July 24th, high noon in the Whalegarden.
Inside the crystal ball, Yagubalu opened its eyes.
Looking through the glass toward the bedroom window, a blood-red sky filled its vision. Flying fish rode the ocean breeze, carrying a glowing luminescence as they flooded across the heavens in massive swarms, resembling a drifting galaxy.
After a long mont, it turned its head to look inside the bedroom.
Xize'er sat at his desk with lowered eyes, reading a book titled "World Anecdote Almanac".
"Yagubalu... just who or what are you?"
Amidst the soft rustling of fingertips tracing the pages, the white-haired, blue-eyed boy suddenly spoke.
"What are you talking about?" Yagubalu replied. "I am Shasha, not a 'who'."
Xize'er remained silent.
Yagubalu blinked, quietly observing his expression.
It felt as though Xize'er was a completely different person today—reserved and profoundly calm. After all, having his closest companion die in such a cruel manner, leaving him filled with indignation and tortured by a sense of powerlessness, even the weakest of boys would undergo so change in character.
But this was not enough. If the Third Prince wanted to survive, he would have to lose even more.
'When I finally bare my fangs at this world, will Xize'er stand by my side and help
smash the Whalegarden to pieces?' Yagubalu wondered.
"Yagubalu, you were the one who told Ikar to steal the fragnts, weren't you?" Xize'er asked, slowly turning a page. "The guard's investigation report stated that Ikar stole roughly twenty Anecdote Fragnts... and all of them vanished without a trace."
He paused. "The only explanation I can think of is that they are all hidden inside your stomach."
'It seems he is just naive, not stupid,' Yagubalu thought, before replying candidly:
"I simply ntioned that he could feed
if he had the spare ti, not that he should risk his life doing such things."
"Then he..."
"Ikar chose to throw his life away on his own."
"You said," Xize'er murmured softly, "that he did it to make
wake up to reality, right?"
"Correct."
"Can I trust you, Yagubalu?" Xize'er asked after a brief silence.
"You do not need to worry about that. Without , you would already be dead," Yagubalu stated indifferently. "Three nights ago, the Second Prince opened the Floating City's protective barrier and let an assassin into your bedroom."
"What happened to the assassin?"
"Dead. I tossed the body into the sea."
"Is that so?" Xize'er asked. "Your target is the Anecdote Fragnts in the Royal Court Hall, right? You approached
just to get your hands on them."
"Of course not."
Yagubalu was disapproving of the idea, swishing its plump tail.
'My real goal is to swallow the entire Whalegarden,' it mused inwardly. 'You are looking down on
if you think I only care about a few asly fragnts.'
Seeing Xize'er remain silent, it pressed on, "What are you thinking about?"
"I have been wondering why Father King contracted the Black Death despite staying inside the royal palace this whole ti. Furthermore... out of the entire Whalegarden, only Father King fell ill with it, while no one else has shown similar symptoms."
At this point, Xize'er's finger paused on the page, his gaze locking onto a specific section of the "World Anecdote Almanac". This page used detailed text and illustrations to describe the Generation-tier Anecdote, "Black Death".
He spoke in a hushed tone, "It is just that, before now, I refused to let myself believe it."
"It is your two older brothers," Yagubalu said. "They must have colluded with the Black Death Cult Leader, Bernardo Edward, to poison the King. They want to use the ti while the King is bedridden to kill you, securing their chance to steal the throne."
"But I never wanted to fight my brothers for the throne in the first place," Xize'er enunciated every word clearly.
"None of this is up to you," Yagubalu replied.
Xize'er lowered his gaze and remained silent for a long ti.
Finally, he said, "Yagubalu, travel the world with . The world is full of all sorts of Anecdote Fragnts, and I can even find Generation-tier ones for you. There is no need for you to fixate on the items in the Royal Court Hall; it is too dangerous."
Yagubalu was montarily taken aback. "That sounds wonderful. But do you really think you can travel the world?"
Xize'er answered earnestly, "If I explain things clearly to my brothers and swear never to return after leaving the Whalegarden, they should let
go for the sake of our brotherhood... And no matter how much Father King favors , seeing
gone for so long should dispel any thoughts of making
his heir."
He paused. "This way, Father King will not be implicated either."
Yagubalu sighed helplessly. "That is just your wishful thinking. Why would they gamble on you never returning? And why would they gamble that you would not co back stronger—strong enough to dominate the entire Royal Court?"
"No matter what you say, I have already done it," Xize'er said calmly. "Just now, while you were asleep, I sent a letter to my brothers using a 'ssenger Pigeon'."
"You are truly foolish," Yagubalu said. "I believe that even if you make things perfectly clear, they will never let you leave."
"How could that be?"
"Let us make a bet," Yagubalu sighed. "The First Prince and Second Prince will soon send the next batch of assassins, very likely tonight."
