Chapter 764 Shadow World: Eternal Punishment, Undead Finale

The warm afternoon sun streamed down on the magnificent Shalem Palace.

Lan Qi slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze fell upon a corridor formed by a series of open, carved wooden doors. The scent of classical furniture mingled with the fragrance of flowers, and the glittering crystal chandeliers refracted a myriad of colors onto the gold-rimmed porcelain and silverware on the dining table.

“…”

Lan Qi leaned back in his chair, gazing at the unfamiliar yet familiar dining room.

He had returned to Brant, the Northern Empire where he had originally taken office as Prime Minister.

This was the residence of the Brant Emperor, Shalem Palace.

Originally built as a large city-state residence by a duke, it was later acquired by the royal family and gradually expanded into its current form.

The dining room of Shalem Palace was where he had once had lunch and talks with Empress Kexiya.

Having just experienced a chaotic darkness, he now found himself in an environment bathed in the first rays of dawn piercing through the layers of darkness. His vision gradually returned, revealing this scene.

Boss Cat was on his lap, and the Ace Obsessive Demon King was still with him, not forcibly separated.

"It seems that in the shadow world timeline, I stayed in the Brant Empire for a long time? Now even the familiar Xiao Hei Meiqiu (Little Black Coal Ball) can be summoned at any time?"

Lan Qi muttered to himself.

"Who's Xiao Hei Meiqiu, meow!"

Boss Cat exclaimed.

It had tolerated being called Xiao Hei Mianbao (Little Black Bread), but it never expected that the name Lan Qi had given it last time in the Brant Empire, Xiao Hei Meiqiu, wasn't just a casual nickname but something he actually remembered.

"Where is this?"

Talia's mental voice quickly echoed in his mind.

"A luncheon between the Brant royal family and the Prime Minister… This isn't a fixed tradition of the empire, but rather an informal meeting format within Brant Empire's constitutional democracy. It provides an informal environment for the emperor and the prime minister to discuss important imperial matters and policy issues in a relaxed atmosphere."

Lan Qi replied to Talia.

In the constitutional system of the Brant Empire, the emperor, Empress Kexiya, played an important ceremonial role, while the actual administrative power was mainly concentrated in the Prime Minister and his parliament.

Lan Qi's head didn't move; only his eyes shifted across the dining room, noticing every detail imbued with traces of time.

His field of vision wasn't wide, as if something was blocking most of the light.

Oils paintings depicting more tragic historical battles hung on the walls, seemingly etched with the country's past glories and hardships.

Judging from the changes in the details of the dining room, many years had probably passed, but everything in Shalem was still similar to what he remembered.

Even the talks were the same.

Empress Kexiya still maintained a keen interest and influence in state affairs, and the Prime Minister's regular reports to the Emperor were part of the political tradition of the Brant Empire.

Only this time, he no longer had the smell of tobacco on him; neither his pipe nor his matches were to be found.

More importantly, he was no longer wearing the Prime Minister's black suit.

Instead… unfamiliar white attire?

After a while, Lan Qi's attention was drawn to a wall decoration.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't a painting.

It was a newspaper from three years ago.

Even after so long, it was treasured by the Empress, framed, and hung in Shalem Palace—

[January 8, 611 of the Saint Brant Ecclesiastical State, Brant Morning Post front-page headline: "Honing Empire Surrenders, End of the War of the Century."]

[Brant News, Yesterday, General Alex Osborne, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Honing army at Oberon, the headquarters of the Northern Steel Fortress.]

[After nine years of participation by the Northern Brant Empire, the dictatorial regime of the Southern Honing Empire has collapsed, and the Sevilla Continent welcomes the dawn of peace.]

[Prime Minister George Tweefly gave a speech, saying, "After countless sacrifices and arduous struggles, we have finally ushered in the dawn of victory. The threat of the Honing Empire has been completely crushed, and justice will eventually triumph over evil. Let us, with grateful hearts, pay our highest respects to all the soldiers and people who participated in this great struggle."]

[Honing Emperor Rukwik II committed suicide on the 30th of last month. The Allied Forces then advanced into the Honing heartland from the east and west, and the Honing army retreated in defeat. A large number of officers and soldiers were captured. Finally, under the overwhelming superiority of the Allied Forces, they were forced to surrender. Honing Foreign Minister Hansen Hoffman signed the surrender document on behalf of the Honing army.]

