Level Up Legacy

Chapter 1482: Ichor of Gods

A week later.

Inside the slowly recovering forest of Janea, a giant tree loomed over the nation. Atop the tree was the royal palace, a royal ceremony was underway. Kneeling in front of the Queen of Janea were Diana, Tiara, Ali, Lusica, and the other elves.

The Queen of Janea rose from her wooden throne and began blessing and awarding the saviors of Janea with befitting rewards and titles.

Diana became the Grace of Janea, and her reward was a necklace that would allow her powers to harmonize better with one another.

Ali became the Wise of Janea, and his reward was full access to the kingdom’s archives, which would allow him to further his studies and his powers.

Lusica became the Knight of Janea and received a gauntlet that blessed him with accelerated healing and protection against mind control.

Each of the elves received nobility titles and land, which would guarantee their futures for the next hundred years.

The last of them to receive their reward was Tiara. The queen seemed emotional as she thanked her daughter, and took the crown off her head and placed it atop her daughter’s head.

An uproar rose in the courtroom, and many of the nobility congratulated their new queen. Tiara was at a loss, but Diana gave her a reassuring pat on the back that seemed to snap her out of her shock.

The entire kingdom of Janea heard the news, and festivals were thrown in just under a few hours to celebrate the liberation of Janea and the rise of their new Queen.

Tiara was overwhelmed with the sudden change, and Diana felt sorry for her, but there was nothing she could do to help. Instead, she left the courtroom and returned to their room.

As the door closed behind her, Diana looked around to find the room empty. She paused before turning toward the balcony and walked toward it. It was separated from their room by a strange glass that allowed them entry and exit, but protected them from prying eyes.

Arthur was leaning on the wooden railing that was lined with flowers. Ever since the Dark Forest disappeared, Janea has turned into a heaven of flowers and plants.

His robes were tucked away, and Arthur wore a simple black t-shirt with blue jeans. It was one of the rare occasions that Diana saw him in the modern clothes of this world.

"You missed the ceremony."

"I know," he said. "I didn’t want to go."

"Tiara is now a Queen."

"I expected that," Arthur said with a nod while looking down. Diana walked to stand beside him and peered into his eyes.

Arthur looked lost, more so than usual. It was strange to see him this conflicted ever since he had merged the timelines and taken the name Arthur Netherborne.

"What’s happening, Arthur?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry.

Arthur had a glazed look on his face.

"I can’t shake the feeling that this is a dream," he said. "I convinced Eragon to help me during that battle. I wanted to be certain that I could save you."

"It worked out great," she said.

"That’s the problem. Eragon didn’t lose control of his wrath, but simply used my own knowledge, which I learned from Ragnar, to create the Mask of Mercy."

"I still don’t understand what that is."

"It’s a technique to let me detach from the wrath," Arthur said with a shake of his head. "I couldn’t master it, even after so many years studying with Ragnar."

"And Eragon used it?"

"He did," Arthur said. "During that time, I could see what was happening like it was a dream, or a movie. I felt... at ease."

"Does it bother you that Eragon could summon the Mask while you don’t?"

"It bothers me that I can’t detach myself from the wrath, while Eragon can," Arthur said with a hollow laugh, a this-is-so-messed-up-that-it’s-funny laugh. "Imagine that your own wrath is more difficult to handle than the fucking sin of wrath."

Diana never saw him this way. He was the same person she fell in love with, but somehow, he was a shell of what she knew. It seemed that what was happening had taken more toll on him than he showed them.

In the end, she hugged him from behind.

Arthur remained rigid.

"Your wrath is more personal and closer to you," she said. "You lived through the gaps of the system and saw what cruel side it has. This wrath is harder for you to control because you still haven’t let go of what happened to you, your mother, and your brother."

Arthur was once again silent. He didn’t hug her back, which almost broke her heart. Her words weren’t sufficient to pluck him out of his turmoil and she had nothing but words.

"I’ll be fine," he said while patting her arm that lay across his chest. It was a gesture for her to let him go, and she did, although she felt like she should not.

As she scrambled for words, anything that would help him, the door was knocked on. Arthur turned toward the door, and allowed whoever was behind it inside with a wave.

Tiara stepped into the room, looked around, and then spotted them on the balcony. She walked toward them with a tired smile.

"There you are," she said and stopped just as she passed through the glass. "My mother thought you already left Janea."

"I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye," Arthur said, a little too cold and distracted. "You’re a Queen now."

"I don’t feel like I deserve it. I barely fought against Invidia, and I wasn’t the one to slay him."

"Neither was I," Arthur said. "We each played a role, no matter whether it’s fighting or creating a portal that saves everyone. Give yourself some credit."

"Says the man who missed the ceremony to celebrate his achievements," Tiara said with a smile, glanced at Diana, and noticed the odd atmosphere. "We fought together, Arthur. I know that something is bothering you, and it’s clearly tearing Diana apart."

Arthur didn’t respond.

"I mourn for you, Diana," Tiara said after seeing Arthur’s reluctance to answer her. "You’ll have your hands full for the rest of your life."

Diana gave a weak smile.

The new Queen took out a small box from her storage ring and offered it to Arthur. "This was supposed to be your gift from my mother."

Arthur hesitated but reached out to the box and grabbed it. Before he could open it, Tiara excused herself and left them alone. She warned Arthur not to leave without bidding her farewell, or she would bring her entire entourage to Runera.

Once she was gone, Arthur walked inside and Diana followed. He placed the box on the table and opened it. The room was suddenly filled with light.

Golden light blinded their eyes until it subsided. It revealed a round sphere sitting atop a velvet cushion. The sphere was glowing golden, which reminded Arthur of his own eyes.

"What is this?" Diana asked.

"I’m not sure," Arthur said, before noticing a small slip of paper tucked between the cushion and the box. He pulled out the paper and began to read it.

"Dear Arthur," he began to read for Diana to listen. "You have given us the greatest gift, life. In return, I wish to give you the most valuable treasure we have—Ichor. This droplet of blood comes from a Sovereign who ascended to the Kingdom of Gods. Our ancestor, the Healer Guardian, kept this hidden before he disappeared. It’s considered the duty of our family to protect it. But in the end, it means nothing if we were dead, and nothing if it remained inside a box. Do as you see fit with it, for it contains a great power that reminds me of your own."

That was the end of the message from the previous queen. Arthur hesitated and placed the slip of paper on the table, before reexamining the small sphere, which turned out to be a droplet of blood from a fallen god.

"We already fought against gods before, but they never dropped something like this," Diana said. "This is different."

"An ichor is considered the highest form of Mana Essences," Arthur said with a frown. "Ragnar told me about it once, but said that it only came from a fallen god who sat at the highest seats of Devaheim."

"That valuable?" Diana asked with shock. "But it feels... like it doesn’t even exist."

"The higher an essence is, the more in tune they are with creation," Arthur said with a sigh. "It seems this box is no simple matter either. It has protected the world from the effects of this blood."

"What can we do with it?" Diana asked with a frown. "Can you use it?"

"I’m not sure. Maybe Gala would help, or I need to ask the Spirits Sovereign. As far as I can tell, this thing is as rare as can be. But we can’t do anything at the moment without knowing what it does."

Arthur then reached out to close the box. The ichor suddenly glowed bright as his own hand began glowing. Diana saw words emerge out of thin air in front of Arthur.

[Suitable materials have been found]

A panel screen appeared in front of them.

[You can now reawaken the Level Up Legacy.]