[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist":3,"chapter-this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-1292":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1533103,1991,"Chapter 1292: Divine Game: Graveyard of Bones 14","this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-1292",1292,"\u003Cp>A bitter feeling rose in Rita’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flower Crown Murder and Variational Quicksand both fell weakly to the ground, like a rain of petals scattered across a black desert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t alter this memory to hide a mistake. You never believed you were wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you weren’t pretending to be clueless either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked straight at Byme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were afraid Deceitful Bloom wouldn’t come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You sealed your own memories like this because you hoped that one day... she would come see you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See this ’innocent’ version of you. This ’ignorant’ version of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita’s voice grew colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And those excuses... invading Tingo while she was gone, the rule about not starting wars without her...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was her doing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She used your altered memory to take all the blame onto herself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If invading Tingo was the right choice, then everything that prevented it must be wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was Deceitful Bloom’s logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed it was all her fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one who showed Byme other timelines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one who entrusted Midsummer to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one who trusted too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet... she couldn’t say any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Byme herself had been part of the sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Deceitful Bloom buried her with her own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And never came back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She tried to give you a chance to make up for regrets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She put all the blame on herself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Byme had never felt regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deceive or control?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who started this endless feast of pain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Deceitful Bloom ever found the answer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one most skilled in deception and control... had been deceived at the most critical moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme had manipulated everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changed the course of her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ending was never what Deceitful Bloom wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was what Byme wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A memory surfaced in Rita’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something from long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And suddenly... she understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So that’s why,\" she murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you thinking?\" Byme’s eyes sharpened. \"You remembered something about her, didn’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look like you just understood one of her choices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back then, she used BSCicada’s admiration and attention to guide her into discovering me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the time, BS was on the brink of collapse. Deceitful Bloom pushed me into a gamble with a god. That bought BS time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But she didn’t help Beacon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme tilted her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Favoritism like that is the fastest way to provoke anger. And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never understood it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita’s voice lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She could have just told BSCicada what she wanted. Told her directly she wanted Dawn to invade BS. Told her she wanted me to serve the Vineborne.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But instead, she made Cicada notice her ’special treatment’ toward me... and turn that resentment against me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t get it. That’s how you grow flowers. You guide them according to their nature.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cicada said the same thing when we talked about it again,\" Rita replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile touched her lips, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But because of the misunderstanding... she once hated Deceitful Bloom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was furious that Beacon wasn’t saved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She even said...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita paused. Then finished quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Deceitful Bloom was nothing but trash.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita watched Byme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watched as the smile faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watched as the emotion drained from her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until nothing was left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had Deceitful Bloom done it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them knew the answer now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Rita didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pressed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She did it on purpose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She deliberately favored non-Vineborne to test Cicada.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was a test.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita’s voice hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was afraid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Afraid of seeing another Byme.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She didn’t want any Vineborne to put themselves above their race.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Cicada’s reaction...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s exactly what she wanted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A leader who would put the Vineborne and Beacon first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fog began to creep in from outside the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme leaned back in her chair, eyes lowered to the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, she looked... worn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nivalis poked Rita with the tip of her wing and whispered in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten seventeen. We can leave now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned, sat casually on the desk, and looked down at Byme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can I leave now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The provocation didn’t anger her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme simply looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re certain I’ll let you go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita met her gaze without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because this timeline shines... because of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was her answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme suddenly smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deceitful Bloom would definitely like you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave the conclusion, but no explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then send me back to the real study.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Answer one last question,\" Byme said calmly. \"Then I’ll let you go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Quiet Mountain Deceitful Bloom asked her...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme’s voice slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"’You are the last Vineborne of Starsea. Who are you fighting for?’\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did she answer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had seen it at Dustfire’s old table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does that answer still matter to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want to hear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nivalis was practically stomping on her shoulder now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Answer already! We’re about to miss the exit window!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course it matters,\" Byme said seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to know... when she was the only one left...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kept her going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What her ideals were.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What she was holding onto.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she noticed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way Rita was looking at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far beyond mockery or confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme suddenly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No wonder those gods said they can never figure out your relationship with her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You took her racial talent, yet she still taught you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She deceived and controlled you, yet you feel grief and anger for what she went through.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You even challenged me for her sake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tilted her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if I had let you go earlier... you wouldn’t have left, would you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wanted to tear this apart even more than I did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did what I said make you angry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita ignored everything except the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice turned sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You destroyed everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now you want to know what kept her going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme’s tone was steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I swear in Deceitful Bloom’s name...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will let you leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I will tell you where the creator of Cat’s Ideal is buried, along with where they usually appear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita let out a cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you lie...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She narrowed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something will happen to Deceitful Bloom tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byme’s expression turned solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nivalis, who had watched the entire exchange, was completely lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"???\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1081,"2026-06-06T06:15:32.213Z",1,"novelbin.me","6c14ee4506ca177584b467739e2c5b311c8a73c2251746022bb5d8c4f7425113","this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-1293","this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-1291",1404,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-cover.jpg"]