Chapter 29: The Most Tragic Final Boss in History
The old wizard fell silent for a moment, placing the "empty wine bottle" by his feet.
"The taste isn't bad, actually. Another bottle."
The old wizard stubbornly demanded more "wine."
"Alright."
Su Xiao pulled out another bottle of "T49_37 Solution" and tossed it to the old wizard, who then resumed drinking with relish.
"You've already crushed the Seal Heart, haven't you? I can feel it. As for where the consciousness of Azathoth is now harbored... sigh, I can't be bothered to say."
The old wizard's phrase "I can't be bothered to say" carried both helplessness and bitterness—a lament uttered only after being thoroughly manipulated.
"No wonder you were willing to talk so much with me. You were stalling for time."
"..."
Su Xiao didn't reply. His goal was achieved, and he had no habit of explaining things to his enemies.
"Hey, kid, say something."
Green veins bulged on the old wizard's neck as the poison began to take effect. The poison acted slowly, but its toxicity was exceptionally vicious.
"Who broke your leg?"
Su Xiao voiced the question that puzzled him.
"This? Hahaha..." The old wizard let out a low laugh before continuing, "You probably won't believe it, but it was the Maiden of Sorrow who broke it. That puppet no longer needed a crystal heart long ago. After Nia died, she was no longer just a simple puppet. Dawn's craftsmanship is truly 'unfathomable,' huh~"
The old wizard let out a long breath, and the "wine bottle" slipped from his hand, shattering into pieces with a crack.
"The consciousness of Azathoth and Beastly Azathoth... are they already two separate entities?"
Su Xiao muttered under his breath. For some reason, he felt that Beastly Azathoth wouldn't be easy to deal with either. But for now, he needed to eliminate Azathoth's consciousness first. If the two were to recombine, who knew what rank it would reach? Even if it peaked at the Seventh Rank, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.
More than 70% of his doubts were resolved. The relationship between the Hughes Family and the Moen Family was also clarified. Su Xiao took out a small bottle of kerosene, poured it over the old wizard's corpse, and flicked his cigarette butt onto the ground.
With a whoosh, flames surged. Killing the old wizard only triggered a kill notification, with no rewards whatsoever. This showed that after breaking free from Azathoth's control, the old wizard had indeed done quite a bit for Reincarnation Paradise, thus being classified as a contractor-like entity.
But even so, the old wizard had to die. If Azathoth's consciousness were to transfer back into his body, things would take a turn for the worse.
First, Moen Laurent was completely cleared of suspicion. He couldn't possibly be the host for Azathoth's consciousness, as he was being eroded by the White Goat's power. He knew too much, and those evil gods were punishing him, keeping him trapped in suffering.
Dawn and Gus were a step below. They knew less than Laurent, so they suffered less pain.
Everything Laurent had done was under manipulation, including founding the Wizard Council. Yet Laurent had acted with a clear conscience.
The old wizard's earlier description of the three Immortal Wizards was also interesting: "Great pitiful souls." Thinking about it now, that was indeed the case.
They had resisted the Ancient Gods, trying to restore the world to normal. Though they were manipulated throughout, they had indeed been great—but also pitiful.
Organizing his thoughts, Su Xiao walked out of the secret chamber. After walking a dozen meters, he arrived before the teleportation array.
Moments later, Su Xiao returned to the Wizard Council headquarters in Heru City. It was no wonder the commoners here lived in misery. Heru City was built under the coercion of the Dominator Sotos, while the Wizard Council was established through the manipulation of "Azathoth's consciousness."
Under such rule, it would be a miracle if the commoners lived well. The Ancient Gods always stood high above, manipulating all beings according to their whims.
Compared to them, the Moon God was practically a breath of fresh air among the Ancient Gods.
As for the likes of the Dominator Sotos, they were simply ravaging this world.
Returning to the Wizard Council headquarters, Su Xiao climbed the stairs to the thirtieth floor and entered the Old God Church.
Sree~ Sree~
The sound of sharpening weapons came from within. Gus was sitting before a square stone, honing a long-handled battle axe.
"No need to rush. In two days, I'll deal with the puppet."
Gus spoke without looking up.
"That matter is no longer necessary."
"Hmm?"
Gus stopped sharpening.
"There was a misunderstanding. The puppet is fine."
Leaving that remark, Su Xiao turned and walked out of the Old God Church. Gus paused for a moment before continuing to sharpen the axe blade. He could sense that something major was about to happen.
Exiting the Old God Church, Su Xiao sat on the stone steps to wait. Bubu Wang stayed inside the Old God Church as a precaution, Bahar was in the Slumber Room, Amu was on the first floor of the Wizard Council, and Kaiser was also handling a very important task—the plan was in its final stages.
After waiting for about an hour, a panting Kaiser came running up from the stairs below.
"It's done."
Kaiser wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered something in a low voice.
"Then let's go see them."
"They couldn't be happier. Understandable, since it's the recipe for the Ice Soul Potion."
Kaiser grinned lecherously. He had just contacted the Moen Family.
...
On the tenth floor of the Wizard Council, in a temporarily arranged living room, over a dozen wizards were bustling about. A round stone table at the center of the room was laden with various dishes, looking quite appetizing.
"The guests will arrive any moment. Move quickly."
Moen Dony, dressed in an ancient-style noble outfit with a clean-shaven face, urged the others. Compared to the other wizards in robes, his attire was somewhat unconventional.
"The guests are here."
A somewhat deep voice announced. Moen Dony hurried the wizards out of the banquet hall. The only remaining wizard in a black robe was the head of the Moen Family, Moen Alvers.
The door swung open, and Moen Dony quickly stepped forward, a warm smile on his face.
"Mr. Kukulin, Kaiser, please come in."
Dony was different from most wizards. Though he was only a Gray Wizard, he wasn't mad.
"Dony, you're too kind."
Though Kaiser said that, he had already taken a seat at the round stone table and grabbed a roast chicken.
Su Xiao sat next to Kaiser and placed a piece of parchment on the table. Seeing this, Dony's eyes lit up, and he sat down alongside the Moen Family head, Moen Alvers.
"According to the previously agreed price, 80,000 silver coins. Our Moen Family will purchase the Ice Soul Potion recipe."
Dony cut straight to the chase. The Ice Soul Potion had long been out of stock, so the Moen Family urgently needed the recipe.
"The price isn't an issue, but... I have a request."
Kaiser rubbed his hands together, signaling Dony to come closer.
Dony looked puzzled, turning to his family head, Moen Alvers.
Bang!
A crow suddenly slammed into the window. The next moment, a flash of blade light appeared.
Drops of blood splattered onto the dining table. Moen Alvers's head rolled off.
"You!"
Moen Dony's pupils contracted. He was about to shout for the family members ambushed in the next room to break through the wall, when a voice rang out from nowhere.
"Pointless struggle."
Moen Alvers's headless corpse remained seated, calmly setting down a cup of black tea.
"Ancient God Azathoth, have you heard of the Butcher of Living Beings?"
Su Xiao flicked the blood off his long blade. Embedded in Moen Alvers's neck was a wooden token, its grooves flashing with blue light. This item was called the [Chapter of Greed].
With a thud, Moen Alvers's headless corpse suddenly slumped onto the dining table, and a bloodstained wooden token fell. Within the [Chapter of Greed], all were equal. The Butcher of Living Beings, who had "killed" Su Xiao 79 times, was now welcoming a new guest.