Adam's vision shook as he heard her next words.
"But that alone is not enough."
"We will need thousands upon thousands of newcomers. People are most connected to Yxthar when they first enter the Tower. Their souls are closest to its existence. Their presence will fuel the spell and tie it to the Tower's core."
The memory ended as another came.
In another memory, Adam saw Celestia standing before a council of robed figures within a cold marble hall.
The government officials looked down at her with hollow, cautious eyes as she spoke.
"The plan will be completed by us, no one is to investigate the cases of missing newcomers."
"You will retain authority over the outer floors in exchange for your silence and your support."
There was a tense silence.
Finally, one of the officials gave a nod of reluctant agreement.
At that moment, a red contract brand burned into existence between them, sealing the pact.
The memory changed once again.
Adam saw Elaric standing above Selena's broken body.
Blood pooled beneath her unmoving body.
Celestia stood beside him, her white robes stained crimson.
Anyone seeing this scene would believe she was dead...
But Adam saw the truth.
Her soul still had the touch of hidden life, trapped safely within the sealed dimension they created together.
They had faked Selena's death...
Tricking the Tower into thinking she had been removed from existence.
In the next memory, Adam saw Elaric and Celestia fighting within a ruined arena.
Lightning and illusions collided as their attacks shattered stone and sent shockwaves across the battlefield.
Their eyes burned with hatred and killing intent.
But beneath the chaos, he felt their shared thoughts, calm and coordinated...
They were pretending to hate each other, deceiving the Tower so that no one would ever suspect their cooperation.
... ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet
Finally, Adam saw the last memory.
All three of them were there again...
Elaric, Celestia, and Selena...
Gathered in the dimly lit chamber lined with floating runes.
Celestia was staring at the glowing patterns on the floor, her voice quiet but firm as she spoke.
"There's someone on the first floor..."
She said, not looking up.
"A man whose soul is… different. His connection to Yxthar is stronger than anything I've ever seen."
Selena raised an eyebrow.
"Stronger than the newcomers we've gathered?"
"Stronger than hundreds of thousands of them combined."
Selena's gaze sharpened.
"If we use him… how much faster will the commencement of taking over Yxthar's consciousness initiate?"
Celestia finally looked up, meeting Selena's eyes.
Selena fell quiet, her fingers curling loosely at her sides as she thought.
Elaric stood beside them, silent, his eyes half-closed.
He didn't speak, but Adam could see the way his gaze flickered faintly towards Celestia, acknowledging her words.
Selena let out a small sigh, almost inaudible.
"Then… it's decided."
Celestia turned away, her expression hidden by her hair.
"We will use him as well..."
Elaric gave a small nod, barely noticeable, as if agreeing silently.
Adam felt the memory begin to dissolve, the glowing runes fading into the dark.
But their words remained etched into his mind like a quiet brand.
And in that moment, Adam understood.
They were talking about him.
Leila's fingers twitched weakly against the dirt.
Her eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain, tears brimming and falling down her cheeks in silent streams.
She whispered, her voice shaking with a rawness that cut straight through him.
"I… I don't want to die…"
Her tears fell faster now...
Dripping onto his arm as she clutched at his sleeve with trembling fingers, unable to grip him fully.
"I… I tried my best…"
Her voice broke into a sob, her chest heaving as each breath grew harder to take.
"I was trying so hard…"
Adam's throat felt dry.
He watched her lips quiver...
Watched her eyes fill with a terror so deep it left his own soul shaking.
"I've always been good…"
She whispered, her words tumbling out, desperate and cracked.
"I didn't… I didn't hurt anyone intentionally. Even when I was angry… I never cursed anyone. I always forgave people even when they didn't say sorry."
Her fingers tightened slightly, her nails barely scratching his skin.
"I… I always looked out for my team. I shared my rations even when I was starving. I… I kept watch longer shifts when others were tired. I prayed for everyone before I slept even if they didn't know…"
A quiet sob tore through her chest, her shoulders shaking beneath his hand.
"I didn't deserve this… right…?"
Her eyes searched his, wide and pleading, filled with a grief that words couldn't carry.
"I was good… I… I just wanted everyone to live. I wanted… I wanted to see the outside world again. I… I wanted to live, Adam…"
Her tears fell onto his hand like rain.
"I don't… I don't want to die… not yet… please…"
Her voice cracked completely as a sob escaped her throat.
"Please… Adam… I don't… I don't want to die…"
Adam's lips parted, but no sound came out.
His chest felt too tight to breathe, as though the world itself was pressing down on him.
Slowly, he leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers, his breath trembling as it mixed with hers.
He whispered, so softly it was almost drowned out by the wind.
He closed his eyes, feeling her tears run down his cheek...
Feeling her shaking breaths against his skin.
But he didn't tell her it would be okay.
He didn't promise her anything.
He just held her close.
Silently, as her sobs turned into broken, quiet breaths…
And her breaths turned to silence…
Until all that remained was the cold, empty wind blowing across the shattered battlefield.
Adam stayed there, unmoving.
His forehead pressed to hers, as though trying to keep her soul from slipping away.
But in the end, he felt her warmth fade.
And he stayed there, still and silent, letting the wind carry away her final tears.
There seemed to be another stream of tears flowing down silently.
One which didn't come from her.
[End of Volume 2 : To Knowledge and Power]