join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
A scarlet light flashed in Nast's dark eyes as he turned his head to look at the massive sailboat covered in mysterious, abstract symbols not far away.
Its flag bore ten white stars of equal size, encircling a cold eye without eyelashes.
This was the flagship "Future" of "Admiral of Stars" Cattleya!
Unlike the leisurely "Black Emperor," the "Future's" deck was solemn. Frank Lee, who had already completed his advancement ritual ahead of schedule and was only missing the last main ingredient for Sequence 5 "Druid," patted Nina, the boatswain, whose body was trembling slightly.
Nina, highly strung, nearly jumped. The woman, nicknamed "Underwater Killer," glared fiercely at Frank, who was grinning foolishly. He was the only one on the "Future" who could still smile.
Frank didn't feel anything, though. Some of his research during this period had received the approval of the Blessed, and he had not only obtained a potion formula but also a demigod charm.
Although this was far from being a match for the "King of the Five Seas," it could at least buy him time to pray for help. Even if Nast was strong, he wouldn't be a match for that existence.
Moreover, if Nast had intended to act, he wouldn't have hesitated so much. His actions were simply waiting for the captain's reply.
Frank, who was about to comfort Nina, suddenly turned his head, looking at the captain's cabin with some surprise. Being extremely familiar with life auras, he sensed a peculiar presence.
The spire crown on Nast's head swayed slightly, and blood-red light flashed in his dark eyes, reflecting things that ordinary people could not see—a pristine, ethereal feather.
He raised his right hand and touched the feather. Nast did not resist; his consciousness seemed to float. When he opened his eyes again, he saw a lady wearing a white Intis-style shirt and a dark black jacket, with a slender rapier at her waist.
She had waist-length, naturally flowing chestnut hair, and her eyes were deep blue, as if they contained a condensed ocean.
After glancing at the surrounding stardust, Nast spoke in a low voice:
"It's a pleasure to see you, Your Majesty."
Bernadette's eyes flickered slightly, and she hummed, speaking calmly:
"Cattleya's letter didn't state your purpose. I think you can tell me now."
The space around Nast subtly distorted as he asked, his voice devoid of inflection:
"Have you heard of 'Lord of Order'?"
Bernadette responded after a long silence:
"Where did you hear that name?"
Nast hesitated for a moment but still briefly recounted the events of that day, awaiting the princess's response.
After listening to his narration, her expression only slightly darkened, showing no obvious reaction.
The "Queen Mystic's" blue eyes, like a condensed ocean, instantly deepened, briefly losing focus, as if she were peering into the torrent of fate through Nast.
Two or three seconds later, Bernadette abruptly closed her eyes, as if an unbearable glare had appeared before her, and the surrounding environment trembled slightly.
Bloody liquid vaguely flowed from the corners of her eyes, making her face appear somewhat pale.
"Queen Mystic" Bernadette remained with her eyes tightly shut, speaking in a slightly ethereal voice:
"Blood and fire will engulf the world, the rebellious will end by the sword, and chaos and order will intertwine."
This was a prophecy.
Sequence 3 of the "Mystery Pryer" Pathway was precisely "Clairvoyant."
"Queen Mystic" Bernadette stood still, her blue eyes hazy and lifeless, seemingly needing more time to regain her vision.
Before Nast could ask, the starlight and figure dissolved like foam. He was back on the throne, his dark eyes devoid of any emotion.
Beside him, the second mate, "Fear Viscount" Byrd-Mustang, who was guarding against the "Future," suddenly heard a majestic voice:
"Are you loyal to me?"
-----------------
1349 June 6th, Osel, the capital of East Tucker County.
In the Church of the Evernight Goddess on Victory Square in the city center, a solemn ceremony was about to begin.
Sunlight streamed through the magnificent stained-glass windows, casting a soft glow throughout the hall. A solemn and dignified atmosphere permeated the space, and people in splendid attire exuded an air of nobility and reverence.
Most of the guests attending were specially invited from Backlund to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the promising new Duke of East Tucker.
At the forefront of the guests was Earl Hall's family. Audrey wore a breathtaking pure white gown, adorned with silver threads and pearls on its hem, as if starlight bloomed at her feet.
