Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 361 The Flame of the Rose: Soldiers Ordered to Burn to the Ground

"There is a type of soldier who never wants to be king, but when everyone else is going crazy, he is the one who goes out alone to block the gunfire."

—Quoted from the annotations on fragments of Aedel's biography in The Civil War of Trelian.

Even years later, Edel still remembered the old lion king's last look.

In the deepest part of Trean Palace, in the "Hall of Quiet," all sounds are swallowed up by the heavy, solemn curtains of life patterns, leaving only a dull silence flowing in the air, so heavy it's suffocating.

Edel knelt before his father's sickbed, his fists clenched, his head bowed as if a mountain were pressing down on him.

He could clearly feel his father's increasingly weak breath; the once mighty Henrian VII was now emaciated.

Like a candle in the wind, which could be extinguished at any moment, Old Wang's eyes remained as clear as ever.

At that moment, he realized for the first time that this dignified and solemn old man was perhaps looking at him as a "father" for the first and last time.

Henrian didn't say much, but simply handed him the card.

It was a World-type card that symbolized the destiny of a king, and even the highest commander of the military had never dared to mention it in front of others.

The gray-silver protective film on the surface of the card shimmered with a deep, eerie light. With a gentle shake, one could see dark red, rust-like life patterns slowly flowing, like a hidden tombstone containing countless conspiracies and glories.

The Ghost Ship: The Royal Rose of Saint Terrence.

Henrian tremblingly handed the card to Edel's palm, his eyes gleaming, his voice weak yet firm as iron, each word striking straight to the soul:

"Remember, this is not a royal decree."

"It is just the last stone in this city wall."

Edel silently accepted the card. He made no cheap promises, said nothing like "I will carry on your will" or "I will not let you down."

He simply bowed his head deeply in the most solemn gesture, as heavy as a mountain.

As he stepped out of the Hall of Tranquility and into the first rays of dawn in the western corridor of the palace, a faint ray of sunlight fell upon his shoulder.

At that moment, all the complex thoughts in Edel's mind about royal power, bloodline, and the struggle of fate faded away, leaving only one clear and unwavering thought:

"He just wanted me to defend the city, that's all."

-

A few moments later, Edel arrived at the Royal Capital Military Headquarters.

The steady sound of boots tapped on the patterned floor tiles of the council hall, each step seemingly etched with the echoes of an era.

He pushed open the door to the command room, and the life rune projection in the air flickered slightly. Alfred and several key staff members were already standing at attention, saluting in unison.

Edel stepped into the center of the hall, but did not sit down. He merely nodded indifferently, his voice low and authoritative:

“I did not return to ascend that empty throne.”

"It's because someone tried to burn the city to the ground with fire."

"From this moment on, all military commands in the capital shall obey my orders."

Inside the main command hall of the Royal Capital Military Headquarters, thirty-six life-patterned communication mirrors are suspended in mid-air, each mirror connecting to military, security, and intelligence agencies in different regions.

The mirror surface flashed with chaotic battle reports, fire situation data, and life feedback data, exuding a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Alfred, his gaze grave, handed over the first intelligence report: "Your Highness, you should take a look at this."

The moment the intelligence was revealed, Edel's pupils contracted slightly.

"Prince Orion has mobilized his private army and noble guards to seal off the royal palace with four layers of defense, completely cutting off the entry of other members of the royal family."

Edel showed no surprise, but his heart was in turmoil. He had expected Orion to make a move, but he hadn't anticipated that the other party would act so swiftly and decisively.

He calmly gave the order: "Do not respond, and do not interfere."

The staff members showed a hint of surprise, but Edel's tone was as firm as iron:

"The royal decree has not yet ended. Any action that approaches the royal palace is an act of vying for the throne. The military must not get involved in this game."

A military strategist suddenly reported in alarm: "An unknown fleet has been detected in the near sea. It is not flying the Imperial flag, and its main ship is a 'Doomsday Rose' class warship. However, its fleet configuration is far beyond that of ordinary pirates."

