We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 389 [The Heart of a King]

ten years?

Xia En, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but be a little surprised.

What seemed to him just moments ago was only a blink of an eye.

But in reality, did it span a full decade?

However, what intrigued him even more was...

Why did Lyra visit the Lord of Cinder late at night again after ten years?

at this time.

The Lord of Cinder said, "I only started this investigation after that elven kingdom had completely disappeared."

"If I had discovered the truth sooner, perhaps... I would have had more time to prepare?"

Upon hearing the words "elf kingdom," a faint sadness flashed in Lyra's eyes.

But she didn't show it at all on the surface, she just said...

"You don't need to feel guilty about it."

"At the time, no one would have believed such a prophecy immediately."

Leila said with a hint of helplessness.

"In fact, you are already far better than the kings of many countries on the continent."

"At least you're willing to verify whether that prophecy is true."

"And even today, many kings are unwilling to believe the prophecies I have spoken."

"Of those, very few actually took action."

"However, some kingdoms that worship deities seem to have received some kind of oracle from the gods and thus began to prepare for the cataclysmic disaster."

"Among them, there is a kingdom called Shudon, which seems to have conceived of a path that depends on the Lord of a Hundred Million Radiance."

"However, I am not optimistic about this method of placing hope in gods."

As she spoke, Lyra turned her gaze to the Lord of Cinder and asked.

"how about you?"

"King of the Great Yan Kingdom, in these ten years, have you conceived of any way to save the world?"

Upon hearing this, the Lord of Cinder fell into a brief silence.

He then gave a bitter smile and shook his head, saying, "No."

"An Outer God from the [Secret Sea], its existence and power are too mysterious and too unknown to us."

"The most feasible method I could think of was to go directly to the [Secret Sea], kill that Outer God, or completely sever His connection with our world."

"However, let's not even talk about the terrifying power that deity possesses."

Even today, we cannot be certain of His exact location within the [Secret Sea]?

"Not to mention actively seeking out His connection to our world."

Upon hearing this, Leila's eyes dimmed slightly.

"Even you can't do anything about it?"

"Could it be... that this cataclysmic disaster is ultimately unavoidable?"

Throughout her centuries-long journey, she received only disappointment, to the point that even with Lyra's strong will, she couldn't help but feel somewhat discouraged.

Lord Cinder hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Actually, just a few days ago, a man who called himself the 'Omniscient Sage' approached me, claiming that he had a way to stop the world from being destroyed."

"【The Omniscient Sage】?"

Upon hearing the name, Leila frowned.

"I have never heard of such a person in the world."

This is actually quite incredible.

Leila spent hundreds of years traveling upstream on the continent.

She would remember the names of all those who were lost but possessed considerable strength, or those who were exceptionally talented.

And at the appropriate time, tell them the prophecy of the world-ending flood.

However, in Leila's memory, there had never been any being who called himself "Omniscient Sage".

It's almost like...

This guy just popped up out of nowhere.

But this "omniscient sage" also knows about the world-ending flood, and even claims to have a way to stop it.

No matter how you look at it, it gives off a very suspicious feeling.

However, the world is so big, and perhaps some unknown powerhouse will emerge from somewhere.

So, Leila patiently asked.

What was the method he mentioned?

"It's a seal."

"That's what the King of Cinder replied."

"Since we cannot prevent the great flood from coming to the world in advance."

"Then the only option is to seal it off the moment the flood comes, and try to keep the affected area to a minimum."

"In this way, the crisis will naturally be resolved."

"Instead of preventing it at its source, shouldn't we consider the situation after a major flood has occurred?"

Leila looked thoughtful and analyzed the situation rationally.

"Although it sounds absurd, it doesn't seem entirely without feasibility."

"However, the key issue is..."

"How can we achieve the goal of sealing off the great flood?"

Lord Cinder explained, "That 'Omniscient Sage' claimed..."

"He has mastered a unique sealing ritual. As long as enough icy power is accumulated and the ritual is set up in advance, he can do this."

At this point, the King of Cinder's tone became somewhat complicated.

