Volume 2 chapter 26
In the darkness, a frozen man lay on the ground. His face was covered in shocking scars, as if he had committed a grave sin and suffered the punishment of a thousand cuts.
When Clyris stepped out of the Door, this was the sight that greeted her.
"Big idiot..."
Even though she knew what he had endured, seeing it with her own eyes made her heart tremble.
With a soft sigh of reproach, Clyris knelt and carefully lifted him into her arms. She clasped his frozen hands, using her warmth and mana to dispel the biting frost.
"The Lord of Light and the Mother of Nature told you... just collect the happy memories. But you still recklessly charged into the danger... suffering like this! Honestly..."
"But... thank you."
She pressed her cheek against his cold face, her heart swelling with warmth.
If he had truly followed Omis's instructions and only collected happy memories, she probably would have sunk deeper into her self-loathing. It was precisely because he recklessly broke in, screaming like a fool outside her door, that she finally woke up.
"Cly... ris..."
Even in his coma, Charlo murmured her name.
"I'm here."
Clyris smiled. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his.
Their spirits connected. Clyris poured her own spiritual energy into his dry, damaged soul to heal his wounds.
Suddenly, her spiritual probe brushed against something strange deep within his soul.
"Hm? What is that?"
Curious, she directed her mental energy toward the anomaly.
Ding.
A mechanical sound rang out.
"Ding! The Stellaris Fourth Scourge System is at your service! High-loyalty subordinate detected. Separating Sub-System... Separation Successful!"
The strange object split off a smaller glowing fragment. Following the link of her spiritual energy, the fragment shot into the depths of her own soul and anchored itself before she could even react.
"!"
Clyris’s eyes snapped open. Panic rose as she tried to expel the intruder.
"Ding! Binding Complete. User: Clyris. Sub-System 01 of the Fourth Scourge is at your service, Miss Clyris."
"What are you?!" she asked nervously.
"I am Sub-System 01 of the Stellaris Fourth Scourge System, serial number 1522-012-01. It is a pleasure to serve you!"
"Sys... tem?" She didn't understand the term.
"Ding! Semantic translation in progress... Complete! Hello, Miss Clyris. You may consider me a tutor residing deep within your soul. I will provide guidance without causing you any discomfort."
"Guidance... what does that mean?" She understood the words, but the concept was alien. "Where do you come from? Why guide me?"
"Explanation: This System is a branch of the Fourth Scourge System created by the Human Federation. The Main System follows the Prime Directive to guide the development of human civilization. My role is to guide you in assisting the Host of the Main System."
"Host of the Main System..." Hearing this, Clyris looked down at Charlo in her arms.
"Affirmative: Mr. Charlo in your arms is the Host of the Main System."
"So... guiding human civilization? Can you really do that?" Clyris was skeptical. Could this thing really have such power?
"Answer: Please do not doubt. The System contains all relevant data from Primitive Civilization to Cosmic Civilization levels. I can provide all necessary technical support to the Guidee!"
"Why do you do this?" she asked. "What do you gain?"
She couldn't understand. Giving everything without asking for anything in return? Maybe an individual could be selfless, but a collective entity? If they didn't take a return, how could they sustain their existence?
"Explanation: The universe you reside in is separated from the Federation's universe by a barrier indescribable by distance. The technology loaded in the System caps at the Cosmic Civilization level. However, at the time of the System's production, the Federation had already far surpassed that level. The System does not even contain the technical data required to manufacture itself! Therefore, whether from the perspective of logistics or profit, you may rest assured: The Federation has no demands of you."
"Is that so... Haha, that's really... impressive..."
Clyris didn't know how to describe her feelings. So there really is a group that gives without expecting a return...
"Alright. What functions do you have? How will you guide me?" She relaxed slightly.
"Answer: I will monitor the Host's faction. I will calculate the results of wars waged by the Host's faction and unlock corresponding technological data for the Host."
"So that's it..." She finally understood where Charlo got all those blueprints and technical data.
"Wait. Why war? What if we lose? What if our faction is destroyed?" Clyris suddenly realized the risk. War wasn't a game; defeat was always a possibility.
"Answer: Wars have winners and losers. Even a loss will be calculated. As for the destruction of the faction, you need not worry. As long as the Host does not die, the System will continue to operate."
"Can't you use other methods for calculation? What happens if there are no more wars?" Clyris asked.
"Explanation: Miss Clyris, war is the most potent catalyst. In war, everything accelerates. Simultaneously, war is the ultimate test. To win, one must exhaust every method and resource. This is the best way to verify a civilization's potential!"
"As for 'no more wars'... Until humanity reaches the Cosmic Civilization level, war will accompany every individual. Tangible wars may pause briefly, but intangible wars never cease! From the moment the first primitive man pointed a spear at his kin, until they completely unravel the shackles of matter, the various forms of war will never stop!"
"This..."
Clyris listened, stunned. It was the first time she had heard an entity analyze the relationship between war and humanity so coldly, yet so profoundly.
"Fine! That is certainly a unique perspective."
She stood up, shaking off her doubts.
"Right! Time to settle the score!" Clyris rubbed her hands together and spoke to the empty air. "Lord of Light! I know you are there. Hurry up! Give me some blessings. Otherwise, fighting that Demon Lord will be tough!"
As her voice fell, two figures manifested before her.
A man in white robes, tall and handsome.
A woman in a green dress, dignified and beautiful.
Both radiated a pure, white light, standing there like two massive lamps.
"I am glad you woke up, Clyris," the Lord of Light said with relief.
"It is truly wonderful that you are both safe!" the Mother of Nature added, patting her chest.
"Alright, cut the chatter. Give me a blessing, quick! I'm going to go beat up that Demon Lord!" Clyris extended her hand unceremoniously.
"No problem! Go!"
The Lord of Light was straightforward. He condensed a beam of light into a sword and placed it in her hand.
"This sword, formed from Spiritual Light, possesses strength at the limit of the Saint Realm. Use it as you wish!"
The Mother of Nature waved her hand. A surge of abundant vitality first flowed into Charlo's body, stabilizing him, before condensing around Clyris's wrist as a green bracelet.
"This vitality will heal all wounds. May you be well!"
"Un! Much better!"
Clyris felt the power overflowing in her body. She smiled with satisfaction and turned to leave, ready to confront Phyllis.
"Clyris... do you... not resent us?"
The Lord of Light asked hesitantly from behind.
"No. I don't resent any of you," Clyris turned back and smiled at them. "Not you, and not Phyllis. After all, I chose to take that Viscount's mission. I was the one framed. Without you, I would have been nothing but dry bones hanging on a cliff long ago."
"But... ultimately, it was our failure to foresee that Phyllis's will remained, and our inability to descend freely, that led to this situation. We... are sorry... Clyris!"
The Lord of Light spoke with genuine shame.
"I as well. I am sorry, Clyris!"
The Mother of Nature bowed deeply.
"Hey, hey, hey! Enough! I accept it!" Clyris jumped, startled. Two high and mighty gods are apologizing to me?!
"Then, may everything go smoothly for you! Goodbye, Clyris. If you need anything, just call my name—Phyx. My will shall descend. Feel free to speak to me then!"
"Me as well. If you need anything, call me—Omis. Although I may not be able to do everything Phyx can, I will do my best!"
The figures of the two gods gradually faded. Clyris breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright then. Time to take back my body!"
Clyris gripped the sword of light, confidence burning in her eyes, and walked out of the darkness.
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