Chapter 371: Hero
Arno shed pitch-black tears. The Heart Power of Hatred was spreading, the power of a Grand Knight was expanding, and deep darkness descended.
“Because there is love, hate breeds. Because there is virtue, sin breeds. Where there is Holy Light, there is deep darkness.
“The abyss is everywhere. Someone always has to gaze into the abyss—why can’t it be me!
“Someone always transforms into the abyss—why can’t it be me!”
Arno’s voice pierced Ancestar’s heart like an awl, causing him unbearable pain. His disciple, for whom he was willing to die and who shared his unswerving creed, was drifting further and further away.
Arno continued in a cold tone:
“We need protection, but the power of virtue is insufficient to protect. Since that is the case, why can’t I borrow the power of the abyss to fight against the abyss? My heart remains that of a Knight; my path remains one of protection!”
Tears also flowed from Ancestar’s eyes. He could imagine Arno’s despair at that time. He whispered, “You are wrong. You are wrong. By borrowing the power of the abyss, you risk stepping into the abyss step by step. The warrior who hunts the dragon will eventually become the dragon.”
Compassion Heart Power fluctuated violently. Holy Light descended into Ace’s Mental Imagery World, opposing the deep darkness.
The rune structures related to Simulation in Ace’s Mental Imagery World fluctuated slightly, seeming to record something.
After a long time, Ancestar said to Ace in a heavy tone, “Lord Ace, I’ve changed my mind. I hope you can transform me into an Undead Knight. With Arno in this condition, I cannot rest easy. I must pull him back to the right track.”
Since it concerned a Knight’s inner creed, Ace decided not to interfere in the discussion. He said gently, “Alright. But there is no time to prepare for the transformation ritual right now. You will have to wait for a while.”
With that, Ace sent their consciousness back to their souls. Arno, brows furrowed, slowly woke from the dream. He stared blankly at the ice coffin without speaking.
“Arno, you stay here with them alone for now. If you want to see them in the future, bring this to the West Tower, and the Tower Spirit will send you directly here.”
Ace tossed a silver key to Arno, then turned and left. There was still some time before the afternoon. The Holy Light and deep darkness left by the two Grand Knights, Ancestar and Arno, in his Mental Imagery World were perfect for him to study.
“I’ll see if I can simulate them first. If not, I’ll ask them for some more later.”
Thinking this, Ace returned to the meditation room and immersed his mind in the Mental Imagery World.
The Holy Light and deep darkness opposed yet depended on each other. The Eye of Truth (Pseudo) of Ace’s True Spirit flickered, trying to understand this unique existence.
“Leading other creeds with one creed? If the Eight Virtues and Seven Sins are fused respectively, will they simulate even more powerful Holy Light and deep darkness?”
Ace observed and pondered. He sealed the samples left by Ancestar and Arno deep within the dream world, then opened his eyes.
The noon sunlight spilled through the glass window, warming Ace. He used a Command Spell to clean his attire, looking radiant.
“It’s time.”
The square in front of the High Tower outside the city was already crowded with Wizard Apprentices. The four Formal Wizards sat in the front row, waiting quietly.
A high platform had been erected in the center of the square, and everyone was waiting for Ace’s arrival.
A white light flashed. Accompanied by the rhythm of magic power and a slight tear in space, Ace stepped out of a Portal and walked onto the high platform.
Seeing his appearance, the bustling Wizard Apprentices first went quiet, then erupted in enthusiastic applause. Many Wizard Apprentices used the “Amplification Spell” to cheer loudly, causing a moment of chaos.
Normally, the four Formal Wizards would have reprimanded them for such extremely rude behavior. But now, their own minds were agitated. Having thought the High Tower would perish and they would be forced into exile, experiencing such extreme ups and downs of great sorrow and joy, they all needed an emotional outlet.
Ace wore a black magic robe with a gold 4-Ring Hexagram Badge on his chest. He took off his magic hat, revealing his silvery-white hair.
He bowed to everyone present and said in a solemn and serious tone, “Everyone, please be quiet. Now is not the time to cheer. Our crisis has not yet been resolved.”
People covered their mouths one after another. Having defeated the strong enemies invading from the north and south, why was the crisis not yet resolved?
Looking at the silent crowd, Ace said seriously, “In the north, the five major city-states ruled by Divine Descendant Nobles do not accept the rise of the High Tower. They do not accept the rise of magic and the awakening of mortals. They have united. According to intelligence, at least eight Great Heroes will unite to invade the High Tower.”
Countless gasps of cold air were heard. Hearing that there were eight Great Heroes, the crowd could almost not breathe.
Eddie recalled that new Magic Brigs had been under construction in the port area for the past few days. Was Lord Ace going to lead all the Wizards to flee?
He recalled sixteen years ago when they fled the Northern March Fortress overnight. It was a night in the freezing Larr Mountains. Less than a hundred Wizard Apprentices and a few hundred family members climbed over layers of snowy mountains, conquered the severe cold, and finally reached the land of hope, the High Tower.
“Are we going to wander again? Leaving the High Tower Territory where we have lived for sixteen years, leaving this beautiful Nightlight City?”
For a moment, Eddie was incredibly sad.
Looking at the sorrowful crowd, Ace said loudly, “But we are not weak either. Here I announce to you all that I, the Firelinker Ace, have advanced to a 4-Ring Wizard, equivalent to a Golden Hero. You may call me a Golden Wizard!
“Our Knight Arno has also advanced to Grand Knight. We have enough power to take the initiative and defeat the northern city-states one by one before they can unite!”
The worry in everyone’s hearts subsided significantly. Optimistic Wizard Apprentices even fully regained their confidence. In their perception, a Wizard of the same level would almost completely defeat a Divine Descendant Noble.
Since Ace had advanced to Golden Wizard, his strength should be a notch higher than a Golden Hero. As long as the eight Great Heroes didn’t gather in one place, they could completely be defeated one by one!
“We have defeated the Punisher Organization invading from the north and the Shadow Demons invading from the south. In this battle, our Compassion Knight Ancestar and Advanced Knight Squire Donna sacrificed themselves heroically. Before dying, they still maintained a charging posture.
“Our 2-Ring Wizard Lady Ollie, an upright and courageous Wizard, was also critically injured and near death protecting the High Tower. She is currently lying in an ice coffin, her life uncertain.
“They did it all for the High Tower. They are our true heroes, heroes belonging to the High Tower. I propose we observe a moment of silence for a quarter of an hour to pray for the heroes.”
Ace looked solemn, speaking in a low voice with a face full of sorrow.
The entire square fell silent. Knights placed their fists over their hearts, and Wizards took off their hats and closed their eyes. In this moment, they all felt that the High Tower was a true collective.
Advance chapters at Nightjar Reads · nightjarreads.com