Chapter 102 – Three Days of Silence · Coronation Day

“Adrishig said everything is under control,” Lin Wei gazed at the colossal statue of the goddess. “Forcing a full awakening before the goddess has regained all her power, we’ll be able to inflict substantial damage once she manifests a physical form.”

Duan Yu glanced at the desolate surroundings, devoid of any human presence. “Is the battlefield here?”

“Yes, the Magic Association evacuated yesterday and entered a state of wartime readiness. Only the Law Enforcers and high-level mages remain in the Floating Sky Capital now.”

“It was only yesterday that I understood why Adrishig always prefers to say Kalaway instead of the Floating Sky Capital. He never considered this place the capital of magic.” Lin Wei stood shoulder to shoulder with Duan Yu, leaning against the wall behind him, recounting his experiences from the past two days. “The Floating Sky Capital is the creation of the goddess. She chose the place closest to the sun as her altar, which is also the site where the goddess was suppressed. The main body of the floating island is made of Five-Colored Sunstone, engraved with countless large-scale magic arrays. Mages walk, spar, and cast spells on it, and all the magic fluctuations are absorbed by the arrays, converted into power to suppress the goddess. Together with the arrays in the other five Elemental Valleys, they resonate from afar, with the center at the sunken location of the Spear of Longinus in the middle of the Siren Sea. The price for activating this was the ‘burning’ of the first leader of the Magic Association and other outstanding mages from various races. This formed the complete magic array ‘Kui Ling,’ whose ultimate purpose is to suppress the Elemental Storm and subdue the deities.”

“Now, the power of the Spear of Longinus is almost exhausted, and the deities have awakened. Although the strength of the Magic World hasn’t made a significant leap forward, it is much stronger than at the end of the Dark Age when it was nearly extinct, while the power of the deities has stagnated—’Kui Ling’ bought us a thousand years of peace. Now, it’s finally time to completely eradicate the deities and seek a new path.”

There were some things he didn’t mention. In his previous life, Adrishig believed that the Magic World wasn’t yet capable of fully confronting the deities, so he adopted the most conservative approach: countless mages burned themselves to extend the life of “Kui Ling.” Unexpectedly, the war with the continent broke out when magic was at its weakest, leading to devastating consequences…

He continued, “I’ve also figured out many things. Now, there’s only one question left: why didn’t the deities choose to use their own power to suppress the Elemental Storm back then—if they had taken the initiative, they wouldn’t have been forced into slumber.”

Duan Yu asked him, “Who is the teacher?”

Lin Wei was stunned for a moment before realizing that “teacher” referred to the gray-cloaked old man in the shop—the Young Duke always referred to him as “old man” in his mind, while mages were very polite.

He glanced stealthily at the window, as if afraid of being overheard, and communicated with Duan Yu through soul speech.

“He’s an old friend of Adrishig, a very powerful figure—possibly from the Dark Age. I suspect he is Kui Ling. He is far too familiar with the magic arrays of the Floating Sky Capital, and he loves taking students, which perfectly fits the identity of the founder of the Magic Academy. Adrishig also mentioned the days he spent with Kui Ling on the Magic Wheel! But the name of the old man’s shop is quite puzzling. Eisenstein is the Earth Element deity—they should be opposed.”

“Is he also immortal?”

Lin Wei shook his head, “I don’t think so. Only Adrishig is truly immortal. The old man is probably just exceptionally powerful, but not to the extent of being almost assimilated with the elements like the deities, so his lifespan is extended, but his body is very aged.”

Their conversation proceeded smoothly, without any obstacles. The mage noticed this.

“Your soul strength?”

“It’s enhanced. I went to the Valley of Metal and obtained a fragment of the Holy Spear—your soul shares many similarities with it. Then, in the Death Swamp, I obtained some fragments of the goddess.”

“You went to the Death Swamp again.”

“I formed a contract with Shui Lan and Ah Lan, then went to the Hall, where there were fragments of the goddess’s dreams.”