"And coincidentally, within the territory of my Great Yan Kingdom, there is a people called the Ice and Snow People."

"Within their bodies flows a bloodline that is naturally capable of mastering the secret power of ice and cold."

"If we get their help, we should be able to successfully set up this ritual."

[The People of Ice and Snow]...Icy Secret Power...

Upon hearing this, the first thing that came to Leila's mind was the masked man who attacked her ten years ago and massacred civilians throughout the Great Yan Kingdom.

At that time, it seemed that what the other side possessed was a cold power.

As if sensing Lyra's thoughts, the Lord of Cinder explained.

"That's right, the thug back then was also a member of the [People of Ice and Snow]."

"There are many members of this family who are hostile to me and the Great Yan Kingdom."

"Therefore, conventional methods probably won't be enough to get them to assist with this plan..."

"and many more!"

Leila couldn't help but interrupt.

"Have you decided to follow the plan of that Omniscient Sage?"

"In my opinion, that guy is far too suspicious. His identity and background are both unknown."

"Besides, don't you think all of this is a bit too much of a coincidence?"

Leila analyzed rationally.

"How could it be such a coincidence that he only contacted you after you had confirmed the authenticity of the world-ending flood?"

"And what a coincidence that there is a group of people in your country who possess the secret power of ice and cold."

Leila's attitude was tinged with strong suspicion.

She couldn't believe such a coincidence existed.

When so many coincidences come together, it's highly likely to be a malicious conspiracy.

In response, the King of Cinder gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"Of course I know that the 'Omniscient Sage' is highly suspicious."

"Perhaps I have some unknown purpose, but I have no other choice now."

"If we do nothing now, it will really be too late."

Shane, who was standing to the side, immediately understood the King of Cinder's mindset.

If he does nothing, things will only get worse.

Until the great flood came completely.

While the "omniscient sage" of this era is highly questionable, he at least did offer a path that was somewhat feasible.

The King of Cinder would rather make a mistake than do nothing!

Lyra clearly saw through the Lord of Cinder's mindset and could only let out a soft sigh.

The King of Cinder continued.

"Don't worry, now that I know the 'Omniscient Sage' may not be trustworthy, I will naturally be wary of him when cooperating with him."

"I also plan to conduct in-depth research on the secret power of icy cold."

"Perhaps... we can find a way to seal the world-destroying flood without relying on the secret technique spoken of by the Omniscient Sage." Clearly, the Lord of Cinder was not blinded by the plan spoken of by the Omniscient Sage, but rather intended to feign compliance and find other ways to save the world.

Think about it.

This is probably why the Lord of Cinder was so wary of the Omniscient Sage and prevented him from accessing his research findings.

In a sense, this is precisely the reason behind that institute rebellion.

"I'm sorry, I can only leave these matters to you."

Leila's tone carried a hint of expectation.

Such a large-scale research project could not possibly be accomplished by her alone.

Only someone like Lord Cinder, who can mobilize the entire nation's people and harness the nation's power, can overcome those technical difficulties.

Perhaps Lyra in the past could have done the same with the help of the Elven Kingdom.

But now, her hometown has disappeared from this world.

It is naturally impossible to mobilize the so-called "national strength" again.

As someone who almost ascended to the throne of the Elven Queen, Lyra could somewhat understand the King of Cinder's situation and spoke with a touch of sympathy.

"After this, you'll probably be disliked and even hated by your own people, won't you?"

The phrase "mobilizing the entire nation's strength" has always carried immense weight.

Especially when it falls on each of its subjects, it creates an unbearable burden.

Furthermore, the Lord of Cinder cannot directly inform his people of the existence of the doomsday prophecy.

It's not hard to imagine that many citizens will not agree with or understand the King of Cinder's actions.

It might even... ignite the sparks of rebellion within the Great Yan Kingdom.

By then.

The King of Salvation will also bear an unimaginable psychological burden.

But I heard this.

The Lord of Cinder slowly shook his head: "I trust my people as much as they trust me."

