Above The Sky-Chapter 1870 - 383: Are You Starting a Rebellion?!

"... Speak honestly."

With a slight frown, Ian asked in confusion, "Why are you so focused on Axel? He is, after all, your father. Even if he went mad and tried to modify the minds of the Quentellan people, creating something like Mind Beacons, it doesn’t require a sacrifice as extreme as your life for you, the heir."

"You just need to reach the Fifth Energy Level and negotiate with Axel; he should give up—In the future that I foresee, even if you fail, Axel doesn’t continue his plan. I’m not sure if this is the result of you severely impacting him or if your rebellion itself disheartens him, but I feel you don’t have to pursue death like this."

"Because this is my character. Our character. I won’t back down, and neither will my father."

Michael turned his back to Ian and said calmly, "Ian, have you ever considered who this mind-altering, soul-modifying technology was used on initially?"

"And even if he’s not a good person, he’s not the kind of ’cowardly villain’ afraid to act against himself."

"My father may not be a good man, but he’s truly a good father. It’s just unfortunate that many self-deemed ’good’ actions aren’t genuinely good, especially for the child himself."

Ian’s eyes widened slightly as he suddenly remembered what Marquis Barton had told him not long ago.

—Axel’s original character wasn’t like this; it was more gentle, even somewhat cowardly.

—The Princes and Princesses also exhibited some strange, abnormal changes in personality.

—Imperial Grandson Aina’s openness, which even seemed somewhat unlike the demeanor of a direct heir to a major power.

All combined with the Setal Imperial Family’s long-standing research in the domain of spirit and soul, the answer was evident.

"He altered himself. He was his original test subject."

Ian whispered, "He also re-engineered you all. The Great Prince chasing dreams and befriending many; the ambitious Great Princess pursuing her true love; and you, the compassionate and determined Second Prince willing to act for the sake of others."

"Furthermore, even Lady Ellen... She acted for true love, initially for her lover, later for her children, unwavering without hesitation."

"Indeed, it made me wonder why, despite the excellence of the Setal Imperial Bloodline, there shouldn’t be such universal excellence among everyone. Some defects are inevitable, aren’t they? It turns out from the beginning, none of you had the ’weakness’ or ’cowardice’ to claim."

"Even Protector Axer didn’t have the ’confusion’ and ’hesitation’ to claim."

"That’s right. Originally, I just thought this was father’s alteration for ’our good.’ I am no longer myself, but the current ’self’ doesn’t seem all that bad."

Facing away from Ian, Michael said slowly, "But after conversing with you, I understand. From the beginning, our father considered himself and all of us as experimental subjects."

"Experimental subjects of this massive social experiment to alter the Whole Terra people."

"Initially, it was merely to solve the loneliness and madness from the confinement of the Solar Phoenix Bloodline... Later, it made emperors resemble emperors and monarchs resemble monarchs."

"After that came the ’dreams,’ ’ambition,’ and ’determination,’ along with other traits like ’friendship,’ ’true love,’ and ’kindness’—traits embedded naturally within the mind, within the soul, leaving us no room for choice from the onset."

"I thought these were responsibilities and duties the royal family had to bear—With such power, how could we be entitled to the freedom to shape our character? Our madness and wrath could destroy the world, killing tens of millions, even billions, so we should be bound by these innate constraints."

"But now, my father intends to extend this shackle to everyone. These constraints might be his love; he believes it’s the best choice for all Terra people, but it’s not."

"Like how he treats himself. He didn’t become his best self; he merely became... not the most successful emperor."

At this point, Michael chuckled with relief, "Ian, frankly speaking, I’m not challenging my father for humanity—I might’ve made this choice due to the ’determination,’ ’kindness,’ and ’compassion’ traits father imposed upon me, but as a Fourth Energy Level being, discarding all influences, I still want to do this."

Clenching his fist, bowing his head, Michael’s voice was low and subtle, almost muttering to himself: "I just think."

"It’s the time to rescue him (father) now."

For Michael’s determination, Ian remained silent.

"Transformation, to oneself?"

The repeatedly transformed ’current Ian’ inexplicably conjured up the idea of the ’original Ian’ in his mind.

His lifetime, his anger, his joy, his love and hate, his regrets, his happiness and despair, and ultimately, his determination and hope...

The azure cross star gleamed.

The Guiding Star illuminated, clearing away the darkness within the mind.

"Perhaps this isn’t entirely bad... but nonetheless."

Sighing, turning around, Ian suddenly began to understand Michael’s feelings: "But indeed, perhaps from the outset, I had no choice. Just being myself, I don’t reject such a future; on the contrary, I enjoy this feeling of moving forward burdened with something because it’s intriguing."

"Although I’m a Prophet, not someone shackled by fate, lost and unable to free myself, I’m a master of destiny. Michael, I hope you are too."

"With your blessing, I believe I am."

The golden-haired Sunbird smiled gently.

Above the Firmament, the torrent of light surged through the world.

Soon, time flowed like light, and three days passed.