Answers

Scar watched the harmonious scene between Lu Li and A Piao with an expressionless face.

"Rover, I only wanted to offer you a friendly reminder..."

"What you see isn't necessarily the truth. Don't trust other people's words so easily, and don't rush to conclusions about everything."

Lu Li felt much better under A Piao's skillful massage.

He mocked Scar. "Are you introducing yourself? No matter how you look at it, Jinzhou is more trustworthy than the Fractsidus."

Scar ignored Lu Li's mockery. "Rover, this defeat is my offering to you, a gesture of my sincerity."

"-And if you choose me, I'll tell you everything I know."

A Piao remained expressionless. "I already know everything."

Scar sneered. "Heh, I see... It seems the Magistrate was one step ahead after all and told you everything."

Jinhsi stepped forward, her expression stern. "Scar, you have committed dozens of serious crimes within Huanglong's borders. In my capacity as Magistrate of Jinzhou, I am placing you under arrest. Do you have anything to say?"

Scar snorted. "Heh, anything to say? I'd certainly love to tell you another story... But I'm sure that isn't the answer you want."

"Honorable Magistrate, let's dispense with the tedious preliminaries. If you have questions, ask them."

Jinhsi nodded. She had no desire to waste words either. "In that case, from this point on, you will only answer our questions."

A Piao asked first. "Why do you want to imprison Jué?"

Scar replied, "Jué is a Sentinel capable of foreseeing and correcting the future. That existence is an obstacle to realizing our lofty vision."

"All we wish to do is tear apart that predetermined, false future and take the future into our own hands."

A predetermined, false future?

Hmm... Going by the usual formula, this foretold future definitely couldn't be a happy one.

And that would be when a great hero appeared to save the world!

And that great hero would be A Piao, the one everyone was fighting over!

That was how all those movies went, anyway.

Still, Lu Li wasn't worried about the end of the world at all.

After all, he only needed to cling to A Piao and let her carry him, while she had a lot more to worry about.

A Piao asked again, "Why are you so determined to awaken the Threnodians?"

Scar replied, "The Threnodians... are the keys to a new world."

"When they gather, they will bring the 'true Lament' upon this world and lead us into... a brand-new world."

Well, well!

Lu Li hated cryptic talkers, though those two statements were fairly easy to understand.

In short, the Fractsidus wanted to join forces with the Threnodians to create a brand-new world.

But going by the usual formula, this brand-new world was probably an illusory one too.

A Piao asked, "What exactly is the Lament?"

Scar replied, "A disaster? A curse? Divine punishment? Those are humanity's most superficial understandings of the Lament..."

"The Lament brings death, destruction, and countless echoes."

"They constantly reflect, intertwine, and overlap within the Lament. New life, new civilizations... can only be born within the Lament."

Lu Li pondered this. While the Lament destroyed everything, it also gave birth to countless Remnants. Perhaps that was what the Fractsidus wanted?

Or perhaps this concept aligned with the Fractsidus's beliefs?

Destroy everything, then create a new world.

But Lu Li didn't agree with their views at all.

Why did new life have to come through destruction?

Lu Li would be the first to object!

Still, these were all Lu Li's guesses. Faced with Scar's cryptic remarks, a slacker like Lu Li certainly wasn't going to dig into their deeper meaning.

A Piao asked, "Why are you following me?"

Scar replied, "Our purpose in seeking you has always been the same... We hope you will join us."

Seeing that A Piao had no more questions, Jinhsi stepped forward.

"Imprisoning Jué, awakening the Threnodians, accelerating the Lament... Those aims alone are enough to make you enemies of Jinzhou, and indeed all humanity."

"I also advise you to abandon any thoughts of recruiting the Rover. She is Jinzhou's guest, and I will not allow you to harm her."

Scar sneered. "What fine, sanctimonious words! The Threnodians' revival is at hand. Jinzhou is already beset by troubles within and without, unable even to protect itself. How much longer can you hold out?"

Jinhsi replied coldly, "Since we were able to thwart your plans once, we can do so countless more times."

"One final question. Keeping Jué occupied, following the Rover, and setting an ambush in Qichi Village-it would have been impossible for you alone to do all of that at once."

"Unless..."

Scar finished for her. "Unless I'm not the only Fractsidus Overseer currently within Jinzhou's borders. Is that it? Hahahahaha..."

Watching Scar's restrained laughter, Lu Li thought of the woman who wore red just as Scar did.

He remembered that bandages were wrapped around her head, covering one eye.

Presumably, she was the other Fractsidus Overseer in Jinzhou?

He wondered how they would react when they learned that Jinzhou had captured Scar. A prison break?

Or was this part of their plan too...?

"I have shown you my utmost sincerity in answering your questions. Whether you understand makes no difference to me."

"You are welcome to try your hardest to stop us... But the wheels of history will roll on, never changing course because of you."

"Now, I would like to ask you a question in return..."

"You have always believed that Jué's disappearance was the result of our actions. Magistrate, aren't you curious... about the real reason behind it?"

Jinhsi asked, "How much do you know... about Jué?"

Scar coaxed her. "Would you like to know? Come here, Magistrate. This secret is for your ears alone..."

Sanhua snapped, "How dare you!"

She turned to Jinhsi. "Magistrate..."

Jinhsi nodded to Sanhua, signaling that she need not worry.

Then Jinhsi took a few steps forward and approached Scar.

Scar said something in a voice only the two of them could hear.

A flicker of shock crossed Jinhsi's face as she listened. "Impossible..."

Scar sneered. "Unexpected? Surprised? There are even greater surprises to come..."

"What would you think if I told you this was a prophecy Jué made long ago...?"

"A Sentinel who can see the future has abandoned you at this very moment. Doesn't that tell you everything you need to know?"

"All we have done... is add a little kindling to the raging fire that is about to ignite."