Start in Terra, immortal

"That was indeed my fault. I was in a rush and didn't have time to introduce myself." Rosso put down his empty glass. "I am Rosso, a soul from another world, a survivor of Terra, the chosen one, a hero chosen by God, selected by the great will, a dimensional demon, and the lord of the spirit world."

Ignoring the slight twitching in Bakal's eye, Rosso pointed to the magic circle in his hand and continued, "The so-called escape route is the world connected to by the magic circle in your hand—the spirit world."

Bakal took a deep breath, suppressing his urge to scoff at the long list of titles, and focused his attention on the most crucial information: "The Spirit Realm? Is it an alien world like the Demon Realm?"

"That's one way to understand it, but not entirely." Rosso nodded slightly. "The spirit world is my world, a growing independent dimension. It shelters souls like the underworld, but it's more than that."

It is more of a collection of rules, an incubator of possibilities. Zhao Xin's power originates from the spirit world, and also from his own will and experiences. He is one of my "agents" in Arad, but cleaning up the chaotic filth that should not exist is not of my own will.

"Agent," Bakal murmured, savoring the word. "Then what about me? Does this magic circle in my hand, besides serving as a 'way out,' also mean that I've become your 'agent'? Or, in some sense, a 'collaborator'?"

“A collaborator? That’s a good way to put it,” Rosso chuckled. “But I prefer to call them ‘potential investors’ or ‘co-weavers of fate.’ Bakal, you hate Herder, you’re unwilling to be the victim of her prophecies, and you yearn to break free from your predetermined destiny, aren’t you?”

"That's right!" Bakal made no attempt to hide his arrogance, flames blazing in his dragon eyes. "That hypocritical woman treats us apostles as tools and sacrifices for her revival of Terra! I will never let her succeed!"

"Very good, we have a common goal—at least, in preventing Herder from getting his way so easily."

Rosso leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming serious. "But our methods may differ. Hilder sought to achieve her goal by destroying the Apostles, while I... prefer 'transformation' and 'reconstruction'."

"Transformation? Reshaping?" Bakal frowned.

"Yes. The power of the Apostles is essentially a fragment of the dark side of the Great Will Calosor, a manifestation of the important rules that constitute this world."

Pure destruction, while indeed beneficial for the return of dark forces to their cycle, is far too cruel for the hosts chosen by those forces. I do not endorse acting solely according to a prophecy of dubious origin, as Hilder did.

Rosso said slowly, "And the Spirit Realm, as a newly emerging and highly inclusive dimension, has the ability to accommodate, purify and transform these forces, turning them into nutrients for the growth of the Spirit Realm, and returning them to the world cycle in a new form."

Bakal was startled: "You mean... the spirit world can absorb the power of the apostles, and even their souls?"

"Yes, on a voluntary basis, or under specific conditions," Rosso readily admitted.

"But not through forced plunder. I prefer to establish a 'contract'."

After fulfilling their 'mission' in this world, the apostles' souls and origins can travel to the spirit world through a contract, retaining their memories and power, where they can acquire a new form of existence and become part of the spirit world.

This is much better than complete disappearance or being exploited by Herder, isn't it?

Bakal fell silent. The offer was incredibly tempting, yet fraught with uncertainty. To become part of the spirit world? What did that mean? To lose one's freedom? To become Rosso's vassal?

Rosso seemed to see through his concerns: "There's no need to make a decision immediately, Bakal. This magic circle is your choice, not a shackle."

You can continue your plan to fight Hilder, rule the heavens according to your will, and hone the 'blade' in your eyes. Activate it only when you deem the time right, or when you have no other choice. At that time, the spirit world will open its doors for you. Until then…”

He paused, his gaze sweeping out of the palace, as if piercing through space to see the golden figures active on the continent of Arad.

"You can observe Zhao Xin, observe everything he does in Arad. In a sense, what Zhao Xin is doing is what the spirit world wants to do."

This might help you better understand the spirit world and your future possibilities.

"Furthermore," Rosso added, his tone carrying a hint of meaning, "as a potential 'collaborator,' I wouldn't mind giving you some small 'favors.' For example, in the near future, at some point, Hilder will find a 'blade' that needs to be honed by you."

Bakal's dragon eyes narrowed sharply. Rosso's words implied that he might be able to foresee the future like old Luke?

The depth and methods of this "Lord of the Spirit Realm" are far more unfathomable than he initially imagined.

"I... need time to think," Bakal finally said, his tone solemn.

"Of course." Rosso stood up, his figure beginning to blur, as if to blend into the surrounding light. "We all have time."

Remember, Bakal, you are not fighting alone. Herder sees you as pawns, but I... have at least given you a more promising option. Use your strength and your wisdom wisely, and cherish this 'choice' in your hands.

As soon as he finished speaking, Rosso's figure disappeared completely, leaving only a faint aftertaste of energy in the air and the slightly warm contract array on the back of Bakal's hand.

Bakal stood alone in the empty palace, motionless for a long time. Rosso's words stirred up a storm in his heart.

One is a predetermined path of fate arranged by Herder, filled with despair and destruction.

The other path is the one Rosso presented, a path full of unknowns but also brimming with new possibilities.

He, Bakal the Dragon King, the overlord of the sky, one of the apostles, felt for the first time how weak his power was, to the point that he could only follow the path of fate arranged by others.

He clenched his fist, and the magic circle on the back of his hand flashed slightly before disappearing.

"Even if it's truly death, so what?" Bakal muttered to himself, a burning light rekindling in his dragon eyes. "As long as there's a glimmer of hope, as long as there's a possibility of another outcome, then it's worth a try!"

From that time on, Bakal never left his palace again, and even ordered that no dragon guards were allowed to step into the palace.

He was waiting, waiting for the "sharp edge" that Hilder and Rosso had spoken of. He wanted to see if this key to breaking the deadlock, which they so highly praised, truly deserved their approval, and if it could really pierce through him, this "sharpening stone"!