“Chapter 83: Eternal Faith”

"Chapter 83: Eternal Faith"

"The golden throne never fades."

"The light of Ulamel Mountain cast upon the throne, inspiring infinite reverence and desire for power in all who beheld it."

"Like the noble architecture of the Golden Night City, the throne’s back was sharply and high-rising, yet sloped like a mountain range, with a large black gem atop each peak."

"Yun Huai looked on with complex emotions, as if just yesterday he was striving for LuGe coins on K420, and today he stood at the pinnacle of the empire's legend."

"Fortunately, he was someone who never lost his sense of self, regardless of the situation."

"The accompanying guards, observing the new king's silence, also remained quiet, yet one cautiously asked, ‘Do you not like it?’"

"Iliad had already flown around inside; Yun Huai shook his head, 'No.'"

"It wasn’t about liking or disliking. A surge did cross his heart, but ultimately he was a person with minimal desires."

"Yun Huai pondered whether every ruler had once sat upon this golden throne, feeling as if he were traversing time, seeing predecessors seated high, watching over the new king."

"Iliad, far away, bumped its spherical body against the armrest, fitting snugly as if it were designed just for it."

"As Yun Huai approached, the black-masked warriors followed. The throne was always solitary and cold, but perhaps because Yun Huai appeared so young, the caretakers had placed a toy favored by the young of Golden Night City and even fresh dew-kissed flowers."

"For the people of the Third System, this might have been their idea of a warm setup."

"Iliad was thrilled: 'The view here is excellent!'"

"Yun Huai looked back, indeed, from here one could see the huge stone doors and even further, the black structures. The layout of the Golden Night City had the regimented style of an army, instantly conveying absolute obedience."

"Yun Huai stroked Iliad's head, and the cat ball nuzzled him back several times. Behind him, an eerie silence prevailed. Looking down from his high seat, he saw the black warriors who had followed him, standing motionless, their gaze fixed on him."

"These fierce warriors were lost in their thoughts again."

"He didn’t know what they were thinking, their pupils slightly quivering."

"‘The union of the king with the golden throne is the most beautiful hope for the people of the Third System,’ Iliad said knowingly, 'because only the empire's strongest can sit on the golden throne. Apart from the royal family, the Ita can't imagine anyone else worthy of ascending it.'"

"Iliad whispered, '...But do you know why the people here are so fond of war?'"

"Yun Huai glanced sideways as Iliad chuckled, 'It's because the black Ita have a deep admiration for strength. They distribute resources and status based on wartime merits. Those living in Golden Night City, though nobles, are also the strongest purebloods of the Third System. They believe combat can resolve any crisis and attain better living conditions. A stronger king is not just a supreme faith but their ultimate idol to pursue.'"

"In the eyes of the Third System, the king represents invincibility."

"The phrase 'undefeated in battle' was a significant allure and beacon for every black Ita."

"Yun Huai touched the throne's armrest, smelling the scent of grass and flowers."

"A short sword lay on the seat as a toy. He picked it up and then sat down on the golden throne."

"Iliad meowed softly, its mechanical ball bouncing on the armrest."

"The throne, vacant for four hundred years, now had a new master. Light spilled over Yun Huai's black robe, making the secretly interwoven gold threads shimmer brightly. The young king drew the short sword, its black blade reflecting his serene and contemplative expression."

"It seemed that news of his awakening spread quickly. As Yun Huai was contemplating where to find Lailar, a black figure entered from the backlit doorway."

"Before the royal's arrival, the Great Nobles of the Third System were the epitome of military strength, but Yun Huai's birth refreshed the Third System's combat rankings. Following their admiration for the strong, anyone below the throne was a warrior race under Yun Huai's control."

"Lailar seemed no less idle than Siena, busy handling many urgent affairs of the Third System while waiting for Yun Huai to wake up."

"For the first time, Yun Huai viewed the Ita from this perspective, realizing that even the smallest king, seated upon the throne, could look down upon all."

"Finally breaking his silence, Lailar looked up and after a few breaths said, 'We will remember this moment; you and it are very well matched.'"

