Chapter 663: Act 25 – The Firmament VII
“Then what exactly is going on?” Avina, still half-kneeling on the ground, rubbed her arm and frowned as she asked. The physical form of the young energy entity appeared as if cast from platinum, with white irises in her eyes resembling a translucent ring; it only slightly constricted at times, hinting at her inner thoughts—she was clearly very upset.
“It’s quite simple, actually,” Brendel smiled with a grin, his voice echoing in the darkness with a playful tone. He suddenly raised his hand and placed it on Xi’s back, pushing the girl who had been standing in the shadows with her head down in front of him. “Lady Avina, you must have heard the legend of the Golden Apple of the fairies, right?”
Xi appeared somewhat nervous and looked back at her lord with surprise. But Brendel shook his head at her, indicating that she need not be tense. He hoped that Xi would leave a deeper impression on Avina, as she would undoubtedly choose the successor to the Holy Lance of the Firmament among the three of them. He had greater skills in swordsmanship, and William’s identity and profession were not suitable for inheriting the Azure Lance. Therefore, he hoped Avina would select Xi as the successor to the Firmament.
The key point was that he wanted to instill confidence and courage in Xi, allowing this mountain girl to understand that no one in this world is required to depend on others. He wanted Xi to have her own thoughts and fate, to pursue her own ideals.
A Xi who always stood behind him like a silent shadow made his heart soften. Yet because of this, he hoped the girl would understand that there is no such thing as a humble background in this world; a girl from Buche could also become a hope and protector for many in a certain era.
Only confidence and effort could serve as the driving force behind the progress of each individual in civilization and order.
Avina took a careful look at Xi, her pupils like burning platinum flames, her eyebrows resembling flickering flames, slightly furrowing as she said, “Is it the essence of longing?” She closed her eyes and sniffed slightly. “I see, it truly carries the unique essence of the fairies. The residents of the Vale of Valencia have long studied ways to change their fated destinies, but who would have thought they actually succeeded? Yet, it merely breaks the rules, and in the march toward chaos, it remains unhelpful… I was too careless.”
Avina murmured something incomprehensible, then opened her eyes again, looking at Xi, and then at Brendel. “I heard her call you lord. Is she your subordinate?”
“Oh no,” Brendel thought Avina might hold a grudge and hastily explained, “You could say she’s somewhat under my wing.”
“Somewhat?” Avina scrutinized Brendel, her tone slightly elongated.
Brendel pondered for a moment, quickly organizing his thoughts. “It’s probably because I helped Xi during her time of need; thus, in name, she’s now with me as my guard. Of course, you could consider it as her repaying a favor. But in any case, my contract with her will remain until she feels my debt is paid—”
“Lord,” Xi softly called as she turned her head, clearly feeling anxious about Brendel’s self-deprecation.
Brendel quickly signaled her with his eyes.
Avina glanced disdainfully at the two: “That’s pitiful. Though I can see you have a bit of kindness in you. But do you really want me to acknowledge her? Don’t you find it utterly inappropriate? It’s not just about her weak strength—that’s not the key. The key point is that she lacks the heart to become a strong one. Without confidence, unable to confront oneself, how can she realize her own beliefs? Perhaps she’s even confused about her beliefs. With the Azure Lance in her hands, it would only bury me.”
She stared at Xi, who bowed her head in silence.
Then Avina turned her head, somewhat admiringly, and looked at Brendel: “As for you, although still lacking in skill, you already possess some potential. If not, that guy wouldn’t have chosen you, right? So, haven’t you noticed? You have a quality that seems out of place in this world. … And it is precisely because of this quality that there’s a possibility of changing history. So, what do you say? Would you like to consider making a pact with me to become the new master of the Firmament, human?”
Brendel was slightly taken aback; he didn’t expect Avina’s recognition to be for himself. But he sighed and shook his head: “You’re mistaken, Lady Avina. No one is born a strong one, nor is anyone born to change the world. Yet, every moment, people change for some reason. As long as there’s something important they wish to protect in their hearts, anyone can become strong. The strength and weakness of this world are never a constant factor.”
