Chapter 574 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

The Beast King, having lived a mundane life, never has the opportunity to meet the previous Beast King. This is because, after the previous Beast King's death, the successor seemingly pops up somewhere in the world. However, humans, this peculiar species, while experimenting with various things under their king, seem to have stumbled upon something significant. I quietly observed the girl lying still before me. She bore the typical impression of a Beast King: an innocent, carefree face. Had she been alive, she would likely have radiated such vitality. But with her eyes closed, it's difficult to ascertain. 'There is no consciousness. Yet, my telepathy is resonating. Her power as the Human King remains intact, though incomplete. What's missing is consciousness. In other words, the 'power that represents humanity' has vanished, leaving behind an empty shell. For the Beast King, the very essence of the beast's will is consciousness.' Her dirty gray hair extends down to her pelvis, long and tangled after two thousand years without care. Her body, without a stitch of clothing, is covered in small scratches and scars. Among them are five prominent wounds: one following the line of her eyes, one across her wrist, one across her ankle, one across her neck, and finally, one across her chest. These gruesome wounds, nearly healed, instinctively made me avert my gaze. 'These are the marks left by the Five Sovereigns who preyed upon the Human King. The act of consumption itself wasn't what mattered; it was the significance of that ceremony. Not that it mattered much, as they only took a portion of the power.' So, what should I do now? I subtly raised my head to look at Nevida. "Excuse me, Nevida. So, what should I do?" Nevida stepped onto the lotus with me and looked upon the slumbering Human King, making a request to me. "The one before us is the king of the past. O current king, please awaken the eyes of the king of the past." "Pardon? You want me to awaken a fainted person's consciousness? Me? How?" "Does nothing resonate within you as the other half of the king?" "Naturally, no. I'm neither a panacea nor a prince here to rescue a princess. How could I awaken her?" 'If I use telepathy to achieve 'synchronization' like I did with Tyrkanzyaka, she might regain her consciousness. Then the former Human King will read the 'synchronized me' and recall herself. However, this time it could be a bit dangerous. If our telepathy echoes back and forth multiple times, the weaker vessel might break first.' Awaken her? I can't help someone who's mentally gone. I'm the Human King, not a cure-all. Wait a minute. What if? "Shall I try something classic like a kiss? It might awaken her like in those fairy tale scenes." "Your jest goes too far. I cannot make such an irreverent request." "It's not a joke. It's fine. I don't particularly mind kissing. And I've always wanted to be the prince who awakens the princess." 'To fulfill Nevida's wish, I should expand my vessel a little. This will take time. Before that, should I grant someone else's wish?' I naturally knelt down and brought my face close to the girl's. Hmm. When you think about it, princes seem more barbaric than expected. Kissing someone unconscious? Is that romantic, or savage? Just before my lips touched, tendrils of ivy darted out from somewhere, seizing my arm and body. Though merely ivy, their grip felt as though it would crush me. I promptly gave up before I truly burst. "Now that I think about it, being the Human King means that's another version of me, right? The thought of kissing oneself... I find that unsettling. Feels narcissistic." "You know all too well that's not the proper method, my lord." Indeed. Awakening through a kiss was never going to work. I know that well. Reality is not a fairy tale. But. "You can't very well tell me the proper method! The only ways to merge different powers are forbidden!" The four types of taboo: Devouring, Grafting, Coalescing, and Heresy. These immoral acts, considered the origin and essence of dark magic, refer to four methods of merging different powers. "Surely you don't plan on grinding me down to feed and empower her through devouring?" "No, my lord. Devouring requires that the eater absorb the power. That is not the proper method either." "It sounds like you considered it!" Such horrible words in front of someone! I almost became a special Human King elixir! "Wait a sec. Does it mean I have to consume her instead? Like, savor the Human King's flavor from head to toe… Is that what you meant?" "Could you handle such a task, my lord?" "...Probably not. I can't eat a person. I assure you, I don't have some odd culinary desire to devour a beautiful maiden, in a culinary, not a sensual sense." 'At any rate, you need me, Nevida. Thus, you should meet my requests as well. Don’t think you can dismiss them with just polite speech.' Then again, sensuously, I could embrace the concept. Calmly, I knelt again, placing my hands on the girl's shoulders. I gently laid her down, spreading out her curled arms. Her chest, confined by vines, exuded a palpable presence. Ah. She’s indeed a Human King. She exudes a healthy beauty. As I placed my hand on her chest, trying to liberate it from the vines... I once again felt a strength that seemed ready to crush me. Ivy and vine lifted me as if I were a mere toy. With an intimidating intent, Nevida spoke. "What might you be doing?" "Uh? If not devouring, then Grafting or Coalescing. Surely you don't want a two-headed Human King, so it must be Coalescing, right? Perhaps my elimination method was wrong?" Coalescing involves sowing a seed to create a ‘mixed’ being. In essence, it’s a forbidden act misconstrued, for it’s something commonly done for species preservation. Of course, as a taboo, Coalescing incorporates a little more of a ritualistic nuance… but essentially, there is no difference. What if, right here, the half Human King impregnated the shell of the Human King? Wouldn't that kind of union bring about a new Human King? "Ah, this feels like being a stud horse; I really, really don’t want to do it~. But, no choice~. After all, I'm a guy, so there's some tension built up too~." "If you have need of a woman, I can provide as many as you desire." "No thanks. Now that I think about it, doing it with a female version of myself seems kind of intriguing. Isn’t that a peculiar form of self... discovery? The idea of a kiss was off-putting, but maybe the union wouldn't be so bad?" Nevida was about to snap at the prospect of me violating our king, but paused to contemplate. Despite being said jokingly, it was surprisingly a realistic proposition. "It could indeed be a method." "Perhaps this is the right answer! Why was I born as a male and she as a female, if not for the balance of yin and yang? It's a sign for us to merge and become whole! Haha!" 