Ever since Oliver became The Butcher, no city-state dared to court disaster.
So he became completely idle, with nothing to do.
He could only spend all day playing with Tribbie, Trianne, and Trinnon.
A few months later, all the Little Tribbies returned to Janusapolis, and they reverted to Tribios's true form.
They declared in the Three-Phase Hall: Humanity's Journey of Fire Chasing has officially begun!
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the script."
"In one hour, the script will close, and the host will leave the current world."
The long-unheard system female voice echoed in Oliver's mind.
A full ten years--- "Indeed, the key to this script was accompanying Tribios to begin the Journey of Fire Chasing."
Completing the script and being able to return to reality should be a happy thing.
Yet Oliver felt a little regret.
He regretted completing the mission too quickly --- originally, the Journey of Fire Chasing was not supposed to begin until Light Calendar 3870.
As a result, his forced intervention advanced it by a full 109 years!
He had only one hour left before he had to leave here, leave Mortis and Tribios.
"It's clearly just a script, yet I've fallen in love."
He couldn't deceive his own heart; he truly did not want to leave the two women he loved.
After a moment of silence, Oliver understood.
The separation was temporary; after all, this wasn't reality.
When he returned, he would find an opportunity to go to the real Amphoreus.
He decided to use his remaining hour to say goodbye to the mother and daughter.
Bang!
Suddenly, the room door was slammed open.
Oliver sharply turned his head and saw Tribios and Mortis appear before him.
They looked anxious, breathing heavily, as if they had rushed there.
"What's wrong?"
Oliver still wore his usual gentle smile, as polite and refined as ever.
Others wouldn't have imagined that the butcher who had personally killed three hundred thousand people could also have such a tender side, because they had never seen it.
"Are you... leaving..."
Tribios's voice trembled slightly, clearly emotional.
Oliver didn't hide it, humming in affirmation.
"But I don't want to leave you."
Tribios lunged forward, directly falling into Oliver's embrace.
Tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes, soaking Oliver's chest.
"I'm afraid not, Tribios. I don't belong here; I will leave sooner or later."
Oliver gently lifted her face and wiped away her tears.
Watching her cry like a weeping pear blossom, Oliver felt as if a thorn was piercing his heart.
"When?"
Mortis also slowly walked to Oliver, taking his hand.
She suppressed the reluctance in her heart, maintaining her usual gentle and dignified demeanor.
"In one hour."
Hearing the countdown, Tribios hugged Oliver tightly.
As if she wanted to embed him into her body.
They were pressed so close that Oliver could clearly feel her soft 'headlights'.
Indeed, that eight-year-old girl had now grown up—in every sense of the word.
"Thank you for coming..."
Tribios sobbed, "Thank you for saving Mother, thank you for saving my childhood, thank you for always being by my side, thank you for supporting me, thank you..."
At this moment, the two seemed to have returned to ten years ago.
She was still the girl who always pestered Oliver for stories, for candy, and would complain when bullied.
"Do you know why I never called you 'Father'?"
Tribios asked softly, and without waiting for an answer, she gave him one: "Because I truly, truly love you, but this love is not familial..."
Facing the sudden confession, Oliver, though he had anticipated it, was still caught off guard.
Mortis, on the other hand, appeared calm, showing no surprise at all.
Clearly, she had long seen everything.
After all, she was the daughter she had raised.
Fortunately, Tribios was not her biological daughter, so they could both accept such a relationship.
"I love you too, Tribios, just as I love Mortis."
Oliver gently patted her back, comforting her.
Hearing Oliver's response, Tribios's inner joy finally outweighed her sadness.
"If only I had said it sooner."
Tribios forced a smile.
Her crying and laughing expression made Oliver chuckle.
"I have one last gift I want to give you..."
Her voice grew softer and softer.
Mortis understood her intention and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Tribios nodded firmly.
Mortis didn't press further; instead, she leaned in towards Oliver, their lips meeting for a moment.
"I will wait for you here forever. You must come back."
With that, she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Mortis stood by the door, not walking far.
In the room, only Oliver and Tribios remained.
"What gift do you want to give me?"
Oliver asked with interest.
Tribios said nothing.
Instead, she pushed off the ground, recklessly stood on her tiptoes, and with a desperate resolve, kissed his slightly parted lips.
"I offer all of myself. Please take my soul."
She completely overstepped the bounds of propriety, offering the most fervent and fearless confession from the depths of her soul.
"Mm... Shed Armor."
"Huh? Black stockings! Not this one."
The sunlight fell rhythmically, scattering white light everywhere.
One hour later.
The room returned to silence.
Mortis walked in and saw Tribios sitting alone on the bed, lost in thought.
"He's gone."
Tribios said faintly.
Mortis sat down and gently embraced her, comforting her, "Our lives are long. One day, we will reunite at the end of the fragrant west wind."
...[script: Tribios, Completed]