Infinite Mana In The Apocalypse

Chapter 4061: The Weight of Sin! II

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 below…the 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 freely…no trade, no bargain, just gifts to weak Fold Dwellers who seemed to know him.

Duke Whisker’s 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 mouse’s whiskers twitched with thought. This behavior further validated the theory that Osmont was a powerful Fold Dweller from the Wandering Territories…they were known for their solidarity, their care for their own. But…

Duke Whisker’s instincts, honed across eons of existence, insisted it couldn’t be that simple. There were layers here, depths that he hadn’t 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.

“Do not stress and think about things too much,” Noah called out, his voice carrying easily across the distance that should have muffled it. “Since I am in a good mood… I’m feeling generous, so you can have a bowl as well!”

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 mouse’s size, requiring him to adjust his position to receive it properly. Duke Whisker’s eyes shone with genuine interest as he examined the contents…a 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 shouldn’t 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 bite…

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!

“That is good stuff!” 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 couldn’t fathom it because they didn’t 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.

“Duke 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 don’t entirely know Osmont’s origins, but he cannot get all this leeway… the Young Miss…”

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.

“If you do not trust Osmont,” he replied mentally, his ‘voice’ carrying the patience of someone explaining something that should be obvious, “then trust the Young Miss.”

…!

He took another bite, savoring both the soup and the point he was making.

“You 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?”

Another dip, another bite. The soup really was exceptional.

“Simply trust in her judgment. Do you think THE Living Order would be moving with Osmont if she didn’t want to? She should have sufficient power to leave whenever she chooses. If she doesn’t even have the mere power to separate from someone like Osmont when desired, then she wouldn’t truly be THE Living Order, would she?”

He paused, letting that logic settle.

“So simply… trust in her. She is no child needing protection. She is Order itself, choosing her path.”

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 Whisker’s logic, but the argument was frustratingly solid!

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