My Era Has Ended

Long Night's power quickly gathered, forming the graceful figure of a young girl whose face was indistinct.

And she simply stood there quietly before the three of them.

"I never expected that, even after this world's collapse, trial-takers would still be able to reach this place... Candlefire... How remarkable..."

"But unfortunately, if you have come seeking the truth behind Extinguish, then this divine sense I left behind cannot help you..."

She first murmured to herself, then waved a hand. A mirror rose beneath the three of them, displaying scenes of their journey through the Long Night Domain.

"Salvation across great distances, the selflessness of adding fuel to the campfires of those who came after, the attentiveness to discover the place of projections, compassion and indignation over a hero's regrets, the wisdom to suppress instinct, restraint in slaughter, and finally, the power to bring about change..."

She recounted every part of their exploration. Clearly, this trace of divine sense left behind by Long Night Kindling had been silently observing them all along.

After finishing her assessment, she spoke softly, like an elder speaking with young people capable of inheriting her will.

"Before I burned, I had naively believed that most lives would dispel their confusion through the trials of Long Night and find their own paths by following the guidance."

"But the era played a joke on me."

"The existence of Long Night did not make most lives settle down and reflect. Instead, it was like a natural veil, concealing much ugliness while also obscuring much brilliance."

"I once childishly punished evil, only to discover that it had long since taken root in people's hearts. It would merely repeat itself again and again, endlessly breeding."

"Later, I became indifferent to everything. I thought the order of life would collapse beneath the