Chapter 81: The Buried Legacy

Boom!

An explosion rocked the surroundings, tearing apart trees and flowers while sending debris soaring into the air. The once serene landscape had transformed into a chaotic display of destruction and raw power.

As Anna emerged from Alcatraz Tower, she was confronted with this scene of devastation. William and Jack were conspicuously absent, but she found Sarah injured on the ground, tending to her wounds.

"Sarah, are you alright?" Anna hurried over to assist Sarah, concern evident in her voice and expression.

"I'm fine. But more importantly, how did you and William manage to break Jack's hold on Alcatraz Tower?" Sarah inquired, her curiosity piqued. Only Anna and William were privy to the intricate details of their confrontation within the tower.

Before Anna could respond, the resonant voice of the realm spirit interjected into their minds, interrupting their conversation. "Apologies for interrupting, but we face a more urgent matter. The girl who has inherited Her Majesty's legacy, I require your assistance. Come inside swiftly, and I will explain further."

Sarah was taken aback by the disembodied voice, but Anna reassured her of its trustworthiness. Placing faith in Anna's judgment, Sarah made up her mind to follow the realm spirit's guidance.

Inside the tower, Sarah and Anna found themselves within the confines of the white pagoda. Assisting the realm spirit, they worked together to maintain a complex magic circle while the realm spirit unraveled the situation for them. It referred to Jack's transformation as the "Demonic Dragon Transformation."

Sarah questioned the realm spirit, expressing surprise at this revelation. She reminded the realm spirit that, as the inheritor of Queen Elizabeth's memories and knowledge, she had no recollection of such a transformation.

"Indeed, you wouldn't have known, as even Her Majesty Elizabeth herself remained unaware," the realm spirit responded.

"The Demonic Dragon Transformation... The mere mention of it evokes a sense of nostalgia within me," the realm spirit continued, its voice tinged with melancholy.

The realm spirit began recounting the history of this transformation. During Emperor Alexander's reign, his profound love for Queen Elizabeth was well-known. Her untimely demise left him grief-stricken, and it took considerable time for him to regain composure.

Among Emperor Alexander's children, the Second Imperial Prince harbored the deepest affection for Queen Elizabeth. His love exceeded that of his siblings to the extent that he could not accept her death. Consumed by grief, he committed an unforgivable act—a taboo—resorting to mass killings in a misguided attempt to resurrect Queen Elizabeth.

Driven by obsession, the Second Imperial Prince transformed into a wanted criminal, wreaking havoc and destruction across the land. He delved into the depths of his own unique path, known as the Demonic Dragon Transformation. This path twisted his original constitution, earning him the infamous moniker of the "Demonic King." Countless lives were lost as a result. It was only through the combined efforts of Emperor Alexander and the Crown Prince that he was eventually subdued.

Even after the calamity caused by the Second Imperial Prince, the memory lingered in the collective consciousness of the empire's people. Rumors persisted that his legacy remained, awaiting a worthy inheritor. At the time of his final battle, the Second Prince's abilities were believed to be incomplete. If his inheritance were to be discovered and further developed, the potential for unimaginable power loomed. Emperor Alexander issued a decree to bury the incident, threatening severe consequences for anyone found practicing the Second Prince's legacy.

Centuries had passed since then, leading the realm spirit to believe that the Second Prince's legacy had vanished. Yet recent events proved otherwise. The creation of the tower had been a clear indication, suggesting that the inheritance was hidden nearby—perhaps even concealed within the very proximity of the white pagoda. The realm spirit suspected the Second Prince's cunning had prevented its detection until now.

"I must admit, His Highness orchestrated a flawless plan. Concealing his inheritance near his beloved mother's cherished place not only rendered it an elusive target but also provided the necessary resources for those willing to accept it," the realm spirit mused, sharing its insight.

"And by resources, you mean...?" The truth slowly dawned upon Anna and Sarah as they pieced together the story.

"Yes, the dark energy that lingers, nurtured by the Necromancer, Alcantraz," the realm spirit, Aetherius, confirmed.

The existence of a single inheritance within this place was dire enough, but the convergence of both inheritances held an ominous aura. If left unchecked, the impending disaster that could be unleashed was beyond prediction.

Now, with the unfolding events, the realm spirit could only hope that William would hold on for as long as possible. Failure to do so might inadvertently unleash catastrophe upon the world from within the confines of the tower.