Chapter 1331 - Prelude to a New Era (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When the old world’s nightmare cleared out, and the dawn came, the real world was ushering in its first sunshine. The storm of Chaos that once sealed off the five continents had retreated to the Sea of Carnos. Even Kanaan, the mysterious realm that had fallen for thousands of years, had resurfaced. Distorted ruins and grotesque landscapes were exposed. The whole world seemed to reveal its real face as if snow melted under the sun.
In the Place of the Golden Roses located in White City, the capital of the Kingdom of Taros, King Rudolph III was listening to the Royal Court Officials’ reports. His two daughters were seated beside him, while Grand Duke Loen sat on a chair not far away.
The optical eclipse phenomenon that plagued one-third of the city did not go away. It seemed that what the scholars said was right: the powerful divine blast had permanently changed the space-time structure around the Sunscorch Tower. Most of the area of the Palace of the Golden Roses was still unsuitable for living. The Royal Family had moved to another location. But before the completion of the big project, the King had to stay back in this palace to perform his duty.
The atmosphere in the palace was solemn as there was an important discussion going on.
General Gloen was speaking, “Your Majesty, news from the borders confirm that the forces of Chaos have completely returned to the Sea of Carnos. It seems the intelligence on the Tides of Chaos stopping prematurely was true.”
“According to historical patterns, each cycle of the Tides of Chaos will normally last for ten years. Even if there are changes, it is very minute. It is the pattern of the Sea of Carnos,” the great scholar Alfred said while holding an ancient scroll in his hands. His voice was not loud but heard throughout the palace with the help of magic. “The premature recession is unbelievable. We have also found many strange changes.”
Rudolph III motioned with his eyes for the great scholar to continued.
“We observed that the forces of Chaos did not stop after retreating into the Sea of Carnos. They continued to weaken and dissipate. Now they are nowhere to be found; in the past, even if the Tides of Chaos ended, we could still detect the power of Chaos in the Sea of Carnos using the magic tower. We have detected several great energy bursts in the Sanctum. During the last energy burst, its barrier reappeared, and the Light of Asurmen was visible in the horizon. Reports from the astrologers mentioned the appearance of a large crack in the sky with starlight flashing and unknown astral phenomenon.”
The three significant pieces of news that the great scholar announced stirred up discussion in the hall. The first two news was easy for the court officials to comprehend, but the fact that after struggling for generations in the nightmares, they would not expect it to be real. The court officials could only hope to gain some positive words and confidence from others.
Rudolph III interrupted the discussion. “Ahem. Scholar, what is your take on these phenomena?”
“Your Majesty, the Chaos is receding in an unprecedented way,” the scholar said. His dim eyes brightened up. “We have reason to see it in a good light—it has completely retreated.”
“Father, I have received a report,” Veronica said while getting to her feet. “Since half a month ago, the followers of the Cult of Armageddon had been going on a rampage in and around the kingdom. But yesterday, their destructive activities suddenly halted, and the cultists mysteriously disappeared as if they had vaporized into thin air. The spies I sent have found evidence of humans goes up in flame spontaneously in the secret ceremony of the cultists. The cultists did not flee. So I suspect that those cultists had disappeared from the world along with the dissipation of the power of Chaos.”
Another round of argument rose in the hall. Rudolph III’s eyes swept across his officials with a heavy heart.
Several nobles were supposed to be present were not at the scene. At least two of the nobility who were not present were related to the Cult of Armageddon.
When thinking of the situation that Veronica mentioned, the face of the old king turned grave.
“Half a month ago, the world of Order was still facing the darkest and most desperate moment, where every kingdom seemed to come to the end of its existence. I really can’t imagine what has terminated the Chaos. What happened to Sanctum?” Grand Duke Loen said.
As soon as the voice of the Grand Duke trailed off, a herald suddenly ran into the hall. Everyone in the hall suddenly quieted down.
It was the king’s herald, who only came into the palace without prior notice in the event of an emergency.
The herald came before the throne and handed a message to Rudolph III, who then glanced over it with a stiff expression on his face.
A commotion rose among the imperial officials. They were curious as to what had caused the king to look that sullen.
“A mass deflagration has happened in Hohenberg. Unknown flames have swallowed up the immediate family of members of the Kant Family, who were held up in various manors waiting for interrogation. The deflagration resembles the outcome of the Light of Order shining on the monsters of Chaos. Also, some members of the Tirian Family, Count Hyson and his immediate descendants, the Viscount Teutoni and some of their immediate descendants, Viscount Kutman, Count Roxon, and the like have all self-ignited.”
Every time the old king mentioned a name, it sounded as if a heavy hammer was hitting the hall. While the officials had roughly guessed the truth, they, especially those who had close contacts with these nobles, were bursting in cold sweat. The phenomenon of self- deflagration of the cultists that Princess Veronica mentioned coincided entirely with the situation at hand.
“The Royal Family will investigate to find out the relationship of these people with the Cult of Armageddon.”
Rudolph III so said. But everyone who was present knew that there was no investigation needed at all.