Chapter 1638: Afterword: As I Have Written (2)

"No delay is advisable; Star immediately set out for Belloc Berg, proactively seeking out Xier and Bronya to discuss this matter."

"Long time no see, Star. I heard you were coming, so I called Xier as well."

"Xier let out a cold snort: 'It's all because of 'Destruction'; the orphans at the orphanage now dare not go out... Never mind that, what do you want to talk about?'"

"Star recounted the full story behind 'As I Have Written' and the current state of Wengfaluo Si. After listening, Xier couldn't help but praise: '... I heard the entire Galaxy trembled three times this time; you managed to resolve it smoothly—impressive.'"

"Thanks to the anti-Tumu vaccine brought by Miss Topaz and our timely shutdown of the Creation Engine, Belloc Berg avoided another crisis. Don't worry, the reconstruction plan remains unaffected.' Saying this, Bronya's face lit up with the relief of having survived a disaster, but she added, 'Still, it must be said... a ripple in the universe becomes a raging flood when it reaches a frontier planet.'"

"Wengfaluo Si is no different. As fellow developing civilizations, we are willing to contribute to its future. Goodwill is like a torch—it burns brighter when passed on."

"Xier's attitude was blunt: 'I won't say hollow, pompous things. In short, I will definitely help where help is needed. By the way, Star, I also have a favor to ask of you. Come with me later.'"

"Although I didn't know what medicine Hu Ke was selling in his gourd, Star still followed her to Na Ta Sha's clinic."

"Only to see Hu Ke lying on the hospital bed, looking terribly ill."

"Hu Ke looked at her pitifully: 'Honorary member? You finally came! My leg is about to lose all feeling...'"

"'Hu Ke, what's this...?'"

"Xier wore an expression of regret: 'According to Klara, she used the hole-digging machine to help mine, but the power was too high and she broke her leg. I'm afraid... she may never be able to take an interstellar flight again. She wants to hear you tell some fresh stories from Outer Space, so she won't be left with regrets.'"

"'This feels highly suspicious...'"

"Na Ta Sha chuckled from the side: 'Hmm... just treat it as true, don't worry too much about the details.'"

"But since Na Ta Sha said so, Star simply retold the story from 'As I Have Written' to Hu Ke. As soon as the story ended, Hu Ke 'whoosh' sprang up from the bed and darted away in a flash."

"'Miraculous recovery, Doctor.'"

"'Maybe your story was so exciting it cured her without treatment?' Na Ta Sha couldn't help but laugh, 'Hehe... I admit I was just playing around with Hu Ke. She just wanted to see you—kids are all like that. Speaking of, that book seems quite interesting. Could I have a copy too? Next time there's a disobedient child, I'll use this book to pacify them.'"

"'It feels like you're treating it as a fairy tale.'"

"Na Ta Sha shook her head: 'What's wrong with fairy tales? Your story contains struggle, love, and courage—exactly the qualities children should learn. Moreover, creating fairy tales is extremely difficult; one must believe in the existence of beautiful things—in my view, sometimes adults need fairy tales more than children do.'"

"——"

"Xiao Lin's family's dragon maid."

"Indeed."

"Xiao Lin gazed out the window at the dim sky; as the sunlight gradually faded, the meaning of red lights and green wine grew increasingly rich."

"The stories in fairy tales are too beautiful, but once one grows up, one discovers that compared to the world's beauty, the undertone of disappointment seems to be even more prevalent."

"During the morning rush hour on the subway, one loses a shoe, rubs sleepy eyes while waiting in line for the elevator beneath the office building, remains silent in the face of unreasonable blame from superiors, and on rainy days still has to drag oneself out of bed to go to work—such a dreadful mood..."

"Each matter is trivial, but as they slowly accumulate, the kindness and beauty from those fairy tales gradually fade from sight."

"That's class, after all..."

"How could going to work possibly be beautiful?"

"However, to claim there is absolutely no trace of beauty in life is of course impossible. Every Saturday night, getting drunk at the izakaya, lying on the maid's lap for a knee pillow at the maid café, returning home after a day's labor to see Tuo Er..."

"Of course, if those beautiful maidens appearing in the Sky Curtain could also wear maid outfits, it would be even better!"

"'Xiao Lin, you suddenly laughed so wickedly! I can't hold it in anymore!' Tuo Er sharply leaned in, widened his eyes, and a pair of vertical pupils fixed on Xiao Lin's face, staring intently."

"'Eh... is there, is there?'"

"'Absolutely!'"

"'Tuo Er, you're just too sensitive; I'm only thinking about whether tonight's dinner menu should be updated.' Xiao Lin's eyes darted about, he guiltily turned his head, but his cheeks uncontrollably flushed with a suspicious hint of red."

"'Indeed, it should be updated—tonight, let's eat my tail meat!'"

"'Don't eat that kind of strange meat!'"

"——"

"Star handed Na Ta Sha a printed copy of 'As I Have Written,' and also left on it the inscription: 'Dedicated to every person who aspires to be a hero.'"

"'Written quite well. This way, I am the first owner of your exclusive signed edition. I will pass this book down through the generations—five hundred years, a thousand years... as long as children still grow up, and their children have children, it will never be forgotten.'"

"'After all, some things must be remembered—such as 'That One' Great Guardian, and all the struggles that have occurred among the stars...'"

"Before Na Ta Sha could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Hu Ke's voice; she clamored to hear the story from that book, only this time it was Na Ta Sha's turn to tell it to her."

"……"

"Star then arrived at the Xianzhou Tian Jue Si, intending to consult with Tai Su, but from afar saw her already in communication with Yaoguang."

"'So, junior sister, great changes are upon us—why not come to Yu Que to serve as Tai Su? That way I could catch my breath.'"

"'General Yaoguang is joking.' Fu Xuan stood with one hand on her hip, full of confidence, and gave a wry smile: 'Remaining in Luofu, I will surely inherit the general's position; transferring to Yu Que would mean I could only ever be a tiny Tai Su. Which path holds greater promise—I would not fail to discern.'"

"Yaoguang chuckled lightly: 'Junior sister, your optimism is truly delightful. It seems the 'Optimistic General' is indeed a specialty of Luofu—your visitor has arrived, so I too must take my leave.'"