Chapter 414 The True Ruler
The next morning, a ray of sunlight from the horizon pierced the long dark night of the northern wilderness, gilding the snow-capped mountains with a golden hue of hope.
Along with the morning light came a resounding dragon roar, which landed on the terrace of the Great Sage's Tower branch with reassuring majesty.
Porphyry Sai, dressed in a black robe, had been waiting here for a long time. He looked at the old man on the pterosaur's back and saluted respectfully, letting the wig on his head be messed up by the wind, making him look desolate.
"Respected Great Sage... Welcome home."
The pterosaur lowered its proud head and folded its wings behind it.
At the same time, an old man in a simple white robe and with a kind face slowly walked down from the dragon's back.
He is the supreme leader of the academy, the great sage of the Source Law School, and the most knowledgeable scholar in the continent of Os - Dosulfk.
"Um."
Doluluke nodded. His wise eyes, which seemed to see through everything in the world, were filled with fatigue from the journey and worries about the battle situation on the front line.
Looking at the Sage Porphyry who had been taking care of the school for him for many days, he slowly spoke.
"Thank you for your hard work while I was away."
Porphyry lowered his head and spoke respectfully.
“This is our duty!”
Porphyry respected the Dosulfan sage from the bottom of his heart.
It's not just because this great sage is the founder of virtual realm research, but also because under his governance, the academic nation has entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. In many areas, it has even surpassed the Holy City and left the decadent empire behind!
Looking at the Sage of Law who bowed his head reverently, Dosulfk smiled kindly and spoke in a comforting tone.
"Please hold your head up, Professor Porphyry. I see all your difficulties and hard work. There's no need to be modest."
"yes!"
Porphyry raised his head with emotion, but when his eyes fell on the great sage, he was slightly stunned and asked curiously.
"Sage, where is the young man who went to Brass Pass with you?"
He remembered that the great sage had a magic apprentice accompanying him when he set out, but the apprentice was not with him at the moment.
"I asked him to go to the Kingdom of Ryan to do something for me, so he didn't come back with me." Dosulphuric ended the topic gently and then continued, "Let's get down to business. How is the aftermath of the maze trial going?"
"I was just about to report to you."
Porphyry stood up and began to report the follow-up of the labyrinth trial incident in his usual rigorous and concise language.
"...Alister Thorn's followers, the 'Thorn Society', have been completely liquidated. A total of thirty-seven members have been permanently stripped of their scholar status and expelled! Other uninformed individuals involved have also been properly dealt with after a hearing and investigation by the Sage Council... This work is being led by Professor Uriel of the Holy Energy School."
"In addition, compensation has been paid to the apprentices who were affected, and their tuition fees for this semester have been waived. Commendations have also been issued to those who displayed bravery during the incident."
"The official notification of the relevant situation has been sent to the Holy See in the Holy City via magical communication."
Porphyry originally wanted to mention the matter of Prince Colin, but thinking that Professor Ariste was Dosulfk's favorite disciple after all, he hesitated for a moment and finally did not say it.
It is true that Prince Colin saved more than 3,000 apprentices, but it is also true that he concealed his strength and killed Ariste without authorization.
Porphyry even suspected that Colin had deliberately exposed a flaw to lure Ariste into action. Otherwise, with Ariste's caution, how could he possibly go after an imperial prince?
Of course, this is a bit politically incorrect to say, as if to say that 3,000 lives don't matter at all.
Especially since Ariste is the Chosen One of Chaos.
The thought of this made Porphyry feel heartbroken.
He didn't understand why the promising professor would take such a risk. Even without the power of Chaos, he would eventually reach the Amethyst level.
Even——
Inherit the mantle of the great sage.
He could only understand that Alistair and Colin had a deeper personal grudge, but Colin had concealed it.
After listening to the report, Dosuluke's face showed a sad expression.
He let out a long sigh, and in that voice was both heartache for the suffering his apprentices had endured and sadness for the fall of his beloved disciple.
"...I never thought so many painful things would happen after I was away for just a month. If I had known this, I shouldn't have left here in the first place."
"Sir, please don't blame yourself! Your wisdom doesn't just belong to Xuebang. The Bronze Pass is the barrier of the empire, and it's also ours. You're not at fault. The problem lies entirely with us! We neglected the management of the grassroots and our own beliefs..."
Porphyry lowered his head again and spoke in an earnest voice.
"Please forgive your immature children, we will definitely learn from this."
The strong men in Xuebang are different from those in other places. Even the strong men at the Amethyst level here can be so corny that it makes people's teeth itch when it's time to be corny.
certainly--
This humility and modesty will once again turn into the demeanor of an elder and the contempt of a superior when facing people of a lower level.
