Chapter 389: Inquiry
What Sigurd was doing outside had no effect on the other girls who were still training within the various Domains of Legends.
In Su's world, Seele continued receiving mental and spiritual training of all kinds.
In Hua's world, Wendy had progressed from simply discussing the Dao with Hua to crossing fists with her—discussing the Dao through real combat.
In Sakura and Kalpas's domain, Mei was still getting beaten back and forth—though it wasn't actually because she was weak.
With Sigurd and Einstein jointly guiding her, plus Fu Hua never holding back in instruction, the Herrscher of Thunder could easily hold her ground against any Flame-Chaser besides Kevin if she truly went all-out. But she was here to learn, not to win. And when it comes to learning how to fight, getting hit is actually a very efficient method.
As time passed, Sigurd formally requested a meeting with several Flame-Chasers who had free time.
...
A serene tea room built of bamboo and polished wood, its classical fragrance drifting upward in slow, curling wisps of sandalwood smoke.
The people inside were seated in two lines facing each other.
On the two main seats at the far end sat Sigurd and, at his summons, Kevin.
On Sigurd's side, seated beneath him in order were Bronya, Kiana, Senti, and perched on Senti's head was the Book of Fuxi.
On Kevin's side, sitting below him were Elysia and Eden.
Fu Hua, meanwhile, was moving down the rows, serving everyone freshly prepared tea. Dressed in pure white, carrying that soft, gentle air about her, she drew repeated glances from Kevin and Eden—unsurprising, since this was the little sister who had walked with them to the end of civilization. Now that she stood close enough to touch, it was impossible not to wonder how she was doing.
"I'm doing quite well now, so there's no need to worry. But I'm not the main topic today. If you're curious, we can talk more later."
Fu Hua placed a tiny miniature teacup into the Book of Fuxi's hands and smiled at Kevin and Eden, then, rather than taking the empty seat near Eden, she calmly sat in the last seat on Sigurd's side.
At that moment, Elysia's eyes curved into delighted crescents, while Eden raised an eyebrow with faint amusement.
Kevin stared at Fu Hua for a long, steady moment before turning away as if nothing had happened.
"You've already received the Stigmata Imprints. What else did you call us for?"
"Don't pretend you don't know. It's what I mentioned to you before I left last time."
"I already gave you my answer. The civilization of this era has nothing to do with us. We have no intention of participating. As far as I know, the me from fifty thousand years later is still alive—you'd be better off asking him."
"I won't force you. But don't project your own attitude onto others. Not everyone is as pessimistic as you. I want more pieces to probe and wear down the End. Anyone who's willing, I'll give them another chance to face the End again; anyone who's not, that's fine too. In the meantime, staying here as a consciousness barrier and amplification source to help me drive Yinglong is also a contribution."
Sigurd sipped his tea leisurely as he spoke.
It was the first time he'd openly referenced the secret weapon hidden beneath the Elysian Realm—something Kiana and Sin Mal had only caught a fleeting glimpse of.
But his words made Elysia puff her cheeks unhappily.
"Wow! That sounds so hurtful. So in your eyes we're all just tools and chess pieces to be used however you like? Look at this perfect, adorable face—can't you think of anything besides 'utility' when you look at it?"
Elysia pointed at her own cheeks with both index fingers and tilted her head with a cute little smile.
Sigurd cast her a sidelong glance.
Several tiny black dots appeared in the air, sprinkling glowing powder into Elysia's teacup.
Elysia's smile froze.
"I was just trying to liven up the mood. Did you really have to pull that trick again? Fine, I will shut up now!"
Elysia pinched her fingers together and made a zipping motion across her tightly sealed lips, indicating she had "zipped them shut."
Sigurd glanced toward Fu Hua.
Fu Hua immediately smiled, stood up, and replaced Elysia's tea with a fresh cup.
When Fu Hua delivered the new tea, Elysia tugged on her sleeve, mimed unzipping her lips, and whispered in a pitiful, soft little voice:
" Hua~ you've become bad~ You teamed up with him to bully me!"
"Sorry, Elysia, but he's the Emperor. I have to follow his instructions."
"Hmph! I'm upset now! I'll remove Hua from Elysia's 'favorite friends list'—for at least an hour!"
"I'll apologize later. Just behave for now. Sigurd isn't unreasonable; he just doesn't like people messing around when he's trying to handle serious matters."
