Leading Todd back into the tavern, Rachel asked the bartender for a bottle of water and poured a glass for each of them.
Todd picked up his cup, took a small sip, and asked, "When you infiltrated the Elders' Council, the old man named Eliard knew that you had entered his library without permission and copied his notes. Although he eventually locked you up, it seemed that he didn't intend to make things difficult for you?"
Rachel’s gentle tone carried a hint of sadness: “In my memory, Eliade was an eccentric old man. He gave me life, but he didn’t treat me like an experiment. When I was little, he would provide me with food and clothing and allow me to move around freely. Perhaps, in his eyes, my existence dispelled some of his loneliness and allowed him to experience the warmth of family.”
"So, what do you know about Meredith, the Grand Master of the Legion of Conflict?"
“Speaking of Meredith, I was shocked when I heard her reveal her identity in prison. I never imagined that the Raven Woman from the Shadow Kingdom was actually an ancient Taro who had lived for over a thousand years, let alone that she was the Grand Master of the Legion of Strife and the daughter of the sage Sutherland…” Rachel said incredulously, “I’ve heard many rumors about the Grand Master in the Council of Elders. Some say she was a mutant hero from a thousand years ago, while others say she personally slaughtered thousands of people and caused several countries to disappear from the map completely.”
Todd recalled the enigmatic woman and sighed, "I heard her say that Eliade is resurrecting her father, the sage Sutherland, but she didn't seem to approve of it."
Rachel bit her lip and, after much deliberation, said, "Todd, promise me one thing: try not to get involved in anything concerning Sutherland."
"Why?"
"Because we don't need to fight Sutherland... After Eleanor's replication experiment succeeded, Eliard found a way to resurrect Sutherland. Not only that, he also used something special to improve and enhance the effects of the experiment. That thing is Tyrant."
Rachel said quietly, “For decades, Meredith and Eliard have been working together, the former providing tyrants and the latter leading the experiments. Sutherland, with its constant supply of tyrants, has grown into an exceptionally powerful and invincible monster. He lives in the magma of the Supuha Mountains, growing larger and stronger with each passing year. The day he awakens will be the day the entire world is changed.”
Todd stared into Rachel's eyes and asked in a deep voice, "Do you think Sutherland's resurrection is a good thing for the alien races?"
Rachel tugged at a stray hair by her ear, twirling it in her hand as she spoke, “For a time, I did believe that the resurrection of the sages was a good thing for the alien races. Because the power of the alien races was feared by the world, they were ultimately unable to integrate into this society. Only when a powerful alien leader emerged, leading the aliens to overthrow other countries and eliminate other races, could the era of the aliens truly begin.”
"However, as time went by and things unfolded, I began to doubt my previous thoughts. Could a monster capable of destroying everything truly bring about a peaceful world? Even if the aliens wiped out the other races and destroyed all the kingdoms, could we really usher in peace and stop fighting?"
Rachel shook her head with a self-deprecating smile: "The answer is naturally no. So, I tried a different approach, trying to find a suitable leader in the secular kingdom to reconcile the conflict between the aliens and ordinary people, hoping to find a balance so that the aliens and normal people could sit together and coexist peacefully like neighbors and colleagues. After years of searching, I did find a suitable person, and that person is you..."
Todd nodded slightly, signaling Rachel to continue.
“Todd, the wisdom, tolerance, and foresight you have shown in the matter of racial compatibility are qualities that many kings and leaders do not possess. As long as you are in control, there will be no irreconcilable conflict between people of different races and ordinary people.”
At this point, Rachel smiled wryly and touched her forehead: "But I still forgot one thing, and that is offspring."
"Todd, sooner or later you will die. Whether your children inherit your throne or the country continues its rule through a democratic cabinet, the conflict between the inhuman and the human race will inevitably erupt again. At that time, no one can guarantee that the country's leaders will have the same vision and magnanimity as you. The most likely outcome is that things will return to square one."
After listening to Rachel's words, Todd said thoughtfully, "So that's why you want to crack the secret of the beacon tower, lead the alien race away from this world, and find a new place to start a new life?"
The latter closed his eyes and slowly said, “The Church, the gods, Eleanor, Elijah, Sutherland… if these people want to fight for this world, then let them fight. What I want to do is to take those who yearn for peace and are tired of fighting to another distant time and space through the Beacon Tower, so that they can start a new life there.”
Todd gently took Rachel's hand and said softly, "If that day ever comes, I can also lay down my burdens, find a field among the mountains and rivers, and spend the rest of my life there..."
Rachel gripped Todd's hand in return, her eyes glazed over, and unconsciously began to move closer to him.
Just then, a young man in a black cloak stumbled into the tavern, speaking urgently.
Rachel frowned, turned around, and spoke a few words to the man in Imperial language.
As the two continued their conversation, Rachel's expression grew increasingly serious, and her speech became more and more rapid.
Watching them finish their conversation and the young man leave the tavern, Todd asked Rachel, "What happened?"
“A wanted criminal from the Elders has appeared in the city.”
"the wanted?"
Rachel looked at Todd and said, "You know this man too. He's the murderer of Theodore, the president of the Relief Society. His name is Throat Bones."
Todd thought for a few seconds and finally remembered the owner of the name.
That gaunt, pale-faced, gloomy young man was the circus ringmaster who always liked to hide in the shadows.
Rachel hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Near the throat bone, the spies from the Alien Society also discovered another person, another person you know..."
Todd frowned as he looked at Rachel's hesitant expression: "Who is it?"
"Old monk of the San Sidlow Monastery, do you still remember Myris, your first teacher in name only?"
Todd was stunned and stood there frozen.
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