Chapter 9: The Four Warriors of Years Past (5)
In a dimly lit, cramped basement,
Monroe and Trissa stared at each other in disbelief.
They had pieced together the shocking fact that the Messenger of the Goddess of Destiny, Lord Lin, had stepped into the Empire to investigate the tangled history of the Four Warriors and the White Wolf Green Leaf Nobility, and despite their shock, it somehow made perfect sense.
“The Goddess of Destiny wouldn’t allow someone with moral flaws to inherit her legacy,” Monroe said, puffing his chest out like he was the oracle of all wisdom.
“But… it’s been nearly a few thousand years! Why has the goddess’s messenger suddenly appeared now?” Trissa protested.
“That’s the mystery that leaves me scratching my head. I think there are at least two reasons.
First, the Goddess of Destiny doesn’t camp out at the Sky Tower forever. As the deity who oversees the fate of all creatures, her jurisdiction likely extends beyond our little corner of reality. Four thousand years for us is like an unfathomable ocean, but for the goddess, it’s just a blink of an eye.”
Trissa thought back to her experiences in the modern small world and the Low Martial World, nodding in agreement like a bobblehead doll.
“Second, as I mentioned before, the Goddess of Destiny, being the ultimate fate guru, doesn’t show up casually. So, if she wants to make a move, she has to choose a messenger who will carry out her orders to the letter.
This selection process is fraught with danger. Before you all ventured into another world, you probably didn’t realize this was part of a carefully crafted trial.
And as for Lord Lin, favored by the Muse, I doubt she expected to be spotted by the Goddess of Destiny as well.
So, as the new lord of Black Stone City and the ruler of the emerging Monster Race, she really didn’t have to come to the Empire. Yet here she is, tagging along with you all. If that doesn’t scream divine intent, I don’t know what does.”
“Now it all makes sense.”
No wonder, back in Black Stone City, shortly after they left the Sky Tower, Lord Lin had shown such urgency to head to the Empire.
And she hadn’t let them in on the reason for her urgency—no doubt, the dilemma of being a divine messenger was a tricky one. Who were mere mortals to pry into the teachings of a deity? Doing so would undoubtedly ruffle some heavenly feathers, which is why Lord Lin had kept her lips sealed, protecting them in the process.
“Father, you’re absolutely right. During those days traveling to Black Stone City with the envoy, we heard grumbling tales of a revolutionary shift within the Monster Race.
A brand new Monster Race city, Cold Wind City, has sprung up like a weed; the lord of White Feather City has switched sides, and even Thousand Bird City has fallen under Cold Wind City’s banner.
All of this is thanks to Lord Lin.
She could have continued expanding her power after conquering Black Stone City, targeting either the Demon or the Human Races. But at this crucial moment, she decided to accompany us toward the imperial capital instead. Who would forfeit a victory just to go on a risky adventure without a compelling reason?”
Monroe nodded sagely. “A transformed Monster Race individual gaining the Goddess of Destiny’s favor typically has to put in more effort than a Human or Demon. Therefore, we must give our all to support Lord Lin. To put it plainly, she is our loyalty’s focus.
If the White Wolf and the Green Leaf Nobility from the Sky Tower have indeed arrived at the imperial capital,
…no one knows what chaos might be brewing there next.”
Trissa exclaimed, “Got it, Father! Relating to the family’s prosperity, we will throw everything we have into anything involving Lord Lin!”
Monroe looked pleased. “Exactly. We’ll see how things unfold.”
“Oh, and Father, one last thing. Morris and the others have been captured. Shouldn’t we come up with a plan to rescue them?”
“Not yet. They’re in no immediate danger, at least not until Lord Lin leaves the imperial capital. I don’t think His Majesty the Emperor will forget their association with Lord Lin. If he doesn’t want to escalate the situation further, with his wisdom, he surely wouldn’t act against them first.”
Trissa breathed a sigh of relief. “Hearing your analysis makes everything so much clearer, Father. It’s great to have these discussions with you.”
Monroe chuckled ruefully. “Too bad you’re the only child of this branch. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you wander off to the capital on such a dangerous errand.
If you were a boy, you might have played an even bigger role…
Don’t feel hard done by. That’s just how the world is—women wear many shackles unless you can reach Lord Lin’s level.
Yes, in the face of absolute power, all obstacles turn to dust.”
“I understand, Father,” Trissa lowered her head, absorbing the wisdom, however grim.
The duo left the basement and returned to the study in the dead of night.
The lurking spies around the estate didn’t faze either of them, especially with Lord Lin residing there.
The clash at the Temple of Destiny that evening, particularly the odd occurrences surrounding it, had likely spread like wildfire through the streets of the imperial capital, and everyone knew about it.
If the Emperor didn’t send anyone to monitor the situation, that would have been odd.
In this tense atmosphere, the father and daughter played it chill, casually pretending not to notice anything as they exited the study, engaging in quiet chatter.
Afterward, they each returned to their bedrooms.
At the same time, the brightly lit Grand Hall of the imperial palace buzzed with activity.
Cleric Soros knelt respectfully before a woman dressed in a short purple skirt, exposing her pale, creamy thighs.
If Lin Nan, Trissa, and others had been present, they would have been utterly baffled as to why Lady Rong Ji, who had been slain by Lin Nan in the modern small world, appeared perfectly unharmed in the imperial capital as if nothing had ever happened.
“Saintess! This is the complete account of the events,” Soros reported dutifully.
Lady Rong Ji pulled out a very contemporary makeup mirror from who-knows-where, and then in her right palm, appeared a tube of lipstick, as she multitasked applying her makeup while listening to Soros.
No prizes for guessing—she brought this beauty gear from the modern small world.
“Alright, you can go now!”
“Yes, Saintess.”
Soros then bowed deeply to the Emperor, who had remained silent on his dragon throne, “Your Holiness, I take my leave.”
“Hmm,” Bell nodded, his expression as cold as ever.
After a long pause, Lady Rong Ji continued to preen in her makeup mirror, seemingly quite pleased with her new look.
“Rong Ji, what do you think? Who the heck is that woman?” Bell asked casually.
Rong Ji chuckled, “Who is she? Wasn’t Fu Yetian sent by you? You should ask him—he definitely knows more than I do.”
A flash of anger crossed Bell’s face.
“Now is not the time for sulkiness. You’re not only the right-hand protector of the organization, but also the Saintess of the Church of Light. We rise and fall together, and I shouldn’t need to dumb this down for you.”
Rong Ji shrugged, “I’ve got no emotions about it. That deadbeat Fu Yetian is locked away in another dimension. I’m just lucky to escape with my life.
Oh, and I should thank you, Your Majesty. If you hadn’t taken the fall, I might have been the unfortunate one left behind.”
