Chapter 228
The recent Black Death Memorial Pillar incident is a good example of this.
Even with [Pure White] suppressing the overall situation, the official team still couldn't completely control the remaining escapees.
Therefore, the truth can only be revealed gradually, in batches, to allow people to accept and get used to it step by step.
Even to Charlotte, the higher-ups didn't reveal the true future of the shattered [Pure White], only vaguely stating that [Calamity Species] were buried all over the world, and their resurgence would lead to the deaths of many people, but it was far from reaching the point of civilization's destruction.
The Dream Weaver Rabbit's thoughts raced. It looked at Chu Yuanqing and finally gave a direct answer:
"[Lighthouse]."
"Chu Yuanqing, you will be the [beacon] guiding humanity's future and carrying the hope of civilization."
"But the price is that half of the brilliance that the world will absorb at that time will be carried by your body and soul."
"You can choose to refuse, because becoming a [lighthouse] is dangerous; it requires the courage to face death, and even more so, the awareness to willingly sacrifice for the world."
Chu Yuanqing caught the key words.
If it's half, does that mean the official FlashDance team already has another candidate for [Lighthouse]?
The Pure White Witch took a deep breath. If there truly was another [Lighthouse], that person could only be Charlotte. She paused for a moment, then asked:
"Does becoming a [lighthouse] necessarily mean certain death?"
Dream Weaver naturally assumed that Chu Yuanqing was afraid. She sighed inwardly, but still overturned some of her preconceived notions and chose to answer truthfully:
"I don't know, but unless it's a [Klein]-level Magical Girl, otherwise... there's a high probability that no soul could bear that weight, and the chance of death is as high as 90%."
Chu Yuanqing lowered her eyes and remained silent. The darkness in her pupils was broken, and the flowing gold was warm and magnificent. When she looked at the Super AI on her phone, her gaze was so gentle that it was as if a god was kissing the world and bestowing blessings upon humanity.
[Lighthouse], what a beautiful word.
If becoming it means certain death, then no one in the world is more suited to it than oneself.
Chu Yuanqing's lips curled up, she smiled, and said softly:
"It's okay, I'll be the [lighthouse]."
"But it's enough for me to be the [lighthouse]."
Volume 1: Chapter 218. Chu Yuanqing's Perfect Ending Method, a Reward for Little Sakura. (5K)
Indoors, the fluorescent blue data stream resembled waves.
Dream Weaver's body is constructed indoors. On her illusory true face, her clear eyelashes droop, and in her mechanical and lifeless eyes, emotions as clear as crystal flow.
At this moment, the brilliant sunlight danced in the wind, projecting data streams that resembled dust particles, hovering around the two of them, imbuing this unexpected meeting with a wondrous beauty and atmosphere.
The girl gazed at Chu Yuanqing's face, looking into those holy eyes, and suddenly felt a little dazed.
That captivating power, far surpassing any stage performance and rivaling Shine Magic in its charisma, caused a few souls hidden within the data stream to unleash far more humanity than ever before, becoming completely immersed in it.
What an incredible person!
Meeting her was not merely a stroke of luck for the Donghuang Federation.
Rather, the fact that humanity could encounter Chu Yuanqing just before the countdown to the end of the world is itself the greatest miracle.
This usually wicked and despicable Super AI seemed to be in awe, shedding those traits in the moment. Her expression was calm, and she spoke in a solemn, soft voice:
"My former name was Astrid, and I was one of the earliest [Witch] among humankind."
"Now, as the magical creation Dream Weaver, responsible for connecting humanity and overseeing the <Flash Dance> project, I will accompany you, becoming the guardian paving the way for [Lighthouse]."
After this information-packed self-introduction, the app icon on my phone immediately changed from the mascot Dream Weaver Rabbit to a beautiful silver-haired, red-eyed girl— Astrid Dream Weaver.
Chu Yuanqing's answer clearly showed Dreamweave's utmost sincerity. Not only did she reveal all the stories behind her past, but she also separated a part of her original body and hid it in her phone to act as an electronic spirit.
Judging from the signs that Dreamweave intended to take action against Nightmare during the second Public Performance, she likely has a trump card that cannot be used lightly. Her self-proclaimed title of "Guardian of the Light" is quite meaningful.
Chu Yuanqing murmured this real name, then suddenly remembered something. The library in the [Magic Common Sense] section seemed to have books whose authors were all named Astrid. She immediately asked:
"So... you compiled all those books?"
