Chapter 119 The King Will Bear Everything I will become king, and the king should bear all the burdens…

King Nolana gave the order, and none dared to disobey.

Even if a grand banquet were to be held a day later, the servants would do their best to make preparations.

Eva has always been a big fan of banquets, and the news that attracts attention and keeps spreading is naturally—

"Have you heard? The king is going to appoint a new crown prince!!"

"who?!"

“Your Highness Eleanor, but there is one condition… The King says she must duel with Her Highness Ophelia, and if she loses, she will be put to death.”

The shocking news spread like wildfire, and those who heard it reacted differently, but their thoughts were all similar.

"How is that possible!"

Their thoughts had jumped from "Is the king going to appoint another crown prince?" to "So Princess Ophelia is the crown prince after all!"

Indeed, if King Nolana's original choice for crown prince was Myrcella, then it should have been Eleanor versus Myrcella.

Some of the veteran officials vaguely knew the inside story of what happened back then, and they were thinking about how to change their stance tactfully.

The king has indeed not forgotten his first queen... No wonder he hasn't had a fifth princess all these years!

But those are things to consider later. Right now, the most important thing is Princess Eleanor's ceremony to become a princess.

As for the inevitable death that awaits her after becoming a princess... perhaps Her Majesty Eva won't be so cruel? Hehe.

......

Night fell as expected, and torches were lit in clusters.

The servants carried bouquets and tables and chairs, arranging the necessary decorations neatly one by one.

Queen Norlana did not order that everyone attend the ceremony; she only invited a few of her most favored and highest-ranking courtiers and generals.

However, all the nobles who were eligible to apply for entry into the palace arrived together, and everyone excitedly gathered in the spacious corridors and gardens, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the main figure.

Whew.

The priest lit the flames in the training ground—a training ground that would serve as the duel between Eleanor and Ophelia, surrounded by layers of gilded chains and colorful strips of cloth.

The guests were able to stand on the long bridge and the sky garden, enjoying the best view of the duel between the two princesses.

"Our little princess... oh, where is the future princess?"

Some people covered their mouths with their fans and whispered to the people next to them.

The surrounding noise quickly subsided, and they all turned to look at the rolling mountains: two rows of noble servants were slowly approaching, carrying oil lamps.

"The king went to the temple to pray for blessings this morning, and he took Princess Eleanor with him."

"What?!"

Someone whispered a message in the crowd, and everyone had a completely new understanding of how much Eleanor was favored.

...Could today's duel really be paving the way for Princess Eleanor?

Such thoughts faded somewhat after seeing Ophelia's figure clearly.

The crowd on the mountain was still slowly descending, while the training ground at the foot of the mountain had been basically set up.

As one of the main characters, Ophelia arrived at the center of the training ground, surrounded by numerous attendants.

She sat patiently in a chair, waiting for the ceremony to begin, the flames illuminating her face and expression.

She is in excellent condition.

She had no wounds and showed little sign of fatigue. Whenever an important person glanced at her, she would politely nod in acknowledgment.

Princess Ophelia is already twenty years old.

The nobles each had their own thoughts, but they had to admit that they couldn't imagine how a ten-year-old child could win.

Unless Eva is willing to trample everyone's intelligence and her own face underfoot and arrange some extremely clumsy and blatant cheating scenarios, she really can only rely on "Apocalypse".

Rustle, rustle.

The wind began to blow, and the clouds dispersed.

The full moon emerged from the twilight, casting a thin mist over the flames and eyes.

Everyone looked up at the mountains, so much so that they overlooked the bright, dazzling stars.

The moonlight is thick tonight, and the stars are dazzling.

A bright young man walked out of the mountains.

She was draped in a long, pure white veil, the hem of her skirt and shawl swaying in the wind like a curtain.

Princess Eleanor wore a headdress adorned with pure gold laurel leaves, and her childlike eyes were always bright as stars. Yet her gaze was like that of a wise elder, mature and profound.

The nobles fell silent. Just moments before, they had been emphasizing "ten years old," "duel," and "crown prince," but now they had completely forgotten all the gossip and idle chatter.

"Everyone, you've all come!"

Someone burst into hearty laughter, and her laughter shattered the illusions in their minds.

The nobles were horrified to discover that they hadn't noticed the king's arrival immediately!

Eva stood beside the girl, gently putting one arm around her daughter's shoulder, as if both controlling and protecting her.

"Alright, enough of the small talk. Today is Eleanor's big day. She will receive the power bestowed upon her by the God of War from the pool!"

Eleanor didn't steal a glance at her mother's expression; she almost laughed: Was Eva somewhat affected by the "divine gift" theory?

After all, she shared the same name as the goddess of wisdom and won many honors in her youth, but she never received any divine revelation and suffered such misfortune... That's why she "tested" him like this.

If her divine gift is true, then everything unfolded naturally; but if the claim of divine gift is false—

Eleanor had a strange feeling that her mother wouldn't really kill her in this life.

Perhaps it was because of the prescription and the doctor, perhaps out of pity and curiosity, or perhaps, like Andra last night, it was some kind of mysterious influence.

The nobles couldn't see the thought in the girl's eyes; they stood at a distance, gazing intently as Eleanor received a shallow dish from the priest.

Eleanor lowered her head. The moonlight and starlight of the night were reflected in the blessed elixir. As she turned the shallow dish, the starlight sank to the bottom of the glass.

She smiled slightly at the clear, blessed water in her hand, then tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Splash—

The sound of the Blood River surged and roared in my ears, rushing into my heart and lungs through the blood vessels in my ears and mouth, spreading to every part of my body.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Everyone held their breath, watching as the wind blew away the girl's shawl, and her slender body seemed to change noticeably in just a few breaths.

