Chapter 67 - Why do I always have this inexplicable sense of crisis?
He exerted a slight force in his palm, as if trying to transmit his will through this power. Feeling the warmth of the hand pressed against her face, Ais instinctively held her breath, even stopping her crying, and stared blankly at Noah.
"Ais, I've said before that people are complex. Why must it always be one or the other? Your hatred isn't wrong; it's just that without you realizing it, there are already things in your heart that are more important and precious. So don't resist hatred, and don't be afraid of this preciousness. Carry them all with you and keep moving forward. Of course..."
Noah slowly crouched down, bringing himself to Ais's eye level. During this process, Ais clearly sensed that some of the gentle warmth in Noah's eyes disappeared, and a new, more aggressive heat was born. The "older guy who takes care of you in the Familia" was gradually disappearing. Noah, born to conquer and transcend all, appeared before her eyes.
"If sometimes you feel truly lost and can't find your way, then why not look to me?!"
A cold current surged through her body, and Ais's eyes widened. "Look at Noah?"
In Noah's eyes, Ais saw a blazing glow...she couldn't tell if it was the fiery red dawn or something else entirely. She felt the flames pierce her heart, and the scalding heat surged through her entire body.
"Yes, watch me, chase me, defeat me… Whatever Ais wants to destroy, I will surpass it. So, Ais, isn't it enough to just watch me?"
Hearing that slightly cold voice, Ais saw a slender hand appear before her eyes, extending an invitation. Those deep, clear eyes, reflecting her own soul, were like an abyss that swallowed everything, making Ais unable to look away. Besides, everything in the world before her eyes seemed to be melted away by the scalding heat within her body, turning into boundless pure white.
It was no longer just the tears that were burning; her whole body felt as if her blood was on fire, causing her to let out a low, distressed groan. Especially her back, it felt like there was a branding iron on it, making Ais breathe rapidly, unable to utter a single syllable. This feeling was just like when she was tempted by that god in the Dungeon.
Too insignificant, too narrow minded, too fragile... Ais understood that what she was about to pursue was a figure stronger than the Black Dragon and higher than the boundless sky. But the burning passion in her heart, far more intense, purer, and stronger than her hatred, wouldn't allow her to refuse. In this scorching heat, not only confusion, but even hatred, pain, despair, anxiety, and cowardice would be devoured and transformed into fuel for this fire.
Transformed into that clear, sparkling, dazzling radiance... Accompanied by the burning heat appearing on her back, Ais answered almost instantly...
Hmpf
Scale-like white clouds drifted by, the clear sky stretching endlessly. Bathed in the warm morning glow, the girl took Noah's hand. A clear and firm light shone in her eyes, and Ais's tear streaked face became bright, no longer filled with confusion. Looking at Ais pouting, Noah smiled with satisfaction. Before leaving the city walls, Noah cast a glance toward Babel in the city center.
"The gloom was wiped away, leaving no more confusion, and the golden soul became even purer and more dazzling... So that's how it is, did the sword find its own sheath?"
Looking down from the top floor of Babel, the silver-haired goddess sipped wine with her luscious red lips. "Such interesting changes have occurred in just a few days?"
Ottar slowly took in this scene, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke. "Lady Freya, should we add him to our Familia? To fulfill your wish..."
Freya pondered the suggestion, then shook her head. "That soul was interesting, but not my type... and how should I put it? I sensed a kindred spirit in him."
From the moment that boy appeared in Orario, Freya had been observing his strange soul, filled with deep darkness. It wasn't until yesterday, during Noah's trip to the Dungeon, that she noticed something amiss. That is, when Noah was killing monsters, he felt no hatred or hostility, but only pure enjoyment.
Then Freya realized that he had no reverence in his heart when he came into contact with gods, or rather, with all people. It was as if they were equal, and to him there was no difference... Freya immediately realized that it was an extreme form of equality that could only be achieved through extreme contempt for everything. After all, when a person distinguishes others solely by their sword, all living beings are reduced to the distinction between those who bleed and those who don't, between enemies and non enemies. If necessary, killing a god would probably be no different from killing a monster for Noah.
However, what concerned Freya even more was that she sensed a similar aura from Noah. What do villains hate the most? It is definitely not those noble and upright people who are on the opposite extreme. Rather, they love them, even if the other party dislikes it vehemently. After all, whether it's teasing those righteous people, watching them struggle, or staining them with one's own colors and possessing them, it all brings immense pleasure. Therefore, the people that villans hate the most are definitely villains of the same kind.
Now, Freya sensed a trace of her own kind in that child named Noah.
Why do I always have this inexplicable sense of crisis?
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