Compared to passing through the council, writing stories is the most efficient method.
This city has lost its voice, with survivors sitting silently on the streets, witnessing the sealed history. After several eras, the concept of ’god’ has once again invaded this nation.
The bell tolled far, reaching the ears of everyone in the Western Continent, making them feel as if they, along with the favored warrior, had conquered the sea, completing one thrilling voyage after another.
Yue stood before the bell, tightly focusing on every carving atop it.
Was it the great Master of Tides who crafted it in His twilight years?
Even though the altar was sealed, He looked forward to someday someone discovering this place, letting the bell toll throughout every corner of the Western Continent. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NoveI[F]ire.net
Or perhaps the Master of Tides regretted, even if using a magic akin to Holy Word Art to purge emotions and humanity, turning Himself into a cold, rational machine, He lived every subsequent day in remorse.
This was like the Master’s last words before His dissipations.
Yue looked down at his hands; he was the one who let these words reach everyone’s ears.
From this moment on, the Western Continent would undergo seismic changes.
The denial of the Divine Spirit would crumble, and all related policies would need adjustment, the ensuing chaos perhaps lasting years or decades.
Yet another tumultuous emotion surged within; Yue couldn’t discern if it stemmed from his own heart or if the bell had summoned it — he yearned to set sail, something awaited him on that boundless sea.
The warrior of the past had set out on his first voyage with such fervor.
As the bell’s sound faded, it was accompanied by the Master of Tides’ last exhortation to him.
He must leave Ophira and the Western Continent, to search for the likes of him.
Once more binding them closely together.
Anapolis and Aelium heard the cacophony of the bell, sensing the Elemental Elf conveying the message from here.
Ethan fulfilled his promise, even exceeding it.
Clearly, merely a human, yet more faithful than any beings He knew, and worthy of trust.
He made his decision.
The tendril that clung to Yue’s head loosened, and the mini octopus leapt from his head, hurling itself at Ethan.
He, too, was setting out on a new journey, evidently, staying beside a trusted friend was the best choice.
Yet atop Ethan’s head, the cat was already observing His moves, the white figure swiftly leapt down, intercepting the octopus mid-air; she clawed and scratched before suddenly flinging it into Ave’s arms.
It’s a food-guarding cat.
Traveling together is fine, but there must be conditions beforehand.
She announced with the authority of a ship’s captain to the new crew member, ’Ethan’s shoulder and head are my territory!’
Ave lifted the squishy creature, studying it intently.
Compared to average girls, Ave was brave and research-minded; she was unfazed dissecting a corpse; holding a mini octopus was child’s play, she began her introduction to Aelium, ’I’m Ave, I suppose I’m the historian on this ship. I’m writing a book called "The Truth of the Empire"... that cat’s name is Lindong, she’s our combat personnel, though she seems cold, she is quite easy to get along with.’
The squirming octopus gradually calmed down.
In the distant past, it had experienced such a scene.
Accepted by people, no longer alone.
Would it be abandoned and betrayed like before?
Aelium cautiously looked at Ethan, attempting to compare him with the warrior from the past.
The answer quickly emerged in its heart.
Mother told it, here is its belonging.
An ever-practical Ave had started considering real-world problems, inquiring, ’Should we prepare a large fish tank for it? After all, it’s a sea creature.’
Aelium quickly shook its tendrils, a voice echoed in everyone’s mind.
Sounding almost identical to Anapolis.
’Can swim fast in the sea, but on land, someone must carry it.’
’Isn’t that like a facehugger?’
Lily blurted out, and realizing everyone’s gaze was upon her, she bashfully looked down and explained, ’Facehugger is a kind of magic creature from my former hometown, they’re inherently slow, always preferring to parasitize other beings, humans are their favorite hosts, able to carry them far.’
From the moment she saw the octopus, it reminded her of the facehugger.
By right, as a lowly maid, she had no right to speak in such situations, but after spending ample time with Ethan and others, she felt utterly relaxed with these distant travelers, even the Margaret Clan’s young lady was like that; Ave once invited her to taste specialty drinks from the Empire.
Like being with friends; the feeling was both distant and strange. She once had many good friends in her coastal hometown.
’Such intriguing creatures, it seems "The Bestiary of the Empire" needs updating.’