Chapter 52

As long as your mindset doesn't backslide, there are always more methods than difficulties.

In Xia Zhi's view, although the future of this Fairy Kingdom is pitch black, fraught with calamities no less than Hollywood's New York, his side also isn't without any advantages——

At least time stands on his and the others' side, and moreover, according to Vivian's account, the "Second Playthrough" Fairy Kingdom's strength is actually already very high. And on the basis of such intelligence, this time they will definitely be able to pull the Fairy Kingdom's strength up to the limit as well.

He really doesn't believe those Human Order Guardians can still turn the tables.

Could it be that facing a high-difficulty instance that fundamentally isn't made for people to clear, the other side can still rush up shouting about friendship and bonds or whatever?

What's more……

Xia Zhi pondered carefully, always feeling that theoretically if he had solid thousands of years of Dao Conduct, he shouldn't be unable to handle a mere small Fairy Kingdom.

He previously was even able to spend less than a week's time to cultivate (eat) sixty years of power in one go! Even if not counting on such epiphany good fortune happening often, and not counting on being able to maintain such high-efficiency cultivation forever……

But no matter what, he also shouldn't be unable to even clear the main story map, right?

——Are those Calamities really that ferocious? Really that tricky?

Or is it that in the original "Second Playthrough", he himself did not fully exert the advantage of time?

Anyway no matter how it is, the crux of the problem indeed lies in his own cultivation still needing refinement; he must seize every opportunity to improve himself. Xia Zhi firmed his faith in his heart: if he truly could one morning attain the Dao and become an immortal, what person in this world would dare speak loudly to him?

After a round of concise discussion, the two temporarily established their Action Policy for the future.

Then, Xia Zhi stood up from the aircraft's wing, he moved his limbs and stretched his body, stretching lazily with force.

There are many problems to face in the future, but those are equally still very distant. As for right now, just focus on the present——

Do a good job at each stage's work.

………………

………………

As the sky began to brighten slightly from the silent dark night——

The eastern Skyline also rippled with charming yellowish twilight glow——

This is the Fairy Kingdom's night gradually fading, the time belonging to Daytime about to arrive; the Vimana hovered in the Sky, the vast boundless great lake below also gradually shed the night's hazy veil, beginning to turn clear.

That is a giant lake district, encircled by lush and vibrant Forest, numerous Thick Trunks half-submerged in the lake water, damp, rotting, and covered in moss, like a swamp wetland scroll painting hidden deep in the dense forest's heart.

In this dreamlike fantastical scenery, what is most eye-catching is undoubtedly a skeleton lying horizontally in the lake district's central depths, abnormally massive.

It lies there quietly, as if narrating a segment of forgotten history.

"Wait? This is…… a Dragon?"

Artoria spoke with some surprise; she almost recognized in one glance the distinct features displayed by that massive corpse.

Although it has been dead for a very, very long time, with no Aura remaining at all, this is clearly a giant Dragon's remaining bones; just by the scale of the remaining skeleton, it is already enough to make one have infinite imagination about its strength when alive.

"Right, this is the Albion Dragon's remains."

Vivian also looked down from above at that lake district, speaking faintly, affirming the Knight King's words.

——Albion Dragon!

Hearing this news, Artoria was naturally very shocked, but compared to that, clearly another matter made her more concerned, for a moment even putting aside the Albion Dragon issue.

"Mm…… y-you, what did you just say?"

This swordswoman girl subconsciously widened her eyes, looked at Morgan, wanting to say something but not saying it out. She felt a bit astonished; Morgan actually didn't directly sneer at her, but was unusually calm and speaking normally……

Could this be…… a change of nature?

Or did she mishear? It must be that she misheard!

Vivian perceived Artoria's abnormality, immediately casting a displeased gaze, brows tightly knit, asking coldly: "What's wrong, Artoria, you wouldn't tell me you don't understand or haven't heard of the name Albion, would you?"

"If that's the case, then your King of Knights Designated Title is really quite unworthy…… better to be tactful and obediently yield it to me, how about that? To avoid sullying this glorious title, what do you think?"

"……"

"……"

Here it comes, this familiar sarcasm.

"Hmph, stop daydreaming, or are you saying you still haven't woken up?" Artoria took a deep breath, suppressing her displeasure, turned her face away and replied in a cold tone. "Besides who doesn't know the name Albion!"

As expected this is Morgan.

Me suspecting for an instant that the other party changed nature, really too naive.

"Albion…… I seem to remember I've seen this name, seems like this is Britain Island's ancient name, the oldest known Designated Title?"

Very wisely choosing to ignore the two sisters' bickering, estimating this will become a kind of daily routine in the future, Xia Zhi calmly placed his attention on that name, feeling it a little familiar, confirming he also knows this name.

"This dead Dragon, is also called Albion? Name related to Britain Island?"

"It is so, correct. Even though the Age of Gods has ended, the Dragon that still chose to stay on Britain Island is Albion."

Artoria responded in a solemn tone, temporarily setting aside her emotions toward Morgan: "It is said that was a Dragon species beyond imagination, its majestic bearing could rival a Mountain's scale, each claw like a Tower, waving a claw could shake Mountain Peaks, crack the Earth open into Deep Valleys."