[This marks the end of the war of the century, which lasted nearly thirty years.]

[Mass celebrations broke out in the capital, Hershalem, and New Sinokson, a major town of the Allied Forces. People sang and danced, cheering and rejoicing. The Hershalem Palace Square was filled with celebrating crowds. People sang the national anthem, congratulating Emperor Kexiya and the victory of the motherland. Prime Minister Tweefly and members of the royal family waved to the people in the square. The Holy Brant Pope also attended the event.]

[After this unprecedentedly brutal war, the Brant Empire paid a huge price, ultimately defending freedom, justice, and humanitarian values. However, the wounds of war still need time to heal, and the task of rebuilding the homeland is arduous and far-reaching. It is hoped that under the principles of the "Oberon Convention," the post-war order will prevent tragedies from happening again, and the flower of peace will forever bloom on the Sevilla Continent.]

Lan Qi scanned the newspapers and paintings treasured by the Empress on the wall, gradually figuring out this new timeline.

Twelve years had passed.

The Brant Empire, in alliance with the Demon Realm and the Northern countries, had achieved a narrow victory in the ninth year after formally declaring war on the vampire Honing Empire.

Now, three years had passed since the victory.

The following newspaper told another event: During the post-war election, everyone believed that Wilford would win. His campaign was a grand spectacle, and the intelligence agencies of the Demon Realm also believed that Wilford would win with a majority of more than 80 seats.

But Wilford failed, and the cheering crowd was actually saying goodbye to Wilford.

After several years of war, service, sacrifice, bombing, death notices, rationing, and famine, the people were exhausted.

People felt lost looking at their ravaged homeland, and Wilford's campaign platform was still ideological, requiring people to continue working hard, pointing out the obligations and responsibilities of the Brant Empire.

But the people were tired.

Wilford wanted the people to pay more, but the people had already paid once in 602.

This was a manifestation of the disintegration of national morale in the election.

Compared to the responsibilities of the great northern power, the people needed the lifting of food rations, more relaxed fiscal policies, and more public housing.

So, when Wilford appeared before them after the war, a gentleman of the Brant Empire era, a leader in the war, and talked to the people about the greatness of Brant and the responsibilities of the country, the people would applaud him enthusiastically.

His failure then became a result, and the most glorious figure of defeat remained in the report.

"So I'm no longer the Prime Minister."

Lan Qi thought with relief.

He wasn't too surprised by this result.

"Why?"

Talia voiced her injustice in his heart.

"Because the people are suffering, and no one wants to suffer more, nor should they suffer more."

Lan Qi explained gently to Talia.

Prime Minister Wilford's departure could be considered quite dignified.

He persevered to the end, and the people paid him their respects.

Continuing to look to the right.

The wall was no longer covered with news reports printed on copperplate paper, but returned to a few commemorative oil paintings.

They depicted the most important moments in the Brant Empire in recent years.

The largest one, in the center of the picture, was an old Pope wearing a gorgeous white robe. He wore a golden crown and held a scepter, and his silver-white mask made him appear dignified and awe-inspiring.

He stood on a high platform made of marble, dragons blew trumpets in the clouds, and below the platform were groups of people from the northern countries. Nobles and commoners knelt together, piously accepting the Pope's blessing.

And Empress Kexiya, kneeling on one knee, accepted the Pope's blessing.

The Pope placed his right hand on the Empress's head, and his left hand held a copy of the "Trinity Codex," truly bestowing imperial power to this wise and decisive Empress during the war.

Seeing this, Lan Qi understood one thing.

Strictly speaking, this place could no longer be called the Brant Empire.

Its new name was—

The Saint Brant United Ecclesiastical State.

An alliance formed after the war, led by Brant, including neighboring countries such as the Kingdom of Bliss, the Kingdom of Fuklo, and the Kingdom of Idis.

Empress Kexiya was still the emperor.

But the Brant Empire had an additional Saint Brant Pope of unknown identity.

Lan Qi came to the new shadow world at such a starting point.

"Meow, meow."

However, Boss Cat was still curiously looking at the newspaper.

It discovered that the Brant Empire had successfully abolished the constitutional monarchy and the upper and lower houses of parliament, restored royal power after the war, and the concept of divine right.

The former Prime Minister of the Brant Empire had retired.

