I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 963: ...Concerning The Fate Of The World

Unlike what Lirae was thinking, it wasnʼt that Northern refused to share the information with her. He was simply cautious about doing so.

This wasnʼt just information that affected Central Plain—it concerned the entire world and the very forces that shaped it.

This was a matter involving Ul herself. Northern couldnʼt be sure if Ul was listening to him. He doubted it, but he didnʼt understand how she existed. If there was any way for her to eavesdrop, it would be through all Drifters.

Ul might not have been able to listen in on his conversation with Koll, but she could certainly do so with Lirae. As a Drifter, Lirae was bound closer to Ul than he and Koll were.

This was the risk in sharing the information with Lirae. Still, it didnʼt mean he couldnʼt say anything at all.

He would just have to hold back some details.

He let out a breath.

”Alright. First, this concerns the fate of the world. Have you heard about the children of the dark continent?”

Lirae tilted her head back slightly.

”Who hasnʼt? They call them the return of the age of legends. They say someone from among them might become a Luminary.”

Northernʼs smile carried a touch of sadness as he paused.

”Thatʼs unfortunate... weʼre too late then.”

Lirae frowned, studying Northern. Two things from his statement puzzled her.

”What do you mean weʼre too late? What do you mean we... Wait...”

Her mouth fell open.

But Northern lifted his gaze toward Burning Storm, causing her to look at him with a soft, strange expression.

”I mean weʼre too late... someone else became a Luminary before we—the return of the age of legends—got the chance.”

A small, pale smile broke across Liraeʼs face as terror crept into her features. She followed Northernʼs gaze.

She shook her head slightly, struggling to accept what she was hearing.

”You donʼt mean...”

Northern nodded.

”Yes. Burning Storm became a Luminary moments before his death. Sadly, he was drained of essence, and the very realization that brought him to the edge of that evolution—consuming essence—meant his soul couldnʼt complete its transformation. He died halfway through the process.”

Lirae slowly raised her hands to cover her gaping mouth. She stared at her husband with wide eyes, her expression a tangle of emotions—joy, respect, awe, disbelief.

More than anyone, she knew how desperately Raizel had sought to become a Luminary, yet had never managed to reach it. He traveled constantly, and they spent long stretches apart because of his quest. Even when he was home, it was nearly all he talked about.

Hearing that he had achieved his goal before dying felt like learning he had found the treasure heʼd scoured the earth seeking.

The world might never know this truth, but that was fine. Knowing it brought her a peace and strength that would help her accept her husbandʼs death... when she was finally ready to face it.

In fact, she seemed to be slowly turning toward that acceptance now, after this earth-shaking revelation.

Northern watched her in silence, giving her the time she needed to process everything.

To his surprise, she slowly straightened herself, pushing down the tremors left by the weight of what sheʼd learned.

”So... and the other matter... youʼre one of the children of this Dark Continent?”

Northern nodded.

She offered a brief smile.

”It makes sense why Raizel found you worthy enough to be his disciple.”

She paused before continuing.

”So what about them...?”

Northernʼs rough voice cut through the air.

”During our time in the dark continent, we faced a terrifying enemy. His name was Koll.”

She tilted her head slightly.

”Koll?”

Northern nodded and continued.

”I assumed the government would already know this and have the events of the Dark Continent documented.”

Lirae shook her head.

”It wasnʼt easy to gather intel when the biggest Citadels were protecting those people. They wouldnʼt cooperate with the government, which wasnʼt surprising. Thatʼs just how Drifters have always treated the government.”

Northern caught the wistful note in her voice but pressed on.

”Well, Koll was like the final boss of the Dark Continent. His goal is to free his Master, who would destroy the world simply by existing. I donʼt know if youʼve heard of Origins and Tyrants. Kollʼs master is the Origin of Chaos, so if he escapes his prison, Chaos itself will walk our world.”

Northern paused to catch his breath while watching her expression.

”Koll almost succeeded, but we stopped him. Only for me to discover that heʼs the same Prophet whoʼs been helping Lieutenant Dante stir up war in the Central Plains. The version we defeated in the Dark Continent was just a fragment of him. I donʼt know how many more fragments exist, but each one is incredibly powerful, and honestly, Iʼm getting tired of having to fight him over and over again.

”But yes. He devoured Lieutenant Dante and is now continuing the war because the only way to free his Master is to tip the delicate balance between War and Peace. I donʼt know how much blood he needs to shed to accomplish that—I doubt even he knows. But he wonʼt stop until he gets what he wants.”

Lirae was silent for a long moment. Then she let out a shaky sigh.

”This Koll... sounds like a very powerful person. What do you think his Soul Rank is?”

Northern chuckled dryly.

”You still donʼt understand... heʼs not from our world at all. Iʼm not sure where exactly he comes from, but he certainly doesnʼt follow our worldʼs path of growth. One fragment of his existed as a Maelstrom before. And this version may even be as strong as a Luminary... for all I know, he could be a Tyrant, but heʼs too weak for me to be certain. So either heʼs hiding his strength or canʼt unleash it fully right now.”

Lirae released a shaky breath and stepped back slightly.

”And youʼre saying if this guy frees his Master... our world will drown in Chaos?”

Northern nodded.

”Exactly.”

”Ah... this truly concerns the fate of the world.”