Extra 20: Dekan's Final Chapter
The afternoon sun streamed through the window into the study, illuminating the neatly arranged books on the bookshelves.
On the other side of the room is a floor-to-ceiling window, through which you can see the garden. Many flowers and green plants sway in the breeze, filling the room with fragrance and bringing a sense of natural tranquility and beauty to the study.
The entire study exudes an elegant atmosphere, symbolizing the owner's independent spirit. An antique sofa lies quietly in the center of the room, flanked by comfortable chairs, as if inviting guests to sit down and read a good book or have a relaxed chat.
"Alas, in the end, I will still be misunderstood by the world..."
Dekan sat on the sofa, feeling very tired.
Although he didn't regret taking the blame for Croix, he always felt that his reputation hadn't changed over the years.
He quietly fulfilled Goddess's mission and saved the world.
However, all that remains for him now is the infamous title of "Painful Pope".
I don't know if there are more genuine fans or more haters.
Perhaps he was too carefree and not discreet enough in his early years.
If there is a successor, as a senior, Dekan would definitely advise him not to act in such a ruthless way.
"Actually Croix, there's another reason I came to Kulan Territory to see you this time."
Dekan seemed to have come to terms with it, leaning back on the sofa and turning his head to look at Croix beside him.
"What?"
"Croix asked."
"Do you remember the third Shadow World [The Secret Tale of the Withered Sacred Rite] that Cornelia and I challenged together? That time it was the vampire Shadow World on the southern border of the Holy Kingdom, which was my challenge, Cornelia, Cat Teacher, and Morion together."
Dekan answered.
"Of course I remember."
That time, Croix couldn't join because the rank difference between her and Dekan was too great, making it impossible for them to team up.
You can only watch Dekan's live stream from inside the academy.
"Guess what kind of guy Cornelia and I arrested in a small town in the Vihart Kingdom a while ago?"
"... Could they have caught a vampire from the Holy Kingdom era?"
When Croix heard Dekan mention this Shadow World, she had a strange premonition.
"Yes, I caught Countess Lisilina."
Dekan nodded seriously in response.
He then recounted the events to Croix.
Just listening to Dekan's story, Croix couldn't help but repeatedly confess her sins to the Goddess of Fate.
Thankfully, I wasn't there.
Otherwise, that guy Dekan would definitely have come up with some ingenious ideas to torture that vampire countess even more horribly...
Now, whenever Croix recalls what the two did during their student days, she feels speechless.
Both of them were priests of the Goddess of Fate, but compared to their previous lives, their paths in this life seemed to have unknowingly strayed further and further off course, making them look exactly like two evil priests...
"Tata's demonic bloodline has reverted to its ancestral form, and Zestera possesses the power of a demonic dragon... After investigating many ancient texts, I've discovered that this is a change in the world, or perhaps a natural balance among all living things. If nothing unexpected happens, this world will move in the direction it was before the Holy Kingdom was established, no longer dominated by the human race, but rather a free-for-all under the Frosty Sky."
Dekan and Croix recounted their research findings as scholars over the years.
"Many Blood Race are still sealed deep underground, and there are also remnants of Chaos God in other dimensions, either sealed or lurking. After the Demon Realm revives, perhaps the demons will reappear on this land... But those are trials that future generations will have to face."
Whether it's Blood Race or demons, they are all part of the world created by the gods. They rise and fall, and the cycle repeats itself, eventually reaching a balance.
Although Dekan is human in this life, as a priest of the Goddess of Fate, he will not exterminate other races like a fanatical messenger of justice.
True love is loving all kind-hearted beings and those who pursue kindness equally.
Just as the Goddess Tike and the beings of the Holy Kingdom gave Delois an opportunity, it was precisely because of this trust and goodwill that the miracles of later generations were created.
Dekan's hunting radar is only activated when encountering wicked creatures, regardless of their race; he treats them all the same.
"Dekan, do you mean that, according to the laws of world change, perhaps in the distant future, it will become like before the Holy Kingdom era, where demons and Blood Race are even more powerful than humans?"
After a moment of understanding, Croix asked.
"It is very likely that this is a natural law of destruction and rebirth that we cannot and should not stop. History tells us that those who try to break this balance with force will only hasten their own demise."
Dekan nodded and replied.
"Our mission as priests is to safeguard this natural balance and prevent those with excessive ambition and desire from eroding it, leading to widespread suffering."
"... Yes, even a powerful nation like the Holy Kingdom ultimately faded away like fireworks, meeting its demise at its most brilliant moment."
Croix remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
The most prosperous and peaceful era that humanity enjoys today will ultimately not last forever.
Then he looked at Dekan and asked:
What do you need me to do?
He knew that since Dekan had come to him, there must be something he needed him to do.
Dekan smiled wryly.
"Actually, this treasure is of no use to me anymore."
As he spoke, he took out the [Dekan Gospel] that had been with him for many years.
Now, Dekan not only lacks the space to utilize his abilities, but with Talomati on his side, he no longer needs to resort to any schemes.
Croix stared at the familiar book, then glanced at Dekan:
What are you planning to do?
Dekan placed the [Dekan Gospel] on the table and said with a smile:
"I want to break it down into its materials and leave it behind; it's the first true masterpiece of my life."
When Dekan's short human lifespan of a few decades comes to an end, the [Dekan Gospel] bound to his soul will also disappear from the world with him.
However, if it is broken down into materials, it can be passed down as a treasure to humankind.
"There's no use leaving it in Cornelia hometown. Keep it at your Earl Kuran's house. With the blessing and guidance of the Goddess of Fate, no matter how many hands it changes hands or how many years pass, it will surely reach the hands of a destined person."
Dekan lowered his eyes and gently stroked the cover of the law code, as if bidding farewell to an old friend.
If one day the world needs the power of the legendary magician Dekan again, Dekan believes that the Goddess of Fate will guide the one with the ability to solve all this to obtain the masterpiece he left behind.
Croix hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded solemnly.
"I swear in the name of my family, and with all the honor of Croix Kuran, that I will safeguard this masterpiece for you."
"Good."
With a smile, Dekan placed his hand on the [Dekan Gospel].
A pure white light shone on the book cover, like a whirlwind, causing the pages to flip rapidly and gradually dissipate like snowflakes from the outside in.
Finally, after the crystalline light faded, only a few chapters inscribed with its core techniques remained of the book.
It was completely dismantled into an epic-level material by the legendary seventh-tier Card Crafter, Dekan, and finally, Dekan added the sealing spell of the Devil King Tomb to it.
Only a destined person or a demon could unlock this lock left by Dekan.
"It's up to you, priest of the Goddess of Fate."
Dekan handed this epic-level material to Croix.
What is the name of this heirloom?
Croix solemnly took the pages and looked at Dekan, asking a question.
Croix was certain that it would become a family heirloom of the Kuran Family, and a symbol of the friendship, trust, and camaraderie between him and his close friend as the head of the family.
Its name is...
Dekan looked at the pages that recorded so much suffering of the enemy, smiled, and sighed.
"Let's call it, 'The Verses of Compassion'."