Chapter 770: A Dream
The caravan rolled through the cobblestone streets of Cromwell’s port city, drawing curious eyes from all corners. Whispers spread fast — the statue they carried radiated an ancient, divine aura that even unawakened civilians could feel.
“Is that… a statue of a god?”
“It appears so, but what god is that? It’s the first ti I’m seeing a goddess as beautiful as this — she even has beast-like features.”
“Wait, isn’t that Lord Nox Cromwell? The Beast Monarch?”
The murmurs only grew louder as they passed. Nox ignored them, walking alongside the caravan while Zarek and Dorran followed close behind. Guards flanked the group on both sides, ensuring that no one ca too close. Australux hovered lazily in the air, casting faint glimrs of blue light that reflected off the polished armor of the escorting soldiers.
When they reached the Royal City, the crowd dispersed, replaced by rows of elegant buildings and banners bearing the royal crest. It wasn’t long before they arrived at the massive construction site — the future Temple of Beast Taming.
This was the temple Nox had been building alongside the city. He had planned it even before the Cromwell Kingdom was officially established.
Even from a distance, it was clear that great progress had been made. Dozens of builders moved in sync, putting the finishing touches on the structure.
The temple was grand and imposing, shaped like a dod cathedral with arched ceilings carved from white marble. Each pillar was etched with glowing beast symbols — dragons, pandas, cats, and many more.
Golden sunlight stread through the glass mosaics above, casting shifting colors across the half-finished floor and giving the place an almost divine atmosphere.
As the caravan rolled in, workers imdiately stopped what they were doing. The sound of hamrs and chisels died out, replaced by murmurs and gasps as everyone turned toward the arriving procession.
“Is that… the statue we’ve been waiting for?”
“The aura… it’s overwhelming.”
“The construction will finally be complete…”
Nox raised his hand slightly, and silence followed. His calm yet commanding presence carried through the entire site.
“Continue working,” he said, his tone asured. “This statue will be placed at the center. Ensure the altar is ready.”
“Yes, my lord!” the chief architect replied, bowing deeply before sprinting off to give orders.
The following day, the first rays of sunlight bathed the temple in gold as the workers stepped back, eyes wide in admiration. The statue had finally been placed.
It stood tall and radiant, its beast-like features glimring faintly under the divine light pouring through the glass do. Every intricate carving along its surface pulsed faintly with magic, and the air around it seed to vibrate with a sacred hum.
Children peeked from behind the pillars, whispering excitedly.
“It’s so beautiful…” one murmured. “Is that really a goddess?”
“Don’t touch it!” a worker hissed, pulling the child back gently. “That thing radiates divine power. Even standing too close makes my knees weak.”
Nox stood before the statue, the glowing gem in his grasp pulsing faintly. It was the reason the divinity in the temple felt stronger than usual.
“So activating this gem sohow triggers the statue… that ans the awakening will be much smoother.” He nodded thoughtfully.
Still, a few questions lingered in his mind. One of them was — how did the gem fall into the hands of those sea devotees?
Did they stumble upon it? Was it connected to Terra?
Thousands of theories flashed through Nox’s head, but since he couldn’t settle on one, and there was no real need to, he decided to leave it be.
‘Now I can finally take a rest,’ he thought absentmindedly to himself.
Nox hadn’t slept throughout the night — in fact, ever since he retrieved the statue, he hadn’t had a proper rest.
He yawned, his eyes tearing slightly. At that mont, an annoyed voice called from behind.
“To think you’d be in the city and not even make an effort to check on .”
Nox blinked, rubbing his eyes slightly as if making sure he wasn’t hallucinating from exhaustion. “Wendy?”
The woman crossed her arms, tapping her foot with practiced annoyance. Her white hair glead under the sunlight streaming through the glass do, and her bow hung casually at her side.
“Don’t act surprised. You’ve been back in Cromwell for two days, and the entire capital knows about your return. Yet sohow, I’m the last person you thought to visit?”
“I’ve been… busy,” Nox said with a yawn, trying not to look guilty. “And right now, I need so long sleep.”
“Oh, that explains it.” Wendy finally noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes, and a look of concern crossed her face.
She took a few quiet steps closer, her voice soft and gentle now — a stark contrast from her earlier tone.
“You really haven’t rested, have you?” she said almost in a whisper as she brushed her fingers lightly over his sleeve. “You look completely exhausted, Nox.”
He gave a small, tired chuckle. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll escort you to your room.”
Nox didn’t argue — he was too tired to. Serena walked beside him silently, her steps light and asured. The temple’s halls were dim, the faint glow of runes casting a soft blue hue across the marble walls. When they reached his chamber, she paused by the doorway.
“Here,” she said softly. “You should rest. I’ll stay nearby in case soone cos looking for you.”
He nodded, setting the glowing gem down on a nearby pedestal. “Don’t let anyone touch that.”
“I won’t,” she replied gently.
Nox removed his coat and lay down on the soft bed. Initially, the room was ant for the priest, but since there was no one assigned yet, he used the space. The sound of trickling water from the nearby channel was oddly soothing. Within monts, his eyes fluttered closed.
Serena watched him for a long while, her gaze tender — like an elder sister watching over her brother.
And for the first ti in days, Nox slept.
But peace didn’t last long.
Soon, he found himself sowhere else…
Under a crimson sky, Nox stood on a battlefield filled with corpses. The stacks of bodies had ford mountains — millions had died here.
“Where… where is this? What happened here?”
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