The Sun - Lord of Mysteries (fanfiction)

Chapter 89: Antigonus

Aucuses appeared with a flash of light in a remote valley of the northern continent.

He looked at Solomon's only remaining mausoleum; others had been destroyed by him in the previous week.

For this week, he was wandering the world, disrupting Solomon's resurrection plans.

During his journey across the northern continent, he also visited St. Millon, Trier, Feynapotter, Roburg, Bexlas, and many other cities, admiring them and analysing the changes brought about by the industrial revolution.

The beginning of the industrial revolution had the greatest impact on the world trend, resulting in the most significant and immediate effect; urbanisation.

The steam engine eliminated the problems and difficulties that the industrial sector faced, revolutionising it. It led to mass migration, with people flocking to the cities in the hope of a better future in the industrial world.

In this competitive environment, some succeed and become wealthy, while many others fail and come social outcasts.

Such scenarios could be found throughout the empire, resulting in a plethora of tales and stories to be embedded in the fog of history; some remembered, some forgotten.

However, most of the drastic changes brought about by the revolution didn't even reach the world's upper echelons.

No matter how wealthy or rich a mortal becomes, he cannot attain nobility in the United Empire, which is reserved for angel families and consuls of empire. The empire's upper echelons are also angels and demigods; no mortals are allowed to hold positions of power.

The extraordinary persists to reign over the mundane. This is an iron law of the universe that cannot be broken in any way.

Aucuses' thoughts wandered as he made his way towards the mausoleum in the valley.

The mausoleum, like Solomon's other mausoleums, was majestic and one-of-a-kind. It was pitch-black in colour, erected and supported by colossal pillars, each with an image of angels engraved on it.

He finally made it to the mausoleum and stood in front of the massive door.

Solomon's fated resurrection would fail and fade if he destroyed this mausoleum, as it was the last one standing.

However, this was just a fleeting thought as he began to exert his authority of "Order".

The entire mausoleum was illuminated in brass light, which quickly morphed into law symbols and magical labels. Then they all blended into the reality surrounding the mausoleum.

Aucuses used his authority to impose various rules that concealed and protected the mausoleum. It was also used to keep an eye on the entire structure. He was doing everything he could to ensure Solomon's successful resurrection and that nothing interfered with the process.

Solomon's resurrection is essential. It would be the final straw that would bring the empire crashing down. It will eventually lead to the Four Emperors War.

The kings of Empire, on the other hand, were peculiar beings. He doesn't need to say much about Alitsa, as it is pretty evident to all already.

While, Trunsoest, the Keeper of the Order. Aucuses never trusted him and never will. In the beginning, he was obedient to him and other gods. He is, however, gradually changing. He'll soon discover that it's the gods who are upsetting his precious "Order."

Aucuses would not be surprised if he betrays and turns against them in the end. He may appear weak and cowardly to many, but such people are often the ones who surprise everyone in the end.

However, this was insufficient to compel him to halt Alitsa or Trunsoest on their path to Godhood. He will allow it to happen. In the end, he will also end it.

Aucuses set his thoughts aside and gazed at the night sky, which was filled with gleaming stars. The deserted valley was near the Northern Continent's edge.

'The battle should have been over by now...' He considered, his perception broadening.

Soon, he saw angels and archangels fighting. There were three kings of angels as well, adding to the chaos.

This was the siege of the Zaratul and Zoroast families, led by six churches and the empire.

He frowned at what he saw.

He decided to go there himself after some thought.

Aucuses' closed eyes opened as he vanished from the valley in a flash of light.

______________

Aucuses descended on the battlefield without making a fuss or letting his presence known.

The sky was overcast with thunderclaps, while darkness and twilight flashed across the battlefield.

Aucuses looked around and discovered castle ruins, as well as angels of six gods battling the angels of the Zaratul and Zorosarst families.

This was not a fight in the least. It was a one-sided slaughter, with dozens of church angels encircling four angels from two families.

They are only alive because of the ridiculous survivability trait bestowed upon them by the mysterious pathways.

It doesn't change their fate, though. It was only delaying the inevitable.

Aucuses walked through the ruins, ignoring the battles of angels, until he sensed the aura of the king of angels.

He arrived at the edge of ruins after a short walk. He was met with the corpse of a middle-aged man, infested with maggots, lying on the ruined ground.

Two people were standing near the corpse, one of whom had long black hair and was dressed in a blue suit. His face was formal, and his eyes were a deep blue. His face was solemn as he stared at the body.

While the other was a man who appearance resembled both old age and youth, with hair that was half white and half black. He had dark eyes, a handsome face, and a thick, black tuft of fur on his cheeks.

It was Mr. Door, Bethel Abraham, and Antigonus, Son of Flegrea.

'Well...' Aucuses sighed, his head throbbing. 'It's getting out of hand...'

He was immediately aware of what had occurred. Zaratul should have been besieged by Antigonus and Bethel. This happened in the original timeline as well, during the War of the Four Emperors. It had changed now, most likely as a result of his presence.

Zaratul died, and there was no hope of his resurrection. It was unsurprising given who was besieging him: Bethel Abraham.

Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to Antigonus' hand, which held a translucent mask with the symbol of a fool on it.

'That's the uniqueness of the fool...' He thought, his eyes gleamed.

However, fool's uniqueness did not pique his interest. Honestly, he didn't want to be anywhere near it. But what bothered him was the significance of what had occurred here.

Antigonus wants to be the King of Angels of the Fool Pathway, and eventually to become the Fool himself.

A death wish, that is.

Aucuses' eyes were tinged with a mixture of purple and gold as he focused on the Antigonus.

His all-seeing eyes saw right through Antigonus.

Antigonus' life, memories, and fate. It was laid bare for him to see, like a book he could open and read at any time.

Aucuses only gave it a passing glance, focusing on Antigonus' fate and mind.

'As expected...' He discovered something, just as he had predicted not long before.

The entire situation struck Aucuses as strange and bizarre. He always had the impression that there were invisible strings attached to everyone and that they were being manipulated.

He is now certain that someone is attempting to manipulate Antigonus into becoming king of the angels.