Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 909 - 397: The Great One’s Chessboard (Part 2)

Within the King of Illusions' mirage, a flower of impossible perfection materialized. Its petals, identical in every aspect, exuded an aura of lifelessness, devoid of any vital essence.

"True power emerges from the embrace of imperfections, from the convergence of opposing forces."

The clock belonging to the King of Absurdity ceased its ticking. "Little Eve's suffering is the unavoidable consequence of pursuing such a bizarre ideal of perfection."

"History invariably repeats itself in this manner."

The King of Absurdity finally broke his silence, reflecting on the numerous occasions Eve had endured torment from demon devouring, leaving her unable to find rest. "Each generation believes they can transcend the errors of their predecessors, that they can forge a different path. Yet, in the end, they all find themselves ensnared in the same tragic cycle."

The dialogue shifted, delving into more personal matters. "Speaking of kindred spirits..."

The King of Illusions' illusory form began to waver. "I remain constant, continuing to 'safeguard' all the descendants of those bloodlines."

"A prudent course of action," the King of Absurdity concurred. "The present circumstances are far too perilous for any nascent bloodline. It is preferable to have them await a more opportune moment in safety, rather than allowing them to devolve into monsters amidst the prevailing chaos."

"However, my Crown Clan..." His clock resumed its movement, though its pace was now more deliberate. "They may require further cycles. Little Cassandra and Little Eve are critical specimens in this ongoing experiment."

"Yet..." the King of Absurdity's tone softened considerably. "At the very least, that intriguing young man has introduced certain unpredictable variables into this monotonous game."

He was, undoubtedly, referring to Ron. In the estimation of both Witch Kings, this young Primordial Wizard exhibited a number of unconventional characteristics.

"That individual possesses a peculiar 'equilibrium' within him." Within the King of Illusions' phantasm, Ron's appearance morphed ceaselessly, akin to a kaleidoscope, yet each transformation retained a semblance of internal coherence. "He can pursue immense power while maintaining his rationality, and delve into forbidden knowledge while exercising restraint. Such a quality..."

"Is exceptionally rare, even at our level of existence."

The King of Absurdity's clock began to pulse with an unusual rhythm, reminiscent of the heartbeat of an ancient deity. "More significantly, he appears capable of forging connections with multiple higher-dimensional entities without succumbing to complete assimilation by any single one."

Both Witch Kings cast their minds back to individuals of historical significance who had once been imbued with great promise. Each of them had, at some point, demonstrated the potential to alter the existing order, but ultimately met with destruction or ruin. The acquisition of power invariably demands a price, and the relentless accumulation of this cost eventually erodes even the most steadfast resolve.

"Perhaps this time will prove different." The King of Illusions' voice carried a nearly imperceptible hint of optimism. "At least he has breathed some new possibilities into this tedium."

"Perhaps you speak the truth, but I have already faltered too many times, Pandora." The King of Absurdity's tone was laced with a degree of introspection. "At times, I contemplate whether we, as such beings, ought to cease all intervention and permit events to unfold according to their natural course."

"Complete non-interference is, in itself, a form of intervention." The King of Illusions offered a gentle reminder. "Moreover, there are matters in which we can no longer remain detached."

"Speaking of which, let us discuss that jester, Aiden." The King of Absurdity deliberately shifted the conversation to alleviate the somber mood. "How has his recent conduct been? Still as... preposterous as ever?"

"He remains consumed by his delusions." In the King of Illusions' reflective surface, recent activities of the King of Blood were displayed. "He endeavors to fulfill some form of vengeance through that fabricated daughter, utterly oblivious that the genuine peril has never originated from external forces, but from internal decay."

"Does his continued existence hold any value for us now?" the King of Absurdity inquired.

"As a catalyst for external pressure, he retains some utility." The King of Illusions considered the question before replying. "At the very least, he can compel others to advance with greater caution. However, should his escalating madness begin to jeopardize the overall equilibrium..."

"Then he shall be utterly eradicated." The King of Absurdity's voice became ice-cold. "I have indulged him for far too long."

"In truth, when Aiden absconded with that power in the past..." The King of Illusions spoke with a trace of remorse. "I possessed the capacity to prevent it. Given my abilities, a mere fledgling who wasn't even an Official Wizard could never have accessed Selena's void remnants."

"But you did not act." The King of Absurdity's tone was devoid of accusation, imbued instead with profound comprehension. "Because you perceived certain future possibilities."

"Indeed," the King of Illusions confessed, his mirror commencing the projection of faint glimpses into the future.

"I witnessed the repercussions of Aiden’s ascent upon the entirety of our history. His very presence was destined to ignite the spark for your own coronation as Witch King. From there, your elevation would set off a cascade of events, culminating in..."

"...The genesis of the ‘End of Death,’" the King of Absurdity concluded, his voice resonating with finality.

"And the demise of the Third Era."

Throughout the latter half of the Third Era, the entire quadrant had been a crucible of relentless chaos and groundbreaking innovation.

Necromancers relentlessly probed the delicate boundary between life and death, ancient alchemists strove to reforge the very fabric of existence, and even the most unhinged researchers dared to forge novel physical laws from sheer will.

All of them understood that the arrival of the ‘End of Death’ was an inescapable certainty.

When the fundamental order governing life and death was so drastically fractured, beings of a higher echelon would inevitably emerge to restore the universe’s equilibrium.