The Super AI paused for a moment, then gave an ambiguous answer:
"It is Astrid, and also Dream Weaver."
"It's me, but not entirely me."
Instead of Dreamweave this rather philosophical topic, she turned to answer another question:
"Chu Yuanqing, have you ever considered that even if the crisis of the Calamity Beasts is truly imminent, humanity shouldn't unite globally to hold such a seemingly absurd project as <Flash Dance>?"
Chu Yuanqing pondered upon hearing this. She had experienced the betrayal of her comrades during the cataclysm, and she had also seen a demon city that seemed to be a pure land for humanity, but in reality bowed down to the calamity and raised its own people as offerings.
Although the brightest glimmer of humanity can occasionally be seen even in the deepest abyss of ugliness, the courage and nobility of a few cannot ultimately overcome the filth and depravity of the collective.
Humans are the most complex beings; even if they knew in advance that a world-ending crisis was imminent, such a plan to save the world would still be impossible to achieve.
That's why she said that Flash Dance was an Utopia project.
This is less idealization and more dreaming, or even a fairy tale itself.
When the ruling class learns of the impending doom before the general public, shouldn't their first reaction be to mobilize all of humanity's productive forces to build a Noah's Ark and embark on a space voyage?
[Pure White] even thoughtfully gave humanity a 17-year respite.
If this were a post-apocalyptic movie, the Ark would be almost finished by now, and it would be time for the rich to get their hands on tickets.
Chu Yuanqing asked:
"Are you saying that the location of the [Lighthouse] is related to the reason why <Flashdance> can continue?"
The illusory projection in the Dreamweave trembled slightly, as if feeling somewhat guilty.
The location of the lighthouse has nothing to do with the secrets within; it's merely a matter of the last remaining ambitions of the two major human powers under the strong alliance forged by magic.
But to dispel the Pure White Witch's idea, she simply agreed, replying in a very AI-like calm tone:
"Yes, you can understand it that way."
"In short, all the participating countries of the <Flash Dance> project have signed an unbreakable magical contract, and I can guarantee that there will be no unsavory activities within the project."
Chu Yuanqing felt that Dreamweave was still using the same old tricks to coax children. There is no contract in this world that is unbreakable. As long as one wants to break it, there will always be a loophole, let alone an alliance that covers so many countries.
There must be deeper reasons behind the establishment of the <Flash Dance> project.
By saying this, Dreamweave is essentially rejecting the suggestion that she should only serve as a "lighthouse."
Chu Yuanqing had no complaints about this. Based on her current performance, she was far from being someone who would make Flashdance place all their hopes on her. Moreover, this was a major event involving the future of all mankind. If she were in the official position, she would also choose to share the risk.
But that's okay, she has her own way.
The Pure White Witch pretended to listen, then changed the subject, poking with her fingertip at the silver-haired, red-eyed bunny girl who had somehow ended up sitting in the corner of the phone, and asked softly:
"You're not really going to live inside my phone, are you?"
Just kidding, having an AI like Dreamweave on your person is incredibly insecure, okay? She not only has to chat with Charlotte every day, but also secretly reply to Little Cotton-padded Jacket's messages on another phone!
Dreamweave's rational response:
"Don't you like it? According to big data analysis, 86% of girls your age like keeping virtual pets."
Yes, indeed, Liuli and Xiao Shu will probably both like this little gadget.
Unfortunately, the Pure White Witch shook her head at this.
The Super AI regretfully turned off the cute cartoon character, adding:
"Don't worry about privacy. Unless you call me by my full name or actively open the app and tap into the chat window, I won't be able to detect any changes to your phone's information, and I certainly won't suddenly pop up to communicate with you."
Chu Yuanqing was relieved to hear this. She felt that Astrid Dream Weaver was not the kind of bad person who would secretly look at her and Charlotte's chat history.
Dreamweave said:
"You still have room for consideration regarding [the lighthouse]."
"If you're still willing to be [the Beacon] by the final round, I'll let you know more about it."
"Also, if you have any questions or need any help in the future, you can contact me anytime, 24 hours a day."
He finished speaking.
The silver-haired, red-eyed beauty said no more. She nodded slightly, politely said goodbye to Chu Yuanqing, and then turned into shattered Light Dust on the spot, leaving the Sacher Hotel in some mysterious way and returning to the base under St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Chu Yuanqing lay relaxed on the bed, her golden eyes half-closed, feeling the cool breeze brushing against her calves and the warmth of the sunlight on her cheeks. She let her body sink into the soft quilt, a relieved smile on her lips.
