At the summit of Soulforge Mountain, dark clouds swirled, and an icy chill pierced the air.
Archmage Koslia stood tall against the wind, clad in a flowing black robe.
Amid the raging snowstorm, he pointed his Vowbinder straight at Robin.
In an instant, a primeval aura spanning millennia erupted, freezing the summit in a moment of eternal stillness.
"Young Lad, let me give you a word of advice—turn back now."
A moment later, Koslia lowered the Vowbinder and looked at Robin coldly.
"You are still in your prime, with the world's pleasures ahead of you. Why throw your life away for something as insignificant as sentiment in the darkness of Netheris?"
Robin gave a cool smile. "A life without love or loyalty—how is that any different from a beast? Even if one possesses all the riches of the world, without those things, they're just a walking corpse!"
Koslia paused, then smiled bitterly. "I was once as naive and foolish as you. If you take sentiment seriously, you'll lose your entire life.
"Young Lad, you can't change this world!"
Koslia pointed toward the masses gathered at the foot of Soulforge Mountain. "Do you see those lowly people down there, like cattle and horses? Do you know why they've come here?
"Let me tell you. They've come to kill you—for the glory of the Netheris and the safety of the High Pontiff.
"Even though in Netheris Domain, they live like animals without dignity, they are the ones who love Netheris the most.
"In fact, their devotion to the Netheris surpasses that of the Crownward Syndicate and the noble class.
"They love it more than themselves, more than their own families.
"The moment someone threatens the interests of Netheris, they will willingly die for the High Pontiff.
"Objectively speaking, they are nothing but a bunch of soulless fools."
Robin glanced at the dark crowd below and gave a detached smile. "So what exactly are you trying to say?"
Koslia hesitated. "I'm stating a simple truth.
"These people can barely survive, yet they rage in defense of the dignity and interests of the Crownward Syndicate!
"But it is precisely their ignorance that allows the upper class of Netheris to live in luxury and excess.
"Rather than calling them kind, simple, and loyal, I'd say they are tragically pitiful."
Robin pointed at Koslia. "Aren't you one of those fools yourself?
"Knowing full well the Dark Syndicate is pure evil, yet you aid and abet it. You're worse than those peasants—more foolish than any of them!"
"Hmph!" Koslia slammed his Vowbinder to the ground. "This is my duty! I am nothing like those lowly fools."
Robin gave a cold laugh. "Delusional!"
"Evil laws are no laws at all! Hiding behind your so-called duty—does that excuse your role as an accomplice?"
"Blindly following the crowd, submitting to the system, and a refusal to self-reflect—this is the true venom of mediocrity!"
"Despite all your cultivation, you're nothing more than a watchdog for the Dark Syndicate!"
"Enough talk. Show me what you've got. I'll make sure your end still carries some dignity!"
Koslia frowned. "You're truly beyond salvation!
"Out of respect for an old friend, I will let your insolence slide.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Deadly Assassin Robin