1386 Narrow Path (1/2)

Upon hearing Amon's ”you're crazy,” Klein raised his head and laughed out loud.

”I just gave up according to your arrangements. It's just that it's more complete than you think.”

As he spoke, an illusory brand appeared on the forehead of the ice-cold and bizarre mask he was wearing.

It was a strange door of light that was tainted with bluish-blackness.

As for Klein, he was also enveloped in something similar.

Under the translucent dark-colored cloak, more and more slippery and sinister tentacles appeared. They were densely packed and extended until they occupied the nearby sky.

As his dark eyes flashed, Klein looked at Amon and said with a smile, ”For me, instead of you becoming the Lord of the Mysteries, wouldn't it be better if we let the past 'Him' revive?”

After his mental state stabilized and he figured out the key to Amon's surprise attack, Klein's thoughts of ”giving up” removed his resistance towards the Lord of the Mysteries's will in his body, allowing ”Him” to further revive.

It was precisely because of this that he was able to control Sefirah Castle at critical moments and borrow the power of ”Error” to avoid the collapse of the space created by Amon.

Without waiting for Amon's response, the corners of Klein's lips curled up as he said with a smile, ”After you were corrupted by Sefirah Castle and showed signs of madness, you immediately recovered and could use Sefirah Castle to create the effects of 'Blind Stupidity.' After releasing the suppression of the Lord of the Mysteries's will in you, you didn't enter a half-crazy state, as there are external powers helping you.

”You should have an extremely key important avatar. It might even be like Pallez's choice to lower 'His' level. It's sleeping at Adam's place, and it allows a Visionary like 'Him' to personally protect your mental state. As long as the awakening of the Lord of the Mysteries's will doesn't exceed the limits of what Adam can withstand, you won't go crazy here if you don't lose control there.

”Therefore, your most serious problem is that you have to maintain a normal connection with that body. Once it's interfered with, your condition will be in trouble. And this connection is actually very weak under Sefirah Castle's isolation effect.

”You deliberately showed a half-crazed state for two reasons. Other than luring me to find an opportunity in this direction and stepping on the trap you set up, you were also hiding this fact so that I won't be able to target this aspect while engaging in a battle with you.

”Of course, there are plenty of problems outside these ones. After all, you aren't fully prepared. If I had discovered these problems earlier, even if I was a King of Angels with the Uniqueness, there's no way for me to defeat you.”

Amon listened quietly and raised ”His” hand to adjust the crystal monocle in ”His” right eye. The corners of ”His” lips curled up as ”He” let out a sigh with a smile.

Upon seeing this, Klein smiled and shook his head.

”You truly are powerful, cunning, and terrifying, truly worthy of the title of 'God of Deceit.' If it wasn't for the fact that I had long considered what I would do when forced into a corner by you and had no other choice, I definitely would've hesitated just now. And if I hesitated slightly, I would've already died.”

In that case, Amon would completely control Sefirah Castle, preventing Klein from returning from the fog of history for a resurrection.

Amon stared at the increasing number of sinister tentacles extending out from under Klein's dark-colored cloak. ”He” slowly took a deep breath and said with a smile, ”The Lord of the Mysteries in you is about to truly awaken.”

Klein's smile had a nerve-wracking feeling to it.

”You can also compete with me on this point.

”Our next battle is very simple: It's a competition of who awakens the Lord of the Mysteries's will to a greater extent, a competition of whose control over Sefirah Castle is deeper. 50%, 70%, 90%, until we reach 100%. Then, with a bang, we explode and 'He' returns.

”What do you think? Are you going to take the bet? Let's see who can't hold on any longer first? It's very thrilling, very interesting, and very suited to your preferences. It's like the roulette that's popular in Feysac. Two people, each having a revolver and a bullet inside. They take turns pulling the trigger at their temples. Whoever gives up first results in his opponent winning. And if no one gives up and persists until the end, there won't be a winner. 'He' will be the winner.”

Amon's brows pricked up as ”He” smiled without saying a word.

Klein looked at ”Him,” and said with a smile, ”Although you've always been pursuing thrills and are known to be a risk-taker, you achieve your goals most of the time. Not only do you not lose much, you often gain a lot. And in the few failures that you do experience, you only lose some of your avatars and some items. You've never suffered any serious injuries or been placed in a desperate situation.

”Your every action is a product of meticulous planning. Even if you fail, you will have a way out.

”Does this mean that you value your life more than I imagined? You do like thrills and seek it for pleasure, but to do so regardless of the price is just an image you portray. How can a real God of Deceit wager a bet with 'Himself' at stake?

”Of course, this is just my own guess. Perhaps it's wrong. Anyway, do you want to take the bet?”

Amon stroked the crystal monocle and made a tsk like Medici.

”You're really crazy.”

Klein replied with a smile, ”In the eyes of others, this is indeed insane.

”But to me, it's just a choice.

”Compared to you, I'm more willing to believe in the former Lord of the Mysteries. 'He' is a true Great Old One, looking down on the Universe from high above and treating most of the living beings as insects. This would make 'Him' distance 'Himself' from reality.

”Besides, I should still have time to get the Genie to be my witness. I'll get the Lord of the Mysteries to promise me certain things. To 'Him,' it's very simple and worthless.”

Having said that, the corners of Klein's mouth curled up as he said,

”I won't lose too much, just myself.

”There are always some things that are more important than others.”

Amon maintained ”His” smile but didn't say a word.

Klein then surveyed the area and found the Magic Wishing Lamp and Trunsoest Brass Book among the floating fragments of the wilderness.

He immediately laughed out loud.

”Look, I didn't get punished. This means that I'm not lying. I'm telling the truth.”

In fact, the laws set up by the Trunsoest Brass Book had long been abolished since the divine kingdom was destroyed during the star's descent. Later on, the Amons dared to attempt to use ”Steal,” but Klein's main goal wasn't to prove anything, but to show his determination, firmness, or perhaps madness.

Of course, what he said was the truth. He was indeed willing to put them into practice. Otherwise, there was no way he could hide it from Amon or exert enough pressure on ”Him.”

Amon smiled and said without a hint of panic, ”Sounds interesting.”

”Isn't it? Let's begin,” Klein replied without hesitation as his eyes turned darker.