"Looks like you felt the weight of that Name of Origin."
Asda stared at Thales, who was panting heavily. He seemed to be deep in thought.
"Especially when the person who summoned it is a Mystic, and he's close at hand."
Thales wiped away the sweat on his forehead and gritted his teeth.
'What … was that feeling just now?'
Asda snorted softly and regained his usual elegance.
"Don't worry, he's sealed and can't respond with dignity."
Otherwise, they wouldn't be sitting here safely.
Thales exhaled and stared outside the window.
The moonlight was blocked by dark clouds. It was dark outside the castle. Only the sporadic cries of birds and beasts could be heard in the distance.
The atmosphere became a little cold. The teenager's mood was also dragged down.
"What was that feeling?"
There was an ethereal quality in Thales' voice that he could not feel.
"When you, as a Mystic, were sealed by the legendary anti-mystic equipment?"
Asda fell silent.
But there was a faint blue light in his eyes, like the stars in the night sky.
"It's best that I don't tell you."
Thales furrowed his brows.
"Why?"
Asda paused for a few seconds before he spoke.
"Seven years ago, when I was sealed by that short sword, what did you see?"
Thales was stunned. He could not help but recall his unpleasant first meeting with the Air Mystic.
When he was sealed by Yodel.
'What did I see …'
Thales tried hard to recall. His tone was uncertain. "You, you turned into many rays of light of indistinguishable color and scattered. Energy, loud noise, impact, explosion … Then, then I don't remember."
"What about Giza?"
'Giza?'
Thales tensed up. He remembered the Blood Mystic's last moments.
"'Be careful of Asda.
"'She withered, hardened, turned black, became brittle, then cracked, shattered, and turned into ashes that filled the sky." Thales recounted the past. He remembered the moment he used the Blade of Purification to seal Giza. For some reason, there was an indescribable sorrow in his heart. "Like the embers of a burning fire, they scattered with the wind."
The Mystic nodded. He looked at the darkness outside the window.
"This is what you saw, but it already explains a lot."
Asda's tone suddenly became tense.
"Seven hundred years ago, as the first target of the Mystics, Bann was sealed in a very straightforward and swift manner. He disappeared without a trace, and even if we knocked on the Door, entered our original forms, and used the crudest method to call out his name of origin, we did not get any response or feedback. It was as if he had fallen asleep and would never wake up again.
"There were many witnesses when Eric was besieged. His indignant roar in his original form startled almost all the Mystics, so much so that we always had the illusion that he still existed, but there was only dead silence left. He was ignorant, unconscious, thoughtless, and emotionless. As time passed, we gradually realized that he was not coming back. "
"We don't know how many times Solovsky was hunted, but after he knocked on the door abruptly and awkwardly, his state was permanently abnormal. His response to us was incoherent, confusing, and contradictory. The only thing he conveyed was coldness, desperation, and stillness. In the end, it became countless meaningless fragments."
Ben, Eric, Solovsky …
When these familiar names appeared from Asda's mouth, Thales' expression changed slightly.
"Lebla was hunted by three legendary anti-mystic equipment. Each time, he was restricted and weakened a little. In the end, he fell to the fourth one. But after he was sealed, he did not disappear immediately. Instead, he lingered in our senses for three months before gradually weakening, becoming silent, and returning to stillness. Thanks to him, we knew that the seal was not death and destruction, but another incomprehensible state. We also knew that Hellen and Blood Spike were already existences of another level, the 'Supreme Empress of all Magic'.
"L's seal was the strangest and most mysterious. As the scariest Mystic aside from B, even though we don't have any news about him, we all know and feel that he still exists in the world. But at a certain moment, you turned around and realized in shock that he had disappeared a long, long time ago. You just, just inexplicably … forgot about him. "
"And Kirei, a Mystic as valiant and iron-blooded as he was, who was so proud and sharp that he dared to fight against two Mystic Mystic Brothers at the same time, the last time he knocked on the Door, he conveyed a bottomless pain, anger, disgust, and even despair.
"As for Giza, in seven hundred years, she encountered no less than two Calamity Hunters and no less than six legendary anti-mystic equipment one after another. She fought back and forth. Although it was inevitable that she would end up in a pathetic state, most of her life was spared, until you placed the last straw on her, and she turned into innumerable dead things and ashes."
