Super Righteous Player
Chapter 1126 - 177: The Humming Ashes

Chapter 1126: Chapter 177: The Humming Ashes

"Is that someone you know?"

Husky turned around, casting a subtly inquiring gaze toward Arthur: "He’s been watching us the whole time."

"Never mind, let him watch... it doesn’t matter."

Arthur, without turning back, responded: "That guy just likes to meddle in affairs."

"Mr. Hector obviously belongs to the Roaring Fang clan—this can be deduced from the special effect in his eyes, as well as the sulfur smell surrounding him."

Longjing Tea analyzed in a quiet voice: "I think he might be acquainted with Mr. Arthur... and their relationship seems to be quite good."

Hearing this, Arthur suddenly stopped walking.

Since he was at the very front of the group—when Arthur stopped, the whole team halted as well.

His expression clearly grew complex.

After hesitating for a while, Arthur finally spoke to Longjing Tea in a low voice: "How did you figure that out?"

"When he called your name earlier, his smile was very natural. And I noticed that at that moment, the corners of your mouth also subconsciously moved, as if you were instinctively wanting to smile."

Longjing Tea shrugged: "Moreover, the way he greeted you at the beginning... to put it seriously, was slightly offensive to your dignity. If it’s not a joke between good friends, then it must be a provocation from an enemy.

"But when I looked, you didn’t show any displeasure toward his words. So I deduced that you must be good friends."

"...Longjing Tea, right?"

Arthur gave him a deep look and then continued walking forward.

He slightly turned his face: "If you were born in the United Kingdom, you could have become an excellent Transcendent Detective."

Arthur paused, slightly closing his eyes.

He seemed to be recalling something.

"He is indeed my friend... to speak in terms of seniority, he is actually my uncle.

"Because of me... my father passed away quite early. After my father’s death, the first one to comfort me was Hector."

Arthur slowly continued: "Of course, I didn’t dare to really trust him.

"Because not long before that, I was almost murdered by my second uncle—the reason it was only ’almost’ was because Uncle Hector saved me. That’s also the reason I dared to meet with him after my father was murdered by relatives.

"However, at that time, I also no longer dared to trust anyone. Also, to protect him, I always avoided contact with him. It wasn’t until I later joined the Magma Forbidden Tower and became the Tower Master’s student that I met him again...

"That’s when I found out that he had been a mentor at the Magma Forbidden Tower from the start. There were not many like-minded peers willing to spend time with me at the Magma Forbidden Tower... Hector was one. Although he took me out for drinks every day, I didn’t really like drinking..."

Arthur’s mouth curled into a slight smile.

His voice was unexpectedly calm, utterly lacking his usual arrogance and smugness. When he talked about these matters, there was a sense of nostalgia.

But Husky suddenly added: "Yet, I see you... seem to have some guilt towards Uncle Hector?"

At that remark, Arthur’s right fingertips trembled slightly.

He turned his head back in slight surprise: "Can you even see that?"

Arthur did not deny, but merely shook his head lightly: "This matter, it actually involves the captain..."

"—I am no longer your captain, Arthur."

Selicia, who had been at the back of the group and silent, unexpectedly appeared behind Arthur.

She said somewhat helplessly: "The ’Silver’ now has nothing to do with me... or rather, I have successfully rid myself of the ’Silver’s curse and reached the other side of my desires."

"Is that really the case?"

Ofelia suddenly interjected: "But I feel that you are not quite happy."

"Achieving one’s desires and living happily every day are two different things."

Selicia sighed: "Fulfilling a desire does not mean solving all of life’s problems, it just means accomplishing a goal that one must undertake... nothing more.

"If we’re talking about happiness or joy... this stable life now certainly isn’t as thrilling as adventuring on the seas aboard a ship."

"Then, perhaps you should..."

"—But," Selicia cut off Ofelia’s words, "if I were to choose again, I would still live this kind of life. More than happiness, what I am considering now is what I should do... and what I can do.

"So, let’s not discuss that anymore... Ofelia."

Selicia sighed: "I don’t want to refuse you."

Ofelia, interrupted in mid-sentence, only frowned and gazed intently at Selicia.

"That’s the thing, Ofelia."

Just then, Arthur scoffed from the side: "People don’t live solely for their own joy and happiness... especially when ’your own life doesn’t belong to you’. If you were just a commoner, or an ordinary Transcendent, then that would be one thing.