Her long hair was styled into an elaborate bun, and she wore an exquisite forehead ornament inlaid with numerous emerald gems, which perfectly complemented her emerald-like eyes, making her even more graceful.
Avonie, with golden hair and blue eyes, squatted beside Audrey, curiously meeting the blinking Susie's gaze, while Evelina lazily lay on top of Susie's head, boredly wagging her tail.
Duchess Celine Wolfe, the former Duchess, stood not far away, smiling as she watched her daughter and Audrey, conversing in low voices with Earl Hall and his wife. Soon, satisfied smiles appeared on both their faces.
Alfred, brought back to Loen by Aaron, slowly approached Audrey, meeting her surprised gaze, and spoke gently:
"Long time no see, Audrey."
"Alfred! When did you get back?"
Audrey bounced excitedly on the spot, and Susie suddenly looked up, almost knocking Evelina off.
Looking at the golden retriever who was now obediently squatting beside them, with human-like eyes, Alfred, who was already a colonel, couldn't help but laugh:
"I remember when I left home, Susie only reached your skirt. A few years have passed, and what a change."
Looking at Audrey before him, both her appearance and temperament had reached an admirable level. Alfred smiled and added:
"I just arrived in Osel this morning, thanks to Duke Aaron; otherwise, it might have been a long time before I could see you all."
His tone was quite complex. He hadn't arrived by warship or airship, but Aaron himself had personally traveled through the Spirit World, bringing his Future brother-in-law back to Osel.
Truly feeling the majesty of that demigod, Alfred both admired his sister's foresight and worried that Audrey, who was already extremely curious about Beyonder powers, would step into this irreversible vortex.
The bell in Victory Square chimed, its melodious sound drifting. The church, usually quiet but now a bit noisier, quickly returned to peace, and a solemn sense of awe rapidly swept through Osel.
In the center of the square stood a magnificent throne, symbolizing the East Tucker Family's power and prestige on this land for over a thousand years.
Two figures appeared in the square. Aaron, draped in a Duke's robe made of pure white brocade, looked at his father, who was full of pride and suppressing an iron-blooded aura, and took the scepter symbolizing the peerage from his hand.
Compared to the invited guests, Aaron's mood was quite calm. The divinity he gained from his advancement had not affected him too much. He turned his head and met the emerald eyes in the church hall that held hidden joy.
The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards. His figure suddenly appeared inside the church, beside Audrey. He took her fair, delicate hand, looked at her instantly flushed face, and whispered:
"Come with me!"
Feeling the warmth from his palm, as if by some ghostly impulse, Audrey nodded. Led by Aaron, hand in hand, she walked step by step along the prayer corridor towards the altar.
The surrounding guests consciously made way. Earl Hall and his wife smiled and did not stop them. Avonie, meanwhile, held back Susie, who had just wanted to follow.
A deep Darkness surged, and beneath the Evernight Goddess's holy emblem behind the altar, an old man with no stray whiskers and deep eyes appeared.
Even wearing a black and red archbishop's robe, he did not give off a gloomy feeling. He looked at the two approaching him with a gentle smile.
Audrey, who had attended several Winter Solstice services, instantly recognized Archbishop Anthony. Before she could be surprised, a warm breath brushed her ear:
"Today is your birthday, and also the day I succeed as Duke. On this special day, I want to create some memories unique to us."
Looking at the altar so close by, and at the Archbishop, Audrey, who vaguely guessed something, suddenly gripped Aaron's hand tightly. The flush on her face spread to her fair neck.
Looking at her flawless face, and with the scent of a young girl wafting to his nose, Aaron couldn't help but softly call out:
"Audrey..."
She raised her head in a slight panic, and a moist sensation came from her lips. Audrey's eyelashes trembled, and her breathing instantly became heavy.
Feeling the lingering fragrance on his lips, Aaron gently embraced Audrey's waist and whispered in her ear:
"The path ahead may be very bumpy. I hope the person by my side is you, Audrey. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"
Audrey, head bowed and lips tightly pressed, did not speak, but her grip on Aaron's hand tightened.
