Chapter 264: World’s Consciousness (1)

Rise did not get consumed by rage, as he had assumed when thinking of the creator who manipulated his life and death for countless lives.

His expression remained serious, but he became calm. Was he terrified deep down? Perhaps so. And yet, there was a kind of twisted accomplishment of finally making the author, who was oh so almighty, show themselves.

This meant what they were doing was right, and it gave that being a crisis.

The time seemed to become frozen as the two sides stared at each other into a standstill. Despite that, the oppressive malice reached a higher peak, as though wanting to swallow them whole.

[Annoying]

A reverberating voice thundered, echoing through the depths of their souls. The others, and even Rise, were somehow affected, frowning slightly.

The face vaguely contorted, glaring down at them.

[Why don’t you just die, Rise?]

[WHY]

[DIE ALREADY!]

The voice continued to roar, disregarding their reactions. The crowd suddenly contorted in pain, the malice within them about to erupt in another outburst.

Rise narrowed his eyes. Hearing such blatant threats did not move him; it was something he expected. However, why did he feel something was amiss?

At least, he expected to have a conversation of some sort with the author. And yet, that being was emotionally venting their rage. Clearly, the other party was not in the right state of mind to have a conversation with them.

Why was this? Did they break the author or something?

Rise glanced at Kamille, automatically making eye contact with him. He saw the same conjectures in his eyes. Without saying too much, the two nodded at each other.

Since they could not get any information by talking with this detestable author, they had no reason to remain here. Their side was outnumbered to begin with, and now with an unstable being above them... they could not just wait to be disadvantaged.

"Let’s go." Rise ignored the roaring of continuous death threats to him. Kamille’s expression was becoming dark, only suppressing his rage to strike towards the sky.

Rise held Kamille’s hand firmly. "We need to leave for now."

Kamille took a deep breath and nodded. The gate was already stable. Rise instructed their side to enter it quickly; the malice was almost erupting.

[WHY]

[YOU CAN’T LEAVE]

[STOP THEM]

Before they entered the gate, the author seemed to have gained a bit of clarity and ordered them to stop. Yet, it was already too late. Rise took a deep look at that face, promising silently in his heart that soon... He would come back to smash it no matter what.

That thundering voice roared with absolute resentment, unwilling to let them go. Even inside the gate, they could feel the hatred within this voice, affecting the gate as it rippled.

Fortunately, they escaped so quickly, and the gate closed, gradually swallowing the roars from the other side.

When they entered the gate, most of their subordinates collapsed from pressure, and some were even critically injured. Rise looked at his father and Thalia, though they looked pale, they were faring better.

He then checked Riri, who was in Kamille’s arms, head huddled in his shoulder. Rise reached out to touch Riri’s head, wanting to know if he got injured.

"He’s fine. I made him sleep so he won’t be affected," Kamille reassured him immediately. Still, Rise checked for any injuries, and seeing Riri fine, only then did Rise sigh in relief.

He shifted his gaze to Kamille, who was also focusing his gaze on him. Just as he was about to say something to him, the space around them instantly rippled.

Rise furrowed his brows, quickly gazing into that area. This change made everyone vigilant.

"It’s those fellows," Kamille muttered beside Rise. As a master of this world, he could feel who had arrived.

Rise remained quiet. While he thought this world had no influence of the author and was practically their backyard, he was still secretly vigilant.

Five seconds passed, and the newcomers became clear. As soon as they appeared, they immediately bowed towards Rise and Kamille.

"Pardon our intrusion, master."

It was the familiar voice of Zarilan. Rise swept his gaze towards the three newcomers. They were Zarilan, Halwyn, and Zenos. The two of them did not respond and waited for them to continue.

The others, while startled, remained quiet.

"We have come under the Great Being’s order. The Great Being knew you’d come and ordered us to come here and tell both masters to visit the ancestral hall as soon as you arrived."

Great being... So, it was the book. Rise and Kamille exchanged glances. They already had the intention to talk about the book anyway; now with this invitation, they would not need to take roundabout ways to connect with it.

Without further ado, they agreed and used the fastest way to arrive in the Lionheart city. He did not explain anything to both sides, as they consciously tended to each other. Most of their sides were needed for healing.

After giving his father and Thalia some words and entrusting Riri to them, the two immediately went to the ancestral hall.

The familiar scenery greeted them, and walking deeper, the surroundings became enveloped by darkness despite the torches on the wall.

Rise instantly recognized this place. It was the place he visited a lot while he was unconscious. And now, he was standing in this place in his physical body and with Kamille by his side.

Rise turned towards Kamille, who swept his gaze at the surroundings before meeting his eyes. His first thought was to introduce this place, but on second thought, there was no need.

Kamille had a unique pair of eyes, and he had also visited a similar space before. He did not say anything, and the two continued towards the only light source in the area.

The book was already there, still as bright as ever. However, it had been toned down, and even looking at it did not strain his eyes anymore.

"We meet again," Rise casually greeted.

The page, which was usually stuck on the first page, suddenly flipped until it stopped just right in the middle. Words soon appeared on the surface.

[Rise... Kamille...]

The accompanying voice seemed to have gained a few emotions compared to the usual. This made Rise straighten his posture a bit, knowing this conversation might give them something different.

Kamille was equally on guard. His crimson eyes flickered a few times.

[I felt its presence when it manifested. This caused something within me to awaken. Some memories... and records unsealed as a result.]

There was only its voice in the darkness. The two did not even blink as they looked towards the changing surface of the page.

[I can finally recognize myself and that being. We are one and the same... we came from the same origin.]