97 Candidate (2/2)

”My name is Certinos Von Mal'hari, call me Inos. I am the 8th True Heir of the Ancestral Divine Crown.”

Raven was again stunned speechless by this sudden revelation. 8th True Heir? Is that the proper definition instead of being an 'owner'? Why would would this person choose to trap himself inside this castle? What are his intentions? Just what is the origins of this crown?

Too many questions surfaced in his brain but there were no answers so far, he knew that in order to clear up the doubts in his head he had to personally ask Inos.

”So uh…Inos.” Raven hesitated for a bit before asking. ”Can you clear up what's going on here? What is this Palace doing here? What's inside? How come it's suppressing me? Wait! Am I like you anyway? I am just so confused…” he sighed helplessly.

Inos briefly chuckled and started explaining.

”I'll explain as best as I could.” Inos adjusted the way he seated and continued, ”Partner, in front of you, lies an extremely huge lucky chance. Something that could only be encountered by chance and not to be sought after.”

”As there are somethings that I can't reveal to you yet, I cannot tell you much. But to answer your questions…” Inos lifted his scepter and pointed at the Palace behind them and said: ”That, is the True Heir's Palace. A place where all sorts of wonders exists and would be your ultimate testing grounds.”

”Raven.” Inos looked at him sternly when he said his name and emphasized his next words properly. ”You, are now an official candidate to become the 9th True Heir. The reason why you are feeling a heavy supression is because the whole Palace Grounds is testing you. Every plant, every stone, even the air itself inside the palace would be testing your capabilities and judge whether you are a worthy heir or not.”

Inos went silent afterwards to let his words sink in Raven's mind. And without a doubt, he was feeling a massive headache with all of this revelations. Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.

'So I am a candidate, not even an official heir. But why is there a need for any of this? What's the true purpose of this test? Inos said that he can't reveal much, why is that so? This seems to be a bigger deal that what I was expecting…'

”I've been watching you, you know? I've seen all the setbacks that you experienced and the sheer conviction you have as well as your desire to protect your home from the dangers. I'm telling you right now, if you truly want to save them, then you could only do so if you become an official inheritor.”

”You might feel that there's no way of that happening since your soul experienced rebirth after all. But the truth is far more sinister that what you know. If you fail, you will witness those nightmares all over again. The death of your parents, your lover, your friends, the people around you, the destruction of this kingdom, the crisis of humanity, the merciless plaque of the Abyss. All of those will occur once more if you fail. Everything you do will be useless...”

”Trust me, Partner. I've been watching the world for millions of years now through the vision of the previous handlers of this crown. I've seen pretty much everything. I even experienced it first hand.” His voice carried a profound sense of sadness and desolation.

Raven's eyes constricted fiercely, Inos' words hit a very sore spot on his heart. He can't help but shudder with the thought of his words being real. By now, there is no reason for him to doubt Inos' anymore, he knew that there is a high chance that his words might very well happen. And it is something that he absolutely have to avoid. He made a firm decision in his heart…

If being an official inheritor is the only way he could protect everything he cared for, then he would do everything he can to prove himself worthy.

”I can tell that you've made the decision.” Inos smiled despite himself. ”Don't worry Partner, I'll give as much assistance as I could. Your success will determine my fate as well as the others' anyway.”

”Others'?”

Inos nodded but didn't say anything. Raven decided not to pry since it seems that he didn't want to reveal it just yet.

”I am able to assist you, but I also have to follow some rules since I am a resident of this place.” Inos informed after standing up. Raven similarly stood up and once again gazed at the majestic scenery of the Palace. ”You overall goal to become a True Heir is simple.”

”To become one. You must conquer this Palace.”