Chapter 734: Testing the Limits
[You don’t need that either, Master.]
A strange voice suddenly responded to Arthur’s thoughts, and though he was momentarily surprised, he quickly figured out who it was.
’Lostvayne?’
[Affirmative. Your mention of my name seemed to have connected our thoughts. You’ll need some time to get used to controlling it; otherwise, your thoughts might start leaking out uncontrollably.]
’Is that so? I’ll need your assistance with that, then.’
[No problem, Master. But regarding your thoughts—you don’t need any special armour from that man. Lady Celestia is enough for you.]
Lostvayne’s voice carried such absolute confidence that Arthur took a figurative step back.
’I’m very curious why you say that.’
[I’d be happy to explain as much as I can after this, Master. Just know that Lady Celestia is enough.]
Arthur fell silent, then realized something strange.
’...why is Celestia silent?’
Normally, the Ego weapon would be ranting in his mind, accusing him of "cheating" with another weapon as if she were his jealous girlfriend, but she was oddly silent.
[Lady Celestia strained herself earlier, so he’s resting for a bit. She should be fine in under 24 hours.]
Lostvayne’s response made Arthur think back to the defensive ability Celestia had displayed during the battle against Bewússtsein. Learning that she had strained herself to use it didn’t surprise him.
But what did intrigue him was the source of that ability—and why Celestia herself hadn’t known she possessed it.
’Could it have to do with her missing fragments?’
[It does, Master. Lady Celestia’s abilities are scattered alongside those fragments. Recovering them will restore those abilities.]
’Is that so? Now I’m seriously considering heading straight to Draco Sirus.’
[I recall you mentioning that place before. That Universe is a familiar one. A certain Dwarf Supreme used to reside on the planet Lucifer gave you coordinates to. If he’s still there, you can ask him for help in locating Lady C—!
Huh? Wait a moment. Are you going to Draco Sirus because you believe one of Lady Celestia’s fragments is there? How do you know that?]
Lostvayne took a moment to register the certainty in Arthur’s tone and didn’t hesitate to question it.
’She’s the one who told me we MUST go to Draco Sirus when Lucifer first mentioned the Universe.’
[...I see. Then there’s a high probability that it’s related to a memory fragment. Very well. I shall assist you to the best of my ability.]
’Much appreciated.’
Arthur could tell that Lostvayne was even more eager to recover Celestia’s missing fragments than he was. And naturally, he was very curious why.
[I understand your curiosity, Master, but I believe we should set it aside for now. I doubt that Eternal will give you unlimited time to think.]
’True. Can you help me come up with something?’
[...that’s rather difficult, considering I know not what the imposed limit is. I fear most of my suggestions may exceed it.]
Arthur sighed quietly, rubbing his chin as he exchanged thoughts with Lostvayne.
’Alright, since we don’t know the limit, let’s start with the most absurd requests possible and work our way down.’
Lostvayne was about to mention something when Arthur suddenly looked up to Ranus and spoke.
"Give me meta-immortality."
[Kpffftt?!]
Ranus, who had just taken a sip of his drink while shuffling a deck of cards, nearly spat everything out. The cards scattered in his hands as he coughed violently, his gaze snapping to Arthur in disbelief.
[What the hell, Kid?!]
Arthur shrugged at his incredulous expression.
"What? I don’t want to die. So I thought, why not make it so that life and death don’t apply to me in the first place?"
Ranus just stared at him in silence, then pressed his hands to his temple.
[No. That’s far too much.
I would have to sever the binding force of the Concepts of Life and Death on you.
Leaving aside whether your existence can even withstand being severed from such Major Cosmic Concepts, you do know who governs those Concepts, right? Julio and Dulio are going to be on my ass for that.]
Arthur thought of the names Ranus mentioned—the Eternals of Death & Darkness and Life & Light respectively.
Even if Ranus could actually make him meta-immortal, the two Eternals would immediately notice. It likely wouldn’t be hard for them to track him down and shove him right back into the system.
Either that, or they would straight up erase him from existence.
[If you didn’t know it before, then know it now; they do NOT tolerate that. Unless you’re Jamie, you’re not surviving their wrath.]
At the mention of the familiar name, Arthur blinked in confusion.
"Where does Jamie come into this?"
Ranus looked at him like he was asking the obvious.
[Because he’s not bound by the Concepts of Life and Death.]
"..."
Although Arthur knew Jamie was ’Immortal’, immortality came in many forms—Eternal Life, Regeneration, Parasitic, Reliant, and more.
But he had never expected that Life and Death simply didn’t apply to him in the first place.
’How the hell did the ’Witch of Chaos,’ who made Jamie a Hybrid, manage that?’
