Devouring World Dragon

Chapter 180 Mr. Isaac

In 1648, the Thirty Years' War, which was triggered by the conflict between Protestants and Catholics, finally came to an end.

Prior to this, no one had anticipated that the war, which originated from a minor skirmish, would eventually escalate into a full-scale war across the entire European continent. Participating countries included the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, France, Scotland, England, Sweden, Denmark, Bohemia, the Netherlands, Saxony, Austria, Bavaria, and others. The total number of troops mobilized by these countries exceeded several million, and the number of casualties could reach as high as 700,000.

The Thirty Years' War was the culmination of centuries of religious, diplomatic, and political contradictions in Europe. As King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden wrote in a letter to his prime minister, "All the small wars here have come together to form a total European war."

Following this battle, the Habsburg dynasty was defeated, and the German states lost more than 60% of their population—a loss of immeasurable scale. However, it was precisely through this battle that German national consciousness gradually took shape, and for the first time, Germans felt their national identity so profoundly.

Meanwhile, the enormous casualties rendered European countries incapable of waging further wars, each licking its wounds, and a rare era of peace arrived, with European society beginning to recover...

……

April 12, 1689, London, England.

"Wow..."

Inside a large hall, sparse applause rang out. Amid the gazes and whispers of numerous priests, scholars, bureaucrats, nobles, and even ladies, a middle-aged scholar with a hooked nose stepped forward and bowed to the crowd. Count Pembroke, the president of the society, watched him with a smile and offered his approval.

"Member of Parliament Isaac, it is a great pleasure for you to join the Royal Society of London. Your book, 'Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy,' is already renowned in Europe. With your intelligence, you will surely be able to broaden the knowledge of the gentlemen and ladies present."

"Ha ha……"

The audience below the stage responded with well-intentioned laughter.

At this time, the Royal Society of London was essentially a science popularization society serving the upper-class nobles and gentlemen. Membership was only required by nomination, and the total number of members was less than 150. Of these 150 people, less than one-fifth were scholars, while the majority were nobles, bureaucrats, and ladies who were curious about scientific knowledge.

For example, the Earl of Pembroke was a typical old nobleman, but he was extremely curious about science, and his high reputation led to his election as president of the Royal Society. This Royal Society was less a scientific society and more a social gathering place for numerous nobles and bureaucrats, where scholars sought out patrons, since research required money.

Glancing down at the numerous nobles and officials below, the middle-aged scholar's eyes revealed a hint of barely perceptible dissatisfaction, but it vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

Before long, several musicians appeared in the hall and began to play orchestral music. The welcome for the new members turned into a dance party for the academy, while the middle-aged scholar entertained them from time to time.

Just as the scholar was politely declining an invitation from a group of nobles to go on an outing, a voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"Mr. Isaac."

The middle-aged scholar was taken aback and turned around to see the president, Earl Pembroke, smiling at him from behind. The middle-aged scholar did not dare to be negligent towards this nobleman who, for some reason, held great goodwill towards him, and could only bow and greet him.

"The Earl of Pembroke."

But Count Pembroke simply waved his hand dismissively and then said...

"Just call me Chairman."

For some reason, the count's affection grew stronger. He smiled as he carefully examined the middle-aged scholar in front of him, making the scholar feel uneasy. He couldn't help but ask a question.

"Is there anything I can do for you, Chairman?"

The count merely chuckled, then lowered his voice and said, "Several important figures wish to see you. Please follow me..."

Big man?
The middle-aged scholar was puzzled. He considered himself somewhat famous, but in the grand scheme of Europe, he was merely a renowned scholar and member of parliament—nothing special. But who was this person whom even a count addressed as a great man…?

At that moment, the middle-aged scholar was unaware that this single sentence would completely change his fate.

……

"The Priory of Sion?"

In a secret room, the walls were covered with various religious symbols. Three elderly monks dressed in black robes sat in front of the middle-aged scholar. Unlike ordinary monks, they did not wear crosses around their necks or on their bodies, but instead wore a triangular symbol.

The middle-aged scholar's mind was still in turmoil. After the count led him into a carriage, he took him to this remote residence, where an old monk had been waiting for some time. As soon as they got out of the carriage, the count and the carriage left, leaving him alone as the old monk led him into the secret room.

However, even with some anticipation, the old monk's words were still astonishing, completely overturning the middle-aged scholar's understanding. Jesus, Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci, Joan of Arc, the Priory of Sion, sculpture? The flood of information caught even this intelligent and astute scholar somewhat off guard.

"As we have said, we keep ancient secrets and have sworn to fight against the evil hidden in the darkness. For sixteen hundred years since the prophet Hamna, we have appeared in many different forms. And now, Mr. Isaac Newton, after searching for many years, we finally believe that you are the wisest man in the world, and now is the time when the Secret Order needs your help."

Before Newton, the leading old monk spoke calmly. His face was aged, and his long white eyebrows drooped down, making it impossible to tell how many years he had lived.

However, Newton did not immediately believe him. Instead, he stroked his beard, his eyes filled with doubt, and then looked at the old monk in front of him and said.

"Since you have been able to hide this for a thousand years, I have a question: why are you willing to reveal all of this? You don't think that I will accept it just because you tell me, do you?"

However, the old monks remained silent in front of Newton, only letting out inexplicable low chuckles.

Hearing the low laughter, Newton understood the old monk's meaning and didn't ask any further questions, simply nodding in agreement.

"Okay, I accept your invitation."

……

On a moving carriage on a London street.

Count Pembroke had his eyes closed, his thumb gently pressing against his forehead, his brow furrowed. He had no recollection of what had just happened; he only remembered attending a banquet at the academy, and how had he suddenly ended up in a carriage?

"How...did I end up in a carriage?"

Without realizing it, he muttered to himself, and the coachman outside the carriage, who had heard the count's mutterings, responded in surprise.

“Earl Pembroke, isn’t this the one you said you wanted to come out for a stroll?”

Want to go out... to clear your head?

The Earl of Pembroke, suffering from a splitting headache, thought about it but still couldn't figure out the reason, so he had to give up.

(End of this chapter)