hotmtlnovel Chapter 350
Chapter 350
Shortly after, familiar footsteps echoed through the room.
As expected, it was Felix.
He entered the throne room, his expression hardening as he took in the carnage, and addressed Theo.
“This wasn’t a battle.”
“No, it wasn’t. This was the Apostle’s doing. By the time I arrived, the enemy forces had already disbanded.”
“Then we can assume the enemy is no longer here?”
“I’ve begun tracking the Apostle’s residual aura, but I suspect they’ve already left the palace grounds.”
Felix hesitated, his words faltering as if he was unsure of how to proceed.
Theo, sensing what Felix was struggling to say, spoke first.
“Yes. Investigating His Majesty’s safety must take precedence.”
Knowing Felix was still grappling with the reality of his lord’s likely death, Theo couldn’t bring himself to say outright that they needed to recover the Emperor’s remains.
“Yes. I’ll begin searching the palace immediately.”
“Please do.”
Watching Felix walk away to start his search, Theo couldn’t help but feel bitter.
“I just hope the body can still be found.”
The Second Apostle would have had no reason to leave the Emperor alive.
Though the likelihood of recovery was slim, Theo moved with the faintest hope.
Early the Next Morning
Theo had been resting in one of the palace chambers when he sensed Lodbrok’s presence.
“You’re here.”
“Indeed.”
Lodbrok sank into a nearby sofa and spoke.
“I found traces of the Second Apostle leaving the palace, but nothing beyond that.”
“So you couldn’t confirm if they left the capital altogether.”
“Exactly.”
“And the Chancellor?”
“Handled. He’ll be fit for use by tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
Lodbrok leaned forward, her eyes narrowing.
“So, what will you do now?”
“I was waiting for news of the Apostle’s movements before making a decision.”
Theo’s unease only deepened. He couldn’t shake the lingering tension.
He had intended to enthrone Cassandra once matters with the Apostle were resolved.
But with the Apostle potentially still in the capital, holding a coronation would be dangerous.
Any moment could bring an act of terrorism.
“If we could just confirm they’ve left the capital, the choice would be easier.”
“Of course. That’s why they left just enough traces to keep you uncertain.”
Theo sighed, realizing the limited options before him.
“Let’s wait until morning, at least.”
“Because of the Emperor’s body?”@@@@
“Yes. To gain the full support of the capital’s nobles and knights, we need Felix’s sincere conviction.”
As expected, even after the Golden Lion Knights scoured the palace, no trace of Emperor Horik’s body was found.
The Next Day
Theo, Lodbrok, and Felix convened in the Golden Lion Knights’ commander’s office.
Looking at Felix’s somber, pale face, Theo hesitated to speak but knew the conversation couldn’t be delayed.
“Though we haven’t confirmed His Majesty’s fate, the urgency of the situation demands critical decisions now. I ask for your understanding.”
Felix nodded slowly.
Wooong—!
A faint resonance began to hum from the artifacts. Felix carefully dropped the ring into the vase.
Clink.
The sound of the ring hitting the vase reverberated through the room.
Wooong—!
A small portal appeared in the center of the room.
“Finally.”
Theo turned to Lodbrok.
“Are you coming with me?”
“I’d like to,” Lodbrok admitted, clicking her tongue. “But I’ll hold off. If the portal shuts abnormally, there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to return.”
“Thank you.”
Theo then addressed Felix.
“As you said, any mistake could result in this secret being lost forever. I’ll enter alone.”
“Understood.”
Without further delay, Theo stepped into the portal.
A torrent of mana swirled around Theo, pulling him into an unknown destination.
Moments later, he arrived beyond the portal, greeted by a space cloaked in blackness.
“The same place.”
It was identical to the realm he had encountered in the Abyss of Mysteries—an endless void like the night sky, with a lone temple suspended in the air.
Theo knew what he was looking for.
“The monolith.”
The quest’s guidance had brought him here, and the monolith was the centerpiece of this realm.
Theo approached cautiously. This time, no force stopped him from nearing the massive structure. Still, he remained on high alert; Mysteries never dealt in falsehoods, and danger could arise at any moment.
When he reached the monolith’s base, a low hum resonated.
Wooong—!
Wooong—!
Two statues emerged from the ground, one on either side of the monolith.
Instinctively, Theo gripped his sword, preparing for a fight. But the statues remained motionless.
“What is this?”
He examined the statues closely, feeling a strange familiarity.
“Why do they seem so familiar?”
Though he couldn’t pinpoint why, the statues exuded immense power. Yet oddly, they didn’t evoke any hostility. Instead, it felt as if they were silently urging him to place his hand on the monolith.
“Alright. Let’s see.”
Theo placed his hand on the monolith. It glowed brightly, and the dark void around him began to transform.
BOOM—!
BOOM—!
Suddenly, Theo found himself surrounded by the chaos of a battlefield.
WAAAAAH—!!!
Massive armies clashed in a ferocious war, and amidst them were two beings who resembled the statues he had just seen.
Theo immediately understood that he was witnessing an ancient battle between godlike entities.
The sheer force of their weapons colliding sent shockwaves through the air.
BOOM—!
A message appeared before Theo’s eyes.
[Quest progress has been updated.]