Eternal Freedom's Ascension-Chapter 120: Solace
Kaiser stepped through the gates, eyes mapping the interior of the little city. It was well structured, with all facilities built with clear purpose.
He could see that an ancient civilization existed here, but had been restructured into something more modern. As they walked by, Kaiser received various looks from the other members of the clan.
’I guess my blue hair really stands out.’
Ignoring the looks he received, he followed Vulpina straight to the city center. At some point, the ’12th Arc under Sir Gilead’ departed to perform their duties.
As they approached the city center, Kaiser felt a subtle pressure weigh on his shoulders. Intrigued, he raised a brow.
"Looks like the Clan Patriarch is a fierce one."
He could feel someone’s gaze on him, and that gaze alone was accompanied by its own pressure.
"You’re lucky to enter our city. We don’t usually accept visitors." Vulpina stated calmly, her eyes cold and stern.
The pride and grace with which she carried herself... was alluring. Just being near a genuine article like her made him feel truly alive.
A smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
Seeing that innocent smile, Vulpina was stunned. She suddenly realized something important.
Just as she had told him, the clan usually didn’t accept visitors. However, she had defied this rule and brought him in—without any reason.
’What was I even thinking?’
Her eyes widened subtly, but she immediately hid her nervousness. Her brows locked tightly as she tried to come up with a reason for bringing an outsider in.
’No wonder the 12th Arc group were giving me strange looks.’
Kaiser took a look at her expression, immediately deducing the current problem on her mind.
"A reason why I’m here? Don’t worry, I’ll handle that."
Vulpina was astonished. How had he guessed what she was thinking? However, that aside, she stared at him with a sharp look.
"What? Are you asking to meet the Patriarch?"
Her voice turned a few degrees colder. Previously, she was planning to lock him in her residence and go explain to the Patriarch herself.
However, demanding to meet the Patriarch himself was a bit too...impudent.
’Does he think the Patriarch is just some Evolved or Ascended human?’
Unfazed by her sharp retort, Kaiser kept walking. He didn’t turn back, but replied in an even tone.
"You wouldn’t understand. After all, you do not recognize my name."
Vulpina’s expression darkened. "Recognize your name? Who the hell are you?"
Her hands curled, as if ready to attack him at that moment. Amused by her sudden change in behavior, Kaiser grinned defiantly.
"My name? It is always the same. I am Kaiser..."
Solace.
The instant she remembered that name, reality warped around them, and they were transported into a different location.
Recognizing the familiar structure and design of this building, Vulpina gulped.
’This...’
This was the Clan Manor—the ancient temple of the Divine Sky Sovereign, and the current residence of the Stormveil Clan Patriarch.
Standing on the spotless yellow carpet, Kaiser quietly admired the interior of the building. It was built like a temple, with towering pillars forming the circular structure of the building.
’According to history, this place was built for the Divine Sky Sovereign to descend upon.’
Looking at the similarity between this temple and the Worship Island, Kaiser realized that the Divine Sky Sovereign might have some connections with that fragmented island.
Finally, his eyes landed on the only other presence in the room besides Vulpina.
It was an old man seated on an altar. He had a bald head, a skinny build, and a long white beard that fluttered softly. Although he looked like a sickly old man at death’s door, his presence radiated unmatched power filled with raw lethality.
All around him, the world seemed to bend to his presence. Lightning sparks constantly appeared around him, as if his presence was grinding against reality itself.
’Woah... such deep, profound strength. It is really amazing.’
Kaiser stared at the man’s closed eyes, his own gaze carrying some interest.
While Vulpina remained tensed, the man’s lips parted and he spoke.
"Solace."
His voice was like a thunderclap, directly assaulting the ears. Vulpina winced slightly, unaccustomed to this side of her adoptive father.
"A Solace clan member actually dared to step into my territory?"
He said those words casually, but Kaiser instantly felt a heavy crushing force press down on him.
Bang!
His knees hit the ground heavily, his body shaking as he resisted the force. His expression remained unchanged. In fact, his expression had turned blank, as if all his facial muscles were already dead.
His eyes stared at the Stormveil Clan Patriarch, unblinking.
Vulpina was shocked by the sudden turn of events, her heart quivering.
’Solace? That name seems to displease the Patriarch a lot.’
She stared at Kaiser’s kneeling figure, a faint emotion stirring in her heart. Was it pity? She wasn’t sure, but she decided to remain silent.
Angering her adoptive father by interrupting would bring unimaginable consequences.
Still under the oppressive might of a Transcendent being, Kaiser painfully changed his position. From kneeling with both knees, he knelt with one knee.
His bones creaked, and his skin split under the pressure. Yet, he didn’t even utter a single sound. His expression remained blank, completely unchanging.
Deep within his eyes, a white eight-spoked wheel appeared, rotating slowly. The change seemed insignificant, but he began moving faster.
Quivering, he raised his other knee from the ground.
Crack! Crack!
Several bones in his body cracked and broke, but his momentum remained unbroken. Slowly but surely, he stood straight under the pressure.
At this point, several of his bones had been shattered and ground to dust. His arms were twisted, almost completely dislocated from his shoulder. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Vulpina stared blankly, horrified. Was this even a human anymore? The only thing she saw was an emotionless machine without a will to submit.
The Stormveil Patriarch finally opened his eyes. His eyes were pure white like a blind man. But from the way they moved, it was obvious he could see. Gazing at Kaiser’s twisted figure, he sighed softly.
"As expected. You discard anything but your will—typical Solace madness."
