Chapter 171: The Truth: Tell Your Secret [VIP]
"Excuse me."
When his subordinate pushed the door open, Ulysses, who had not slept for five days, was about to lie down on the sofa to rest for a while.
"What is it?"
He asked, forcing himself to look tired.
"The prisoner wishes to see you immediately."
"Prisoner" was the code name of Edmund, the former Emperor of the Solar Empire.
"Prisoner? Edmund?"
Ulysses frowned: "What's wrong with him?"
"He said he had something important to tell Lord Ulysses."
"just me?"
"Yes."
The subordinate said respectfully: "Everyone present can testify."
"Did he tell you what it was?"
"No, he just said that this matter is very important and concerns the future of the entire Western Continent."
"It's very important...it concerns the future of the entire Western Continent..."
Ulysses took a deep breath, straightened his tired face, and headed to the White Tower deep in the Palace of Light where Edmund was currently imprisoned.
…
…
The White Pagoda, also known as the Holy Maiden Pagoda, was originally a prayer pagoda exclusively for royal women of all dynasties.
The entire tower is built with white marble and has an extremely elegant and beautiful appearance, like a saint who has gone through many hardships but still has a noble and pure heart.
It was once the place where Edmund secretly imprisoned Yaris, and now it has become the place where Edmund and his confidants are imprisoned. Therefore, a high stone wall was built outside the White Tower, and hundreds of guards patrolled day and night. There are always at least twenty magicians stationed in the tower to prevent foreign enemies from invading and rescuing prisoners.
…
"Your Majesty Prime Minister——"
As soon as Ulysses entered the White Tower, the patrolling guards and magicians saluted him.
Ulysses whispered, "How is the prisoner doing?"
"After this period of treatment, the prisoner's physical condition has gradually recovered, but his mental state has not yet returned to normal. He often screams wildly day and night. We can only feed him sedatives regularly."
"The sacred aura of His Highness Yaris remaining in the White Tower also..."
"According to the Grand Master's speculation, without the lingering sacred aura of His Highness Yaris within the White Tower, the prisoners would not even be able to maintain their human form."
"All right……"
Ulysses sighed and walked towards the room where Edmund was being held.
"Open."
"yes."
The door slowly opened, and a dark, heavy air filled with a foul stench blew in. Then, a weak voice rang out from within the room: "Ulysses! Is that you? Are you here to see me?"
"Yes, it's me."
Ulysses entered the room.
Because the windows were sealed with wooden bars, the light in the room was still very dim even during the day. I could only barely see a large bed in the middle. There was a table next to the bed with a kettle and a cup on the table, as well as half a bottle of sedative.
Edmund had just taken medicine and was sitting on the floor leaning against the bed. His once golden hair was now as messy and lusterless as an old man's white hair. His cheeks were sunken and his face was yellow, making him look extremely gloomy in the dim light.
"You look like a skeleton right now."
Ulysses said bluntly.
"Yes, I am a skeleton... Ulysses..."
Edmund raised his head and stared at Ulysses with his dead fish eyes: "No news from Lucien yet?"
“…”
"Ah... He is such a sentimental man..."
Edmund whispered, his breath as weak as a terminally ill patient on the verge of death.
"Ulysses..."
"You said you had something very important to tell me. What was it?"
Seeing him looking like he was close to death, Ulysses's resentment subconsciously faded a little.
"Yes, I have something to tell you that can change the fate of the Western Continent..."
Edmund mechanically opened his lips and said, "I know there's a high probability that I'll be executed. I also hope that I can recover my strength as soon as possible, walk to the guillotine myself, and end this miserable and ridiculous life with dignity... But there is one thing I must say before I die... and I can only say it to you..."
"Why?"
"Because I believe you are the purest patriot in the world. You have devoted all your feelings to this country. For the country and its people, you can give up everything, including your life."
"Thank you for your affirmation."
Ulysses looked at Edmund warily: "What do you want to say to me?"
“I…I…”
Edmund gasped, "Let them go. You and I can tell you only one person about this."
"good."
Ulysses nodded and signaled the magicians following him to leave the room and close the door.
"But--"
The magicians looked at Ulysses worriedly.
Ulysses smiled and said, "The White Tower holds the lingering sacred aura of His Highness Yaris. I am also a high-level mage. If he still possesses the power to defeat me, you will only die with me if you stay."
"yes."
The magicians respectfully left the room.
Click.
The door closed.
Did Ulysses look at Edmund?"
…
…
"Ulysses!"
head, breaking Ulysses' trance.
"ah!"
Ulysses stood up straight, my Lord."