"Holding the short sword, Yun Huai finally felt the essence of being at the pinnacle of power in the Third System's territory."

"He spoke slowly, 'This must be our first formal conversation. I thought faith had been lost here.'"

"Lailar abruptly tightened his grip on the mechanical gloves."

"Yun Huai looked down at the Grand Executor and said directly, 'You might not understand me well enough. I am very cautious. The Third System has strayed too far, so I didn't come with great fanfare. I needed to be sure whether you are still a part of the empire.'"

"Lailar's breath was very silent."

"The black warrior who had been following Yun Huai suddenly said in a low voice, 'Golden Night City will never betray.'"

"Iliad pouted, 'I understand, but it really seems like you've been drifting away from the empire!'"

"Yun Huai pressed down on the cat head, the short sword in his palm clinking against the throne's armrest."

"'You don't seem much less busy than Siena. So, what has Golden Night City been occupied with all this time?'"

"A king of the Ita people is never mediocre. Each one is strong and wise, yet they all have their distinct personalities and preferences."

"Lailar knew that the new king would question the affairs of the Third System. Even the monster following the king had warned him to prepare for this conversation."

"But at this moment, Lailar didn't know what to say. His silence and reticence were deeply ingrained, and he just looked in the direction of the golden throne, an angle he had gazed upon countless times in the past."

"But this time, where the light was cast, a new faith of the empire had emerged."

"So Yun Huai waited, and waited some more. As drowsiness began to creep back, Lailar finally spoke."

"But he didn’t answer Yun Huai's question, instead asking, 'Have you come of age?'"

"Iliad exclaimed, 'Ga?'"

"Yun Huai's sleepiness vanished instantly as he looked at Lailar, 'Do I still look underage to you?'"

"Lailar replied, 'Yes.'"

"Yun Huai's expression turned slightly pained, 'Just 'seems' so. I am already of legal drinking age.'"

"Lailar said, 'In Golden Night City, pureblood younglings reach this height by the age of fifteen. If they are adults, they would be a bit taller.'"

"Yun Huai fell into a long silence this time."

"As the light shifted angles, the young king finally spoke, 'I was even smaller before, as I wasn’t born in the Rowan Violet Gardens. Perhaps I didn’t get enough nutrients for growth.'"

"The voices below grew more silent, but within that silence, there seemed to be a rising tide of shock and awe."

"Yun Huai thought for a moment and then propped his head, saying, 'I was born on an insignificant remote planet of a different race, where people made a living selling second-hand scrap. It took Siena two months to find me in the vast universe and pinpoint my location.'"

"To communicate with the people of the Third System, one must actively break the silence of contemplation," Yun Huai said gently, "Had I appeared in the garden from the start, I might have grown taller. I suppose you understand that the living conditions on a remote planet aren't the best."

Lailar's voice was hoarse, "That creature."

Yun Huai instantly understood Lailar's meaning, nodding, "I met Lu Lin'an then. Had I appeared directly in the garden, you would never have encountered him. My meeting with him was a remarkable coincidence. I understand him well; he is not an enemy of the empire."

Lailar bowed his head, Yun Huai couldn’t discern his expression or what he was thinking.

Just as Yun Huai was about to return to the original question, Lailar suddenly looked up, "A royal not born in the garden signifies chaos in the cosmic rules."

Yun Huai was taken aback, and so was Iliad.

This was a completely new concept they had never heard of.

Lailar continued, "There has never been a king born outside the garden. The rules allowed a nascent king to emerge in a chaotic environment, attempting to erase the royal existence."

This was information Yun Huai hadn’t heard even on the main planet, and even Siena was unaware of.

Iliad too appeared shocked, exclaiming, "My goodness, what is the universe up to?"

"The universe is losing control, or more precisely, the Black Radiance System where the Ita Empire exists has expanded to a critical point. If it survives the burst of this critical point, the Ita will witness a broader cosmic expanse. But before this vast world arrives, the critical point has spawned an Eye of the Storm powerful enough to annihilate all species."

