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

Chapter 390 [Bronze and the Dragon of Time]

Upon seeing the Lord of Cinder, Shaen was slightly taken aback.

Compared to the previous two times I saw the King of Cinder.

This time, his appearance has changed the most.

It was clear that the King of Cinder had aged considerably and no longer possessed the vigor and spirit of his youth.

Instead.

It was the weariness and vicissitudes that lingered between his brows.

The stubble on his chin and the bloodshot eyes all indicated...

The King of Salvation has probably been extremely busy lately and hasn't been able to get a proper rest.

The accumulated tasks and pressures, in addition, made him look somewhat old.

This is actually somewhat similar to Augustine's situation back then.

After being defeated by the [Filthy Fate] and having his vast fleet destroyed, Augustine fell into despair and turned into an old man with gray hair.

For those who practice esoteric Buddhism, the aging of the mind often takes effect on the body.

The current King of Cinder is not yet in a state of despair.

However, it's inevitable that some people will overwork themselves.

From the [Black Flame Walker] beside him.

It wasn't hard for Xia En to tell that the timeline of this historical event clearly took place after the attack on the underground research institute.

Cleaning up the mess at the research institute and handling the aftermath will take a considerable amount of time.

Simultaneously.

After such an attack, the Lord of Cinder's originally smoothly progressing plans may be temporarily halted.

The research progress has been greatly slowed down.

Not to mention.

It was probably around this time.

Dark Ice discovered the existence of the underground research facility and questioned Lord Cinder.

Internal and external troubles, national affairs, personal feelings...

Each and every one of these incidents weighed heavily on the King of Cinder, like a mountain pressing down on him.

If it were someone with weak willpower, they would probably have had a mental breakdown long ago, or even wanted to run away.

The fact that the King of Cinder only showed signs of fatigue but still had the will to continue pushing the plan forward is already quite remarkable.

"king."

Upon seeing the Lord of Cinder approach, the Blackflame Legend, who was stationed there, bowed respectfully to him.

"Bell, you've worked hard."

The King of Cinder nodded in response.

"You're being sent back here to perform guard duties even though your injuries haven't healed yet."

"It's not hard."

Bell shook his head: "Right now, the one under the most pressure is clearly Wang."

"It would be my honor to share the king's burdens, even if only in a little."

As he spoke, a hint of concern appeared in Bell's eyes.

"Your Majesty, you haven't slept for days, have you?"

Please take good care of yourself.

The King of Cinder was slightly taken aback, and smiled wryly.

"You actually noticed that?"

He rubbed his cheeks, trying to rouse himself and forcibly suppress his tired expression.

She has regained some of her usual composure.

The King of Cinder knew very well that it was precisely at times like these that he could not show weakness or exhaustion.

Because... he is the King of Cinder.

He is the king of this country.

They are the backbone of people's hearts.

If even he himself is wavering, how can he expect his people to follow him steadfastly?
Xia En, who was watching this scene from the side, couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart.

He naturally understood the King of Cinder's thoughts.

However, he also knew that when a string is stretched too tight for too long, it will eventually snap!
And this time.

Having adjusted his state, the Lord of Cinder looked at the [Blackflame Walker] named Bell.

"Oh, by the way, your brother is out of danger."

"He should wake up soon."

Upon hearing this, a slight look of joy appeared on Bell's face.

But soon, he added with a hint of guilt.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, our strength is still too weak."

"Although we didn't let those enemies take the [Eternal Coffin], we still let them take away a portion of the research results."

"If my brother and I were a little stronger, you wouldn't have to worry so much."

The King of Cinder shook his head: "How can you blame yourself for this?"

"If anyone's to blame, it's the enemy for being too cunning, and also those [Ice People]..."

The term "people of ice and snow" was mentioned.

A hint of regret flashed in the King of Cinder's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

He continued.

"In any case, you have protected the two most important things in the research institute."

"As long as they are still there, the research institute can make a comeback."

"You... are the heroes of this battle!"

As he said this...

The Lord of Cinder made a light press on a spot on the wall of the hall.

Subsequently.

The floor, which appeared to be made of some kind of metal, suddenly changed.