"But like Selicia, and like me, like you—we all bear certain burdens. We represent more than just ourselves... We head toward the Golden Land for the sake of many others."

"That’s why... I feel you are unfit to be a king."

Arthur looked back deeply at Ofelia: "Because you’re too free."

Husky immediately felt that these two were probably going to start arguing again.

But this time, Ofelia did not rebut Arthur.

He glanced at Selicia, seemingly touched and fell into thought.

Seeing this, Annan’s lips slightly curved upward.

Just as expected.

A hundred words from Arthur couldn’t compare to a single one from Selicia.

Among all the crew on the treasure ship "Silver," the one who truly fell for Selicia and saw her as his soulmate was, in fact, only Ofelia. Thus, when Selicia chose freedom, Ofelia, too, chose freedom...

And now, with Annan’s help, Selicia’s wish has been fulfilled. The drive that kept her drifting everywhere has dissipated.

Just like how a person in their twenties parties wildly every day until one day, they suddenly get tired of it, have a realization, and decide to settle down for a steady life. What she’s doing now is atoning for her past self—though she truly only excels at killing, so now, as Annan’s guard, that’s all she can choose to do.

Naturally, this cannot possibly be a pleasant or carefree life.

Yet, it’s what Selicia believes to be... the life most suited for herself.

At the moment of her wish’s completion, Selicia feels that she... has finally grown up.

It’s just that this growth has come a tad bit late.

The group then fell silent.

Until they arrived at the volcanic crater—only then did they see that a spiral obsidian bridge spanned among the hanging chains.

Setting foot on the bridge, it even felt somewhat warm.

And this spiral bridge, when stepped on, was quite shaky. The stone slabs beneath one’s feet were also narrow, with barely a misstep seeming to lead to a fall into the volcano. The continuously rising steam blurred one’s vision, making the path unclear.

Husky, frightened, clutched Arthur’s shoulder tightly, using his body as a support, leaning her entire weight on him—not that she was particularly heavy.

Even so, she still felt a bit weak at the knees.

...Isn’t she a Winter person?

Feeling Husky’s disregard for male-female boundaries, Arthur looked helplessly resigned.

But he said nothing—and did not respond by wrapping his arm around Husky’s waist like he did with Selicia.

Arthur only gripped the handrail tighter, with his right hand steadying Husky’s right shoulder, walking more firmly.

He was prepared to catch her at any moment should she fall.

Further back in the group, Thirteen Fragrance’s face turned exceptionally pale.

He had intended to grab onto Annan’s shoulder, but as he reached out, Isaac confusingly took his hand instead. This was actually better, as Isaac seemed to offer a stronger sense of security.

"Are you afraid of heights?"

Dragon Well Tea’s expression was somewhat strange: "Is it acrophobia or simply cowardice?"

"I’m... not really sure either..."

Thirteen Fragrance’s voice trembled for a moment, but he didn’t stop babbling, seemingly to distract himself: "It might be acrophobia, but I’ve never felt such strong fear before... Is it because of the constant rising heat? Or because it’s my first time standing this high without a balustrade? Or knowing I’d be melted by lava if I fall? Though even if I fell, I wouldn’t really die but don’t panic let me look for the option to turn off the pain sensation..."

His murmuring voice grew lower and lower.

Though the path looked frightening, thankfully they didn’t need to walk too far.

About six hundred meters in diameter—three spirals down and they reached a platform. From there, a bridge led straight to the middle of the Lava Forbidden Tower... It seemed that they had received Hektor’s notice from outside, the doors were already open, and two solemn-faced wizards in golden-red robes stood at the entrance like guardian deities.

"—Please come in, everyone. I am aware of your purpose."

Contrary to the sense of danger conveyed by the "Destruction Wizard."

That voice belonged to the Tower Master.

A rational and gentle voice came from a container held by one of them: "If possible, I’d like Miss Husky to meet with me first. I’m on the negative eighteenth floor; you can take the elevator down.

"Others can come together or wander around as they please. I’ve marked them as visitors. From negative two to positive seventeen floors are accessible areas."

And Annan narrowed his eyes slightly.

The essence of light flowed in his gaze.

A mere box cannot obstruct Annan’s vision.

He saw it clearly—

Within that small box...

Was a handful of "buzzing" ashes.

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