Doluluke was silent for a moment, his eyes falling on the dormitory tower not far away, and he suddenly said, "I want to meet Prince Colin."
Porphyry was slightly startled and looked up in disbelief.
He had assumed that even if the Great Sage didn't immediately attack the Imperial Prince who had "killed" his beloved disciple upon his return, he wouldn't harbor any favorable feelings towards him. He had even prepared a set of arguments to counter the Great Sage's possible wrath.
But he didn't expect the great sage's reaction to be so calm, and he couldn't even hear any dissatisfaction in his voice.
Did I taste it wrong?
In fact, the great sage did not want to drive the prince away?
Impossible...
Although he was filled with confusion, Porphyry agreed without hesitation, "I'll send someone to inform them immediately."
Dosulfook smiled amiably.
"Don't be so anxious. He is a guest of the empire after all. Just ask him to come to my garden when he is free."
After a pause, he continued.
"Anyway, we have plenty of time, don't we?"
Porphyry's eyes lit up and he smiled knowingly.
"Yes, I understand what you mean!"
really--
He didn't taste it wrong.
Porphyry nodded respectfully and turned to leave.
As he watched Porphyry turn and leave, all the expressions on the great sage Dolichos' face faded away in an instant, leaving only the wisdom that saw through everything and the calm indifference.
The pterosaur crawling behind him shuddered and purred like a kitten in its throat, as if subconsciously trying to please him.
Although it wasn't a true dragon, it did have dragon blood flowing through it. This great sage had some skills to be able to train the descendant of the Dragon God into such a humble state.
At this moment, the corner of his cold mouth suddenly curled up into a smile.
"This result is not bad."
Although the "rotten flowers" were more tenacious than he had imagined and even corroded his beloved "scissors", this also showed its strength.
A long time ago, a magic apprentice chosen by the "Strange Mist" Novel was born in his magic tower. He turned a blind eye and let the guy go to the south.
Afterwards, the young man disappeared, and there was no serious chaos in the Kingdom of Ryan. He even thought for a while that... Novel had failed.
Now it seems not.
That cunning guy has always been there, hovering over the continent of Os like a ghost, and just like himself, he has never left.
And now, it has indeed come back in a more secretive form, and greeted him in a not-so-friendly way.
but……
This bad habit of "looking around" needs to be changed. It should expand its territory on Saint Sis's territory instead of competing with itself for territory.
A black shadow as light as smoke slid out silently from Dosulfk's sleeve like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, and slowly climbed up his arm to his index finger.
The misty black smoke was like an illusory ring. It seemed to open its mouth and speak in the softest voice.
"Welcome home."
"My master."
…
The news of the great sage's return spread throughout the tower in an instant, bringing a touch of warmth to this dull and cold spring.
Professor Hector was undoubtedly the most excited person.
Previously, he was implicated in the affairs of the Thorne Society, and his work and life were seriously affected. He was counting on the great sage to come back and seek justice for him.
Honest people always rejoice too early.
If justice exists, it will never be late.
Hector waits.
However, it was Colin, who had never waited for anyone, who received the invitation from the great sage first.
The invitation was delivered personally by a serious-looking tutor.
The time and place of the meeting were written on it in elegant ancient characters, and it was stamped with the magical seal of the great sage himself, serving as proof of entry to the uppermost floors of the tower.
This surprised Luo Yan.
Logically speaking, he killed Alistair and exposed his identity as the Chosen One of Chaos to the public without leaving any room for tact.
Even if this wise man did not regard me as a thorn in his side, there was no way he would invite me to meet him so calmly.
He had experienced something similar in Hell.
This has nothing to do with right or wrong, it's simply human nature.
"This must be a trap!"
A ball of pure white mist floated out from behind Luo Yan, drifting around him, and his concerned voice was full of anxiety.
"My Lord Demon, that old man named Doluluke is Ariste's teacher, right? It's good enough that he didn't bother you, but he actually invited you to the top of the tower for tea? There's definitely something fishy going on here! Don't be fooled!"
"It's not a trap."
Luo Yan stared at the elegantly worded invitation, rubbing his chin thoughtfully with his index finger, and analyzed slowly.
"Even if he wanted to attack me, he wouldn't do it in his Mage Tower. It wouldn't do him any good, and...it would offend a lot of people."
Imperial Prince is a very useful card.
Especially since he visited the Holy City, the entire Holy City was full of potential allies of the "Colin Family".
The Knights Templar's big pie is waiting for him to fulfill when he returns. In the face of higher-level interests, personal grudges are insignificant.
