Chapter 103: continuation 6

As the palace door swung open, Xerxez was met by his guardian soldiers, clad in splendid attire, their garments adorned with intricate gold embroidery. A genuine smile, etched on Xerxez’s face as he beheld his magnificent white horse, standing poised and waiting, ready for their journey, through the entire district.

Neigh!!! A tame, greeting whinny, full of affection, emanated from his noble steed.

’Hmmm…He know, who is his master. That horse was a gift from Dreamithreo, the land of Pegasus. But, I don’t know if he can fly…he has no wings. Maybe, he is just a normal horse.’

Nevertheless, in the Betelgeuse District, the palace stood as the central government, a majestic edifice symbolizing the very heart and unwavering leadership of the kings.

’As I pass at the door, I saw some councils standing in the door, with long robes, honoring my exit for the tour.’

“Good morning, your majesty… Enjoy your tour.”

Important council members stood watching Xerxez exit the palace, their expressions serene, as did some royal ministers whom Xerxez frequently consulted for crucial matters, whether economic or systemic.

Xerxez observed the rectangular flags hanging, their blue and red silk shimmering in the morning light. Xerxez then contemplated that they should be replaced with a new, unifying symbol for Thallerion, to cease the pervasive thought of “inevitable war” that still clung to the minds of his people. The flags, bearing the emblem of Orion—the warrior skilled in combat—were attached to the walls of the buildings and even the palace itself.

“Uhm, can you please. replace those flags.”

“But, Your majesty… Those are the symbols of Orion. What would other people think, if we will remove the flag, they will think…Orion is no longer a theme in Thallerion?”

“That’s a useless emblem!” Xerxez muttered, a quiet resolve hardening his gaze. ” We will just encouraging enemies because of that emblem.”

“If that’s your will, then…we will remove it.” Other Minister responded.

During their journey, the people they encountered smiled warmly at Xerxez, their faces radiating respect and affection. It took but a few minutes before they reached the second District—Rigil, and Xerxez’s heart was already overflowing with profound joy.

’Look at their faces, they were happy, peaceful, and calm. I wish.. this era…will remain forever. But, as Mr Martheuw Cereun said, as long as the Death-entity is in somewhere, watching humanity, and waiting for an opportunity—the world will plunge into chaos.’

’In district Rigil, we build Temple, for the spiritual-energy training lesson, headed by the Elders. They train young people there, to improve their spiritual ability, in order to use, magical weapons. But, Matheros, as a new Chief Commander, he train soldiers for the military combat, guns and explosive weapons, as a rudimentary weapons for all soldiers.’

’I understand, as we have no, Constellar protector, we have to rely on our own strength, ability, and weapons…And I think, elders knowledge can help to improve my soldiers ability to fight , especially… countering beasts of Constellar entity. Those magical weapons can be useful to destroy Constellar entity form.’

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In Perlend’s chamber, while the baby slept, she was embroidering a mythical phoenix flower with needle and thread, softly singing a lullaby for her child.

Suddenly, silence blew out the altar candles, and she briefly heard a bird’s shriek from the window. She left the baby on the bed to investigate the source of the sound, but she saw nothing that could have made the noise.

Realizing it was just her imagination, she quickly returned to the room, but her eyes widened, and she stood like stone, disbelieving. Fresh ashes surrounded the baby. Perlend also felt a warm gust of wind inside the room.

Perlend’s gaze, like an insect, crawled over the baby’s bed. She noticed a mark on its chest; a meticulous symbol carved into the scorched skin.

She bit her finger, but the baby wasn’t crying; it was sleeping soundly. There were still embers on the diaper, and the mark, where incense smoke billowed, was a fiery, bird-like symbol with long wings and a tail. A miracle occurred—the wound healed.

When she recognized the mark, it was indeed a Phoenix bird. Overwhelmed with amazement, she called Xerxez as her body collapsed heavily onto a seat when the mark vanished.

Perlend witnessed the mark’s appearance, but by the time Xerxez arrived, the mark was gone, leaving only ashes, which she collected in a small porcelain jar. That was all Xerxez saw.

“Who would dare play such a disrespectful prank?” Xerxez said, frowning when he saw the ashes on the baby’s bed.

