Chapter 1075: True Successor or Decoy?

Leaning back in his chair, Hyperion said, "I’m sorry, but I can’t help but think you are. If what you just described actually happened, then I would’ve known, because he would be dead and the number of Progenitors would have been reduced by one."

"Which is exactly why I came to you," Gaia shot back. "He’s not dead, even though what I just said actually happened.

He absorbed a fragment of my Avatar’s Divine Spark, and the only issue he had was Law Attribute Compatibility because the Aspect in it was that of Creation and not Destruction.

Even then, he managed to absorb the power and gain some form of immunity to Creation-based effects below his level."

Gaia’s words explained the true nature of the ’Creation Vaccination’ Arthur had received, something even he hadn’t realised yet, and would only come to understand much later in the future.

Hyperion, on the other hand, had an expression of pure disbelief at Gaia’s words.

"Again, Gaia, what you’re saying doesn’t make sense," he said. "How can his only problem be Attribute compatibility?

Ordered Conceptual Power would clash with the Chaotic Conceptual Power he already possesses, and the end result would be his death."

"But that’s not what happen—"

Gaia froze mid-speech, a look of realisation suddenly appearing within her eyes.

The distance between her and Hyperion became near-zero in an instant, her arms grabbing both armrests of his chair as she asked, "You just mentioned that he already possessed Chaotic Conceptual Power.

I never mentioned that he had such power, so why do you know that?"

Gaia’s eyes narrowed after she asked that question, and she asked another, "You’ve been keeping tabs on him, haven’t you?"

Hyperion didn’t respond to Gaia’s question, but Gaia didn’t mind because she’d already confirmed exactly what she’d assumed.

"Hyperion, that Progenitor has the ability to wield both Chaotic and Ordered Conceptual Powers."

Gaia spoke with certainty that this was definitely the case, and from the look in her eyes, Hyperion knew that trying to convince her otherwise would be pointless.

"There are only three other entities in this Cosmos capable of doing such a thing."

Hyperion was aware of this fact, so he found Gaia repeating it to him odd, but Gaia just continued speaking without addressing his confused expression.

"The first is that being calling themselves the ’Judge of the End’."

When Gaia mentioned this, Hyperion immediately thought of that being’s other title, their original title before assuming the role of ’Judge of the End’.

’The First Progenitor...’

That thought crossed his mind as Gaia continued, "The reason they can influence both Chaotic and Ordered Conceptual power definitely isn’t because of that self-proclaimed title of theirs."

Hyperion’s eyes narrowed slightly at Gaia’s words, and noticing this change, Gaia exhaled softly.

"Come on, Hyperion. I’m not stupid. I’ve long since known that they’re just like the Void god and the Immutable One."

Hyperion was silent at Gaia’s words, but his silence in this situation was basically an affirmation. Gaia didn’t really mind him being quiet because she understood that Hyperion was fairly limited in the things that he could confirm to her.

She took a few steps back and crossed her arms behind her back before saying, "The second entity capable of wielding both Chaotic and Ordered Conceptual powers is you, Hyperion.

As for the reason, well, you’re an entity born of the Origin Multiverse, who was baptised by Order and made into its Envoy when it saved you from existence erasure at the end of the Previous Era."

Hyperion silently bit his lip at Gaia’s words, the reason why he could fool the entirety of the Cosmos into thinking that he was the one who possessed the Ordered Concept of Creation, when in reality, it had always been with Gaia’s...even in the Previous Era.

He was an Envoy of the Cosmic Force, and with that title came Aspects of Creation and Ordered Conceptual power of so much potency that everyone mistook his Aspectual Authority for ’Conceptual’.

Besides, Hyperion was one of the oldest living beings in the Cosmos, someone who had reached the Ultimate Realm even before this Era had begun.

He possessed so much power that the need to wield Conceptual Authority in battle was quite minimal, as his own powers as an Ultimate Realm Existence were usually enough for him to finish most, if not all, battles he found himself in.

