Chapter 1242

But what comes after observation?

As a "Divine Rite Spectator", it can't just keep watching forever, can it?

Kurgess surely also knows that Ophanim is undergoing reincarnation; such observation has likely been conducted multiple times. As a sentient machine, its stored memory isn't reset by rebirth, so it has known from the beginning the answer to Natsume's question of what exactly we are.

Having learned from the two Imperial Wars, Kirito is strongly wary of this kind of inorganic life genius; he has no doubt that Kurgess is conducting some kind of experiment, though he cannot see its full scope.

If these geniuses put their minds to it, they could easily cause a disaster far surpassing that brought by the Extinction Overlord.

Could Kurgess be the genius even more dangerous than Ophanim, the Extinction Overlord?

——

"Hmph... who did I forget?"

"Hah, forgot you? How could that be?" Bai'e spread his hands. "Between us it's not a life‑and‑death parting; you just went to Xuanfeng City to stand guard, so don't drag yourself into such a tear‑jerking situation."

"Hmph... you still know exactly how to be unpleasant. I have a feeling we'll meet again in this world. Let's have another match when we get the chance, 'Savior'."

""How confident? I'm not what I used to be now." Bai'e raised his hand toward the man behind him, waving the sword in his hand, "Do you see this sword? It's a supreme grade just out of Hatuonuos's hands.""

""Ha… You insignificant mortal who hasn't even seized the Titan's divine right, your tone is overly arrogant." Wandi waved his hand at him, "Until we meet again, Bai'e of Aolixie.""

Suddenly, a familiar and gentle female voice rang out from behind Bai'e.

"... What a bittersweet yet wonderful journey this has been. And it hasn't ended yet... right?"

""…What a bittersweet yet wonderful journey this has been. And it hasn't ended yet… right?""

The girl's voice was like a breeze brushing past his ears, carrying the scent of his homeland. In a daze, Bai'e seemed to see endless wheat waves swaying in the wind, only to vanish when he came to his senses.

"The girl's voice was like a breeze brushing past his ears, carrying the scent of her homeland. In a daze, Bai'e seemed to see endless wheat waves swaying in the wind, but they vanished as soon as he regained his composure."

Bai'e lowered his head: "During the time you were away, a lot changed. I met all kinds of people and did many different things. I picked up some resolutions... and let go of some obsessions. I've changed a lot."

"Bai'e lowered his head: "During your absence… many things have changed. I've met all kinds of people and done many different things. I've picked up some resolve… and let go of some obsessions. I've changed a lot.""

""Hehe…" The girl laughed daintily, blinking at him, "But in my eyes—you've never changed, Bai'e.""

Collapse III.

"I agree with that too, it's just like Kevin♪"

Alicia's voice came from behind, light and airy. Her voice was exactly the same as Xilian's, and for a moment it made Kevin, who knew that voice so well, feel a bit dazed.

"Ailixiya's voice came from behind, light and airy. Her voice was exactly the same as Xilian's, and in an instant it made Kaiwen, who was extremely familiar with that voice, feel somewhat dazed."

"Yeah, Kevin." Alicia said matter-of-factly, "Don't think I don't know? Even if fifty thousand years have passed, you still haven't changed. You're just——"

""Exactly, Kaiwen." Aili said matter-of-factly, "Don't think I don't know? Even if fifty thousand years have passed, you still haven't changed. You're just——"

"She reached out her hand, her fingertip lightly touching his chest."

""He's just hidden some things deeper away.""

Kevin's voice sounded a little dry as he looked at Alicia, at this girl who was forever like a fairy. After all they'd been through in the previous civilization, she remained exactly as he first knew her—lively, cunning, gentle, yet with an unshakable resolve.

"Kaiwen's voice sounded a bit dry as he looked at Ailixiya, at this girl who was forever like a fairy. After experiencing so much in the pre-civilization era, she remained exactly as he first knew her—lively, cunning, gentle, yet possessing an unshakable resolve."

"All right." Kevin lowered his eyelids, the corner of his mouth finally forming a barely perceptible arc, "Since you say so."

