The royal palace.
Before going into secluded cultivation, Ning Busan felt it necessary to report the changes in the legions to Novalia.
Since the Black Sun, both of them had been so busy with their own affairs that they hadn't seen each other at all.
In the council chamber, Novalia sat regally on the imperial throne, crowned and holding her scepter.
Her gaze swept over the ministers below, a trace of complex emotion rising in her heart.
Once upon a time, she had despised the scheming and plotting among these ministers the most, but now, she had no choice but to face this silent war head-on.
Fortunately, she had her ancestor backing her up.
If, even with Emperor Leo teaching her everything he knew, she still couldn't handle this situation, she might as well dig a hole and bury herself.
After dealing with the group of ministers, Novalia pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Is something troubling you, Your Majesty?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Novalia looked up, momentarily at a loss for words.
Ning Busan asked, “Your Majesty didn't even consult with me before handing over the four major legions. Weren't you afraid I'd make a complete mess of it?”
Novalia's lips curved upward, a faint spark of excitement dancing in her eyes. “You are Louis. I believe that whatever you do, you will succeed.”
“I must apologize for hiding the truth before,” Ning Busan said with a slight smile. “Who I am doesn't really matter. As long as I am still the person in your memory, then I am still myself.”
Novalia's expression became highly complex. “Ning Busan, you've changed a lot.”
It was a subtle yet profound change—hard to describe or explain, but not in a bad way.
Ning Busan said, “You've changed a lot too.”
Novalia raised an eyebrow. “How have I changed?”
Ning Busan stroked his chin.
Going from a princess to an empress, Novalia had indeed undergone a massive transformation.
She had gained a touch of imperial majesty and composure. Her gaze had grown sharper, and her brow carried an unquestionable air of authority.
Her temperament had shifted, and her presence had grown stronger.
But most importantly...
Ning Busan said in all seriousness, “You look much more haggard than before, and the dark circles under your eyes are much heavier.”
The veins on Novalia's temple throbbed. “Is that so?”
Ning Busan nodded without hesitation, even adding what he thought was a thoughtful remark: “Make sure to get some rest.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“You're welcome.”
Novalia was completely exasperated.
Ning Busan said, “I'm planning to break through to Grand Archmage, so I'll be focusing on my secluded cultivation for a while. If anything comes up with the legions, you can consult Elion.”
“Alright, I understand.” Novalia smiled. “I have a feeling I'm about to witness the birth of the youngest Grand Archmage in history.”
In his area of expertise, Ning Busan was always confident. “Naturally.”
Ning Busan suddenly recalled something. “Oh right, I think I just saw Kaelan. Is he working in the palace now?”
Novalia said, “He's currently a squad leader in the royal guard.”
Ning Busan was slightly surprised. “I was actually going to ask you to look after him, but it seems you already think highly of him.”
“Kaelan is a Paladin. His natural talent was already very high to begin with.”
“Is there a difference between a Paladin and a regular knight?”
Novalia explained, “Paladins are born with the divine protection of the gods. They can obtain divine blessings through prayer or faith.”
Ning Busan was very good at picking up on key terms. “Which god are you referring to?”
Novalia found it amusing. “Are there any other gods in this world? The only orthodox, true deity is the one in Heaven, isn't it?”
Ning Busan became thoughtful. “I see...”
Kaelan was the first kind-hearted person he had met after arriving in this foreign world, yet Kaelan was also a Paladin blessed by the God of Light.
Could it really be such a coincidence?
Since he had doubts in his mind, Ning Busan naturally went to get some answers.
Upon seeing Ning Busan, Kaelan's face lit up with pleasant surprise.
After exchanging some pleasantries, Kaelan asked, “Ning Busan, are you really General Louis's descendant?”
Ning Busan nodded. “Yes, I am.”
Actually, quite a few people already knew he was Louis, but the vast majority of the public was still kept in the dark.
Kaelan smiled sheepishly. “Could you... let me behold the glory of the Jinge Sword?”
“No problem.” Ning Busan took out the Jinge Sword.
Kaelan rubbed his hands together. “Um... can I touch it?”
“...Go ahead.” Ning Busan felt a bit awkward saying that.
Kaelan muttered softly, “May General Louis's heroic spirit bless me, so that I can quickly become a Tier 6 swordsman.”
Ning Busan couldn't help but complain in his mind: I'm afraid your wish won't be coming true.
Louis himself was still alive. Where would a heroic spirit even come from?
Ning Busan asked, seemingly in a casual manner, “Kaelan, do you still remember when we first met?”
“Of course I do.” Even now, Kaelan found it fantastical. “I never expected that I would actually save General Louis's descendant!”
Ning Busan asked, “The Shadow Forest is outside the empire, and very few people would go there alone. Why did you go to the Shadow Forest back then?”
“Oh, that... let me think...” Kaelan scratched his head. “I was still with the Leonardo family back then. I was ordered by Duke Nigan to run an errand outside, and I passed by the Shadow Forest on my way back.”
“Are you sure?”
“I'm sure. Is there a problem?”
“The Shadow Forest is so remote. Where did you go for your errand that required you to cross through the very center of the Shadow Forest on your way back?”
“Now that you ask, I'm a bit confused too,” Kaelan said, equally bewildered. “Thinking back, there was clearly a much shorter route than going through the Shadow Forest. Why on earth did I insist on going there back then?”
Ning Busan's eyes flickered slightly. “If you can't figure it out, don't worry about it. It's not anything important.”
“Is it really not important?” Kaelan said cautiously. “But you seemed quite concerned about it.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Ning Busan's lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. “Don't think about it. It really isn't important.”
He already knew the answer.
Kaelan had been unconsciously manipulated by the God of Light to save him right after he crossed over to this world, and then brought him to the Dawn Empire.
Since then, how much of everything he had experienced was actually part of the God of Light's arrangement?
If one's destiny could not be held in their own hands, it was no longer destiny, but rather the strings of a puppet.
If he didn't want to be a puppet, there was only one path left to take: become stronger.
When you became so powerful that even the gods had to yield to you, would you still fear being unable to control your own destiny?
At this moment, Ning Busan's desire to become stronger reached its absolute peak.
Rate on N.U.
