Chapter 365
Chapter 365 The Divine Emperor Decrees
Simon appeared surprised. His expression, too, was unpleasant. Though everything he did was with his
brother in mind, there were things in the deep recesses within himself that he did not wish to share with
another.
If Elijah were to raise the issue with me, I would p him in the face before turning around and leaving.
However, he could not do that to Jonathan.
After a moment''s silence, Simon looked up. “First of all, we can''t deal with members of the Heavenly
Rebirth Alliance. Having existed for years, some of its elders have unfathomably deep cultivation.
Secondly, even if possible, I won''t need your help as I have to be the one to execute it. Thirdly, I hope
you will never mention this again. Can you do that for me?”
He was a simple man, whose word was his bond.
There were secrets even amongst brothers, and he did not want another touching what was his.
Lawson''s and Jonathan''s reactions differed due to their personal traits.
“I''m sorry, Simon,” Jonathan said earnestly upon realizing he had been impulsive. “I will never speak of
this again, but I hope you will ask us for help should you ever need it.”
“I will,” Simon promised.
Then, the group began to open up. The atmosphere was somewhat cordial, as Mabel was easygoing.
After a bout of drinking, the group agreed upon a time to begin their journey for the following day.
It was impossible to arrive directly at Eastsummer, Rodunst from Yaleview. It required catching a flight
first to Leyrudon, Ustrana, then another from Leyrudon to Rodunst, before finally boarding a train to
Eastsummer.
The group exited Royal Well, and Jonathan sent Mabel home in a cab.
To avoid being eavesdropped on, they began conversing in Ustranasian.
The driver understood a little Ustranasian but not enough to have a clue about the moreplicated
parts of their conversation.
Along the ride, Mabel smiled. “I could tell that Simon and Lesley are more than meets the eye. The three
of you aren''t as simple as you appear.”
Jonathan''s interest was piqued. “Oh?” After a slight pause, he continued, “Simon is decisive. I
understand how you might have noticed his innate potential, but Lesley doesn''t appear very imposing.
How could you tell that about him?”
Mabelughed. “Is this a test?” After a pause, she continued, “Though Lesley looks meek, he is inwardly
strong. Also, he thrives on being cast in a supportive role. If he were alone, he would have the glory and
opportunity of his own.”
“I do feel good when I''m around Lesley,” Jonathan realized.
“Right? I have a good eye,” Mabel eximed.
“What about me?” Jonathan asked. “I''d like to hear your actual opinion of me.”
Mabel froze before a peculiar expression took over. “Do you really want to know?”
Jonathan stroked his nose. “I''m not that bad, am I?”
Mabel chuckled in amusement before saying, “You have many exceptional qualities but just as many
ws. I know you can be very kind and loving, but you have a vicious side. You can be very heavy-
headed and merciless if something strikes a chord within you. I won''t allude further to this. Your best
quality is your loyalty to your family, friend, or lover. It''s also your biggest w—you are easily
manipted if somebody uses your rtionships against you.”
“What else?” Jonathan urged.
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Mabel answered, “You are brilliant, which is a blessing and a curse. You are so smart that you can
foresee everything. However, you have learned to rely on only yourself, and those below you have no
chance to shine. This is something you should pay attention to.” Jonathan was momentarily lost in
thought before he said, “You have a point. What else?”
“I can''t think of anything else right now, but you have another advantage—your luck is fantastic. This is
the most important one,” Mabel replied.
Jonathan stroked his nose glumly. “Does it even constitute being an advantage?”
Mabel chuckled. “Of course it does.”
After dropping Mabel home, Jonathan returned to the hotel.
It was a beautiful night with the new moon hanging high above the horizon.
Before Jonathan stepped foot in the hotel, he caught sight of Simon, who was dressed entirely in ck.
Nobody could tell what was going through his head as he brooded over a cigarette.
Jonathan knew at a nce that Simon was waiting for him.
Quickening his pace, Jonathan arrived before him. “Simon.”
Simon put out his cigarette upon Jonathan''s arrival. “Walk with me.”
Jonathan knew Simon had something to say, so he nodded. “Sure.”
The sworn brothers walked to a sidewalk lined with trees behind the hotel.
The streetmps were dimly lit there. It was as silent as the grave. It was also far enough frommon
bustle.
Simon found a spot at the junction and sat down, with Jonathan following suit.
He lit another cigarette.
The embers flickered in the dark, intermittently illuminating Simon''s perplexing expression.
