Ethan replied, then pointed at Yue’s ink-stained face, "You should be able to wash it off now."
On both sides of the altar flowed a mysterious source of clear water, which exuded a faintly sacred feeling. Lily helped Yue to the water’s edge and carefully washed the ink from his face. Once he returned to his usual appearance, Aelium could now look at him calmly.
At least he wouldn’t pounce on him and spray ink like when they first met.
The following days were calm and peaceful.
This was the seventh day after the "Great Cataclysm." The people of Ophira named the disaster that split half the city as such. In the past few days, they counted the casualties and quickly dove into the reconstruction of Ophira.
The reconstruction involved not only the city but also the framework of the Deep Sea Council.
Now the people of Ophira knew that when the Great Cataclysm struck, the councilors they had once trusted were eager to board the ark, planning to leave everyone else to die. While they fought against the twisted shadows emerging from the darkness, the councilors were already nowhere to be seen.
It was the craftsmen and the chairman who remained to command them.
They fulfilled their promise, fighting alongside the "people" until the last moment.
Returning councilors were frantic, giving speeches daily on the destroyed streets. They racked their brains, trying to use "righteousness" to manipulate the people of Ophira, forcibly indoctrinating them with the importance of continuing humanity’s legacy. They also promised to do their utmost to rebuild the city and make Ophira’s future better.
But the councilors found the civilians had become wiser.
Their grand promises no longer garnered applause from the populace. Their shouts on the streets only earned disdainful glances from the people.
At this moment, they clearly realized that power was slipping away from them.
Nothing caused the councilors more anxiety. The thought of having no place in the Deep Sea Council once Ophira’s reconstruction was complete kept them awake at night. Chapters first released on ɴovelfire.net
The chairman accumulated unprecedented prestige during the "Great Cataclysm," and the people saw Yue, as the chairman’s son, fighting on the front lines with them. After the disaster, Yue almost immediately threw himself into the city’s rebuilding.
His "inspiration" was endless, even Master Craftsman Gelb was astonished by the changes in Yue.
In the face of Yue’s proposals, they seemed like apprentices.
More importantly, the "god" left the ark to Yue.
Aside from designing reconstruction plans, Yue was busy every day with various social gatherings. These politicians, who once reveled in his "illness," appeared before him one by one, expressing every conceivable praise, to the point where Yue now felt severe discomfort when praised.
Early one morning, Lily ran to Ethan and the others’ residence. Upon entering, Ave was busily writing in a blank parchment book, and Aelium lay on the table, occasionally correcting the "official history" content.
"I think Young Master Yue might be ill."
Lily sought help from her friends with great concern.
Ave paused her pen for a moment and instinctively glanced at Aelium, but the Little Octopus spread its tentacles, indicating it had no knowledge of this.
With the end of the "Great Cataclysm," Yue’s clairvoyant syndrome was cured, and Ave had already written this condition into the parchment book.
The attending physician Ethan believed that clairvoyance was more of a sign in those chosen by the gods, allowing them to perceive existences beyond ordinary perception. Many similar patients had appeared in the Empire, but most did not receive treatment and quickly went insane.
Yue was a successful case, now continuously absorbing knowledge from the Iron Throne through his clairvoyance, as if this knowledge was prepared for him.
Since receiving this knowledge, Yue’s symptoms had nearly fully recovered.
Ave collected her thoughts, "Your young master seems a bit fragile."
She rarely used such words to describe others, but given how well everyone knew each other, Ave was forthright.
Lily hesitated, "The symptoms this time...are a bit strange."
And she thought she could only consult with her friends.
"Tell us about it first."
"The young master has had many social engagements these days, hasn’t he? When he returns, he seems unhappy, and whenever someone praises him, he frowns, even if it’s the servants at home."
Lily took a deep breath, "Young Master Yue always asks me to say ’harsh’ words to him when he’s alone, and, um... he also wants me to look at him disdainfully."
Lily had never heard of such things and thought Yue was likely ill.
"This is perfectly normal, not an illness at all!"
Ave immediately diagnosed, holding her golden hair high with pride like an expert, "In fact, it shows that your relationship has advanced."
Lily’s clear eyes were full of curiosity, "...The relationship has improved? Why?"
"In short, Lily, you must understand that human preferences are diverse."
"Take Old Sen, for example. There’s gossip that he actually likes Miss Lindong’s feet quite a lot."
This was undoubtedly a sensational piece of news, even Aelium perked up fully, while Lily instinctively glanced at her own calves wrapped in white stockings—the most classic maid uniform of Ophira.