342 No
“You’re back.” William heard heavy footsteps behind him and asked without turning his head.
“Yes, I’m back…” Floral replied tiredly.
With that said, she turned around and looked at the Frost Soul behind her before continuing, “Also, I brought back the empire ambassador you requested me to capture alive.”
The Frost Soul that emitted a cold aura was frozen with the empire ambassador from before. Its entire body was punctured in holes filled with frozen blood, and its face was frozen in shock—it was as if it hadn’t expected to suffer such a fierce attack before it lost consciousness.
However, on the other hand, Floral’s tired expression made it clear that despite having overwhelming strength, she didn’t seem to have an easy victory in this battle despite the overwhelming difference in strength.
Floral was also covered in wounds—some of them were physical.
Without waiting for William to continue, Floral lowered her head slightly and said in a tone that was half bitter and half respectful,
“Moreover, I finally understand why you asked me to go alone, Presiding Judge…”
The other party could have resolved the matter with a wave of his hand, but he made an unnecessary move by giving her those precious items and letting her resolve it herself. This wasn’t a whim of this absolute powerhouse, nor was it out of restraint to maintain his status as someone superior… She figured it out when the truth was revealed. In fact, this savior from more than a thousand years ago, a mighty existence consecrated as the Eighth Holy Spirit by later generations, had long known all of this.
He was just giving her a chance to face the truth and… hoping that she could make the choice she deserved.
With this in mind, Floral closed her eyes and opened them again. The confusion in her eyes was swept away.
She said firmly, “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely be like Mr. Nehe back then and completely exile myself to World’s End with the same beliefs…”
William turned around slowly.
William originally wanted to hear Floral explain the situation in detail, but he wasn’t sure why she suddenly mentioned Nehe.
Did this matter have anything to do with Nehe?
In William’s short conversation with Zamara, the Dreamer reminded him that Floral, who could use the Forest Elf souls as casting fuel, had a close relationship with the gradually assimilated Matriarch. The gradually awakening Matriarch was an important condition for the Lady of Starvation to rebirth in Currere.
William asked her to face the Webweaver alone because he wanted information. After all, the Webweaver was a Lunar Monster under Beatrice. Lying was almost instinctive—something even they couldn’t control themselves. Even if he threatened eternal destruction, he couldn’t obtain much useful information.
The only way to get them to tell the truth was if the truth could affect the battle. If William took action personally, the Webweaver would lie knowing there would be no change in the outcome no matter what it said.
But why was Nehe suddenly brought up? Was it because he was Floral’s teacher across a timespan of a millennium?
Although his mind was filled with question marks, William comforted her without batting an eyelid.
“Do you really plan on doing that? You have to know that Nehe chose to banish himself to the Ruins of Orsis back then. Don’t tell me you think you can resolve everything by self-exile?”
Even with this level of experience, William knew that the Ruins of Orsis wasn’t suitable for living beings. It wasn’t easy for a Divine Realm magic chanter to survive there for long periods.
William originally planned on persuading Floral not to have such extreme thoughts, but his words had a completely different meaning to Floral.
Floral fell silent for a long time.
Yes, at this point, why did she still have the hope of living? Was it because of her unfulfilled wish to see the world beyond Ravenwood?
Perhaps it was because Mr. Nehe didn’t choose to end his life back then that caused all kinds of unforeseen events, causing the Forest Elves’ salvation to be delayed until now…
With this in mind, Floral said in a firmer tone than before, “You’re right. Exile can’t resolve these problems. When I return to the correct timeline with you, I’ll immediately end my cursed life. I’ll personally write the final termination charm for such a warped and ludicrous story that has lasted for more than 5,000 years.”
That’s not what I meant…
William felt a headache coming on. “What I mean is…”
“I understand, Presiding Judge. Don’t worry. When I truly herald my destiny, I will shoulder my responsibility. Since I’ve obtained Mr. Nehe’s legacy, I will naturally do my best to complete his unfinished business.”
Floral’s face was filled with determination as if she was about to die for the cause.
William couldn’t take it anymore. He tapped the magical medium in his hand and said, “Since I’m here, there’s no need for you or anyone to risk everything. You should do something more valuable with your life.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it still silenced the surrounding people.
After a while, Floral whispered, “Even if I’m Camilla’s child like Mr. Nehe?”
Her voice was very sincere, and there was even a hint of trembling from fear and nervousness.
Therefore, William determined that the other party wasn’t joking.
Then, he repeated, “Even if… you’re Camilla’s child like Nehe…”
He only moved his lips, but his teeth were clenched tight.
William’s heart was filled with shock, the thought ‘what are you talking about’ running through his head.
Originally, he had guessed that Floral’s true identity was probably regarding her being secretly controlled by the Lady of Starvation. What was even more tragic was that she was a puppet-like existence.
He didn’t expect the truth to be so enthralling.
Most importantly… Nehe was the same?
Recalling Nehe’s unreasonable and unbalanced magical realm in the early stages, some bad thoughts began to surface in William’s mind.
If this is the truth… that explains many things.
William immediately asked, “Did Nehe leave any information about what needs to be done in the inheritance he left for you?”
“I seem to remember…” Floral tried to recall when she heard this question. A moment later, she held her forehead in pain.
Most of her memories came from the body on the other timeline, and the memories a soul on another side could carry were limited.
However, something that Floral should have forgotten suddenly became clear in her mind, as if a god outside Currere had wiped the dust from her memories.
“I seem to remember… Lord Nehe’s records have similar statements about letting future generations use the power of the Lady of Starvation to completely destroy the core of the World Tree,” Floral replied.
This seemed to be the deal William had hoped to make when he first met her.
“Very good. Then, it’s clear what needs to be done next.”
William looked at the squirming mountain of flesh in the distance and said. In this timeline, the core of the World Tree is probably an important symbol for Camilla.
In addition, Zamara had previously given him advice. He could also use the Ironstone Oath to resonate with it and break through the restrictions of timelines.
Therefore, was the Lady of Starvation’s Origin of the Moon there?
William moved immediately.
But… but then again, before leaving, William looked at the bloated and ugly World Tree in the distance and thought.
If what Floral, or rather, the Webweaver, said was true, wouldn’t he be the first person in Judgment to know Nehe’s true identity other than Nehe himself?
If that was the case, he had to hide this secret from Remides and the others.
