Helping Aponia Find Clarity, and a Shared-Senses Mishap with Griseo (Part 2)

Whether it's the former or the latter, in principle, they are both pursuits of beauty.

"Yes, I understand..."

Aponia smiled as she listened to Gwen's somewhat complicated explanation.

Back when she was in the sanatorium, she had heard many of the children's imaginations, so she was familiar with the feeling and knew exactly what it was like.

"Let me finish."

Gwen discreetly touched the Ring of Stars in his pocket, and after confirming that no Reyella had floated out, continued—

"Wanting to change the world is fine. After all, this world is neither gentle nor correct. It just operates chaotically according to its own rules. It's normal for people to want to change it into what they want it to be."

The important thing is the method—

To make the world a better place, we need to act in accordance with the laws of the world, constantly influence all influencing factors, and ultimately change the course of events, gradually shaping the world into the way we expect it to be.

On the contrary, if one believes that one can use special abilities to achieve instant success and directly change everything...

Gwen spoke, he noticed Aponia's gaze dimming slightly, and after a moment's thought, he changed his words slightly—

"It's not entirely impossible, but we need to know that it requires using a unique specialness to fight against all the factors that would lead the outcome to its original result."

In other words—

Unless one possesses the ability to single-handedly defeat the entire world, it will only backfire and lead to failure.

"Using uniqueness to combat all unexpected factors?"

Aponia didn't pay attention to the parts of Gwen's words that overlapped with her own past. Instead, she keenly grasped the key points, and a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

Those she had previously tried to change their fate... seemed to be in the same boat, either ignoring her words or, after barely managing to avoid the original key issues, heading towards their original, or even worse, end up facing new problems...

"In short, we must adhere to materialism, not ignore the established objective conditions, nor overemphasize any particular factor, and do things in a realistic manner in order to have any hope of achieving our goals."

Seeing that she was lost in her memories again, Gwen waited a moment before speaking seriously.

"Um..."

Upon hearing this, Aponia couldn't help but show a thoughtful expression once again.

This time, Gwen didn't bother her again, giving Aponia time to process these ideas.

"...Thanks."

After a long silence, Aponia sighed softly and spoke in a low voice, her honey-colored hair gleaming gently in the sunlight.

"You're welcome. I haven't studied this much, but you're welcome to come and discuss it with me if you have any questions."

I have always believed that communication can solve many unnecessary problems.

Even if I can't answer the question, I can find a team that can try to answer it for you.

Gwen nodded and continued to emphasize.

"Good."

Aponia smiled and nodded.

Although Gwen's words were somewhat rambling and even seemed to be subtly probing her, she understood that he was worried she was getting stuck on something.

Like Elysia, but not as... direct. Instead, she's more like Dr. Mobius, more reserved Elysia, but also sharper.

"Then—"

Gwen smiled and nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something and slowly said—

Please keep this agreement.

"Oh...

OK--"

Aponia was taken aback at first, then smiled involuntarily, seeing her own reflection in Gwen's eyes—

"Then—please—I will keep this promise."

After saying this, the two looked at each other and smiled, both understanding each other's feelings.

"Oh, by the way, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about today—"

After providing psychological support to Aponia, Gwen got down to business.

"Please speak—"

Aponia nodded and said seriously.

Do you remember when we first met in the Elysian Realm?

Gwen's expression was serious—

"You told me then that you saw the sun fall."

Although Ai Yi's words after leaving gave Gwen the feeling that the post-apocalyptic events had given Mei -free card, Gwen still dared not be careless in the face of the Cocoon of the End.

"Yes, that's right."

Upon hearing Gwen suddenly bring up this matter again, Aponia was sitting one seat away from him, also showed a serious expression, a hint of hesitation appearing between her brows.

"However, there are some problems here—"

Originally, after that banquet ended and Elysia sacrificed herself, I could no longer observe fate.

This is true not only 50,000 years ago, but also after leaving Elysian Realm and coming here.

But when I saw you, I did indeed witness the sun setting—

It was clearer than any destiny I had ever witnessed before.

"Um--

"I'll probably die once in the future, it's not a big deal."

