Feng, You Are Not One of Them

Michael.

Zhu Yufeng sat before the white-haired girl, his expression complex as he called her name. Even now, his feelings for Michael remained complicated. Michael had once been a friend he cared for like a younger sister. After the Tragedy of Binding, he, like many other Fallen Angel, mourned Michael's passing. But...

When they met again after their rebirth, Michael confronted him, taking full responsibility for the Tragedy of Binding.

Therefore, he always had extremely complicated feelings towards Michael. He didn't know how to get along with Michael, and when only the two of them were left in the room, his feelings became even more complicated.

"I know it's very difficult for me to gain your forgiveness as the one who started this the Tragedy of Binding, but what I'm about to say is also very important, at least to you. So... could you turn off the listening device on Vill-V?" Michael said with a smile. "I've already told Mobius and the others. I just wanted to tell you all this."

Zhu Yufeng was silent for a moment, then said, "Wait for me."

Then Zhu Yufeng walked out. Michael watched him with a smile the whole time. If she were in her Herrscher form at this moment, her smile would probably make anyone who saw her think: Her smile is like an angel's mercy on the world.

After a while, Zhu Yufeng came in, placed a device on the table, and said, "This was made by Rovoc. It can block the listening devices on Vill-V. In addition, I have Xila guarding the door to keep an eye out for anyone approaching. Is that alright?"

"Since you think it's okay, then it must be okay." Michael lowered his eyelids slightly. "Then, I will tell you everything about why I know I have obtained the Herrscher Core and the prophecy I want to tell you in the following conversation."

"Prophecy?" Zhu Yufeng frowned slightly. He was a bit allergic to this kind of thing because those who said it were either ancient charlatans or brought some unsettling news. For example, when Aponia first saw someone's prophecy in her past life, she would bluntly tell that person when and where she would die, which made many people keep their distance from Aponia, afraid that she might predict when they would die.

Moreover, this so-called "prophecy" is often related to Honkai.

He was not afraid of the so-called prophecy; he simply felt an instinctive aversion to this predetermined fate.

Maybe... I really am being a little too obsessed...

"One day, He fell from the sky. People looked up and saw the starry sky." Michael said softly, "This story has been circulating among the Fire Moth for a long time, both in the previous life and this life. Countless people have tried to find the meaning behind it, but so far, there seems to be no definite answer."

Zhu Yufeng lowered his eyes. That was indeed true. He had heard this saying repeatedly since he joined the Fire Moth and gradually became a core member. It seemed to have been circulating within the Fire Moth for a long time. In fact, this saying appeared even before the Fire Moth analyzed the lunar ruins, and it also appeared on the lunar ruins.

Deciphering the meaning of this statement has always been one of the key research focuses of the study of the Fire Moth.

But as a time traveler, Zhu Yufeng still remembered the words that followed in the plot. Just as he was recalling them, Michael slowly recited them. "The stars and moon sent forth the daughter of the gods, who wished to become humanity's companion. The long wind served as her chariot, and the four seas became her garden. Birds brought seeds of goodness, and a hundred flowers wove hymns of love. This is how she was born into the world, walked on the earth, grew up alongside humanity, and developed alongside the world."

Zhu Yufeng looked at Michael with some surprise, because in his memory, Michael should not know these things. Could it be that Eden told her?

"For the sake of humanity she so deeply loves, the Son of Man is willing to wear the crown of thorns, bear the cross of suffering, accept the punishment for the world's sins, and leave hope for civilization." Michael's tone was very gentle. "Maple, you... know very well who this is, right?"

Zhu Yufeng answered in a low voice, "Elysia..."

Michael leaned back and continued, "She fell from the sky to save humanity. On her journey, she will encounter those who walk alongside her; they are her strength. The sword of 'Salvation' is always held high for mankind; they are her salvation. The 'Discipline' unlock the shackles binding humanity; they are her wealth. The 'Gold' records the past glory of civilization; they are her thoughts. The 'Spiral' that humanity has created will never end; they are her tenderness. Beneath the 'Herrscher of Destruction' lies the longing for peace in countless lives; they are her enlightenment." [Tianhui] will guide the world in the future; they are her guardians. In a Setsuna, there is the unchanging bond of blood; they are her courage. [Rising Sun] belongs to those who pave the way; they are her wonder. How to define the [infinity] of humanity? They are her colors. [Stars] adorn the pure and flawless night sky; they are her perseverance. Through the [Floating Life], it is nothing more than failure followed by success; they are her belief. Only humans can turn [Empty Dream] into reality... All these things, there are twelve walkers of humanity, Feng, you are not one of them."

Zhu Yufeng lowered his eyes. This was to be expected. Zhu Yufeng and Elysia were the other twelve Flame-Chasers. Their fates were intertwined and influenced each other, eventually becoming a magnificent and grand story.

As for myself... in the end, I'm just a transmigrator who should have nothing to do with this.

But what does this have to do with Michael? Or rather, what is Michael trying to convey to himself through this?

"The Son of Man had twelve followers, and the Son of God had twelve apostles. The Origin chose to betray humanity Finality because he fell in love with humankind," Michael continued.

Zhu Yufeng remained silent. Actually, some people had guessed this from the beginning: the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, and then including the Finality a total of thirteen Herrscher. Is there some corresponding relationship among them...?

"Originally... as the Herrscher of Binding, my true mission should have been to bring back the Origin, but I became selfish. I took my own standards and used it as a test for humanity. I even deceived the Finality, trying to persuade the Child of Dawn to let go of his obsessions and cleanse himself of the Seven Sins." Michael looked at Zhu Yufeng. At that moment, Zhu Yufeng suddenly felt that the divinity in Michael seemed to have disappeared for a brief time, and he became like a human again.

