Chapter 1157: Ong Faluos 3.2 (203)

Earth, regarding the movement of the Earth.

15th century, P Country in Europe.

Novak stood in the courtyard of the ecclesiastical tribunal, putting on those leather gloves already soaked in dark red stains without expression. Behind him, several fully armed subordinates were dressing, hanging some light and simple torture devices on their waists, making a series of metallic scraping sounds.

"Lord Novak." A young colleague who had just joined stepped forward quickly, lowering his voice to ask, "Who are we supposed to arrest this time? Has the list been confirmed?"

Novak slightly turned his head, his eyes revealing an undisguisable fatigue and weariness. He gazed at the distant church spire faintly visible in the mist and said in a low voice: "Hmm, of course it's been confirmed. But since the heavenly canopy appeared, these heretics have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. Not only are there those who oppose the Church's 'geocentrism,' but there are even those who believe the star gods transcend 'God'......"

"Moreover, some have suggested referencing the alchemical research findings of one called 'Nakesha' to absurdly argue that our god too came about through human evolution. Sigh…… These utterly ridiculous statements, even if they merely flash through one's mind, will have their soul and flesh abandoned by my Lord after death."

Hearing this, the colleague's eyes also flashed with a hint of ruthlessness: "Sir, I recall that the heretic burned to death in the square last time also seemed to regard Nakesha as a model. Speaking of which, those who regard such Defilers of Gods as guides should be burned to death upon capture—no need to give them a chance to repent."

Novak slowly untied from his waist a peculiarly shaped torture device—a metal lump like a pear, its base already discolored, its underside covered in sticky, somewhat blackened blood.

"The Church now defines 'heresy' very broadly; nowadays anyone who speaks about the 'Star Gods,' 'Fate,' or 'Titans' must be arrested and interrogated."

Saying this, Novak lightly caressed the cold pattern of the torture device and said softly: "If they refuse to talk, just use this. Last time I captured a heretic who wanted to study the Star Gods, also a youngster. I inserted this into his mouth to pry it open, turned it four or five times, and only then did he spill the locations of the heretic gatherings. As long as one is willing to use torture, they will surely talk."

Gazing at the blood‑stained 'Torture Pear,' the young colleague almost saw the gruesome image of that person's cheeks being split open; his Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed: "Sir… what happened to that person in the end?"

"He was a first offender; after being detained he quickly repented, and after a period of imprisonment he was released."

"But sir, even if they are released, won't they just continue?" the colleague blurted out, "If we don't burn them all at once, this ideology of researching the Star Gods and Fate will spread like a plague."

"I know." Novak re‑hung the torture device at his waist, his movements practiced yet numb, "But burning one will cause ten new ones to pop up. They no longer fear death; they even see death as a kind of…… martyrdom. That's the real trouble."

——

""No, Brousselia."" ""Hesperia"" smiled and shook her head, ""I don't feel I've wasted my life. On the contrary, when I finally reached the end and looked back, I saw that the road I had come was already blanketed with flowers… it is you who sowed this sea of flowers for me, and it is more splendid than the promised land at the world's end.""

""Furthermore, my life is already complete; even if the prophecy foretells sacrifice, everything I have experienced will not vanish, but will remain forever in your memory, right?""

""Brousselia still refuses to accept this answer: ""How can the you in my memories be the real you…?""""

""Hesperia"" turned to gaze into the depths of the primordial vortex and said, ""Then you say…… what exactly are 'we'?""""

""Brousselia sighed deeply, shaking her head sadly: ""I… don't know.""""

""Hesperia"" looked at her gently: ""I cannot state it either. But… no matter what the answer is, no matter how we are shaped by others or by the world—from the moment of our birth, the fact of our existence is already fixed; nothing can erase it. And precisely for that reason, I will always, always be with you……"""

""After all, we are born twins.""

""……"""

""Brousselia made no sound of a sob; she merely lowered her head slightly, allowing bean‑sized tears to fall like a broken string, leaving a conspicuous wet spot on her dress.""

""Well, my dear Brousselia……"" ""Hesperia"" approached her sister's wheelchair, slowly crouched down, and said, ""Take out my heart, ignite the flame of 'Death'——then, with it, sow the first flower bud in the new world promised by the prophecy.""

""With the sound of the blade piercing flesh, the scene before my eyes once again fell into darkness.""

""……"""

""If I were to impart the art of Alchemy to you…… would you use it for those you cherish, to bring them back from death?""

""In the darkness, Calypso's voice rang out again.""

""All mortals must die one day. Someday, someone I hold most dear will surely leave me…… if such great power truly existed, I would… unhesitatingly use it."" Brousselia replied, ""As of today, my answer has not changed.""

""So, sister, I promise you——in the new world promised by the prophecy, I will sow the first flower bud for you——go back, return to the pearl in the palm of the Sea God, our homeland.""

""I will open the gates of the Netherworld for you, granting you a second life. All beings on earth will surely respond to my call and usher you into the holy daylight.""

——

The Funeral of Frieren.

""Thus the answer is obvious: Hesperia was actually resurrected by her sister Brousselia using Alchemy, which is why she lost her prior memories of her sister."" Sellei narrowed her eyes slightly, speaking with great interest, ""Alchemy…… it truly can raise the dead? Based solely on the point of 'resurrection,' this knowledge alone deserves to be called a 'miracle.'"""

""But, Lady Sellei, there's something strange."" Janze spoke lightly from beneath the throne, ""If Hesperia was resurrected through Alchemy, why does she herself still bear the authority of Death?""

""Indeed, after killing her own sister, the authority of Death should have fully returned to Brousselia. Yet as things stand, even though she killed her sister and then resurrected her again, she has still left herself a hidden danger."