The figure of the "Gate" Lord, condensed from a sphere, paused there, as though engaged in a fierce inner struggle. Layer upon layer of gates within Him was only a fraction away from complete alignment. Amidst the ethereal rustling, the deep crimson tide, barely squeezing through the fissures of the "flesh gate," surged more vigorously. The blood-colored robe descended heavily, seeking once again to enfold Berith-Abraham. Yet, as it fell, the golden-eyed beings with feathered wings, the young man clad in flame-armored armor, the hazy luminous aura revealing its haunting features, and the earth and woman who had opened their eyes and closed their mouths—all vanished silently, as if erased from the world. In that instant, a brilliant, blazing sun appeared in the sky above the forest, day replacing night and swiftly dispersing all shadows. This compelled the blood-colored robe to rise again, shedding more crimson moonlight, allowing the successive disturbances to return once more into the arms of their mother. Seize this opportunity, the shimmer of "The Gate"先生's eyes, once slightly ethereal, closed and his head lowered. "Good...," He uttered his first words since returning to reality,艰难 and painful. His form solidified completely, then he raised his right hand and brought it to his face. The next instant, "The Gate"先生 lifted his head, donning a single-lens spectacles crafted from crystal on his right eye. A brilliant glow erupted instantly upon the lenses, illuminating the entire world. At this moment, all errors in the seals were corrected, all seemingly normal actions began to falter, and every clock instantly skipped several seconds. The ritual of the "Thief" sequence 0, "Error," is: To take over the position during another's divine ascension ceremony! And it seemed that "The Gate"先生's return had directly triggered his own divine ascension ceremony. The glow then subsided, and "The Gate"先生 had now transformed into Amun, wearing a pointed soft hat and a classical black robe. In this "profane one's" hands, there lay a key forged entirely of pure starlight, its form slightly ancient and rustic. Above him, the blood-draped robe descended, seeking to envelop him entirely; behind him, the crimson tide surged furiously through the ruins of the "Gate of Flesh," determined to fully flood this world. In that brief instant, the blood moonlight surged overwhelmingly, casting the sun, the night, the land, the faint gleams of light, and the strange white towers into shadow. Faced with the encroaching assault from the outer gods, Amun smiled gently at the corner of his mouth, extended his right hand, and from somewhere, drew forth a stone slab, its surface weathered and remarkably ancient—the first "Profane Stone!" Then, he placed this stone, born of the "Chaos Sea," across the remaining breach of the "Gate of Flesh," using it as a substitute to bear the weight of the descending robe. Instantly, the first "Profane Stone" became ethereal, as though it now connected to an endless sea embracing all hues and all possibilities. The sea surged forth, swallowing the crimson robes and blocking the tide of绯red from the stars. The already collapsing "Gate of Flesh" rapidly contracted and soon vanished, leaving behind a roar of fury and terror that echoed endlessly. In the next instant, the red moon reappeared in the sky, swiftly fading in color to become bright and clear, upon whose brightness a vast, twisted figure of deep red seemed to loom. Amun, wearing a soft-capped pointed hat and a classical black robe, adjusted the single-lens glasses resting on his right eye, waved gently to the crimson figure and the luminous moon, then smiled warmly, slightly inclined his body, and bowed respectfully to the surrounding presence. Then He turned his body and walked toward the second "profaned stone slab." The first figure summoned from the historical mist remained Roscel Gustav, dressed in a dark red coat embroidered with golden threads and with chestnut-colored, slightly wavy hair. For this "mysterious attendant," the angels he had known and could summon throughout his long life were not numerous, but among those surpassing the Sequence 1 "Emperor of Knowledge," only a few stood out—such as the ancestral line of Antigonus before it became half a " Fool," such as the "Angel of Fate" Ululios, and such as the senior officers of the "Red of War" legion, who could indirectly access the power of the "Red Angel." But in this current situation, Zarathustra believes it is safer to first summon the historical gap image of Roscel Gustav: Before becoming half-a-"Fool," the ancestral line of the Antigonus family had themselves been a Sequence 1 "Mysterious Servant," one who would have further mastered the "Source Citadel," surpassed most Angel Kings in dignity, and thus become a near-divine adversary to be suppressed; After Zarathustra chooses to collaborate with the Rose School and Adam, the success rate of summoning the "Fate Angel" Ululios is undoubtedly guaranteed to drop sharply, making it unsuitable for attempted use in an emergency; Among the "War Red" high-ranking figures capable of drawing strength from past "Red Angels," since