I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

Because everyone knows that the "Herrschers"... are calamities, disasters, messengers of the Honkai, executioners who harm humanity, and machines that destroy civilization. They can disguise themselves, they can lurk, and they will stop at nothing to cause destruction.

In order to protect humanity's continued survival and ensure the continuation of civilization, the "Herrschers"... must be "defeated."

Everything is for humanity.

[...Look, so-called "trust" is so cheap and fragile in people's eyes. "Trust" that clearly requires countless events, a great deal of kindness, and a long time to build up and construct, "trust" that should be resilient and solid, is cracked with just a gentle push, and falls uncontrollably toward breaking and collapsing.]

Once even the slightest doubt arises, this trust will shatter completely; it's only a matter of time.

[...Look, when distrust begins to spread and doubt takes hold of people's hearts, there's no need for anyone else to do anything, no need for the Honkai to influence, no need for the Herrschers to push things along; humanity itself will find "reasons," or rather "excuses," to extract those "suspicious points" one by one and use them as evidence of "doubt."]

So what if you just held a "concert"? So what if you just resolved the side effects on most of the fusion warriors? Once "suspicion" begins to arise, your "good deeds" will be subconsciously ignored, and their attention will be focused on the "suspicious points" about you.

At this time, even the slightest "problem" about you will be magnified infinitely. Even if there isn't one, they will fabricate it, or even imagine one... and all of this is just to "confirm" their "suspicion."

Look at these ignorant and foolish humans, who, for the sake of just a few "doubts," have swept everything you've done into the corners of their memories, leaving only suspicion in their minds.

Look at you, so pathetic and laughable. Even though you've done so much for them, even though your heart for them has never changed, in the end, you're still overwhelmed by doubt.

【………】

"Everything is for humanity... Haha, what a ridiculous declaration, what a boring excuse."

Do you think I'm right? Trying to become a "traitor" to "hope"?

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Kevin, tears don't freeze, you know? (5850)

wow-

The sound of the waves echoed in my ears, and I was lying on the fine sand.

White waves gently lapped against the beach, and the tide softly brushed against his body, wetting the hem of his clothes.

???~

The gentle song carries a soft breeze, drifting quietly into the distance on the damp sea wind. Golden notes ride the wind, floating far away to where they are meant to go.

But... until his singing stopped, until the scheduled time ended, Xi Wang did not receive the response he expected.

"There was no response... Skadi..."

Xi Wang murmured softly, looked down at the hunter's hat in her arms, and sighed with some regret.

wow-

The tide gently swept by, bringing him a few messages.

"Is this... an effort? You need to rest... You must be exhausted."

Xi Wang smiled gently and placed the hunter's hat in her arms on the surging seawater.

"Then...please, could you please give this to it for me? I remember it really likes this hat."

wow-

"Haha, I know, it will like whatever I give it, after all, we are blood relatives, but... I think this would be very suitable for it, so... could you help me deliver it to it?"

wow-

The waves were silent, gently carrying the hat away. The hat did not float on the surface of the sea, but sank into the water and disappeared in no time.

Thank you so much!

Xi Wang smiled happily, reached out, and gently touched the surging white waves. The seawater became slightly sticky the moment it touched his palm, but it quickly returned to normal and quietly flowed away from his hand.

It loves Xiwang, so it won't force him to come "home". It's content as long as Xiwang visits it from time to time.

wow-

The waves gently lapped against his body, reminding him that "time" had come, telling him that it would deliver his care and gifts to Skadi. Now, Xiwang should take care of his own affairs first. If he needed help, the ocean would be his greatest support... This will be his "home".

Thanks for reminding me!

Xi Wang smiled happily and slowly stood up. At this moment, the waves quietly surged up, washing away the fine sand on his legs and the corners of his clothes, just like a mother tidying up the clothes of her child who was about to travel far away.

"To be honest, I don't know how to thank you enough."

wow-

"No, I'm serious. No matter what, you've helped me a lot. Although many of my songs are related to you, they pale in comparison to your help."

Xi Wang gently placed his hand on his chest, his gaze lingering on the vast, boundless blue sea. After a moment's pause, he took a deep breath, as if making a decision, and smiled again, speaking softly.

"Thank you so much for taking such good care of me, for helping me so much, for tolerating my willfulness time and time again, and for loving me so much."

"Thank you so much... [Mother]."

In that instant, Xiwang could clearly perceive that the sound of the sea... had disappeared, as if the entire sea had frozen.

Xi Wang smiled silently, bowed solemnly to the ocean, then stepped back, turned around, and left the beach.

wow-

The waves crashed repeatedly on the beach, their sound joyful and excited, yet also tinged with a hint of anxiety… It realized, it sensed, that this was Xiwang's "farewell."

White waves crashed against the beach several times, trying to catch up with Xiwang's figure. The damp sea breeze blew gently, conveying an inquiry to Xiwang, but all of this... received no answer.

It could only turn back anxiously to find the child that Xiwang loved, the child called Skadi, and help it sketch out the shape more quickly, so that Skadi could get ashore before Xiwang was hurt, so that the two children who were close to each other could take care of each other.

only……

"Actually, you could have stayed a little longer, Xiwang."

