Chapter 98: A World-Famous Painting (Top-tier quality! You

Before the hospital bed in the military camp, the smile on the face of the King of Gluttony gradually faded.

"My loyal knight, has your mangled body affected your sanity? To think you would propose such an absurd wish," the monarch sighed sorrowfully.

"I am a benevolent king, so I grant you the right to propose a wish once more. Think it over carefully."

The monarch took the hand of the man hanging from the hospital bed and said gently.

"Exempt... the Southern Region from the grain tax."

Seeing his request rejected, Leo spoke with difficulty once more. His chest heaved violently, and every breath sounded as if it were being squeezed from his lungs, accompanied by hoarse, rattling noises.

The monarch's brows furrowed tightly, then quickly smoothed out.

Nearby, the kingdom's top painter was recording the final honor of this heroic knight; he needed to maintain his image.

"Leo Masha, my selfless knight, the grain tax is a vital policy for Soxia and carries great weight. As a patriot, you should prioritize the nation!" the monarch advised patiently.

"I recall that the Masha family has held the rank of Count for nearly a hundred years. I allow you to trade this wish for the title of Marquis."

"Or perhaps, I know you have a lovely daughter, about the same age as my second son. Perhaps Masha could be joined to Soxia through marriage."

"After all, the loyal are never failed by Soxia," the King of Gluttony said meaningfully, not forgetting to glance at the Lords of the Northern Region and the Western Valley behind him.

However, even though the monarch had generously offered a favor that would drive countless nobles mad, the dying knight's choice remained:

"Exempt... the grain tax... never change."

After finishing this final sentence, the man's half-open eyes gradually closed. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something more, but he could only emit a faint, airy sound.

Finally, he closed his eyes completely, and the sound of his weak breathing dissipated entirely from the room.

Crimson Fire was dead.

This meant that the wish he had made before his death could indeed never be changed.

The expression on the King of Gluttony's face turned gloomy at a speed visible to the naked eye. His brows locked, and his gaze turned cold.

His entire being radiated an aura that made one shudder, as if the surrounding air had become heavy due to his presence.

Should he go back on his word?

The monarch contemplated the cost of reneging... it was too great!

He had previously been moved by Crimson Fire, whom he thought was the kingdom's only loyal subject willing to sacrifice his life for Soxia, and had sworn an oath with honor as his witness.

If he went back on his word to the deceased, not only would the royal family's credibility be shattered, but his own protection would be affected by the loss of honor.

He had no choice but to grant it.

That damn Crimson Fire, why didn't he die sooner? Why did he have to die exactly at this moment?

With the famine caused by the loss of one region, he feared it would take several more years to achieve his promotion.

The monarch suppressed his inner dissatisfaction and anger, and finally said in a deep, expressionless voice:

"I, Lauen Soxia, declare in the name of Soxia IX."

"The Southern Region, from this point on, is exempt from the grain tax for twenty-five years!"

Having spoken, the King of Gluttony shook off the hand of Crimson Fire and flicked his sleeves as he left.

This historic moment was quickly captured by the kingdom's top painter in the corner, who utilized his protection ability.

The knight, mortally wounded yet speaking with difficulty; the monarch flicking his sleeves as he left; the sneering Lord of the Northern Region; the Lord of the Western Valley with hands clasped in mourning... these subtle details were clearer under the master's brush than to the human eye.

This painting was eventually titled "The Knight's Final Whisper" and sparked unprecedented fervor and discussion in subsequent exhibitions.

However, it was soon banned from display for being detrimental to the royal authority, and was eventually purchased at an auction by a mysterious tycoon for a sky-high price, after which it disappeared without a trace.

Twilight City.

This city-state, located at the junction of the plains and the dense forest, appeared exceptionally magnificent in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The city walls towered into the clouds, about twenty meters high, built from grayish-white boulders.

Outside the walls was a sparkling moat, winding around the city like a green silk ribbon.

A huge arched bridge spanned the moat, with two lifelike red fox statues carved on either side.

