Chapter 75 - The False Sovereign
The three Star Fragments trembled violently.
Golden.
Crimson.
Sapphire.
Their light flickered as if answering another call.
Kai tightened his grip on the Star-forged Spear.
"Someone else..."
"...is resonating with the fragments?"
The Book of Infinite Beasts remained open.
Its pages turned rapidly, as though searching for an answer.
---
Emergency Analysis
Unknown Resonance Detected
Source:
Hidden
Similarity to Beast Sovereign Authority:
91%
Conclusion:
Impossible.
---
The shadow standing behind Lucien stepped forward.
A long silver cloak concealed its body.
Its face remained hidden beneath a hood.
As it reached the edge of the floating fortress...
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
Every beast in the Labyrinth became restless.
Even Ignis narrowed his ancient eyes.
"I know that aura..."
"But it cannot be."
---
The hooded figure slowly raised a hand.
A single silver star appeared above its palm.
It was not a Star Fragment.
Yet it radiated nearly the same power.
Kai felt the Book vibrate in warning.
---
The mysterious figure finally spoke.
"So..."
"The Ninth Beast Sovereign."
"You have awakened faster than expected."
Its voice was calm.
Neither male nor female.
Ancient.
Emotionless.
---
Kai stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The figure answered without hesitation.
"I am the Tenth."
Silence.
Even the wind stopped.
---
Bjorn stared in disbelief.
"Tenth?"
Aria shook her head.
"That's impossible."
"There have only ever been nine."
---
The hooded figure tilted its head.
"That..."
"...is what history believes."
It extended its hand.
The silver star floated toward Kai.
Instead of attacking...
It projected countless images into the sky.
---
Ancient battlefields.
Collapsed kingdoms.
The First Beast Sovereign.
The Seven Guardians.
The Star Devourer.
Then...
A final image.
A child standing alone beneath a sky without stars.
No Book.
No Guardian.
No allies.
Only endless darkness.
---
The figure's voice echoed through the visions.
"When the Ninth Sovereign disappeared..."
"The Council feared history would repeat itself."
"So they created a replacement."
"They created..."
"...me."
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts flashed crimson.
Historical Record Locked
Access Denied
Reason:
Council Restriction
---
Kai frowned.
"You were... made?"
The figure nodded.
"I was raised to become the perfect Beast Sovereign."
"I learned every technique."
"Every language."
"Every battle."
"But there was one thing..."
"I could never inherit."
"The Book chose you."
---
Far above, Grand Sage Orion closed his eyes.
"So the secret..."
"...has finally been revealed."
Several members of the Celestial Council looked away in shame.
---
Lucien laughed.
"Do you understand now, Kai?"
"The Council speaks of justice."
"But they built a false saviour in secret."
"They feared trusting fate."
---
The hooded figure looked at Kai.
"There is no hatred between us."
"I have no desire to kill you."
"I simply wish to know..."
"Why the Book chose someone ordinary..."
"...instead of someone created for this purpose."
Kai was silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"I don't know."
The figure blinked.
"I wasn't chosen because I was perfect."
"I was chosen because I never stopped choosing others."
The Crimson Flame Fox rubbed its head against Kai's leg.
Ignis spread his wings proudly.
Darius stood beside him without speaking.
Even Elaria smiled.
---
For the first time...
The hooded figure hesitated.
The silver star above its hand flickered.
The Book displayed a new message.
Emotional Instability Detected
Unknown Subject
Combat Efficiency:
Decreasing
---
Lucien's expression darkened.
"Enough."
"You've spent too long questioning yourself."
He raised his hand.
The Void Emperor Dragon roared.
The floating fortress shook as thousands of Eclipse Court warriors prepared to descend upon Aetherion.
Lucien pointed directly at the World Tree.
"Capture the Fourth Guardian."
"Kill anyone who stands in your way."
The sky erupted into chaos.
Dragons dived from the clouds.
Wyverns unleashed torrents of shadow flame.
The defenders of Aetherion rose to meet them.
Kai lifted his spear.
The three Star Fragments revolved around him once more.
He looked toward the mysterious "Tenth."
"When this battle is over..."
"We're going to finish this conversation."
For the first time, the hooded figure gave a faint smile.
"I would like that."
Then both turned toward the battlefield.
Because regardless of their pasts...
The war for the Fourth Star Fragment had begun.