Chapter 421: Chapter 190: Step Out! _2
Even if it is just a flimsy piece of paper as proof, a casual promise, or an inexplicable recognition, it’s enough to keep you strong.
Yes, your wish is really small."
As Bologue spoke, Aimou climbed out of the dumpster. She walked out of the alley with her back to Bologue, who also climbed out.
Their pace was steady, not too fast or slow, maintaining a safe distance.
Bologue suddenly said, "Are you afraid that I will reject you?"
He remembered the dilemma Aimou had mentioned—a choice that could only be made by oneself, as relying on others might lead to greater harm.
With that in mind, Bologue began to realize the importance of a healthy educational environment for individual awareness. Look at what Teda had turned Aimou into.
"Aimou, you only have the theories of humans but never put them into practice. If you don’t try, you’ll never know what will happen.
Just like your fear of my rejection. If you don’t ask for my help, how will you know whether I’ll refuse you or help you?"
Aimou stopped, speaking without turning her head, "Because I understand you. You’re an expert, a cold-blooded and efficient expert, who only makes rational and decisive choices without letting personal emotions influence you."
Aimou had shared joyous and bloody experiences with Bologue. She knew well the demeanor of this expert when he was working.
"Is that all? Then your understanding of me is too shallow," Bologue shook his head. "Since things are like this, why not give it a try?"
Silence lingered between them. A strong ether reaction rose in the distance, like a Death God claiming their time for chatting was running out.
"Why did you save me in the Abandoned Land?" Aimou asked. "You gave me the ether and went into dormancy yourself."
"It’s just dormancy, not truly dying. Besides, we’re brothers through life and death, aren’t we?"
Bologue then recounted his old banter with Palmer, "I once devised a plan with Palmer. If we ever encounter an unbeatable situation, I allowed Palmer to use me as a meat shield to carry me away from the battlefield.
You understand what I mean, right? He runs in front, and I take the bullets behind him. After all, I’m not an Undead, am I?"
Aimou couldn’t help but laugh. The image was absurdly comical even in imagination.
"My God, Bologue, it’s always like this, it’s always like this..."
"Why ’always like this’?"
"Every time I decide, you always come out and show me a little hope. Like that time in the Abandoned Land, if you hadn’t given me the ether, I would have already started my plan."
"Is it the same this time?"
"Probably. Honestly, remembering such an embarrassing look is terrible, but you’re an Undead, and I can’t kill you to silence you."
"Ahahaha," Bologue laughed a few times. "You said you trust me."
"But the more I trust you, the more I dare not express my requests to you. If you reject me too, it would be too heartbreaking."
"Why do you think I would definitely reject you? You also need to ask to know the answer, don’t you?"
The conversation fell silent and remained so for a long time, until a hesitant voice broke it.
"Then... the time for choice has come, Bologue Lazarus."
Aimou turned around, her words growing firm and devoid of any emotion.
"Are you going to act as an expert of the Order Bureau and apprehend me to maintain their assets, or will you remain as my friend, doing nothing and letting me go to pursue my own wish?"
Bologue did not respond, and Aimou took a deep look at him before turning to leave.
Aimou felt an inexplicable lightness as Bologue did not stop her but let her go, which should have been the best ending. Yet she still felt a bit sad, not knowing where this sadness stemmed from.
As Aimou was about to leave the alley, a wall of earth shot up, blocking her path. Her body was pulled into the air, caught by the Silver Hand, dragging her back to Bologue’s side.
"Are you really going to stop me!"
As expected, no one would choose her, not even Bologue. He was a ruthless expert, and she was merely his mission objective.
Aimou turned around to punch, but her punch hit the air, met instead by an embrace.
Aimou froze; Bologue’s shout echoed in her ears, further confusing her already bewildered mind.
"I choose the third option!
I want to maintain the Order Bureau’s properties while helping you fulfill your wish!"
Bologue released Aimou, then grabbed her face with both hands, forcing her to look him in the eyes.
"Do you understand now, Aimou!"
Aimou was utterly stunned, unable to comprehend the situation. She had never expected such a development. She tried to break free from Bologue’s grasp, but her body wouldn’t obey, standing there like a scolded child.
"Damn it, listen! Aimou!
I acknowledge your existence, affirm the soul within you, and believe in everything about you!"
Aimou didn’t reminisce; her mind could no longer handle this. She was completely sluggish.
Bologue quickly explained with none of his previous gentleness left, his tone extremely stern, "After the next time reversal, find a way to escape and meet me here, do you understand?"
Bologue practically shouted it.
"If you don’t try, you’ll never know what will happen. Even if I dismantle the cage trapping you completely, if you’re unwilling to take that first step yourself, no one can save you. Do you understand?
You’re just one step away, Aimou, step out, wait for me here. I will come to save you!"
No sooner had his words fallen than the Negative Power User’s ether response loomed near, a roaring sound wave destroying the street, with thick roots closing in on the pair.
The King’s Shield Guards had arrived, their oppressive ether presence like an approaching storm.
"Remember! Step out!"
Bologue roared, extinguishing the radiant light on Aimou’s chest.
The Fantasy Species damaged, a brilliant white light exploded in an instant, sweeping around and swallowing the entire city. After reaching its peak, it collapsed again.
When Aimou regained her sight, she had returned to the starting point of everything.
In this familiar hideout, Aimou looked somewhat dazed as scenes from before kept playing before her eyes, filling her mind.
She was puzzled about what was happening, indescribable thoughts tangled in her mind like venomous snakes biting each other.
A fuzzy touch lingered in her chest, as if the earlier embrace was just an illusion.
This was no illusion. Aimou believed it was real, undeniably real.
Something moved in the stillness, Aimou lifted her head to find the record player, its record spinning slowly like a vortex, swallowing everything in the world into a pitch-black abyss with the singing never ceasing, rising from the shadows.
"Break through the darkness, dispel the suffering.
Bestow blessings, welcome rebirth."
Aimou didn’t know how to describe her feelings at this moment, her hands began to tremble, causing her entire body to shake as well.
The halo in her eyes contracted sharply, as if seeking help from the door.
Bologue’s words arrived in her ears, reigniting an extinguished flame that flickered into countless stars in the wind.
Step out!
Aimou hesitantly got up and began to walk, her pace quickening, her eyes becoming more determined.
"Examine your soul, touch your heart."
The small room suddenly expanded greatly, like a boundless prairie, even if Aimou used all her strength, she couldn’t escape this place.
But this time, Aimou didn’t stop. She saw the towering doorway, beyond which lay her wish.
Step out!
The darkness behind her stirred, and in a trance, it seemed as though countless hands were reaching out to drag Aimou back into the darkness, but she didn’t care, running forward without a backward glance.
Step out!
The darkness howled and faded, the melody of destruction cheered unabatedly. Countless people celebrated this moment, united in voice, praising the Saint, a chorus of jubilation!
"So radiant! So holy!
He is the Saint!"
Aimou pushed open the heavy door and stepped out, rushing toward redemption.