"Spirit Realm?"
"It seems you originally wished to inquire about the Lord of the Spirit Realm."
"After all, among the deities still active in the world today, my father is one of the few who has had considerable contact with Him."
Protheus's expression brightened as he reached out.
The next mont, he pulled a purple-covered book from the darkness.
The dark purple cover was adorned with gloomy patterns, and all sorts of negative emotions seed to reflect in the viewer's heart through the letters on it.
Looking at the book, Heracles felt as if he'd slt a pungent odor, yet his reason told him it was purely a ntal illusion.
"Is this what you spoke of, the item given to you by the person who told you I would co here?"
Heracles's gaze fixed upon the book's surface, confirming he did not recognize the script.
Yet, at tis, he felt as if he was 'recognizing' it.
As though he was trying to understand it and it was trying to understand the person viewing it... Shifting his gaze away, the great hero asked,
"Yes, this is what he gave ."
"He originally intended for to use the knowledge within to instruct you—but after so thought, I decided to give it directly to you."
Protheus extended the book to Heracles, adding, "Deciphering it is not an easy task, but over the millennia, I've co to understand much of it."
"The contents originate from a place called the Nine Layers of Hell, its author unknown, and the book itself is nad the Purgatory Book."
"It seems like a fine gift, but I do not believe there is such a thing as unrited favor in this world."
Taking the book, Heracles spoke slowly, while Protheus nodded.
"Yes, I believe the sa."
"However, that person's intentions seem quite clear—he appears to have a bad relationship with the Divine King of Olympus, hence he found , wishing to use as a pawn."
"Of course, he told , 'There will co a human who has been deceived by deities, one with the power to influence the world's order.'"
"'Brave of heart, yet he hovers between good and evil.'"
"'He has a steadfast goal, yet does not know that very goal is the source of his suffering.'"
"He hopes I could assist you, in the manner he desires—evidently, I'm rely the envisioned whetstone, and you, the actual 'blade.'"
Frank and direct, as if it were agreed upon from the beginning.
Protheus did not conceal any of his past experiences, nor did he believe Heracles should not know them.
Heracles's hand trembled slightly as he tried to open the book, inhaling deeply upon hearing Protheus's words.
The words of the Bronze Creator resonated with a sense of déjà vu, affirming so long-buried speculations.
"Then, can this book reverse death?"
"Yes, and not only reverse death; there is much more it can do."
"For instance, it inford of a genuine way to escape this cage that traps here."
"It told I am a being brought here by the will of Zeus, a god who sacrificed himself for humans."
"In theory, if I could find another brought here by Zeus's guidance, I could use the Ritual Track in this book to deceive Order and escape living heaven."
"As a price, the part of my strength greater than that of the replacent would stay here to maintain the operation of this Ritual Track... sadly, despite having drawn the track over the years, I have not used it."
Protheus sighed lightly, recalling his initial state of mind.
Perhaps that eternally undying child who once sought the Divine King's secret for immortality had thought the sa.
But having lived long enough, as an everlasting Undying, Protheus could resist such temptations.
But as a short-lived human, he ultimately made a choice.
"Cough, cough... I've digressed a bit."
"Heracles, what I want to impart to you is this: the book indeed contains many secrets, but to truly 'understand' the text, you must have actually seen the real thing."
"Furthermore, despite the Purgatory Book's vast knowledge, most of it is much darker and crueler than one can imagine."
"Life for life, strength for strength," Protheus spoke slowly and deliberately: "The book itself is not evil; it simply tells you that everything has an order, and to gain sothing, you must lose sothing."
"Yet, life is known as life precisely because it always carries so principles that contradict natural rules—especially the more intelligent life becos."
"Humanity calls it 'morality,' but many natural laws are in conflict with morality."
"I cannot choose your path, but I hope before every decision, you ask yourself, is this truly what you want?"
"..."
Holding the Purgatory Book in his hand, Heracles could feel Protheus's sincerity and agreed with his perspective.
For a hero like himself, be it trials or redemption, it was indeed their own morality that bound them.
Thus, the mythical Hercules was willing to heed a mortal king, who could be effortlessly crushed by his hand, and undertake various tasks upon his command.
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