A blanket of darkness.
The feeling of death was so peculiar, as if sothing unstoppable was being drawn out of the body bit by bit.
Perception of the surroundings gradually faded away, replaced by an endless cold. It was like walking naked through heavy snow, with nothing to shield you from the bone-chilling cold.
For a mont, Nuo felt he had lost the ability to move. He could only silently ’watch,’ watching his own body slumped on the throne inside The Temple, watching people who had just left returning to mourn in front of his corpse.
He should have reacted, even if they could no longer notice him. But like a person just awakened from deep sleep, though everything before his eyes was ’seen,’ Nuo’s thoughts seed still imrsed in haze, incapable of any contemplation.
So he just quietly observed as they conducted a succinct and solemn ceremony, saw them carry away his corpse, and then in front of The Temple announced his last will to the inhabitants of Silver Moon City.
The crowd outside The Temple was a sea of people, where even the smallest voice would beco noisy when amplified by such a multitude. Yet the voice that read out the will passed unobstructed to everyone’s ear, clearly conveying his ssage.
Then the crowd parted to both sides under an invisible force, and Nuo’s remains were carried straight out of the city along the central avenue. He would be buried alongside his forr companions, declaring his social death.
Though montarily disoriented, Nuo’s soul still drifted away with them. He listened to the discussions of those around him, passed through streets and alleys, and continued outward until he saw with his own eyes his body being buried in the prepared graveyard.
Then, as if the last shackle to reality was broken, he felt a mysterious pulling force emanating from below. And the source of that suction was the unknowable River of Oblivion.
...
"What a surprise..."
"Hey, who would have thought it would turn out like this, competing for power without the Patriarch, relying on my own skills? That’s pretty good."
"This ans, no matter what, expansion is imperative... I’ve wanted to go out and see for so long!"
Connios couldn’t really describe his feelings as he watched the procession pass along the central avenue. But when he searched his heart, he felt a touch happier.
After all, he acknowledged Nuo as a great leader—not for what he had done, but for what he hadn’t done.
He had no family, no descendants, because he did not want the so-called ’bloodline of the prophet’ to continue. He gave up the immortal life that was within easy reach, which, on top of not understanding it, made Connios respect him.
Humans are such beings, adoring those who are similar to themselves yet can do what they cannot, even the wise are no exception. But since emotions cannot be fully shared between people, the young man simply felt so regret watching this unfold.
Compared to all of that, he was more concerned about the changes that the death of the great prophet would bring. Like the youth’s longing for the unknown and battle finally becoming attainable, and possible changes in Silver Moon City. The life and death of those important figures weren’t really related to him, or so he thought.
"Connios, I know you’re distracted—but at least try to look a bit more serious."
An annoyed voice ca from ahead, snapping Connios back to attention. Looking at the girl who was standing on tiptoe, peering into the distance, he inexplicably said,
"Deo, I’m envisioning the future. Maybe one day, I’ll have a city mourn my departure too?"
"...Really?"
Glancing sideways, the girl pursed her lips,
"Then I shall look forward to that day, esteed Lord Connios~"
Indeed, just like she had always hoped, he might join the exploration team of the new Archbishop, Damian. But Deo had no plans to go; she wanted to stay because her dream was to study Divine Arts and beco a Priest, not to engage in battles and killings, which she saw as boys’ hobbies.
It seed like they were about to part ways, but the lifespan of Silver Moon City’s inhabitants was a bit longer, so even a pioneering journey that might last a decade or more would not be a farewell. Therefore, Deo simply waved her hand, sowhat celebrating her childhood companion’s wish being fulfilled.
"That day will surely co!"
"But when that day arrives, I’ll reluctantly permit you to keep calling by my na!"
As if inspired, Connios couldn’t help but puff out his chest a bit.
Although strictly speaking, even he didn’t quite believe he could achieve it, but what if?
Anything was possible, as the church’s scriptures also said, God spoke that nothing was immutable in the world, the only constant was change itself. So if that was the case, there probably wasn’t anything that couldn’t happen. So who was to say he couldn’t make a big difference soday?
The conversation faded, and both were lost in their own thoughts. Along the central avenue, the procession moved towards the city’s outskirts, and the crowd surged accordingly. Until the long night passed, peace still did not return to Silver Moon City.
This was the beginning, but it would not be the end. This human city, once tucked away in a corner of the continent, would also return to its rightful position.
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