Chereads / Basilisk / Chapter 82 - Another trail and a journey to the underwater city of an unknown civilization

Chapter 82 - Another trail and a journey to the underwater city of an unknown civilization

"You do not look well, my little brother," I said. "And if I did not know the full extent of Alfonso's situation, which now causes his appearance to resemble that of a newly risen infernal, I would be gravely concerned for his future and for the fate of the world, for there is little that could bring my brother to this state."

"Do not you know?!" he replied, his cheeks puffing up in a ridiculous manner. His response was tinged with emotional intensity, reminiscent of a child's spirit, rather than that of a six-hundred-year-old archmage who is but a step away from discovering the divine principle.

I responded as casually as I could, teasing him to the point of emotional release. It was necessary to provide him with a reason to let his emotions flow freely.

"What is the matter?! WHAT IS THE MATTER?!" he exclaimed, indignantly jumping out of his chair at my statement. The rumbling of his voice reverberated through the office, causing an ordinary mortal to lose not only consciousness but, at best, reason, had they not perished altogether. The emotional content of his message was saturated with negativity, the energy of his feelings and psychic abilities literally distorted the very fabric of space!

Indeed, he had long since ceased to have any connection, even remotely resembling that of a homo sapien. For more than a millennium and a half, his blood and flesh had been undergoing transformation due to his close association with demons. By summoning creatures from the dark realms and enslaving them, Alfonso established a two-way connection.

Gradually, little by little, like a drop in the ocean, as he gained mastery and entered into contracts with higher-ranking demons, various demonic energies flowed into him in full measure.. Thus, he is now a fully-fledged archdemon in terms of physiology, and he will soon become a demonic dark god altogether. While I was pondering how fortunate this world is to have me, one who can always keep in check this adventurous explorer with a penchant for scientific inquiry, he was on the verge of financial ruin, and the cause of his emotional distress was his beloved first wife, Lyubava!

"Yes, during the planning stages of our wedding, she was not radiating with the same effervescent and exuberant enthusiasm she is now!" I attempted to explain to her, in no uncertain terms, that both Sylvia and I did not require so much tinsel, pomp, and opulence. I do not wish to appear like a peacock in front of the English! Do you know what she replied to me? She said, "Sylvia is a young girl, timid, insecure, and poor, having grown up in England, where you are despised, of course, she would not be honest about her desires for the festivities! So keep quiet and try on this damn dress, or I will call Griselda!" What have I come to?

After the marathon that has already occurred many times before, my eyes fell upon the unchanging and cherished chair of my brother's, and he sank into it, hanging his head, clutching it with his hands, running his fingers through his tousled, long hair — I am intimidated by my beloved daughter!

"Well, it's all your fault," he said, referring to his children. "Should I remind you of the care and methods of raising your twins?" They had already attained the rank of archmages, or rather archdemons, and it was difficult to fully understand their nature and make definitive statements about them.

"Hey! I wished them the best, and all my experiments were for their benefit! And they love me, they've told me so more than once," he replied, with a hint of defensiveness in his words. There was an awkwardness and pride mixed with happiness and joy in his tone, but perhaps most surprisingly, there was also a hint of guilt. Did he truly regret something about his actions or approach towards them? It was truly remarkable!

— I am uncertain. For me, providing food for three summer children with Black Hydra meat, specifically its heart, was too much. However, you once requested that I provide this essential ingredient. But now, it is not about that. It is about your peculiar approach to raising them, which has led to their current perspective on the world. This is why they have not made any friends, and their social circle consists only of family members and a few equally eccentric individuals from the Order of the Dragon.

I recall the commotion that Gloria caused when two of your trainees, undergoing training and shadow-tracking exercises at the Rocky shelter to enhance their skills, simply for the sake of it, using their ability to follow shadow trails, transported the entire group, including themselves, three dozen kilometers deep into the forest beyond the borders of the witcher-controlled territory in the magical realm.. And then, for six hours, they ploughed through the tangled wilderness of the enchanted forest, eluding the pack of enraged griffins in pursuit, until the manticores emerged to confront them, only to be driven away by the alarmed children. The birds were furious. Well, upon learning who was to blame for the incident, Gloria, unable to conceive of any punishment severe enough to penetrate their thick skulls, was at a loss.

