Victor was the first to nod. He understood clearly that at this stage, their presence would no longer be a help. Seraphina, Daniel, Arthur, and the other squad leaders followed suit, their faces calm despite the tension in their hearts. Even the four leaders of the Four God Nation agreed without hesitation. They knew that this was no longer a trial ant for many, but a confrontation that required only the strongest and most resilient.
None of them argued. None of them tried to insist on following. They understood that stepping forward now would only put their lives at risk and potentially disrupt Max's actions at a critical mont.
Seeing their agreent, Max did not waste any ti. One by one, he activated the Life Space Rings and stored them safely inside. The hall gradually emptied, until only Max and Lucien remained before the massive sealed door.
"I sense six life forces beyond this door," Lucien said in a solemn voice, his perception extending through the ancient seal as he looked toward Max.
Max nodded in agreent, his expression thoughtful rather than surprised. "That is exactly why I sent everyone back into the Life Space Rings. Six life forms are already too many variables. If we assu that four of them are the Four Divine Beasts, then what about the remaining two? And even more importantly, there is no guarantee that the Four Divine Beasts are truly benevolent. History has already shown us that power and righteousness do not always walk the sa path."
The silence lingered for a mont before Max turned his head slightly toward Lucien, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Before we go in, there is sothing I have been wondering about for a long ti."
Lucien glanced at him and smiled faintly. "What is it?"
"Why does the curse of the Tower of Truth not affect you?" Max asked directly. When he had first t Lucien, he had assud that Lucien might possess so form of authority similar to his own. Later, he had ruled out that possibility. Lucien held no control over the tower, and if he did, Max would have sensed it imdiately as its rightful owner.
Lucien chuckled softly. "I made a deal with the tower. I agreed to remain in the Elf Kingdom and protect it, while also maintaining overall peace across the Lost Continent. In exchange, the tower excluded from its curse."
Max's eyes narrowed slightly in interest. "That is an unusual bargain. What do you gain from doing all of this?"
Lucien's smile deepened, carrying a hint of nostalgia. "When I finished roaming the entirety of Acaris, the Lost Continent was the only place left unexplored. At that point, I simply wanted to see it with my own eyes and understand what kind of land it was. The deal allowed to do that freely. It really is that simple."
He paused briefly before adding, "There was another reason as well. Part of the agreent involved safeguarding the soul sealed within the tower. That responsibility also fell to ."
Max nodded slowly, understanding settling in his eyes. The Tower of Truth was not just a structure. It was an existence with its own will and long mory.
Lucien then looked back at Max, his expression turning serious. "I also have a question for you, and I want an honest answer."
"Ask away," Max said casually, though his posture straightened slightly.
"How is the artificial soul inside your body?" Lucien asked. "Are there any side effects?"
Max did not answer imdiately. He took a mont to organize his thoughts before speaking. "The artificial soul is stable. It keeps alive, and for that alone I am grateful. However, it does co with side effects. My emotions are amplified beyond normal limits. When I feel anger, it becos overwhelming. When I feel sadness, it sinks far deeper than it should. Every emotion I experience is intensified countless tis over."
He continued calmly, "It was difficult to handle in the beginning. Eventually, I learned to suppress it by maintaining constant composure and control. I focus on staying calm at all tis. I suppose this is sothing I will have to live with for the rest of my life."
Lucien shook his head gently. "Not for the rest of your life. Your sister ntioned that once you advance beyond the Divine Rank, your entire body will undergo reconstruction, including your soul. When that happens, you will beco complete once more."
Max let out a quiet sigh, a trace of weariness in his eyes. "I truly hope that is the case."
With that, both of them turned their attention back to the sealed door, the six life forces beyond it waiting in silence.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Max steadied his breathing and let his resolve harden. "Let's go," he said quietly.
With those words, he stepped forward and placed his hand against the ancient door. The mont his palm touched its surface, a cold and oppressive sensation surged into his body, as if sothing on the other side was testing his will. Max did not hesitate. He exerted strength through his arm and pushed.
The door trembled before slowly giving way. A deep, resonant sound echoed through the hall as the massive structure opened, its movent heavy and reluctant, as though it had not been opened in countless ages. As the gap widened, a wave of dark and suffocating energy poured out, flooding the corridor and pressing down on both Max and Lucien like an invisible tide.
Beyond the threshold lay a vast inner chamber shrouded in crimson haze. The air itself seed tainted, thick with a malevolent presence that gnawed at the senses.
Faint pulses of light flickered within the darkness, revealing distorted shapes and ancient formations embedded into the walls. The ground beneath their feet was cracked and uneven, streaked with veins of red energy that pulsed like living arteries.
Lucien's eyes narrowed as he stepped in beside Max. The six life forces he had sensed earlier were clearer now, each one radiating a distinct and overwhelming pressure. So felt ancient and majestic, while others carried a chilling hostility that made the skin crawl.
Max walked forward without hesitation, his gaze sharp and unwavering as he crossed the threshold completely. The door behind them began to close on its own, sealing them inside the heart of the corrupted temple. As the final echo of stone grinding against stone faded away, the chamber fell into an eerie silence.
Whatever awaited them beyond this point was no longer hidden. The confrontation they had been preparing for had finally begun.
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