In the white world, Lia’s movements suddenly paused, and a look of surprise flashed across her face.
"That child Lance... has he actually been defeated? It’s really unexpected that someone was able to defeat him."
Lia muttered to herself, then her expression quickly returned to normal as she softly said, "Well, it doesn’t matter. At this point, the outcome of the external battle is already irrelevant."
Lia’s gaze shifted to Noel, and looking at him, who was covered in wounds, she said,
"Nord-niisama, how about it? Even with this black sword, you still can’t defeat me. You should have understood by now."
At this moment, Noel’s body had actually sustained severe injuries.
Blood oozed from his mouth, staining his clothes.
His left hand had a wound so deep it could be seen to the bone, and it was bent at a strange angle.
His abdomen had also been torn open.
If he were an ordinary person, he would have already collapsed, but Noel still retained enough strength to fight.
"Lance... that child? It seems like it was probably Natsu’s doing. Don’t you care at all about his safety, Lia?"
Noel didn’t answer Lia’s question but instead changed the topic and asked.
"Hmm? Why would Nord-niisama think like that?"
Lia seemed to have heard something amusing, as she revealed a faint smile.
"To me, whether it’s Lance or Tsukiyo, those children are just tools. Would you worry about the safety of your tools? That’s impossible, right?"
"To you, they’re just tools? That’s a bit too cruel."
"Cruel?" Lia’s smile slowly faded, and she straightened up, saying seriously, "No, Nord-niisama, each of them knows this very well. They are willing to be my tools, to be used by me. Because they are tools, they won’t betray me. Because they are tools, I can trust them without reservation... Nord-niisama probably doesn’t understand this kind of feeling."
Noel was momentarily stunned, then said, "Is... that so? I guess that’s your unique bond."
"I’ve spent a little time on this, but Nord-niisama, it’s time for you to stop."
"What do you mean?!"
"Because it’s already completed." Lia spread her hands, and the entire white world suddenly trembled.
Half of the originally pure white world was suddenly dyed a deep ink black, turning the once-pure white world into a realm with a "gate" at the center, half white and half black.
"What... is going on?" Noel stared in shock at the sudden change before him.
Lia smiled faintly. "This is the true appearance of this space—the world of black and white, the beginning of creation and destruction. And next, what is about to open... is the door."
"I won’t let you succeed."
Noel flapped the wings on his back, trying to charge toward Lia, but he was stunned to find that a dark power suddenly bound him.
Its strength was so great that Noel couldn’t break free from it.
"It’s better if you don’t move, Nord-niisama." Watching Noel’s movements, Lia smiled lightly.
In her hand, a hexagonal crystal engraved with runes floated, emitting a strange glow.
"Is it that crystal causing this?" Noel keenly sensed the power emanating from the crystal, which seemed to resonate with this world.
Lia had indeed used that crystal to control the power of this world, turning it into chains that bound Noel’s body.
Lia smiled and clapped her hands. "As expected of Nord-niisama, you saw through it right away. This is the very thing inside Zeref, and also the key and control core of this world. Only with it can the ’gate’ be opened."
"Although I learned some things in that family’s secret chamber, there were too many obscure and unclear parts, so I still don’t understand what it is that you want."
Noel looked at Lia and asked, "What exactly do you want, Lia?"
"..."
Lia fell into brief silence, as if recalling something.
After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Nord-niisama, do you believe in fate?"
"Fate?" The unexpected answer left Noel stunned.
"Yes, fate..." Lia’s expression became serious as she softly spoke.
"Niisama, do you remember? I once asked you, do you know why the gods disappeared from this world a thousand years ago? Why did the great dragons, who ruled this world after the gods, gradually vanish without a trace?"
"Do you know the answer to that question?"
"Because... fate," Lia said with a complex emotion in her voice.
"In this world, everything and everyone has its own thread of fate, and this gate is the place that controls those threads of fate. The gods were destroyed, the great dragons gradually withdrew from the stage of history... all of it was manipulated. Even... our past was manipulated. Can you tolerate something like that, Nord-niisama?"
"Are you saying that we act according to the script arranged by fate? How could such a thing be possible?" Noel immediately countered without hesitation.
"It is possible, and that’s exactly why I’m doing this, Nord-niisama," Lia said calmly.
"It’s this abhorrent fate that has made me and you become like this. A world where everything is manipulated has no value to exist. So... I’ve been working hard, Nord-niisama. I want to turn things around, to dominate fate, and create a perfect, beautiful world without sorrow."
"No... this, this can’t be right, Lia." Noel looked at Lia with unwavering determination.
"If there really is such a thing as a thread of fate, then if you control it, what difference does it make? A manipulated fate—will that truly bring happiness to all the living beings in this world? It shouldn’t be like that. Acting according to one’s own will, not someone else’s will, is... the right way, isn’t it?"
Lia’s smile slowly faded, turning cold.
"Nord-niisama, you’re too persistent. I will let you see the beautiful world, and... it’s already too late to say this now. The gate... has already opened."
Behind Lia, the giant gate that had been tightly closed slowly began to creak open as the huge eye on it closed with a soft motion.
A staircase made of light silently appeared, forming a brilliant path leading to the gate.
Somewhere in Crocus, the expression of the First Master Mavis suddenly stiffened.
Her hands were pressed together in front of her chest as she whispered softly to herself, "Has it opened?... We’re finally at the last stage."
--------------
Exclusive access : All novel on paetron
Genshin impact Complete novel, Naruto birdcage Complete novel, Overlord Complete novel
From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny Complete novel, Genshin Impact Eerie Teyvat 300+ch
Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz