The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1435 - 415: Prince Who Conquers the Sky (4)

[...Thank you for your care during this time. I won't say any sentimental words; that's not my style. As for those five Star Fruits, consider them my return gift.]

Hector was stunned.

Colin...

Is leaving?!

What's going on?!

A multitude of emotions surged through his heart in an instant, but mostly reluctance. Only now did he suddenly realize how good this seemingly domineering fellow had been to him, yet he had never noticed it before.

A glint of forlorn confusion flashed in the old Professor's eyes. He sat at his desk, speechless for a long time, overwhelmed by complex feelings, which finally turned into a long sigh.

This man from the Holy City was like a gust of wind, coming suddenly and hurriedly, and leaving abruptly.

However, he wasn't surprised.

He had felt it long ago; that blazing sun didn't belong to this snowy field. One day it would leave, just like the sun eventually sets.

"...Take care."

May you shine brilliantly under another sky.

…

In the Magic Science Laboratory, the afternoon sunlight was warm and bright, and everything in front of the huge window appeared orderly.

Bain and Hard were engaged in an intense debate over a blueprint, while Ilana was at her desk preparing articles for the next issue of "Science." Even Ophelia, who was usually restless, was quietly reading a thick tome.

The mystery of mathematics was indeed fascinating, yet inevitably frustrating for those of average aptitude.

Upon realizing she could never surpass Ilana in mathematics, Ophelia began to strive in the field of magic.

This was a shortcoming Ilana could never overcome; the Duchess of the Castellion family only needed a little effort, and the miracle of the Divine would naturally be by her side.

Such is the unfairness of this world, even in the Academic State which honors equality and seeks truth.

While everyone was enjoying the quiet routine, Prince Colin's assistant, Miller, suddenly walked in from outside the laboratory.

The face that was usually full of energy now bore an unfamiliar seriousness.

Without speaking, he silently walked to the window of the laboratory, clapped his hands, and signaled everyone to gather.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please put down your work for now. Our esteemed Master is about to show us his recently completed... miracle."

He didn't know how to describe that incredible masterpiece, so he used the catch-all term, miracle.

As all the students in the laboratory curiously gathered at the window, Miller slowly raised his arm and pointed to the distant sky outside.

Following his finger's direction, everyone saw a massive spindle-shaped object slowly rising from the snowy field towards Artisan Street.

It was like a seed breaking free from the constraints of the ground, flying towards the azure sky, planting an incredible dream in that field of clouds.

"What is that?"

Ophelia widened her eyes in shock, trying hard to discern the strange creation, instinctively voicing her first impression.

"A flying... walnut?"

She even seemed to see sails!

The Castelion family owned many ocean-going ships, but she had never heard of a ship that could soar into the sky!

This was beyond belief!

Her naive and offbeat analogy sparked light-hearted laughter among several apprentices. As the atmosphere livened up, excited discussions spread among the crowd.

Listening to the young men and women discussing, a hint of consolation appeared on Miller's heavy expression, though the worry on his brow did not dissipate.

His gaze never left the gradually ascending spectacle, as he strived to mask his sorrow with a calm tone.

"Prince says that it's called an 'airship.'"

"Though its creation involves a magical miracle, its flight does not rely on any spell... but entirely on the fundamental scientific principles I've taught you in science class."

As soon as he finished speaking, exclamations arose.

"Without relying on magic?!"

"How... is that possible?!"

Hard and Bain nearly blurted out in reflex, their youthful faces painted with disbelief, as though the assistant was joking.

But clearly, Miller wasn't joking; he spoke in his usual tone.

"The secret of its flight lies within the books he left behind."

He paused suddenly, as if delivering an immensely weighty maxim, adopting a grave tone.

"Besides, he asked me to relay one more message—"

"Never give up on the exploration of truth."

This thought-provoking statement left many people stunned.

Ophelia was the first to come to her senses, her gemstone-like pupils filled with disbelief. She urgently asked.

"Wait... why did he ask you to relay the message?! Why doesn't he tell us himself?"

In her anxiety, she temporarily forgot her decorum and elegance, even using the uncouth term 'that guy.'

Why did she come here at all?!

And now, he's telling her... he is leaving?!

Hearing this question, Ilana also snapped back to reality, her always serene face now filled with bewilderment and anxiety.

And a hint of reluctance she herself hadn't realized.

Jamie and Lam quickly got to the window, gazing at the airship soaring farther and farther away, exclaiming softly.

"It seems like it's not coming back."

"Your Highness... is the Master really leaving?"

Their faces were filled with bewilderment and reluctance, and a touch of uncontrollable sadness.

Although many clever apprentices had long sensed that Prince Colin was preparing to leave the Academic State, including founding the "Science" journal focused more on academia than status and authority, and encouraging them to lecture on the podium of the science class...

But they never expected the day would come so suddenly, catching them unprepared.

Before Miller could answer her question, Ophelia silently rushed out of the door, her slender shoulders trembling slightly.

Ilana caught a glimpse with her peripheral vision of a few crystalline droplets hanging from her swollen eyes... This Duchess did not want others to see her embarrassed side.

Out of concern for her good friend, Ilana hesitated no longer, following Ophelia's steps.

Even though her own heart was filled with overwhelming sorrow at this moment, struggling to hold back her tears, longing to bury her face in a pillow and weep...

Jamie and Lam exchanged glances, speechless for a moment. Hard and Bain, like eggplants beaten by frost, slumped their shoulders, also remaining silent.

The sadness of parting permeated the laboratory, ensuring many hearts in the Mage Tower would be broken today...

Miller didn't want to look at their faces, for fear of being infected by the sad atmosphere and shattering the strength he had painstakingly built in his heart.

Taking a deep breath, he restrained his emotions and bid a cherished farewell to the sails gradually vanishing into the sky.

"He said... this is his last lesson for us."

"He came here flying, and so he will leave by flying."

"He hopes you will never give up on the exploration of truth and never forget why you came to this barren snowfield."

Meanwhile, at the pinnacle of the High Tower, a kindly gardener was also watching the direction in which the airship departed.

Dousuke's lips curled into a smile.

Though the Divine Chosen of Novel had countless clever schemes, often playing tricks under his nose, commitments were still honestly kept.

The Academic State does not need "science."

His servants need only to obediently keep their heads down, their ears sharp, taking step-by-step instructions to complete their orders.

Of course, he allowed them to call themselves "Scholars."

As thoughts drifted with the airship, Dousuke suddenly thought of the apprentice he had sent southward, and a playful smile tugged at his lips.

"I forgot to tell you."

He spoke in a near-whisper to the azure sky, "I have prepared a 'gift' for you in the south too."

Arrogance and intrigue are not enemies.

Nor with greed, naturally...