Sky lanterns as a river, river lanterns as stars

Seeing Sera stunned by his earlier actions, Herta laughed even harder.

"How was it? I specifically studied Xianzhou's flowery way of speaking. Did you find it agreeable?"

"Very similar... no, I should say, there's practically no difference."

Sera snapped out of her daze.

Aren't you curious about what I wished for?

Miss Herta and Sera looked once more at the two sky lanterns that were clinging tightly to each other as they drifted toward the starry sky, and suddenly spoke.

"I'm curious, but there must be a reason why Herta isn't telling me..."

"That..."

Miss Herta stretched out her right hand and raised it high in the air.

Snap

Two sky lanterns began to burn simultaneously, and in the firelight, brilliant fireworks rose, the lanterns transforming into fleeting, beautiful fireworks that vanished. Sera simply watched quietly, her pupils reflecting the beautiful fireworks, her face showing no surprise whatsoever.

Indeed, as fellow geniuses, how could Sera possibly miss Miss Herta's little tricks? The moment he touched her, Sera naturally understood that Miss Herta had added something, but he wasn't one to spoil the fun, so he naturally wouldn't let the surprise Miss Herta had prepared go to waste.

Herta knew perfectly well that her subtle actions wouldn't escape Sera's notice, but Miss Herta was even more certain that Sera wouldn't reveal her surprise. Their relationship was mutual; they both understood each other's feelings.

Let the bright stars and the radiant moon know this wish.

In Miss Herta's eyes, she saw the same starry sky as Sera. "It's beautiful," Herta thought, "But the person beside me is even more beautiful?" Miss Herta now knew very well that the person beside her was more important than anything else.

Or perhaps, Miss Herta has always known this principle, but simply didn't have anyone around her who was worthy of it before.

"That..."

Sera blinked, and in the moonlight—she revealed a gentle smile.

"Herta, may I tell you my wish, this bright moon?"

Upon hearing this, Miss Herta leaned forward, her expression saying, "I knew it."

I knew you'd understand what I meant.

"Then I'll tell you about the moon."

Miss Herta's lips brushed against Sera's ear.

"The bond between the Herta and Seraphis will always be connected, guiding us across time and space."

Even if you haven't experienced it, even if you've forgotten it.

We will cross the Magpie Bridge again and fall in love with each other once more.

Until Path collapses, the universe falls silent, and the Milky Way sinks into Nihility.

Until death and rebirth.

Our love will never fade.

how?"

"..."

Sera went from being completely blank at first, to becoming increasingly complex, and finally...

Without the slightest hesitation, Sera took the first step, making his most instinctive choice, and gently took Miss Herta's hands in his.

A gentle, earnest, and joyful smile appeared on her face, and then she spoke softly.

"Herta, I promise you—it will happen."

Under His watchful gaze, this promise will transcend all time, space, and cause and effect, traversing the beginning and end of the Milky Way, until we are reunited with each other.

This is the promise I, Seraphis, the Herrscher of Corruption, have made.

"I trust you."

After hearing Sera's words, Miss Herta's initial joy turned to complex emotions, and she finally sighed.

"How much time do you... have left?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Sera lowered her eyes, her expression somewhat downcast. After a long while, she answered Miss Herta's question in a voice filled with complex emotions.

"One day."

"This is the date the core has given us to part ways."

"Just one day..."

Miss Herta closed her eyes.

"Time is so fleeting. One day, the Herta will transcend time and make it no longer fleeting."

"I am just as certain that day will not be late."

Sera smiled and intertwined her fingers with Miss Herta's in a grasping motion.

"Now..."

Sera helped Miss Herta up, and from the lonely and quiet corner, they officially stepped into the bustling and noisy crowd.

Miss Herta and Sera, from a secluded alley, arrive at a prominent market.

Just as a ray of warm moonlight shone into Miss Herta's lonely life until she was no longer alone.

Let's cherish these last moments together...

After all, the future is still a long way off.

"OK."

Using the momentum of Sera's pull, Miss Herta jogged to Sera 'Sera side and took the lead, pulling Sera into the crowd. Her vibrant and dazzling figure was deeply etched into Sera's heart.

Miss Herta looks like this before. Sera thought to herself, but her movements didn't falter in the slightest because of her distraction.

Sera simply looked at Miss Herta with a sense of relief, who seemed like an ordinary young girl, and kept this feeling of happiness in her heart.

"It's time to bring this out."

Looking at the crowds of people carrying river lanterns and strolling around at night, Sera took out the river lanterns that had been waiting for a long time from the Imaginary Space. The two of them each held one, one on the left and one on the right, with their hands clasped in the middle.

Looking at the small boat on the lake, Sera and Miss Herta exchanged a glance and smiled together.

"Uncle, could you lend us this boat so we can release river lanterns?"

Don't worry, we will open it.

The old man, who was standing on the shore watching the crowd with satisfaction, turned around and looked at the two women. Although he was a little surprised by the two 'women', he still smiled happily.

"Alright, alright, grandpa will lend it to you. This is the first time I've ever seen a combination like you. It's so good to be young."

The old man sighed and gave up his seat, handing the oar to Miss Herta looked more composed.

Thank you, sir.

Sera waved her hand and stepped onto the small boat with Miss Herta.

"You're welcome, you're welcome."

The old man waved with a smile, watching the two men sail away in their boat to the middle of the lake.

"Herta."

Sera stood at the bow of the ship, with the Herta standing beside her. As for why the ship was unmanned? Corruption divine power could do anything!

"Yes, I'm here."

"The warmth of everyday life, with its twinkling lights and the gentle glow of human warmth, is truly beautiful."

Herta tilted its head and came into Sera's line of sight.

What about me?

"The scenery of this world is beautiful, but the people around us are even more beautiful. Miss Herta's beauty is so stunning that even the mundane world seems to pale in comparison."

Sera remained calm, gazing at Miss Herta, and spoke with a smile.

"Heh~"

Miss Herta Miss Herta heard countless compliments, but only Sera could make her so happy.

"Keep watching, the river lanterns—they're floating by too."

Upon hearing this, Sera's gaze was drawn to the countless river lanterns.

Sky lanterns form the river, river lanterns form the stars, the sky adorns the 'river surface,' and the lake water carries the 'stars.'

It is precisely when sky lanterns converge into the river and river lanterns become stars that the distinction between reality and illusion becomes meaningless; only the beautiful scenery comes into view.