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

But... there's still a chance, if it's [myself].

"If water can preserve memories... then I will engrave this emotion and determination in my heart and let it last forever."

Xi Wang slowly picked up the sword. Flames swirled, outlining a sharp blade on the unsharpened, non-lethal ceremonial sword. Even the broken section was filled with flames, forming a complete sword.

"Like a fire, it burns again and again, never going out."

Instead of touching the hilt, he gripped the blade formed by the flames, ignoring the cuts and burns on his hands. He picked it up and pointed the flame-formed tip at himself.

Immediately, close your eyes and send blessings to your future self.

Remember, follow your heart.

"Remember, always have a kind heart."

"Remember to rewrite this ending until it is satisfactory."

With a slight lift of his eyelids, the gold in his pupils could no longer be contained, bursting forth with a star-like brilliance.

In a daze, I could recall what Alicia looked like before she left, and the words she said.

Therefore, Xi Wang whispered.

"This is... my duty, and something only I can do."

Immediately... he exerted force with both hands, sending the sword blade into his body, piercing through him.

--------

[Entry: Final Herrscher (Gold), special conditions met, now in effect!]

You have become the "Final Herrscher"!

[Entry: The Splendor of Humanity (Purple), trigger conditions met, now active!]

You retain a certain degree of self-awareness!

--------

tick-

The rain was still falling, but the seawater began to surge and rise.

A damp smell began to spread, and the fragrance of lilies began to permeate the air.

tick-

Rain fell, seawater flowed, but the flames on the ground did not go out, not even faintly.

That warm fire was still burning, even if it was as faint as a candle flame, it persisted and emitted light.

"God..."

With her last remaining consciousness, Xi Wang murmured softly.

"I'm guilty."

Then, the flames surged and boiled, the bright flames engulfing him, covering his body, and burning away the seawater, rainwater, and even the pervasive fragrance of lilies around him.

Flames flowed, outlining a [sword] above him, or rather... [fire with a sword], its form identical to that of [Michael] from before.

Then... he fell upon him, like a judgment descending from the sky.

In a daze, it seemed as if holy light descended.

Through the haze, one could see a woman dressed in a golden skirt and armor, her long golden hair flowing down her back, reflecting a brilliant golden light. A cross-shaped sword hung at her waist, and a scale-like bracelet was wrapped around her wrist. Pale golden six wings trembled gently behind her, sparkling with golden-red sparks. Two rings, one golden-red on the inside and one white on the outside, were located above her head, expanding and contracting rhythmically like breathing.

She seemed to lower her gaze and look at herself, her golden-red pupils carrying a hint of praise and approval.

Immediately, she drew the sword from her waist, its fiery red blade visible.

Then... she raised it high and swung it down at herself.

The flames then subsided, and the verdict arrived as scheduled.

Xi Wang... closed her eyes as she wished.

…………

………………

The sword blade that pierced through Xi Wang's body lasted for seven days, and the flames that burned Xi Wang's body also lasted for seven days. He... fulfilled his promise.

After Mei and the others had made all the arrangements, they stood ready and surrounded Xi Wang, waiting for the [Herrscher] to awaken.

Then, as agreed... after seven days, the flames were extinguished, the blade was drawn, and the gold and red plating on the sword was completely washed away, revealing a deep blue like the deep sea.

Azure water began to flow, pure white lilies began to bloom, and horns echoed throughout the world again and again, seven times in an instant, and the planet's surface was covered with azure patterns.

The end has come, the final moment has come, everything will be destroyed, and a mighty flood will engulf everything.

This time, however… the azure patterns covering the planet were tinged with an indelible, irremovable golden-red hue.

Like the faint glow of a candle in the dim light, like the twinkling stars in the night, like that fragile yet steadfast hope in despair...

----------

[Ending achieved: The end of the pious]

Epilogue - On the Inscription of [Judgment] (6330)

————【Case and Verdict】————

"Please stop here, visitor."

Just as Raiden Mei was moving forward with Alicia, a calm yet undeniable voice rang out from ahead.

If you shift your gaze, you'll see a priest in a long robe, with a sword hanging at his waist, and a rather unusual Bible in his hand, which is adorned with a cross pendant.

“Those who bear sin should stop here, take the punishment they deserve, and atone for their sins.”

He was saying some strange things that Raiden Mei couldn't understand at all... but one thing she did understand was that he was stopping her from moving forward.

"Hey~ Xiwang, it's rare to see you out~"

However, Alicia spoke first, her tone unchanged, as light as ever, with a hint of joy in her words.

Good day, Alicia.

