The story he told was still related to the Dead Forest, and also related to the ancient tomb. Before this, Cheyenne had already heard many different versions from online sources, newspapers, and interviews with survivors from that year.
Legends described the forest as mystical, but in reality, it was just the result of deliberate human accidents. The so-called miasma was actually a poisonous chlorine gas. In order to maintain the tranquility of the forest and prevent the discovery of their secret base, they deliberately burned a type of "fire stone." This substance had a very low ignition point and could self-combust even in a damp environment.
During the burning process, it would emit blue flames and a large amount of white smoke. The blue flames attached themselves to the dust in the air, and when blown by the wind, they gathered together, forming a sea of blue fire.
The older generation didn't understand the concept of "chemistry" and could only regard it as mysterious force. As for those who entered the Dead Forest and mysteriously disappeared, it was actually because they were poisoned by chlorine gas and fell into a coma. They would then be taken away by the organization, either to be held captive for trafficking purposes or to be killed on the spot.
Kelvin's story, however, involved an event she had never heard of before. Over two hundred years ago, Chulae was facing both internal and external troubles.
The king found prestigious families at the time: the Walsh family, the Owen family, the Foley family, the Edwards family and the Lucas family. They established a new organization called "Unicorn."
To raise funds, the king adopted the strategy of tomb robbing. His subordinates reported that there was an Imperial tomb hidden in the Birmore Mountain of Onistead. The king quickly became interested and led five thousand people into the forest. Little did he know that this so-called Imperial tomb was just a trap.
Among his subordinates, the Lucas family had been bought off by foreign forces and betrayed the king. After they entered the pre-placed explosive ancient tomb, it collapsed and the five thousand soldiers were suffocated to death. The king narrowly escaped and coincidentally discovered another tomb with accompanying burial objects, but he was already on the verge of death.
After recording the address on a parchment scroll, he distributed it to his four trusted associates, instructing them to find this treasure and use it to save the people. However, right after his death, a fierce war erupted in Chulae, and each of the four major families had their own plans. The Walsh family, being the first to grab their respective parchment scroll, left Onistead.
Only the Owen and Edwards families were left in Onistead, and they waited patiently for the right moment.
His wish was never fulfilled, and the ancient tomb remained intact until now. Over twenty years ago, the Lucas family was the first to bring up the matter and collect all the maps.
They orchestrated a terrible epidemic in the Dead Forest, but fortunately it was promptly discovered and, under Layne's leadership, they achieved a brief victory.
The Lucas family did not give up, as the ancestral commandment passed down to them was to find four maps.
It's no wonder why Layne has one of the maps, and old Mr. Foley has the other. The third map was found in the Presidential Library after the Abona Medical Conference.
That one was presented by the Walsh family.
As for this last map, it still hasn't surfaced.
Cheyenne had a hunch that perhaps the last piece was with the Miller family. That old man had been to Chulae over twenty years ago.
He even ventured into the Dead Forest and saw her mother, Selah.
Kelvin finished his story, and as he glanced down, he found Cheyenne already dozing lightly against the pillow at the head of the bed.
He silently smiled and gently brushed the stray hair from her forehead with his large hand, tucking her in before leaving quietly.
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