Chapter 1185: Weng Falos 3.2 (231)

"Looking at you... I always get the feeling I want the students to help Xia Die slay a dragon," Manstein smiled.

"I am an educator, not an executioner; I won't watch the students walk into death with my eyes open," Angre cut off the tip of his cigar and slowly lit it, "Bolukesi differs from the four great lords of the Dragon race. Rather than calling it a dragon, it's better described as a 'Grim Reaper' born in the form of a 'dragon.' Its role and appearance differ from Xia Die's, that's all. It represents the most fundamental power of Weng Falos."

As he spoke, Angre slowly lifted his head, his face solemn as he stared at Xia Die's violet silhouette, "However, the commotion Nicadoli caused last time was far from small; the glass of Versailles Palace and Notre Dame were shattered by ultrasonic waves, the French thought Russian missiles were incoming and were ready to surrender; the Russians, on the other hand, believed the United States had launched War Axe Missiles into their airspace—"

"A mess," Manstein curled his lip, "Do you think an accident will happen this time as well?"

"We have to be prepared," Angre chuckled, "Who knows what kind of monster that girl resurrected with Alchemy will be?"

——

"\"The world of the dead? How could that... \""

"\"I understand, you originally chose to keep silent about this story to protect that girl who walks with death, Xia Die... but now you need not keep it hidden in your heart. I can tell you, that girl's life has been guarded by your utmost effort. \""

"\"... \" Amonnet was silent for a while, let out a deep sigh, "\"... Very well, then I will begin here. \""

"\"Stikokisia, the Ocean Pearl that suffered an unprovoked disaster in fairy tales and was ravaged by death—before Ai Diliya, it was the first city-state to turn to the faith of 'death.' From your current perspective... this might seem somewhat unbelievable, right? \""

Xia Die: "Exactly... I can hardly imagine, people living in the Golden Age, enjoying endless lifespans... how could they become enamored with death?"

"\"Heh... I've also been pondering the same question, child. But I'm afraid there is no definite answer. \""

"\"'The greatness of a quest, the grandeur of an epic, lies in the fact that all things eventually pass'—someone once explained it to me, why death is a necessary part of the world." Xia Die shook her head, "But I cannot take it as the final answer... Does a world without conquest and epics cease to be beautiful?"

"\"Heh... The one who said that to you, I suppose he might be a general? A fighter? \" Amonnet smiled, "I did get some insight from his words. Want to hear my view, Xia Die?"

"\"Please tell me, Lord Amonnet. Although I have already decided how to handle the divine authority and spark of 'death' in my heart... perhaps your words can truly point me toward the right path. \""

Amonnet: "You and I are not warriors or commanders; 'quest' and 'epic' cannot resonate with my soul. But if we tweak the context a bit... what if... 'love' is not a nature bestowed by Moneita upon mortals... but rather a blessing granted to us by death?"

Xia Die paused, murmuring repeatedly, "Love..."

"\"In an age of endless life, no one invented the word 'cherish'—because all beauty in the world can be endlessly taken in; all connections formed need never fear breaking. The so‑called Golden Age is a time without virtue or sin. People are not truly living... they merely exist in the world, lazily wandering, waiting. \""

"\"Perhaps the Stikokisia choose to embrace death not because they are fascinated by its grim side... but because the impulses and desires that accompany a finite life descend upon them, intoxicating them to madness, from which they cannot extricate themselves. \""

——

Black Robe Riot Squad.

"F**KYOU!"

The old sofa in the apartment could no longer bear the weight; under the soldier boy's pressure it creaked, "creak creak."

"\"She doesn't get it at all, \" the soldier boy said, pointing with his leaf cigarette at the Amonnet in the sky, "\"My lifespan is endless, but I know how to cherish. What she says is just speculation." He slapped his chest hard with the hand not holding the cigarette, making his old T‑shirt go 'slap slap,' "\"... No one understands cherishing more than I do."

"Heh... Then tell me, what do you cherish?" Bu Che Er laughed.

"Of course—"

The soldier boy opened his mouth.

He had thought the question was simple. But a flood of images instantly rose in his mind, starting from the injection of First Generation Compound No. 5: bomb sight, torpedoes... the squad members he once fought side by side with, the comrades he had personally sent to the grave over the long years.

He thought he could recall something, like Storm Woman, but strangely those images were like behind frosted glass, blurry, as if carrying a sense of alienation. The things he thought he "cherished" had long become so vague that even he could no longer see them clearly.

The soldier boy hammered his head hard, wondering if the time was just too distant? It couldn't be that the leaf smoked too much and caused memory decay, could it?

"Look," Bu Che Er's voice was like a rusted saw, slowly sawing at his nerves, "You can't even recall the people from the past."

"F**KYOU, I never think about that," the soldier boy muttered, "Only a sissy would ponder such weak questions."

"What he truly cherishes is probably only the feeling of bullying teammates back then, thriving in Wot Company's false propaganda, basking in the dazzling spotlight,"

Starlight rubbed his temple with his thumb, whispering to Hugh beside him, "He always likes to hang these things on his lips, as if that proves how tough he is. But a normal person, how would they need these things to prove themselves?"

——

"\"So, 'death' is not a cold, hopeless thing, but... \""

Amonnet took up her words, "\"Exactly, Xia Die. It is the reason we shed tears at parting... also the spark that first ignited mortal passion. If you intend to strip the world of 'death'... then be prepared to witness this world return to stagnation and laziness. \""

"\"Finite life... shapes everything we love and know. Even the Titan of 'death' has no right to strip it from humans. 'Moneita's love'... the original blessing of the Golden Cocoon is probably not understood by people. Only after Senatos descended did humanity learn to interpret this beautiful gift. \""