Chapitre 317: Answer
Two chairs?
Why two? Based on prior archaeological finds of Fourth Epoch relics, the chair in the image should represent the highest-ranking, most powerful position in this place, yet there are two of them. Could it be a joint rule by two nobles? And the asymmetrical design of forty-one candelabras on the left and forty on the right seems over-the-top, even for the Fourth Epoch's appreciation for asymmetry.
Having seen relic exploration reports available to bishops, Alger's curiosity was piqued, though as neither an archaeologist nor a historian, his knowledge remained surface-level and left him relatively unshaken.
As for Audrey, her study of Extraordinary matters had led her to numerous texts and papers on the Fourth Epoch, reminding her of the clear hierarchies within the Solomon, Tudor, and Trunsoest Empires, each of which maintained an unyielding class divide. A dual-seated structure like this could upend the foundation of several widely-accepted theories… No wonder "The World" described it as "strange."
Audrey speculated, Could "The World" himself be an archaeologist? Or an academic in history, perhaps?
While Audrey pondered, Xio suddenly recalled something and blurted, "The Tudor-Trunsoest Union Empire!"
At the head of the table, Klein had directed his focus on Tower since he suspected only Tower might have insight into such matters. He was thus surprised when Judgment was the one to provide a key phrase.
The Tudor-Trunsoest Union Empire? So these two great dynasties really did have a union? Klein's mind raced, speculating that one of the crests might represent Tudor and the other Trunsoest, thus explaining the dual thrones. But then why did they end up on opposing sides in the War of the Four Emperors? Or could this union have formed later on, once the war had already begun?
As Klein pondered this union, he had "The World" turn to look at Xio, intrigued. The rest of the group also focused their attention on her.
Unfortunately, Xio knew little else. She had only learned about the "Union Empire" during a purification ritual from Detective Isengard. But since she hadn't paid close attention at the time, she had forgotten much of it.
Noting everyone's stares, she rose, showcased her 5-foot-3 frame, and gracefully apologized, "I'm afraid I remember only the term 'Union Empire' regarding the Fourth Epoch, but not much else."
Hearing this, Audrey and Alger turned their attention back to Ebner. Aside from The Sun, everyone already knew that Xio had been invited by Tower to the Tarot Club and that their connection was close; naturally, they assumed she'd heard about this term from him.
"The World," pretending to notice everyone's gaze a beat later, looked over at Ebner and said, "Mr. Tower, if you could explain this for us, I'd be willing to compensate you appropriately."
With a chuckle, Ebner shook his head, "That won't be necessary. It's a matter of history, and I don't mind sharing some for free."
Just some of it? Audrey's heart swelled with curiosity at the hint of something more. She smiled and said, "Mr. Tower, you truly are a generous and knowledgeable gentleman."
So he's offering some knowledge for free but charges for deeper insights? Isn't that a bit like my own approach? Klein thought with amusement while having "The World" voice a polite, "Thank you for your generosity."
After a moment to organize his thoughts, Ebner said:
"Judgment wasn't wrong. The relic style in the image indeed belongs to the Tudor-Trunsoest Union Empire."
"After Solomon's First Empire collapsed, it was replaced by the 'Tudor-Trunsoest Union Empire,' which was established with the backing of the Six Gods and ruled the entire Northern Continent under a system of dual consulship. Hence, the two grand seats on the raised platform…"
He paused, and then added, "The emblems on those two chairs belong to Tudor and Trunsoest."
"Dual consuls…" Klein mulled over the term as he had "The World" interject, "Solomon's First Empire? Did Solomon's descendants revive it and establish a second empire, thus triggering the War of the Four Emperors?"
"Close," Ebner replied with a nod, his tone meaningful. "But it wasn't descendants who brought about its resurgence. It was the Black Emperor Solomon himself who returned to life."
