Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 265: Arrangements

’Lady Anastasia...’

Did she never approach me?

Or, could it be that she did, and I simply was unaware of it?

No... If someone as grand as Lady Anastasia showed up, I believe I would have recognized her.

So, what happened?

’I had so many questions, but in the end she didn’t—’

"Javier...?" A sonorous voice suddenly calls out to me, causing my body to turn rigid.

My name!

It’s been more than a year since I’ve had someone call me that.

I turn to the entrance of the room and find Ciel standing there, with her tall and slender figure.

She stares at me with mixed emotions, eyes burning with anticipation.

I smile once I see her.

’It looks like I really have returned to my reality...’

Rising to my feet softly, I maintain my soft smile while also nodding to her.

I know the question in her mind.

I can answer it.

"Apotheosis successful!"

**********

The world shines beyond the ancient walls of a forgotten place.

An observatory, the shrine of a most ancient entity, and the mausoleum of secrets, stands hidden, shrouded by fogs of mystery.

Someone sits on an ornate throne within the grand palace.

She watches silently.

Her gaze is deadly, hinting at profundities that are too complex to unravel.

The golden lights in her eyes possess a deep understanding of the constellations which she witnesses, and even as her pitch-black lips shift ever so slightly, her expression remains constant.

Calm... collected...

With a cold look remaining in her visage, she stares absentmindedly at the world before her.

Then, a sigh leaves her lips.

"In the end, I was correct." Those words, despite being whispers, echo with a strange sense of authority and miraculous power.

This might have long transcended human limits or conventional understanding.

And, despite her admission of being right, there is no relief or joy evident in her gaze.

In fact, she appears quite troubled.

No, disappointed.

But these emotions only appear for a brief moment before dissipating into thin air—almost as though they never existed.

What could make this Demigod Seeker feel this way?

Such a mysterious and powerful figure.

The Queen of Darkness and False Goddess of Light.

Anastasia Evernight.

Yet, her eyes remain fixed on an insignificant character among the trillions and quadrillions of lives she monitors at every moment.

A mere Rank 1 Leviathan.

—Javier Aditi.

"Heathcliff’s arrangement in his Trial Scenario was quite troubling. It’s a good thing I chose not to interfere but to simply observe. Such an entanglement in an already paradoxical world would have been bothersome for the minor interference I was planning to undertake."

What entanglement does she mean?

What else?

"It appears I will have to be careful about entering any Trial Scenario connected to the Leaper Pathway’s Apotheosis. They’re sure to be filled with Heathcliff’s arrangements. Now that he is somewhat aware of my existence, it won’t be easy to move the pieces."

Despite saying this, Anastasia smiles.

Her golden eyes flash with anticipation, and a certain complex emotion rises within her elegant facade. She casts a gaze on the young man once again.

The insignificant person.

"Do not be too disappointed, Javier. Do not fret too much. We will surely meet in your next Apotheosis." Her voice is beautiful, even far more sonorous than the world’s most amazing orchestra.

It is enchanting beyond description.

However, with no viable audience to appreciate her words, she is left with the company of her own voice.

None of it concerns her, however.

’Unlike this one he just concluded, his next Apotheosis will be far more difficult. Without Heathcliff’s arrangement, he will need my assistance to pass.’

Thus, Anastasia watches expectantly.

She waits.

When that time finally arrives, she will still be waiting.

Such is her will.

******

Darkness creeps upon the world.

A certain group of individuals, all shrouded by the canopy of black that has obscured the serene moonlight, gather together. They appear to be at the edge of a border, and from their high place, they stare at a vast land not too far away.

"To think that traitorous bastard would cause our Sect to pursue him all the way here..."

One of the members growls in dissatisfaction.

The others do not reprimand his words or add to his complaints.

However, their sighs and exasperation show a distaste for the subject matter. The ’traitorous bastard’ being referred to is certainly a sore subject for all of them, and even as they stare at the Kingdom ahead, their eyes burn with all kinds of emotions.

Frustration, at the top of the list.

"Are we certain he is still here? We’ve been pursuing him for—"

"He is."

All of a sudden, someone appears and speaks.

His abrupt presence is also shrouded in darkness, and although he just appeared mysteriously, none of the people present are shocked. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Why would they be?

This figure is the one who led the group here, and he is also their leader for this expedition.

Although their destination has changed many times, their objective remains the same: find and capture the traitorous defector.

This is why this elite team of six has been dispatched.

And their leader, now adjusting his gentlemanly hat, joins everyone to stare at the Kingdom, which undoubtedly houses their target.

—The Randalorion Kingdom.

"Our contact in the Dark Guild has confirmed that Lucian Zevalis is certainly in this place. We don’t have much time before he concludes whatever dangerous business he has here."

Everyone nods at their leader.

"All of you should remain on high alert. Although you are all Disciples, our target is an Adept Leaper who was once recognized among promising candidates in the Ouroboros Sect. With the research materials he stole upon defection, he is even more dangerous than before."

"Understood, Captain Wormwood!" They all declare.

"Good..." The Captain smiles, adjusting his hat once more. "Then let us depart."

[A/N: We have finally concluded the First Apotheosis Arc. Tell me what your thoughts are in the comments. Apologies for these last few Chapters being so short. I will correct that in the upcoming Chapters. Now, It’s time for the final and most intense Arc in the Volume thus far. Are you ready?]