Chapter 156: The Path to Uncovering the Truth

"There is one final question."

After hesitating for a long time, and even though he still held a deep-rooted distrust toward Jasu, the youth intended to seek clues about the truth of the world from this girl who had close ties with the Forefathers: "What on earth is going on with this world... Why can you all sit by and watch the Domain of Order be swallowed by the Deepest Night, watch the embers and civilization gradually weaken and ultimately perish—what on earth are you planning to do?"

The Deepest Night that shroud the Domain of Order, severing inter-city communication and causing civilization to decline, was something he could cut through on his own—a half-baked individual borrowing the power of Lucifer's dawn. It made no sense that beings like Jasu, who seemingly stood faintly above the mortal realm, would be utterly helpless against it. Even if hindered by the Mother of a Myriad Black Goats from eradicating it entirely, they could at least control it or banish it, just as they had handled the Fog of the Nameless.

Yet they did nothing, merely sitting high above the clouds, watching with indifference as the fire of civilization marched toward its demise.

Amy Ulysses could not understand the reason behind their such apathy toward this world, nor could he fathom what kind of motives they harbored, or how they viewed the war between order and chaos that had burned unextinguished for thousands of years.

Were they looking down upon all living beings from on high like true gods, or was there some hidden bitter necessity that forced them to stand idly by?

Ignati had once said that the Forefathers had long foreseen the arrival of the Dark Millennium, writing the destiny of the world and all living creatures upon the Holy Code of Hammurabi. Meanwhile, the mastermind hidden within the web woven by the House of Dice served as an overseer, ensuring that the pacts jointly established by those transcendent beings were executed.

It was precisely from Jasu, from this overseer of the House of Dice, that he wished to learn the truth of the world.

"The truth of the world—"

With a deliberately drawn-out tone, the petite and slightly youthful girl glanced at him. "Such a thing actually doesn't matter at all, because to people with different stances, the truth is not the same. Everyone believes they are right and that only they can save this world, but in reality... who knows?"

She let out a cold, derisive chuckle.

"Yet I wish to learn the truth from your lips," the youth paused, then added, "Even if it is only a one-sided, partial truth."

"The truth is as absurd as a farcical play," Jasu sighed, her dark, brilliant eyes looking past the position of the Glorious One toward the distance. "Being told it will accomplish nothing except deepen your suspicions or cause your outlook on life to collapse. If you are truly interested, you would do better to explore and verify it yourself."

"You mean... I wouldn't be able to handle this truth?"

Amy had heard statements similar to this several times before. Ignati, the traveler who had returned from the darkness, had said so, and Edgar, who inherited the insights of past high priests, had said so as well. It seemed that the truth hidden beneath the mists of history truly must be exceptionally cruel, absurd, and worldview-shattering.

Though come to think of it, what even was a worldview?

"Pretty much. Without psychological preparation, the vast majority of people collapse upon hearing the truth—it stems from the collapse of cognition, and even I don't have a particularly good solution for it," the black-haired, dark-eyed girl spread her hands, signaling her helplessness. "But if you unearth the truth step by step on your own, it becomes relatively easier to accept."

"I lack the corresponding direction and methods."

This was the truth. Unearthing the truth sounded simple, but where should one unearth it, and how? These were all problems. Without guidance, one could only scurry about everywhere like a headless fly, accomplishing nothing at all.

"I can give you direction. As for methods, I am not some nearly omniscient blue raccoon cat; the only thing you can rely on is yourself."

Jasu continued speaking words that no one could understand. A blue raccoon cat? What on earth was that?

Fortunately, the general meaning of the sentence was not hard to grasp, except that... a moment too late, before the youth could reply, she fixed her dark, brilliant eyes upon him, and her tone shifted abruptly: "The question is, however, why should I tell you?"

"What do you need me to do?" Amy's phrasing was extremely cautious.

"There's no need to be so paranoid. It's just a normal transaction." The girl blinked, then straightened her expression. "I need you to infiltrate the headquarters of the Cult and investigate the 'Genesis Gate Project'."

"The Genesis Gate Project?" The unfamiliar term made the youth frown. "What is that?"

"If I knew, there would be no need for me to send you to investigate," Jasu retorted petulantly. "What I can confirm is that the Cult is pushing forward with this plan, and their recent movements in all aspects have been very significant. It is very likely they will take action soon."

"But at present, I know nothing about the Cult. Not only do I not know where the Cult's headquarters is, but I am also unclear about what identity I should use to infiltrate it," Amy analyzed the problem calmly. "Furthermore, taking a step back, even if I really did infiltrate the Cult and learned the details of the plan, how am I supposed to transmit the intelligence back to you?"

