"When moonlight sprinkles on my face."
"I think my appearance is about to change..."
Inside the hotel room, Shiayar hummed a tune while activating his spiritual power, confirming the various items in his Spatial Pocket and Soul Pact Space.
Item reserves confirmed without error.
Mental state passable.
Mechanical constructs, the Undying Metal 'Dragon Serpent Mercury', Black Knight Mecha, Spirit Particles Nuclear Fusion Array... confirmation complete.
Ready perfectly.
It was still the same confirmation ritual as before the finale of the Echo of History of the Ancient Dukedom Azure Garden.
After completing all this, Shiayar slowly turned around. Then, he looked toward Enola and Silvia standing behind him.
"So, let's begin."
Shiayar's voice was very calm, as if the task he was about to undertake was merely an ordinary outing.
Yet, in the eyes of the silver-haired witch behind him, those words weighed immensely heavy.
Silvia gazed at the young man before her: black hair, dark eyes, a tall and slender figure. His handsome face was sculpted with deep features, his expression indifferent, making it difficult to perceive his true thoughts. He looked identical to the youth Silvia had seen amidst the burning ruins on the day the Ancient Dukedom Azure Garden fell.
It was this black-haired young man who had rescued Silvia from the boundless Darkness, given her the courage to live, and become the most dazzling light in her life.
But unlike that night, at this very moment, Silvia knew in her heart that the determination in the young man's eyes was not for her, but for another woman.
Silvia's lips parted slightly, but she stopped herself. She merely felt the sourness and bitterness rising in her heart. It was a long while before she felt somewhat better.
Shiayar once again heard the ethereal voice echo in his spiritual sea.
"Brother Shiayar, are you really sure you want to enter the Echo of History again?"
However, compared to her usual calm, indifferent, and clear voice, Silvia's words now carried an indescribable conflict.
"When you returned from history a thousand years ago, you should have realized just how turbulent the River of Time has become. Even when flowing downstream to return to your original node, Brother Shiayar, you nearly lost yourself in the Fissures of Time. Let alone attempting to travel upstream once more."
Silvia looked into Shiayar's eyes. "Brother Shiayar, I know you still hold secrets... Otherwise, with only your Second or Third Ring strength, it would have been impossible for you to travel through history to my side. But..." Her ethereal voice faltered slightly. "You should realize this time is different."
"Yes, this time is different." Shiayar nodded frankly.
Through his second Soul Pact, he had already clearly received feedback from Shiny. Relying on Shiny's power alone, the path to the Echo of History was now heavily obstructed, and re-entry would be exceedingly difficult.
"That's why I need you, Silvia, and Ennie to remain in the current timeline to break through the River of History for me. At the same time, use the Sacred Spear, and relying on the bond between us, serve as a guide and beacon for my return from the River of History."
Silvia's lips moved slightly. "Do you really have to go?"
Her voice was still ethereal and clear, yet it now carried a hint of turbulence.
"How should I put it..." Shiayar thought for a moment, then spoke softly, "Actually, speaking purely from an absolute rational standpoint, there's no necessity for me to enter the Echo of History again."
That statement was true. His second system task had actually been completed. Though it was accidental, Shiayar had indeed acquired a notorious title like 'Kingdom's Bane.' Most of the task rewards had already been distributed. Even if he could gain further rewards from re-entering the Echo of History, they would be entirely disproportionate to the risks involved.
As for so-called erroneous history, there was even less need to be concerned. Just as the Knowledge Holy Chalice had said: "The Imaginary Zone will eventually be corrected by the Corrective Force. All distortions and errors will be rectified, and those who have wrought these errors will be erased..." This principle had been imprinted at the very foundation of this world since its existence began. From the First Era to the present, this maxim has never been broken.
That was why, even after Isadella committed such an outrageous and shocking deed, almost all Demigods and True Gods remained indifferent, aside from the Dawn Church, which attempted to intervene. It was precisely because they knew that everything Isadella was currently doing was nothing more than an ephemeral illusion, a dream bubble. Since it was a bubble, then no matter how prosperous, how adorned with flowers on brocade, it would eventually burst one day. This was merely a matter of time. The lifespan of Fabled Creatures is incredibly long, enough to span the changes of Eras. In their eyes, Isadella's actions were akin to chasing phantoms, utterly meaningless. She was squandering her hard-won Throne in vain.
"But..." Shiayar shook his head slightly. He looked into Silvia's silver eyes without avoiding them. "Unfortunately, Silvia, as you can see, I am precisely the sort of person who chases such dreamlike illusions."
Shiayar smiled. "If the current me doesn't pull back Her Royal Highness the Princess who has gone astray, then Shiayar would no longer be Shiayar. It was just like back in the Ancient Dukedom Azure Garden. No matter how sincere and heartfelt the invitations from Norton or the Ancient God of Twilight were, they weren't merely humoring me. They genuinely wanted to share power and a Divine Throne with me..."