At the time, Griselda and Gunther were eight years old, and during their years under Alfonso's care, they had been fed everything, making them virtually indestructible in terms of their physical vitality, rivaling that of Dracula himself. If ordinary people could discipline their children of that age with corporal punishment, such as a belt lashing, then to inflict any damage on these particular young ones, one would need to wield an anti-demonic chain.

Gloria, in turn, emitted thunder and lightning from within herself, not merely metaphorically, but literally, as the space around her resonated with electricity, a talent for which she possessed in abundance. This was due to the magical nature of the forest surrounding the Rocky Shelter, which was not merely a forbidden forest akin to that near Hogwarts but a far more dangerous location, characterized by an extraordinary concentration of natural and supernatural energies, rendering it a challenging place to navigate.. And since the contingent of children fortunate enough to be in the company of Gunther and Griselda lacked a powerful beacon capable of piercing through the local interference and transmitting their coordinates, they were compelled to rely solely on their own fortitude and abilities in order to endure in this inhospitable environment.

However, due to the exceptional spatial awareness inherent in all witchers, even at a young age, they were aware of the direction in which their orphanage, known as the Rocky Orphanage, was situated. Although initially overcome with fear, the children, having received a more comprehensive magical education than even Hogg graduates, swiftly regained composure and, in an orderly manner, commenced their journey towards the orphanage.. Had it not been for the fact that the children were not far from the location where female griffins laid their eggs and were not considered a threat to creatures of level XXXX danger on the scale adopted by modern magozoologists, this incident might have appeared to them as a minor adventure.

Alas for the young ones, however, the griffins swiftly discovered their presence near the sacred heart of their flock. This led to a pursuit of the children, and if not for the thick forest with its dense canopy of trees, the predators would have swiftly overtaken them and fed upon them. Thus, the griffins were forced to pursue the children on foot, navigating through the dense vegetation, where the nimbler and more agile children held the advantage. The griffins, having been deprived of their primary advantage — wings and the capacity for flight — were at a disadvantage.. As a result of their actions, the children were rescued by the Manticores, who had been residing around the Rocky Shelter for centuries and now view witchers as allies and companions, even allowing their young to play with the witcher children. This has led to the emergence of a number of knights in the Order of the Dragon who have a familiar in the form of a Manticore, further strengthening the bonds between the two groups.

"Well, what can I say?" he replied, waving his hand in response to my words. "The past cannot be changed. However, after their upbringing, Griselda and Gunther have proven themselves to be not only the strongest among their generation of witchers but also among those fifty years their senior!"

Indeed, there is no denying this. But now, let us turn to the reason for your invitation. Clearly, it was not simply to discuss your difficulties associated with the impending engagement or to showcase your remarkable children.

It is my custom to pay my brother-in-law a visit in person, for he is a man of a contemplative nature and seldom ventures beyond the confines of his laboratory. Were it not for Lyubava's influence, he would likely spend his days entirely immersed in his lab and ritual chamber.

Yesterday, I summoned the Scorpio Man. It has been a year since the last summoning, and I once again sought to gain insight into the demon we are both interested in. I have something of interest to share with you. The Scorpio Man informed me that the imminent threat of the destruction of the world has subsided, but life on Earth continues to be in peril.

Hmmm... Suddenly, I recalled Vadik, still trapped in a time loop within my domain. I have comprehended the system's operation, but there are still a few avenues I can explore by utilizing a living host for the system. I am nearly certain that capturing this creature was the key to eliminating the threat of global destruction. If Vadik were to successfully awaken his essence, allowing the God of Chaos to enter the realm, it could indeed spell the end of all things.

The very essence of chaos does not frighten me. Having become a Yermungandr, I regard deities such as it and its ilk with their level of power as nothing more than food. It is not that they pose no threat to me personally, but rather to the universe itself. Their very existence in reality would greatly distort and corrupt its physical constants. The very concept of order, which constitutes the material world, is anathema to chaos.

