Silent Crown

Chapter 383 Heavy Responsibility

The moment he heard the sound, Ye Qingxuan's expression changed. The dagger in his remaining leg armor popped out from his movement. The blade was strangely twisted like a snake. It tore through the wind and left a chilling metallic light in its path. Finally, it landed in his hands and spun, stabbing into the front. The movement was crisp and practiced. Ye Qingxuan used up all his remaining strength to be extremely fast.

It was only one moment.

When the dagger pierced through someone's body and came out the other end, there was no sound. There was no feeling as if he had pierced thin air. But he had not missed.

"Young man, brashness is poison." The stabbed man shook his head and sighed. "It's even more poisonous than so-called 'bravery'." He reached out, grasping Ye Qingxuan's wrist, and pushed it out. It was not strong but it was filled with a stability that could not be defied. He gradually pulled the dagger out.

It fell onto the floor with a clink.

Ye Qingxuan was immobilized. For a moment, he was shaken by the sudden prestige. Every inch of him was frozen in horror, not daring to act before the 'giant object.' Even his brain was silent and could not move.

There was a frail figure behind Ye Qingxuan. He was covered in a black feather cape and was at least two meters tall but was not muscular. His waist-length hair was like gray ash and his face was colorless. Ye Qingxuan could not tell if he was angry or calm.

Just as being stabbed was an insignificant matter, the young man before him was like dust. He looked down at Ye Qingxuan as if studying an interesting object. There was no frustration or annoyance.

"Who…are you?" Ye Qingxuan forced out.

"Me?" the man replied indifferently. "I've had many names but I'm afraid many have been forgotten. Only my least favorite one still survives. You can call me…" He paused and uttered, "Paganini."

-

Ten minutes ago, the Knights Templar and iron whales were in the center temple. Colt had been called for. He entered quickly and came before the hanging emblem under the priest's guidance. He lowered his head politely. "I am Colt, representative of the Rock Institute. May I ask what the Sacred City requests?"

"Colt, get ready for coherence." A hoarse voice rang out. It was familiar and emotionless, just purely issuing an order. "Enter the prayer room in ten minutes and guide the lighthouse's light."

Stunned, Colt's head snapped up. He looked at the holy emblem as if he could see the elder in the distance behind it. "Teacher?" Overjoyed, he said, "I am not yet a grandmaster but I am already qualified to touch the 'lighthouse'?"

For centuries, all secret keepers passed down the same command to finally construct the scepter of a 'lighthouse' in the aether world. From then on, the lighthouse was finally illuminated. It hung in the aether world, transmitting the wishes of generations of secret keepers—to light the Dark World, observe the global environment, and enter the territory of omniscience.

It was difficult to actually operate it, they could not maintain the global environment observation, and there were huge costs but the power was still huge. Throughout history, the secret keepers had worked with the Sacred City closely. They enjoyed high status and became a force within the School of Revelations. This was the reason why they were so highly regarded within Revelations.

To any other Revelations musician, going into coherence with the Lighthouse and guiding the light was a huge honor. Controlling that power was like transforming into an omniscient spirit, able to see through all darkness and secrets.

Even as the current heir to the secret keeper position, the Lighthouse was still a faraway honor to Colt. This was why he was unsettled and scared it was a joke.

Heisenberg's voice was still indifferent. "Colt, this is your chance," he said. "Grandmaster Koch has passed. Now, you are the only Revelations musician in Romulus. I am giving you my authority to represent the School of Secret Keepers and become the eye of the Sacred City. You will report straight to the Papal Chamber to supply information for the Cardinals. Do you understand the weight of this responsibility?"

Colt was overjoyed. Forcing down his ecstasy, he lowered his head, answering, "I-I understand, Teacher. Please don't worry, I won't disa—"

"Do not forget your place!" The voice, icy as the deep sea, froze Colt. Heisenberg reprimanded coldly, "The way of Revelations lies in focus and calmness. You can only observe the situation by placing yourself out of it. Otherwise, you will lose independence and be blinded. How can you speak of the truth then? After all your years of studying, you still cannot control yourself. Can you not even understand the simplest principles?"

"Teacher, I—"

"No need to explain. Go get ready." Heisenberg's voice faded and the holy emblem dimmed. All that remained was an echo, "And still, unable to accomplish anything…"

Colt stared at the emblem dumbly. After a long while, he thought of something and lowered his head. "I understand."

Ten minutes later, a servant walked over respectfully. "The prayer room has been prepared."

When Colt looked up, the servant froze and stepped back subconsciously. Those eyes were empty and cold, indescribably so. They were like a vortex in the deep sea. Just glancing at them was asphyxiating.

"P-please follow me…" He did not dare to keep looking.

Colt nodded and followed. On the way, he casually asked, "Excuse me but has the Sacred City called for other musicians before me?"

The man answered. Just as Colt had expected, he heard that name again.

"I see." He nodded with a smile but his eyes hardened, reflecting the coldness of the tundra.

Fire brewed in the wilderness.

-

The prayer room was in the center of the iron whale temple. With its help, the coherence with the Lighthouse went smoothly. But it was surprising to Colt that he was so calm. He felt no nervousness or excitement. It was as if all his emotions had frozen and there was no longer anything to anticipate. All that remained was deadly stillness.

He closed his eyes. Using the Lighthouse's light, he looked into the faraway city. There, he saw it. He saw the abyss musicians and the grandmasters fighting them. He saw the immense power and terrifying rhythm contained in the strange city's Sacred Fire.

And he saw…

The white-haired man at the peak of the city who pushed the door open and approached the fire. It was familiar and coincidental, just as every other time. Colt could only watch his back as he disappeared into the hall.

As if blinded by the white hair, Colt closed his eyes.

"Ye Qingxuan…" he muttered. As if chewing on flesh, he tasted something metallic between his teeth.

"Ye Qingxuan."

Colt suddenly laughed as if finding a solution within his pain and craze. Illuminated by the Lighthouse, he reached out and instantly saw the boundless information. He wiped away one and connected two different logic lines together.

The result was very different.

Wiping away his smile, his expression turned serious and shocked. Using his authority, he connected with the Sacred City.

"Teacher, the situation is hard to maintain. The abyss is directly controlling the core and the grandmasters…are at risk!"

There was a long, long silence. Then Heisenberg exclaimed, "What did you say?!"

"The abyss is well prepared and has the upper hand now," Colt answered with a quivering voice. "I've sent all the observation data. In a few minutes, everything might fall into the abyss's control."

"Colt, do you know what you're saying?" Heisenberg checked the data sent from the temple. His voice grew hoarse. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Teacher." Colt's lips twisted into a sneer. He repeated, "We must act. Please tell the Cardinals to quickly decide! Otherwise…"

The connection cut off.

Colt sneered and counted backwards. Ten, nine, eight, seven… Before he got to 'three,' the connection was restored. This time, it was an unfamiliar and serious voice. "Colt, this is the Cardinals. You will temporarily have the authority of a bishop and command Knights Templar on behalf of the Papal Chamber."

The voice paused and grew resolute. "The Sacred City shall sign the 'purification document' and give Knights Templar the activation code for Heaven's Gate! Even if Auschwitz is wiped from the map, do not allow the abyss to succeed!"

"Understood."

Colt lowered his head, bowing before the almighty power. And then, he…laughed silently. Only one thought went through his mind.

Goodbye forever, Ye Qingxuan.