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'Liberation, huh…'
The sudden increase in ether sensitivity was unexpected—but even more so was the manifestation of a new ether ability.
Even for someone like me, who prided himself on knowing nearly everything about The Defense, this was an entirely new ability.
'Well, I suppose that makes sense, considering the conditions required to obtain it.'
An ability only unlocked once your total ether sensitivity score exceeds 100.
In pure numerical terms, that was a figure comparable to a level 10 ether adept.
'It was only possible because the Watcher's will took root in me.'
Until now, I hadn't dared to guess what the Watcher really was—but now I understood.
The Great Spirit.
An ether adept whose power was said to be unparalleled in history, the one who sealed the rampaging ether beneath Mount Noah and created the Great Will.
The Watcher was likely the residue left in the world by that Great Spirit.
'I don't know why objects imbued with the Watcher's will ended up in the hands of the Church of Morte… but that's not something I need to worry about now.'
After all, that wasn't the only thing I'd gained from this encounter with the Watcher.
[Your understanding of 'Rift' has significantly increased, enhancing all abilities related to 'Rift'.]
['Rift Space' usable distance increased by 100%.]
['Rift Space' entrance size increased by 200%.]
['Rift Shift' cooldown reduced by 50%.]
['Rift Shift' travel distance increased by 100%.]
[You have acquired 'Rift Blade'.]
In addition to a new ether ability, I'd gained a new rift ability as well.
'Rift Blade…'
Naturally, it was an entirely unfamiliar ability—just like Liberation.
But then again, every rift-related ability was unfamiliar to me, so perhaps that was to be expected.
'Still…'
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to dwell on these new powers.
Time had already begun to move again, and Cardinal Oculus was now facing me, wearing a light smile.
"Judging by the completely different energy I'm sensing… I'd say things ended well."
The bone necklace on his hand crumbled to dust, as though its role had been fulfilled.
"You really do as you please."
"There are times when action must come before consent. This was one of those times."
"You've got a lot of nerve. I hope you're ready to take responsibility for the consequences?"
The trigger of my Ark-34 Automatic Conversion Rifle—now in shotgun mode—was still in my hand.
Whether it would be effective was another matter entirely, but I certainly had the will to blow off that smug head of his if I so wished.
"If it's responsibility, I've always borne it. Not just me, but all who are alive do."
Even so, Oculus remained infuriatingly composed.
Most likely because the Ark-34 shotgun I held wasn't enough of a threat to someone armored with all the blessings of the Church of Morte.
"Good. Then be prepared."
And if one weapon wouldn't work—I'd just use another.
I began to channel ether while glaring at him.
"Wait—what are you doing?!"
Apparently, what I was about to unleash wasn't something even he could ignore. His eyes sharpened, sensing the shift.
To me, it was just a small exertion of force.
But to him, it wouldn't be so insignificant.
[Kkik, kkikikik, kkikik, kkik, kkik, kkikikik, kkikik, kkik, kkik, kkikikik, kkikik, kkik, kkik, kkikikik, kkikik, kkik...]
[Hehe, hehehehe── hehehehe, hehehe, hehehe, hehehehe── hehe── hehe── hehehehehe, hehehehehe──]
[Kihahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...]
The wailing and derisive laughter of the ether echoed all around.
And for the first time, the eternally composed expression of Cardinal Oculus began to crack.
I had always wondered—what could possibly make someone like him show fear?
Apparently, I could.
"This… is this the power left behind by the Great Spirit?!"
He was horrified—desperately trying to resist the overwhelming ether surge.
But the blessings he possessed were not enough to shield him from the terrifying ether.
No matter how miraculous the blessings of the Church of Morte were, very few could interact directly with ether.
"What's your goal in approaching me? I suggest you speak plainly—unless you'd prefer to lose that head."
His body trembled.
Even if he was a high-ranking figure in the Church of Morte, he was still flesh and blood at the core.
There was no withstanding this primal pressure without flinching.
"G-goal, you say… Ha… amusing. We merely follow… the path that the Great Will… desires. For all living things… in this cursed world… that is the right course."
"You talk big."
"When one refuses to shoulder responsibility… someone else must bear it. That someone… just happened to be us…!"
