Chapter 1538: The Division II

But among that, there is also outrage, a big one that is.

Resistant coming from all over the world. Many responded by showing their disagreement by streaming their own lives in media, how their families were woven together from Gifted people, Creators, and ordinary citizens alike, living in simple, unremarkable harmony.

Others also shared glimpses of their daily routines: about their school life with other gifted people, how they copy each other’s homework, and end up being punished together.

They show their ordinary life, laughing, arguing, growing with their friend, regardless of whether they are just normal people, the creator, or gifted people. In these ordinary moments, the supposed divide seemed far less real.

Many also reminded the public that not all Gifted possessed offensive power. Some abilities were purely defensive, others entirely passive, powers that made their bearers more vulnerable than threatening.

Healers, in particular, were cited as living proof: individuals whose gifts did not dominate the battlefield, but instead made them targets, valued not for destruction, but for preservation, causing them to become the ultimate target during the Dark Age War.

Eventually, they bring up the sacrifice that had been made by King Marcus and Princess Lorient, and how many people were saved by them.

Gifted with extraordinary power, King Marcus chose to give his life—alongside his loyal Archknights and several brave King’s Men, to confront the Black Dragon of Nazareth, buying precious time for his people to escape to safety. In those desperate hours, the young Princess didn’t stay with King Marcus to protect her own father, nor did she run away to save herself.

No, she came and protected the refugees on their way to L’Markieth, together with a few King’s Men left, standing as the last line of defense while the world burned behind them.

Had King Marcus chosen differently, had he acted as so many other rulers did, he would have lived. With his power and authority, survival was well within his grasp.

Yet he did not leave. King Marcus chose to fight, knowing he would die, but he accepted it so that his people might live, and that choice was etched into everyone’s heart, a sacrifice no one should be allowed to forget.

They also spoke of Princess Lorient’s sacrifice to protect King Lucas, and of the agonizing struggle King Lucas endured alongside his Archknights as they struck down the Black Dragon and drove the darkness from the world. Through their courage and unwavering resolve, light finally returned, and hope rose once more from the ashes of despair.

Yet the cost of that glory was immeasurable. King Lucas lost all that remained of his family, a price no crown could ever repay. Still, he showed no regret. From the ruins, he rebuilt Harland with his own hands and will, restoring the kingdom to its former glory through sheer perseverance.

In the face of such sacrifices, it was deeply unjust to paint all Gifted people as threats, not when there were families like the Lucients, and warriors like the Archknights, who had given their lives for the very people now questioning their worth.

Understandably, public opinion leaned toward King Lucas and Harland. Many believed that as long as the Lucient family remained on the throne, peace would be preserved, upheld by rulers who had already proven their willingness to sacrifice everything for their people. Trust, hard-earned through blood and loss, became the foundation of that belief.

Still, not everyone was convinced. To many, Luxemborough’s warnings echoed in everyone’s heart with unsettling probability. They argued that power, no matter how gently wielded, no matter how noble the hands that guided it, was never beyond suspicion.

Lory read the article on her cell phone in silence. As the final line scrolled past, she released a long sigh, which almost sounds boring. She knew where this Narrative warfare was going, after all, this is not the first time, nor would it be the last time.

The higher up always manipulated public opinion, throwing problems that never existed and giving them solutions they never needed. It was indeed a dirty game she never wanted to be involved in, unfortunately, with her position, she could never avoid it.

With a careless flick of her wrist, Lory tossed the phone onto the sofa beside her. She decide not to dwell on the problem, at least not today. She rose to her feet and then stretched her arms above her head in a lazy manner.

After that, she padded into the kitchen, the soft sound of her steps on the marble floor echoing faintly. She took an instant choco powder, then poured it into the glass and added hot water. Soon, the sweet scene filled the room, then she took a sip while staring at the quiet pond behind the glass window.

For a moment, she was immersed in her thought, even though she decide today to give herself a break, but some thoughts refused to leave her mind.

The legacy of her kingdom, the safety of her family, the future of her people, everything pressed down on her like a heavy boulder; no matter what she did, eventually she could not ignore it.

Lory took another sip as if she wanted to swallow the turmoil inside her together with the sweetness of the chocolate drink. It’s not working, though.

Lory then walked toward the inner room of the house. She opened the door quietly, and in the room, there she found her safe haven.

Zhao Li Xin stood behind a large wooden desk, his posture relaxed, though his attention was fully focused on the movement of the brush before him.

His hand glided over the wide sheet of paper with effortless grace, each stroke measured and fluid, as though he were dancing rather than working. 𝖋𝙧ⅇ

Ink bloomed across the paper beneath his touch, alive with intent and quiet confidence. Sunlight slipped through the glass window, catching the edge of his profile and casting his features in a soft glow. In that moment, he looked almost unreal, like an ethereal being carved from light and stillness.