Should we engage in combat, and should it take place on the planet Earth, there would be little left of the third planet orbiting the Sun.

"In essence, everything appears to be logical," I concluded after receiving the information from Alfonso. The daemon we seek is intent on organizing a bacchanalia and widespread destruction in the world, presumably for the purpose of conducting a ritual that will open portals to its home dimension, allowing a horde of voracious creatures to invade Earth and the Magical One.

If I had not apprehended this degenerate before he could infiltrate the system, his allegiance would not matter. His indifference to the fate of those he kills suggests that even if he were to attempt to conceal himself and evade detection, it would be futile should a full-scale assault on our world occur. It appears that the daemon I sought has created an ideal arena for Vadik's training, equipping him with the necessary experience to assume the role of an avatar for the God of Chaos.

"I have an idea about what influenced the course of events in the world," I said. "I recently encountered a servant of the god of chaos here." At this, Alfonso's jaw dropped in astonishment. "He has now been neutralized, locked in a time loop in a state of stasis. It is likely that he would have gone on to cause the destruction of the world, for the 'gift' bestowed upon him by his master prepared his soul to become an avatar of a god."

Meanwhile, I expounded upon Vadik's character in the manner Alfonso had requested, while my own mind, utilizing all available resources, was engaged in creating an instrument designed to detect and catalog individuals akin to Vadik. The most disheartening aspect is that I must construct these instruments myself, relying solely on my own penmanship and without the assistance of a clone.

This is due to the intricate mechanisms within these instruments, which necessitate interaction with Chaos. Only Chaos can provide me with the means to uncover anything related to it, as it holds the key to unraveling its mysteries. My clones, once my indispensable allies, are simply incapable of handling this energy, which remains inaccessible to them. Among all living beings on Earth, I now stand alone in possessing the unique ability to engage with Chaos and navigate its depths.

— I see… Unexpected information, and you are forcing me to reconsider my own beliefs on the impossible once again. How did you manage to survive, having acquired such affinity with this energy?

Again, that look of a scientific enthusiast is all over your face, and it is accompanied by a ton of admiration and delight directed at me. I wonder if I look like a madman too when I dive headlong into an interesting experiment or when I am busy solving or calculating something related to the magical arts.

By the way, about the celebration you had with Sylvia and the Greengrasses' reception on this occasion — knowing how much you dislike attention and social gatherings — I decided to help you by taking some of that attention away from you.

How so? Will you reveal to the world that you are Salazar, or perhaps the One? Ha ha! Well, that would be quite amusing! Yes, I dream on!

"Do you think I have lost my mind entirely? Of course, I would not do such an absurd thing. And I shall assist you with my students' aid. I have decided that it would be best if the revival of the Gryffindor and Max family became known to the world a few days prior to their appearance at school as prospective students. Thus, I believe that your celebration is ideal, where, immediately upon arrival, we will announce their affiliation with the Grey.

"Wait, wait!" he exclaimed, holding up his hands in a gesture of protest, "And will you place the honour of introducing them to the public upon my shoulders?" Seeing that I did not deny it, he indignantly and enthusiastically voiced the truth: "You are a snake indeed! I am a divine serpent, a true dragon, the apex of evolution, and I take great pride in it!"

"And where did you even find the Gryffindors, are you not the head of that family? After all, you and Godric were sworn brothers."

And I recounted to him the misadventures of Ron, the rightful heir to the red and gold, and how two years ago, he underwent a rebirth through the realm of the One, with the witcher guiding him. His birth occurred within the confines of Gryffindor Manor, where I promptly bound the newborn Ron to the ancestral stone, instantly confirming his status as the heir.

Nevertheless, I succeeded in preserving the mark of Gryffindor's heir on Ron's magical being from his previous existence, even prior to his adoption by the hat. Regarding his current parents, they are both descendants of Godric. However, due to the fact that this proud and obstinate man did not wish to see anyone outside his family at the helm, and he viewed the wild oats he sowed throughout his life with disdain, they were not recognized as rightful heirs to either the family or the property of Gryffindor. Yet, this did not hinder them from being ideal candidates for the role of parental figures for the future Lord Ronald Gryffindor.. Thus, Ron is now a member of the Gryffindor house not only by virtue of his magical abilities but also by birthright. In order for Ron to attend school this year, it was necessary for me to find a new, temporary home for his family in my realm. Both Ron's father and mother are relatively young wizards, having reached the ages of one hundred and fifty-three and ninety-eight, respectively.