Yes, divinity.

The word "" is actually correct to describe Michael, because Michael always smiled when talking to everyone in the Fire Chaser Moth, whether in the previous life or this life, and listened carefully to their appeals, but... this always gave Zhu Yufeng an unreal feeling, as if Michael had the same name as her and the archangel, and her gentleness and patience were God's mercy for mankind.

However, it is true that in the mythology of his own world, Michael was the angel who defeated all the Fallen Angel and caused Lucifer to fall from the sky.

Wait, Michael said her mission is to bring Origin back?

What about Lilith? Isn't Lilith also Origin?

Zhu Yufeng looked at Michael with some doubt, but Michael seemed to have known his thoughts all along, and his smile became somewhat helpless. He said, "Before the Origin of the 'True Self,' there was indeed another Origin of the 'False Self.' She was born in a human way and stood at the top of human society. She corresponds to the Origin of the 'True Self.' She is the evil thought of humanity, the seduction of the wrong path. They should have been the choices of humanity, but she was too crazy and arrogant, so much so that she was unwilling to obey the established arrangements and refused to become a human's partner... She would rather fall into eternal purgatory for this."

Indeed, Lilith dislikes humans at all and has repeatedly stated that if she hadn't met him, she would most likely have chosen to commit suicide after a period of time.

"Whether good or evil, it's all part of human nature; whether the 'True Self' or the 'False Self', it's all part of human civilization," Michael said. "It's just... the 'False Self' was too rebellious, so I did receive orders to kill Lilith. However, I didn't expect Lilith to be as rebellious as ever, actually using me to fulfill her wishes..."

"Why not tell others about this?" Zhu Yufeng asked with a slight frown. If Michael's explanation had been given to Mobius and the others, they would definitely have understood. However, Michael chose to tell him alone, clearly indicating that he did not want to tell others this information.

"Speaking or not speaking is meaningless." Michael looked into Zhu Yufeng's eyes and said, "The story of two Origin is woven and changed because of your appearance. In other words, you are the very center of this story. All of this has meaning because of your appearance. The 'False Self' is not tolerated by this world, but she has found the protection of 'dawn' and found her home."

Zhu Yufeng paused for a moment, then asked, "What are you trying to say after all this?"

"Judgment Day will surely come," Michael said firmly. "The sins of this world are already too heavy. Even though you have changed so much now, what is destined to come will still come. Because the people of this world are born with original sin, their sins must be washed away."

Zhu Yufeng chuckled softly upon hearing this and said, "Yes, if you just wanted to spout this mystical nonsense, then I was already mentally prepared. When you're fighting against so-called 'fate,' you always have to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Michael's next sentence caused his expression to change drastically, and his body stiffened involuntarily. The entire room fell into complete silence after Michael finished speaking. The air seemed to freeze at that moment, and even breathing felt difficult.

Outside the door.

Xila stood there like a gatekeeper, exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay.

Elysia stood at a distance, pouting slightly in dissatisfaction. She really didn't know what Michael was going to say to Zhu Yufeng, making it so mysterious, not letting anyone else join in, and not letting Vill-V eavesdrop... Moreover, Zhu Yufeng actually agreed to Michael's condition, going to Rovoc had just Fire Moth for a while, to get a shielding device specifically designed to target Vill-V's eavesdropping device, and even having Xila stand here as a gatekeeper...

Xila is truly obedient to everyone except Zhu Yufeng, and she has no sense of human feelings whatsoever. No wonder even Lilith couldn't do anything about Xila in her previous life. After the night raid, Zhu Yufeng had Xila keep an eye on Lilith, and Lilith couldn't do anything she wanted to.

Xila only obeys orders; she doesn't care about anything else, not even sweet talk. Xila says she won't listen to anything.

Honestly, Vita just said something so strange, and now Michael is acting all mysterious. It's really baffling!

Elysia glanced at Lilith beside her again. Lilith had one hand under her chin, looking thoughtful... Come to think of it, had she been maintaining that expression for a long time?

Elysia suddenly remembered that Lilith now possessed the Herrscher Authority, which meant that this guy might have attached his consciousness to Zhu Yufeng again and was now listening to what Michael was saying.

That's so unfair! We're all Origin, so why does she know so much?

And he's the Eighth Herrscher... Does that mean I'm incompatible with the Eighth Herrscher?

Seemingly noticing Elysia's gaze, Lilith looked at Elysia and said, "What? I don't think I've even started teasing you yet, have I? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Elysia: "... Tell me first, were you just eavesdropping on the Eighth Herrscher's abilities?"

Lilith shrugged. "Oh dear, you're even worried about this now? Relax, I'm not eavesdropping. Don't worry~"

I will only listen openly and honestly.

Elysia looked at Lilith with some suspicion. "Really?"

"Really? Well, believe it or not, it's up to you." Lilith said with a light laugh.

Elysia withdrew her gaze. Lilith was an expert at lying, and as long as she didn't want her to know, it would be really difficult for her to tell whether Lilith was telling the truth or a lie.

After a while, Zhu Yufeng opened the door and came out. He immediately looked at Elysia and Lilith standing in the distance, as if he had known they would be there.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Zhu Yufeng said as she stepped forward.

"So? What did Michael tell you?" Elysia asked, quite curiously. "How did she know that she had Herrscher Core inside her?"

"Because she heard the sound of Honkai," Zhu Yufeng replied. "It's similar to what happened with Seele, except that Michael could hear the sound more clearly than Seele."

"Oh..." Elysia nodded, "So what did Michael hear?"

"A Honkai from Honkai." Zhu Yufeng smiled gently. He looked at Elysia, hesitated for a moment, and then gently hugged Elysia.

"Don't worry, this time, I won't let you wear a crown of thorns."