"He admitted it!" Alicia immediately turned to the others, her smile blooming like a flower, "You all heard that, right? Kevin admitted it! Indeed, his heart is still that gentle one from the beginning——"

""He admitted it!" Ailixiya immediately turned to the others, her smile blooming like a flower, "You all heard that, right? Kaiwen admitted it! Indeed, Kaiwen's heart is still that gentle one from the beginning——"

""Cough—" Kaiwen deliberately cleared his throat, "I didn't admit anything.""

"You obviously do! Everyone heard it, you know~"

A few days later, Dawncloud Cliff.

"Hah, Dawncloud Cliff... my memories of this place are truly mixed." Safiel walked to the edge of the cliff, lowered her head to look down at the Oberma district. "Do you remember? Back then, looking down from here, you could instantly recognize the 'Gold Weave' sign."

""Heh, Dawncloud Cliff… my memories of this place are truly a mixed bag." Sai Feier walked to the edge of the cliff, looking down at Aohema's urban district, "Do you remember… back then, from here looking down the mountain, you could instantly recognize the Goldweave sign.""

""A thousand years have passed, and my eyesight isn't as sharp as it used to be…""

"Safiel, you..."

At the entrance of Aglaea's workshop, a hooded cat-eared girl was leaning over her counter.

"Seamstress, I ask you! What rare treasure does Oberma have that you... uh... we don't even have in our shop?"

Aglaea pondered for a moment, then said: "Of course. I've heard that a 'World Jewel' is hidden somewhere in Dawncloud Cliff, said to be a fragment that fell from the Dawn Machine. As part of the divine body of Kethler, it is truly priceless; even 'Gold Weave' cannot tarnish its luster."

"Aglaea pondered for a moment, then said: "Of course. I've heard that a 'World Jewel' is hidden somewhere in Dawncloud Cliff, said to be a fragment that fell from the Dawnmachine. As part of KefaLe's divine body, it is truly priceless—even Goldweave cannot tarnish its luster.""

Aglaea chuckled: "... Let me guess what you're thinking, Safiel. You've probably already been figuring out how to sneak into Dawncloud Cliff and pocket that jewel, right?"

"Aglaea chuckled: "... Let me guess what you're thinking, Safaliya. You're probably already plotting how to sneak into Dawncloud Cliff and pocket that jewel, right?""

Aglaea continued: "You probably also thought of the next step: sell it for a good price, then distribute the proceeds to the poor and refugees of the Holy City..."

"Aglaea continued: "You probably also thought of the next step: sell it for a good price, then distribute the proceeds to the poor and refugees of the Holy City……"

"All you're good at is hiding lies. But your compassion is always written on your face." Aglaea bent down, speaking softly: "Don't deceive yourself. Deep down... do you think this is right, Safiel?"

"... What else can I do? With my abilities, that's all I can manage. Seamstress, you always say I have the potential to be a good person, even a hero in everyone's eyes..." Safiel lowered her head sadly: "I don't know what to do... I can't weave shining gold cloth like you, I don't have Hesiol's sister's beautiful voice, and I certainly can't have Tibao's sister's vast knowledge."

""…What else can I do? With my abilities, the only things I can manage are these." The seamstress, you often say, I have the potential to become a good person, even a hero in everyone's eyes……" Sai Feier lowered her head sadly, "But I don't know how to do it… I can't weave cloth that shines with gold like you, I don't have the lovely voice of Sister Haiseyin, and I certainly can't match the profound knowledge of Sister Tibao……"

""The only thing I'm good at… is just those shady street‑learned jobs that nobody wants to see.""

A blessing for a beautiful world.

"I think she's already done a great job!"

Aqua stood with hands on her hips, her tone full of unreserved praise: "Even a thief can totally become a hero! As long as you're helping others, your profession doesn't matter at all!"

Kazuma was about to voice his agreement—after all, the foolish goddess rarely says something so correct—but the next second Aqua shifted her tone, looking at him with a gaze as if she were examining a bug.

"He Zhen gang was about to express agreement, after all the foolish goddess rarely says something so correct, but the next second Akuya shifted her tone, giving him a look as if she were staring at a bug."

"After all, compared to someone who only knows how to use the 'Steal' skill to snatch others' underwear, Sai Feier is simply so much better, right!"

Hey hey hey——! You idiot, don't suddenly drag me into this, okay?!