Chapter 786: Chapter 28: Royal Family Scandal (End)

“It’s possible,” Alandia said, “Moreover, the mention of King Morton venturing alone into the deep mountains is puzzling. In times when order hadn’t been established eighteen hundred years ago, the survival probability for such solo adventurers was extremely low.”

Gongsun Ce grew impatient: “Taking myths too seriously diminishes their intrigue. Isn’t this just a tale extolling bravery? From this perspective, none of it is credible. The fact that Morton could forge the Holy Sword itself is outrageous.”

“That’s why I’m skeptical.”

Gongsun Ce scratched his head: “Huh? Wasn’t your country always built on Heart Phase Weaponry? What’s with a forging country creating a Holy Sword?”

Alandia produced a blank sheet and drew a timeline. She marked ‘196’ at the start and, after quite a distance, pointed out the second mark, ‘417’.

Orianna, having calmed down, leaned in and explained in a low voice: “The arrival of the Nether Disaster was in Yong Guang Calendar 196, while the kingdom officially initiated contact with the Impermanence Skill in Yong Guang Calendar 417, during the period of diplomatic relations with Ustus’ west. So, in the era when the Holy Sword was forged, the kingdom simply had no concept of the Impermanence Skill…”

“King Morton wasn’t an Impermanence Law Enforcer, how did he manage to forge such weaponry?” Alandia pondered.

Gongsun Ce didn’t question it one bit; to him, the answer was obvious, it wasn’t even a question.

“He was a superpower user,” Gongsun Ce said, adjusting his glasses.

Mo Yuankai, finally having settled Orianna, joined the discussion and cheerfully said: “Yeah, if I can create Heart Phase Weaponry, it’s not surprising if King Morton can do it too… What’s up with you guys?”

The room fell silent, the two knights exchanged peculiar glances. Orianna bounced up from her chair and hurriedly exclaimed: “This—”

“This is possible,” Alandia interrupted, “With this, many questions can be explained.”

Orianna said anxiously: “But eighteen hundred years ago, superpower users were impossible!”

“Why?” Alandia retorted.

Orianna almost said because the Sky Disaster hadn’t occurred, but then she realized the issue. Dragon Species, after all, were born from a Dragon Disaster, who can guarantee that a past Dragon Disaster or interactions with the giant dragons wouldn’t create similar superpower users?

The more she thought about it, the more resistant she felt, considering such thought as utterly treacherous. Yet she admitted in her heart that this conjecture could indeed explain all the puzzles. If King Morton were a superpower user as powerful as Mo Yuankai, then the forces he exhibited would all be clarified… His bravery in battle, his stepping up in crucial moments, his skill in forging Heart Phase Weaponry, and his overwhelming combat prowess…

The image of King Morton gradually overlapped with a superpower user she knows, merging with a stunning resemblance.

“But… but…” Orianna searched desperately for a reason to oppose, “He doesn’t match the vow!”

“Why not?” Gongsun Ce was deeply puzzled, “You’re just opposing for the sake of opposing. Why can’t he match it? Though his post-crowning behavior is a bit far from that image, people do change. There’s no guarantee every legendary hero remains invincible throughout life, right?”

Orianna was speechless. Alandia closed the book, saying, “We need more verification, let’s end for today.”

The two superpower users bid goodnight first and went upstairs together. Orianna stayed in the hall, feeling downhearted.

“The Holy King… is the seed of the King of Greed?”

“What does that matter?” Alandia said, “He saved Albion Island at that time; that alone makes him an eternal hero remembered through the ages.”

Orianna sighed melancholily and then whispered to discuss with the Dawn Knight. Meanwhile, in Gongsun Ce’s room upstairs, the two superpower users were also engaged in a serious discussion.

“Ah Ce, there’s something important to discuss with you,” Mo Yuankai said, “We came this time to repair armor…”

Gongsun Ce lay on the bed, listlessly saying: “But now, fixing armor has become secondary.”

“The problems are too many and complex, unfamiliar environment, discovering the Dragon Disaster today, really…” Mo Yuankai sighed, rarely, “I just wanted to discuss with you—”

Gongsun Ce raised his hand: “No need to say, I’ll stay with you.”

Mo Yuankai seemed choked like having swallowed three buns, and after quite a while, he said: “This time—”

“On the one hand, the situation with the Dragon Disaster in August is unclear, on the other hand, the kingdom’s internal mess is a heap; it’s hard to say whether it’s a natural disaster or man-made calamity that will occur. So you’re definitely staying to play hero! Then I’m sure staying with you then!”

Mo Yuankai exclaimed: “Wow, are you my tapeworm? Yes, since you analyzed so clearly, you certainly understand why I want you to go back; in such dangerous circumstances…”

“Leaving you alone in such dangerous circumstances would mean I’m not a brother, right?” Gongsun Ce adjusted his glasses, “Of course, I’ll admit, I have personal motives, I want to stay longer with the Dawn Knight, but the crucial issue is you. No reason for wanting big brother to stand tall amid crises while little brother only cheers you from the capital, what kind of brotherhood is that? Sharing both the hardship and joy.”

Gongsun Ce spoke firmly, he understood his friend’s determination. Ah Ce was like this, once he made up his mind, there was no reason to give up.

Thus Mo Yuankai nodded, showing a confident smile.

“Great! Then we’ll tackle this together this time!”

“Certainly, no problem at all. Those many demons and magical beings in the Capital were knocked down; what’s to fear about a mere dragon?”

Thus they made their decision, one that would affect their lives. At this point, they were still naive, unaware of the truth of the world, not understanding what they would face. They were so ignorant, so carefree, and thus fearless, believing that they would surely achieve victory.

Yet, when they looked back on the past much later, they realized the situation hadn’t fundamentally changed. While they became strong and matured, understanding themselves and the world, they wouldn’t make different choices.

They would still choose to stay and face it; as in the past, so in the future.

·

Thus, the drama’s setup was largely complete.

The mysteries in the background became prominent, and the important actors had all made their entrance. Everyone was assigned roles suitable for them, any new faces were merely to add to the atmosphere, soon forced to exit quickly. The backstage arrangements were bustling, and everything on stage was directed according to the director’s vision. Soon, the drama would reach its fervent midpoint.

However. At this point, whether it be the Dawn Knight or the Resurrection Mage, whether Faceless God or Hidden Law Master, all in the stage and audience overlooked a minor issue…

It wasn’t their fault. Ultimately, humans cannot know information they haven’t encountered.

Only one person noticed. Only one person knew. And due to preconceived notions, he didn’t realize it was vital information. He didn’t mention it, only quietly recalling in the silence of the night.

·

Late at night, Gongsun Ce lay in bed, legs crossed.

He hadn’t slept yet, only feeling something strange. Orianna and Don’t even? were heavily focused on the issue of the vow, yet in his eyes, it wasn’t really a big deal… If the eighteen-hundred-year-old myths were a case of unresolved mysteries, then this vow was merely an insignificant detail within the case, a speck of dirt in a legacy. There were many ways to explain its existence, and it had no impact on the development of everything.

Indeed, Gongsun Ce wasn’t opposing for the sake of defiance, nor was he intentionally teasing Orianna. He truly didn’t agree.

Because in his view, there was no Seventh Knight’s vow upon the stone throne of the Holy Sword.

There was only one line of writing, like cut harshly onto the stone throne with a sharp weapon, fierce and blood-red—

[To manifest, the enlightened one holds this sword]