Su Xiao stood inside the church. A shaft of sunlight streamed through the skylight, with dust motes dancing in it.
"To become a king, you must endure much suffering. The people you trust most may betray you, your blood relatives may constantly seek your death, and you will face countless temptations. You will..."
Father kept speaking in a low voice, making Su Xiao frown. The old man was incredibly long-winded.
"Ahem."
Su Xiao coughed softly, and Father's muttering stopped.
"Where was I?"
Father looked somewhat bewildered. Hearing him, Su Xiao nearly put his hand on his sword hilt.
"Get to the point. What does it take to become the Black King? I may understand it better than you do."
Su Xiao pulled up the sleeve on his left arm and lightly tapped the metal bracer with his index finger. The color of Black's Fall Sacrifice changed, then returned to black.
Father looked over at the sound, his expression clearly startled.
"That is the king's..."
As if he had thought of something, he staggered to the main door and repeatedly checked whether it was locked tight.
"I'll ask again: what can you do for me?"
Su Xiao felt that Father was somewhat unreliable. The old man was clearly showing signs of senility...
"Where were we just now?"
Father grew bewildered again.
"..."
Su Xiao took a deep breath and gave a brief recap of their previous conversation.
"You brought it back. Did you come to save us?"
Father's eyes were filled with anticipation. It was the kind of look a traveler stranded in the desert and about to die of thirst would have.
"More or less... yes."
"It must be so. You have returned with the King."
Father quickly came to the stone platform where the metal book had been placed.