Zaraphiston, the Grand Sorcerer of the Black Legion, never expected that he would encounter this Savior, this Chaos Reaver, within the Crystal Labyrinth.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
Had this Savior accidentally fallen into a trap and been imprisoned here?
Or was it that this being, who appeared to be the Empire's savior on the surface, had in truth fallen to Chaos, becoming the thrall of a dark god?!
But regardless of which guess was correct, they both pointed to one glaring result—
The Imperium of Man was doomed.
A Primarch secretly fallen to Chaos or turned traitor would cause unimaginable damage to the Imperium.
Especially during these turbulent, grimdark times.
"Perhaps… the Black Legion will soon launch a new Black Crusade, and the Warmaster will rule the galaxy…"
Zaraphiston contemplated, a faint smile creeping onto his lips.
However, the voice of the Savior, the Chaos Reaver, drifted over to him, providing an answer he never could have predicted.
"What do you mean, why am I here…?"
Eden wore a leisurely expression as he walked up to Zaraphiston.
"I'm here sightseeing. Is that a problem?
Hurry up. If you can't do it, then I'll do it myself. Don't waste my time."
At this moment, the Guardian of the Passage, a colossal golden face, presented a riddle.
Zaraphiston pondered the riddle and scoffed:
"Savior, the Golden Gates do not favor those without wisdom, even if you are a Primarch."
He himself had spent thousands of years obtaining the knowledge needed to enter these gates.
Any single minor branch of this knowledge would be enough to occupy a mortal scholar for their entire life.
These riddles of the Golden Gates had to be answered by the individual alone, with only one person allowed through at a time. He refused to believe this Savior possessed such wisdom.
"Perhaps… that Grand Sage by his side might stand a chance, at least to pass three of the gates."
So thought Zaraphiston.
He himself had passed five Golden Gates and was about to challenge the sixth, to obtain the wondrous knowledge that lay beyond.
If he could pass through all nine Golden Gates—
Then he would enter the Library that contained the infinite knowledge of the universe, granting him anything he sought, and becoming one of the most intelligent beings in the galaxy!
Before long, Zaraphiston thought of the answer to the riddle, a complex term involving multiple disciplines of sorcery and magic.
RUMBLE—
"Correct answer…"
The giant golden face, shrouded in pink and blue eldritch energies, nodded and suddenly opened its mouth wide, forming a portal.
It was the gate itself.
"Savior, I look forward to seeing you further along this path… though that probability is so small as to be negligible."
Zaraphiston stepped through the portal, still finding time to jeer.
He planned that upon his return, he would inform the Chaos Warmaster that he had encountered the Savior here – or perhaps divine the truth of the matter through prophecy.
Soon after, Zaraphiston passed through another four Golden Gates in succession, arriving at the sixth gate.
On the platform here were even more wandering beings. Some had lost their minds entirely, others had mutated horrifically, their bodies covered in eyes and wailing mouths.
These were those who had failed to answer correctly for too long, driven into eternal madness and regret – for they had been so close to infinite knowledge.
Zaraphiston listened to their delirious ramblings, absorbing their knowledge. These mad ones had once been high-level sorcerers, scholars, master artificers from across the galaxy.
They possessed countless skills and wisdom.
From an ancient witch who had lived tens of thousands of years ago in a feudal medieval age, he even learned the process of a lost system of prophecy.
That was the value of this Path of Knowledge – so many lost souls becoming knowledge itself.
Then, Zaraphiston listened as the colossal golden face spoke its riddle. The challenge it presented was so difficult that he could not even grasp an initial direction for the answer.
Fortunately, he had plenty of time.
If one so wished, pilgrims could remain here forever, thinking for eternity.
Though there was always the risk of becoming lost and going mad.
"I will not become a madman…"
Zaraphiston thought confidently. He had come here many times before, and though it was arduous, he had always returned from the brink of madness.
