NoGift

Chapter 218: determination in those purple depths

ARGENT had to pinch her temple just to alleviate her headache. There was still information that still need to be read. So, she calmed herself and read the next one. This time it was no longer the written account of the 6th Duke of Hanover but the 9th. Based on what she had read, this 9th Duke of Hanover should be the grandson of Ellion. 

But when she read the following accounts, her guess was proven wrong.

The 2nd month, 1323 A.A.

- Today, this record was finally handed to me. A symbolic sign that I am now the new Duke of Hanover. But I really couldn't be happy. Because becoming one meant the death of my Grandfather and Father. When I received the news that Mythos Continent closed, I still had a small hope that perhaps, they will still be able to come back. But when my people went to check the situation, they reported to him that they couldn't even find a trace of the continent. But I won't lose hope. I still believe that they're not gone. I must find a way to go to Mythos.

The 5th month, 1324 A.A.

- It's been a year. There's still no news about Grandfather and Father. The Mythos Continent seemed to completely vanish in the face of the world. Its disappearance caused a major change in the society. Those that belonged to the three races that were stranded outside when Mythos closed and disappeared were treated like prized commodities. Halflings that inherited the characteristics of their parent that belonged to the other three races were treated even worse. The former proud beings were now treated as playthings and slaves. Human nature is really disgusting.

- But there was also a little bit of resentment and gloating in my heart. If they're so powerful, why do they have to ask for his Grandfather's help to fix the problem they created? I know it's wrong to think this way. I, of all people, should know the main reason why both Father and Grandfather went to Mythos Continent. Because if something happened to the elves, then it would only lead to the tragedy of their family. 

The 3rd month, 1329, A.A.

- Five years, I still haven't heard anything from them. I still don't know how I could open the Mythos Continent. My wife is already pregnant. Every day I was afraid that I would just fall over and die without even her knowing. Then, there's our unborn child. What shall this child do in the future if there's already a death scythe hanging above their head the moment they're born? 

That was the last entry from the 9th Duke of Hanover. Well, at least that's the end of his part that Aurum sent to her. 

The one that followed next was the record written by the 17th Duke of Hanover. Going by this, this person must be her and Aurum's nominal grandfather. It was written 20 years ago. 

The 5th month, 1833 A.A.

- I feel like my body is getting closer and closer to its end. I fear for my son. He was already a young man of 21 and yet I still wasn't able to tell him about the circumstances of main line of the Blackbourne family. Since his mother died, I've only ever wanted for him to grow up without any kind of suffering. Just how could I tell my free-spirited son that he might die even younger than me?

- My only hope is if I could discover a way to open the Mythos continent. But it has already been years. Will I also fail just like my predecessors?

The 9th month, 1833 A.A. 

- A good news just arrived! Yes, it's the one that this family had longed been waiting for. News about how to open the Mythos Continent. One of my people found the information from the Temple of Gaia. It was written on a parchment and guarded like a treasure. So, I knew it must be the truth.

- The key to open Mythos is the ancient artifacts from the three races. I have heard of them. But I thought they were just some kind of legend. Or maybe just story used to lure the unsuspecting treasure hunters. After all, why would the treasure of the three races be found outside of the Mythos Continent? But no matter, this is the only lead that I have. I will do everything I can to look for the artifacts' whereabouts in the remaining time that I have. 

That was the end of the message that Aurum sent to Argent. A lot of information still had to be digested. But her focus was on the last entry. Her nominal grandfather found the information about the ancient artifacts from the Temple of Gaia. Was it just coincidence? He didn't think so. How could there such an amazing coincidence in this world? Unless, someone deliberately released information saying that what he'd been looking for could be found at the Temple.

The most likely suspect was Lucern Faust the current Pope. But how old was he 20 years ago? Six? If her suspicion was correct and that bastard could really scheme like that at the age of six, then he's nothing short of terrifying. 

Argent closed her light brain and walked towards the window, looking up at the moon hanging on the dark sky. 

She still needed some time to thoroughly examine the information her sister sent to her. But she knew things would just get more and more complicated from now on. As if it's not already. They not only needed to look for the ancient artifacts, they still had to make sure that they would be successful in using it to open Mythos. All the while, watching their backs from any attacks from the shitty Pope and his minions. 

Seriously, if she could, she really wanted to just kill the bastard. But she knew that that would be difficult to do. Despite the power and wealth the Silver Corporation had now, it still a little bit worse compared to the Temple of Gaia. She knew that that little stint they did in Victoria City was not enough to thoroughly destroy the reputation of the Temple that had centuries of history. As long as that bastard, Lucern, was there, he would definitely not let the Temple fall. He might already have a way to deal with it.

But Argent had no time to deal with him now. Her focus should be on rescuing the elf currently imprisoned at Kievan's imperial palace. A very dangerous and hard feat for sure. 

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She'd make sure that this rescue mission would be a success. She swore that all of them would leave Kievan in one piece. When she finds the last two artifacts, she would definitely not let the Temple of Gaia or Lucern Faust have their way. Sooner or later, she'd make them fall to the point that they could never get up no matter how much they wanted to. She would definitely open the Mythos Continent. She would get the fruit from the Tree of Life. And she and her sister would live past the age of 30.

When she opened her eyes, strong determination filled those purple depths.