Chapter 163: Sister, I seem to be a little obsessed with him (4k)
In the present world, Tower of Secrets.
In the waters of the Night World live broadcast, the light of destruction burned everything to ashes.
Even the originally empty and dark hall was illuminated by that flowing brilliance.
The open space beside the Era Tombstone became silent, even the usually raucous Mr. Silver subdued his noise.
Together with the mercury embodiment carrying Ophelia’s will, he stared blankly at the live broadcast water screen, transfixed by the apocalyptic aurora released by the “Zenith Sword.”
“Did you see it, Second Princess… this is his brilliance.”
The blazing light reflected in Little Ferret’s ruby-like beast eyes.
In that moment, Mr. Silver lacked the playful and frivolous demeanor he exhibited when he usually acted cute. In his eyes flickered a solemnity akin to gazing at something tragic.
“So even after witnessing that radiance, you still do not acknowledge him?”
Hearing Mr. Silver’s words, Ophelia’s mercury embodiment hesitated for a moment.
Her gaze, fixed on the live broadcast screen, remained vacant for a long time, before she hung her head as if avoiding something.
Lines of computation and analytical runes emerged in the void beside her, slowly rotating, analyzing the myriad experimental data and information transmitted back by the “Zenith Sword Prototype” terminal.
“This is indeed a remarkably successful experiment.”
“The first usage of ‘Forbidden Directory 0-13: Zenith Sword Prototype’ has unleashed an unimaginable might… although the target was merely a bountiful half-body constructed around a divine relic, this incarnation is genuinely a legendary tier.”
“It has been confirmed that the life aura and magical fluctuations of that bountiful half-body have completely vanished.”
“The first practical release of the ‘Zenith Sword’ successfully killed a legendary tier enemy, marking a milestone in the development of forbidden armaments in the entire mechanics field.”
Moments later, the analytical runes in Ophelia’s eyes stopped rotating.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered slightly as she spoke softly, “Of course, this is not entirely due to my accolades as a mechanic and inventor.”
“‘Infinite Sword: True Name Liberation,’ this is my elder sister’s exclusive Night Blade ability, yet unexpectedly, Rast is also able to use it.”
“And by utilizing the ‘Zenith Sword’ with the properties of Emblem Armor as the core for release, its amplification effect is not inferior to when my elder sister uses it… If it wasn’t for the blessing of the True Name Liberation, that legendary tier incarnation would probably not have been so easily obliterated by the Zenith Sword.”
“Clearly, Rast registered his Night Blade on the Obelisk as ‘Copy Eye’… But now it seems that this Night Blade, which can perfectly replicate even my sister’s True Name Liberation, has a source that is not simply ‘Copy Eye.'”
Ophelia’s lively voice paused for a moment: “In any case, the first practical test of the Zenith Sword Prototype was indeed a perfect conclusion, and I am very satisfied with it…”
However, in the next moment.
The Second Princess’s light-hearted words, seemingly evading something quickly, were mercilessly interrupted by Mr. Silver.
“You know very well… that’s not what I’m asking.”
“The brilliance I speak of is not the ‘Zenith Sword’ or the True Name Liberation, or something irrelevant like that guy’s ‘Copy Eye,’ which is meant to deceive this ferret—”
“But rather, the radiance that comes from the depths of that guy’s heart.”
Mr. Silver continued to gaze intently at the live broadcast screen, now engulfed by the flowing brilliance, no longer revealing any tangible images.
“You heard it too, Little Princess.”
“On the Tower of Babel—his conversation with that Gravekeeper old man named Noah, and later the clash with the remnants of the God of d*ath that escaped from Young Xiya.”
His words drifted in the wind swirling around the Era Tombstone: “The cyclic three hundred years, the same day that can never progress, and a life that persists mechanically…”
“His shattered and desolate mental world is so heartbreaking, I can’t bear to look anymore…”
“But precisely because of this, the weight Rast carries becomes that dazzling.”
“Neither time nor fate can obscure that brilliance.”
Mr. Silver curled his fluffy tail around a small fish stick and gently stuffed it into his mouth.
Back then, outside the historical ruins of Deep Blue Harbor, in a makeshift shelter.
At that time, having received the request from Hiltina, with a casual mindset to just play along, Mr. Silver came to assist with Rast’s psychological evaluation and risk assessment… and it was because of a chance encounter that he glimpsed a corner of this human boy named Rast’s mental world.
Thus followed all the stories that transpired between one human and one ferret.
Had it not been for that time, Mr. Silver’s unintentional gaze at the heavenly light being so dazzling, vivid, and incomprehensible.
As Mr. Silver, how could he willingly accompany an ordinary rookie, letting him tease and playfully torment him as if he were a real pet?
“What he bears upon his thin shoulders… is the curse passed down from the Age of Gods to the present, countless generations crossing through multiple eras, the weight of an entire era of civilization.”
“This way of existence is bound to be mistaken, abandoning the frailty of humanity and never understanding the care and cherishment one should have for oneself…”
“Turning spirit into gears, treating life as machinery, using the ideal of the ‘Guardian’ as the steam core driving the machinery forward—falling into this endless curse called ‘ideal’ results in one day, that overly ambitious and unrealistic ideal will burn him to ashes.”
“Steel will weather with time, gears will cease to function due to rust, and the burning steam core will one day extinguish, turning into the remnants still clinging to dreams.”
“However, before that blazing firewood is completely burned away… no one can deny that brilliance illuminating the darkness.”
Mr. Silver yawned, shook his fluffy white tail, and turned his gaze toward Ophelia.
“Actually, deep down, you are also clearly aware of this, aren’t you?”
“As the apparent sole heir of that old man Aaron, since your birth, you have been carrying the expectations of your parents, the family behind you, the royal family, and the countless people of the empire.”