Its color kept fading, until it became transparent.

And inside the Eternal Coffin.

Looking down through the transparent floor, Shane witnessed an utterly shocking scene—

Beneath this icy hall lay a solid, thick block of ice crystal.

And within those deep blue ice crystals.

There was indeed the figure of a colossal creature!

It wore a dark red crown on its head.

Its entire body resembles crystal, bronze, and magma.

Bronze-colored scales cover its body.

The texture of the scales resembled some kind of ancient and mysterious runes, revealing the weight of time.

Its entire figure appears slender and graceful.

She resembles a princess or empress in a palace.

That kind of beauty transcends both gender and species!
It's as if... that's the pinnacle of biological evolution, possessing a nobility that cannot be described in words.

Behind this figure were a pair of folded wings.

Even when folded up, the wings are still incredibly large.

It's not hard to imagine what a sky-covering sight it would be when it's fully open.

no doubt.

That was an ancient dragon!
It is a bronze dragon of time!

They were the true overlords of the world in an even earlier era, and they have long since disappeared from the Seven Seas.

Although its appearance is very different from the String Song that Shane knows.

Its length and width are several times that of the stringed instrument.

But for no reason.

Xia En was able to recognize at a glance that it was what Xiange would look like when she grew up.

At this moment.

The bronze dragon's eyes were closed, and its body remained motionless, like a cold corpse.

Can be biased.

It also retains some strange vitality, making it look lifelike, as if it might wake up at any moment.

The majesty of the ancient dragon emanated from the ice crystals below.

For the average person.

This dragon's might might make them feel instinctively uncomfortable.

But for Xia En, a sense of familiarity arose in her heart.

Such a reunion across time and history is truly wondrous.

And at this time.

The scene before them confirmed Xia En's earlier guess.

"Sure enough, before she transformed into the [Ancient Dragon Egg], she was located in this underground research institute..."

However, Xia En did not expect this.

The String Song was hidden beneath this hall.

No wonder the members of the Truth Society couldn't find the location of the Bronze Dragon before.

But upon closer reflection, Shane suddenly realized. It wasn't so much that the bronze dragon was hidden beneath the hall.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that this hall was originally built on the body of a bronze dragon.

This design was made to facilitate its research and observation.

In fact, the Eternal Coffin was placed in the closest place to the Bronze Dragon for this reason.

Just as Xia En was secretly shocked.

The doors to the Frozen Hall opened once more.

A tall, imposing general, covered in blood and resembling someone who had just come from the battlefield, walked in from outside the door.

Surprisingly, Xia En was not unfamiliar with this tall man.

"General Hanno, you've arrived."

The King of Cinder nodded to the man.

Hanno strode up to the King of Cinder and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I have not failed in my mission."

"I have captured all the traitors who participated in the rebellion."

“Some of those who resisted too fiercely, I had no choice but to kill them on the spot.”

The King of Cinder's expression turned somewhat strange as he spoke.

"Let me guess, you've probably killed far more people than you've captured, haven't you?"

"hey-hey."

Hanno grinned, revealing a set of stark white teeth.

"Your Majesty, you truly understand me."

The King of Cinder sighed helplessly.

"Hano, Hanno, you are good in every way, but you really need to change this bloodthirsty nature."

Hanno waved his hand dismissively.

"How many people have been killed?"

"Besides, I only killed those who deserved to die. Letting those traitors live would be disrespectful to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives."

Bell reminded him from the side.

"General Hanno, although it's not quite appropriate for me to say it like this."

"But I've heard that if you commit too many killings, you might be punished by the gods in the future, and you might even die a terrible death."

You still need to restrain yourself.

Hanno laughed heartily.

"If the gods truly hate me for this, then let them come."

"To die a horrible death? So what?"

"Even if I become a ghost in the depths of hell, I will still kill those who deserve to die."

This General Hanno was none other than the legendary general that Xia En had met in [Flame City].

However, he is still alive and well at this time.

Moreover, his personality during his lifetime was slightly unexpected by Xia En; he seemed somewhat simple and honest.

However, it was the lingering murderous aura emanating from him.

He was exactly the same as the one who had become a ghost.

