Presumptuous

Chapter 48: 46

After resting for a while, Yuan Chen was led by Qiyana into the interior of the central tower.

Located on the third floor, the outer area was where Yuentar and the great nobles rested, while the inner area was where all of Ixial's Element Apprentices pursued their studies.

Thanks to Qiyana's status, Yuan Chen, while enduring many strange glances, was not subjected to excessive questioning at least on the outer perimeter.

"This is Ixial's largest library... I really can't understand why you chose to come here."

Hearing Qiyana's incomprehensible words, Yuan Chen had no desire to explain further. Instead, he asked, "Where are the books on history... and the books on demons?"

"There's an administrator over there. Go ask them yourself."

Qiyana said sullenly, then found a seat by the window and ordered a drink.

This was a library that only Ixial's high-ranking rulers and the ruling class were qualified to enter. Unlike the libraries outside, this library contained many rare documents, unique copies, and manuscripts.

The space was vast, and elderly or middle-aged men in robes occasionally walked through the gem-inlaid corridors. Although their stances varied and their attire differed in style, the material used was the same Vydalian fabric.

Yuan Chen did not deliberately try to distinguish them, but he could feel the potent magic emanating from these Vydalian robes. The solidified magic formed different colors and patterns based on elemental preferences. Each individual was a perfect philosopher. Each was a master in their respective elemental field.

Taking out the Ixialian Calendar's Chronicle of Runeterra, Yuan Chen was certain that the knowledge contained within such books would drive any scholar on the Valoran Continent to madness if taken outside.

Well, they couldn't be taken out, because they contained much secret knowledge and were marked with the Yuan Chu Axiom. If they left the library, an alarm would immediately sound.

Holding the book, Yuan Chen came to the seat opposite Qiyana and began to read carefully. This made Qiyana quite bored—

She had thought Yuan Chen would choose some interesting books. But in the end, he chose the most tedious chronicle.

Time passed quickly as he read. Just as Yuan Chen was continuously recording valuable information, comparing, distinguishing, supplementing, and perfecting it with the stories of Runeterra in his memory, a slightly annoyed voice came from the side.

"Yo, look who it is. I didn't expect my most disappointing sister to appear in the temple of knowledge."

Hearing the sudden voice, Yuan Chen looked up and to the side. What greeted his eyes was a tall woman who bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Qiyana in facial features, but was more mature, with sharper facial bone structure.

She also had silver-gray hair, but unlike Qiyana's curly long hair, this woman's hair was straight and smooth, tied into a high ponytail behind her head.

She wore a dark green headband on her forehead, and her Vydalian robe was styled like a qipao. The slit was very high, reaching almost to her waist.

Her chest was full, and the qipao-style Vydalian fabric perfectly showcased her beautiful figure. However, compared to her tall stature, the woman's disgust was evident.

"I heard you asked Father King to host the ceremony? Don't be ridiculous, my foolish sister. I'm twelve years older than you! Instead of aiming to be the true crown prince, you should learn humility!"

Hearing the words from her elder sister, Sane, Qiyana not only felt no Fear, but instead scoffed:

"Yes, you're twelve years older than me, but you don't know how far behind you are! If I were you, I would have abdicated long ago!"

Hearing Qiyana's confrontational reply, Sane's eyes were filled with disgust. "Behind? Do you really think I wouldn't dare to lay a hand on you? I'm just too lazy to bother with you out of consideration for our blood relation!"

"This is the library. Your Highnesses, please refrain from arguing here."

Just as Sane was about to say more, a quiet woman with silver hair tied in a bun, wearing a silk gown and gold-rimmed glasses, emerged from the side.

Upon seeing the woman, Sane, who had been somewhat annoyed, quickly calmed down. She took a deep breath and finally snorted, saying:

"Thank Master Noel, Qiyana, or you will pay the price for your disrespect."

"You can only talk the talk."

Qiyana sneered.

Sane narrowed her eyes at this and then looked at Yuan Chen, who was observing the situation, and said with a cold laugh:

"Speaking of which, I never expected... the sharp-tongued Qiyana to have picked up the bad habits of those traditional nobles and started keeping inferior people on the side."

Hearing this, a flicker of boredom crossed Yuan Chen's eyes. He had just arrived and intended to observe the situation of the Ixialia succession struggle before making any judgments.

He was in the middle of analyzing when...