Some said that his health prevented him from continuing in his position, some said that his harm to peace was greater than his help during peacetime, and some said that he was a ghost from the beginning, and even his name and identity were fabricated, as if he was a messenger sent by God to save the world.

No one knew that the Pope, who always wore a mask and had white hair,

His true identity under the mask—

"Your appearance has stopped in your youth."

Empress Kexiya's light voice startled the Boss Cat on Lan Qi's knees.

It was too focused and didn't notice.

At some point, Kexiya, the Emperor of Brant, had arrived in the dining room.

She sat in the same old place—opposite Lan Qi.

"Your Majesty Kexiya."

Lan Qi put down the cat and prepared to stand up and salute the newly arrived Empress Kexiya.

Twelve years had passed, and the once young Empress Kexiya was nearly forty, more mature and gentle, and still moving.

"No need to salute."

Empress Kexiya gracefully extended her hand to Lan Qi, signaling him to sit at the other end of the long table.

Her demeanor exuded a noble air, and her satiny brown hair was adorned with dazzling jewels. Her clear blue eyes seemed to be able to see through the silver-white mask on his face, but it was difficult to hide the caution of measuring distance.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lan Qi bowed and saluted, the hem of his cloak drawing a light arc on the carpet, and sat down again.

He looked up, meeting Empress Kexiya's eyes.

The dining room fell silent for a moment, with only the ticking of the clock hands and the crackling of the fire in the fireplace.

The dining room interior didn't feel cold, but the winter atmosphere of the windowsill occasionally permeated, with occasional frost, and no traces of flying birds were visible.

The two sat in silence, as if waiting for delicacies, or as if considering their words.

As the supreme ruler of a country, Empress Kexiya, who was usually burdened with official duties, rarely had such a private opportunity to chat except for necessary public occasions.

According to the custom of being the Prime Minister, Lan Qi should first open the topic, explain to the Empress the decision-making direction of the parliament, the progress of domestic and foreign situations, and the challenges facing the future.

But times had changed, and this lunch was no longer the meeting between the Emperor and the Prime Minister as before.

More like.

Just a meal for them as old friends.

After a moment.

"Is Your Majesty hungry now?"

Lan Qi's sudden question broke the silence, startling the Empress and the cat boss spying in his arms.

Boss Cat vaguely remembered that Lan Qi had also asked this question when he first met Empress Kexiya in Shalem Palace in the shadow world.

Are you used to being with Tata? Is everyone Tata in your eyes?!

Boss Cat suspected that Lan Qi's database had been polluted since several dates with Tata, and now even when he met normal girls, he would subconsciously consider the law that "dating equals eating."

"Humph."

Empress Kexiya couldn't help but laugh at these words.

Last time, they had nothing to say because they were unfamiliar, and this time, they had nothing to say because they were too familiar.

But he still had the same opening line.

"Does His Holiness the Pope seem to have a good appetite?"

The Empress thought for a moment and responded with the same question.

Her beautiful face had a slightly playful expression.

"On the contrary, I had a good breakfast. In the blink of an eye, it's noon. Compared to dining, I think what's more important is to have a good chat with Your Majesty Kexiya."

Lan Qi shook his head, a tired smile on his lips.

He had already discovered that the Pope in the painting, wearing a white robe and a mask, was him in his current attire.

But Boss Cat was so frightened that it jumped up.

It looked up at Lan Qi in the white robe, and the silver mask on his face.

Really a Pope?!

This guy becoming a clergyman was too much.

"You're exceptionally polite today, as if you've turned back into the Prime Minister I first met, which makes me very nostalgic."

The Empress lowered her head and replied,

"What? Have you figured it out? Or are you really planning to retire this time?"

Her expression relaxed slightly, and she slowed down her tone, asking Lan Qi sincerely.

"…"

Lan Qi was silent, temporarily not understanding what Empress Kexiya meant.

Kexiya looked intently at the man she had known for more than ten years, who was still as mysterious as ever.

"Lan Cros, I'm so glad to see you again. Every day, I worry about hearing bad news about you."

Empress Kexiya finally opened her mouth again, her eyes drooping,

"You hide too many secrets. From the time you went by the name of Wilford and spent nearly twenty years in the Brant Empire to get into politics... I never thought that you were actually a Honing Empire person."

