Chapter 182: It’s a pity you couldn’t directly propose to me (6k4)
Long time, ancient years can bury many things.
Prosperous ancient kingdoms, the resurrection of old deities, legendary battles… those grand and magnificent epics during the Sixth Epoch, after a whole era, have long been buried in the dust of history, leaving no ruins behind.
Apart from a few Night Travelers, no one remembers everything that once happened.
As a witness to the brilliant epics of the Sixth Epoch, Rast disappeared from the public eye again after returning to the world.
He traveled day and night between the Tower of Secrets and the grand library of Starry University, often spending several days and nights without going out, with only Mr. Silver noticing his whereabouts.
Rast’s actions left the members of the Starry University News Agency completely empty-handed.
They originally discovered that Rast’s name had suddenly entered the top ten on the Obelisk erected at the entrance of Starry University, becoming the second sophomore to enter the Twelve Seats of the Round Table after Hiltina. From this sudden change, the News Agency keenly sensed a big news story.
Something earth-shattering must have happened in the Night World — so much so that Rast, a newcomer who had been enrolled for less than a year, accumulated enough feats and contributions to enter the Twelve Seats of the Round Table.
Yet, no matter how the News Agency inquired, they ultimately found nothing. Their attempts to interview Rast ended in failure, and the only thing they saw was a weasel lying on the sofa in Rast’s dormitory, playing on a phone.
“You want to dig up big news from that kid Rast? Give it up. Do you know how elusive the extraordinary who can enter the Twelve Seats of the Round Table are? They are all recluses who disappear for ten days or half a month at a time.”
“But if you can’t see Rast, you can ask me… I’ve been by his side since he enrolled. I know all his secrets, even how many girls he’s dated and who he flirts with awkwardly.”
“v me 50, and I’ll tell you, plus I’ll throw in his top-secret romantic history…”
“What? You say you’ve been tricked by me several times already and don’t believe me? Come on, I just want a grilled fish cake from White Walnut Bakery’s Thursday special. v me 40 is fine; at worst, 30… if that doesn’t work, then 20…”
In Rast’s student dormitory, Mr. Silver’s sincere selling (huyou) echoed.
…
Half a month after reuniting with Akshia on that cliff in the world.
Rast met Hiltina, who had just returned from outside, looking somewhat travel-worn.
“I saw the battle you experienced in the Night World through my sister’s recordings. It was a spectacular fight.”
“Also—”
“Congratulations, Rast.”
As usual when the two met, there was no lavish feast, just a simple meal in the room.
In the flickering yellow light of the small lamp, Hiltina tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear and studied the boy before her with her light brown beautiful eyes.
After a moment, the corners of her delicate mouth curved into a smile: “According to my estimation, you should be only a step away from officially breaking through to the sixth tier.”
“Once you break through to the sixth tier, you will hold a certain status among the extraordinary in the entire Western Continent…”
“In this era where legends are silent, and even if they exist, won’t easily take action — a sixth-tier extraordinary person is like a keystone; you can already stand on your own.”
Hiltina’s eyes flashed with a peculiar light: “Given the height you’ve reached, who among the uninformed would ever think…”
“That just half a year ago, you were merely a newcomer who had just stepped into the extraordinary world, knowing little about it.”
Her beautiful face bore a hint of nostalgic expression.
Hiltina recalled the moment in the Night World called “Deep Blue Harbor” when she first met Rast in that bar.
It was a pitch-black night without stars, and in the bar’s box, just like at this moment, a small wooden table was illuminated by a flickering light, brightening their eyes.
At that time, Hiltina would never have imagined that the boy standing before her, who had already been labeled as a charming playboy in her heart, would become deeply entwined with her in the days to come, becoming one of the most important people in her life.
“How should I put it… although only about half a year has passed in the real world.”
Rast smiled: “But considering what I experienced in the Night World, it’s probably far beyond that.”
The passage of time in the Night World is not synchronized with the real world. Perhaps in the remnants of history, an entire year has passed, yet it only reflects a few days or tens of days in reality.
This is also the reason why students at Starry University have a significantly faster rate of power enhancement compared to ordinary extraordinary people.
After not seeing each other for months, their ranks and strengths can already change dramatically… because what seems like just four years of university life, in reality, as Night Travelers, they may have experienced ten years or even decades.