Duan Yu asked him, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Lin Wei squinted his eyes. “It went smoothly… because my soul and emotions are stable, the sorrowful power in the dream didn’t affect me too much.”

They exchanged a glance in the dawn light, and Lin Wei somewhat embarrassedly touched his nose. He knew Duan Yu must have also remembered their first time entering the Hall together—when he had been overwhelmed by the goddess’s sorrow, his emotions completely out of control, and he had even cried… It was truly embarrassing.

Thinking this, he recalled the helplessness he felt at that time and the vow the mage had made, and a wave of indescribable softness and bittersweetness spread through his heart, like the tender and light branches of white roses climbing the window in early spring, soft yet with tiny thorns.

“This time, I didn’t resonate with the goddess’s emotions, probably because of you… Thank you,” he said.

After saying this, Lin Wei smiled helplessly, “You often say ‘thank you’ to me too—we’re always thanking each other.”

“I don’t know how else to say it,” the mage looked at him seriously. “It seems like the only way to express it.”

“Yeah, sometimes I feel the same way—actually, we should probably thank fate. Between us, there’s no need for such words.” Lin Wei suddenly seemed lost in thought. “I’m already very satisfied, but sometimes I still feel insatiable—I think I can understand the allure of immortality now.”

This statement was somewhat disjointed, but he knew what he wanted to say. Recently, he often felt that time was fleeting, as if he might wake up from this beautiful dream at any moment, only to see the mocking face of fate looking down on him.

They didn’t say anything more, simply gazing at the horizon together as the dawn shifted from dark red to golden, the first rays of morning sunlight marking the beginning of the goddess’s awakening.

Suddenly, Lin Wei sensed a subtle change in the soul of the person beside him.

No, it wasn’t just the soul—the aura around him had also changed, though he hadn’t noticed it before.

His soul seemed more condensed, and the feeling he gave off was increasingly cold yet powerful.

“It’s my father’s soul,” Duan Yu answered his unspoken question. “All his power will gradually come to me. This is also a form of inheritance.”

“He…” Lin Wei recalled the words “I won’t live to see that time” spoken during their farewell in the Valley of Metal.

“He is about to attain immortality,” the mage looked toward his homeland in the north.

Drops of dark gold blood seeped into the frozen soil of the north, and the magic array glowed faintly. The parting was silent, the farewell words like a blessing.

As the last drop fell, the entire ground of the Floating Sky Capital trembled and hummed.

“Yesterday, when I left the Valley of Metal, he kissed my forehead and said, ‘Good luck,'” Lin Wei said. “Mages face death with great composure, but I still think remembrance is essential.”

He slightly rose on his tiptoes and planted a kiss on Duan Yu’s forehead. “Passing it on to you.”

The first ray of sunlight fell on the eyelids of the gray-cloaked old man. He sighed, “It’s begun.”

Then he opened his eyes—the usually murky and aged eyes now held a peculiar brilliance. He got up from his small bed and looked out the window at the figures of the two young men. They were chatting leisurely, occasionally exchanging glances, the atmosphere peaceful, harmonious, and tender.

The old man seemed to recall something, a nostalgic expression on his face. He smiled, then narrowed his eyes. “Love—ah, love!”

Bards say that mature love is in the corners of a woman’s eyes, while immature love is on a maiden’s cheeks.

Haitie gazed at herself in the mirror as the palace servants pinned up her long hair, adorning it with sparkling hairpins that shone brilliantly in the morning sunlight, complementing the buttons and cufflinks on her dress.

She had worn the delicate dresses of noble ladies before, but this was the first time she had donned the intricate and solemn court attire for a grand ceremony.

Having her hair pinned up made her seem less girlish, and the court dress masked her innocence and naivety. For the first time in her life, she realized that the person in the mirror was no longer the little girl who had run up and down the Astrology Tower.