As the Black Legion's Chief Sorcerer, he would never submit to Chaos – he would use it.
That was what the Chaos Warmaster had always done.
During a pause in his contemplation,
Zaraphiston suddenly remembered the Savior and wondered whether that arrogant, conceited, self-styled omnipotent figure had even passed the first gate?
Even if he had, it was probably just luck.
ROAR!
A shrill bellow rang out.
The 89th Greater Daemon of the Changer of Ways, Bal'u the Fateweaver, arrived.
"Make way!"
This being swept its wings, casting multicolored spells that hurled aside the lost souls, clearing a path. More Greater Daemons lined the route, continuing to drive the lost ones away.
Many of those pondering riddles were forcibly pushed into the crowds.
Even Zaraphiston was among them.
Though annoyed, he made no move. He knew this Bal'u, a recently risen, highly favored Fateweaver.
It had participated in numerous wars against other Chaos domains, achieving great victories.
No one dared doubt the staggering battle records of this Fateweaver.
And it was uncharacteristically brutal for a Fateweaver, preferring violence over subtlety, an oddity within the Crystal Labyrinth.
In truth, this was simply an act Bal'u put on. Behind the facade, it was extremely cunning.
By eschewing plans for brute force, its success rate in battles had drastically increased, combined with the cooperation of traitors within other Chaos domains.
Hence its meteoric rise through the ranks.
"There sure are a lot of people here…"
Eden stepped onto the platform along the cleared path, accompanied by the Changer's Surgeon, Blue Horrors, and Pink Horrors – like a man touring a scenic attraction with his entourage.
Apart from the daemons clearing the way, there were also personnel explaining the sights to him.
It was a full VIP guided tour.
???
Within the crowd, Zaraphiston's eyes widened as he sensed something terribly wrong. Earlier, he had been focused on solving riddles and had not noticed the relationship between the Fateweaver and the Savior.
Why was the Imperium's hope, this Primarch Savior, walking about the Crystal Labyrinth as though it were his personal domain?
And with a renowned Fateweaver as his escort?
This was Chaos's realm!
Suddenly, he felt as if the world had changed too quickly, or perhaps he had stayed in the labyrinth too long and missed some seismic shift in the balance of power.
Zaraphiston could not understand it. After all, his expertise was in sorcery and the occult, not political intrigue.
Then, like lightning, a thought flashed through his mind, and he screamed:
"Y-You… how could you have solved the riddles so quickly?!"
His hands trembled around his staff, as though he had discovered the most incomprehensible truth in the galaxy.
Could it be that this Primarch, like Perturabo or his gene-father Magnus the Red, also possessed vast knowledge and learning?
Impossible!
According to all known data, this Savior had never shown any intellectual or scholarly talent, not even on par with a common scholar.
Moreover, even he himself – a peerless genius among sorcerers – had spent thousands of years to reach this point.
How could the Savior possibly have passed so many Golden Gates alone?!
Zaraphiston was stunned.
A grim realization dawned on him, and he grew solemn:
"Perhaps… this Savior, this Chaos Reaver, has been concealing his true power all along. The Black Legion faces an even more terrifying enemy than we imagined!"
"Huh?"
Eden turned to him upon hearing the outburst.
"Solve riddles? It was easy to get in."
"Impossible…"
Zaraphiston took a deep breath.
"Without answering the riddles, no one can enter the gates. That is an unchangeable law.
You can no longer deny or hide your wisdom – admit it!"
He remained convinced that the Savior was simply hiding his strength.
"Pilgrim, you must answer a question…"
At that moment, the colossal golden face turned its gaze upon Eden standing alone at the center of the platform.
Since the crowds had been cleared away, he alone remained, granted the privilege of first attempt at the riddle.
Immediately, the golden face spoke a cryptic riddle.
Zaraphiston listened, finding it as complex as his own.
There was no way to even begin answering it.
Zaraphiston stared at the Savior, wanting to know how he would answer the riddle.