At the city gate, two Transcendent Rank knights in armor and a group of soldiers were on duty.

At this moment, those wanting to enter the city had formed a long line, stretching over a hundred meters, including people and carriages.

"Your Highness, do we really have to wait in line?"

Boge looked at the endless line ahead, then at the notice not far away stating that nobles did not need to wait, his expression showing difficulty.

He felt that given His Highness's status, Twilight City should at least not make His Highness waste precious time waiting in such a long line, let alone open the gates and roll out a red carpet.

"Wait. There's no need to expose our identities over such a small matter."

Xia Mingyu climbed out of the carriage and stretched lazily.

Traveling through the Southern Region this month, every day was either spent on the road or busy helping villages along the way deal with various difficulties; it had truly exhausted him.

Now that he had arrived at Twilight City, he could finally take a break, and he was also full of interest in the city-states of this world.

*Rustle, rustle, rustle. *

At this moment, a gentle evening breeze blew by, and Xia Mingyu leaned against the carriage, looking up at the sky.

The setting sun was like a flame, igniting the clouds on the horizon and dyeing them a gorgeous rose color.

In the distance, the emerald forest turned into silhouettes in the twilight, their outlines blurred and soft, as if they had merged with the sky.

Only when a few birds returning to their nests cut across the sky could one come back to their senses and realize this was not a painting.

"Hoo," Xia Mingyu took a deep breath.

He understood a little why that kid Leo had renamed this city Twilight City.

He hadn't seen him in the Spark Hall for a month; if the time flow was one year per day, then he should be about...

"Your Highness, you've finally arrived!"

Just then, a deep male voice rang in his ears.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Count Masha's eldest son, Luo Yi, that powerful New Moon Rank knight, standing not far away, looking at him with pleasant surprise.

"Your Highness, my mother, Count Masha, went to Black Wolf Castle some time ago because she had urgent business to see you, but unfortunately, you had already departed to travel the Southern Region, and she could not meet you."

"My mother believed that you would eventually come to Twilight City, so she specifically ordered me to wait at the city gate to welcome you. I hope you will condescend to move to Red Fox Castle so she may request an audience with you."

Luo Yi bowed and requested sincerely.

"That is fine, but I assume I don't have to wait in line anymore, right?"

Xia Mingyu looked at the still-long line ahead, thinking that if he kept waiting, he wouldn't be able to enter the city by dark.

"Hahaha, Your Highness, you are truly humorous. Even that high and mighty King of Gluttony wouldn't dare make you wait this long!"

Luo Yi laughed heartily, then jumped onto the front compartment of the carriage, pushed Boge aside, and took the reins from his hand.

It seemed he was going to be the coachman himself.

*Clatter, clatter, clatter! *

The carriage wheels rolled over the stone slabs of the arched bridge and headed straight for the city gate.

"Who? How dare you charge the gate! Stop immediately..."

The two Transcendent Rank knights on duty saw this and immediately shouted, wanting to stop the carriage.

However, upon seeing the face of the coachman on the carriage, their pupils contracted sharply, and their expressions were filled with disbelief.

"Lord Luo Yi!"

As Transcendent Rank knights from Red Fox Castle, Luo Yi Masha was their superior and master.

And what these disciples hadn't expected was that their own master would actually have a day where he served as someone else's coachman!

Just how noble was the status of the person inside the carriage?

"Gre, Mailin, you two guys, move aside!"

"Yes!"

The knights hurriedly moved aside, letting the carriage pass through the gate smoothly.

And those commoners who had been waiting in the long line, upon seeing this scene, cast envious gazes at the departing carriage.

*Sigh, if only I were a noble too! *

Once inside the gate, the noise and prosperity rushed toward them.

Xia Mingyu looked out through the carriage window and saw smooth stone roads on the streets, with two-story buildings made of wood and stone crowding the street.

Blacksmith shops, laundries, bakeries, spice shops... all kinds of stores lined the street.