She thought, time is terrifying—I am of marriageable age now.

Her face suddenly flushed, like the tipsy hues of dusk.

Just then, an older maid chuckled, “My lady, you look so beautiful—it’s just a pity you’re not yet married. Once you officially wed His Majesty, your dresses will only become even more splendid.”

She looked away in panic, no longer meeting her own gaze.

The people of the palace, having somehow received the news—or perhaps with the Emperor’s tacit approval—all treated her as the future Empress.

But I haven’t made up my mind yet, she thought. Why has everything suddenly turned out this way? Gregory—is it because he likes me?

Time didn’t allow her to sort out her tangled and inexpressible emotions. The new Emperor had invited her to attend the coronation ceremony, and the carriage was already waiting outside.

“…the indomitable Emperor, the new master of the Empire, we gather here today…”

As the music played, the highest elder recited the proclamation, and the Royal Knights added an air of solemnity, suppressing the inexplicably pained expressions on the faces of those present.

Haitie sensed that the Elemental Storm was about to begin—she cast a magic barrier, enveloping the elder and Gregory on the high platform.

She looked toward the gathered nobles. Daniel caught her eye and nodded in silent inquiry, to which she nodded back, signaling that she was still fine.

The elder’s proclamation, the Emperor’s oath, the conferral, the coronation, the oath of fealty, and the celebration—these were the six parts of the ceremony.

The white-bearded elder handed over the Emperor’s possessions one by one.

“Today, the scepter is in your hand, symbolizing supreme power.”

“Today, the sword is in your grasp, symbolizing the duty to defend and expand the realm.”

The scepter, the sword, the insignia… and finally, an ancient scroll.

Haitie frowned—she could feel the surging magical power within it. It was a Forbidden Scroll.

If Lin Wei were here, he would recognize it as one of the three scrolls treasured by the royal family, the one personally guarded by the Emperor: “The Holy Kingdom.”

“Today, The Holy Kingdom is upon you, symbolizing steadfast and loyal faith.”

With the conferral complete, the elder placed the ruby-encrusted golden crown upon the new Emperor’s head, and the Empire’s new ruler officially ascended the throne.

The nobles, from the lowest to the highest ranks, stepped forward one by one, pledging their unwavering loyalty to the Empire and the Emperor.

The people, though anxious and in pain, held their breath as they awaited the final two—the Duke of Tidis and Prince Bolan—to offer their oaths of fealty, and to prepare for the necessary cheers once the ceremony was complete.

To everyone’s surprise, Prince Bolan stepped forward first.

He walked across the expensive and exquisite carpet, standing at the center of the Imperial Plaza, and spoke in a voice that, for some reason, could be heard by all—likely the work of the alchemist behind him.

“My lords, nobles, and the thousands of Imperial citizens gathered here,” Prince Bolan stood tall and straight, his tone warm yet firm, compelling everyone to listen.

“Today, my dear brother is crowned. I know this is a day of national celebration—please forgive me for interrupting this joyous atmosphere, but I must state a fact: we are out of time. The Empire faces the greatest, most dire crisis in its history.”

On the high platform, Gregory looked down, his expression inscrutable.

The plaza fell silent, the people exchanging puzzled glances, their pain intensifying inexplicably.

“Last night, I clearly felt pain all over my skin—I know everyone else feels the same.”

The people shuddered, focusing intently on his next words, their unease growing heavier.

“However, it’s not just the Imperial Capital. Three days ago, reports began pouring in from all over the Empire—a strange illness is sweeping across the land. In the northern and western borders, thousands have already died.”

“My mage friend told me that the culprit is the omnipresent magic elements—no one can escape it. The storm will only grow stronger, until everyone dies from internal bleeding. This is a disaster that will engulf the entire continent, and even the Magic World, with all its immense power, will not be spared.”

By now, the ceremony had been going on for most of the morning. The sunlight grew harsher, and the pain intensified—this wasn’t just an amplification of inner fear, but the real, all-encompassing arrival of the Elemental Storm.

