"Help me take this to the Star-Prayer Kingdom and deliver it to someone named Xerxes." Elroy reached into his heart, pulled out a purple crystal, and placed it in the old man's hand.
"Your Majesty, the north has suffered one great war after another. The person you mentioned has probably already..."
At this point, the old man fell silent.
"Cough, cough, cough."
Elroy coughed violently several times. After catching his breath, he slowly said, "He's still alive. I'm certain he's still alive."
"I still remember my father sending two ninth-rank knights to kill him back then. Those two disappeared, yet he remained alive and well."
"At the time, he was only a seventh-rank Swordsman."
"So..."
"Cough, cough."
"So, he must still... still be alive."
"Give... give this... to him."
"Tell... tell him he's... he's all that remains of the Iserania Family. As his younger brother, I beg... beg him to carry on... carry on the family legacy."
After he finished speaking, Elroy's breathing grew rapid.
Seeing this, the old man hurriedly used battle qi to soothe Elroy's body, temporarily calming the rampaging black miasma.
"Go."
"Your Majesty, what about the little prince?"
"He's a disposable pawn. You needn't bother with him. If there's a mole passing along information, they'll draw the enemy's attention and create an opening for you."
Looking at the increasingly aged Elroy, the old man bowed deeply, then left the hall.
Watching the old man's retreating back, Elroy slowly closed his eyes.
After an unknown length of time, a mass of shadow squirmed over to Elroy's feet.
The next instant, a figure emerged from it.
"You're here."
"Father," the man wearing the Silver Mask said quietly, dropping to one knee.
Elroy removed the ring from his finger and placed it in the man's hand.
"Stay hidden and