Chapter 139: 138 The Reason for Opening Up (Please subscribe! Asking for Monthly tickets!)
In the heart of the Royal Capital, there is a vast lake.
The lake’s waters are crystal clear to the bottom, and the sunlight sprinkled upon the surface makes it seem like the lake is draped in a layer of golden gauze, particularly dazzling.
Ripples occasionally spread across the water, creating breathtakingly beautiful scenes.
And in the center of this lake, there is a place that resembles Lake Heart Island.
On that spot, a Chalk Castle rises from the earth, perched atop it, and also situated at the center of the entire lake, separated from the flat land by a huge stone bridge that serves as the only path to the castle, standing above the surface of the water.
Lu Muya and Merica were so mesmerized by the sight that they were left speechless, their eyes shining brightly.
Even Shane couldn’t help but express his admiration, indicative of how beautiful the scene was.
People came from all directions, gathering in front of the bridge. After passing through the Knight’s checkpoint on the bridge, they entered one by one, heading towards the direction of the Chalk Castle.
It was a splendor no less magnificent than any sightseeing spot and would undoubtedly be a popular destination.
No, it was already very popular.
The evidence was the increasing number of people arriving from all around, some even riding in carriages of Nobles and fully equipped Adventurers, creating an extraordinarily lively scene.
Vivian led everyone to this place, and after a simple check by the Knights at the bridge’s entrance, they stepped onto the bridge.
“Do you see it?” Vivian, while leading the way in front, pointed towards the Chalk Castle on Lake Heart Island and spoke to Shane and the others, “That is the Royal Palace.”
The Royal Palace of the Mitra Kingdom was located on the lake in the center of the Royal Capital, reachable only by this single bridge.
And without a doubt, this “most important place” Vivian referred to earlier was none other than here.
“I… I never imagined the Royal Palace would be built on top of a lake…”
Lu Muya still seemed to be in awe.
“Yes, it’s so beautiful.”
Merica, the Elf close to Nature, was even happier as she looked at the clear waters on both sides of the bridge and the imposingly beautiful Chalk Castle, her face filled with joy.
Shane was beginning to fall for this place as well, as he surveyed the surroundings and inquired of Vivian.
“So, the Royal Palace is a place anyone can just enter?”
Not just Shane and his companions, but even commoners and Adventurers from within the Royal Capital seemed to be able to freely walk this bridge to the Royal Palace, a situation certainly beyond Shane’s expectations.
But this time, Shane was mistaken.
“Normally, that’s impossible. Not only the Royal Palace but even this bridge isn’t accessible to commoners and Adventurers. Otherwise, there would be no need for the Knights’ checkpoint at the front,” Vivian explained. “Only at noon every day is the bridge open to the public, and while general entry to the Royal Palace is still prohibited, the Knight Order will not stop anyone just crossing the bridge to Lake Heart Island.”
“Why?” Shane immediately raised his own question without much hesitation, “There’s no need to open it to the public at noon if they don’t want people passing through freely, right?”
Unless there was some special reason.
Vivian had an explanation for this special reason.
“Because on Lake Heart Island, there is not only the Royal Palace but also a Temple.”
Vivian pointed to the side of the Royal Palace.
With Vivian’s guidance, Shane and the others then noticed that, indeed, besides the Royal Palace there was also a sacred and solemn palace situated there.
“That is the largest and most important temple within the Mitra Kingdom. All temples within the kingdom’s territory take it as their lead and are governed by it. Divine practitioners and believers from the temple side regard that place as sacred. Once they arrive at the Royal Capital, they must visit to worship. In addition, newborns need to receive the god’s blessings there; thus, Lake Heart Island cannot always be in a state of closure. Therefore, Lake Heart Island is open to the public for three hours at noon each day. With the exception of suspicious individuals who will be blocked, everyone else can pass through easily.”
Vivian turned her gaze toward the direction of the Temple, her eyes flickering as she spoke.
“There is also a gate within the Temple that connects to the Divine World. Through that gate, people can travel to the Divine World, and the goddesses of the Divine World also use that gate to come to the Human Realm. Hence, that temple is of exceptional importance to the entire Kingdom and even to the Human Realm. If it were not for the hero who defeated the Demon King and founded this nation, I’m afraid that Royal Palace would not dare to be larger and more splendid than that temple, let alone allowing the Temple to be situated beside it.”
In this world, divine power is much more important than royal power.
Of course, that is not absolute.
For instance, the hero who had defeated the Demon King a thousand years ago was respected even by the Three Great Goddesses. Therefore, the Divine Race’s temple would be willing to be situated next to it. If it were in any other Kingdom, such a situation would be impossible.
Moreover, the importance of divine power compared to royal power also depends on the subject in question.
Even though the Divine Race is the creator and guide of the Human Race, there is also a hierarchy among the Divine Race. If it is just a lower-grade god, then their status is naturally much more honorable than that of the average commoner. However, whether they are more honored than the Nobles or even the Royal Family is not a certainty.
Therefore, although the Human Race follows the teachings of the gods, they do not completely obey the gods and still consider status.
Generally speaking, the status of the Royal Family and the Nobles is not lesser than a lower-level god. For instance, the Royal Family of the Kingdom founded by the hero even compares with upper-level gods in status. Only existences of the caliber of the Three Great Goddesses can make the Royal Family of this Kingdom bow their heads in submission.
As for the Royal Families or little Nobles of some smaller countries, their status is not even comparable to lower-grade gods.
Hence, whether divine power or royal power has more authority depends on the circumstances and the individual. In this Kingdom, due to it being founded by the hero, the status of the Royal Family should not be underestimated, and the Divine Race must give them enough respect.
“In recent years, there’s been another reason why Lake Heart Island has been open to the public.”
Vivian’s tone shifted as she brought up the topic.
Shane’s attention was piqued.
“Is that reason the Kingdom’s treasure you just mentioned?”
Shane asked with a hint of curiosity.
Vivian affirmed with a nod, continuing.
“About seventeen years ago, someone known as the treasure of the Kingdom was born here.”
Upon hearing this, Shane was taken aback,
because Vivian’s words had revealed to Shane that the Kingdom’s treasure seemed to be a person.
And this was indeed the case.
“She was extraordinarily talented. Right from birth, her magic power caught the attention of the Divine Race, prompting the Goddess of Fate from among the Three Great Goddesses to bestow blessings across the realms.”
“She is a direct heir of the Royal Family, the Hero’s Descendant, with such high potential that she is even hailed as the modern-day Hero.”
“At the age of four, she had already reached Level 10, and by the age of ten had risen to Level 30. Two years ago, when she came of age, her level was Sixty, marking her as the foremost prodigy of the Kingdom and even the entire Human Realm.”
“The Kingdom views her as the future’s mainstay, and even as the apex of the world to come, which is why she was made the apprentice of the Legendary Knight Captain to study under his guidance.”
“Due to her astonishing abilities and appearance, the public has already adopted her as their spiritual pillar. Without seeing her safe and sound each day, a rebellion might even occur.”
“Therefore, another reason for the opening of Lake Heart Island is to keep the public at ease.”
“That is to say, now is the time when she comes out for inspection.”
While they were speaking, Vivian and her party arrived at Lake Heart Island, coming before the Royal Palace.
And at that moment, a commotion began to stir.