Children of the Holy Emperor - Chapter 446



Only Noblemtl

446. Dachion (3)

Before its destruction, Ionia was inhabited by various races.

From the humanoid Kornsheim clan, to lycanthropes, draconians, giants, and treemen, they were a race with quite a variety of forms and characteristics that at first glance seemed to have no biological similarity.

However, they had one thing in common that set them apart from the creatures of the Delcross dimension: the salt crystals that resided within their skulls.

The location and structure of the crystals varied greatly depending on the race. However, no matter how crude the salt crystals were, each individual could form a group reason by connecting with the race’s [essence] through these salt crystals.

In that way, [the essence] became everything to the race. It was a precious legacy that went beyond the stage of sharing the emotions and knowledge of the individuals, and preserved and developed their culture and thoughts, as well as leading all of their consciousness to a higher-dimensional spiritual world.

However, among the races, there were those who entrusted the role of race essence to the most outstanding individual in the clan.

Oracle.

The living race essence of the Kornsheim clan, and the bearer of the most highly developed salt crystals.

‘Perfect!’

One day, Dacianus accidentally encountered an oracle’s milestone and was struck by a powerful shock that shook his soul.

‘The [milestone] created by the living race’s essence is so beautiful. It can hold the universe within it!’

The Kornshim clan was originally a group with superior spiritual development compared to other races. The secret art of creating a soul terminal, a crystal of another nature outside the body, was already widely spread at the time.

Even the youngest Kornsims could easily create soul terminals through sorcery. Then, they would load their consciousness onto these soul terminals and move freely beyond the constraints of space.

If someone with spiritual eyes were to look upon the dwelling place of Kornsim, he would probably be able to see a spectacular sight of orbs of all sizes flying across the sky.

Among them, the soul terminal created by the Oracle was special.

Milestone.

A being that maintains an exquisite balance between the laws of the real world and the laws of the psychic world, different from the innate crystals and the terminals of the soul created through sorcery.

‘It is truly amazing. It is possible that something created solely by the power of the mind can have such a distinct physical form!’

Dacianus believed that the Oracle’s signposts were the most perfect crystals in the world, and that the ability to create them was proof of a highly accomplished mind.

It was perhaps natural that he, who had extremely strong narcissism, would become absorbed in creating his own milestones.

He gave the entire salt crystal, including the milestones, a new name, ‘Dakion’, and soon set about creating the most beautiful salt crystal in the world.

‘I need samples. I need more diverse types of salt crystals. No, if only I could directly observe the process of salt crystal formation!’

So Dacianus traveled to the Delcross dimension. Delcross was less developed than Ionia and did not even have a race that possessed salt crystals, so he thought it would be a good place to observe the birth of new salt crystals.

He pretended to be a wandering wizard and distributed the potions he made to people. Then, at some point, he settled down and left his family line in the center of Ortona.

* * *

“Dacianus said he would achieve immortality by building the ‘Wall of the Soul.’ But if his real goal wasn’t immortality… … .”

Seonghwang slowly shook his head at Seongjin’s words.

“There’s no point in guessing what the original purpose was. The result would have been the same either way.”

“The result is the same?”

Hurrruk!

The devil of the lamp swayed in the breeze blowing from somewhere. Seongjin threw a small piece of bread to the devil who was quietly watching him and asked again.

“Why is that so?”

“Because in the end, he would have made the same thing.”

As Seongjin was blankly blinking, Seonghwang raised the corners of his lips and continued his explanation.

“Did you know, Mores? When someone with a salt crystal dies, his crystal also quickly loses its function.”

Seongjin nodded. During his time as a hunter, he had defeated countless monsters and seen them with his own eyes.

The Barotoshi found in the heads of swarm monsters would often disappear without a trace shortly after being exposed to the outside.

There were some cases where it would remain intact, but then it would quickly lose its luster and turn into a hard piece of bone.

