Klein wearing a Monocle

Roselle's terrified screams echoed through the pitch-black Mausoleum, creating a rather eerie atmosphere.

Luther and Klein exchanged a glance, their thoughts Consciousness turning to their respective collections.

"How many Card of Blasphemy have you collected?"

After the shouting ended, Roselle composed himself and asked the two, "Is there a [Mother] card inside?"

"[The mother] through what Pathway?"

"It means 'Planter'."

"Oh, then we didn't collect any..."

Luther replied.

At this point, a thought suddenly struck him.

"The Planter" Pathway?

The mysterious entity closely connected to City of Silver, the Church of the Earth Mother of the Feynapotter Kingdom declaring war on Loen... aren't they all connected through this Pathway...? So this is Pathway controlled by the "Primordial Moon," could these two have also been influenced?

And... "Actually, you planted more than just the [Mother] card as a landmine."

Luther spoke to Roselle, his palm outstretched, and shadows surged, forming an illusory playing card. On that card was drawn a feminine Roselle, his delicate profile imprinted on the Moon in the sky.

"You left this card in the Captain's Cabin of the 'Black Throne,' tainted with the Filth stench of the 'Primordial Moon.' The moment I came into contact with it, I was almost Corrosion by that evil god as well."

He said in a deep voice.

"You've come into contact with the [Moon] card?!"

Roselle's voice cracked instantly, "Then how could you still... oh, right..."

He only uttered half of his surprised words, then, as if recalling something, a look of sudden realization dawned on his eyes. He slowly sat back on the Throne, scrutinizing Luther from head to toe. "You have that [thing]... no wonder you weren't Corrosion..."

That thing?

It must be referring to the Tide within me...

Luther noticed that Roselle was looking at him, and a complex expression seemed to flash in his eyes—a survival instinct, and a hint of hesitation...

What do you want to tell me?

"No, it's nothing." Roselle looked away, giving a self-deprecating laugh. "I just suddenly felt a little ashamed of myself. I had already decided to stop the pollution from leaking out, but I suddenly wavered just now."

Faced with the questioning looks from Luther and the other man, he didn't explain much. Instead, he adjusted his posture and leaned back against the back of the Throne.

He said in a tone of remembrance:

"My wife has long since passed away, and all the mistresses I once had must have met their ends. I feel sorry for them; I never truly loved them, I only coveted their beauty and enjoyed that Pleasure..."

"I have no illegitimate children. My eldest son, Ciel, should have died many years ago, and I don't know how many descendants he left behind. My Second Son, Bornova, if nothing unexpected happens, must be Angel now. My feelings for him are very complicated. On one hand, I am Indifference, disappointed, and hateful, but on the other hand, I occasionally care about him secretly. I remember when he was little, in his first few years after birth, he was really cute..."

Roselle started rambling on about his family, as if he were giving his final instructions.

"My eldest daughter, Bernadette, was beautiful, well-behaved, and intelligent from a young age. She was filial to her father, cared for her younger brother, and loved her mother. Sometimes, she was also very upright, which made her seem a little silly. Several times, when we played chess or games, I secretly cheated to tease her, and she didn't notice."

"This kind of temper made it difficult for her to accept some of the things I did later on. Of course, now she can blame it all on the 'Primordial Moon,' blaming it for its pollution. In this respect, I still have to thank it..."

"And what about the people of the Southern Continent?"

Roselle was reminiscing about all the important people in his life when Luther's voice rang out at an inopportune moment.

He gazed at Roselle on the high platform with his azure eyes and asked softly, "What about those who suffered all kinds of hardships in the age of exploration you ushered in, and who are still tormented to this day?"

You can naturally cover these things up for your daughter. But how should you respond to everything you've done, when you know the truth, when you share the same Homeland, educational background, and cultural values as us?

Roselle fell silent.

I have nothing to say.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "Those decisions that brought disaster to the people of the Southern Continent were all made for my own sake. If they resent me, Curse me, or seek revenge because of it, I accept it all... There is no room for argument."

"Why?"

Klein couldn't help but ask.

He couldn't understand how Roselle, a fully educated man, could commit such brutal acts of class oppression.

"Because the Apocalypse is coming."

Roselle said softly, "For the sake of my cherished family, I must at least reach Sequence 0 to give them sufficient protection..."

Apocalypse?

Will this world be destroyed? Is it a terrible calamity that only a True God can resist?

"I think I've said too much." Roselle gave a heavy laugh in response to their reactions.

The interior of the Mausoleum was gradually darkening, and even the shadowy figure on the Throne seemed to grow drowsy, its voice soothing and ethereal. "You two must work harder and strive to advance to Sequence 0, or even beyond True God... When that time comes, don't forget to come and save me..."

Luther and Klein exchanged a glance.

Roselle has a lot of confidence in both of us.

"I will."

"Knew."

They each gave their answers.

"Furthermore, if by then you still cannot cleanse the 'Primordial Moon' of its pollution, remember to erase me, destroy this Mausoleum, install a new Black Emperor, and ensure I have no chance of resurrection..."

"I won't forget."

"I'd be happy to help."

"You agreed far too readily... Heh... Remember to try to save me a few more times before you kill me..."

Roselle's voice grew increasingly faint, finally chuckling softly as he said, "Please remember the only official website for this novel: www. deqixs. org. The site owner has only this one website; other websites may be discontinued at any time."

Goodbye, both of you. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again someday.

As if feeling sleepy, he propped his chin up with his hand and rested his elbow on the armrest of the Throne, slowly closing the blood-red slits that represented his eyes.

"Call!"

His figure then vanished, as if detached from this real world, leaving only a phantom shadow lingering around the Throne.

Roselle Gustav has returned to eternal slumber.

After leaving the Mausoleum, Luther and Klein quickly arrived at the edge of the Primitive Island.

Only the Black Throne remained; Bernadette and her Dawn were nowhere to be seen.

"Splash!"

As they approached the sea, a flock of seagulls appeared out of nowhere, soaring in the air and forming lines of text:

"I need to prepare for my promotion, so I'll be leaving now." This was probably the message Bernadette left behind.

Having successfully confirmed her father's whereabouts, she was no longer troubled and could now attempt to ascend to the Angel.

Good luck...

Luther shook his head silently, then turned back to look at Klein.

"It's finally over, thanks to your help."

Klein looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

You're very good too.

As he spoke, he took a Monocle from his pocket and placed it directly into his left eye socket.