Youyou was still worried and spoke in a doubtful tone.
"So what does he want to do?"
"Who knows? Perhaps it's a test, perhaps it's just a posturing... After all, the Great Sage's apprentice has run into trouble, and it's not easy for him to clean up the mess. Otherwise, why would he appoint a professor from the Holy Energy School as his successor?"
Although Professor Uriel is also an abstract guy, other people don't know it after all.
To most magicians, that gentleman was a scholar as warm and humble as the sun, just like a priest in the holy city.
Having said this, Luo Yan paused for a moment, with a playful smile on his lips.
"There's no point guessing here. Just go and see for yourself."
Although there was a hint of doubt in his heart, Luo Yan decided to show the composure of a prince and happily accepted the appointment.
The meeting place is in the Hanging Garden at the top of the Great Sage's Tower.
It is a place of miracles isolated from the world, and also a holy place that countless magicians can only dream of.
A translucent magic dome keeps out the wind and snow of the North. Under the dome, it is spring all year round. Rare magical plants grow quietly in the carefully designed garden, emitting a soft halo and refreshing fragrance.
Compared to the scenery on the snowfield, this place seems like another world.
While admiring the garden, Luo Yan couldn't help but compare it with Professor Edonya's garden.
In terms of species rarity and value, the collection of the Vice-Principal of the Higher Demon Academy was far inferior to that of this sage. However, interestingly, Professor Aidonia's garden was filled with a breath of life that was not found here.
In comparison, this garden is more like a frozen oil painting.
In short, each has its own merits.
When Luo Yan arrived here, the great sage Doluk was wearing a simple gray robe and working in a corner of the garden.
He was like an ordinary old gardener, concentrating on pruning the branches of a plant with star-blue flowers in full bloom, so focused that he seemed not to notice the prince's arrival.
That's obviously impossible.
Just when Luo Yan was wondering whether he should cough to remind the old man pretending to be stupid, Dosulfoke seemed to have finally finished the gardening work in his hands.
He dusted off his hands and set the scissors aside.
"You're here, Colin."
He didn't turn around, his voice was gentle and kind, as if he was chatting with a friend of different ages.
Even if it was the first time they met.
Luo Yan nodded slightly and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, respected sage."
Doluk slowly turned around, his old eyes filled with the elegance and smile of an elder. He pointed to the stone bench next to the stone table in the garden pavilion and spoke gently.
"Please take a seat. Don't be shy. Just treat this place as your home."
Luo Yan sat down calmly.
Doluk walked over and sat down opposite him, waved his hand to call for a teapot and teacup, and personally poured him a cup of clear tea with a floral fragrance.
Luo Yan had no knowledge of tea, but he could still intuitively feel that this thing should be even better than the "Jing She Xue Ya" he got from Professor Hector.
“Good tea!”
Looking at Colin who was full of praise, Dosulfk smiled kindly.
"The secret of the fragrance lies in the shell of the star-drop fruit. It's very helpful for meditation, but the production is rare, so it's hard to find in the market. If you don't mind, Prince, you can take some back later."
Luo Yan smiled shyly.
This is so embarrassing.
"Thank you! To be honest, I'm also very interested in gardening. I'd be very grateful if you could share some of the seeds with me!"
Doluk was slightly stunned, obviously not expecting the prince to be so rude, but he still smiled and said.
"That's easy... but the Stardrop Fruit is extremely picky about its growing environment, so you'll have to spend more time on it."
"Thank you, I will pay attention to it!" Luo Yan smiled and nodded.
In his territory, there is the Grey Wind, a branch of the Ancient Tree of Life, and there are also night elves who are good at gardening, so it shouldn't be a problem to feed this thing.
The matter of tea was over. Dosuluke seemed reluctant to continue discussing his collection and quickly turned the topic to Prince Colin himself.
"Are you getting used to your time at Xuebang? I heard your 'science' class is very popular among the young kids."
In response to the great sage's concern, Luo Yan smiled appropriately and responded with a smile.
"Thanks to you, everything is going well for me. Xuebang has a strong academic atmosphere and the students are very energetic. I have a very fulfilling life here."
"Haha, being energetic is a good thing." Dosulfk smiled and continued in a kind tone, "I heard Sage Porphyry mention your students. They are all very talented children. It's not easy for you to select them from the crowd."
Gently blowing on the tea leaves floating in the cup, Luo Yan took a sip of the refreshing fragrance, then put down the teacup and said with a smile.
"I prefer to use the word 'discover' rather than 'screening.'"
Dosulfuk said with a hint of surprise.
