Chapter 326 - Chapter 326: Chapter 310: Civilization Fragments (1/2)
Chapter 326: Chapter 310: Civilization Fragments
Byrne had read close to a thousand tomes on the mystical arts and could roughly guess the purpose of the “Time Stasis Stone”.
If one hoped to rescue a cursed undead or a spirit trapped by similar extraordinary power, it would often require a ritual to find a living person to replace it.
Scapegoat!
If they had readily believed what the other party said and casually conducted the ritual, they might by now have become the scapegoat for the “Time Stasis Stone”.
The voice of the “Time Stasis Stone” was full of doubt, tinged with hesitation.
“A trade? Hahaha, why should I believe you?”
Byrne fell silent for a long while before responding indifferently,
“Because you have no other choice… and ‘Time Stasis Stone’, haven’t you recognized my voice?”
When Byrne learned from his daughter Lilian that the other party was the ‘Time Stasis Stone’, he knew he must have already been exposed.
Since the “Time Stasis Stone” had been roaming as an undead watching over this place for many years, it would be impossible for it not to recognize his voice.
“Mithril, what a coincidence.”
“Honestly, I was still doubting whether it was actually you, since voices can merely sound similar, but I truly didn’t expect that you’d already become an old man on the verge of death… Ah, right, so many years have indeed passed, it seems I’ve grown insensitive to time.”
He had indeed recognized my voice, he just hadn’t been certain.
Byrne took a deep breath; sometimes, more honest negotiations are likely to be successful.
“Time Stasis Stone, you should be able to trust me, right? Of course, I won’t conduct the ritual you spoke of, but I can find someone to do it. According to my guess, the person who conducts the ritual will most likely replace you as the prisoner, right?”
The old man’s voice carried a chilling laughter.
“Hahaha… you guessed correctly. The greedy ones are destined to become the new prisoners, while I will attain rebirth and freedom.”
“Mithril, to be frank, your proposal is quite tempting to me, but I can’t just casually trust you. Let’s establish The Oath instead, as empty promises are hard to trust.”
Byrne nodded at the words of the Time Stasis Stone.
“You’re right.”
He also felt that establishing “The Oath” would be the safest approach, but now was not yet the time to do so.
Byrne planned to continue questioning, to explore how to establish “The Oath” in a way that would be more favorable to himself.
“Time Stasis Stone, what exactly is your state? Can you explain it to me?”
The old man fell into a deep silence.
“…”
Byrne immediately pressed on, “I hope you understand, ‘Time Stasis Stone’, if you can’t clearly explain your situation, it will be hard for me to feel secure establishing an oath with you.”
Finally, the voice of the “Time Stasis Stone” came again, as if the distant past accompanied the wind.
“I do not belong to your era. Thousands of years ago, I came nearby because of a battle amidst a storm, and descended here to evade Emperor Avray’s pursuit…”
Byrne furrowed his brows and couldn’t help responding, “Emperor Avray? Are you talking about the founder of the Lorne citizens, the man called ‘Father of Lorne’ in history?”
The “Time Stasis Stone” didn’t refute, its tone filled with nostalgia.
“Indeed, it’s him, but in my time, Avray was still a young man, I couldn’t have imagined that he would achieve such greatness…”
Byrne was stunned for a moment and suddenly felt his Spiritual Power boiling even further.
He was surprised, then realized.
That’s right, the “Time Stasis Stone” was practically a living ancient relic and a conglomerate of ancient knowledge, meeting it was indeed his fortune!
“It’s just a pity that after hiding here, I was attracted by a Gold Coin… and when I picked it up, my blood, which had not yet dried up, made contact with it, which ultimately caused me to become an undead trapped by it!”
The old man said this and finally became impatient, shouting loudly,
“Quick! Help me escape from it, or find someone to replace me!”
His aged voice spread to every corner around them, causing everyone to pause slightly before Lilian immediately said, “It’s him! The voice that tempted me!”
Byrne nodded slightly and continued, “What are you willing to offer?”
The old man’s voice was filled with impatience, anger, and madness, “Didn’t you say you wanted to know the situation here? I am willing to tell you all the information about this place! Let’s establish The Oath quickly, Mithril!”
Byrne smiled and shook his head, continuing,
“What I want is not just that, having been trapped here for thousands of years, you have no other choice, so don’t blame me…”
The previously impatient “Time Stasis Stone” suddenly fell silent for a moment.
“Insatiable greed, but somehow I don’t see a problem with it, alright, Mithril, what else do you want!”