Chapter 101: Storm: Hesitant to Speak [VIP]
After dinner, with the help of the magicians, Xiao Yun contacted Yaris who was far away in Maga.
The Little Palace of Love seemed to be holding a garden party. Through the floor-to-ceiling window next to Yaris, he could see bright lights and flickering figures outside.
"A distinguished guest has arrived in Maga?"
Yaris nodded. "Several coastal nations have sent envoys, planning to establish a coastal alliance under my supervision, with Barakhania at its head. They'll pool their strength for development and combat any potential risks."
"Alfonso is truly gifted and has managed the coastal areas very well."
"Um."
Yaris smiled approvingly.
Xiao Yun took out the letter and said, "I have received Kairusha's letter. Regarding the contents of the letter..."
"Any questions?"
"I want to know why, after meeting his brother, he decided not to tell me what he saw in the deepest part of the Death Desert? Was it his brother's request or his own decision?"
"It was both my request and his decision."
"Why?"
"The information Kairusha brought back from the deepest reaches of the Death Desert is too heavy. It may have a negative impact on your mind. I don't want you to be entangled in negative emotions."
"But no matter how painful the truth is, it must be faced."
Xiao Yun tried to persuade Yaris.
Pain suddenly crossed Yaris's beautiful, pale face. He glanced up at the ceiling as if praying and whispered, "I asked him not to tell you what he saw in the Eternal Empire ruins. Not only because those things were too heavy, but also because most of the information he brought back was wrong..."
"Wrong?"
"Hmm, that's totally wrong, though I don't know what the correct content is..."
"You don't know the correct answer, but you're certain that most of the information Kairusha brought back is wrong? Brother, do you really not know, or..."
"Um."
Yaris said simply.
His honesty made Xiao Yun stagnate as if he was shot by an arrow in the heart.
"—Will you tell me the truth? Whether it's the true origins of the Holy Family, the significance of the High Priest's legacy, or the secrets of the ninth floor of the Divine Tower...will you reveal your secrets to me?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to lie to you, so I can't tell you."
"So the truth—"
Xiao Yun thought for a moment, then uttered the words he had been brewing for a long time: "The original purpose of the Divine Tower was not to communicate with the gods at all. It was an oversized surveillance center set up by the gods in the human world, right?"
"--right."
"What's inside the ninth floor of the God Tower? Is it really a bridge to communicate with the gods? Or—"
(A central control room for a supercomputer like Skynet that can monitor all the super magic and technological products in the world?)
Xiao Yun hesitated whether to express this doubt out loud.
"When you officially become emperor, I will take you to the ninth floor in the name of the Grand Coronation and tell you the entire truth about the Divine Tower. Before that, I cannot reveal even the slightest detail to you."
"You are being watched? They forbid you from telling the truth?"
Yaris lowered his eyelids and said nothing.
"Who are they? Are they gods hiding in a higher dimension?"
“…”
"What is the relationship between the gods and our world?"
“…”
"How much of the twin god stories that spread across the Western Continent are true and how much are false?"
"Twins are real, God is real, and the rest... the rest is more or less the product of human imagination and fabrication..."
"So the Holy Family is not the so-called descendants of God, but -"
"When you receive the Grand Coronation, you will know everything."
Yaris spoke softly, his eyes as deep and mysterious as a night lake staring intently at his brother's face.
“—I, I understand.”
Xiao Yun said weakly, then took the initiative to change the subject: "Is the Coastal Alliance going smoothly?"
“So far, so good.”
Yaris smiled brightly. "The coastal regions are governed by free cities, half by small city-states, and the other half by small states. Alfonso, with his own mercenary army and having successfully become the regent of Barakhania, is already the most powerful force among them, even without the support of Denos and some power in Kukuchia. Furthermore, Barakhania is thriving under Alfonso's rule, and Kukuchia is experiencing a new life."
“Once the coastal alliance is formed, we can act with confidence and boldness.”
Xiao Yun said happily.
After all, no matter how unpopular Edmund was, he was still the emperor of the Empire, loyally recognized by most of the lords within his realm. Accusations of colluding with dark forces and attempting treason were difficult to prove with convincing evidence. In the early stages of the civil war, Gaola and himself would inevitably be labeled traitors who slandered the monarch, and would face a comprehensive blockade and boycott.
At this time, material and personnel assistance becomes particularly important.
"No matter what happens in the future, brother, I will live and die with you."
road.
…
…
When Alfonso's voice was heard outside the door, Yaris had already turned his head.
"Alfonso?"
"Yes, I have something I want to tell you in private."
"Come in, there are only two of us here now."
Yaris raised his head and motioned Alfonso to come into the room.
Alfonso looked very flustered. After entering the house, he immediately knelt at Yaris's feet, like a child who had done something wrong.
"What happened?"
Yaris said slowly: "Why are you so embarrassed?"
"Froya is dead."
"Have you finally been unable to help yourself?"
"I didn't kill her, she committed suicide."
