Future (Thanks to book friend 20190316232323619 for the reward)

Doubt, resentment, or perhaps numbness and confusion.

In the long, deathly silence, Salahuddin's expression shifted. His palms trembled as he could barely hold up the box in his hands.

His lips parted and closed, but no sound came out.

When he wanted to roar in rage, he realized he no longer had the strength.

As if all the bones had been pulled from his body.

Too much suffering, too much despair...

The elder fell to his knees, reached into his chest, and dug out his own heart—the dull gray Iron Stone Heart beneath his sanded flesh and blood.

"Holy Fool, if this is my sin, then please subject me to Absolute Punishment. Anything will do."

He knelt and bowed, pleading humbly. "They have already abandoned everything. They only hope that you might show mercy! We'll do anything, as long as, as long as you..."

"The Inheritance of the Gray King."

The Sower lowered his eyes, looking down at the Iron Stone Heart that had long ceased to beat. With a soft sigh, he reached out and tapped it lightly, as though drawing away all the gloom and deathly silence.

In an instant, the radiance of a miracle emerged from the Stone Heart.

After a hundred years, it once again began to beat!

Salahuddin froze where he stood.

Stunned.

The entire fleet, every single person aboard, stiffened.

They heard the echo from within their chests. That rhythm was so deep, yet so wondrous.

Traces of color emerged on every pale, cracked face, carrying the warmth and rhythm of life. Their sanded and split wounds were no longer numb either; faint stabs of pain emerged, the fissures twitching in waves as the gray-black color vanished without a trace.

As though invisible shackles had quietly loosened at that moment... the Curse of the