Chapter 1,407 – Perfection

Calling his core Peak Quality didn’t seem to do it justice. Gold, black, and steel meshed in perfect harmony, without so much as a hint of incongruity. Zac wouldn’t have known he was looking at a mortal’s Cosmic Core if it weren’t his own, and cycling his energy indicated it had seen a noticeable buff to recovery and transmission rates. There were no longer any roadblocks or potholes in the way.

A pang of regret followed the initial sense of wonder when Zac realized he would have to blow up this piece of art. Why couldn’t he have worked a bit harder, advancing to Peak Hegemony before the hunt? Zac shook his head and discarded the irrational thought. Disregarding the fact that it simply wasn’t possible, the [Peregrine Almond] wouldn’t have enough juice to patch up a newly advanced core—at least not the way Zac advanced.

“How long was I out?” Zac asked as he looked around.

“Not long, ten minutes or so,” Esmeralda said.

‘All good?’

‘Better than good,’ Zac answered before bowing toward Idiche.

“I have no words. Your gift is beyond generous.”

“It’s what you deserve,” Idiche said.

“Well, what about me?” Esmeralda asked while stretching her hands out like a child asking for candy.

“I haven’t forgotten you,” Idiche said before opening her arms in a grand gesture. “For graciously acting as my Dao Guardian, I leave you my lodge.”

“WHAT?! This filthy, derelict, imaginary hovel?!” Esmeralda bellowed, stomping her feet with fury. “Give me half of that sphere! Forget it, even a few shavings are better than inheriting this dump.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. The Divine Core is part of me now.” Idiche lightly laughed. “And don’t look down on this so-called hovel. It may have seen better days, but it is still the nucleus of a memory that has endured since the First Era. It will help you contain the item you seek, allowing for a more controlled integration.”

“Don’t you need this place?” Zac asked.

“I…” Idiche’s voice stalled as she gazed at the sky. “I have a mission to complete. The sect paid an extraordinary price to bring me into being. Master needs me to stand guard, to protect their sacrifice.”

If the previous vision wasn’t proof enough, it was clear that Idiche knew the truth of the Mercurial Court’s current state. Her view of the future had contained snippets taking place outside the memories. Zac wasn’t sure exactly what sacrifice she referred to, but it should be related to the Mercurial Court’s hidden mission.

Esmeralda’s earlier remark echoed in the back of Zac’s mind as he saw Idiche’s determined expression. Everyone’s loyalty to the Limitless Empire was beyond anything he’d encountered elsewhere. Even the invaders teeming with corruption were fiercely loyal to the Empire in their own twisted way. The war back home would have gone very differently if Zecia’s stronger factions possessed a fraction of this level of dedication.

Zac could also tell that this was goodbye.

“Is there anything else we can do for you?” Zac asked.

“There will be an inquiry. Marai died a martyr, not a traitor,” Idiche said.

“Of course,” Zac agreed without hesitation.

“Take care,” Idiche said before turning into a beam of light grander than when she awoke. As it shot into the sky, Idiche’s voice echoed in his mind.

‘Sometimes, we have no choice but to walk down a road paved by others.’ Idiche’s voice suddenly echoed in Zac’s mind. ‘Be patient. Your path is sanctioned by His Majesty, and The Eternal has released your Life Chart. Your future is no one’s but your own. Keep on walking, and you’ll eventually reach open pastures.’

Life Chart? Zac had no idea what that was or how Idiche knew he’d locked eyes with the Eternal. There was also no time to ask Esmeralda. The whole Hall of Abundance had begun flickering as Idiche’s lingering divinity entered its walls, activating the circular pattern on the ceiling one final time.

The hunting lodge was fast losing its corporeal state, turning into streaks of light that pulled toward Esmeralda. The whole thing was gone in a flash, leaving only a dense golden mist behind. Zac noticed a wooden miniature structure had appeared in one of Esmeralda’s vats before it was submerged in viscous liquid. Zac showed nothing on his face as he looked away.

Dozens of perceptions, all stronger than his own, locked onto them the next second. The feeling was unnerving, yet Zac remained calm as the golden mist dissipated. A chill crept up his legs the next moment. The lodge’s tiled floor was gone, and Zac found himself standing in crystalline, knee-deep water.

The spot where the lodge stood had been turned into a shallow lake atop a bed of desert sand. Zac could still sense a hint of corruption beneath the surface, though nowhere near the levels he’d encountered before. The lake had roughly reached the seventh concentric lake, but the rest of the core region looked mostly as it did before.

There were no signs of the azure moon or the magic circles in the sky. Considering there were dozens of mountain rivers depositing rainwater into the lake, it was only a matter of time before the whole core region became a submerged basin. Nature was cleansing itself, though it appeared unlikely the island would remain untouched by human hands.

Zac bowed to the dozens of Monarchs hanging overhead. He wasn’t as calm as he let on, and Esmeralda opted to immediately retreat into the [Shrine of Kanba]. There were two reasons they didn’t attempt a desperate escape. First, Idiche’s glimpse into the future showed him reaching his disciple manor safe and sound. Secondly, these new faces all wore a specific emblem on their robes, denoting them as members of the Enforcement Hall.

“Everit Draom of the Imperial Magistrate greets the esteemed colleagues,” Zac said, noting the array flags in some of their hands.

He suspected that while the immediate danger was averted, Sevona’s island posed a latent threat. The film between realities was weaker and possibly damaged in this region. Idiche’s mission was no doubt connected to rectifying this problem, but she couldn’t be everywhere at once. The Mercurial Court would have to install temporary plugs at the problematic areas until a permanent solution was found.

“Everit Draom of the Imperial Magistrate?” a Late Monarch slowly nodded as he landed before him. “Did you emerge from the lodge?”

“I did,” Zac nodded.

“You alone?”

“The rest are dead or gone,” Zac said, frowning when the perception dug into his body.

The enforcer didn’t bother to apologize for the invasion of privacy. He stretched out his hand, causing Zac’s Disciple Token to fly into his grasp. His steely demeanor didn’t relax throughout, but he slightly nodded after completing his scan.

“There are no issues, but we need you to share your experience of your time on the island,” the Monarch said.

Another voice cut through just as Zac was about to agree, and he saw Astora Theomore teleport over.

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“I’d like to be present for the debriefing.”

“Your Highness,” Zac said with another bow.

“Master Draom… I didn’t expect to see you here,” Astora Theomore said, unable to hide her surprise.

“Didn’t Your Highness get my message?” Zac asked, not understanding her reaction.

“I did. I simply assumed…” Astora didn’t finish her sentence.

‘She simply assumed it wouldn’t be you walking away from this island alive,’ Esmeralda snickered from within the shrine.

“Uh-huh,” Zac said with an even expression.