Sounds quite fitting, Xia Zhi listened and was thoughtful, he didn't doubt this in the slightest.

——After all, just look at that skeleton immersed in the dark lake water, only revealing the Tip of the Iceberg and the huge shadow at the lake bottom, and you'd know.

——That truly isn't some exaggerated Sleight of Hand, but simply realistic description; that Dragon species when alive indeed had such a massive body.

"Or perhaps it wasn't choosing to stay on Britain Island, but a misjudgment of the situation can't be ruled out…… Most Dragon species perceived the Age of Gods' ending, and before Fantasy Disappeared moved to the World's Reverse Side; Albion did not act."

Medea listened at the side, yet shook her head; she of course also has considerable understanding of that "Crown Mage Dragon" in the Magecraft world, hence also has a different view.

She continued analyzing in a calm and steady tone:

"Perhaps Albion was confident in its own Strength, or perhaps there was some other reason, so it missed the opportunity…… In short, during the period it stayed, the Planet changed its own physical laws based on the life active on the Surface World at that time……"

"In inverse proportion to the Expansion of the Light of Science, the Darkness of Mystery gradually declined; that past era when Pangea overflowed and Mana was dense, also thus came to an end. Sentient nature turned into mere Phenomena, Ether in the atmosphere dissipated like mist……"

"The World's vicissitudes that began to turn, ultimately still made the giant Dragon species submit; however at that time, the Channel to the World's Inner Side had already closed. It chose to burrow from the earth into the underground, attempting to reach the World's Inner Side by physical movement, ultimately dying of Mors Exhaustion……"

Mentioning this, this Witch Miss's gaze also turned toward the silent skeleton in the lake water——

"In my view, Albion did not actively choose to stay in Britain; the greater possibility is that it missed a good opportunity and had no other choice…… As for what situation this world's Albion is in, that is unknown."

You must know, the Age of Gods' ending was not completed in an instant.

It underwent a process of gradual fading, and the time of this era's ending also varied across different geographical regions. Generally speaking, the continent ended earliest, while places like peninsulas and islands ended later.

And Britain was a very special island; until the 5th century AD, the Age of Gods had still not thoroughly ended.

Under such circumstances, Albion retreating to Britain was only natural, and ultimately meeting the end of its life there also appeared as a matter of course.

"The Albion of this world is also a similar situation; it did not retreat to the World's inner side in time, but stayed on the Surface World, yet the Star's surface had already turned into the Sea of Nothingness, so it could only choose to soar ceaselessly……"

Vivian interjected blandly, "Until it exhausted its last thread of strength, its remains fell here, becoming Britain's northern land……"

Although it is a different world, the course of history also differs.

But the Dragon Albion's Destiny is astonishingly similar. No matter in which Human History, the "Dragon that failed to return to the Star" would meet a tragic end.

"So, the thing we've come to find is also related to this dead Dragon?"

Xia Zhi carefully sensed for a moment, and did not discover any unusual Mors Strength Aura in this area, but thinking about it, that was to be expected; if there really was something very unusual, it probably wouldn't have waited for them to discover it.

"Of course it's related…… That is the left hand that fell from Albion's corpse, which to this day still maintains activity, a lump of flesh wriggling in the Dark Swamp."

Vivian pondered for a moment, then spoke the characteristics of the object to be found.

The "Dragon" Fairy, Melusine——

Was not that noble and beautiful appearance from the very beginning; before being fished out of the swamp by Aurora as if putting on a show, she was also merely a lump of flesh without intellect, wriggling in the fetid mire.

"……"

"……"

The Mors People looked at each other in dismay, simultaneously revealing extremely Subtle Expressions; after all, this sounded very strange. Why go into this kind of Dark Swamp to fish for some wriggling lump of flesh, is this some Cthulhu Art Style bizarre development?

"Wait, I have a question……"

Xia Zhi took the First-mover Advantage and Raised his Hand; he felt like something wasn't quite right.

Seeing the Master decisively step forward, the two ladies both Nodded; Indeed, at critical moments this person was still very reliable.

"What question?" Vivian looked at him.

"The corpse has rotted to this extent, yet the left hand that fell back then can still maintain activity to this day?" Xia Zhi's Expression seemed somewhat Suspicious.

"There's nothing strange about such a performance; Albion is a primordial super Existence, a Lifeform that already existed when Earth was born, possessing nearly 4.6 billion years of Intelligence, truly deserving to be called a Dragon in the true Meaning, a Pure-blood Dragon."

Vivian explained very seriously: "And even if it's just a lump of flesh from the corpse's fallen left hand, it also possesses extremely powerful Mors Strength."

4.6 billion years……

What kind of Monster is this again……

"Alright then, I have no more questions……" Xia Zhi Pulled his Mouth Corner; this world really was becoming more and more surprising.

"Hey, wait……"

Artoria's Expression suddenly changed slightly; there were obviously still very big problems, okay? She began to Suspect the Master's Mental State.

(Chapter End)