Chapter 1006 - 496: Emerging from the Mist of the Past (Part 2)

Chapter 1006: Chapter 496: Emerging from the Mist of the Past (Part 2)

Rose said, "We Olin Island people, along with many residents of the Ignis Sky Realm, were originally part of the great Speriel Empire, but that empire declined under the corruption of some traitors. The Holy Speriel Empire was established to revive its glory. The first emperor, Jelus Keckrus, is the descendant of Speriel, the most eligible to inherit..."

"That’s just what they claim," Li Ang interrupted Rose’s exuberant speech.

It seems the female knight was deeply moved by the emperor’s speech during his tour.

"Claim?"

"Just a bit of reading into history will show there are too many nations that try to pull up the banner of a once-great civilization during their rise, even when there’s hardly any connection."

After Li Ang spoke, Rose’s face flushed immediately.

She lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, "Sorry, I don’t have much knowledge."

Marin laughed from the side, "It’s alright, I’ll find you a couple of books on this topic, and you’ll understand soon."

Rose was silent for a while, seemingly digesting Li Ang’s words in her mind, comparing them to what she once firmly believed.

Then, she lifted her head to look directly at Li Ang, "Please continue guiding me."

"It’s not so much guidance, just sharing my own views."

Li Ang scratched his head, "Keckrus accepted the truly great Speriel Empire’s royal family as his ancestors and then rose to power, but that was eight hundred years ago. The original Ignis Sky Realm hardly remembers him anymore, which already proves his empire will eventually fall too."

"Originally, the demise of a nation is like a cycle; intelligent races have limited self-management ability, and every once in a while, things will be reshuffled. Some nations’ extinction might have many regrets, but regardless of how many regrets there are, the past is already past."

Inanna nodded from the side; with the time scale the Six Dragons have existed, she had seen such things too often, now accustomed to them as fleeting as clouds.

"If it weren’t for a powerful organization wielding evil forces behind the scenes, the Holy Speriel Empire wouldn’t have reemerged either; you know these people."

Li Ang lifted the Divine Eye Pendant, a piece of jewelry unused for a long time, toward Rose.

"It is... like that." Though Rose wanted to say more, she couldn’t refute any of Li Ang’s words.

"If it weren’t for your special constitution and strong will, you would have unknowingly donned the black heavy armor, slaughtering countless innocents, and possibly ended up as one of the Annihilation Knights at the hands of myself and my comrades."

After Li Ang finished, Rose tightened up all over.

"I... Yes, if that’s the case, it would indeed have been like that..."

She began to tremble slowly, "Initially, it was just because they said we are all Speriel people, working together, we can strive for a better life."

"A better life is ahead," Li Ang said.

Rose seemed a bit puzzled at his words.

"The things promoted by the empire, the words spoken during the emperor’s tour, actually have a specific term known as ’nation-building.’ Under different historical conditions, this can lead to different outcomes, some positive, others not so beneficial."

Li Ang slowly explained to her, "In my view, the Holy Speriel Empire is gathering troops by coaxing you under a single great banner from various undeveloped or declining Sky Islands, urging you to carry out evil deeds with fervent hearts."

The Spiritual Forger shook his head, "No matter how beautiful the past was, it is forever lost. Often, what we remember as the past is just the present people’s reconstruction based on their own ideas."

He raised his hand, placing it on the lightly trembling shoulder of the knight maiden, soothing her body’s shiver.

Rose’s breathing calmed somewhat due to Li Ang’s action.

"We live in the present, continue moving forward, don’t linger meekly in the misty past they crafted."

A crystalline tear fell from the corner of the knight maiden’s eye. Her limited ability to express kept her from saying much, but her emphatic nod to Li Ang indicated she listened, might not entirely understand, yet etched it deeply into her memory.

Diao beside Li Ang muttered oddly, "Great Witch, you can give lengthy speeches to every girl, can’t you? No wonder, sigh."

"What are you thinking again?" Li Ang said helplessly.

Marin, having listened to Li Ang, laughed from the side, "Ahead is my home."

