Chapter 274: What Truly Happened to Father
Ruvian let out an exasperated sigh.
Of course, it was that guy.
Who else could it possibly be but him?
Truthfully, Ruvian had already expected as much. After all, he was one of the most important figures in the history of this world.
However, he never expected him to have a hand in preparing the next generation of heroes before they had even existed.
And of course, he certainly wasn’t expecting the damn sword he had picked up from the Ashway Bazaar to turn out to be this important!
How was he supposed to know?
More importantly... how could he?
’Haa... my head is all over the place now.’
Ruvian felt a little disoriented.
First of all, as the one who had proofread this world, he was fairly confident in what he knew, at least to a certain extent. So, the fact that this was completely beyond his knowledge was deeply unsettling.
Regardless of that, he was well aware of the difference between reading the novel and actually living inside it.
It had been over two months since his first day of transmigration into this damnable world, so he had already learned and experienced quite a lot.
Therefore, one thing he could confidently say was that, from reading the novel, he had been learning things from the perspective of the protagonist, who was none other than Zian Herga.
Now, however, he was learning things from his own perspective, experiencing them firsthand through the body he had possessed, that of Ruvian Castelor.
However, there was one thing he had already taken note of as a precaution.
From what he had read, and from the information he had gained as the proofreader, he also needed to be wary of false narration.
Practically every novel had that, and he had no doubt this one was no exception.
’Especially that damn TheCurator.’
After all, from his experience working with her, she was a fan of abusing false narration throughout her story.
Which was why there would inevitably be a few inconsistencies between what he knew and how the world actually was.
Ruvian let out another slow breath. He rubbed the bridge of his nose before looking into the endless darkness.
Then a helpless smile appeared on his face.
"Alright, I think I understand the general idea now," he said. "But let’s go back to what you mentioned earlier, because there is still one thing that I don’t understand."
[Continue...] the Great Spirit said.
"You said something had changed," Ruvian continued. "What exactly did you mean by that?"
The Great Spirit remained quiet for a few moments. Her answer did not come right away as though she was trying to make sense of it herself.
[Honestly... I do not know.]
Her voice carried a trace of helplessness. It sounded strange coming from someone who had lived for countless ages. Even she seemed unable to understand what had happened.
[Father’s presence is no longer inside that sword, yet the sword still carries out the purpose it was created for.]
She paused for a brief moment. Then she slowly continued.
[And that purpose is... to find its way to the person Father wished to entrust it to, and that person is you.]
Ruvian quietly listened. He did not interrupt her. But every answer only seemed to create another question.
The Great Spirit let out a small sigh.
Even after all this time, confusion still lingered in her voice. There were simply too many things that refused to fit together.
[I know this will sound confusing, because it truly is,] She gently tapped her forehead. [There are many things that no longer make sense.]
Another brief silence followed.
Then she asked the question that had been bothering her the most.
[If Father was not inside that sword to guide you here, then how did you find this place in the first place?]
Her voice became softer.
[That is something I wish to know as well.]
’Shit...’
Ruvian inwardly cursed.
She slowly continued.
[The key to entering this realm should only be known by Father. No one else was ever supposed to find this place.]
Ruvian’s expression did not change. His mind, however, was already racing. Countless thoughts flashed through his head in an instant.
’Now... how should I bluff my way out of this?’
Thankfully, he already had an excuse prepared. It was not meant for this situation, but it should still work well enough.
Ruvian scratched the back of his head. A slightly awkward smile appeared on his face. Then he began explaining.
"Honestly, I don’t know either. I found a hidden pathway behind a waterfall, and it led me to a secluded cave. There was a small pond inside, and I only planned to drink some water while eating a few berries."
He shrugged helplessly.
"Then the next thing I knew, I suddenly woke up here."
Silence filled the Sepulcher.
A second later, a soft smack echoed through the darkness.
The Great Spirit had planted a hand against her own forehead.
[Let me guess...]
She let out a tired sigh.
[Those were Nocturne Berries, weren’t they?]
Ruvian blinked, pretending to be surprised.
"H... how do you know that?" He put both of his hands on top of his head in disbelief. "I never even mentioned what kind of berries they were."
The Great Spirit let out a long, tired groan.
It was the kind of sound someone made after dealing with the same problem far too many times. A moment later, she rubbed her forehead again before quietly muttering to herself.
[Haa... that old man and his stupid Nocturne Berries.]
She clicked her tongue.
[Couldn’t he think of another way for humans to enter this realm?]
Ruvian’s lips twitched.
’Now that I think about it... she really does sound like a daughter who was completely exhausted by her father’s antics.’
The Great Spirit sighed one last time.
[Anyway, it is fine.]
Her voice soon regained its usual calm.
[There is still another way for us to learn the truth.]
Ruvian repeated her words under his breath.
"Learn the truth?"
Before he could ask another question, a sharp finger snap echoed throughout the endless darkness.
Snap!
The entire Sepulcher suddenly shook.
A deep rumble rolled beneath his feet as though something enormous had awakened below them, causing Ruvian’s expression to change as he immediately lowered his center of gravity to steady himself.
The violent tremor lasted only a few seconds.
Then everything gradually became still again.
Ruvian narrowed his eyes.
Although darkness robbed him of his sight, his hearing remained sharp enough to notice something heavy rising from the ground beside him.
Whatever had emerged, it was massive.
The Great Spirit spoke once more.
[The Chronoseal is beside you now. If that sword still carries out Father’s final will, then it should still function as the Key.]
Ruvian turned his head toward the sound of her voice.
"The Key?"
[Yes.]
Her answer came without hesitation.
[Step onto the Chronoseal, or the altar... then place The Key into the slot at its center.]
She continued before Ruvian could ask another question.
[That blade was born from the deepest currents of time and space. It has wandered across countless realms and countless timelines, witnessing worlds rise into glory before fading into dust. Therefore, it remembers far more than any living soul ever could.]
A brief silence followed.
[So if you place it upon the Chronoseal, then perhaps...]
She slowly finished her sentence.
[...Both of us might finally learn—]
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[Chapter 274: What Truly Happened to Father]