Chapter 1152
Chapter 1152 Level Up Legacy
On the other side of the portal, the eight regathered behind their king. No one said a word as their king was meeting the scholar guardian, who had a spiritual artifact in hand. The guardian looked at the artifact with emotions, mostly pride.
"This might be the best artifact to ever exist, Arthur," said Jizo as twinkling lights shone in his eyes. "It can grant immense power to souls and record their every action. I based it on your own legacy, but this one has a few restrictions to ensure fairness."
"And with this artifact, the people can handle the merge?" asked Arthur with a frown, studying the globe of runes before him. It looked like a giant core, but he could feel the immense complexity within.
"I cannot promise such a thing, because no one can tell what would happen once the merge happens," said the scholar with a shake of his head. "Millions might die, or just a few thousands. It would depend on the circumstances and our preparations."
"I fought the entire time to prevent the merge, and now I'm the one causing it," said Arthur as he stared at the artifact. "I became the very thing that I swore to destroy: a selfish, self-centered person who cares more about his benefits than the safety of others."
"No one would have considered creating a legacy to ensure the safety of others," said Jizo as he walked toward Arthur, bringing the artifact closer. "Even without the merge, people would die because of monsters and dungeon breaks."
"I don't have any hesitations regarding this," said Arthur to reassure the guardian, his eyes more determined than ever. "I will bring her back, no matter the cost and not matter the sacrifices I must make."
"This artifact requires an immense amount of spiritual energy to connect to the countless number of souls. As you grow, you can expand its range to be bigger than just earth. There is just one last thing it needs: a name."
"A name?" asked Arthur with confusion, and the scholar nodded. After a moment, he turned toward his warriors for suggestions. Seraphine was the first to step forward, suggesting one.
"Blood Legacy," she said with confidence, but Arthur looked away from her. Seraphine was embarrassed as she coughed and backed away, where Ilia stepped forward to take her place. In sequence, his warriors each suggested a name.
Ilia suggested Defiance Legacy.
Ramiel suggested Demonic Legacy.
Jonathan suggested Road to Knighthood.
Koby suggested Sorcerers Legacy.
Whisker suggested Netherborne Legacy.
Lian suggested Runic Legacy.
Sarohan suggested The Overpowered Legacy of Resistance Against Gods and Nameless, TOLRAGN for short.
Arthur was silent as he pondered their suggestions. Furthermore, they have already established a power hierarchy among them using the ranking of the fourth floor, choosing to speak according to it. However, none of their names seemed to fit what Arthur wanted.
"How can Sarohan be the only person who put any effort into it?" asked Arthur, disappointed, and the waiga puffed out his chest with pride. "Although Tolragn sounds catchy, the name is too long."
Everyone glared at Sarohan as he seemed to spread his body bigger. Arthur thought for a while longer before deciding on a name. It was something that the other worlds might not understand, but earth had the luxury of knowing what it would mean.
"Level Up Legacy," Arthur said to the guardian, who stared at him with surprise before smiling. As the guardian waved his finger, a few lines changed within the legacy, and it began to shine.
"Everything is ready now. You can now take this and return to Runera. Once the time is right, activate it and everything will change," said the artifact before offering him the runic core, and Arthur received it with his palm. As it hovered over his hand, the guardian seemed relieved. "I have placed my greatest creation in the safest hands."
"Are you still determined to throw away your life?" asked Arthur, with unknown emotions, studying the scholar. "There could be other methods to escape their siege."
"Our spiritual contract is the sole thing stopping them from entering the tower. How long do you think we can last under their underhanded tactic? There will be a time when we won't be able to hold them back. Furthermore, you need to go back before December 31st."
Arthur was silent before the core began entering his body. After it disappeared, he offered the scholar guardian a handshake. As the guardian took it, Arthur held it tight as he looked into his eyes.
"I used to hate you for giving me this legacy, but after learning about my identity, I don't hold that against you anymore. In one way or another, this is the best life for me."
As he heard the words, the scholar guardian stared at Arthur with a stunned expression. Then, tears streamed down his face, falling to the ground of the runic realm. Arthur and the rest failed to understand the reason until the guardian began to talk.
"Even after the hardships I have placed you through, I expected that you would be the one to end my life," said the guardian as he looked at their handshake. "I considered you like a son, giving you a name, and watched your growth. However, I knew that I was a terrible man for the fate that I have placed on your shoulders. And yet how can you forgive me for what I have done?"
"In the last three thousand years, did you ever rest?" asked Arthur instead of answering, catching the guardian off guard. As he shook his head after a few seconds, Arthur smiled. "This is the reason that I don't hold it against you. Everything that you did was for the sake of others, not yourself."
"I am not as noble as you make me to be," said the guardian as he let go of their handshake, as if ashamed. "After my wife and daughter died, I became a scholar to revive them. I created bodies for them that held no life and searched for their souls. However, I never found them. But I found out the reason that they disappeared."
"Azkahar told me their secret," said Arthur as wrathful lightning crackled from his hand, remembering the god's secret. "Is that the reason you began loathing the gods, Jizo?"
"I loathed them from a long time, but I never focused on defeating them," said the guardian while shaking his head. "My dear friend Arthur taught me that the gods have many enemies, but the weak have no allies. This is the reason I wanted to save the poor lives that have been suffering because of them."
"A good man," said Arthur and the guardian nodded. "I mean you, Jizo," corrected Arthur, making the guardian confused. "Instead of pursuing revenge, you became the one true guardian of the world. I will make sure that the world remembers you as that."
"Being remembered or not means nothing after I die," said the guardian with a smile as he turned around. "As long as I fulfilled my role, I can die with peace."
"Farewell, dear friend," said Arthur as the guardian walked away from them, toward a portal that led to interdimensional space. "We shall meet again."
"In another life," continued the guardian without looking back. "Farewell, dear Arthur."
After that, the guardian walked through the portal and disappeared. The moment that he did, a huge hologram appeared before them. It stated that a new Tower Master has appeared, none other than Arthur Netherborne.
Space began to destabilize as the entire realm began shaking. The moment that the tower master changed, Devaheim launched their attacks against the tower. Arthur turned toward his warriors with a smile.
"I came here alone, but will be leaving this tower with many memories and dear friends. Are you prepared to follow me back to my world? Anyone who needs to resolve things in theirs can follow us later."
"Everything can wait," said Whisker, the one who joined Arthur for the sole purpose of leaving this tower. "We can visit our worlds once this war is over and we settle in yours. After all, we don't want to leave you there alone."
"As reliable as ever," said Arthur with gratitude before he smiled. "If so, then let us go back now."
Arthur then used his new authority as the tower master to open a portal leading to Earth. Even though the gods might realize his intentions, the scholar guardian would prevent them from tracing him. The only thing that he needed to do now was to go back to Earth and unsummon the Red Tower.
A giant gate appeared that would lead them back to Earth. Ramiel pushed it open, revealing the scene on the other side. Arthur looked ahead and saw the same battlefield that he left, but someone was waiting for him. As soon as he saw Julia, his heart ached.
Arthur took the first step toward his world, followed by his new warriors. Then, he walked through the portal, teleporting seamlessly to his world. As the cold breeze brushed past him and the lingering scent of blood, Arthur was back.