Chapter 1040: Chapter 128 Haha, Now the Victim Shows Up (4200, 2/2)
The simulation is accelerating.
As the simulation timeline approaches the point in reality where Ian exists, many events and processes are becoming abbreviated. Due to the lack of foundational information, numerous details are impossible to simulateâmerely imagined and ignored.
But when it comes to purposes and thoughts, some comprehension remains possible.
In the simulated world, Ian, without Master Gossayâs recommendation, without Marquis Bartonâs particular favor, and without Yisen Gardâs endorsement, failed to gain Second Prince Michaelâs immediate recognition as âa successor sharing Inega IIâs inheritance.â
Moreover, the simulated Ian did not save Yisen Gard either. Thus, he couldnât receive Lady Ellenâs recommendation nor easily become the lord of a certain place.
Needless to say, by that time, Xiawei Territory had already been polluted by Subspace, leaving everyone dead. Before the Lost Souls completely dissipated, that land would remain unusable for over a decade.
Therefore, despite achieving considerable accomplishments within the Knight Order of Inspectorate, the simulated Ian still remained a lone figure. It wasnât so simple for him to revive his family or gather his own team.
But, precisely because of thisâwithout Ian, the King of the Mountain, Sio, and Elder Mantleâs assistanceâthe Mountain Peopleâs rebellion had already impacted the entire South Ridge. For the Empire, this was a calamity. Yet, for the ambitious, such chaos spelled opportunity.
The simulated Ian was precisely such a person.
"Ian, are you truly opposing me? Why? Because I didnât send anyone to save your father back then?"
Along the Southern Seaâs coastline, Viscount Grant, piloting the Conquest Ripple, faced off against Ian in the Cyclops Giant. Although one side was equipped with Aether Armament while the other merely bore an Armor Suit, Ian had mastered all the details of Conquest Ripple. Furthermore, the Viscount himself had already been injured by Ian in a prior clash. Thus, he gritted his teeth and demanded.
"It has nothing to do with my father. He was your subordinate and knew his fate and duty. He bore no resentment toward youâViscount, I simply need your territory, and you wonât willingly hand it over. I can only kill you. Thatâs all there is to it."
"Is that so?"
Viscount Grant listened silently. He neither angrily questioned Ianâs âbetrayalâ nor felt incredulous about the young manâs madness. Instead, he suddenly gained an understanding: when he nurtured this brat back then, he had perhaps already foreseen this possibility.
He had considered extinguishing this exceptionally gifted youth in the cradle... Yet, ultimately, he couldnât bring himself to do it.
Because it was too beautiful.
The flame of hopeâit was simply too hard to extinguish.
The deep green fire ignited at the center of the dark Armor Suit, resembling a blaze flaring to life within the Abyss. This fire, fueled by dreams, was enough to compel all those who held hope yet knew their abilities fell short to instinctively seek immersion.
ââWhat I cannot accomplish, he can.
ââWhat I cannot break, what I cannot unveilâthe darkness, the chainsâthis fire can burn it all away, illuminate it all!
ââIn that case, why not let this fire consume me?
ââLet this fire, carrying my light, pierce through the dark Abyss!
"Then come forward."
Thus, Conquest Ripple raised its sword, pointing its blade at the youth before him. The Viscount smiled openly and said, "If you truly can accomplish itâthen what does it matter if Harrison Port is yours?"
"I wonât let your dream go to waste."
Meanwhile, the cannon mounted on the Cyclops Giantâs shoulder slowly lowered as the youthâs voice firmed: "I will achieve my goalâno matter the means, no matter the cost."
Dreams.
Different from the âGuiding Star,â which directs dreams and lights up the stars.
The Heart Light Bodyâs âAbyssal Fireâ was a terrifying power fueled by burning dreams.
By either killing the bearers of dreams or letting them willingly entrust their dreams, merging their aspirations into oneselfâso long as one is walking the path to fulfill these dreams, an endless stream of power will arise.
The first dream: inheriting Teacher Hiliardâs visionâleading humans Above the Sky, creating a world where no one weeps.
The second dream: carrying Elder Prudeâs ambitionâreviving the family, ensuring past sacrifices werenât in vain, uncovering the true reason behind the familyâs exile and the truth behind âEcho.â
The third dream: accepting Alos Lianâs resolveâending all tragedies resembling his, forging a new world where life can be born peacefully.
The flames roared and surged with intensity; even Aether Armament couldnât withstand such astonishing divine power.
Thus, as the sea boiled and endless waves rose.
As the great storm returned and the Distant Sea Labyrinth reopened.
Accompanied by a Prismatic beam piercing the sky, Conquest Ripple fell out of the ocean mists, sinking into the seaâs depths.
"Ian, kill me. Just remember, Harrison Port is your hometown... Keep its name. Preserve... the shadow of our existence..."
Thus came the fourth dreamâViscount Grantâs aspiration.
ââSimply wanting the Grant family name to bear no further shame, for the city his father bled to build to earn the worldâs praise, and for future generations to proudly declare, "I am a member of the Grant Family!"
ââTo have his territory prosper and attain peace, allowing people to live joyfully...
"...I will. Harrison Port will always be Harrison Port, the Grant familyâs Harrison Port."
Governor of Harrison Port, Ailes Grant, perished unexpectedly at sea while attempting to stop the great storm. Due to the emergency situation in South Ridge, Inspector Knight Ian was appointed acting lord, temporarily overseeing all affairs surrounding the Great Redwood Forest.