Half an hour later.
"So this is that Legendary King?"
"Why does it look like it has a piece of broccoli on its head—"
"It does seem to match the descriptions left in the books, but why does it still feel somehow off?"
When Aiden and Cynthia gathered the villagers together, the people who had come specifically to gaze upon the Wise King's visage were clearly a bit disappointed. All because what they saw wasn't a wise and majestic king, but a vacant-eyed giant vegetable head—
It didn't look very bright, did it?
Even the village chief who had welcomed the two earlier found it a bit unbelievable after carefully observing it for quite a while.
"That's right, it's completely consistent with the portraits passed down!"
"Although the two steeds that serve as the king's symbol aren't by its side—"
"It is indeed the Wise King recorded by our ancestors."
"To think that the Legendary King has been wandering the Crown Tundra this whole time?"
Aiden and Cynthia stood to the side, each holding a handwritten manuscript that looked quite old, occasionally glancing at the still-bewildered king in the field.
There were quite a few legends about it, with the most famous being two stories known to every household in Galar.
They respectively concerned its two beloved steeds and the five giants.
Legend had it that when Calyrex established the earliest Galar kingdom, it had single-handedly defeated and tamed two fierce horses that plagued the land, thereby making Spectrier and Glastrier the symbol of its status.
And while expanding the kingdom's territory, it also defeated five giants who tried to stop it, sealing them in five corners of the Crown Tundra.
The giants, of course, didn't refer to the Legendary Colossus, Regigigas, but rather its five creations.
Colloquially known as the five Regi titans.
It was also here that game players would first encounter two new Regi titans—
Regieleki, the electric titan, and Regidrago, the dragon titan.
Being able to defeat the creations of the "Toilet King" was already enough to prove the Wise King's mighty power.
It was a completely different picture from how it appeared now.
Aiden looked at the contents of the book in his hands, then looked at the vacant-eyed Calyrex.
Honestly, if he didn't know the plot, even he probably wouldn't believe that this guy was the legendary Wise King.
So it was no wonder the other villagers found it somewhat hard to believe.
But there was no helping it.
The reason Calyrex had lost its power in the first place was because it had long been forgotten by the people of Galar; without faith, it could no longer maintain its peak strength.
And to restore the "King's Dignity," the first thing that needed to be done was to restore the Galar people's faith in their king.
"Since it's that Wise King, then it should at least have the power to make the land bountiful, right? If it performs for us, we'll know if it's the real deal," someone in the crowd muttered in a low voice, immediately getting a fierce glare from the village chief standing at the very front.
"How rude!"
"We are descendants born from the union of the people protected by the Wise King. We must never be disrespectful to the ancient king!"
Aiden silently observed the villagers' expressions, choosing not to interject.
This old village chief talked like a loyal subject, but he actually didn't seem too willing to believe that this down-and-out wanderer was the king they had revered for generations either.
It was just human nature, he supposed.
After all, their village's faith was probably about passing down the legends of the Crown Tundra and waiting for the day the vanished king would return to lead its loyal subjects to a better life.
And this fantasy was now on the verge of being shattered by reality.
Did Calyrex have that ability?
Very unlikely!
So the source of Calyrex's power restoration was directly blocked—
It wanted to recover its past peak power and memories, but that required more, more devout faith.
But looking the way it did now, how many people would be willing to believe it was the legendary Wise King and sincerely worship and revere it?
It was a complete dead-end loop.
[The Wise King they speak of—are they referring to me?]
As Aiden was sighing in his heart, Calyrex's telepathic voice reached him first.
Turning his head to look, it still wore a face of confusion and helplessness, but seemed to have recalled something else.
[To make the land bountiful—the power of bountiful harvest?]
[Was that a power I once possessed?]
[Believer, please tell me the truth.]
Aiden nodded after hearing this, giving Calyrex the answer it wanted.
[Is that so—?]
Calyrex fell silent for a moment, then suddenly looked down at the snow-covered ground beneath its feet.