“I’ve seen Xi furious for her deceased companions. It’s because of that anger that I believe she can achieve it—Xi, lift your head. You defeated Lady Avina, you too have the right to gain recognition from the Azure Lance.” Brendel commanded firmly and seriously.
Xi trembled slightly, biting her lip as she looked up at Brendel. She knew that it was the Azure Lance, the brightest existence in legends. Princess, Lord, and even Earl at the Yanfang Castle—there were many people here far more qualified than her to wield the lance that had once shattered the Firmament.
Princess had bravery, the lord was just, Miss Dierphir was steadfast and full of ideals; seemingly everyone here was more excellent than she was. The Firmament could favor any of them, but how could it possibly be her?
Yet even so, there was a trace of inexplicable gratitude deep in her eyes. That gratitude was because of the acknowledgment she felt.
In the dark, silence was gradually taking over, spreading quietly.
William stood beside the three, his wise eyes beneath silver eyebrows filled with keen interest, as if it had nothing to do with him, occasionally brushing the dust off his long sleeves. As a wizard, he wasn’t particularly interested in the Azure Lance’s allegiance.
Avina couldn’t help but groan, possibly grumbling about why she was defeated by such a little girl. She glared at Brendel with some annoyance: “You really want her to take up the Firmament?”
“Is that not allowed?”
“There are many others above in the hall who are even more suitable than her. That half-elf maiden is calm and composed, and the merchant woman who came with you has a noble lineage. And there are several others, though not as good as these two, but certainly better than her.” Avina frowned, “I really don’t understand your thinking.”
“I know all this, but I still prefer Xi.”
“You…” The thunderous girl stuttered, “What’s your reason?”
“Because of her ordinariness, she can turn her cocoon into something miraculous. In some past era, the knight of Azure used the Holy Lance to shatter the Firmament, letting stars fall to the ground, ultimately leading to the era of mortals. Lady Avina, the Azure Lance represents unending struggle in the epics of the Crusians; even the humblest existence can stand at the pinnacle.”
“Precisely because of this, the era of mortals is full of color,” Brendel slowly replied.
Avina was momentarily speechless, staring at Brendel.
Applause finally erupted, as William gently clapped his hands, responding: “Well said; the ages of silver and gold have long passed. Mortals must ultimately master their own destinies. Lady Avina, in truth, none of us here genuinely has the qualifications to inherit the Azure Lance, but sometimes a coincidence might just be what Martha intended in her fate.”
“Well, okay, I understand now.”
Avina sighed and stood up from the ground. She looked at Xi and then extended her hand, “You’re lucky, young girl. Come, extend your hand; let me see what you wish for in your heart.”
Xi hesitated slightly, looking back at Brendel. But Brendel only gently nodded at her.
“Hmm.” The mountain girl seemed to finally summon all her courage, biting her lip, and then extended her hand to rest in Avina’s palm.
Avina closed her eyes, and her sword-like brows finally relaxed; for the first time, her face showed a peaceful expression.
“So, this is your past? It’s somewhat better than I imagined.”
“But merely a temporary setback, not a weakness to use as an excuse. The Azure Lance is the blade that guards the mortal world, Xi—when the Firmament shatters and stars fall, that is the history of mortals conquering their destinies. Can you feel the courage contained within all of this?”
“Hmm…”
“What do you want to protect?” Avina suddenly asked.
Then there was a brief silence.
Xi did not answer, but after a while, Avina abruptly opened her eyes. She inexplicably glanced at Brendel, the peculiar meaning contained in those platinum eyes making Brendel slightly taken aback.
However, when he looked again, Avina had already closed her eyes once more.
“Open your heart and accept me, Xi—” Avina chanted.
“From this day until the final day arrives,” Xi repeated.
“The pact is established!”
