Above The Sky
Chapter 112 - 112 104 Great Trouble 310

112: Chapter 104 Great Trouble (3/10) 112: Chapter 104 Great Trouble (3/10) “Do not underestimate the opponent, Ian,”

When the boy shared his thoughts with Hiliard, he saw his teacher slightly shaking his head, “It’s not that simple—even if it has nothing to do with me, you, as a young Spirit Energy User, will certainly draw their attention.”

“Huh?”

Ian did not quite understand now, frowning slightly, he pondered, “But such attention should be a good thing, shouldn’t it?

He should be trying to investigate my daily life to confirm whether I am as talented as Viscount Grant described—I will soon understand the truth.”

“You’re oversimplifying it.”

The old knight shook his head meaningfully, “You know that The Empire officially compiles a list of ordinary people with the qualifications of Sublimators and Spirit Energy Users and allows local nobles or official organizations to bestow favors upon them, giving them inheritance, and then keeps these power holders in their own hands.”

Having said that, Hiliard pointed out a fact, “Do you think, with your talent, you wouldn’t attract the attention of even greater figures?”

“What do you think would’ve happened to you if Viscount Grant hadn’t been your ‘Instructor’ in name?”

Ian’s eyes widened.

The old knight continued, “You would’ve been taken to study Spirit Energy at the Royal Academy of True Knowledge in the Imperial Capital…

while also being studied.

That’s not a good thing, unless you’re a true nobleman’s son; otherwise, it’s definitely not a good thing.”

“It’s not just that.

If you leave Harrison Port, this frontier of The Empire, before you are mature, do you think you can hide from those truly powerful Sublimators that you are, in fact, a Sand Armor Apprentice Practitioner?”

“Of course, these are minor issues.

Ian, with your intelligence and wit, I believe you can resolve any trouble you encounter.”

After a sigh, Hiliard straightened up and spoke leisurely, “But what about Elan?

Do you think they would let a ten-year-old boy live with his little brother?”

“Even if possible, is that the life you want?”

Ian narrowed his eyes.

“Ian…

this Inspectorate Envoy is a big trouble.”

The old knight looked in the direction of Elan’s room, murmuring softly to himself, “Not just for us.”

“But for all the people of Harrison Port as well.”

Ian nodded.

“Indeed.” He looked up, gazing out onto the deserted street, the young boy softly stated, “A huge trouble,”

…

In recent times, Harrison Port, which had been tranquil for quite a long period, was facing a disturbance.

The Empire’s Inspectorate Envoy, often referred to as the ‘Melodious’ Royal Knight, Weges Gral, arrived at Harrison Port.

Some said that he was an emissary from the Imperial Capital to inspect the reconstruction progress of Harrison Port, responsible for determining subsequent support.

Others whispered that it was a deep and dark political struggle, and what ordinary people saw was just a fraction of the true picture.

But no matter how much everyone speculated and analyzed, after meeting with Viscount Grant, Governor of Harrison Port, Melodious Knight indeed secured the freedom of movement, the full authority to inspect.

It might sound ordinary, but in truth, the process through which an Inspector Knight obtained his due Authority was never smooth sailing.

No noble would ever allow an outsider to so freely examine every secret within their territory, even if that person came bearing the Imperial Emperor’s mandate, they would never make it comfortable for the enforcer.

But after a secretive meeting, Viscount Grant readily agreed to all the demands of the Inspector Knight, and even requested that his trusted man, the local Security Officer and City Defense Officer, Aam Knight, follow and assist the latter in his duties.

Some may think that this was Viscount Grant’s way of restraining the other party’s actions, but in fact, Aam Knight was merely accompanying in name.

An Inspectorate Envoy could move about freely without any supervision.

This was indeed big news, but to ordinary people, the struggles of the upper echelons were beyond their comprehension and concern, and the appearance of the Melodious Knight did not affect their lives, so it was soon forgotten.

However, for those who understood the structure of Empire officials and the Sublimator ranks more deeply, the existence of a Second Energy Level Peak Inspector Knight was a signal on its own.

On the Terra Continent, there are five echelons of Sublimators, originating from the legend of the Seven Steps of the Heavenly Father creating the Stairway to Heaven.

The reason why there are no seven echelons of Sublimators is that above the fifth echelon’s ‘True Form’—the Master Throne—lies the sixth level of the Stairway to Heaven, ‘Gnosis,’ which represents the gods; and the seventh level, ‘Logos,’ represents The Creator.

Those are divine thrones not meant to be surpassed by mere mortals.

The goal of a Sublimator is to incarnate the Dao of Logos within their own being.

Yet, to date, no one has achieved this—since the event of Heavenfall, no one has ventured into the sixth level of ‘Crown of Stars,’ and the mightiest among them only possess the ‘Iron Authority’ of the Fifth Energy Level.

The First Energy Level is known as ‘Enlightenment’ on present-day Terra Continent.

At this level, one already obtains privileges, joining the military as an officer, or being viewed as a strong being in adventures and explorations.

At sea, they are captains; in the mountains, they are Beast Kings; they are the epitome of ‘Warriors,’ and no nation would hinder a Sublimator from becoming a citizen of their country unless the individual had a notorious reputation or was suspected to be a spy from another country.

The Second Energy Level, ‘Radiance,’ is the foundation of nobility.

Only upon reaching the Second Energy Level can one inherit a title, enjoy the privileges of nobility, and only at this level is one regarded as a ‘Philosopher,’ becoming an elite in various fields, respected by everyone.

And the Third Energy Level, ‘Heart Light,’ is quite simple.

The powerful at the Third Energy Level have the strength of legends’ ‘Heroes’—they can lift boulders as large as hills, cut through rushing rivers and have awakened their Spirit Energy, possessed of a shining soul visible to the naked eye.

They are masters of combat, and even in death, their souls don’t immediately depart, able to fight on by taking refuge in their Heart Light Body, and their Bloodline can be passed on to their descendants, bestowing a ‘title’ that can be carried forward.

They are true Great Knights, commanders in the military.

In some smaller countries, beings of this energy level are even revered as national advisers, Sages, wielding enough influence to control the nation’s authority in the shadows, or even serving as its king.

And the Imperial Inspectorate Envoy, the Melodious Knight Weyges, is indeed a warrior at the Peak of the Second Energy Level, who might be just one simple ritual of ‘Royal Bestowment of Magic Potion’ away from the Third Energy Level!

“He has come here surely to establish his merits!”

In the city center, at the Viscount’s Mansion.

Inside the study, Viscount Grant paced the length of his territory like an incensed lion.

Aam Knight and Fiscal Officer Lamar stood by, one looking at the report in his hand, the other at the pocket watch, waiting for their lord’s next instruction.

At that moment, Viscount Grant spoke in a deep voice, with a sense of crisis, “The Inspector Knights answer directly to the royal family, and are the elite among the elite selected from the military forces of various regions—where do you find any at the Second Energy Level?

They are all great knights of the Third Energy Level!”

“Even if there are occasionally those below the Third Energy Level, they are but ceremonially gilded by higher-ups—just like my father used to be!”