Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 450 - 412 We Are Still Young

Lyle turned his head and just then saw the former king Liveser, Echel, standing by his side, dressed in ceremonial attire. The emerald green gown with gold threads was like a pair of transparent cicada wings, except under those wings was more like a bear. The olive wreath crown seemed absurdly mismatched amid the tangled hair, yet it was the incongruity of his frame that made for an imperfect perfection.

Echel’s stubble had been neatly shaved, and his slightly portly belly had been stuffed into the fabric. Although it was a disguise, the bulging tummy was a part of the custom fitting, for it represented something he had never possessed in his life. The King of Rangers, belly and all, was as agile as a monkey.

With such attire, Echel did indeed possess an exotic royal air.

He stood next to Lyle, both gazing at the gem floating in the Arcane Eye.

"What is the Heart of Condensation?"

"A name those great poets from Twilight Memories have bestowed upon it. As for its proper name, it seems to lack one," Echel habitually touched his chin, but without the pesky beard, it just wasn’t the same, "I remember asking that guy Irene what it was called."

"Chaos Magic Plug? Seems like that’s the name. That thing, it’s a crystal formed from the chaotic magic sediment in the city’s magical array. The powerful magic with nowhere to go condenses into these chaotic magic crystals. It needs to be cleared once a year; otherwise, it’s bound to cause problems eventually."

It was akin to a blood clot or debris lodged in a blood vessel, if one were to equate magic to blood—and to Spellcasters, magic was indeed like their lifeblood. Lyle thought this was an apt metaphor.

"The City’s cerebral thrombosis is quite beautiful."

"Pfft, it’s indeed quite beautiful," Echel laughed, folding his arms and observing the glow within the Arcane Eye. "Its significance behind is also rather beautiful."

"It’s proof that the City of Wandering has survived once more, and if I recall correctly, this is a city of escape built by a group of Spellcasters. The very fact that the city has the capability to produce the Heart of Condensation means that for the past year, it has not endured much external assault. No magic was used up in thee defense arrays, which is why such a thing could form."

"So, we call it the Heart of Condensation. The settled, peaceful heart of the wandering folk."

Lyle looked at the crystalline formation, its allure surpassing any gem, radiating a soft glow.

"I’ve seen this stone take form many times, but this time, I’m filled with anticipation for the upcoming flight competition. Because I will be joining the people of Liveser in watching the end of another year and the beginning of a new one."

"Flight competition?"

"One of the celebrations of the Struggle for Wandering, for some reasons, it won’t appear in any promotional brochure. It’s a race to capture the Heart of Condensation. However, one of the conditions to participate is having lived in the City of Wandering for a year as a race capable of flight. Lyle, you happen to be excluded."

"That’s good news," Lyle tilted his head back at a ninety-degree angle, the height of this tower enough to evoke vertigo in most people.

Echel gave a mysterious smile, his large arm casually draped over Lyle’s shoulder, leading him like he was shepherding a little chick deeper into the garden.

"We’ll talk about the flight competition later. Since you’re here, come join in on the collective activity of Twilight Memories, if you still consider yourself part of it, that is."

Passing through a courtyard with trellised grapevines, Lyle heard laughter not far away.

It was as if he had returned to the castle of Hamlet, hearing similar laughter.

The difference being, in Hamlet the laughter belonged to those twisted vampires, while here, it was Skeleton Royalty dressed in fleshly disguises. Huh? Why does it feel like the danger level hasn’t decreased but increased? Minor issue.

What appeared before Lyle was a lively conversation among a group of handsomely dressed men and women.

The former kings of Twilight Memories, after donning their fleshy disguises, indulged even more recklessly. It must be said, the royal bloodline blessed them with quite handsome genes, and coupled with their noble airs, this made them invincible in social settings, turning them into the focus of everyone’s attention.

Wait a minute, something doesn’t seem quite right.

Back in the days of Twilight Memories, due to each king’s pride, there certainly wasn’t any fawning over one another, and they maintained basic etiquette between them, even if they took a liking to each other.

But now, indeed in every clique there were those who lavished praise on the disguised members of Twilight Memories. Upon closer examination, Lyle discovered that those seeking to curry favor were not Twilight Memories members, but flesh-and-blood human nobility.

This... could this be Twilight Memories’ former kings, in their old age, wildly pursuing a collective royal seduction? Although their skin indeed disguises them as divinely perfect, Lyle knew that inside, they were all ancient monsters.

Her Majesty of Halington, those men you’ve got spinning around your finger, their grandfathers could probably be your nephews! How can you even lay your hands on them!!!

Your Majesty of Rassealda, weren’t you just reminiscing about your deceased wife last month!!! How is it that now you’ve found not one but two barely of-age girls!!! And they don’t share a single similarity with the late wife you described!!!

Your Majesty, the King of Salat!!! Could the legend of male courtly love have originated with you!!! I now have absolutely no sympathy for the fate of Salat’s extinction due to lack of heirs!! You shameless old man!!! 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The hormones of youth practically filled the entire courtyard, and Lyle watched the unfolding dramas of everlasting love between the living and specters. Poor souls, those spirits are just toying with them.

Lyle then refocused his gaze on Echel, ready to see the equally culpable King of Rangers Liveser grace which little girl with his presence.

Echel understood Lyle’s implication and got his fur up.

"You cannot insult my innocence! Lyle! My love for my queen is witnessed by heaven and earth! I am not one of these seductive witches! My love runs deep... I am absolutely a man of unswerving fidelity! My heart has no room for anyone else!"

Echel suddenly yelled a long tirade at himself, Lyle was still processing it.

Soft golden hair appeared in Lyle’s vision, it was Kayla. Somehow, she was smiling as she stood behind Echel. The ranger’s perception is indeed sharp.

"Welcome back, Lyle. Come over here." Kayla, with a smile, looked at her grandfather, "I’ll take your word for it, for the moment, Grandfather Echel."

The young princess of Liveser, Kayla, took Lyle away to another place.

Echel followed closely behind, exhaling heavily.

Lyle was led to a small pavilion, and through the thick foliage, the rowdy sounds of luxury from the other side were still audible.

This area belonged to those with a home.

The former King of Dreya, Reed, dressed in formal attire, looked askance, grandson-like, at his granddaughter who was sulking opposite him, the reigning Queen of Dreya, Lina.

And a group of Defender Knights serving as a backdrop.

The contorted expressions of the knights, trying hard to suppress their laughter, were like a comical oil painting.