I was an unquestionable figure to them, a veritable legend! As they were born witchers, their tales of my exploits replaced bedtime stories. When the patron saint of their kind and their god in one person offered to help their old friend give birth and then spend some time in a realm where time flows much faster than on Earth, they agreed without hesitation.

I settled them on an island, which has since grown from a small sea-water lake with Snake Island at its center to a fully-fledged ocean with numerous archipelagos and individual islands. Needless to say, I provided them with the finest living conditions. Their honeymoon and maternity extended over eleven years, while only two years passed on Earth, during which time Ron acquired a younger sister.. I have also integrated Ron's parents into the extended Gryffindor clan, albeit as mere members, thereby augmenting the now-obscure lineage by four souls. Upon Ron's coming of age at the age of twenty-one, he shall assume the mantle of family head. His presence does not elicit any particular warmth or chill in my heart, yet he shall ultimately embody the legacy bestowed upon him by his adoptive father and mentor, Godric.

Why did I need Ron so soon, and why did I accelerate his growth? Thus, this year I will bring out Vasilisa and Vasily, but I needed someone reasonable who would be with them throughout their entire time at Hogwarts.

No matter how hard I, along with other educators involved in my basilisk's education, tried, we cannot make a human out of a snake. It is a unique situation for me, as I was born as a basilisk but I think and perceive like a human. I still have memories of a past life.

They are a completely different case, thinking in completely different categories and perceiving the world in an entirely different way. They mostly react to their environment guided by their animal instincts. No matter how much we told them that the slightest aggression towards them did not need to result in instant death, they never understood it. To be more precise, they heard our words, they understood them, but their instincts...

The situation is such that should their senses detect a threat in their vicinity, they may unconsciously turn their deadly gaze in that direction, and, having recently learned to conjure, unleash another volley of vile curses. Their repertoire is vast, for they are the descendants of the Mrax, and I have drilled into their minds all the spells and lore that this family has amassed throughout its history, which are preserved in their ancestral library.

This is why I required Ron as their leash. He is responsible, despite his outward appearance of carelessness and cheerfulness, having received his education in medieval times under Godric's tutelage. He was also a champion of military discipline under whose leadership, Gryffindor House resembled a barracks for recruits.

And now it was necessary to reveal and demonstrate to the English magicians the presence of the Dark ones in our midst. In the past, when the Gaunts and Mraks were at their height, having not yet lost their sanity in a succession of incestuous marriages with close relatives, and not yet plunged headfirst into dark magic, genuine intrigues befitting monarchical palaces and corridors were enacted for the benefit of the girls from their clans.

After all, while this opportunity may be almost illusory, it still exists through marriage, and introducing a girl with the gift, in this case the ability to speak to snakes, provides a chance to bring him into one's family. The aristocracy has a particular fascination with such abilities, particularly among the British.

When Riddle emerged onto the scene in England, known then as Gaunt, many of the English nobility were already making extensive plans for his progeny, and those who had followed him in his youth, literally from the time he left Hogwarts and began associating with him, eagerly sought to wed Tom to a member of their own family, or, later, to secure a place for their daughters, should any be born, within his family. However, a significant setback awaited them all.

Severe wounds to the soul can have a profound impact on physical health, and the creation of his first Horcrux came at a cost, as it precluded him from having children. Perhaps with time he might have regained the ability to father, but his foolishness prevented even the healing of his soul, as he inflicted another blow on an open wound, creating a second Horcrux, effectively ending his ability to procreate.