Alfonso explained in a voice almost choking, "I locked her up in the prayer tower and forbade her from having any contact with the outside world... But after she gave birth, she took the opportunity of selecting a wet nurse to contact the outside world... And then, and then..."
"Has the suicide been leaked?"
“Not at this time.”
"Where's the child? Is he dead or lost?"
"The same day he committed suicide, his child was stolen."
Alfonso raised his head in distress.
"Stolen?"
Yaris' tone was filled with surprise, but his shining black eyes were so calm that they seemed to have no emotion.
"Who stole the child?"
"The remnants of the Lorraine family formed the Golden Princess Knights, and I'm sending people to pursue them!"
"Killing the Golden Princess Knights is necessary. Whether or not the child can be recovered is not important."
Yaris said coldly, "Back then, Freya, in order to scheme against you, claimed that her child with the second son of the Lorraine family was yours. To quickly seize power, you publicly reiterated this claim after the Red Wedding. Therefore, the people of Barakhania generally believed that Freya gave birth to your child. However, the Lorraine family has always had red-brown hair, and it's rare for a child born from red-brown and blonde hair to have pure blonde hair or even beautiful platinum."
"—You're absolutely right! When he was born, his hair was a pale yellow, almost white, and it gradually turned darker after three months!"
Alfonso's eyes lit up instantly.
"Froya's death can also be blamed on the Golden Princess Knights."
Yaris added.
"just in case……"
Alfonso was a little worried.
"There is only one truth—"
A sneer hung on Yaris's beautiful face. "A spy from the Lorraine family, filled with hatred, broke into the prayer tower, killed the nursing queen, and stole the infant crown prince! As for whether the recovered baby is the true crown prince—the decision is yours!"
"Your Highness!"
Alfonso was stunned: "I didn't expect it, I didn't expect it..."
"Do you think my Yu Duan is too cruel?"
"No, I didn't expect that after your analysis and guidance, the situation that was originally extremely unfavorable to me would turn out to be..."
"Both the Lorraine family and Freya live in a bygone era, believing that royal blood equals legitimacy to the throne. That's why they keep doing foolish things. However, power doesn't come from bloodline; strength and interests are the core of maintaining power!"
Yaris gestured to Alfonso to take a map from the bookshelf and spread it on the table.
"Look at this map. Is there any country in the Western Continent that has not changed its ruling royal family?"
"No, every country has had more than one ruling royal family..."
"So—as long as a ruler can bring tangible benefits and advantages to his country and his people, the people will support his rule! Bards will even write biographies and legends about him."
Yaris raised his head and said gently but coldly, "Pure bloodline is ultimately no match for pure ability, isn't it?"
"But they..."
"If the public doesn't approve, then the bloodline is fake!"
"I see. Then, upon my return, I will publicly denounce them for stealing the royal bloodline, and after reclaiming the child, I will publicly deny his bloodline!"
"All you have to do is claim that the child you recovered after annihilating the Golden Princess Knights is a fake Crown Prince, and that the real Crown Prince has been sent away by the Lorraine family. Countless opportunists and flatterers will naturally help you find the child and strangle the remaining Lorraine family forces. In this war without fire and blood, you will become the ultimate winner without having to fight a single soldier."
"Your Highness, you are really——"
Alfonso looked at Jarris with reverence, like a child looking at his beautiful mother.
"In short, our top priority is to build a coastal alliance and become an important auxiliary to Lucien. Everything else can be dealt with later."
"clear."
"If there is any emergency, please contact me immediately. Remember, you must maintain a patient and restrained image. Handle most matters with kindness and tolerance. Don't let your enemies seize upon any excuse to attack you."
"Yes."
"As for Edmund—"
"If he dares to raise an army to invade Maga and harm Your Highness, I will make sure he and his minions die a more miserable death than the fat pigs of Kukuchia! Even if it means bearing the stigma of 'tyrant' and 'butcher'!"
Alfonso gritted his teeth.
"I will never doubt your love for me. But if something unfortunate happens in Maga City, the first thing you must do is stay rational and help Lucien win! Only when he wins can we win."
"Your Highness, I will absolutely obey your orders. If something unfortunate happens, I will ensure that Lord Lucien wins at all costs!"
“That’s exactly what I wanted.”
Yaris reached out and gently stroked Alfonso's cheek.
Alfonso rubbed it cautiously, looking intoxicated.
…
…
"Your Highness, you are..."
"When did you come here?"
Yaris looked nonchalantly at Ulysses as he emerged from the shadows.
"When you and Alfonso were discussing how to deal with the Golden Princess Knights..."
"Did you hear everything?"
"Yes."
"Any ideas for going?"
"I felt utterly miserable."
Ulysses smiled wryly. "Edmund has completely abandoned his principles, yet you're still burdened by fame. There are more direct and quicker ways to resolve this problem, but because you refuse to shed the mask of purity, nobility, and loyalty, you've chosen the most difficult path."
"You mean a more direct and quick solution? Pay the Assassin's Order to kill Edmund?"
