novelonline Chapter 3879 The Clown's Past
Chapter 3879 The Clown's Past
Chapter 3879 The Clown's Past
That apple didn't belong to Ellie's [innocence], [connection], [luck], the "she" whispered in Shad's ear:
[You witnessed "The Apple of Destiny: Rebirth," the destiny of a vibrant restart of life.]
[Interpretation of Fate: This is a new beginning after the end. Withered trees sprout new leaves and scorched earth blossoms. No matter what happened in the past, the future still holds infinite possibilities.]
[Effect: The holder of this fate is immune to instant-death effects.]
"The Apple of Destiny".
Shad laughed, then explained the apple's symbolic meaning to Mr. Brooklyn and Claire. Mr. Brooklyn asked hesitantly:
Is this the child's destiny?
Shad looked at Ellie, who held the apple and shook her head:
"No! No! It's my apple, I've seen destiny! I've condensed the fruit! I've gained power!"
This is easy to understand. Ellie can see destiny under certain special circumstances and use it to condense it. Eating an apple that does not resonate with her allows Ellie to directly obtain a spirit rune.
This is similar to the runes that ring sorcerers gain after experiencing the world. It seems that this is a new skill that Ellie has mastered after becoming a chosen one of destiny. Her talent is simply too good.
The frozen fate could not be left to little Beren, so Shad told Ellie to keep it safe and told her not to eat the apple, since she shouldn't be able to obtain any more spirit runes for a while.
But Ellie handed the apple to Shad instead.
"Here you go! For the snow mountain! It will be useful to the snow mountain!"
Shad smiled and accepted the apple:
"Alright, I'll throw it off the [Saint's Cliff] in a bit."
Since Shad was going to retrieve the sword from the ruins with the doctor anyway, this was just something he did on the way.
Ellie nodded emphatically, then took Shad's hand again. Shad looked at the tiny figure in the crib once more, and then left with everyone else.
They stayed at the Church of Dawn for an hour, after which Claire took Ellie back to the Radiant Messenger. Shad knew that the little unicorn would definitely not like seeing Dr. Schneider.
Shad, on the other hand, took a shortcut to the snow-capped mountain by dropping the crystal shoe, going home, and then to Sylvia's Tower. He had expected to meet other people inside the tower, but there was no one there today, and Sylvia was preparing to return to Velendale.
With plenty of time before his appointment with the doctor, Shad flew towards "Peak of Destiny" at the entrance to the ruins, intending to drag the cat out to bask in the sun and pass the time. But as soon as he landed on Peak of Destiny, he saw three men wearing clown masks emerge from the entrance to the ruins.
The three men were startled to see Shad, then immediately bowed to him. Two of them walked past Shad and descended the mountain first, while Mr. Mortis, the remaining man, removed his mask and stood smiling under the blue sky and white clouds, saying to Shad:
“Mr. Watson, it’s a pleasure to meet you here. I was planning to go to Kyle Todd this afternoon or evening to say goodbye to you.”
"Are you leaving? But I remember you're a local."
Mr. Mortis nodded:
"Yes, I am a local. But after the Battle of Destiny, the troupe's leadership approved my application to be promoted to 'Masked Prophet,' and the troupe plans to create a new clown play based on the story of this Battle of Destiny, all of which require my participation."
Although my hometown is here, it's time to leave. This land nurtured me, but I can't stay forever.
Xia De expressed his understanding:
"Thank you for your help and performance in the story of destiny. You are a very good clown. Mr. Mortis, have a safe journey. I think there will be opportunities to meet again in the future."
"There will definitely be."
Mr. Mortis assured him, then removed his hat and bowed deeply to Shad:
"We first met because of the Demon Sword, and now we part ways on such a sunny day. Lord Summoner, thank you for your support and help over the past three months, and thank you for leading such an excellent drama."
"No need to be so polite. But before you leave, could you answer a question for me?"
"Please tell me."
"The Clown Troupe has been investigating things related to the 'mermaid.' What is their purpose? I asked you before, but you didn't answer then."
Mr. Mortis smiled and nodded, this time providing the answer:
"This matter involves the troupe's scandals, and it's a secret the cult is unwilling to discuss, but I won't hide it from you. In reality, it's not that we want to fight against such a dangerous, unknowable relic, but rather that the 'mermaid' has been haunting us from birth to death, from body to soul."
The troupe had no choice but to actively resist, which is why it appeared to outsiders that we were persistently investigating the 'mermaid.'
Xia De suddenly realized:
"I see. So the [Clown Troupe] offended it in the past?"