'No, to be precise, since the female side remains in the world, I was born as a male. To represent the part that’s left behind. Dogs and wolves are essentially different aspects of the same being, but I'm a manifestation of what the former Human King lost. Although union could be a method, it would be much more complicated.' Nevida, considering this coldly, decided to keep that method in reserve for now. "This method too could be a path. I shall bear it in mind." "Excuse me? Bear it in mind? Can't we just try it out as an experiment?" "You should refrain from treating the royal body casually. If you need a woman, I shall bring you another." "Oh? Does that mean you, Nevida?" In response to my joking icebreaker, Nevida spread her arms with a fearsome expression and asked. "Do you require my service?" "I'm kidding. Just joking. It's terrifying to even think about it." Sweat poured down my face as I turned my head, pretending everything was fine. Ah, too bad. I missed the chance to discover what it feels like with oneself. 'This gives me a pretext to meet other humans, the Archwitch or Shei. Nevida, I understand what you are wary of... but don't worry. Your wish will be fulfilled somehow.' Reluctantly, I turned my gaze from the girl. "If not Devouring, Grafting, or Coalescing, then it leaves the Fourth Forbidden Taboo, Heresy, but that's far too difficult. The manifestation of a miracle through a shared image by many... That's beyond attempt." Heresy is on a different level from the other taboos. A far more high-dimensional and spiritual approach to power consolidation. It involves multiple humans sharing a unified image and accessing the power that image holds. The integration of spirit, rather than body, is the Fourth Forbidden Taboo, Heresy. This requires brainwashing-like education, unwavering trust among its members, and a palpable power to unite their consciousness. Only this trifecta allows Heresy to be achieved. Admittedly, the effort required seems commendable, but when things go awry, it results in more deaths than any other taboo. Evidence of this lies in the mass suicides or massacres sometimes enacted by cults. Earthcraft of the Geomantic Faith or Druidism, for example. It's the reason ordinary humans could wield the power of demons, and the explanation for the existence of Druidism and magic even before humans understood demons. Ah. Even the faith of the God of Offering or the military nation’s signalmen could be considered forms of Heresy. "She doesn't even have consciousness in the first place. How can we share an image with someone unconscious?" "Do not both kings share the distinct and firm common image, the will of humanity?" "Oh?" Oh, indeed. She's right. If she's the Human King and so am I, we do share a collective image, don't we? Wow, Nevida. You are impressive. I never imagined that! 'Correctly assessed. Nevida may not know my approach exactly, but she's essentially solved the riddle.' "I surmised that if the two of you, fragmented beings, were brought into the same space, there would be a reaction between you." Although the assumption is sound, it feels like something minor is missing. I frowned, pressing my temples. "Hmm. To induce resonance, she and I are slightly different." "In what way?" "It's tough to say. I am physically weak but mentally intact; she's strong in body but lacks consciousness. There's that difference, for one." Upon hearing my explanation, Nevida fell into thought. ‘Is His Majesty asking me to help expand his vessel? This land is the domain of the World Tree, so it's not difficult to expand one’s vessel with the abundant energy.... Surely, His Majesty intends to accomplish something with his newfound power. It's a blatantly obvious ploy, but...' No, it’s not a ruse! And given how weak I am, isn't it fair to give me a stronger vessel? You're so suspicious! 'It's not a lie, Nevida. My vessel is weaker, so it’s likely to break first, and if I break, your king's revival becomes challenging. To fulfill your wish, my vessel must be increased. Why are you hesitant? If you want something, you also have to put something on the line.' YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0V3dDWFdPclRkRzZ1UG1xRnByOGdLelN6ZVU5b2FxWGNScGZDbmZJb3duSA "And in terms of consciousness or whatever, I feel there's a disconnect between us. It's hard to explain, but beyond our gender difference, it's like a generation gap or something." As I muttered, Nevida seemed to have an epiphany. "The two thousand years of separation. In that time, even the spirit has evolved. The layers of the spirit must be enhanced to bridge it. My eternal gratitude, Your Majesty. Thanks to your guidance, I have found the answer." "Pardon? Did I really guide you?" She claims to have had a revelation on her own. This is why geniuses are exasperating! My telepathy can’t keep up with such leaps in thought. ‘I provided a hint. You’ve taken a step closer to your wish, and I’ve gained some free time. It was a satisfactory exchange, wasn’t it?’ Nevida once again wrapped the girl in vines and opened the lotus petals. The lotus unfurled anew, and this time Nevida bowed to me sincerely. "Then, it might be time for you to descend." Right. I should go. I must go, but... I glanced at the girl with a tinge of reluctance. It feels like something has been taken from right in front of me, and it’s a bit disappointing. "Before I go, maybe just one more..." "Do proceed." The vines caught hold of me and dragged me away. Helpless, I watched the closing lotus petals from a distance. Tch. What a missed opportunity. I could have done something no one else could have... 'Next, Shei is the priority. If she permanently loses her arm, her life's wish might be shattered, and I can't allow that.' I probably won’t need to use telepathy here for the time being. That’s for the best. 'Having my thoughts echo back to me isn't ideal when it comes to deceiving myself, after all.'