Chapter 124: Secret Lore
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Chapter 124: Hidden Secrets
“Hey, you’re awake!” Ye Tian said with a cheerful grin to the assassin before him.
“Who are you? Let me go at once!” The assassin strained his ears. Damn the bastard—he had even blindfolded him!
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself first. I am Emora, subordinate to His Highness Prince Gistark. How delightful to meet you. Heh heh, you certainly have some nerve, daring to assassinate Her Majesty the Queen. Are you tired of living?”
At that moment, an unfamiliar voice rang out grimly.
“Hmph. Do you think you can trick me into talking?” The assassin snorted coldly, then said disdainfully, “Don’t underestimate me. I know how to keep my mouth shut!”
“Don’t worry. I have nothing to ask you. I merely want you to take part in an experiment.”
The voice continued. The assassin then heard a foolish chuckle.
“Is that all? Oh, right—what’s your name?”
“Hmph. That’s a secret!”
Though the assassin was filled with unease, he still gritted his teeth and held firm. Whoever this was, he feared that the moment he revealed his identity, they would silence him forever.
“Very well. I’ll call you Test Subject Number One. And now, let us invite the greatest apothecary to conduct his greatest experiment. I hope you can withstand the trial. Thank you!”
With that, a pair of powerful hands pried open his mouth and forced a pill inside.
“Gulp!”
The assassin swallowed helplessly. Perhaps death would be a kind of release, he thought, and then waited quietly for it to arrive.
“What a pitiful fellow!”
The voice sighed, and silence descended all around them.
“Gray, is this really necessary?” Ralph asked doubtfully, watching Ye Tian put on an elaborate act before feeding the assassin one of the opium pills he had made.
“It’s nothing. I’m only helping you test the antidote,” Ye Tian said with a grin. “Afterward, you’ll understand just how dangerous this stuff is.”
“How long before it takes effect?”
Although Ralph had analyzed the poppy paste Ye Tian had prepared, he knew only its ingredients. As for its actual effects, he was honestly still completely bewildered. Based on the composition of the paste, he had produced several antidotes, but whether they would work or not had left Ralph uncertain for the first time in his life.
“The dosage is small, so it should take about a day. If you want it to act faster, you can feed him two more pills.”
Ye Tian smiled broadly.
“I’ll leave this fellow in your care. I’m heading out!”
“Wait! You’re not taking that with you?”
Ralph pointed toward the imposing greatbow nearby.
“If I’m not mistaken, that is the Heavenly Wolf Bow, a divine weapon forged by the dwarves. I never imagined it would fall into the hands of the Assassins’ Guild.”
“Is it worth anything? Do you want it?”
Ye Tian asked casually.
Ralph was rendered speechless. Covering his forehead, he said, “Only an ignorant fool like you would say something like that. Do you know that if this were put up for auction, it would fetch at least ten million gold coins—and that would be the starting price! How do you feel now? Regretting it?”
“Somewhat. Ten million gold coins… Good heavens, how many shops like yours could that buy?”
Ye Tian chuckled.
“Rubbish! What is ten million gold coins worth? The value of my materials shop cannot be measured in gold! A few of my formulas would be enough to match that bow!”
The old man immediately bristled, glaring furiously.
“Besides, we could take out a few recipes at random and easily equal its value!”
“Isn’t it a divine weapon? Can your formulas really compare with one?”
Ye Tian asked, puzzled.
“In truth, ‘divine weapon’ is merely a general term. There are only a handful of genuine divine weapons left on the continent. The Holy Staff of Light belonging to the Church of Light is one. The Crown of Thorns is another. The elves’ Bow of the Goddess of Nature is a third. Oh, and the Dark Heart of the Church of Darkness counts as well. Aside from those, there are no others. All the remaining so-called divine weapons were forged by later generations. Do you really think they can compare with the genuine ones?”
“Gods are nothing more than people who happen to be a little stronger.”
Ye Tian curled his lip.
“Not merely a little stronger. They are on an entirely different level. Let me put it this way: throughout the history of the Church of Light, there have been occasions when they summoned angels. An angel’s combat power is equal to that of an entire group of Sword Saints!”
Ralph had clearly unearthed a remarkable secret.
“I’ve heard that before. It was recorded in the annals of the Continental Era. Apparently, a race of creatures known as demons once invaded the continent, and humanity joined forces with the various races to resist them. It seems mankind rose to prominence during that war. Later, the allied armies were driven back at every turn. As humanity’s representative, the Church of Light prayed for the God of Light to descend and perform a miracle. A host of angels then came down from the heavens and saved mankind. That is also one of the main reasons the Church of Light came to dominate such a vast portion of the continent.”