And in the city square in the center, where a fountain was built, wandering musicians and flower girls holding baskets could be seen everywhere.

*Hum! *

As twilight approached, a melodious bell sound came from the distant clock tower, spreading throughout the entire city-state.

Hearing the bell, the people who had worked all day stopped their work and walked toward their homes with smiles on their faces.

"What a beautiful city. Is this the treasure you traded your life for, Leo..."

Xia Mingyu watched all this quietly, thinking to himself.

Red Fox Castle.

Reception hall.

A huge crystal chandelier hung from the tall arched ceiling, and the candlelight refracted brilliant light through countless cut surfaces.

A roaring fire burned in the fireplace, the firewood crackling and emitting the fresh scent of pine.

And Xia Mingyu was standing here, staring blankly at the mural hanging on the wall—the middle-aged man mortally wounded on the hospital bed, pleading with difficulty to the monarch who was flicking his sleeves and leaving.

The person who painted this had superb skills, perfectly depicting the pain, worry, and anxiety on the man's face, allowing every viewer to empathize.

Although there was a big difference from the boy's appearance in the Spark Hall, Xia Mingyu could still recognize him from the familiar brows and eyes—it was Leo.

That hero who fought alone in the past. 【100】 "Your Highness, do you like this painting? It is the final honor of my husband's last moment. People call it 'The Knight's Final Whisper'." 【101】 The silver-haired old woman walked over with two cups of hot tea, and seeing Xia Mingyu staring at the mural in a daze, she couldn't help but smile slightly. 【102】 "Please sit. This is the best black tea in the entire Soxia Kingdom, unique to our Southern Region—Twilight. Please, have a taste." 【103】 Xia Mingyu sat on the soft sofa, took the hot tea handed over by Rosa, and looked down at it. 【104】 The color of the tea was like the sky at twilight, between amber and dark red, as if it had gathered all the afterglow of the sunset, and a fresh fragrance surged into his nose with the heat. 【105】 Xia Mingyu took a light sip and felt as if the tip of his tongue was wrapped in a layer of gentle silk, then a warm feeling spread from his chest to his whole body, and his whole person felt as if he had been gently embraced by a pair of invisible hands, his mood inexplicably much lighter. 【106】 "What a gentle tea!" Xia Mingyu couldn't help but say. 【107】 "My husband once said the same thing." Speaking of her husband, a hint of tenderness flashed in the old woman's still-bright violet-blue eyes. 【108】 "Countess, may I ask why you wanted to see me today?" 【109】 "I have troubled you to come. This is because my husband left a suicide note on his deathbed and entrusted someone to tell me that it could only be handed to someone who understands the Blue Star, mobile phones, and sculpture..." 【110】 Soon, under Rosa's narration, Xia Mingyu gradually understood the ins and outs of the matter. 【111】 Leo's suicide note?! 【112】 Upon learning this news, a flash of anticipation and anxiety surged in his heart. 【113】 Anticipation because he could still see the message Leo left behind, and anxiety because... he didn't know if the man would regret being entrusted with such a heavy mission at the end. 【114】 Heavy enough to carry for a lifetime. 【115】 Under Xia Mingyu's nervous gaze, Masha took out an envelope that had already turned yellow on the surface and handed it to him. 【116】 After tearing open the envelope with slightly trembling fingers, Xia Mingyu took out the letter inside. 【117】 However, the content on it quickly made him freeze, because it was a blank sheet of paper with no words. 【118】 "Your Highness, would it be convenient for you to reveal what is roughly written on it?" 【119】 Noticing the astonishment on the young man's face, Rosa couldn't help but ask. 【120】 After all, this suicide note had kept her from sleeping soundly for ten whole years, and she was also curious about what secrets her reticent husband had that he needed to specifically hide from her. 【121】 "This..." 【122】 Looking at the blank paper in his hand, just as Xia Mingyu didn't know how to explain, his consciousness suddenly fell into a blur. 【123】 Spark Hall. 【124】 When Xia Mingyu's consciousness cleared, he had arrived here. 【125】 At this time, under the crystal dome, the torch on the second black prism on the right was burning fiercely, more vigorously than the torches on the other prisms. 【126】 And a middle-aged man covered in blood was leaning against this prism, breathing with difficulty. 【127】 The moment he saw Xia Mingyu, a brilliant smile still appeared on his tired, withered face. 【128】 The man's lips moved, but because he was dying, he couldn't make any sound. 