Tree King: What? I've become the Abundant Pharmacist?

Chapter 554 The Saintess

"Enough, Kratos."

Aglaia's voice interrupted Wan Di's memories, pulling him back to the real world.

"You are a prisoner right now."

Aglaia's golden threads quickly spread out, wrapping around Kratrus layer by layer.

Just before Kratrus was taken away, his gaze remained fixed on Wan Di.

That gaze was filled with disappointment, as if to say: My king, we can't wait any longer.

There was no resentment, no anger, only disappointment.

Wan Di lowered his head, still struggling to make a decision.

At this moment, he was no longer the son of Goergo, the king who treads on the edge of the cliff, but just a child who felt disappointed in his family.

"I......."

“Little enemy…”

Just as Tibo was about to say something, Aglaia stopped her.

"Shh, he needs some personal time."

"Let's go, leave this place to him."

Tibo looked at Wan Di with concern, but nodded and followed Aglaia away from the center of creation.

As the last footsteps faded away, Wan Di stood alone quietly in the heart of the cosmic vortex.

"Sigh... How did things get to this point?"

Am I really that indecisive?

"Clearly, I've already made my choice..."

Wan Di lowered his head, feeling lost again.

After Eve's persuasion, he became certain that he could control and limit the power of conflict, but what about those below him?

The Xuanfeng clan eagerly anticipates its rise, but the rise of the Xuanfeng clan is always accompanied by war and slaughter.

This is not what a slack line should have now.

After a long time, Wan Di left the core of the cosmic vortex in a daze.

He instinctively wanted to go find Eve.

Eve is now in the Tree Garden, not in Ohma, which makes Wan Di even more confused and at a loss.

"Perhaps I should go and take a look at the blacksmith's shop..."

Wan Di now had a goal in mind.

Bai'er once said that he could go to Hattonus, and Wan Di, who was already confused, decided to believe him this time.

“Perhaps we can get some advice from the master craftsman… Hattonus, go see him.”

..............

Wan Di left the core of the cosmic vortex and went to the blacksmith shop.

As soon as Wan Di stepped into the blacksmith's shop, he heard a clanging sound.

Hattonus is forging iron.

He placed the red-hot iron on the anvil and began to hammer it with all his might.

Each strike sparked brilliantly.

Wan Di walked in dejectedly, his whole body stiff.

"Master Craftsman, how have you been lately?"

Hattonus put down his hammer and put the iron block back into the furnace.

Then, he turned to look at Wan Di.

A dull thud came from beneath the helmet.

"You are the King of Suspended Peak. I had a premonition that you would come."

"You knew I would come?" Wan Di was somewhat surprised.

"I have heard about your situation. You are searching for a direction to take; you have many questions."

"But before that—take this."

"This is…?"

Wan Di looked at the ring Hattonus handed him.

"Hanging Edge, the mark of a king, belongs to your mother. Reforging, repairing... is up to me."

Wan Di's face showed bewilderment and disbelief.

How could this ring be?

"My mother clearly threw it into the Sea of ​​the Dead..."

"The salvage operation took a long time. We were very lucky."

"I can't imagine how much patience and courage it would take to retrieve a tiny ring from the Dark Sea. I owe you a favor."

Wan Di gripped the ring tightly in his hand.

"Thank you, but no need. I will repay your life-saving grace."

"Bring your question with you. Speak now."

Hatonus put down all his work.

Wan Di sighed deeply, "The fate I've always denied has finally come knocking on my door."

“I should rightfully take over the authority of ‘Conflict.’ In this way, everyone will be satisfied: the Golden Blood, the Senate, the Suspended Blade Clan, and the bards who compose poems….”

“I know that even if I take over the power of conflict, how I use that power is still up to me.”

"but....."

"But you still hesitate, young king. Why are you so hesitant?" Hattonus asked.

"Because of my people."

"Men, women, elders, children... the people of Xuanfeng yearn to return home. They have been waiting for this day, hoping for the return of their king."

"In this way, the people, weary from their strife, can return home and embrace their traditions—even if most of them have only heard of those 'traditions' in epics—and then they can gather around the king and go to war."

"This is not a good thing, do you think?"

"For the past thousand years, the people of Xuanfeng have lived in a bloody cycle. Revenge, conquest, prosperity, decline... In that history, how much innocent blood flowed into the River Styx, how many pointless sacrifices could have been avoided?"

"If I were to accept this fate, to become the totem of 'strife,' and to lead my people to repeat the same mistakes... then I would indeed feel fear, the fear of 'becoming king.'"

Hattonus looked at Wan Di, and in his heart he had already accepted him.

"A different kind of Suspended Blade user, you really are..."

....................

the other side.

After escorting Craterus into the prison, Tibo comforted Tinin and then returned to her room.

After experiencing so much today, Tibao was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep as soon as her little body lay down in the rocking chair.

In her dream, she saw a person.

With the same red hair, Tibbo was held in someone's arms, feeling an unknown warmth.

Tirispeius: "Mom, Mom! I had a dream last night."

The gentle mother said, "Oh? What were you dreaming about, Tirispius, my good girl?"

Tirispius: "I dreamt that I became many, many more! Together we used the moon as a boat and the stars as sails, drifting on the sea. Wherever the wind blew, we drifted!"

The gentle mother said, "It sounds like a beautiful dream."

Tirispius: "Yes! Although the sea and the sky are so dark, I'm not afraid at all, because we'll sing together!"

