Qian Yuhan's expression shattered in an instant.
The color drained from her face at a visible speed.
She instinctively reached out, wanting to touch Lin Yan's face.
But halfway there, her fingers stopped rigidly in midair—
She did not dare touch him.
She was afraid that, with one touch, this last remaining presence would shatter too.
"No... no... no..."
Her voice squeezed out of her throat.
Hoarse.
Broken.
Like a bird with its neck clutched tight, able to force out only a few dying whimpers despite struggling with all its strength.
He had left.
He had abandoned this era.
Qian Yuhan fell to her knees, both hands braced against the ground.
Her six wings had long since been battered beyond repair, and now they drooped limply behind her.
Why?
Was it because—
She suddenly remembered what she had just said.
"It was also You who destroyed us again and again."
"Why?"
Qian Yuhan's body began to tremble violently.
Was I too noisy?
Did He think I was not devout enough?
Did I offend Him, so He left?
She suddenly lifted her head. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and large tears rolled down her cheeks.
No.
No one could know.
Absolutely no one could know—the god had left.
She forcibly swallowed the sob lodged in her throat.
She harshly wiped away the tears in her eyes.
Then she stood, straightened her clothes, and used what remained of her Holy Light to forcibly suppress the collapse on her face.
Hurried footsteps sounded outside the temple.
"Angel God!"
A temple knight rushed inside and dropped to one knee, frost still clinging to his armor.
"The soul beasts outside the city have fully retreated, and the insect swarm has disappeared as well! We... we won!"
Qian Yuhan had her back to him.
She remained silent