Gaia lowered her gaze to her chest, a soft breath escaping her lips as she spoke.

"The last person capable of wielding Conceptual Power of both alignments is me, an entity born of Order and corrupted by Chaos."

Hyperion immediately facepalmed at Gaia’s words.

"Gaia, you weren’t corrupted by Chaos."

Gaia just rolled her eyes and looked away before responding, "Yeah, yeah. You can sugarcoat it all you like. It doesn’t change the fact that I am infected by Chaos."

Hyperion wanted to refute, but Gaia immediately spoke again.

"That’s not important right now, Hyperion."

Taking a step closer, she asked, "The three entities I just named, what is the commonality between all three of them?"

Taking another step closer, she answered her own question. "They’re all entities that are not of this Era."

She closed the distance by one more step before continuing, "Even though I came into existence during the last moments of the Previous Era, mere minutes before its last living being was returned to the void, I am still an existence of the Previous Era.

And remember what I’ve always been telling you for years now, Hyperion."

"!"

Hyperion’s expression contorted into a deep frown at Gaia’s words.

"You couldn’t possibly—"

"I think he’s one of us," Gaia interrupted. "That Progenitor, Arthur. I believe he’s either someone from the Previous Era, or at least has a special connection to it."

"How could you even come to such a conclusion?" Hyperion asked in an incredulous tone.

Faced with this question, Gaia tilted her head lightly before saying, "Well, you keeping tabs on him is one reason for my suspicion. There’s also the fact that you’re aware of that unknown Rule Breaker named ’Celestia’."

Rubbing her chin, she added, "I know the names of all Rule Breakers thanks to you...all except Rule Breaker Number One, which is supposed to be missing."

Hyperion wanted to speak, but Gaia didn’t give him the chance to do so as she continued, "Lostvayne addresses that Rule Breaker as ’Lady’ Celestia. That Lostvayne showing deference?"

Gaia shook her head and chuckled softly at the thought.

"That would only be possible if that sword viewed that entity as being of a higher status than they were.

You told me that Rule Breaker Number Two possesses the power of Creation, and when I think about it, it all kind of checks out."

Holding up her hands, she began counting.

"Rule Breaker Number Three possesses the power of Destruction, Rule Breaker Number Two possesses the power of Creation, and Rule Breaker Number One possesses the power of the Nothingness that exists before creation."

Lowering her hands, Gaia exhaled softly before speaking, "Let’s cut the charade, Hyperion.

Be honest with me. You already suspected that Arthur was of the Previous Era, didn’t you?"

Hyperion didn’t answer, so Gaia asked another question.

"Do you also have an idea as to why he’s able to wield Conceptual Powers of both alignments?"

Hyperion heaved a heavy sigh before shaking his head.

"No, I have no idea."

"So you’re admitting to suspecting that he was of the Previous Era?" Gaia asked.

Faced with this question, Hyperion silently nodded, confirming what Gaia had asked.

Seeing his response, Gaia then stepped back, the chair behind her disappearing as she muttered, "I see. This much is fine for now."

With that, she turned around, and a door manifested in front of her, one which she stepped into, disappearing into the bright white light beyond it.

The moment she vanished, the door closed and vanished as well, leaving Hyperion pressing his fingers against his temple once more.

"Arthur Vaughn, huh?" he muttered. "It’s troublesome enough that Gaia has taken an interest in him, but which one is he? Is he the true Successor, or is he one of the many decoys that Balance spread into the Cosmos?"

◇　◇　◇

At the same time, Gaia, returning to Elo Katra, thought back to Hyperion’s last affirmation.

A memory then came to mind, one she’d never shared with anybody, not even Hyperion or Ranus.

It was a memory of the first few moments of her existence, right after she’d gained consciousness at the end of the Previous Era.

She remembered the last living being of the Previous Era, a being that should have also been erased from existence alongside everything else, and yet somewhere within Gaia’s mind, she couldn’t help but think that, just like herself and Hyperion, they might have survived.

"Was it you, Arthur Vaughn?"