Chapter 518

"Hmm, as expected of Poimandres, who exists alongside everything in the world, he recognized it at a glance."

Cleopatra nodded slightly. "All the wonders that grace the earth are the glitter of noble stars."

"Who are you?! Someone capable of forging the Philosopher's Stone couldn't possibly be Cleopatra..."

Erice clenched her fists, never expecting that even the City certification could be fooled.

"So, my charm is indeed insufficient for such a famous person?"

The blue-haired woman lowered her eyes sadly and murmured, "I am Cleopatra."

"Stop pretending! What, even now you're still afraid to show your true self!"

"That is indeed my name... I am Cleopatra, the Disguise User, the Alchemy."

Chapter 530 Your name itself is a symbol of peace.

Cleopatra.

This is a Greece female name, primarily found in Ptolemy Egypt, meaning 'the glory of the father'.

The most famous Cleopatra was the world-renowned Cleopatra. Her three children with Antony were taken back to Rome by Octavian, chained in Golden Chains, and paraded through Rome during his triumphal Ritual to flaunt his victory. They were then given to Antony's ex-wife, his own sister, and Nero's great -Grandmother Little Octavia, to raise. One of the three children was a girl named Cleopatra Selene Lord El-Melloi II.

Through the efforts of Cleopatra and her husband, Mauretania became one of the most developed vassal states of the Roman Empire.

The couple had a young daughter Drusilla, who married the king of Mesopotamia and had a son Alexius.

Then.

Two hundred years later, a descendant of Alexius named Zenobia became queen.

For this reason, Zenobia met Fate similar to that of his ancestor Cleopatra, being chained in Golden Chains and paraded through Rome by the Rome Aurelian.

Regarding Zenobia's fate, the Eastern Rome historian Zosimus claimed that the empress died of illness or starvation before even arriving in Rome; Malalas recorded that she was beheaded on the third day of her Triumphal Ceremony; Augustine said that Aurelian gave her a villa to live in with her children; Zanoras said that she married a Rome senator.

The fact is--

Rome, 274 AD.

On the third night after the Triumphal Ceremony procession in Aurelian, the Eternal City, having experienced a great victory, remained immortal, displaying its majestic appearance high above.

Brilliant fireworks lit up the streets, dispelling the darkness that was gradually enveloping them. Even at night, large crowds of citizens packed the area in front of the Church. The lively atmosphere gave one a sense of anticipation that tomorrow would also bring joy, an exhilarating sight that stirred the heart.

Except for the dark land of Zenobia, which was chained with Golden Chains.

The Od designed by the Rome Magecraft struck the scarred skin, while the strong, cold wind continued to sting it mercilessly.

Knowing that Aurelian wanted her to submit Zenobia gritted her teeth. It was undeniable that she had considered begging for mercy after three days of torture.

"Rome, you and your sister (New Rome) are not only the pinnacle of luxury and prosperity in this world, but also Purgatory where all the world's sorrow and despair converge."

In that moment of reverie, a man suddenly appeared before Zenobia, murmuring these words.

Zenobia remembered him; he was the Magecraft named Zosimus who helped Aurelian defeat him and torment him.

Referred to by later generations as the father of Alchemy, although not the earliest Alchemy, he is the first Alchemy work has been systematically compiled into Twenty-Eight Books. He also established an origin legend for Alchemy—

Satan led the Angel in a rebellion against God. After their failure, the Angel fell to earth and mated with human women, where they revealed the secrets of creating the Material World.

"Holy One, Son of God, the Holy One, within that prosperous Church lies Hell overflowing with human malice and darkness, where human conscience and attempts are merely means to amass wealth... Oh, and Queen of the Defeated Army, you seem to have been here recently. Have you missed your chance to advance? Be careful."

Having been so humiliated by the enemy, Zenobia would have definitely retaliated on the first day, but now she was dead... her heart was dead.

"Please let me go... Please go and tell the great Augustine, I—"

"I am Zosimus, a descendant of Selene, and share the bloodline of Helios."

The next day, the people of Rome discovered that Zenobia was dead, with no blood or internal organs spilling out, but Aurelian didn't care much and simply handed the body over to Zosimus to dispose of.