As one of the few friends of the Pope, or rather, one of the few friends he had left alive, she knew the Pope's secrets and past.

Since accepting the transformation of the Honing Empire's experimental field, his time had stopped forever at that moment.

Strictly speaking, this kind of acquired forbidden product should be called a demon-human.

Neither a demon nor a human.

The mortality rate of demon-human transformation surgery was extremely high. One had to endure countless ravages to have a glimmer of hope of success. To a certain extent, it was also equivalent to abandoning one's own race and turning oneself into a monster that was neither fish nor fowl.

As a side effect, not only did they not truly have the longevity of demons, but their lifespan was also significantly shortened compared to humans.

Perhaps for Lan Cros, being able to live to be over forty years old was already a miracle. Every moment, he might have to endure unimaginable pain, relying entirely on the tenacity of his soul to resist death, dragging his body, which was about to collapse at any moment, and doing his final things.

"…"

The white-robed man sitting opposite him remained silent.

"Lan Cros, if you don't want to speak, then you don't need to speak. Just listen to me."

Empress Kexiya continued to speak in a gentle voice.

Originally, the Empress thought that this lunch would be a difficult test, but it became easier because of Lan Qi's previous remarks.

Lan Cros was always changing, but a few points of sincerity and humility always flowed out of his green eyes.

She could see that, unlike most dignitaries, this man, although he had a sense of responsibility, had no desire for power.

This was why, even if he was strange and unpredictable, she was willing to treat him with sincerity.

"To be honest, the more I understand you these years, the more alien you feel."

She looked at Lan Qi,

"No matter what, I will help you. After you die, I will hide your secrets well for you, and your lasting reputation is what you deserve."

Empress Kexiya assured him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lan Qi responded.

Because the country believed in the Saint Brant Church, the Pope had a fairly high degree of prestige in this country, even actually exceeding the Emperor. For many decision-making issues, the current Emperor needed to listen to the Pope's opinion.

At this point, Lan Qi roughly understood the story of the past twelve years.

In the first nine years of the war, the church he belonged to made outstanding contributions to resisting the Honing Empire, and its ecclesiastical power became greater and greater. On the surface, Prime Minister Wilford and Pope Lan Cros were opposites in power. No one would have thought that the other identity of Prime Minister Wilford was actually the leader of the church.

He was secretly and constantly giving the regime to the ecclesiastical power, and finally staged a perfect ending for himself, announcing the defeat of the regime and the rise of the ecclesiastical power.

So in the following three years, Prime Minister Wilford became history, and a Pope was born who was above imperial power.

Now.

Perhaps it was the moment when the Pope was almost at the end of his life. As an old friend, the Empress wanted to see him off for the last time.

"I hope I never need to display my talents. A Saint Brant Ecclesiastical State that doesn't need me is a truly beautiful country."

Lan Qi replied frankly and easily, and there was no pretense in his tone.

This shadow world seemed to represent the last period of time in the life of Lan Cros of the Black Sun.

He had read about the price of human demonization and distortion in the library of Lichtenstein Castle on the border of the Honing Empire in the second shadow world.

It was difficult for demon-humans like Lan Cros, who had undergone immature artificial transformation in the empire's experimental field in his early years, to live past the age of thirty.

Now, Lan Cros was almost 49 years old in this timeline.

Lan Qi couldn't understand why he was still alive.

However, the advantages accumulated in the first three shadow worlds finally paid off for a beautiful ending.

"You're still like this."

Looking at Lan Qi's eyes, Empress Kexiya said from the bottom of her heart. The guilt and intolerance in her heart turned into bursts of bitterness.

She could not forget that Prime Minister Wilford had answered her the same way when she first met him.

Even if he was let down by the empire, he would not let down the empire.

"You said you're not hungry, and I've said everything I wanted to say to you. I won't delay your time here. Please go back to the Papal Palace."

Empress Kexiya wiped her eyes and squeezed out a smile to bid farewell to her old friend, saying to Lan Qi.

"Your Majesty, goodbye."

Lan Qi stood up and saluted Kexiya again, bidding farewell.

After coming to this shadow world, he hadn't received a shadow world prompt for so long, making him feel that he shouldn't stay here for dinner.

He wanted to quickly figure out more things about this era.

For example, the Demon Realm.

For example, his friends in this era.

Since he had won, his shadow world friends should also have a happy ending.

