Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1117 Can the dead be reborn?
Carabosse was silent for a moment before she spoke slowly, her tone showing a hint of surprise. "You mean, as an observer, mediator, and arbitrator, you didn't consider whose plan was more reasonable, whose method was more feasible, or whose motivation was stronger, and you made your judgment based solely on your personal preferences, Themis? Are you trying to tell me that the fate of the universe, civilization, and mortals is not determined by reason, logic, or thought as we think, but is dominated by a kind of emotional thinking?"

Every word she said made people feel guilty, and every syllable made Themis in the celestial world couldn't help but feel scared, because her doubts were exactly the girl's doubts about herself: if she stood in the position of an observer, mediator and arbitrator, and could not abide by neutrality and objectivity, and made judgments based solely on personal emotions, wouldn't that go against the expectations of the goddess for herself?

Or maybe, she was not meant to bear such heavy expectations.

"Yes, it is."

Themis' teeth were chattering. It was not winter yet she felt a bone-chilling chill. However, a force rising from deep within her heart urged her to speak out her truest thoughts: "I think what you did was wrong! Tiantis, Pereike, Fei'er, Favrona, Eve, Lilith, Timeis, and you, Carabosse, you all did wrong... Even if you want to change the world, you should never do it at the expense of anyone. If you do that, if you do that... the goddess will definitely be very sad..."

Carabosse fell silent again.

She did not refute the words of Themis, perhaps knowing that if her mother were still alive, she would never approve of her actions. Even so, she did not feel regret or guilt, because -

"If we give in blindly, mortals will only get more aggressive. If we ignore them, magic will only grow wildly. If we don't solve the problem fundamentally, it will be equivalent to not solving any problem at all. We came to this conclusion because of our own experience." Carabosse stared deeply at the huge mecha that looked like a goddess, and said coldly: "Haven't you experienced it too, Themis? If you want to avoid such a tragedy from happening again or to make up for the mistakes you have made, you should stand on our side."

Themis knew what she was referring to, and also knew what mistake she was talking about. Just as Carabos did not feel regretful or guilty because she brought up the name of the goddess, she also did not feel that her scars were being opened because Carabos brought up the old things. Perhaps it was because she had opened this scar countless times in the past. After the goddess fell into a long sleep, she wondered if she had not made such a mistake, would it not lead to the separation today? When the new young royal powers lived freely and happily in this ancient and deserted city, she wondered if she had not made such a mistake, would there be those two people in the laughing crowd today? Tiantis would definitely be a very qualified sister, teaching these sisters how to use their power correctly; but Alice was not like a sister. She was more like a bad friend of similar age, always playing, being lazy and playing pranks.

Even when Metien cried and shouted at her in the control hall, questioning the goddess's eternal sleep, she was still thinking, if she hadn't made that mistake, maybe today she wouldn't have to watch a girl crying in front of her after her dreams and fantasies were destroyed? In fact, she envied Metien very much, at least she could cry bravely, while she was just a coward, afraid of becoming a human, so she didn't dare to shed a single tear.

Where did all those tears go? Did they disappear over time, to a place that the girl named Themis could never reach in her lifetime? But sometimes she would wake up suddenly, as if she had had a nightmare, in a deep and quiet night, and suddenly realize that the tears did not disappear, but turned into blood, and there was a faint pain in her heart.

Until now, she no longer feels that it was a mistake.

"I..." Celestial Themis trembled as she spoke, "After Alice and the others came to the Cathedral of Heaven, Tiantis came to me and asked me a question."

"Oh?"

Although she was puzzled by her sudden mention of Tiantis, Carabosse asked with interest, "What's the problem?"

She guessed that it should be about the position of Themis in the celestial world. After all, as the mediator appointed by her mother, the girl undoubtedly played a crucial role in the disagreement and dispute between Chaos and Order. Whichever side she chose to support would have a greater psychological advantage. Although from the current situation, it seemed that the question of Tiantis did not get a satisfactory answer.

But this time, Carabosse guessed wrong.

"She asked me if I still believed what the goddess said."

Themis pursed her lips, her eyes complicated: "At that time, I didn't answer her, because I wasn't sure; but now, if I am given another chance, I will definitely tell her: Yes, I believe it."

"I have always believed in it."

After saying that, she silently controlled the mecha and assumed a fighting posture. Circles of faint blue light flickered on the huge steel gauntlets, as if symbolizing the girl's determination.

Carabosse was speechless upon seeing this, she had not expected that the determination of Themis in the celestial world actually came from Tiantis - or rather, from a word her mother had said to her a long time ago.

When you don't know how to choose, just follow your feelings, because sincere feelings will never hurt anyone.

She believed this sentence again and again, and was betrayed by it again and again. In a person's life, as long as he experiences such an unforgettable betrayal, he should learn a lesson. And the destruction of Eden in the old world, the eternal sleep of her mother, and even the division of the young girl's royal power, are more than unforgettable for this weak and thin girl. She has experienced so much, gradually becoming cold, silent, and self-enclosed. Everyone thought that she would never stand up again, and she would wait alone in the Holy Temple of Heaven until all her fates were settled. Perhaps this is the best ending? Even the girl herself may think so, but sometimes, people's truest thoughts and desires are hidden in their hearts.

The corners of Carabosse's mouth curled up, revealing a complicated smile. Themis in the cab looked at this scene and almost thought she was dazzled. When she looked again, she found that it was indeed an illusion. The dark witch looked at her coldly, without a smile on her face. That's right, she has clearly stood on the opposite side of them, how could she smile at her? Themis thought sadly, abandoning the last bit of luck in her heart.

