Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 308 Red Background and Golden Dragon
The Forge Knight remained silent for a long while, then a hoarse voice came from beneath his helmet:
"It's been a long time since we've heard such a declaration."

He slowly placed his right hand on his chest, performing an ancient gesture:

"I will remember those words."

Roger stood in the corner of the elevator, listening to the conversation. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the hilt of his rapier, and for once, the smile on his face vanished. He seemed to be deep in thought.

“Stonewell has witnessed too many rises and falls,” Svengar’s hoarse voice rang out, “but true glory does not fade with time.”

The old knight turned slightly to the side, allowing Theros to see Lu Mingfei standing in the center of the elevator more clearly.

The young ruler was gazing at the approaching exit, the light illuminating his youthful profile.

"How are you, ancient knight?"

Svengar chuckled twice and said in a low voice:

"This is our king."

Theros fell into a deeper silence.
-
When the group arrived in Stoneville, Svengar took his leave first.

"I need to take care of these injuries."

His hoarse voice betrayed his exhaustion:

"That battle just now was too much for this old body."

Lu Mingfei noticed that Svengar's hand, which was resting on the wall, was trembling slightly, and he couldn't help but feel worried:

Should I see a doctor?

Svengar waved his hand:

"A few days of rest will do the trick."

Roger gracefully straightened his clothes, which had been disheveled by the battle:

"I also need to return to the Great Blessing to replenish my potions and repair my weapons. That battle just now took a toll on me."

He nodded to Lu Mingfei and Theros:
"See you in the main hall later."

Shortly after Roger left, heavy footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.

O'Neal's iconic battle flag appeared first around the corner, followed by his massive, mountain-like frame and greyish-white cloak.

"I heard you came up from down below—"

O'Neill's booming voice abruptly stopped.

His gaze instantly locked onto Theros, and his hand gripping the battle flag tightened involuntarily.

"Forge Knight?"

O'Neill's voice lowered, clearly wary.

He looked at Lu Mingfei, his brows furrowed:
"How is this going?"

Theros stood quietly, looking back at O'Neill with a calm gaze, without saying a word.

Lu Mingfei stepped forward and stood between the two:

“He is not an enemy. He was trapped in the mountain pass by Grek before, but from today onwards he will become our ally.”

O'Neill's gaze lingered for a moment on the furnace emblem on Theros's chest, then he slowly lowered the halberd wrapped in a red battle banner.

O'Neal nodded slightly, a thoughtful expression on his weathered face:

"Interesting. There's actually a Forge Knight hiding beneath Stoneville City. This city is truly something else."

"O'Neal, long time no see, don't you recognize me?"

Theros suddenly spoke, his deep, muffled voice coming from beneath his helmet.

O'Neill's voice abruptly stopped.

He turned his head sharply, his gaze falling on Theros's helmet, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

His rugged brows furrowed deeply.

"This voice."

O'Neill muttered to himself, familiar faces flashing through his mind. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he said uncertainly:

"Theros?"

The Forge Knight nodded slightly, a rare hint of amusement creeping into his usually calm voice:

"It seems that time has not completely erased your memory."

O'Neal scoffed:
"You Forge Knights all wear this red and gold armor and the exact same helmets. Who can tell you apart?"

He said this, but relaxed his tense shoulders and took two steps forward to carefully examine the brand-new, unhealed tear on Theros's chest:

"But since it's you, old man, it seems there was quite a commotion down there just now."

Lu Mingfei stood between the two men, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two veterans:
"Do you know?"

O'Neill let out a long sigh.

He gazed at the flickering firelight on the stone walls of the corridor, his eyes wandering through the long river of time.

That's a very long story.

O'Neal's gruff voice deepened:
"I first met this old fellow during the Battle of Stormhill. He was wearing this Forge Armor, and I was wearing the Storm General's Robe. We were fighting fiercely for our respective lords in the pouring rain."

His fingers unconsciously traced the flagpole of the battle banner:
"Later, the lost knights submitted to the Golden Prince. We thought we could find a place in the new era, but alas..."

Theros continued, his voice low:
"Unfortunately, the prince's fall shattered everything. You chose to lead your people to follow the sacred tree Michaela, while we, the Forge Knights..."

He paused:

"Without the prince's protection, I struggled to make a living in the new era. After that, I had nowhere to go, and after many twists and turns, I chose to join Grek's ranks again, since he had inherited most of the prince's estate."

"I made a deal with Grek to guard a secret passage for him. I never expected this..."

O'Neal snorted coldly:
"As a result, that kid didn't even trust you and trapped you underground."

Lu Mingfei looked at O'Neill curiously and asked:

"So you were once under the command of that Golden Prince?"

O'Neal glanced at Lu Mingfei, his tone tinged with helplessness:

"I really don't know where you came from."

Long ago, the Knights of Lost Lands were warriors under the Golden Prince, and Stoneville and Nymgford were his legitimate fiefdoms.

He raised his eyelids and looked at Lu Mingfei:
"What do you think makes Grek so powerful that he can sit in that chair? It's all because he's the son of that prince."

Lu Mingfei had heard the name "Golden Prince" Godwin several times in a short period of time.

He couldn't help but ask:

"What kind of person is he exactly?"

O'Neal remained silent for a long time, a rare tenderness flashing in his weathered eyes.

"He is a strong, gentle, and tolerant person."

The veteran's voice grew low:

"I am proud to know him."

As he spoke, he gently stroked the tattered red battle flag.

"Red background with a golden dragon"

Theros suddenly spoke:
"That's the prince's battle flag? You still keep it?"

O'Neal did not answer directly, but slowly unfurled the weathered battle flag.

In the dim firelight, the golden dragon emblem embroidered on the flag could be vaguely discerned. Although the edges were damaged and faded, its majestic form was still clearly visible.

Theros gazed at the battle banner, his eyes flickering slightly:
"The last time I saw this flag was at the prince's funeral."

Three warriors from different eras stood silently in the corridor, the silence broken only by the crackling of their burning torches.

(End of this chapter)