Chapter 1392

Ishtar, seated in the VIP seat to the side, was gripping a red gemstone; under the intense sunlight, the celestial scene inside the ruby was entirely blood-red, and even the figures of Caesar and Heshayin seemed shrouded in a thick layer of blood.

"But this Caesar, in the history of Wengfalusi, the impression left for posterity seems to be that of a tyrant, right?" Ishtar said lightly, "Although we don't know much about her now, if she truly is a tyrant, can she still deserve your current evaluation?"

"Hmm, that's natural."

Gilgamesh picked up a clay tablet at hand and said, "The king has the duty to protect his people, but mere protection cannot be called guardianship; sometimes cruelty is also needed. For the king's duty is to build the civilization of this planet."

"For that little girl, Aohema's civilization and the Fire Pursuit Journey are deeply intertwined; without the Fire Pursuit Journey, any civilization would vanish under the erosion of the Heichi."

"Therefore, for the Fire Pursuit Journey…… even if she does some cruel acts that people cannot understand, this king can also understand her. As for the title of 'tyrant'… heh, a king's gaze never looks backward; surely she is the same."

——

""Welcome back, Caesar!""

Xing and Xilian had just landed on Dawncloud Cliff when two rows of honor guards in heavy armor dropped to one knee in unison. The spears in their hands struck the hard stone slabs in perfect unison, accompanied by clashing metallic sounds, and the mighty shouts rolled over the cliff like a tide.

""Welcome home, golden hero! Welcome, savior!""

Xilian whispered: "Look, they didn't get it wrong. Such a grand reception is all for you."

Heshayin stepped forward first: "Thank you for guarding the holy city. How's the situation?"

""Report: Xuanfengcheng has launched another offensive against the border; the 'Winter Frost Marquis' has already led troops to repel the invaders. Within the city, the mobs opposing the Fire Pursuit remain active. They previously caused a disturbance at the Yunshi market, smashing nearby shops. The garrison has detained the ringleader, pending interrogation.""

Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output keludela said lightly: "Just a rabble, no need to worry. Even if the barren flute has personally mended the split earth, they can still find a thousand excuses to provoke."

After saying that, the girl looked up at Xing to the side: "You two extraterrestrial guests need not worry about these trifles; first follow the Banner Marquis to settle in."

After finishing, Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output keludela went off to attend to business, while Heshayin led the two to the side and proactively said: "Let me offer a belated self-introduction: I am Heshayin, the Banner Marquis sworn to serve Caesar, and the knight commander of the Aohema alliance."

""Later, Caesar will invite you two to attend the alliance conference, to discuss the Fire Pursuit journey with representatives of all states. It is your arrival that makes us confident that the future promised by the oracle is certain. Under Caesar's leadership……""

""Wengfalusi will surely break free of its shackles and head toward the realm beyond.""

Xilian interrupted: "Forgive my boldness, but how much do you all know about us… and about 'the realm beyond'?"

Heshayin shook her head: "As a subject, I cannot presume to speak freely; I hope you two will understand."

——

Chainsaw Man

"That… I shouldn't have misheard, right?"

Denji scratched his head, feeling his mind foggy.

What does…… "heading toward the realm beyond" mean? Can the people of Wengfalusi possibly break free of the data's shackles and go to outer space?

"You didn't mishear; that's exactly what she said." Hayakawa Shu's eyes sank slightly, staring unblinkingly at Heshayin, "... judging by the look, she doesn't seem to be lying; she truly believes this from the heart. Could it be because the oracle was altered by Laigushi?"

"But heading to the realm beyond is obviously a scam."

"For Xing and Xilian, this is indeed a scam. But for Heshayin and Caesar, it's not entirely so."

"Huh? Why?"

Hayakawa Shu let out a soft sigh: "Think about it carefully—everyone in Wengfalusi is data simulated by the scepter. If they successfully complete the Recreation of the World, data recovery, and the birth of the Iron Tomb, then aren't they essentially adopting a different 'mode of existence' to head to the galaxy?"

"The oracle isn't wrong; it just omitted a tiny detail——which also fits my stereotype of Laigushi. Every word it speaks is true, but when those truths are pieced together they become the most terrifying lie."

"Then why not expose this oracle?" Denji thought it wasn't a big deal.

Hayakawa Shu shook his head: "No, each iteration of the Fire Pursuit Journey has an ultimate goal—the Recreation of the World. This goal is what drives countless golden descendants to press on despite sacrifice. But if this generation lacks the Recreation of the World and instead takes 'heading toward the realm beyond' as the Fire Pursuit Journey's ultimate goal, then exposing this lie would come at a terrible cost."

"Terrible? Isn't it good to let them know the truth?"

"Speaking the truth is certainly easy, but then what?" Hayakawa Shu's stern gaze swept over Denji, "Can Xing provide a new goal as a substitute for 'heading toward the realm beyond'? The greatest tragedy of Wengfalusi lies in the fact that, whether the Iron Tomb is destroyed or not, everyone is doomed to vanish. One is a predestined demise; the other is the faint hope in the oracle of heading to the realm beyond. Which do you think they'll choose?"

——

Heshayin slightly turned sideways, made an elegant "please" gesture, and led the two through the heavy bronze doors into the depths of the Dawncloud Cliff Palace.

"However, unlike the Dawncloud Cliff teeming with nobles that Xing saw in the previous cycle, under Caesar's rule the place is bustling with crowds, people of all kinds of attire walking about."

There were elderly men in linen robes sitting together discussing politics, and also minstrels with wide-brimmed hats plucking their harps, humming unknown tunes and poems; the scene looked peaceful.

""Under Caesar's rule, Aohema has completely emerged from the shadow of war.""

""Indeed. Dawncloud Cliff is the traveling palace of all heroes; to spare you the fatigue of travel, Caesar has put much thought into this palace…… As for the details, please experience them yourselves. When Caesar arrives, I will come to summon you all.""

After saying that, Heshayin left first.

""Miss Heshayin… truly lives up to being the knight commander.""

""Really tight-lipped.""

""No problem, we've finally reached the free activity segment. There's still some time before the alliance conference; shall we start moving? Look over there……"

Xing followed Xilian's pointing direction and saw two old acquaintances standing by the flowerbed, chatting.

——Tipao and Aglaea

""Although they're not the ones I know well……"

Xilian smiled faintly: "But believe that the heroes of every cycle remain constant, never changing."