they do not directly possess the power, their actual performance will not significantly exceed that of Roscel Gustav, the "Knowledge Emperor." In comparison, Zarathustra is certain to prioritize the historical projection he is most familiar with and easiest to summon successfully. His plan was to seize upon Germán Spáro's spontaneous, unprepared arrival—without prior historical fissure imagery—by engaging him with the High Command of the "Imperial of Knowledge" Roscel Gustav, the senior officer of the "War of Red" legion, and the "Divine Calamity" Seara, thereby creating sufficient time for Himself to achieve the miracle. As soon as Roscel Gustav's form emerged, a cascade of complex, ethereal symbols began to coalesce within his eyes, flooding the target's mind with vast, intricate, and ultimately useless knowledge, aiming to overwhelm and burst his consciousness. Meanwhile, Zarathu utilized the pre-established connections to shift positions—this marsh being His domain—while extending slender, slick, translucent tentacles through the hooded black robe, reaching into the historical mist to summon the senior officer of the "War of Red" legion. At that very moment, Roscel Gustav's historical projection suddenly turned, leveraging the subtle interconnection between them, to gaze directly upon Zarathu's true form. Zaratustra's mind was instantly overwhelmed by an avalanche of redundant information and useless knowledge, his thoughts nearly exploding—his mental faculties momentarily paralyzed. His gaze even failed to shift! The "Emperor of Knowledge" he had summoned, Roscel Gustav, had betrayed him! To this outcome, Caine felt both surprised and unsurprised. He had not been surprised because this had been his own initiative—he had already fused Roscel's current state with Caine's own hidden condition through the "spirit insects" within the "Source Fortress." What was surprising, however, was that Adam had not warned Zaratustra to be cautious of Roscel Gustav. After noticing certain coincidences, Kline had prepared by leveraging the connection between the "Fool" symbol and the seal of Roxel Gustave, channeling a corresponding prayer point to transform a "spirit worm"—carrying specific words and a certain will—into light and sending it to the sleeping native, thus awakening him and granting him, through the miracle, a temporary strength to counteract the encroaching influence of the "Fallen Mother Goddess." His greatest concern at that time was that, should an unforeseen mishap occur to himself, cutting off his connection to the "Source Citadel," the spirit worms within the Citadel and those dispersed elsewhere would all lose control and spiral into chaos, unable to recover on their own. Should the spirit worm he sent to Roxel undergo a transformation, Roxel would immediately recognize the trouble and, using the "Black Emperor's" ability to distort order, ensure that the worm remained conscious and stable for a defined period. As for what method of self-rescue the "spirit insect" and Rosel will devise together, Caine himself has no clear idea. This is precisely why he has been able to瞒过 Adam! Having learned from his experience in the Hall of Honesty, Caine knows that when facing a "Speculative," he will have no secrets—every self-rescue strategy he has ever thought of, whether accumulated over time or just recently conceived, will be clearly seen and heard by Adam. At his level, the only way to avoid detection is to remain unaware of his own self-rescue plan. Of course, Adam, the "Speculative," is undoubtedly aware that Caine has a "spirit insect" residing within Rosel Gustav's "Black Emperor" tomb, and thus knows that his reserve strength must stem from there. Yet, he cannot observe it, because that place has been tainted by the "Falling Mother Goddess"—it is a divine realm eroded by the "Starry Sky." Observing Rosel Gustav's thoughts is like gazing into the mind of an outer god! This is a difference in divine status. Precisely because of this, Caine could remain remarkably composed as he inquired about various secrets and interpreted the second "Board of Desecration." On one hand, the knowledge itself was indeed compelling; on the other, he was deliberately delaying time, waiting for the other side to complete its self-rescue, while at the same time keeping his mind actively engaged, unconsciously pondering how he himself might achieve self-rescue. As a result, Caine began to suspect that Adam had shared so many secrets with him—not merely for reasons he had yet to fully grasp—but in order to guide him toward thinking about self-rescue, thus uncovering clues and potentially intervening earlier. Therefore, each exchange of questions and answers within the Church of the Bones was itself a mental confrontation, and Caine had to remain vigilant, ensuring his thoughts did not wander. Under these circumstances, Adam was clearly aware that Rosel Gustave might encounter difficulties, yet surprisingly, Adam had not alerted Chalat! Regardless of the reason, Kline never let go of the opportunity before him. He immediately raised his "Staff of Stars" and skillfully replicated Amun's "Chrono-Beetle" ability. Clang! A