Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 317: Chapter 317: High King Trenovar

Chapter 317 – High King Trenovar

"How did you find your way into one of my dreams, little snake?"

The question echoed eerily through the silent tavern, the only other sound being the man’s cleaning of a counter already so spotless it gleamed brightly.

Cassius took a couple of seconds to fully absorb the question, though it only left him more confused.

Ananke had said this was simply a Memory Fragment, one where he’d witness something. Not enter any "dream," or speak with...who exactly was this man?

’Queen?’ He called out internally, slowly shifting to face the man, unease creeping through him, ’Queen??’

No response came from her at all.

’What is—!’

"Your goddess won’t answer." The man said again, still not looking at him, still cleaning as though he did it purely out of habit, with no real goal behind it, "So you can save your energy and stop calling for her."

Cassius’s eyes narrowed, unease deepening, "Why? Why can’t I reach her?"

"Because I don’t want her presence here." The handsome man replied with a chuckle, finally lifting his head to look at Cassius, "But I must admit, I’m intrigued someone finally wandered into one of my dreams. I’d assumed those puny gods and Holders had destroyed all my little fragments, and my True Legacy along with them."

"Are you High King Trenovar?"

"So you’ve heard of me." The High King’s smile widened, "Fantastic. Shall I assume you came here seeking...my reward?"

Cassius nodded cautiously. This man behaved like anyone he might pass on the street, yet if he could deny a goddess’s presence in this place entirely, then he was every bit what Ananke had implied.

The High King noticed his unease easily and chuckled, amused. People always reacted this way around him, even before he became what people called the High King.

He never quite understood why. Then again, some people, they said, were simply born for greatness.

The only person he could recall who hadn’t acted this way, on their first meeting, was his precious adopted son, Kaden.

’My...where is that boy now? Still dying and reviving, spinning off new timelines? I wish I could access this world’s Recorded memories, just to catch his latest trace. I hope he hasn’t done anything reckless again.’

He shook his head slightly, a touch of sadness in the motion, thinking of that son whose suffering surpassed anything most could imagine.

Refocusing with an inward sigh, he studied the hesitant young man before him. He tilted his head, deciding to savor the moment.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen anyone at all.

"How about a drink, little snake?" He offered gently, gesturing toward the bar behind him, lined with countless drinks, "No need to worry, everything here is free."

"Free?" Cassius said slowly, "For everyone?"

"Yes, for everyone."

Cassius glanced around, "Doesn’t look particularly crowded, despite that."

The High King chuckled, "Because where I come from, ’free’ is often worse than anything else. You know the quote from that annoyingly lovesick fool? ’If the product is free, you are the product’?"

"Are you talking about The Fool?" Cassius perked up instantly, sitting straighter, "You know him?"

"Oh, you’re quite the fan, I see."

"I am!"

"My. That man really is remarkably good at being liked." The High King said, smiling, "But yes, little snake, I do know him. I met him once. We come from different ages, but with me, anything’s possible."

"Really? How did you meet him?" Cassius asked, deeply curious. The very fact the High King called him a "lovesick fool" meant he knew, at minimum, the true version of the Tales of the Fool.

To Cassius, that felt extraordinary. He’d been wondering how to obtain more of that content and why the two versions differed so drastically.

"Before that," the High King said, "A drink?"

"I don’t drink alcohol."

"I have fruit juice. My best, little snake, is called Bouyebissap."

Cassius tilted his head, "...what’s that?"

"Oh?" The High King exclaimed, smile widening further, "You don’t know it? Which means you’re not from the Sand Silver Continent. And you don’t look like you’re from the Dark Continent either, you look too soft and too frail. Not the Hidden Continent, either. So, let me guess...Khatab Continent?"

The Last Born nodded, "Yes."

"Interesting. Then you must know of the Paleor."

"Paleor?" Cassius repeated, confused, "What’s that?"

"You don’t know that either?" High King Trenovar was genuinely surprised now, muttering under his breath, "Strange. I’d have thought people would be far more concerned about an enemy made to devour and destroy their entire continent. Mortals these days, so careless."

Cassius didn’t quite catch the mutter, but it was clear this was information he was meant to have.

He filed the question away, hoping to remember to ask Ananke about it later. The High King finished preparing the Bouyebissap and sat across from him.

Up close, Cassius realized the man was even more handsome than he’d first thought. Absurdly, ridiculously handsome.

The Last Born was certain the High King was far more beautiful than he was. A strange feeling, that.

He hesitated a moment before tasting the juice, unsure if it was safe. But refusing hospitality from a being like this seemed like a reckless move.

So he took a sip, trusting his Adaptation would handle anything that went wrong.

The taste, thankfully, wasn’t bad at all. It was a unique flavor.

"I know you want to hear more about that fool, but," he rested his right cheek against his palm, the red cloth still draped over his left shoulder, "I don’t think you have much time left here. Look at yourself."

