Chapter 1206 - 1206: Beyond the Way

"Join forces?"

Upon hearing this, the Depraved Hero let out a mocking laugh.

[100-Depraved Hero's attitude=Hero's attitude]

D100=(56)=44

"President... President—no, Father." The Hero on the screen also let out a sigh.

"—It's not entirely impossible."

"—Are you serious?"

As the Hero voiced his helpless skepticism, the Depraved Hero's flippant response rang out almost simultaneously.

"It seems there's some disagreement between you." Witnessing this, the President, or rather the gradually awakening Hero's father, glanced between the two young women with interest.

"However, I initially thought you would unanimously deny it. But it seems you've truly grown, and you seem to understand my thoughts. Is it because of the lineage inheritance... the Magician's influence?"

"This has nothing to do with the Magician, Father. Moreover, I don't understand your thoughts at all." The Hero closed his eyes, the Heavenly Book in his hand sparking with fine arcs of electricity, the sound from the speakers growing louder as a result.

"Also—the disagreement in our conversation is likely not what you imagine."

"The essence is soft-hearted." The Depraved Hero shrugged, standing boldly on the desk, looking down at the President seated in the chair, blood-red eyes gleaming with a fierce and restless light.

"If you're looking for a target for your limit-breaking Forbidden Curse, I wouldn't mind graciously giving you a chance. But the condition is that you hand over all your techniques and knowledge to me and obey my instructions completely."

"...Oh? Is it because of the Secret Medicine? Didn't expect you to know more than I imagined." Father raised his eyebrows in surprise.

For him, who did not know the Hero had undergone simulation at the Wandering Theater, nor witnessed the destruction of the Divine Domain, the plan he had prepared for nearly a lifetime was casually revealed, which understandably left him a bit surprised.

"Of course, who do you think I am?"

Recalling the scene when the Dragon Nest devoured the planet, the young woman greedily licked her lips.

"The essence might still try to persuade you or simply defeat you to make you give up. But I think it's a bit of a waste—since it has to be used, why shouldn't I use it?"

"So when did it become 'since it has to be used'?" The Hero on the screen raised an eyebrow, the pages of the book flipping more intensively.

"Back then, when using the Magic Origin Secret Medicine, you barely lasted a few seconds."

"...The past is the past, now is now," the Depraved Hero argued stubbornly, "Besides, you drank it all down in one go back then."

"This uncontrollable power, even if useful, shouldn't be casually used on oneself. It's better to keep it stored first."

"Hmm, I see." The man nodded thoughtfully, gently tapping his fingers on the table, organizing his daughters' respective claims, "So, one side thinks I should be bound, with my knowledge contained; while the other wants to turn me into a captive and use the power on themselves.

"Although you have disagreements on how to deal with that power, you're completely united in taking action against me—is that right?"

"That's correct." The Depraved Hero grinned, her smile lacking any warmth, filled with savage readiness to devour.

"So once we go out, you better wash your neck and wait for me. Otherwise, killing you here once is also an option."

Though she spoke such harsh words, it was the Depraved Hero who first clenched her fist slightly, muscles tensing, ready to counter her father's attack anytime.

The Hero on the screen also narrowed his eyes, the pages in his hand flipping rapidly.

After all, in reality, the father was someone who would release Legendary Magic at the slightest provocation. Even just now, before he was fully awake, he unhesitatingly drew his gun and fired, startling the Mute Girl.

"I heard you obtained the Knowledge Hunter's transformation. Now it seems you truly exhibit those traits."

Yet, ignoring their vigilance, the father remained relaxed in his chair, showing no intention to take action.

"But as far as I know, Hunting Knowledge doesn't care about the use or source of knowledge. Haven't you considered directly becoming my spell experiments? I think it would be much more effective than the Magic Origin Secret Medicine."

Moreover, he even had the leisure to say such words as if joking.

"Dream on your spring and autumn dream."

"Indeed, everything experienced in this Illusion Realm feels like a dream. I must say, it's quite interesting." Father chuckled softly, standing up.

He turned around, walking slowly to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, on this top floor nearly touching the clouds, overlooking the bustling city below.

Cars and pedestrians appeared only as tiny ants, from what was once the pinnacle of civilization, looking down seemed like a miniature landscape, everything within grasp.

