Chapter 1501: Chapter 203: The End of the Path of Authority

Aiwass had contemplated this question before.

The Knights all inherited a portion of the power of the Silver-Crowned Dragon, and its “power” originated from the Supreme Heaven, which had acquired the Seat of the Pillar God by devouring the Heaven Devouring Titan Nibiru. If the pollution of the Seventh Source River predates the ascension of the Supreme Heaven, then this is a pollution that seeped in from the very beginning.

“So, would the Crown Lord choose Lady Morgan, who exists entirely outside this cycle…?”

Isabel murmured.

She frowned slightly, feeling that something was not right.

Soon, she had a sudden inspiration, “Something indeed feels off, Aiwass—if the pollution originally came from the depths of the Source River, why would replacing a new Pillar God solve the issue? Shouldn’t Morgan also be polluted together?”

“…At least it should be able to start anew,”

Aiwass said uncertainly, “It could delay things for a while longer.”

It’s like changing the filter in a water purifier—part of the duty of a Pillar God was precisely this.

“But, Aiwass,” Isabel offered another perspective, “I remember you saying that Lady Morgan has always pursued the Crown Lord, yet he never accepted her love—even though he had a relationship with her when he was still mortal.

“So, after such a long time, Morgan hasn’t received any response for her love; and now she’s notified by the Crown Lord to stay in this position for a silent sacrifice, while he continues alone for a greater sacrifice…”

Isabel said earnestly, “I don’t think she would rationally obey the Crown Lord’s orders, and it’s a good thing if this love doesn’t turn into hatred. This is my judgment as a woman who has also loved.”

“…I remember she’s the Angel Envoy of the Shadowy Celestial Marshal, and the domain of the Shadowy Celestial Marshal inherently includes revenge, betrayal, and hatred.”

Aiwass frowned lightly, realizing the problem, “You mean…”

“This might not be a ‘transfer of power,’ Aiwass. It could be a betrayal—”

Isabel said softly, “I heard you and Sherlock study the wisdom legacy of the Number Heavenly Department… Love plus authority, isn’t that the number of transcendence?”

“…Very possible, Lulu. Your speculation is very good.”

Aiwass grew serious, “I just realized another thing—do you remember the descent of the Blood Celestial Marshal?”

“Yes.” Isabel nodded.

“That event stemmed from the betrayal of the Son of the Moon. We previously thought the occurrence might have been due to the Son of the Moon’s foolishness and shortsightedness, as well as the Blood Celestial Marshal’s misplaced expectations on his descendants without showing them his true self…

“Adding to the rebellion in the Troll Plantation on the Southern Continent—the Benevolent Lords had the trolls obey their orders, launching destruction after destruction on the Southern Continent in the name of rescuing their kin; meanwhile, in Parthia Ancient Country, an uprising army formed by slaves and free people sympathetic to the slaves had already ignited the fourth source war, imprisoning Benevolent Lords to seize the water source—it was also an uprising driven by ‘hatred’ and ‘revenge.’

Aiwass once believed it was due to the impending breakthrough of the Serpent Father from the Material Realm, triggering the Transcendence Tide…

But now, upon careful observation, one finds that there are not many pure “Transcenders” in these happenings—transcendence is the realm for the ambitious, whereas these uprisings are largely instigated in the name of love or hate.

Of course, perhaps the Transcendence Tide does have some influence… But perhaps it affects not the Material Realm, but the Dream Realm.

“In the past, the Crown Lord overcame strength with authority, just like the Monarchs using their royal power and order to conquer savagery, defeat giants, and fight demons. Yet, as the throne stands long, love and hate will breed in people’s hearts. One day, the crown will fall, and the throne will be stained with blood—the King will be betrayed. And this person, most often a relative—lover, offspring, brother, or a trustworthy, capable minister, commander, and follower… or even the synergy of them.”

Aiwass said slowly, “Just like the birth and death of Celestial Marshals and Pillar Gods affect the entire Material Realm… things happening in the Dream Realm will manifest like projections in the Material Realm.”

“You mean…”

Isabel whispered, “The Crown Lord was plotted against by Morgan?”

“‘Morgan may love Arthur, and she may hate Arthur. And one day, Arthur’s royal power will wither under Morgan’s curse…'”

Aiwass speaking a prophecy-like remark: “The current Crown Lord very possibly is no longer Arthur.”

Or rather, he has become the true “Arthur.”

—The present Crown Lord is probably the Calamity Demon Dragon!

That’s why Ruo’an would feel it is “odd” and “agitated.”

The previously Crowned Celestial Marshal was once the Serpent Celestial Marshal’s Angel Envoy, and split from the Path of Transcendence into love and power. And the Calamity Demon Dragon represents the part of “love” among them… which is why Morgan became their inheritor instead of the Knights left by the Crown Lord.

And precisely because the Calamity Demon Dragon does not actually hold the power of the Path of Authority, the royal power in the Material Realm has been so violently shaken recently. Destiny could indicate that Yulia’s establishment of an “emperor-less power new empire” could well stem from this influence.

Further explaining why Morgan appeared here—the Calamity Demon Dragon urgently needed to pass the legacy to Morgan to redefine the rules of a New Path, thereby “washing away” the authority of the Crown Lord, allowing the new Path of Authority to align better with the Path of Love, enabling them to remain here.

Just like the current authority subtly aligns with transcendence, current love subtly aligns with beauty, and wisdom is subtly related to balance—even if a Pillar God ultimately has only one path, they have been influenced by other paths when they were mortal, and this conceptual immersion is irreversible.

The script of Calamity Demon Dragon’s descent into the Material Realm likely will not happen again.

“Without surprises, the next Path of Authority to be pulled down… shouldn’t be Morgan, nor the Calamity Demon Dragon.”

—But the “Crown Lord” themselves.

Aiwass said slowly, “They surely won’t descend upon Avalon or the newly birthed New Herasal… but will happen where royal power is challenged and the rulers’ authority is shattered.

“Just like in a not-too-ancient past, the Crown Lord led the Knights of the Round Table to Avalon Island to crush the Giant’s Country—”

In the current Material Realm, there must be a place, an uprising of transcendence in the name of love and hate.

And there is only one such place.

“—Parthia!”

“—That is Parthia.”

Aiwass and Isabel almost said in unison.

The essence of the fourth Source War is a battle for the renewal of Pillar Gods!

Morgan likens herself to the uprising army—someone who turned to hatred due to unrequited love.

An indifferent, unresponsive Crown Lord to her love became the Benevolent Lord.

This is also one reason why the Calamity Demon Dragon enlisted Morgan under their command: Her relationship with the Crown Lord conveniently forms a symbolic mirror to project their relationship into a most winnable, least obstructed righteous battle.

“In that case…”

Isabel looked anxiously at Aiwass, “If we assist the uprising army, the downfall of the Benevolent Lords becomes the trigger for the Crown Lord’s defeat; but if we assist the Benevolent Lords, it would be akin to…”

“No, we should still help the uprising army, Lulu.”

Aiwass pondered for a long time and offered a definitive answer, “When choosing between the Dream Realm and the Material Realm… regardless, prioritize the Material Realm. The Material Realm is the foundation of this world… The Hourglass should have also chosen this back then.

“As for the Calamity Demon Dragon and Morgan… the turnover of history is ultimately irreversible, and the era of royal power is destined to end. However, if they are incompetent.”

Aiwass narrowed their eyes, “Then the Pillar God… should not be invincible either.”