Chapter 521 (1/2)
Chapter 521: The Star Watcher
Translator: TransN Editor: TransN
Though most of the astrologers’ findings were just common sense in the modern world, Roland still could not help being surprised by the fact that the astrologers could be able to tell the orbital motions of the stars without any modern observation techniques.
“The Star of Extinction also moves along a certain path,” he said, “and it appears every 400 to 500 years. That means, it must orbit within a much larger area than the sun and the moon that are near us in space and can run a circle around us in a day and a night.” He panted for breath and continued. “Given that an object appears big when it’s near and small when far, the Star of Extinction in the sky will change from dark to bright and then turn into a crescent when it’s getting closer and closer to us.”
“Have you found it?”
Dispersion Star shook his head. “The secret mission has been passed down for hundreds of years but doesn’t specify the exact time when the Star of Extinction will come. Maybe it’s still in some distant position we can’t observe.”
“For decades… you’ve buried yourselves in this job?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The old man sounded very tired. “I became an apprentice in the Astrological Association 40 years ago. Since then, I’ve been watching the little changed starry sky every night. However, I had no idea of this secret mission until I became the Chief Astrologer. Besides observing the stars and recording the time and seasons, astrologers also work as fortune tellers in festivals and celebrations, but we only say what the king orders us to, instead of truly predicting the future. It’s a secret between the king and us. Astrologers need to be venerated as sages, in order for our association to recruit more apprentices.”
“You regret it?”
Dispersion Star shook his head. “I would regret that ten years ago, but since I became the Chief Astrologer and received this secret mission from my predecessor, Meteorite Astrologer, I’ve understood what I’m doing is meaningful and it’s really about astrology and foretelling the future. The significance of the job is beyond compare, but unfortunately, I don’t have much time left.”
Looking at his gray hairs, heavily wrinkled face and countless brown spots on his forehead, Roland had to agree with him and thought, “That’s true. I’m afraid he can only survive for another two or three years.”
“Is there any strategy left by your predecessors we can take to fight against or escape from the devastating disaster?
“No, that’s your problem, Your Majesty.” Dispersion Star gave Roland a weak smile. “You’re the one who leads the people to get through hard times. The Astrological Station is just your eye and will warn you about the coming disasters, thus increasing the chance of survival for the people. Given that, you can’t close it.”
The Chief Astrologer’s attentiveness to his duty commanded Roland’s respect. For most people, it was hard to persevere with such a boring job, but this elderly man had searched for the Star of Extinction in the sky night after night for decades without flinching. Roland now guessed the reason why ancestors of the Wimbledon Family made the rule that the confidential information about the star should never be revealed to the new king before he turned 30. If young successors of the royal family knew about it, they would probably indulge themselves and do everything in their power to enjoy the rest of their lives.
After a long silence, Roland raised his last question. “What about Astrological Associations of the other three kingdoms’? They’re searching for the Star of Extinction, too?”
“I’ve no idea… I’ve never left the King’s City and they’ve never contacted us here in the Kingdom of Graycastle.”
“I see, and that’s all for today.”
“You… decide not to close the Astrological Station?”
“No, let’s keep it,” Roland answered, stood up and then walked towards the hall outside. Before he left the room, he turned around to look at the Chief Astrologer and said, “I’ll send you better equipment for observing stars and tell you about the real knowledge of star image.”
“What?” The chief astrologer looked confused.
Without explaining anything to him, Roland continued. “Besides, even when the Bloody Moon comes, it’s not our end.” He paused a bit and spoke assertively, “We’ll survive it.”
…