Chapter 144

Yes, the Prophetess Sibyl, who has played an important role in several simulations; I have long suspected that she is a member of the [Eris] the Swarm, but why have I never suspected Joan of Arc?

This is because she firmly believes that as long as she achieves the Great Ritual: Opposing Blades, she can prevent interference from the outside world.

But what can be done if a part of the ritual is inherently bad?

—Jeanne d'Orcée, the Joan of Arc... she was once Burning Witch who brought calamity to all parts of the world.

If Atlantis was Eris's possession, then what was Joan of Arc, who emerged from the Atlantis Lostbelt?

Who is the "Lord" she reveres?

Hebe fell into an unexpected silence, the answer becoming clear.

Eris.

There is no love or hate without a reason in this world.

Tap tap, tap tap.

A crisp knock sounded at the door, and Joan of Arc's shoulders swayed.

She cleared her throat forcefully. "Please come in... Ishtar? Weren't you at the party?"

"There are already enough people celebrating Epiphany Night; one more won't make a difference," Hebe said with a smile as she walked in. "But I'm probably the only one celebrating Miss Jeanne's birthday."

This is a surprise I prepared especially for you.

Hebe's thoughts echoed in Joan of Arc's ears.

Joan of Arc's birthday falls on the same day as the Epiphany.

Unconsciously, Joan of Arc's lips curled up slightly, and a touch of joyful color appeared on her pale face.

Happy birthday, Miss Jeanne Darc.

Hebe conjured out of thin air a crown woven from irises and lilies, uniquely shaped and with a lasting fragrance.

The Pure Water Spirit placed the crown in the Maid of Orléans's hands.

As long as this crown rests on Jeanne's head, I will share half of the pain she suffers from her achievements... Of course, this is only a temporary solution. After tonight, I must immediately head south to Issou; only by resolving everything before Jeanne does she avoid self-immolation.

Joan of Arc paused in her act of putting the crown on her head, then turned around as if nothing had happened and placed the crown beside her.

The conversation shifted again to Joan of Arc asking Hebe when she would leave, while Hebe repeatedly urged Joan of Arc to put on her floral crown.

The latter's smile never faded, but she slightly closed her waxy eyelids, her long eyelashes resembling bitter grass.

As night fell, Hebe slowly walked away.

In the distance, the evening celebration was reaching its most glorious moment, with crowds of people and bright lights.

But she didn't go; she just watched from afar.

Hebe's eyebrows relaxed, her face was calm, and she let the numbness and weariness in her heart spread on its own.

All the conjectures were verified.

"The future is uncertain, and the outcome is unknown, yet I'm already having these thoughts... Have I changed?"

Whether or not Eris was involved, everything that had happened during this period felt unfamiliar to Hebe.

She lowered her eyes and chuckled softly after a moment, "We are not yet at peace, yet we have already forgotten to be vigilant... With the great enemy still at large, how can we afford such extravagant desires?"

Since I'm willing to risk my life at the gambling table, what can't I put on these bottles and jars?

The chuckle gradually turned into a hearty laugh, Hebe slapped her knees, almost doubled over with laughter.

Suddenly, the laughter stopped.

Hebe turned and headed towards Ys without looking back.

[The Third Great Ritual: Opposing Blades]

[Sexual Aspect: Blade]

[Rank: Twilight]

At the very moment Hebe clarified her mindset, the Ritual of the Opposing Blades entered the Twilight rank.

Hebe's long-sought-after secret ritual, which she had been struggling to perfect, has finally reached a higher level of success.

Two days later.

The atmosphere of Epiphany vanished without a trace, and as the last vestiges of celebration disappeared, the Janus Gate was broken.

The three legions stationed there did indeed keep their promise—the Northern army never crossed the border of Janus Gate before these Golem Knights were completely reduced to silent stone statues.

Both the Tuners and the Golem Knights fought to the very last moment.

Their fierce fighting certainly earned them the respect of all their enemies, but unfortunately, their resistance did not actually achieve much.

The reason is simple.

Hebe passed through the Janus Gate on the night of the Epiphany.

Mozart's two legions formed a defensive triangle here, while a legion of musicians held the rear, with the gap between them located at...

These were Hebe's casual comments about the garrison as she passed through the Arc de Triomphe. And for some reason, Joan of Arc heard her thoughts even more clearly.

Following Hebe's wishes, Joan of Arc easily broke through the defenses of the Janus Gate, breached the three legions, and surrounded and annihilated them.

That same afternoon, Joan of Arc led her army and decisively defeated Corinth, the gateway to the Atlantis province.

At dawn the following day, Joan of Arc broke through Pompeii's defenses. At this point, the northern army was only one city away from Iss' homeland.

The name of this city is... Athens.

The center of Greek Civilization.

But at this time and in this place, it was just a city in Atlantis.

"If there were no delays during the march, the northern army should have already reached the border of Athens by now," Hebe thought to himself.

The specially treated wreaths allowed Joan of Arc to hear Hebe's thoughts more clearly, thus indirectly influencing and controlling her.

