CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: FIRE THIEF

When Ethan arrived at Gustav’s new research room, he was bent over writing.

It seemed that no matter when you saw him, he was always fully engrossed in his work.

Ethan didn’t disturb him, quietly walked over, and stood behind him.

He saw that Gustav was writing the following passage on a manuscript:

"...From the existing data, it can be proven that the Babur script evolved from the ancient Borai script. This implies that the Sun God Sect was very likely founded by the ancient Borai people, and the first-generation Sun Pope might even have been a Borai, because there are several obscure doctrines written in a variant of Borai script in the oldest remaining Sun texts. The verifiable edicts of the first Pope also exist in this variant script."

At this point, Gustav paused his writing, as if he suddenly became aware of Ethan’s presence. Turning around and seeing Ethan, he did not show surprise, but merely asked, "Does it frighten you?"

Ethan somewhat understood the meaning behind those words.

Because his educational foundation was solid, he had a thorough grasp of both superficial and deep knowledge of this world.

The Borai were a legendary race, known as the Fire Thieves. The legend says they stole the heavenly flame, causing the world to lose the sun, plunging humanity into utter cold and famine. It was the Sun God who reclaimed the flame, allowing the sun to rise again, which is also why the Sun God is revered as such.

Gustav’s argument essentially asserts that the Fire Thieves and the Sun God are one and the same, a heretical notion.

In the Old Continent, he would undoubtedly have been sentenced to death by burning.

No wonder El, a devout follower of the Sun God Sect, despised him.

But since the Borai are ultimately a mythical race with no written records, how could Gustav dare to make such claims?

Gustav seemed to discern Ethan’s thoughts; his sharpness in academic research was quite frightening.

"Do you know what I originally researched?"

Gustav initially researched the Babur civilization.

The Babur civilization was a brilliant culture from three centuries earlier on the Old Continent. They once established a vast empire in the eastern part of the Old Continent; now, only endless yellow sand and crumbling, wind-eroded ruins remain, favorites of archaeologists, historians, and tomb raiders.

During his research on the Babur civilization, Gustav discovered a scroll from the Old Continent, clearly a rubbing from an ancient stone slab.

The scroll contained a series of obscure and complicated symbols, which Gustav initially thought were Babur script. Upon further study, he realized it was an unknown script.

After painstakingly overcoming challenges, he successfully deciphered this script, and the inscription on the scroll read:

"To the King on high, grant me the supreme wield of war to crush the Borai invaders from the west. Let us extol Your name in heaven with the blood and heads of these traitors."

This translation thrilled Gustav, because throughout his long-standing research, he had never found definitive written records about the Borai. The Borai had always existed in a semi-mythical state within academic circles.

Gustav’s discovery was enough to overturn academic perceptions.

Not only did it confirm the existence of the Borai, but it also extended the timeline to three centuries prior, and even involved battles with the Babur people.

However, when Gustav reported these findings, he received a cold reception.

The professors in the History Department of the Royal University did not recognize this achievement, especially his mentor who had personally promoted him.

His mentor was a devout reformist of the Sun God Sect.

His mentor’s outrage stemmed from the fact that, during the third century, the Sun God Sect was at the peak of its influence and had led wars against the Babur.

Gustav’s research implied that the Sun God Sect was demonic.

As a result, he was expelled immediately.

"They are hiding something, but it doesn’t matter. Regardless of what they’re hiding, ultimately, I will uncover the truth!"

When Gustav spoke these words, a fervent fire flashed in his usually calm eyes.

"And besides, I’ve already found it!"

He finally said.

"Found what?"

Ethan, in reality, wasn’t interested in the historical truth; he was merely probing the depths of Gustav’s research.

He sensed that Gustav was still withholding information from him.

"What I’m about to show you, you must keep secret."

Gustav spoke with utmost solemnity.

Ethan nodded.

Gustav cautiously scanned the surroundings, then slowly wrote a symbol on a blank sheet of paper.

"They thought banishing me and suppressing me meant I couldn’t discover anything. They’re wrong; they’d never imagine that I... have already touched the hand of God."

As he penned the last stroke, it seemed as if Gustav’s breathing came to a halt.

Trembling, he handed the paper to Ethan: "This is the Borai script I’ve reverse-engineered. I can sense that this character means ’sun’. Touch it, isn’t it scorching hot!"

Looking at the character on the paper, Ethan’s heart was tumultuous because he didn’t even need to touch it to know that this character indeed meant ’sun’. It was identical to the ancient language in the true name of the sun on The Truth Newspaper.

This man was truly a genius, managing to reverse-engineer and write the ancient language.

Gazing at him, this mentally unstable, gaunt, slightly trembling man holding the paper wasn’t just an academic fanatic; he was a Fire Thief, bringing the heavenly flame to the earthly realm.

"It’s hot."

Touching the character, Ethan’s heart also burned.

Previously, he had only invested in Gustav with a tentative mindset, and now, Gustav had given him unimaginable returns.

"Professor, I also have something to show you. Likewise, you can’t tell anyone else."

Holding the paper like a torch, Ethan watched Gustav intently.

"What is it?"

Gustav seemed to sense something, and couldn’t help but lick his dry lips.

Taking the paper, Ethan wrote down the first true name of the sun in memory after the character Gustav had written:

"Worshiper of the Sun."

Watching the familiar script flow from Ethan’s pen, similar in origin to his own writing, Gustav’s eyes widened. He grabbed Ethan’s hand, his knuckles straining white.

"You..."

"Professor, I can tell you the meanings of these characters."

After a long time, Gustav released his grip, his voice raspy, "Tell me."

Ethan followed the ancient script with annotations in the common language.

"I only know the general interpretation, not the meaning of each character. If the next time I come, you can tell me the meanings, I will bring more."

Gustav did not speak, merely stared at the paper.

Ethan nodded slightly and quietly left with Anya.