In the royal palace.
The King’s face overflowed with a hypocritical smile. “Novalia, congratulations on your safe return.”
Novalia did not want to play his games and asked bluntly, “Why did Your Majesty suddenly recall me?”
The King’s eyes turned slightly cold.
He was well aware that William had forced Phil to make a contract with a demon to assassinate Novalia.
If the demon had successfully assassinated Novalia on her way back to the empire, they could have pinned the blame on the demon and washed their hands of it completely.
But Novalia had already returned now.
If they made a move within the empire, the Thorns Legion would certainly not let it slide.
Thus, Novalia could not die—at least, not yet.
The King smiled and said, “You have been fighting abroad for many years. It is time to return and rest.”
“As it happens, in a short while, the empire will host the Mage Exchange Conference. I need you to maintain the empire’s public order.”
Novalia sneered, “Sure.”
...
Central Square.
As luck would have it, the day of Novalia’s return was Dawn Day, the anniversary of the empire’s founding.
Emperor Leo and General Louis had established the Dawn Empire. Every year on this day, an endless stream of pedestrians would hold fresh flowers and place them around the two statues.
It was a commemoration, and even more so, a show of respect.
It wasn’t until night fell that the area gradually grew quiet.
Ning Busan held a bouquet of white flowers, walked over to Leo’s statue, placed them down, and let out a deep sigh.
“The aristocratic class in this world is just terrible. Your descendants... except for Novalia, are all pretty rotten.”
“They say one generation plants the trees and the next enjoys the shade, but if the descendants destroy the forest, then millions of people will be left to suffer the heat.”
In his gut, Ning Busan had a premonition that before long, the empire would fall into great chaos.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind him. “I told you that you look very much like someone. You should know who I am talking about, right?”
Ning Busan turned around and saw Novalia walking over with two bouquets of white flowers. She placed one in front of Leo’s statue and the other in front of Louis’s statue.
Ning Busan chuckled.
So she meant he looked like Louis.
“General Louis was the strongest warrior in history. He never suffered a single defeat in his life. Even the proud Dragon Clan was subdued by his strength, bowing their heads and willingly becoming his mounts.”
When Novalia said this, her eyes shone with an extremely bright light, like someone showing off their idol.
However, Ning Busan was so embarrassed his toes were practically curling.
Never suffering a single defeat in his life was only because the game had a save-and-load function; if he failed, he could just restart.
As for the so-called Dragon Clan mount, it was actually just another one of his personas. To build up momentum for Louis, he had linked the two accounts together.
Novalia stared intently at Ning Busan’s face and sighed again, “Ning Busan, you really look so much like him.”
Ning Busan said dryly, “That is truly my honor.”
He didn’t want to hear any more of Louis’s glorious deeds from Novalia’s mouth. It gave him a sense of shame, like being publicly executed.
Thus, Ning Busan changed the subject.
“Emperor Leo was a wise man with the power of divination. Didn’t he foresee what would happen ten thousand years later?”
With Leo’s intelligence, he must have seen the flaws of the hereditary peerage system. How could he not have thought of a solution?
He really couldn’t wrap his head around this.
Novalia’s next words answered his question.
“In the year following General Louis’s disappearance, Emperor Leo passed away from an illness.”
Ning Busan froze.
“Passed away from an illness? How could he have died of an illness?”
As a great emperor, actually dying of an illness in a magical world was simply too ridiculous!
In the royal mausoleum.
The coffin, bound by chains, vibrated violently, letting out loud rumbling noises as if venting its fury.
“Louis, you’re the fucking one who died of an illness!”
“If it weren’t for you, you absolute bastard of a dog, would I have ended up like this?”
“Just you fucking wait! Once I get out, you’re dead meat!”
The pitch-black runes on the coffin were gradually fading. It seemed that before long, the thing inside would break out of the coffin.
Realistic version: The ancestor’s coffin lid could barely be held down anymore.
...
The Mage Association.
Saige said, “The Mage Exchange Conference is about to be held in the Dawn Empire. As my student, you certainly cannot miss it.”
Ning Busan was somewhat puzzled. “The Mage Exchange Conference?”
“It’s just a gathering of young mages to exchange experience and insights. Those are secondary; the key point is that there will be competitions and sparring during the process.”
Saige paused, then continued,
“The student of the other Grand Archmage will also be coming. All the mages are looking forward to the two of you competing to see who is truly the most outstanding mage of the new generation.”
Ning Busan had not expected such a thing. He did not care much for these empty titles, but he could not disgrace his teacher’s reputation.
“Rest assured, Teacher. I will definitely win!”
“I forgot to tell you, your opponent is already an Archmage.”
“...Then I’ll try my best not to lose too embarrassingly.”
“No!” Saige grabbed Ning Busan’s hand and said with a serious face, “You must win!”
Ning Busan’s eyes widened. “Teacher, are you joking?”
He had just promoted to a Great Mage, and he was supposed to go toe-to-toe with an Archmage? Was he serious?
Saige sighed and began to recount his bittersweet past.
There were two Grand Archmages on the Landia Continent: one was him, and the other was Mowen.
Do not think they were some sort of pure-hearted, detached saints who didn't care for fame and fortune.
They also had a sense of rivalry!
Especially when it came to comparing their students!
Back then, when Saige took Novalia as his student, his letters to Mowen were always filled with boasting.
Later, when Novalia signed a contract with a demon and lost her magical talent, Saige fell into a slump for a long time.
But right at that time, Mowen took in an exceptionally talented student—Isabella.
She was a woman whose talent was on par with Novalia’s, and she was already an Archmage.
Ever since getting Isabella, every time Mowen wrote to Saige, she would boast about having a worthy successor.
It wasn’t until Saige took Ning Busan as his student that the two argued endlessly over the debate of whose student was the most outstanding.
Saige gritted his teeth and said resentfully, “In short, you must make me proud. You absolutely cannot be outdone!”
Ning Busan was caught between tears and laughter. “I understand, Teacher.”
However, Ning Busan was curious about one thing: “Teacher, what kind of person is Grand Archmage Mowen?”
Since Saige frequently exchanged letters with her, their relationship must be quite good.
“Her...” Saige’s eyes were filled with nostalgia, and even his tone softened.
“She was my former lover.”
Rate on N.U.
