Ark Undead

"Her relationship with that lady was much better than we imagined. Come to think of it, if she weren't his disciple, how could she have gained her approval?"

The group's discussion was quite loud. Especially after the old sorcerer's impassioned speech, it was naturally heard by those guarding the hall.

However, at this moment, she is communicating with other people.

"Expert, the abyss is near. Please lead those who are willing to leave."

The Fire Maiden took out a map and handed it to the ragged samurai standing in front of her.

"This is the route to the world of the painting. Please get there as soon as possible. If darkness is allowed to spread completely, the painting will probably no longer open its doors to the remaining people."

The expert put away the map that the Fire Maiden had handed her.

This was a decision they had made long ago, but before leaving, he still had some questions he wanted to ask.

"Thank you, madam... So, you've made up your mind, haven't you?"

Looking at the elegant and composed figure before him, the expert felt a surge of respect.

"You are going to find that future you foresee."

"Yes."

The Fire Maiden opened her lips and nodded slightly.

"That was my promise to him."

Even if what lies ahead is a bottomless abyss?

The expert asked, as if he were questioning the Fire Maiden.

"Now that the future foreseen by the Profound Saint Eldridge is gradually becoming a reality, how can you be certain that a single glimmer of light will truly emerge from that boundless darkness?"

These seemingly offensive words did not provoke any anger in the Fire Maiden.

Because she knew he wasn't questioning her.

I just wanted to gain more confidence from her in this way.

"The girl gave me a gift before she left."

"The Fire Maiden said softly."

"Up there, I saw fire, I saw light. I saw his hand reaching out to me millions of years later."

The woman clutched the badge, engraved with flames and hands, in her palm as if drawing power from it.

"You know this, right? This kind of behavior is just another form of heading towards darkness."

"But if it's not me, then who will take on this responsibility?"

The Fire Maiden spoke softly, recalling the words her hero had spoken when he stood before her, offering her the eye that signified betrayal.

Instead of blaming himself, he patiently asked himself if he should share the burden with her.

“It was I who told him about that terrible future, and thus led him down the path he is on today.”

"He is a hero who extinguished the flames and ended countless sufferings. He is also a sinner who extinguished the flames and destroyed this generation."

"He believed in my judgment, and I also deeply believed in the only light he brought to me."

The Fire Maiden chuckled and said the words she hadn't had a chance to tell him.

"If it is truly an endless journey, then it is the path I must embark on. It is the only possibility that I will be able to see him again."

The expert looked at the woman in front of him and felt a surge of envy.

Was this the promise that man made to her?

It's laughable, but it's also something to aspire to.

"I understand, ma'am."

The expert took a deep breath and made his commitment.

"I will definitely protect the remnants of the Age of Fire and lead these people who want to live to find the haven he left for us."

"We'll meet again, sir."

The Fire Maiden made a prophecy.

"I will go there before darkness engulfs everything."

The expert paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Well then, see you then, ma'am."

After speaking, the expert turned around, took the map given to him by the Fire Mistress, and left the fireless sacrificial site.

After the experts left, the woman, who was already prepared, went deep into the sacrificial site.

The group, who had just been exchanging ideas, fell silent again.

After hearing the soft footsteps, everyone looked up at the woman standing in the aisle.

"You all heard what I said to that child, didn't you?"

"That's what the Fire Maiden said."

The old sorcerer craned his neck and asked, slightly nervously.

"So that girl is really my good disciple's student?"

The Fire Maiden nodded gently.

"Yes, this is the first time I've met her, but it doesn't seem like it's the first time she's met me."

"The confusion of time and space can lead to this kind of thing happening; you might even see her again in the future."

The Black Witch Karula dispelled the Fire Mage's doubts.

"Perhaps, in the future you foresee, it will be you and her who build the bridge connecting my foolish apprentice."

Hearing the conversation between Karula and the Fire Mage, the old sorcerer from the Great Swamp relaxed.

He leaned against the wall behind him, murmuring softly.

"It's good that you're alive, it's good that you're alive..."

Everyone fell silent again.

The long silence was broken when the Fire Maiden broke free from her memories.

"We should get going."

So the rest of the people got to work. They packed their things and followed the Fire Maiden out of the sacrificial site, where the flames had long since been extinguished.

She held a gift from the future in her hand, and a fragment of a sword that had burned out in the primordial furnace hung at her waist.

The Fire Maiden knew that those who remained here were all connected to him.

Only those who have benefited from his kindness are willing to believe in the future he speaks of.

Komikus, an old sorcerer from the Great Swamp.

Karula, a dark witch who studies dark and chaotic magic.

And there was also the old blacksmith, Andrei, whom he had known since the beginning of the Age of Fire.

And... Patch, who claims to be an ordinary traveling merchant.

They stayed behind to go with her and face the endless darkness.

Perhaps some people are willing to join them and head towards that distant future.

This is a journey without end; they must follow the already dimmed road, fight against darkness, and struggle against the abyss.

Now, she has witnessed hope for the future firsthand, which makes her deeply believe in the future she has foreseen.

"The age of fire has passed; all that remains before us is boundless darkness."

The Fire Mage chanted softly, gently stroking the fragments of the spiral sword at her waist, as if he were still by her side.

"But after that long darkness, a light will flicker gently. It is a small flame, the embers of the legacy passed down by the kings."

377. Never late, no regrets. 6,000

Since ancient times, fire and darkness have been mortal enemies.

With fire comes light, which illuminates the darkness.

But if darkness sweeps in, and there is nowhere for light to be contained, then the concept of fire will cease to exist.

The Fire Maiden knew that after that battle, everything seemed to have settled down.

They thought they had found the right to walk in the darkness. But it was merely humanity's last effort in that generation.

They thought they had found a new power to counter it, but they discovered that without fire and light, they were only deceiving themselves, and were gradually stepping into the abyss.

That's why they lost so badly.

“You know, we had a meeting at the bottom of the abyss once. We even invited you to join us, but you didn’t go.”

In the dark and fireless sacrificial ground, the woman sat quietly on the steps, while on the other side of the steps, an indescribable creature leaned against the throne and spoke.

“Mingming, you should be the one who understands darkness the most, you should be the one who can bear our strength the most, but you refuse to embrace your homeland.”

“Look, you have made the prophecy of the abyss’s destruction, yet you have led the people of the last generation to rise up in a meaningless rebellion.”

"You know best in your heart that after the age of fire passes, the abyss will surely engulf you, and you were born to bear the bottomless abyss."

"It was you who persuaded the hero of the Age of Fire to make the choice to extinguish the flames."

Why resist the call from your heart? The children are waiting for you; they need someone like you.

The black-clad figure sat up straight and spoke.

"A mother like you."

"But I am not a mother, and I do not want to be anyone's mother."

The Fire Maiden's voice sounded very weak; she had already exhausted most of her strength just by holding on until now.

"I am merely a servant of heroes, waiting for my own hero."

"This is not something you can control with your wishes."