Because of this, it took a long time for scientists to realize Bartosz’s function.

“A soulless salt crystal is nothing more than a small stone. So, Dacianus, who had been collecting salt crystals and studying them at first, had no choice but to quickly change his plans after realizing this fact.”

Rather than examining the finished decision, we became more focused on the process of making it.

“That was fortunate.”

If the salt crystals had remained functional even after death, wouldn’t Dacianus, who was obsessed with his research, have gone around chopping people’s heads off? The continent would have almost become home to one of the most brutal murderers of all time.

“Besides, if we were not careful, the entire Kornsheim clan could have become targets.”

“…I see.”

Seonghwang’s reply came a step late.

‘Huh? Wait a minute. What was this guy thinking just now? Why is he making such a regretful expression?’

For a moment, a creepy possibility occurred to Sungjin, but he quickly shook the thought out of his head.

“But Dacianus already knew. That in some special cases, there exist salt crystals in the world that function properly even after the death of their creator.”

Wheeeeeek-

Once again, a gust of wind brushes Sungjin’s cheek. The door is closed, but where has the wind been blowing from?

“Special case?”

This time, Seonghwang did not answer right away, but just stared blankly at Seongjin. In that strange gaze, Seongjin was soon able to figure out the answer to the riddle.

“It’s a milestone.”

“… … .”

“That’s why you said the result was the same. If Dacianus really succeeded in creating the milestone, then he would have created the perfect ‘Dachion’ that could protect his soul even after death.”

At the point where he succeeds in creating a milestone, his immortality is already achieved automatically.

Hurrruk!

Seongjin looked at the Demon King swaying dangerously in the wind and became lost in thought.

There is a lot to infer from the information we have so far.

At the point when the body dies and the soul leaves the body, the salt crystal gradually loses its function, because the essence of the salt crystal is that it exists only for the soul, as an organ for the soul.

But why is only the Oracle’s milestone still intact? Aren’t the milestone, the salt crystal, and the Dachion all essentially the same?

‘Could it be that there is still a part of the soul left in the milestone…?’

Seongjin shook his head as he thought about that for a moment. Hey, no way. There are already several milestones left by his grandmother. It’s not like a person’s soul can be split into so many pieces.

Wheeeeee-

“But father.”

Seongjin tilted his head as he brushed back his hair that was blowing in the strong wind.

“The wind keeps blowing from somewhere.”

No, I really don’t know if I should call this a wish.

[Lee, Lee Seong-jin… … .]

Pulling the lamp towards the anxious Demon King, Seongjin carefully looked around the seemingly quiet room.

‘This is… … .’

It’s a feeling I’ve definitely experienced before. The feeling of being pulled by something. The feeling of the whole world looking only at me.

It was the feeling of [cause and effect] moving.

“Yeah, that can’t be helped.”

Space vibrates slightly, and the time axis creaks slightly.

But even though the situation was becoming increasingly serious, Seonghwang’s expression remained calm.

“I think I may have slightly exceeded the causality allowed for me. I had some leeway since I had taken it from the representatives of the races earlier, but it seems that it was not enough.”

“…yes?”

“The world will slowly tilt and twist at an increasingly faster rate. Sooner or later, the Delcross dimension will come to an end.”

“Huh?”

What is this all of a sudden?

“Ah, before that, [disaster] might pour down through the cracks in the world.”

“… … ?!”

Seongjin realized for the first time in his life that when a person is so absurd, he doesn’t even get angry. If this gentleman’s words are true, then something really big is going on right now!

“Hey, we need to get to a safe place first, Father!”

Seongjin grabbed the lamp with one hand and grabbed Seonghwang’s sleeve with the other hand.

“Mores.”

“Let’s go downstairs! We need to take Sir Marsain and the idiot there and get out of this town quickly first… …!”

“Mores.”

Stop.

