Chapter 1235

Feng Jin: "I know this is hard to believe, but... please come back quickly."

Dan Heng: "I'll head back right away."

"Aglaea?! This is—" Bai E's pupils trembled, and for a moment his breathing halted for half a beat, "Damn! Those guys..."

"It must be a lie..."

"More than one person sent me a message; this doesn't feel like a joke." Bai E took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, "Stay calm... this could also be her scheme. Until we see it with our own eyes..."

"Bai E... what should we do now?"

"Everything proceeds as usual." Bai E rubbed his temples with his thumb, "I'll first send a message to Teacher Ti Bao, ask her to soothe the citizens as best she can. We'll ride hard back to Aohema to check the city's situation. If we encounter more enemies on the way... I won't be lenient any longer."

——

Honkai 3.

"…"

When Kevin saw Bai E swiftly suppress the sorrow and pain in his eyes, a faint ripple rose in Kevin's own eyes.

"You've now grown into a competent leader... Bai E."

He quietly watched the youth in the heavens who bore a similar face to his own yet stood under a different starry sky. Kevin, more than anyone present, understood the weight of the words "Savior". It is not only the people's expectation, but the stripping away of all weakness, confusion, and pain, measuring each sacrifice with absolute reason.

"Oh, Kevin, you look a bit sentimental, huh?"

A familiar voice interrupted Kevin's thoughts. Ailixiya had somehow come up beside him, and followed his gaze to Bai E in the heavens, her pink hair lightly brushing his cheek.

"Do you think that child now looks somewhat like you did back then?" Ailixiya turned her head, smiling gently.

Kevin did not deny.

"No, he'll do better than I did." Kevin said firmly, "At least, even in his greatest pain, he'll still return warmth to his companions, still inspire everyone who walks with him. And I back then... only left a cold silhouette."

"But you made it through, Kevin." Ailixiya reached out, lightly patting his shoulder, "So, let's here together witness what the end of Weng Falos' 'Fire Pursuit Journey' will look like."

——

"... Hatounus."

Inside Aohema, the master craftsman slowly turned his head, noticing a golden beetle perched on the nearby table.

"Hmm...?"

"You're forging a sword for Bai E, right? It's been so long since I've seen you wield the hammer in quenching, and just now I was almost mesmerized."

"You... Aglaea. To meet me in this form. That means..."

Aglaea said, "That's right. At this moment, my form has already shattered. In this world, my journey as a 'human' has reached its end. Our previous agreement now comes time to be fulfilled."

"The agreement, of course... I keep it in my heart."

"The thing I entrusted to you, is it still there?"

Hatounus nodded, took the white-and-brown bracelet from the box and placed it before the golden beetle: "Too simple, the container... doesn't match your taste. You insist on this?"

"I insist. Over the past thousand years, the fabrics in my hands have been stained with this cold divinity. Consequently, I grew to despise their colors, textures, and smells. But this ornament is different... it is a gift from a child. She is pure and kind—how I wish my own childhood could be like hers."

"Saying goodbye to everyone... have you planned it thoroughly?"

Aglaea, with a hint of disappointment in her tone, said, "I'm afraid this time there isn't such a thorough plan. I can't say goodbye to each of them individually, and I feel deeply regretful."

"But the best moment has arrived... my departure will clear their lingering worries. This parting gift should, at least, compensate for the regret of this hasty farewell."

Hatounus: "Regarding the Titan invention, the suspended blade's soul-casting technique. It can retain divinity... but will completely filter out the remnants of humanity. Is this what you want, Aglaea?"

"You've confirmed with me repeatedly. That's right, Hatounus, I need you to do this for me. Condense my divinity and infuse it into this ornament... perhaps it can still be useful in the future, helping them fulfill their mission."

"Selfless, until the end. That child need not be envious... your humanity has already traversed its great life."

Aglaea smiled contentedly, "Heh... your praise puts me at ease, master craftsman. Now..."

She turned and looked toward the scorching hot furnace not far away.

"... Please take me through the final forging of destiny."

——

Demon Slayer.

"Namu Amitabha…"

In the Demon Slayer Corps courtyard, a deep, resonant chant broke the silence between the pillars; a rock pillar, wailing, slowly knelt on the ground, hands clasped, two streams of tears sliding down his cheeks onto the tatami.

"What a compassionate soul... she has already done enough for this long Fire Pursuit Journey. May Weng Falos' next life be free of suffering, and may her soul meet the departed companions at the end of the west wind."

"Just now Aglaea said... 'the best moment has arrived', does that refer to the optimal time to purge the Senate?" Snake Pillar asked.

"Hmm, but regardless, sacrificing a Demigod to secure the chance to purge the Senate... the price is still too great." Butterfly Ninja's expression grew solemn, "Now the most terrifying thing is that the Fire Thief Walkers will learn of Aglaea's death, and then seize the opportunity to storm Aohema's city districts. Wandi must resist Heichi on the front lines, Aglaea has already been sacrificed, and once Bai E, Xing, and Dan Heng go to subdue Ai Ge Le, the Holy City will fall into an unprecedented void."

"By then, Sai Fei Er should step in to help, right?"

Ganlu Si Mitsuri interjected, "If we truly have to face the Fire Thief Walkers, with Sai Fei Er's speed... she might not be able to kill it, but she could easily keep it at bay; she could kick it a hundred times the instant the Fire Thief Walker swings its sword!"

Snake Pillar nodded in agreement, "... Indeed. That creature, lacking intellect, seems to act purely on instinct. Moreover, its real difficulty lies in its regeneration; if it weren't so hard to kill, Ke Xia would have eliminated it in the arboretum long ago."