Roland couldn't help but be somewhat surprised. Although these theories were common knowledge in later generations, it was already remarkable for astrologers, lacking observational tools, to grasp that the stars moved in orbits.
"The Star of Destruction should be the same," the other person continued. "Legend has it that its cycle of appearance is as long as four to five hundred years. That is to say, its trajectory is very vast, and it takes such a long time to approach us once. But the sun and the moon are by our side, and they can complete their journey in just one day and one night." He took a breath. "As everyone knows, the farther something is from us, the smaller it looks. It should be the same in the starry sky. So when the Star of Destruction approaches us, it will inevitably go through a process from a dim star to a bright star, and finally become a crescent moon."
"Then have you found it?"
Misanxing shook his head. "The mission passed down from hundreds of years ago does not have a clear time of arrival, so the Star of Destruction may still be in some corner of the starry sky, too far away from us to be observed."
"These past few decades… you have been doing this kind of thing?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the old man's voice revealed exhaustion. "I became an apprentice of the Astrological Society forty years ago. In these forty years, I have never stopped looking up, although before becoming the Chief, I didn't know why I had to stare at a starry sky that wouldn't change for decades. In addition to identifying stars and recording seasons, astrologers would also predict good and bad fortune on festivals or celebratory days, but that was all according to the King's will, not a true prediction of the future—but all of this must be kept secret. Only by maintaining the name of the wise men of astrology can we attract subsequent apprentices."
"Do you regret it?"
Misanxing shook his head. "If it were ten years ago, I might have regretted it, but since becoming the Chief and taking over this responsibility from the Meteorite Scholar, I have understood what I am looking up to—this will be a true astrology, an unparalleled prophecy, and the meaning of the existence of the Astrological Society. It's just a pity… I don't have much time left to look up."
Indeed, he didn't have much time left. His hair was all white, the wrinkles on his face were like mountains, and brown spots covered his entire forehead. Roland thought that in perhaps two or three years, his life would come to an end.
"If it is truly a disaster of destruction, didn't the ancestors pass down any ways to resist or avoid it?"
"That is a problem for you to consider, Your Majesty," the scholar squeezed out a smile. "The Astrological Platform is just your eyes. How to lead your people to survive the disaster is the King's responsibility. So you cannot close it… Even if the earth cracks and fire rains from the sky, as long as it can be predicted in advance, people will have a better chance of survival."
Roland couldn't help but feel respect. Day after day of looking up was only to verify this prophecy. Even in the face of the Red Moon, which symbolized the end of the world, he still adhered to his duties. Not everyone could have this kind of persistence. If the royal heirs knew in advance that the end was coming, what would they become? Indulge themselves, abandon all restraints, and seize the time to enjoy the rest of their lives? This was probably also the reason why the ancestors set the time of notification after the age of thirty.
After a long silence, he asked the last question, "Other kingdoms also have astrological societies. What are their purposes? Are they also looking for this Star of Destruction?"
"I don't know… I have never left the royal capital, and they have never sent anyone to Graycastle."
"I understand. That's all for today."
"You… are not closing the Astrological Platform?"
"Let's leave it for now," Roland stood up and walked out of the hall. As he was about to leave the room, he turned around and looked at the Chief Astrologer who was bowing to see him off. "When I have time in the future, I will send you some better star-gazing tools, as well as true knowledge of astrology."
"What?" The other party looked puzzled.
Roland didn't explain, and then said, "Also, even if the Red Moon is coming, it is not the end of the world," he paused slightly, his tone decisive, "—we will survive."
……
The gas balloon was quickly filled, and the group boarded the gondola and flew towards the palace.
"What did you all talk about?" Lightning leaned
outside the basket and asked.
"I want to know too, goo!"
"A half-finished story," Nightingale shrugged.
"In that situation, how could I stick to my original plan," Roland rolled his eyes and told them what happened in the hall. "I wanted to pack them all up and send them to the Western Region, but the other party has been watching for decades, so let him finish his last journey on the Astrological Platform."
"You are indeed a benevolent monarch," Wendy smiled.
"Good person, goo!" Maggie flapped her wings and raised her head to call out.
"Cough," Roland quickly changed the subject. "The Star of Destruction they are waiting for should be the same thing Agatha mentioned. The Red Moon appears, and the end is coming—this prophecy is most likely related to the witches."
"I think so too," Sylvie pondered. "The simplest evidence is that this place used to be a wilderness, without even cities. People were still in a state of village gathering. How could they possibly pursue these ethereal things? It should be the survivors of the Association who brought the news of the Red Moon, and at the same time as rebuilding their homes, they entrusted the task of monitoring the sky to the earliest astrologers."
"And one of the best among them was Roland Your Majesty's ancestor?" Lightning said excitedly. "Oh, this is a wonderful adventure!"
"Adventure? Where is the danger, goo?"
"Idiot, it doesn't have to be dangerous to be an adventure. As long as you can learn about those sealed secrets, it is an excellent harvest for explorers."
"Goo? But you said before that explorers should not pay too much attention to the results, but focus on enjoying the process of exploration." Maggie blinked innocently.
"Uh… so a great explorer can distinguish when to apply which situation, so every adventure is full of enjoyment," Lightning shouted, "You are far from this realm!"
"Goo…" The pigeon landed on Roland's head in frustration. "Is that so?"
The witches couldn't help but laugh.
Back at the palace, Roland found the historical records of the Wimbledon family from the vault and frowned after reading them.
"What's wrong?" Nightingale asked.
"There is no record of astrologers in the family history," he pointed to the faded pages. "The first ancestor is Mond Wimbledon, and the first king is Tarrak Wimbledon. Whether it is the construction of the Astrological Platform, or that higher-ranking person in charge, all are not mentioned… Someone has erased this part from history."
"Who would do this?" she asked in surprise. "Isn't the person who wrote this book the successors of each generation?"
"That's right. A new book is added after each one is written, so it shouldn't be missed," Roland said slowly. "According to the conditions at the time, when urban construction had already begun and training orders could be engraved on gold plates, there should be a record of this person."
If someone really wanted to hide something, why did they leave those traces in the Astrological Society? As a successor, they couldn't possibly not know the true purpose of the Astrological Platform… What happened to the Wimbledon family four hundred years ago?(。)