Chapter 202 - The Atlantian Archeologist and Researcher (2/2)

”Thank you Dimitri.” I replied and Dimitri took a step back to give way to Gilbert.

”Greetings your majesty, the sun of the Grandcrest empire.” Gilbert bowed down. ”It is an honor for me to be called to your presence.”

”Rise Mr. Gilbert. You don't need to be so courteous because I was the one to call for you.” I said with a solemn expression.

”Please your majesty, just call me Gil.” Gilbert smiled brightly. ”Ahh, you look so much like your mother.”

”You know my mother?” I was caught by surprise. I have never thought that Gilbert and my mother were acquaintances.

”Yes, we were what you call childhood friends.” Gilbert was looking at me with warm emotions. ”We fought the war on opposite sides unfortunately. Are you willing to hear my story?”

I looked at the middle aged man in front of me. It looks like he knows my mother well.

”Please do.” I replied to his question.

”Haha.” Gilbert chuckled. ”Can you show meyour beautiful garden while I tell my story?”

”Yes, of course.” I nodded and gestured my hand leading him around.

”Well where will I start?” Gilbert said. ”Hmm, as I have said your mother and I were childhood friends. We grew up together. I was just the son between the head maid and butler that served your mother's family in Atlantia. When we entered our teens, we respectively chose our different paths. She became an arch mage of the imperial palace while I became an archeologist and researcher, directly reporting to the late mad king back then.”

I can feel his tone was firm but with tinge of sadness.

”I was gifted with intellect rather than strong magic abilities. The ancient society of Atlantia has amazed me since when I was a boy. And to think I have discovered many things while working as a researcher in the palace.” Gilbert said.

”I was the one that discovered the ancient books that contained the old prophecy in a dark corner of the palace's library. I took interest on them and I was also the one that was able to decipher the ancient texts and found where the key to the forbidden magic was hidden.” Gilbert continued. ”Well, in short I was the reason why the past Great War started.”

I can hear Gilbert sighed in sadness. He was feeling guilty for what his researches have done.

”Then did you regret having found such information?” I asked bluntly.

It is true that if he didn't discovered those things in the first place then the past mad king of Atlantia wouldn't have gotten mad blinded by the thought of power contained in that forbidden magic.

”I also ask myself the same question, your majesty.” Gilbert replied. ”But if given a chance again, I will still do the research. My only regret was having my research known by the late mad king. I was young back then and thirsted for recognition and power. I wanted to gain higher rank, me being just of common Atlantian birth I wanted to climb up the ladder. Compared to your mother that was of noble birth, I was just a commoner. I was insecure back then and because I was given an opportunity to work at the palace as a researcher because of my intellect, I was blinded by the thirst for power. I gained recognition and was given high rank after my research. But it cost me your mother's trust in me to be broken.”

”You are talking was as if… you were in love with my mother?” I stopped in my tracks and looked back at him.

”Yes, I was in love with your mother.” Gilbert gave a sad smile. ”But that love just gave her such a burden.”