Chapter 1291

"But, speaking again… President, don't you find that fire‑stealer's conduct suspicious?" Jiādàizi lowered her head, sharply sensing something amiss: "It seems it never originally wanted to kill Sàifēiér; it only struck after being tricked three times, left with no choice."

"Mm‑hmm, I noticed that too!" Mùyuè nodded in agreement, "That guy's goal is purely outrageous—just the fire seed. Though I don't know what he wants to do with it, it must also be related to the 'Recreation of the World'."

"Then it shouldn't be slaughtering the Golden Descendants like that!" Àilù slammed her palm on the table, making the ramen broth splash, "If it also needs the fire seed, shouldn't we talk properly with Bá'è and the others? Even if it can't speak, we could let Aglaea use the golden thread to peek at its thoughts!! Why must we resort to violence?!"

"This shows it never came with the idea of 'peacefully obtaining the fire seed'; it has its own purpose." Jiādàizi slowly lifted her head, "…and we still can't tell the Golden Descendants its purpose."

——

"Over a thousand years ago, the Dawn Cloud Cliffs…"

""Aohema's all citizens—today I will bring you two pieces of news: one sad, one good."

"Sàifēiér, disguised as a young priest, stood before countless citizens; her identity now is Atikas."

""I propose that those present offer blessings to the departed: our beloved High Priest Fúluósī, whose soul recently returned to the embrace of the Heavenly Father KefaLe. May he rest in peace…"

""But, fellow citizens, please do not mourn his departure! For the High Priest's final moments were happy, because in his lucid state he heard the Heavenly Father's last command… that is the good news I bring you! Before the great Burden Titan fell into silence, it left these words in my mentor's ear… now I will convey them to all the people of Wengfaluosi."

""It says: 'The oracle has descended; my mission will end, from now on I fall into silence—eternal night approaches… but the Dawn Machine will shelter the holy city, awaiting the golden‑blooded son of man to forge a miracle… forever.'"

"The citizen trembled as she lifted her head, wiping away tears, unable to believe: "Until… forever?""

""The Heavenly Father's boundless love has already surpassed time… continuing for hundreds of millions of years!""

"Atikas solemnly declared: "Citizens, friends! As the new High Priest, I propose… to hold a hundred‑day feast on the Dawn Cloud Cliffs, to give thanks for the Heavenly Father's gift."

""Our mission is to turn the Heavenly Father's words into firm belief! These hundred consecutive dawns of song and dance will make every child of Wengfaluosi believe——"

""—the Dawn Machine's light never fades…" Sàifēiér said each word clearly, "KefaLe's protection knows no end!"

——

Offering blessings to a beautiful world.

"Good cat! An absolutely superb cat!!"

""Read as 'scheme', written as 'burdened world'; if it weren't for Sàifēiér's silent bearing over a thousand years, Wengfaluosi would have long been shrouded in darkness!"

"She is worthy of the name hero!"

"……"

Inside the Aksel Adventurers' Guild, some clutched their mugs and wailed loudly, others slumped over the table, shoulders shuddering.

""I—I used to say she was just a con‑artist thief, a Demigod without responsibility…" A bearded warrior wiped his tears, voice shaking, "Sniff… I'm guilty!"

Beside her, a female adventurer cried, snot and tears streaming: "I also misunderstood her at first, I thought she and Aglaea were at odds and refused to forgive each other—I never expected the truth to be like this…"

"Sigh…"

Chris let out a deep sigh: "Although this is the outcome we've met, at least in the underworld she can openly meet Aglaea. Let her spill everything she's wanted to say to her over these thousand years in one go."

Every time this happens, Chris desperately hopes that the Golden Descendants who died fulfilling the prophecy can reunite in the underworld's sea of flowers.

They keep company with distant butterflies, chatting freely about everything that happened on the Fire Pursuit Journey over these thousand years, voicing all the regrets and unspoken words they had in life.

Perhaps this is just her beautiful fantasy, but Chris truly hopes the future can make it real, letting Aglaea know that Sefaliya is still the same Sefaliya from a thousand years ago, having never disliked her from start to finish…

——

""You shall walk with greed, and also perish over a penny…"

"Sàifēiér leaned against the stone wall, breathless, recalling that prophecy belonging to her, and she couldn't help a bitter smile: "Ha… the 'penny' in that prophecy… it turns out to be literal…"

""Atikas… cough… is a good kid… he stole your identity… I… I want to say sorry to you…"

""But I owe more than just an apology… there's you too, Ya…"

"Sàifēiér lifted her head; not far away, a golden beetle lay still on the stone rail, gazing at her, though in her eyes it was nothing but a blurred golden speck."

""Back then, I… cough, cough… I had to leave Aohema…"

""Because you're so good at reading people… if I stayed by your side, my flimsy lies would surely be exposed sooner or later…"

""Your workshop… I so wish… to pass by again someday… to be scolded by you and Sister Tibao…"

""Ah… sorry…"

""In the end… I… I still… overestimated myself…"

In a daze, Sàifēiér seemed to see Tibao and Aglaea, as if they were whispering something; shortly after, Tibao turned and left.

Aglaea lowered her lashes, gazing into the distance, as if waiting for that faint breeze that never blew toward her.

""But… at least I managed to do one thing…"

""KefaLe's fire seed isn't here… it's now… safe. Even if I end up just a thief… I suppose I did contribute something to the Fire Pursuit…"

Sàifēiér's gaze gradually dimmed, while Aglaea before her continued to have her back turned.

""Ya… can you hear me?"

""Say just a few more words to me…"

""Please…"

Suddenly, she seemed to hear footsteps.

Sàifēiér forced her eyes open; all she saw was Aglaea walking toward her, gazing at her gently.

""You are the unsung hero of Wengfaluosi, Sefaliya. You have saved us all."

""You sold the world… exchanging it for a thousand more years of mortal life."

Sàifēiér slowly reached out, lightly taking Aglaea's warm hand. That familiar warmth was just like the afternoon a thousand years ago when she, covered in mud, stood before Aglaea's workshop.

In the distance, only an ordinary beetle rested on the stone rail, quietly observing the girl who fell asleep smiling.