However, the Savior didn't even seem to understand the question. His expression was utterly blank, as if he were simply spacing out.
"The Savior… he made it this far, how could he not understand the question?"
This scene left Zaraphiston himself feeling bewildered.
DONG DONG DONG—
"Guardian brother…"
Before everyone's eyes, Bal'u, the cunning Fateweaver Daemon of Tzeentch, waddled up to the massive golden face, looking rather sneaky.
He leaned close to the golden face's ear, whispering softly – though his words rang out loud and clear for all to hear:
"These guests were invited by the Changer of Ways himself. They must reach the Library quickly. You understand, don't you?"
The golden face frowned deeply, lowering his voice:
"Our duty is to guard the gates. They must answer riddles to enter. That is the rule, as eternal as the Crystal Labyrinth itself…"
"By the Changer of Ways above, once this is over, brother, I'll weave a plan to get your vacation request approved…"
Bal'u and the golden face conspired loudly, occasionally exchanging information, clearly negotiating something.
At last, promised his reward, the golden face showed an expression of "Leave it to me," then turned to the Savior and asked a new question:
"1 + 1 = ?"
…Huh???
When Zaraphiston heard this riddle, his eyes widened in utter disbelief.
This… this counted as a riddle?!
It was the first time in his thousands of years of life that his understanding of reality was so completely shattered.
Eden wore a serious look as he listened, then answered without hesitation:
"The answer is… 3!"
RUMBLE—
The massive golden face trembled upon hearing the answer, the entire gate shaking as if in shock.
After a moment of silence, it drew a deep breath.
"C…Correct answer…"
Then, with thunderous rumbling, the portal to the next passageway opened.
This Golden Gate, which had trapped countless beings of supreme intellect, opened wide for the Savior.
"T-This… this is allowed?!"
Zaraphiston trembled all over, his grip on his staff nearly failing. In that moment, his worldview collapsed entirely.
If the Savior could enter so easily, then what did his thousands of years of yearning and painstaking effort amount to?
For the sake of this knowledge,
He had devoted his entire life – thinking, studying, even betraying the Imperium of Man to flee into the Eye of Terror and join the Black Legion!
"This… this is corruption! It's unfair!"
Zaraphiston felt as if he were breaking down, shouting at the golden gate in utter grievance.
To him, it was like seeing the bicycle he had cared for meticulously, never daring to ride, suddenly mounted and ridden recklessly by someone else.
The secrets of knowledge, the immutable rules of eternity, were being trampled underfoot before his eyes.
Thousands of years of effort had become a complete joke.
It was unbearable.
Yet in Tzeentch's realm, such complaints were all the more laughable.
Not only Zaraphiston, but other knowledge-seeking pilgrims also began to protest.
"Wrong answer! Completely wrong answer!"
Seeing pilgrims dare challenge him, the giant golden face turned crimson, smoke billowing from his nostrils.
"You have disrupted the order and lost your right to answer.
You shall be banished!"
In an instant, countless tentacles covered in eyes reached up from the abyss below the platform, binding all the protesters.
They had no chance to resist.
One by one, the protesters were forcibly expelled from this domain of Chaos.
Only Zaraphiston remained, struggling desperately.
"No… oh Guardian, please forgive my rude outburst…"
Tears glistened in the clouded eyes of Zaraphiston. He was utterly terrified, unwilling to see his life's pursuit destroyed.
Even more so, he could not bear to lose the knowledge that lay beyond these gates.
That would be a fate worse than death!
"I need this man to fulfill my pact with the Big Blue… with the Changer of Ways."
Eden observed the scene and made a subtle hand gesture. Bal'u understood immediately, scampering over to negotiate with the Guardian.
The tentacles paused their movements.
Just as he had expected.
With the Changer of Ways under great threat, Eden – as someone capable of resisting Nurgle – had become all the more important, giving him room to negotiate.