The church was silent, with only the increasingly intense sound of heartbeats. Finally, Audrey's mumbled voice reached Aaron's ears:
"No matter what the Future holds, I will walk with you..."
Joy flashed in his golden eyes. Aaron no longer hesitated, taking Audrey's hand and walking towards Archbishop Anthony at the altar.
Watching the inwardly majestic Aaron and the blushing Audrey approach the altar and bow before the holy emblem, Anthony's gentle voice rang out:
"Under the gaze of the benevolent Goddess, I shall witness a sacred betrothal."
"Praise the Goddess." All the guests who were followers of the Evernight Goddess simultaneously raised their right hands and drew a scarlet moon clockwise on their chests.
Once everyone had calmed down, Anthony turned to Audrey and said:
"Miss Audrey Hall, are you willing for this gentleman beside you to become your Future husband and enter into a betrothal with you?"
"Are you willing, for the rest of your long life, whether in poverty or wealth, whether in sickness or health, to love him, respect him, accompany him, and care for him, until the end of your days?"
Audrey, though her face was flushed, no longer avoided his gaze. Looking at the Evernight Goddess's holy emblem, she nodded solemnly:
"I do."
The smile on Aaron's face overflowed once more. He and Audrey exchanged a smile, tightening their grasp on each other's hands.
Smiling and nodding, Anthony turned to Aaron:
"Mr. Aaron Weil, are you willing for this lady beside you to become your Future wife and enter into a betrothal with you?"
"Are you willing, for the rest of your long life, whether in poverty or wealth, whether in sickness or health, to love her, respect her, accompany her, and care for her, until the end of your days?"
Aaron nodded without the slightest hesitation:
"I do!"
As his voice fell, the Dark Sacred Emblem, with its deep black background and brilliant stars, grew brighter, transforming into two rings, each inlaid with specks of starlight, like the night sky.
Watching the two rings appear and fall into Aaron's and Audrey's hands respectively, Anthony chanted softly:
"Praise the Goddess!"
After completing the prayer with the Archbishop, Aaron put on the ring. He gently lifted Audrey, who was wearing the pure white gown, and spoke with affection:
"From today onwards, you are my fiancée. Give me some time, and I will hold the grandest wedding for you."
Audrey buried her face in Aaron's chest, softly hummed, and hugged him tightly, remembering this moment.
-----------------
After the engagement ceremony, Aaron personally saw off Archbishop Anthony, who had specially traveled from Backlund, and then took Audrey to a villa.
In the tidy living room, there was an ancient, cracked bronze mirror. Aaron looked at Audrey, who was nestled beside him with some surprise, pointed at the bronze mirror, and said with a smile:
"This is also your birthday gift. I spent a lot of effort to find it. It's a treasure of the ancient Solomon Empire's Black Emperor. Hmm, it can also be considered a Beyonder item."
Aaron's lips curved upwards as he watched Audrey pick up the bronze mirror, her expression quickly showing interest.
To prevent any accidents, this was an item he had asked Arrodes the magic mirror to find—that bronze mirror imbued with the aura of Sefirah Castle.
-----------------
1349 June 27th, Wednesday, Welch's manor.
Two gentlemen were sifting through documents, and a lady was writing something on paper. In front of them was a black notebook.
Its cover, made entirely of dark black hard paper, exuded an ancient and distant aura, showing no signs of softening or decay.
Klein, his eyes bloodshot, paused slightly in his search for documents. A hoarse voice came from his dry mouth:
"Welch, I, I heard a sentence..."
Welch, tall and with equally bloodshot eyes, gasped for breath and did not respond, but his frantic search for documents intensified.
Naya, who had been writing madly beside him, suddenly let out a chilling laugh. The white paper was stained red with her blood, and the dense words on the paper were all repeating one sentence:
"Everyone will die, including me..."
A chilling aura enveloped the entire room. A crisp sound of something heavy hitting the floor startled Klein, who was caught in a certain atmosphere. He looked in the direction of the sound.
In mid-air, above the black "velvet curtain," a crimson full moon hung high, shining serenely. The scarlet moonlight illuminated the ground, revealing a brass-colored revolver.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr