755 I Hope You Like I
Sean’s words immediately created a massive stir within the palace.
The human emperor was the monarch of the human race during the war among species. Right when the human race was on the verge of being wiped out, he led the human army into battle and ensured the survival of the entire race. Furthermore, during the several decades in which he ruled, the human race continued to grow stronger until it was a force to be reckoned with even in the context of the entire Norland Continent.
It was exactly because of this that he was revered as the human emperor, and his sword was an extremely renowned one that had even slain giant dragons in the past.
Following his death, it was said that his Crimson Flame Sword had been lost in the Scorching Flame Pond. Countless people had ventured into the pond at the risk of their lives, but none of them had been able to find this legendary sword.
All of the past kings of the human race wanted to find this sword, but no one was able to succeed.
However, it had been found by Sean, and was being offered to the king as a birthday present. This was indeed quite a monumental offering.
All of the representatives of the different races wore rather strained expressions. At the sight of this sword, many of them were reminded of the human emperor. If it weren’t for him, the humans would be easy prey for them right now.
“The Crimson Flame Sword!”
The king’s eyes also lit up as he slowly rose to his feet. He accepted the sword from Sean, and a hint of color appeared on his wizened cheeks, making him appear as if he had suddenly become many years younger.
He had once fought on the borders of the kingdom before; he didn’t think that he would be able to obtain this Crimson Flame Sword at such an old age. A warm sensation flowed relentlessly into his body from the hilt of the sword as if he was holding a ball of fire rather than a sword. He was even struck by the impulse to challenge someone to a battle.
All kings wanted to become the next human emperor.
In the past several decades, the most flattering compliments to him were when he was being compared to the human emperor.
Now, the human emperor’s sword was in his hand, the human race was as powerful as ever, and representatives from all races had to attend his birthday. A sense of pride and exhilaration suddenly welled up in Andre’s heart.
He held the sword and inspected it for a long while before turning to Sean as he praised, “This is a fantastic sword.”
“I’m glad you like it, Father.” A hint of elation flashed in Sean’s eyes as he accepted the sword and placed it back onto the platter before sitting down again. From the king’s reaction, it appeared that this was the perfect present, and it was worth all the time and effort he had expended searching for it.
All of the officials from Sean’s faction naturally took this opportunity to shower Sean with praise, trying to present him as a model son as well as a man with ambition and drive.
Mag was also looking at the Crimson Flame Sword. If it had indeed been in the Scorching Flame Pond, which was entirely filled with lava, for close to 1,000 years without even changing shape, then it really was an extraordinary sword. The king was also clearly very pleased with this present, and it appeared that this was most likely the best present that was going to be offered today.
“Nice one, Brother!” Yuri clapped his hands with an expression of awe on his face, but he quickly adopted a confident look as he said, “But even the Crimson Flame Sword isn’t as good as my present.”
“What present did you prepare, Mushroom Head?” Irina asked with a curious expression.
“It’s a secret.” Yuri shook his head and refused to say anything.
“You sure have a lot of secrets, you little brat.” A dangerous look flashed in Irina’s eyes.
“I’m only keeping it a secret so it’ll be a surprise!” Yuri’s self-preservation instincts were blaring.
Irina withdrew her hand as she nodded, and said, “Alright, but if it’s not fun, you know what’s waiting for you.”
“It’s fun for sure.” Yuri was full of confidence.
Josh’s expression was rather strained. He had been searching for the Crimson Flame Sword as well, but was unable to find it. Never had he thought that Sean would secure it before him.
He had thought that Mag’s spectacular display was guaranteed to make him the star of the show, but he wasn’t that confident anymore.
After the Crimson Flame Sword was taken away by the servant, another loud announcement immediately followed. “His Highness, the second prince, will now be offering his present!”
Josh rose to his feet, and another servant holding a platter covered by a red cloth strode into the palace.
“What kind of treasure will His Highness offer?”
“His Highness, the first prince, already set the bar very high with the Crimson Flame Sword. I’m not sure any present will be able to match it.”
All of the officials craned their necks as they looked on with curious expressions.
Josh removed the red cloth, and a faint silver light radiated from the platter. There was a round ball of ice sitting on the platter, and a silver lingzhi mushroom was hovering right at the center of the ball. The mushroom was shimmering with faint silver light as if it had a life of its own.
“Father, this is the Ten-Thousand-Year Year Snow Lingzhi Mushroom that I sent people to source from the glacial lands of the north. Snow lingzhi mushrooms will only occasionally appear below glaciers, and consuming a Ten-Thousand-Year Year Snow Lingzhi Mushroom can extend one’s lifespan and is very beneficial for one’s health,” Josh introduced with a serious expression.
Normal snow lingzhi mushrooms were already extremely valuable items, able to clear out countless toxins from one’s body following consumption, thereby enhancing one’s health and extending their lifespan.
In contrast, a Ten-Thousand-Year Year Snow Lingzhi Mushroom was simply unheard of, and it was surely a priceless treasure.
All of the officials’ eyes lit up upon seeing this. Most of the officials here were over 50 years of age, and who wouldn’t want to live a few more years? If one were to consume that mushroom, it would almost be sure to add a few years to their lifespan.
The king glanced at the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lingzhi Mushroom, and nodded as he said, “Thank you for your thoughtful present, Josh.”
If it weren’t for the fact that the Crimson Flame Sword had already been presented to him, the Ten-Thousand-Year Year Snow Lingzhi Mushroom would undoubtedly have been a splendid present.
However, compared to the Crimson Flame Sword, it seemed a lot more ordinary.
Josh nodded before taking a seat. He had spent a lot of money to secure this Ten-Thousand-Year Year Snow Lingzhi Mushroom, yet it hadn’t evoked much of a reaction from the king; that was quite a depressing notion for him.
Let me see if a chef or the Crimson Flame Sword is more important in Father’s heart! Sean turned to Josh with undisguised triumph in his eyes.
The king’s reaction was witnessed by all of the officials present, and it was quite clear that Sean’s present was superior to Josh’s.
“His Highness, the third prince, will now be offering his present!”
The procession continued.
None of the officials were very interested in seeing what was going to be offered. The third prince did indeed offer a present every year for the king’s birthday, but there was no creativity to his presents year after year. It was most likely the case that he would be presenting a wooden carving again, and he was most likely going to pull it straight out of his pocket too.
To this carpentry-addict of a third prince, nothing in this world was more valuable than his wooden carvings, so his presents never changed.
Yuri rose to his feet with a solemn and serious expression.
Four servants strode into the palace, using two thick wooden logs to carry a large box that appeared to be about a cubic meter in volume. The box was also covered by a red cloth, and from the strain on the faces of the servants, it appeared that it was quite heavy.
“What’s that?!”
The officials were starting to become rather intrigued now. The mass and weight of this present far outstripped that of all of the previous birthday presents offered to the king by Yury in the past.
“Father, it took me a full six months to craft this present for you. I hope you’ll like it.” Yuri strode over to the box before unveiling it.