Of course, this does not mean that the Night World is a simple tool for quick leveling… after all, any historical echo task in the Night World inevitably comes with enormous risks.
When Night Travelers d*e in the Night World, it also means they will truly d*e in reality. If not, that Obelisk standing at the school gate could not shine so brilliantly, resembling the stars in the night sky.
Danger coexists with opportunity; the seemingly rapid advancement in strength comes at the cost of constantly facing d*ath — this is the price that Night Travelers must bear.
“And also, my swift breakthrough mostly stems from the accumulation I made earlier in Deep Blue Harbor.”
Rast said: “The time I spent in that port was far too long.”
“The foundation accumulated over three hundred years of cycles, though it cannot directly manifest in my body due to the nature of the time reversal, enabled my spiritual power to far exceed that of an ordinary person.”
“Compared to you ordinary people who haven’t experienced time loops, I essentially have a congenital cheat, obtaining a superior status through it… This isn’t something worth boasting about.”
As he spoke, he took out two silver goblets and four differently colored bottles from the small refrigerator in the dormitory.
In the next moment, the bottles of various colors began to dance and swirl around his fingers as if endowed with life.
“Compared to me, the one truly deserving of admiration should be you, Hiltina.”
“After all —”
Rast’s voice paused slightly.
“If I’m not mistaken, compared to me, still on the brink, you have truly broken through to the sixth tier, stepping into the highest realm beneath legends.”
His fingers came to a stop.
Clink—
A crisp sound echoed on the table.
Rast pushed one of the silver goblets in front of Hiltina: “Try it, ‘Amber Love’, the version you didn’t have the chance to taste last time in Deep Blue Harbor.”
Hiltina reached out to take the goblet, its contents a dim yellow, swirling like dusk in the cup.
“If it were enough to just throw someone into the Night World’s looping dungeons for three hundred years and come out like you, then the Empire and Starry University would have long begun mass-producing genius extraordinary people.”
“As for my own strength — if you compare your refined spiritual power gained from the time loops to a cheat, then I also possess a cheat, one that’s more superior and unfair compared to ordinary people.”
She gently swirled her goblet, whispering softly.
The swirling liquid in the cup truly exhibited an amber hue.
Hiltina still vividly remembered that when they first met, Rast had introduced her to “Fiery Sand” and “Amber Love,” the two highest profit-margin drinks. However, in the end, he only made “Fiery Sand” for himself, leaving the other one existing solely in Rast’s description, and she didn’t expect to have the chance to see its true form today.
In Rast’s words, serving as a bartender and gigolo in the bar was just a way for him to k*ll time and entertain himself.
But in truth, as the first person to have contact with Rast in the present world, she might be the most understanding of him.
Hiltina had once witnessed Rast’s early days… and had briefly glimpsed a corner of the boy’s true heart.
So Hiltina knew better than anyone just how devastated and broken Rast’s desolate heart was, and how arduous it was to endure those three hundred long years.
An endlessly repeating, never moving forward day, was akin to hell for a human… and the only ones who could return from hell are the demonic beings who live for their obsessions.
Such a desolate and hollow soul was the product of forcibly transforming oneself into a demon to continue existing in hell.
Ordinary people would probably collapse under pressure after a few decades; even if their bodies could repeatedly resurrect through loops, their souls would have already shattered and extinguished, reduced to vegetative states, like walking corpses.
Rast compared the three hundred years he experienced in Deep Blue Harbor to his inherent cheat that allowed him to stand apart from the ordinary.
But in reality, it was Rast himself, who could maintain his sense of self throughout those three hundred years, with a heart as resilient as steel, that was the true cheat.
Hiltina closed her eyes, lifted her goblet, and drank down the “Amber Love.”
To Hiltina’s surprise, even though it looked like a strong drink, “Amber Love” did not have the intense taste of spirits but was instead exceptionally sweet and lingering…
This flavor was the complete opposite of the “Fiery Sand” she had tasted in that bar in Deep Blue Harbor—
“Fiery Sand” was as hard as iron sand, like the roaring firewood burning in a winter night, fiercely brilliant, with a determination not to relent until it consumed itself.
But “Amber Love” was gentle and tranquil, making Hiltina think of the soft night sky.