Perhaps that was why the Big Blue had left.
He refused to remain in an environment where he could be threatened or coerced, not even for a moment.
Such risks could cost him untold opportunities.
Eden stepped before Zaraphiston, gazing down at him:
"Zara, you're still too young. Some things can't be achieved by mere effort and blind toil. You have to understand how the world works…"
In the Changer's domain, abiding foolishly by the rules would only lead to death. That being itself was the embodiment of caprice and defiance of rules.
Playing by his rules would only get you destroyed.
Of course, rules could be broken – but not by just anyone.
These pilgrims, these followers of Tzeentch,
They had no right to break the rules. They could only follow them, spending centuries or millennia in search of the knowledge they craved.
"Have you ever heard the saying, 'Choice is greater than effort'?"
Eden extended his hand to Zaraphiston with a confident smile.
"Following that Abaddon guy… there's no future in it.
Perhaps… you could make a new choice.
Follow a true Primarch of power, and you will have the chance to enter that Library of infinite knowledge, to receive its blessings…"
He began digging his recruitment trench directly.
Right now, he needed high-level sorcerers to deal with the dark constructs of the Warp, such as those corrupted machines wrought by Mortarion.
That would be key to suppressing the Plague Wars.
"I will not betray…"
Zaraphiston bowed his head, seemingly unwilling to accept the olive branch.
But Eden saw the hesitation in his eyes and gave him a final ultimatum:
"You have only one chance to answer. Yes or no."
He waited a few seconds, then turned to leave without waiting for a reply.
But as he turned away, a broken voice came from behind him.
"Chaos Reaver… I… I am willing to follow you…"
Eden halted and turned back, reaching out to lift the Grand Sorcerer up with a gentle smile.
"Zara, you made the right choice."
He knew this man could not resist the lure of knowledge. None of these pilgrims could.
Soon after, Zaraphiston performed a sorcerous ritual to pledge his loyalty, offering secrets of the Black Legion and the Chaos Warmaster.
Though it did not guarantee he would never betray him again, at least he could no longer remain in Abaddon's ranks.
Eden wasn't worried.
Once this man secretly fled to Black Abyss, he would receive a dark blessing, binding him more tightly.
Thus, the Black Legion's Chief Sorcerer, Zaraphiston – one of its highest-ranking figures – came under the Savior's banner.
It was an unexpected and significant gain.
One that would bring unimaginable benefits, further strengthening the Terror Legion.
"…Ah, I almost feel guilty."
Eden sighed inwardly. These days, he'd been squeezing Raudon dry, nearly stripping him to the bone.
Zaraphiston gazed longingly at the golden gate, eyes filled with yearning and pleading.
"Lord Savior… might I…"
"It's fine. We're all family now."
Eden patted Zaraphiston's shoulder and looked at Bal'u and the Guardian.
"This man is with me. You know what to do."
Before long,
The massive golden face smiled kindly and posed an exceedingly simple question.
With trembling hands, Zaraphiston answered.
The sixth Golden Gate, which he had struggled to challenge for centuries, swung open effortlessly. And the ones beyond would be the same.
The path to knowledge lay wide open before him.
Everything he had yearned for across millennia, infinite wondrous knowledge, lay before him. The price he paid—
Was merely his loyalty.
Zaraphiston stared at Eden's back, tears glimmering in his cloudy eyes, a thought bubbling up within him:
"I did not choose wrong. Praise be to the Savior, the Chaos Reaver!"
Thereafter, Eden led the Changer's Surgeon and Zaraphiston onward, guided by Bal'u and other Chaos beings.
They would soon reach the Library and obtain the answers and knowledge they sought.
Eden pondered:
"…Tsk, this is a rare opportunity. I wonder if I can take the whole place with me…"
That Library was so mysterious, so precious. Having come all this way, if he didn't plunder it thoroughly,
Wouldn't that be a waste?
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]