First was that moment of instant resonance with him.
As he absorbed this principle whose essence could bring all phenomena to a standstill, Raize, leaning back in his computer chair, was the first to feel the sensation of time freezing—binding thought and consciousness alike.
The true meaning was to cherish the instant, to value the moment, to wish to eternally savor the beloved instant; for fleetingly beautiful scenery, to have the sincere and precious things halt in their beautiful posture.
The offensive capability of this principle was not strong. Because one does not wish to lose the beautiful instant, it halts; because of that, time stops—power born from the desire to protect.
"Halt, O time, for thou art fair beyond measure!"
Deep within Raize's blue pupils, runes formed from a caduceus entwined by twin serpents flickered. With gentle eyes recalling what he held dear, he softly spoke those words.
Those words were proof of love—the hymn offered by Dies Irae's protagonist, Fujii Ren, to the goddess.
This principle was very compatible within him. Though his wish differed from Ren's, the heart that wanted to protect what one truly cherished was the same.
One part of this Atziluth suited Raize well, yet he was also different from Ren.
He did not only protect—he also loathed anything that might destroy what he guarded. This proactive, aggressive malice was something Ren did not possess before becoming Tenma Yato.
Thus, after this principle was absorbed and encompassed to become a part of Raize as an individual, the originally blue-radiant divine principle gradually became tainted with a bloody crimson.
"There aren't many things I want to protect… Beautiful flowers may exist forever, but disgusting trash is best sunk into eternal purgatory."
Raize's gaze was both gentle and cold, profoundly contradictory and complex. This incomplete principle, colored by his truest desire, was dyed in hues belonging to him alone.
He wholeheartedly accepted that eternal love symbolizing protection, yet his love was more selfish and obsessive.
Love can create everything, and it can also destroy everything.
This embryonic Atziluth deep within Raize's soul truly resembled the opposing poles of Atziluth: devotion and wholehearted protection toward what he cared about; indifference and pent-up malice toward what he did not.
Such contradictory psychology could be summed up in a single sentence.
Raize's heart was now like a tree—the more it yearned for the light above, the deeper its roots had to sink, into the soil, into the depths of darkness.
Raize's malice dyed this radiant divine principle of eternal love with the viscous coloration of human evil.
Yet at its core, the malice was released for the sake of love—awkward, yet entirely reasonable.
Just as within the black of the opposite end of Atziluth there is a point of white: love pushed to the extreme becomes hatred; anger for love is only natural.
"I am not you, and I will not become you—even if our wishes share similarities."
These words were Raize's resolve toward his own heart. Even with this foundational principle, he would not develop along the original path.
As he said, even if the wishes were similar, the roads extended from them would be absolutely different.
He had comprehended this Atziluth's true meaning, and accepted it as well.
The stagnation that bound soul and consciousness within his subconscious gradually dissipated. As Raize said, this principle shared a degree of compatibility with him.
Thus, it was a relatively easy divine core.
Next came that loftiness unsullied by any mixed colors—radiant like the Morning Star, devoid of emotion and composed purely of absolute rationality: the Morningstar.
What he felt first was "lamentation"—the object sought was salvation.
Sighing for all things in the act of salvation.
Plunder, slaughter, hatred, anger, jealousy, lust, greed—all were sins of the children of man, deemed unclean and filthy, to be swept away entirely, leaving only a spotless, pure heavenly paradise.
Therefore, this light like pure white salt absolutely did not permit such things to exist. Possessing a severe sterilizing effect, if sin were compared to filth, this pure white light would melt it away without leaving even bone fragments behind.
An extremely fastidious principle—one that could not tolerate even a trace of impurity within itself.
With this principle within him, Raize's various desires and negative emotions were subjected to a degree of interference.
Revenge, anger, obsession, appetite, and even his fondness for Eu and Sei were all affected to some extent.
Thus, in this regard, Raize absolutely did not acknowledge it—because whether positive or negative, these were all the foundations that constituted the individual known as Raize.
Corresponding to this lofty and exalted principle, Raize was not surprised.
"But don't you also possess the highest degree of arrogance?"
At this point in his analysis, Raize's face revealed an amused smile—a contradictory divine principle.
Unable to tolerate sin in others, yet itself harboring arrogance with none above it—this was its point of contradiction.
It could also be regarded as the opposite extreme of Atziluth.
This principle bore no human evil—aloof, pure, and sacred. It was the perfect embodiment of that very concept.
Be holy; do not sin; abandon desire.
It was enough that I alone choose the correct answer—no one is allowed to walk toward sin; therefore, all filth must be cleansed.
Emitting an aura of orderly mathematics—reasonable, logical, unable to comprehend or approve of the foolishness of human nature.
One is one—two, three, four, five are not allowed to appear!
"Managing balance—perfectly suited to governing the whole. Absolute equality, elimination of competition, truly achieving all of that—how lofty indeed."
Raize could not help but sigh. This was not a trait humans could possess, because humans were far too hypocritical and contradictory.
After all, real human society was far crueler than imagined.
On one hand, it provided opportunities to everyone, singing praises of equality.
On the other, it forbade anyone from achieving success, desperately kicking others into the abyss.
Thus, hypocritical and contradictory—cruel, and tragic as well.
This principle did not acknowledge such circumstances, and felt anger toward the imperfection of the world and humanity.
Precisely because of that, it sought to save everything.
"A wonderful Law, exceedingly perfect as well, but…"
Raize greatly acknowledged this way of thinking. Anyone, when young or naïve, believed the world to be fair.
