Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2580: 1422: Gravity and Uplift (Part 2)

“The situation is quite straightforward. While others focus solely on bracing for the Great Catastrophe, I am haunted by the mystery of my own origin. I do not understand why I was brought into existence within the abyss-like depths of the magical ley lines, nor why I am compelled to oppose the Ten Thousand Clans of the surface. For three millennia, this riddle has plagued me. It is obvious that a vital memory has been stripped from me.”

A faint glimmer of yearning flickered within the hollow eyes of the “White Knight” as he spoke.

Upon hearing his confession, a contemplative silence fell over our group.

Though his explanation was succinct, it provided a monumental piece of the puzzle.

It suggested that he had awakened following the Era of Blankness, and much like the survivors of the Ten Thousand Clans, he suffered from a profound and inexplicable amnesia regarding the distant past.

This revelation confirmed that his personal history mirrored our own in significant ways.

“Does this mean you are also a survivor of the Era of Blankness?”

Leo Ray weighed the information for a moment before posing the question.

“By the standards of your calendar, my kind and I did indeed awaken three thousand years ago, following the Era of Blankness, with no memory of what preceded it. This much is certain.”

The “White Knight” gave a small nod of affirmation. “Only a single fact remains etched in our minds: our name, ‘Eclipse.’ We are fated to be the heralds of ruin, destined to ignite a Great Catastrophe that will engulf the world and leave nothing but ashes. This destiny is the very source of the friction between me and my brethren.”

“However, instead of simply embracing my role as a harbinger of doom, I find myself consumed by curiosity regarding our roots. I want to know why this solitary fact is all we were permitted to retain.”

“Is it not suspicious that we only remember our purpose is to destroy? I refuse to accept that our existence serves no purpose other than annihilation.”

The “White Knight’s” voice was thick with confusion as he went on, “Later, during the thousand years I spent parasitizing the White Knight and wandering the Human World, I discovered that the plight of the Ten Thousand Clans was nearly identical to that of the ‘Eclipse.’ They, too, referred to that lost age as the Era of Blankness.”

“It appears we have uncovered a shared foundation between our two sides.”

Leo Ray tilted his head slightly and remarked, “Ultimately, your objective is to find the truth behind the Era of Blankness. You believe that by reclaiming the history lost three thousand years ago, you can understand your true nature and the reason you are driven toward destruction.”

“Through the eyes and memories of the White Knight, I am well aware that you are chasing the world’s hidden truths. While our objectives may seem parallel, we are ultimately like moons reflected on the surface of water—visible to one another, yet destined never to meet.”

The “White Knight’s” tone flattened once more into a state of cold indifference. “Because the Great Catastrophe cannot be averted.”

“Your Excellency, how can you be so certain that the Great Catastrophe is an absolute certainty?”

Ariel Watson’s brow furrowed deeply as she felt compelled to interject.

“The answer is simple: no one possesses the power to oppose the will of the ‘Ruins Returner.’ Not your people, and not mine.”

In response, the “White Knight” introduced a term that was entirely foreign to them.

“The ‘Ruins Returner’? Are you referring to your commander?”

Leo Ray asked immediately, seeking clarification.

“Commander? That description is far too narrow and inaccurate. The ‘Ruins Returner’ is a far more transcendent entity. I am the ‘Ruins Returner,’ just as every member of the ‘Eclipse’ is the ‘Ruins Returner.'”

The “White Knight’s” explanation was blunt, yet it left the group in a state of bewilderment.

His words implied that the ‘Ruins Returner’ functioned as a leader, yet his claim that every individual was the entity itself was paradoxical.

“Stay alert, my Lord! It seems this individual is the actual head of the ‘Eclipse’!”

Xiao Jing reacted with the most speed, stepping in front of Leo Ray and leveling her blade at the opponent’s face with a scowl.

“If he truly held the position of supreme leader, he would not have been forced into such a desperate state that he had to parasitize the White Knight all those years ago.”

Leo Ray placed a steadying hand on Xiao Jing’s shoulder, gesturing for her to remain calm. He then turned back to the “White Knight.” “Could you explain the nature of the ‘Ruins Returner’ in more detail?”

“I have already provided the answer, but it remains beyond your grasp, much like an ant cannot comprehend the complexities of human ambition.”

Despite his detached demeanor, the “White Knight” elaborated, “Unlike the various clans who exist as solitary beings with isolated minds, we of the ‘Eclipse’ possess both individual awareness and a grand collective consciousness that binds us all. This hive mind permits us to exchange thoughts instantly and synchronize our every action.”

“To put it another way, every ‘Eclipse’ is a mere cell of this greater mind. Consequently, each one is an extension of the supreme consciousness itself—the ‘Ruins Returner.'”

The “White Knight” added, “To use a metaphor you might find more relatable: the ‘Ruins Returner’ is the spell, and we ‘Eclipse’ are the particles of Qi that give it form. The spell and its components are one and the same; their density dictates its power, but the spell remains a spell even if a few particles are lost. That is the essence of it.”

“I see. I never imagined the ‘Eclipse’ possessed such a heaven-defying trait.”

The face of Grey Elder was etched with gravity. He gave Leo Ray a meaningful nod. “Your Majesty, this implies that wherever an ‘Eclipse’ sets foot, information is funneled back to the ‘Ruins Returner’ and shared with every other member of their race. Such a capability is truly staggering.”

“It is indeed. In the heat of war, they could transmit orders to every unit simultaneously and achieve perfect micro-management in real-time. That is a terrifying prospect.”

Crisis’s eyes went wide as the realization hit her, and she spoke her thoughts aloud.

If one were to compare them to standard military units of equal power, ten thousand of our soldiers would struggle to match the coordination of their forces. The outcome of such a clash was easy to foresee.

Furthermore, to an average expert, such an opponent would be an insurmountable wall.

“It is no wonder the ‘Eclipse’ is viewed as the herald of the Great Catastrophe. With their near-invincibility, parasitic nature, and the shared mind of the ‘Ruins Returner,’ they are enough to drive the Ten Thousand Clans to the brink of despair.”

Ariel Watson looked deeply troubled, her brow knitting together again, a sentiment mirrored by the other powerful figures in their company.

“Now you comprehend the horror of our existence, do you not? The deeper your understanding grows, the more your hope should wither.”

The “White Knight” observed our reactions with a sense of grim satisfaction, but his expression soon shifted into one of slight confusion.

He could feel the weight of the atmosphere—the seriousness and the tension—but the expected scent of despair was missing.

“How is this possible? Is it because of that man?”

After scanning the faces of the group, the “White Knight’s” puzzled gaze returned to Leo Ray.

“As long as we stand by our Lord’s side, the light of dawn will never fade!”

Crisis stood tall, her voice ringing with conviction. “Do you honestly believe a few frightening words will make us cower? Have you forgotten that we have clashed with your kind before and emerged victorious?”

Following Crisis’s lead, the others voiced their agreement, and the oppressive weight in the air was replaced by a surge of renewed spirit.

“Ruler of the Human Clan, you continue to surprise me.”

The “White Knight” stared directly into Leo Ray’s eyes and sighed. “But what does it matter? It is nothing more than a pointless struggle. The final result remains unchanged.”

“Hmph, don’t think you can scare us into backing down!”

Xiao Jing stepped forward, her face defiant and mocking. “The Father God created the [Stone of God] specifically to deal with monsters like you!”

As she spoke, a sudden thought occurred to her, and she turned to Leo Ray with wide eyes. “Wait a second, my Lord! If this person is linked directly to the ‘Ruins Returner,’ doesn’t that mean our every move is being watched by the enemy right now?”