Joan of Arc has now put the antenna on her forehead, and the effect is naturally immediate.

On the night of the Epiphany, Hebe even went back to investigate the identity of the Deep Sea Bishop Van Gogh.

But when she returned to the abandoned church, "Van Gogh" was no more; only a pair of anemones with petals of bone white, light red, and dark blue remained.

It is clear that the real "Van Gogh" was merely a spiritual presence, and when her spirit departed, her temporary physical body reverted to that of Sea Kin.

Hebe knew perfectly well what she was saying. On the surface, it was admonishing Joan of Arc, but in reality, it was warning herself. It was just that the meaning was different when it was heard by two people with different identities and positions.

Hebe did not enter Athens.

For most people, this is just an ordinary city, but for Hebe, who knows history, Athens means the core of Greek Civilization.

Given the relationship between Eris and Greek Civilization, Hebe has never hesitated to assume the worst.

A fierce battle will ensue in Athens, during which Joan of Arc will no longer possess the invincible protection of her followers.

The reason is simple.

First, Joan of Arc of Arc's achievements had reached their limit, like a flame dying out in winter.

Secondly, this place is most likely Eris's territory. Considering the difference in their status, Joan of Arc's remaining achievements could not possibly have any effect on the traces she left behind.

From any perspective, it is certain that the Battle of Athens will result in enormous casualties.

"She acts very quickly, which is certainly a good thing for us."

Nietzsche smiled and said, "But contrary to what you all think, I did not place any physical ambush in Athens."

Nietzsche's language is ambiguous and spoken extremely quickly, seemingly forming a completely self-created language.

In fact, it was indeed a self-created language—limited to communication between Nietzsche and the dozen or so philosophers he assimilated.

These philosophers are now attached to Nietzsche in the form of organs, communicating with each other in an extremely fast and rapid manner.

If there are any discerning students, they will have already seen this... Indeed, the group of philosophers, led by Nietzsche, has become a small "society".

This is also a social form advocated by Eris.

Eris believed that history was nothing more than a farce controlled by various powers, and that the world itself was shaped by these beings.

Therefore, in Eris's eyes, discussing history and the past is utterly meaningless, and contemplating the so-called material form—the human flesh and blood body—is even more illusory and laughable.

In this scenario, when Joan of Arc's army enters Athens, she will find that her troops are beginning to fight amongst themselves.

Because Eris once left his mark here, and even now, that mark can still tempt people to waver and consider change.

This is also the source of Nietzsche's confidence that Hebe had no way to avoid it, because he was different from Ashiya Dōman. The latter's goals were contrary to Hebe's, so he would be cleanly and decisively crushed by Hebe.

Nietzsche, on the other hand, even took the initiative to push Hebe to conquer the Lostbelt —on the vast majority of issues, he and Hebe had no disagreements.

Ys must be destroyed.

Atlantis will sink into the deep waters.

The old civilization must come to an end.

All of these things, one by one...

As for whether a new country will emerge after Issu, that's irrelevant.

The key point is the Bell of Ys – when the Bell of Ys is rung, it means that history is about to be decided.

Eris already knew that He could try to present history again, but the Celestial Flint would not agree. Therefore, Hebe would simply ring the bell to seal history.

"Yes, in that case, Ismara was just a tool to ring the bell, like an official seal used on documents."

Nietzsche was slightly smug.

That very afternoon.

Joan of Arc led her army to attack Athens.

221 Cannot be opened from this side.

Athens has no city walls.

Among the many cities of Atlantis, Ys was once like that.

During the reign of the Philosopher King, the Golden Waterways flowed continuously, and it was said that all the waters of the world flowed to Isu.

But that was a long time ago, a golden age.

Since the Philosopher King fell silent, high walls have risen from underwater, protecting Ys within them.

On the contrary, Athens, not far away, never repaired its city walls after the war destroyed them, and let the ruins of the city walls be covered with moss over the centuries.

What's even stranger is that there's no such thing as a "garrison" in this city.

They were either philosophers wearing Laurel Wreath and white robes, or musicians engrossed in composing scores and performing music from their imaginations... In short, although Athens was bustling with people, there were no fully armed Golem Knights, nor were there any Tuners playing war music.

Ys is in sight, indeed a magnificent city-state high above the sea.

Hebe gazed into the distance at the city, which was supported by orpiment and amber, and at the city center, a golden tree that almost reached the sky, its dazzling golden branches obscuring the sky of Ys.

During the reign of the Philosopher King, abundant dewdrops fell like a gentle rain from the treetops, sprinkling across cities, land, and sea.

The Golden Tree that is almost an integral part of Ys was once the flagship of Remus's sea voyages. After his triumphant return, this flagship took root in Ys, becoming the foundation of the city and serving as his palace, Pavieon.

Hebe's thoughts were clearly heard by Joan of Arc.

She's already in Iss, yet she hasn't commented on Athens? This is the gateway to Iss!