Upon receiving Valon’s decree, Tristan, Matthias, Nathaniel, and Grace each reacted differently.
Tristan was sitting in his study, calculating the advantages and disadvantages of his recent expedition to the Ashen Coast.
While his performance hadn’t been particularly outstanding, he had still fared considerably better than Matthias and Nathaniel. Yet even this modest edge clearly wouldn’t change his circumstances. Suddenly, Milton burst through the door with urgent news.
“Your Highness, I just received word from the palace that His Majesty’s condition has worsened. His time is running out. He’s issued a special decree-whichever royal family member can journey to Elysium Isle and return with the elixir of immortality will be named heir to the throne.”
“Heir to the throne?”
Tristan perked up at once. However, his excitement quickly gave way to concern.
He’d heard tales of Elysium Isle, but only as legend. Whether such a place actually existed in the Eastern Sea or whether any elixir of immortality could be found there remained a mystery. He could tell Valon was desperate and willing to try any cure for his illness.
But with the throne on the line, it didn’t matter if the story was true or false, or how many dangers lay ahead, Tristan had to take the chance.
“Pass my order and seal off every dock along the eastern coast immediately. Bring in every fisherman who’s sailed the Eastern Sea, regardless of their age, to the manor for questioning.
“Bring out those glass mirrors we obtained in trade from Persava from the treasury. It is claimed they are able to break the sea’s illusions,” Tristan commanded.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Milton said and hurried off to make arrangements.
Matthias was still worn out and hadn’t even had a chance to catch his breath when the royal decree was being delivered to his mansion. He rushed outside to receive it. After hearing its contents, surprise gave way to pure elation.
He’d expected harsh criticism from Valon. Instead, he was met with the news of Valon’s deteriorating health, which had driven him to seek the elixir of immortality to save his life. If Matthias could travel to Elysium Isle and return with that elixir, the throne would be his.
“Neville, send my orders. Mobilize our finest soldiers immediately and prepare the ships. I’m sailing to Elysium Isle for the elixir.”
“Your Highness, the isle only exists in legend. We don’t even know its exact location. How can we possibly find the elixir?” Neville asked, frowning slightly.
Finding the elixir seemed unlikely when the island’s very existence remained questionable. Perhaps it was nothing more than tall tales spread among the fishermen of the Eastern Sea.
“Then find out its location,” Matthias snapped. “I want every scrap of information about Elysium Isle thoroughly examined. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Neville didn’t dare to argue and departed swiftly.
Inside a moving luxury car, Nathaniel, who had been resting with closed eyes, received an unexpected phone call. Once he grasped the whole situation, he laughed.
“That’s great! Elysium Isle, huh? Seeking the elixir? Hmm… The position of heir is as good as mine.”
After ending the call, he immediately instructed his driver to change course.
Nathaniel had only ever heard passing mentions of Elysium Isle before and knew little about it. But he had one key advantage -he knew someone who did, and that person had actually been there before.
Upon receiving the royal decree, Grace showed none of her three brothers’ enthusiasm. Instead, she frowned.
First, Valon’s condition had worsened, and that alone was cause for worry. Second, he was using the royal throne as a bargaining chip for some mythical elixir of immortality to prolong his life.
She could already foresee the bloodshed and chaos this would unleash. Most troubling of all was the uncertainty of what kind of ruler might be chosen through such a scheme.
The thought of the innocent lives lost at the Ashen Coast filled her with anger.
Neither Tristan, Matthias, nor Nathaniel was fit to rule wisely. Should any of them ascend the throne, the resulting chaos would be unimaginable.
“Is there really such a thing as the elixir of immortality on Elysium Isle?” she asked Dustin, who was polishing his blade..
Without stopping what he was doing, he replied evenly, “Ancient records speak of three mystical mountains surrounding Elysium Isle-Seraphiel, Valerian, and Elysium. But fishermen who’ve ventured there describe it more as a dimensional rift, where visitors witness different phenomena entirely.”
He set the blade on the table, its polished spine catching his reflection.
“A century ago, a priest tried to sail there to preach. When he returned, he looked deranged and claimed the inhabitants sustained themselves by consuming life essence from other beings.
“He also insisted he’d seen warships from King Aremis’ era. Most unsettling of all, he’d left in the prime of his life. However, he came back with a full head of white hair and a beard to match, as if decades had passed in an instant.”
Grace arched an eyebrow. “So it’s a one-way trip?”
“More accurately, an unknown fate,” Dustin said indifferently. “Some claim it’s a paradise where you can live forever. Others say it’s a hell that strips away your soul, leaving you damned for all eternity.”
“Sounds a bit far-fetched.” She narrowed her eyes.
“These are just rumors,” he said with a shrug. “No one can verify the truth.”
“I’m planning to head to the Eastern Sea to see if this so-called Elysium Isle really exists,” Grace said bluntly.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Dustin said. He added earnestly, “My old man probably doesn’t have much time left, either. If we can locate Elysium Isle and obtain the elixir, perhaps we can extend his life by several years.”
Valon wasn’t the only one who was terminally ill. Rufus was suffering from Celestial Decay and was also on the brink of death.
Given this opportunity to seek the elixir at Elysium Isle, Dustin couldn’t let it pass. Whatever the risks, he had to try finding the cure for his father.