"Oh? Does that make any difference?"
Luo Yan said in a gentle tone.
"The difference is... I don't think those children who weren't chosen should be screened out or eliminated. They may not be the protagonists of my story, but they also have their own talents or shining points, which I just haven't discovered yet."
Dosulfk was stunned for a moment, then sneered.
"That sounds a bit like philosophy."
Luo Yan's smile remained the same as always.
"Maybe. This is just my teaching philosophy. I will give those talented young men and women a platform, but the rest of them can still see me often in class, and the door to science is still open to them... Who knows, one day in the future, they may surprise me."
"It seems like you really enjoy being a mentor."
Dosuluke smiled noncommittally and took a sip of tea, like a kind elder who truly cared about the studies of his juniors, but ended the topic without leaving a trace.
"I just read your Science. Both the paper and the journal itself contain very interesting ideas..."
The topic of their conversation quickly shifted from teaching philosophy to academics.
What surprised Luo Yan was that from beginning to end, he never mentioned Alistair Thorne's name, nor did he mention the recent turmoil that swept the entire school.
It seems as if everything has been turned over.
At incredible speed.
Especially Dosulfoke's attitude made Luo Yan feel a subtle sense of disharmony.
He cares about everything and tolerates different opinions, but he lacks human emotions, especially sadness or anger.
At this time, Dosulfuk seemed to have finished chatting about family matters, and suddenly turned his gaze to the vast snowfield outside the dome.
In an instant, his voice became distant and meaningful.
“I have always believed that arrogance and conspiracy are not enemies.”
Looking at the stunned Prince Colin, Dosulfuk spoke softly, and at the same time, a barely perceptible light flashed in his calm eyes.
"Before the true crown is put to an end, they have always been potential partners, and could even become close allies... What do you think?"
The air was quiet in an instant.
A magic butterfly landed lightly on the branch that the sage had just pruned, and the insects in the shadows were staring at the colorful wings.
Looking at that amiable yet reserved face, Luo Yan's expression did not change, but he felt a slight chill down his spine.
arrogant……
conspiracy?
ally?
What is...going on?
"Demon, Lord Demon King!? Could it be that he meant..." Youyou looked at Luo Yan tremblingly, and then looked at the old man in robes in front of him in horror.
The real ruler isn't Ariste?!
But...
Great Sage?!
"Shut up... call me Your Highness." Luo Yan whispered in his heart, trying hard to keep his face calm.
In fact, he had a vague feeling a long time ago that Ariste was like Arakdo under his command, just a little spider lying in the shadows.
It was an invisible black hand hiding higher up in the tower.
But he didn't expect that this person was actually the Great Sage himself, and he didn't expect that this guy would actually confront him?!
certainly--
It wasn't just him who was caught off guard; the great sage had obviously also misjudged many things.
Luo Yan analyzed calmly.
The corresponding word for conspiracy is naturally the "fog of strangeness".
For some reason, Doluluk, the chosen one of Avanor, the Crown of Pride, mistook himself for the chosen one of his kind - the "Strange Mist" Novel!
The other party obviously did not expect that the divinity in him did not come from Novel, but from a wild belief that had nothing to do with him.
Compared with other native gods in this world, the "God of Machinery" is too niche and has existed for too short a time.
Realizing that he was temporarily safe, Luo Yan relaxed a little, but did not stop thinking.
By unraveling the limited information, he learned that the gods in the void could not communicate directly with each other.
Just like the researchers in Corinta cannot get through to the Greys in Realm 178 and contact Earth.
At the same time, these "foreign forces" who have the native beliefs of the main world as their common enemy are potential allies of each other.
At least before the faith of the main world completely collapses!
Just as Luo Yan was analyzing rapidly, those cloudy pupils also emitted an unprecedented penetrating power, penetrating deep into his soul.
That was the pressure from a demigod-level powerful being!
Controlling the rhythm of his breathing, Luo Yan calmed his mind that was swaying in the storm, and a calm and false smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"You are very clever, my old friend."
He neither admitted nor denied, and did not even answer Dosulphur's question, but responded to the latter's showdown with a strange and uncertain whisper.
Rather than revealing your own cards or rashly playing an identity that the other party is familiar with, letting the other party guess for themselves may be the best outcome.
After all, he is the arrogant apostle.
Arrogant puppets always only trust their own judgment.
Luo Yan did not expect that his impromptu performance would be unexpectedly successful.
A smile similar to his own appeared on Dosulfk's lips, and the pressure on his shoulders suddenly eased.
It was an arrogant smile.
It is also a smile of victory.
"It's you."
(End of this chapter)
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