Chapter 204: The Cursed Fate

Annan has fully understood.

If the sinking of the Yatheran Empire was directly related to the loss of control of one or more great-level curses... then the shattering of the Great Barrier and the subsequent collapse of the imperial capital could be said to have passed.

But when this explains the principle of the sinking of the empire, another problem also arises...

"Are we the Winter Clan who have always guarded the 'Three Sirens'?"

Annan asked Ivan.

beyond his expectations.

Ivan shook his head: "Our Winter Clan is indeed a family with a very long history. But we didn't exist from the very beginning... At least at the end of the third era, we began to become great things. caretaker.

"Before us, the one who was responsible for guarding the great things was the Frost Whisper family, which was closer to the old grandmother. You know the 'Barber' of Razor Hill, right? He is a member of the Frost Whisper family."

Late third era?

Annan frowned and asked, "Is it the period when elves stopped using spell energy?"

"It's after the era of spell energy. At least after the spell energy around Frostwhisper is completely over."

To this question, Ivan answered with great certainty: "Because [Blood of Winter] has never been contaminated by curse energy, it has been so since a thousand years ago until now.

"We have been the guardians of the 'Three Sirens' since the imperial era... In fact, at the time when the imperial capital collapsed, the Three Sirens were still the scepter of the Grand Duke of Winter, held in the hands of that generation. In the hands of Duke Dong."

"So, apart from me, is there any other family of Winter who reversed the heart of winter?"

"Absolutely not."

Ivan shook his head and replied in detail: "You should understand it now. Heart of Winter has two functions, one is that grandmother wants to make kin in this way, and the other is to use - at least guard this one. A curse. So her old man will not let Winter's Heart be easily interfered by others.

"The only ones who can interfere with the 'Winter Heart' are the same level of power. Therefore, the only two ladies who have carved the inscription inversion. But the relationship between the grandmother and them is estranged, neither hostile nor friendly.

"So just relying on grandmother's face is not enough for them to help directly; and they will not deliberately destroy her heart of winter in order to oppose grandmother - you are the only exception, but this is also because of the 'Book of the Sky Train' relationship, not because you are 'Frost Talk'.

"Looking back, even trying to find those two ladies is no easy task. That's the realm of mystery and darkness. If they don't want to see someone themselves, he won't be able to get to the 'Lightless Land' if they don't want to. '."

"Then that means," Annan said solemnly, "The [Tyrant] gesture has never been used at all, right?"

"That's right."

Ivan affirmed: "The history of 'Frost Whisper' is too long, and I don't know how the dragons guarded this great curse. But at least in the history of 'Winter', no one of us has ever accepted [ The power of the tyrant. Because the Heart of Winter sealed our choice.

"—You are the first [Tyrant]."

"...Don't say that, it's a little awkward."

Annan grinned.

For some reason, I always feel that Ivan's praise is a bit awkward...like a curse.

"That means..."

he murmured in a low voice.

From this point of view, the three "Bie Tianshen" of [Crazy Blood] have not yet been activated. And Heart of Winter was not allowed to use the power of tyrants from "the beginning of design"...

Is this... not a coincidence?

Because the Heart of Winter is really the ability given by the old grandmother - in the public understanding, the lack of positive emotions is to restrain the frost beast.

But Annan now knows that this was a lie.

Because the "heart of winter" he held has been reversed, but when he came into contact with the wolf girl, he realized that he could still tame the frost beast.

That is to say, the ability to tame the frost beast is related to his bloodline itself, not to his emotional state.

And the old grandmother herself has a lot of preference for her offspring - it can even be said to be biased. Outstanding descendants, don't even let them die. Or, let them accompany you after death.

——Then doesn’t the old grandmother know that when the Heart of Winter blocks positive emotions, it will greatly increase the probability of premature death?

The old grandmother must have known.

But even so, the old grandmother still chooses...

That is to say, she is conscious and allows her descendants to use the ability of [Dark Lord].