Thus, I sought to exploit the appearance of the Dark Lords to sow further dissent among the ranks of Gambolt, whom they had already begun to question after Marvolo's descent into madness and his indiscriminate use of the Cruciatus curse. With the emergence of an alternative candidate, these doubts would only deepen. My goal was to extract as many wizards as possible from this impending conflict between Gambolt and Dumbledore, lest they be consumed in the ensuing turmoil. Yet, I did not wish to see the land of Albion reduced to ashes. Indeed, there was much to be learned from Salazar's perspective, for he viewed Albion as his ancestral home.

In essence, by simultaneously revealing the existence of both Gryffindors and Dark Ones within our ranks, I aimed to generate a profound sense of dissonance in the British social landscape. Each revelation alone would be sufficiently shocking for British society, representing a sensation. However, combined, they would create significant confusion, diverting attention from each individual revelation.

The public revelation of my brother Alfonso's heirs would immediately provide clarity. Given the presence of a powerful Archmage with an unsavory reputation, there should be no fools in Britain who would dare engage in underhanded tactics to align with them, as it would be tantamount to defying Alfonso and the entire Grey faction.

During this period of heightened passions and intrigue, I would observe the unfolding events from the sidelines, allowing the British elite to navigate the complexities of this situation.

"Ha! How intriguing!" — I was diverted from my musings and conversation with Alfonso by the intelligence I had just acquired from the Gaunt household.

**** Marvolo Gaunt ****

"Pathetic cowards and wimps! How could they, with such knowledge at their disposal, fail to find the fortitude and courage to put it to use?" I was appalled to the point of nausea by the duplicity of these vainglorious purebloods. So much bravado and arrogance, yet in reality, most of them were not even worthy of my contempt.

These were the thoughts and sentiments that dominated Gaunt's tortured mind and sensuous spirit.

Fools, did they truly believe that after rejecting my overture, I would allow them to escape unscathed? And where were these Schultzes now? A venerable and powerful family crumbled as soon as I set foot on their threshold, bypassing their shields and fortifications. And the imbeciles who had insulted me by summarily dismissing Abraxas, whom they proposed on my behalf, possessed nothing with which to oppose me!

I breached the protective shield that encircled their mansion, a shield that their family had meticulously crafted and fortified over eight centuries of history, as fragile as paper. It took me but a mere ten seconds to dismantle it!

There is little to commend the sorcerers of this small clan. They perished instantaneously upon coming into contact with my aura, finally allowing me to fully extend its reach, thereby enveloping the entirety of their estate in my presence.

I was overcome with a sense of elation, a state of intense delight and exaltation, as I contemplated the proximity of death. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to immerse in these exquisite sensations, which were becoming increasingly rare in my life.

There was no need for concern about my personal safety at that moment, as everyone in the manor had perished. As soon as the initial thrill subsided, I ventured out to explore the Schultze estate, eager to visit their library. Rumors had circulated that Grindelwald had spoken highly of the knowledge stored within its walls, and I was determined to witness firsthand the books and manuscripts that had once captivated the attention of the last Dark Lord. His tenure in this realm had been brief, and foolishly, he had chosen to turn to the eastern barbarians. I vowed not to follow in his footsteps.

Within the hallowed halls of the Schultz household, a repository of knowledge accumulated through the annals of their lineage, I discovered a treasure trove of fascinating, and most significantly, valuable tomes, which I had only heard of and encountered fleetingly in other esoteric treatises on the arcane arts, where they were cited as sources of wisdom.

However, my most remarkable discovery was a vast tome of arcane lore, which dazzled my magical senses with its overwhelming potency. The text was in an unknown tongue, with a hint of resemblance to the language of the Sidhe. My fortune shone when I found a book next to it, in Latin, detailing the rituals for accessing the infosphere for translation of handwritten texts. Without this guide, the enchanted tome would have been utterly inaccessible to me. The language of the text proved to be one of the numerous dialects of High Elvish, for which there are no dictionaries available.

Having thus departed from the estate I had decimated, I departed with two tomes in hand. My intention was to move to my own manor and commence the process of translating the inheritance I had acquired. I summoned my servants here to Germany via a summons, for there were many valuable items and artifacts that would prove instrumental in my endeavor to seize control of England.

Upon arriving at my manor, unburdened by distractions, I descended into the ritual chamber to perform a ritual addressing the infosphere, with the goal of receiving a translation of the Sids' book that piqued my interest.

