Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

"Hmm, as expected of Perimanderges, who exists with everything in the world, he recognized it at a glance."

Cleopatra nodded slightly. "All the wonders that are scattered across the earth are the shining of noble stars."

"Who are you?! Someone capable of forging the Philosopher's Stone can't possibly be Cleopatra..."

Eri clenched her fists, never expecting that even the city certification could be fooled.

"So, my charm is indeed insufficient for such a famous person?"

The blue-haired woman lowered her eyes sadly and murmured, "I am Cleopatra."

"Stop pretending! What, even now you're still afraid to show your true face!"

“That is indeed my name… I am the imposter, the alchemist Cleopatra.”

Chapter 530 Your name itself is a symbol of peace.

Cleopatra.

This is a Hellenized female name, primarily found in Ptolemaic Egypt, meaning 'the glory of the father'.

The most famous Cleopatra was the world-renowned Queen of Egypt. Her three children with Antony were taken back to Rome by Octavian, chained with golden chains, and paraded through Rome during his triumphal procession to show off his victory. They were then given to Antony's ex-wife, his own sister, and Nero's great-grandmother, Octavia, to raise. One of the three children was a girl named Cleopatra Selene II.

Through the efforts of Cleopatra and her husband, Mauritania became one of the most developed vassal states of the Roman Empire.

The couple had a young daughter, Drusera, who married the then-King of Mesopotamia and gave birth to a son, Alexius.

then.

Two hundred years later, one of Alexius's descendants, Zenobia, became queen.

For this reason, Zenobiah met a fate similar to that of his ancestor Cleopatra, being chained in golden chains and paraded through Rome by the Roman Emperor Aurelian.

Regarding Zenobia's fate, the Eastern Roman historian Zosimus claimed that the empress died of illness or starvation before even arriving in Rome; Malalas recorded that she was beheaded on the third day of her triumph; Augustine said that Aurelian gave her a villa to live in with her children; and Chanolas said that she married a Roman senator.

the fact is--

Rome, 274 AD.

On the third night after the triumphal procession in Aurelian, the eternal city, having experienced a great victory, remained immortal, displaying its majestic appearance high above.

Brilliant fireworks lit up the streets, dispelling the darkness that was gradually enveloping them. Even at night, large crowds of citizens packed tightly in front of the churches. The lively atmosphere gave one a sense of anticipation that tomorrow would also bring joy, an exhilarating sight that stirred the heart.

Except for the dark land of Zenobia, which was chained with golden chains.

The magic designed by the Roman magician struck the scarred skin, while the strong, cold wind continued to sting it mercilessly.

Knowing that Oregon wanted her to submit, Zenobia clenched her teeth. It was undeniable that she had considered begging for mercy after three days of torture.

"Rome, you and your sister (New Rome) are not only the pinnacle of luxury and prosperity in this world, but also a purgatory where all the world's sorrow and despair are gathered together."

In a daze, a man suddenly appeared before Zenobia, murmuring these words.

Zenobia remembered him; he was the magician named Zosimus who helped Aurelian defeat him and torment him.

Referred to by later generations as the father of alchemy, although not the earliest alchemist, he is the first alchemist whose work has been systematically compiled into twenty-eight books. He also established an origin legend for alchemy—

Satan led the angels in a rebellion against God. After their failure, the angels fell to earth and mated with human women, where they revealed the secrets of creating the material world.

“Holy One, Holy Son, Holy One, within that prosperous church lies a hell overflowing with human malice and darkness. In their minds, human conscience and attempts are merely means to amass wealth… By the way, defeated Queen, you seem to have been here recently. Have you missed your chance to advance? Be sure to pay attention.”

Having been so humiliated by the enemy, Zenobia would have definitely refuted him on the first day, but now she was dead... her heart was dead.

"Please let me go... Please go and tell the great Augustine that I—"

“I am Zosimus, a descendant of the same bloodline as you, bearing the name of Selene. I am the same bloodline as you, bearing the name of Helios.”

The next day, the people of Rome discovered that Zenobia was dead, with no blood or internal organs coming out, but Aurelian didn't care much and casually handed the body over to Zosimus to dispose of.

