"What are you talking about?" Baharo seemed agitated, ignoring his own pain and shouting at Kuyi Tulan.
To Baharo, Dastan was currently the hero in his heart, and he wouldn't tolerate anyone insulting him.
As for how Dastan became the hero in Baharo's heart, that story began with the fierce fight on the mountain.
However, Hector hadn't recovered from his injuries, Axia and Musa had been turned away at the door, and the only ones in the tavern who knew what had transpired were Baharo and Dastan. Yet, these two remained tight-lipped about the events on the mountain, showing no intention of reminiscing.
"I'm talking about my creation." Kuyi Tulan gently stroked the newly formed cage, which instantly turned a brilliant gold.
The brilliant gold color made Elder Rostellum's eyes nearly pop out of his head.
"You, a maggot of the Dark Arts, how dare you speak to one of The Seven Knights of Glory like that!" The rage in Baharo's heart had not subsided. He glared, his eyes wide and filled with fiery anger.
The Seven Knights of Glory! Rostellum was shocked once more. Although he didn't know exactly what had happened, the current situation made it clear he was embroiled in something very, very serious.
The title of The Seven Knights of Glory, if it were a decade or so ago, would have commanded passage anywhere in the Kayne Empire and garnered the reverence of throngs of admirers. However, in recent years, this title had been forgotten. Wandering Bards no longer sang of it in their songs, for to do so could invite deadly disaster, and no Wandering Bard would gamble with their own life.
Rather than being forgotten with the passage of time, the title of The Seven Knights of Glory was forcibly erased from memory by King Kayne's decree.
For some unknown reason, King Kayne had developed an intense aversion to The Seven Knights of Glory. He ordered all Politicians to draft plans to completely obliterate the name of The Seven Knights of Glory from the Empire.
In the official records of the Empire, one could no longer find any mention of The Seven Knights of Glory...
But glory always corresponds to sacrifice. On the Yowein Continent, where Equivalent Exchange is the rule, every sacrifice yields a corresponding return. Although the Empire did its utmost to purge all information related to The Seven Knights of Glory, the Crows would not refuse such news.
After all, The Seven Knights of Glory wielded power beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. This power, not possessed by common folk, was often used by the Crows as a bargaining chip in their dealings.
Thus, through the Crows' unique method of trading information, the name of The Seven Knights of Glory once again spread to every corner of the Empire.
"You're right. The Dark Arts cannot be compared to our Dastan," Kuyi Tulan said leisurely, caressing the Golden Cage.
"Hmph. Since I've already been caught by you, I won't ask for much. Just make it quick." Baharo's face was stern; he looked prepared for the worst.
Kuyi Tulan scoffed. "Make it quick...? What kind of person do you take me for? A Dark Wizard? A butcher? You must be joking!"
"Aren't you?" Baharo retorted, still glaring, unafraid of the impending unknown.
Never mind Baharo; even Elder Rostellum, standing to the side, believed these two captives of the Alchemy Workshop were likely doomed.
As a Politician, conjecturing, reasoning, and judging a matter was elementary. From the Alchemy Workshop's actions since their arrival at Guru Mountain, Elder Rostellum had deduced that Chief Kuyi Tulan was headstrong and merciless. The Chief's methods were also incredibly cruel, as evidenced by his recent order for Carmello to bring back these two prisoners. This clearly indicated that the Chief was a ruthless individual.
Therefore, Elder Rostellum believed that these two prisoners—be it the large human or the rabbit-like creature—had virtually no escape.
However, Elder Rostellum didn't quite understand the meaning behind Chief Kuyi Tulan's laugh.
"I am of the Alchemy Workshop, the right hand of the King, representing the shining light and following the brilliant stars. How could I be a Dark Wizard?" Kuyi Tulan suddenly adopted a solemn expression, and the air in the room instantly grew heavy.
"But you pursue immortality! That's a game only the Devil plays," Baharo retorted fiercely, unafraid of Kuyi Tulan's gaze.
"What I pursue is not the immortality you understand. The very existence of our entire Alchemy Workshop is but the desperate struggle of the weak to survive. What I intend to do is lead the entire Alchemy Workshop to survival and help the Empire continue to stand firm on this continent!" Kuyi Tulan raised his hands, his words brimming with fervent conviction.
The entire tavern fell silent. This was Kuyi Tulan's one-man show; it had been from the start, and it remained so.
If a group of alchemy apprentices had been present, they would undoubtedly have raised their arms and cheered at Kuyi Tulan's words.
"So, you use flesh and blood as stepping stones to achieve your dream of immortality?"
The solemn atmosphere was abruptly shattered by this statement, spoken plainly yet resonating with power.
The words brought a look of relief to Baharo's face, made Elder Rostellum frown, and caused Hector, who had been resting with his eyes closed, to open them.
The statement came from Dastan, the large rabbit, who had been silent all this time.
"Oh, Dastan, you still don't understand anything!" Kuyi Tulan turned his head, his eyes filled with regret.
"Kuyi Tulan, I once admired you. You were the Great Mentor's prized disciple, possessing astounding talent and a brilliant mind. You even had a shred of conscience and didn't plunge into the dark world. But now, you walk on the very edge of darkness…"
"There is no edge!" Kuyi Tulan interrupted Dastan. "Everything is about Equivalent Exchange. I am merely restoring the original equivalence, step by step."
"What you're researching are all Forbidden Spells! Has our fate not been enough to awaken you?"
"No! I pursue only arts that others cannot master. What you call Forbidden Spells are merely that—arts too difficult to master, sealed away by those self-righteous fools!" Kuyi Tulan grew more agitated as he spoke, and the Golden Cage beside him trembled.
"Then what about us? Were we meant to end up like this?" Dastan suddenly grew emotional, though he himself couldn't quite articulate the turmoil he felt.
"Your outcome was beyond my expectations. Perhaps this result stemmed from my excessive pursuit of efficacy." There was no hint of apology in Kuyi Tulan's eyes, only regret.
"So you truly are a complete bastard, Kuyi Tulan!" Dastan's emotions flared. His current monstrous form was entirely Kuyi Tulan's doing.
"No, Dastan, I'm not a bastard. I prolonged your lives. You should be thanking me, not cursing me. Only this way could you continue to survive. Even in a monstrous form, what you, Dastan, have left upon this Empire remains unchanged. The Seven Knights of Glory? That's just a title. Being elusive and unpredictable—that is the real you!"
"BAH!"
"What use is a body that persists if an aging hero cannot even hold a sword steady? His Majesty the King needs an indefatigable, valiant army! I need to ensure your mark on the Empire endures. This is the 'prolongation of life' I speak of!" Kuyi Tulan's eyes gleamed as he stared fixedly at Dastan.