novelhk Chapter 440 Heroism, Throne of Pleasure
Chapter 440 Heroism, Throne of Pleasure
"Wh-what....."
Dolly's brain went blank when she heard Zhongli's words.
This answer seems familiar.
Wait a minute, isn't this the same bastard who tricked himself into buying knowledge from the gods?
Could it be that...
Dolly had a terrible idea in her mind.
No, surely everything in that jar of divine knowledge is correct?
"What's wrong, young friend?" Zhongli asked with some concern.
Because he saw Dolly freeze.
"No, it's nothing."
"Here are five bags of spices for you."
After handing the spices to Zhongli, Dolly quickly packed up her stall and ran away.
She needed to hurry home to find the divine knowledge in that jar; she had put it in the toilet and stood on tiptoe to get it.
"Looks like a businessman who keeps his promises. Not bad." Zhongli nodded slightly as he watched Dolly's retreating figure.
"Alright, old man, we've got the spices, let's go have a drink!" Wendy suddenly appeared beside Zhongli.
"Have you forgotten? We're here to attend the Flower Goddess's Birthday Festival, aren't we?" Zhongli glanced at him.
"Oh, it's okay to drink a little. The Flower Goddess Festival is still a long way off."
"That's not OK."
As they talked, the two walked toward the center of Sumeru City.
Their first stop was a snack stall near Pusper Cafe.
Tinari was leading Cole to a candy stall, where Cole already had several uniquely shaped sugar paintings in his hand.
“Master, doesn’t this look like a ranger’s magic weapon?” Cole asked, holding up one.
Tinari's ears twitched, and she patiently replied, "Hmm... the design is quite unique. But remember to consume sugar in moderation, Cole."
He had barely finished speaking when he caught sight of the two people walking towards him.
Aren't these the two gods Feng and Yan who he just received yesterday?
"The Wind God..."
"Shh!" Wendy immediately made a shushing gesture, a slight smile playing on her lips.
He paused for a moment, then seemed to understand something, and simply smiled and nodded in greeting.
Zhongli returned his smile with a gentle one.
At that moment, Wendy's attention was completely drawn to the date and honey candy at the stall next to her.
Zhongli also saw the biscuit stall. He seemed very interested in the biscuit-making process of a type of biscuit baked with special spices from Sumeru, and discussed the philosophy of heat control and spice ratio with the stall owner.
Seeing this, Ti Na didn't bother them any further and took Cora elsewhere.
Wendy and Zhongli were having a great time shopping, and they soon arrived at Baoshang Street.
The place was bustling with noise, and Dixia was standing on a makeshift platform, her voice booming.
"...So, this is the 'Wall of Hope' project! The desert needs our help. As fellow Sumeru people, please lend a helping hand to these children!"
Her passionate speech attracted many people to stop and listen.
Wendy nodded repeatedly, then whispered to Zhongli, "That's a great idea, full of vibrant hope! Old man, how about sponsoring some Mora?"
Zhong Li pondered for a moment: "Hmm... the idea is indeed commendable. From a generally rational perspective, promoting employment and community building is a virtuous cycle."
"but....."
Zhongli pondered for a moment, then dropped a note into the donation box.
"What did you invest in, old man?" Wendy asked, puzzled.
"The expense report from the Hall of Rebirth, for ten million Mora," Zhongli said seriously.
"I believe the hall master would agree."
"Forehead....."
Wendy took two steps away from Zhong Li. He decided it was best not to go to the Hall of Rebirth anytime soon to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
"You two seem to be having a good time."
Eve's voice suddenly came from behind them.
They turned their heads and saw Eve in a gorgeous dress.
"That's strange, Eve. Weren't you going to the parade? Why are you here?" Wendy asked, puzzled.
"The previous steps were too complicated, so I sneaked out to get some fresh air."
“Eve, you’ve learned to slack off too.” Wendy gave him an “I understand” look.
"You always need to balance work and rest."
Eve shook her hand.
“However, won’t your people recognize you if you come out like this?” Zhongli asked.