Xize'er was quiet for a mont before raising his head. "Alright, I accept your bet."
"And if they refuse to let you go, what then?"
"Ikar is already dead, and Father King has been tortured to such a state... If I offer to leave of my own accord and my brothers still refuse to let
off, then..." Xize'er trailed off, his head bowed, snowy-white bangs shadowing his face.
"Then we will... wait and see."
He whispered to himself, a gloomy, dark glint flashing in the corners of his eyes.
Yagubalu paused in surprise, gulping down a couple of mouthfuls of seawater. 'Are you about to turn into a dark and edgy kid too?' it thought.
Xize'er pulled a bird feather from the "World Anecdote Almanac".
Leaning back in his chair with downcast eyes, he quietly stared at the fiery-red feather. Sparse sparks, much like embers, continuously shed from its edges.
"What exactly is the use of a Phoenix feather?" Yagubalu asked. "Li Qingping does not seriously expect a single bird feather to save you, does he?"
Xize'er replied absentmindedly, "Li Qingping told
before that the 'Phoenix' is different from other Common-tier Anecdotes. It can be promoted."
"Promoted?"
"Yes."
"Promoted from a Common-tier to a Generation-tier Anecdote Fragnt?"
"Correct," Xize'er affird. "Li Qingping said he is the only one who knows about this, and he told
to keep it a secret." He paused. "Li Qingping also promised that when that day cos, he will give the Phoenix to ."
"Li Qingping sure is generous, giving away a Generation-tier Anecdote just like that."
"What else did you expect?"
"Shasha does not understand any of this; Shasha just wants to eat. After Li Qingping gives the Phoenix to you, can Shasha eat it?" "Why do you want to eat absolutely everything?"
The little shark curled its lips. "Your Butler is coming. We cannot talk anymore."
It had pricked up its ears earlier, picking up the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway outside the bedroom. The footsteps belonged to Xize'er's new Butler—"Shiva".
Right at that mont, a soft, gentle knock echoed against the door.
"Your Highness, the Third Prince, the festival has begun," Shiva announced in a deep voice.
"I am coming."
Xize'er tucked the Phoenix feather into his cuff, then picked up the crystal ball and walked over to push the door open.
Shiva glanced at the crystal ball, looking as if he wanted to say sothing but ultimately holding his tongue.
Xize'er followed the Butler out of the castle and stood at the edge of the island. Countless flying fish soared overhead, while the sea breeze blew up from the very bottom of the Whalegarden.
He took a deep breath of the fresh air rushing against his face and lowered his gaze, overlooking the magnificent scenery of the Whalegarden.
Under the burning light of the sky, this enclosed world presented a beautiful and heart-warming scene.
Coinciding with the Sumr Festival, the isolated islands previously scattered across the sea had slowly drifted and locked together, forming a single, complete continent. Right now, the residents of the various islands were like rivers flowing into the sea, streaming endlessly toward the central-most island.
The central island was packed with a sea of people. Looking down from above, the dense crowds resembled a migrating colony of ants swarming over a branch.
Butler Shiva, his hands resting behind his back, turned his head to look at Xize'er.
He offered to use the "Floating Staircase" to send him on his way, but Xize'er shook his head. Summoning the Anecdote Catalog, he drew out the Generation-tier Anecdote—"Christmas Sleigh"—and crushed it.
An orange light pattern flashed, and a long, resonant cry echoed through the air. Before long, two elks dragging a red sleigh charged out from beneath the blood-red sky, wrapped in a thick flurry of wind and snow.
They eventually ca to a halt at the edge of the island, lowering their heads in wait for Xize'er's command.
"Since that is the case, Your Highness the Third Prince, please be absolutely careful," Shiva urged.
"I will."
Xize'er replied expressionlessly. Holding the crystal ball, he boarded the Christmas Sleigh. The elks trod upon the empty air, slowly descending toward the island at the center of the sea.
A short while later, they landed on the central island.
The crowds bustling through the streets and alleys resembled a flowing piece of music. An occasional shout rang out from the roadside stalls, and turning to look, one could see fishern hawking bizarre fish pulled from the sea. People sang and danced, throwing their arms around each other's shoulders under the bloody light of the sky, drinking wine and reciting poetry.
Amidst the lodious sound of bagpipes, soone used a pole to prop up a fishing net sprinkled with spices and bait. The schools of flying fish swimming beneath the sky were drawn in, surging forward and showering the town with fluttering luminescence, making it look as though a heavy snowstorm had descended.
The Christmas Sleigh hovered in mid-air. Xize'er held the crystal ball, his snow-white hair swaying gently in the breeze.
At that mont, Queen Mother Carlilena walked down from a Moving Staircase. She stood at the very center of the island, her luxurious, elegant dress fluttering in the wind, looking as though she had beco the center of the entire world.