The drama he was watching had suddenly involved him.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen placed a bookmark and then looked up at Sane. Certain bad reputations were absolutely not to be associated with. Especially when the term "inferior people" was directly used.

With this thought, Yuan Chen calmly said, "To use such venomous words to judge your own sister, as the eldest daughter, Your Highness, you are quite lacking in grace."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Sane's Attention truly focused on him. She was somewhat stunned by his beauty. Although not like the Ixialians, the pursuit of beauty was universal.

Before, Sane hadn't been able to see Yuan Chen's face clearly as he sat quietly. But now that she could, Sane nodded. It was no wonder Qiyana had fallen for him.

Thinking this, Sane didn't back down an inch. She said bluntly, "What right do you have to speak to me like this? This is a library accessible only to Yuenale and Yuentar, not some male concubine like you."

"I'm afraid I cannot comprehend your arrogance."

Yuan Chen stood up, his tall stature drawing the attention of those around who were paying attention to the situation. Yuan Chen didn't just look at Sane; he included the Yuentars who were watching the succession struggle in his gaze.

"I do not deny the richness and depth of Ixialia's cultural heritage, nor am I unaware that Ixialia's mastery of Elemental Magic far surpasses any country in Runeterra. However, if I may be so bold, when it comes to the interpretation of truth, Ixialia's greatness is not the only one."

"..."

Hearing Yuan Chen's unpretentious words, let alone Sane, even Qiyana was momentarily stunned.

No matter how intense the conflict between Sane and Qiyana was, one thing was undeniable: they were both Ixialians, members of the Ixialia Royal Family, future rulers, and current Crown Princesses of Yuenale.

The Commoners of Ixialia were proud to be part of the eternal Ixialia, and so were the Yuenales.

Even though they knew that civilizations existed elsewhere, within their existing echo chambers, limited by their cultural environment, region, and era, their understanding of the outside world was merely based on stereotypes from books.

After a moment of strange silence, a hoary voice suddenly broke the quiet.

"An interesting statement."

Upon hearing the voice, the woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses, who had been about to say something, turned her head in surprise to look behind her. She then quickly moved aside, clearing a path.

Not only the woman with gold-rimmed glasses, but also the other Yuentar Masters, Sane, and even the proud and competitive Qiyana respectfully stood up, crossing their arms over their chests in a salute.

It was an elder with snow-white hair, the chisel of time having left countless marks upon him. He must have been quite upright in his day, but now he was stooped, even needing a cane to walk with relative stability.

The elder's hair was meticulously styled, but his beard hung down to his waist. His face, etched with wrinkles, was covered in the pallor of old age, his skin, having lost its elasticity, limply held the flesh that no longer clung to his bones.

However, compared to his aged appearance, face, and physique, the elder's eyes were exceptionally bright, like jewels reflecting the image of the entire world.

"My name is Sem. I am a Yuentar. You... you must be from Ionia, correct?"

"Greetings, I am from Prestation, Ionia."

Upon hearing the elder named Sem's question, Yuan Chen appropriately adopted a humble stance and said, "I hope my previous presumptuous words did not disturb your wisdom."

"Haha, wisdom is all in the past," the elder named Sem said gently. "What you see now is just an old man with his neck buried in the yellow earth... Hmm, Ionians usually use such metaphors."

He had been to Ionia? No...

Hearing Sem's words, Yuan Chen mused: It must be someone similar to me who accidentally entered Yuentar.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen inquired:

"Do you know Ionia well?"

"Not really, just an old friend from Ionia," Sem said, with a hint of emotion and sadness. "Though he's been dead for over seventy years..."

Upon hearing this, before Yuan Chen could say anything, Sane, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject:

"Master Sem, there's no need to converse with this arrogant outsider... He's even wearing Qiyana's clothes."

Hearing Sane's words, Sem glanced at the Vydalian Robe Yuan Chen was wearing and asked, "Aren't you going to explain?"

"There's nothing to explain," Yuan Chen shook his head and said to Sane, "Since I'm following local customs, I naturally have to see it through to the end."

"As for these clothes..."

"As a subordinate of Princess Qiyana, using a piece of clothing to express her trust in me shouldn't be an unforgivable sin, right?"

"This is usurpation! You deserve the death penalty."

Sane was unyielding, but Yuan Chen knew she was lying.