It's worth mentioning here that in Zosimus' alchemical view, "not only humans, but even metals have bodies and souls," and alchemy is about separating the two aspects of a metal, allowing the soul to combine with the body of another metal, thereby transforming it into a higher-grade metal.

Then Zosimus allowed his soul to enter the body of the 'metal' whose soul had already died. In simple terms, it was possession. He then used his physiological functions to manipulate his original self and merge with it. You could say it's one soul in two bodies...

This is because the soul of the 'metal' in alchemy must reach the highest level. Zosimus thought about it and couldn't believe that Zenobi could reach such a level, so he acted in this way. In short, after giving birth to the child after ten months of pregnancy, both bodies died.

The infant who inherited the names of 'Selene' and 'Helios' was then entrusted by Zosimus to be raised by the alchemists of Alexandria.

This is Cleopatra, the alchemist who was one of the first four women to know how the Philosopher's Stone was made. As one of the founders of alchemy, she was also the first to use Ouroboros as a symbol.

At the same time.

John Dee, the alchemist of the Atlas Institute who had lived for five hundred years, summoned a disguised person who looked exactly like Cleopatra using a 'body'.

The church behind Dee radiated an incredible light unlike any Eri had ever seen in the cathedrals of Mosaic City—a light that evoked both nostalgia and unease.

"Then, the final leg of the ceremony has begun."

The alchemist solemnly declared.

Those words were practically a revelation.

"The Kanda Festival in Tokyo, the Underworld. Unfortunately, with your abilities, this is where it ends."

Dee bowed deeply to Eri, "It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but I wish you a successful ascension."

Just then, the flow of magic within Rusena, who was being watched by Eri, changed as the Philosopher's Stone appeared before her. The source of her survival was suddenly cut off, almost as if it were an instinctive reaction.

"One is you, whose essence is based on two components, and the other is everything, through which everything is, by which everything is. If you have nothing, everything is nothingness."

Cleopatra gave Ruchena a warm smile, like a mother protecting her child, and said, "This is how you were made."

The gentle voice approached Lushena like a giant wave. Lushena couldn't bear it and covered his ears, shouting at Erise.

"...Run! Eriri! Take A-Xiu with you!"

"understood."

Eri said expressionlessly, seemingly completely unconcerned.

He then jumped down, grabbed Ah-Xiu, and ran towards Kanda Shrine.

Eri's instincts were screaming—

Run away.

Keep running, keep running.

Eri felt like crying, but she couldn't. She could only let her remaining rationality and the anger in her heart drive her to run.

When she came to her senses, the surroundings were already painted with a dark green color. The abandoned stalls on the distant street seemed like an invitation from another world. The boundless and damp death landscape connected the gray sky and the earth, stretching endlessly. This scene, which had initially made her somewhat melancholy, now filled her with fear.

Eri set Hide aside, leaning against the shrine wall with one hand, panting heavily.

I escaped? It's all the same, I can't escape anyway, I'm going to die, I'm going to die?

I'm going to die? I've lived for about five thousand days now, and I don't know what death feels like...

"Woo..."

Eri Se, her mind still hazy, checked her own condition.

She was drenched in sweat and felt terrible. Her limbs felt heavy as if they were filled with lead. Her stomach was churning, and her hot, labored breathing showed no signs of abating. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to explode. Yet, even so, her face remained impassive. But this was definitely not because she was terrified and on the verge of a breakdown.

Because Eri heard a voice in her heart that she hadn't heard in a long time, yet it felt like the first time she had met it.

'As long as you stay here, I guarantee you'll be fine; it will be very peaceful here.'

This wasn't the Demon King we'd been waiting for, but Eri surprisingly didn't find him repulsive.

However, Eri Se responded to this seemingly comforting voice with a mocking smile, muttering to herself, "Don't be silly, there's no such thing as a peaceful place in this world! Everywhere you go is hell, hell after hell."

"Yes, can someone born in Mosaic City truly be considered human? Eri, the dignity you've always believed in is just wishful thinking on your part."

"How can we not be considered human?! How have I been presumptuous?!"

Eri's roar echoed around her; she couldn't accept these words and felt deeply insulted.

'Look, you have attracted immense evil, and soon you will be forced to submit to what you have always relied on.'

Damn it, what is that sound? Could it be an illusion? Damn it, don't try to sway me...

No, I can't let myself lose my composure; I must remain calm at all times.

Calm and unhurried... Calm and unhurried—this is a phrase the Demon King once taught me.

Calmness is not a denial of emotions, but simply an acceptance of them.

Embrace all emotions, whether it be anger, regret, pain, or terror.

I cannot shut them out; I must accept them as familiar neighbors.

Eri clenched her teeth coldly and covered her eyes with her arm.

When will I stop running away? When will I stop being told to leave? When will I be able to stand on my own?

"...By the way, Eri, you're starting to look like Aunt Nami now, are you remembering something?"

Following the gaze of Ah-shu, whom she was dragging along as they fled, Eri-se looked at the mirror inside the shrine.

“…Huh?”

At some point, Eri's appearance changed. Her pupils contracted into vertical slits, and her waist-length black hair fell to her ankles, with pale phosphorescent flames swirling around the ends... If she didn't know that this wasn't the Demon King's power, Eri would have thought that the Demon King was playing a trick on her.

Of course, Eri also pretended to be very familiar with the priest, Oshu, in front of her and spoke to him.

"At least I've survived, so I guess I'm thankful to God."

“…You are right.”

Ah Xiu smiled slightly, "But that was thanks to Aunt Mei's blessing. If it weren't for Aunt Mei's blessing, Erise would have kicked the bucket long ago."

"Oh... I see."

"After all, Eri, your mother is Lady Izanami."

……

Kill her, kill her, kill that priestess in front of Eri Se.

The gentle voice continued to hypnotize Vairocana.

Even if you cover your ears or try to pretend you don't hear it, the sound will still penetrate physical barriers and distances, seeping directly into your soul.

The body of Vairocana then produced a phantom, and at the same time, his whole body seemed to be boiling and bubbling. Then, the radiant phantom intertwined with the body of Vairocana. One side was the Great Buddha Vairocana of Nara, and the other side was the Great Buddha Vairocana of Longmen Grottoes. Both Buddha statues were the basis of Vairocana's existence.

Normally, even alchemy cannot achieve this.

Because once it is successfully made, before any plans can be made, Vairocana's body will collapse in the next instant. For a being whose concept transcends planets, the status of a replica is a fatal flaw. In other words, as long as the true original Gautama is still alive, Vairocana, which has been made through alchemy, will naturally turn to ashes.

After all, this was a life that should not have been born. As the three-bodied Vairocana, it was an existence that should not and could not come into this world.

The scale and specifications of the statues are so vastly different that it is impossible for them to exist in a Buddha statue that merely contains a few expressions of faith.

Therefore, even Dee had other plans, but Cleopatra miraculously succeeded.

Was it the permission of the enlightened one? Or was it due to Cleopatra's own belief that all the successes of alchemy were like beloved children? We don't know for now, but from an alchemical perspective, Vairocana, as a created being, could never possibly defy the Creator.

"I'm not Vairocana after all..."

Now, Lushena has been taken away from everything, but there is still one thing left in her heart.

That was a wish.

...Teacher...save me...

Who exactly is that teacher who always appears in my dreams? Who is he really? And since I'm an imposter, I have no right to say such things.

But I always remember that this teacher seemed to have made a promise with the imposter at some point, in some place, because he was the kind of person who would always keep his promises... That's how he must be in my dream.

Therefore, now Vairocana can only keep praying in order to resist his instincts as much as possible.

The imposter shrugged, calmly observing the rebellious Lushena, a hint of pity in his eyes: "It won't be long, but why don't you force her to hunt him down instead of letting her escape?"

"Can't escape."

In the thick, viscous air, Dee took a deep breath and quietly began to walk. "Utsumi shouldn't be afraid of us. In the end, her greatest enemy has been lurking beside her from the very beginning, within her. We're doing this for her own good, aren't we? That enemy will kill her past."

"...Who knows. In any case, the ending shouldn't change."

"Yes."

Dee's gaze shifted to the shrine in the distance.

"After everything is over, I will die at 'your' hands."

"That's right."