Annan had a clearer idea now.
While it explained the reason for the empire’s sinking, it pointed out another problem.
“Has it always been our Austere-Winter Family who guarded the ‘Three Sirens’?” Annan asked Ivan.
Unexpectedly, Ivan shook his head, “Our Austere-Winter family is indeed a family with a long history. However, we haven’t been around since the very beginning… At least not until the late period of the Third Age did we start to become the guardians of this legendary item.”
“Before us, the ‘Frostwhisper’ clan was responsible for guarding the legendary curse vessel. They are closely related to the Old Grandmother. You know the [Barber] in Razor Ridge, right? He is a member of the Frostwhisper clan.”
The late period of the Third Age?
Annan frowned and asked, “Is it the period when the elves stopped using curse power?”
“Yes, it was after the era of curse power ended. At least after the curse power completely ceased in the vicinity of Frostwhisper Province.” Ivan replied with certainty, “The curse power has never polluted the [Austere Winter’s Blood]. It has been that way for a thousand years until now.”
“We have been the guardians of the [Three Sirens] since the age of the empire… In fact, when the empire collapsed, the Three Sirens still served as the scepter of Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke, held in the hands of that generation’s Grand Duke.”
“So, besides me, is there any other Austere-Winter family member who reversed the Winter Heart?”
“Absolutely not.” Ivan shook his head and elaborated, “You should understand by now that the Winter Heart serves two purposes. Firstly, it’s the Old Grandmother’s approach to creating the same kind. The next purpose is to guard this curse vessel. So, she would never let the others easily interfere with the Winter Heart.”
“The only power that can interfere with the [Winter Heart] are those with the same level. Therefore, only those two Ladies could engrave the Reverse Inscription on it. However, the Old Grandmother’s relationship with them is distant, neither hostile nor friendly.”
“Old Grandmother’s prestige alone is not enough to get Their help. However, They will not intentionally interfere with the [Winter Heart] to oppose Old Grandmother either. You are the only special case, but this is also because of the [Book of Divine Transporter], not because you’re [Frostwhisper].”
“Stepping back for a moment, even finding those two Ladies is not easy. They have mastered the realm of mystery and darkness. If they don’t want to see someone, then the person will never be able to reach the [Land of No Light] in his lifetime.”
“So that means,” Annan said in a deep voice, “No one has used the [Tyrant] form before, right?”
“That’s right.”
Ivan affirmed, “The history of ‘Frostwhisper’ is too long, and I wonder how the Dragon Clan guarded this legendary curse vessel. But at least in the history of ‘Austere-Winter’, we have never accepted [Tyrant ]’s power because the Winter Heart sealed our choice.”
“You’re the first [Tyrant].”
“…Let’s not put it that way.” Annan grinned.
For some reason, Annan had the impression that Ivan was scolding him instead of praising him.
“That also means…” Annan murmured.
From this point of view, no one had used the [Blood of Madness]’s ability to control three “Transcenders”. Winter Heart was not allowed to use the Tyrant’s power from the “beginning of design”.
Is my situation merely a coincidence?
Winter Heart is an ability Old Grandmother gives — in the popular understanding, the lack of positive emotion is to restrain the Frost Beast.
However, Annan knew that it was a lie.
Annan’s [Winter Heart]’s effect was reversed. However, when he came into contact with the wolf girl, he realized he could still tame the Frost Beast.
That said, the ability to tame the Frost Beast had to do with his bloodline, not his emotional state.
The Old Grandmother was fond of her descendants — one might even say she played favorites. If one proved exceptional, she wouldn’t let them die. Or rather, she’d ensure they stayed by her side even in death.
Then, wouldn’t Old Grandmother know that blocking positive emotions with the Winter Heart would significantly increase the probability of death?
The Old Grandmother must have known.
But even so, Old Grandmother still made this choice.
In other words, the Old Grandmother intentionally let her descendants use the [Inept Ruler] ability.
