Ti quietly passed, just as Tilan anticipated, Lindsay spoke for a long ti, from being adopted in his childhood, to gradually coming of age, traveling through mountains and tundra with his ntor, learning various knowledge, and eting different settlents and species with varying appearances and habits.
"According to the previous sages, civilization on this planet has been annihilated nine tis. After each cycle, traces of previous civilizations were erased, only for various species to learn and accumulate experience from ignorance and gradually revive and expand."
"Due to repeated annihilations and rebirths, many once glorious technologies and cultures have lost their inheritance, disappearing into dust."
"How do you know these things?" Tilan asked curiously.
"We, or the 'Sages,' are an exception. During the fifth civilization, which was established by the Electromarrow Species, many electronic records were left behind, which were obtained by the original sage. They uncovered the secrets of this world and carefully avoided areas of civilizational activity, to establish the Land of Inheritance in the furthest northern tundra, recording and passing down this piece of history." Lindsay narrated his mission and background.
"Whenever a civilization is annihilated, disasters always strike places where intelligent beings heavily gather. To survive, one must stay away from crowds, to places unknown to anyone, where life is rare and undiscovered."
...
"I understand it mostly, but since you're taking the risk of exposure to find , what is your true reason?" Tilan knew the other wouldn't tell her these secrets without a cause.
"I see a kind of hope in you, which is why I risk eting you to tell you the truth about the world. As for the reason, it is naturally in the hope that you can lead the newborn civilization out of this relentless cycle."
"A difficult reason to deny, but I know that's not the whole truth of your words." Tilan nodded and shook her head.
She could see that although the other was not lying, it wasn't the primary driver for risking to co here. However, Tilan did not want to force him now, and shifted her gaze to the Gray Feather Scholar beside her.
"As a legendary scholar who has traveled widely, does Mr. Boenhardt have anything to add?"
"I've heard a lot just now, much of what this young man narrated indeed aligns with so of my past observations."
"For instance, he spoke of the Sapphire Lake in the northern mountains continuing from Shilin Mountain Castle, its formation obviously not natural, but rather due to a huge teorite breaking the mountain's ridge."
"And heading west and south after setting out from the continent, there's a small continent full of swamps where deep within the sedintary marshes, remnants of human-made artifacts can be unearthed, corresponding to the annihilated seventh civilization he ntioned."
"Why is there not a single island visible in the expansive ocean between the North Continent and South Continent? According to geological knowledge on crustal movents and continental collisions and compressions, this is indeed strange. My conjecture is, there used to be a broken island civilization in these waters, but it was destroyed hundreds of years ago, subrging all islands."
With the endorsent of this 'Gray Feather Scholar,' much of what Lindsay said earlier beca more credible.
"Just as Princess Hexia said, since the 'Sage' lineage has recorded such important matters, it logically should be passed down more cautiously. I wonder why you are in such haste?" He again questioned the red-brown-haired young man about his reasons.
Seeing both the Gray Feather Scholar and Hexia pinpoint this issue, Lindsay knew that continuing to hide before such smart people would only lead to loss of trust.
He sighed, organized his words, and then gazed out the window.
"As you said, my actions are indeed risky, sowhat incomprehensible."
He no longer sat upright but leaned against the chair back, hands clasped together occasionally tapping to alleviate anxiety.
"I was raised by the sage and grew up under their care. The sage was very good to , also kind and patient. Logically, I shouldn't harbor other emotions."
"However, the thinking and logic I've been cultivated with since childhood have constantly confronted with a fact: I can't assimilate into this world. It's like a person entering a zoo or an ant inadvertently stumbling into a giant's realm. The animals are lively, with diverse and vibrant lives, while the giants are powerful, possessing abilities and knowledge hard for to reach."
"Yet fundantally, we're different from one another. Even though they treat well, I can still sense an alien feeling, as if watching old horror movies."
"—They're nothing more than alien creatures with human-like appearances."
"I'm terrified of this world, so I try always to avoid crowded places. Only when alone can I experience the pleasure of relaxation."
"Naturally ford things resemble the rings of trees, carrying various wounds, mottling, imperfection, whereas human-made things are linear, orderly, pure."
"If you live in a natural world and occasionally see creations of civilization, you would feel a sense of awe, along with curiosity and longing."
"But if you live in a world where everything is structured and orderly, conford to standards—neat, pure, straight—for a long ti, a vague suffocating feeling arises, indicating you've never truly been free, everything remains controlled, without any surprises, nor any fresh difference, everything simply repeats."
"Unfortunately, I precisely had this experience."
"I feel this planet, this world is a gigantic cage. Even though I sotis find joy in witnessing the sunset, this joy quickly fades and a cold suffocating feeling spreads afterward, like cold water creeping up my ankles. It won't drown , nor kill , but serve as a perpetual, intangible reminder of the cold truth of this world."
"I've been tornted by this feeling for a long ti. Even though I seem as healthy as a normal person, I'm aware if this status continues, I may completely break down soday."
"So, upon receiving my junior sister's letter, I set out imdiately, traversing a long journey to arrive here. The fresh vibe exuded by this city, the ever-growing vitality, has greatly alleviated my anxiety, letting see so hope, ultimately prompting to decide to stand before you and share everything I know." After saying this, he seed as if he had burned out, showing so weakness but with eyes revealing satisfaction, perhaps from releasing the deep-seated pressure in his heart over the years.
Listening to this outpouring from the other, Tilan seed to witness a flickering fire finally stabilizing and calming.
Unexpectedly, such were the reasons, she marveled at the world's diversity and complexity, realizing many things cannot be logically inferred.
"I understand." Tilan nodded, acknowledging the man who had poured out his heart.
It seems that the other has an overly keen sense of this world's truth, thus experiencing pain incomprehensible to average people.
Unexpectedly, beneath this seemingly wild and crude appearance of the planet, so many hidden secrets lurk, as if peeling layer after layer of a thousand-tiered pancake, unknown what ultimately lies at the base.
After saying these, the ti had passed noon. Compared to the massive secret Lindsay carried, the Gray Feather Scholar's deanor was much more normal and rational. Through this half-day conversation, Tilan felt his character akin to those curious and playful old n on the streets.
Only occasionally when discussing critical issues, did he beco solemn, embodying the 'Gray Feather Scholar' title's rightful aura.
"It looks like there are many things for us to face in the future. If you two don't mind, I'll arrange accommodations in the city for you, so you can settle and live here." Ending the conversation, Tilan stood up.
"Thank you, Princess Hexia." The two n bowed in gratitude amidst the afternoon's light.
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