Night Talk

Edward guessed that Princess Andrea, troubled by doubts and worries, hadn't eaten dinner, so he cooked a pot of Italian Meat Sauce Noodles for her.

The rich aroma of melted Cheese Powder and Tomato Sauce wafted over, whetting the Knight Princess's appetite. She ate three plates and still wanted more.

"I know knights are Big Eaters, especially since you're already a Great Knight. Please don't hold back—eat as much as you like."

Edward simply brought the pot over and served the Princess, even thoughtfully swapping in a plate of Cold Cut Beef as a side dish.

Though Princess Andrea was hungry, her fine upbringing kept her eating with grace and composure.

The young alchemist sat across from the princess, watching her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, fork in hand, eating the noodles bite by bite. He felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

When the princess finished, Edward thoughtfully offered her a cup of Hot Tea. The Knight Princess held the warm cup, watching the alchemist clear the dishes, with no intention of taking her leave. While eating, she had sorted her thoughts and now had new questions:

"Was the child you were looking for in the crowd today the one sleeping on its mother's shoulder?"

"Your Highness is truly perceptive. That child is a bridge between God and the mortal world."

"What does that mean?" the princess asked, blowing on her tea.

"God resides in the deepest subconscious of all people. Normally, He can't reach the surface of the world to influence mortals. But children, especially infants, have the blurriest line between conscious and subconscious, closest to God's essence. So when God delivers an Oracle, He usually uses a child as a bridge to connect with our mortal world. That child was sound asleep; once it wakes, its connection to the mortal world is severed."

"Is that child also 'baptized' like us?" Andrea planned to find the child after getting clear answers. A person with such potential was worth cultivating.

"According to the Classics, some prophets have enshrined the children who served as bridges as Holy Sons or Holy Maidens of their sects, but most amount to nothing. I suggest you don't disturb that child's childhood. Gold will shine on its own," Edward warned.

"Oh, alright then." Princess Andrea took a disappointed sip of tea, pursed her lips, and continued:

"And about that sword. If I use your method to look at things with it in daily life, what will I see? Will I still see God?"

"No, that was just luck this time. Normally, you'll only see the world in more vivid colors than reality. Once you get used to it, it's better suited as a means for night vision or detecting the invisible."

"Truly a Divine Sword. What other secrets about this sword haven't you told me?"

"Isn't it better to leave some suspense? Your Highness, some secrets are more interesting when you discover them yourself than when someone tells you." A faint smile curved at the corner of Edward's lips.

"That's true. I shouldn't be too greedy. I've been lucky enough these past few days; I can't expect too much." The Knight Princess gazed at the ripples in her teacup.

"Actually, if you think about it carefully, the luckiest one these past few days isn't you, but Alice." Edward took a sip of tea and continued:

"Alice was the one who found that sword, and she was also the one who found Pastor Elvin. And before finding the sword, she had an epiphany. This girl's luck—no, her talent—is astonishingly good. I think even without this 'baptism,' she'd have a good chance of growing into a Great Magister."

Princess Andrea was slightly startled, then delighted. Lost in thought for a moment, she lifted her eyes to the young alchemist.

"I have one more question. I'm not sure if you're comfortable answering? If not, you don't have to."

"Go ahead." Edward looked very straightforward.

"How do you know so much about God? Could it be that you..."

"Your guess is right. I've also received an Oracle. It was the first time I used that sword to 'see' the world."

"Can you tell me what Oracle you received?" Andrea asked curiously.

"There's nothing I can't say. That disaster is happening in Middle Earth, and it's likely to last a long time."

"War..." The Knight Princess suddenly understood.

"That's why I said God doesn't like me. Because I didn't stop the disaster from happening; instead, I fled back to the New Continent."

"Is there really no way to stop the war?" The princess's question sounded somewhat naive.

"There are things you might not imagine. Actually, ever since I could see the world with that sword, I've witnessed many 'Oracle' events. Their frequency shattered the conclusions I'd drawn from studying Ancient Books. Some of those who received Oracles were ignorant and unaware; others preached everywhere. But those who preached eventually Disappeared."

"Why?" Princess Andrea sensed a thick undercurrent of conspiracy.

"As a member of the 'upper class,' you shouldn't be asking such a question," Edward felt the princess's family hadn't given her enough ideological and political education. He paused, saw she truly didn't know, and explained:

"Because some people need war. Natural disasters are something no one wants to see, but man-made calamities like war are different. War is the last resort of politics. When accumulated social contradictions can't be resolved through political or economic means, war becomes the only option."

Edward stated a truth that every middle schooler in his Previous Life understood. But to the Knight Princess, it sounded like a shocking revelation. After a moment's thought, she understood.

"Are you saying the high echelons of the Ayrland Empire want war? Then aren't they afraid..."

"Which side that initiates a war doesn't think only of victory in the beginning? But the outcome doesn't always go as planned," Edward replied.

"Are you saying the Ayrland Empire will lose this war?" Andrea found it hard to believe. "That's the strongest nation in Middle Earth!"

"Losing isn't certain, but the price... might be something none of the warring parties are willing to bear..." Edward summarized, predicting the outcome based on two world wars from his Previous Life.

They chatted a few more minutes, when suddenly the Floor Clock in the living room chimed four times. Andrea realized that a man and a woman alone together had been talking until midnight. In just over two hours, dawn would break, and freight wagons would soon be on the road. If she didn't leave now, she might be seen. If rumors spread about the Grand Princess of the Duchy having a secret nighttime rendezvous with her lover, it wouldn't be good. She stood up and said:

"It's getting late. I'm truly sorry for taking up so much of your time. I should take my leave."

"Then I'll ride my bike to see you off. It's late, and the road isn't safe..." Edward followed the courtesy of his Previous Life to escort a Lady home.

"You worry too much. With this sword..."

Before the princess could finish, Edward realized his mistake. The princess before him, as beautiful as a supermodel from his Previous Life, was no fragile Young Miss but a genuine Great Knight, armed with his own creation, the "Oath and Victory Sword." She could even kill a newly promoted Sky Knight in an instant.

"Yes, I was overthinking. I'll see you to the door."

Edward stood to see her off. Remembering something he hadn't said, he asked:

"Do you know why there are so many prophets in the Ancient Books, but so few who become Great Sages?"

"Why?" Princess Andrea's follow-up came smoothly; she'd grown used to asking those three words tonight.

"Because even if the road ahead is clear, you still have to be careful not to fall along the way. I advise you and Miss Alice to keep a low profile from now on, be cautious in everything. It's best to err on the side of prudence."

Although the Princess found this so-called "reclusive master" to be quite neurotic in his actions and anything but low-key, she still obediently nodded.

As she was about to leave, Edward suddenly had a whim and offered a hint:

"Remember that feeling of the 'waves'? You can try it when you get back."

"The feeling of the waves... Got it, I understand. Take care, farewell!"

"Farewell."

By now the moon had tilted westward, plunging the city streets into darkness. From time to time, the sound of roosters crowing and dogs barking could be heard. Occasionally, a few cargo wagons hung with lanterns would slowly rattle toward the docks.

The Knight Princess walked in the shadows of the road, recalling the alchemist's hint, a smug smile curling at the corners of her lips. She gripped the sword hilt behind her back, drew the blade an inch from its sheath, and then gently closed her eyes.

Her steps began to undulate like waves, her figure flickering in and out of sight, until she finally vanished into the night...

Guess what skill the Princess has comprehended this time?