Just after the soul of the headless insect monster was completely absorbed and digested by Floin, a series of strange things happened in the royal city of Tourmaline Closter.
Inexplicably blank spaces appeared on street posters about the latest policies, leaflets on government decrees, headlines of major newspapers, and even in the diaries written by some residents themselves.
No one knows why, and no one knows what was originally written on the blank space. Most people think it is just a coincidence or some kind of omission.
Although it caused a discussion, it was quickly forgotten.
In a bar in downtown.
An unkempt, red-nosed drunkard suddenly talked about the big event that happened in the Fire Pattern Square in the center of the royal city two days ago.
Everything was normal at the beginning. The huge crowds and the turbulent scene were quite vivid. Even the guests at the nearby tables teased him, saying that as a laborer from the lower city, he had no right to pass the review and enter the central area at the top of the royal city to participate in the rally.
But when asked exactly when this big event took place, the red-nosed drunkard stammered and seemed to be disconnected, unable to give a clear idea.
This immediately caused everyone to laugh at him.
"So what was that rally all about? Varden!"
Someone asked loudly, lighting up a cigarette.
"Well... it seems like the royal family is going to execute someone."
"Who is mobilizing so many people? Haha, could it be the thief who stole bread from Auntie Mayin's Bakery on the night of the celebration?"
"Of course not! But who exactly... I can't remember right now."
"Hahaha… "
Everyone laughed.
Suddenly someone was stunned and confused.
"Celebration day? Is it the princess' birthday?"
"Yeah, I used to sing with my neighbor Doshi and his family while holding lanterns."
"But isn't the princess' birthday in December?"
"Oh... Sorry, I must have remembered it wrong. Anyway, March 9th is a big day. The royal family even sent people to decorate the place with lanterns and colorful lights. Who cares!"
In addition to the lower city, similar things are also happening in the upper city, the central area, and even in other areas, at all levels and in every corner... Certain memories are disappearing quietly. No one remembers that there is a prince named Dazlet in the royal family, and no one remembers anything about him.
even…
Game forum for gamers.
“—Eh? Where’s my post? How come such a big post of mine disappeared?!”
"—What post? Is it a photo of Sese from the Star Sect? Good brother, can I borrow one to talk to you?"
"—No, go away. It's an analysis post about the Western War, and there was a long comment by 'Ordinary Operator' in it. I still remember him saying that this matter was related to the royal family, and it was a conspiracy of some crown prince..."
"—Which crown prince? The Sun Royal Family only has one princess. Why are you just talking nonsense here?"
In addition, a considerable number of posts in the game forum disappeared out of thin air, as if they were silently deleted by a hidden administrator.
Even the "Mysterious Era 2.0 Version Online CG: Dark Resurrection" that was originally pinned to the top has disappeared.
This caused strong dissatisfaction among the players.
However, the official game department issued an urgent announcement stating that the forum administrators had never deleted posts maliciously, but that an unknown error occurred in the background data, causing some posts to be damaged.
But the players are not stupid, because they have long discovered that those disappeared posts are all related to the royal family. To be precise, they are related to someone in the royal family, but it is hard to say who it is now.
Some smart players pointed out that it was probably some lucky guy who found a BUG in the royal family and made a huge profit from it, so he alarmed the official, deleted the post urgently, and fixed the BUG.
As for the so-called "the game is controlled by a supercomputer and is absolutely fair and reasonable", the players don't really believe it. Some people even secretly said that the official should give them some compensation, otherwise it would be unacceptable.
However, there was no official response after the announcement.
What the players don’t know is that in reality, in Kakamala, the capital of the Azure Federation, the city of night, the scientists at the research and development center of “The Mysterious Age” are in a state of panic.
All present were top researchers from the Federation, but no one could explain the motivation and principle behind the supercomputer's sudden tampering and deletion of data. Even all the players participating in the game had a section of their memory disappear out of thin air!
"Report this to the Federation Ether Science Department and the chief priests of the Azure Saint Church. After receiving the information disk, the supercomputer has evolved too rapidly... We need more experimental data."
The leading man in a white coat said in a deep voice.
The mechanical eye on his left emitted a creepy blue light as it stared at the huge object placed in the center of the laboratory—the supercomputer composed of countless circuit boards and modules, and the pitch-black information disk at the socket on the operating table.
"The great cause of the Holy Church cannot stop. It will be the key that leads us to salvation and the Kingdom of God when the end of the world comes..."
*
*
*
A few days later.