The question that had been lingering in my mind was finally resolved during this conversation.
--[lighthouse].
Dreamweave already knows when [Pure White] will collapse.
Therefore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, that world-class Shine Magic will inevitably be unleashed within April, or even March, just in time for his own death.
In other words, dying as a [lighthouse] would maximize the use of her remaining value.
Chu Yuanqing rationally calculated the bargaining chips she could exchange for, but she was unsure of the original plan's success rate.
However, if she were to combine the help of all the Magical Girl, the will of all humanity, and the authority of the Pure White Witch, then she might indeed have a chance to use the combined power of civilization to create a brand new [Pure White] for the world, a... brand new Shining City.
After that, she will unleash her final Laevateinn to vanquish the Disaster God that was not sealed by the Shine Magic, and will die a grand death, returning blessings to the world.
After that, perhaps the Disaster Tide can be permanently stopped, allowing the world to usher in true and lasting peace.
Chu Yuanqing even devised a plan for how to handle the aftermath of Flash Dance.
If a Shining City can suppress the entire world were truly created, it would be different from relying solely on its own [pure white]. It would only need to periodically input magic, willpower, and brilliance to maintain its suppression for a long time.
Because the requirements are greatly reduced, Flash Dance doesn't even need to use [Lighthouse] as a consumable. It only needs to hold a few large-scale stages regularly and a talent show of the same scale every few years.
Only in this way can we say that a truly New Era has begun.
Xiao Shu and Charlotte can continue to live in this gentle world, Liuli, Yayoi, and Kiyohyun can continue to treat magic as a novel toy and remain active around the world as idols.
Chu Yuanqing closed her eyes slightly, as if she could see that future, and she murmured softly in her heart:
"I'm sorry, Charlotte, but perhaps... I really will have to compete with you for the title of the world's number one idol."
"I'll give this spot back to you after everything is over."
The girl's face was serene, her curly eyelashes resting on her eyelids. The fatigue from her previous meticulous manipulation of magic finally caught up with her, causing her thoughts to drift away. Her consciousness, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, filled with anticipation for the future, drifted off to sleep.
Time passed.
When they arrived at 1:45, the Little Idol, who were preparing to go to the dance studio for training, quietly pushed open the door and saw this scene.
Tang Liuli raised a fingertip to her lips, signaling the person behind her to be quiet. She blinked and looked at the face for a while, thinking that the other person must be too tired after using magic.
The Green Eyed Cat secretly took out its phone and snapped a picture of Zhang Qing Bao sleeping.
Chu Wangshu carefully covered the other with a thin blanket, fulfilling the role of Little Cotton-padded Jacket. She took a few steps back and looked at Chu Yuanqing's tired and listless eyes as he slept, and couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
Kiriwake Yayoi and Xie Qingxuan didn't say much. After watching the Pure White Witch's sleeping face for a while, they left the room together with the others.
Looking around at her teammates, Kiriwake Yayoi said:
"Xiao Qing seems very tired, it's better to let her continue sleeping."
Tang Liuli agreed, saying:
"Xiao Qing's sleep quality is quite poor, so it's not advisable to wake her up."
Upon hearing this, Chu Wangshu nodded at first, but then sensed that something was amiss.
How did Liuli know that Qing Bao's sleep quality was poor? She was completely unaware of such small details.
Damn it, she was the one who met Qing Bao first!
Xie Qingxuan didn't notice the sourness in her Little Cotton-padded Jacket's mouth; she echoed:
"We've been through a lot, so let's postpone today's training until tonight and get some time to adjust our mental state."
Kiriwake Yayoi had no objection to this, and she replied:
"Well, given everyone's current state, it's not convenient for them to fully immerse themselves in training. Let's do as Qingxuan suggested and cancel our plans to go out tonight, and go straight to the dance studio to train."
Although the three of them, apart from Chu Wangshu, already knew about the existence of Magical Girl and monsters, the surreal magic and the lingering echoes in their memories still made it difficult for them to calm down.
Chu Wangshu also forgot all her previous little schemes. She grabbed the paw of the Social Anxiety Cat next to her and excitedly suggested:
"How about Liuli comes with me to the Living room to watch a movie?"
Tang Liuli immediately agreed, but then pretended not to be afraid and added:
Horror movies are no good.