The Array Lord's Inheritance (13)

As he gave his answer, the young man from the Array Association began to gain confidence. Although it wasn't perfect, he believed that he had presented the correct answer, so he then began to reveal his scheme. However, at the end of his speech, it was revealed that he got a failing score so he vanished before he had a chance to question it. The young gentleman smirked while Shui shook his head. Although the young man seemed to provide a correct method to the problem that was proposed, he forgot about a crucial part of the prompt; that it had to be something array masters of their level could use. It was a simple mistake, but the rules wouldn't go easy on him for that.

Since the young man was disqualified, Shui only needed to respond to the young gentleman, but it wasn't an issue for him. After presenting a method for simulating growth that relied on an elemental breakdown array which could analyze a substance and reveal the elemental attributes that it was comprised of, Shui continued for the sake of his true purpose. Using his proposed method as a foothold, Shui began discussing growth under the theory of the five elements, a familiar topic for him and Emily. Emily could tell that he was doing this to test her, so she turned to face him with a determined smile.

After Shui got a high score with his point, Emily responded fluidly. The two seemed to think that there was no one else here, but the truth wasn't very far off since Shui had the highest average score so only Emily had a chance of beating him if he wasn't disqualified. The other two tried to come up with a scheme to disqualify him, but it wasn't long before they had to accept their fates.

Once Emily was finished, their average scores were displayed above their heads. The young gentleman and the other array master subsequently vanished, but Shui and Emily both remained because the same number was above their heads. Even for a coincidence it seemed unbelievable, but Emily wouldn't be surprised if Shui planned for this to happen. With the sudden death match commencing, the two looked at each other with blazing fires in their eyes.

Outside of the palace, major-level forces continued to wait at the entrance. Everyone who failed was kicked out of the palace, so the forces were aware of what was happening inside. Although no corpses were ejected, many had accepted the fact that their acquaintances had perished, even if they didn't have a life-surveillance artifact.

The only ones left in the palace were the boy-girl pair who reached the grand library first, so everyone was talking about them.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Hard to say, we don't know much about either of them."

"I'm betting on the man. He really helped me out in the second round."

"Me too. Plus, he seems pretty capable"

"We can't be sure. Based on how they acted, I think those two know each other so one of them might give up the inheritance to the other."

"That doesn't make sense. Are you telling me you would give up this inheritance for someone else?"

"Of course not. Even my father couldn't make me do it. I'm just saying that it might be possible."

While most wondered who would be the final victor, the people from the Array Association had a different focus.

"Are you sure?"

"Considering what I know, I am."

Unknown to the other major-level forces, the Array Association had an idea about the true identity of one of the two left in the palace. It was a hypothesis based on the opinions of every participant from the Array Association, but there was a high chance that it was correct.

"The girl should the Little Puzzle Princess, Emily of the Valet merchant family."

Emily hadn't made any major mistake that led to this discovery, it was only an inference based on her age and talent. Even Shui forgot to take into account how rare a woman as talented as Emily was, so although her disguise wasn't seen through, her identity could be deduced from her abilities.

"What should we do?"

"That's obvious. We must invite her to meet the Association Head. You know how hard he's been searching for her."

"Certainly, by doing that not only would we gain a very talented member, we could also learn about the inheritance."

"Wait, if the girl is Emily, then who's the young man?"

"Hmm, wouldn't it be that 'prince' person?"

"Ah, yes, that one. Should we invite him as well? I think he's quite the outstanding talent as well."

"They do seem to be close. I think it should work."

The more they thought about it, the more eager they became to see the next time someone exited the palace. However, the next thing they witnessed made them frown deeply. The seven tall red pillars that stayed up during the two weeks since the palace appeared, began thinning. Their widths decreased fairly quickly, but to the ones watching them every moment of the process was a significant one.

Once the pillars disappeared, everyone in front of the palace wondered what it meant, but soon they had to move their attention as the palace began to fade. Like a mirage, its visage blurred before dissipating at the gentle call of the sandy breeze.

Everyone stood there with their mouths wide open. Without them realizing, the inheritance test had ended, but the answer they sought wouldn't be revealed until later in the future.

Elsewhere, in a town bordering the desert on the north, there was a wasted scholar sleeping in a tavern. Every once in a while, he would incoherently complain about his seniors and the poor state of his wallet. Naturally, a couple ruffians saw him as an easy mark so they searched him while he was unaware, and confirmed that he only had a few bronze coins and flower seeds. Even those thieves had standards so despite his careless behavior he was still safe.

While the sun was still out and the tavern was having a slow period, a villager entered. This villager was a middle-aged man who could be a father of a few children and didn't look out of place here, but he headed towards the poor scholar once he spotted him. The pairing was a little strange, but no one was nosy enough to bother them.

After sitting down next to the scholar, the villager knocked on the table twice.

"She's accepting the inheritance. I don't know how long it'll take, so if you can't afford to wait you should leave a message here."

"...I'm surprised you lost. Did you go easy on her?"

"No, I wouldn't dare. The most I could have done was delay it and wait for her to slip up."

"Is that so. Are you happy with the result?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then I guess this was for the best."

"What about you? I don't know what treasure you'll be able to get from her, but are you satisfied with how things went?"

"Well, it would have been better if there weren't any rivals, but I accomplished my main objective."

"Your main objective? Now that I think about it, you still haven't told me why you wanted to find the inheritance."

The scholar didn't answer immediately. Instead, he raised his mug and gave it a little swing. He then took a sip and placed it back down.

"The map was a memento, so I wanted to find the inheritance it led to; to prove that it was worth keeping."

"...I see."