Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 195: Hope

ARIAL

1015 WHITEMONTH

He looks around the bookshelves. This is his own personal libraries where he put all the rare books he acquires from all the book traders, scholars and any book of importance.

There is no dust collected, no spider webs wove loosely around the books, or dirtied shelves can be seen.

The lantern illuminates the library; candles are all prepared if anyone need to do a bit of midnight reading.

The ground is clean, sweep by the servants. Their work ethic is commendable.

'Maybe I should give them some raise?' he asked himself, looking at the clean library. He then chuckles

He strolled around the room.

This is not only his personal library but his sanctuary and a place of great nostalgic importance for him.

It reminds him of the place he died. This library also can be used by family members and close friends. Silas, Oliver were given permission to read the book here.

Arial look upon these two vassals of his, as very important. Both are very talented and fiercely loyal like Lisa and Kyle.

West, on the other hand, because of duty and honour. And these couple of week Arial notices something else about West

It seems there is. something between Lisa and him, Arial notice that.

Helia seem to know about those two relationships but she refrains from saying anything. And Arial is too shy to ask Lisa what really happen between those two.

Lisa also sometimes comes here, reading warfare stratagem and music instrument and how to play it.

His mother, the Duchess is also usually could be found here. Arial could not count how many time he bumps into his mother when he wanted to read here.

New books are all around him.

Mostly from Asteros where many of the original text of Lost Generation survive ''the burning of books and killing of scholars by Levitia.''.

After all, most of those acts are done here, in the Human Continent and Arakath.

He looks again and his eyes shine.

His own private library with thousands of books. But it is more than just a library for Arial. It might have a cure to his salvation.

Then suddenly his eyes were turned into the disc that is hanged around the wall. It is the first thing he always do when he enters the room or when he is stumped with some problem.

He looks at the disc depicting a man wearing crown, one that Michael said the leader of the First Generation of the Sky People. His name is Aero Carlingian, King of the First Generation.

Probably the first King of the First Generation. He is said to be presented the Kingship twice before finally accepting it in the third time.

How does he know this?

In the back of the shield Michael has took the pains to translate this momentous moment of the Sky people.

Every fifteen disc have their story, but out of the fifteen only this one has been translated fully. Some of the disc have only short inscription, some have stories written, some only have the depictions.

For some reason he liked seeing the picture of this King called Aero. He doesn't understand it but he felt a familiarity with the picture.

There is many of such scene depicted, the King of the First Generation slaying a Giant Lion, one of them show he is forging the famed Enochian steel.

Recently, Michael has found about ten more discs around Aetherland and text from the Lost Generation. Michael has been busy and it seems he is onto something big.

He has asked for more money and writ of passage to explore Zettel area. The fact that Michael shows result make Arial invest more in him.

Arial also gladly write a letter to King of Zettel, to allow Michael to pass his border.

Of course he promised that anything that Michael found will be given to the royal family of Zettel but Michael will be given permission to record what he sees, or the text he found there can be written in other parchment.

It is because of that Arial also send many scholars from the University to help him copy the words, many of whom is learned in translating the words of the Lost Generation.

There is a reason why Arial keep funding Michael expedition.

Not only Arial found Michael extremely brilliant he also found him very useful.

Whether by God intervention or dumb luck, Michael has excavated a trove of treasure around a cave near Summersill estate, a complex series of house underground with books detailing many information.

There is much information in there mostly about Lost Generation belief, their religion and their way of life.

Contrary to popular held belief the Lost Generation did not worship the Lord of Light but instead they are polytheistic.

They worship seven Gods. The Gods name are Aero, Arianna, Zeus, Michaela, Kyle Callidus, Amanda Domus, and Dan Virtus

Aero the Allfather, King of the Gods, Arianna the Virgin Goddess also known as the Goddess of Wisdom, Zeus the God of War, Michaela Goddess of Art, Kyle Callidus, the God of Trickery, Amanda Domus, Queen of the Gods and Goddess of Household which translates to Goddess of Marriage and Dan Virtus God of Kind Endeavour.

These are the seven Gods they worship but from what Arial could tell most of them were mortal elevated to the status of God.

Arial doesn't know the story about the other Gods but if he is right, Aero the All father must be this Aero in the disc.

'The King of the First Generation was elevated to the status of Gods in the Lost Generation time' he said to himself looking at the disc.

Probably because what he did seem so impossible his later descendant believes him to be a god.

Then he looks back at the dozens of book he is reading today and smiles a satisfying smile. Like he said there are many information in the countless of text and manuscript that Michael found.

And one of the information that is in there is medicine.

He has been scouring and consumes the book knowledge for a few days now, looking something that might cure his poison and after about a week of constant reading, perusing, he finally found the Passage.

Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to read it. Which is saying something.

Arial rarely found any language he could not speak or read, owing to his experience cooped up in a library for years.

Pure Tongue all the way.

Of course there are some words and phrases he can understand, but to understand the full context is impossible for him unless he begins learning Pure Tongue in entirety and with his busy schedule he could hardly add that to the list of things he need to do.

He put down the book with a sigh but at least he has hope now. Hope that he can see the end in a way that doesn't end with him bleeding from every orifice.

He knows where to find the information needed. Not here. Not in Aetherland. He knows he won't find it here.

But he knows where he can find answer. From one person. That one person. If it's him, maybe he would understand this book. He went out from his personal library to take a fresh breath.

He ordered his servant to bring him the letter he left at his bed stand. Quickly the young boy ran to his room bringing him the letter.

On receiving the letter, he looks at it. Adrian letter embossed with the seal of a spear and a broken shield.

'An opportunity presented itself' he said to himself

Arial look at the letter and smile. He opens it again and read it again. Adrian letter addressed to him after he report what happen, relaying everything that has happen.

The King has given his permission and he already has sent Silas on a diplomatic mission to the Demon King.

A lot has happened in this few weeks.

Harald who is the Lord of Arleans right now, ruling Aquitania and Arleans with his wife, is now being pressured both internally by the rebellion of the people of Vangua and externally by the Church.

Either way, he has received the letter from Harald just at dawn. He has agreed to sit down and negotiate but he will not come to Aetherland.

'Smart' Arial mused smiling.

He wants Arial to come to Vangua where Harald is surely safer than if he come here. After all, here, he is a traitor.

In Vangua he is a High Lord. A powerful and formidable High Lord with tens of thousands under his command.

Arial looked at the sunset, the sun begins its descent bringing darkness to the land. Helia is at the mansion with his mother so he is busying himself with the matter of his court.

He has also sent ravens to the South urging them to once more fortify the defences at the border.

'With my troops there, I doubt there would be anything unexpected happen.' He said to himself.

There is still great enmity between Harald and Arial.

Arial and Harald had never had a great relationship. They are in a way, rival. They never like each other, but at least Arial know to respect Harald tenacity, even his stubbornness, a quality that both of them shared.

Tonight, once again he has summoned his court to see him to discuss the matter of Harald offer.

Looking at the sun, he smiles.

"One step at a time" he said and he walks back to his room for a quick nap. His body is weaker these days.

It is not surprising considering the poison that he is afflicted with is no ordinary poison. A quick nap he said to himself and he hope he will rejuvenate himself.

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This is also one of the chapters that should be one of the mass release but I scrapped it. But there is still a mass release tomorrow. But it will be slightly lowered chapters count. Anyway, if you like the story leave some comments and yoru gifts. 

Hmm..