chapter 3

13/4/16

12:12

Hmmmmmmm, after a few forced interview attempts from reporters, I finally managed to reach public transportation. It took over an hour of walking from the exhibition area to the nearest bus stop.

How troublesome. I will never return to that area, even if the world is ending. I won't go back because it only drains my emotions.

Fortunately, there seem to be many vendors around selling food and drinks at small roadside kiosks. My lunch this time is milk green tea for the drink and a salmon sandwich topped with mayonnaise.

"You really should change your tastes to be a bit more mature. Try an espresso or a latte. I hear they're very popular among young people like you. Though my own preference is Bestiana coffee, a special brew created by the bestia, half-animal humans. Its flavor is strong enough for my tastes," said my great-grandfather in a serious tone.

"I'm not a fan of coffee; I prefer sweet things. Glucose is one of the most important nutrients my body needs to produce energy to move, aside from vitamin D from sunlight," I replied in an extremely flat tone.

"What are you, a plant?" my great-grandfather asked, in a very serious tone.

"No, it's just the most efficient way for me to gather energy. I use a method that mimics the Astra beasts," I answered flatly.

"By the way, I think you've really succeeded in passing the sacred test. You've made me very proud because you've surpassed both the Light and the Righter at such a young age, proving they were truly weak," said my great-grandfather seriously.

"That's right, which is why I can often act without worrying about being detected by them," I replied in a very flat tone.

Yes, they are indeed incredibly weak. Fortunately, the bus will arrive in 3 minutes, which will be enough to calm my mind.

After taking a sip of this cold milk green tea, my head feels much calmer than before. I turned my gaze to the area around the bus stop, where there was a very green and open park, filled with lush trees.

There were also many people around, going about their activities without paying any attention to me. This feels much more peaceful than I expected. It's better than being at that event earlier, where I might have to exert myself again if I had to deal with the templars and the magic association.

I must avoid meeting them at all costs if I want to improve my cooking skills.

But what is this feeling? Something is making me uncomfortable, giving me chills.

"You've noticed it too. They've found us—two o'clock direction," said my great-grandfather seriously.

I turned my gaze in that direction, and from the gate outside the park, I saw a luxury car parked by the side of the road. Inside were my father and mother, riding in a white luxury car, followed by reporters covering them as they exited the vehicle simultaneously.

"It's not them. I sense something more urgent," I replied flatly.

As I looked around, I noticed a group of about 10 small children, around 9 years old, wearing dirty white shirts. They all had pointed ears and eyes bleeding with blood, moving toward me in unison.

"Pointed ears? Only descendants of the Elysium people have those. Where are your parents?" I asked, with a very curious tone.

"We were forcibly taken from our homes while we were sleeping, to fulfill our sacred destiny as followers of the holy teachings of Unitopia. You're Prince Deharm, right? They said you're a good person and can be trusted. Can you take us back to the Newtopia Kingdom?" asked one of the small children, a green-haired girl, with a sad tone.

I glanced to my right and saw my great-grandfather staring seriously ahead. I then turned my gaze toward the front of the park, where my father and mother looked utterly shocked, staring in disbelief at these small children.

I just gave a small smile to them, making the children look happy.

"Of course I can. By the way, are you all from Newtopia, just like me?" I asked with great curiosity.

"Yes, I am the daughter of the Arhwood family. My name is Meriena Arhwood," replied the green-haired girl, her voice full of fear.

"Arhwood, the family of elves who guard the forest of death in southern Newtopia. That place is incredibly beautiful. Don't worry, I will take you all home safely, I promise," I said in a calm voice.

As I got up from my seat, I raised my right hand, slowly gathering energy until three spinning orbs appeared in front of me—one black, one white, and one gray. A white circle appeared, revealing the throne room from earlier, with the mighty phoenix resting on the throne.

Slowly, the phoenix opened its eyes and directed its gaze toward me, then toward the small children, nodding its head.

"So that's how it is. My followers, I welcome you back to Newtopia. You will be regarded as honored guests in this palace!" said the phoenix in a very serious tone.