"You seem to still be very wary of me~"
The Dark Night Mentor complained aggrievedly, "I'm a valuable ally of yours. Not only have I stood firmly by your side for so long, helping you fight the terrifying threat posed by him and the Demon Prince, but after the liberation of the Light Capital, I also helped you hunt down the fleeing Sea God Priests and assisted you in locating all victims of the Demon Spores within the capital... I've shown you such a deep debt of gratitude, and yet you look at me with such suspicion!"
, I have never forgotten your kindness to us, but——"
Ulysses reminded helplessly: "Don't you think the way you appeared is a bit..."
"What's wrong with showing up like this?"
The Dark Night Mentor sneered, "Well, I almost forgot you're a mage dependent on the secular government and the Mage Tower. Your understanding of magic is as immature and ridiculous as your age. And I'm the world's most powerful mage, having lived for hundreds of years. By the way, what did Edmund say to you?"
"I have no business telling you."
"But he—"
"He is currently receiving treatment and often suffers from strange hallucinations and even delusions due to his extremely unstable mental state."
"so--"
The Dark Night Mentor laughed strangely: "Is he still not ready to accept death?"
"We all agree that he should receive a fair trial, and he also wants to apologize to the public for the mistakes he has made on the day of the trial."
"Apologize? If an apology could bring world peace, there would be no war in the world long ago."
The laughter of the "Dark Night Mentor" was full of mockery.
"But the people need this apology, even though it can't heal the pain they've endured over the years, and even his public apology may just be a temporary act of regret and compromise."
Ulysses said bluntly, "Rather than whether the people can accept the apology of former Emperor Edmund, I am more concerned about the bloodline inheritance of His Majesty Aura I."
"This issue is indeed complicated."
The Dark Night Mentor narrowed his eyes. “The Holy Family’s fertility has always been very poor. They rely on the protection of the Divine Tower to barely maintain their bloodline inheritance.”
"Yes."
Ulysses scratched his hair in annoyance.
"His Majesty Aura I went to the Eastern Continent alone for His Highness Yaris. There's no news yet, and I don't even know if he's still alive... Even if His Majesty returns safely and successfully brings His Highness Yaris back, the issue of royal bloodline inheritance in the newly born Holy Sun Empire will still be very serious..."
"The information compiled by John Dill shows that the protection of the Divine Tower ensures the uninterrupted flow of the Holy Family's direct bloodline for thousands of years, but the branching off bloodlines are not protected by the Divine Tower... His Majesty Aura I is currently in good health and young, so he won't have to face the issue of succession for the next fifteen years..."
"Of course, even if something unexpected happens, we can still discuss it with Queen Isabel of Brania... Although I don't think Princess Manina, who grew up in Brania, is capable of assuming the throne of the Holy Sun Empire... The people of the Holy Sun Empire may not accept someone from a foreign country... Wait! Why am I telling you this?"
"Because I mixed some powder in the air that will relax your mind."
The Dark Night Mentor smiled cunningly.
"—You! You are so kind!"
Ulysses looked at the "Dark Night Mentor" angrily.
The Dark Night Mentor didn't care at all and said with a smile, "I now understand your general idea and your current biggest dilemma. In return, I have good news for you—"
"What good news?"
"The bird successfully rescued the princess and is traveling through the Twilight Kingdom back to the Western Continent."
"Is it straight?"
Ulysses was overjoyed.
The Dark Night Mentor narrowed his eyes. "They've caused quite a stir in the Eastern Continent. The once stagnant continent is now ablaze with activity. I've decided to move my residence there as soon as possible. For the next fifty years, the region will be filled with ambition, desire, slaughter, death, and other dark elements that greatly benefit the Dark Mage Path. Incidentally, darkness in the universe is a natural phenomenon relative to light, and possesses no inherent qualities of good or evil."
"I couldn't agree more with you."
Ulysses said perfunctorily, "The Eastern Continent is more suitable for you than the Western Continent. You should go to the Eastern Continent immediately and absorb the dark elements to enhance your strength. Then you can defeat Him as soon as possible and take the title of the strongest in the world from Him."
"hehe!"
The Dark Night Mentor was delighted by Ulysses' words and said smugly, "Among the remaining magicians in the world, who else besides me has the ability to defeat Him?"
"Yes, you are undoubtedly the strongest person in the world after Him."
Ulysses spoke impatiently and asked, "Master 'Dark Night Mentor', you just said that His Majesty and his men are planning to cross the Twilight Kingdom and return to the Western Continent. When will they arrive in the Capital of Light?"
