I Have a Sailing Game

Thus, Hecilibia traversed the world, seeking every manifestation of authority, with the purpose of searching for knowledge and truth.

But what, ultimately, is the end of supreme wisdom coupled with almost endless contemplation and exploration?

...Rogel did not know, but he believed that the fall of Hecilibia must have been due to a greater extent to itself.

And thereafter, the words of Senavia somewhat corroborated Rogel’s statement.

[All this information came from the secondary authority beside Hecilibia—The Authority of Knowledge·Hernator.]

[It told Senavia, before Hecilibia went to the sky, and told it that if it fell, it should tell all manifestations of authority in the world one thing...]

[...Never let Oromtar disrupt the order of this world!]

"Knowledge and wisdom... I see now..."

This seems to be the precursor to the Source of Knowledge and Wisdom Faith, Rogel thought silently in his heart.

At the same time, he was beset by a greater question.

Which was, what exactly is "order"?

Why did Hecilibia say that Oromtar was disrupting order?

[After listening to Senavia’s account.]

[You, Inoto, and Shalira all fell into silence.]

[The sudden unexpected event threw you all into confusion.]

[What is order, and what would happen if it’s broken? Where should you, as manifestations of authority, go from here?]

[Should you believe Hecilibia’s final words before it fell, or act as if nothing happened and continue your current lives?]

[You do not understand, nor does Senavia, the leader, seem to know what to do.]

Seeing this, Rogel remained silent.

He had a premonition that the next phase of the world was likely to erupt into great turmoil.

Sure enough, what transpired next unfolded just as he had anticipated.

[You returned to the realm of dreams, laden with confusion.]

[However, at this moment, you discovered that the creatures in the dreamscape seemed utterly different from before.]

[Originally, they only had the instincts of life and reverence for you.]

[But now, you could clearly see that in their gaze of reverence, there was an additional glint of... curiosity?]

[You suddenly realized, this was the wisdom dust scattered after Hecilibia’s fall, spreading almost across every corner of this world, granting all beings intelligence.]

[Faced with such change, you fell into silence.]

[You recalled a certain phrase once spoken to you by Hecilibia.]

[At that time, you had asked it to bestow wisdom upon your dream creations, but it had refused.]

["Wisdom is not as beautiful as you imagine. It too brings pain."]

[In that case, why did Hecilibia, upon its fall, scatter the dust of wisdom over all life in the world?]

[You felt lost and at a loss, along with an unease about "death."]

[At this moment, your body once again felt weary.]

[Previously, you detested this feeling of weariness, but now, you felt a glimmer of relief.]

[Perhaps, in the slumber of dreams, you could avoid it all...]

[With this thought, you once again sank into the dreamscape.]

"Chose to escape, then..."

Rogel sighed softly.

It was clear that the world was on the brink of monumental change, and yet Mephisto had never prepared for it.

Despite living through countless ages, it remained naive, merely feeling panic and bewilderment in the face of such circumstances, and ultimately choosing to retreat into dreams as a means of escape.

Previously, this might have indeed worked.

But now was a moment of convergence, where no one could escape the storm’s reach.

[Returning to the dreamscape, you found Mena waiting for you, which brought you great joy.]

[In previous dreams, it was you in control, the dominant here.]

[But after this return to the dreamscape, you found that the familiar dream suddenly began to transform unpredictably...]

[The creatures in your dream seemed to mirror your own fear and confusion.]

[Moreover, new sub-dreams began to emerge within your dreamscape.]

[They sprouted like mushrooms after the rain, some sweet and delightful, others bizarre and devoid of logic, and some simply eerie and terrifying!]

[These... were dreams born when the wise beings slumbered!]

[Initially, you felt somewhat pleased by their appearance.]

[Because their presence, to some extent, strengthened your dreamscape and power.]

But as events unfolded, things began to spiral out of control...]

[With the increase in dreams, the grotesque and bizarre dreams, along with the dreams of confusion and unease, also increased.]

[You were very resistant and displeased with these dreams, sensing that engaging with them would undoubtedly lead to a bad outcome.]

[But these nightmares had to be addressed, as they continuously multiplied, even squeezing the space of other dreams.]

[Seemingly aware of your difficulty, Mena stepped forward, beginning to manage these dreams on your behalf.]

[You breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to Mena.]

[However, as time passed.]

[It felt like an inexplicable force was trying to break free from your body!]

[You were utterly shocked.]

[At the same time, you felt your authority power seem to have split, taking away your bewilderment and terror along with it!]

[They combined with those grotesque and bizarre dreams, seizing from you previously fabricated failures left aside and your finest creation, Mena... forcefully tearing out an area independent of your dreamscape!]

[It was... the Nightmare!]

[Your once most cherished creation, Mena, assumed control of this nascent authority, absorbing your confusion and unease...]

In front of Rogel’s eyes.

Mephisto watched in horror as the once serene and harmonious Mena, after absorbing these powers, transformed into something bizarre and eerie, the original pure white dreamscape rapidly cloaking itself in thick, twisted vibrant hues, with Mena at its center, before forcibly tearing apart!

Fissures appeared on Mena’s forehead, cold and peculiar eyes opened, staring at Mephisto, surreal, twisted colors extensions trailing behind, amid confusion and unease, frantically spreading.

[Authority of Nightmare·Mena!]

Rogel too could not help but take a deep breath.

Earlier he had felt that such a surreal dreamscape by Mephisto seemed slightly unrealistic.

Now, the emergence of the Authority of Nightmare, Mena, perfectly explained it all.

Beings with wisdom thus possessed suffering and dread, curiosity, confusion, and various negative emotions.

Representing Nightmare, Mena perfectly absorbs all of these and detaches from the dreamscape!

["Mena? Why!"]

[In a mix of fear and trepidation, you demanded an answer from Mena, feeling a deep sense of betrayal from its actions, surrounded by unprecedented heartbreak.]

[However, Mena remained silent in the face of your questioning, continuing to forcibly tear through more of your diligently crafted dreams...]

[In sheer rage, never having fought before, you could bear it no longer and engaged in a great battle with Mena.]

[Yet, even with your full efforts, though Mena was injured, it never retaliated against you, only quietly slashing through your dreams, even as its body became fragmented, ready to fall like Hecilibia...]

[Gradually, you calmed down.]

[In the end, you couldn’t bring yourself to kill it.]

[Mena was your most brilliant and loved creation, yet it brought you unprecedented heartache.]

[More than half of your dreamscape was torn apart.]

[The dismembered Mena finally stopped.]

[Silently observing you for a long time, gathering its strength and dreamscape territory, it left your dreamscape completely...]

[After Mena’s departure, your authority power was far weaker than before, but no more nightmares appeared within the dreamscape...]