It's worth mentioning here that in Zosimus' Alchemy view, "not only humans, but even metals have bodies and souls," and Alchemy is about separating the two aspects of a metal, allowing the soul to combine with the body of another metal, thereby transforming it into a different, higher metal.

Then Zosimus allowed his soul to enter the body of the 'metal' whose soul had already died—in simple terms, Soul Seizure. He then used his physiological functions to manipulate his original self and merge with it; one could say it's a soul in two bodies...

This is because the soul of the 'metal' in Alchemy must reach the highest level. Zosimus thought about it and couldn't believe that Zenobia could reach such a level, so he acted in this way. In short, after giving birth to the child after Ten-Month Gestation, both bodies died.

The Baby who inherited the names of 'Selene' and 'Helios' was then entrusted by Zosimus to be raised by the Alchemy of Alexandria.

This is Cleopatra, Alchemy Alchemy who was one of the first four women to know how the Philosopher's Stone was made. As one of the founders of Alchemy, she was also the first to use Ouroboros as a symbol.

It is also true.

John Dee, the Alchemy of the Atlas Institute who had lived for five hundred years, summoned Disguise User looked exactly like Cleopatra using a 'Flesh'.

The church behind Dee radiated an incredible light unlike Erice had ever seen in the Cathedral of Marseille Mosaic City —a light that evoked both nostalgia and unease.

"Then, the final leg of the Ritual has begun."

The Alchemy solemnly declared.

Those words were practically a Revelation.

"The Kanda Festival in Underworld Tokyo, unfortunately, ends here with your combined abilities."

Dee bowed deeply to Erice, "It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but I wish you a successful ascension."

Just then, the flow of Od within Rushana, who was being watched by Erice, changed as the Philosopher's Stone appeared before her. The source of her life was suddenly cut off, almost as if it were an instinctive reaction.

"One is you, whose essence is based on two components; the other is everything, through which everything is, by which everything is. If you have nothing, everything is nothingness."

Cleopatra gave Rushana a warm smile, like a mother Protection her child, and said, "This is how you were made."

The gentle voice approached Rushana like a giant wave. Rushana couldn't bear it and covered his ears, shouting at Erice.

"... Run! Eriri! Take A Xiu with you!"

"Understood."

Erice said expressionlessly, seemingly completely unconcerned.

He then jumped down, grabbed A Xiu, and ran towards Kanda Shrine.

Erice's instincts were screaming—

Run!

Keep running, keep running.

Erice felt like crying, but she couldn't. She could only let her remaining rationality and the Wrath in her heart drive her to run.

When she came to her senses, the surroundings were already painted with a dark green color. The Abandoned Stalls on the distant street seemed like a Ritual from another world. The boundless and damp death landscape connected the gray sky and the earth, stretching endlessly. This scene, which had initially made her somewhat melancholy, now filled her with fear.

Erice A Xiu aside, leaning against the Shrine wall with one hand, panting heavily.

I escaped? It's all the same, I can't escape anyway, I'm going to die, I'm going to die?

I'm going to die? I've lived for about five thousand days now, and I don't know what death feels like...

"Waaah..."

Erice, her mind still hazy, checked her own condition.

She was drenched in sweat and felt terrible. Her Limbs felt heavy as if they were filled with lead. Her stomach was churning, her hot breaths showed no signs of calming down, and her heart was pounding as if it were about to explode. Yet, even so, her face remained utterly indifferent. But—this was definitely not because she was terrified to the point of collapse.

Because Erice heard a long-lost voice in her heart, yet it felt like the first time they met.

'As long as you stay here, I guarantee you'll be fine; it will be very peaceful here.'

This wasn't the Demon King everyone had been waiting for, but surprisingly, Erice didn't find him repulsive.

However, Erice to this seemingly comforting voice with a mocking smile, muttering to herself, "Don't be silly, there's no such thing as a peaceful place in this world! Everywhere you go is Hell, just Hell after Hell."

'Yes, can someone born in Marseille Mosaic City truly be considered human? Erice, the dignity you've always believed in is just wishful thinking on your part.'

"How can we not be considered human?! How have I been presumptuous!"

Erice's roar echoed around her; she couldn't accept these words and felt deeply insulted.