"Given the public's admiration for your brothers and their hatred for His Majesty, as long as you give enough hints, even without the 'Assassin's Order', the fanatics among the people will bravely plan an assassination with the courage to face death—"
Ulysses said seriously.
"But that's not the result I wanted."
Yaris gave a cold smile. "I want to end not only Edmund's life, but also the Yula Dynasty headed by Edmund, and all the vested interests tied to this towering tree of the Yula Dynasty. To achieve this, we must go through war, or in other words, revolution."
"revolution?"
"Yes, a war... a revolution..."
Jarris smiled coldly, a dark light flashing in his eyes. "In order to justify the war and revolution, Lucien and I must always maintain the moral high ground... As for Lucien, I'm never worried, because he's a man whose heart is even more noble and upright than his appearance. As for me... I will always wear the mask of a saint... no matter what kind of persecution and torture I encounter..."
"But in this case—"
Ulysses stared at Yaris, his eyes filled with worry and uneasiness.
"It's okay, I know what I'm doing."
Yaris looked into the distance mysteriously, with an indescribable burning and satisfaction on his pale face.
"Edmund was a very pitiful fellow. He was unfit for the throne, yet he became emperor at the worst possible time... But I will never sympathize with him. Every hatred he received was his own fault."
…
…
Adlon's troubles became more and more obvious. Although he had made up his mind to abandon his oath of allegiance and had tied himself to the chariot named Lucien and the Holy Family with his brother Adrian, his heart was still in turmoil.
Standing at the highest point of Winter Castle, looking at the Dalavian farmers, tiny as ants, busy sowing winter wheat, I thought about how their lives and the brand new farm tools they were clumsily operating were all gifts from Gora.
“If only Lucien had been born in the Royal Family of Euler!”
Adlon couldn't help but sigh, "Given his excellence, and the fact that His Majesty Edmund still has no biological daughter, he has already been appointed Crown Prince and Prime Minister, acting as the magistrate for all matters of the empire, without our suggestion."
“But this thing doesn’t exist if…”
Haras said sincerely.
"Yes...there are no ifs in this world..."
Adlon muttered, his eyes full of helplessness.
"Yesterday, I received a handwritten letter from Grand Duchess Anna."
"She wrote to you suddenly. Could it be that..."
"She wanted to know how Lucien was able to control the Black Death so quickly, and—"
"And what the Dalavians think of Lucien, right?"
"Yes."
Adlon gripped the balcony railing tightly. "I'm conflicted right now. As her knight, I can't lie to her. But I must tell her the truth about Dalavia. No matter what, I can't betray Dalavia. This is my hometown, the land where my ancestors and descendants live."
"Your Excellency has finally made up his mind?"
"Yes, I have made up my mind."
Adlon said painfully, "A month ago, for Adrien's happiness, I told Lucien the secret I got from Grand Duchess Anna. That was the first time I broke my oath. Afterwards, I wrote a letter to Grand Duchess Anna to confess my guilt. She forgave me. She understood her father's love for his daughter. But this time... when I realized that I was going to completely betray my oath of loyalty for Dalavia... I was shocked and even terrified by my own thoughts..."
"But we have no choice but to follow Lord Lucien to defeat His Majesty and save Dalavia. If Archduchess Anna harbors resentment for this, I am willing to accompany you to apologize to her after everything is over."
"After listening to your thoughts, I finally feel a little comforted."
Adlon raised his head and held the photo pendant on his chest, where a lock of Archduchess Anna's hair was placed.
…
…
After the reconstruction of Dalavia and the cultivation of winter wheat were gradually getting back on track, Xiao Yun decided to go to Maga City.
In the past half month, he has been in a state of high and low mood, and has a vague feeling that something unfortunate is about to happen.
What's more——
(Brother, you know full well that the Dragon Emperor is parasitizing the depths of the Dark Night Mentor's consciousness, and that he could attack you at any time under His control! Why do you still keep that dangerous venomous snake around?)
(Regarding the gods and the ziggurat, you keep hesitating to speak. What are you afraid of?)
(If the Holy Family and the High Priest are lies... only immortality is real...)
(if……)
(In short, I must reach Magha immediately and see my brother... Even if you refuse to answer my questions again... I will personally escort you to Gaola... If the bumpy road trip is too much for your fragile body, we can take the sea route, transiting along the coast, and then cross the sea to Gaola...)
After repeated consideration, Xiao Yun secretly left Dalavia and walked south along the "Road of the Gods" accompanied by his personal guards.
(Yaris... For a long time, I firmly believed that all my feelings for you were based on blood ties and the memory of "me". Now it seems that there is probably another layer of bond between us, a strong emotion that transcends body and blood and comes from the soul...)
(I want to find the truth… I want to know whether our meeting across time and space was a coincidence of fate or destiny? Why did we choose each other so firmly from the beginning?)
[Brother... my brother... my dearest and most beloved brother...]
Faintly, the voice of Yaris seemed to be heard in the sky.
Xiao Yun suddenly looked up and saw clouds moving rapidly in the sky.
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