Returned to life? Audrey felt both thrilled and frightened by this concept. The wonder of the Extraordinary world filled her with childlike excitement, yet the idea of someone coming back from the dead carried terrifying implications. Was it truly a resurrection, or had Solomon re-entered the world as one of the undead? What price did he pay? If anyone other than Tower had said this, I would have written it off as a mere fantasy.
Alger narrowed his eyes, instinctively feeling that the Black Emperor's "resurrection" was anything but simple. It likely touches upon Solomon's deepest secrets. He sat forward slightly, hoping Tower might elaborate further.
Xio was equally stunned. When she had heard about the Black Emperor's resurrection during her purification ritual, she'd assumed it was merely poetic language describing a resurgence of Solomon's descendants. However, based on Ebner's words, it seemed that the emperor's revival was real. Can the dead really be revived? Or was the Black Emperor different?
Resurrection isn't news to me, Klein thought, reflecting on his own multiple resurrections. But Tower's tone implies that the Black Emperor isn't merely a title; there's a deeper layer of meaning.
He remembered that his bodyguard had once mentioned how only emperors bore the title of Emperor, hinting at something beyond the name itself.
Recalling the dossier Ebner had given to Azik, Klein also remembered the note about the Black Emperor being the peak of the Lawyer pathway. At the time, I thought that meant Sequence 1, but now, considering Roselle's diary, it might actually refer to Sequence 0. So Black Emperor is at the level of a true deity?
If my theory holds, then is the Blood Emperor also a Sequence 0? And Night Emperor too? Perhaps this is another reason the Fourth Epoch is called the Epoch of the Gods… I'll need to confirm this indirectly.
With that thought, "The World" spoke in a hoarse voice, feigning confusion. "If the Black Emperor resurrected, wouldn't Tudor and Trunsoest have opposed him together? Yet, I know that they were rivals during the War of the Four Emperors."
Catching his intent, Ebner chuckled and replied, "That's because the Six Gods anointed Trunsoest as the Night Emperor and abandoned Tudor."
"When Tudor had nowhere else to turn, he accepted the support of an unknown entity, crossed pathways, and, at the cost of partial madness, became the Blood Emperor."
"Meanwhile, on the Southern Continent, there was already a figure known as the Underworld Emperor, which led to the eventual War of the Four Emperors."
Within a month, Klein would obtain the Black Emperor card, learning firsthand what was required to reach that level. Thus, Ebner didn't hold back much information at this point.
Judging from this, both Tudor and Trunsoest likely followed the Lawyer pathway, Klein mused. Otherwise, they wouldn't share Solomon's aesthetic preferences for asymmetry. This style might even be related to some ritual of the Lawyer pathway…
Tower said that Tudor crossed pathways to become the Blood Emperor. Which pathway is unclear, but Trunsoest likely turned to the Arbiter, an orderly pathway as Tower described.
Could Night Emperor be the title of the Sequence 0 Arbiter? But how could that title align with Order? And who was that unknown entity?
Klein's thoughts were interrupted as "The Sun" asked excitedly, "Mr. Tower, was the resurrection you mentioned a genuine revival? And what price was paid?"
Ebner immediately recognized what lay behind Derrick's question: the young man likely still dreamed of resurrecting his parents.
Sighing softly, Ebner replied, "It was a true resurrection… but if you're thinking of reviving someone, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. This was a power unique to the Black Emperor, one that applied only to himself."
"I see…" Derrick lowered his gaze slightly, disappointment evident in his expression. But he quickly regained composure, standing up to bow respectfully to Ebner. "Thank you for your explanation, Mr. Tower."
Xio discreetly bit her lip. She had been considering the same question but held her tongue.
Meanwhile, "The World" seized the opportunity to ask, "Do the titles Black Emperor, Blood Emperor, and Night Emperor hold special meaning?"
Ebner merely smiled, saying nothing, making it clear that this question had strayed into the "paid knowledge" territory.
(End of Chapter)
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone