The historical circles of the Northern Continent all acknowledge that the Fourth Epoch is shrouded in thick fog, making it impossible to see its true appearance.
There are too many gaps and ambiguities in various records of this period, and the unearthed tombs, ancient cities, and documents are too few to form effective corroboration.
But that doesn't mean no one is researching it; "too few" means there are still some relics and materials.
The original Klein was an ardent enthusiast of Fourth Epoch history, having read many papers and books. Now he still remembers quite a bit:
Whether it was the Solomon Empire, the Tudor Dynasty, or the Trunsoest Empire, their architectural styles were similar, characterized by defiance of common sense, chaotic asymmetry, and a fondness for black.
Among them, the most representative were the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and the scar-like marks of chopping on the black walls.
Because of this, when Klein raised his oil lamp and saw the metal poles extending from the dome and the chandeliers embedded at their bases, his first reaction was that this underground structure belonged to the Fourth Epoch, to that ancient time shrouded in thick fog, regretted by many historians and archaeologists.
"Several papers mentioned that the number of chandeliers differs inside buildings. Although those three empires admired asymmetric beauty, they seemed to have strict and detailed regulations in various aspects... Three on the left and two on the right is the highest specification allowed for common people, as judged from architectural patterns and house remains..." Klein raised his arm, holding the oil lamp high, and slowly walked forward while counting the chandeliers on both sides.
This hall was more spacious than he had expected. He walked at least a hundred meters before seeing the platform half a meter above the ground and the thick wall marking the end.
"Forty-one inverted chandeliers on the left, forty on the right. This, this is a bit exaggerated. Which class does this place belong to? High nobility? Hiss, the Antigonus family and the Zaratul family are all nobles of the Fourth Epoch... They are also powerful and terrifying Beyonder families. Other high nobles shouldn't be far behind..." Klein held up his oil lamp and continued forward, seeing the staircase at the side of the half-height platform and the scar-like marks of hacking and chopping on the surface of its black stone bricks.
Could it really be a relic of the Fourth Epoch? As thoughts flickered, Klein relied on his keen eyesight and the light of the lamp to discover that on the platform half a meter above the ground were placed two iron-black seats, huge seats, ancient seats, seats that overlooked what was below.
A full two seats!
Two? Why two? According to the layout, the seat here should belong to the person with the highest position and greatest power, but there were actually two? Coexisting high nobles? Dual Counts, Dual Dukes, Dual Princes? Klein gradually felt that his historical knowledge was becoming insufficient.
He clearly remembered that many papers mentioned that the three empires—Solomon, Tudor, and Trunsoest—had strict internal hierarchies, distinct classes that could not be overstepped. From this theory, within one power, there should not be coexisting leaders.
"Weird..." Klein muttered, as if speaking to Miss Bodyguard.
"What's weird?" Suddenly, an ethereal and drifting voice sounded from behind him. In the dark, vast, empty, and silent ancient hall, it was especially creepy.
The corners of Klein's mouth twitched. He truthfully told her the structural features he observed, the relevant historical knowledge, and his doubts. In the end, he added:
"The ventilation here is very good. I wonder if there are other entrances."
Miss Bodyguard, who was half-merged into the darkness, listened quietly and silently, then gave Klein a deep look and said:
"Why do you know so much?"
Because I'm a history major... Klein complained inwardly, then smiled and said:
"If I hadn't chosen to be a detective, perhaps I would have become a conscientious young historian."
Miss Bodyguard didn't respond, nor did she disappear again. Instead, she floated up onto the half-height platform first.
Klein followed closely with his oil lamp, discovering that the half-height platform was very large, about forty meters wide and ten meters deep.
"Grand and large-scale architecture is also a characteristic of the Fourth Epoch." He casually mentioned, then cautiously approached the two huge iron-black seats, raised his lamp, and examined them closely.
"It seems to be made for giants three to four meters tall... There are emblem-like patterns on the backrest: a black crown here... a hand holding a scepter here... I wonder what each symbolizes..." Klein said as if to himself, not expecting Miss Bodyguard to answer.
But the lady who was floating with her feet off the ground suddenly spoke:
"This is the Tudor family emblem."
"Ah?" Klein looked in surprise, finding that Miss Bodyguard was pointing at the hand holding the scepter.
The Tudor family? This is a relic of the Fourth Epoch Tudor Dynasty? Which member of the royal family's palace is this? Klein frowned slightly and said:
"Do you recognize the other emblem?"
It could actually be juxtaposed with a member of the Tudor family!
Miss Bodyguard shook her head and said nothing.
Seeing this, Klein had to temporarily abandon the idea of research and instead said:
"After the Tudor and Trunsoest families respectively established their empires, they both maintained the original style derived from the Solomon Empire, such as inverted chandeliers, hacking marks, and so on. This does not align with common sense. If I were an emperor, even if I had to inherit many things from the past, I would make some changes to mark my own uniqueness."
"Does this mean there is a hidden, unchanging connection among the three empires?"
He guessed that the Solomon, Tudor, and Trunsoest families all controlled the "Black Emperor," that is, the "Lawyer" pathway, and similar styles were required for acting!
Miss Bodyguard was silent for a few seconds, then uttered a few words:
"Only an emperor can be called an emperor."
Is this confirming my thoughts? Klein didn't ask further. He held up the oil lamp and walked around the two huge iron-black seats once, finding nothing else.
"Let's look ahead a bit more," Klein proposed.