【129】 But Xia Mingyu still understood his words—*Pet my head again. * 【130】 Without hesitation, Xia Mingyu came to the man's side and, just like he did to the timid little boy in the past, gently placed his palm on his crimson hair. 【131】 "Rest in peace. Your mission is over. You are a great knight, more heroic and selfless than anyone, including me." 【132】 Xia Mingyu whispered, knowing what the other party wanted. 【133】 The man, having achieved his wish, raised the corners of his mouth slightly and gradually closed his eyes. 【134】 *Rustle, rustle, rustle. * His mangled body turned into countless points of light and surged onto the torch of the prism behind him. 【135】 At the same time, this black prism gradually turned into a crimson color like beautiful jade, and murals of lifelike scenes appeared on it. 【136】 The beggar knocked down by a carriage, the boy practicing hard in the training ground bathed in moonlight, the youth holding violets and hugging the girl tightly, the father holding his daughter, the dying knight pleading with the monarch... 【137】 This was the life of Crimson Fire! 【138】 Reception room. 【139】 Xia Mingyu woke up with a start, and then discovered that the blank paper in his hand was already filled with dense text, as if the previous blankness was just his illusion. 【140】 He quickly read the content of the letter: 【141】 *Your Highness, when you see this letter, I have already died in the past. * 【142】 *Although I have already told you, I think you will probably still blame yourself, so I emphasize again—although I knew the end, every moment in the process made me yearn for it. * 【143】 *I remember the violets blooming that day, I remember my wife's loving eyes, I remember the warmth of her lips, I remember the crying baby, I remember my daughter holding me and saying she would marry me in the future... * 【144】 *Thank you, benevolent and generous Your Highness, for giving a beggar in the slums such a wonderful life. * 【145】 *Thank you to my master, Tamerlane. I hope he doesn't resent his disciple's dullness, needing him to tirelessly teach me hundreds of times for things I could understand in one. * 【146】 *Thank you to Uncle Hagek Kesi. Although he was always cold, he still secretly taught me some techniques for body tempering and fighting, and taught me how to read. * 【147】 *I really have a lot more to say to you, but unfortunately my body can't hold on for much longer, and the King of Gluttony is also on his way. * 【148】 *You must remember, the leader of the rebellion, Grand Duke Mason, he was a great warrior. It wasn't that I took his head, but that he gifted his head to me. Please, you must save the people of the Eastern Region who will definitely be liquidated because of the rebellion. * 【149】 *The following words are for Rosa. Please pass them on to her: * 【150】 *My wife, please try your best to assist this Highness. He is my great benefactor. I respect him like a father, and I firmly believe he will bring light to the Southern Region and the entire Soxia. * 【151】 *And plant a bunch of violets in front of my grave. I still regret dirtying your dress that day. * 【152】 *Rosa, I really love you! * 【153】 In the reception hall, after reading the entire content of the letter, Xia Mingyu stood there in a daze for a long time. 【154】 His heart beat violently as if it were about to jump out of his chest. Although he had read the letter over and over again, the waves in his heart were still surging. 【155】 "Your Highness, are you okay?" 【156】 Seeing him in such a dazed state, the old woman on the side couldn't help but ask with concern. 【157】 "I'm fine." Xia Mingyu shook his head, then handed the letter in his hand to Rosa with some apology. 【158】 "Countess, the last two lines of the letter were left by Leo for you." 【159】 Hearing this, the old woman's eyes instantly burst with unprecedented light. She quickly took the letter paper handed over by Xia Mingyu and focused her gaze on the last two lines of text to read. 【160】 *Plant a bunch of violets in front of my grave. I still regret dirtying your dress that day. * 【161】 This plain sentence was like a sharp arrow piercing Rosa's world-weary heart. 【162】 "What a fool!" Accompanied by the cry that was about to burst out, tears welled up in her eyes. 【163】 Was she sad? No, she was just regretting a love that had been missed for ten years. 【164】 "Mother, what happened!" 【165】 Hearing the crying, the two brothers Luo Yi and Luo Lan, who were waiting outside the door, immediately broke through the door and rushed in. 【166】 Then, they saw a scene they would never forget in their lives—their mother, who had always been elegant and dignified, as if she had carved noble demeanor into her bones, was now holding a letter and wailing like a child. 【167】 Was the world crazy? 【168】 The two brothers Luo Yi and Luo Lan looked at each other and silently used all their strength to slap each other. 【169】 (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 99 =====

