Rift Heart
“What the hell are you saying? What do you want?”
“The Black Magic Palace. Not that I'm trying to take your city or anything. You'll still be its master.”
“Then? What is it you want?”
“The people called the Arunasar—the ancients—were wiped out because, despite being human, they dared to challenge the domain of the gods.”
Sennew shot Adel a look that said, What the hell are you suddenly talking about?
“When the eternal city built by the ancients vanished, no one on the continent—humans included—dared to dream of trespassing into the gods' realm... until about three hundred years ago, when two madmen started meddling in forbidden arts.”
The madmen Adel referred to were, of course, himself and Gerald.
Sennew realized he was bringing up the past and hardened his expression.
“But those two had differing views. One human believed reaching the gods' power meant acquiring strength beyond human limits. The elf, on the other hand, saw creation itself as divine power.”
Adel, who had snatched the Titan's Book from Sennew's hand, spoke in a low voice.
“One researched ways to wield both divine power and mana simultaneously. The other sought to bring the dead back to life.”
“Don't talk about what you already know like it's someone else's business. You're talking about Gerald and me. Why bring it up now?”
“One succeeded in challenging the gods' domain with their research. The other failed.”
“Yes. Gerald succeeded in creating dual divine bloodlines. I failed. So what? Research is inherently unpredictable—success or failure is part of the game.”
“Exactly. I'm not praising Gerald's achievements, nor am I trying to belittle you.”
Sennew stared at Adel.
“You were walking a far harder path than Gerald. And if people knew why you risked everything to challenge the gods' domain despite being an elf, no one would criticize you for using black magic.”
But Sennew only sneered with self-mockery at Adel's words.
“Kid. I've lived over three hundred years, just as you said. You think I care now about gaining understanding from humans?”
“Elves are the only race blessed by the gods. That's why the blood of the ancient Arunasar flows in you. But who could've guessed? It actually causes Divine Poison—divine power seeping into your bodies even without contracts.”
“It's our ancestors' legacy. Having the ancients' blood isn't a blessing. It's the sin they committed against the gods, passed down to us.”
Divine Poison slowly destroyed the body. God's Blessings granted immense power, but the more you used them, the faster the poison spread.
“The gods aren't great. They're just a pain in the ass.”
“Couldn't agree more.”
“Equivalent exchange? We're paying for sins we didn't commit. And not only that—we elves never even contracted with gods, yet we die anyway. What kind of price is that?!”
Sennew glared at Kalderet as he spat his response.
“Tch...”
He let out a low sigh and waved his hand dismissively, as if bored.
“Forget it. I'm not begging for the gods' understanding anyway. So what are you getting at? That I challenged the gods' domain to save a dying elven race? Spare me the sentimental crap.”
Sennew flipped Kalderet the bird.
“I just did what I wanted. I don't think creation is the gods' domain. If I did, alchemy wouldn't exist in the first place.”
“......Don't lump us together. We've never accepted your so-called blessings. How could immortals like you understand the hearts of those born with poison in their veins, living on borrowed time?”
“What?”
At that moment, Sennew shoved the three grimoires in front of him roughly.
Thud—! Thump—!!
The books hit the floor limply.
“Deal's off. Take them and get out. Thanks to your mighty gods, the Black Magic Palace will be your enemy from now on.”
“What nonsense...”
Bam—!!
In that instant, Kalderet slapped Sennew across the face.
Sennew should have been protected by barriers, but astonishingly, Kalderet's magic seemed to ignore them entirely.
“Urk, grrr...!!”
“Haa...”
Adel sighed softly at Sennew, who glared back fiercely.
He'd expected as much—fooling Kalderet was impossible after all.
Crunch...
Kalderet's eyes seemed to flash red with rage—the mark of fury reaching its peak.
[No skill, just narrative]
Garon said, eyeing Kalderet's surging aura.
“It's fine. That won't happen.”