A week had passed since the appointment with Ms. Fredetri.
Chen Lun walked out of the gate of Meteor Tower, turned around, politely took off his black hat, thanked Ms. Fredetri and said goodbye.
"Thank you for your guidance and teaching these days. I feel I have benefited a lot."
"You're welcome, Jack."
Ms. Frederic waved her hand, smoking a cigarette.
"I am quite surprised at your brain. I didn't expect that you could come up with such a wonderful idea through my seals and some basic magic principles... When these are combined with your own mythological power of destiny, incredible power is created. This has given me some inspiration."
As she spoke, a melancholy look once again appeared in the lady's eyes.
Seeing this, Chen Lun became alert for some reason.
As expected, Ms. Fredetri exhaled mist and spoke slowly:
"Although I've gotten used to it over the years, it's still nice to have someone around to chat with... Jack, I heard that Mrs. Elk went to the Royal City, so I plan to write a letter to communicate with her, and by the way, ask for some research materials..."
Her turn of events was quite abrupt, and there was something else behind her words.
Chen Lun understood instantly.
This old man is short of money again...
He took a deep breath, made a few choices, and then took out an Imperial Bank certificate and handed it over. The amount of 50,000 gold pounds was clearly engraved on it.
"Jack, what are you doing?"
Ms. Fredetri looked puzzled.
"Some insignificant worldly possessions. I hope they will make your conversation with Mrs. Elk enjoyable."
Chen Lun smiled.
His heart was bleeding as he had less than a hundred thousand left of his property.
Fortunately, the "Clairvoyance Potion" developed by the company is being sold to players continuously. With this cash cow, he can make a lot of money from the 2.0 version for a long time, so he feels a little relieved.
Ms. Frederic took the voucher, played with it for a few seconds, and then shook her head and sighed:
"I didn't expect to receive funding from you again. I'm ashamed..."
As she spoke, the lady held the cigarette between her lips and used her free hand to pat the shoulder of the old wizard Carmen beside her.
"Don't underestimate me, a student of my age. I have traveled very few times, which is why I was trapped in the dark world for so many years due to my carelessness... How about letting Carmen follow you for a few years?"
"Um?"
Chen Lun was slightly stunned.
Carmen on the side was also stunned.
"teacher?"
"Jack is now also a Saint, the same as you, at Sequence 4, and even much stronger than you in many aspects... You can learn a lot from her, just like when I traveled with Mr. Jingyao."
Ms. Fredetree said calmly.
Carmen looked aggrieved and hesitated to speak.
She always listened to her teacher, so she did not refuse, but she kept thinking in her heart that the teacher might feel guilty about taking the 50,000 gold pounds, so he just sold her out.
"My team doesn't have anyone of high rank. It would be my honor if Mage Carmen could help me."
Chen Lun smiled.
"Okay, it's settled."
Ms. Frederic flicked the cigarette butt and it flew under the crater.
She pointed in that direction again.
"But the magic circle pattern below has not been refurbished and repaired yet. Wait a few days. After Carmen helps me with it, I will ask her to come find you."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
Chen Lun held the silver cane and bowed slightly to Master and Disciple Fred Cui.
He and the lady smiled at each other.
Only the white-haired old man had a bleak look on his face, secretly sad.
*
*
*
After leaving the Meteor Tower, Chen Lun returned to the royal city.
Fortunately, during the days when the incarnation disappeared, no accidents happened in the Kangkai Church area, so he took advantage of his leisure time and strolled through the busy city in the central area.
After the prince's incident came to an end, the royal family and the Church of the Seven Gods returned to peace, or at least maintained superficial peace.
Chen Lun was walking on the roadside with a silver cane and his hat pulled down like an ordinary gentleman, without attracting anyone's attention.
For some reason, he inexplicably developed a strange feeling from the atmosphere of the royal city... It was an indescribable weirdness.
Walking past the bulletin boards and walls, Chen Lun took a casual glance and saw the blank spaces where the words had disappeared out of thin air. His heart sank.
He knew very well that it was after the death of Prince Dazlait that people began to gradually forget this person... Chen Lun did not intend to continue investigating, at least not at this stage.
But he kept this incident in mind.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The author of The Adventures of Philip has published a new novel! It's a novel that's all the rage in the upper class society in the central area these days, and it's a masterpiece that has moved countless noble ladies. Don't you want to take a look?"
At this time, a newsboy was walking by, dragging a simple rolling box filled with hardcover books. He shouted and raised a book in his hand.
