Chapter 1340

"They say the heroes of this world should be as numerous as the stars in the heavens… but now, only we remain."

"Bai'e and Xilian stood on an empty plain, gazing up at the sky that seemed ignited, the dawn machine incessantly spewing fire rain. Amid the spreading black tide, only the hoarse cries of people remained in the wind."

"In the west, a lone army holds the front; it won't fall in the short term. Teacher Kesha set up formations in the north and east before his death; their effect is still unknown, but I trust him. As for Aohema…"

"Bai'e turned, looking at Xilian beside him holding the ritual sword: 'Don't worry about Aglaea. Even if she falls, she remains the noblest demigod; her 'romantic' bond is unbreakable, and the holy city's citizens have answered her last wish, flocking to the defense.'"

"Move out—KefaLe has offered its fire seed. For Opherus, we must complete the 'Recreation of the World' before the next gate!"

"Gazing at this apocalyptic scene before them, Xilian lowered her head: 'Only three hours left…'"

"So this is our last look at her."

"Bai'e… we set out to answer the world's wish, right?"

"Bai'e clenched his fists: 'Every golden heir is like this; never changed.'"

"Then… why is Opherus's wish so unreasonable?"

"……"

"This time, Bai'e couldn't answer."

Xilian's voice was very light, so light it seemed like a sigh that could be blown away by the wind at any moment: "Clearly, at every correct moment, everyone had done their best and made the right choice. Yet in the end, the oracle that guided us, the black tide that swallowed the world..."

"Why is it like this?"

"I... don't know." Bai E gritted their teeth, said each word, "But aside from moving forward, we have long had no other choice. Even if the road ahead is an endless night, I still believe... that is the direction of dawn. At the end of the firelight, the blazing sun will ultimately rise."

"So then, let's go, to the Hall of the Three Phases of Fate! Let you take over the authority of 'Ages', let all the fire seeds return to the vortex core, in order to put an end to this world's fate."

"Afterward, let us all prepare for destruction... or embark on the final great campaign."

——

One-Punch Man.

Hey hey… I'm not mistaken, right? The sword that Xilian is holding… is it the ritual sword used by the Fire Thieves?

Atomic Samurai rubbed his eyes, double‑checking that he wasn't seeing things, and wondered, 'Was this ritual sword originally Xilian's weapon, taken from her after the Fire Thieves killed her and stole her arms?'

For some reason, Atomic Samurai felt a chill down his spine. If nothing unexpected happens, the Fire Thieves are probably waiting ahead for Alba and his group.

"No, it's not that simple." Bangu cleared his throat and went on, "Onfelros is almost at its end, yet Alba has never brought up the Fire Thieves, which likely means they haven't appeared in this age."

"If there are no Fire Thieves, how did the ritual sword end up in their hands?" Atomic Samurai thought the old man's guess was rather far‑fetched.

"Since Onfelros has experienced multiple Fire‑Kindling Journeys, as the 'original memory' I suspect the Fire Thieves first learned the sword's purpose here, then killed Xilian to seize it. However, I have a faint feeling that the sword's use isn't limited to stealing fire." Child Emperor interjected.

"Oh? Child Emperor, do you think it has another purpose?"

"Well, just like the twisted, broken great sword it wields, this ritual sword probably holds deep significance for the Fire Thieves as well."

——

"Sorry for disturbing your slumber, Oronis."

"It's fine. I understand that fate has reached its end."

"This Oronis behaves very maturely, completely unlike the childlike Titan that Star previously encountered."

"The black tide has reached the gates of Ohkema; Onfelros has little time left… the moment of rebirth has arrived." Alba said in a low voice.

"I will offer the fire of the ages as promised."

"Before Alba and Xilian, a transparent door slowly appeared."

"Ride the river of time; it will step forth and reach the heart of creation… enter and bear witness."

"Alba lowered his gaze to Xilian: 'Teacher Keshā proved with his life that rebirth is no idle talk. As the golden heirs of the oracle, we are destined to burn our fate for the world… now it's our turn to sacrifice ourselves—don't let everyone's sacrifice be in vain.'"

""You don't need to keep asking about my resolve, Alba." The girl smiled as she always did, placing her hands behind her back and leaning slightly forward, "Since the moment we left the village, we've been ready to defy fate, haven't we?""

"Come: let us embrace the miracle foretold by the oracle and burn away all the world's corruption."

"Xilian nodded: 'Then… becoming the first spark that lights the new world.'"

"After saying that, Alba and his companions walked together through the door, and once they saw the two figures disappear, Kagos's voice echoed once more behind Star."

"Year 4931 of the Light Calendar, the third seven‑day period of the Long Night Moon. Your Highness Star, welcome to the end of the Fire‑Kindling… and to the world's end."

"Now the Titan has revealed the gateway of fate; please step inside and behold it. Beyond this door lies the new world that heroes have long sought. It is also the ultimate destination of the bearer of this long memory."

"At this point, Kagos gave another meaningful smile."

"Then you will understand how the mortal named Alba bears the world's weight, how that weight oppresses him, and how it proves… that the so‑called savior is merely Onfelros's delusional belief that it can defy fate—a sad, wishful fantasy."

Speaking of this, the ancient scholar gave another meaningful smile.

——

Kamen Rider Build.

"As soon as those words were spoken, the phrase 'mastermind' was practically stamped on Kagos's forehead."

"Ryuuga clenched his teeth, glaring at the cold android with displeasure, yet at the same time a host of new questions sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain."

"But what I'm curious about is why Laigushi would convey these to Xing? Is it because Xing is a 'Pioneer' Pathwalker? Or is it because they favor her ability to tread multiple Paths at once? Or perhaps it's the star core within her?"