At the same time, its ability as a [Tyrant] had been passed down—at least Ivan knew about it. Surely, it couldn’t have been intended for Annan, who would only appear many years later?
That was impossible.
So, this [Tyrant] ability should be the last trump card of the Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke.
Perhaps, the Old Grandmother intended to have its reversed effect when the situation was unmanageable. But so far, this ability had not been used by anyone.
“What are the abilities of [Inept Ruler]?” Annan asked, “I’m more keen to learn about its ability than the associated curse.”
Ivan said deeply, “I was going to tell you. Your descendants might not have the reversed Winter Heart. They could return to our destined path.”
“Out of the three abilities of [Inept Ruler], the most useful one is… among the holder’s descendants, at least one will surpass the holder in excellence. This is the true foundation that has allowed the Austere-Winter family to pass on for thousands of years.”
“Of the other two abilities, one allows the holder to control all kin within three generations… including parents, grandparents, uncles and nephews, children, great-grandchildren… including Winter’s Hand.”
“In fact, this is how we control Winter’s Hand. The way to obtain [Winter’s Hand] curse is to inject the diluted and harmless Austere Winter’s Blood into their bodies. Anyone who tries to steal Austere Winter’s Blood will eventually fall under our control.”
“This is also [Tradition] power. It represents the authority of the “head of the family”. In the divine art of the Tradition Realm, there are divine arts offering similar effects. So, I once suspected that the creation of this scepter might be related to Old Grandmother, but I don’t have any evidence.”
“What about the third ability?”
“The third ability is the most pointless. Its presence is more prominent as a curse.” After a momentary pause, Ivan added, “It’s a curse called [Fate of No Victory]. In one’s lifetime, whatever you desire the most, you’re doomed not to get it. As compensation, things that merely ‘piqué your interest’ often exceed expectations.”
“Huh?” Annan froze for a moment.
Ivan is clearly an outstanding Grand Duke, perhaps even the most outstanding Grand Duke in Austere-Winter’s history.
Could it be…
Annan couldn’t help but ask, “Then, father, what do you want most…?”
“My grandfather died when I was very young. He was exhausted to death.”
Ivan didn’t answer Anna’s question directly. After a long silence, he murmured, “My aunty dedicated herself to Storm Tower. My uncle was expelled from the family as a traitor.”
“My father is a delicate and soft person. He was born in the harvest year, so shortly after the winter year came, he became irritable and wept every day.”
“My closest younger brother and I were once kidnapped, and the rescuers tragically killed him. Unable to handle the pressure, my eldest brother fell out with our father. At the age of sixteen, he chose to run away from home and flee underground. I haven’t seen him in almost thirty years.”
“After my younger brother died and my older brother ran away from home, my father also committed suicide because he was overwhelmed.”
“…so I don’t want to be a Grand Duke at all.”
The most outstanding and wise Grand Duke in history lamented in a low voice.
“All I ever wished for was for my family to live safely and happily, that’s all. I had no idea why I was chosen to be groomed as the next Duke… until I took it up. Until I assumed this mantle and inherited this curse.”
Grand Duke Ivan wore a rare, mocking smile on his face.
He wasn’t mocking the others but himself.
He was mocking his fate.
“—I didn’t understand everything until the night before my father committed suicide, the day I took over the curse. I was destined to kill my family… This is my fate.”
“Anya’s talent as a Grand Duke is indeed much stronger than mine. I never wanted this damned title of Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke at all. It was only after Anya was killed by this curse that I wanted to carry on her will, and that’s when I truly tapped into the power of this authority.”
I don’t want this power.
I would rather my lover and family live in peace and health.
“So… sorry, Annan.”
“So… I’m sorry, Annan.” Ivan spoke expressionlessly, “I shouldn’t have passed this burden onto you. You’re still so young… much younger than I was back then, and I understand the pressure you’re under.”
“Maybe all the misfortunes you have encountered so far and all the sufferings you will suffer in the future are also the fate I brought to you…”
“The scepter is a terrible birthday present, so—”
“I’m sorry.”
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