"Yes, goodbye."

Empress Kexiya waved to him.

Under the reception of the guards, Lan Qi passed through a series of doorways.

He walked out of the magnificent gate of Shalem Palace and came to the door.

The streets of Hershalem were bustling with people, and citizens were busy coming and going. The noise of the city was always coming from his left and right sides.

It was different from a dozen years ago.

People had hope in their eyes.

The haze of fear had been dispelled.

The city also had vitality.

After ending the meeting with Empress Kexiya, he, the Saint Brant Pope, should return to his Papal Palace as expected.

When Lan Qi's figure appeared at the gate of the imperial residence, the members of the Temple Knight Order, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately knelt down, as if meeting a god descending.

They were dressed in silver armor, with the Saint Brant emblem embroidered on their chests, and held sharp spears in their hands, like a legion of the sky.

"My Lord, His Holiness the Pope has arrived!"

"Glory—Praise—"

As the knight captain's high-pitched singing resounded, the neat and unified sound of praise resounded like a tsunami.

Lan Qi slowly walked out, followed by several clergy members dressed in Revelation attire, who respectfully waited on him on both sides.

Next, he took the temple's vehicle back to the Saint Brant Papal Palace.

Ten minutes later.

The majestic fortress located at the peak of the imperial capital could be vaguely seen.

Like the oil painting in the palace, it shone with a solemn and sacred brilliance in the afternoon sun as always.

On the way, Lan Qi looked out of the car through the mask.

Occasionally, he saw old couples carrying the belongings of young military officers, praying with tears in their eyes; girls holding newly opened lilies, shyly saluting; children excitedly climbing on their parents' shoulders, trying to stretch their tender necks, looking at the Papal Palace's vehicle.

Lan Qi watched quietly.

Unconsciously, the vehicle had slowed down and stopped in front of the Saint Brant Papal Palace.

The Papal Palace was at the highest point of the imperial capital, Hershalem. It was the residence and power center of the Saint Brant Pope.

The outer wall was constructed of stone, with towering spires reaching into the clouds. The front of the hall had a huge stained glass window, surrounded by white stone walls and defensive towers. In addition to the basic structure of the exterior, the core area was the throne hall of the Saint Brant Pope.

Lan Qi's footsteps echoed on the white stone steps, and glittering lights were lit in the Papal Palace.

He passed through the ranks of temple knights clad in silver armor and entered the gate of the Papal Palace.

The doors slowly closed, and the hustle and bustle of the world was isolated from the outside.

The vast sanctuary was dimly lit, with only two or three beams of slanting sunlight cast down from the windows. The holy light of heaven shone on the red carpet in front of the altar.

Lan Qi walked slowly towards the throne, and the clergy members behind him stood on the left and right, closing the several-meter-high black gold doors of the throne hall for him.

"…"

He stood in front of the throne, not rushing to return to his position.

Instead, he turned to face the mirror on one side of the temple.

In the mirror was a figure with a tall and straight body. He would be mistaken for an old man, probably because after covering his young face, the feeling given by his white hair was like this.

The outer layer of the pure white robe was embroidered with gold thread, and the hem and cuffs were inlaid with gold edges. Inside was a deep red lining, with a Trinity religious pattern embroidered on the front.

"Heh, I've become the Pope?"

Lan Qi took off the silver-white mask in front of the mirror.

In this shadow world, his attire had been transformed into the Pope's attire, and his hair color had also been dyed pure white.

Wearing a mask and standing in front of the mirror, he didn't recognize himself.

"Wait, Lan Qi, you seem to have gained a debuff."

Talia suddenly reminded him.

She found that Lan Qi had a strange state after coming to the shadow world.

It was just too secretive, so it wasn't identified until now, in the space of the throne hall, where she could use magic with confidence.

[Mind Fracture]

[Category: Negative State]

[Grade: Epic]

[Attribute: Spirit]

[Rank: 9]

[Sequelae after fighting Duke Lashaal, the Third Progenitor.]

Talia shared the information with Lan Qi through telepathy.

"…I feel okay."

Lan Qi carefully sensed it and responded.

He didn't feel that he had become weaker or uncomfortable.

Or rather, his spell resistance was already very high.

"Pay attention to your body. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me immediately."

Talia instructed.

"Thank you, Master."