"Since you are determined to be our enemy, I will not show you mercy."

Carabos raised her scythe, the dark flames on the blade blazing, reflecting her calm face. "You should have heard what I said to Alice just now, and this principle applies to you as well. No matter what your mood is or what decision you make, once you step onto this battlefield, you must be prepared to kill the enemy or be killed by the enemy. Now, you no longer have your relatives, friends, or anyone else in front of you, only your enemies; similarly, you are no longer in the Cathedral of Heaven, but on the battlefield between us."

Themis in the celestial world looked serious, having understood the hidden meaning of Carabosse's words.

The Holy Temple of Heaven, as well as the tomb of the entire old world, the Initial Star Field, are blessed by the goddess, and all forms of fighting are prohibited. Even the Witch Society cannot violate this rule. So after Alice and her group entered the Initial Star Field, the Star Cruise Force stopped chasing them. But now, Themis of the Celestial Realm has taken the initiative to leave the Initial Star Field, which means that from this moment on, she is no longer protected by anyone, and can only rely on herself. The naked hostility and cold murderous intent revealed in this sentence made the girl tremble, and once again deeply realized that she had no way out. Unless she killed Carabosse or was killed by Carabosse, she would never be able to end this fateful duel.

But can she really make up her mind to kill Carabosse?

Kill your own sisters.

As if she saw the girl's hesitation and confusion, the Dark Witch sneered and swung her huge sickle to attack the Armed Goddess. Her attack came too suddenly, and Celestial Themis was half a beat slow to react. At this time, the body's instinctive reaction was faster than rational thinking. The six floating guns rotating behind the Armed Goddess stopped at the same time, and then turned the muzzles to the rear, spraying clusters of dark blue star flames. At the same time, the body turned sideways outward, as if six illusory beams drew a perfect arc in the void. The huge propulsion force pushed the Armed Goddess to dodge to the outer track, narrowly avoiding the first wave of attacks from the Dark Witch.

At the beginning of the battle, the celestial Themis chose to escape.

This was understandable, because she didn't know how to fight, and she had never thought about fighting. If she could buy enough time for Alice and the others to escape, that would be the best outcome. As for what Caraboss said about the awareness of killing the enemy, the girl thought as she ran away that she might not be able to do it at all.

Perhaps, for her, being killed by Carabosse in this battle is the best outcome?
At least that way, we wouldn't have to deal with these things that only make us sad, right?

Even though she knew she shouldn't do this, even though she knew she was just escaping, even though she knew some people would be sad about her death, Themis in heaven couldn't help but have such thoughts. Perhaps subconsciously, she also thought that she should have died long ago, such as dying in the battle when the gods of Eden besieged the Temple of Heaven. Whether it was to protect the world left behind by the goddess or to cover the escape of Tentis and Alice, at least she should stand up bravely. Only in this way could she make up for the mistakes she had made.

However, no.

Not only did she lack the courage to face reality, the courage to transcend fantasy, and even the courage to open her heart to others, she also lacked the courage to fight and die.

So, it wasn't her who died in that battle.

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But it's Tiantis and Alice.

An elder sister who had taught her strictly but also cared for her with warmth and care died, and in her place was a ghost who walked out of the ruins and lingered in the world, vowing to put an end to all the tragedies, but not knowing that she had become the source of the tragedy.

An older sister who once took her out to play and taught her how to smile died. In her place is a weak girl who isolates herself from reality, preferring to regard all fetters as the product of the virtual world rather than face her memories. She is lonely all the time, but does not know why she is lonely.

in case.

Themis in the celestial world thought that if she could use her death, she could exchange for the rebirth of her two sisters.

Can it be said that this is the fulfillment of a long-cherished wish?

……

Alice stared blankly at the two figures, one chasing and one fleeing, under the curtain of the distant universe. She had no idea what was happening. She only remembered that she should have died at the hands of the dark witch Carabosse. But when she came to her senses, she had returned to Yunjingkong Island. Behind her was Tianxin Church. The spire of the church cast a solemn shadow, covering Alice's heart like the deep sea.

She lost.

The genius player realized this belatedly, and not only did she lose, she lost miserably. If it weren't for the timely intervention of Themis from the celestial world, she would probably have died at the hands of Carabosse - she was sure that the dark witch at that time was not lying, and she had never lacked the awareness to kill the enemy. In comparison, she was as weak as a recruit who had just stepped onto the battlefield and was at a loss in the face of blood and gunpowder.

In any case, she had lost the qualifications to continue fighting.

All I can do is stay here, wait, and pray for another person's fight.

Suddenly, there was a sound of firm footsteps behind her, and the sound of iron-wrapped horseshoes trampling on grass and gravel. Alice turned back subconsciously and saw Shino walking towards her, followed by her beloved warhorse Brandi. Both the man and the horse were wearing armor and robes. The Ice Heart Armor inherited from generation to generation by the Gustaf family was breathtakingly gorgeous. The silver armor leaves on the battle skirt rubbed against each other with the girl's steady steps, making a pleasant sound that made people feel at ease.

The wind in the forest was swaying, and the tall church spire cast a god's gaze, silently watching the decision of a young girl. For some reason, Alice did not feel at ease when watching this scene, but instead felt a great fear in her heart.

She was dazed and at a loss.

　Give me some meow
　　(End of this chapter)