She leaped high up from the hillside and then plunged down.

Rose branches swayed for her, and thorns and bushes did not scratch her in the slightest.

Thump!

The girl's fair body leaped into the lake, splashing up scorching water.

Glug, glug glug glug!

Is that... is it boiling?

Someone wanted to speak, but their throat was gripped tightly by their heartbeat, and they could only let out a "hoarse" sound while leaning on the arm of the person next to them.

Top of head, neck, shoulders, heart, abdomen...

Everything about a baby originates from the mother, so why be fixated on the sequence of growth? Let us return, let us return to that warm and flowing river of blood.

Eleanor's consciousness embraced the rushing river in an instant, wandering under the gaze of the Mother Goddess.

This time she didn't hesitate, nor did she need to make another choice.

There was only one path ahead, a path of love that a mother had once bestowed upon her daughters.

Why choose this path?

That was not a question from the Mother Goddess to her, but an echo from much, much earlier, from the source.

To protect.

To protect my body, my heart, my spirit, and my soul.

In order to ensure survival in adversity, and in order to usher in a smooth life without killing each other.

To protect those you love.

To protect their fragile bodies, their once-in-a-lifetime memories, and their radiant, transparent souls and smiles.

To protect dreams, civilization, and—this magnificent world.

The rushing water is naturally filled with all sorts of sounds.

Many voices are also calling for power and happiness, which is a basic human need.

Perhaps other voices will erupt louder in someone's heart at some point, but Eleanor still embraces the light from the bottom of her heart, letting her heart become a star and resonate with it.

Does it mean we shouldn't be powerful?

You can endure pain and torment.

You love the miracles born from adversity and reincarnation.

......

Different voices whispered continuously as she rose, they did not restrain the stars' ascent, and extended more laughter in her leaps.

I see.

I understand.

Love is more powerful than hate, and creation is far more magnificent than destruction.

I was born to pursue beauty and love everything that is better than good.

Why would the gods distance themselves from the earth they created?

Because He could not bear to destroy His child, the miracle He created with His own hands.

Thump, thump, thump.

The drumbeat of a heartbeat rises from the long river, washing over the pool water situated in the "sky".

That is—

It was impossible to tell who was sighing or exclaiming; silky long hair swept across the lake's surface like thick ink.

The boiling lake water returned to calm in a few breaths, and a young girl stood in the lake.

In the darkness of night, skin color was indistinguishable; only the bright moonlight was visible.

The deity used graceful lines to outline her broad shoulders, upright posture, long legs, and... the muscles that glided beautifully as she walked.

Glug.

Some retreated while others stepped forward and leaned out. Only then did everyone realize that Eleanor had moved. She was not a statue, but a beloved person sculpted by the gods themselves.

"She...she was ten years old?!"

Myrcella was speechless. She had been standing in the training field, craning her neck to look ahead, in order to stop Ophelia from hurting her sister.

Since she couldn't find anyone else to complain to, Mysera even grabbed Andra's arm and shook it around.

Her younger sister suddenly went from a ten-year-old child to a fourteen or fifteen-year-old teenager!

"..." Andra was also unable to answer this question.

Her heart had been captivated ever since Eleanor appeared, and her heart nearly stopped when she saw the little princess enter the water.

But... this one... is she also considered Eleanor?

Eleanor's footsteps drew closer, and Coral, with her servants, dried her body and helped her change into her royal gown.

The prepared formal wear was too small. Fortunately, they were all loose robes, but the robes were changed into tops, and the trousers underneath were worn as shorts.

Only the boots were ones that Manzhu had temporarily taken off, and they fit her perfectly.

Pat, pat.

The sound of the boots hitting the ground was light and steady.

The girl walked from the grass onto the long bridge, and everyone around her became mere scenery, unable even to reach out or speak to her. They could only crane their necks or cower in a corner, watching her figure continue to move forward.

......

Ophelia held her breath, standing on either side of her sister, who was completely different from her.

The firelight illuminated them, and only their still delicate faces vaguely reminded people of the little princess's adorable appearance.

"sorry."

Eleanor apologized, but there was no remorse on her face.

Her eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit as she took an ordinary iron sword from Manzhu's hand.

Ophelia, too, couldn't use a different weapon on such a occasion. She took the sword from her swordsmanship instructor, her wrist trembling uncontrollably.

Her original confidence vanished after witnessing the miracle, but her pride wouldn't allow her to give up easily!

"Sister Wang."

As the girl rose to her feet, she softly asked, "After I win, can you tell me your true dream?"

What kind of talk is that?!

Fortunately, Ophelia didn't listen at all. The instant Eva rang the bell, she struck first. Her sword flashed in an arc, seizing the opening and swiftly attacking!

Ding-dong.

The two swords parried each other.

Why?

Ophelia's eyes widened in surprise. When exactly did her sister learn swordsmanship? Did the gods favor her so much that they instilled decades of swordsmanship in her?

it's over.

Eleanor finally experienced firsthand what Andra meant by "mediocrity" and the vast differences between people.

This world is so cruel to the weak and the mediocre; a mere gesture can bring them into conflict.

She increased her strength slightly, and with a clang—an unparalleled power erupted instantly—slicing her opponent's sword in two!

“What?!” Ophelia’s pupils contracted violently amidst the shards of the broken sword.

"You no longer need to be afraid."

The girl who had severed the sword brushed past her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Leave the rest to me."

I will become king, and a king should bear everything.

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Author's Note: The nobles before the ceremony: Hahahaha, Princess Eleanor said she received the apocalypse? Hahahaha.

The nobles after the ceremony: This isn't an apocalypse... what is it that's an apocalypse?!

[Flattery] Eleanor: I know you've all suffered in the past, let me take over this time!

Ophelia: ...No?