"It's like a cosmic reshuffling."

"During the time the Third System lost its royal family, it drifted and accidentally discovered the Eye of the Storm. Its coordinates constantly shifted, and the Third System moved with it. In the past decades, without Golden Night City, the Ita of the First and Second Systems would likely have already been affected by the turmoil of the Eye of the Storm."

"Lailar never anticipated that even the birth of the new king would be disrupted by this chaos. Had Siena not found the king's coordinates, it would have been the most horrifying crisis in the empire's history."

"Lailar's breath quickened slightly; at this moment, the fervor to destroy the Eye of the Storm reached an unprecedented peak."

"The Third System was too close to the Eye of the Storm, and the new king's power was in the initial stage of transformation. If the storm hindered a successful transition—"

"Lailar watched Yun Huai fiddling with the juvenile sword, the thought crossing his mind again."

"Too young."

"The Eye of the Storm had grown, but the empire's king had just been born. Everything seemed so desperate, yet regardless of the time, guarding the royal family was the Ita's mission."

"Lailar addressed the young king, 'Golden Night City will never betray. Its wandering is in pursuit of destroying the calamity that caused your chaotic birth.'"

"Yun Huai hummed in confusion."

"Behind his mask, Lailar's expression was calm and silent. Amid the glances of the surrounding pureblood warriors, he said, 'The Third System will fight the calamity for you. Before that, you need to return to the safe garden to pass through the turbulent initial transformation period.'"

"Iliad, in disbelief, exclaimed, 'The king has just arrived, and now you want to send him away?'"

"Lailar emphasized again, 'The transformation period.'"

"This period was crucial, determining whether their sole new king in four hundred years could successfully transform into a perfect mature form. Lailar, extremely rational and harsh on himself, wished more than anyone for the king to remain forever on the golden throne."

"But now was not the time."

"'I will send the coordinates of Golden Night City to Siena. He will come to take you back as quickly as possible.' Lailar bowed slightly, his gold-threaded hair slipping over his shoulders for a moment, 'I hope your growth goes smoothly.'"

"Iliad looked at Lailar in shock, then turned to the king's face, but the morning light had fallen, leaving the king's features hidden in an inscrutable shadow."

"Suddenly, Yun Huai asked, 'Moseri, the one leading a group of black apostles, do you know him?'"

"Lailar froze."

"A black warrior nearby blinked suddenly, then turned to look in the direction of the executor."

"The king was asking them. He wasn’t expressing dissatisfaction about being sent away but posed a question they never expected."

"Lailar nodded, 'I know of him.'"

"Iliad exclaimed, 'You actually know him?'"

"Lailar replied, 'The deputy commander stationed in Golden Night City messaged me. This person has visited the Third System.'"

"Yun Huai hadn't expected Moseri to have visited the Third System, though he had been to the borders of the Second System. It didn’t take him long to understand Moseri's intentions."

"'He came to coax Golden Night City into reigniting the war between the alien races and the empire, but he wasn’t successful, right?'"

"Lailar confirmed, 'Yes, he knew about the chaos in the cosmic rules, but Golden Night City does not converse with cowards or madmen.'"

"Yun Huai began to comprehend the motivation behind Moseri's insane instigations. Desperation often births extremists, a lesson he had learned in the apocalypse."

"Yun Huai, as if he had heard enough and was counter-questioning, said, 'The insect tide on Dayuga Planet isn’t the first I've seen. I encountered it once before while visiting the alien races' birthplace, but the insect tide there wasn't as fierce as Dayuga's. Is it because it’s closer to the chaos you mentioned, affecting the tide to mutate further?'"

"Lailar remained silent."

"Silence was an admission."

"Yun Huai nodded, 'So the chaotic calamity has extended this far. It’s not easily eradicated. Does Golden Night City have a method to completely defeat it?'"

"'Victory will reveal itself as we keep moving forward. We will never sit idle and wait for doom,' Lailar said, 'The Dark Night Legion will absolutely defend the king’s safety.'"

