Tristan seemed somewhat hesitant upon hearing Milton’s advice. After seeing something like that fall from the sky, it would be foolish to just walk away. Even if the crystal coffin looked unsettling, it was worth the risk.
As he wavered, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the distance, accompanied by the sharp clatter of armor.
“Who’s there?” he called out, spinning around. His hand pressed on the hilt of his sword as he looked warily toward the source of the noise.
Milton and the soldiers immediately shifted into defensive positions, staring intently ahead. They could see a group of men advancing rapidly toward them, led by Matthias and Nathaniel. Behind them were several dozen elite soldiers, fully armed and with stern expressions.
“Matthias? Nathaniel?” Tristan was stunned when he saw them.
“What a coincidence to find you here, Tristan,” Nathaniel said first, sounding surprised.
“We saw a golden light fall from the sky and followed it here,” Matthias chimed in.
“I didn’t expect you’d be so quick and beat us to it.”
He had just run into Nathaniel not long ago, and now Tristan had shown up as well. It seemed that obtaining the elixir of immortality wouldn’t be easy.
“Matthias, Nathaniel,” Tristan said, his smile never reaching his eyes. “Guess fate has a sense of humor, bringing the three of us together like this.”
He could tell from their appearance that they had clearly reached the island before him.
“Who’s to say it isn’t? I guess this is what they call fate,” Nathaniel replied with a diplomatic smile. Matthias, however, kept his gaze fixed on the crystal coffin.
“It’s weird to see a coffin fall from the sky. I wonder… What do you plan to do with it, Tristan?” he asked tentatively.
Tristan thought for a moment and replied, “I’ve been debating whether to open it. But the coffin looks too mysterious. Acting rashly could prove dangerous, but abandoning it now might mean losing an important clue.”
“You make a valid point,” Nathaniel said. ” But since all three of us are here, why don’t we decide together?
“This coffin certainly contains something unusual, or perhaps it’s related to the elixir we’re seeking. Why don’t we open it and take a look, so we can get a clear answer?”
Matthias nodded slightly. “Nathaniel, you’re right. Better to know the truth than stand here hesitating. But for safety’s sake, we need to prepare comprehensive defensive measures first.”
The three brothers quickly reached a consensus and immediately began setting up their defenses. Matthias ordered his soldiers to form a circle around the crater, with shields and spears raised, ready to respond to any emergency.
On the other hand, Nathaniel pulled out several talismans from his coat and distributed them to nearby soldiers.
“If there’s any movement, immediately stick these talismans on the coffin. They should help suppress whatever’s inside,” he said.
Tristan had Milton distribute the antidotes and healing tablets he carried with him to everyone, in case they encountered poison when they opened the coffin. Milton also scattered special powder around the crater’s perimeter.
“This is consecrated powder for warding off evil spirits,” he explained. “If there are any malevolent entities, it might serve as a deterrent.”
Once preparations were complete, the brothers exchanged glances. Anticipation and wariness were reflected in their eyes.
Matthias signaled two of his strongest soldiers beside him and said in a low voice, “You two go down there. Carefully open the lid and move it slowly. If anything seems unusual, stop immediately.”
The two soldiers acknowledged the order and cautiously climbed down the crater walls to the crystal coffin. They took deep breaths, placed their hands on the lid, and slowly pushed.
With a soft crack, the crystal coffin lid was gradually pushed open. A faint, pleasant fragrance drifted out. It was unlike the floral scents of the island’s plants. Instead, it carried hints of old incense and something unidentifiable.
Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel held their breath, staring intently at the coffin’s interior. When the lid was fully opened, everyone was stunned.
Inside lay a perfectly preserved man’s body that looked as though he had simply fallen asleep. He wore white robes embroidered with intricate patterns.
His features were strikingly handsome with pale skin, long dark lashes, a straight nose, and thin lips. Even though he was dead, something about him seemed otherworldly.
“Who… Who is this man? How could the body be preserved so well?” Nathaniel murmured under his breath, staring in shock.
Matthias’ frown deepened. Despite years of warfare and seeing countless corpses, he had never encountered one preserved so flawlessly and certainly never one so handsome.
Tristan’s eyes widened in disbelief, his mind racing with questions.
That man’s strange clothing and dignified appearance suggested someone of importance. But why was he lying in a crystal coffin that had fallen from the sky on Elysium Isle?
While the bewildered brothers stood there lost in thought, the man in the coffin’s eyelid twitched. Then, those eyes that had been closed for so long snapped open. His gaze looked dark and disoriented at first, then suddenly sharpened into alertness as he stared at the three men.