Lan Qi put the mask back on,

Restoring the Pope's aura.

"Is this my Saint Brant Ecclesiastical State now?"

Lan Qi came to the wall engraved with the map, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked at the map of the world.

Even without deliberately acting, his temperament was natural when he put on this outfit.

"I feel like you're a super mastermind, meow!"

Boss Cat poked its head out of the shadows. Seeing Lan Qi like this, it couldn't help but feel horrified.

Generally speaking, in stories, this mysterious Pope, who holds supreme power and is upright and righteous on the surface, is definitely not a good person!

"Don't say it, you really shouldn't say it. Now the territory of the Saint Brant Ecclesiastical State is so large that it's hard to imagine. It's simply the Kretia Empire of the Northern Continent. Even if it's not as good as the Honing Empire, which annexed the entire Southern Continent's territory in its war heyday, it doesn't seem to lack the capital to fight the Honing Empire head-on at this moment."

Lan Qi muttered to himself as he looked at the map, lightly drawing in the air with his fingertips.

"What exactly are you thinking, meow!"

Boss Cat originally thought that Lan Qi's power had declined in this shadow world, but he still performed stably and continued to rise steadily.

Before Boss Cat could continue to say anything, the long-delayed shadow world information finally appeared before their eyes.

[Shadow World: Eternal Punishment, Undead Finale]

[Level: Eighth Order]

[Total Number of Challengers: 9]

Generally, the reason why the shadow world prompt is delayed is that the challengers at the other void gate entrances haven't entered yet.

Seeing this number, Lan Qi was relieved.

Huberian should have caught up as promised.

[Twelve years ago, you withstood the pressure from Congress, and in the darkest moment of the North-South Continents, you became the light that illuminated the Brant Empire, ignited the people's hope and courage, mobilized the country, and declared war on the Honing Empire.]

[Some old things have died, but some new things are sprouting there. Although crosses are increasing in your graveyards, although your homes have turned into black ruins, your nation has been resurrected, allowing vampires to witness that unprecedented power.]

[You exchanged the last glory of the Brant Empire and the turning moment of human destiny with your own reckless actions and efforts. The determination of the entire Brant Empire to resist began to reverse the defeat of the Northern Continent. Although it may lose everything, it is better to let the ancestral homeland be handed over and become slaves than to surrender. The empire began to stage the last elegy and the last performance, the last stubbornness, and the last glory.]

As usual.

Prompt information began to appear in his vision.

[Experience a fierce battle with the Northern countries and the Demon Realm for as long as nine years.]

[You won.]

[But you also paid a painful price.]

[That's why this victory is so precious.]

[You have walked a long road, shining brightly like a star. Every destiny in the past, even if it is not known by people, you don't care. Compared to the memories that have disappeared and cannot be described with loving words, you fall deeper and deeper in the quiet embrace and dreams.]

[People celebrate and cheer for the hard-won peace, adhering to the imagination of happiness and looking forward to the re-emergence of a prosperous age.]

[You·are·lost·in·confusion.]

Suddenly.

The shadow world font became dark red and twisted, as if it were broken.

A harsh scream, wailing, and a group of fires that couldn't be extinguished, surging upwards, echoing the catastrophe, collapsing out of control with the soul, began to spread around Lan Qi's ears.

Natural disasters filled the air, fireworks burned high, and the red was dazzling.

He subconsciously covered his eyes, feeling a burst of nerve pain.

"What's wrong?"

Talia felt Lan Qi's strangeness and asked worriedly in her heart.

"It's nothing. It was like I was hit by an illusion just now. It seems to be that negative state that I had when I came to this shadow world... It will affect me from time to time."

When Lan Qi blinked again and looked at the shadow world information, the last sentence had disappeared.

He was really mistaken.

[A lonely soul needs to be dedicated, a person who stands out from thousands of choices.]

[Every time you count the stars in the sky, you will think about why someone has to sacrifice.]

[And why, you are the one who survived in the end.]

[In the last time of your life, you are only one step away from your dream, and it seems to be thousands of miles away...]

[Task Goal 1: Read old friend Kaliyera's letter. (Unfinished)]

[Task Goal 2: Understand the state of mind of Lan Cros of the Black Sun. (Unfinished)]

[Task Goal 3: All challengers survive until the end of the 21-day time limit.]

(End of this chapter)