But its ability as a "tyrant" has been handed down - at least Ivan still knows it. This can't possibly be prepared for Annan, who will not appear until many years later, right?

That's impossible.

——So, the ability of this [Tyrant] should be the last card of Archduke Winter.

I am afraid that the old grandmother meant that the scepter was only allowed to be turned upside down if it could not cope with the current situation. But so far, this ability has not been used by anyone...

"What is the ability of [Dark Lord]?"

Annan asked: "Just tell me the ability, not to mention the curse."

Ivan said solemnly: "I wanted to tell you originally. Your descendants will not necessarily have the reversed heart of winter, and may return to the trajectory of our destiny.

"Among the three abilities of [Hunjun], the most useful is... Among the descendants of the bearer, at least one of them will be better than the bearer. This is the foundation of the Winter Family's ability to pass on for thousands of years.

"One of the other two abilities is to allow the holder to control all relatives within three generations...including parents, grandparents, uncles and nephews, children, great-grandchildren...including Winter's Hand.

"In fact, that's how we control the Hand of Winter. The way to get the 'Hand of Winter' spell is by injecting diluted, harmless Winter's Blood. Anyone who tries to steal Winter's Blood , will eventually be controlled by us.”

Ivan's face was calm: "As long as an order is issued while holding a scepter and it is successfully received by the other party, the order must be executed. It is like receiving an equivalent edict spell - even if the other party is ordered to commit suicide, the other party will must be implemented immediately.

"This is also the power of [tradition]... It is the authority belonging to the 'family owner', and there are magical arts with similar effects in the traditional field of magic. So I suspected that the birth of this scepter may have a direct relationship with the grandmother, but I have no proof."

"What about the third ability?"

"The third ability is the least meaningful... The more existential aspect is its cursed side."

Ivan was silent for a moment, then replied: "That's the curse called [Fate of Invincibility]. In this life, whatever you want most is destined to be unavailable... As compensation, it's just 'interest' Things in this category can always exceed expectations.”

"……what?"

Annan was startled.

But Ivan is obviously a very outstanding grand duke, even the most outstanding grand duke in all the dynasties of Winter.

Is it...

Annan couldn't help but ask, "Father, what do you want the most...?"

"...My grandfather died when I was very young, he was exhausted."

Ivan did not answer directly, but after a long silence, he murmured in a low voice: "My aunt dedicated herself to the Tower of Storms. My uncle was expelled from the family as a traitor.

"My father was a delicate and weak man, born in a good year, so soon after winter came, he became irritable, weeping and weeping every day.

“My best brother and I were kidnapped and he was killed by rescue workers. My eldest brother couldn’t bear the pressure and broke up with his father. When he was sixteen, he chose to run away from home and flee to Underground, I haven't seen him for almost thirty years.

"After my brother died and my brother ran away from home, my father was overwhelmed and committed suicide.

"...So I don't want to be an archduke at all."

The most outstanding and wise archduke in history, lamented in such a low voice.

"I just hope that my family can live safely and happily, that's all. I don't even know why I was raised as the next grand duke...until I take it. Until I take over this authority and inherit The curse."

Archduke Ivan rarely showed a mocking smile on his face.

That's not mocking others, but mocking oneself.

He was mocking his own destiny.

"—I didn't finally understand until the night before my father committed suicide, the day I took this curse. I was destined to kill my family...that's my destiny.

"Anya's talent as a grand duke is indeed much stronger than mine. Because I don't want to be the goddamn grand duke of Winter at all... It was after Anya was cursed and killed by this curse that I wanted to inherit her will. The 'power' that triggered this authority."

I don't want this power.

I would rather my lover and my family live in peace and health.

"So... I'm sorry, Annan."

Ivan was expressionless, as he narrated like an ice sculpture: "I know, I shouldn't hand this burden to you. You are still very young...much younger than I was back then, and I know the pressure you are under.

"But maybe all the misfortune you have encountered so far, and all the suffering you will suffer in the future, are also the fate I brought to you...

"This scepter makes a terrible birthday present. So—

"sorry."