Chapter 31

Chapter 31: A New Year

On the Eastern Continent, in the House of Plantagenet’s capital of Luo, there stood a towering mountain peak that reached into the clouds. The summit was as flat as if it had been sliced by a knife, upon which magnificent palaces were built.

Inside the palace gates, the sound of wind chimes echoed, making one feel as though they had entered a fairyland.

This was the most revered place in the House of Plantagenet. On the upturned eaves of the palace, each corner was adorned with exquisitely crafted bronze peacocks spreading their wings, lifelike and vibrant.

Underneath the eaves hung rows of bronze wind chimes, or ‘wind bells,’ which, when gently swayed by the breeze, produced clear and pleasant sounds.

The palace was decorated with black pillars and red lacquered balustrades, with winding corridors connecting various halls.

Every few meters along the corridors were crossbeams, and looking up at them, one could see that they were painted with colorful depictions of flowers, trees, figures, stories, and strange rocks—each painting unique among the thousands.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow from the sea of clouds, passing through the majestic palaces, bringing a refreshing touch that invigorated the senses.

Passing through a long corridor, one arrived at the foot of Yuzhang Mountain. Halfway up the mountain was a high platform, with huge bronze immortals on either side, holding jade plates facing eastward.

The fiery sun gradually rose from the sea of clouds, shining upon the palace roofs, its light refracted by the green glass tiles into a spectrum of colors.

White-clad palace maids carried various rare and colorful objects, walking lightly toward the high platform, setting up tables and arranging decorations.

Then, several female officials arrived, double-checking everything before leading the other maids away, leaving only two senior female officials standing by.

In the afternoon, a woman dressed in golden robes ascended the high platform, followed by eight attendants.

She glanced around and nodded slightly, signaling the others to withdraw.

After a while, she was alone on the platform, sitting before an ancient jade zither, playing softly. The lingering notes filled the palace halls.

A dark spot appeared in the cloud sea above the sky, which drew closer to reveal a carriage. Two black unicorns galloped swiftly through the air.

The unicorns neighed loudly, and the carriage slowly halted beside the platform. A blonde-haired, silver-eyed girl, holding her skirt, stepped down from the carriage.

“It’s been a long time, Su Qin.”

Tides wore a black lace dress and smiled faintly as she descended from the carriage.

He took up a gift box and handed it to the woman with black hair and fine Chinese attire.

“This is Blacktis’ sister giving you her flute, and also the latest dress from the Cangcui Empire. This grade of moonlight fabric is quite rare,” she said.

“Thank you, you two are too polite sometimes.” The woman with black hair, who was playing the zither, smiled as she accepted it and then invited Tide to sit beside her.

They had been good friends for a long time, so there was no need for much formalities, and they started chatting casually.

“How is Blacktis’ sister doing?”

“She’s still the same. Blacktis’ sister doesn’t want to change her Sequence, and I occasionally visit Dark Isle to chat with her to avoid her feeling lonely.”

“Since she has her own convictions, we shouldn’t press her. I’ll go see her when I have time.”

“Really? You’re such a busy person; do you really have the time?”

“Don’t say it like that. I’ve raised several batches of little ones, and they’re gradually able to help me out now.”

“You always say that, but in the end, you still can’t let go. Just like those old mothers worried about their children, afraid they might fall into a ditch, always watching over them.”

“Over time, this actually hurts both parties.”

“No, I won’t interfere with their choices.”

“It’s hard to believe.” Tide leaned against the black-haired woman’s lap and picked up some grapes nearby, tossing them one by one into her mouth.

“Oh, by the way, Tide.”

“Hmm?”

“A few years ago, something happened where you were. I saw that strange sight in the sky too.”

“Oh, that. She was a cute junior.”

Tide recalled the quiet and serious young lady she met a few years ago in the forest and continued speaking.

“She inherited Trinasha’s knowledge and awakened, causing that change.”

“Trinasha, what a nostalgic name.”

“Yes, I was a bit surprised. I didn’t expect Trinasha’s successor to actually be a witch.”

“How is she now? You liked Trinasha the most, yet you didn’t bring her here to meet us.”

“She lives alone in the forest now, saying she temporarily doesn’t want to be part of the witch world. She wants to be herself.”

“Haha, I didn’t expect you to be rejected too. Or should I say, no wonder she is Trinasha’s student. She’s just like her, always so independent, stubborn, and gentle.”

“Well, there’s nothing I can do. After all, she is Trinasha’s

Student, inheriting everything from her, the successor, I can’t possibly take strong action against the actions of Sister’s student. Therefore, I can only respect her choice.”

“Mm, but you don’t need to rush. She will eventually leave the forest one day. And she will encounter some difficulties in life sooner or later. Helping her more at that time can improve her impression.”

“After all, we will live for a very long time, and in the end, only each other will remain.”

“Yes, ever since Cynarsha left, so many years have passed unnoticed. The few who are still alive and in contact are just these people.”

Tides recalled that distant era once again.

“At that time, within the Mercury Dynasty, the popularity of the Magic Sequence, the divergence of ideas, the outbreak of anti-war sentiments, and most importantly, the decline of the Necromancer Sequence towards the end of the dynasty.”

“Finally, under internal and external pressures, the Mercury Dynasty disintegrated. That glorious era was gone forever, and it also marked the end of the Second Era.”

“After the disintegration, the Extraordinary Beings of the Necromancer Sequence were all brought to justice. Either they self-destructed and switched to other Sequences, or they went to the Isle of Eternal Darkness, never to leave.”

“The Necromancer Sequence, once a shining beacon among Extraordinary Sequences, became synonymous with evil. Even thousands of years later, despite the upper echelons of the continent no longer suppressing it, very few people practiced it.”

—

In the Tixilam Mountains, Maple Leaf Courtyard.

The last rays of the setting sun poured over this crimson world, coating the leaves, flower fields, and little houses in a faint golden hue.

Occasionally, some weeds poked their heads out from the steps of the house, and a few flowers peeked out from the round roof. The stone steps at the entrance were covered by some moss. The owner of this house had not come out for a long time.

Inside the closed bedroom, the windows were shut tight, with only a few strands of light seeping through the cracks and slanting into the room, causing tiny dust particles to dance in the air.

On the mahogany red bed made of maple wood, a silver-haired young lady was sleeping quietly, her waterfall-like hair scattered across the pillow and blanket.

The entire bed was enveloped by a transparent red crystal, as if time itself was frozen like amber.

It had been a long time since Lolan Hill fell asleep. Unnoticed, seven springs and autumns had passed outside the window.

Some children gradually grew up, stepping into adulthood, while some elders gradually faded away, finally resting in eternal sleep underground.

Now it was a new year, and the flowers outside the window bloomed. The young lady slowly opened her eyes.

Please recommend!

(End of Chapter)