"I'm not interested in your Church's dogma."
Ending his life would be a trivial task.
But it would also invite unnecessary complications.
Whether I liked it or not, starting a war with the Church of Morte right now wouldn't be wise.
'Tch.'
I didn't ponder for long.
[Heh…]
The moment I withdrew my ether, the power that had seemed like it would destroy everything calmed instantly.
Considering the nature of ether, even I was surprised by how completely I'd controlled it.
"There won't be a next time."
"…I'll remember that."
Leaving the nearly collapsed Oculus behind, I turned and walked away.
I had no more business here.
["Master, what was that power…"]
Esther, now beside me, stared at the lingering ether with shock in her eyes.
My increased ether power had naturally influenced her too—she was a Spectral Entity being bonded to me.
["What happened back there? I couldn't even sense you for a moment."]
'Is that so.'
I had thought time had nearly stopped—but I guess, being so close to me, Esther had felt that fleeting moment.
["And since then, the power I'm sensing from you… it's insane. What happened?"]
She was right.
Up until now, my ether abilities had always fallen short of hers.
But no longer.
Even Esther—who had evolved beyond a named ghost-class—could no longer keep up with me.
'I see.'
That's how vast the ether I'd inherited from the shard of the Great Spirit was.
It was as if it were urging me to end every battle from now on.
["Master?"]
"Ah."
["What are you thinking about so hard? What happened?! What did that old man do to you?!"]
My answer was always the same.
"I'll explain another time."
["You're dodging again?"]
"You know how it is."
["Ugh… really."]
It wasn't the first time I'd done this—so Esther just shook her head.
["You will keep that promise, right?"]
"As always."
["Hmm, that sounds vague. Are you saying you will or you won't?"]
"Also, as always."
["...I'm not talking to you anymore."]
This meaningless conversation—oddly, it felt peaceful.
Like a moment of calm before the coming storm of war.
I had learned a lot today.
But I didn't think I had uncovered all the secrets of this world.
There were still too many questions.
From the fall of the Black Line long ago, to the greatest mystery of Ark—the White Line.
Now, it was time to find the answer to one of them.
'Project Noah.'
Yes, it was time to learn the truth about that.
*
On the way back to Ark.
The scenery around me flew by.
Even with Horus's speed, the journey from the Kronos Union's natural fortress back to Ark was not a short one.
So, I decided not to waste the time.
'I should confirm exactly what these abilities do.'
As we traveled, I drew up ether to test my new powers—both ether and rift-based.
[Heh…]
Ether swirled around me.
It was a phenomenon born of the raw power I now held—comparable to a level 10 ether adept by numerical strength alone.
["Master! This is—!"]
Esther panicked, rushing to stabilize the ether storm erupting around us.
KUGUGUGUGUGU!
The storm surged, on the verge of tearing everything apart—
Then—
PSSSSH...
The vortex suddenly vanished without a trace.
['Liberation' failed to activate.]
[You did not meet the necessary conditions to use 'Liberation'.]
Even I hadn't expected the ability to fail.
'Hmm…'
Conditions, huh…
I didn't know exactly what Liberation did—but if I failed to meet its activation conditions, then I had a guess.
'One of the conditions might be the location—Mount Noah.'
The word "Liberation" carried deep meaning for the Marcus lineage.
Their long-standing goal—and Lania's as well—had always been to liberate the Great Will sealed within Mount Noah.
'If that's the case, then this ability might be…'
I could guess—but not confirm.
So, I moved on, shifting focus to the other new power I had gained.
'Rift Blade.'
Unlike ether abilities, rift abilities didn't consume resources—and as long as certain conditions were met, they were extremely useful.
So, I had high expectations for Rift Blade.
'Especially since it's called a blade… that probably means it's offensive.'
Up until now, all my rift abilities were for convenience or mobility—not attack.
How I had envied the Rift Flame ability Lania once used...
I rarely lacked for firepower—but that didn't mean I would turn down more.
Especially if it were a rift-based attack—those tended to be immensely powerful by nature.
'Well then…'
I reached out with my hand.
And focused.
[Activating 'Rift Blade'.]
And then—
A universe unfolded from my palm.
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