With his overly calm demeanor, Seongjin slowly turned to look at Seonghwang. And soon, he heard a voice that had not yet been spoken aloud from his calm eyes.

It’s okay.

The strength in my hands that were holding the sleeves slowly released.

“uh…….”

Seongjin stared blankly at Seonghwang. What is it? Why is his father doing this? Of course, I firmly believe in my father. But… … .

Then, Seongjin became aware of the strange voice that had been sneaking in for some time and was now ringing loudly in his head.

‘Who the hell chose all this?’

… was confusing.

“Mores.”

At that moment, Seonghwang slowly got up from his seat and approached Seongjin.

“I wish I had more time to talk to you. But isn’t this the result of your hard work? So even if I had to give up other opportunities, I wanted to tell you about Dacianus.”

“Dacianus.”

Only then did Seongjin’s eyes, which had been wandering here and there, regain focus.

iced coffee.

“Is all this happening because I got Dacianus’ secretary?”

“… … .”

Seonghwang doesn’t really open his mouth, but his gaze is silently focused on the book on the table.

For a moment, Sungjin was completely sure of the answer he had not given.

“And by getting that book… … .”

Seongjin’s voice began to tremble slightly.

“You’ve achieved the causality that allows you to hear your father’s explanation… and properly understand the situation.”

Why was it that Seonghwang was able to give a detailed explanation about Dacianus unlike usual? Seongjin intuitively understood the reason.

Causality.

It was an undeniable necessity for him to acquire this secretary in order to build up that causality.

“Yes, son. You made the best choice you could under the circumstances.”

“… … .”

“In the midst of a complex web of someone’s desires and coincidences, you hold the crucial clue that will allow you to properly interfere with this world.

Ddd …

The quiet room shakes silently. A violent commotion that only two people in this world can feel.

Seongjin looked at Seonghwang with a blank expression in the middle of the chaos.

‘That’s true. It was all my choice.’

In order to attack Berseus Daciano, who is showing an organized movement to oppose ‘Bertran & Lee’ –

To get back Louise, who had to leave alone, carrying a huge burden –

And to punish the sinister Count Hendrik, who was plotting something in Sigismund’s territory.

but……!

“But father.”

Seongjin’s voice calling for Seonghwang gradually became wet without me even realizing it.

“The price for it was too high.”

“Mores.”

“More than anything, because of me, the wonder of Marsain, his soul is now… … .”

Seongjin understood instinctively.

What happened to Sir Marsain yesterday is permanent damage that can never be undone. And all the disasters that happened to him were caused by his own unconscious choices.

‘It’s all because of me-‘

Bam!

At that moment, I felt a hand gently stroking Seongjin’s head. I also heard a calm voice comforting me.

“Don’t blame yourself so much, son. There was always a proper countermeasure to your actions.”

“… … !”

“And I am here now to help you.”

At his unexpected words, Seongjin blinked for a moment.

… Is there a way to fix the Masain statue?

“What on earth? Father! What should I, what should I do?”

Seongjin had an urgent expression on his face without realizing it. The reason why the unpleasantness that had been irritating his nerves until now was instantly relieved when he faced his father.

Wasn’t it just a simple sense of relief?

“There’s no need to be so impatient.”

Seonghwang gave a short answer, paused for a moment, and then smiled faintly.

“Didn’t I tell you once, Mores? You don’t need to be forced into that choice yet.”

“father.”

“You’re still young. So, isn’t it okay to sometimes leave that burden to someone else?”

Knock knock.

With the steady tapping of the hand on the head, the emotions that had been boiling inside slowly subsided.

After a while, when Sungjin finally regained complete stability, Sunghwang slowly lowered his arms and smiled. With the world sinking rapidly behind him, his eyes turned to Sungjin and radiated bright silver light.

“Mores. I will now show you directly how to create the true ‘Dachion’ that Dacianus devoted his entire life to obtain.”

* * *

Now it all depends on what I want to see. Mores.