Death Gives People What They Cherish

"Huh...?"

Castorice's brain, which had previously shut down upon learning the details of the trial, was awakened by Polyxena's words. Her expression was hesitant, and she was unable to muster the courage.

"?"

Sera was somewhat puzzled. What kind of trial had Polyxena set for Castorice?

"Go for it, sis, you can do it!"

Polyxena cheered for Castorice once again.

"Call..."

Castorice gently pressed her chest, took a deep breath, finally made up her mind, blinked sharply to rouse herself, and walked up to Sera.

After glancing at Sera's slightly puzzled eyes, Castorice suddenly lowered her head shyly, the tips of her elven ears turning crimson. Polyxena sighed silently in her heart; she knew it would be like this, her sister was always like this.

"Lord Ser... Sera."

Castorice placed her hands in front of her, raised her head slightly, then lowered it again, her voice somewhat broken.

"I am so happy and lucky to have met you. You gave me the warmth of a living person's embrace, and you helped me find out my origins... allowing me to reunite with Polyxena in this world."

Death has always been a persistent nightmare for me, but... Sera, you are like the moonlight shining on Antilin in Styxia, guiding me... helping me realize that death is precisely the most precious gift I possess.

Because Castorice was focused on talking, she didn't notice the people approaching. The Chrysos Heirs all tacitly remained silent, standing quietly to the side and watching the show.

"Like this sea of flowers reflected in the dead land, sown by parting and watered with the tears of loneliness." Death has given people the most important thing—flowers that bloom at the time of parting.

It made me realize that people gain something precious because of "death".

What I want to say to you is... Sera, you are also someone I cherish."

Thus, the trial was complete, and the demigod of "Death" was born.

But that's not important; what's important is—the girl's words.

The trial Polyxena gave was simple: to let Castorice tell Sera her true feelings. She knew very well that her sister had finally developed feelings for someone, but her sister was too shy and seemed too weak to be easily bullied.

If Polyxena hadn't given her a push, Castorice would probably have remained alone, harboring unspoken feelings. She didn't want to see her sister grow old alone! Although she wouldn't grow old anyway...

"I understand, Castorice."

Sera naturally noticed the few people watching the show, but now was the time to seriously respond to Castorice.

"I am also very happy and lucky to have met you in Aidelia by chance, and I am also honored to be someone you cherish."

But I may not be as wonderful as you think. I have many people I cherish, and I will never let go of anyone's hand.

So, if you've made up your mind... then please hold my hand tightly... forever.

Sera Castorice naturally understood what Sera meant, but... she was very happy. Of course, she knew that someone like Sera, unlike herself, must have many fans.

So even though she longed for Sera's warmth, she could only bury her feelings deep inside, but Polyxena gave her a chance to express them.

"Of course, Your Sera."

Castorice gripped Sera's hand tightly.

"I won't let go."

"Good!"

A white-haired country boy familiar to Sera stepped forward from the back of the crowd and began to applaud.

"Hey!"

Castorice was startled by the sudden sound. She turned around and saw that most of them were her Chrysos Heirs companions, as well as a few unfamiliar faces.

"Phainon, you scared Castorice."

Sera glared at Phainon.

"What?! It's been so long since we last met, why isn't the first thing you say 'Long time no see'?"

"Long time no see, my dear Khaslana, have you been having a good time?"

Sera's voice transformed into a sharp blade, piercing Phainon's chest.

"Ugh!"

Phainon stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief, and clutched his chest with both hands.

"It's all your fault Sera! Do you know what I've been through these past few days?!"

"?

What else can we experience?

Sera was somewhat puzzled. He told Anaxa to teach Phainon, the future "Worldbearing," a good lesson. Anaxa surely knew Phainon's importance and wouldn't do anything useless.

Phainon looked around but couldn't find Anaxa, so he loudly complained.

"At first, Teacher Anaxa was training diligently, but then things changed..."

Phainon's voice carried a hint of lingering fear.

In my memory...

"Phainon, don't be afraid, charge towards the Mechanical Earth Beast!"

At that Anaxa drove the mechanical earth beast constructed from the Authority of Reason towards Phainon Phainon, whose face was filled with unexpected fear and terror.

"Are you kidding me?!"

Teacher Anaxa, you must be joking!

Phainon ran with all his might, but soon reached a dead end.

Despair gradually filled his eyes, but he quickly mustered his courage and chose to believe that Anaxa would not harm him, after all, it was Sera wrote the letter asking him to follow her.

So... he gave it his all.

Phainon suppressed his panic, gradually steadied himself, and stretched out his arms to stop the mechanical earth beast piloted by Anaxa.

Fortunately, he succeeded.

"If it weren't for my strength, you wouldn't be seeing your brother now."

"Is it possible... that Anaxa was testing your strength a few days ago, and only made you do this after confirming it was working?"

Sera and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"Anaxa wanted to teach you was to bravely step forward even when facing fear. But the Journey of Flame-Chasing is far more dangerous than that. If you can't overcome your fear, how can you even talk about chasing the fire?"

"Oh, is that so?"

Phainon scratched the back of his head, a look of sudden realization on his face.

No wonder I was able to stop him that day!

A young man from the countryside, incredibly strong, pulled Sky Titan with one hand, leaving the man in tears.

"Also, you're not my brother."

Sera stood with her arms crossed, expressionless, looking at Phainon.

"How could you? You can't disown me! My dear 'sister'..."

Looking at Sera's current attire, Phainon's eyes lit up with a smile, and he teased her.

"Roll."

Sera slowly uttered a single word.

"Okay~"

"Alright, Little Sera."

Cyrene, who had originally pulled Castorice to her side to whisper to herself and Firefly, stepped forward.

"Little Bai, don't make him angry!"

"Nice to meet you. My Aglaea, the alteration artist in Okhema. Thank you for everything you've done."

Aglaea stepped forward.

"After listening to Phainon for so long, I've finally met him in person."