"It's alright, just wear a scarf."
Eve put a veil over her face. "That way, I can recognize her."
The two were speechless. Wouldn't they be recognized like this?
But soon, reality proved them wrong, because Eve, wearing a veil, was not recognized by anyone.
The three of them went to the Grand Bazaar together.
On stage, Nilu is warming up for the opening of the Flower Goddess's Birthday Festival. Her dance is dreamlike and enchanting, as if she has truly attracted flowers and fairies to dance together.
Wendy was engrossed in watching, her fingertips unconsciously tapping a rhythm on her knees, as if responding to a silent melody.
Zhongli stared intently, as if admiring an ancient work of art.
Eve wore a contented smile, as if watching the most beautiful flower bloom in her carefully tended garden.
As the dance reached its climax, countless flower petals rained down from the sky.
Wendy took the opportunity to gently blow a breath, and a gentle breeze carried the petals, making them linger in the theater for a long time, refusing to fall, eliciting gasps and laughter from the audience.
Soon, the festival will begin.
Al-Hysen and Seno are frantically "hunting" Eve in the city.
After going through countless hardships, they finally found Eve in the Grand Bazaar.
"Lord Tree King, the parade is about to begin," Elhesen whispered.
Sino stood guard from the side.
“I understand…” Eve sighed helplessly.
She watched the dance on stage with reluctance, but could only leave with Elhesen and the others.
"Waaah—"
The sound of horns signaled the official opening of the Flower Goddess Festival.
Eve, dressed in a formal gown, is sitting on a float, touring the entire city of Sumeru.
When the crowd saw Eve, they cheered and shouted, their faces beaming with pride.
Because their god is still here, and the Great Tree King is still here.
As long as the Tree King is still here, Mount Sumeru will stand forever.
At the end of the festival, Eve quietly left the scene, still standing at the highest point of the Church, gazing at the entire city of Sumeru.
The celebrations for the Flower Goddess's birthday were not over yet; everyone was singing and dancing, and the atmosphere had reached its climax.
The appearance of Naxida signifies that Sumeru is entering a new era.
In the latter half of the Flower Goddess's Birthday Festival, the protagonist changed from Eve to Narcida.
Only Eve stood there, quietly watching all of this.
"It's so beautiful, don't you think?"
Eve rested her chin on one hand, leaning against the railing.
A bluish wind blew beside her.
"Yes, it's beautiful." Wendy appeared from the wind, leaning against the railing with her back turned.
"So, you're going to start being sentimental?"
“No…” Eve shook her head.
"I just have some regrets."
“I want to see more of this place.” Eve’s tone held a hint of determination.
At that moment, Wendy suddenly burst into laughter.
"It seems you've already discovered it."
"I thought someone was really going to perish here."
"Hahaha~"
Wendy's figure gradually blurred and turned into a guy wearing an orange mask.
"From the inexplicable plant research to the sudden Flower Goddess Festival, everything is telling me that this is still a dream."
"But I..."
Eve looked at Sumeru City with reluctance, her eyes gradually welling up with tears.
"So, you still can't let go of this place, even after knowing everything?" Aha's voice carried a faint laugh.
"I really, really, really want to stay here, even if it's just a dream."
“Because I don’t know what meaning there will be after I wake up.” Eve’s eyes began to darken.
The original green four-leaf clover was gradually stained black.
"The meaning..."
Aha turned around and looked up at the sky.
"I don't know either, but I do know that there should be laughter."
“Laughter?” Eve turned to look at Aha.
"Let me recommend a book, Aha Selects."
Ahha snapped his fingers, and a book fell into Eve's hands.
Don Quixote
Eve stared at the book, slightly lost in thought.
"You know what, my friend?"
"There is only one kind of heroism in the world: to love life even after knowing the absurdity of the world."
"It sounds like a joke, but it really is a joke."
"Of course I know it's all meaningless, and the universe will eventually go to heat death, but in the process of going to heat death, why don't we do something that makes us happy?"
