Chapter 166: Paving the Way for Heroes with Life
“Is it the… world of the future?”
Rast softly repeated Cisel’s words.
Before him, the old man was silently gazing out at the endless sea in the distance, carrying the solemnity of an aging general about to embark on a campaign, yet also the comfort of an old professor looking at the vibrant new life.
“How should I put it…”
“Compared to the end of the Sixth Epoch that we find ourselves in at this moment, it should be a pretty good world.”
Rast recalled everything he had experienced in the short time since leaving Deep Blue Harbor…
Those things he had heard and seen.
He was not a native of the current world; he did not have a complete life experience like Hiltina, who was truly born and raised in that world.
But precisely for this reason, the perspective Rast could describe was closer to Cisel’s.
Because in a certain sense, they were both in an era not belonging to the current world, yet trying to catch a glimpse of a bright corner of that world as “peepers through a keyhole.”
“In the world at my point in time, the extraordinary is no longer a secret known only to a few… but a real and existing legacy of knowledge.”
“There exist many extraordinary academies aimed at cultivating extraordinary individuals, which are funded by the government, and anyone who meets the entrance requirements, regardless of background, can attend.”
“Additionally, even the children from the most remote villages can qualify to enter these academies and become extraordinary individuals by using the basic general education materials provided by the government as a foundation.”
“Of course, being an extraordinary person in that world represents not just a superior status and privileges…”
“But also responsibilities—indescribable missions and burdens.”
Rast’s gaze was distant as he slowly spoke, recounting the landscapes from his memory: “In that world, there exists a place called the ‘Night World.'”
“It is a fracture in time and space where countless historical fragments from the past six epochs converge, the remnants of bygone days.”
“For the people of the current world, the Night World offers both an opportunity to glimpse technology that does not belong to this era, accelerating the development of civilization, yet it also brews a dangerous trap in the shadows.”
“And in the current world, every extraordinary person carries the corresponding obligation, exploring the old remnants and historical echoes filled with both danger and opportunity as a Night Traveler.”
Rast gazed up at the dark sky and the sea that swallowed the light, whispering softly.
“I, along with Akshia… or rather, the former Queen Helen of the Netherworld, entered the Night World as Night Travelers.”
“And the world we are currently in is merely a reflection of the past within the so-called Night World—a part of the historical echoes.”
His voice paused slightly: “Only, I think—”
“The ground I tread upon should not merely be a fleeting historical copy.”
“And you, Leader Cisel, should not merely be a projection of a dreamlike illusion, but a living human being, just like me, living on this land.”
“The ‘Night World’…”
Not far away, listening to Rast’s recounting, Cisel’s gaze became somewhat hazy, as if he were lost in thought.
He did not care whether he was the historical projection native of the past described by Rast or a real human being… but instead was quite interested in the existence of the Night World as described by Rast.
“It sounds like… the ‘Night World’ is quite an interesting place.”
“If only we could have prior knowledge of the disasters that the past failed epochs encountered, along with the technology and experiences accumulated by human civilization in the earlier epochs… it would certainly provide a massive experiential advantage to the current human civilization.”
A faint light flickered in his aged eyes.
“This is a process built over time… turning the accumulations and failures of our predecessors into nourishment for civilization, to nurture the future civilization.”
“Believe in the power of passing the torch; even if it starts small and fragile, with persistent effort, one day it can build a towering structure.”
“In a certain sense, what you describe as the ‘Night World’ is somewhat similar to the ‘Library of Fools’ that the Guardians pass down through generations… except its influence isn’t limited to individual humans but can radiate to all human civilization.”
“Yes.”
Rast nodded: “In later times, the Guardians’ legacy seems to have been severed… My Night Blade, the ‘Library of Fools,’ was also acquired through an unexpected event that even I cannot explain clearly.”
“But… from a certain perspective, the Guardians have never truly died.”
“Those Night Travelers who sacrificed themselves for exploring the Night World, who bore the dusk’s calamity yet shone like stars in the darkness… aren’t they just Guardians with a different name?”
Rast chuckled slightly: “So, what you said is not wrong…”
“Even if that world no longer has the Guardian Organization, I will never be alone.”
His gaze slightly fell: “In that world, I also encountered companions… some companions whom I can truly trust my back to.”
After a long pause, Rast raised his eyes again.
“And indeed, it is a very beautiful world.”
“Generations of Night Travelers have sacrificially extinguished all latent calamities within the Night World, preventing them from affecting reality.”
“People have built incredibly prosperous city-states and nations upon the land, railways are interconnected, aircraft and airships traverse the skies, and all addictive mind-altering substances are strictly prohibited.”
“The ways humans transmit information are no longer limited to messengers and letters; even without stepping outside, one can communicate with residents around the world through something called the internet.”
“Even residents who grew up in desolate regions can see the azure seas and snow-capped northern mountains through the internet… and with high-speed magic railways, a journey of thousands of kilometers can be completed in less than a day.”
“Ordinary people who are not extraordinary can also soar through the blue skies with machinery… arriving at the ends of the sky, exploring the boundless landscapes of the cosmos beyond the planetary orbits.”
“Certainly, there are also dark sides to humanity in that world, with greed and selfishness… but overall, it is a world where even the most powerless ordinary individuals need not live in constant anxiety about their homes being overturned… but can lead a peaceful, stable, and happy life.”
Rast leaned against the rock, smiling slightly: “Leader Cisel—”
“Humans are a race that never admits defeat.”
“Even if they are burned down once, twice… eventually, new seeds will sprout from the ashes after the great fire, blossoming into even more beautiful and dazzling flowers.”
“Is that so…?”
Cisel murmured softly.
“It sounds like… it truly is a very good world.”
“Even the most insignificant mortal need not live a life with uncertainty, able to show a smile of happiness.”
The wind blew through the old man’s white hair.
His gaze was dreamy and distant, as if he had already wandered beyond the world with Rast’s narration, seeing the future world he described, witnessing the interconnected railways and grand prosperous cities.
Despite his aura being so sharp and lethal, like a general before a battle, his eyes were calm, as if basking in the gentle sunlight of a spring afternoon.
This expression was fleeting, and Cisel slowly turned, looking towards the horizon of the sea.
On the dark sea horizon, majestic auras were slowly moving, stirring up a storm, coming towards Cisel’s direction.
These were the legendary creatures hunting him, arriving in haste, leaving no moment of respite for the two.
“Then, this will be my final task.”
Cisel looked down at the sky and the sea.
At that moment, he transformed from a weary old man back into a legend overlooking all beings.
“Just as my teacher and Sharona once did.”
“The so-called soldier’s mission—”
“Is to pave the way for heroes with their own bodies.”
(End of Chapter)
