“We don’t have many specific details about the words, except this… They were used in ancient times and… became forbidden around the time everything fell apart, broken by the greed of the… First One,” Aria said, her tone serious as she sat across from Isadora, her gaze steady.
Since they couldn’t take the books away from the Archive, Aria had carefully written down all the details she could manage.
“Hmm… ‘Greed of the First One’… What’s that even supposed to mean?” Isadora frowned, her brows knitting together as she tried to process the cryptic phrase.
Aria shook her head, a faint sigh escaping her lips. “That’s all that’s mentioned in the records. There’s nothing more—just that this language is forbidden.”
Isadora exchanged a glance with Aether, who gave a silent nod of agreement. She exhaled sharply. “I see… Greed of the First One… but why? Do you have any idea, any clue at all, on how to decipher this Forbidden Language?”
Aria’s expression was dejected, “No, unfortunately. It’s said that no one can learn or even begin to understand this language unless…” she hesitated, then continued, “‘The Broken Wound is Healed.'” as she pointed to the words she wrote carefully.
“Tsk! Another cryptic phrase,” Isadora muttered, clicking her tongue in frustration. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, betraying her growing irritation. Maelona, who had been unusually silent, finally spoke up, her voice calm yet curious. “Can someone explain to me what’s going on? What is this Forbidden Language, and why is it so significant that even the Sovereign herself is getting involved?”
Isadora shot a brief look at Aether, who sighed deeply and shook his head. “No, I haven’t filled them in on the situation yet.”
“Wait. What situation?” Aria asked, her eyes narrowing as her curiosity turned into concern.
Isadora let out a long sigh, leaning back in her chair. “Since you’re all part of ruling this Empire, you deserve to know…..” She began detailing the events happening in the Pyra Empire, her voice grave and steady.
By the time she finished, everyone was stunned, their eyes wide with shock.
As Isadora and Aether left the room to give the others time to process what they had just learned.
Walking down the hallway, Isadora glanced at Aether. “Did you find anything else? Anything at all?”
Aether shook his head, his expression grim. “Don’t know exactly but I heard Helena seen this Forgotten Language before…. Did you? Anything about strange stone slabs rotating in other Empires?”
“Helena knew…. Interesting that Means I need to have a talk with Archprietess… Hmm” She had thoughtful expression before sighed heavily, “I’ve already sent out a few investigation teams, but they came back empty-handed. They couldn’t find the stone slab, As… you know, even the one we discovered was buried deep inside the Pyra Empire. So we have no idea where the others could be hidden….. But what about you? Do you have any leads in the Aquaris Empire? Could you investigate further?”
Aether hesitated for a moment, “I know the general location, but I don’t know exactly where it is… Only one man knows that, and that man is… Mortimer.”
“Hmmm… You mean the Hero?” Isadora’s eyes sparkled with sudden interest.
“Hero?” Aether raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
“You didn’t know?” Isadora chuckled softly. “In his prime, it’s said he saved millions of people from drowning in the tsunami that hit the Aerionis Zephyra Empire. He’s practically a legend there.”
Aether’s surprise deepened. “Really?” as he remembered seeing something about that in his logs.
Isadora shrugged nonchalantly, “That’s just what I’ve heard from their Empire’s previous Chosen. Apparently, he’s some kind of hero to their people. They love him—worship him, even.”
“I see…” Aether nodded thoughtfully, now wondering whether they were really talking about Mortimer or someone else entirely.
Suddenly, Isadora’s eyes narrowed, and her tone shifted, dripping with sarcasm. “By the way… just how many women are you fooling around with these days, brat? I swear, I’ve lost count! Every time I see you, you’re surrounded by them. Professors, too? Really?… Delphine even took a holiday as she couldn’t move her body!!”
Aether chuckled, his voice was soft but smug. “I’m not fooling around with anyone. I just love them. What can I say? They love me back~~”
“Love?” Isadora snorted, narrowing her eyes but casting a subtle glance from the corner of her eye. “What about me then?”
Aether blinked, clearly surprised. “You? Of course, I love you!” he said with a serious face, but his teasing tone didn’t go unnoticed.
Isadora shrugged, her expression unreadable. She didn’t feel anything from his so-called confession, or at least she pretended not to.
Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
Aether, however, chuckled, sensing her resistance. His arms wrapped firmly around her hips, pulling her close. “It doesn’t matter what you think of me or…. how much you try to hide your true feelings,” he whispered.
Isadora’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse quickening. She tried to maintain her composure. “W-What are you talking about?” she stammered, attempting to push him away.
But Aether’s grip tightened. His breath brushed against her ear as he murmured with a dangerously possessive tone, “You are mine… and I’ll do whatever it takes to claim you~ Dora~”
[+6000 AP]
A shiver ran down Isadora’s spine, her ears turning beet red.
Crack!
“Ouch!”
Her fist connected with his ribs, making him groan in pain. “How dare you talk to your master like that?!” she shouted, her face flushed with both anger and embarrassment.
“W-Wait! I have something important to tell you!” Aether shouted, wincing in pain.
“I’m not letting you off that easily!” she snapped, raising her hand, ready to break another bone.
“I entered a Personal Realm!” Aether blurted out in desperation.
Isadora paused, her eyes narrowing. “Personal Realm? What do you mean?”
Aether exhaled deeply, sensing he’d bought himself a moment. “Let me explain,” he began, recounting the events that transpired within the Personal Realm, from Helena’s mother to the mysterious white-haired man. He told her almost everything, carefully omitting details about time reversal and the Ether bloodline.
Isadora’s expression turned sceptical. “Only you manage to get involved in such bizarre things,” she muttered, shaking her head.
Aether chuckled softly. “Well, to be fair, it’s always the people around me causing the weirdness. I’m just along for the ride,” he said with a wry smile.
“A white-haired man hiding in a Personal Realm… Interesting,” Isadora mused, her brows furrowing. “I’ve never heard anything about this. He’s been in the Empire all this time, and he even knows the Forbidden Language… That means…”
“He might be someone connected to the gods,” Aether finished, his voice low.
Isadora nodded, her expression grim. “It’s all getting more complicated. Fine. I’ll investigate this further. But you,” she pointed at him, her tone sharp, “you need to return to your Empire and find that Ebon Pillar of Eternal Rite, or whatever it’s called. If it’s protected like last time, don’t be reckless. Ask for help. You can’t handle everything on your own, Aether!”
Aether smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. “My master is worried about me~ How cute~” he teased, pinching her cheeks gently. “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best!”
Isadora stared at him blankly, unfazed. “Anyway, now that my business here is done… I’m leaving.” Without waiting for a response, she disappeared into thin air.
[+6000 AP]
Aether let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Damn… she’s too shy.”
“Too shy? Who?”
Aether flinched and turned around sharply, only to find Maelona standing there, her arms crossed and a soft frown on her face.
“Just playing with my master… ahah…”