The little girl
Faced with the choice between statues and machines, Himmel hesitated for a moment, but when he thought of his newborn children, his hesitation suddenly became firm.
"I choose machinery, Godfather."
Upon Himmel's choice, a smile appeared on Li Yan's face. Sure enough, Himmel, with someone to care about, would choose to stay with his wife and children. After all, who wouldn't fear death? Only those who have lost hope and faith in life can be indifferent to death.
Duncan is the best example. After losing his wife, the only thing that could sustain him was his hometown. His hometown was just a prop for him to go back and sweep his wife's grave. In the end, he was just living in this world in a daze.
The new season of the Era of Himmel's Passing begins. Himmel's body is sealed by magic in the Hall of Warriors in the Royal Capital, and her soul is placed in a mechanical body identical to that of the Hero of the South.
At the beginning of the Era of Himmel's Passing, the Demons began to stir. Even with the combined efforts of the mechanical body of Himmel and the mechanical body of the Hero of the South, they could not completely suppress the Demons' unrest.
The sealing of Himmel's body became a key for the Demons to start the season. During the time that the mechanized Himmel was still getting used to her mechanical body, they had enough time to vent their frustrations without restraint.
In the fifth year of the Era of Himmel's Passing, the Demons launched a small-scale offensive, which was crushed by Macht and the mechanized Himmel by the Hero of the South.
In the tenth year of the Era of Himmel's Passing, the Bloodstained War God Rivale and other Greater Demons officially engaged in a life-or-death battle with the mechanized Himmel and his forces. In this battle, Himmel lost a mechanized arm, but killed several Demons generals and Greater Demons. The God of War Rivale once again successfully escaped.
"Himmel, are you alright?"
The Hero of the South sheathed his twin swords and pursued the God of War, Rivale. However, the enemy had laid an ambush on him. He had been arrogant and overconfident in this battle, completely underestimating the Demons, which led to the current outcome.
"It's nothing, but I won't be able to fight for the rest of the month. This arm needs to go back for reinstallation and maintenance."
Himmel sighed helplessly. There was nothing he could do. If he were still in his physical body, he would have been able to react to that attack. He lacked the conditioned reflexes and sixth sense of his body, which were innate factors in combat, which led to his defeat in the battle.
"I used to be just like you. A mechanical body isn't something you can become familiar with overnight, just like a newborn learning to walk. Everything is a new beginning."
The Hero of the South smiled and gently patted Himmel on the shoulder.
In the 15th year of the Xin Shi calendar, the war between nations began. Without the external harassment of the Demons race, the human Kingdoms were dissatisfied with Lionheart King's sole control over the human discourse and officially declared the start of the war.
This was a premeditated and planned conspiracy by all the nations against Lionheart King. While Lionheart King was still enjoying a period of peaceful development, these former underling nations, who used to call him their elder brother, launched a coup and betrayed him.
Countless Small Towns were wantonly destroyed, assassins flocked to the kingdom, and many Nobles in charge of important projects were assassinated, plunging the entire Kingdom into chaos.
In the same year, amidst the chaos of war, Li Yan left her comfortable safe zone and began traveling with Heiter through the destroyed Small Towns.
"Godfather, those small countries in the south did it on purpose. They should all kill those simple-minded and greedy Nobles."
In front of Li Yan, Heiter could not control his anger. The Small Town, now covered in war and reduced to ruins, moved him deeply.
"Heiter, it will be alright. Give me a little more time. The war is about to end."
Li Yan gently patted Heiter on the shoulder. The Lionheart King had already begun his counterattack. Killing the enemy's army was meaningless, as they were merely following orders. The most important thing was to kill their greedy leader.
"I believe you, Godfather."
Heiter released the Goddess's healing magic to heal the surviving Small Town. Li Yan's words reassured him. He trusted his Godfather's words completely. Even if his Godfather spoke ill of the Goddess, he would immediately pray that the Goddess would take the blame for his Godfather's mistakes upon himself.
Watching Heiter treat the Small Town's residents, Li Yan strolled through the Small Town. The setting sun cast a golden glow on the Small Town, but this warm color could not dispel the desolation and silence.
A thin, small figure caught Li Yan's attention. She was squatting blankly in front of a ruined house, in front of which lay the bodies of a man and a woman, clearly the girl's parents.
The most painful thing in the world is undoubtedly seeing your parents die in front of you, and being powerless to stop it.
Looking at the blank-faced little girl, Li Yan's heart was touched. In this war-torn Small Town, the little girl had lost her loved ones.
The little girl stood quietly beside her parents' bodies, her eyes devoid of tears, only filled with confusion and silence. Her small hands clutched a tattered rag doll tightly, as if it were her only support.
Weeds grow rampant among the ruins; the former home is now nothing but broken walls, as if telling a story of past glory and present desolation.
As a chilling wind blew by, stirring up dust and sorrow, the little girl's clothes swayed gently in the wind, yet she seemed oblivious to the biting cold.
A voice broke the silence. Li Yan slowly approached the little girl, knelt down, and gently asked, "Are you alright?"
The little girl looked up at Li Yan's location, a hint of fear and wariness flashing in her eyes.
Seemingly sensing the little girl's distrust, Li Yan touched his pocket, where he often kept a few candies. He took out a candy and handed it to the little girl. The little girl hesitated for a moment, but still timidly accepted the candy.
Watching the little girl eat candy, Li Yan felt a strong connection with her and reached out to gently stroke her head, softly saying, "Would you like to come home with me? Although I'm not your biological father, I'm willing to treat you like my own daughter."
The little girl, who was eating candy, paused slightly, glanced in the direction of her parents' bodies, and cautiously reached out her little hand to tug at Li Yan's clothes. She just quietly ate her candy without saying a word, and followed Li Yan wherever she went.
"What's your name?" Li Yan asked gently, understanding the little girl's feelings.
"Phi... Fern."