“What''s on your mind, Simon?” Jonathan asked.
“Every time I decide never to open my heart up again, I always end up failing,” Simon replied cidly.
“When my dog died, I was devastated; when Ms. Lambert passed away, I was inconsble. I thought I
was a curse until I met you bunch.” After a pause, he continued, “I''m scared, Jonathan. I''d consider the
fact that we three are the Chosen Ones, and I''m worried that we may one day turn against one another
or that I may drag you down. I''m scared you would end up like Coco or Ms. Lambert.”
“Even if we were to end up like Coco and Ms. Lambert, we do not regret our acquaintance with you,”
Jonathan said, his voice ringing with certainty. “Also, we will never turn on each other. You and Lesley
can have anything of mine you wish, including my life. Loyalty is what matters most to me. Nothing else
can rece it.”
Aplicated look shed across Simon''s eyes. Being a man who had weathered more than a few
storms, he did not say much else; it was umon to see him agitated.
“Is that all you want to say to me, Simon?” Jonathan asked.
Simon took a drag. “No.”
“Then...” Jonathan hesitated.
“Since you mentioned Heavenly Rebirth Alliance, I know how anxious you must be, given my reluctance
to discuss it. However, I heard about you and Edward getting on your knees today and would like to
share something with you.”
“Go ahead, Simon,” Jonathan said.
“What else?” Jonathan urged.
Mabel answered, “You are brilliant, which is a blessing and a curse. You are so smart that you can
foresee everything. However, you have learned to rely on only yourself, and those below you have no
chance to shine. This is something you should pay attention to.” Jonathan was momentarily lost in
thought before he said, “You have a point. What else?”
“My poisoning has been undone,” Simon dered. “Initially thinking I was free from the Heavenly Rebirth
Alliance''s control, one of its elders came to see me a few days ago. He nted a spiritual imprint on my
brow, which he can use to blow my brains out at the first sign of defiance.”
Jonathan was aghast.
“The elder gave me two options,” Simon went on. “The first was death, and the second was submitting to
him and swearing fealty. I chose the second option.”
Jonathan was deathly pale. “Simon...”
“So what? I''m not ashamed of it. Remember this, Jonathan. There is hope only in the living. Dignity and
hatred will cease to bear any meaning when one dies. Only by surviving can we avenge ourselves and
emerge victorious. If we choose not to take a knee, we would have lost forever by never even having a
chance.”
“I understand, Simon,” Jonathan said as he gritted his teeth. “If not for what you just said, I would rather
die fighting than submit to Edward because I''m not going to lose like this.”
Simon smiled. “I''m d you''re being open-minded about it. Let''s head back.”
Nodding, Jonathan hummed in assent.
The following morning, he and the others each received a call from Alice of Divine Realm.
“The Divine Emperor decrees that those not on active duty will return to Divine Realm in three days.
Failure to do so will result in death.”
Jonathan was shocked. “What happened?” he asked Alice.
Despite her friendship with him, she said apologetically, “I''m sorry, Jonathan. I only received the order
and know nothing else.”
“It''s all right.” Jonathan hung up helplessly.
As a result, the group''s n to head to Eastsummer was put on hold for the time being.
Unexpectedly, Mabel offered, “In that case, I''ll go over for a look. Consider it a head start for you guys.”
Jonathan thought it was a good idea, so he agreed with Mabel''s suggestion.
Soon after, she took off for Eastsummer while Jonathan, hispanions, and Catherine headed for
Lostaria.
They boarded their flight for Lostaria at two that afternoon and touched down at six in the morning.
Due to the time difference, dawn broke over Lostaria upon their arrival in resplendent glory.
Then, the group took a cab to Divine Realm and arrived half an hourter.
Jonathan and hispanions headed straight for Chard Hall, where it was blissfully silent.
Beatrix was still asleep while Richard was seated atop his throne in meditation.
“We''re here, Master.” Jonathan and the others sank into a low bow before Richard.
Richard opened his eyes and nced at the neers before breaking into a smile. “You came quickly.
Have a seat.”
With a chorus of thanks, the group took their seats.
Before they could speak, Richard began, “I have a rough idea of why you came so urgently to see me.
You want to know why Divine Emperor summoned you back suddenly, don''t you?”
“We wondered,” Jonathan and the others admitted.
Richard sighed softly. “I don''t see any harm in telling you this. That''s because there will be a new master
joining the ranks in Divine Realm in three days.”