Ye Tian recalled what he had read.
“Heh heh. You saw that in the academy library, didn’t you?”
Ralph smiled.
“Yes. There was plenty more, but none of it was very detailed.”
“After the Church of Light seized control of the entire continent, it wantonly altered history and loudly proclaimed the glory of the God of Light. Even the historical records in the academy have been tampered with, though they are relatively more reliable. As for what truly happened, it has probably already been buried beneath the dust of history.”
Ralph sighed.
“That’s only natural. Those in power always want to make themselves look better. It isn’t something done by one family or one kingdom alone.”
Ye Tian smiled.
“All right, enough chatting. I still have things to do. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
“Spare me. What is there to see in an old man like me? The one you really care about is the person inside, isn’t she?”
Ralph scoffed.
“Heh heh, you’ve seen right through me.”
Ye Tian scratched his head.
“By the way, will leaving this fellow with you cause you any trouble?”
“Get out! Did that thought ever cross your mind when you brought him here?”
Ralph was so angry that his beard stood on end.
“That Assassins’ Guild is like a swarm of flies. They’re the most irritating pests imaginable!”
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“It’s fine. Whenever those flies become too annoying, you can simply swat them to death!”
Ye Tian grinned.
“Since everything’s settled, I’ll be going.”
“Get out, get out! Hurry up and leave!”
Old Ralph angrily shooed him away.
“Heh heh. See you tomorrow!”
“Your Majesty, I heard that you encountered an assassin while out this afternoon. Were you injured? Should I find an apothecary to treat you?”
Louis asked anxiously.
“I’m sorry to have caused you concern. I’m fine. Fortunately, two students from your academy were exceptionally brave and blocked the assassin’s attack for me.”
Queen Reissina spoke calmly.
“Please forgive us. Because of the academy’s regulations, we cannot interfere in certain matters. However, Your Majesty, you may rest assured that as long as you remain within the academy, I guarantee you will suffer no harm.”
Louis spoke helplessly.
“I understand. Before my father died, he told me about some of these matters. I understand your difficulties. Besides, your academy has already made an exception for me. I cannot ask you to do anything more.”
Reissina hurried to reassure him.
Louis smiled in relief.
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. If I may speak frankly, unless there is some pressing necessity, you should continue studying magic here at the academy. You may not improve very much in a short period, but at least it will increase your chances of survival.”
“Yes, I was thinking the same. By the way, I’ve already sent a letter to my elder brother, who is stationed at the frontier. He should arrive here before long.”
Reissina quietly revealed the astonishing news.
“Prince Dirophy? But isn’t he…? Heh heh, heh heh!”
Louis suddenly understood.
“The queen has grown into a woman.”
Reissina smiled faintly.
“In that case, Your Majesty, get some proper rest. If you are willing, I have decided to begin teaching you personally tomorrow. Would that be acceptable?”
“Thank you, Teacher. Thank you!”
Tears suddenly welled in Reissina’s eyes.
“Go ahead and cry. I know you have suffered many grievances, but some burdens must be shouldered by you alone. No one else can bear them in your place.”
Louis sighed.
“This old man can only help you as much as possible without violating the rules. It truly is frustrating.”
“No, Teacher. You have already taught me so much. If you had not been there, I might no longer exist.”
Reissina rose and bowed deeply to Louis.
“Thank you. Thank you, Teacher. Thank you!”
“All right, I’ll be going back now. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to summon you. Prepare yourself mentally, Your Majesty.”
A smile touched Louis’s lips. Seeing that no one else was around, he stepped forward and gently patted Reissina on the head.
“Come now. Work hard and create a future of your own!”
“Yes. I will never fail to live up to your guidance, Teacher!”
Reissina answered firmly.
“I’m leaving. I haven’t moved these old bones in quite some time. I wonder whether they can still take it.”
Louis laughed.
“I really was born to toil.”
“That’s because fate brought us together as teacher and student!”
Reissina stuck out her tongue.
“You’ll certainly live a long life, Teacher!”
“You little girl. You certainly know how to say pleasant things!”
Louis’s eyes filled with laughter.
“By the way, where is that male servant? What was his name again—Gray?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t return with us.”
Reissina shook her head.
“Is he the one stirring up the capital?”
Louis asked.
“Yes, that’s him.”
Reissina’s face immediately flushed.
“Oh? You’re no longer so young yourself.”
Louis spoke with sudden realization.
“Teacher!”
Reissina stamped her foot angrily.
“Heh heh heh! Keep at it!”
Laughing loudly, Louis hurried away, leaving Reissina behind, still stamping her feet.
“Gray, where have you been?”
