The Past?

One bite, two bites... Li Yue chewed the food in her mouth mechanically. The whispers from earlier still echoed in her mind. She did not have much of an appetite, but fortunately, the food was served slowly and in very small portions. She could finish each dish in just one or two bites.

A melodious tune pulled her thoughts back, and a flicker of light appeared in her deadened eyes. Although she did not particularly like the content of the piece, the music’s soothing magic still significantly eased the mania within her. She let out a soft, tiny sigh.

The waiter then brought the first main course: beef from the northern ranches of Limbo in the Royal Court, paired with foie gras and truffle sauce. It had a powerful aromatic impact. Clo took a small taste and placed a hand over her lips, seemingly surprised by the flavor of the dish.

“How is it? The taste is quite good, isn't it?” Movella smiled slightly, raising her glass to lightly clink it against Clo’s. Li Yue also picked up her glass and clinked it with hers, purely as a matter of social etiquette.

“It is wonderful. Thank you for your generous hospitality.” Clo gently nudged Li Yue. Li Yue blinked, then gave a stiff thumbs up.

She could taste the complex flavors, but the food in front of her felt as if it were missing something vital. It was like eating Sichuan food and suddenly being unable to taste the chili. She felt that all the food lacked a certain quality—something only found in living things, called vitality.

“Does the palace of the Royal Court also have dishes like these?” Movella smiled gently at Li Yue, her light purple eyes shimmering with a soft, natural warmth.

“I believe every place has its own local specialties, but for a dish of this quality, I imagine the Royal Court has something similar.” Li Yue did not speak plainly. She did not tell the other woman that she was not from the Royal Court, nor did she say too much. She was neither surprised nor offended by the other's probing. After all, she looked very much like the royalty of the Royal Court, and she carried the scent of death upon her.

In fact, rather than saying she resembled the nobles of the Royal Court, it would be more accurate to say those nobles resembled her.

The Royal Court... Why did their faith begin to change? Was it... a power struggle or something similar?

If that were the case, could she truly leave naturally after she finished healing herself? This was, after all, a kingdom she had established. If the faith had changed... her believers being persecuted, their faith being tampered with... Why did she... have such a strange feeling?

Why... tamper with the faith of my subjects... Right, right... it is because He wants to be resurrected...

I cannot... I cannot let Him have His way... Why can't I let Him succeed? His resurrection should be His own business... Jormungandr, who does not want Him to revive... Then who am I?

No... there is some important reason... Those Twilight Gods... they absolutely... absolutely must not live again. Otherwise... this world will be, will be...

Li Yue rubbed the space between her brows. She felt a sharp, tearing headache. Was it the power of this music that allowed her to settle down and slowly ponder her memories? Yet something was still missing... some power was obscuring her memories... Tch.

If things continue like this... I absolutely cannot stand by. Then what... what can I do?

Li Yue looked up at the glass window in the ceiling. Her gaze could penetrate that transparent layer, yet she felt as if her thoughts were trapped inside, unable to spread outward at all, as if a force had locked her spirit in a cage.

The music grew increasingly loud, waves of sound vibrating against the dome. It seemed as if everything was shaking. Li Yue did not know what instruments were being played below, but she felt an extremely powerful force within the sound.

“This music... feels a bit familiar.” Clo thought back carefully, feeling as if she had heard this style somewhere before, yet she could not quite remember.

“This piece was written by a gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous for a certain student. After finishing the composition, he even performed a magic trick. The student's name seems to be Melina, a genius of the piano.” Movella pointed toward the stage, at the young lady in a black dress playing the piano in the center. “That is her. She has grown a bit thin. She originally came from a bitter, cold city.”

“A prominent figure from the Royal Court brought her here. She seems to be a faithful believer in ‘Death.’” Movella’s tone seemed to shift slightly. “But in a music academy... faith... can only be a seasoning for the accompaniment. So, whatever one’s faith is, it... doesn't really matter.”

Li Yue did not say much. She was trapped in a strange stream of thought, through which she seemed to glimpse fragments of images. She did not know if these images were memories of the past or hints of the future. She only saw herself—a solitary version of herself sitting alone in a grand hall. She wore a pitch-black crown, resting one hand upon scarlet blood crystals that formed her throne.

There was no one by her side, no one behind her. Her eyes held only cold killing intent and a contemptuous indifference. She almost completely ignored the crowd of people kneeling and prostrating themselves below.

Why... is there not a single person I recognize around me... Where is Clo... What... did I do?

Is this... the past?

Li Yue sat in a daze, not noticing that the music had already ended. Her thoughts were forced back to reality. She panted slightly, her attention wavering, but eventually, she focused back on the stage.

The scenery on the stage began to change slowly. The crowd cleared a space in the center, and at that moment, the whispers in Li Yue’s ears became clearer than ever.

What... is this?