Chronicles of the Hidden Crown: The System's Gentle Tyrant-Chapter 72: The Depths of the Codex - The Hidden Past

As the Codex page continued to flicker in midair, Kieran's eyes narrowed, his fingers resting lightly on the edges of the parchment. The symbols, now fully translated, seemed to pulse with an almost imperceptible rhythm, like a heartbeat. There was something unsettling about them, an eerie aura that hung thick in the Sanctum.

It wasn't just the content of the Codex that weighed heavily on Kieran's mind—it was the implications. Each line he deciphered felt like an unveiling of something far older than the world itself, and every step closer to understanding it felt like stepping deeper into an abyss.

"Spire of Screams..." Elira's voice broke through the heavy silence, her tone almost reverent, yet filled with a touch of dread. "This 'Spire' doesn't just seem to be a place—it's connected to the fabric of reality itself."

Kieran turned toward her, his expression still unreadable. "Yes, it's not merely an artifact of power; it's a nexus. A conduit. It holds influence not just over this world, but over others. And if it's awakened... it could bring about a flood of unimaginable destruction."

"What if it's already awake?" Talia's voice carried a certain sharpness, her mind racing with implications. "What if the cults are only just the vanguard of something much darker?"

Kieran took a deep breath, glancing down at the Codex page again. "That's the most dangerous part of this. These cults... they are mere tools. The true force behind them lies dormant, waiting for the Spire to awaken and give it form."

A soft sigh escaped Rhea's lips as she crossed her arms, her usual fiery demeanor subdued for the moment. "We've been too late in finding them. The cults are already at the threshold. They might even be feeding the Spire with energy, whether they realize it or not."

"That's why we must act quickly," Kieran said, his gaze steely and resolute. "The next steps are critical. We can't just blindly rush in and attack. We need to uncover the exact location of the Spire and secure the route there before the cults—or whatever forces they serve—make their move."

Elira stepped forward, her eyes sharp as ever. "We'll need information. I can deploy teams to the most likely locations. Old ruins, forgotten temples, any clues we can find in ancient libraries. This is bigger than just a few scattered cults. The Spire's influence is likely buried in layers of history. We'll have to peel back every layer carefully."

Kieran nodded, his thoughts already racing ahead. "We'll split our efforts. Elira, I'll leave the scouting and infiltration to you. Find the cults' key leaders. If we can take them out of the equation early, it will give us a tactical advantage."

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

"And I'll handle the frontlines," Rhea spoke up. "The cults won't be expecting us to strike directly, but I'll make sure they know we're coming."

"Don't forget," Yui's voice drifted from the shadows as she emerged, her tone light but serious. "The cults are not the only ones after the Spire. We've already seen hints of other organizations, perhaps older and more dangerous, pulling at the strings behind the scenes. Our enemies may not always be in front of us."

"I'll take care of the secret paths," Talia added, her voice heavy with purpose. "There's no telling how the Spire is hidden, but with the right tools and knowledge, we can uncover what others have missed."

The entire room fell silent for a moment, as Kieran's eyes flickered to each of the Crowns. They were ready. Their resolve was unshakable. But Kieran couldn't shake the feeling that they were only at the beginning of a far more complex, dangerous journey.

"The Codex speaks of the Spire's call," Kieran muttered. "And this is only the first piece of the puzzle."

The Forbidden Pages: The Unseen History

The Codex had been sealed for eons, locked away in places where no living soul could easily reach it. Now, however, Kieran had cracked open its ancient contents—each word a piece of the fragmented history of the world itself. But what the pages contained went far beyond the immediate concerns of the Hidden Crown.

The Codex itself had originated from a time long before the kingdoms, before even the magic that they now wielded. It was said to be written by the first beings who created this world—or perhaps by the first to awaken from the void that existed before the world came into being. These beings were not gods, but they were something close—transcendent, incomprehensible, their understanding of magic and power beyond mortal comprehension.

And the Spire of Screams was the key to understanding it all.

Kieran's fingers traced the edge of the page as the last symbols faded, and the Codex flickered. Beneath the revealed writing lay a hidden compartment, one that he had not anticipated. A soft, almost imperceptible sound filled the room—a clicking noise—as if a trap had been triggered.

The wall beside the Codex slid open, revealing a hidden alcove. Inside, a large, crystal-clear vial floated within a glass case. The vial shimmered with a bluish light, its surface swirling with something indistinct, something alive.

Kieran's breath caught in his throat as he stepped forward, reaching out instinctively. The vial seemed to call to him, an unsettling hum resonating deep within him. He had no idea what it was, but he knew it was important. The Codex had spoken of "the Vessel of Forgotten Time"—a key, it seemed, to unlocking the full extent of the Spire's power.

Before he could reach the case, however, Elira's voice rang out sharply.

"Wait."

She was already stepping forward, her expression tense. "We don't know what that is, Kieran. It could be a trap, or worse."

The momentary hesitation was enough for Kieran to take a step back. "You're right," he said, swallowing hard. "We need to be cautious. But if this is truly what the Codex spoke of, then it's not something we can leave behind."

"We'll need to study it," Elira added. "We can't afford to take risks now. Not with everything at stake."

A Strange Vision

As Kieran took a step back from the vial, a strange sensation washed over him. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he saw flashes—fragments of images that seemed too ancient to be real. He saw an endless expanse of stars, swirling galaxies that spun in chaotic harmony. A giant structure stood in the center—monolithic, alien in design, its purpose unknown.

There were figures, shadowy beings who stood before the Spire—beings who wore no faces, but who exuded an overwhelming sense of malevolence. They reached out with impossibly long arms, trying to touch the structure. And as they did, their forms began to dissolve, consumed by the Spire's aura.

Kieran's heart raced, and he staggered back. "It's... calling me."

The 15 Crowns, standing in a silent circle around him, exchanged nervous glances. They could feel it too—the pull. It was faint, but it was there.

Elira's hand rested gently on Kieran's shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Kieran. We'll face it together."

Kieran nodded, his mind sharp but his body weary. The Spire was more than just an object of power—it was a force. And now, it was beckoning them. But the question remained: Could they reach it before it reached them?