Chapter 570 — A Deep Conversation

"...That ancient system is said to be the work of the primal elves of the ancient age, but the civilization of the primal elves scattered as the elven peoples diverged, and has long since vanished from history. The Silver Elves' lineage is the most complete of all the elves, yet even they cannot comprehend the whole mystery of the Radiant Vault..." A note of emotion entered Gaoyang's voice. "I still remember how Belantia looked when she first spoke to me of these things."

In those years Belantia had only just been crowned; though titled the Silver Queen, in spirit she was almost still a carefree girl, and only when the mysteries of the Radiant Vault and the scattered civilizational legacy of the primal elves were mentioned did she show a grave and sorrowful face.

Gaoyang and Soryu spoke of many things.

From that brief time they stood shoulder to shoulder seven hundred years ago to the raising of the Great Wall, from the rise and fall of the human kingdoms over these centuries to the growth and change of the Silver Empire across these seven hundred years—even the long-lived elves could not help but sigh at the length of such a span. So much was no longer as it had been.

At last Gaoyang brought this wide-ranging talk to a close. He rose and extended his hand to Soryu. "You have had a weary journey; rest early today. Tomorrow I will arrange for you to tour Xuanyao City—this city of Xuanyao should bring you no small number of surprises."

Soryu courteously took Gaosong's hand and rose, a smile on her face. "Xuanyao City has already brought us no small number of surprises; even this land has opened our eyes—we saw many interesting things from the sky."

"You will have time to come to understand it all slowly," Gaodai said, and glanced at Sojilin beside her. "But before that, I shall leave the time to you two, mother and son—after all, seven hundred years without meeting, you must have much to say."

In this relatively private setting, Soryu could not resist a glance at Sojilin. "A son who went seven hundred years without coming home—I truly do not know what I should say to him."

Sojilin's face was all embarrassment. "Mother, I... I hold a public office here..."

Soryu glared at the thoroughly flustered high ranger. "And have you not held public office for the past seven hundred years?"

Sojilin: "..."

The high-ranking ranger looked at Gao Yang with a touch of awkwardness, his eyes full of mute appeal. Gao Yang grasped the meaning in his old friend's gaze at once and said to Suo You, "Then I won't intrude on your reunion—Lady Suo You, we'll meet again tomorrow."

With that, Gao Yang led his people toward the door.

He walked all the way out of the reception hall, and even after the doors had closed behind them Gao Yang was still straining his ears at the sounds within. Suo You? Shuangye's voice came through, faint but discernible, mid-scolding: "...seven hundred years without coming home, I let that pass, but even your messages were so few, and now—now you've gone and let the Sentinel Tower's communication chain break down..."

"...and all of it over a trifle like your hair. Where did you get this pigheaded temper, I'd like to know..."

"Is there a girl you fancy? Not yet?! Do you have any idea that so-and-so in Windvale City already has children!!"

"What do you mean, 'building a career alongside Duke Cecil'! Is Duke Cecil unmarried, then? Look at him—dozens of generations of great-grandchildren already!!"

In the corridor, Gao Yang quietly withdrew his attention from the room, while Rebecca at his side could not help pressing close. "Ancestor! Ancestor! How did you come to know that Lady Suo You? Is she really Mr. Suo Jilin's mother? She looks so young!!"

The girl had been holding it in the whole way, and now at last she had her chance to babble on.

"An elf's age can never be judged by appearance—their cycles of growth and aging are nothing like a human's," Gao Yang said. "As for how I came to know Suo You... she was a courier for the Silver Empire at the time, tasked with liaising between the Empire and the various pioneer army factions. The situation was unstable in those days, and we fought side by side more than once."

Hetty, on the other side, could not help a sigh of feeling. "The bond of comrades-in-arms..."

Frankly speaking, in that instant the great steward of Cecil could not help recalling the treasured volume in her keeping—"The Amours of Gao Yang Cecil: Tales of Heroes and Princesses"—and drew from it countless well-founded inferences.

Frankly speaking, the moment Gao Yang saw Hetty's expression shift, he guessed just what well-founded inferences were taking shape in his eldest granddaughter's head.

He thought for a moment and decided to do something to divert Hetty's attention—

"Hetty, dear..."

Hetty gave a start. "Ah? Yes, Ancestor, please go on!"

"Have you ever thought about getting married?"

"Ah?!"

"Really, taking vows and giving up your inheritance rights isn't so important after all, and you're not so young anymore at your age..."

"Ancestor, wait a moment! I—"

"Don't be nervous, I'm only asking. But if you do have any thoughts on the matter..."

Gao Yang's method of diverting attention was remarkably effective.