The Hero's blue-green heterochromatic eyes slowly returned to a unified emerald green, still shrouded in sadness due to the heavy history.
She softly repeated the question about Key Changing.
"Hero, you already know that, for humankind, angels are a kind of shackle."
In the reflection of Key Changing's eyes was the silhouette of the Hero, the curve of her lips unchanged.
"Regardless of whether it's sheltering, observing, urging, or even killing... No matter how much the relationship between angels and humankind changes, as long as they still try to coexist, and as long as the Four-winged King still upholds wisdom and goodness, humankind will be unable to escape the cage called 'angel.'
"If not for the final light, surely after the city's reconstruction, they would again reach out a helping hand in the name of 'goodness,' seeking sacrifice—attempting dominion.
"This is the nature of angels as Demon Species."
Key Changing stood under the ruined mural, her childlike voice carried an insight and indifference beyond her years, commenting on this race that had long since disappeared into the river of history.
"For those angels who even wish to save goblins, no matter how many contracts they sign with humankind, or how many vows they make, they cannot erase their instincts, cannot turn a blind eye to humankind's 'sins,' can they?"
The Winged People Clan Leader beside her lowered his head, and the Hero opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.
Even so, the final outcome was still too...
Ignoring the varying reactions of the two, Key Changing's voice continued to echo in the vastness of the chapel.
"Did those who left behind that secret history and then destroyed it understand this point? If they did understand, that Human Leader should have left his name as a hero.
"But despite that, it doesn't change the grave sin he committed.
"His interference with the Gate of Heaven caused the white-winged angels to be absorbed and dissolved by the upper power of their source, utterly annihilated, while the Depraved Angels were purified and all died on the spot.
"Only a few strong Depraved Angels left behind corpses, later transforming into Undead over the years, but in both strength and memory, barely a tenth remained in their residual souls.
"Before angels annihilated humankind, humankind first annihilated angels—both possessed wisdom and goodness, once mutually observing and aiding each other, even if this was the result of war, it was undeniably too cruel for the survivors."
The Hero silently listened, the sorrow in her gaze gradually fading, as she attentively observed the young face.
"The hero committed a grave sin, yet brought new vitality to his kin.
"The murals were destroyed, history buried, yet the underlying magic patterns remained, embodying this contradiction, I suppose. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
"I can understand, in that part of history, whether angels or humankind, everyone fought unyieldingly for ideals and beliefs...
"Even in the end, the angels sacrificed their victory trying to preserve humankind; and the Human Leader sacrificed everything—glory, friendship, life, dignity—only to pave the future for his own species."
Key Changing deeply analyzed the motivations of those historical figures, her facial muscles twitched slightly, adjusting to a seemingly empathetic curve.
Watching her reaction, a flash of understanding appeared in the Hero's eyes, and she finally spoke softly:
"However, no matter how many sacrifices you've witnessed, you still cannot understand, cannot reflect this emotion within yourself."
Key Changing's smile instantly disappeared, becoming expressionless—or rather, she no longer attempted to show expression.
"Even after witnessing so many sacrifices, even though I am able to face death calmly, I am still a failure."
Her voice was as calm as a lake without ripples:
"I cannot meet the conditions for the ritual, nor can I become the sacrificial child.
"I understand human emotions, I can empathize with you. I have human blood, and angel blood—but I cannot become either."
"Hero, I don't know the answer to this question. Even so, can you answer me?"
She raised her head, looking directly into the Hero's eyes, her gaze devoid of anger or sadness, only deep emptiness and confusion:
"What must I become to fulfill my mission?"
"...As I have said, you have been honed too thoroughly, losing the impurity called 'self.'
The Hero stepped forward two steps, gently stroking Key Changing's soft black hair, and sighed softly.
"Your inability to understand sacrifice is because you possess nothing of your own. You even consider this body and life as other people's possessions.
"Since you have nothing, naturally you can't make any sacrifices."
Key Changing's pupils shrank, as if she had grasped something.
The Hero's emerald eyes stared straight into those gray-white eyes, and then she delivered the judgement.
"So, until you can possess something, you are nothing."
Then, she pressed her lips, seemingly having made a decision.
"Look into my eyes, tell me—no matter how subtle, is there anything you want?"
'Prepare, I'm about to begin.'
Rather than waiting for Key Changing's response after her question, the Hero spoke inwardly.
'What? Prepare what? What's about to begin?' the Depraved Hero replied, perplexed.
'I'm going to synchronize the curse with you!'
"Although the time spent with Key Changing was not long, her demeanor, in my view, does not seem like that of a complete puppet."