The Amnesiac Sovereign

Chapter 7: The Name of a Betrayer

"Aurelius..."

The name echoed repeatedly within Ethan's mind.

Each repetition felt like a hammer striking an ancient bell.

The forest around him blurred.

Fragments of memories surged forward like a broken dam.

A man clad in golden armor.

A loyal general kneeling before a throne.

A trusted friend laughing beside him.

A warrior who had once sworn eternal loyalty.

Then—

Blood.

A sword piercing through darkness.

Betrayal.

The vision shattered.

Ethan staggered backward.

His breathing became uneven.

Pain exploded through his skull.

The three adventurers watched nervously.

None of them understood what was happening.

Moments ago, this stranger had casually killed a monster that nearly wiped out their entire team.

Now he looked as though he was fighting an invisible battle.

The woman cautiously stepped forward.

"Are you alright?"

Ethan slowly opened his eyes.

The pain subsided.

The memory fragments vanished.

But one thing remained.

A certainty.

Aurelius had betrayed him.

And somehow the Tomb of Fallen Stars was connected to him.

"I'm fine," Ethan replied.

The woman visibly relaxed.

"Thank you for saving us."

Her two companions quickly nodded.

Without Ethan's intervention, they would already be dead.

The swordsman stepped forward and bowed.

"My name is Marcus."

He pointed toward the woman.

"This is Elena."

Then toward the younger man.

"And that's Theo."

Ethan nodded.

"Ethan."

The three exchanged glances.

No family name?

Strange.

But none of them pressed further.

Cultivators often hid their identities.

Especially powerful ones.

Marcus looked toward the mountains.

"You're heading to the tomb too, aren't you?"

Ethan nodded.

Marcus sighed.

"Then you should be careful."

"What happened?"

Elena answered.

"Everyone is heading there."

"The golden pillar attracted thousands of people."

"Treasure hunters, martial artists, powerful families..."

Her expression darkened.

"And not all of them are friendly."

Theo nervously swallowed.

"We saw members of the Black Fang Syndicate earlier."

Ethan frowned.

The name meant nothing to him.

Marcus noticed.

"The Black Fang Syndicate controls much of the underground world."

"They kill for money."

"They steal treasures."

"They've already murdered several groups heading toward the tomb."

Ethan remained calm.

Danger didn't concern him.

What concerned him was the fragment.

Every moment he delayed increased the risk of someone reaching it first.

Suddenly—

RUMBLE!

The earth shook again.

A powerful wave of energy swept across the mountains.

The golden pillar intensified.

Its light became even brighter.

Then a voice echoed throughout the entire region.

Ancient.

Majestic.

Powerful.

It seemed to come from the heavens themselves.

"The Tomb of Fallen Stars has opened."

Everyone froze.

Even the wind became still.

The voice continued.

"Those destined may enter."

"Those unworthy shall perish."

The moment the words ended, the pillar of light exploded outward.

Countless beams shot across the sky.

One of them landed directly in front of Ethan.

A golden symbol appeared beneath his feet.

The same symbol engraved on the ancient scroll Luna had given him.

Marcus gasped.

"What is that?"

Before Ethan could answer—

The symbol erupted with light.

A portal appeared.

Ancient stone gates materialized from thin air.

Runes covered their surface.

Each rune radiated overwhelming power.

The air itself seemed unable to withstand their presence.

Theo stumbled backward.

"T-That's impossible..."

Elena's eyes widened.

"The tomb chose him."

Marcus stared at Ethan.

Only legends spoke of such things.

Ancient inheritances selecting worthy successors.

Yet it was happening right before their eyes.

The massive gates slowly creaked open.

Darkness waited beyond.

An unknown path.

A forgotten destiny.

At that exact moment—

A cold voice echoed from behind.

"Well."

"What an interesting surprise."

Everyone turned.

Several figures emerged from the forest.

Lucas King stood at the center.

More than thirty guards accompanied him.

Beside him were three elderly men radiating powerful auras.

Cultivators.

Real cultivators.

Far stronger than ordinary fighters.

Lucas's eyes burned with greed as he stared at the portal.

"So that's how you planned to enter."

Ethan remained silent.

One of the elders stepped forward.

His gaze swept over the portal.

Then he smiled.

"Young Master."

"It appears this boy possesses a key."

Lucas laughed.

"A key?"

The elder nodded.

"The tomb recognized him."

"If we take him..."

"...we gain direct access to its deepest treasures."

Marcus, Elena, and Theo immediately stepped backward.

Their expressions turned pale.

They knew exactly what that meant.

Lucas wasn't planning to cooperate.

He was planning to capture Ethan.

Lucas slowly removed his gloves.

The smile on his face grew wider.

"Funny."

"I was already planning to kill you."

"Now you're useful too."

The guards spread out.

Surrounding Ethan from every direction.

The three elders released their cultivation.

Powerful pressure flooded the clearing.

Trees bent under the force.

Even Marcus and his companions struggled to breathe.

Lucas smirked.

"You have two choices."

"Kneel."

"Or be broken."

The atmosphere became deadly.

Yet Ethan showed no fear.

Instead, his eyes drifted toward the ancient gates.

For a brief moment—

He saw something standing inside the darkness.

A figure.

Tall.

Armored.

Holding a spear.

Watching him.

Waiting.

Then the figure slowly knelt.

Just like Luna had.

And spoke words no one else could hear.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty."

Ethan's pupils contracted.

At the same instant—

The ancient gates began opening wider.

And an overwhelming force suddenly pulled him forward.

Straight into the Tomb of Fallen Stars.

Lucas's smile vanished.

"Stop him!"

But it was already too late.

The portal exploded with golden light.

And Ethan disappeared.