When he said this, Asda's tone changed.
"And finally, B."
Thales' expression tensed.
"When he was sealed, even though he was thousands of miles away," Asda's voice was ethereal, "the shock and waves that tore everything apart and destroyed everything made me think that the world was about to end.
"Hence, every Mystic's performance and effects are different when they are sealed, and we suspect that this is because every Mystic's …"
"Mystic energy?" Thales took over the conversation.
The teenager's expression was solemn. "So you can't tell me because of the Mystic Energy First Covenant."
Asda pondered for a while and nodded.
"Every Mystic's mystic energy is unique. This might decide how they are sealed, as well as the state and feeling of being sealed."
Thales was silent for a long time. His expression was solemn.
"Then, as someone with experience, do you have any suggestions?"
The teenager looked at the guide.
"When we face legendary anti-mystic equipment?"
The Air Mystic was also silent for a long time.
"No."
"Every legendary anti-mystic equipment can weaken mystic energy or even render it completely ineffective. We can't even get close to it, let alone touch it.
"Even if the same equipment is in different times, in different hands, and when faced with different enemies, it might have completely different effects and functions. You might not even be able to prepare for it in advance."
This answer caused the atmosphere to become heavy.
Thales furrowed his brows.
"Then, why do I still want to become a Mystic? At the very least, I can still touch them now, but after I take that step, I will have a fatal weakness, and any legendary anti-mystic equipment can kill me? "
"If you don't take that step, you'll be full of fatal weaknesses." Asda shook his head with slight disdain. "Even if you don't use the legendary anti-mystic equipment, any weapon, even a small nail, can kill you."
Thales choked.
"Alright, let's get back to the topic at hand."
The duke waved his hand.
"So you're wondering … Freuland's current situation is unknown? Which camp does she belong to? How did you guys end up together? "
'Freuland.'
This name made the blue light in Asda's eyes flash. It branched out and seeped into his face.
But he did not answer. Instead, he looked at Thales coldly.
"Tonight, I have already told you a lot of things.
"And what is your reward?"
'Reward.'
Thales paused for a moment before he realized what the man was talking about.
"But you just said that this is not a deal!"
"That's right." Asda tidied up his clothes (which were actually not messed up at all) in a calm and composed manner. "So, I call this — teacher and student helping each other, and learning from each other."
Thales immediately choked.
A few seconds later, the teenager gave him the middle finger gloomily.
"F * ck you.
"What does this mean? The middle finger?
"The Northlanders' new trend of swearing on the street.
"Then," Asda's expression was indifferent, "I can only tell you about Freuland next time."
"Alright, alright!"
Thales had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender.
He stood up in annoyance and pointed at the blue invitation card on the ground.
"Then, don't blink!"
The next second, the invitation card reappeared in Thales' hands.
The teenager narrowed his eyes, sneered, and waved the invitation card at the Mystic.
But Asda did not have time to pay attention to Thales' expression.
"So beautiful." The guide stared at Thales' fingers. His words were profound. "Charming, beautiful, and indescribable."
Hearing the string of adjectives, Thales felt a little embarrassed. He coughed.
"Alright, this ability, how should I put it, is a little awkward."
Asda's attention returned to Thales' words.
"Awkward?"
Thales sighed and stuffed the invitation card into his pocket.
"Let me put it this way. If I were a charlatan who could perform magic tricks, my performances would definitely be full of people, and there would be loud cheers.
"If I were a thief who lived on the streets, my business would also be easy, and I would never leave empty-handed.
"Even if I were a mercenary who lived on the edge of a knife, I would still be able to catch my opponent by surprise during a battle, and it would still be very effective."
The teenager's tone sank.
"But …"
"But you are a prince," Asda calmly finished his sentence. "The honorable Duke of Star Lake."
Thales' smile disappeared in an instant.
"Exactly." The teenager was a little dejected.
"If I wanted to watch a magic show, I could hire the best circus in the entire Western Peninsula. They could perform better than me without mystic energy.
"If I wanted to get something from afar, why don't I ask the guards and servants to get it directly instead of using mystic energy? It would save me a lot of effort."
Thales mocked.
