Chapter 157

【Welt: The real-life Daydream Hotel is very peaceful; nothing happened there.】

【—The above is a historical message.】

After Stelle finished reading through these messages,

she began replying in the group chat.

【Stelle: My investigation here is done】

【Stelle: Where do we gather?】

【March 7th: Stelle!】

【Himeko: Stelle, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters.】

【March 7th: That woman didn't do anything bad, did she?】

【Himeko: Regarding Young Lady Liu Ying's matter... I am truly sorry.】

【Himeko: The family has sealed off the scene; we are currently negotiating with their representative, and it's almost wrapped up.】

【Himeko: Let's meet near the Clock Boy statue later.】

Once the messages reached this point,

they temporarily stopped.

【The family representative...】

【Is everything alright on Himeko's side...?】

After putting down her phone,

Stelle felt a little worried.

Afterwards, she set off toward the Clock Boy statue.

【So much has happened.... Better hurry and sort out my thoughts; wait until everyone's here...】

Arriving before the Clock Boy statue,

Stelle began organizing her thoughts,

while waiting.

Meanwhile,

the scene shifted,

and a scene from some time ago, deep within the Reverie Domain, began to play.

【You should draw that blade now.】

【Ranger!】

At this moment, blazing flames were erupting from Sam's chest,

as he confronted Huang Quan.

【... Hunter, do you still dream?】

【Do you dream of those who died because of you?】

Huang Quan gripped the sword hilt,

and spoke those inexplicable words.

At this moment, the scene shifted once more.

The time jumped to several days earlier, at the Eternal Flame Mansion...

【...】

【.... It seems the victor was decided long ago.】

Duke Inferno Afrite was in a sorry state, leaning against the base of the throne,

looking at Huang Quan before him, his expression crestfallen.

【They are still alive, and so are you.】

【You still have room to choose.】

【Leave that music box behind, then go.】

Huang Quan pointed her scabbard at Duke Inferno,

giving him a chance to live.

【A choice? The bloodstained path of destruction has never tolerated hesitation.】

Duke Inferno shook his head.

【Fire Devil of Tophet..... Even if you offered your life for that Aeon, you would not receive His favor.】

Huang Quan stated a fact.

【Ranger, you walk the narrow path of the Hunt, so naturally you cannot understand.】

【We are born from fire, baptized by flame, spreading, burning, destroying, until the kindling is spent, leaving only ash.】

【Burning is the life of a Fire Devil—the beginning and the end.】

【We are born to die, existing only to carry out one facet of the universe's truth: all things are born for destruction.】

Duke Inferno's tone was utterly resolute.

【Your companions don't seem to think so; they fought for your chance to live.】

Huang Quan said calmly.

【They are my children, like I once was—still unwhite-hot embers.】

【They are still young; I will not blame them.】

【But my flame has already grown hoarse; there is little time left.】

【Do you see that distant Festive Star?】

"I will bring Purgatory there—so before that, I must transcend you."

The Grand Duke of Netherflame struggled to rise.

0 seeking flowers

"Why?"

Huang Quan could not understand.

"Because on the path They have opened, you have walked farther than I..."

".... Aeon."

The Grand Duke of Netherflame saw through Huang Quan's true identity.

"...."

Huang Quan answered in silence.

"You cannot hide your identity."

"Draw that blade. We shall indeed remain here, we are destined to fight to the death, because I 'choose' to do so."

"Destruction is a magnificent instant."

"If one were to grovel for survival... this life would be far too long."

The Grand Duke of Netherflame chose his own ending.

"Even if the answer... may be your own destruction?"

Huang Quan asked, frowning.

"The answer is not important; what matters is that it exists, just as you exist."

"Everything exists to be destroyed—an Aeon is no exception."

"Even within the void, beautiful dreams can be born."

"So-called impossibilities are merely things that have not yet come to pass."

The Grand Duke of Netherflame explained.

"...."

"... Very well, I agree to your terms."

Huang Quan was silent for a moment,

then placed his hand on the hilt.

"You shall witness the most brilliant and violent fire in this world."

"May this burning illuminate your bottomless dream."

The Grand Duke of Netherflame spoke with magnificent, resolute resolve!

"A bottomless dream... indeed, but you have misunderstood one thing."