Chapter 65 : Chapter 65 Just as Ah Die had foretold, at the end of the sea of flowers...
It could almost be described as unbelievable.
After understanding the sequence of events, Black Swan also grasped its meaning.
"If she and Dan Heng are currently experiencing events identical to the game's storyline..."
"Then, where did this Ms. Tiresias come from?" Black Swan's gentle voice was filled with confusion.
Assuming this picture wasn't photoshopped.
Or rather, Himeko didn't believe such an expression, such a likeness, could be faked.
Players might think that way because they were unaware of Amphoreus' existence. No matter how lifelike the expression and appearance, they wouldn't associate it with a real person.
But Himeko knew Tiresias truly existed, including the Chrysos Heirs of Amphoreus.
What puzzled her was that, according to the current storyline, she should have long since passed away. Yet, she appeared in a post alongside the game's Author?
And seemingly... acquainted?
"This is too strange."
"Welt and Sunday went to see Ms. Herta, and there's still no news." Himeko frowned deeply.
"Miss Himeko, I understand your concern."
"But in my opinion, I don't believe this is entirely a bad thing."
Black Swan smiled and emphasized, "Because if that's the case, at least one thing can be confirmed."
"The creator of this game is most likely within Amphoreus. We're just uncertain... which time, or space, he currently occupies?"
Treading the Path of Remembrance, Black Swan naturally understood more. It was also she who suggested coming to Aha Star.
Himeko found this reasoning sound and well-founded.
But what was perplexing was, what was the Author's current relationship with the Chrysos Heirs?
Or rather, why did he bring Tiresias back to the Temple of Janusa?
"Don't overthink it, Miss Himeko." Black Swan gently reassured her, "We can wait a little. Mr. Welt might return with news."
"If that doesn't work, I think... I have a way to appropriately step into Amphoreus."
Physically descending into Amphoreus would undoubtedly be seeking death in the unknown.
But if one were to travel upstream through the Memory Zone, then it wasn't impossible to catch a glimpse of its entirety.
"I understand." Himeko nodded.
"If possible, I'll trouble you, Miss Black Swan."
...
After returning to Okhema, Robin also saw its full scope as promised.
That's right.
This wasn't cosplay, because the game was based on real locations, and the Chrysos Heirs in the game were also real.
This shocked Robin and her assistant while also inexplicably bringing them a touch of joy.
Firstly, the people from the story truly existed. Secondly, they were all alive and well.
Even when encountering Castorice, Robin felt her memories become slightly disordered, unsure if it was related to the Memokeeper.
You're telling me this '●_●' '◕_◕' '◐‿◑' is the Ashen Hand's attendant, the daughter of the Styx, the cold Death Dragon Knight you described in the game?!
What's the difference between this and the most violent, ferocious, ruthless Sam having a treasure!
After roughly explaining the situation to Robin, Xu Qiong temporarily settled her in.
Since Robin's involvement was needed for the subsequent MV production, she might have to stay here for quite some time. Other matters could be explained later.
However, arriving in this new world, Robin seemed to be enjoying herself. After all, days off weren't plentiful.
Time of Parting.
It was dusk. In the Bath Palace, Xu Qiong fiddled with the gift Tiresias had promised him.
It was also a music box, but it contained three hand-sewn dolls in the likenesses of Tribbie, Trianne, and Trinnon.
Once opened—
"Little Hui, Little Hui, we like you~!"
"Little Hui, Little Hui, we like you~!"
"Little Hui, Little Hui..."
That's right.
It would use the three distinct voices of Tribbie, Trianne, and Trinnon, accompanied by music, spinning and looping this recording.
"I must admit, Teacher Tiresias's inventions are, as always... uniquely ingenious."
After saying this.
He placed the music box, along with the clothes Agy gave him and the letter from Mydei, to the side.
Then, he switched back to the game livestream. Version 3.1 was drawing to a complete close.
The final shot was from Trianne's perspective.
It showed a despondent Castorice asking a question: "Forgive my boldness."
"But... Lord Tribbie, you clearly know that 'see you tomorrow' was just a kind lie."
"I don't want your strength... to be a lonely facade of forced cheerfulness."
In truth, every player watching could see it did seem like a lie, for only one person could behold the miracle.
But.
Tribbie only shook her head, stating firmly, "Castorice, it wasn't a lie."
"'See you tomorrow' is the greatest prophecy in the world!"
"Because in this land, at every moment, in every corner, someone is waiting for that prophecy to be fulfilled."
Even if not everyone had the chance to reach tomorrow, as long as people tried to believe it would come true.
Even if the world was teetering on the brink, everyone would still strive with all their might to go further, to walk towards tomorrow. That's why there was a saintess to guide the lost.
That's why there was Path, there were Titans.
"Fate isn't the outcome; it's the journey."
"So, Butterfly... if there's something you can't figure out, just leave it for tomorrow!"
Castorice suddenly fell silent.
Tribbie turned her head, gazing at Trianne's doll. For a fleeting moment, that sea of flowers seemed to truly appear.
In the distance was the azure sky and the morning dawn spilling its light.
Tribbie stood on the other side of the flower sea, watching as Tiresias gently waved, then took Trianne's hand and walked towards 'tomorrow' on the other side.
"Because that's how Tiresias walked her Path, spreading the prophecy..."
Tribbie prayed quietly: "We will continue our journey, facing our own destinies."
"One day, the dark mists of Amphoreus will be parted, and finally, everyone will arrive at that silvery shore, the journey's end, a brand-new world and tomorrow."
"There, no blizzards, bitter cold, or sudden storms exist, and no one will be touched by sorrow."
"We made a promise, to reunite at the fragrant, flower-filled End of the West Wind."
"See you tomorrow, Trianne!"
Perhaps no one would realize.
Within the illusion, from the vast sea of flowers, a tender reply seemed to truly echo back.
"Mm, see you tomorrow!" Trianne spoke.
Before the screen, Guinaifen, who had long since cried herself into a blubbering mess, hid in Sushang's embrace.
Many other players also fell silent together.
...
And on the other side of the lens.
Belonging to the conversation between Anaxa and Cerces.
The time remaining for Anaxa's soul was dwindling, and he intended to use his last moments to unravel one truth.
A subject named "Us."
"It's just a pity... this next experiment cannot be conducted by me personally."
"Has that girl, shadowed by death, made sufficient preparations?" Cerces pondered.
Besides that, there was also the entanglement between Aglaea and Senate, and the Star about to inherit the spark of the Time.
Of course.
After the screen faded to black, only a single image remained, accompanied by Tribbie's graceful narration.
"People were already prepared. To chase the flames, one must grow accustomed to farewells. Yet..."
Within the flower sea, beneath the beautiful colored illustration, was Castorice cradling the Star's body, which was on the verge of dissipating.
"death... its arrival is always so sudden, yet so deeply etched."
"Even Little Hui from beyond the skies cannot escape death's grasp. And in that trial of death, what people gained and lost..."
"Was far heavier than life itself."
"Just as the fate the prophecy revealed to Castorice foretold—"
"At the end of the sea of flowers, the spirits of the living shall warm thy fingertips. After the embrace comes eternal parting!"
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100 POWER STONE = BONUS CHAPTER
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