“Only a rude person would do this!” Xerxez gripped his sword, which glinted as he forcefully raised it, but Perlend’s voice was like a strong hand that stopped Xerxez’s sword, so he lowered it again.

“Xerxez, calm down.” Perlend was flustered by Xerxez’s reaction to the ashes scattered near the baby. She tried to calm Xerxez even as she busied herself cleaning the ashes, though a stain remained on the white fabric of the bed.

Xerxez decided to investigate the surroundings, looking out the window, outside the door, and even behind the large cabinets.

Perlend could only laugh. “The Phoenix of Peronica has visited our child!” Perlend said joyfully. Xerxez stopped and sat beside the baby, gazing affectionately into Perlend’s eyes.

“The phoenix?” Xerxez questioned, his mind grappling with the word. “Isn’t that just a legend in your country?!!” Xerxez’s eyes became heavy, as if he felt a great weight, despite his wife’s joy about the matter. “Did you sleep well last night?”

“Xerxez—what are you doing?!!! Why are you staring at me like that… You don’t want to believe it?” Perlend chided, but her excitement about the phoenix slowly withered.

She handed the jar to Xerxez. “Come, join me at my altar.” Perlend coaxed, picking up the sleeping baby. Perlend immediately brought the baby closer to the painting of the Phoenix flower she had Xerxez paint for her previously, and Xerxez placed the porcelain jar beside the altar. Perlend lit a candle at the Phoenix altar, which also had a small wooden statue. Perlend had personally commissioned the statue from the land of Vhorlandrus.

Perlend poured myrrh on Pyramus’s forehead, but suddenly, they saw the candle flame change color, becoming the same hue as the phoenix flower. Xerxez’s eyes were fixed on the candles, and his mouth hung open.

“The candle flame is the same color as the flower in the painting. How did this happen?” Xerxez picked up a candle, but its color returned to normal. However, when he put it back, the candle’s light was the same again.

“Pyramus has been blessed by the Phoenix.” Perlend replied, leaning against Xerxez and embracing him with one arm. Xerxez felt the same, both of them holding the baby.

“This means… the Phoenix of Peronica has chosen our child. The blessing of the Phoenix’s soul is now in the baby.” Perlend’s voice was joyful, but suddenly, Perlend’s mind felt dizzy. It was fortunate she was holding onto Xerxez’s waist.

Xerxez paused for a moment, deep in thought. He turned to the window while Perlend sat down, checking herself. Her fingers began to tremble as she thought of the curse, so she hugged the baby.

“Isn’t it strange? According to the legend of Peronica… only those with the blood of previous chosen ones can be chosen… And I heard that Queen Pyramia’s bloodline was the last inheritor of the Phoenix blood.” Xerxez’s gaze was distant, as if his mind was traveling to Peronica.

“But someone told me that Pyramia’s child was cursed.” He sighed heavily as he looked down.

In front of his eyes, people were busy with their tasks, horses were pulling carts, and soldiers were marching towards the Rigil district.

“This is impossible, because Queen Pyramia’s child is dead.” Xerxez said, turning to Perlend with a sad expression. “Could it be… that wasn’t a real Phoenix?” Perlend did not respond to Xerxez’s words. He held his sword again and said, “Or did someone really get in here and try to play a trick on us?”

Perlend only smiled, but it was no longer vibrant, like a wilting plant. Xerxez noticed Perlend’s pale face, her lips seemingly devoid of blood, and unexpectedly, Perlend fainted, collapsing to the floor like a candle, her body clattering on the smooth marble.

Xerxez began to worry about why Perlend had fainted without reason. Xerxez asked Perlend when she regained consciousness, but she only remained silent, ashamed. After Xerxez left the room, Perlend cried at the truth that she was hiding truth that she had an ill condition and was already feeling weak.

Nevertheless, Perlend was still happy to be with her husband and child, but what Xerxez didn’t know was that Perlend was already experiencing a terrifying nightmare—the sickness inherited from Peronica.

Fearing that Xerxez might leave her, her tongue fell silent, and her mouth was bound by fear like a box, and she endured the illness.

That Sunday, Perlend returned to Peronica, her homeland, which she had left for love. But Perlend heard the news of the death of the King of Peronica, so her entire town was now in mourning.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep