Rebirth of the Noble Mage Behind the Scenes

"So, this is your true body, isn't it, Lord Zast?"

At this moment, finally, a look of acknowledgement appeared in the Councilman's eyes.

"The Ninth Rank Limit, what an oversight, but, are you really going to oppose me for the sake of these ants?"

"Councilman Far—let me continue to address you as such for now."

Anvis shook his head, speaking with a hint of regret in his tone.

However, for some reason, he didn't immediately launch an attack on the Array.

"Regrettably, you're right about one thing; I am indeed here to stop you."

"Is it in the name of so-called 'justice,' or for some other reason?"

Within the Defensive Magic Array, the Councilman raised an eyebrow.

"But, dear Lord Zast, compared to the lowly insects that are native to this place, we are the true kin, aren't we?"

"Could you explain what you mean by 'true kin'?"

The Councilman's words caught Anvis off guard, and he looked at the Councilman with interest, waiting for an explanation.

The Councilman frowned slightly, displeased with Anvis's attitude.

"Here, there's no need for us to continue the charade, Lord Zast.

In the areas touched by the aura of the great Master of Dreams, Ma'elim, no magic for peeping can be of any use."

As he spoke, the Councilman did something, and a strange aura of power emanated from him.

The moment Anvis sensed this aura, the Ancient Secret Scripture within him flashed intensely and suddenly produced a feeling very familiar to him.

Just like the black Sealing he had encountered on the island and the dark cocoon in the Sky City.

In an instant, Anvis's gaze brightened, and looking at the Councilman, it was as if he saw a treasure trove walking before him.

"Do you feel it? Join us, Lord Zast! As the third of our kind that I have encountered in this world, I can offer you a status equal to mine."

Without clear insight into Anvis's thoughts, the Councilman extended what he believed to be a very sincere invitation.

"Do you see all of this? It's just a beginning, and already the mightiest here are unable to bear it."

The Councilman disdainfully glanced at the numerous Ninth Rankers who had fallen into slumber and gestured towards Anvis with an open hand.

"However, the great Dream Dominator has not even noticed this place yet. All these anomalies are merely because It sensed the scent of food and instinctively dreamed of this place."

"When Its true Will finally notices this place, with the help of Its mighty Strength, we will be able to truly shatter the invisible barriers of this world and return to the void."

As he spoke, the robed Councilman proudly raised the Dark Gold Secret Key in his right hand and, as if gesturing, forcefully sliced through the sky.

"And once that strange barrier is gone, this world's suppression of the Rules will also vanish, and the beings here will have the chance to grasp the complete power of the Rules. They should be thanking me for what I am doing now."

"Return to the void? Do you mean to say that actually, you do not belong to this world?"

Listening to these secrets, Anvis grew even more interested.

"Lord Zast, before you feign ignorance again next time, remember to contain that distinctly Outer Domain aura emanating from you."

The Councilman waved his hand impatiently.

"Although I'm not sure how you came to this world, if you wish to leave or break through, you will inevitably face the obstruction of the Sky Peak Barrier."

"I see."

Having listened to the Councilman, Anvis, hovering in front of the Array, suddenly smiled.

"Unfortunately, Councilman Far, I am not your comrade, nor do I intend to leave this world. As for the hindrance of the Sky Peak Barrier, there is no need for you to trouble yourself about it. It can be broken through, but not by you today."

"You bastard, I..."

"Please wait, I think I've grasped his situation; let me talk to him."

Hearing Anvis's words that seemed deliberately provocative, the Councilman flew into a rage. But before he could finish, he suddenly cut himself off and began to mutter to himself.

"Hmph, do as you please! The outcome is already predestined."

"Thank you for your understanding."

As if having a conversation with himself for a few sentences, the Councilman closed his eyes, and then reopened them, his gaze turning back to Anvis, suddenly tinged with a semblance of humanity.

"Councilman Zast, I think, I still remember the scent of your fate."

Staring intently into Anvis's eyes, the Councilman spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Cold, bizarre, untraceable; all who attempt to probe it are cursed. Perhaps, I may call you by your other identity, the leader of the 'Truth Circle'?"

"Thank you for the hint, I'll keep that in mind next time."

One of his identities suddenly exposed, Anvis was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, not denying it.

At the same time, he once again sensed the gathering situation of the Mechanical network's power from his main body.

After all, he was not truly of Ninth Rank, nor did he possess as many Ninth Rank 'Human Body Batteries' as the Councilman had been deceived into thinking. His only option was to bide his time while attempting to use the main body of the Ancient Secret Scripture to bear the network's power.

At this moment, the thick book that was previously emitting a faint dark green ghostly glow was now shining as bright as a dire green sun. The terrifying power radiated and fluctuated on the cover, sending shivers down the spine.

Currently, the progress of power convergence had reached roughly fifty percent of the network portion under his control.

But since it was not a dedicated Magic Power carrier, the speed of network power aggregation was not fast, still requiring several minutes before it could be completely gathered.

"The leader of the Federation's largest and most terrifying Resistance Organization, the 'Truth Circle', who blew up the Sky City with his own strength, duped multiple Ninth Rankers, and led countless rebel organizations to rise, plunging the Federation into rebellion and war.

'Justice' Your Excellency, heh, is this what you call justice?"

With a low chuckle, the Councilman's tone was mocking.

"Creating the Mechanical network, trapping countless minds within it for your own use. Then sacrificing millions of lives and numerous Ninth Rank council members of the Federation, calling upon the descent of outer gods just for a chance at your own breakthrough.

'Fairness' Your Excellency, it's tit for tat."

Anvis retorted mockingly in response to the Councilman's sarcasm.

At this moment, the surrounding environment began to further metamorphose.

The boundary line between reality and the Dream World gradually blurred, and the stars started twisting into blinking, dark yellow eyes. The cold rock wilderness and numerous floating, pitch-black bizarre creatures' Phantoms appeared and disappeared around him.

The air began to fill with a faint mist, sweet and seductive, lulling one into a deep, unending slumber.

"Your actions bring nothing but destruction and death, which is different from mine."

Within the protection of the Defensive Magic Array, observing Anvis shielded by a pale light on the outside, the Councilman spoke coldly.

"Those within the Mechanical network haven't died; they are merely in a deep sleep. After the ritual ends, the power of the Primordial Dream will fade, and they will still be able to revive.

To them, all this is but a long dream."

"Do you actually believe that yourself?"

Anvis laughed.

"Or is that just a reason you use to convince yourself?"