The great existence capable of conveying His will within the Forsaken Land of the Gods was, of course, the True Creator.
In fact, this came as no surprise to me. Even back then—when I transformed a Shepherd's wraith into an "artificial intelligence"—I had done so precisely to establish contact with the True Creator.
After all, although the Giant King's Court really was the exit of the Forsaken Land of the Gods, without the permission of the True Creator, Morning Star City would never be able to enter the bright world.
Moreover, after advancing to Sequence 3, although I still could not probe deeper into the "Unknown Land" behind the Pure White Eye and retrieve memories of my other lives, thanks to the uniqueness of the Mystic Specter, I could glimpse fragments of the secrets of my previous incarnations.
And in the lifetime when I was the "Creator," I had communicated with the True Creator. I knew that although He appeared utterly "mad" to ordinary people, He was not an irrational lunatic incapable of cooperation.
This had already been verified by His Majesty Solomon.
In short, the True Creator clearly recognized me and understood my peculiar nature. Thus, through our intermediary—the artificial intelligence Natasha Violet—we reached an agreement:
I would help Him open the "door" inside the Giant King's Court and confirm the status of the Dark Angel.
He, in return, would allow me to transport Morning Star City out of the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
After this, I discovered that at some unknown point, Morning Star City had already gained believers of the True Creator. This was clearly something secretly cultivated by the city's core administrator—Violet. To demonstrate sincerity in our cooperation, I tolerated Violet's actions, merely dividing the factions slightly so they could restrain one another.
However, my deal with the True Creator did not proceed smoothly. Until Floating Year 203—when Morning Star City arrived near Afternoon Town—those He had sent to locate the "key" to the Giant King's Court all returned empty-handed.
At that moment, I understood that some existence—or several—did not want the True Creator to open that room within the Giant King's Court at this point in time…
I was destined to be unable to guide Morning Star City to the bright world in this lifetime!
My life, too, had entered its countdown. And I had a premonition that even the newly developed "colony armor" technology might not extend my lifespan.
Thus, I began preparing a series of back-up plans and stored them inside the Mechanical Bible…
Then, once again through Violet, I issued a promise to the True Creator—
A promise that I would help Him obtain the first Blasphemy Slate in the future.
In exchange, He would, for the next 203 years, refrain from actively harming Morning Star City.
Why 203 years?
Because according to my calculations, 203 years later would be exactly the year Klein entered the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
Even if I had not yet reconnected with Morning Star City then, Mr. Fool should be able to grant protection.
And coincidentally—this year happened to be the 203rd year since the floating city ascended. Quite a coincidence, wasn't it?
Although I had already foreseen that Morning Star would inevitably "fall" this year…
But a "fall" was not the end—it was the beginning of another legend!
After all, without my protection, only a fallen Morning Star could survive.
This was a conclusion I reached after glimpsing a fragment of the "secrets" belonging to the God of Luck.
As for the rest of my arrangements in the bright world, I could only hope that my future selves would complete them.
The only one I could not let go of was Violet.
Although she had preached the True Creator's faith behind my back, that was merely influence from her pathway's higher power. I knew she had never betrayed me.
In the end, I never expected that the one who acted and caused my death would be the Angel of Fate—Ouroboros…
Or rather—was it Him again?
In that case, the debt He owes me… In the future, He must repay it with at least one "Great Serpent" characteristic.
The God of Luck… or rather, "me"… Could I really observe my future selves across thousands of years with such clarity?
Such precise observation of destiny already surpassed the capabilities of the Wheel of Fate, didn't it?
Unfortunately, my strength was insufficient. Because of the limitations of my pathway, I could not use the fictional "Omniscient Eye" within the Unknown Land. I could not "restore" the memories of the God of Luck and could only glimpse fragments through the Mystic Specter…
Perhaps only when a future self walks the "Reader" pathway will I—at the demigod stage—be able to "restore" the complete memories of my previous lives?
...
Inside the villa at 28 Kingster Street, Ebner, after "immersively" experiencing the life of the Mechanical Emperor, felt somewhat dazed—
even though the mental experience of a Reader-path demigod was akin to reading a book.
At the same time, due to the influence of bad luck, a portion of the memories he received was lost—something he didn't even realize.
So the "pie" I drew for the True Creator was helping Him get the first Blasphemy Slate… That's the sort of job that offends everyone. Hopefully none of my other selves promised the same thing to the Calamity Dragon…
And the calamity of the floating city wasn't because the True Creator discovered something—it was because His protection period was ending… No wonder when I observed the fate-river of Morning Star City, I realized that if I didn't take them out soon, they'd be in great danger.
Understanding this, Ebner recalled the magnificent life of the Mechanical Emperor. Even knowing that was himself, he couldn't help but sigh:
Damn, that's impressive.
A true legend!
Such a pity—"a miracle of civilization destroyed by corruption"…
The first generation of resilient fighters slowly died off.
Their descendants, softened by comfort, saw their hearts deteriorate.
When their final pillar—the Mechanical Emperor—could no longer protect them, Morning Star's fall became inevitable.
Fortunately, after 203 years of hardship, the people of Morning Star had once again forged unshakable wills…
After drifting through these boundless thoughts, Ebner focused once more on the "secrets" of the God of Luck that the Mechanical Emperor had glimpsed.
Ouroboros must repay with a Sequence 1 characteristic? That means the pivot point of fate was shifted—reducing the probability of other branches and solidifying a particular destiny.
In simple terms, it's somewhat like karma in the Shushan world… But the foundation of this world is chaos. Determinism only works in limited areas; cause-and-effect is not strict… So did the God of Luck achieve this by repeatedly prying fate's pivot points?
Or… was it tied to the "cycle of destiny" promised to the little snake?
The Mechanical Emperor believed the God of Luck surpassed the Wheel of Fate—at least in some aspects…
No matter what, it's definitely related to the Old Ones tied to destiny!
Thinking this, Ebner pushed the Insight Vision in the Unknown Land toward the "Calamity Seal" lifetime again—
but strangely, he received nothing.
Even though it was closer in time than the Mechanical Emperor and nearer to the "passage," he still couldn't "restore" that life.
As for Dannett—who belonged to an even more distant era—Insight Vision couldn't safely reach him until Ebner advanced to Sequence 3.
Is it because the Calamity Seal lifetime was Sequence 1? Or because it wasn't human?
In any case, that lifetime is definitely the most special!
Ebner thought regretfully.
After all, the Calamity Seal lifetime was the one in which he had arranged the most plans and moved the most pieces—many of which he still couldn't fully comprehend…
While thinking, Ebner transmitted the information regarding the Mechanical Emperor's promise to the avatar attending the Tarot Gathering.
—Although it seemed long, the memory reception actually took only a few seconds.
...
In the ancient hall above the gray fog—
The Tower paused for a few seconds, then looked at the Sun beside him and replied with a smile:
"Go back and tell Elder Lovia that the final valid period of that promise still has a few months left.
I have not forgotten—
and I hope He hasn't either."
There will be an extra update around nine o'clock.
(End of this chapter)