Chapter 1048: Weng Faluos 3.1 (94)

"The best plan is for Wandi to take those most radical, deep‑rooted restoration‑minded Xuanfeng people from within Aohema and together resist the Black Tide. This would both ease tensions among the peoples and help Wandi consolidate the front line against the Black Tide." Butterfly Ninja suggested.

"Impossible. If the Black Tide is as dangerous as Aglaea says, going to the front line is a near‑certain death; Wandi would never let his people follow him into danger." Yi Hei Xiao Banei bluntly denied, saying, "His wish is simply to see his people live peaceful, ordinary lives within Aohema and finally die of old age in a sickbed."

"But having said that, if I were one of Wandi's people, knowing he alone fights the Black Tide while I can do nothing but pray, I couldn't enjoy peace with a clear conscience."

——

""It's not time yet. Xuanfeng youth, hear my order: return to your parents' sides, from today devote all your time to food and training. To become a qualified Xuanfeng warrior, you must not neglect either." Wandi paused, then said, "Only then will you be qualified to return home."

""——Yes, Your Highness!"

"Wandi quickly found Kelatus based on the children's directions—an old man with an injured right eye who was currently arguing with the True Word Lion Mouth carved into the wall."

""You think you're well versed in ancient and modern? Let me test you: do you know how the Golden Lion Head of Xuanfengcheng was set into the wall?"

""I… I don't know, sir, haha… how did it get up there?"

"Kelatus laughed loudly: "Hahaha, let me tell you. Back when the founders of Xuanfengcheng led a band of warriors to hunt a male lion in the outskirts of Teluotesi Cheng… that fierce beast with sharp teeth and claws had terrorized the land for years, and the pile of bones in its den was higher than the mountains surrounding Aohema."

""But guess what? As soon as the beast poked its head out, the Xuanfeng warriors charged, and in a flash they grappled it to the ground, shattering its knee with a single blow. And then…"

"Kelatus paused, looking at the True Word Lion Mouth, which seemed off, and said, "We haven't reached the exciting part yet—why is your face red?"

""You, your lecture was so vivid it refreshed my spirit! Please continue, sir…" The True Word Lion Mouth caught sight of Wandi behind him, hoping for a savior, and exclaimed, "—Oh my, isn't that Lord Wandi? Long time no see, ha, haha…"

"Kelatus slowly turned his face, which instantly darkened, his tone hard: "Oh? What wind is blowing from Aohema that it brings the son of Geerge before us?"

"Wandi politely bowed his head: "Kelatus… my teacher."

"Kelatus saw he had something on his mind and suggested, "Let's talk elsewhere, Maidemos—chatting with this blockhead bores me."

——

fate/zero

"Hmm, even such a young child is loyal to him, yet as the King of Xuanfeng he doesn't plan to lead them back to their homeland? He's rejecting his own 'king's way'."

"Rider furrowed his brows, seeming to disagree with Wandi's actions shown in the sky, and disappointedly lowered his head to rub the beer can in his hand."

"In Rider's view, Wandi is less a king and more a warrior bound by the title 'king,' carrying his people's eager expectation for conflict yet having no plan to turn it into reality."

"He wishes to bring peace to his people, but his people, born in peace, long for conflict."

""Xuanfengcheng is already an isolated city, empty of anything—I see no need to return." Wei Bo glanced at him.

""Kid." Rider sat cross‑legged on the ground, "Isn't emptiness good? Emptiness means you can hold the most loot. Aohema is so prosperous—if it were me, I'd probably strip this place bare, load the riches and my people, return to Xuanfengcheng, and then make this land the first step of my conquest of Weng Faluos."

""Huh? Do you know what you're saying? Plundering Aohema? Idiot idiot idiot! Your actions are utterly nonsensical! Letting someone like you be king would never pass the fire seed's trial."

""…You brat, when did I ever say I was interested in the fire seed?"

"?"

""If conquering heaven and earth requires borrowing divine power, then such 'conquest' means nothing to me." Rider let out a fierce low growl, like a lion's roar, "Since it's conquest, it must be done with human identity and strength. As for the Black Tide… since we already regard Weng Faluos as a battlefield to gallop across, the Black Tide is naturally the first target to conquer."

"……"

"Wei Bo forgot how to reply. Rider's arrogant pride left him momentarily speechless."

""Even Titans are corroded by the Black Tide—do you think mortals can resist it?"

""Kid, don't underestimate human strength." Rider said solemnly, "I truly don't know what the monsters in the Black Tide look like or how they distort the human form, but if humanity were truly powerless against it, Weng Faluos would have long been swallowed by the Black Tide. I believe Aglaea and her kind surely possess the techniques to resist the Black Tide, preserving civilization's fire seed to this day."

——

"The two came to a hidden corner, saw no one around, and Kelatus got straight to the point: "Speak—what business do you have with this old man?"

""I want to discuss… the future of the Xuanfeng people."

""Interesting. I've heard the fire seed of the Heaven's Punishment Spear has already been returned, but not by your own hand. You even thought of handing over Nicadoli's divine power—is that true?"

"Wandi fell silent for a moment, then slowly said: "…Those rumors are not fabricated."

"Kelatus furrowed his brows: "In other words… you once considered giving up the Xuanfeng throne, abandoning leadership of your people."

""Divine power isn't the same as royal authority, and our people's path isn't limited to conflict alone—"

"Just as Wandi was halfway through his sentence, he was rudely cut off: "—Word games! You know full well the plight of the Xuanfeng people! Those who left the homeland with you, the lone Xuanfeng army, and their descendants… what has kept us going to this point is precisely the longing for past glory."

""If they found out that the heir revered by the people had entertained the idea of giving up… Maidemos, how would you face your deceased mother?"