The more intense the light, the deeper the shadow.
In a daze, Annan seed to return to the nightmare of the "Great Hunt," the mont when he first t Kafney at the age of eight.
Sitting in a sea of silver-purple flowers like an abandoned dog.
Unnoticed and unrembered. Although a princess, on her own birthday, the only company she had was her sketchpad.
Annan still rembered the touch of Kafney’s hand.
That girl, expressionless like a doll, her little hands soft and cold as a corpse, lacking warmth... just held by Annan, but not holding back.
But the second ti they t, she didn’t hesitate to grab Annan’s sleeve.
And when she was about to return to the Royal Capital, Kafney beca more determined—she grasped Annan’s hand as if arm-wrestling, absolutely unwilling to let go.
Firr each ti.
Harder each ti.
"Please feel free to use , sir."
Kafney softly repeated, "I will never fall before you."
"...I see."
Annan was silent for a long ti before squeezing out these words.
His sowhat awkward response: "Then, so will I."
...It seed as though not much ti had passed since their first eting.
But in front of him, Kafney had beco stronger.
From timid to brave, from introverted to open.
Back then, Kafney... could hardly speak clearly.
Because she didn’t want to interact with anyone, she might not speak a single word for days, even weeks.
But her desire to beco queen was real and persistent. Now, she indeed competently and reasonably holds the kingdom of Noah in her hands, keeping it running smoothly—and even making it better.
Annan still rembered, the original form of that childlike wish:
"Today is August 8th... It’s the King’s birthday, and it’s also my birthday. My birthday is the sa day as the King’s.
"But no one rembers my birthday. They only rember the King’s birthday...
"I think, maybe only by becoming king... will my birthday have a aning worth rembering."
All she wanted was to be rembered, valued, and acknowledged.
She wanted to be loved—
It was for this reason that she vowed to beco the ruler of Noah.
...Although their personalities are completely opposite, from this point of view, Kafney probably has sothing in common with a certain seventh Hokage who prefers to remain anonymous.
The power of the paths of elevation and corruption is the sa on so level.
—That is desire.
Desire is like fire.
Those who elevate are refined in the flas, becoming more eternal; whereas the souls of the corrupt are like kindling, cream, and tar... making the fire of desire fiercer.
And this fla itself is their power.
Any kind of love will do.
The love between husband and wife, love between partners, father-daughter love, mother-son love, love between master and servant, love between god and Priest... she is rely seeking love from Annan. Any kind of love—this stubborn pursuit is just like the Madman chasing the celestial chariot.
It is for this purpose that she has progressively beco better.
She strives to correct all her flaws, endures the corruption of desires with willpower, and overcos all the enemies she faces. So as to make herself increasingly powerful.
Just to be able to calmly, proudly say to Annan: "I will never be your burden—I can protect you."
Annan is indeed the "Eternal Maiden" who is constantly uplifted by her!
She is the one who "rises because of love."
The "rise" here does not refer to the narrowly defined "path of sublimation", but rather the process of gradually correcting her flaws and making herself more perfect.
"...I see."
Annan murmured.
With Kafney as the example.
He seems to have gained a deeper understanding of the "chariot" way.
But this was sowhat glossed over...
The rest are not easy to fool either.
Maria stared at Annan expressionlessly, without saying a word.
—I really want to escape, but I can’t.
Annan thought.
It’s like that saying—during dangerous tis, the safest place is by dad’s side; during safe tis, the most dangerous place is by dad’s side.
Although it is said that an elder brother is like a father and an elder sister is like a mother.
But for Annan, his elder brother Dmitry is more like his mother... while Maria is more like his father.
And it’s the type who isn’t ho often, but shows warmth when eting. Now, it seems Maria has picked up a kitchen knife and stepped out the door because Annan was cornered outside...
After solving the issue, she still must give a stern lecture—
Maria finally spoke: "Do you know why we are angry?"
"I know my mistake, sister."
Annan compliantly answered: "Next ti before I do sothing dangerous, I will definitely inform you guys in advance."
Saying this, Annan walked over swayingly like a cat and rubbed against Maria.
—Of course, Annan actually felt that he wasn’t really at fault. This Otherworld-level nightmare was entirely caused by an unexpected enemy scheming against him... which led to the ss.
Who could have known that the seemingly powerful and profound Ingrid was rely a puppet and marionette of The Worm?
Annan’s actions were logically sound. After all, everyone has their own jobs to do and their own lives to live.
And if it were a normal nightmare, bringing them might have made things worse... This ti the problem arose entirely from bad luck and being sched against.
Just like being cornered, was that Annan’s fault?
—But Annan wasn’t foolish enough to talk back to Maria, better to submit first and act cute later.
Watching Annan pretend to be pitiful, Maria gritted her teeth.
Although she knew Annan was putting on an act, she couldn’t bring herself to scold him—that is, before Annan ca back, she had thought of countless ways to scold him.
But upon seeing Annan return safely, joy and relief diluted her sternness.
"...Let it be, then."
Maria sighed: "You are smarter and more confident than . I know you won’t change... because you wholeheartedly believe in your own decisions.
"This truly is an excellent talent; we n of Winter should be like this. If you beco hesitant and overly cautious, it would only dull your blade.
"As the Tower Master of the Storm Tower, I hope our Grand Duke is a hero, a wise ruler...but as a sister, I still hope that when you face such problems, you’d consider your family.
"Think about those who love you, think about those who rely on you... You are not alone, nor a solitary hero; you have people supporting you, and those who absolutely cannot afford to lose you."
Maria earnestly said: "Never die, Annan—nor sacrifice your life or imprison your freedom for anyone or anything. You must promise this."
Annan paused.
"...I promise, sister."
He responded earnestly.
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