"Eh?" Rose looked at her friend in surprise.

"Didn’t I mention it? I’m Makena. But, sigh, I’ve just paid off my mortgage not long ago, and my house was blown to pieces in that crater there." Marin pointed with a pained expression to a large pit left by the magical warship’s explosion.

"Citizens who can provide specific proof will receive new housing after the reconstruction. Three or more acquaintances vouching can also suffice."

A voice suddenly emerged, with a somewhat effeminate tall blonde youth walking towards them.

"Melegon!" Li Ang happily greeted the acquaintance.

"Just said really well," the Order Flower Sword Corps leader patted Li Ang’s shoulder.

"Why are you here?"

Melegon explained that with tense battle situations, Order Knights from all regions came to help. Since the empire’s war affected the entire Ignis Sky Realm, such a major event was already known across the realm. As word spread of the guild’s full suppression, local rascals dared not act rashly, allowing him to assist here with peace of mind.

"Actually, Reed is here too; he’s also from the Makena Island Country. This time, he’s running around at various reconstruction sites collecting all kinds of rumors again," Melegon laughed.

"Really a coincidence," Li Ang said.

Marin inquired who that was. Due to her involvement with activities in the City of the Ship’s Rudder, she figured it out quickly, sighed, "Makena people are suited for work in mechanical and manufacturing sectors, we truly gather together."

Li Ang didn’t explain to her. Reed, or Huo Zui, was much worse off, having been ordered around by the Slave Master for many years.

Work began transitioning; with Melegon here, things proceeded smoothly. Farlonio disguised as Elaphia, remained stern-faced, with some formal words left to Li Ang and Melegon.

"Understood, Olin Island residents, remnant imperial soldiers, their colluding Weapon Race tribesmen, all entrusted to me. Plus knowing some imperial secrets, former imperial knights included."

After some mutual communication, Li Ang’s side chose not to linger long; firstly, Elaphia needed aid, secondly, Farlonio found it truly challenging to maintain his facade in front of other group leaders.

Preparing to board the Weapon God for departure, Rose, who had stood as still as a statue in thought, suddenly rushed in front of Li Ang and Melegon and the others.

"Mr. Li Ang! I’ve just realized there are actually many things I could do!"

With the power of the Star Soul, she dashed before them without wheezing, her wheat-colored skin showing no sign of fatigue.

Not comparing with high-tier Sky Knights, she was definitely a force.

Rose’s elegant visage was filled with resolve, "If I rejoin the Imperial Army, I believe they would accept me."

Her words left the others surprised, but her intent was clearly not to return to the empire.

"You want to act as a spy?"

The female knight nodded, "I, I can’t explain why, perhaps it’s due to my inner powers, I vaguely feel the location of the experiment facility from back then. If I head that way, feigning as someone who fled the City of the Ship’s Rudder and wants to return, perhaps..."

"Perhaps you may enter the empire’s true core." Melegon stated.

"Yes, being inside I could either relay the imperial palace’s position or assist when others breach in. I think that would be more useful than being there aimlessly daydreaming."

The confusion in Rose’s eyes had vanished.

She was indeed a pure person, easily influenced by the deceitful words of those with malintent, but once knowing what is righteous, she bravely pursued it.

Li Ang wouldn’t dissuade a warrior’s choice; he praised, "If you can indeed achieve that step, you will surely be a great help."

"Alright, I promise I’ll do it."

"Calmly protect yourself, only then will there be a chance to win." Li Ang wanted her impulsive spirit to settle somewhat.

"Agreed," Melegon nodded.

Rose quietly listened to Lady Sky Knight’s advice, with Marin watching her, expression both comforting and somewhat wistful, finally, she fetched out paper and began writing something.

"If you do make it to the core, please keep an eye on certain things..."

Since the knight maiden chose such a path, Li Ang explained various aspects she might need to focus on.

In the farewell of both old and new friends, the Weapon God rose again, this time speeding towards the weapon race’s gathering secret realm.