Fu Hua gently soothed her, stroking her like calming a ruffled cat.
Elysia looked at Fu Hua's warm smile, then stole a glance at Sigurd's cold, composed posture as he sipped his tea. Left with no choice, she suppressed her dramatic, playful nature and silently pretended to zip her lips shut again.
At that moment, Sigurd looked to her in order.
"Kevin has given his answer. What about you? Are you going out or not? I won't guarantee you'll survive against the End, and I won't promise not to send you to your death. But at the very least, before the End arrives, you'd get to experience what it means to truly live again."
"..."
"You can unzip now."
"..."
Elysia's response, in the end, was silence—head lowered.
Neither acceptance nor refusal. Sigurd couldn't read her thoughts. Still, she had until he left the Elysian Realm to decide, so there was no need to rush.
With the memories of Flame-Chaser No.1 and No.2 both yielding unsatisfactory results, Sigurd turned his gaze to the next one—Eden.
Before he could even speak, Eden shook her head with a serene smile.
"I won't go out there and become a burden. A star that already fell fifty thousand years ago has no reason to shine again after fifty thousand years."
"I can tell you have no desire to fight for anything anymore. That's fine, I respect your choice, Eden."
"Thank you for the invitation. And… I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"It's not that serious. Like I said, the Flame-Chasers who remain here still contribute to me. The form is simply different."
Sigurd had already anticipated this outcome.
Most of the memory construct in the Elysian Realm had long since let go of earthly attachments. They believed the duties of the real world belonged to their real selves. As long as the memories and experiences of the past were preserved here, that was enough. Several had already refused him outright before today.
But in Sigurd's eyes, none of this made a significant difference. The modern civilization did not lack high-end combat power. A few more Flame-Chasers or a few less would not change much.
Mobius, however, was an exception.
She wasn't just a warrior—she was a scientist. And the changes brought by science were global, long-lasting. If he failed to bring such a precious talent with him, that would be a true loss.
"Well then, let's just enjoy the tea and chat for a bit. We can have a meal later. Don't refuse me, Kevin—it's a rare occasion for all of us. You're someone who doesn't fear death or even time itself. Surely you're not shy, are you?"
"…Fine."
Kevin glanced thoughtfully at Fu Hua before finally nodding.
He wasn't made of ice all the way through; when it came to the Fu Hua who was still holding the line in the real world, he genuinely wanted to pay more attention—at the very least, to confirm whether she was truly doing well.
Then Sigurd turned his gaze toward a very critical individual—Senti, the personality said to be the Herrscher facet of Fu Hua.
A Herrscher born from the memories of a Flame-Chaser… it was a truly delicate situation.
"Hm? Why are you staring at me, Kevin?"
Senti blinked and looked at him.
Kevin shook his head.
"Nothing."
A memory construct's principle was simple: do not interfere with the real world.
If the Fu Hua of fifty thousand years later had chosen this path, and if his future self seemed to approve of it, then this Kevin—just a memory—had no reason to judge it, let alone interfere.
"What a weird, quiet gourd you are. Feels exactly like the you outside. Anyway, wanna fight me? I can show you my current power!"
"No need. I'm just a memory construct. Fighting me serves no purpose for you."
"Fine, I was just saying. The you here is definitely weaker than the real you anyway. Even if I win, it's nothing to be proud of."
"You're right."
Kevin accepted her arrogance without a ripple in his voice.
On the other side of the table, Elysia had dragged Fu Hua and Eden into a little huddle. The three women whispered in low voices, and with deliberate effort sealed the conversation away from the others—even Sigurd couldn't hear what they were discussing.
He only saw Eden widen her eyes halfway through, glancing at Sigurd with quiet astonishment, while Fu Hua repeatedly pressed her fingers against her temples, looking pained as she stared at Elysia.
Book of Fuxi sipped its tea calmly.
Across the table, Kiana and Bronya exchanged a glance.
Book of Fuxi: What do you think?
Bronya: Whatever you think, Bronya thinks the same.
Book of Fuxi: Private discussion later?
Bronya: Bronya has no objections.
Eye conversation complete, the Book of Fuxi placed its tiny teacup into Senti's hands, floated over to the trio's whispering circle, and soon settled onto Fu Hua's head to join their secret conversation.
After a leisurely time of tea and chatter, the day concluded with a lively dinner shared in good spirits.
Only then did everyone disperse, bringing the day to an end.
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