For some reason, its eyes seemed to well up with a hint of nostalgia.
[I see—]
[No wonder, even after losing all my past memories, whenever I stood upon the earth, I would still instinctively feel joy.]
[As if this land was cheering and jumping for joy at my arrival.]
Calyrex closed its eyes, seemingly feeling the voice transmitted from the earth with all its heart.
After a moment, when it opened its eyes again, its previously dim and confused gaze gradually became resolute.
Calyrex suddenly raised its hand, maintaining its bowing posture while stretching its short arms as far as possible, until after passing through a layer of snow, it finally touched the ley lines that were awaiting its return.
Along with its movement, an inconspicuous blue light suddenly surged from underground.
If Calyrex hadn't been standing on a field of snow, these scattered specks of faint light might have been completely impossible to notice.
"This is—"
Cynthia blinked, seemingly realizing something.
Was Calyrex's power of bountiful harvest awakening in this way?
Aiden also clicked his tongue in wonder, quietly watching it complete its performance.
The villagers who had been whispering earlier also shut their mouths one after another, with everyone's gaze focused on this king who was re-establishing his connection with the earth.
If Calyrex could display the miracle of bountiful harvest before the villagers, perhaps it could truly regain their faith.
As time passed minute by minute, the originally dim glow on the land gradually began to shine.
Under the effect of the power of bountiful harvest, the thick layer of snow that had accumulated on the farmland had long melted, seeping into the newly revitalized soil.
Just then, a miracle occurred—even though no seeds had been sown, several green sprouts suddenly pushed out from the bare earth.
Their vigorous vitality allowed them to grow at a visible rate, quickly passing the budding stage and sprouting tender new leaves that heralded a plentiful harvest.
"A miracle!"
"This is a miracle that only the King of Bountiful Harvests could perform!"
"Our King has not abandoned us after all!!!"
Only then did the villagers finally believe the true identity of this "giant turnip," falling to their knees one after another, passionately celebrating the Wise King's return.
And their actions, in turn, made the originally calm Calyrex a bit at a loss.
"This is quite good, isn't it? The wish they inherited from their ancestors has finally been fulfilled, and you can regain human faith because of it."
Aiden stepped forward and spoke softly to Calyrex.
"Just like I said before—"
"If you want to recover your past memories, then let people realize once more that perhaps you never left them at all."
Calyrex looked up and met his gaze for a moment. After seeing the sincerity in his eyes, it finally nodded.
[I—I understand.]
[I can indeed feel it—ever since they demonstrated their loyalty to me, a new surge of power has flowed into my body.]
[Along with the power, there are also some memory fragments.]
Calyrex's telepathy abruptly ceased, as if it was patiently digesting the power that had returned to its body.
Aiden wasn't in a hurry either, quietly waiting until it had sorted out its memories before it opened its eyes again, looking at the abstract wooden statue left behind by who-knows-who nearby.
[I have recalled some more fragmented memories.]
[Once, just like today, I led the people who followed me northward—]
[In search of more lands suitable for them to live in.]
[However—at that time, by my side, there should also have been two steeds, one black and one white?]
Calyrex's tone was somewhat uncertain.
It couldn't judge whether the memories in its mind were truly reliable either.
But Aiden nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"During your peak, you once led your people against two fierce steeds that encroached upon your territory."
"Later, they became your most reliable aids, and an important source of your mighty power."
What Aiden said wasn't entirely based on memory; the book in his hands that recorded the "Legend of Calyrex" also provided crucial evidence.
Calyrex's own power actually wasn't that formidable; after all, its abilities mainly manifested as healing hearts and making plants sprout, which clearly wasn't suited for combat.
Only after mounting its beloved steeds, unleashing the "As One" ability through soul resonance, could it master the powerful techniques known as Glacial Lance and Astral Barrage, becoming a thorough stat monster.
Therefore, it left players experiencing the Crown Tundra DLC for the first time with an unsolved mystery of the world—
How exactly did Calyrex (in its unmounted form) manage to subdue Spectrier and Glastrier? Didn't they both counter Calyrex?