ghostly, weathered stone great clock emerged, its dial divided into twelve asymmetric segments by shades of gray-white and dark green, each bearing distinct symbols representing different moments of time. Clang! One of the three central pointers of the stone clock twitched, and Chalatú's physical form completely froze in place. Kline instantly transformed into a swirling mass of smooth, slippery tendrils, forming a vortex. At the heart of the vortex, a shimmering, ethereal portal appeared. Though the portal remained still, the vortex spun violently, exerting a terrifying suction that gradually extracted the extraordinary qualities from within Chalatú's body. This was precisely the method Palis Soloyasht used to counter Amun's manifestations—by leveraging positional essence, to forcibly cohere and unify. A few exceptional traits surged forth, accelerating rapidly. When Zarathustra broke free from the stagnation of time and the explosion in his mind, he could no longer detach himself—only able to watch in growing despair and quiet wonder as his body was completely lifted and drawn into that deep, obscure, writhing vortex! A few seconds later, the vortex reformed his form, and Caine's feet touched the ground. Amidst the historical mist, Zarathustra's figure appeared again and again, yet never managed to reclaim his exceptional traits, eventually fading away in quiet resignation, unable to be fully resurrected. Caine, leveraging the still-partial ritual effects, directly absorbed Zarathustra's traits! He sought to diminish the influence of the Heavenly Sovereign within himself. ………… When the remains of the church still floated amidst the Thunder Sea, Adam—dressed simply in a white robe and bearing a light golden beard—appeared suddenly at the edge of the sea surrounding the divine battlefield. The sea parted immediately, revealing a path that led straight to the place stained with the blood of the ancient sun god, straight to the projection of the Giants' King's hall, and straight to the land abandoned by the gods. At the summit of a mountain deep within the abandoned land, a massive cross stood upright, its figure hanging suspended, faintly visible. (Seventh Part Complete) PS: The text ran a bit longer than expected, so it arrived a bit late. (This chapter complete) 1364. Summary of the Seventh Part, Leave of Absence, and Request for Monthly Subscriptions Summary of the Seventh Part, Leave of Absence, and Request for Monthly Subscriptions In principle, this part should have continued for another thirty or forty chapters: Kaito would gradually eliminate distractions and resist disruptions, guiding the fates of the various secret figures of Utopia, culminating in a smooth and natural promotion once the ritual was fully prepared. Along the way, the stories of other characters would unfold, enriching the overall narrative. I originally thought this too, but later realized that such a development would be a mockery of the antagonists' intelligence. Zarathustra couldn't just sit and wait to die, nor could Adam and Amun simply wait for Caine to rise in rank or patiently interfere through a series of moderate, incremental attempts, as if playing a game. Their essential choice had to be to create an opportunity—pouring all their strength into it—either to directly confront Caine, or, when Caine could no longer withstand them, to have Veldu perform the ritual and release the "Gate" man. Once this opportunity arose, the developments would inevitably be swift, intense, and relentless, with no room for easing off. The conflicts would fully erupt, each party striving with all their might to achieve their own objectives, pushing the tide to its highest point. This is precisely why the pace suddenly accelerates in the final section of the seventh volume—this development is inevitable once Adam joins the story. It is the choice any rational opponent would make; they could never allow Kline to proceed methodically and unhurriedly. This makes perfect sense. Turning back to the title of this volume—"The Empress." Its primary meaning stems from the interpretation of the Tarot cards, which I have emphasized two particularly clear aspects: First, the active willingness to sacrifice oneself or make sacrifices. Second, when facing difficulties, one should refrain from futile struggle, instead shifting perspective, calmly examining oneself, reflecting on the future, and patiently awaiting the unfolding of events. Regarding the first point, since the seventh volume, several characters have made sacrifices: Roselle, Mr. The Door, and the ancient sun god in the story's background. Among those who have decided to forgo significant things and pay a price are Alje and, more subtly, indirectly, little K, the True Maker, and Adam. Xiao Ke has, in a sense, inherited the legacy of the Celestial Sovereign—not only by utilizing the "curtain"’s property to separate and complete himself, but also through his transaction with the "God of Light." The true Creator and Adam, however, would each have to sacrifice aspects of their own individuality—possibly even one or two—should they wish to merge. Especially, given that Amen