I turned to the children, who looked happy, while I followed behind them, feeling a great sense of relief.

I glanced around the throne room, which was filled with knights and servants hanging banners and decorations all around. Nobles I met earlier stood nearby, staring at me in astonishment.

Then I saw a white-clad figure with blonde hair, looking shocked as he quickly approached me.

"Welcome back, Crown Prince Deharm. First of all, please allow me to express my gratitude for helping us restore the vision of the elders. I, from the holy Nelemarch family, will retract all negative statements against you and those of mixed blood, thanks to your presence. However, we kindly ask for your cooperation in allowing us, the twelve holy knights of Newtopia, to return these innocent souls," the figure said seriously.

"These children, oh yes, I came here to ask for your help because they are from Newtopia. Since this is the only place with descendants who possess blue eyes, given by the phoenix, if there are any additional costs, just let me know because I'll cover them with my own savings," I replied flatly.

The figure appeared very serious.

"Such incredible generosity, but could you give us a chance to shine in front of the great phoenix?" the figure asked seriously.

"You must think I'm trying to enhance my reputation in front of the phoenix. No, this isn't politically motivated. Don't you know that out there, a pair of eyes from a Newtopia local fetches 20 kilograms of gold bars?" I replied, in a serious tone.

The figure stared ahead, stepping back.

"Unless you're one of the beneficiaries of this trade, can you help by providing care for them, given that you are part of the white? If you want to get paid and take credit for helping them, go ahead. All I care about is that they get help," I said seriously.

The figure remained silent, stepping back. One of the small children, a golden-haired boy, approached the man.

"Brother, forgive your weak little sibling for shaming our family name by being captured and returning in such a humiliating state," the boy said in a very serious tone.

The man remained silent, looking at me with a serious expression, before unsheathing his sword from his left side and pointing it at me.

"Tell me more about this, Crown Prince Deharm. You said my brother's eyes were taken for sale. To whom?" the man asked seriously.

"To humans. When a human receives an organ transplant from a magical being, they gain access to magic. This method has been around since the last holy war. Even though it's illegal, there's still a huge demand among the upper class—officials and businesspeople—seeking body parts on the black market to extend their lifespan, like the magic races," I answered seriously.

"Your eyes... Now I understand. Your eyes were taken too. That explains why your eyes are different. No wonder you're so insistent on helping them; you feel the same as we do. Please forgive my actions earlier," the man said, very seriously.

He lowered his sword and sheathed it before fixing his gaze on me with a serious expression.

I glanced around and saw the phoenix nodding, its golden eyes glowing as it stared at the children. Slowly, their eyes began to shine brightly, and they all opened their eyes again.

Their bright blue eyes were clearly visible, just like the eyes of the phoenix.

"Phoenix, was this part of your plan?" I asked flatly.

"No, but this is a delightful surprise. You've brought me back to my long-lost followers. My decision to make you my trusted one was never wrong, and I will never regret it, because you understand what they feel and ignore political or worldly differences like appearance. Deharm Milford, you will be a great ruler for this land," replied the phoenix seriously.

"Remember that the rules of Elysium only allow those of the original people's blood to ascend the throne. I am merely an outsider serving as crown prince as a symbolic gesture. If I were to take the throne, it would be akin to colonizing this civilization. I trust them to you; contact me if you need anything," I replied seriously.

"Very well, I understand," the phoenix replied very seriously.

I glanced around, wearing a serious expression, as everyone stared at me with serious faces, exchanging glances with one another.

Then I saw my great-grandfather walking through the portal, sipping from a paper cup of warm coffee, looking around, catching everyone's attention.

"Oh, so this is the Newtopia Kingdom. The place where you grew up as a prince. Even the people here aren't much different from those in the Progeion Empire. No wonder you adapted so quickly to your noble status," said my great-grandfather very seriously.

"You, please don't interfere with your foreign customs because the last time that happened, the Elysium continent fell into the Saurada war," I replied flatly.