"Yun Huai touched the gem on the short sword and looked at Lailar, speaking after a pause, 'Aside from the calamity, you remind me of some people.'"

"Lailar's brows furrowed behind his mask."

"'Heroes who keep moving against the tide in times of chaos, but those heroes knew they had no other hope, so they sought a glimmer of life amidst the crisis,' Yun Huai thought of some high-level ability users from a distant apocalypse, 'But I don’t think you are completely isolated like them. So why do you always choose to fight alone?'"

"Sounds of armor trembling echoed beneath the throne."

"Yun Huai said, 'I thought my birth was a sign of hope. Hope should be placed where everyone can see it, not kept in a sheltered, protected circle.'"

"The young king pondered and then asked the executor, 'So in your mind, what does the royal family represent?'"

"Lailar replied, '...The king is faith.'"

"Yun Huai nodded, 'Faith is so important to the people of the empire. No matter how different the three systems are, they can come together because of faith. Even if you governed separately for the past four hundred years, the birth of the royal family can completely unite the empire.'"

"Iliad spoke seriously for once, 'Perhaps the unified empire is so distant a memory, you’ve forgotten how invincible the battle flag raised for the king was.'"

"Lailar's fingertips trembled slightly, still attempting to dissuade, 'The calamity of the Eye of the Storm is different from others.'"

"Yun Huai’s eyelashes lowered, 'But despite its interference, I was still successfully born. From the moment I appeared in the Black Radiance System, the chaotic calamity that influenced me had already lost to me once.'"

"'If even my emergence couldn’t be stopped, do you think it can still harm my existence now?' Yun Huai closed the short sword and walked down from the throne, 'I may look young, but I am not truly fragile or weak. Rather than being protected, I dislike seeing the lives of those who believe in me lost.'"

"Iliad nodded vigorously, 'Yes! Yes!'"

"Yun Huai approached Lailar and handed back the juvenile sword to the Grand Noble Executor of the Third System, 'You should know about the two swords Lu Lin'an has.'"

"Lailar silently observed the young king."

"He knew."

"He was well aware of how exceptional those two swords were."

"Yun Huai said, 'A long time ago, in Nagashu's deep blue dreamscape, I was already playing with that.'"

"Lailar was abruptly stunned."

"In Yun Huai's purple eyes, coldness and gentleness intertwined: 'I won’t interfere with Golden Night City’s pursuit of the storm calamity, but I also won’t just observe from the distant garden. If you’re worried about my initial phase, it’s fine. Siena is looking for a suitable king seed interstitial to safely store my old power.'"

"'You can continue to contact Siena, but not to have him take me back to the garden. Instead, convey the king's command: once he finds the interstitial, come to Golden Night City. I’ll be waiting for him here.'"

"Lailar began, 'You—'"

"Yun Huai laughed softly, 'I really like you all.'"

"A sudden silence fell within Ulamel Palace."

"Yun Huai repeated, 'I really do like you. Your lonely silence reminds me of the old me. On Dayuga Planet, I wasn’t angry at your impudence, but at the young warriors fighting alone against the exponentially mutated insect tide. I hate insects. Although I don’t know how many sacrifices you’ve made before, from the moment I appeared, needless tragedies will no longer occur, as long as your faith remains.'"

"Iliad had long known the king's strength. Although Yun Huai wasn't as tall as King Il, the new king's power was more unfathomable."

"'The power of faith will be with you, and blessings will make you fearless of harm,' Iliad twirled gracefully, 'Lailar, you shouldn't be here persuading the king to return to the garden. Instead, prepare a hearty, nutritious breakfast for him.'"

-

"Perhaps in the nearly two-meter-tall Lailar's heart, he truly felt Yun Huai was small and needed protection, so much so that the people of Golden Night City, both loving him and with strong mental fortitude, suppressed their affection, wanting to send him back to the distant Rowan Violet Gardens."

"Yun Huai looked out of the bedroom window, Iliad nestled in the corner."

"'If I had come from a peaceful world, perhaps I would fear the unknown cosmic crisis.' Yun Huai said, and Iliad heard, 'But before appearing here, I had already faced countless Eyes of the Storm.'"

