"What about you?"
"Can the four of you also become Kindling?"
At that moment, a Firewood Collector in the crowd suddenly spoke up and asked this question.
Indeed, all the information within those sparks seemed to point toward them Firewood Collectors while overlooking the four leaders who had given the most.
As the creators of the Bonfire, they were undoubtedly among those with the most resolute wills.
If they too could merge with the Kindling, they might be even more suitable than most Firewood Collectors.
Hearing this question, the Lantern Elder shook his head, and Temple Master Yagony beside him spoke.
"No."
Yagony's voice was calm, even somewhat casual, as he explained the reason.
"The reason most of you awakened inside coffins was, firstly, because we were not certain whether the Bonfire could be lit. If it failed to ignite, then you would have truly died."
"The other reason was to align yourselves with the Extinguishing Moment and death. When the Bonfire ignited, it would reignite alongside you and wash away the latent traits of the old era."
"Otherwise, even if you merged with the Bonfire, you might still become the same Kindling as in the old era. That would run contrary to our original intention—"
At this point, Yagony paused. He turned himself around, presenting the corpse-like rigid body seated in the chair to everyone.
"And we, in order to ensure that the Bonfire had a safe environment in which to ignite, had to face the Extinguishing Moment."
"Therefore, we did not wash away the traits of the old era, even if those traits might not actually exist."
Having said this, Yagony fell silent for a moment, seeming to examine everyone present.
"So, the fireseeds of the new era lie with you."
"You have done well."
"Though quite a