"Besides, I was already aware of this."

"Even if they find out about my despicable deeds and condemn me to the pillory, I will still firmly continue on my path."

"History and those who come after me will prove my innocence."

Leila felt a slight jolt in her heart.

It was only at this moment that she suddenly understood why the Lord of Cinder was one of the few kings that Shaen had mentioned.

Perhaps, he truly possesses the heart of a king.

Even Lyra in the past didn't have this kind of mentality.

After a moment's thought, Leila said.

"Although I cannot personally participate in your research, there are things I can do."

As she spoke, Lyra pushed the [Eternal Coffin] beside her forward.

"This crystal coffin has the ability to store icy secret power, and also possesses the power to transcend time."

"I have already conducted experiments, and the amount of icy, secret power it can store is almost limitless."

"I will lend it to you temporarily as a research subject and a container for storing secret power."

"Such a strange object exists?"

Lord Cinder's eyes lit up as he accepted the Eternal Coffin, which was even taller than himself, and a look of surprise immediately appeared on his face.

Let's set aside the icy, secret power stored within.

The Lord of Cinder also sensed an aura emanating from it that seemed to transcend time and exist outside of this world.

Obviously.

This is absolutely an extremely rare and precious treasure.

But now, this mysterious man in black robes has casually given him to himself.

This couldn't help but touch the heart of the King of Cinder.

He couldn't help but ask, "By the way, I still don't know your name, senior..."

However, when the Lord of Cinder looked up, Lyra was no longer there.

Only one voice came, seemingly drifting from a very distant place.

"Names are not important."

“I will continue to watch over you and your research.”

"I hope... you won't let me down."

"We will meet again in the future."

The sound drifted further and further away, quickly dissipating into the cold night of the far north.

"I will do my best."

The King of Cinder murmured to himself.

He gazed into the distance, as if looking towards the distant future.

Just now.

A clear, cold female voice came from inside the palace.

"Your Majesty? What are you doing at the palace gate?"

That was Dark Ice's voice.

A complex tenderness appeared on the King of Cinder's face, and he immediately responded.

"I'll be right back."

He patted the [Eternal Coffin] beside him and whispered.

"The mission to save the world falls on our shoulders."

……

……

The moment the words fell.

The scene before Xia En's eyes became chaotic and hazy once again.

He knew that this was yet another leap in time.

This time, however, the light and shadow in his eyes became exceptionally strange and bizarre.

He felt a faint sense of falling, pulling at his body.

The period of unconsciousness lasted longer than the previous two times.

After those flickering lights and shadows subsided.

What came into Xiaen's view was a cold and desolate hall.

The towering dome, the iron-gray walls, the empty square... make this place look more like a mausoleum.

The Eternal Coffin is, naturally, the only coffin in this tomb.

"here it is……"

Xia En was immediately surprised.

At a glance, he recognized that this square was the main hall at the deepest part of the underground research institute that he had visited earlier.

It was there that Shain opened the Eternal Coffin, thus witnessing one historical event after another.

On the walls and floor of the hall.

There were also some cracks and bloodstains, as if they were marks left after a battle.

If it weren't for the fact that Shain's perspective was still locked inside the [Eternal Coffin],

He almost felt like he was back in the scene when he left.

And at this time.

Although the hall was spacious, it was not empty.

Standing beside Xia En was a Black Flame Walker with a beauty mark under his right eye.

He was the elder of those legendary brothers.

However, at this moment, his left arm had vanished, leaving only an empty sleeve.

As for his younger brother, he has disappeared without a trace.

Xia En suddenly realized something.

This situation is clearly different from the memory scenarios he experienced before.

In other words.

This is actually the true story of what happened to these legendary brothers in history.

Although they successfully prevented the attack from the Truth Society from stealing the Eternal Coffin, they were left with injuries that were difficult to heal.

As for the younger brother of the two.

They might even die directly in this turmoil.

At the same time that Xia En was pondering.

The doors to the hall slowly opened.

The Lord of Cinder walked in from outside the door.

(End of this chapter)