CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 186: THE GODS_2

Gray grinned, so excited that black smoke spilled from the corners of his eyes and ears. "And yet you forcefully activated the Ark with your personal Magic Power. An even worse choice is that you split another portion of the Magic Power to protect the residents of Ophira from falling."

This was Magic Power beyond his imagination, vast enough to encompass the entire city.

Yet, it remained a disastrous choice, especially since Ethan’s arrogance led him to turn his back on his enemy.

Gray seized the opportunity, and he had to seize it. "Haven’t you heard? Those invincible beings often unexpectedly lose to obscure little figures."

This declaration of victory seemed more like a way to encourage himself, to give himself courage.

He was well aware that what he was doing required immense courage—if Ethan had not diverted his Magic Power, he could have erased Gray’s existence with just a thought. From the start, Ethan did not consider him a worthy opponent, which allowed Gray to find an opportunity.

And his mission was to probe the limits of Ethan’s Magic Power.

Even their master, who controlled the darkness, seemed unable to comprehend Ethan’s essence.

It was as if something non-human lay beneath the human facade.

Ethan responded, "You should be happy."

He heard the tremor in Gray’s voice, just like his soul and the consciousness attached to it.

He also heard the jealousy and desire stemming from the depths of Gray’s soul.

This young man desired to inherit the legacy left by the Master of Tides, but was deemed a cheat by the being on the iron throne, who deprived him of his life, causing him to die in pain and resentment.

The good news was that Gray-Lid had been reborn, granted a second chance.

Ethan thought it was something worth celebrating, maybe organizing a gathering with friends to enthusiastically discuss the event.

And he considered himself warmer-hearted than the cold and ruthless Master of Tides.

He was willing to respond to Gray’s desires because, for him, it was just a small gesture.

However, Ethan’s gentle tone seemed to have the opposite effect, as he noticed Gray’s soul trembled even more, "Isn’t it? You could soon become the inheritor of this forbidden knowledge, need any acceptance speech?"

Gray responded to Ethan through his actions.

Endless darkness surged towards him like a tide.

It seemed he was a shy young man not skilled in words, and Ethan respected everyone’s choices.

The engulfing darkness vanished instantly, leaving Gray-Lid standing motionless with a twisted expression. The darkness retreated from him, a supreme force stripping away the filth from his soul, while the dying flame of life was also sustained by that sublime power.

In a trance, Gray faintly heard the sound of gears turning.

The sound came from his body, replacing his no longer beating heart.

Then, countless knowledge and perceptions that didn’t belong to him were poured into Gray’s mind, and in almost an instant, he comprehended the operation guide of the Ark.

He needed to find those across the world who were like him.

Huh?

Was this his thought?

Why couldn’t he feel any happiness?

Though the yearning in his heart was fulfilled, a scenario beyond his wildest dreams, he felt no joy.

There was also no fear or anger; all emotions, both beautiful and ugly, left him equally.

Inheriting this knowledge was the ideal instilled in him by his family from the moment of his birth. They praised him as extraordinarily gifted, an exceptional existence, and this expectation let him taste the flavor of privilege.

Even if he made mistakes, he would be forgiven; even actions that violated Ophira’s law would be covered up by the family.

Gray grew up in this environment.

The family made Gray realize that Ophira’s laws only existed for ordinary people, while he could act according to his moods and preferences.

Thus, the beautiful plans crafted by the family also became his ideals.

As long as he inherited that forbidden knowledge, he could continue living as he pleased. He was destined to inherit all of it.

But...

After inheriting that knowledge, what was he supposed to do?

Gray had never considered the issues beyond that point.

That’s right, he had to find those like him scattered across the continents.

Suddenly, Gray found an answer in his heart, and at that moment, his pupils lost color, his head dropped, and no expression could be discerned on his face, resembling a sophisticated machine programmed ahead of time.

Ethan silently observed Gray’s transformation, as this was also a process of understanding and learning for him.

He witnessed the erasure of personality and the outcome of the will being covered by divinity. All these changes met the expectations of the Master of Tides—even if the one who eventually boarded the Ark was a depraved individual, lured by the Evil God, He could "steer him back on the right path."

It was a win-win transaction.

Gray attained the treasure he dreamed of, while Ethan gained insight.

More importantly, this ship needed an AI crew member.

"Set sail."

Ethan said, and Gray nodded silently. A booming sound echoed through Ophira, and immediately, the people deep in the Craftsmen’s District felt the ground beneath them begin to move.