When the plot-skips players into the game world

The so-called eternal proof—this saying rings true for Amber.

As the only wielder of the Authority of Reincarnation, Amber is the origin of the nine cycles of eternal return the world has experienced.

—Even though the Pillar Gods from the future can retain their memories, only she returns in the form of flesh and blood.

This is why Amber became the unsurpassable "strongest."

Because she has already lived an additional ninety thousand years beyond her first reincarnation.

The power of the Pillar Gods itself cannot transcend history, much like how the Serpent Celestial Marshal must first acquire a stable initial fund from Aduo upon each reincarnation to gain divinity... Similarly, the embryonic form of the Amber Egg would not gain any mysterious powers from Amber returning from the apocalypse in the future.

However, in this world, it's impossible for two identical individuals to coexist; there is no Reincarnation Celestial Marshal in this world, as the former Ai Shiping has transformed into the Serpent Celestial Marshal, so Amber's birth will not repeat.

This world will never again have a scale bearer named Ai Shiping hatch her and raise her... Nor will there ever be a feathered girl named "Amber" who follows her God, her father, her teacher, her lover all the way to the end of the world ten thousand years ahead, gaining the Authority of Reincarnation, handed the greatest and most painful duty by Him, and buried by Him, trapped in eternal cycles from which she can never awaken.

Yet, as a great being who has become a Pillar God, the birth of "Amber" becomes an inevitable closure—just as Aiwass, being the "center of destiny," draws similar past reincarnations to occur again, Amber herself is the most central of all centers.

Thus she must hatch, and must be hatched by the Serpent Celestial Marshal.

If this condition cannot be met, she will become a monstrosity of twisted paradox, gaining terrifying power from her original form across nine lifetimes of reincarnation.

She is like a hysterical infant, bearing the sorrow of her lover's self-sacrifice.

Perhaps there is also resentment and pain in her heart for her ninety-thousand-year life as the living dead.

—The relation of this egg to Amber is akin to the relationship of Aiwass to the Serpent Celestial Marshal.

Based on the similar principle found in the Gemini Mirror of the Pillar Gods, everything can draw strength from similarities—"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again."

Using history as a mirror, wisdom is gleaned from the similarities of the past, yet there is never enough lesson learned. People always say the same things, always make the same mistakes. Each similarity, however, is based on differences and distinctions... Humanity has created the path of civilization through such challenges of differences and similarities.

The Pillar Gods certainly can retain their memories, but they also live in the world, attempting to avert the apocalypse; yet Amber, as a watcher, can do nothing but witness the world's cycles time and again.

People repeat the same mistakes, slowly stepping back onto an irreversible return path.

"Back then, perhaps he tread the Path of Transcendence to surpass this agonizing eternal return..."

Aiwass gained a deeper understanding of the Serpent Celestial Marshal.

Reincarnation indeed is a ring—a Mobius Ring. He did not turn back, only moving forward, yet continuously ending up at the starting point.

And this stillborn, is the best proof of this reincarnation's existence—"The world once reached an irretrievable point," "The world has walked down an irreparable path."

Aiwass gazed intently at the Amber Egg, amber slowly tinged his pupils.

Countless emotions surged within him, he almost couldn't hear Adil's voice... Aiwass vaguely heard him saying something, but like sounds heard between waking and sleeping, he could hear it but couldn't understand, and what he understood soon faded.

Aiwass looked at it, but couldn't recall any rightful memory. Not even a single trace of recollection.

Now Aiwass realized that the "suddenly arising from his heart," previously absent memories he had, most likely were transmitted through their parallel nature by the Serpent Celestial Marshal.

Thus, Aiwass understood what this represented.

—Are you still unwilling to share the memories of Amber with me, Serpent Celestial Marshal?

Indescribable emotions gradually boiled. Golden radiance ignited from Aiwass's eyes, turning his golden pupils into a burning sunset.

"—"

He opened his mouth, unconsciously uttered a name.

Aiwass didn't even know what name he spoke—the moment it left his lips, it was stripped away and vanished entirely. Even Aiwass himself was startled, unaware of what he had uttered.

As if erased by Punishment.

...Wait, Punishment?

Aiwass widened his eyes.

Punishment!

He realized clearly—

About Shepherd, about Punishment, about how "he" dedicated himself to the Fallen Celestial Marshal, about the Demon Scholar of the Parthian Ancient Country... and about the nameless Amber, only a title left behind.

And... the Void.

—Erased from all existence, isn't that equivalent to "falling into the Void"?

Aiwass remembered, even the Pillar Gods did not remember Amber's name; not only that, even the Serpent Celestial Marshal didn't know the Shepherd's name!

Even the Fallen Celestial Marshal forgot the Shepherd's name, could only call him "Snake Tail." But since the Fallen Celestial Marshal liked to call "snake snake snake" anyway, without proper speech, Aiwass didn't take this matter seriously.

But in hindsight, it indeed felt off.

Not all "Aiwass" are called "Aiwass" or "Ai Shiping."

According to the Serpent Celestial Marshal's interest, the Shepherd's name likely started with "Ai"... like how sometimes when raising a pet, you give your surname to it as well.

This was indeed Aiwass's style.

Yet, when the Serpent Celestial Marshal addressed Aiwass, it was always by his name—even when addressing other Pillar Gods, it preferred calling them by name; but for the Shepherd, it always called him "Shepherd."

At the time, Aiwass thought he had forgotten the Shepherd's name, or perhaps didn't want Aiwass to know it.

But now, Aiwass gradually understood... Ai Shiping was not a manifestation of sin devoid of kindness and justice, but an uncomprehended, nearly collapsing mad Savior. He wouldn't be so arrogant as to forget the Shepherd's name.

Unless...

The Serpent Celestial Marshal truly forgot, owing to an unstoppable force.

—For instance, the Power of Nihility.

If the essence of Punishment is erasure through the Power of Nihility... it matches up.

The Benevolent Lords are adept at manipulating Taboo Magic, perhaps among them is a spell that summons the Power of Nihility. This is entirely possible.

Since that's the case... perhaps the connection between the power of the void and this land is deeper than Aiwass imagined.

Seeing Aiwass unconsciously make some sound towards the Amber Egg, Adil was startled.

He looked at Aiwass with suspicion, as if realizing something... His attitude underwent a slight change.

It did not become closer or more trusting... but rather, more courteous and distant.

And from Aiwass's keen perception, it felt closer to awe than coldness.

—Has he vaguely realized my relationship with the Serpent Celestial Marshal?

"I have another question," since that's the case, Aiwass decided not to act anymore, "Adil, I hope you can honestly tell me everything."

"...Why not go on and say it, I'll do my best to speak without reservation."

Adil hesitated for a moment but finally answered seriously.

"Rock Cellar City," Aiwass asked seriously, "what exactly is going on? Are you participating in the war?"