"And if I really ran into an enemy, instead of using all my strength to use mystic energy, I might as well just wave my hand, and there would be big men who would rush forward like wolves and beat them up for me."
Asda listened to him in silence and did not express his opinion.
"Also, for an outstanding street beggar, if you want to steal something from someone's pocket without anyone noticing, you really don't need any mystic energy." Thales snapped his fingers, and the invitation card from his pocket magically appeared in his other hand. "You really don't need any mystic energy."
"So, for now, its greatest use is to steal two forbidden tomes when I visit Sunset Temple to ask for advice and pray."
Thales sighed and ended his lamentation.
"Fortunately.
"Fortunately, you are a prince." Asda looked at him quietly. "Your identity is set in stone. You can't go out and embarrass yourself with these petty tricks and bring trouble upon yourself."
Thales raised his eyebrows.
"Very good."
Asda nodded.
"Keep it.
"Keep a low profile and maintain this habit," the Mystic said coldly. "Don't use it easily, and don't expose it on your own. Sometimes, you'd rather go through more trouble and take a few extra steps to get a cup than let others find out about it.
"Otherwise, you'll be in big trouble sooner or later."
Thinking of Watchman Zakriel in the dungeon, Thales said gloomily,
"Thank you for the reminder. I understand."
At this moment, a blue light flashed in Asda's eyes.
"You're bleeding."
Thales was shocked and reached out to wipe his wound.
'Sh * t.
"Oh, you know, the weather has been hot recently."
Thales rubbed his nose in a natural manner and chuckled. He put his left hand, which was covered in blood, behind his back and raised the invitation card with his right hand again.
"So, do you still want it?"
He skillfully took out a handkerchief and sat back on the 'chair', revealing an evil and bewitching smile.
"Do you want more?"
Asda stared at him with interest, which made Thales a little uneasy.
A few seconds later, the Mystic snorted softly and returned to the topic that Thales was most concerned about.
"Freuland did not participate in the Battle of Eradication, so she was classified as a moderate by the extremists.
"But this classification is not convincing, because Freuland is estranged from most of her peers."
When he said this, the Air Mystic suddenly changed the topic.
"However, even an omnipotent being like B respects her, or should I say, is wary of her."
'A Mystic that even B is wary of.'
Thales pressed the handkerchief against his nose while he silently memorized these words in his heart.
"Is she very powerful?"
Asda shook his head.
"'Powerful' cannot be considered an appropriate description. This word is too general and pale, and its meaning is limited."
"Then, let's put it another way. Is she very special?"
"Every Mystic is special." The Mystic's eyes shone with a strange light. "But according to a senior, Freuland saw things that were even more amazing."
'Sensory Mystic is even more amazing …'
Thales could not help but recall what he saw in the Prison of Bones and Zakriel's trembling statement.
[In fact, she has lived longer than all of us Royal Guards put together …]
Asda continued to speak.
"In the Battle of Eradication, the Two Empresses rose to power, the Extremists suffered a crushing defeat, and the remaining Mystics were hunted down one by one by the Disaster Hunters."
Thales' gaze shifted. "Disaster Hunters?"
"The first batch of masters of the legendary anti-mystic equipment," Asda explained softly, and there was a hint of displeasure in his tone. "Unlike now, when the warriors who were granted the equipment were focused and pure, and they only had one goal.
"But in comparison, Freuland received special treatment."
"What special treatment?"
Asda paused for a second. His eyes showed caution and wariness.
"The two Magic Empresses, Hellen and Blood Spike, personally went to hunt Freuland."
"What?" Thales was shocked and put down the handkerchief.
'The Two Empresses personally went to hunt … the Sensory Mystic?'
"So, Freuland survived the Two Empresses' attack?"
Asda nodded. His gaze was profound.
"In the seven hundred years after that, I went into hiding. I once thought that Freuland was doomed."
The Mystic raised his eyes and looked straight at Thales.
"Until she took the initiative to contact us.
"Or rather, she tried to contact a lot of people, but the only ones who really responded to her were me and Giza."
Thales' eyelids twitched.
"Contact you? For what? "
Asda snorted softly.
"She had a plan, a plan to rebel against the Two Empresses."
'Rebel … against the Two Empresses of Magic.'
