The body of Nous, the Aeon of Erudition, was essentially a colossal computation engine—
a being that existed to calculate the truths of the universe,
and through that very purpose, ascended into godhood.
As for the Amber Lord, there was no need for further explanation.
His entire form was sealed within amber-like monoliths.
Even stars appeared insignificant in His grasp.
In His hands rested a colossal hammer—larger than a star itself.
Countless stars revolved around Him, compressed by an unfathomable force,
reduced to faint traces of energy that were used to temper strange, unfamiliar materials.
If anyone from the Interastral Peace Corporation were present,
they would immediately recognize those materials—
They were the foundational components used to forge the Starwall.
Yes.
Before Preservation, there were no Aeons.
The very concept of "Aeons" was something the IPC later formalized,
after venerating the Amber Lord as their supreme faith—
a construct to establish universal legitimacy.
It seemed the Amber Lord had heard Evan's voice.
That massive presence slowly shifted its gaze.
A cold, lofty stare fixed upon him.
Yet strangely enough—
Evan sensed a trace of curiosity within those eyes.
This being already carries the attention of other Aeons.
Why would the Path of Preservation respond to him as well?
That was exactly what Evan wanted to know.
He raised his head and met the Amber Lord's gaze directly.
Their eyes met.
Silence stretched.
Then—
Both of them seemed equally confused.
Evan genuinely didn't understand either.
By all logic, he hadn't done anything particularly aligned with Preservation.
Unless…
…ripping the Stellaron out of Cocolia's chest and saving Jarilo-VI
somehow counted as an act of Preservation?
That felt wrong.
He knew the rules.
To gain the attention of Erudition, one had to be a genius on Herta's level—
or a madman like the Doctor of Chaos,
who tried to "optimize civilization" by reverting humanity into apes.
Evan had gained Nous's acknowledgment only because of the
Authority of Reason—
and even then, he hadn't been granted Emanator-level power.
It was more like insurance against dying too early.
As for Preservation?
That Path demanded an absolute will to protect something—
a conviction so strong one would sacrifice everything, even their life.
Among all Paths, the easiest to walk were probably Abundance and Elation.
One rewarded any wish.
The other simply watched for amusement.
Evan, a profit-driven Treasure Hunter,
didn't believe he had anything worth devoting himself to Preserve.
Unless—
A ripple of Path energy suddenly manifested.
A figure slowly appeared before him.
Gray hair.
Expressionless face.
"…Stelle?"
One minute earlier—
As Bronya begged in despair, and Evan remained silent,
the Trailblazer—who had been born yesterday, fought the Doomsday Beast today,
and arrived on Jarilo-VI only to miss the entire climax—
Accidentally triggered the ancient weapon left behind by the first Architects of Belobog.
And so—
Holding the Key of Preservation,
Stelle appeared here as well, standing before the Amber Lord.
"…Ah."
"So that's it."
Evan instantly understood.
The Amber Lord hadn't come for him.
This was Stelle's moment.
"Well then," Evan waved casually,
"I'll take my leave. See you around, Amber Lord."
"I'd rather not make Nous jealous."
He turned, ready to exit this consciousness space—
But in the next instant—
A faint amber light flashed within Qlipoth's eyes.
Evan paused.
Before he could react,
a strand of Preservation Path energy quietly settled within his body.
It wasn't much.
But it was unmistakably there.
Evan's mouth twitched.
"…This feels kinda wrong."
Sneaking Preservation behind Nous's back?
Was this what it felt like to cheat on an Aeon?
Why did this feel so morally questionable?
The world spun.
In the blink of an eye, Evan's consciousness returned to reality.
Bronya stood before him, her face full of desperate hope.
Seele looked anxious, arms crossed tightly, eyes fixed on him.
March 7th fidgeted nervously.
Dan Heng remained calm and unreadable.
Only Stelle—somehow—now held a flaming lance in the distance,
completely spacing out.
"…Fine."
"I'll give her one chance."
"If she is to atone, then she must face the judgment of the people."
Evan stepped forward, approaching the dying Cocolia Rand.
A lance materialized in his hand.
"This is Bronya's plea."
"And the hope of Belobog's people—for your repentance."
"That's why I'm sparing you."
The lance leveled toward Cocolia's chest.
Black and white light erupted from its core,
pouring directly into her body.
At the same time—
Evan's ears were assaulted by two things:
Cocolia's flushed, suppressed gasps—
And an unmistakably dramatic incantation.
"I am the black born of the abyss."
"I am the white descending from the heavens."
"Born before creation, existing beyond annihilation."
"I bestow the waters of life freely upon the thirsty."
"Simulated Divine Key — Black Abyss White Flower."
"Zero Output — Holy Lance: White Lily of a Hundred Years!"
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