Legacy of the Dark Sage

Darkness.

That had been Cyneah's default view for as long as she could remember. Although she was not born blind, most of her memories started after she lost her sight, with only a few fragments from her early childhood remaining.

However, the darkness that stretched before her was sometimes mixed with faint lights. Their numbers were limited, with three being the maximum when she was around eight or nine. Because of this, it was not wrong to say that she was mostly by herself.

It was only after her mother's passing that the lights surrounding her multiplied, yet her situation remained the same. She was seen as a mere object, with her presence acknowledged only when those lights required someone to express their frustrations or when they needed tasks completed but preferred not to do them themselves.

More often, she was viewed as the former, as her lack of sight made it difficult to manage anything alone.

But those were in the past; several years had passed since Cyneah had lived like that. After escaping that hole of darkness— and quite literally at that— lights that exuded warmth started to appear in her life. Those lights treated her well, and that was why she swore to treasure them well.

Yet, one person did not radiate any light; unfortunately, that was the one Cyneah cherished the most. Nevertheless, she vowed to give even her life if it meant saving that one lightless person.

Kyran.

Cyneah had this mindset when she risked her life to ensure Kyran's safety from the Sovereigns who invaded the Human plane several years ago. Although her resolve remained the same, she now had a hint of reservation, knowing his feelings for her. But that did not mean she would start second-guessing her decisions.

Instead, when she made decisions, she ensured that the result meant that both of them survived.

Precisely because of this, when the Macabre Glacier's sentient ran rampant, Cyneah wracked her brains on how best to restrain the latter without risking her life and those around her.

Cyneah's mirror-like eyes glinted as she called on to someone...

'Please... lend me your help.'

[...]

'... I know you were disillusioned after learning the truth....' she paused and shook her head inwardly. 'No... you were not disillusioned. Not really. Rather, you felt hopeless knowing that he would definitely despise you after everything you've done.'

Something stirred from deep within the recess of Cyneah's consciousness, and a woman's soft laughter resonated in the air.

[...]

However, apart from the woman's laughter, there was still no response.

'...There is no need to deny it... I know your simple admiration has grown in that short time... It can't be helped... when everyone around you showered you with empty and superfluous praises, he was the only one bold enough to defy you.'

[...]

Although the woman remained silent, Cyneah sensed her stirring from within the recesses of her consciousness.

'...I can't control the Macabre Glacier's sentient alone. I need you... please...'

And that was when the woman finally replied.

[That sentient is not the Macabre Glacier...]

Surprisingly, the voice that spoke bore a resemblance to Cyneah's. There was a little difference, but rather than a difference in sound, it was more with the woman's intonation.

There was something regal in how the woman spoke— likely due to her upbringing.

That was right.

The woman Cyneah reached out to was none other than Haylee.

Haylee was an essence that White Lily forcefully created using Cyneah's second magic core. Because of this, Haylee was quite extraordinary, unlike a regular essence created by other mages.

Because Haylee was created from Cyneah's magic core, it was similar to receiving it. After living that way for a long time, Haylee developed the magic core and even succeeded in possessing her innate magic. She even created her own separate persona.

When Cyneah absorbed Haylee, she failed to retrieve her magic core.

No.

That was not quite right.

Cyneah retrieved it but ended up having its own will— Haylee.

Haylee sometimes allowed Cyneah to use her, but mostly, she refused because she loathed the idea that she had become nothing more than a magic core's will.

Fortunately, with the Macabre Glacier acting as Cyneah's magic core that stored Soul magic energy, which she had a better affinity with, she never had to ask Haylee for assistance.

However, with the sudden turn of events regarding the Macabre Glacier's sentient, Cyneah had no choice but to ask for Haylee's help.

'...What do you mean...?'

Cyneah would not have bothered to ask Haylee questions if this had been any other time. Fortunately, time in one's sea of consciousness was different from the outside.

[...]

Unfortunately, Haylee decided not to answer Cyneah's question.

'...Fine. If you don't want to answer, I won't ask. But please, help me.'

[...]

Haylee remained silent.

However, Cyneah did not try to push her because she sensed her stirring. It was as if Haylee was contemplating what to say or probably do.

After a few minutes, Haylee finally broke the silence and replied. However, her response was different from what Cyneah expected. It was not unrelated. Instead, it was a belated response to her question.

[...What you believe is the sentient of the Macabre Glacier is a sealed corrupted soul of a powerful mage.]

Cyneah's eyes widened. Even without Haylee elaborating on her words, Cyneah more or less guessed who she meant.

'...No way...'

[Why not? Didn't he— didn't that person tell you who owned the Macabre Glacier?]

'...'

Cyneah fell silent.

As Haylee said, Kyran explained a lot about the Macabre Glacier when they reunited in Somuli. Even without his explanation, she guessed as much after possessing the mirror for more than seven years.

[The first vessel of the Void Core could not kill that being.]

Haylee continued.

Cyneah frowned at Haylee's phrasing. While she realized who the latter meant by 'first vessel' of the Void Core, she found it strange that she would refer to the first Void Master that way. As far as Cyneah was concerned, only the beings from the Higher Realm referred to the Ancient Magic Users that way.

Even Cyneah, if they knew she was supposed to be the second Soul Emperor, would be referred to as the second vessel of the Soul Core.

Furthermore, the way Haylee chose her words piqued Cyneah's curiosity.

'Could not kill....'

[That's correct.]

Hayle replied. Cyneah could hear mirth from her tone.

[The first vessel was hailed as a prodigy... Then again, he was the first, and no one else could compare him with. After all, he was the only one who could use the Void Core.

[Void magic... that by itself could already be considered cheat magic. However, the first vessel still could not kill that being. Why do you think so?]

Cyneah's frown deepened at Haylee's question. Several ideas flashed through her mind, but she chose not to voice them.

Haylee chuckled softly as if reading Cyneah's mind, regardless of the latter's refusal to share them.

[You are on the right track... You are right. The first vessel was incomplete. He was only fortunate enough to form the Void Core in his body. But in the end, he could not bring out the Void's full capability.

[He was too frail... his body could not handle the Void Core. Furthermore, he only possessed one magic core.]

"... How do you know all that?' Cyneah could not help but mutter. There was no way for Haylee to know all those things unless she knew what happened in the past— the past that the Royal Family distorted.

Haylee let out an amused laugh at Cyneah's question.

[Did you forget? The first vessel of the Soul Core once possessed me, and she happened to have a portion of that being's memories.]

'!'

[Because of that, the first vessel of the Void Core initially realized that she was possessed. That was how his journey to find out the truth started.

[However, even after gathering all the clues and finally finding that being... he failed to free her.]

'...'

With a hint of melancholy, Haylee continued.

[The first vessel of the Void Core could only confront that being... and when he heard the truth from him, they devised an elaborate plan that would eventually lead to this situation.]

'What do you mean...?'

Although Cyneah asked that question, she already had a foreboding. Kyran once told her that the first Void Master had conspired with the first Time Keeper and Dragon Lord. That was how he ended up possessing two magic cores.

However, from Haylee's words, it seemed there was more to the conspiracy than what Kyran knew.

[You should not stop the unfolding situation. No. You must let it happen. If not, that being's wish will not be fulfilled.]

'I don't understand.'

Haylee sighed.

[Of course you don't. You don't even know a quarter of the truth.]

Haylee paused dramatically before continuing.

[The first vessel of the Void Core could not kill the Dark Sage. However, he was able to seal him—at least a portion of the Dark Sage's corrupted soul, using the Macabre Glacier as the medium.]

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