Chapter 156: You’re Such a Fool
Despite the mental anguish, despite the seemingly inescapable trap, Abyss never despaired.
He had never tasted despair, and he wouldn’t give the Lord of Nightmares the satisfaction.
As the dream cycles continued, his mind grew weary, fleeting thoughts of surrender flashing through his consciousness, then vanishing just as quickly. Humans instinctively recoiled from insurmountable challenges, but Abyss, his hope unwavering, persevered.
Was this nightmare truly flawless? The Lord of Nightmares had devised this elaborate trap, employing every trick he knew, but couldn’t these very constraints be turned against him?
Abyss refused to believe he was truly helpless. Even if he were bound by chains, he would use those chains to smash the jailer’s skull!
The dream cycles continued, over three thousand iterations, the Lord of Nightmares’ taunts growing increasingly impatient. “Hmph, you’re quite resilient. Let’s see how long you can last.”
The four thousandth cycle…
“Give up, you fool. Your resistance is futile. I offer you one last chance, and one chance only—surrender to me, become my follower. What’s wrong with obeying me? Join me, and we’ll destroy this boring world together. All mortals are destined to die anyway. Why not indulge in a little chaos?”
The four thousand five hundredth cycle…
“Wake up. The existence of these worlds is meaningless. Your actions within them are meaningless. Why torture yourself? Are you content with this endless suffering?”
The four thousand seven hundredth cycle…
“Don’t get your hopes up. Do you think I need to constantly maintain these dreams? I’m simply waiting, waiting for you to admit your fear. You can waste your time here, but while you’re trapped, I’ll turn Hai-Teweru upside down. When you finally awaken, you’ll be alone in a lifeless world, the last living being, enjoying your eternal solitude. Of course, that’s assuming I don’t get bored and decide to end your existence.”
After that, the Lord of Nightmares fell silent. Abyss ignored his threats.
His actions were simple, repetitive: he tried to move his body, pushing against the dream’s constraints, testing its limits.
But regaining control wasn’t simply a matter of effort. The Lord of Nightmares had anticipated this. No matter how hard he tried, his range of motion remained limited. He couldn’t even speak.
After countless cycles, his mind weary, his body aching for rest, he yearned to surrender, to relinquish control, but he persisted, his movements within the three dreams his only act of defiance.
The Lord of Nightmares’ voice finally returned. “You haven’t surrendered yet? This is only the ten thousandth cycle. There are many more to come. Hey, listen, I’m willing to hear your thoughts now. Tell me, how are you feeling?” His voice was laced with mockery, as if he were barely containing his laughter, enjoying Abyss’s predicament.
“Hmm? I can actually talk to you now?” Abyss responded instantly, his mental voice filled with exhaustion.
“Hahahaha, of course! Thank me for my generosity! Now, tell me how you feel.”
“Schlezhech, you’re a fool. Perhaps the Creator God forgot to give you a brain? Oh, I apologize, perhaps he never intended to give you one. Your arrogance is amusing. If you had a physical form, I would turn your heart into a decorative trinket. So much bluster, so little power. You’re nothing but a pig’s gallbladder, discarded after being gnawed on by a two-headed ogre…”
“You bastard! You insect! You’ll regret this! You lowly mortal! You audacious fool!”
The Lord of Nightmares, enraged, instantly cut off their communication. He had clearly regretted giving Abyss the opportunity to speak. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Abyss, feeling a surge of energy after his outburst, continued his futile attempts to move his body within the dream.
Thanks to the Lord of Nightmares’ taunt, he had started counting again. The cycles continued, reaching the thirteen thousandth iteration…
“I, Leona Placidia Crepeus, swear to serve the Western Empire faithfully, as long as I live. If I break this oath, may I be stripped of my honor and spend my life atoning for my sins! I will uphold the eight virtues of a Western Empire knight…”
Leona’s hair was disheveled, her ceremonial dress faded and worn from thousands of repetitions. Her eyes were bloodshot, her skin pale and dry. She recited her oath, her voice hoarse and strained.
“Reveal the title I have bestowed upon Leona!”
The court mage, his hands skeletal, the flesh worn away by the endless cycles, began channeling his mana into the stone slab.
The inscription appeared, one character at a time.
Abyss, dressed in gleaming armor, his body swaying slightly, his face contorted in a sneer, muttered, “Disgusting. A filthy bastard receiving a knighthood. It’s an insult to this sacred honor…”
Leona turned to face him.
But this time, something was different.
Her expression wasn’t one of sadness, but of anger and resentment. She glared at Abyss, her eyes blazing, then, ignoring all decorum, stood up.
“Leona, what are you doing?” the Emperor asked, his voice stern.
Leona ignored him, her gaze fixed on Abyss.
Then, to everyone’s horror, she moved with blinding speed, a blur of motion, appearing before Abyss, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him to the ground.
Bam!
Abyss’s head hit the hard stone floor, a wave of dizziness washing over him.
Leona’s bloodshot eyes were filled with rage, resentment, disgust, and a hint of confusion.
Before Abyss could speak, she punched him in the face, crushing his skull, turning it into a bloody pulp.
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