Chapter 4061: The Weight of Sin! II
Chapter 4061: The Weight of Sin! IIđđŤđđđ¨đđŻđđ đđđ.đđźđ
In Aeternitas Concordia.
Duke Whisker sat atop the roof of a building with the casual air of a common mouse enjoying the view.
But his stellar eyes were focused intently on the anomaly belowâŚthe being he considered either an Early Creature or one of the terrifying Fold Dwellers from the Wandering Territories.
He watched as Osmont gave away multiple bowls of that precious soup, trading them for treasures from the Doorways to the Loom.
But more interesting were the bowls he gave away freelyâŚno trade, no bargain, just gifts to weak Fold Dwellers who seemed to know him.
Duke Whiskerâs perception pierced through surface appearances, reading the fundamental information of existence itself.
These Fold Dwellers came from a paradoxical minor fold, and stemmed from the Veiled Sunfolds specifically.
Their power levels were negligible by any standard that mattered. Yet Osmont treated them with genuine care, handing them bowls of treasure that could elevate existence itself.
As they consumed the soup, their complexity and purity began surging upward with speed that would have cost fortunes to achieve.
The mouseâs whiskers twitched with thought. This behavior further validated the theory that Osmont was a powerful Fold Dweller from the Wandering TerritoriesâŚthey were known for their solidarity, their care for their own. ButâŚ
Duke Whiskerâs instincts, honed across eons of existence, insisted it couldnât be that simple. There were layers here, depths that he hadnât yet fathomed.
He found himself staring with perhaps too much concentration, his gaze carrying more power than intended.
The weight of his observation must have registered, because Osmont looked up with a smile that suggested he had been aware of the scrutiny all along.
âDo not stress and think about things too much,â Noah called out, his voice carrying easily across the distance that should have muffled it. âSince I am in a good mood⌠Iâm feeling generous, so you can have a bowl as well!â
Without waiting for a response, Noah scooped a bowl from one of the Glass Woks beside him. With a casual gesture, he sent it floating up toward Duke Whisker.
The bowl was nearly five times the mouseâs size, requiring him to adjust his position to receive it properly. Duke Whiskerâs eyes shone with genuine interest as he examined the contentsâŚa stellar white-gold soup that seemed to contain condensed possibility.
Duke Whisker did not truly know what it was made of, but this single bowl held the meat of Early Living Marine Lifeforms that floated in Early Sacred Water, creating a combination that shouldnât exist outside of the Earliest Folds!
He knew not thr contents, but he gave Noah a simple nod of acknowledgment, recognizing the gesture for what it was.
Then, with the practicality that defined him, he waved his tiny paws to produce a block of stellar cheese from wherever he kept such things.
He dipped the cheese into the soup, watching it absorb the scintillating liquid. When he took that first biteâŚ
BOOM!
His small body buzzed with resonance that went beyond simple nourishment!
His existence itself was being refined, elevated, made more real than it had been moments before!
He breathed out with contentment that transcended the physical, feeling determination crystallize within him like a new organ.
Determination.
He was filled with determination!
âThat is good stuff!â The words emerged with genuine appreciation.
He continued eating, dipping block after block of stellar cheese into the soup with the focus of someone who understood they were consuming something precious.
Around him, the busy market filled with Fold Dwellers and Living Existences watched this scene with bewilderment that bordered on outrage.
This ridiculous merchant had just given away freely what others were offering treasures to obtain.
First to unknown Fold Dwellers, now to what appeared to be a common mouse.
What was the logic when he was simultaneously turning away others who came with significant offerings?
They couldnât fathom it because they didnât understand the intricate web of weavings and power playing out before them!
At that moment, Duke Whisker received a mental message from Duke Gwendolyn, her thoughts carrying frustration that blazed across the connection.
âDuke Whisker⌠are you really of the stance to leave this as is? That is THE Living Order! The Young Miss! She needs to be in the folds and care of Living Origins and nobody else. I say this knowing full well that we donât entirely know Osmontâs origins, but he cannot get all this leeway⌠the Young MissâŚâ
Duke Whisker shook his head, the gesture sharp enough to cut through her words despite her physical absence.
He dipped another block of cheese as he formulated his response, ensuring each word would land with appropriate weight.
âIf you do not trust Osmont,â he replied mentally, his âvoiceâ carrying the patience of someone explaining something that should be obvious, âthen trust the Young Miss.â
âŚ!
He took another bite, savoring both the soup and the point he was making.
âYou say she needs to do this or that. That she needs to be with the Living Origins. That she needs to follow all these prescribed paths. But that is what you believe she needs. If she truly is THE Living Order, do you not think she knows what she herself requires?â
Another dip, another bite. The soup really was exceptional.
âSimply trust in her judgment. Do you think THE Living Order would be moving with Osmont if she didnât want to? She should have sufficient power to leave whenever she chooses. If she doesnât even have the mere power to separate from someone like Osmont when desired, then she wouldnât truly be THE Living Order, would she?â
He paused, letting that logic settle.
âSo simply⌠trust in her. She is no child needing protection. She is Order itself, choosing her path.â
In a distant place within Aeternitas Concordia, Duke Gwendolyn received these words with an expression that cycled through several stages of emotion.
Her features soured as she tried to find flaws in Duke Whiskerâs logic, but the argument was frustratingly solid!
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