Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 1151: Chapter 879: True Name and Real Identity (Part 2)

"Oh?"

Huai Shi laughed, "You sold me out so completely at first, and now you want to turn around and talk about cooperation? Isn’t the Great Grandmaster a bit too thick-skinned?"

"I admit, the shattering of the Boundary Marker was intentional on my part, but isn’t that part of our deal?"

Garand remained calm, with no sign of guilt, "Returning to the Child of Leviathan is utterly meaningless, Rachelle is proof of that.

After being infiltrated by Publius, Leviathan is more dangerous than Helios. Anyone not bound by the contract has no escape, yet it was I who saved you."

"And what about the key?" Huai Shi sneered, "Having me use your name to enter Helios was also you saving me, huh?"

"Wasn’t it you who requested this?"

Garand retorted, "I even confirmed your intentions with you multiple times. You wanted the Rejuvenation Crystals, but without my access, you wouldn’t be able to enter Helios’ core.

I already warned you about the risks—

From the start, the contract clearly states ’Neither party shall deliberately harm the other,’ and this still holds, Huai Shi."

In his hand was that ancient contract.

The top clause still glowed brightly, proving its reality and validity.

"You can say I exploited loopholes or deceived you, for after all, we never had any trust from the beginning, did we?"

Garand said, "But now, if we are to prevent things from worsening, we must join forces. This time, I won’t bind you with a contract, and after it’s done, everything gained, all of Publius’ relics, even my own possessions, can be yours.

If you still hold a grudge against me and want to betray, it’s fine, but I believe that, on Helios now, we are each other’s only choice."

"Well said, but unfortunately, I have no interest in your empty promises."

Huai Shi remained cold and unmoved.

"But you won’t let the Piper’s believers succeed in their conspiracy right in front of you, will you?" Garand said, "Our interests align; we don’t need to be friends, we just have a common enemy."

He said, "Even if it’s just that, I believe we already have the basis to join forces."

In the silence, Huai Shi looked at him without speaking.

After a long time, he laughed mockingly.

He had to admit, this old man had grasped his bottom line and understood his choices well. Garand might be better suited as a broker or middleman than an Alchemist.

Always able to offer reasons people can’t refuse.

Always able to control the situation, always able to see through the most important aspects, always able to control the rhythm.

Always able to manipulate others.

And always able to succeed.

"I have to admit, you’re very convincing; your proposal is wise, your resolve is admirable, and you’ve successfully persuaded me."

Huai Shi raised his hand, clapping in admiration, but his gaze remained unwavering.

He simply looked at him calmly.

Telling the old man before him.

"I can ally with you, Great Grandmaster, just like last time. But I don’t need your empty promises or any answers to Alchemy doubts and mysteries—"

He said, "I have only one question that needs a direct answer from you."

In the distant collapsing heavens’ roar, Huai Shi stared at the old man, asking word by word: "Now, standing before me, the Great Grandmaster wanting to ally with me...

Is it ’Publius’ or ’Garand’?"

At that moment, in his hand, the lightning of Resentment Water rose up, and behind him, Behemoth lifted its scarlet eyes, no longer concealing its ravenous hunger and desire to hunt.

Whether it was the Source Embodiment or the Paradise Guard Team, even the Lizard Man Army behind them.

All looked coldly towards this place.

Waiting for his answer.

The answer that could decide whether they were friend or foe.

And behind the old man, Rachelle was already stunned, rooted in place.

Baffled, looking at the old man beside her and Huai Shi opposite.

Completely not understanding... what they were saying!

"Who are you?"

Huai Shi looked coldly at the old man before him: "Great Grandmaster, answer me: which one are you?!"

"I am Garand, Garand·Fan·Herman."

The aged Great Grandmaster, leaning on his hand, lifted the contract in his hand once again: "Do you have any doubts about my identity, Huai Shi, or do you think Publius can impersonate me?"

Huai Shi chuckled softly, "Ah, I’m not worried about that, Publius might not be able to impersonate Garand, but Garand... might be able to impersonate Publius, right?"

He paused, curiously asking, "But, would you mind demonstrating the inheritance of The Blessed Herman Family? The legendary blood that can remove all poisons and evil spirits with just one drop... oops, I forgot you have Haemophilia, what a coincidence, isn’t it?"

Huai Shi shrugged sympathetically, "A legendary bloodline, ruined by the stubborn ailment of Alchemy, such a pity, really regrettable how cruel fate has been to you!"

Garand remained silent, not speaking, nor did he refute.

"I’ve always been curious about something."

Huai Shi leaning on the Resentment Water, his smile growing more pleasant: "Regarding, the rules and commandments on Helios...

To protect the technology and power left by God, all Alchemists born on Helios cannot leave for life.

And foreign Alchemists can only stay for seventy years—after seventy years, they die because they know too much, or they leave Helios knowing nothing while accepting the precepts, never speaking of Helios to the outside world.

Mr. Garand, you are a foreigner, naturally free to come and go... but how did Publius leave Helios?!"

Garand said nothing, but beside him, Rachelle couldn’t help but frown: "Mere commandments, to a Great Grandmaster, breaking them should be easy and simple, there’s always a way around."

"Indeed, everyone thinks so."

Huai Shi nodded, "But there’s another possibility, isn’t there?"

He stared straight at the old man before him, asking again: "If... for Publius, there was no rule preventing him from leaving?"

Why could Publius, as a prisoner of Helios, come and go freely?

Why would Publius’ remains think he was from the Herman Family?

Why is Great Grandmaster Garand so familiar with Helios...

Too many doubts and discrepancies.

Huai Shi never understood what was going on.

He revisited the principles of Alchemy — there’s always a trade-off.

"Someone reminded me, that the so-called cost and outcome can also be exchanged—sometimes, the focus isn’t on what was gained, but on what was lost."

Huai Shi stared intently at the old man in front of him, "And what did you lose, Great Grandmaster."

Garand said nothing.

But Huai Shi had already found the answer.

"Once all impossible answers are eliminated, there remains only one truth."

Huai Shi raised his finger, pointing at the old man before him, declaring loudly:

"—Publius is your biological son, isn’t he!"

Dead silence.

A deathly silence suddenly descended, and everyone was left in shock, dumbfounded. Even the old man, who had always maintained a calm expression, was stunned.

Garand: "..."

Rachelle: "..."

Behemoth: "..."

Beside him, the Incarnation of Anger spat on the ground disdainfully.

The conclusion was utterly foolish.

And the Incarnation of Pieta nodded approvingly: Indeed, it is.

Even Behemoth couldn’t help showing a look of disdain.

"Ahem, sorry, that was a slip of the tongue... let’s try again."

Huai Shi coughed awkwardly, squeezing out a serious expression, raising his finger again: "Once all impossible answers are eliminated, the truth—"

"No need to probe further, Huai Shi, nor to be cryptic."

Garand interrupted his indirect approach, telling him bluntly, "Since you’ve already seen Hecate’s Temple, you must have some answers in your heart, right?"

"Just as you imagined..."

He answered openly:

"—Before becoming ’Garand·Fan·Herman’, my name was ’Publius Augustus’."

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