Little Ferret rolled lazily on the picnic cloth: “To respond to people’s expectations, you donned the mask called ‘Second Princess,’ learning to become flawless and embodying the image the masses yearn for…”
“Living like a ‘mirror,’ this mirror is so clear and lucid, reflecting others’ hearts perfectly on its surface.”
“Growing up under the myriad gazes of malice and goodwill, you fully understand the ugliness of humanity; it is precisely because you master humanity so completely that you could become the feared presence among the elite of the imperial capital at such a young age.”
“But also because you have lived in the dark forest devoid of light since childhood, knowing the ugliness of humanity, fully understanding the depths of the dark underworld… this is why you long for the pure brilliance within that humanity.”
Mr. Silver blinked: “Your obsession with your elder sister and Young Tina is likely for this very reason.”
“The unwavering ideal in her heart, not shaken by any external force, is exactly what you lack and yearn for the most.”
“And now, you should see it too… the radiance of that boy’s soul, the flame of ideal, is equally brilliant, not inferior to Young Tina’s.”
His gentle voice drifted through the empty Tower of Secrets: “If I recall correctly, the reason you fiddled with this live broadcast device… is to assess whether that guy qualifies to be your brother-in-law, right?”
“Then, what about now?”
“Now, has Rast passed your test and qualified to be your brother-in-law?”
…
With Mr. Silver’s words concluding.
The spacious Tower of Secrets also fell into a brief silence.
After a long while, Ophelia’s clear and pleasant voice slowly rang out.
“You really can’t hide anything from you, Little Ferret.”
“So, it turns out you usually play the fool and act cute out of malice, right… What you just said didn’t sound like something a lazy ferret waiting for food would say at all.”
The analytical and computational runes beside Ophelia’s mercury embodiment quietly dissipated.
“As for your question… is there even a need to mention it? He certainly passed, no doubt about it.”
“Moreover—”
Ophelia sighed lightly: “What difference does it make whether he passed or not in my heart?”
“If my sister were to change her choice or replace the person she recognizes due to others’ opinions, then she wouldn’t be my sister anymore.”
The girl’s soft whisper resonated like the ringing of wind chimes, echoing through the entire Tower of Secrets.
“Well then, the test data for the ‘Zenith Sword’ has been recorded… it seems that matters on the Night World side have also come to a close.”
“The subsequent finishing work is entrusted to you, Dean Ferret.”
As soon as her words fell, the liquid mercury forming the girl’s shape quietly disintegrated… transforming into countless silvery metallic particles that scattered away.
This sudden motion was as if… she was forcibly concealing something.
…
Hundreds of kilometers away from the Tower of Secrets, in a quiet yet heavily guarded courtyard.
A girl with chestnut-colored shoulder-length hair, dressed in a dress, and with a face looking delicately like a doll, opened her eyes as if awakening from a dream.
She stared at the scrolls of royal affairs laid out on the long table and the soft glow emanating from the magic tubes, and after some time, the wine-red hues in her eyes finally sparkled with life.
“Princess Ophelia… Your consciousness has finally returned from the mercury embodiment.”
“Here is some information that feedback from below when you split your spirit to go to the Tower of Secrets.”
Behind her, a woman in heavy armor, wielding a sword and shield, respectfully spoke as she handed over a document.
But immediately after—
The armored Kate suddenly froze.
In the dim magical light, she clearly saw that on the fair face of the monarch she served—Second Princess Ophelia—there now appeared an unnatural flush, as if she were drunk.
It was as conspicuous as the clouds of a fiery sunset.
“Your Highness, you…”
Kate’s right hand, clutching the document, stopped awkwardly in mid-air.
As Ophelia’s strongest subordinate, and her most loyal sword and shield… Kate had followed Ophelia for quite some time.
And in her memory, Ophelia always maintained the image of the “perfect princess”—whether facing the royal elders or the powerful nobles and officials, she could always keep her composure and grace like a little swan.
This was the first time Kate had seen Ophelia behave in such an uncharacteristic manner… merely because she used the mercury embodiment to visit the Tower of Secrets.
As this thought arose.
In the next moment, Kate heard a few ripples mixed into that usually melodious voice like a midnight wind chime.
“Not just simply passing my test…”
Ophelia twirled her fine hair with her slender fingers, and her gaze fell, her porcelain-like delicate white face now flushed with an unnatural redness.
For the first time since she pledged loyalty—
Kate felt that the person before her was no longer the perfect princess who could remain unfazed, composed, and elegant even in front of nobles.
But rather, a lovesick girl whispering tenderly.
“Sister…”
“I seem to have become a bit obsessed with him.”
…
Tower of Secrets, Era Hall.
Mr. Silver lay on a picnic cloth filled with various snacks and happy drinks, watching the gradually fading, ultimately disappearing silvery liquid mercury particles, somewhat reluctantly flicking his tail.
“Ah, what a reticent little one.”
“But after all, she’s only thirteen or fourteen years old, so I shouldn’t be too hard on her…”
“This green girl’s immature feelings, shy and tender—this does provide me with quite a bit of help.”
Muttering, Mr. Silver lazily lay down again on the picnic mat, redirecting his gaze to the luminous screen in the center of the hall.
The release of the Zenith Sword had been completed, and Akshia had successfully broken away.
Now, they just needed to wait for Rast to voluntarily complete his withdrawal, and this action in the Night World could be declared a great success.
But—
Just as Mr. Silver yawned, preparing to tidy up the mess on his picnic cloth.
In the next moment, Mr. Silver’s gaze toward the screen suddenly took on a subtle expression.
“There are actually more experts?”
“Tsk tsk—”
“Younger Tina, Young Xiya, and a certain reticent Second Princess classmate…”
“It seems your competitors are not limited to just one another.”
(End of Chapter)