"Your Highness, do you like this painting? It was the final honor bestowed upon my husband before his death; people call it 'The Knight's Last Whisper'."

The silver-haired old lady walked over carrying two cups of hot tea, and seeing Xia Mingyu lost in thought while looking at the mural, she couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Please, sit. This is a black tea unique to our Southern Region and the best in the entire Kingdom of Sossia—Twilight. I invite you to taste it."

Xia Mingyu sat on the soft sofa, took the hot tea handed to him by Rosa, and lowered his head to take a look.

The color of the tea was like the sky at twilight, somewhere between amber and dark red, as if it had gathered all the afterglow of the sunset within it, and a delicate fragrance wafted into his nose along with the steam.

Xia Mingyu took a light sip and felt as if the tip of his tongue were wrapped in a layer of gentle silk; then, a warm sensation spread from his chest throughout his entire body, and he felt as if he were being gently embraced by a pair of invisible hands, his mood inexplicably becoming much lighter.

"What a gentle tea!" Xia Mingyu said involuntarily.

"My husband used to say the same thing." Speaking of her husband, a trace of tenderness flashed in the old lady's still-bright violet-blue eyes.

"My lord Count, may I ask what brings you to see me today?"

"I have troubled you to come, but it is because my husband left a posthumous letter on his deathbed, and he entrusted someone to tell me it could only be handed to someone who understands Blue Star, mobile phones, and memes."

Soon, under Rosa's narration, Xia Mingyu gradually understood the ins and outs of the matter.

Leo's posthumous letter?!

Upon learning this news, a flash of anticipation and anxiety surged in his heart.

The anticipation was because he could still see the message Leo had left behind, and the anxiety was because... he did not know if the man had regretted being entrusted with such a heavy mission at the very end.

Heavy enough to carry for a lifetime.

Under Xia Mingyu's tense gaze, Martha retrieved an envelope with a yellowed surface and handed it to him.

After opening the envelope with slightly trembling fingers, Xia Mingyu took out the letter inside.

However, the content on it quickly made his expression freeze, because it was a blank sheet of paper without a single word.

"Your Highness, would it be convenient for you to reveal roughly what is written on it?"

Noticing the astonishment on the young man's face, Rosa couldn't help but ask.

After all, this posthumous letter had prevented her from sleeping soundly for ten whole years, and she was also curious about what secrets her reticent husband had specifically needed to hide from her.

"This..."

Looking at the blank paper in his hand, just as Xia Mingyu was wondering how to explain, his consciousness suddenly fell into a blur.

Starfire Hall.

When Xia Mingyu's consciousness cleared, he had arrived here.

At this moment, under the crystal dome, the torch on the second black prism from the right was burning fiercely, more vigorously than the torches on any of the other prisms.

And a middle-aged man covered in blood was leaning against this prism, breathing with difficulty.

The moment he saw Xia Mingyu, a brilliant smile still appeared on his weary, gaunt face.

