"If possible, take my remains to fallen Adlivun. There is a formula there, a gift from [Zandar] to you."
"If one day you must destroy [Erudition] with your own hands, it will become your aid."
Upon hearing this, Screwllum blurted out without hesitation, his voice carrying a metallic chill:
"I will not help you fulfill such an unreasonable last wish."
Yet Laigushi was exceedingly certain. He even gave a soft laugh, short and dry:
"You will. Not for yourself—"
"But for [Conscience]."
For a moment, a tremendous, thunderous rumble came from the direction of the distant celestial body of Amphoreus.
Laigushi remained calm, as though listening to a final movement:
"Listen—the death knell of the geniuses has already rung. As always, let me be the first."
"To the prisoners who stepped out of the cave, please, before my tombstone..."
"Offer flowers from Adlivun."
It seemed as though a very, very long time had passed.
The sensation of time had grown hazy amid profound exhaustion and drifting consciousness.
Inside the Star Rail Express.
Yan Huan opened his eyes. His vision was blurry at first, then gradually came into focus.
In his daze, he saw the long-unseen ceiling with its familiar patterns, along with the soft shadowless lamp.
A faint scent of the train's distinctive cleaning agent lingered in his nose, mixed with a trace of feminine fragrance.
"..."
He tried moving his fingers and felt a slight numb ache.
Then, bracing himself with his elbows, he sat up with some effort and looked around.
The lighting in the room was soft.
The black wires Herta had brought earlier still remained on the floor, varying in thickness. Like tangled vines, they sprawled across the pale flooring and extended all the way outside the door.
Some instruments had already been removed, leaving