Kill Me...

The cathedral hall was somewhat dim, with only a sliver of light filtering through the water-blue glass, casting a heavy blue hue that shrouded the pews in deep, orchid-blue shadows. People bowed their heads in prayer as a black-robed cleric solemnly read from the pulpit.

The melodious piano music echoed through the hall, clearly audible even to Li Yue behind the wall. The bishop leading her forward carried a tray of candles as he walked. Li Yue remained silent; she simply found the melody familiar.

“《In That Deep Blue Tomb》,” the bishop said as they walked. His pale gold hair looked almost white in the darkness. Li Yue nodded, having no specific memory of the name. The melody was familiar, perhaps she had heard it before, and the name was merely something added by later generations.

“This is a melody we discovered in a set of ruins buried deep on the ocean floor. We might not have even sensed it if not for a faint trace of the Divine Lord’s aura,” the bishop said with a smile. “We attempted to restore the sections that had faded away and gave it a name.”

“Your Lord... is the ‘Specter,’ isn't he?” Li Yue asked without hesitation. Her voice carried a slight breathlessness, as if she were already quite exhausted.

She gently waved her hand, refusing the gestures of the surrounding servants who wanted to support her. She adjusted her breathing, trying to make the sense of fatigue feel a bit lighter.

“Indeed. Although this is the realm of the God of Death, Her style alone is no longer enough to ensure the Royal Court's long-term peace and stability.” The bishop’s voice was calm. He admitted it quite readily, giving Li Yue an answer from a perspective she hadn't heard before.

“Perhaps you are right. But in my heart, the best rule should be managed by a great deity.” Li Yue thought for a moment. Her expression was subtle, as if she were pondering something.

“That would naturally be for the best. With the blessing of divinity, such a deity would surely make the best decisions.” The walking bishop smiled, his pace gradually slowing down.

“Divinity... if there is no pollution, absolute divinity is excellent. It’s just too painful.” Li Yue’s voice grew quieter and quieter, as if she had already considered everything.

“Regrettably, no more gods will descend, and no more magic users will become gods. In the end, it is all just a fantasy.” The bishop sighed softly. He didn't seem to care much about the potential blasphemy or rudeness in Li Yue’s blunt words; he merely smiled and didn't press the matter.

“Perhaps there are still magic users who can become gods, but the path... is likely one in a million.” Li Yue shrugged. She knew that these believers could never become gods.

“If such a person truly exists, I hope that deity can lead the world to a better place. We are merely struggling forward through the mire.” The bishop gave a bitter smile. He gently pushed open a door, and the room beyond opened up. A giant stone statue stood there with its arms lowered, seemingly granting forgiveness to the world.

“A statue of the ‘Specter’... how beautiful... I didn't expect to see Him again...” Li Yue murmured softly. As she looked at the stone statue, fragments of memory seemed to be revived. Those tangled, messy memories began to grow clear. The beautiful yet slightly melancholy face from her memories gradually came into focus.

“I seem to have... mixed up some memories... but the result hasn't changed. Regardless... everything is already set in stone.” Li Yue pursed her lips, a trace of sorrow appearing in her eyes. Her face lacked much expression; she looked cold, as if she had become numb to everything.

“I hope our purification ritual can ease your pain...” The bishop sighed softly. He could only see the blood-colored soul bound within that petite body as a blur.

“Even He couldn't escape this pain; how could your purification ritual possibly do it?” Li Yue didn't say the words aloud. She had already clearly perceived the strength of the people before her. They were all followers of the Specter, all masters of His magic.

“Have you ever enslaved human souls?” Li Yue suddenly asked. She had already felt those suffering souls, but she sensed them from among the group of followers behind her.

“At one point, almost everyone did. It is less common now.” The bishop watched several followers as they inscribed complex magic runes. “The Divine Lord’s codex once described a scene of Him enslaving souls, but in those ruins, we found another record. It stated that one must not enslave the souls of living beings.”

“How contradictory.” Li Yue walked slowly onto the ritual circle. Her blood-red eyes looked coldly at everyone present.

“So, the focus of many believers’ magic shifted toward influencing the soul.” The bishop smiled faintly. “Like me... I am not very good at combat. My duty became the guiding of souls, which is why I preside over most of the rituals.”

“Out of so many believers, you are the one who resembles Him most.” Li Yue gave a mocking smile, the blood-red color in her eyes gradually intensifying.

“Severing the soul... cutting away the polluted parts?” Li Yue glanced at the runes on the ground, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She looked at the group of heretics before her, feeling something within her body being drawn out by these magic runes.

That past memory... was likely truly a dream. Aside from that fantasy-like memory, there was nothing on her body to prove that world existed. Even the soul she once thought belonged to an ordinary person... looking at it now...

It was clearly a... giant snake covered in scales... There wasn't a single trace of that memory left... I am Jormungandr... there was never a single moment where I was the so-called Li Yue...

Come... look clearly at my filthy soul... and then... hahahahahahaha...

Kill me!