Xiwang nodded politely to Alicia, then turned his strange pupils, composed of gold, dark, and scarlet, onto Raiden Mei.

"Come forward and take away your own punishment, visitor."

As he spoke, Xi Wang reached for his sword, but Alicia quickly stepped forward to stop him.

"Wait a minute... wait a minute, Xiwang, being too hasty won't attract girls, especially when you're not saying anything."

As she spoke, Alicia reached out and poked Xi Wang's face, causing Xi Wang to frown, seemingly somewhat displeased... but in the end, she did not say anything to stop her.

Seeing that Xiwang did not object to her actions, Alicia smiled happily and then said.

"Hehe... I know you always have your reasons for doing things, Xiwang... but Mei and you just met, right? It wouldn't be good to leave a terrible first impression, would it? It would make people dislike you~"

"Hmm... let me think... at least tell Mei what she did, right? Although I know that your 'judgments' are never wrong, this kind of autocratic behavior is still troublesome~"

"Its entry into this place is an error, it is a sin."

Xi Wang shook his head and said softly, which made Raiden Mei raise an eyebrow... Although she already knew that every [Ying Jie] was more or less strange, his act of arbitrarily convicting people was really annoying.

And for her to enter the [Paradise of the Past] is a sin... That's outrageous! What is this supposed to mean? Or is it because she is a [Herrscher], so entering this place is a [sin]?

Are you discriminating against me?

"Uh...huh?"

Alicia, however, was seriously pondering Xiwang's words, as if she had no doubt about them, which made Raiden Mei's brow twitch again.

It seems like Alicia trusts him a lot...

Raiden Mei was a little confused, so she asked.

“Alicia… could you… tell me a little about him? Or rather, before I receive the [Punishment], shouldn’t I know who gave me the [Judgment]?”

Perhaps because she had encountered quite a few strange "heroes," Raiden Mei quickly came up with a way to communicate.

"Ah, sure! This is our acknowledged [Priest], a man favored by [God]! He's very powerful! He holds the [Judgment] Mantle here, but don't be intimidated by that title. Xiwang is a very kind person. If you have anything bothering you, you can talk to him and [confess] to him, and he'll help you!"

Alicia introduced Xiwang in a lighthearted tone, and Xiwang, in turn, politely bowed to Raiden Mei.

"Nice to meet you, visitor, Raiden Mei... I am the one who holds the [Judgment] inscription, ranking [fourteenth]. As for [Heroic]... I am unworthy of that title. You may follow Alicia's words and call me Father, or simply call me by my name."

"【Judgment】...that sounds like a very powerful title, but considering your status, it is quite fitting."

Raiden Mei pondered for a moment, muttering to herself. But when she saw Xiwang greet her so politely, she felt a little strange... How could this person, who was just a moment ago speaking strangely with a serious expression, looking like he was there to cause trouble, turn around and greet people gently and politely?

Although I knew that the "Ying Jie" here was strange, this was just too strange.

"Hmm... Hmm! I've got it! I see!"

At that moment, Alicia suddenly made an adorable "I understand! .jpg" expression, and you could vaguely see a light bulb shining from her head. Then she leaned close to Xiwang and said with a smile.

"Xi Wang wants to test Mei, right? He wants her to accept his mark, isn't that right? Although I know Mei is a very cute and capable girl, being too hasty will still scare her, you know?"

"...But later, I will give the [Imprint] to her."

Xi Wang looked at Alicia, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded in agreement.

Raiden Mei swore she had just seen a clear look of utter disbelief in Xi Wang's eyes, as if to say, "You know nothing."

However, Alicia seemed oblivious to this, and even clapped her hands happily, saying cheerfully.

"I knew it! Xiwang always understood me immediately before, but now I can do it too! We really are on the same wavelength!"

No, I think you, Alicia, didn't understand what he was trying to say at all... Raiden Mei, standing behind Alicia, was speechless.

"Hmm... So, should I give you the set now? Or... can I stay here? Ah, something doesn't feel quite right..."

"Do as you please, Alicia, but... if you're going to stay here, please stay away."

"Does Xiwang want me to stay? Okay~ Ah... I didn't repeat your name just now! But I still feel happy every time I say Xiwang's name... After all, the meaning of this word is really good, isn't it?"

Alicia's tone rose slightly, seemingly quite happy, as if she had endless things to say. However, she still walked away from the two with light steps, not forgetting to cheer Raiden Mei on along the way.

"Go for it, Mei! I'll be here to offer you everything you need, except for help!"

"Doesn't that mean there's nothing at all?"