Chapter 154: Missing Memories

Shadow Realm!

The second skill Aurelius had obtained by consuming the Silverheart Lotus, and his biggest source of confidence in letting Edward explore the underground cavern on his own.

Recalling how his opponent had previously discovered him in the Dryad Forest, Aurelius was originally somewhat apprehensive. What if the way to find him was not the Divine Vessel as he originally thought?

Even so, with the idea that it didn’t hurt to try, he decided to gamble on whether Edward would be able to detect him.

The current scene was evidence that his bet had paid off.

Clearly, having lost the Divine Vessel, Edward’s extraordinary insight capabilities had vanished.

...Countless thoughts raced through Aurelius’ mind, but on the surface, he remained perfectly still.

Standing inside the Shadow Realm and peeking into the real world from within its gaps, he watched silently as Edward investigated the hall.

His gaze first swept through the decorations before his eyes finally settled on the skeleton seated on the throne.

The same solemnity that had previously flashed in Aurelius’ eyes appeared in his as well. Accompanying it, however, was also a trace of excitement.

Aurelius noticed that Edward only hesitated for a brief moment before finally mustering up the courage to step forward.

Click. Click. Click.

Step by step, he approached the throne and the mysterious skeleton.

At first, there was no reaction. Only the sound of footsteps echoed.

But as Edward drew closer, the skeleton began to show some changes.

The glow in its eyes, which had previously appeared to be a mere illusion, grew brighter and brighter, until it transformed into pulsing flames.

At the same time, its skeletal body began to shake, as though a slumbering being was slowly awakening.

This reaction did not make Edward back down. If anything, it made his enthusiasm even more apparent.

His pace quickened.

Seconds later, he was standing in front of the throne, only a few feet away from the skeleton.

The instant he took the final step, the secret mechanism appeared to activate.

The flames in the skeleton’s eye sockets flared.

Creak!

It turned its head to look at Edward.

As the two flames reflected in the Thief’s eyes, endless nervousness washed over him.

But he gritted his teeth and persevered.

His grip on the crimson sword tightened, strengthening his courage.

With a move, he raised the sword, pointing its tip at the skeleton. Then, he spoke up.

"In the past, the Valor Family assisted Your Excellency, granting you a glimmer of rebirth."

"Now, the Valor Family’s descendants hope that you fulfill your part of the ancient agreement and grant me immortality." Edward’s eyes shone with madness.

The crimson sword in his hand resonated with his emotions. The bloodline coursing through his body rioted, as though trying to showcase the secret mark it bore.

The moment the words "Valor Family" and "ancient agreement" were spoken and this mark appeared, something deep within the skeleton seemed to have been stimulated.

The flames in its eye sockets trembled violently.

Its mouth slowly parted.

"Valor Family... Ancient agreement..."

A hoarse, difficult-to-make-out voice came out of its lips.

Each word was followed by a several-second pause, as though it had not spoken for centuries.

"Do you know me?" the skeleton asked an incomprehensible question, its gaze glued onto Edward.

A trace of surprise flashed across the Thief’s face. The madness in his eyes retreated.

Confusion replaced it. But faced with the skeleton’s piercing gaze, he could only nod.

"Yes, Your Excellency! My ancestors have assisted you in your revival..."

Edward seemed ready to continue. Clearly, he wanted to mention the so-called ancient agreement again.

Unfortunately, the mysterious being in the form of a skeleton did not intend to give him a chance.

Just as Edward was halfway through his speech, an aura surged and interrupted him.

"Who am I?"

"What am I doing here?"

Another set of incomprehensible questions came out of the skeleton’s mouth.

Edward nearly choked.

Was this legendary being suffering from amnesia?

Judging from its questions and the information his family had passed down, this was actually very likely!

Thinking of this, Edward grew even more cautious. An amnesiac being with formidable power was a source of danger.

But with the opportunity standing in front of him, he was unwilling to back down.

"Your Excellency, I don’t know your true origins," Edward prefaced his words.

"All I know is that about a century ago, Your Excellency appeared in this place, gravely wounded. Back then, my ancestors happened to pass by and encountered you."

"Under your guidance, my great-great-great-grandfather gathered enough essence to help you recover. Then, you created this forbidden area."

"It was then that Your Excellency and our Valor Family reached an agreement..."

The skeleton listened to Edward’s explanation without interrupting. It appeared curious about its past.

No one knew that a third person was listening as attentively as them.

Aurelius.

Hidden within the Shadow Realm, he listened to Edward talk about his family and its past. He couldn’t help but sigh secretly.

He hadn’t expected that the secret this Thief held would be so shocking. It was no wonder that his bloodline could guide the way into this place.

This was obviously the result of his ancestor’s actions.

At the same time, Aurelius felt that this Thief was a great actor!

He had never expected that Edward’s ancestor was also an evil cultist!

Yes! From their conversation, this was the conclusion Aurelius arrived at.

He didn’t believe that someone who could reach an agreement with such a bloodthirsty being could possibly be kind.

Likewise, the "essence" mentioned by Edward was bound not to be simple at all.

From the various mechanisms along the way, Aurelius guessed that the skeleton had most likely needed fresh flesh and blood.

The essence of monsters would work. Humans’ could as well.

At that thought, Aurelius’ eyes narrowed.

Outside the Shadow Realm, the conversation continued.

"Your Excellency has absorbed the essence of the monsters dying in the forest over the years. Your state must have improved since then."

"However, it seems that you have not recovered yet."

"Your Excellency does not need to worry. As long as you request it, I will personally gather all the materials needed for your revival."

"The Valor Family shall serve you again!"