“This question…hahaha~”
The Dark Night Mentor chuckled dryly and said, "They've successfully crossed the Twilight Kingdom and arrived at the Western Continent. They're now singing around the campfire with the barbarians in the dense forests of Gora!"
…
…
While the imperial officials headed by Ulysses were overjoyed at the news of Xiao Yun and others' safe return and were preparing to send a team of magicians to welcome them, a primitive and enthusiastic celebration was taking place in the dense forest of Gaola.
Thousands of Sioux, Semitic, and Hamitic people sat in the circular open space used by the Sioux for various ceremonies, gazing excitedly and enthusiastically at the four-cornered tent in the center of the open space built with logs and animal skins to imitate the customs of the nobles of the Western Continent, and sang excitedly.
"The Son of God! The Son of God!"
"The Son of God is back!"
"Son of God! The holy blood of the gods flows in your body!"
“…”
The excited calls gradually turned into a huge torrent, shaking the entire jungle. The slimes with translucent soft bodies that were prevalent in every dark and damp corner of the jungle were frightened by the rushing river and jumped around.
The crowd is still gathering.
Men, women, old people, children...all came from all directions with excitement, joining the chorus of faith like a trickle of water flowing into the sea.
The mature and steady Sioux elders blushed and shed tears like children as they witnessed this sacred and great moment.
Even the Ya people, who prided themselves on being noble and unwilling to associate with barbaric creatures like the Sioux, Shem, and Ham, sent a delegation of a hundred people. At this moment, they were standing opposite the Sioux, Shem, and Ham with an arrogant look on their faces, looking with disdain at the other two tribes, which they considered to be lowly and dirty.
"When will the Son of God come?"
Lanadia, the daughter of the current chief of the Ya tribe, asked Suna, a young Sioux boy who was ordered to receive her, with a slightly disgusted tone.
"Your Majesty will arrive in the valley soon. They passed through the Twilight Kingdom and arrived at the dense forest last night. His Highness Yaris is feeling unwell and needs to rest..."
Suna explained in a low voice.
"Yaris..."
Hearing this name, Lanatia's face suddenly darkened.
Suna looked at Lanatia in confusion: "Do you know His Highness Yaris?"
"I've heard of it before."
Lanatia said through gritted teeth.
"I heard that he—"
"He is indeed a very special person, but... Anyway, when you meet him, you will understand..."
"oh."
Suna nodded, not quite understanding.
…
The sun turned into a round disk and gradually set. The pale and indifferent moon goddess slowly rose along the woods. The noisy crowd sitting around the circular open space suddenly became quiet. They watched excitedly as a carriage quietly passed through the aisle and stopped in front of the four-cornered tent set up for this encounter.
(The Son of God is back!)
(As the ancient prophecy said, he returns to us in the moon's chariot.)
(I heard he also brought the Son of God, the flawless Son of God created from His holy blood...)
(Holy pure blood... eternal myth...)
In the silence so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the carriage door slowly opened, and the incredibly beautiful Son of God stepped out. His deep blue eyes, as beautiful as the ocean, swept across the room with tenderness, revealing a smile as radiant as the sun. "I'm back. Yes, we're back."
"ah--"
The barbarians gathered around the square suddenly cheered fiercely, and the ecstatic chorus turned into earth-shaking music. Unable to bear the noise, Lanatia couldn't help but complain in a low voice, "They are indeed a group of barbarians!"
"W-what?"
Suna looked at Lanatia in confusion.
The next second, his attention was once again drawn away by the Son of God in front of the carriage.
"After returning to the Western Continent via the Twilight Kingdom, the first thing I want to do is return to Gaola and be with you."
Xiao Yun said loudly: "During this time in the East Continent, I have experienced many things, and each of them makes me miss your purity, kindness, and bravery even more. Now, please allow me to introduce to you the most important person in my life.
The whole place fell silent again.
Xiao Yun turned around and took Yaris out of the carriage.
Silver moonlight flowed down his black hair like water, and his flawless face, which was exactly the same as the description in the myth, dazzled everyone present.
Suna, who had been secretly admiring that the Ya people were indeed a race with elven beauty, had now forgotten Lanatia beside him. He stared straight ahead without blinking, fearing that this beautiful and slender figure like an elf would disappear out of thin air in the blink of an eye.
The others were also silent, holding their breath and standing in awe.
Even the usually arrogant Lanatia remained silent at this moment, staring straight at Yaris.
Bathed in the gazes of thousands, Yaris smiled slightly, opened his mouth, but the sound was stuck in his throat.
“Ah… I, I…”
"What's the matter?"
Xiao Yun asked with concern.
"Nothing, I'm just... too excited..."