Thales gulped.
"What plan?"
Asda stared into the distance. His gaze was sharp.
"Freuland believes that the oldest royal family in the world, even if most of them are greedy, short-sighted mortals, and as stupid as pigs, hides an important secret."
'An important secret.'
Thales thought of the 'Greatest King' mentioned by the mercenary Ricky in the Prison of Bones. He still clenched his fists.
"Thank you for your evaluation of our family." Thales' expression was solemn. "What secret?"
Asda smiled.
"Do you really want to know?"
Thales became alert.
"Wait, you, you're not thinking of 'ending class', are you?"
The Mystic smiled softly.
"Freuland did not say. I don't know either."
Thales was stunned for a moment before he reacted.
"What? Aren't you working together? "
Asda shook his head.
"That's just Freuland's plan. Giza and I have our own plans. The three of us are working together, but we each get what we need."
Thales was silent for a while. He felt a little helpless.
"So, the three of you in your small group do not communicate with each other, and each have ulterior motives?"
'What a model of teamwork.'
But Asda was not bothered.
"This is the norm for Mystics to get along, and you should be glad about it."
"Why?"
"Because the last time, there were more than two Mystics working together." Asda glanced at him. There was a hint of warning in his teasing tone. "It was the Battle of Eradication."
Thales pursed his lips and raised his hand.
'Pretend I didn't say anything.'
"But Freuland said that once she unravels that secret, the Magic Empresses will not be a threat anymore." Asda's eyes shone with blue light.
'Unravel that secret …
'The Two Empresses will not be a threat anymore.'
Thales thought of something, and his breathing froze.
"A legendary anti-mystic equipment without any trace of the Two Empresses, without any restrictions or taboos …
"A secret weapon that can completely seal the Blood Spike and Hellen …"
Thales tried hard to shake off Ricky's words and the appearance of the small red sword.
He asked tentatively, "So, for Freuland's' secret ', you attacked my grandfather, and in the end, brought about the Bloody Year?"
Asda snorted coldly.
"First of all, we did not bring about that disaster.
"Secondly, I said that we each get what we need.
"And Freuland is fully responsible for all the matters of the palace, including the king. Giza and I have no right and no intention to interfere."
Thales narrowed his eyes.
"No intention to interfere … This doesn't sound like your style, does it?"
The Mystic shook his head.
"Eternal Star City is not a fun place. As the political center of the Western Peninsula, more than one legendary anti-mystic equipment is stored here. Not only can mystic energy not work around it … "
When he said this, Asda paused for a moment.
"You've also seen what happened the last time I entered Eternal Star City."
Thales pursed his lips.
"Don't worry, Yodel is not here."
Asda glanced at him.
"I know. I probed, or else I would not have shown up."
Thales glanced at him with complicated feelings.
"Then, since Renaissance Palace is so dangerous, and there is a legendary anti-mystic equipment, how did Freuland succeed?"
The Air Mystic was silent for a while, as if he was reminiscing about the past.
"A mortal's method."
Asda said faintly,
"She lurked in the secular world. For several generations, she carefully and persistently observed, waited, and probed to find a way to infiltrate Constellation's court. And it was not easy."
Thales nodded and was immediately shocked.
"Several generations … Wait, how long ago was this?"
Asda was silent for a while before he slowly said,
"When Freuland came to us, John the Red King had just ousted his own sister from the throne."
'John the Red King.'
"John the Second and his sister, Queen Erica the Conqueror of the North." Thales' expression changed. "That was two hundred years ago?"
The Mystic snorted coldly.
"As I've said, to us, there's no such thing as a long wait."
'Two hundred years of planning …'
After the shock, Thales sighed.
"So, she succeeded in the end, patient Freuland, or should I say, Queen Fiosa."
When he said this, Thales could not help but remember the watchman's words.
"His Majesty … has been bewitched, coerced, and controlled by the most evil existence in the world."
"She could not defeat the legendary anti-mystic equipment," Thales said absentmindedly. "But she defeated those who had the right to control them."
The study room was quiet for a while.
"Freuland's name of origin is Senses." Asda seemed to be sentimental. "When it comes to bewitching people and deceiving them, no one in the same profession can surpass her."