has not yet surrendered the first profaned Tablet. Thus, the final scene featuring the Cross and the "Hangings" is signaling this very point. Though Adam has often been indifferent, cold, and unkind in other respects, he has not shied away from this matter; having failed to secure absolute advantage, he has chosen to make sacrifices instead. This aligns precisely with the opening statement: all things possess divinity, which both observes humanity and transcends it—both qualities present, yet each with its own strengths and weaknesses. As for the second meaning of "The Hangings," it is subtly embedded in the events of Part Seven, most clearly illustrated by the way Xiao Ke responds when suddenly overwhelmed and facing a crisis. Of course, this is not the most crucial aspect—the truly essential part lies in the section about "I": when viewed from a different perspective, through the lens of individual "I"s living and reflecting on the future, Xiao Ke's divine qualities rise, yet his humanity remains intact. Beyond these two points, there are also Aljé's challenges and decisions, as well as Odile's negotiations with the Psychological Alchemy Circle. Well, earlier I actually considered having Algier sacrifice himself in this volume, along with adding a storyline for Folshe—both centered around the "Gate" gentleman arc. But then I realized: when and how did I weave in a Western Continent storyline for Algier? What exactly happened? So, I had to settle for a more modest solution—having him completely abandon his past and his status. As for Folshe, she's just so bland—so unexciting—that I'm not even sure how to push her into adventure. Regarding the other summaries for Book Seven, I mentioned them just a few days ago in the March recap—so I won't repeat them. I can only say that the earlier, more relaxed pace, the varied entry points, and the diverse narrative techniques all pleased me greatly. The more intense conclusion, however, emerged organically from the characters' interactions—each one bringing their own reflections, choices, and destinies. As a writer, I can't claim this is the absolute best, but I do have to respect it. When a story reaches this stage—when the fates of its characters intertwine and flow together like a mighty current—it signifies the arrival of the conclusion. Additionally, two points: first, Mr. Door. Mr. Door's sacrifice has been building up over a long time, so in the end, only a few simple actions and a single line of dialogue are used to convey it. I believe this is quite effective—no unnecessary emotional flourishes or redundant descriptions. All the weight is carried in that single choice. Second, Chalatu. Honestly, I initially envisioned a grand battle at the climax—after all, every ending should feature one. However, after Xiao Ke completes his ascension through the Lamp Deity, both his strength and status have reversed, and there's also Rosel's betrayal. I simply can't see how Chalatu could possibly turn the tide or engage in a prolonged struggle. If, in Utopia, Chalatu still had the capacity to create miracles under such circumstances, then after his first hasty escape—losing his secret companion and his initial advantage—I believe there's no need to invent new words or force a sense of melancholy. Indeed, I've always been reluctant to add retrospective moments to my antagonists before their demise. This has resulted in Charathus—consistently elusive and enigmatic—lacking sufficient narrative depth and a well-rounded character arc, which is no small遗憾. This has also been one of the issues I've long wished to resolve: bosses tend to be set up too strongly from the outset, limiting their appearances and thus creating a sense of discontinuity and emotional undercurrent when they finally step into the spotlight at the conclusion. Without a steady emotional build-up, the desired impact and dramatic intensity fall short. I hope Amun can provide the breakthrough needed to address this. That concludes the summary for the seventh installment. Now, I can confidently say this has been the most consistently strong-selling volume to date—its final print runs have consistently hovered around 65,000 copies, with regular sales maintaining a solid 59,000, and even reaching as low as just under 57,000. Since the series began, steady demand has been on the rise, and the fact that every installment has seen an increase in back-orders is truly rare—this marks the first time such a consistent performance has been achieved for me. Well, the title of the eighth volume is quite intuitive—"The Fool"—starting from "The Jester" and ending with "The Fool." As per tradition, we'll take a three-and-a-half-day break: today's half-day, plus Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We'll resume updates on Thursday, at noon, April 9. I've already envisioned the ending scene since I began writing this book, but how to unfold the narrative from there still needs careful thought. I also need to carefully plan the strategic back-and-forth with Amun. The song of humanity is the song of courage! The knightly order, charging forward, recovers human freedom beneath the ancient realm of kings.