Chapter 403 -403-The Twelve Sanctums, the Human Holy See
Chapter 403: Chapter403-The Twelve Sanctums, the Human Holy See
Dustin looked positively delighted.
The so-called punishment clearly hadn’t weighed on him in the slightest.
In the blink of an eye, he had flown over to Daniel, casually patting him on the shoulder as though they were old friends who had known each other for centuries.
"Dustin, since you’re here, why don’t you take over and show Lord Faustus around?"
The young man smiled as he gladly handed over the responsibility of acting as their guide.
"Just admit you’re looking for an excuse to slack off."
Dustin waved him away without the slightest bit of courtesy before turning back to Daniel with a broad grin.
"Come on, Faustus."
"I’ll show you the territory of the Chaos Humans."
"I’m looking forward to it."
Daniel nodded.
The two of them soon entered the inner realm of the Gazelle Star System.
Wherever Daniel looked, he saw architecture unique to the Chaos Humans.
At a glance, the buildings clearly reflected the style of Earth’s prehistoric civilizations.
Their appearance was rugged and unpretentious, yet closer inspection revealed an astonishing level of craftsmanship hidden within every engraved line and carved pattern.
Each structure carried an indescribable sense of solemnity and reverence, as though the spirit of the ancient ancestors still lingered within the stone itself.
Daniel found himself completely absorbed.
It felt as though he were reading an ancient history book.
The forgotten stories hidden within those pillars and walls seemed to awaken beneath his gaze.
"Next..."
"I’m taking you somewhere special."
"The Twelve Sanctums."
A mysterious gleam flashed through Dustin’s eyes.
The Twelve Sanctums?
Something stirred faintly within Daniel’s heart.
It felt as though an ancient memory buried deep within his mind had been gently touched.
He couldn’t help recalling the ancient legends preserved on Earth.
According to those stories, countless ages ago there had once been twelve sacred halls in the heavens—
The dwelling places of the Creator and the ancient sages.
With Dustin leading the way, the journey proceeded without obstruction.
The two of them ascended higher and higher into the sky.
The scenery suddenly opened into an endless panorama.
A thin veil of glowing mist drifted through the heavens like delicate silk.
For a brief moment, Daniel felt as though he had stepped into one of Earth’s legendary myths.
Beyond the hazy clouds, he could vaguely make out a series of unimaginably magnificent palaces.
They stood silently in the heavens like slumbering giants.
Dustin pointed toward the distant structures.
His tone unconsciously became solemn.
"That..."
"is the Holy See."
The Holy See.
Daniel nodded quietly.
Dustin continued in an even more respectful voice, as though recounting a story passed down through countless generations.
"The Holy See is actually more of a symbol than anything else."
"Long ago..."
"Our Forefather ruled this entire territory under the title of the Holy Emperor."
"It was he who established the Holy See."
"But later..."
"For reasons no one truly understands..."
"He personally dissolved it."
"He returned all governing authority to the Chaos Humans themselves."
"From that day onward, the Holy See no longer stood above ordinary people."
"Everything became governed according to the common laws of the Endless Starsea."
He paused.
"But the Holy See itself wasn’t demolished."
"Because before leaving..."
"The Forefather spoke a single sentence."
Dustin’s eyes grew noticeably deeper.
"He said..."
’The strong always seek to stand above others.’
’They always wish to rule over those beneath them.’
’Yet the highest authority in existence is nothing more than the Will of the World.’
’And even the Will of the World is merely a prisoner held captive by the Great Cosmic Will.’
’If I continue sitting upon the throne of the Holy Emperor...’
’Then how am I any different from a prisoner confined within a cage?’
"So..."
"He dismissed everyone who served the Holy See."
"He left only this sanctuary behind."
"As a reminder to future generations."
"Never become servants of the Will of the Universe."
"Stay close to the people."
"Use your strength to build a better world for ordinary lives."
"Do not use your strength to oppress those too weak to defend themselves."
"Even the ordinary may one day soar into the heavens."
"As long as hope remains..."
"Anything is possible."
Dustin spoke every word with complete sincerity.
It was obvious that he admired the Human Forefather from the bottom of his heart.
Daniel listened silently.
As he listened, he couldn’t help thinking to himself...
Someone capable of reaching the T8 Oracle-grade truly possessed a vision and breadth of mind far beyond ordinary beings.
"So..."
"The Holy See is the first level of the Twelve Sanctums?"
Daniel asked.
"Exactly."
Dustin smiled.
"The Holy See is protected by countless formations and seals."
"Normally, no one is permitted to enter except during designated times."
"But you’re different."
Daniel looked at him with slight confusion.
The corners of Dustin’s mouth slowly curled upward into a meaningful smile.
"The Forefather once said..."
"You should enter."
"I should?"
A thought flashed through Daniel’s mind.
He chose not to ask any further questions.
"So..."
"I simply fly in?"
"That’s right."
Dustin nodded.
Without another word, Daniel shot toward the palace complex hidden within the clouds.
Looking downward, he immediately noticed an invisible barrier surrounding the entire sanctuary.
Whoosh!
He passed through it effortlessly.
Just as Dustin had said...
The Chaos Humans had intentionally granted him permission.
But...
What exactly did they want him to see?
Whoosh—
The instant Daniel stepped onto the grounds of the Holy See—
The scenery before his eyes suddenly transformed.
The sensation was identical to what he had experienced long ago on Aetheria when witnessing the forgotten history of humanity.
In an instant...
His vision was swallowed by endless chaos.
Deep within that boundless chaos floated a magnificent palace.
The entire structure radiated a gentle, ethereal light.
Its brilliance wasn’t dazzling.
Instead, it resembled a full moon that had silently illuminated the world since time immemorial.
Above the palace gates were engraved several solemn words.
Morningstar Temple.
Daniel’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
That name...
It felt strangely familiar.
He was certain he had encountered it somewhere before.
Yet no matter how hard he searched his memory...
He couldn’t remember where.
Outside the palace stood an ancient hazel tree.
Its emerald branches cascaded downward like a flowing waterfall.
Beneath the tree rested two stone chairs separated by a weathered stone table.
A chessboard had been carved directly into the tabletop.
An elderly man dressed in a mage’s robe sat quietly in one of the chairs.
Between two fingers, he held a bishop chess piece suspended in midair.
For a very long time...
He never placed it upon the board.
His complexion was rosy.
His long robe fluttered gently in the breeze.
Had his eyes not moved from time to time...
Daniel might have mistaken him for nothing more than a stone statue.
The old man frowned as he studied the chessboard before him.
It seemed he had encountered an impossible deadlock.
After what felt like an eternity...
He finally let out a long sigh.
"So..."
"I, too..."
"Am nothing more than a chess piece in the hands of the Great Cosmic Will."
"How utterly laughable."
With a sudden sweep of his arm—
He scattered every chess piece from the board.
Black and white pieces clattered across the stone floor, rolling in every direction.
The old man slowly rose to his feet.
Then...
He lifted his gaze toward the deepest reaches of the endless chaos.
At that very instant—
Every hair on Daniel’s body stood on end.