Cassius did, and saw his body growing transparent. Understanding dawned instantly.

"You obtained one of my Memory Fragments, one I infused with a trace of my power to allow a face-to-face meeting with whoever found it. And you’re not bad company, little snake." He smiled, "If you have questions, ask them now, before it’s too late."

Pressed for time, Cassius shed his remaining nervousness, recognizing this as a rare chance to gain real knowledge of the world.

"Am I limited in how many questions I can ask?"

"As many as you can fit before your time runs out."

His crimson eyes sharpened with focus, "First, how did you meet The Fool, if you weren’t in the same timeline, the same age?"

"Through dreams."

"What age are you from?"

"The Age of the Second Revelation." The High King replied, "I was among what people called the Old Conquerors."

Cassius’s eyes widened slightly, "So you were part of that Age’s Golden Generation?"

"Exactly, little snake."

Cassius fell silent for a heartbeat, genuinely not having expected that. Someone who’d reached the level of godhood, once part of a Golden Generation, just like his own.

’This Generation matters more than I realized.’

He shook his head, noticing his body fading faster now. He opened his mouth, choosing to ask the most critical question first,

"I’m sorry if I’m overstepping, but do you know the goddess Sleeping Beauty?"

High King Trenovar arched an eyebrow, "From the Eternal Kingdom?"

Cassius nodded eagerly, "Yes! Exactly her! So you know her??"

"I do. Better than you’d probably guess."

"How?"

"I was Adonis’s closest friend." High King Trenovar said with a wide smirk, "The most beautiful mortal the world will ever witness. So beautiful he became the Blessed of countless goddesses."

"...how many are we talking about?"

"More than thirty. He stopped counting after a while."

"A member of the Golden Generation too?"

"Yes, of course. Adonis came from the Hidden Continent. Don’t ask me where that is, I won’t tell you."

"Argh." Cassius groaned, "how does any of this relate to you knowing Sleeping Beauty..."

His voice trailed off as understanding hit him, lips twitching, "...she was one of the goddesses blessing him?"

The High King chuckled, "She was. And rather intense about it, considering she was only ever awake for a limited window of time and wanted to...enjoy him fully while she could. My. So, what’s your actual question?"

"I just want something useful, in case I hypothetically ever find myself face to face with her." Cassius smiled sheepishly.

"Hypothetical, right?"

"Purely hypothetical, sir."

"Then in that hypothetical scenario, little snake, assuming you’re a good liar..."

"I’m about as close as a snake gets to a human."

"...tell her you’re Adonis’s Chosen One." The High King said, "That should solve your problem, assuming she believes you enough."

"But how would I prove that?"

"You’re speaking with Adonis’s best friend right now." The High King grinned, "This is the first time I’ve spoken to anyone since...honestly, I can’t even recall. So I’ll give you the standard reward for anyone who reaches me, plus an additional one, as thanks for the pleasure of your visit."

Cassius beamed. He’d expected simple information, but this exceeded anything he’d hoped for.

"What are the rewards?" He asked eagerly, sensing only a handful of seconds remained.

"The standard reward is the True Memory Fragment." He chuckled, "What you’re experiencing right now is simply my ability pulling you into one of my dreams. Loneliness is a curse, little snake."

Cassius listened closely, nodding.

"If you have any power or artifact tied to dreams and memory, it’ll amplify this, and the two will strengthen each other in turn. You’ll understand more once the System explains it fully."

The Last Born immediately thought of his Seed of the World Tree. Finally, he could begin cultivating it properly.

High King continued, "The additional reward is a Characteristic of Adonis’s."

"Characteristic?" Cassius’s eyes flew wide.

"Yes. One I created after his eyes were gouged out by an obsessive goddess who couldn’t stand him looking at other women."

Cassius shivered. And that was when he felt himself truly beginning to fade.

He glanced hastily at the High King, still smiling, "You’ll regain consciousness with both rewards in hand. It’s been a rather enjoyable meeting, little snake."

Now, Cassius couldn’t hold back one final question.

"Why do you call me little snake?"

"You smell like one." He replied simply.

Only 5 seconds remained. Cassius used the window to offer his thanks,

"Thank you for answering my questions and for these rewards, High King Trenovar. I won’t forget this." He smiled, "It was a pleasure meeting you."

The High King chuckled, "Just find another one of my Memory Fragments, or my True Legacy, if they haven’t been destroyed, somewhere on the Silver Sand Continent, and we’ll meet again."

"I’ll make sure to." He nodded, then, "Oh, and I nearly forgot to introduce myself..."

Cassius smiled brightly.

"...my name is Cassius Desdemona. Nice to meet you, High King Treno—!"

And he vanished before finishing, leaving the High King behind, eyes wide, utterly stunned.

"Cassius...Desdemona? Wait...Desdemona? Cassius? Noah? Fucking hell, Kaden, you damned son! You actually did it?!!!"

—End of Chapter 317—