Endless Debt

The author attempted to find the starting point of the story, but evidently, he failed. In fact, the Alchemists' quest for the "Secret Source" is itself the tracing back to the beginning of the "Secret Source," but all these years, no one has truly reached it.

Thinking of this, Bologue once again recalled that mysterious presence.

King Solomon.

Not only in books, but from the mouths of Belli and Teda, Bologue often heard them mention that King Solomon was the greatest Alchemist in modern times, the one closest to the "Secret Source."

The closest Bologue ever got to this mysterious presence was during the battle that changed his fate, the Fall of the Holy City.

Bologue is still investigating that battle to this day. After becoming a member of the Order Bureau, he also secretly investigated a lot of materials. What Bologue did not expect was that there were conspiracy theories even within the Order Bureau.

No, it cannot be said to be just conspiracy theories, but various speculations of abnormalities and delusions.

Apart from the rumor of the "ray of light," Bologue also learned that some people suspect King Solomon might really be the Alchemist closest to the "Secret Source." He not only approached the "Secret Source" but might have completely touched the "Secret Source."

Bologue is not an Alchemist, and for this elusive knowledge, he's only read the popular science in the "Golden Thesis." Some suspect that the Rhine Alliance and the Kagader Empire seemingly aimed to seize the Holy City as a stronghold but in reality, they felt the threat of King Solomon and chose to join forces to destroy him.

King Solomon touched the "Secret Source," gaining the "truth" that countless Alchemists were passionate about. He surpassed everyone, and for that reason, everyone wanted to destroy him first.

Everything is interconnected; an invisible net traps everyone.

The disputes troubling Bologue now all stem from a secret war seven years ago, and that secret war from seven years ago is a continuation of the Fall of the Holy City...

Then, which war is the Fall of the Holy City a continuation of?

A continuation from the era deeply buried, forgotten, where everything had yet to begin?

Bologue felt a slight chill crawl over his body. He thought that by joining the Order Bureau, he would be able to fully understand this strange world. But in fact, the world did not become any clearer in Bologue's eyes; instead, it grew even more mysterious.

The more one knows, the more painful it is.

Bologue read such words in the "Golden Thesis," and Alchemists call it "the pain of clarity," "the curse of knowledge."

Now, Bologue can more or less understand what it means.

After stretching his stiff body forcefully, Bologue thought these matters weren't that bad. There are still unsolved mysteries in the world, which for him, is a good thing.

As an Undead, he can keep his unquenchable curiosity alive in the long years ahead.

Living beings require curiosity, or perhaps... a goal.

Curiosity keeps people young. When one loses all curiosity, they become a living, gradually decaying corpse.

Like the members of the Undying Club, they no longer hold interest in this world. Their actions are merely to slightly fill their empty hearts.

They seem endlessly cheerful every day, yet to Bologue, it appears somewhat like a forced smile, leaving only a sense of sorrow.

Bologue stepped out of the hideout cabin; it was evening. He was about to go to the kitchen to make something to eat.

Palmer often said the best thing about living here is that Teda generously shares his refrigerator and kitchen.

The kitchen echoed with the sound of clanging, a constant buzz of activity. It must be Aimou busy inside. She doesn't need to eat, and Teda wasn't home tonight. Bologue thought she might be making dinner for him?

Recently, Bologue and Aimou reached a strange tacit understanding... or should we say, a deal. Aimou would knock, bringing in a large tray of food, and Bologue would eat her creations while chatting with her.

The topics they discussed ranged from philosophical reflections to various anecdotes about Opus. Sometimes Bologue felt like he'd become a bridge connecting Aimou to the human world.

Thus, instead of drawing knowledge from cold texts, she would hear it directly from Bologue, a living human.

As Bologue walked into the kitchen, the scene before him was somewhat unexpected.

Aimou, wearing an apron, was engrossed in spreading cream onto a cake base. As she worked, she flipped through a book, following the steps inside.

But evidently, Aimou wasn't doing this for the first time. Her movements were deft, only requiring the tutorial for confirmation. Under her manipulation, beautiful frosting adorned the cake, smoothing the cream on top, with sprinkles of chocolate shards.

She hummed a song while making the cake, completely immersed in the process, unaware of Bologue's presence. Bologue did not make a sound, just leaned against the door quietly, observing.

This must be a birthday cake, a birthday cake for Aimou herself.

Bologue guessed this could be her... third birthday? There were three candles placed by the table; that much was easy to deduce.

So, today is Aimou's birthday? She became self-aware on this day, during the Vow Festival three years ago, as her vague consciousness clearly saw this world.

After a while, Aimou finished her birthday cake. The cake was small and exquisite. The halos in her eyes flickered between circular and star shapes. She walked around the table several times, observing her work from all angles.