Ning Busan did not leave the palace.
He planned to pray to the God of Light here, asking Him to bestow a divine relic to serve as a magic source and resolve the issue with the Shackle of the Sacred Remains' seal.
Just as he was about to pray, a splitting headache rushed over him like a tidal wave.
He saw his familiar home, his parents' warm smiles, and his little sister's innocent face. These memories were so vivid, yet they began to blur at this very moment.
Immediately after, another set of images forced their way into his mind, as if shoved in by an invisible hand.
It was a vast battlefield, the sky dyed blood-red by the fires of war. Countless soldiers clashed in combat, swords crossing and blood splattering.
He saw himself clad in heavy armor, holding the Jinge Sword, standing at the very front line of the battlefield.
He heard a roar erupting from his own mouth—a voice dripping with murderous intent, completely different from his usual gentle tone.
“No, these aren't my memories.”
Ning Busan's breathing grew shallow and rapid, his heart hammering like a war drum.
He fought to keep himself conscious, but his mind was being torn apart. One part of him rejected these memories that didn't belong to him, while another part was drawn to the scenes.
Scene after scene flashed through his mind. They clearly belonged to Louis, yet they felt as real as if he had experienced them firsthand.
His mind was a chaotic mess. His own memories intertwined with the foreign ones, making it impossible to distinguish reality from illusion.
If he had used Louis's card when he first arrived in this world, he might have truly lost himself in Louis's memories.
But after five years of growth, his mind was far more resilient than when he had first arrived.
“I'm just a bystander. I'm just a bystander.”
Ning Busan repeated this phrase over and over in his mind, trying to anchor himself.
His vision blurred, a loud ringing filled his ears, and his memories began to scramble.
Finally, he blacked out.
When he opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was Novalia's deeply worried face.
“Ning Busan, what happened? Why did you suddenly pass out?”
Hearing her call his name, Ning Busan asked sluggishly, “Who am I?”
“You are Ning Busan.”
“Right. I am Ning Busan.”
Ning Busan's heart raced with lingering fear.
He finally understood what the irreversible consequence of using the cards was.
It was the memories.
His own life experience spanned a mere twenty-five years, but whether it was Louis or the other identity cards, they had lived for hundreds or even thousands of years.
If he had slipped up even slightly just now, he would have lost himself entirely, swallowed by Louis's memories.
Ning Busan tightly grasped Novalia's hand. “Novalia, do me a favor.”
“No matter what I become in the future, I am only Ning Busan. But maybe one day, I'll forget who I am. When that day comes, I need you to wake me up.”
Although Novalia had no idea what had transpired, she agreed without hesitation. “What do you need me to do?”
Ning Busan pondered for a moment before saying, “If I ever have to leave, I will leave an anchor behind before I go. Keep it safe for me, and return it to me when I come back.”
“I promise you,” Novalia said. “But really, what happened?”
“It's fine now.” Ning Busan licked his dry lips. “Could you pour me a cup of water?”
Novalia stood up and poured him a cup of water, then sat back down beside him, staring intently.
Ning Busan cleared his throat uncomfortably. “What is it? Why are you staring at me?”
“Just feeling a bit emotional,” Novalia said, resting her chin on her hand. “When I first met you five years ago, you were like a blank sheet of paper. But now, you have so many secrets.”
Ning Busan gave a bitter laugh.
If he could choose, he would rather still be a blank sheet of paper, leisurely attending university under his parents' protection, instead of being forced to grow up in this cruel world.
Novalia was indeed curious about Ning Busan's secrets, but she also knew that even the closest of friends needed their privacy.
So, Novalia changed the subject. “Mentor Saige said that the seal of the Shackle of the Sacred Remains won't hold for much longer.”
“Leave the seal to me. Don't worry about it, just focus on preparing for your coronation ceremony.”
“You have to at least tell me how you plan to deal with the seal.”
“...I plan to release him.”
“What?” Novalia knit her brows. “You plan to release Emperor Leo? What if the undead descend?”
Ning Busan said, “If Leo's awakening truly draws the undead, then I will take him to the Undead Realm.”
“Are you insane? I won't allow it!” Novalia spoke rapidly. “The Undead Realm is merely a legend. No one knows where the entrance is, let alone what dangers lie inside.”
“Novalia, don't try to persuade me. I've already made up my mind.”
“Wait, that's not right!” Novalia suddenly realized something. “As long as we can find a magic source, we can repair the seal. Why not pray to the God of Light? Perhaps He would be willing to bestow a divine relic to serve as a magic source.”
Ning Busan fell silent for a long time, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I admit, I did have that plan before. After all, doing that would save me a lot of time and effort.”
Novalia asked, “Then why are you choosing to break the seal now?”
Ning Busan spoke honestly, “Because I want to let him out.”
“Huh?” Novalia couldn't understand his train of thought. “You mean Emperor Leo?”
“Yes,” Ning Busan admitted. “I want to know what exactly happened ten thousand years ago, and how he turned into a monster. If possible, I also want to help him lift the curse.”
Novalia gave him an odd look. “You're not the type of person who meddles in other people's business, especially when it's a massive trouble like this.”
As Emperor Leo's great-great-great-great... granddaughter, even she hadn't thought about lifting the curse for this ancestor. Why was Ning Busan so invested in this?
Ning Busan smiled helplessly. “Just think of it as us being kindred spirits for a long time.”
Back when he was playing the game, he could just treat Leo as an NPC.
When he first arrived in this other world and saw the two statues in the Central Square, he had only felt a bit of lament.
But now that he possessed Louis's abilities, he had also inherited Louis's memories and emotions as a consequence.
Leo was the brother who had established the Dawn Empire alongside him.
They had once fought side by side, supporting each other through chaotic times and surviving countless trials of life and death.
Leo had already been sealed for ten thousand years. Was he really going to seal Leo away with his own hands once more?
Rate on N.U.
