"This is nonsense," Goethe from the Mowish family said as he glanced over the new work of Malin provided by the National Publishing House, immediately recognizing his son-in-law’s ulterior motives. He wanted to seek vengeance against the Lord of Love for the tragic fate that befell several awakening children he had heard about; there was no mistake about that. But his method was wrong; it was a scheme.
He already had a record of godslaying, so why did he, with such a glorious experience, want to slay another god?
Was it really just for that deformed child?
Goethe truly couldn’t understand, are there really such young people with compassionate hearts in this world?
"I don’t think it’s nonsense, although the whole operation does seem quite nonsensical. But setting a trap with a style granted by the blessing of the chaotic Evil God, using the strong emotions of the audience and readers to activate the Evil God’s personal thinking, and then exploiting the Evil God’s moment of weakness as it descends to kill it... there indeed have been such records in our history, not just once," Anna replied as she cut her steak, smiling and shaking her head.
"Why do you think that?" Goethe asked.
"Because the Lord of Justice still favors him," Anna answered.
Goethe fell silent, then glanced at Manli beside him who was silently sipping her red wine.
"Anna, this child has already slain a god, right?" Goethe looked at his wife.
"Yes, the Tyrant of Destruction died by his hand," Anna nodded to confirm it was true.
"He wants to slay a second Evil God," Goethe said, looking at the report in his hands.
"Yes, he wants to kill the Lord of Love, because the existence of this weak Evil God harmed his oath," Anna raised her glass of red wine from the table.
"His oath, a child not even 20 years old, what oath could he have?" Manli finally spoke up.
"An oath to ensure the innocent children under the heavens need not starve—a very grand oath," Anna said, looking at her husband and sister.
"So he wants to be the only Emperor under the heavens?" Goethe asked, not angry but laughing—as he saw it, this must be just a child’s dream.
Having dreams is a good thing, at least his son-in-law can fight, and seems to have strength in combat. If he could truly unite the Western Human World, then Goethe would consider it a good thing, for it would bring him one step closer to his mentor’s dream.
At this thought, Goethe also thought of his fellow apprentice Farole, and contemplating his fate, sighed deeply inside.
A sigh for the unfairness of fate, and also a sigh for his son-in-law’s youth and fearlessness: "Manli, what do you think?"
"A child’s unrealistic dream, although I’d like to mock Malin for this, thinking that this dream was also part of our grand dreams when we were young... I feel like the saying of the Thanan people goes, ’You don’t enter a family if you are not one of them.’ I’m starting to regret not having another daughter," Manli said with a smile.
"It’s not too late now, Manli," Anna said with a smile.
"My sister, don’t tease me anymore; I have already started to age. Haven’t you noticed?" Manli said with a laugh, shaking her head.
Her words silenced Anna, who took a moment to observe her sister before letting out a sigh, "The Elemental Ebb has harmed you, my sister."
"Indeed, without sufficient talent to advance further, when the Elemental Ebb arrives and the nourishment of Spiritual Energy is lost, I, as a Caster, grow increasingly vulnerable. If this ebb lasts long enough, I might indeed die of old age." As Manli spoke, she looked at Anna with a touch of melancholy, "I truly envy you, Anna, I envy your longevity."
"Do not worry, Manli. Although the number and frequency of Elemental Ebbs have been increasing, it is precisely because of this that the quickening of the Tide of the Dead is proven. Hold on, my sister, the surge of the Elemental Tide during the Tide of the Dead will surely bring you a breakthrough."
"But I would prefer that the surge not come at all. Compared to my own fate, I would rather not have our children face danger. The Tide of the Dead has torn apart too many things..." The lady paused as everyone noticed the Guard walking into the room.
Following him was Faye, Anna’s daughter.
"Daughter, what brings you here?" Goethe said smilingly, looking at his daughter who was becoming ever more beautiful. He knew this was all thanks to Malin, yet he couldn’t help but feel a hint of jealousy—this was his most beloved daughter, and her husband, one of those Sydney Wild Boar Sprites adept at charm.
"Malin has finished his manuscript, and I thought it would be best for you to review it first. Then it would be wise to have a brief meeting with the Legendary sirs; if you don’t wish to, Malin will contact his friends." Faye said with a smile as she handed the three manuscripts to her father.
"Not even a week has passed—do kids these days write novels this quickly? Faye, my daughter, are there any more copies?" Manli asked with curiosity.
"Of course, look." Faye produced another: "We, sisters, copied several copies, with the hope that we could have more Legendary ones understand his thoughts as soon as possible." Finishing her sentence, she handed another copy to her mother.
Initially flipping through casually, Goethe slowed down, and by the time he reached the ending, he looked up at his daughter, "Is this a love story? Is it me, or are you young people fooling around?"
"No, Goethe, it is indeed a love story, but clearly, it is one Malin wrote purposefully for the Lord of Love. Just as he said, it could indeed send the Lord of Love into a rage, his personality triggered. We’ve never been able to confirm the Lord of Love’s existence before because he lacked personality, but it seems our Malin came prepared." Manli put down the manuscript with a sigh, "I think I should support him; after all, with the help of a young man who has slain gods twice, our Sydney Union will surely endure until the end of the Tide of the Dead."
"So, Anna, what do you think?" Goethe asked with a smile, turning to his wife who was setting down the manuscript.
Anna nodded with a smile, "I have no objections, Goethe; it’s a good idea. We should contact our friends. It’s about time the terrible reign of the Lord of Love over love was put to an end."
"Alright, I’ll get in touch with them. My daughter, go back and tell Malin that as soon as the meeting yields results, we will immediately start publishing his new book. In the meantime, he should keep a low profile. Perhaps coming to the Capital during winter is a good choice."
"I will convey your invitation to Malin, Father, but I think if he wants to avoid the harsh winter, Rongma or Naples would be a better choice." Faye said, smiling as she withdrew from the dining room.
"My daughter really has good taste," Goethe expressed with genuine admiration.
"That’s what we should be saying to you. What odd things a big man like you is saying," Manli replied with a laugh.
"Then do you have any regrets?" Goethe looked at his wife.
"My only regret is that I didn’t meet you sooner, that I couldn’t advance further... but I don’t regret meeting you."
With that, Manli smiled and accepted the embrace and kiss from her husband after he rose from his seat.