Chapter 56: The Second Knight
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: The Second Knight
Atoris was momentarily stunned by the man's explanation.
"An Immortal?"
She turned to look at Brandon, who was standing beside her.
"Do you mean immortal in the literal sense—as in, someone who can never die?"
The man seemed genuinely surprised by her question.
"Eh? You don't know? Sigh... It seems I’ve been asleep for quite a long time. In my era, Immortals weren't exactly a secret. They were just a bunch of people who offended the god—"
Mid-sentence, Brandon lunged forward and clamped his hand over the man's mouth.
"Stop, stop, stop! Look, big brother, I’ll agree to go and conquer the four seas with you, alright? Just stop talking for a second..."
The man’s eyes widened in surprise at Brandon’s sudden capitulation.
"Oh? You’re agreeing that quickly? Well, that makes things easier. Though, I haven't found my Master yet, so there’s no point in rushing."
With that, the man turned his gaze toward Atoris.
"Hey, little girl, do you know the Void King? He looks like... he looks like... uh... what did he look like again?"
The man suddenly fell into deep thought.
"Oh, right! Do you recognize that spear? That’s my weapon."
"Your weapon?"
Atoris looked back at the red spear once more. If she remembered correctly, that spear was something Xie Bai had manifested.
How had it become linked to this man?
Could the 'Void King' he’s talking about be my Master? Come to think of it, my Master does live within the Void.
Just as Atoris was about to ask for clarification, a figure emerged from Brandon’s shadow.
It was Thanatos, who had been brought along earlier.
After Roland had departed, Thanatos had sensed an incredibly familiar aura near Brandon’s shadow. After a moment of hesitation, he had decided to check on Brandon’s situation first.
However, upon emerging from the shadow, he realized he had ended up right back where he started.
Thanatos looked at the man, then at Brandon. A complex expression crossed his face.
He then turned to face Atoris.
"If I recall correctly, you are the Atoris my Master mentioned. My apologies for the trouble. I will take these two with me now."
Without further ado, Thanatos grabbed the two men and opened a Void Tunnel. Before stepping through, he didn't forget to retrieve the red spear.
Whir—
Once Thanatos and the others vanished, Atoris was left standing alone.
"He has the ability to open Void Tunnels... Is he one of my Master’s people?"
After a moment of reflection, Atoris shook her head.
"I’ll ask my Master when I have the chance. Then again, she’s never mentioned her own affairs to me. Is it because I’m useless? Am I not important enough?"
The thought left Atoris feeling a bit dejected.
"Forget it. I should go back and practice the rehearsal again. Maybe my Master will come to watch."
With that, Atoris used the authority of the Crown of the Empire to return to the city.
*
"Munch... Melos, where on earth did you get all this stuff?"
Xie Bai stuffed a hamburger into her mouth and couldn't help but ask Melos.
"This stuff?"
Melos stood up from behind the counter.
"To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. I just know that the Insect Race brought back a set of architectural blueprints and a series of food recipes from the outside once. I thought they looked interesting, so I tried to recreate them. Do you recognize them, My Lord?"
Xie Bai was stunned.
Blueprints and recipes found outside?
If she remembered correctly, there was nothing outside the Hive but the chaotic, turbulent Void. While things from other places occasionally drifted in, would items from an entirely different world just show up like that?
And with such detailed, step-by-step instructions and recipes, no less.
Xie Bai began to wonder what exactly this "Void" really was.
"Uh... I recognize them, but I’m afraid it’s a bit hard to explain."
Xie Bai reached for a serving of French fries.
"Mmm... even the ketchup is so authentic..."
Just as Xie Bai was dipping a fry, the door was pushed open.
"Master, I have brought the individuals back."
Xie Bai turned toward the sound.
"Oh, that was fast... Wait, who are these two? Thanatos, didn't I tell you to bring Roland back?"
In response to Xie Bai’s question, Thanatos began to introduce the two men.
"This is the Knight of War, one of the former Four Knights. The Divine Artifact you summoned is his weapon. Furthermore, he is very familiar with Void Expeditions. He possesses powerful Idealistic Power and can take over Roland’s role to pilot the ship directly. However, he still requires you to release his True Name."
Thanatos then pointed to the other man.
"This one is named Brandon. He is a Division Commander of the Aodu Empire and possesses excellent piloting skills; he can participate in the Void Expedition as well. What surprised me is that he is an Immortal under a curse. He used some unknown method to bypass the lifespan detection of my Authority of Death. However, the Knight of War can sense a person’s combat history and identified his status as an Immortal immediately."
Xie Bai struggled to process the explanation.
"Uh... I don't quite get all of it, but basically, I just need to open the Poem of the Void and release this uncle’s True Name?"
"Correct, Master."
"Alright then."
Wiping the corner of her mouth, Xie Bai flipped open the Poem of the Void.
【Release True Name: Strife?】
"Release."
【True Name Released】
【"Strife" has Returned】
【"Strife's" loyalty has increased to 300】
【Lust's Blessing triggered: "Strife's" loyalty is now locked at 1000】
【Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Bond triggered!】
【Apocalypse (2/2): You may consume one unowned Godhead to trigger a Doomsday Calamity. Currently available: Great Flood, Falling Sun, Insect Plague, Blood Plague.】
"Huh? There’s a bond effect for this too? But I don't have any unowned Godheads, and I don't really have a use for these effects anyway. Feels a bit useless."
Ignoring the new bond effect, Xie Bai looked at the group.
"Alright, everyone, explain the situation. Let's start with you."
Xie Bai pointed at Strife.
Strife was currently lost in the memories that had just flooded back to him.
"Hiss... so my name was Strife..."
After a moment of thought, Strife looked at Xie Bai.
"You... are the new Void King?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"You're so tiny. And... kind of unremarkable..."
Thwack!
Thanatos punched Strife in the back of the head before bowing to Xie Bai.
"My apologies, Master. Strife has never been one to think before he speaks. Please forgive him."
"Uh... well, alright. I’m not that offended."
"Thank you for your understanding, Master."
Thanatos then glared at the dazed Strife.
"If that blow had come from the Master instead of me, I’m not sure you’d still be alive."
Strife still looked confused.
"Uh... you're the Big Brother, right? Look, I wasn't doubting her identity, I just thought she looked a bit too sma—"
"Hmm?"
"Nothing, nothing!"
Warned by Thanatos, Strife began to answer Xie Bai’s earlier question.
"Well, Master, to be honest, I’m not entirely sure what happened. I just remember being curled up inside the spear, drifting through the Void, when suddenly a door opened and sucked me in without a word. Then I was outside."
Strife patted the silent Brandon on the shoulder.
"Then I suddenly sensed a talented fellow wandering around outside. I figured I could recruit him for the Expedition, so I woke up inside the spear. He was very enthusiastic and agreed immediately. Right, buddy?"
Feeling everyone’s eyes turn toward him, Brandon offered an awkward but polite smile.
"Hi... uh... has everyone eaten yet?"