Lory settled onto the wooden couch, the cushions sighing beneath her weight. She lifted the mug to her lips and took a slow sip of chocolate, her gaze never leaving him.

The world outside, with all its arguments and fears, felt distant here. For now, she simply watched, savoring the warmth in her hands and the quiet beauty of the moment unfolding before her.

Zhao Li Xin gave a final stroke, then lowered the brush and set it aside. He stared at the painting for a brief moment, his expression impassive, without even a hint of satisfaction, like someone who had simply finished a task and felt no need to dwell on it further.

When he lifted his gaze, the coldness in his eyes dissolved the moment it met Lory’s. An almost imperceptible smile curved his lips, softening features that so often seemed cold and gloomy.

Lory was caught off guard. Even after all these years, he could still stir that familiar flutter in her chest, and she did not need a mirror to know warmth had crept into her cheeks.

"Lory, you’ve changed your hairstyle again," Zhao Li Xin said as he walked toward her. His fingers brushed through her long, straight hair, no longer silver but a deep black threaded with red highlights, his touch gentle and unhurried.

"Is it weird?" Lory asked, smiling sheepishly.

Zhao Li Xin shook his head. "No. You look beautiful, as always."

His love for her had long since moved beyond appearances. From the very beginning, he had never placed much weight on such things, perhaps because he had grown up within the imperial harem, surrounded by every kind of beauty imaginable, watching them turn on one another for favor and advantage. That world had taught him to look past surfaces and see what truly endured beneath.

Lory didn’t need to guess; she knew he was not merely sweet-talking her. If he cared about looks, he would never have fallen for her when she disguised herself as Luo Ri Yi, a plain woman whose appearance was only slightly above average, a humble woman that easy to overlook in a crowd.

She tilted her head, studying him now. "Good. Your hair has grown longer."

She liked Zhao Li Xin’s long hair. It was why she always felt a pang of reluctance whenever it had to be cut. Fortunately, potions that hastened hair growth were plentiful, and as a cultivator, Zhao Li Xin could regrow it in a short time if needed.

He did not understand her fixation, but since it pleased her, he was content to indulge it. The matter itself held no importance to him.

"Let me braid your hair!" Lory said suddenly, her eyes lighting up.

Zhao Li Xin chuckled and sat down without protest, allowing her to gather his hair and play with it to her heart’s content.

As she carefully brushed and separated the strands, her voice softened. "Do you like the house?"

The villa stood in serene seclusion, a quiet retreat tucked away from the world beyond its walls. Built of polished wood with wide sliding balconies, it possessed an understated elegance that favored tranquility over display.

Beneath the porch, a clear pond rested in stillness, a small fountain murmuring gently as ripples spread in widening circles. A lush garden surrounded the villa, green grass stretching beneath tall bamboo, their slender stalks swaying faintly in the breeze.

The air itself seemed unhurried, as though the villa existed in a pocket of peace untouched by time or noise.

"It’s good," Zhao Li Xin said simply.

Lory smiled. She knew that, like her, he placed little importance on where they stayed, so long as they were together. "Really?" she said quietly, her fingers still moving through his hair. "Well, as long as you feel comfortable."

Zhao Li Xin’s voice was steady. "As long as I’m with you, everywhere is good."

"That will suffice for now," Lory replied. She finished braiding his hair and pressed a brief kiss to his cheek. "But don’t grow too comfortable. This residence was never intended to be permanent."

Zhao Li Xin understands what Lory means. "You don’t need to worry, wife. Given the circumstances, we’re little more than a disguise meant to confuse the enemy. Still, do you think they’ll come?"

"They have no choice," Lory replied, a faint, calculating smile touching her lips. She lifted her mug and took a slow sip of hot chocolate. "After what happened in Zenon, a man like Theodore Navaro would never let it pass. His pride and ego, wouldn’t allow it."

She continued, her tone even and deliberate. "They cannot move against the Archknights without indisputable proof that they were involved in the incident in Zenon. And even if the public were to suspect our involvement, it would only expose Luxemborough’s weakness as a nation."

Lory’s eyes darkened slightly. "And worse, it would elevate Harland’s image as a powerful nation, one capable of striking another country and leaving it unscathed. No ruler would allow such a disgrace to stain their realm, especially not Luxemborough, after spending years after the Dark Age War ended, building its reputation to rival Harland." 𝐟𝑟ⅇ

She set the mug down gently, a playful lilt creeping into her voice. "So... if the Archknights are off-limits, at least for now. Who do you think Theodore will let soak up all that pent-up anger of his?" She pointed at herself with a wide, cheeky grin. "Rigt, is us.~."

Zhao Li Xin listened to Lory’s explanation without much outward reaction. A faint smile touched his lips as he said, "Then, I hope they come sooner..." His voice was soft, almost gentle, yet his eyes gleamed with a quiet, predatory light, like a beast lying in wait, perfectly still, patiently awaiting its prey.