, strict order would be necessary to control it.
Flash!!
Ice light burst across the sky of the consciousness space.
The vast snowy mountains split apart, and the light poured down onto Lennok’s body.
“You…”
The knight was granting the blessing without even performing the process of engraving his name.
For a being claiming to be the dream of a dead Outer God, it was surprisingly rational and cooperative.
If it had not been favorable toward humans from the start, it would never have formed a contract with the Kabahim royals.
But the knight, gripping his sword, lowered his head silently.
As if even maintaining this moment was difficult.
[Snow flows, rivers fade, and light freezes—this symbolizes a world that has come to a halt.]
The knight whispered.
[All I can do is grant you the qualification to approach the [Gate].]
“……”
[I will be waiting beyond the True Divine Sanctuary.]
Flash!!
The entire consciousness space distorted, and an explosive chill erupted around Lennok.
As the cold surged through the training room, the door burst open and Felix rushed in.
“Van!!”
“……”
Feysha followed, scratching her cheek.
“What, already failed?”
Her assumption of failure made Lennok snort.
“Well, a bookish mage can’t beat real combat. Give it here.”
Feysha reached out.
“I’ll test it instead.”
Clasp!
Instead of answering, Lennok grabbed her hand.
“Wait, why is your hand so col—”
Crack!!
The Ice Seal shone, and Feysha’s body froze solid.
Felix’s eyes widened.
“V-Van?!”
“Fuuuck!!!”
Crash!!
Feysha shattered the frost and leapt out.
“What the hell was that?!”
“Didn’t expect much, but it’s stronger than I thought.”
Lennok examined the ring.
“It can bypass resistance and force status effects.”
“…What are you even saying?!”
Feysha blinked.
“…Wait, you already got the blessing?”
“It increases mana circulation speed and reduces casting warm-up time.”
Lennok checked his condition.
“It’s a blessing, so the effect isn’t directly physical.”
“….”
“My body temperature dropped slightly, but it’s usable.”
Blessings were different from spells.
They enhanced overall ability without triggering mana addiction.
“In the past, I would’ve avoided this… but not anymore.”
He added,
“The prince’s particle ability would be more useful, but that requires the bloodline.”
The Gate beneath Kabahim, the sanctuary, the knight—
There were clearly deeper secrets, but not now.
“Any progress extracting the mana?”
“…Your prediction was correct.”
Felix handed a red vial.
“The enhancement is stronger than expected.”
“Enhancement?”
The mana pulsed like a gem.
“Hey, birdhead. Give me one.”
Feysha drank it.
“Hoo…!!”
Whiiiing!!
Her presence surged explosively.
Crack, crack!!
Her body pulsed with overwhelming vitality.
“It’s weaker than your buff magic, but far more stable.”
“….”
“This will sell.”
“No. We won’t commercialize it.”
“What?!”
Feysha shouted.
“You could sell this for tens of millions per bottle!”
“Do I look like I need money?”
“….”
She fell silent.
“The goal is reducing side effects and improving control.”
“….”
“One bottle every two days.”
“What?”
Feysha grinned.
“I might master it first and kill him.”
“….”
“If you can’t control it, tell me.”
Lennok smiled.
“I’ll beat you into shape first.”
“….”
Feysha trembled but didn’t attack.
Felix sighed.
“You really are…”
“If there are no objections, follow my plan.”
Lennok turned.
“Extraction daily. Sparring every two days.”
“Are you leaving?”
“I need to study Anathema’s power.”
Lennok checked his phone.
“I’ll visit occasionally.”
“Obaekro?”
“Oh… that annoying board game.”
“Can you play?”
“Vajur taught me.”
“And?”
“I forgot everything.”
“….”
“Anyway, follow the schedule.”
Lennok looked at Feysha.
“You know I’m giving you a chance.”
“…Tch.”
“Do it properly.”
His gaze turned cold.
“Or I’ll dispose of you.”
“….”
“But don’t worry.”
Lennok nodded.
“I called someone to supervise.”
“Supervise?”
“Someone good at both Obaekro and combat.”
Feysha’s face twisted.
“Damn it… that crazy old man already…”
“……?”
“Introduce yourself later.”
Lennok left.
He checked a message.
[Decision made. I’ll accompany you.]
“……”
[Prepare. We head to Kundara.]
Finally, a reply.
The city of long-lived beings.
The hidden den of monsters.
It was time to go to Kundara.