Chapter 1487: Chapter 1487

Bathed in the evening glow, Jenkins had absolutely no idea how to explain his situation to the professor. He was even a little worried the man would think he had gone mad.

The glorious last rays of the setting sun streamed through the window, bathing the entire office in gold. It was the color of antiquity, a light that signaled the end of the old day and the beginning of the darkness; a light that was also a symbol of change.

After struggling to find the right words for a moment, Jenkins took out the two "family heirlooms" hanging from his chest. The professor took them with a puzzled look, bowing his head slightly to observe the irregular, now-joined "metal block" from over the top of his spectacles. Then, his brow furrowed.

The professor was quite old, but because he had dedicated himself to mastering martial abilities, his skin was remarkably free of wrinkles. The deep frown that now creased his face left a stark impression, signaling something highly unusual. Official source ıs NoveI-Fire.ɴet

"It's difficult to explain," Jenkins began, rambling. "In fact, I only found out recently myself. Several generations ago, the royal family had an illegitimate son... I think he was my great-grandfather... It's hard to believe, but..."

"Say no more. I believe you."

The professor raised his left hand, cutting Jenkins off. His right hand still held the pendant, and he brought the metal object so close it nearly touched his eye.

"This is astounding! Absolutely astounding!"

"To think I would see something again! It's a miracle, simply astounding! Jenkins, do you have any idea what this is? I'd wager you could never guess!"

His voice was distorted with excitement.

"I don't. Do you know what it is? But... aren't we talking about the elves and my family? Is this thing that important?"

He asked, then remembered that his cousin, Miss Capet, had once asked the Saint Son of the Church of Creation and Machinery to investigate a similar pendant, but he had come up with nothing.

"The professor has an answer to something even the Saint Son couldn't figure out," he thought to himself. "This world is truly mad."

"This is something only the most seasoned archaeologists can identify! Something mentioned only once or twice in the most ancient, obscure texts, tucked away in the most remote corners of the world! This isn't metal! It's a seed! This is a seed of the World Tree! It's one of the last seven seeds that fell before the elves left the material world! Legend has it the elves took them all, along with the most vital branches of the World Tree! That was a lie! A lie! Oh, by the Sage, to think I would see a World Tree seed in my lifetime! Even if it no longer holds any life force, this is a seed with the potential to grow into a 'World Tree Seedling'!"

The professor seemed almost hysterical, muttering to himself in a low voice that sounded like the whispers of a cultist who had heard the secrets of a dark god. Jenkins swallowed hard. The existence of this object further proved the connection between the Williams family and the royal line. The information the professor provided had to be true.

"Where did you get this, Jenkins? This is a treasure far more precious than any so-called divine artifact! Hmm? Did you just say your family is descended from a royal bastard?"

The professor seemed to finally register what Jenkins had said. He lowered the seed and looked at Jenkins, the shock of seeing two-thirds of a World Tree seed having made him miss the most important part of Jenkins's statement.

"Which means... the royal family isn't without direct descendants..."

The professor's thoughts were clarifying, and his brow furrowed once more. As a university professor, he followed current events and possessed a keen political sense.

"Although the succession rights of an illegitimate child are an issue, this still means that the Fidektri Kingdom is not, in fact, without a legitimate heir by blood..."

A look of shock appeared on his face again, but this time it was not because of the World Tree seed.

"I recall there are four men in your family, correct?"

"Yes, my father and my brothers."

"Your father and older brother are a bit too old, and your younger brother is still in school. That leaves only you, at a suitable age... You... you..."

The professor's mouth fell open as he pointed at Jenkins, a strange sound catching in his throat. Perhaps the status of a Saint Son was noble enough, but that was a chosen of the gods, far removed from the mortal world. In his subconscious, the throne was the highest peak a mortal could ever hope to reach.

Jenkins looked at the cat on the desk with a complicated expression. The cat was peeking back at him.

"Yes. If I'm not mistaken, I should now be one of the foremost heirs to the throne of the Fidektri Kingdom. That crown... it seems it's right in front of me."

Jenkins didn't remember how he left the professor's office. The sun had set in the west, and the streetlights flickered a few times before glowing steadily, illuminating the dazed young man and the cat on his shoulder.

He had wandered unknowingly to the vicinity of the old elf's rented apartment. Jenkins looked up at the elf's window, then walked up the steps under the awning and knocked on the door.

The old elf was home, as usual. He noticed the unusual expression on Jenkins's face and, after inviting him in, listened quietly as Jenkins recounted the information he had learned that day.

"Yes, that's right. I've known for a long time."

The old elf nodded, holding his teacup.

"I've been in the material world for over a century, and I've researched the issue of the sacrificial bloodline. It's not difficult if you have a target and know some ancient Elvish. In fact, I was certain more than eighty years ago that this kingdom's royal family was descended from that line of ancient humans. That's why I chose to remain in this country instead of retreating to the southern forests or Eldron, the City of a Thousand Trees."

"Then why didn't you ever tell me?"

They were both sitting at the dining table. Jenkins could see his own reflection in the surface of the tea.

"Because it was not my responsibility. I've said this many times. As for this..."

The elf pointed to the two-thirds of the World Tree seed that Jenkins was clutching in his hand.

"I truly didn't know you had it. According to the records from my homeland, when the elves left with our Lord, they took all the seeds to the Prosperous Forest. But now, it seems it couldn't have found a more suitable or logical owner than you. You should find the final third of the seed as soon as possible and make it whole. I believe it will be to your benefit."

That part wouldn't be difficult. Jenkins knew the last piece was in the hands of Miss Capet.