Gwen sensed the atmosphere was a bit too heavy and said with a chuckle.

"?"

Aponia was taken aback, and the solemn expression on her face vanished.

"It's just dying once, it's not a big deal..."

Gwen waved his hand dismissively, saying...

"For me now, it's not difficult to prepare for a resurrection."

"...

All right..."

Aponia considered Gwen's strength...

Even though she rarely went out and stayed in the church, she still learned about Gwen's strength through Griseo's words.

This kind of power, which can already be described as godlike if we don't even consider the unknown limits of the Honkai, makes it seem like it wouldn't be too difficult for him to say that he can revive...?

After all, the one in the scriptures only caused a great flood, while the person in front of us seems to have the ability to directly sink the continent...

For some reason, Aponia's emotions calmed down a bit.

She was no little girl; she wouldn't be easily persuaded by Gwen's words.

Gwen may not fear ordinary death, but he fears death with strong symbolic meaning...

"I will try my best to recount what I have seen—"

To be as objective as possible.

Aponia looked serious, her eyes filled with earnestness.

"Good--

Etc..."

Gwen, who had just agreed, suddenly changed his mind—

"Perhaps we can use a more convenient way..."

Gwen said, nodding his head—

Both of them are mental beings, so communicating directly through mental energy is more convenient than speaking.

"... That's true..."

Aponia paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded, a smile revealing a unique ease.

The fear felt by almost everyone among the Flame-Chasing Moth caused Aponia herself to silently abandon this method, and she almost forgot that she still had this ability.

However, Gwen clearly didn't have those concerns, which made things much easier for him.

"Please hold my hand tightly, and I will share everything I have seen with you."

A gentle light shone in Aponia's eyes. Perhaps she herself didn't realize that when facing Gwen, she felt a sense of connection with someone of her own kind.

"Good..."

Gwen as she was told, taking Aponia's cool hand in his and letting her do as she pleased. He planned to wait until Aponia finished before using his own techniques to avoid affecting her mindset.

An invisible mental fluctuation arose, sharing with Gwen everything that Aponia had seen that day.

Upon receiving this result, Gwen's worried brow quietly relaxed.

Just then, a figure slowly walked into the small church—

"Ah..."

Upon seeing that familiar figure, the blue-haired girl, who was about to say something, also noticed Gwen's presence and quickly covered her mouth—

She could see that a strange color was enveloping the two of them, as if they were doing something.

In the soft sunlight, the nun's hands, draped in a thorny headscarf, were carefully cupped, like a paladin welcoming a suffering Saintess back home...

For some reason, Griseo thought of some religious paintings...

Before Griseo could think further, a familiar voice rang out in the church, bringing her back to her senses—

"Griseo?"

"Hmm, good afternoon, Brother Gwen."

Griseo smiled and waved to Gwen.

"Good afternoon."

Gwen nodded in acknowledgment.

As the two continued their conversation, Aponia, who had been immersed in that unique spiritual exchange, also came back to her senses—

In Previous Civilization times, she had interacted with people in similar ways, but mostly received negative feedback such as fear and wariness. Today, however, she felt as if she were a child receiving the warmth of the sun, giving her an indescribable sense of novelty, to the point that she was slightly dazed.

"Griseo?"

"Yes, it's me, Aponia's mother. What's this...?"

Griseo approached Aponia, curiously examining Aponia while her gaze subtly swept over Gwen—

She didn't doubt that Gwen would harm Aponia, but she felt she had reason to suspect what Gwen might do...

"She is sharing with me what she has seen before through her mental powers."

Gwen spoke, his mental energy flowed out, sharing with Griseo some scenes from his battle with Chaos and what he had seen upon entering that desolate universe—

"Like this."

"This is..."

For a moment, Griseo's breath hitched, her eyes closed tightly, and it took her a while to slowly open them, her eyes still flashing with unsettled emotions.

Some scenes I've experienced—

A battle against an enemy from another universe, and the eve of a cosmic annihilation.

Gwen, seeing Griseo's expression, realized something—

"Did you also capture any special 'colors' in those images?"

"Um..."

Griseo's small face still bore the lingering shock, and her eyes flickered with a hint of disbelief.