I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

But in the end, his eyes hardened, and he raised his sword, summoning flames.

The judgment fell, and flames ignited.

"really……"

Alicia stood amidst the flames, looking at him with a smile.

"You've always... always..."

The flames enveloped her, but they were not fierce; they were bright and gentle. The burning pain was there, but not intense, and all that surrounded her was warmth.

"She's a gentle person..."

The flames were raging, but she felt as if she were being gently embraced by someone. Although she could feel her consciousness fading away, she was not afraid.

With a smile, she quietly departed amidst the flames.

"........."

Xi Wang remained silent, only subconsciously sheathing his sword. He stared blankly at the empty terrace, at the clear sky, and at the night filled with stars.

tick-

A slightly damp and warm sensation came from my palm, I heard the soft sound of liquid dripping in my ear, and a faint fishy smell came from the tip of my nose.

Looking down, one can see that the cross pendant in his hand is stained with blood again, only this time... it's his own.

The surging emotions within him were uncontrollable. Even after adjusting his breathing and repeatedly reciting the Bible in his mind, recalling His words again and again, he could not regain his composure.

"........."

After another moment of silence, Xi Wang glanced once more at the star-studded night sky with her bewildered eyes, pursed her lips, and then turned and left.

Thus, the "Thirteenth Herrscher Extermination War" has ended, with casualties...0.

Chapter Twenty-One: He Doesn't Care (4201)

Just as Alicia said, when only one Herrscher remained to face, people mustered their courage again and began to work hard.

After all, we've reached the [final stage]. Once we beat it, we'll clear the stage, right? Let's pull ourselves together a little... Even though we know there's a high probability we can't win, at least... at least we can get some information for those who come after us, right? We need to leave enough for future generations, right? That way, maybe they can defeat the [Honkai].

Besides... what if? What if it actually passes? Right?

At this time, most of the fusion warriors were summoned by Mei and the others. They had to prepare for the final battle and also think about how to leave a legacy for future generations.

Xi Wang, on the other hand, became idle, because everyone knew that no one could force him to do something; only the "god" he spoke of could command him to do something.

At this moment, Xi Wang was in an extremely simple church—a privilege he had earned through missions when his reputation was good. Although it was just a converted room, it was enough for him at the moment.

Xi Wang knelt before the image of "He," the scripture given to him by "He" lying open on his lap. Facing the obscure and difficult words on it, Xi Wang still struggled to read... but this time, he could not be patient.

"call……"

He let out a slight breath, forcibly calming the surging emotions within him, closed the scripture, hesitated for a long time, and finally made up his mind.

Interlock your fingers, wrap the pendant's thin chain around your hands, clench the cross tightly, bow your head, then gently raise your hands so that the cross touches your forehead, softly recite a prayer, and offer your prayer to Him.

Xi Wang felt his consciousness begin to drift away from his body, and in a daze, it seemed as if holy light was falling upon him... He knew that this was [He] guiding him.

Drifting to where [He] was, Xi Wang closed her eyes and knelt before [He]'s throne.

Pray to Him, ask Him questions.

"Lord, why has the world become like this?"

You should know your own limitations.

"Lord, why is this the end of life?"

You should know your own limitations.

"........."

Xi Wang remained silent.

Is there anything else you wish to ask?

"........."

Xi Wang's lips moved slightly, but she didn't know how to express herself.

"Is there something else you want?"

"...Lord, please forgive my sins."

Xi Wang lowered his head and knelt before Him.

"What are you guilty of?"

"I have been so greedy that I dare to beg you to spread your love and mercy and save this world."

"Even if I bear some responsibility for the state of the world?"

"........."

"Even if the world's current state is entirely due to my influence?"

"........."

Even if I were to guide you to do something despicable?

"I beg you, show mercy once more."

That's all Xi Wang said.

"Can"

He said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and then His words became meaningful.

"Then what do you intend to use in exchange for the salvation of this world?"

"everything."

Xi Wang remained as resolute and unwavering as before.

But everything you have already belonged to me.

"Yes, this is an act of greed."

"Then what will you do?"

"I beg you to show mercy."

That's all Xi Wang said.

"………well"

You can hear a sigh coming from "He" before the throne.

"I really don't know what to say about you. Such loyalty, such honesty, such piety, yet so rigid, so...foolish."

He rose from his throne and stepped onto empty ground.

"Once ordinary people find power, they all become more or less unrestrained, simply because they hold that power in their hands, simply because they have their own inner needs to be satisfied, and few of them keep the promises they made to me."

"And you, my devout yet foolish believer."

Words tinged with reproach lingered in my ears.

"You act solely according to my words, completely suppressing your own emotions and desires, shackled yourself with inexplicable chains, and molded yourself into... a different kind of inhuman."

[He] walks up to you, and an indescribable fragrance surrounds your nose.

"Have you ever seen ignorant believers swept up in fanatical faith, ultimately committing heinous crimes in their madness?"

He walked past him and lightly touched Xiwang's shoulder with his fingertips.

"You know that inaction will lead to negative consequences and misunderstandings, yet you restrain yourself, neither taking action nor paying attention."

"You know that some of your actions will inevitably be perceived as evil by the public and will inevitably be misunderstood by the public, yet you resolutely do them, simply because it is my will. You have never explained yourself, simply because I have never granted your permission."

[He] walked behind Xi Wang, his fingertips lightly brushing across his face and hair, then circled him once before stopping in front of Xi Wang.

"But have you ever considered that my will might also be flawed? Have you ever considered that I have never loved anyone?"

"........."

Xi Wang opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

If God does not love people, then... is He still God?

"To me, you are nothing more than interesting creatures. Faith and offerings are merely your spontaneous actions. I have never needed them, nor have I ever required them. The fate of man has always been none of my concern."

"I don't care about any of this, nor do I need to care about any of this."

"My interactions with you are merely out of admiration for your spirit, your piety, and your yearning for goodness and peace... Your ignorance, however, disappoints me."

His tone became calm, then stern.

"You are already a sinner."

Even so, do you still think you are entitled to ask me for mercy and love?

Flames had already climbed up his body, fueled by sin, burning his body and tormenting his will.

"Yes, I beg you to have mercy and redeem the world."

But Xi Wang's words remained firm and unwavering.

"Truly... utterly foolish."

He seemed angry.

"but……"

It also seemed like a sense of helplessness.

"Your unwavering devotion is both despicable and... worthy of praise."

He reached out, lifting his hands that were tightly clasped in a cross with one hand, and raising his face with the other, so that he could face Him.

Xi Wang kept her eyes tightly closed, letting [He] manipulate her body.

"Because of your piety, I can bring you to my side and save you from the suffering of worldly calamities; because of your sins, I can cast you into the terrible hell and subject you to eternal damnation; because of your promise, I can also manipulate you like a doll. In any case, you have already lost the ability to pray. Even so, do you still want to do this?"

"Yes."