Chapter 787 — Little Patty of Gulan
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 4
But she bent down once more and patiently began explaining from the beginning.
...
In the long hall of Gulan Castle, the Viscountess of Gulan—tall, with high cheekbones, her features having regained some of their former delicate beauty—stood before the steps to welcome Gao Cenxing, who had come to visit.
Now that Duke Gao Yang had become His Majesty Gao Yang, even an ordinary visit had taken on extraordinary significance. Though His Majesty's new policies had consistently pushed for simplified etiquette and reduced ceremonial expenses, as a well-bred noblewoman, Ropenny Gulan still strove to conduct herself properly and meticulously within what the regulations allowed.
"I pay my respects to you, my sovereign Majesty," the viscountess said, lifting her skirts and bowing, while the servants and knights of the castle stood in neat rows on either side of the long carpet like two rows of sculptures. "You honor Xuanyue Castle with your presence."
"There's really no need for such trouble—the etiquette was much simpler when I visited last time," Gao Yang nodded in reply, his tone relaxed. "Let's just treat this as a friend's visit."
"I am honored—but the necessary courtesies must always be observed," Viscountess Ropenny said, straightening up, a sincere smile appearing on that face which had once always been so tense. "Rooms have been prepared for your attendants to rest, and dinner is ready as well—in full compliance with the Administrative Hall's regulations, of course."
"Good, thank you for the arrangements," Gao Yan nodded. "Is Patty in her room?"
"She is. At this hour she should be watching a magic shadow play, with a maid keeping her company," the viscountess replied. "Would you like to see her first? I'll send someone to—"
"No, her health is poor. I'll go to her," Gao Yang interrupted the viscountess with a smile. "It's been a long time since she saw this 'Uncle Gao Yang' of hers. I wonder if my visit today will count as a surprise for her."
"Of course it will—she has mentioned you more than once lately," the viscountess said, a smile in the corners of her eyes. "She very much hopes you'll continue telling her those stories."
Gao Che was silent for less than a second before he said softly, "Is that so... that's good."
...
The psychic network, Huanzhu City, within the central temple.
In the magnificent conference hall, the Radiant Hierarchs had gathered around a round table painted with numerous mystic symbols (decorative light effects), while Pope Magnum III, in the form of an amorphous star-light polymer, floated suspended in midair at the center of the hall. In a solemn and reverent atmosphere, a crucial meeting was underway.
"...And that is the full account of this exploration," Yuri Hengjiao's voice echoed through the hall, and before him a series of memory projections, reconstructed with psychic power, displayed several key images from the Phantom Town. "There is no need to elaborate further on the various uncanny properties of the Phantom Town and their psychological symbolism—I trust everyone has already done considerable research in these areas. What we should focus on this time is the fact that the 'Upper Narrator' officiant possesses 'divine arts.'"
"At present we can at least be certain of one thing: the 'divine arts' cast by that projection officiant can take effect within the Phantom Town, and can genuinely attack the minds of us 'people of reality.' This is already clear proof that the Upper Narrator's power has undergone sublimation and drawn closer to godhood."
"The 'Divine Descent' that projection officiant attempted failed to succeed. The most likely reasons are that his 'projection nature' prevented him from unleashing a divine art of such a high level, or that the Phantom Town's isolation from Sandbox One prevented it—but we cannot rule out the possibility that the Upper Narrator within Sandbox One has not yet fully matured, or has met with some mishap..."