Chapter 412: The Kingdom's Secret
Chapter 412: The Kingdom's Secret
Snow Maiden...
Following the inquiry from the Red-Haired Commissioner, Lyon followed her gaze towards the Snow Maiden lying in the desert.
According to the rules of this world, Nightmares that enter reality gain physical bodies. When the Nightmare King entered the "second stage," the Snow Maiden was already knocked unconscious by him and has yet to regain consciousness.
"Let's send her back to the Dream Realm."
After a brief hesitation, Lyon spoke up, "I've observed her soul using the Black Goat's Soul Vision, and it's actually purer than many humans. She was mainly controlled by the Nightmare King, and she's not inherently evil. This time, she even helped me quite a bit.
Additionally, her Companion Nightmare has been contaminated, and the Nightmare Core was destroyed by the Nightmare King. Her abilities have significantly declined, and aside from being able to traverse through nightmares, she has no other notable powers. Sending her back won't be a problem."
"That's fine."
After nodding in agreement with Lyon's plan, the Red-Haired Commissioner pondered for a moment before speaking, "Forget it, let's send the remaining Nightmare Messengers back as well. The Dream Realm has suffered greatly due to you, and the balance between nightmares and pleasant dreams will be severely disrupted until the Nightmare King is resurrected.
Sending back a few high-ranking nightmares might help restore some balance and prevent any negative impacts on the real world. Moreover, after the overlapping ends, they won't have the capability to invade the present world, so there's no need to worry about any harm upon their return."
Before the Nightmare King's resurrection...
Upon hearing the Red-Haired Commissioner's words, Lyon's expression turned slightly somber.
Although he knew that these "True Gods" were nearly undying, and that the Nightmare King, after being defeated this time, would be reborn from the Nightmare River in the future, the mere recollection of the scenes the Nightmare King had shown him through the Mirror Crown caused Lyon's heart to ache. Despite this, a hint of determination still flashed in his eyes.
"Is there really no way to deal with the Nightmare King?" Lyon asked, his brows furrowed.
You're asking such a question... It seems the Nightmare King has truly wronged you...
The Red-Haired Commissioner glanced at Lyon with curiosity, pondering what the Nightmare King had done to make the usually composed Lyon lose control. She shook her head and replied, "It's not possible... Pleasant dreams and nightmares are both fundamental pillars of the Dream Realm. The consequence of completely eliminating the Nightmare King would be similar to eradicating the ruler of the Death Realm, leading to an imbalance in this vassal world."
"Vassal world?"
"In simple terms, worlds are not entirely isolated from each other. Instead, they are interconnected based on their utility and function."
The Red-Haired Commissioner drew a large circle with her toes in the sand and then surrounded it with smaller circles, explaining, "If the world we inhabit is this large circle, then the Death Realm, Dream Realm, and these smaller circles can be considered 'vassal worlds' that are derived from and dedicated to serving our world.
The Death Realm is responsible for housing and recycling souls, returning them to their origin and granting rebirth. The Dream Realm, on the other hand, bears the burden of human memories and fantasies, including art, inspiration, and other related elements."
After explaining the purpose of the Dream Realm's existence, the Red-Haired Commissioner spoke with a hint of helplessness, "The stability of these vassal worlds holds great significance for us. Even when issues arise, we have to step in and offer assistance. It's just that this task doesn't usually fall to us."
"Not even the Directors?"
"Yes, the Directors. Most of them are absent from the Bureau for extended periods, primarily occupied with this task."
The Red-Haired Commissioner spoke up, "If the task of the 87 Division Chiefs of the Purification Bureau is to guard the human settlements and prevent intruders from stealing and looting, then the responsibility of the 12 Directors is to ensure the stability of the vassal worlds and prevent any major incidents that could impact reality."
"The strength of the Zodiac Directors might not be inferior to the Directors, but the Star Palaces they govern are one level lower. They cannot freely enter and exit these vassal worlds, so these cross-realm matters are usually handled by the Directors who have access to the Celestial Compass."
So that's how it is...
Lyon finally understood why the Dream Realm couldn't be completely devoured by the bugs and why the Directors of the Purification Bureau were often absent. He hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking, "Then... what if we find a way to replace the Nightmare Lord? Didn't the Death Realm Lord also change?"
"It's possible, but it's not only extremely troublesome but also exceptionally dangerous."
The Red-Haired Commissioner sighed, "There was once an ancestor of the royal family who repelled the Nightmare King and was cursed in his bloodline. He attempted something similar to your idea, hoping to lift the curse left by the Nightmare King in his bloodline. He had the Bureau's support, but in the end, he failed and caused severe consequences."
Severe consequences? Lyon clenched his fists, his curiosity piqued, and he asked, "What happened in the end?"
"..."
"Lyon, I'm asking you."
Without answering Lyon's question, the Red-Haired Commissioner sighed and asked, "What is the name of the kingdom we live in?"
What kingdom? Lyon was momentarily stunned.
"It's just a kingdom. What do you mean, what kind of kingdom is it?"
"I mean, don't you think there should be a prefix before the word 'kingdom'?"
The Red-Haired Commissioner explained, "For example, the Icefield Nation, the Kingdom of Korok, the Thousand Sail Sea Nation, the Storm Kingdom, and so on. Other nations have specific names, so what should the prefix or full name of the kingdom be?"
The kingdom's name? Hearing this, Lyon was taken aback and immediately opened the badge panel to look at the Prince badge, which made people bow.
His badge was the 'Traveling Thrush Prince', so the kingdom's full name should be the Traveling Thrush Kingdom, right? But why did I have to check my badge to remember the kingdom's name?
As if realizing something astonishing, Lyon's pupils constricted, while the Red-Haired Commissioner, who had been observing his expression, sighed at the right moment.
"You can't remember, can you?"
"..."
"That ancestor of the royal family, while attempting to replace the Nightmare King, accidentally disrupted the stability of the Dream Realm, causing a global memory loss. As a result, the kingdom's name was forgotten by everyone.
To resolve this issue, the Bureau had to open the Fantasy Vessel and modify the Demon God's Mind within, instructing it to constantly erase the question, making everyone subconsciously ignore it.
That's why you and everyone in the kingdom unconsciously shout the kingdom's name without any sense of it being odd, even without a name."
"..."
After glancing at Lyon's shocked expression, the Red-Haired Commissioner patted his shoulder and said, "Lyon, now you understand how troublesome it is to replace these 'gods' who control the crucial rules."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