The answer to this question was perhaps something Aiden would have the chance to witness firsthand this time.
After receiving Aiden's reply, Calyrex pondered for another moment before nodding.
[Indeed, I remember now.]
[When I lost my power—I didn't want them to suffer alongside me, so I dismissed them of my own accord, letting them return to their original habitats.]
[Perhaps I should go seek them out.]
"Of course, but not right now."
Aiden smiled and handed the book in his hands to it, while explaining.
"According to legend, when you first lured them into appearing, you used two extremely special types of radishes. Without the scent of the radishes, they probably wouldn't easily see you."
"And even if you do encounter them, re-subduing them would be very difficult. You'd also need to craft the 'Reins of Unity' that would allow your beloved steeds to recall your bond."
"So, this matter can't be rushed."
Calyrex didn't deny Aiden's words, looking down at its empty palms.
Through Aiden's words, it vaguely recalled the appearances of its two old companions.
At the same time, it also more vividly remembered how explosive their tempers were—
Even though a thousand years had passed, if it really wanted to bring them back, a fierce battle would likely be unavoidable.
With its current strength, could it really make them calm down?
Calyrex suddenly felt an inexplicable chill down its spine, but it forced itself to maintain its dignity.
Worst case, I'll just let them beat me up to vent their anger!
[I understand.]
[Regarding those two types of radishes, I will find a way to resolve that.]
[But regarding the Reins of Unity alone—I have no memories of it whatsoever.]
[If we cannot obtain the Reins of Unity, perhaps I will have to bite the bullet and persuade them through force.]
Just as Calyrex and Aiden were having their encrypted conversation, the village chief, who had been observing for a while, seemed to realize something and took the initiative to approach.
"Your Majesty, are you troubled by the matter of subduing your two former companions?"
"Actually, my ancestors passed down the craft of making the Reins of Unity, perhaps precisely in preparation for this day!"
"Please wait for a moment, Your Majesty. I will craft a masterpiece that will satisfy you as quickly as possible!"
Calyrex blinked, seemingly a bit unaccustomed to the sudden shift in this human's attitude, so it cautiously glanced at Aiden.
Aiden smiled and crouched down, patting its shoulder.
[Since this is the goodwill of your people, accept it graciously.]
[In the future, more people will surely acknowledge you as the "King of Bountiful Harvests."]
After the telepathy sent through Mewtwo reached Calyrex's heart, it finally nodded.
"I understand," Calyrex finally spoke aloud.
Its voice seemed somewhat hoarse, but the aura it displayed was clearly entirely different from when it was confused earlier, fully exhibiting the demeanor of a former king.
"I must thank you for your dedication, and I shall never let this heritage be severed in my hands."
This single sentence instantly excited the village chief.
If the legends of Calyrex were to be revised again in the future, wouldn't his name get its own page, becoming this king's key right-hand man!
"My King, please rest in our village for one night. By tomorrow morning, I will surely present you with the Reins of Unity!"
It sounded like he was preparing to pull an all-nighter.
Calyrex nodded, then shook its head.
"You need not worry about me."
"In order to seek out my beloved steeds, I too must make some preparations tonight."
After saying that, Calyrex turned to leave.
Before departing, it didn't forget to specifically shoot Aiden a meaningful glance.
Aiden and Cynthia watched, but didn't say much.
It wasn't until Calyrex's figure disappeared into the snowfield, leaving only a trail of plum-blossom-shaped footprints behind, that the surrounding villagers finally seemed to wake from a dream, getting excited one after another.
"That Legendary King has really returned!"
"We seem to be witnessing a remarkable piece of history with our own eyes!"
"With that King who commands bountiful harvests leading us, I believe our Freezington will surely become great again!"
The villagers chattered away, not hiding their reverence for Calyrex at all.
Although this faith might not be the most devout, still—
Who cared? Any faith that could help Calyrex restore its power was good faith!
Aiden smiled without saying a word.
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