The former’s hard and unyielding nature, determined to burn itself out… undoubtedly represented Rast’s past image as a bartender—
Mysterious, cold, unpredictable yet immensely powerful; once a plan was made, no matter the cost or the setbacks faced, it would definitely be accomplished.
However, at this moment, after tasting the “Amber Love” made by Rast, Hiltina felt, in a daze, that beneath the impenetrable wall of hardened heart built from layers of personality masks… lay a softness akin to the night sky, closer to his true self.
“It’s indeed a captivating taste.”
As Hiltina savored the “Amber Love,” her lips occasionally curled up and twitched.
After a long time, she finally opened her beautiful eyes, sparkling and bright as the full moon: “If Rast, you weren’t extraordinary, just with this bartending skill, I believe my father would invite you to serve in the royal court.”
“Is that all?”
Rast shook his head regretfully: “I thought you would say, ‘Rast, please make cocktails for me every day from now on’ after tasting this.”
“It seems my bartending skills still need to improve; I haven’t reached the level where girls would be so enchanted by just a sip that they’d propose to me.”
“What you’re talking about isn’t wine; it’s a love potion, right?”
Hiltina laughed out loud, but after laughing, she couldn’t help but pause slightly.
This teasing remark, if it had come from the Rast she had previously perceived, he would never have said.
“It seems Mr. Silver was right… After coming back from the Night World, Rast, you really have changed a lot.”
“You’ve become more like a living, breathing person, not just a cold machine anymore.”
Hiltina smiled slightly and handed the silver goblet back to Rast: “So, esteemed bartender—”
“I still feel a bit unsatisfied; can you accompany me for another drink?”
…
When this simple gathering ended, it was already deep into the night.
“It’s getting late, Rast, I should head back.”
“Also, please send my regards to Mr. Silver.”
Hiltina stood up from the wooden table, her chestnut long hair drifting with the evening breeze.
She put on the coat draped over the chair and walked towards the dormitory door.
However, just as Hiltina pushed open the door and was about to step out into the threshold, her footsteps suddenly paused.
“Hiltina, is there really nothing you want to say to me?”
Rast’s voice rang out clearly through the hall, echoing in Hiltina’s ears.
“What’s that?” Hiltina halted but did not turn around.
“Senior Ingrid… and the imperial nobility forces related to the ‘Bronze Rose’ and ‘Graveminder’ that the royal family is currently purging.”
Rast’s voice remained calm: “The Granwill Empire’s royal family, and the grand nobles attempting to collude with hidden organizations from outside the borders to split or even overthrow the entire national sovereignty… This is a war to the d*ath; it has been going on in the shadows for nearly three months.”
“Now, this high-level power struggle combat, which determines the empire’s ownership, is approaching its climax… most grand nobles with ties to the hidden organizations have either chosen to negotiate and surrender or have retreated from the borders under the hidden organizations’ escort. Only a very small portion has chosen to stubbornly resist until the end.”
“However, in order to maintain stability within the empire and avoid irreparable damages from desperate opponents, the imperial side must be distracted to protect various territories, leaving little means to pursue, even you chose to participate in the war because you feared that the ‘Ranger’ family’s territory, Autumn Leaf Territory, would be affected by those desperate people.”
“If the information I’ve gathered is correct—”
Rast’s voice paused: “Senior Ingrid has also been deeply involved with the hidden organization… and as a peak sixth-tier extraordinary, she naturally ranks among the top even in the entire empire, having risen steadily through military merit.”
“She could have chosen to leave the empire’s borders under the escort of the hidden organization, but she chose to stay and fight to the d*ath.”
Rast’s voice mingled with the howling evening wind, each word clear: “Hiltina, what you’ve been busy with till now, it’s about Senior Ingrid, right… your hunt and escape, fighting and resistance has spanned seven historical remnants of the Night World.”
“And now, you’ve finally pushed her into a desperate corner with nowhere to flee. The task you are in a hurry to embark on—”
“Is the final battle with Senior Ingrid, isn’t it?”
Hearing Rast’s question, Hiltina did not turn around, only nodded.
“This is the empire’s internal strife. Those grand nobles and hidden organizations have deeply infiltrated military and administrative agencies… In order to suppress the grand nobles and prevent them from retaliating out of desperation, the entire country is already stretched thin, unable to spare any additional manpower.”
“Moreover, with the graduate student relationship between Senior Ingrid and Starry University… the others in the academy do not have the leverage to intervene because of the university’s independence.”
“With my connections to the royal family and Starry University, I am the best option to resolve this with minimal associated repercussions.”
“However, I didn’t expect you, Rast, would know all of this so well, considering these matters occurred during your time in the Sixth Epoch’s historical remnants and subsequent healing… To avoid influencing you, I deliberately avoided discussing these topics while chatting with you.”
“You should know, with a weasel around you, there’s no gossip you can’t get.”
Rast said, “Need me to help?”
“I’ve seen the images of you in the historical remnants, so I know Rast, your ability. Beneath the legend’s rank, no matter what kind of extraordinary person faces you, they could easily suffer a great loss if they aren’t careful.”
Hiltina brushed back her chestnut hair that had been blown askew by the evening breeze: “I appreciate your good intentions, Rast.”
“But it’s not necessary.”
“Just as you once declined my request to enter the historical remnants to rescue Akshia… I also have my own reasons for needing to fight this battle alone.”
She did not turn back again, steadily stepping out of the door into the silent blackness of the night.
“I know that Senior Ingrid despises me, is repulsed by my ideals, and loathes my dedication to justice… and likewise, I greatly detest her ideology.”
“Since that’s the case, then this battle is my only means—”
“To prove that my beliefs are just as valid as hers.”
Her chestnut hair danced in the night’s embrace, like a trail of blazing fireworks, as the girl with the slender sword vanished into the depths of the night.
“Ah, how did I ever foolishly agree to your request and get on your pirate ship back then.”
A silver glow flashed in the night sky as a fluffy weasel appeared on Rast’s shoulder.
Mr. Silver watched Hiltina gradually distance herself and couldn’t help but sigh: “Look, Young Tina said she doesn’t need it anymore; if you go meddling, aren’t you just putting a warm face against a cold b*tt? How about we return to our own places? Winter beds are so cozy; we shouldn’t step into this muddy water.”
“You know that’s impossible, Mr. Silver.” Rast gently patted the little weasel on his shoulder, a tender gesture that made it bristle.
“Besides…” Rast’s tone became slightly distant: “I want to intervene in this matter, not just for Hiltina and Senior Ingrid, but also for myself.”
The “Graveminder” organization successfully survived the end catastrophe of the Sixth Epoch, existing until today, and has begun to hide behind the curtains of history while interfering with the present… this is a fact Rast can confirm.
However, the “Guardians of the Shore” organization no longer exists in the new era.
No matter how confident Rast is, he never believed that he could stand against the hidden hand that has existed since the Age of Gods and has obliterated countless civilizations with just his own strength.
One person’s power has its limits.
Therefore, Rast needs companions, and more importantly, a force that is completely loyal to him.
However—
Even though he has awakened humanity, Rast’s character is still distinct from Cecil’s; the three hundred years in Deep Blue Harbor have accustomed him to being alone.
For hundreds of years, Rast has been solitary, so he never trusted others; he preferred to grasp the entire situation himself, meticulously planning every detail to forge the most comprehensive action plan.
Such experiences have destined Rast to never become a leader like Cecil, who has a charisma that inspires many.
Thus, the requirements and thresholds Rast sets for his chosen subordinates—
Must exceed those of the “Graveminder” and “Guardians of the Shore” organizations in the Sixth Epoch.
He doesn’t need to establish a massive force akin to the “Guardians of the Shore” in the Sixth Epoch, which maintained the order of human civilization, but rather needs a small and elite group to ensure they can adhere to his will one hundred percent.
What’s coming is Rast’s first attempt, but he isn’t sure if he can succeed.
On Rast’s shoulder, Mr. Silver took a glance at the boy below, involuntarily shivering.
It thought that after reviving his humanity, Rast should have become more cheerful… but now, it seems this guy has become even more scheming than before.
Reconstructing a power from an era long gone in a new way… this idea sounds just like those villainous cult organizations that dream of having their deities descend and restore the glory of the Age of Gods.
But if one day the “Guardians of the Shore” are truly rebuilt in the present by Rast, wouldn’t it mean this heavenly investor could also snag a position like vice-leader?
At that time, it would have endless little fish treats to enjoy.
Mr. Silver shook its fluffy tail, happily daydreaming.
(End of Chapter)