Kevin, holding the [Heavenly Judgment], kept a straight face, trying hard not to show any sadness, and spoke slowly.

"No need~ If you stay any longer, people will become more suspicious of you, and that would be terrible."

"I do not mind."

“But I care.”

"........."

"Kevin, let's go, we should go back."

Xi Wang walked forward with light steps, while Kevin silently followed... His duty was to [monitor Xi Wang], and even, if necessary... [kill Xi Wang].

Kevin initially didn't want to take on this mission at all, because it was a complete betrayal of Xi Wang, especially since Xi Wang had just helped him resolve the side effects, allowing him to embrace Mei again. Now, he was being asked to turn the blade against Xi Wang, which was simply absurd.

But in the end, he accepted it... on Mei's advice.

There's no way around it; the internal conflict within "Firemoth" regarding the Dawn issue has intensified, especially since other high-ranking members of "Firemoth" are more inclined to "eliminate" Dawn. Under these circumstances, even if Kevin doesn't take on this mission, "Firemoth" will arrange for someone else to do it.

Moreover, if "Fire Moth" assigns this task to someone else, Xi Wang will actually be in danger, because it's unknown whether "Fire Moth" will directly order Xi Wang's secret execution... You know, Xi Wang may still be carrying a debuff that prevents her from refusing. If "Fire Moth" discovers this... then they might just make Xi Wang commit suicide!

Furthermore, if Kevin refuses this mission, he will also be drawn into this abyss of doubt, accused of being "bewitched" by Xiwang... You know, Councilor Wright, who has always been a staunch supporter of Xiwang, has been genuinely labeled as "bewitched by the Herrscher" by "Moth of the Flame".

As for why such comments have emerged? It's quite simple. It's still about the "Eighth Herrscher incident." Since Xi Wang's "song" can be chosen by the "Eighth Herrscher," who controls the mind, as a vessel to spread power, and Xi Wang herself is unaffected by the "Eighth Herrscher," does that mean that Xi Wang's "song" and Xi Wang herself... possess some kind of mental ability? Like "bewitching others" or something?

No matter how outrageous this speculation is, and no matter what evidence there is, let's just talk about whether this is possible!

As for the examination of those mental fusion warriors in Aponia and Su... well, don't even mention it. They're all very familiar with Xiwang, so "covering up" for them is normal.

...Look, once suspicion takes hold, it's impossible to salvage the situation. They'll find reasons to justify any attempt to prove their point...It's really laughable.

Therefore, Kevin had no choice but to accept this task, because only in this way could he and they continue to protect Xiwang to some extent.

But continuing like this is not a solution, because accusations and suspicions will follow, gradually overwhelming everyone.

The fundamental reason is only one point—Xi Wang is very likely to become a "Herrscher," or may even already be a "Herrscher."

The "Herrschers" must be "punished"... The blood debts left by each previous "Great Collapse" are the most powerful evidence for this claim.

So... in the end, was this outcome unavoidable? The whole "punishment" of Xiwang...

Kevin pursed his lips, subconsciously tightened his grip on the Flame Sword, and fixed his gaze on Xi Wang in front of him, following him blankly.

Why is he still so happy?

Why is he still so relaxed?

In the beginning, he was chosen by the crowd to take the position of "hope"—because of his "song".

And now, he is being pushed and shoved by the crowd, walking to the edge of the cliff—because of their suspicions.

Even in this situation, how can you still laugh? Why can your steps still be so light?

"Because compared to [before], this time, I have you all by my side."

? !

"Kevin, your confusion is written all over your face~"

Before anyone knew it, Xi Wang had stopped and turned around to look at him.

"However, I quite like it this way. This easy-to-understand look is quite similar to your old sunny and cheerful boyish self, who couldn't hide any emotions... Hmm, at least it's much better than your cold and aloof appearance~"

"What...are you saying, Xiwang?"

Kevin's face was stiff.

[Before]? What do you mean by "compared to [before], this time we're here with you"? Does this mean you consider the current situation "acceptable"? Have you ever encountered a worse situation before?

If that's really the case... how desperate must you be...?

Kevin couldn't even imagine what the "before" Xi Wang was talking about would be like, or how desperate it would be for Xi Wang... What had he gone through to think that everything in front of him was still "good"?

Snapped!

A soft clapping sound rang out in front of Kevin, pulling him back to reality.

"Alright, Kevin, don't think about it so much. Those are all things from the past, they're all in the past... We can't dwell on the past, can we? For the past, we just need to remember it, and then... move forward with even greater determination, that's all."

Xi Wang said this with a smile.

Even at this moment, he seemed completely unaware of his surroundings, remaining as gentle and cheerful as ever.

"Well then, let's get back to that simple yet serious question... You've all managed to dodge the question before, but you still haven't given me a clear answer."

Xi Wang tilted her head, and her white hair, like waves, fell down like a waterfall in the mountains.

"Kevin, if one day, simply defeating me could save everyone... what would you do?"

"I……"

"Shh... Kevin, think carefully before you answer. Remember, this is about 'everyone,' not... the difference between the majority and the minority."