"Perhaps life has no meaning, perhaps even existence itself has no meaning."
"But always remember one thing: meaning is something you find for yourself."
"Why not add a little joy as life marches toward nothingness?"
"Hahaha~~"
Listening to Aha's words, Eve looked down at the book.
She was silent.
Aha, who was standing nearby, suddenly burst out laughing. "I never thought Aha could say something so philosophical."
"That's great, I'll treat myself to some fun when I get back..."
Eve was not affected by Ahab.
She turned to the first page of Don Quixote, and everything stopped at that moment.
I, Don Quixote, embark on a journey in pursuit of a great dream!
I might be a bit crazy on my first adventure, but I don't care. This is my test!
[I was still a bit crazy during my second adventure, but I knew what I was doing. I might still be reckless, but I was much better.]
[On my third adventure, I was fully conscious, but I was unwilling to give up my dream of being a wandering knight. I wanted to try one last time... I defeated the Mirror Knight, but in the end, I was defeated by the White Moon Knight...]
The world laughs at my madness, mocks me, but so what? A great and righteous knight fears no one. I was once called the lewd knight, but so what? At least in their eyes I was a knight! And now I am the Lion Knight, though self-proclaimed, so what? I have proven my resolve, my courage!
I'm sorry, my friend Sancho, the barber, the priest, Maester Samson... and my niece and all those who love me, it seems I can no longer walk with you all, I have no way to be a shepherd with you...
【It's all because of these wretched adventures, these wretched chivalric romances, that I've become like this! Perhaps it's the physical torment of adventure, perhaps it's the dissipation of Dulcinea in my heart, perhaps it's the loss of adventure... I've finally come to my senses, but to those people, it seems that I'm the one who's truly ill now...】
[It wasn't until the eve of my death that I finally realized my mistake, and I regret that I realized it too late. But if you ask me if I regret my journey as a knight-errant, I will proudly tell you that I do not regret anything I did.]
I'm sorry, Sancho... Please forgive me for leaving you behind. You've suffered too much with me. This time, let me embark on a new adventure alone...
I, Don Quixote de la Mancha, will embark on my fourth adventure alone! This time, I will not hold anyone back! This time, I will never give up! This time, I am a true knight! A knight-errant who never rests! No matter how many times, until I reach my dream!
When Eve closed the book and looked up again after seeing the last page, the darkness in her pupils stopped spreading.
Eve turned to look at where Aha was, but found that Aha had disappeared.
When Eve lowered her head again, the copy of Don Quixote had turned into an orange mask.
It was the same mask that Aha had given her before, and it was also the mask that Aha wore.
At that moment, a sentence echoed in the sky: "Life must not sleep."
The aura emanating from the mask continued to rise until it broke through the Throne level.
Eve looked at the mask, as if she had figured something out.
"There is only one kind of heroism in the world: to love life even after knowing the absurdity of the world."
Meaning is something you find for yourself.
"I am going to find my own meaning."
Just as Eve was about to put on the mask, Narcida suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Mom, are you leaving?"
"Don't you want Nasita anymore?" Nasita reached out her hand, her eyes glistening with tears.
Eve looked at Narcida, her heart trembling.
"I'm sorry, Mom needs to find her own meaning, I'm sorry..." Tears welled up in Eve's eyes without her noticing.
Nasida fought back tears, as if she had made a decision.
"I understand, Mom."
"Then, Nasita will wait for you to come back, and will always be waiting for you."
Nasita's body gradually became illusory, and at the same time, everything around her began to shatter.
The 13th and final dream is about to collapse.
Eve panicked and tried to grab Narcida's hand, but she had already disappeared.
Goodbye, Mom..
"I hope you can find your own meaning."
As the dream collapsed, everything became nothingness.
"My own meaning..."
Eve looked at the mask in her hand and put it on without hesitation.
The moment the mask fit, the blackness in Eve's eyes vanished completely.
His aura exploded, and his joyful laughter resounded throughout the universe.
The throne of [Joy] is born at this moment.
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