"For just two silver medals, you can buy this masterpiece of the century!"
Chen Lun suddenly stopped and turned to stare at the book in the newsboy's hand.
On the cover, it was clearly written "The Tragic Prince"!
"It's the guy selling this book again. The bookstore downstairs and the 'Guluo' bookstore on Farleigh Street are all covered with posters and banners to promote it. I really don't know what's so good about this book... It's full of fictional characters and exaggerated plots."
Two men passed by Chen Lun, chatting while watching the fun.
Another man chimed in:
"That's... what Prince Dazlet? Our empire has never had any princes, only Princess Anna. The tragic plot made up in it makes me feel sick... But my wife and daughter love it very much. They have been sitting on the sofa watching it all day long. When they are engrossed in it, they don't even listen to what I say. Sigh..."
Chen Lun's frown deepened. He strode forward, took out three silver cups and handed them to the newsboy.
"Give me one copy, the extra is a tip."
The newsboy was so happy when he saw the three glittering silver coins that he quickly took out a copy of The Tragic Prince and handed it to the gentleman in the black hat, thanking him non-stop:
"Thank you, Mr. Kangkai! This is your book. I will also give you a book cover and two bookmarks!"
"No."
Chen Lun took the book and turned away.
He couldn't suppress his inner confusion, so he quickly opened the cover and flipped open the book...
Soon, his eyes became solemn, even horrified.
The content of this novel is exactly the same as the series of events that happened in the royal city before! The struggle between the royal family and the Seven Gods Church centered on the assassination of Prince Dazlet, and especially the fierce conflicts between the three churches of the Sun, Moon and Star!
Among them, a number of major characters, including Chen Lun himself, appeared...
Peng!
Chen Lun closed the book and narrowed his eyes.
The author's name "Howard" in the end note was particularly irritating to him.
'What on earth does this guy want to do? ! '
Chen Lun took a deep breath.
His max-level passive multitasking was working at full speed under the effect of the mythical creature characteristic "Skull of Enlightenment". He was standing in the noisy street, but no one looked at him.
After a moment.
Chen Lun thought of a possibility, a possibility that made him feel creepy...
'Howard's fundamental purpose in pushing this struggle behind the scenes may be to become an angel... and this time he openly wrote the script into a novel and put it on the market for countless residents to read, just to expand his influence, which is the so-called anchor point casting! '
When he was promoted to a saint, there was a hard requirement of 5 points of epic singing degree. Speaker Azgiello also told him that the anchor point was a necessary preparation for the promotion ceremony.
If Howard wants to be promoted to a Sequence 2 angel, she will definitely need greater influence, which can also explain the origin of this book "The Tragic Prince".
'Prince Dazzlet was forgotten by the world at this ingenious time, so that the shock of "The Tragic Prince" was greatly reduced... If not, perhaps it would no longer be an entertainment book popular among the upper class, but an "evil book" that shocked the royal family and the Church of the Seven Gods, and would inevitably cause a huge commotion.'
Chen Lun turned his head and looked at the huge Sun Palace.
The shock in my heart could not subside for a long time.
'Was this done deliberately by the Sun King? Did she know all this, so she erased the existence of Prince Dazzlet to prevent Howard from becoming the final winner... But there are hundreds or thousands of forgotten crown princes, and this has been happening since the founding of the empire. Did she foresee the future? This doesn't make sense! '
The more Chen Lun thought about it, the more frightened he became.
What made him even more nervous was...
Once Howard is promoted to a Sequence 2 Angel, his hope of challenging fate and taking control of his own destiny will become even slimmer... He may even have no chance of winning at all, and will completely become a chess piece manipulated by others, with no chance of ever turning over again!
Thump thump thump—thump!
At this moment, a piano tune suddenly sounded in a store called "Trest Musical Instruments Store" not far to the left of Chen Lun.
It sounds like crying and complaining, and also carries a bit of sadness.
However, Chen Lun's already uneasy mood was ignited at this moment.
"Is that... "Symphony of Fate"? How could this song exist in this world... "
His heart beat faster and he couldn't help but clench his cane.
A strong sense of fate came over him, causing his breathing to stagnate.
Chen Lun calmed down, took a deep breath, and slowly walked into the music store. Immediately, he saw a blond man sitting in front of a piano, playing gracefully.
His pupils shrank suddenly!
"Howard..."
"This piece of music was composed by my teacher. She named it 'Symphony of Fate'. It has four chapters. I have always liked it."
The man didn't even turn his head, just played the piano by himself and chuckled.