Mr. Mortis looked slightly embarrassed, but still replied:
"It wasn't about offending anyone; that happened a very ancient time, probably in the Third Age or even earlier. Back then, the theater troupe went astray; the clowns were performing those kinds of plays..."
His face held a strange expression, but he still forced himself to speak:
"According to current understanding, it was a vulgar play, but according to the materials I've reviewed, the plays performed by the clowns back then were blasphemous and absurd, extremely stimulating to people's spirit and soul, and could make people unconsciously addicted. Our predecessors went down the wrong path, and the troupe became a very dark entity."
Later, for reasons unknown, the troupe caught the interest of "The Little Mermaid," and so the troupe of that era eventually became subservient to "The Little Mermaid."
Shad blinked; this was something he hadn't expected at all.
"and after?"
"Later, the terrible Third Age ended, and the troupe, passed down from generation to generation, finally realized that they had gone astray. So the troupe tried to break away from the 'mermaids,' but the other side was unwilling to let us go easily."
Thus, the clown became a true clown, under the influence of that terrifying presence, believing he was fighting against it, when in fact he was being arranged by the merman to perform a series of horrific acts.
It involved love, bloodshed, lust, and more. That was the darkest era for the troupe, and even now, the troupe still warns the clowns to stay away from those dark plays. Fortunately, the 'Mermaid's' power weakened, and due to other reasons, the troupe barely escaped its control. But its influence on us has always remained; I even believe it's a curse placed upon us by the other side.
Xia De nodded in understanding:
"So, for a long period after the end of the Third Era, you have been actively accepting various challenges from the 'mermaids'?"
"Yes, perhaps it sees all our actions as a clown performance to please it. Of course, sometimes we need to carefully distinguish whether it is a performance or the ancient being using us to weave a conspiracy."
As Mr. Mortis spoke, he put on a mask and hat, and he extended his hand to Shad, who shook it.
“Mr. Watson, it is my greatest honor to know and perform on stage with someone like you. Although the Clown Troupe is not a large organization, I can promise that when you need help someday in the future, we will be there for you—because that will be the greatest drama.”
"Goodbye, Mr. Mortis. I hope we'll have new and interesting stories when we meet again."
So Shad stood atop the Peak of Destiny, watching Mr. Mortis descend the steps to say goodbye to his friend, the potions merchant, Mr. Sargent. This time, leaving his homeland, this "clown" didn't know when he'd have a chance to return, but Shad knew that even without becoming a chosen one, Mr. Mortis's future would surely be brilliant.
At the same time, Shad firmly believed that he and this "clown" would definitely meet again, after all, the story of Shad and the "mermaid" was not over yet.
"Every story ends with a parting. Not many people left after the Battle of Vistalin, but John Flynn and his group from the New World Mutual Aid Society, who wielded the Sword of the Wind King after the Battle of Moon Bay, had no contact with Moon Bay except for sending a postcard there at the end of the year."
Oh, and what about Megan and Audrey's relatives from the Edwards family? I wonder how they're doing lately.
Xia De's mind was filled with random thoughts, but he didn't enter the ruins; instead, he continued to wait. Since the Battle of Destiny, not only had the weather been getting better, but the temperature had also been steadily rising.
Today, Monday's temperature is at least five degrees warmer than last Monday's. However, Mount Fatumunst is high enough that the weather changes do not affect the summit. In fact, even during the hottest season in the area, the snow line remains above the mountainside.
With more than ten minutes left before his appointment with the doctor, Shad took out the [Rebirth] Destiny Apple again. The apple was faintly glowing in his hand, indicating that although Shad wasn't resonating with it, he could still borrow some of its power.
"Ellie's abilities are truly amazing."
Shad sighed, recalling Dorothy's elevated words, "Snow White plays the role of a victim, and is reborn amidst the dramatic changes of fate," which required the [Rebirth] rune.
If we keep this apple for Dorothy, we can probably write this spirit rune on it for her. But Ellie also said that the snow mountain needs "rebirth," and Shad believes that Dorothy will find her own "rebirth." So we'll have to throw this apple down the mountain later.
"Speaking of which, Luvia, Dorothy, Iluna, and Dr. Schneider have all confirmed their high-ring sublimation words. It seems that Lacia's high-ring sublimation word has not been confirmed yet, but she is also preparing to advance to the tenth ring. I wonder what fairy tale Lacia, who chose 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'The Little Mermaid' for the middle and low rings, will choose for her high ring."
P.S.: I should be able to finish this volume tomorrow.