Tirispius: "The sea breeze carried us to a small island where the wind smelled of flowers. There were bleating sheep and chirping birds, welcoming us as guests. There were many animals on the island, but they never quarreled!"

The gentle mother said, "The saint of Janus can hear the guidance of the door gods. Perhaps what you dreamed of is a scene from a fairyland somewhere in Onphalus."

Tirispeius: "...Is...is that so?"

The gentle mother asked, "What's wrong, Tirispius? You seem unhappy?"

Tirispius: "Because...on that island, I also saw a black mountain on the other side of the sea, very, very high."

Tirispius: "The mountain seemed alive, constantly approaching the island. Later I realized it wasn't a mountain at all, but incredibly tall waves... crashing against the island as if trying to devour it. The small animals tried to drive it away, but they couldn't stop it at all..."

Tirispius: "Then, with a final 'boom—!', I woke up."

The gentle mother: "Hmm... the black waves..."

Tirispius: "Mom, are there really such scary things in reality?"

The gentle mother said, "Well... it's a pity that it does exist in Onpharos, but it's still very far from our temple."

The gentle mother said, “People call it the ‘Kuroshio Current,’ but it has nothing to do with the ocean. It’s invisible and formless, yet it can swallow animals, people, even Titans whole… turning them into black monsters.”

Tirispyos: "Oh... Kuroshio is so mean! I don't want everyone to become its little bread rolls. Is there any way to get rid of this guy?"

The gentle mother said, "Of course, good child. But you must be obedient, listen to your elders, study hard and learn etiquette, and grow into a qualified saint..."

The gentle mother said, “The holy Janus will send down guidance so that you can show people the right path.”

Tirispeius: "Hooray... Eat well, study hard, and become a saint!"

Tirispyos: "But Mother just said that the Black Tide will also devour the Titans... What if Janus is also devoured?"

The gentle mother said, "Then... it's up to the Holy Maiden to guide people. After all, we are the incarnations of the door gods on earth, aren't we?"

Tirispeius: "Yes!"

The gentle mother said, "Hehe. But one person is not enough. When you grow up, you will meet many friends. You must do your best to unite them, which is also our duty as priests."

Tirispeius: "Friends? Do they all have beautiful red hair like Mom and me?"

The gentle mother said, "That's not necessarily true. But they are definitely just as smart and kind as you."

......

Tibo suddenly woke up with a start.

She looked around at her familiar surroundings, a hint of disappointment flashing across her face.

"Mother....."

Am I dreaming?

She muttered to herself.

Tibo knew that what had just happened was just a dream.

But she really wanted to stay in that dream.

Because my mother was in that dream.

"Silly child, of course it's not a dream. Mommy has always been by your side."

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

The voice was so gentle and warm that it made Tibo momentarily stunned.

"What......"

She immediately looked around.

“My dear girl, stop being stubborn. Let's call your friends over too—”

"How about we play hide-and-seek like usual? Tirispius is the smartest; you'll definitely remember where everyone is hiding."

Tibo subconsciously took a few steps, but soon realized that the sound was so far away.

She shook her head. "I...I don't remember...Who am I looking for?"

"Of course I want to be with you to drive away the Black Tide's companions." That gentle voice rang out again.

"Companions... Is this something from my childhood? I can't remember..."

Tibo rubbed her head and saw the toy dolls on the cabinet.

"Could it be this?"

Tibo reached out and touched the doll, and that gentle voice rang out again.

It seems to be a memory.

.......

"On that huge ship, there will be a great captain. She is cheerful and optimistic, bold and meticulous, and can unite everyone."

"Wow, that's amazing! Can I be the captain?" Tirispius was drawn over by the voice.

"Of course you can. But my dear girl, you'll find someone more suitable."

“I imagine that person must live in a magnificent temple, which stands on a hillside covered with golden fig trees.”

"There was a noble girl there, who was exceptionally intelligent, but also delicate and sensitive."

"Like...Mom?" Tirispius asked curiously.

Mom smiled gently. "Perhaps. But before we find the captain, the little boat needs a navigator. Who is she?"

Tirispius pondered, her small hand resting on her chin.

"Ugh, let me think..."

"I know! She is—Tibo!"

........

Suddenly, Tibo realized something.

"I gave this doll... the same name as myself?"

In an instant, she remembered her name, but the place was eerie.

"I don't remember anything at all... Is this a dream, or did it actually happen?" Tibo wondered to herself.

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out, seemingly through something.

"That broken box can't hold me in!"

Tibo was immediately drawn to it.

She approached the box and heard rustling sounds coming from inside.

Taking a bold step, she opened the box.

There was no demon inside, only a doll just like the one from before.

"Huh? Why is this doll in the box...?"

"What it's holding is... a sword? Why...?"

The feeling of memories surged back, and at the same time, my mother's gentle voice rang out again.

.......

"A long time from now, many brave warriors will board this ship. They will be highly skilled in martial arts and unafraid of any danger."

"Hmm... I can also learn to fight and protect everyone!"

“Silly child, you are the saintess of Janusapolis. Fighting is not your duty; many will protect you.”

"Okay, so where do they all come from?"

"I imagine one of the warriors came from a beautiful village where rushes grew in abundance, and the other from a magnificent royal city. They each had their own troubles, but they were also willing to dedicate their efforts to the small boat's voyage."

"In that case, let 'Tian' fight alongside them!"

"That way, everyone will be clear-headed!"

.......

"How...how did I know the name 'Tian' back then?" Tibo murmured to herself.

"Is it a coincidence, or...?"

"wrong....."

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