After ten minutes of arduous effort, with three Muggles serving as sacrifices, I became the possessor of knowledge whose value, as it transpired, was beyond imagination! The Sidhe's tome detailed a ritual for the creation of liches distinct from those raised in our realm, but what truly stood out was the immediate description of the ritual by which a wizard of death could seize the power of these liches.

The lychee in our world is a soul attached to the physical body with five soul layers, except for the missing second layer. The lychees described in books are necromantic constructs. To create one, the soul must first be separated from the body, followed by a complex ritual involving both the body and soul.

The body is brought to a state of perfection, allowing it to continue functioning through the use of necrotic energy. The soul is then encased in a sphere, and if desired, can be enhanced by incorporating the souls of other magical or gifted beings. Once this is done, magical restraints and oaths are imposed on the soul, ensuring its complete submission and obedience to its creator.

Once the soul sphere is ready, it is merged with the body through a ritual, resulting in a being that is ten times more powerful and effective than what could be achieved using the knowledge available in our world.. Certainly, there are subtleties, and the potency of a lich is contingent upon the magnitude of the initial effort invested in its creation, the caliber of the components employed, and the souls of arcane beings incorporated to augment its power. Even in its most frugal iteration, it would surpass the efficacy of those I could have conjured previously, albeit at a slower pace. Its primary advantage lies in its swiftness and relative ease of fabrication.

Delving deeper into the tome, I have not yet come across any references or information indicating that the method of augmenting one's power by assimilating the energies of summoned liches, as outlined in the treatise, is subject to limitations regarding the frequency of its application. It is necessary to allow time for the assimilation of the previous infusion, and only once the strength of the liches has become one's own, can one proceed to the subsequent enhancement!

With this knowledge, I shall undoubtedly surpass all other wizards on Earth in the near future! My voice resonated with a triumphant cry, filled with an icy chill and a sinister delight. Having gained strength through this ritual, I am certain that I will ascend to the pinnacle, and neither the Brans nor the Church will stand in my path, as I dominate this world.

***

Hm... That is all.

I have just received intelligence from one of my informants that Gaunt has taken up residence under the guise of various insectoid forms. They report that Marvolo has acquired an amusing tome detailing how he might attain the power of an Archmage in a comparatively brief period. He is currently positioned somewhere between the rank of Magister and the weaker Archmage, having not yet definitively crossed the threshold to be considered an Archmage proper. Alas, Shingles makes accurate determination difficult, relying solely on conventional methods. An Archmage is a sorcerer who, through the sheer power of their seventh soul essence, has been able to transcend into the realm of the eighth soul shell. However, in Riddle's case, this approach fails. His physical form is already immortal, and owing to the injuries sustained during the creation of Horcruxes, his soul does not possess the capacity to forge the eighth shell. Should he restore these, he would become a veritable immortal entity.. And now he is nothing but a chimera difficult to kill. Due to his current power, I am no longer able to freely probe his mind. There is the possibility that he might become aware of this, so I must wait for him to fall into sleep, and he now sleeps rarely, once every few days for a couple of hours, to delve into his mental realm and discern his plans.

Although for the most part, it is futile, as he has been insane for a long time and is capable of doing anything foolish and unexpected, not only to me but even to himself!

The fact that this fool has acquired such opportune knowledge cannot but be concerning. Thus, as soon as my informants apprised me of this development, namely Gaunt's acquisition of the tome of "sids," I dispatched several clones to Schultz's estate for investigation. The devourers present there will not even perceive me, thus posing no impediment to my illusions.

With regard to the book itself, which was written in one of the dialects of the High Elves and fell into Tom's hands, I did not even need to touch it to immediately declare it a new work. It was a high-quality, well-crafted antique, yet it was impossible to conceal its true age from my eyes, and it was no more than a few months old. This was evident from its astral imprint.

