Lie

“The recent state of the Royal Court...” Leonardo thought for a moment. He looked at Li Yue’s profile, unsure where to begin. Facing the Divine Lord who had founded the Royal Court, he truly did not know which aspect would interest her.

“What aspect would you like to hear about?”

“Everything.” Li Yue took a sip of the black tea. The flavor actually touched her a little; she quite liked this taste. “What is the name of this tea?”

“If it were you, what would you name it?” Leonardo mused. He placed some dried tea leaves into Li Yue’s hand. They were grayish black with hints of bright red. He looked up, meeting Li Yue’s blood-red eyes directly.

His breath hitched for a moment. Li Yue was beautiful, but looking at her directly brought waves of inexplicable dread. He instinctively began to wonder if he had said something wrong, but Li Yue wasn't thinking of that; she was merely lost in thought.

“I am not good at naming things. Anything bitter makes me think of death.” Li Yue spoke flatly. The second half of her thought, which she did not voice, was that anything beautiful made her think of Clo. “If it were up to me, I would probably just name it ‘Death.’”

“A fine name. Then let this tea be named so.”

“What was its name before?”

“That name has no meaning now.” Leonardo smiled. “Speaking of which, have you ever calculated how many believers you have? Or rather, have you paid any attention to them over these past two years?”

“Only dead gods care about how many believers they have.” Li Yue’s words carried a sense of indifference. She looked at the tea in her cup; the deep red liquid rippled slightly.

“You know you have your own church, your own believers, and your own... well, religious syndicate.” Leonardo thought for a moment, unsure how else to describe that powerful organization that had once been so prosperous.

“I had no idea. Are those people important?” Li Yue thought for a second. To her, magic was merely a tool; there was no need to have such a strong sense of faith toward the one who pioneered it.

“So what is the current situation? Have those fellows stopped believing in me?” Li Yue spread her hands, appearing not to care at all.

“Actually, the followers of another deity have grown powerful enough to... to turn that place upside down.” Leonardo let out a long sigh. “Your magic is too powerful, but that true ‘Death’ magic is not something just anyone can learn.”

“There are actually humans in this world who can use my magic? Interesting.” A spark appeared in Li Yue’s eyes; she finally seemed somewhat interested.

“In fact, the successive Kings of the Royal Court could all use your magic. It is... a symbol of their status.” Leonardo thought for a moment, unsure how to continue.

“Hmm, and the next generation? Is there a candidate?” Li Yue took a sip of tea, feeling that the slightly salty biscuits paired better with the somewhat bitter tea.

“That is exactly where the problem lies... Among this generation of humans, not a single person has successfully used your magic.” Leonardo set down his teacup, his eyes filled with complexity. “What was your relationship with the deity who governed ‘souls’? Their followers have already surpassed yours.”

“That one? I used to see them often on the upper reaches of the River of the Dead. During the Twilight, they were the first one I killed. Their authority was quite useful.” Li Yue recalled the past; this was exactly the kind of memory she had been organizing.

“None of the princes or princesses of the next generation can use your magic. What do you think should be done?” Leonardo gave a bitter smile. Looking at the indifferent Li Yue, he felt a sense of reckless resignation.

“Then wouldn't it be fine if I became the King?” Li Yue looked at Leonardo. Her eyes held a trace of extreme bloodlust, conquest, and a flickering hint of madness. “What if I lead this nation to a new renaissance and bring every territory in this world under my kingdom's banner? What do you think?”

“...” Leonardo was so shocked he was speechless.

“Just a joke. However, if the Royal Court truly changes hands, I might go and take it back.” The various emotions in Li Yue’s eyes vanished, returning to that stagnant pool of blood-red silence. “Actually, in the past, there was no need for this at all... Forget it, next topic.”

“...” Leonardo fell silent for a moment. “What else do you wish to know?”

“The specific locations of those Kings. The more specific, the better. There are things I need to retrieve on this continent.”

“I might only be able to tell you that in a few days. We do not have a general estimate at the moment.”

“It is fine, there is no rush. Spending my free days with her isn't too boring.” Li Yue claimed it was boring, but the stagnant pool in her heart could not help but quiver slightly.

“By the way, how did you become this principal? As an outsider.” Li Yue suddenly asked. She stood up, and Leonardo made a gesturing motion for her to lead the way as they walked side by side.

“That... well, Mr. Merlin, who researches fate, suddenly found me. Having such an unconventional friend has certainly added a vivid stroke to my youth.” Leonardo gave a helpless, bitter smile, though the emotion Li Yue perceived was not as bitter as she expected; instead, it was mixed with a sense of fortune and happiness.

Inside the marble hall, Professor Pricek, who studied crustal movements, was continuing his lecture. “Based on the coastal outlines of the other continents, it is hypothesized that ten thousand years ago—before the War of the Gods began—these continents were all merged together.”

“But after that, these continents moved away from each other due to plate tectonics and divine interference.” Pricek pushed up his glasses.

“I suspect that this Western Continent might have been a region within the Divine Realm back then. Or rather, it is a shattered fragment of the Divine Realm. Or, if we are even bolder, this is the Divine Realm of old, but for some reason, only this much can be revealed to the secular world.”

“What if the original continents of this world were not all merged together, and one continent stood independent, just as it does now?” Li Yue walked in from the far side of the hall. Leonardo followed behind her, nodding to the people who stood up in greeting.

“That theory... does not seem incorrect either...”

“You are a god who personally experienced those times. Please, tell us.”

“My apologies, I do not have many memories of it. I have never paid much attention to the secular world.” Li Yue glanced at Clo, then quickly looked away.

“Then let us set that hypothesis aside for now. Does anyone else have any findings to share?” Leonardo smiled as he looked at the group.

Li Yue sat down in a random seat. She looked out the window, her mind filled with many thoughts.