However, considering what Hanno said at this moment, Xia En had a strange feeling that his words had come true.

Then, the Lord of Cinder continued.

"Hano, although you killed those who deserved to die this time, you should try to be more careful next time."

"Those who kill too many people are indeed prone to being tainted by some kind of karma."

Hearing the Lord of Cinder speak, Hanno could only respond in a muffled voice.

"understood."

"There is one more thing. Manager Wang Wan was unfortunately killed in the rebellion."

"Who should be sent to replace him next?"

"The remaining [Ice People] seem rather untrustworthy..."

Suddenly, Hanno had a brilliant idea.

"By the way, why don't we just let Her Highness the Princess be the manager?"

"If it were her, she could perfectly replace Miss Wan in her position, right?"

Before the King of Cinder could even speak, these words were spoken.

Bell, standing beside him, suddenly changed his expression.

"Hano, what are you saying?!"

"Your Highness, you have no idea what's going on inside the research institute, and you're completely unaware of the King's plans."

"Once the news of the King's capture of the 'Ice People' reaches her ears, what do you think Her Highness will think?"

"Moreover, we cannot rule out the possibility that Her Highness the Princess is involved in this rebellion."

Hanno, however, had a different opinion.

"I believe the princess is completely trustworthy."

"Moreover, even Miss Wan was willing to sacrifice for the King, so there's no reason why Your Highness the Princess couldn't do the same."

“If you explain everything to her frankly and openly, she will surely understand the king.”

Bell frowned: "But..."

It looked like the two were about to start arguing.

The Lord of Cinder, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

"That's enough, you don't need to say anymore."

"I have my own decision on this matter."

Although the King of Cinder usually appears very approachable and easy-going.

But when he gets serious, he still exudes the majesty unique to a king.

So the two who had been arguing immediately quieted down and spoke honestly.

"Yes, Your Majesty, we understand."

The Lord of Cinder continued, "You may all leave now."

"I want to be alone."

Hanno and Bell exchanged a glance, both knowing they shouldn't disturb the Lord of Cinder at this moment, so they silently lowered their heads and left the hall.

After the two left, the already quiet hall returned to deathly silence.

Only Lord Cinder stood alone before the Coffin of Eternity.

—To be precise, there's also Shaun from [The Eternal Coffin].

From this perspective, he can see more clearly—

After the two left, the King of Cinder finally relaxed a little.

The loneliness, helplessness, and exhaustion that had been hidden before resurfaced on her face.

He looked at the Eternal Coffin before him, sighed deeply, and murmured to himself.

What should I do?

Gazing at the Lord of Cinder at this moment, Shaun was filled with mixed emotions.

Until then.

He then fully realized that no matter how calm and confident the King of Cinder appeared, it was all for naught.

Regardless of the fact that the Lord of Cinder's true form is actually the Old Flame from the Secret Sea.

It comes down to it.

He was born as an infant from the Lord of Cinder on the day he was born from the volcanic lava.

He had become a real human being.

Since we are human, we naturally have emotions and so-called weaknesses.

at the moment.

The Queen Consort of Lord Cinder, also known as Dark Ice, is undoubtedly the embodiment of this weakness.

As a result, he found it difficult to handle the matter with absolute rationality.

The Lord of Cinder is neither a machine nor a god.

It's impossible to be right forever.

Once he understood this, Shane inexplicably came to understand some of the Lord of Cinder's actions.

And at this time.

The King of Cinder took something out of his robes.

The moment Xia En saw the object clearly, his pupils constricted slightly.

Because that thing was none other than a silver pocket watch!
[A fleeting moment!]

Yes, Xia En suddenly remembered.

Dark Ice said that after her mother died, [Fleeting Time] somehow fell into the hands of Lord Cinder.

It coincides perfectly with the current time.

Lord Cinder murmured to himself, "If I were to give it to Dark Ice, perhaps..."

But in the next moment.

Suddenly, the [Eternal Coffin] beside him emitted a surge of mysterious power.

It was as if a teleportation array had been activated.

Then, Lyra, dressed in a black robe, descended once again beside the Eternal Coffin.

"Lord of Cinder, we meet again."

(End of this chapter)