The man's lips moved, but he could not make a sound because he was dying.

But Xia Mingyu still understood his words—pet my head again.

Without hesitation, Xia Mingyu came to the man's side and, just as he had done in the past to that timid little boy, gently placed his palm on his crimson hair.

"Rest in peace. Your mission is over. You are a great knight, more heroic and selfless than anyone, including me."

Xia Mingyu whispered; he knew what the other party wanted.

Having achieved his wish, the man's mouth curled upward, and he gradually closed his eyes.

*Rustle, rustle, rustle*, his remains turned into countless light spots that surged into the torch on the prism behind him.

At the same time, this black prism gradually turned into a jade-like crimson color, and vivid murals appeared on it.

The beggar child knocked down by a carriage, the boy practicing hard in the training field bathed in moonlight, the youth holding violets and embracing a young girl tightly, the father lifting his daughter, the dying knight pleading with the king...

This is the life of the Crimson Fire!

Reception Room.

Xia Mingyu woke up with a start, and then he discovered that the blank paper in his hand was already filled with dense text, as if the previous blankness had just been his illusion.

He quickly began to read the content of the letter:

Your Highness, when you see this letter, I will have already died in the past.

Although I have already told you, I think you will probably still blame yourself, so I emphasize again—although I knew the end, every moment in the process made me yearn for it.

I remember the violets blooming that day, I remember my wife's loving eyes, I remember the warmth between her lips, I remember the crying baby, I remember my daughter holding me and saying she would marry me in the future...

Thank you, merciful and generous Your Highness, for granting a beggar child from the slums such a wonderful life.

Thank you to my master Tamerlane; I hope he does not resent the dullness of this disciple of his, for things I could understand in one go required his tireless teaching hundreds of times.

Thank you to Uncle Hagek Kesi; although he was always cold, he still secretly taught me some techniques for body tempering and fighting, and taught me to read.

I really have many more things I want to say to you, but unfortunately, my body can no longer hold on for too long, and the King of Gluttony is also on his way.

You must remember, the leader of the rebellion, Grand Duke Mason, he is a great warrior; it was not that I took his head, but that he gifted his head to me. Please, you must save the people of the Eastern Region who will certainly be liquidated because of the rebellion in the future.

The following words are left for Rosa, please pass them on to her:

My wife, please do your best to assist this Your Highness. He is my great benefactor; I revere him like a father, and I firmly believe he will bring light to the Southern Region and the entire Sossia.

Also, plant a bunch of violets on my grave; I still regret staining your long dress that day.

Rosa, I really love you!

In the reception hall, after reading the entire content of the letter, Xia Mingyu stood stunned in place for a long time.

His heart beat violently as if it were about to leap out of his chest; even though he had read the letter over and over again, the waves in his heart continued to surge.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

Seeing him in such a distracted state, the old lady on the side couldn't help but ask with concern.

"I'm fine." Xia Mingyu shook his head, then handed the letter in his hand to Rosa with some apology.

"My lord Count, the last two lines on the letter are what Leo left for you."

Hearing this, a light brighter than ever before burst forth in the old lady's eyes. She quickly took the letter paper handed over by Xia Mingyu and focused her gaze on the last two lines of text to read them.

Plant a bunch of violets on my grave; I still regret staining your long dress that day.

This plain sentence pierced through Rosa's world-weary heart like a sharp arrow.

"What a fool!" Accompanied by a cry that was about to burst forth, tears welled up in her eyes.

Was she sad? No, she was just regretting a love missed for ten years.

"Mother, what happened!"

The moment they heard the crying, the two brothers Luo Yi and Luo Nan, who were waiting outside the door, immediately broke through the door and rushed in.

Then, they saw a scene they would never forget in their lives—their mother, who was always elegant and dignified, as if she had carved noble grace into her bones, was now holding a letter and wailing like a child.

Is this world crazy?

The two brothers Luo Yi and Luo Nan looked at each other and silently used all their strength to slap each other.

(End of chapter)