"Lailar needs to gradually get used to the fact that I am not really a juvenile."

"Iliad pouted, 'Your appearance is quite deceptive. If it weren't for the cat ball following you, I might have also advised you to return to the garden, like Lailar.'"

"Yun Huai looked down, 'You have a lot of confidence in me.'"

"Iliad puffed up its chest, 'Of course! Do you need me to replay the video footage of you fighting the insects?'"

"Yun Huai waved his hand dismissively, 'No need for that, I might find myself looking a bit unfamiliar.'"

"The air quieted in the breeze for a moment, then Iliad suddenly said, 'Considering the influence on your birth coordinates, it's no wonder Lailar is so vigilant.'"

"Yun Huai replied, 'But it didn’t succeed in erasing me, and I’m about to have complete power.'"

"Iliad looked up to see the king slightly smiling, 'Sometimes, the decision of victory is made in an instant. Since it couldn’t erase my emergence, it's time for me to erase its existence.'"

"Golden Night City is imperial territory, and he won't let it become a land of lonely battles."

"This is the responsibility of a royal."

"Iliad shook its round belly, 'You...'"

"Yun Huai prompted, 'Hmm?'"

"The mechanical energy ball reminisced about the distant past, four hundred years ago, when King Il also stood here, overlooking the sharp rooftops of Golden Night City."

"Activating its serious electronic eyes, Iliad said, 'You have grown into a very qualified king. The stern and cold style of Golden Night City needs to adapt to your gentle yet powerful nature. They should not have given you a short sword as a toy.'"

"Moreover, compared to the solemn short sword, perhaps the new king prefers things with a breath of life."

"Yun Huai recalled the bundle of dew-scented flowers and grass on the golden throne, wondering more and more how Lailar and the black warriors, with their mechanical brains, could have placed such a thing on the throne."

"Thinking this, Yun Huai suddenly asked, 'Wait, where did Lu Lin'an go?'"

"Iliad also exclaimed, 'Yeah, where did he go?'"

"The king and the sphere exchanged glances, then Yun Huai, feeling something, looked out from the highest bedroom window of the palace. Indeed, the next moment, a huge shadow glided over a distant mountaintop."

"Yun Huai's eyes widened slightly as he saw the person he was just talking about flying at high speed onto his balcony."

"Lu Lin'an's black hair was slightly damp, as if he had just emerged from some tall grass."

"Upon landing, he smiled at Yun Huai, 'I sensed you were awake, so I sent some stuff back to you first. Did you see it?'"

"Yun Huai asked, 'What?'"

"The black creature stopped at the king’s window, pulling out a large bunch of beautiful flowers and grass from an ever-fresh space."

"Iliad exclaimed, '??!!'"

"This!"

"Yun Huai looked at the thing, much larger than the one on the throne and emitting a dewy fragrance. Lu Lin'an, previously cold and morose when Yun Huai was asleep, seemed to come alive seeing him awake."

"'Lailar with his fight-focused mechanical brain wouldn’t know what you like. Talking to him is not easy,' Yun Huai said, engulfed in the scent of dew, barely able to see Lu Lin'an's face through the foliage, 'I don’t know how you felt just now, but I hope seeing me makes you feel good.'"

"[Well done.]"

"'You look good in black,' Lu Lin'an raised his similarly colored wings and then leaned in close to the young Ita king, separated by the flowers, 'It feels like you are closer to me this way.'"

"Yun Huai blinked and then raised his hand."

"Lu Lin'an instinctively leaned in closer, bowing his head in compliance."

"Iliad watched as the king plucked a leaf from the creature's black hair, then said, 'Next time, just a little will be enough.'"

"Lu Lin'an paused."

"The young Ita king chuckled softly, 'Just a little is enough to make me feel very good.'"

"Author's note:"

"The whole story only has Lin seriously following the path of love. Lin: No more talk, I need to calculate how many banquet tables we’ll need for the wedding. (Busy) (Dazed) (Dragon soaring wildly)"