"A world where magic elements are thin and individuals almost powerless. Here, I am not chasing endless strength, but simply yearning to reach the starting point, where we all once existed.

Even though it's just an illusion, for me, it's indeed a precious experience, allowing me to understand some things I had overlooked before."

Looking at the man's defenseless back, the Depraved Hero uttered a bored "tsk" and sat cross-legged on the table. After a moment of silence, the Hero's voice continued to resonate from the speakers.

"But I still don't understand, Father. You say you desire 'Endless,' that much is clear to me. But what exactly can you gain in this process? And why would you resort to such radical means?"

"Still tangled in this? I thought you had already understood." The father turned around, shaking his head slightly.

Then he spread his arms wide, as if showcasing the vast world behind him to the girl.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's skyline extended to the edge of the horizon, with towering skyscrapers merging with the distant clouds.

"Higher, faster, stronger...

"Isn't this phrase the guiding principle of the most popular celebration in this world?

"Clearly, the strength of others has nothing to do with you, and this difference in ability might even bring oppression and unfairness. Yet people still fervently chase after those strong individuals, don't they?

"This is an intrinsic mechanism engrained deep in the soul, possessed by humankind and all life.

"To make the rich richer, spend your own money; to cheer and support with fervor for scores on a field unrelated to you; or to sacrifice life to make the collective stronger.

"Offering, devotion, sacrifice... No matter what you call this behavior, dedicating oneself to a future that doesn't include oneself is a phenomenon prevalent in this world.

"To question the significance of gains and losses for an individual like 'me' or 'you' regarding such selflessness, don't you think that's an act of insensitivity?"

"...You mean, Father, you consider yourself such a person?"

The Hero's eyebrows twisted, and the corners of his lips curved into an extremely odd arc, barely suppressing the laughter born of absurdity.

"Just an example. It means you don't need to view what I'm doing as something abnormal. I don't see it that way either," the father replied calmly.

"Someone is becoming stronger—even if that person is not yourself, you would feel joy because an entity akin to yourself, or any life that exists in the world, has reached a new, higher state."

"...In that case, Father, you don't need to delve into the dungeon to do such things, do you?"

The Hero sighed lightly.

Perhaps there is some truth to the father's words, but in some matters, moderation might be a remedy, but excess can only become a deadly poison.

Just like wanting to eradicate all Goblins from the world, then removing everything that could allow Goblins to reproduce... wouldn't that be much like that Scorpion Demoness?

Seeing his father, seemingly completely unaware of any issues, the Hero spoke earnestly:

"Becoming a teacher at the Royal Academy to educate future strong individuals; or even joining the Academic Palace to research things like secret medicines... aren't those all methods?

"Growing stronger step by step on the accumulation of our predecessors, on the foundations of the past, both you and I should have grown this way.

"Even if you're not a Magician, unable to directly receive the benefits from our predecessors, the magic you know couldn't all have been researched by you, right?

"Given this, why choose this path that could destroy everything to pursue your ideals?"

For the Hero who once witnessed the birth of the Infinite Dragon Nest in the theater and restarted the world, this isn't even a "possibility," but a historically confirmed reality.

The fall of the Empire might not be directly related to Father, and the execution body of the world's demise wasn't him either, but undoubtedly, the Emerald-Starred Key of the Black Gate bears an undeniable responsibility.

Even the master of the Wandering Theater, who similarly intended to obliterate civilization, was bewildered by Father's actions.

From this perspective, regardless of whether he has committed any crimes now, slaying him on the spot when encountered might be a choice closer to justice.

Thinking of this, the Hero suddenly widened his eyes. The electronic screen began to flicker incessantly, lines of code-like glowing symbols swiftly passing over the screen.

"So you started to act when the Divine Knowledge Saintess disappeared...?"

[Winged Boy's Actions]

1.5. Infiltrate the depths, searching for Father.

2.6. Retreat for now, and look for another opportunity.

3.7. Stay persistently committed.

4.8. Quit while you're ahead, nothing happens.

9.——My heart is as clear as a Bright Mirror. (Urban Displacement)

10. Great Success/Great Failure

D10=7

♛: Stay persistently committed.