One-Eyed Monster

Igor’s question wasn’t really a complex one; for King Kayne, it wasn’t even a question.

A troubled young man seeking guidance is hardly a concern for a king.

”Do you want to know what to do?” Harry Kayne asked. He had quite an impression of Igor; he felt that he could see shadows of their younger selves in this young man.

”Yes, I’m very confused right now. I don’t know what to do or how to move forward!” Igor replied.

”This is not just your problem; we are all confused and don’t know what to do.” The king said this in a way that somewhat dampened spirits, but it seemed Kayne didn’t mind.

”Why is everyone in such a state, Your Majesty? You have to show us a path!” Igor continued to plead, placing all his hope on this king.

”As a king, I should point the way for you; that’s what a leader is supposed to do. When to advance, when to retreat—this is my duty,” Harry Kayne said, gradually stirring the emotions of everyone present.

Igor listened intently, feeling his spirits rise with King Kayne’s narrative.

This was the motivational effect of a politician, a sentiment Igor hadn’t immediately grasped, attributing it to King Kayne’s charisma.

After this experience, Harry Kayne felt many things had turned upside down. He realized that not everything was fixed; sometimes, a bit of risk is necessary. Although risk might seem irresponsible to his subordinates, at times like this, walking an unconventional path was inevitable.

”We are facing what we are unfamiliar with. The unknown constantly troubles us. Our ability to stand firm here is already an extraordinary feat.”

Indeed, as King Kayne said, it’s quite miraculous that the Kayne Empire could maintain its original state.

The entire continent was in chaos. The Ghost Realm was engulfed in war, with numerous Wind Chasers proclaiming themselves kings, constantly battling each other. Meanwhile, the Wensi Empire appeared to be occupied by the Gaoju Family, but the Vero People wouldn’t surrender easily. Queen Wensi hid with her remaining followers, plotting a comeback. During this time, several uprisings occurred in the Wensi Empire, all orchestrated by Queen Wensi.

These two empires were in utter turmoil, having long lost their original semblance and becoming quite disheveled.

The Kayne Empire, however, maintained its original structure, which was quite surprising.

”We are always on a path of exploration. Facing the unknown, facing enemies, all we can do is speculate and continue to try. This adventure might bring us losses, but I think it is the only way to protect what we cherish.”

King Kayne was like making a call to action, although his words were merely to open Igor’s mind.

Everyone felt fervent and believed that everything was worthwhile. For the entire Kayne Empire, for their homeland, they were willing to make sacrifices.

”So, we must walk an unknown path!”

”Exactly, the path of an adventurer is always unknown!” said King Kayne.

Igor felt a bit enlightened. The king’s words seemed very logical, yet he still didn’t grasp the mystery within.

”Facing the unknown, we must explore, not evade or fear. Only by confronting it will you understand what these unknowns truly are,” King Kayne continued.

At that moment, Igor saw King Kayne as a mentor, recounting tales of adventurers.

This was experience—a dialogue between a seasoned adventurer and a novice entering the world of exploration.

This exchange was crucial for Igor, as he had been finding his way alone for so long. Even his mentor, Hadi, was an elder who had distanced himself from the adventurer’s world. Though Teacher Hadi’s advice spared Igor some detours, it lacked impact during the toughest times.

Now, King Kayne’s narrative felt like a timely support to Igor, something very beautiful, making him somewhat intoxicated.

This was a sharing of experience, rapidly helping Igor sense what it felt like to be an adventurer, a feeling difficult to describe.

”We’re constantly on the road. Adventurers occupy a noble profession; they help people understand the unknown, guiding them away from detours, sacrificing themselves.”

”Such sacrifices bring us peace,” others nearby praised in unison.

”We’re always on the road…” Igor pondered over this phrase, and it gave him profound inspiration. It wasn’t the first time he heard it; he often heard it from Teacher Hadi as well.

Adventurers must be on the road, endlessly exploring, constantly discovering new things—a fact known to all.

With insights received, Igor knew what to do now.

Even if confusion swirled in his mind, even amid chaos, there now existed some direction.

The direction was on the road; simply getting back on the road was the solution.

Igor now understood what he needed to do.

Everyone has their direction; as an adventurer, he has his own understanding. He feels that adventurers should take the exploration of new things as their duty.

Never has he thought his profession was grand, nor believed there was nobility in his choice.

Igor only feels he is pursuing a kind of will originating from within himself. This will is a voice from his heart.

Now, this voice tells him to keep moving forward, even if the road ahead is unclear, he mustn’t stop.

Looking at King Kayne, Igor felt he had found a direction.

King Kayne spoke many words, but Igor only remembered a few specific sentences, words that guided him forward, enough to firm his resolve.

The most frequent word in King Kayne’s speech was ’protect.’

The purpose of exploration is protection; this was the crux of King Kayne’s message, helping Igor understand what responsibility means.

The reason for his confusion was, in fact, responsibility. This responsibility seemed nonexistent, yet in Igor’s heart, he knew it well.

To protect what he treasures, this is his responsibility…

Protection requires re-exploration, demands getting back on the road.