Yaris spoke hoarsely, crystal tears slowly flowing down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for reacting so emotionally. This shouldn't have happened to me, and I didn't mean to cry at a moment like this. I thought I could be more composed... But I've been looking forward to this moment for too long... too long..."
"Don't be nervous, I'm here with you."
Xiao Yun used the handkerchief handed to him by Kelly to wipe away Yaris's tears, but more tears soon welled up in Yaris's eyes.
"What's going on?"
"It doesn't matter...it doesn't matter if it's straight..."
Yaris groaned and pushed Xiao Yun's handkerchief away, looking at everyone again.
"I'm so happy to finally see you, but I'm sorry, I can hardly see anything anymore... I can't see your faces clearly, I can only barely make out the outlines of your bodies... I can feel you... your vitality burns like a raging fire... just like life itself... the greatest and most incredible miracle in the world... Ah—"
Yaris leaned weakly on Xiao Yun, panting.
[I'm sorry, I'm so excited. My long-cherished dream has finally come true... I... I can't control my emotions and I'm crying like a little kid...]
I understand how you feel. For years, you've only seen a race in books, and now it's right in front of you. It's hard not to feel overwhelmed—
I'm so sorry...
【I'll take you to the tent to rest first. 】
【Um. 】
Yaris nodded weakly, and with the help of Xiao Yun, reluctantly walked into the four-cornered tent in the center of the square.
The barbarians who witnessed this scene were silent, but in their hearts...
(What's wrong? What's wrong, Lord Yaris?)
(It’s so strange… This is my first time meeting Yaris-sama, and I can’t even see Yaris-sama’s face clearly from such a distance, but I’m… I’m as anxious as a baby crying at its mother…)
Why do I have such strange feelings? When Yaris-sama's tears flowed, my heart...my heart ached and was so sad...
(I have a feeling that today isn't the first time Lord Yaris and I have met. He seems...)
Unconsciously, tears were streaming down Suna's cheeks. He turned his head guiltily, only to see Lanatia also with her eyes closed, her face covered with white tears.
"Lady Lanatia, are you crying?"
Suna asked quietly.
"ah?!"
Lanatia was shocked, and the sudden scream in the terrible silence attracted countless attention.
“…”
She glared angrily at Suna beside her.
Suna, confused, grabbed his hair and said, "Lady Lanatia, you—"
"Shut up!"
Lanatia cursed under her breath.
At this time, the moon had risen to the center of the sky, and the Son of God also walked out of the four-cornered tent and announced with a smile: "Tonight is a happy night, a night of reunion after a long separation. Let us forget all the unpleasantness of the past and sing and dance to our heart's content around the campfire!"
"Wow--"
The crowd around burst into loud cheers.
The Sioux women began to distribute barbecue and fruit wine one by one, and the men built bonfires in the open space in the center of the square.
In the crackling firelight and the crystal moonlight, people quickly became intoxicated by the alcohol, singing and dancing around the fire, enjoying this impromptu feast.
Yaris was also looking at everyone in the four-cornered tent with fascination, as if this was the most beautiful and incredible scenery in the world.
"Xiao... I think I finally understand why the Leopard-Headed Hero King Gu Yin chose Northferras as the destination of his five-thousand-year journey... and why, under the protection of the barbarians of Northferras, he merged with the planet Ella... This is the end of the world, and it is also the purest and most primitive form of life... If I close my eyes, I can even feel Gu Yin's smile..."
"You mean... the Jungle Barbarians are actually..."
"Um."
Yaris leaned against Xiao Yun and spoke slowly, "According to the records left by the Eternal Empire, after the Leopard-Headed Hero King Gu Yin merged with the planet Ella under the protection of the barbarians of Nosferatu, Nosferatu, once a deadly desert, became a fertile land with abundant grass and water. More and more people settled here, developing civilization, and the prototype of the Eternal Empire was born... until the great disaster six thousand years ago..."
"The sudden catastrophe brought death and destruction to the Eternal Empire, but life's journey did not end there. Even in the cursed, radiation-ravaged Gola region, humans still stubbornly lived on. They spent a long time adapting to the post-catastrophe environment, creating their own civilization and their own world from the ruins and the wilderness..."
"Now, under your guidance, I have finally arrived in this land and met the people who live here. In the eyes of the gods, who are close to immortality, life on earth is short, fleeting, and full of regrets. But to me, these people who live so purely are the result of the eternal flame of life ignited by the fusion of the Leopard-Headed Hero King and the planet Ella..."
He raised his head with difficulty and looked at Xiao Yun: "Xiao... My body will die, but I will not die. I will turn into a seed and fall into the soil, becoming the bud of the next life..."
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