Suddenly, a frail young woman in the audience screamed and fainted, her skin bleeding, causing a minor uproar.

“It threatens everyone, just as what just happened—Lord Lain, Lord Gersa, Lord Wintermore, could you tell us what tragedies are unfolding in your lands?”

The lords, who had come precisely for this, didn’t even glance at the Emperor for permission. Lord Lain stood and said, “People are staying indoors, but the illness is relentless—deaths occur every day. We can only hope for a miracle.”

The other two echoed, “It’s true.”

The hearts of everyone present were stretched to their limits, their breaths trembling. Just then, a thick cloud passed over the sun, casting a shadow over the plaza. The disaster took physical form as the shadow above, like the footsteps of death, sent shivers down their spines.

“However, we are not without a solution.”

At these words, thousands of eyes lit up with hope.

“I’ve gone through all the books in the royal collection, all the secret texts I could obtain, and finally uncovered a secret passed down for a thousand years—one that can protect our Empire.”

“This secret was traditionally passed down orally from Emperor to Emperor, but my beloved father left us too suddenly, and so it was lost.”

A knight brought Prince Bolan an ancient book.

“This disaster appeared a thousand years ago, and our founding Emperor left behind a solid barrier—the entirety of the Imperial Capital, the supreme city of Hieruskopos.”

“Our world was once filled with magic, and the Imperial Capital was the core of a massive magic barrier—a barrier strong enough to withstand the fiercest Elemental Storm, covering a quarter of the continent centered on the Imperial Capital!”

The crowd gasped in gratitude, and a high lord asked loudly, “Your Highness, how do we activate this great barrier?”

“This barrier has a sacred name,” Prince Bolan slowly scanned the crowd, and the people held their breath.

“Its name is—The Holy Kingdom.”

Whispers of discussion broke out as people remembered the name that had just echoed in their ears.

“The Holy Kingdom—it shares the same name as the scroll in the hands of our esteemed Emperor, but it is a different entity,” Prince Bolan raised his voice. “‘The The Holy Kingdom’ scroll is the key to the true Holy Kingdom!”

He slowly repeated the words from the conferral ceremony: “The Holy Kingdom is upon you, symbolizing steadfast and loyal faith—these were the words written by our founding Emperor, Yucarius I, for the future rulers of the Empire. The ‘steadfast and loyal’ here does not refer to the people’s loyalty to the Emperor, but the Emperor’s loyalty to the entire Empire and all its citizens—when the gravest crisis comes, activate The Holy Kingdom, and protect the Empire!”

His words were resolute, and the people’s eyes turned to the newly crowned Emperor on the high platform.

“As the Empire faces crisis, I naturally have a duty to act,” Gregory looked down at Bolan. “My dear brother, can you tell me how to activate the barrier, and what it will cost?”

“The bloodline of Yucarius is the incantation to activate the scroll. Once the scroll is activated, ‘The Holy Kingdom’ will naturally be unleashed. And what it requires,” Prince Bolan looked up, “Your Majesty, is your life!”

The people’s hearts first sank, then eased and grew eager—in the face of a disaster that could destroy the entire Empire, this was not an exorbitant price, at least not one the Empire couldn’t afford!

“The Holy Kingdom is upon you, symbolizing steadfast and loyal faith,” Prince Bolan repeated.

“The Holy Kingdom is upon you, symbolizing steadfast and loyal faith!” A thunderous, resonant voice echoed from behind—the people turned to see the awe-inspiring black-armored Imperial Corps lined up in perfect formation, reciting in unison.

Prince Bolan looked directly at Gregory and declared, “Your Majesty, activate The Holy Kingdom!”

The synchronized clatter of armor created the illusion of the ground trembling as five thousand heavily armored knights knelt on one knee, their voices ringing out in unison.

“Your Majesty, activate The Holy Kingdom!”