'Look, you have attracted immense evil, and soon you will be forced to submit to what you have always relied on.'

Damn it, what is that sound? Could it be an illusion? Damn it, don't try to shake me...

No, I can't let myself lose my composure; I must remain calm at all times.

Calm and unhurried... Calm and unhurried—this is a phrase the Demon King once taught me.

Calmness is not a denial of emotions, but simply an acceptance of them.

Embrace all emotions, whether it be Wrath, regret, pain, or terror.

I cannot shut them out; I must accept them as familiar neighbors.

Erice clenched her teeth coldly and covered her eyes with her arm.

When will I stop running away? When will I stop being told to leave? When will I be able to stand on my own two feet?

"... By the way, Erice, you're starting to look like Aunt Nami. Did you remember something?"

Following the gaze of A Xiu, whom she was dragging along as they fled, Erice looked at the mirror inside the Shrine.

"... Gah?"

At some point, Erice's appearance changed. Her pupils contracted into vertical slits, and her waist-length black hair fell to her ankles, with pale Phosphorus Fire flames swirling around the ends... If she didn't know that this wasn't the Demon King's power, Erice would have thought that the Demon King was playing a trick on her.

Of course, Erice also pretended to be very familiar with the Shrine Priest A Xiu, in front of her and spoke up.

"At least I'm alive now, so I guess I'm lucky."

"... You're right."

A Xiu smiled slightly, "But that Nami's blessing. If it weren't for Aunt Nami's blessing, Erice would have kicked the bucket long ago."

"Oh... I see."

"After all, Erice, your mother is Izanami."

Kill her, kill her, kill that Miko in front of Erice.

The gentle voice continued to hypnotize Rushana.

Even if you cover your ears or try to pretend you don't hear it, the sound will still penetrate physical barriers and distance, seeping directly into your soul.

The body of Rushana then produced a phantom, and at the same time, its entire body seemed to boil and bubble continuously. Then, the radiant phantom intertwined with the body of Rushana. One side was the Nara Great Buddha Rushana, and the other side was the Longmen Grottoes Great Buddha Rushana. Both Buddha Statue were the basis of Rushana's existence.

Normally, even Alchemy cannot achieve this.

Because once it is successfully made, before any plans can be made, Rushana's body will collapse in the next instant. For a being whose concept transcends Planet, the status of a replica is a fatal flaw. In other words, as long as the true original Gautama is still alive, Rushana, which has been made through Alchemy, will naturally turn to ashes.

After all, this was a life that should not have been born. As the Three Bodies Rushana, it was an existence that should not and could not come into this world.

The scale and specifications of the statues are so vastly different that it is impossible for them to exist in Buddha Statue that merely contains a few expressions of Faith.

Therefore, even Dee had other plans, but Cleopatra miraculously succeeded.

Was it the permission of the Enlightened One? Or was it Cleopatra's own belief that all the successes of Alchemy were like beloved children? We don't know for now, but from Alchemy perspective, Rushana, as a created being, could never possibly defy the Creator.

"I'm not Rushana after all..."

Now, Rushana has been stripped of everything, but there is still one thing left in her heart.

That was a wish.

Teacher... please help me...

Who exactly is that Teacher always appears in my dreams? What kind of person is he? And since I'm an imposter, I have no right to say such things.

But I always remember that this Teacher seemed to have made a promise with the imposter at some point, in some place, because he was the kind of person who would always keep his promises... That's probably how he was in my dream.

Therefore, now Rushana can only constantly pray in order to resist his instincts as much as possible.

The Disguise User shrugged, calmly observing the rebellious Rushana, a hint of pity in his eyes. "It won't be long, but why didn't you force her to hunt him down, instead of letting her escape?"

"There's no escaping it."

In the thick, viscous air, Dee took a deep breath and quietly began to walk. "Utsumi shouldn't be afraid of us. In the end, her greatest enemy has been lurking beside her from the very beginning, within her. We're doing this for her own good, aren't we? That enemy will kill her past."

"... Who knows. In any case, the ending probably won't change."

"That's right."

Dee's gaze shifted to the Shrine in the distance.

"After everything is over, I will die at 'your' hands."

That's right.