The thought barely formed before Arthur recalled that this same ’Witch of Chaos’ had somehow stolen a portion of Akasha’s Cosmic Authority of Knowledge.
That alone made her a complete anomaly, but still, a question lingered in his mind.
"Can’t the Eternal of Death just use her Conceptual Authority to imbue Jamie with the Concept of Death so he can die?"
[You think she hasn’t already tried that?]
From the way Ranus responded, it was clear that the attempt hadn’t ended well.
[For reasons I’m not going to elaborate on, Jamie possesses resistance to the Authorities of Concepts. It’s why not many of us are fond of him.
If you put Jamie in a room with Julio and/or Dulio, that entire universe is done for.]
"So, they’re like oil and water. Perfect."
Arthur nodded in understanding, but before Ranus could return his attention to the poker game he was about to play, Arthur made his second request.
"Can you take me to the Dark Multiverse?"
Ranus, who had just finished gathering his scattered cards, froze mid-motion. His fingers twitched slightly as he gave Arthur a long, incredulous look.
[...Kid, I’m trying to give you hush money to prevent a cosmic war. Why the hell are you asking me for something that could start one?]
Once again, Arthur blinked in confusion.
"Huh? How the hell is me going to the Dark Multiverse gonna spark a cosmic war?"
[Ah, that’s right. You got in through the back door.]
Ranus muttered under his breath, realizing he’d have to enlighten Arthur on the Candidate Selection rules and regulations—rules that a ’Watcher’ should have explained to him.
[Eternal Candidates aren’t allowed to go to the Dark Multiverse. For reasons that should be blatantly obvious.]
The Dark Multiverse was the domain of the Aggressors who governed the Ordered Concepts. Keeping Eternal Candidates out was a strict precaution.
’That could be troublesome if I ever need to speak with Hyperion in the future...’
[The restriction can be lifted under certain conditions, but you don’t meet any.]
Ranus continued, finally distributing the cards to the players seated at his table.
None of them could perceive Arthur, yet, for some reason, they instinctively avoided sitting in the seat directly opposite Ranus—almost as if they knew someone was there.
Arthur gave them a side glance before leaning forward, resting his chin on his hand. It was then that Lostvayne finally spoke up.
[Master, I thought my requests would be absurd, but you’ve certainly outdone me in that regard.]
The godslayer chuckled at Lostvayne’s quip before prompting the sword for something more practical.
’Any actual suggestions?’
[I’d suggest something that grants you direct power or an ability, but since you rejected that earlier, how about something that enhances what you already have?]
’Enhances what I already have, you say?’
The suggestion sparked an idea in Arthur’s mind. He looked up at Ranus and asked.
"Give me the ability to retroactively decide that events never happened."
Ranus deadpanned him in silence for a moment, before finally asking.
[...you’re tryna mess with me, aren’t you?]
"Yes, I am."
Arthur chuckled in response, just as Lostvayne chimed in with another suggestion.
[What about direct access to Elo Katra’s Library or Records? Information is a resource just as valuable as power.]
’Elo Katra? What’s that?’
[In simple terms: The Eternals’ Family House.]
’Ohh...’
Every established Organization or Power would naturally have a central base or headquarters. This "Elo Katra" was likely the equivalent for the Eternals.
Arthur couldn’t even begin to imagine the vast amount of information stored in such a place. He thought about it for a moment before asking.
"Can I get access to Elo Katra’s Archives?"
Ranus tilted his head, mulling it over.
[Some, but not all. You’d be restricted to specific subjects.]
"Can I know the level of restriction?"
[Depends on what you want to know.]
"..."
Clearly, Ranus wasn’t going to give him any hints.
’Fine, then. Two can play that game.’
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Arthur decided to make yet another outrageous request.
"What about a relic from the Previous Era?"
[Be serious, kid.]
"I am. I’d like something like a Galactic Engine, or a Universe Codex..."
Arthur responded with a sigh, leaning back on his seat as he stared at the bright Casino ceiling. He completely ignored Ranus’ gaze that silently questioned whether he even understood what he was asking for.
That was when Lostvayne spoke up.
[Master, how about you try a support-based request? Like a Higher-Dimensional familiar.]
Inspired by Lostvayne’s idea, Arthur modified it slightly before speaking aloud.
"What about a Higher-Dimensional Full Cosmic Superior Familiar?"
[You can have one, but its power will be capped at the Monarch Realm.]
Ranus responded immediately, revealing a full house as he flipped over his cards. Arthur nodded quietly, pondering the man’s response. Then, he posed another question.
"What if I asked you to destroy this Universe?"
The Eternal froze at this question, looking up at Arthur before responding.
[That’s possible, but why would you wanna do that?]
"I’m just testing the waters since you don’t wanna tell me what my limit is. But anyway, destroying the Universe isn’t off the table, huh?"
