Lord of Cosmos

Chapter 205 205: A Final Test

Hugo ignored the boy, his attention entirely captured by the meticulously crafted statues.

"As for those statues," Noor said quietly, "some are masterpieces immortalized by history. Others represent the absolute downfall of our civilization. We have always worshipped idols. At first, they were statues of mythical gods, worshipped instead of the Creator. Then, the idols gradually evolved into false ideologies that people believed in, slaughtering millions in their name. Later, humanity worshipped money, power, fame, and influence. Finally, we reached an era where people believed in nothing but materialism and the superficial trappings of life."

Noor's voice grew heavy with a lingering sorrow. "The moment we began sending expeditions into space, stronger, more cunning civilizations found us. They shattered our world. We were vastly more advanced than you Franks, but we fought over anything and everything. We cared little for peace or for respecting our differences. Instead of uniting our efforts to travel through the stars and uncover their secrets, we killed each other simply because we hated differences and wanted to destroy anyone unlike us. To your credit, you Franks actually united behind a cause and directed your efforts toward the cosmos."

Hugo continued to study the magnificent human art, the likes of which he had never seen in all his conquests.

"You possess a refined, diverse artistic taste," the General mused, turning his gaze back to Noor. "We lack this astonishing variety. I have changed my mind. I won't kill you. Instead, I will lock you away and visit you from time to time, so you can show me all the arts of your world. Perhaps you will inspire me to paint things entirely different from anything the Franks have ever produced."

A faint, knowing smile touched Noor's lips. "That is exactly the point. Our imagination is shackled by what we observe within the boundaries of our own civilization. We can create great masterpieces, but they remain confined to what we have seen in our environment. Imagination is limited, no matter how deep it runs. Your paintings are limited to what you see. You paint corpses and battles because it's easy; you see them with your own eyes every day."

Noor leaned back slightly into his plush chair. "But my imagination has expanded. I have lived on three different planets. I have seen a multitude of wonders. At first, I thought my ability was limited to conjuring lifeless, inanimate objects. But ever since I learned to manipulate light particles to forge optical clones, I realized my true power also lies in illusion and suggestion. And sometimes, illusion is a weapon far more devastating than any weapon of mass destruction."

Hugo eyed him with sudden apprehension. He raised his brush, anticipating an ambush. Blinking, he noticed a creeping blurriness at the edges of his vision. He rubbed his eyes and gave his head a quick shake to dispel the sudden lethargy weighing on his limbs.

"I immortalize my victories in magnificent paintings," Hugo declared defensively. "History will preserve them so the Franks will forever know what I sacrificed for them."

"You just want to be immortalized, Hugo," Noor replied softly, his tone piercing. "You want the universe to remember you, even if it's with a curse. You're terrified of losing your rank and all the glory you've built. You fear the universe will hold you accountable for your crimes. You know perfectly well that if you lose the position that shields you, you could stand trial for the atrocities you've committed against the Zurix, the Lunix, and the people of Ghlizan. You paint these victories so that centuries from now, people will look at them and remember a great commander and a masterful artist. You want them to forget the bloodthirsty butcher. The murderer of children."

Hugo's features contorted. His mustache trembled with suppressed rage as he jabbed a finger at the boy. "Know your place, you lowly wretch, and mind your tongue! I am the Comm—"

"The Commander of the Third Galactic Army of the Franks," Noor interrupted, his voice dripping with mockery. "You've told me that a thousand times by now. But you were the Commander of the First Army, weren't you? They tossed you aside once your usefulness expired. You became a heavy burden, so they dumped you on this primitive planet to rot away your miserable final days." Noor paused, tilting his head. "Do you feel anything yet?"

A wave of mild dizziness washed over Hugo. He steadied himself. "What do you mean? Do you think the wounds you inflicted are slowing me down, boy? I have healed them all."

Noor glanced at his wristwatch. Five minutes had passed since they entered this building. He conjured a small metal coin between his fingers and flicked it toward Hugo with his thumb.

"How about now?"

Hugo reached out to snatch the coin from the air, but his hand closed around empty space. The metal clattered to the floor. The General narrowed his eyes, staring at the coin in sheer bewilderment. He had been so certain his timing was perfect.

Noor's laughter echoed through the grand gallery. "Has senility finally claimed you, old man? You've grown old. Your eyes are failing. How could they possibly entrust a force like the Third Army to you? This is exactly why they sent me to finish you off. The Supreme Admiral is stronger, his mind is sharper. He has recent experience commanding wars across the cosmos. Save me the time and accept reality. Don't worry—your art will live on. The Franks, and even the Zurix, will remember you forever."

Veins bulged at Hugo's temples, his face a tight mask of fury. He leveled his brush at Noor like a weapon. "It is sheer idiocy to judge my mental faculties over a coin you tossed without warning."

Noor simply flicked a second coin into the air. "And what about this one?"

Hugo lunged to catch it, but his vision suddenly splintered. He saw three coins spinning toward him. He clawed at the air, but the metal slipped past his fingers and hit the floor.

Noor clapped his hands together, laughing harder. "There is no doubt about it. That hammer I dropped on your head at the start of our fight must have damaged your brain. You've lost your wits."

Hugo shook his head violently and rubbed his eyes. When he looked back at Noor, he saw three of the boy sitting in the chair. A strained smile pulled at the General's lips, twitching his mustache.

"You are trying to play tricks on my mind," Hugo rationalized, his voice tight. "You must have thrown three coins at once." He glanced at the floor, but only two coins rested on the tiles. He quickly course-corrected. "Or perhaps you threw one real coin and conjured two optical illusions. Yes. That is what happened. A clever plan, boy, but I am not some gullible fool."

The smirk never left Noor's face. "No, I didn't do that. I threw exactly one real coin." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locked on the General. "But if you don't believe me, let's conduct one final test."