"Those are not things you need to consider." The petite girl waved her hand magnanimously. "I will prepare an identity for you, help you infiltrate the Cult, and provide a means of contact. Even... the direction you are looking for will be handed over to you directly as compensation. So, you only need to tell me your choice."

To agree... or not to agree, that was the question.

The young Glorious One fell into silence.

He certainly trusted Jasu much more than he trusted Duke, yet no matter how much trust there was, it always had to be discounted somewhat due to the connection of the House of Dice.

—He needed to think carefully. He must absolutely not give a reply in a moment of hot-headed impulse.

To summarize the potential risks and the pros and cons.

The benefits he would gain were obvious—a key leading to the truth of the world. However, considering the habitual malicious style of the House of Dice, it was necessary to tag it with a question mark. While its temptation to him could not be called weak, it was certainly not indispensable either. It felt like an ant constantly scratching at his heart, always leaving him with an itch. Yet, the Cult's "Genesis Gate Project" concerned him deeply. What did "Genesis Gate" refer to? Could it be... that door, the door he had to find and open?

Opposing the benefits, the risks were equally non-negligible. Exposing his identity was the most direct risk, while the potential one was... the very fact of being transferred away from Hermetica. Would the House of Dice take advantage of his departure from Hermetica to plot something less than friendly, perhaps targeting Julia to force him into a compromise?

Of course, these were only very rough thoughts; omissions or misjudgments were quite normal.

Therefore—

Amy gave his reply, a reply that could by no means be called wrong: "Please give me some time; I need to consider this carefully."

"I need to make some preparations on my end as well." Jasu was not surprised at all, acting quite strictly professional. "However, please give me a reply as soon as possible. This transaction will not remain valid forever."

"I would also like to know some details," the young Glorious One said—speaking his mind for once. "I am actually quite interested in this mission."

"Details? There aren't really any details. The core of it is to play it by ear." Jasu did not care at all. This transaction was originally just a whim on her part. Whether he was killed by the Cult's hands or managed to acquire intelligence on the Cult through her, it all depended on his own coping mechanisms and choices. Either way... no matter what, as the mission issuer, she wouldn't lose out. "This is a very fair transaction. I point the way for you, and you bear the corresponding risks."

After thinking for a moment, out of the camaraderie forged at the Harvest Festival, she still offered a few negligible hints.

"The identity I can prepare for you is a reserve Sword-Bearer about to participate in the Sword-Bearer baptism and have a stigmata implanted. In other words, you will need to bear the risk of having a stigmata implanted—of course, it might also bring you additional benefits, but no one can say for sure about such things. Afterward, you will very likely act as a Sword-Bearer, fight, and encounter danger. If you are prepared to accept this transaction, please prepare yourself to die."

"And to show fairness, I will provide you with a little help and deliver the compensation ahead of time."

"As for how to decide, the choice is in your hands."

"I understand." Frankly speaking, the risks were foreseeable—provided Jasu hadn't concealed any critical information, though who could say for sure with such things? Furthermore, the lessons learned from dealing with the House of Dice constantly reminded him to anticipate it with the utmost malice. "I will consider it carefully."

"I look forward to hearing your affirmative reply." Jasu's gaze lingered on his sword-hand. At this moment, the sword of dawn, Lucifer, had returned to the scabbard that concealed it—the scabbard named "Dark Blood" by the Ulysses family. "Although I have already removed my permissions, you, who possess the flame, still have the possibility of unlocking the seal placed upon it. Therefore, I must warn you: do not completely liberate Lucifer. The descent of Shub-Niggurath, even once, is already far too many."

"Rest assured." Amy gave his promise.

For him, the flaming sword activated via visitor permissions was already sufficient; mythological creatures from the primordial world before creation could not possibly be found everywhere.

"Then it is time to leave this place." The petite girl looked at him with an amused and laughable gaze. "Though I suppose you probably need help."

Leave this place? Need help?

Only at this moment did the youth realize how abnormal it was that they had been able to have a normal conversation previously.

Although the great sky dome above was beginning to mend, it would still take a considerable amount of time before it was fully repaired. The skies above Hermetica remained chaotic, with both time and space confused to a certain extent. In such an environment, even if he stood in the sky, he would not fall down; even if he took a step forward, he might be walking backward, completely devoid of any logic or rationality.

Although as time passed, this tendency toward chaos was constantly fading, at this rate, who knew when he would be able to shake off his current predicament—and even if he did shake it off, there was still a major problem remaining: how on earth was he supposed to survive a fall from the high altitude...

Dying from a high-altitude fall.

It was already a very pathetic thing in itself. What was even more pathetic was that he might have to experience this pathetic way of dying in despair amidst the premonition of death multiple times over.

Therefore—

"Please help me."

Without hesitation, Amy Ulysses spoke the words of request.