A pillar of white light, a blue halo spread out from the darkness, as if an invisible wind had lifted the mountain girl’s long hair. Xi suddenly let out a cry, for she saw Avina transforming into the purest white light before her, merging into her chest.
Everyone witnessed this scene—
Among all, perhaps only Makarolo, bound by lightning against the wall, wore the most complex expression. He could hardly comprehend why Brendel would forsake his chance to establish a pact with the Azure Lance, granting this ancient and brilliant artifact to his not-so-outstanding adopted daughter.
The princess furrowed her brows slightly but soon relaxed.
Dierphir was curious, and perhaps the one who liked this the most among everyone was the merchant woman tightly bound by lightning. It wasn’t that Avina treated her specially; the merchant woman was simply too unruly, and none of the treasures in her bag were to be taken lightly.
Even so, Romaine was happily chatting with the white mist on her shoulder: “I knew Xi was the most suited! I even bet with Brendel last night. After all, only Xi uses a spear among us, right? That ‘I’ really was dim-witted; unlike the smart Miss here who guessed the outcome right away.”
“Xi matches that lance so well; it’s so beautiful! I must borrow it to play with when I have time!”
White Mist yawned, too lazy to respond, nor did she remind the merchant woman that Medisa also used a spear, even if Medisa was a spirit; Romaine probably hadn’t thought that far.
Meanwhile, in the dark, as the seemingly endless illumination dissipated, Avina had transformed into countless bolts of lightning, and platinum lightning coalesced in Xi’s hands, the light fading until only a shining long spear remained.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the Holy Lance of the Firmament.
Xi stared blankly at the pale blue spear resembling jade, momentarily failing to react: “Lady Avina…?”
The Holy Lance buzzed in her hand.
“What is this…?”
“This is her,” Brendel stepped forward, carefully gazing at the legendary spear: “Avina is the will of the Holy Lance, but your power is still too weak; it might be difficult for you to feel her presence for a while.”
As he spoke, he looked up. Because Avina’s power had lost its restraint, the lightning cage binding everything in the hall began to dissipate, the remaining magical power slowly lowering all above it to a spot not far from the three.
The merchant woman was the first to land, immediately letting out a delighted shout: “Brendel!” and hurriedly ran over.
“Lord.”
“Brendel.”
“Mr. Brendel.” Then Medisa, Charles, Freya, and Princess Grifian also gathered around the three, of course, all eyes immediately falling on the ‘Firmament’ in Xi’s hands.
This is the weapon that pierced the Firmament in ancient myths.
Romaine couldn’t help but blink, curiously asking: “Brendel, is this spear really as powerful as the legends say?”
Is this spear really as powerful as the legends say?
This undoubtedly was the question on everyone’s mind, including Brendel himself. He thought for a moment and stepped forward to place his hand on the blade of the Azure Lance in Xi’s hand. Xi slightly startled, looking up at him in confusion: “Lord…?”
Brendel didn’t answer immediately; he had already seen a pale green light screen extending from the blade:
Firmament
[Artifact]
Attack: 112-147
+45 Strength, +45 Dexterity, +45 Constitution, +45 Bloodline, +45 Perception
Additional Skills:
Destiny: The legends accumulated over time on the spear serve as an ancient, unchanging curse for its enemies. Any target struck by the Holy Lance will continuously bleed due to the curse, dealing 11 points of damage every second; this damage stacks repeatedly.
Firmament: Pure wind elements surround the blade of the spear, allowing the wielder to summon the power of thunder and lightning. Each attack made by the wielder has the potential to replicate the power of lightning, dealing equivalent damage to enemies in any direction; the number of lightning strikes depends on the wielder’s magic power.
Artifact Domain:
Invincible Destiny: An invisible force protects the Holy Lance; any attack with a power level lower than that of the wielder will be reduced by ninety percent. (The ability to change destiny can immune this effect)
Seeing these lines of attributes, Brendel narrowed his eyes slightly.
…(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to support it with recommendations and monthly tickets on qidian.com; your support is my greatest motivation.)
