On the rooftop terrace of Chen Xi's old home, three people and a dragon stood facing one another.
The Iris flower in Chen Xi's hand gave off a faint, ethereal fragrance, as though announcing to all outsiders that it had reached the height of its bloom.
Not far from her, Lin Yue leaned against the railing, quietly waiting for the girl to bid Yue Xing and Ademos their final farewell.
At the moment of their final parting, Ademos finally voiced the words that had weighed on his heart for a long time:
"Goodbye. If you can return to the Black Moon Empire, remember to tell the main body that being a clone is quite nice too. He doesn't need to worry about me too much."
Yes. Because he could not precisely sense the thoughts of his special clones, Ademos had always felt guilty toward these beings he had split off from himself—beings much like his own children.
After all, they had been born with portions of his memories implanted in them, then told to follow their instincts and help the worlds they descended upon. Put bluntly, they were tools created by the effects of his ability.
Seeing the sincere look in Ademos's clone's eyes, Chen Xi nodded solemnly. "I understand."
After answering, she turned toward Yue Xing, who stood to Ademos's left, hemming and hawing.
"...Take care."
Only after his face had turned the color of pig liver did Yue Xing raise his head and force those two words out through tightly pressed lips.
"Mm. You too. And stop drinking cola every day," Chen Xi teased, unwilling to let the atmosphere of parting become too sorrowful.
"If I get the chance, I'll definitely come back again."
Hearing that promise, much of the reluctance in Yue Xing's eyes faded.
"Goodbye."