Chapter 92 Fate · Future - One (I)
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Ansel tenderly stroked Seraphina's head, whispering softly, "It has been a long time, Seraphina." His voice and image were so clear and distinct in Seraphina's eyes, no longer the vague illusion from her dreams, nor the void phantom she saw in her daze after her gradual breakdown in recent days. Before Seraphina, there was the real Ansel of Hydral, tangible and within her reach.
The dagger fell to the ground, and the trembling girl could no longer suppress her emotions, throwing herself into his arms and bursting into tears. All the loneliness, fear, despair, and...misunderstandings, self-denial, all vented out at this moment. She desperately wanted to stop crying, to not appear so weak and disheveled, but her tears and sobs were unstoppable. "Ansel... Ansel..." Having lost everything, even her self, the wolf clung tightly to Ansel, clinging to the only thing she truly had left. "You saved me again... once again..." The girl murmured in shame and humility, her delicate body still trembling uncontrollably.
"It wasn't me who saved you, Seraphina, it was you who saved yourself." Ansel cradled Seraphina's cheeks, speaking softly, "The mark on you only works when you refuse to give up on life. Only when you don't want to fade away, will I come to your side." He lowered his head, gently touching Seraphina's forehead: "Only when you don't give up on yourself, will I not give up on you." "But..." Seraphina's tear-filled eyes were both comforted and somewhat lost.
Don't give up... on myself.
But I clearly already —
"Alright, from now on, it's a private conversation between the two of us." Ansel temporarily let go of Seraphina, but still held one of her hands, turning his head to look at the boundless night.
"So, unrelated people, please leave." "Wendigo, the leader of the Dark Tide forces of the New World." Ansel's voice was very calm, but this calmness carried a terrifying pressure... that only the strong could perceive. It was an absolute oppression that could not be reduced even if he split himself into nine parts, originating from the sixth stage of the [Abyss], the [Endpoint], the apocalyptic creature Hydral!
"One of the eleven commanders of the fifth stage from the New World, an absolute supporter of the Destruction faction, a top illusion master." He couldn't help but laugh, seemingly because the reality was too absurd, "Such a figure, just to force Seraphina to commit suicide, is willing to do hard labor in this village for such a long time, should I admire your determination, or should I sigh at your indifference?"
"...Hydral." Wendigo's deep voice came from all directions. "What? Just calling me, still unwilling to show up?" Ansel raised an eyebrow slightly.
No matter how much she surrendered to Ansel in her heart, how much she flattered Ansel, her body, her self, her self-esteem recognized by Ansel... all fiercely resisted this. I should do this, but I...I... I don't want to.
"Ansel..." The poor wolf, who had lost everything, looked up, her pleading eyes staring at her devil, "Do I must, do I must do this, to be able to accompany —"
"Can you stand up, Seraphina?" A gentle voice sounded in her ear.
"...Eh? Ah? I... um, I can." Seraphina awkwardly wiped away the tears that had accumulated in her eyes again, and with some difficulty, she stood up with Ansel's help.
"Let's take a stroll around your village." Ansel suggested, his words devoid of any mention of "loyalty," "self," or "taming." Instead, he simply said this, smiling as he took Seraphina's hand. "Even though it's night, it's still quite intriguing, isn't it?"
"...Ah."
Seraphina responded softly, her expression bewildered, unsure of how to respond.
And so, Ansel began to lead her around the village. "Although those sycophants have changed it, I remember most places clearly. You do too, don't you, Seraphina?"
Ansel mused, pointing at a large, withered tree. "You climbed this tree when you were five and accidentally fell. You were unharmed, but you scared Marlina into tears."
Seraphina paused, the memory quickly surfacing in her mind. Marlina's crying and her own frantic attempts to comfort her were all vivid. But... but how did Ansel know about this?
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