The moment Ye Tian entered the room, Akana’s voice came from behind him.
“I went out shopping!”
Ye Tian quickly turned around.
“I know. The commotion in the streets was loud enough to wake the dead!”
Akana sounded displeased.
“What are you carrying?”
“Something good!”
Ye Tian smiled and opened the long cloth bundle he was carrying. An imposing greatbow immediately appeared before the girl.
“The Heavenly Wolf Bow!”
Akana cried out.
“Oh? You recognize it?”
Ye Tian grinned.
Ralph had ultimately declined to keep the bow. He had no use for it, so Ye Tian had brought it back himself. He had no choice but to wrap it tightly in cloth, binding it into a long bundle before carefully carrying it home.
“This was a famous divine weapon in its day!”
Akana reached out to touch the bow.
With a sharp hiss, the bow shifted soundlessly, and a thin cut appeared across the girl’s finger.
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“My goodness, it’s vicious!”
Ye Tian hurriedly took out some healing salve, poured a little onto her wound, then tore off a strip from the hem of his garment and bandaged her finger.
“Gray, it hurts terribly!”
Akana grimaced.
“Who told you to touch it with those careless hands?”
Ye Tian was speechless. Nothing had happened when he handled it. Who could have known that the moment Akana touched it, it would cut her? It seemed the bow could choose its wielder.
“It’s all right. It’ll be healed in a couple of days. I guarantee it won’t leave a scar.”
Ye Tian spoke seriously.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Ye Tian assured her.
“I normally can’t bear to use this medicine myself, so don’t worry.”
“Good. If it leaves a scar, you’re dead!”
Akana threatened him viciously.
“It absolutely won’t!”
Ye Tian promised again.
“By the way, do you want this thing?”
He pointed at the wolf-headed greatbow.
“What would I want it for? I’m not an archer!”
The girl looked displeased.
“You should sell it. The money would let you live comfortably for the rest of your life.”
“I’d like to sell it, but it won’t be easy to get rid of. I seized it from an assassin, and Old Ralph says the man was probably a member of the Assassins’ Guild. Anyone capable of using this bow must hold a very high position within the guild.”
Ye Tian stroked his chin.
“The Assassins’ Guild?!”
Akana was startled.
“Gray, bury this bow. Don’t tell anyone about it!”
“What’s wrong?”
Ye Tian was puzzled by the sudden change in her expression.
“The Assassins’ Guild is unlike any other guild. They survive by assassinating people. You could say they are the most terrifying organization in existence. Anyone they target almost never escapes death.”
Akana’s face had gone pale.
“Good heavens, they’re that formidable?”
Ye Tian casually picked up the greatbow. To be honest, he had not had a proper look at it yet. The bow stood nearly half a man tall and had a substantial weight in his hands. At either end was the head of a ravenous wolf, making the weapon appear especially fearsome.
“I have to admit, it really is a fine bow.”
Ye Tian tugged at the bowstring. Without using his full strength, he could not draw it at all. It seemed that sending an arrow several hundred paces would be effortless.
“A bow this fine—I don’t think I can bring myself to sell it.”
He casually wrapped the weapon in cloth and stuffed it beneath the bed.
“You want to keep it?”
Akana was alarmed and hurriedly asked.
“Yes. It felt quite natural in my hands when I tried it just now, so I’ve decided not to give it away.”
Ye Tian smiled.
“No! Right now—immediately—bury it. If that’s not possible, throw it away. In any case, you absolutely cannot keep it here. Gray, you have no idea how terrifying they are!”
The girl spoke urgently.
“The Assassins’ Guild once assassinated a Sword Saint—a renowned Sword Saint!”
“Don’t worry. Apart from you, no one knows I have it, so it’s perfectly safe for now. As for the future, who knows what may happen? Relax. Nothing will happen.”
He reached out and patted her head.
“As long as word doesn’t get out, I’m safe.”
“I would never tell anyone!”
Akana slapped Ye Tian’s hand away in annoyance.
“I’m going to check on Her Majesty the Queen. I’m still her personal steward, after all.”
Ye Tian straightened his clothes.
“I’ll be going now. Take good care of the roasted meat and the others for me.”
“Gray! Are you sure there won’t be any trouble?”
Akana still looked uneasy.
“It’s fine. No one noticed anything when I came in—except you.”
Ye Tian grinned and patted the girl’s head.
“Unless you tell someone, no one else will ever know.”
“I would never tell!”
The girl knocked away his mischievous hand.
“And stop touching my head. I’m not a child!”
“Yes, yes. Understood!”
Ye Tian smiled, then darted away and vanished.
Akana glanced beneath his bed, sighed, and closed the door behind him before returning to her room.