Edel frowned slightly, and with a wave of his hand, the projection of his life runes condensed into a series of commands:

"Immediately block all inbound and outbound channels to Donggang and activate the port's first-level defensive position."

"Fire is temporarily prohibited; observation is required first."

Alfred lowered his voice and asked, "Your Highness, should the Eighth Fleet be recalled?"

Edel shook his head expressionlessly, his voice laced with cold self-mockery:
"They were transferred away long ago by a so-called 'royal decree,' and it is now difficult for them to return to their posts quickly."

"We've been tricked by someone, and the city's defenses are now crumbling."

At this moment, the intelligence commander reported again: "A large number of unidentified organizations have gathered in the black market area. They have been preliminarily identified as the Mirror Tide Faith Group, suspected to be supporters of the Arthur faction, and have shown large-scale fluctuations in life patterns."

Edel waved calmly and composedly:

"Dispatch the 17th Armaments Group to surround the outer streets and prohibit further advance."

"If they really want to cause trouble, we should first force them to show their true colors."

The physician urgently reported: "The Church of Our Lady is closed throughout the city. The sacrificial life pattern array of the twelve dioceses has been activated. Life feedback in all thirty-seven areas of the city is rapidly declining. People are beginning to experience hallucinations and memory confusion, which may be signs of a celestial calamity."

Edel suddenly stood up, and for the first time, a genuine sense of crisis appeared in his eyes.

He whispered the name that had been kept hidden:

"is her."

The staff remained silent, but everyone knew in their hearts who "she" referred to—Maiden, who had already embarked on the path to godhood.

Behind Edel's deep, murderous gaze, his fingers gripped the card tightly.

Today, this city is no longer a chessboard for power struggles, but a theater capable of devouring everyone's fate.

And he was the final gatekeeper of this theater.

Edel stood calmly before the main axis of the Destiny Chart, his palm resting on the "Military Command Order," which was as heavy as fate itself.

His next step was to make a decision—to take action against the entire capital.

Above their heads, a massive star map symbolizing the fate of the capital city slowly rotated, its dense red dots flickering weakly and desperately like the heartbeat of a drowning person on the verge of death.

Each flicker represents a life being slowly swallowed up, a disaster that is gradually approaching.

Edel stood at the heart of the scene, his posture upright, his gaze cold and sharp as iron. He remained silent, like a mountain.
An invisible pressure slowly poured down, compressing every inch of air in the command center, making everyone almost suffocate.

Finally, Alfred could no longer bear the chilling silence. He coughed softly, his tone heavy, yet revealing an undeniable anxiety and expectation:

"Your Highness, the royal palace is now sealed off, and the entire capital is in turmoil."

You hold the Royal Ship Card, possess the second-in-line right to the royal succession, and the military is in your hands. This is a game of chess prepared for you by fate.

You should send troops, immediately rise to the throne, and declare yourself king!

As soon as he finished speaking, several veteran generals and strategists echoed his sentiments, their voices seemingly filled with passion and self-righteousness:

"Orioun has already bared his fangs. If Your Highness hesitates any longer, he will seize the initiative!"

"With just one order from you, the three divisions of the military can immediately seal off the city's defenses. The one in charge of the military plans should naturally sit on the throne!"

Edel did not shout angrily or get agitated. He simply raised his head slowly and looked around at everyone present with a calm, almost icy gaze.

Then, his voice, calm yet carrying a thunderous authority and oppression, spoke in a low and resolute tone:
"...My father is still alive."

The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone felt a slight tremor in their hearts.

He paused briefly, his gaze sharp as a knife, and spoke again in a low voice:
"My military post is due to the imperial laws and my father's trust."

"As long as he has a breath left, I will not move the throne an inch."

In the ensuing silence, a young advisor murmured involuntarily, "But His Majesty may not make it to tomorrow..."

Adel suddenly raised his voice, which slammed down like a hammer, instantly silencing all doubts:
"I was never the heir to the throne."

