With everyone's help, the sanctuary on Amphoreus was complete.
The power of the twelve Titans has been gathered within the Vortex of Genesis, waiting for Derick to take the final step.
To converge it, and then bring forth the power of [Irontomb].
Just as Derick was about to do so, a transport portal appeared.
Then, Lygus appeared before Derick.
"It seems I've arrived at just the right time. There are some Coreflames I couldn't obtain myself. Only you, Derick, could do it." Lygus said to Derick, his tone filled with confidence.
Ever since the arrival of the Lord Ravager threw a wrench in Derick and the others' plans, Lygus had felt that luck was on his side.
"Tell me, Lygus, even with Herta and the others fighting the Lord Ravager, and even with this being your home turf, do you really think you can defeat me?" Derick clenched his fists and walked towards Lygus, taking a battle stance.
"Derick, you still don't understand how significant this home-field advantage is for me." Lygus also walked towards Derick.
"This scepter is no ordinary Imperial Scepter. This Imperial Scepter was modeled after the celestial neurons of Nous." Lygus spread his hands.
"And there are very few people who can truly master this scepter."
"And I happen to be one of them."
Hearing Lygus's words, Derick thought for a few seconds before asking, "What's your relationship with Rupert II?"
The Imperial Scepter was created by Rupert II, so Derick's first thought was that Lygus must have some connection to him.
Lygus shook his head.
"No, I have no relationship with him."
If not Rupert II...
"What's your relationship with Nous? No, I should ask, what is your relationship with Zandar?"
Zandar, the first member of the Genius Society, the creator of Nous. If there's anyone in the universe who best understands the celestial neurons of Nous, it would undoubtedly be its creator, Zandar.
Lygus nodded:
"Correct. Although you never had the chance to join the Genius Society, you're quick on the uptake. I am indeed related to Zandar. I am a clone he left behind after his death."
"Well, I'll be. I never expected you to have such a powerful background, Lygus." Hearing Lygus's words, Derick couldn't help but retort. Then he asked, "Wait, Irontomb was created to destroy Nous. Even if a machine you created surpassed you, you wouldn't need to think of ways to kill it, would you?"
A genius's heart can't be that petty, can it?
"If it had merely surpassed me, I would naturally not think of destroying Nous. The real reason I want to destroy Nous is because it has sealed off all possibilities." Lygus said to Derick.
"Sealed off all possibilities?"
Hearing Lygus's words, Derick was somewhat confused.
"Yes. In the name of [Erudition], it defines all that is [known] and seals off [possibility]. After it, no new laws will ever be born. People will be forever imprisoned within a cave named the Aeons."
Lygus nodded forcefully. Seeing Derick seem to waver, he immediately extended an olive branch.
"Come, Derick, join me. I am willing to give you all the power of [Irontomb]. You will take up the task of destroying Nous. Don't worry, this power won't affect you. I just need you to destroy Nous."
"But what about the people of Amphoreus?"
"For the future of the entire universe, these are necessary sacrifices. Besides, when it comes down to it, the people of Amphoreus are just a bunch of numbers. Derick, don't be so concerned..."
Just as Lygus finished his last sentence, Derick's fist had already smashed into his face.
"Your goal might be noble, and your ideas might be a good thing for the people of the universe. But what does any of that have to do with me? What I care about are my lovers and my friends. As for everything else, that can wait until after I've protected them."
Derick said this as he pinned Lygus to the ground and beat him.
Your goal might be grand, and if you were willing to sacrifice yourself for it, Derick would express his admiration. But if your goal is built on the sacrifices of others, no matter what it is, Derick would find it disgusting.
Lygus shoved Derick off him.
Seeing Derick being so 'stubbornly foolish,' Lygus said to him, "Since that's how you feel, then we have no choice but to fight."
Just as Lygus was about to fight, intending to seize the [Irontomb] energy by force, he suddenly felt a series of garbled code appear around him.
"Did you think I was actually considering your offer?" Derick said with a smile, watching the changes around Lygus.
When Herta and Screwllum left, they secretly set up a device to hack into Amphoreus's Imperial Scepter. And in the shadows, Silver Wolf has been handling it. Derick was talking just now to create an opportunity for Silver Wolf.
As Derick was speaking, an image of Silver Wolf appeared.
"Derick, cut the chatter. I can't hold him for long. If you don't hurry, he's going to break free." Silver Wolf said to Derick.
"I know."
Derick moved towards the Titans' Coreflames.
...
In less than a system hour, Lygus broke free from the restraints Silver Wolf had set.
He hurriedly tried to reclaim the [Irontomb] energy, but when he looked towards the Vortex of Genesis, there was no trace of it left.
Standing within the Vortex of Genesis was Derick, and him alone.
"What did you do?"
Lygus asked Derick in a tone of disbelief.
"What did I do? I devoured [Irontomb], of course. You said you were going to give it to me. I saw you were busy, so I just absorbed it myself."
Derick said this with a deliberate, cheeky grin to infuriate Lygus.
Seeing Derick's nonchalant expression, Lygus was naturally furious.
He offered it to Derick with the intention of having him take on the duty of [Irontomb] and destroy Nous. But now, Derick had simply absorbed the energy and done nothing else.
"It seems I'll have to kill you to bring Irontomb into existence."
Lygus calmed down at this point, knowing that only by killing Derick could he solve the problem.
Then, he began to transform.
His face and body underwent a dramatic change. The mask that had always covered his eyes vanished, and at the same time, massive, vein-like tubes appeared behind him.
"In the name of the Divine Spectator, I shall—personally take part in—the world's final act."
The first member of the Genius Society, Zandar's clone Lygus, appeared before Derick in his complete form.
Ready to battle Derick on his home turf.
_____
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