Thales did not speak. Zakriel's words were still lingering in his mind.
"As early as a thousand years ago, before the Empire collapsed, she was already famous for manipulating people's minds and creating illusions."
"Freuland infiltrated the court. What about you?"
Thales snapped out of his memories and asked, "What did you and Giza do?"
Asda's misty gaze moved, and the blue light gathered again.
He was silent for a few seconds before he said,
"Freuland knew that she was not here to lurk, but to take action."
"Whether it was the legendary anti-mystic equipment in the court, the calamity stories passed down from generation to generation in the great families, the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department, or the Jadestar Royal Family's top secret methods, as the plan progressed and the goal became clearer, the closer she got to the secret of mystic energy, the more flaws she revealed, and the more suspicion she aroused. This was inevitable."
"Yes," Thales agreed wholeheartedly.
For example, a certain former watchman in the Prison of Bones who liked to hack the prince with a knife.
"To make matters worse, after the Battle of Eradication, the history of Mystics disappeared from the world because of Project World Cleansing. This left us with nowhere to hide. In the secular world, which was like a pool of stagnant water, any unusual movement would be extremely conspicuous.
"Based on experience, once a rumor such as' the appearance of a suspected Mystic 'spreads in a certain place, Hellen and Blood Spike's minions, or even themselves, will follow the rumor and come over to kill it."
Asda's gaze became fierce.
"For this, she needs cover and divert attention.
"And we cannot only rely on the channels in the palace."
Thales pondered for a moment before he said,
"Blood Bottle Gang?"
The Mystic nodded.
"It was originally a smuggling gang formed by a few desperate winemakers at the border of the kingdom.
"But as the Blood Bottle Gang expanded, the rumor that there were two Mystics behind it began to spread on the streets. In addition, Giza showed up a few times to cause trouble. This was enough to arouse the vigilance of the higher-ups of the kingdom and the church. It even attracted the attention of the Magic Empress who was lurking behind the scenes," Asda said flatly.
Thales thought for a moment and came to a realization.
"You used yourselves as bait to divert attention?"
He said in surprise, "This is a very big risk."
Asda glanced at him.
"If the Blood Bottle Gang wanted to plot a rebellion or a coup, or even reveal the truth about the calamity and start the second Battle of Eradication, yes."
The Mystic changed the topic.
"But what if the biggest goal of this so-called 'Mystic' gang is just to control the smuggled alcohol in the underground black market?"
"Those with ulterior motives would suspect, probe, and investigate, but they would only find that this gang, which originated from the streets and was formed by peddlers and servants, had the biggest goal of dominating the market, seizing territory, smuggling contraband goods, and fighting for fame and profit.
"And the story of the so-called Mystics behind the scenes, which they used to threaten and bewitch the outside world, was even more absurd. It was full of mistakes and had nothing to do with the calamity of the world's destruction. Perhaps it was learned from an ancient book by a fellow who smuggled alcohol?"
Asda said coldly,
"Hence, for more than a hundred years, through generations of agents, we continued to repeat the boring, small-scale fights between gangs, which were akin to playing house. At the same time, we spread the false and inaccurate rumors of 'Mystics' to the lower classes, until it became a legend in the streets and alleys.
Hearing this, Thales understood a little. He sighed.
"Then you succeeded. When I was young, I heard from Rick, a child beggar leader, that when he was rich, he would hire two Mystics to guard his door and be his bodyguards."
There was a rare teasing tone in Asda's words. "Then, he had to be 'very' rich."
In the next second, the Mystic's tone became cold.
"Just like that, although we could not reveal the truth about the calamity, we foiled the World Cleansing Plan and awakened the people's fear and opposition towards the Two Empresses …
"But starting from the borders of the kingdom, in the quagmire of the lower classes far away from the nobles, we spread a layer of fog throughout the entire Western Peninsula. When Mystics were mentioned time and time again in a teasing or exaggerated tone, they became commonplace, and it was difficult to distinguish the truth from the lies. Then, we hid in the sea of countless people at the bottom of the hierarchy, and successfully relaxed their vigilance and attention.
