We Are Not Monsters

In the chaotic stone forest of piled boulders, Tito carefully packed the copied bone tablets into his backpack and suddenly turned to Old Stone Helm.

He had heard the words of the Abyss Kingdom's Prawn Knight, and only he and Old Stone Helm had entered this place.

"Are they talking about you?"

Without waiting for Old Stone Helm's answer, Tito affirmed, "You are the previous king of the Abyss Kingdom?"

Tito had been speculating about Old Stone Helm's identity all along. Now, he recalled what the other had said before, including the phrase "finally back," which further confirmed his identity.

"You also mentioned that you are the great-grandfather of the lord of the Sal Domain."

"If that's the case, you're not just their king but also the founding king who established this kingdom."

Old Stone Helm neither admitted nor denied it.

Tito stood up, truly realizing the identity of the aged Person of the Abyss before him.

He felt incredibly shocked. He never thought this person was actually a king, the founding king of a dynasty.

Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, he had not only been banished by his own people but also driven from the throne by his own children and former subjects.

The reason for his exile was not due to food shortages or the inability to sustain a large population. It was because he had grown old, yet still sat upon the throne.

Old Stone Helm's expression was somewhat nonchalant. "Even Redlichia, who once started everything, ultimately met a tragic end in his later years."

"The indomitable King Yesael also perished miserably in the Deep Sea Abyss."

"Prosperity has faded, leaving only ashes behind."

"Compared to them, what do my bit of glory and pain amount to?"

Tito couldn't see Old Stone Helm's expression, but he could hear the vicissitudes in his words.

He, too, once had a legendary story and sat upon the throne.

Tito couldn't help but wonder: When Old Stone Helm stood on the high platform of Yesael City, declaring to all the People of the Abyss that they were no longer monsters and would establish a kingdom, did he ever imagine that he would fall into such a plight in his old age?

More and more Abyss Kingdom soldiers gathered, searching for their traces among the underwater vegetation and broken stones.

Old Stone Helm dragged Tito, accurately seizing the opportunity to evade these people's search and circle around in another direction.

Tito asked Old Stone Helm, "Knowing the danger here, why did you still come?"

Old Stone Helm looked at Tito. "Knowing that seeking the God-Given Land will lead to death, why do you still search for it?"

The old man turned his head and continued walking.

"You are searching for the God-Given Land, while I am searching for an answer."

"We are both willing to pay the price for it."

Tito was stunned, then a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

He finally felt that Old Stone Helm was truly a kindred spirit.

The two managed to evade the encirclement of the search party. It was evident that Old Stone Helm was extremely familiar with this area, knowing precisely how the patrolling soldiers would move and how to avoid them.

Due to the sudden chaos, these patrolling soldiers were constantly being gathered to that area of rubble, making it easier for them to pass through the waters of Yesael City.

Tito speculated whether this was also part of Old Stone Helm's calculations. After all, he was once a king.

They hugged the base of Yesael City and the seabed, circling past the soldiers above, staying just in the blind spot below everyone's line of sight.

However, just as they were about to leave the controlled territory of the Abyss Kingdom, hundreds of People of the Abyss suddenly arrived from the higher waters, surrounding the blind poet and Old Stone Helm.

The other party seemed to have anticipated their arrival and was waiting here.

"Father," a voice called out. "You've returned."

A tall Person of the Abyss wearing a black crown stepped forward, his figure imposing and powerful, a strong aura coming off him in waves.

Old Stone Helm looked at him and sighed.

"Let us pass. I did not return to reclaim the throne."

"I also do not wish to go to war with you."

However, the King of the Abyss Kingdom shook his head. "Father, you know the rules. You were the one who set them."

"You told me that this world is cruel."

"As king, for the sake of the kingdom and the survival of all, one can sacrifice anyone."

"You told me that the People of the Abyss need a strong and enterprising king to lead everyone into the future."

He continued, "You also said, 'Only one person can sit on the throne, and there can only be one king in the royal city.'"

"And now, you have stepped into the king's domain."

Old Stone Helm fell silent for a long time before speaking.

"Rules are set by people," he said. "And people can change."

Old Stone Helm laughed. "Perhaps the rules I set back then were wrong?"

However, the young king would not buy it. He only believed in the truth he had heard in his youth.

He only believed in the words spoken by the powerful king, not the words of a decrepit old man.

"Then let what's wrong become right. A king does not make mistakes."

All the Abyss Kingdom soldiers made way, surrounding the two but with no one stepping forward.

These soldiers only prevented the old king from entering the city. However, since he had already set foot within the royal city's domain, they had to follow the rules of the Abyss Kingdom.

The new king and the old king must wage the war between kings.

The victor becomes the king; the loser is expelled.

One old and one young engaged in battle, just as they had once fought for the throne.

Neither of their powers of wisdom had evolved through the pollen of the Sun Cup Flower, so they were not of much use in actual combat. In the end, they still relied on the powerful physique of the People of the Abyss and the wisdom of battle.

Everyone expected that since the young king had defeated the old king before, he would undoubtedly do so again this time.

However, beyond everyone's imagination, the young king was at a disadvantage from the very beginning.

The young king was stronger and more powerful, but Old Stone Helm's combat skills were more refined. He was familiar with the young king's every move and technique, easily evading and countering.

In a matter of moments, Old Stone Helm knocked the young king to the ground with a single blow, the impact even shaking the crown loose from his head.

He swung his arm like a spear, piercing into the gaps of the young king's armor, but suddenly stopped.

With a slight exertion of force, he could have killed this rebellious son and reclaimed his throne.

Yet, he withdrew his hand.

Only then did the young king realize that when he had challenged his father for the throne, his father had let him ascend.

"Why?" The young king didn't understand. Why would his father do this?

Why not kill a son who defied him, a treacherous minister who dared to challenge the authority of the king?

Old Stone Helm looked at his son. "We are not a group of monsters, child."

"We, too, were once people. We also once had the love of God and King Redlichia, residing beneath the temple of the gods."

"As people, we naturally cannot live like monsters."

The son looked utterly confused. "I don't understand what you're saying."

Old Stone Helm replied, "Someday, you will."

With that, Old Stone Helm turned and left.

He gave up the chance to reclaim the throne because it held no meaning for him.

Old Stone Helm and the blind poet left Yesael City, heading towards that bottomless Deep Sea Abyss.