"So, you're here to ask me to help save the Saintess of Janusapolis?"
After inviting this unfamiliar handsome young man—who had called out her name—into her home and hearing his purpose, Senexios couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
"Why did you come to me? Or rather, how did you even know about me?"
"A prophecy."
A prophecy?
A flicker of confusion passed through Senexios's eyes. She was just an obscure village girl—why would anyone make a prophecy about her?
"Thunder Knight Senexios, you are the future Lord of the Skies, the warrior who will conquer the 'Sky Sovereign Authority' through your own martial prowess."
Me?
The future Lord of the Skies?
The girl couldn't help but blink in astonishment, staring at the boastful young man before her. She was only skilled in a bit of minor martial arts—how could she possibly conquer the Sky Sovereign Authority in the future?
Lord of the Skies? That might barely make sense as becoming the master of the Sky People.
But the Sky Sovereign Authority...
Wasn't that Lord Aegler's domain?
Me fighting a Titan? Real or fake?
"You will be the first Golden Progeny in history to conquer a Titan through absolute martial force."
"Later Golden Progeny all carried some aura of heaven's mandate to varying degrees, but you, Senexios... you're the only woman who ever beat a Titan into submission!"
Whether a forced melon is sweet or not aside, the fact that she could pluck it at all speaks volumes about this super-stat monster's power.
"So, you think I can help you break into Janus's Temple and rescue that Saintess you've never even met from layers of encirclement?"
"Yes."
Miss Senexios was starting to think this kid's head wasn't quite right.
What the heck was this?
If it was something she could help with, she definitely wouldn't refuse.
But barging into a god's temple to steal their Saintess? Even with her straightforward mindset, Senexios couldn't possibly agree.
"I probably can't help you."
"But I will earn your trust, Senexios. Without your help, I won't even be able to take the first step out of this world."
"...How will you earn my trust?"
"Please hold my hand."
Senexios skeptically grasped the young man's hand. In the next second, her body staggered, and her vision abruptly shifted at high speed. Finally...
It transformed into a "world" covered in icy gray-black.
"True Treasure, you... uh, wait a sec..."
"Is the one beside you Miss Senexios?"
Before she could even survey her surroundings, a sweet-smiling little girl leaned in close.
"Where... is this place?"
Senexios furrowed her brows slightly, then looked down at Yi Zhen. This young man had brought her here in the blink of an eye—was it some kind of divine spell?
The legendary "Hundred Realms Gate"?
"The Tomb of Demuge—or rather, the birthing and resting place of the Thirteenth Titan."
Yi Zhen rubbed his forehead. Even after teleporting countless times, he still hadn't fully adapted to the dizziness. After catching his breath for a moment, he spoke again.
"Omphalos's true trump card is this Thirteenth Titan—the only existence capable of countering the monster gestating within the Black Tide."
The Thirteenth Titan?
The only thing that can counter the monster in the Black Tide?
What the heck was this?
"I told you, I would earn your trust. Because without your help, I probably can't even take the first step. So... I'll reveal everything about Omphalos to you."
"Everything about Omphalos? What exactly are you saying?"
"This is a story that spans thirty million cycles of reincarnation."
Then, Yi Zhen quickly recounted to this knight lady the history of Omphalos, the efforts of the master of this great tomb, and the tale of the savior who traversed thirty million cycles to buy time.
At first, Senexios was doubtful, but as Yi Zhen's account delved deeper—with increasingly detailed facts and airtight logic—her expression gradually turned serious.
*A gentleman can be deceived with righteousness.*
Senexios was undoubtedly the righteous knight type—at least for now.
Though in the future she'd go from upright to unhinged, that was after her fall, influenced by Aegler's will.
Right now, she was the epitome of a traditional knight novel's most upright hero.
With her golden hair, she could debut in Camelot without issue.
Heck, she was way better at reading hearts than that king who couldn't. After all... well, this young lady, despite her youth, had astonishing 'endowments'—slender branches bearing massive fruit.
(Forgot the front, forgot the middle—anyway, since Pangu split the heavens, I've been a loyal Zhen Yu fan.)
Zhen Gate!
"...What you said... I can't accept it all at once."
After hearing Yi Zhen's story, Senexios clenched her fists. If it was true as told—this millennium had already looped thirty million times.
In those thirty million loops, if she personally wiped out her people, sending every last one into the "scalding gold"...
Then, if she continued down her current path, would she inevitably reach that despairing end?
But the version of herself in the story... felt too real. Too much like a choice she would make.
"I can give you time, but we don't have much. The Saintess's mother from long ago died at the hands of those priests. If she makes a move, those villains will likely harm her too."
Tirixipios.
My... future best friend?
But how could she just charge into a god's sanctuary based on this boy's tale?
"True Treasure."
"If Miss Senexios doesn't believe it, let me give it a try."
As Senexios hesitated, that gentle voice rang out again—though weaker than before.
Senexios turned to see the little girl from the story, who had endured thirty million cycles, standing there demurely, her face still beaming with bright, gentle warmth.
Yet,
in that gentle smile,
Senexios caught a faint trace of anger.
Faint as it was.
But that subtle anger made Senexios trust her a bit more instead.
"What are you going to do now?"
Yi Zhen gazed at Xilian, who was on the verge of fading away, and spoke gravely.
"I already told you, don't..."
"I will!"
Uncharacteristically, the pink-haired girl cut Yi Zhen off, choking back his words. Even her gentle little face carried a hint of pressure.
"I said... I'm doing this. You... aren't allowed to refuse, True Treasure."
"I... no, I can't keep watching you walk this path alone."
"You're right. Maybe I've grown numb to devotion and sacrifice—it's become instinct."
"Forgetting the part of me that's 'human,' serving only that purpose, instinctively flattering and clinging to anyone or anything that can help me achieve it."
"Though I don't remember everything you said. Maybe when I wake again after dissipating, I'll lose this memory too."
"But right now, here, in this moment..."
"It's me standing before you who wants to make this happen for you."
"This isn't for saving Omphalos or whatever. It's... my revenge."
She let out a soft laugh, then continued.
"Saying a flower-like cute beauty isn't human? If I hear that next time, I'll sock you twice—bam bam."
"But now, I probably can't do that anymore."
"So, in the very end... let me return this little girlish revenge to you."
"I'll hatch that seed of... trust in her."