Having received a mental transmission from the clones, I became convinced that this book had been planted at the Schultz estate only today, and not before the assault on the mansion by Gaunt, as it had been claimed. No matter how skillful the demon I am seeking is at concealing evidence, he cannot completely erase all traces of my newfound gaze and sensitivity. I did not even have to visit the scene personally; there were enough clones.. Nonetheless, I did not remain stagnant in my evolution, and after assimilating Xolotl's essence, my perception underwent a remarkable enhancement, deepening my comprehension of intricate energies, which consequently impacted my illusory avatars.

As soon as they materialized within the confines of the Schultz residence, mere minutes later, they were able to detect a faint trace of demonic energy in the ambient atmosphere, even through the decaying necromantic emanations of Gaunt. This was the first instance when I, albeit indirectly, gained insight into the magical prowess of an adversary who actively seeks to evade confrontation with me. Previously, my encounters with his mental presence were limited to instances when his agents were apprehended among the ranks of the clergy.

The demonic mana was but a paltry morsel in the energetic tapestry of the estate, and the clones were unable to gather it, for there, one might say, was no power per se, only its imprint on the astral plane, which would likewise dissipate in a matter of hours. But now I have at least an inkling of the nature of the entity with which we are dealing.

Firstly, it is clear that this entity is not associated with any worlds that our reality has encountered in the process of conjugation. The fullness of its power is alien to everything I have previously encountered.

I say this not only based on my own understanding that this being is literally an extraterrestrial creature with which our universe has never dealt before. I declare it with the certainty of the sole God recognized by the universe, into whose hands most of humanity has entrusted their destinies. I believe in the Creator, and quite recently, I became aware of the fact that two worlds, Earth and the Magical World, have recognized me as their supreme deity.

Each of these worlds possesses its own unique soul, and although their minds and thought processes may be strikingly different from ours and beyond our comprehension, if a world senses a threat to its existence, it immediately informs me.. Nowadays, I maintain a harmonious relationship with the realms in which I reside, and I have a devoted following, comprising vassals, companions, and kin, which grants me significant advantages in certain aspects. These realms provide me with unwavering support as long as my actions do not conflict with their interests, ensuring that I do not endeavor to eradicate them or hinder their progress. It is akin to a symbiotic partnership, where I have access to the vast energy resources of the cosmos even in times of dire need.

However, this is not comparable to my connection with my home realm, which I am actively developing and strengthening, as Zakhar, my familiar, has mentioned. I can already feel the impending emergence of a full-fledged planet under my control, with its own luminous star.

Oh, the weariness I feel of playing the part of Ormarr Drake, acting like a child in a magical sandbox — that is how I perceive this entire situation with England. Long ago, I would have departed to other realms, for the thousands of witcher rebirths I have organized have already created altars serving as bright beacons, allowing me to travel to them. But I am bound to this world due to a damned demon!

Because of this creature, I cannot leave while it threatens the peace of my mind, where I have friends and allies, where my brother resides with his family, and where my wives originate. I vow that when I encounter this demon and claim its essence within my staff, it shall experience unimaginable agony! I will not spare this creature the final shred of its sanity, so that it may fully experience the depths of hell's tortures!

Oh dear! We must calm ourselves down! Due to another breakdown, I could not restrain myself once again and revealed my true nature. And it is fortunate that I had already left Alfonso behind and moved to my own domain.

Now, we urgently need to divert our attention and engage in something stimulating. To protect certain parts of my mind and other spiritual layers responsible for this physical body, I must shield them. As soon as I accomplished this, I sensed the joy and delight experienced by my other ten bodies and the majority of my soul. It is time to unwind with my passionate wives!

Ah... That is a whole different matter. I even began to smile. Now it is worth considering what to do with myself and which tasks to address from the list of postponed but not urgent, rather curious and intriguing matters. Hmm... Why not? For quite some time, I have been putting off exploring this underwater city that was once discovered by my basilisks.

With a sense of great elation in my spirit, I drew nearer to this city, now literally hovering above it like a bird, my gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the ocean below. Once I had reached the desired location, I opened myself up to the world, allowing my aura to explore the depths of the sea.

It was the response I sensed from beneath the waves, along with the data from my scan, that alerted me to danger. A flood of strange and conflicting information flooded my mind, leaving me on high alert, my defenses instinctively rising to protect me.