The Forbidden Stone Tower was auctioned, passed through Tuteuga, became the property of the royal family, and now is ready to return to the Southern Continent.

“We plan to move the Forbidden Stone Tower to the Southern Continent.”

“If it’s time to return, it’s right to send it back. Well, the ship was wrecked, right?”

In response to Shallop’s whispered story, Benhamin replied.

“I will instruct the punitive force to load it onto a warship.”

“Indeed, crossing the punitive front with just one ship…”

“It was a coincidence. If we had encountered a kraken there, we would have all sunk and died.”

The remains that were looted by grave robbers are just returning to their original place.

“It feels strange.”

Shallop leaned her head on Benhamin’s shoulder.

“They say that touching the Forbidden Stone Tower without permission brings bad luck.”

“Well, isn’t it too obvious that you touched it?”

Benhamin ruffled Shallop’s head with his hand, responding to her.

“I learned about it later.”

“Wasn’t the reason for not keeping the Forbidden Stone Tower here for too long because of that?”

“It doesn’t bring a harmful feeling of misfortune.”

Shallop tapped the glass case.

‘It’s more like a farewell.’

She gently closed her eyes.

“Understand that we are bidding farewell to this remains too.”

Shallop covered the Forbidden Stone Tower, which had been placed on the tablecloth, again.

“The stories told by astrologers carry a different weight. Words like a short-lived fate… When you hear such things, the feeling is indeed strange.”
“They follow the footsteps of life by looking at the faces.”

Benhamin touched Shallop’s shoulder.

“If I send them away.”

“……. ”

“At that time, let’s have a relationship like an ordinary couple. Like any other ordinary people.”

Shallop’s shoulder stiffened.

“Uh-huh.”

She wiped her neck and groaned as she saw her hand devoid of vitality.

“Like the story the astrologer told.”

“If you die early?”

Benhamin already knew what she wanted to ask.

“The battlefield is a series of many changes. Even if you experience those changes, it won’t be anything special.”

He answered firmly.

“I told you I won’t let you go.”

“……. ”

“That means I won’t let you die either.”

Benhamin covered Shallop’s neck with his hand.

“Even if everyone else dies.”

“……. ”

“At least, I won’t let you die in front of me.”

He said so emphatically. Benhamin lowered his arm, and inwardly, as if gathering his thoughts, his expression became even firmer.

“So, now, don’t run away.”

The Forbidden Stone Tower was returned to the group of astrologers.

“Why are you returning it so willingly?”

Theodore asked the Emperor.

“What are you talking about?”

“The Forbidden Stone Tower, a relic from the Southern Continent.”

“Returning the remains that were looted by grave robbers is rare for questioning.”

The Forbidden Stone Tower was preserved in its original form even after being submerged in seawater.

“Is this a sign that you intend to set foot on the Southern Continent again?”

Theodore touched the glass case that enclosed the Forbidden Stone Tower with his hand.

“Uh-huh.”

Theodore groaned, looking at Benhamin.

“Why are you doing this?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Take it and leave.”

Benhamin added.

“You’re not just an astrologer, are you?”

“How, how did you…?”

“If you think about why you’re looking for the Forbidden Stone Tower, the answer will come.”

They attempted to make a voyage across the punitive front of the active-duty takedown unit.

“Did you need tradition?”

“The whole Southern Continent was in chaos, and we needed a tradition to unify the internal. Yes, that’s right. We needed such tradition.”

“The Southern Continent’s royal prince attempting to make a voyage to another country, right? Okay, I understand.”

It must have been such an urgent matter.

“To calm the internal chaos of the Southern Continent, you need that much tradition and symbolism. So, if you came across the punitive front, set foot on Imperial land, achieve your goal, and leave.”

Theodore went through the procedure to take out the Forbidden Stone Tower and confirm it.

“It’s the remains of King Lamang the First. It’s written in ancient language on the stone tower as King Lamang the First.”

“Was the Lamang dynasty the royal family that ruled the Southern Continent during the Great War?”

Theodore answered the Emperor’s question.

“Yes. King Lamang the First was the king who protected the Southern Continent during the war against monsters.”

“Was there a record during the Great War?”

“No. All those records were destroyed. Instead, the words he left before he died were compiled into an ancient book.”

“What did he say?”

“Even after death, he said he would protect this land…”

Theodore whispered mournfully.

“He wished for the prosperity and stability of the Southern Continent.”
The Forbidden Stone Tower was made by carving marble.

If you tear apart the pillar of the stone tower and look inside, there should be a burial urn.

Benhamin recalled Shallop’s words.

‘In my past life, as the fact that this is a burial urn became known, its rarity increased, and the miniature stone tower model was secretly smuggled even more.’

The smuggling of burial urns was a result of the inherent wicked nature of humans.

“Before that, let me ask one thing.”

“Yes?”

“Bring the astrologer who called the one who claimed the Empress would have an early, short life.”

Theodore, with a disgusted expression, looked for Rasildor.

“Did, did that guy say such things?”

“When astrologers manifest their astrology, it’s known that their speech becomes rougher or changes in some way.”

Astrology was different from divine power.

While divine power brought the power of the gods with limitations,

Astrology was the inherent power within the astrologer.

“Well, how about letting me take a look? How about that?”

Theodore suggested first.

Theodore predicted fortunes and uttered a few cautionary words.

“Astrology is very limited. Honestly, it only glimpses at one aspect.”

Shallop blinked her eyes slowly.

“Unlike a temple, there are no constraints, but it often goes wrong and deviates a lot.”

The Empress handed over command of the Imperial Guard and stared intently at the astrologer.

“Now I understand why Rasildor referred to it as an early, short life.”

“What?”

Shallop muttered.

“He was born with a fate close to death. Well, it’s already severed. Referring to it as a fate of an early, short life is ambiguous.”

“Can astrology show such things?”

“I can only see this much. We only glimpse at fragmentary traces of life.”

Theodore predicted the Empress’s fortune and pressed the divination tool against his forehead.

“A timeline has appeared in the void of space-time.”

“……. ”

“Whether to fill it with shackles or to step on it oneself is uncertain.”

If there is no attachment, letting go of life is also easy.

“I have nothing to predict. After all, it’s not an authorized area.”

Theodore grabbed his waist and took a defensive posture.

“……They said they pulled up the Forbidden Stone Tower caught in the fisherman’s net.”

Now I understand the reason.

“They’ve got a hand to pick it up, and it seems that remains have come up to the shore.”