Chapter 937: Alternate Timeline: Family

Kiara stood motionless.

For a few seconds, she did not know whether to laugh, curse, or simply stare at the system in disbelief.

"A mandatory quest."

The words echoed in her mind.

And not just any quest.

A quest with consequences.

The reward was dazzling: A Rank-7 Battle Android. And unlike Noah or Zion, the system specifically mentioned that it is a battle-oriented Android. It just means one thing: she will have a killing machine in her hands.

The kind of prize that could become the cornerstone of her military strength.

But the target was the Supreme Pontiff.

A nine-star rank existence.

A being whose shadow alone could crush kingdoms.

Kiara’s mind raced.

If she consumed an Advancement Potion, Thunderblast might be capable of killing him.

Her clone could potentially handle the elders.

But offense was only half the battle.

Defense.

That was the true problem.

Experts with seven-star ranks and above possessed abilities that could strike before she even had time to breathe.

And she had only two trump cards.

What if Thunderblast failed?

What if the Pontiff survived and retaliated?

Neither the attack helicopter nor the PzH 2000 howitzer could protect her from a demigod’s wrath. As for the clone, she shouldn’t even talk about it, as it only lasts 100 seconds, and its strength at most can only reach 7-star rank.

At best, she could rely on the eight-star rank manticore.

But even that felt like placing a shield of wood before a tidal wave.

Two paths remained.

The Zheng.

Or the Peak Potion.

In the end, she let out a long breath.

What else could she do?

She looked at Guinvere.

"I understand."

Her voice was calm, though her mind was anything but.

"I will do what I can."

Guinvere lifted her head. Relief and gratitude flickered across her face, though the fear remained.

She knew better than anyone that she was asking a stranger to stand before a storm that could drown nations.

But when a house is already engulfed in flames, even a bucket of water becomes a treasure.

And so, with no better choice and no safer path, she placed her faith in Kiara.

The elderly seer then inclined her head respectfully toward Caleb Crescent, offered one final glance to Kiara, and then stepped into another spiral portal of pale blue light, which folded inward upon itself and disappeared, leaving behind only a few drifting motes of ether that winked out in the dusty air.

For a few moments, no one spoke.

The royal knights exchanged uncertain looks.

Prince Gideon Crescent’s brows were drawn together.

Caleb Crescent stroked his beard slowly, his old eyes narrowed with the heavy expression of a man who had just heard a prophecy and a warning in the same breath.

Kiara remained silent.

There was no reason to reveal what Guinvere had told her.

Some truths were like live coals.

If placed in unprepared hands, they did not illuminate; they burned.

The people present were not strong enough to confront the storm that was gathering over Celestra, and filling their minds with visions of ten million deaths would only rob them of sleep, not give them power.

The princess and the king were curious; that much was obvious from the questions lingering in their eyes, but they had known Kiara for only a short time, and neither of them pressed the matter after seeing the calm finality in her posture.

Kiara drew a slow breath, pushed the new quests and looming dangers to the back of her mind, and focused on the task immediately before her.

She looked toward Caleb Crescent and asked, "Your Majesty, how do you wish to reclaim your throne?"

The old king turned to his son almost instinctively.

It was a gesture so natural that it said more than words ever could. Even after ten years in chains and darkness, he still trusted Gideon’s judgment.

Prince Gideon lowered his gaze and thought for a while. The fire lamps around the ruined cathedral cast a warm gold across his features. When he finally raised his head, there was firmness in his eyes.

"Uncle Edward’s policies can be harsh... he could be corrupt to the core," He said slowly, choosing each word with care, "and sometimes he acts even too boldly. But even so, I cannot deny that he has ruled well."

He folded his hands in his lap.

"The people of Lunaris City are more prosperous than before. Foreign merchants are coming in greater numbers. Trade is flourishing. The kingdom has grown richer. At the very least, the people aren’t suffering."

His eyes shifted to his father.

"If we storm into the palace and expose everything in front of the court, it will shake the kingdom like an earthquake. Even if the truth is on our side, merchants and nobles may panic. When people fear uncertainty, they cling to their money and hide their loyalty."

He paused, gathering his thoughts.

"At first, while I was traveling here, I considered abducting Uncle Edward and replacing him quietly, just as he replaced you."

His lips tightened.

"But Father and Uncle no longer resemble one another. Time has changed Father’s face, and that path is closed."

Then he leaned forward slightly.

"So I believe there is another way."

The room grew still.

Gideon continued.

"Let us meet Uncle Edward and Mother privately. Let us offer them a path to step back with dignity. Father will forgive them, and in return, he will reclaim the throne peacefully."

His voice was steady, but his fingers were clasped tightly enough that his knuckles had turned pale.

"The royal court can be told that Father disappeared years ago, and Uncle Edward ruled in his place to protect the kingdom during dangerous times."

He turned to Caleb Crescent.

"Uncle Edward need not lose everything. He can be appointed governor of Lucentis Province and sent to the border with Western Phoenix, where he can repair the damage caused by his actions."

When he finished, silence settled over the hall once more.

Kiara stared at him in genuine surprise.

In her mind, every solution she had considered involved force.

Bomb the capital.

Create chaos around the palace.

Use Zion’s divine sword to carve through anyone who resists.

Bring down the queen and the impostor by overwhelming power.

Every path she imagined began with destruction.

Yet this young man had calmly suggested reconciliation.

Kiara folded her arms and said, "Your Highness, you are too idealistic."

The words were simple, but they landed with weight.

The prince did not look offended.

Instead, he met Kiara’s gaze and replied softly, "That is because they are not strangers, Miss Kiara."

His eyes shimmered with restrained emotion.

"Family deserves one chance to repent."

Those words struck Kiara more deeply than she expected.

For an instant, the image of her own mother rose in her mind like a blade unsheathed from old wounds.

The people she had sworn to destroy.

The resentment that had become the furnace driving her ambition.

She understood hatred.

But she did not understand this.

Gideon had every reason to despise his mother and uncle. His father had been stolen from him. His rights were almost being taken away. And if not for the fact that she saved the King, Gideon is sure going to be assassinated one day to pave the way for his cousin to become the crown prince. Yet he still wished to offer mercy.

Kiara narrowed her eyes.

Perhaps the prince was wise.

Perhaps he was foolish.

Perhaps both.

And if Gideon was right, then what did that say about Kiara herself?

The thought unsettled her.

She asked quietly, "What if there was never any bond to begin with? If someone is family only by blood, but not by heart, are they still worthy of forgiveness?"

Gideon blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Huh?"