Chapter 55: Unveiling Truths, Journey to the Capital
Inside the carriage, Bai and Sirn sat facing each other.
Sirn’s gaze held a flicker of complex emotions as he looked at Bai. “Miss Bai, are you ready?”
“Proceed,” Bai replied softly.
Sirn nodded, closing his eyes.
His psychic circuits flared, radiating an unusual energy signature.
This was the unique ability of Sirn’s family: “Memory Reading and Writing.”
A diluted form of Authority, it was said. At its full potential, it could even rewrite reality.
However, Sirn’s current ability was limited to storing and retrieving memories, like a highly secure recording device.
Even then, it was a strenuous process.
His psychic circuits glowed for a while, nearing exhaustion before a faint, ethereal figure materialized in the air.
—Commander Lugner, recently deceased.
Judging by his pale, lifeless appearance, the recording had been made shortly before his death.
Sirn immediately sealed his senses, unable to view the memory alongside Bai.
“If you’re seeing this, I must be dead,” Lugner’s image chuckled wryly. “How ironic…”
Then his expression softened, a faint smile touching his lips. “But Xu Bai, I was truly happy to know you were still alive.”
He touched the bag in his hand. “Sasha has already visited me, and Lin Hui (Uncle Lin) told me everything… so, it wasn’t difficult to deduce your identity.”
Bai frowned slightly. She hadn’t revealed anything, so how had he known?
“Don’t worry, Lin Hui didn’t recognize you, and I haven’t told him,” Lugner coughed slightly. “However, Lin Hui saw you at the Vikarn Gate—the abandoned building complex—and he told me about it.”
“He also suspects you were once in the Knights.”
“It’s quite obvious, isn’t it…?” Lugner chuckled softly.
Obvious?
Bai was confused.
“Your true origins are connected to Vikarn. Not many people know this, but I am one of them.” Lugner spoke as if wanting to unburden himself, his voice raspy, his breath short. “And when I saw you, my instincts told me you knew me, that we were acquainted.”
Bai remained silent, understanding dawning.
Each piece of information on its own wouldn’t have been enough, but combined…
Lugner continued, his voice tinged with sadness.
“I knew my time was short, unsure if I would see you again, or if I would have the chance to tell you this, so I asked Sirn to record this message.”
That’s why Lugner hadn’t mentioned any of this during their last meeting.
And even if he had wanted to, he wouldn’t have had the time.
“Listen, the Neily you’re looking for, she existed.”
Lugner’s expression turned serious.
“Sister Neily! She… existed?” Bai’s eyes widened, her hands gripping the blanket beneath her.
She hadn’t expected Lugner to mention Neily, let alone confirm her existence, which everyone else had denied.
In her shock, she didn’t question how Lugner knew she was looking for Neily.
“Neily was part of Vikarn. That’s all I know,” Lugner said, straightening slightly. “And that’s how I deduced your connection to Vikarn.”
“Vikarn… Vikarn again…”
Having heard repeated mentions of “Vikarn” and the “Weapon of Vikarn,” Bai had a growing suspicion.
She had wondered if she herself was the Weapon, but now she wasn’t so sure. Everyone who knew about the Weapon, upon seeing her, had shown no reaction.
Including Lugner.
“If you want to know the truth, go to the capital,” Lugner said, leaning back slightly. “I believe it won’t be long before that Gatekeeper descendant—Salred—destroys the ‘Gate’ in Vikarn Port… He’s been corrupted by the Weapon, beyond saving.”
“Only from the capital can you access ‘Vikarn’ again. That’s where you’ll find the truth.”
“…” Bai hesitated.
Could she, in her current form, travel through human territory?
Before she could voice her concerns, Lugner continued,
“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared a transformation rune for you. I managed to obtain it from the mysterious Sasha… although, for her, such things are easily acquired.”
“Transformation rune?” Bai remembered the rune Sasha had given her.
Sasha had claimed it was her last one… Bai couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance.
“As for Sasha, her identity isn’t simple either. She’s also here for Vikarn,” Lugner said. “Although we’re currently allies… it’s best to be cautious around her.”
He chuckled, rubbing his temples. “Old age makes me ramble, especially to you, my child. I owe you so much, a debt I can never repay…”
“That’s all. Sirn can’t maintain this much longer.”
Lugner’s image faded, his voice weakening.
“I don’t know why, but lately, I keep smelling the blood of the battlefield… perhaps it’s time for me to join my old friends…”
The image vanished, and Sirn collapsed, his face pale.
Before Bai could help him, he waved her away, pushing himself up against the carriage wall.
“One more thing. Commander Lugner asked me to give this to you.”
Sirn pulled out a small, ornate box and placed it before Bai.
—Inside was the transformation rune.
“He prepared so much for me,” Bai said, staring at the box, lost in thought.
Lugner had done everything he could to atone for his past mistakes.
“Thank you for your service, Sir Sirn,” Bai said softly, looking at him.
“It was my duty,” Sirn shook his head, then, avoiding her gaze, stepped out of the carriage.
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