Before experiencing the cruelty of reality, all walked through the world full of expectations and passion.
Only after being struck by the stark contrast of cruel reality were such naïve notions buried deep within the heart.
"Such a Law is worthy of being called 'Salvation.' Describing it as cold and unfeeling 'Morningstar' is entirely accurate."
"But it can only be called 'Salvation'—it has nothing whatsoever to do with 'Happiness.'"
This was what this principle lacked. Morningstar himself knew this well: the world he governed from the Throne could only be called salvation, utterly unrelated to happiness.
Facing new change, with no obsession and having recognized his error, he relinquished the Throne with refreshing decisiveness.
As for his subconscious being influenced by this lofty principle? That was no problem at all.
Raize's brain, rich with vast knowledge, also possessed corresponding insight, and he had his own understanding of this Law.
Lust, gluttony, anger, greed, jealousy, sloth, and other sins—
All were darkness within human nature—the sources of sin and evil deeds, originating from humanity.
The ugliest things of human instinct. But, like all things, existence has two sides: the reverse of matter is antimatter; the reverse of energy is dark energy; male and female oppose each other; evil and good oppose each other; and so on.
The West believes humans are born with original sin.
The East believes: at the beginning, human nature is good.
If sin represents bestiality, then what represents goodness is human "true nature."
With a confident, composed smile, Raize looked inward at the divine core of Morningstar: Sorrowful Heaven within him, and began to fully open his heart to it, accepting it completely.
[Morningstar]: You do not acknowledge human lust?
"That is not my sin—it is my true nature: love!"
Raize affirmed resolutely to his own heart.
Eu—this individual called Raize unquestionably wants to protect you, and loves you. I am not confused!
And Sei, who suddenly expressed her feelings to me directly—I deeply yearn for such beauty.
All people possess a heart that admires beauty. The pursuit of beauty is human instinct—a true meaning that penetrates essence and soul!
Halt, O time, for thou art fair beyond measure
I will not allow you to defile my desire, nor everything I have sworn to protect!
[Lust analyzed]
[Morningstar]: This gluttony is utterly revolting!
"This too is not my sin. I thank all ingredients—for they allow me to evolve. Thus, this is my true nature: growth!"
With palms together, Raize wore a satisfied smile, eyes savoring remembered flavors.
Bori bori~~~
Behind him, demon appetite manifested as Kirby's cute smiling face, holding delicious food with both hands and joyfully savoring it.
Every flavor was deeply etched upon the tongue; memories of taste would forever remain within us.
They became a part of us, allowing me to grow like this!
[Gluttony analyzed]
[Morningstar]: This wrath is far too extreme!
"Ahh~~, I know that too. But don't you also become angry? Toward impurity, you and I are equally obsessive!"
Facing such questioning of his foundation, Raize's composed expression did not change. A glint of interest surfaced in his eyes.
Because anger had indeed driven him to commit many cruel acts—but he felt no regret whatsoever, for anger had become the driving force of his advance.
For example, the protagonist of Asura's Wrath: Asura, harboring wrath that could burn the heavens and annihilate the earth, was so persistent and resolute in order to save his daughter.
"It is precisely because anger drives our actions—allowing us to strive so relentlessly for our goals, never giving up until they are achieved. Therefore, this true nature of mine is—focus!"
Recalling past injustices, Raize's eyes held anger toward everything that had happened, even toward his own powerlessness—this alone was not permitted to be forgotten.
Anger made him more focused—never resting until the objective was achieved!
Thus, you and I are no different!
[Wrath analyzed]
[Morningstar]: Excessive greed will devour everything.
"Precisely because one cannot obtain it, the desire to pursue arises. Even in endless darkness, one will not abandon that pursuit. This is my true nature—hope!"
Raize replied calmly. He was indeed greedy—he did not deny it. Everyone had things they wanted.
Greedy, he did not want to lose everything; even what had already been lost, he wanted to reclaim.
Thus, his parents and younger sister whom he once lost—he would retrieve them.
Not abandoning, not giving up.
Finding a ray of hopeful light in darkness with no visible end!
[Greed analyzed]
[Morningstar]: This envy will distort your essence.
"Indeed—at times I truly envy those more fulfilled than myself. But now I can rely on myself and on them to fill the emptiness in my heart. Therefore, the true nature corresponding to me is—striving!"
Raize's gaze carried a gentle smile as it pierced through the room divider, glancing at Eu and Sei who had woken and come to the living room. With them present, his heart felt a measure of fulfillment.
Envy is poison to the heart—the deepest of sins—indeed capable of twisting the mind.
Viewing the beauty of a two-dimensional world from reality, those who yearn for beauty will inevitably feel envy and jealousy.
But a content Raize already possessed much—satisfied, he would not envy others.
If he were to envy others, he would have long since made his move on the school's beauties.
Hmph! I'm the one who should be envied and jealous of—don't get it wrong.
I've got adorable Eu, I've got a bevy of alluring ship girls, I get to enjoy fantasy ingredients every day, I make up for regrets every day, and I gain more power every day!!!
[Morningstar]: "..."
[Envy analyzed]
[Morningstar]: Sloth will make you regress.
"Tch—so after I work hard, I'm not allowed to enjoy myself a bit? After battles are over, I can't live a stable daily life for a while and relax?"
Raize clicked his tongue in disdain. He did indeed like having a more peaceful life, especially when accompanied by those he loved.