Hate me, Miss Witch!

"Then, you can go and meet all kinds of people, and embrace the many wonderful things that are about to happen...

"You will have a more splendid, a more beautiful life.

"Without me by your side, you can still see the Three Sages Snow Mountain on your own, visit the Golden Plains across the Grant Sea..."

Teardrops as large as beans fell down the girl's pale cheeks, soaking the front of Shiayar's clothes.

"Brother Shiayar... you must be alright... you must be alright.

"I feel something inside me, those star-like things must be useful to you too, they must be able to help you survive..."

Silvia ignored Shiayar's words. She just clumsily reached for her chest, trying to extract the treasure that filled the void in her soul, the very thing that had snatched her back from the brink of death, so she could use it on Shiayar. But Silvia's search was ultimately futile. Even the Ancient God of Twilight himself had not fully developed his divine powers, let alone Silvia, who was completely inexperienced at that moment.

The girl's heart held not a trace of joy that the flaws in her soul had been mended. The overwhelming fear only grew, threatening to engulf her entire being.

A stronger Beastmaster? All kinds of different people?

A brand new life, one that was hers alone?

At this moment, Silvia's heart had no room to consider these things.

If Brother Shiayar died...what would the splendor and beauty of the landscapes beyond the sea mean to her?

If she had a choice, she would rather none of this had ever happened.

Even if both of them lost their powers, their status and position as the daughter of a Duke, and fell to being the most ordinary of civilians, it wouldn't matter.

She imagined casually building a small house in some remote, uninhabited wilderness, raising a few children...

And then, one day, when the two of them became too old to walk, she could still be by Brother Shiayar's side, sitting on a rocking chair, watching the sunset as they slowly aged...

Such a simple future would have been enough to satisfy Silvia.

Seeing the girl before him with tear-filled eyes, Shiayar couldn't help but sigh softly. Then he reached out, caressed her face, and spoke in a weak voice.

"Silvia.

"When do you think people die?

"Is it when their heart is pierced by a bullet?

"Is it when they succumb to an incurable disease, dying on their sickbed?

"Is it when the coffin is buried, and the crowd at the funeral disperses?

"Actually, none of these.

"A person truly dies—

"When they are forgotten by the last person in the world who remembers them."

Through her blurred tears, Silvia gazed into his deep black eyes. They were as clear and bright as they had been on that winter night when the two first met.

"So lift your head, Silvia.

"Be proud, Silvia.

"One day, you will tell the history of this Royal Capital, of this Dukedom.

"Then, tell the world, tell everyone.

"The Azure Garden Dukedom is not just a small country buried nameless in history; it also struggled on the front lines against the Abyss.

"And that you had a brother—

"He, who slew a resurrected ancient god."

Shiayar reached out, wiping the tears from Silvia's face. Beside her, a metallic disc silently materialized.

"The Authority and Divinity that once belonged to Twilight within you will become your strength in the future. However, it will also make you a target for various evil cults, and even the orthodox gods.

"In half an hour at most, a Godly Descent will occur here, and then you will become their prey.

"I have placed the other end of this Teleportation Array at the border of the Azure Garden Dukedom. Your constitution is unique; you are naturally compatible with Divinity. Those old beings from the Astral Realm will also be unable to track you—

"However, until you possess enough strength to protect yourself, you must remain vigilant and cautious. It would be best to change your name to avoid revealing any weaknesses and attracting the covetous attention of others...

"Go now. Don't let your father's sacrifice and mine be in vain."

Shiayar's words of caution echoed in the girl's ears. Reason told Silvia she had to act, or she would be betraying Brother Shiayar's sacrifice and expectations. Yet, her emotional vulnerability and weakness kept her lingering by his side, unwilling to leave.

Seeing the girl before him—trying so hard to be strong, forcing herself to turn away, yet with an expression on her averted face that was more sorrowful than tears—Shiayar's eyes filled with a hint of helplessness.

"I don't know what to do with you, Silvia.

"So kind, and so naive...

"Without me by your side, I truly worry about you getting bullied, your money taken, your Pet Beast snatched away, your heart deceived...

"You're still too young...

"I can't rest easy."

Shiayar's words made Silvia turn back, somewhat bewildered, yet with a flicker of hope.

Brother Shiayar said that—

Could it be that he had found a way to heal himself?

But the next moment, the fierce wind from the spreading fire stirred the hair on Silvia's forehead. Reflected in her eyes was Shiayar's bloodless face, a smile of resignation gracing his lips. She also saw his finger, gently touching her smooth forehead.

Within Shiayar's dark eyes, a dim Silver Moon, shaped like a magatama, materialized. Then, the Silver Moon began to rotate slowly, its light gradually seeping into reality.

The final Moon Reading activated.

"Then—

"Forgive me, Silvia.

"This is the last time."