"I am the last defender of the kingdom."

Every word he spoke was resounding, not so much as a speech, but as a declaration of an unalterable fate: "If everyone is determined to fight for the crown, then I will defend this city without a king to the death."

Alfred looked at Edel with a complicated expression. He knew in his heart how much this young prince resembled the old Lion King, so much so that it was terrifying, yet so much so that he was destined not to be the ultimate victor in the game of power.

Because in Trean's power game, there has never been a "guardian," only the "predator" who constantly devours others can reach the top.

Edel gave them no further chance to persuade him. He turned away resolutely, the life lines on his fingertips trembling slightly. When his voice rang out again, it carried an almost divine authority and coldness:
"Immediately mobilize the firepower of the Eighth Defense Zone and establish a port defense line."

"Anyone who mentions the word 'throne' again will be expelled from the military."

There was no anger in his eyes, but the deep pressure he exuded made everyone tremble, and no one dared to speak out of turn.

At that very moment, the Fate Diagram Communication Mirror suddenly emitted a sharp, piercing alarm. Crimson runes, like frenzied tentacles, spread across the mirror's surface, rapidly tearing apart the heavy atmosphere.
"Donggang is under attack!"

"The attack fleet's markings have been confirmed—it's the Doomsday Rose!"

"Target is the main ship position in the naval port! The anti-aircraft turrets have already suffered the first round of bombardment, with up to 70% of their defenses damaged!"

Edel turned around abruptly, his gaze sharp as lightning, and directed the sorcerer to quickly project the latest battle situation onto the center of the hall.

In the projection, amidst the mist where the sea and sky meet, a massive and eerie ship silhouette slowly emerged.

The bow of the ship was prominently adorned with a dilapidated statue of a goddess, clad in black iron armor, her face blurred by the erosion of time, like a tangible embodiment of war and disaster itself.

Above the ship's ensign is a deep blood-red background and a somber black rose skeleton.

That was Baroque's fleet, a mysterious and terrifying rebel legion on the Island of the Nameless.
Today, it is seen as a catalyst that could tear apart the entire real world in this age of illusion.

Edel stared at the eerie and dangerous fleet insignia, a deeper and more terrifying calm gradually rising in his eyes.

He knew this was no ordinary attack, much less a trivial power struggle within the capital.

This is a true "battle of destiny," a battle where the ancient behemoth, long dormant, is finally beginning to bare its true fangs.

He clenched the Royal Command Ship Card in his palm, his heart suddenly hardening:

He doesn't need to fight for the throne; he only needs to defend this city.

He is Trelian's last line of defense, and will never back down in the face of destruction.

Alfred rushed to Edel, his expression urgent, his voice filled with almost desperate anxiety:
"Your Highness, we cannot wait any longer! We must order the firing immediately!"

Edel remained silent and did not respond, but stared intently at the huge map of the city's coastal defense.

He raised his hand and brought up all the Royal Fleet's mobilization files. However, when his gaze fell on the familiar yet painful name in the signature column, his pupils suddenly contracted.

All the main fleets had been transferred out of the capital before this, and the person who signed the transfer order was none other than Orion.

In an instant, everything was displayed before Edel's eyes as clearly as a mirror.

This is an extremely insidious yet precise "split-pawn game".

The power of the capital has long been cut off, and now only he remains.

Edel slowly lowered his gaze, staring at the cold, solemn, yet unawakened World-type card in his palm:
The Ghost Ship: The Royal Rose of Saint Terrence.

The card's surface shimmered with a dark silver luster, as still as a colossal beast slumbering at the bottom of a tomb, seemingly awaiting only a destiny's command to awaken.

He withdrew his gaze, calmly turned around, and spoke in a voice that, though not loud, clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a chilling resolve:
"Immediately notify all officers on the West Bank that the port is now under 'high-risk defense' status."

"Immediately evacuate all civilians and make every effort to escort all those without the power of mystery out of the war zone."

