Chapter 569

Chapter 569: Pre-Departure Prayer

Fehelang was already 256 years old. Even among those in Sequence 9, this age was considered considerable. Although his strength had declined compared to the past, his wisdom and experience remained intact.

Upon meeting the envoy from Clancia, he quickly understood their intentions. The nation was about to face war, and if he were its leader, he would also seek to bolster its fighting power in every possible way.

As for this matter, Fehelang was not opposed.

“We have brought the letters personally written by the Star Seeker and the Sage. We hope you will take a look,” he said after finishing.

The bespectacled scholar then retrieved neatly arranged letters from his leather pouch and handed them over.

The girl standing beside Fehelang took a small step forward, received them, and opened the envelope, passing the letter to the elder nearby.

Fehelang unfolded the page and slowly read it, while the others sat quietly in the room, waiting.

“Regarding the Sage’s proposal, I have a general understanding. However, my body is no longer what it used to be. Perhaps I cannot fully withstand the Extraordinary Sequence 9 of the Frost Alliance. At most, I can only delay them.”

“Even so, your presence greatly aids our struggle,” the scholar felt a surge of joy. He had prepared many arguments but did not expect this journey to go so smoothly.

Seeing the ‘young man’ smile with joy, Fehelang stroked his beard slightly and said, “I’ve long wanted to meet the Sage. During the early stages of the uprising in Clancia, I inquired about related information and even went to Tixil Mountain Range, but unfortunately, I never found him.”

“Later, I went out to sea to the Southern Region. Upon returning this year, I heard that I missed the scene when the Sage appeared in Solande last year.”

“I have many questions for Sage Lolan Hill. I wonder if the Sage is currently in Solande.”

“If last month, the Sage was still traveling abroad, and now has just returned home. If you wish to meet, you can directly go to the Imperial Capital.”

“Then please introduce me. Time is running short, and I know the situation is urgent. Speed is crucial. Sulin, Gricka, prepare yourselves; we will set off this afternoon.”

“Is it so soon, Grandpa Fehelang?” Gricka was somewhat surprised.

“At last, I can come out of retirement. Watch me, Sulin, show my skills,” another youth exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes, right now,” Fehelang affirmed.

—

Clancia, Solande.

Lolan Hill wore a formal silver-blue starlight gown, standing in the palace hall, performing a prayer ceremony for hundreds of officers preparing to depart. Although such ceremonies might not truly work, they at least provided comfort and stability to these people.

In the magnificent and grand hall, the young lady held a starlight scepter in the center of the circular altar. Her exquisite figure, standing beneath the massive stone wall, seemed delicate and insignificant.

On both sides of the hall stood rows of silver-armored guards, holding halberds and wearing blue cloaks with golden stars, exuding a majestic aura. In the center of the hall were generals and legion commanders of various appearances, dressed in different armor. They had been summoned to the Imperial Capital and, before departing, came here to receive Lolan Hill’s blessing ceremony.

As a symbol of the nation, although Lolan Hill did not issue direct orders, she expressed her prayers and blessings to these warriors through this method.

“Star of Dawn, Wind of Reflection, accompany you on your journey.”

Her lips, colored like cherry blossoms, softly chanted, and a faint starlight scattered as she waved the scepter, falling upon these people. Their originally anxious and fluctuating emotions gradually calmed down. That voice seemed to possess a magical power, making people willingly listen.

“The Will of Clancia!”

“Advance, until the end of the world!”

As Lolan Hill finished reciting the incantation, everyone responded in unison. The sound echoed like thunder in the hall, then rose from their single-knee kneel, bowed to the Sage, and left the hall in succession.

Lolan Hill stood in place, watching the departing soldiers, suddenly recalling a phrase she had once seen.

“This departure means years of separation, traversing mountains and rivers, life and death apart.”

War was a fact built upon countless lives, and no one could stop death’s arrival. The process was the solemn cry of life as it neared its end.

How many would return alive?

Just as Lolan Hill was deep in thought, another batch of officers entered the hall. She put aside her thoughts and performed the same prayers and blessings for these new arrivals.

Outside the Imperial Capital of Solande, rows of gray tents were set up, and each legion arrayed itself before setting out to support the new Vergha.

The spears on their shoulders pointed towards the sky, densely packed like a forest covering the heavens.

—

After the first 300,000-strong army departed, Lolan Hill temporarily returned to the Red Jujube Palace to rest.

She had intended to join the army heading to New Vergha because there were many familiar and close people in Hope Lane, but Pulman and others strongly dissuaded her. This silver-haired girl was the nation’s spiritual symbol. If she ventured to the border, any unforeseen incident could have dire consequences.

Although she still retained Trinasha’s hair clip, she could only use it once more. It was sufficient against Sequence 8 opponents, but if a Sequence 9 opponent suddenly attacked, Lolan Hill might not be able to withstand it.

Exhausted from the prayer ceremony, she returned to her light blue house, lay on the soft bed, and fell into a deep sleep, dreaming a long dream.

In her dream, she remained quietly in that underground laboratory, unconsciously watching the comings and goings of the researchers, until one day, the ceiling collapsed, and the warships in the sky appeared before her eyes, followed by a long wait and darkness.

Sivnailien, as one of the four elements and representing water, enjoyed swirling in glass columns, letting the water flow emit soothing melodies like songs.

Kloriat was very lively, seemingly unable to stay still, the most active among the four. Sometimes, she would bump the glass column toward herself, as if getting closer to her would make her happy.

Brunnard was a silent and reticent existence, rarely showing emotions, yet sometimes revealing her natural sorrow.

As for herself, she was like mist, appearing and disappearing, sometimes hiding to curiously observe her surroundings.

In that state of pure soul without a physical form, it was a wonderful feeling. She had no memories of her past life, each day was new, and she hardly had any thinking ability, merely acting on instinct.

Thus, she lay sideways on the white pillow, her silver hair scattered across her neck and the pillow, her face under the moonlight sometimes furrowed, sometimes relaxed, until late at night when her breathing gradually steadied and her expression became calm.

(End of Chapter)