The Commoners on the island respectfully stepped back, clearing an open space for her.
Carlilena offered a faint smile and drew an Anecdote card with an orange light pattern from her Anecdote Catalog.
"What is that?" Yagubalu asked.
"A Generation-tier Anecdote: the Ancient Roman Colosseum," Xize'er explained. "Once a year, during the Sumr Festival, Father King releases this Anecdote on the central island to construct an arena... Then, the seven mbers of the Royal Court Squad hold an exhibition match inside. This is the liveliest day in the entire Whalegarden, with everyone fighting tooth and nail to crowd into the Colosseum and watch the fights."
He paused. "Because Father King is ill, Queen Mother is taking his place this year to release the 'Ancient Roman Colosseum'."
At that instant, Carlilena crushed the "Ancient Roman Colosseum" card in her hand.
The orange light pattern flashed and vanished, accompanied by a deafening tremor that shook the earth. Countless thick Roman stone pillars burst from the ground, while arches and stone steps covered in bronze carvings stacked atop one another layer by layer.
Ultimately, they wove together to form an unprecedentedly colossal, ring-shaped structure.
Amidst the swirling dust, the core area of the Colosseum gradually took shape. Iron gates rumbled as they rose beneath the spectator stands.
The luminescence scattered by the schools of flying fish drifted down onto the stone bleachers like broken snow. Blood-red light poured through the open gap in the Colosseum's do, casting a radiant halo over this magnificent, ancient battlefield.
Waves of cheers boiled up from the crowd. The massive silhouette that blotted out the sky absorbed the entirety of the Sumr Festival's bustling noise.
Yagubalu widened its shark eyes, looking around from within the crystal ball, and let out an amazed sigh:
"So Generation-tier Anecdotes even have things like this?"
Accustod to the unusual, Xize'er explained, "Generation-tier Anecdotes are divided into many types. They are not necessarily all combat-oriented Anecdote Fragnts like the ones used by the Royal Court Squad. For instance, the 'Holy Grail' is a healing-type Anecdote, while the 'Ancient Roman Colosseum' is an architectural-type Anecdote."
"Shasha understands."
Yagubalu licked its sharp fangs, its appetite thoroughly whetted. 'It is a good thing that my food cos in such a wide variety,' it mused.
Carlilena brought her hands together in front of her stomach. Stepping onto a Moving Staircase amidst the cheers of the crowd, she slowly descended to the royal family's viewing platform. Then, she turned her head toward Xize'er on his Christmas Sleigh and waved for him to co over.
Xize'er directed the Christmas Sleigh to fly toward the royal viewing platform, landing right beside Carlilena.
He stepped off the sleigh, stored it back into the Anecdote Catalog, and then sat down beside the Queen Mother with the crystal ball in his arms.
"Queen Mother, I am here," he said.
"Good child," Carlilena replied. "Why did you bring that Nobel Shark along again?"
"This is a gift from Father King; I want to keep it by my side." Xize'er paused. "Where are my brothers?"
"They are here."
Carlilena raised her eyes toward the sky.
Following her gaze, Yagubalu looked up. The First Prince, Lorenzo, and the Second Prince, Cosimo, had appeared. Dressed in luxurious tailcoats, they descended step by step along a silver-white Moving Staircase.
Behind them followed the seven mbers of the Royal Court Squad, led by Luosi and Li Qingping. As always, only Li Qingping wore a black suit, while the others donned the uniform robes of the Royal Court Squad.
With the appearance of the Royal Court Squad and the two princes, an unprecedented cheer erupted from the crowd flooding into the Colosseum. The sheer volu of voices reached a boiling point, almost enough to drown out the entire world.
Lorenzo smiled and waved at the masses; Cosimo kept a cold, taut expression, his hands clasped behind his back.
The two walked slowly, eventually landing just below the royal viewing platform. They cast a deep, lingering look at Xize'er before taking their seats to the left of the Queen Mother.
Xize'er ignored them, silently staring up at the do.
Li Qingping crushed a Cards. A silver light pattern flashed, and the Phoenix expanded in mid-air, transforming into a massive, dazzling giant bird that carried the seven mbers of the Royal Court Squad down into the heart of the Colosseum.
A shower of fiery rain cascaded down from above them, illuminating their awe-inspiring figures.
Amidst the overwhelming screams and cheers, Xize'er suddenly spoke up.
"Queen Mother," he said softly, turning to look at Carlilena. "Once the exhibition match between the Royal Court Squad mbers is over, could Second Brother and I also have an exhibition match?"
Carlilena was montarily stunned, thinking she had misheard him.
"Xize'er, you..." she murmured, eting his gaze.
"I am serious." Xize'er kept his expression completely blank. "This will also give everyone a good show to enjoy, will it not?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)