"Order the entire Secret Service Division—regardless of whether they are on leave, retired, wounded, or on duty, to assemble within ten minutes."

"The rest, leave them to me."

After he finished speaking, he went up to the top of the command tower alone. The cold wind from there hit him like a knife.

He slowly raised the card in his hand, as heavy as a stone of destiny, his heartbeat resonating with it.

This is the only "war relic" left to him by his father, and the only pride and responsibility in his life that has not been tainted by fate.

Edel chanted the incantation softly, his deep voice exuding a solemn and irresistible power:

"By my command, I summon you back."

“Saint Trean can protect this city without the king’s command.”

In an instant, the Destiny Chart trembled violently, and strange ripples spread across the sea. An unreal power suddenly began to awaken from the darkest part of the deep sea.

The entire sea seemed to be awakened from its slumber by an indescribable being, sending chills down one's spine.

Atop the military tower, a sudden night wind arose, causing banners to flutter wildly. Edel stood as still as a rock, the life runes on his armor radiating a chilling and mysterious light.

At that moment, the atmosphere of the entire military headquarters seemed to be awakened by his first step, and every officer and staff member stared silently at his back.

No one dared to mention the "throne" again.

Because they knew perfectly well that in this battle of fate, only Edel could now stand up to that ship that was like a demon from the abyss.

-

Outside the East Gate, more than thirty "Riders of the Roses," personally selected and trained by Edel, were already ready.

They were seasoned veterans, untouched by the corruption of the court, with unyielding spirits and resolute eyes, awaiting the moment of command.

Edel spurred his horse forward, his cloak billowing with a crimson-gold life rune that burned like flames behind him.

He held up the card and issued the command in an almost divinely authoritative voice:
"My Destiny Chart Enters Order!"

"All officers of the military shall be immediately assigned to the Royal Rose of Saint-Trian!"

In an instant, all twelve mysterious spiritual lines beneath the capital city vibrated simultaneously, turning eastward in unison, echoing the card in his hand.

The Royal Rose—finally beginning to answer his call.

People along the street had already closed their doors, but some still peered nervously through their window cracks at the knights speeding past.

As the iron hooves pounded down, the flying life patterns, like burning sparks, ignited the morale of the entire capital and sped toward the port.

Edel's face was as cold and resolute as a sculpture, yet his heart echoed with his father's dying words:

"Even if you do not wish to be crowned king, you must protect Trean with your life."

He couldn't refute it at the time, nor did he need to—because from birth, he was destined to be merely the "guardian" of the capital, not the "seizurer" of the throne.

-

At this moment, the port of the royal capital is engulfed in flames of war. The cannon fire of the Doomsday Rose is like hellfire, tearing apart the third line of defense.

The entire port was engulfed in crimson flames, a scene of utter devastation reminiscent of the apocalypse.

Aydel stood atop the harbor cliff, gazing down at the burning battlefield, his voice cold and resolute:
"Withdraw the last garrison troops and initiate the naval summons ceremony!"

The officers quickly opened the last star map slot, and the card in his hand slowly floated up, opening the second layer of destiny map—the gate to the deep sea realm unfolded.

Edel closed his eyes and slowly chanted the incantation that was already etched deep into his blood:

"In the past, I perished for my country; today, I am summoned back with my life."

"Ghost Ship Rose, wake up."

In an instant, the starry sky reversed, and in the distance, between the sea and the sky, a void that looked like a rift in the world was suddenly torn open. A huge, shadowy warship emerged from the dark crack, stirring up huge waves.

The Royal Rose of Saint Trean has finally returned from the long-lost abyss of darkness.

At that moment, Edel suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes blazing with two dark blue flames.

He gazed at the ship that held his destiny, only one thought in his mind—

He needs no crown, nor does he need a scepter.

He must defend this city with his own hands.

"The throne belongs to those who contend for it, and the flames belong to those who attempt to ignite them."

But only soldiers belong to this city.

—From the last page annotation of "The Chronicle of Roses: Chapter Edel"

(End of this chapter)