"No, I'm not here to correct the culture of this civilization like the Righter. I'm simply here to tell these young souls that they've passed their sacred test and are no longer creations bound to their creators. They are free from the chains of slavery," my great-grandfather replied seriously.

The children exchanged glances with each other, looking shocked.

Meanwhile, the white-clad man clutched his chest, covering his mouth with his right hand, which was wrapped in a white glove.

He looked around fearfully.

"You haven't completed your sacred test yet. If you don't, you could become a monster, young man. I know that beneath that glove, white scales have already started to form, making you no longer look human. Do you mind showing me?" asked my great-grandfather seriously.

"You can tell? But please answer me—this aura of holiness is the same as the Light or the Righter. Even the Savior is within you. Who are you really?" asked the golden-haired man seriously.

My great-grandfather remained silent, staring seriously at him. I approached, wearing a serious expression.

"He is the Grand Creator of White, father of the Light and the Righter. But since they didn't follow the ideals passed down from our ancestors, he refused to acknowledge them as his sons and severed ties with them. Think of it as a complicated family issue," I replied flatly.

"The Grand Creator of White, the most holy figure recorded in legend. He's a living witness to the golden age of the Holy Empire of Unitopia. I don't sense any deceit from him. Your Majesty, what's your relationship with him?" the man asked seriously.

"I am his great-grandchild. My father also has his blood, being his grandchild," I replied flatly.

The white-clad man looked very serious, slowly removing his white glove to reveal his hand, covered in a white layer.

Everyone around appeared utterly shocked.

"It's only that small, but the process has already begun," I said flatly.

"Prince Deharm, forgive me if this disgusts you. The high-ranking officials of the magic association were repulsed when they saw it. If I need to cut off my hand, I will," the man said seriously.

"Disgusted? My test was far more challenging than yours. I think it would be much easier if you saw it. Insurrection: Inversion," I replied very calmly.

Slowly, my body was enveloped in white liquid, forming three pairs of wings on my back and a tail, shocking everyone.

"That form is even more terrifying than I imagined, but it's a dragon form. Do you not feel any pain?" asked the nobleman seriously.

"At first, yes. But the more you succeed in passing your sacred test, the less pain you'll feel. Source: my experience," I replied in a much raspier voice.

"You said 'sacred test,' can this not be avoided?" the nobleman asked seriously.

"No, everyone must undergo this test. Both creations and creators. If you pass the sacred test according to the rules, you can use magic without any issues. But if you fail, the power will escape your body and destroy those around you. This has been the rule since the era of ancestors, who are far older than the Grand Creator of White," I replied seriously.

I turned my gaze toward my great-grandfather, who was looking seriously at me.

"Oh, that's right. These children have successfully passed the test. There should be a closing ritual. Phoenix, can you help me, as the god they worship, to congratulate them?" I asked flatly.

"How ironic. You said you didn't want to import foreign culture, yet you've just created a foreign ritual I've never heard of," the phoenix replied seriously.

"It is foreign culture, but this is the only ritual I know of to congratulate them, which I've seen in the world of the creators. Even I underwent this ritual, passed down from the first Progeion, attended by Saurex himself," I replied flatly.

"Saurex, the supreme god they worship, came to congratulate his followers who successfully passed the test. As the great phoenix, I'm not much different from him, so I will officially adopt this ritual. For tonight, these children will be more than nobles; they will be the stars of the show," the phoenix replied loudly.

The children exchanged glances, and one of them approached me, holding a piece of cloth soaked in dried blood.

"Crown Prince Deharm, I've brought shame to this kingdom because I couldn't protect myself. But the person who saved us said that the item I retrieved from my battle might help us get justice," the child said, trembling.

"Really? If you don't mind, could you show me this important item?" I asked gently.

The child slowly opened the cloth, revealing a golden badge with a sword emblem planted in the ground.

"I see. I already know the culprit. They must be the holy division of Earth's peacekeepers, the Templars," I said flatly.