Traveler of the River of Time and Space-Chapter 536 - 20: Ancestor’s Relics

Imperial Capital, Golden Palace.

Empress Isabella, crowned, wearing a blood-red gown adorned with gold, silver-white boots on her feet, stands before the magnificent Golden Throne. Her white gloves are embroidered with a Golden Bird Flower; one hand holds a scepter, the other a code, her gaze descends upon the ministers and knights before her, her face full of authority: "Gentlemen."

"Success or failure hinges on this moment; the Empire’s disaster shall end today."

"Let us lead the people to embrace rebirth!"

A squad of ministers, bishops, and knights kneel on one knee, shouting: "Yes, Your Majesty the Empress."

Empress Isabella’s gaze sweeps around the room, nods with satisfaction: "Mobilize the army, prepare to set out."

"I will lead the campaign myself!"

Upon hearing Empress Isabella’s words, the ministers and bishops kneeling in the hall exchange glances, the grim-faced elder hesitates, ultimately swallowing his retort.

Empress Isabella is naturally brutal, like previous imperial family members—twisted in personality, capricious and erratic, mentally unstable—possibly due to lifelong torment from spirit whispers affecting them, the imperial family suffers severe mental issues. Be it the Minister of Internal Affairs or the Church faction, though opposing her secretly over the years, they seldom openly oppose her, mainly out of fear she’d truly go mad.

It’s known that upon her ascension, Empress Isabella skinned and executed dozens of nobles under various pretenses, aiming to threaten others.

If her unstable mental condition erupts, nearly no one within the imperial palace can stop her.

The court session quickly concludes.

Upon leaving, the Minister of Internal Affairs signals to others beside him, then a man dressed as a cleric swiftly runs toward the palace exit.

Empress Isabella personally leading the campaign was beyond their expectation.

Mind you, ever since her ascension, the Empress has not left the palace for over thirty years. Partly due to fearing assassins, another reason being her distrust in her ministers, fearing them conspiring rebellion while affected by spirit whispers.

Why choose this moment?

Is it her unstable mind making an impulsive decision? Or is Empress Isabella secretly planning something?

This matter must be discussed with the Church.

Imperial Palace, rear hall.

Returning to her chamber, Empress Isabella’s face shows a hint of excitement; not far behind, a shadowy figure appears, kneeling: "Bishop Hans just left."

"Is that so?" Empress Isabella’s lips form a mocking smile, she says slowly: "That traitorous creature."

"Keep watching him."

Beside Empress Isabella are two female knights, one of whom is the Holy Blood Rose whom Su Ziyu once fought, her expression hesitating briefly, she says softly: "Your Majesty the Empress, are we really going to clash with the Church now?"

"I worry..."

Upon hearing this, Empress Isabella’s brows furrow, she turns to glare at her, angrily rebuking: "That’s not for you to consider!..."

Spiritual Energy trembles.

Holy Blood Rose’s face turns pale, showing a trace of pain; she kneels in fear.

"I heard you lost to a mysterious person?" Empress Isabella moves before the mirror, puts on a ruby ring, speaks slowly: "Even the Holy Blood Light Saber was taken?"

Holy Blood Rose displays a trace of shame and unwillingness, bowing her head: "I am incompetent."

"Being able to easily defeat you and seize your weapon." Empress Isabella smiles: "I’m truly intrigued."

"He must be an eighth-level Spiritualist, correct?"

"Among the rebel army, I haven’t heard of such a powerful Spiritualist."

Hearing this, Holy Blood Rose bites her lip, murmuring: "I’m unsure of his Spiritual Ability Level. The Spiritual Energy he used was strange."

"He wields the power of Lightning."

"I sense he didn’t exert his full strength, perhaps his Spiritual Ability Level surpasses that."

Hmm?

Upon hearing this, Empress Isabella’s brows draw tight, turning to ask: "You mean? He’s also a ninth-level Spiritualist?"

"That’s impossible."

"Without undergoing Ancient Blood transformation, mortals cannot break through the eighth-level spiritual limit."

Human talent isn’t particularly exceptional.

The Spiritual Ascension plan included genetic engineering for bloodline transformation; only the royal family members reach beyond the eighth level, other nobles mostly max out around the seventh level. The Empire relies on Spiritual Amplifiers to empower, many nobles’ visible Spiritual Fluctuations are effects of amplified devices.

Nobles’ Spiritual Amplifiers differ, being directly implanted in the brain, completed during adolescence.

Holy Blood Rose contemplated telling about his possibly being a tenth-level Spiritualist but refrains for lack of evidence, plus his Spiritual Energy was peculiar, disrupting many electronic instruments during use.

The Empress holds ninth-level ability; that man cannot be a tenth-level Spiritualist.

Thus Holy Blood Rose reassures herself.

"Prepare yourselves." Empress Isabella puts the matter aside temporarily: "You’ll join me in this campaign."

With that, she turns to enter the rear hall.

A silent middle-aged nun suddenly appears, following Empress Isabella, hesitation on her face she asks: "Your Majesty, will you use them?"

"Yes." Empress Isabella nods: "This time, success is the only option."

A concealed super-alloy gate slowly opens.

Behind Empress Isabella’s chamber lies an isolated secret room, shrouded in Ghost Energy Field, its center houses a mysterious Hexagram Altar; its decor mismatches the outer palace, exuding a dark, eerie aura.

Either side of the walls bears carvings—Sea Sirens, Werewolves, Blood Race, and Demons—a battered clown mask grins exaggeratedly on the right shelf, the left holds a black horn, emanating chaotic energy. In one corner lie ancient relics so old even Empress Isabella doesn’t know their origins, only knowing ancestral members preserved them—they’re heirlooms. Each corner has immortal blue flames, the center holds a circular golden container with dark red substance inside, above floats a unique dark-golden crown and a scepter encrusted with sparking gems atop.

Lacking any field devices, these two items simply float.

Empress Isabella steps forward lightly grasping the black scepter, wielded like a gentleman’s cane; once she touches it, a Spiritual Storm engulfs the chamber, blue flames flicker, pain crosses her beautiful face.

Spirit whispers grow stronger.

Empress Isabella takes a breath, her gaze falls on the dark-golden crown.

"Majesty. Don’t." The middle-aged nun’s voice anxiously cries: "It’s an ominous artifact, rumored as demon-tainted."

"To surpass your Spiritual Ability Limit, you can use energy enhancement devices instead."

Ultimately.

Empress Isabella refrains from taking the dark-golden crown; levitating mid-air, she pauses with closed eyes, then states emotionlessly: "Let’s go."

.........