"This way, when Freuland truly infiltrated the upper class of the palace and even took control of the kingdom, questions like 'Mystics plotting to steal the country' would be drowned in the rumors of 'Mystics ambitious to unify Red Street Market', 'Blood Calamity dominating Black Gold Casino', and 'Apocalyptic Calamity dominating the three major commercial streets'."
Thales understood the process and frowned.
'Alright, I have to say, this idea is quite interesting.'
And he could even imagine the following scene:
'A spy came to report to the Magic Empress. According to reliable information, the terrible calamity who once tore the continent apart has returned and secretly formed an underground force, a private gang.'
The Two Empresses were murderous as they drew their weapons and prepared for battle. 'What are they doing?'
'Answer: A gang fight on the street.'
The Two Empresses were speechless.
The teenager wiped the blood from his nose.
'What kind of apocalyptic villain would do such a thing?
'Mystics walk the streets, calamities are lesser than dogs. No one would believe it even if it was written in a novel. The power system would collapse!'
"So, you used more than a hundred years just to cover up?"
Asda snorted coldly.
"You should say, 'We only used more than a hundred years to cover up.'"
Thales sighed.
"So? Did Freuland and all of you get what they wanted? "
Asda shook his head.
"What happened?"
The Mystic was silent for a while. His gaze was profound. "I don't know.
But I guess we were still discovered. "
'Discovered.'
Thales' gaze shifted.
"In one night, Giza was ambushed by the legendary anti-mystic equipment in Steel City. She was at her last gasp and lost contact.
"Constellation, on the other hand, exceeded expectations. It escaped control. The royal family bled, and the crown fell to the ground.
The royal family bled, and the crown fell to the ground.
"Of course, it was also the ferry bell that the Jadestar Royal Family used to travel to Hell's River during the Bloody Year."
Thales thought of the guards and prisoners in the Prison of Bones, and he felt complicated for a moment.
"Freuland was forced to leave Eternal Star City and even the kingdom before all the legendary anti-mystic equipment turned to target her."
Asda 'gaze was sharp.
"And when I rushed to Renaissance Palace, I only saw corpses on the ground."
'Corpses on the ground.'
Both of them were silent for a while.
"That's it?"
The prince took a deep breath and recalled what he saw in Lower City District a few months ago. He asked cautiously, "Then why did Black Sword say that you once started a massacre at the palace gate?"
'At the palace gate.
'Started a massacre.'
The Mystic glanced at Thales and seemed to be deep in thought.
That glance made the prince nervous for no reason.
'"Eighteen years ago, in this very city … the Air Mystic, that undying monster, stood in front of Renaissance Palace …"'
"Killed Constance."
Morris of the Brotherhood. His words were faintly discernible in Thales' ears.
"They saw me as an enemy and attacked me brazenly." Asda did not care. "Naturally, I responded with straightforwardness and returned the favor."
Thales sucked in a deep breath.
'Responded with straightforwardness.
'Alright.
'Then …'
"How did you expose yourselves?"
Thales suppressed the sensitive question and asked another question, "What exactly did Freuland do?"
"What happened to the Jadestar Royal Family? Why did they escape from your control? "
"I'm not sure."
Asda shook his head. He looked disinterested.
"I've said it before. Freuland was in charge of all matters in the palace.
"All we know is that the plan failed."
The Mystic looked out of the window gloomily.
"After toiling for a hundred years, we have nothing.
"The Two Empresses are still here.
"More powerful than before."
'The Two Empresses.'
Thales mulled over these two words and felt a little depressed.
But he quickly looked up again.
"You said that the Three Disasters Alliance has its own agenda. What about you and Giza? Why did you join them?"
The teenager sniffled and narrowed his eyes.
"It can't be … to unify Red Street Market, can it?"
Asda chuckled.
"I don't know Giza's goal, but based on my understanding of her …"
The Mystic paused for a moment. Blue light flowed in his eyes.
"What she wants is definitely much more than we, Freuland and I can imagine."
He said gloomily.
"Much more greedy, much more crazy, much more terrifying.
"Much more unbelievable."
The study room fell into silence again.
"What about you?"
A few seconds later, Thales spoke again. He stared at his guide.
"Air Mystic, why did you cooperate with them and extend your hand to Constellation?"
I recently made a chart of the Jadestar Royal Family's lineage and posted it in the usual place.
(End of this chapter)
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