Above The Sky-Chapter 1909 - 396: Incomplete Prologue, Part 2

Then, he understood why those adventurers, who were initially willing to explore ancient relics together and at least trusted each other, would suddenly slaughter each other upon their return.

Indeed, this was a treasure that could drive everyone mad.

A treasure sufficient to reveal the true nature of the world to him.

When he returned to the Imperial Capital, he immediately immersed himself in The Grand Library, and without pause, began to seek out remnants of pre-epoch civilizations. His Spirit Energy ’Seeking Veins’ allowed him to rapidly find another relic or creation related to one he had already located, and he could even find clues in looted relics and recover ancient items from domestic tomb robbers and antique dealers.

With the help of the Silver Chip, the Prince rapidly improved his knowledge, cognition, and strength. Through analyzing numerous relics’ texts, a grand, noble, and beautiful image of a pre-epoch civilization began to take shape in his mind.

The Prince was deeply shocked and attracted by the scene that could be called a paradise. He recalled those villagers who had forgotten their dreams, struggling merely to survive, unable to realize their dreams or enjoy life.

He recalled those numb eyes.

"Humans should not live like this."

So he thought. Clearly, human life could be so enriching and beautiful, so colorful and meaningful... The Terra World is undoubtedly sick because of Heavenfall and the Sublimators, because of so many reasons, the Terra Continent now cannot possibly build a magnificent civilization.

But what could he do?

The greatest sorrow of a wise man is that they can truly find solutions to problems, even if they dislike or despise those solutions.

—In this world filled with powerful beings and Sublimators, the only way to change things is to become powerful oneself.

—To change the present Empire, more than just power and knowledge are needed.

—Only by becoming emperor.

Only by becoming emperor could he build a beautiful world and change people’s destinies.

Then, the Prince realized that in the years he had been learning and growing, the Empire’s internal conflicts had intensified.

As the East and West Dukes supported the eldest son and the legitimate son respectively, the infighting in the imperial court became increasingly fierce, forcing even the Blazing Sun King, who typically cared little for such matters, to turn his attention back.

The Blazing Sun King was old, having accumulated numerous hidden injuries from his years of wild exploits and encounters with other powerful beings. Even a Fifth Energy Level powerhouse could maintain peak condition until death, but the more they used their power to sustain themselves, the more their lifespan would be consumed.

The Blazing Sun King had grown old, so old that he seemingly forgot to appoint a Crown Prince, so old that the two Princes had developed ambitions they should not have entertained.

Using the Silver Chip’s power, the Eleventh Prince discovered the secret conspiracy between his two brothers—relations between them had become as irreconcilable as fire and water. Whichever one became emperor, the other, along with their entire family, would most likely be erased. Hence, they were willing to risk everything to try methods that ensured ’Top Seat’s Blood’ would settle on their own heads.

Simply put, they intended to commit patricide.

All this should have been extremely secretive, but before the Silver Chip, no secret remained hidden.

After much thought, he decided to secretly expose his two brothers.

Not just for his father. But also...

For his own dreams.

Days later.

The descendants of two Sunbirds were ignited by an even more scorching sun fire, turning to ashes amidst screams of pain, while the emperor, having lost his two closest children simultaneously, turned exceedingly pale.

Among all the terrified princes and princesses, he alone remained expressionless.

To achieve his aims and realize his dreams, he must stand atop the mountain and seize power.

He must become emperor.

[Therefore, I became emperor]

Scenes emerged before Ian’s eyes, the slender man with golden hair sat calmly by a stone table, while the white-haired Prophet stepped forward, sitting opposite the table, listening quietly to the other’s words.

[I accomplished many things, succeeded in many tasks others could not. The Silver Chip brought me endless convenience, but also gave me unwarranted arrogance and confidence]

With a hand on the table, the golden-haired man gazed dreamily at the rainbow-colored streaks above: [I wanted to profoundly change the entire Empire in my time, not only in agriculture, medicine, industry, or education, but to transform my realm into a beautifully enchanting land akin to pre-epoch civilizations]

[Of course, in the end, I failed. From the memories of these imperial citizens, viewing the Empire from their perspective, I found I had not accomplished a single task I set out to do]

"Actually, you did accomplish quite a lot."

Ian calmly replied, "The hydraulic projects on the Quinor Plains worked very well, the Empire’s weather control system stabilized climate changes nationwide. Although the Empire’s medical system isn’t fully established, medical potions have become much cheaper, and starvation has become a rarity."

"Industrialization has actually been a success as well, although with technology so advanced, it didn’t solve employment for the populace. Still, there’s no lack in productivity, even though this productivity has been channelled primarily into war efforts."

"The only areas you failed in were education and entertainment—everyone in pre-epoch civilizations was literate, but only a minority qualified to work. This was built on universal education and widespread internet entertainment, where those truly willing to strive and achieve self-fulfillment progressed their studies and delved into disciplines, while others could indulge in entertainment, be it online gaming or self-realization, painting, music, or simply slacking off. You educated the populace, yet provided them no jobs or entertainment opportunities, which was your grave mistake."

[I merely found joy in reading books]

The slender golden-haired shadow sighed, clearly wanting to argue for himself, but eventually chose to let go: [I believed that after reading, they’d be satisfied with how knowledge changed their lives, like more scientific farming, more efficient work, and thereby begin transforming the Empire from their primal homelands]

[But I was wrong, the vast majority just wanted to become special, unique individuals. Reading was a new Sublimation Path in their eyes, yet I saw them merely as Scholars. What I considered foundational knowledge was already enough in their eyes to covet further status]

[Ultimately, I was wrong. Completely wrong, dragging down many of my friends with me]

So concluded, the slender golden-haired shadow gently shook his head: [Regret is pointless now, and in truth, I am not truly regretful because I anticipated my failure long ago]

[I never feared my ending]

[For]

He lifted his head.

Inega II looked at Ian Silverpeak.

The Pioneer smiled gazing at the young man before him: [This world still has you all]