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Chapter 804 - 802: "Watch a Wedding.

Chapter 804: Chapter 802: "Watch a Wedding.

Year 72 of the Catastrophe, January 1st, the Dawn War is declared over.

The war leaders Yasa Acto, Xi, Mela, and others are handling post-war matters, and the memorial for the fallen is in preparation.

Under the ginkgo trees by the river, a blond-haired young man gazes at the wildflowers covering the mountains and fields, as well as the hundreds of slowly passing black coffins in the distance.

In his vision, tens of thousands... no, countless people are following these coffins. As the sun sets, their robes are dyed a golden hue, like a flowing river. For a moment, they all seem to be wearing a unified golden ceremonial attire.

This river flows from within the city-state outwards, passing through streets and alleys, across broad plazas, and narrow lanes. It feels as if a silent, vast, and heavy strength gathers, crushing the light spots beneath their footsteps. The funeral procession stretches for miles, from one end of the horizon to the other.

What they encircle are pitch-black coffins.

Due to the vast number of casualties in the war, many names are untraceable, and these coffins do not contain the bodies or ashes of specific individuals but the relics left by numerous fallen ones.

Some are blood-stained hairpins, some are tattered family photos, some are torn handkerchiefs, even a feather, a tea leaf... These relics are not entirely collected, unable to cover every fallen one, but their bones have long melted into this land over time.

Beneath their feet is their homeland.

"Clatter——"

White birds flap their wings, snowy feathers falling from the sky. A child looks up, gazing at the golden light beneath the sky. Today’s sunshine is exceptionally good, even after a night of cold rain in the city-state, it has dried, and as the child looks up, his eyes are filled with warm golden light.

The sunlight is so good, evoking a tearful impulse.

It’s as if it can burn away the entire 2,300 simulations, enduring snowy winters of forty years.

Suddenly, a loud voice comes from the hill below. A middle-aged man leads a team toward the procession.

"——Five hundred sixty-two warriors of the Freedom Alliance, bidding farewell to the fifty-three million six hundred and forty thousand soldiers who perished in the war."

At the front of the procession, a white-haired old lady glanced at them and nodded. They naturally merged into the funeral procession, progressing slowly as part of a winding black dragon.

"——One thousand two hundred thirty-six judges of the Tribunal, bidding farewell to the fifty-three million six hundred and forty thousand soldiers who perished in the war."

Another voice arrives, and the city-state gates swing open. A long line emerges, each person holding a small black box.

The procession continues to grow, as more and more groups join, like rivers flowing into the sea.

"——Two thousand five hundred sixty-four residents of Hope City, bidding farewell to the fifty-three million six hundred and forty thousand soldiers who perished in the war." Yalin, with his gray-hair, leads a massive crowd, all with solemn expressions.

"——One thousand six hundred fifty-eight residents of Antofa City..." followed by another group.

"——One thousand three hundred forty-four residents of Luo City..."

"——One thousand one hundred sixty-eight residents of Xibimi City..."

"..."

"..."

More and more people join the funeral procession, each group representing different forces that participated in this brutal and lengthy war over forty years.

Rivers flow into rivers, forming new rivers over time. The river turns into the sea, the flow into the sea continues endlessly.

Until a clear voice rings out——

"——Two members of the Battle Corps, bidding farewell to the fifty-three million six hundred and forty thousand soldiers who perished in the war."

This is the smallest of all the forces, compared to the groups of hundreds or thousands, it seems minuscule.

There are only two of them.

In the breeze, Che strides forward, the blood-red cloak billowing behind him. Beside him is a girl with a slender sword at her side, also cloaked in blood-red, holding a black urn box. The box contains humanity’s monument.

A pure white lily is tied to the urn, its petals moistened with dew.

The first bouquet of lilies in spring has withered, but the second, third... thousands have the opportunity to bloom. An elder from the Kylstia Family, already gray-haired, walks in the brilliant sunlight with his granddaughter.

"——Pulaya of one of the Nine Alliances, bidding farewell to the fifty-three million six hundred and forty thousand soldiers who perished in the war."

A red-haired man comes forward, not accompanied by a grand procession, and his voice isn’t loud. He merely whispers it and blends into the crowd.

"——Violet of the Free Force, leading one hundred twenty-nine mercenaries, bidding farewell to the fallen soldiers."

Violet, along with the willing players, participates in this funeral. The war moved these players who call themselves the Fourth Catastrophe; despite no system rewards for joining the funeral, they came to participate.

"——Hawk Hound under Dong Xu, Xu Dong, leading three hundred ninety-four Hawk Guardian Army, bidding farewell to the fallen soldiers."

"——Mela and Cheng Luohe of Eden, leading two hundred ninety-eight researchers, bidding farewell to the fallen soldiers."

Then there is Mela, the old lady with the Eden emblem, and the one-eyed sniper Cheng Luohe.

"——Yaoguang Anita..."

"——Six hundred eighty-five residents of the Thirteen Cities..."

Soldiers, generals, ordinary residents, vagrants, mercenaries, players, students, farmers... people from various professions gather in the procession.

In the surging sea of people, some weep silently, and some are stern-faced. The sunset descends, even the coffins shimmer with a layer of radiant gold.

The Ruined World is vast, not everyone can be present, but it seems all remembrance converges here, bringing closure to this vast war.

As the smoke dissipates, white birds swirl and sing. This is the spring earned from the fervent burning of countless lives.

On the distant hillside, Noel watches this scene.

He whispers to the air:

"In ’The Brothers Karamazov,’ it is said—I love mankind, but I am baffled by myself: the more I love humanity as a whole, the less love I have for specific individuals. I often passionately plan to sacrifice for humanity, yet if I have to share a room with someone, I can’t bear it for even two days: the more I loathe the individual, the more fervent my love becomes for humanity as a whole."

He stopped his self-talk, murmuring softly: "...so, is there some kind of ’program’ controlling you?"

As he pondered, a "girl" dressed in a Lolita skirt came over.

"Noel, if nothing unexpected happens, tomorrow will be the final day of the instance." Yamada Machiichi said.

Noel halted his self-talk and smiled at Yamada Machiichi:

"Yes, today is February 5th. The day after tomorrow we can catch the seventh day of the New Year in the Dragon Country and make up for a celebration."

"I remember you’re from Yu Country?" Yamada Machiichi said.

"Not really." Noel shook his head: "But celebrating the New Year with you guys should be interesting. When I traveled across the world before, no one accompanied me during these holidays. Meeting you all seems to have made many things interesting."

He said as he fiddled with something in his palm.

Only then did Yamada Machiichi notice that Noel was holding a snow-white bird, which seemed to like Noel very much, continuously nuzzling Noel’s palm.

"If we return the day after tomorrow... I’ve already got a rough plan." Noel said: "On the first day, following the Dragon Country traditions, shall we make dumplings together, cut paper, paste Spring Festival couplets, and prepare a New Year’s feast? Will Su Ming’an like these?"

Being a Fusang native, Yamada Machiichi pondered for a moment: "I’m not too familiar with the Dragon Country’s holidays."

Ordinary Dragon Country people might feel bored with activities like making dumplings. But for Su Ming’an, who hasn’t had a family since age ten... perhaps these activities are indeed novel.

Noel softly said: "I hear Dragon Country people like having crowds. How about we invite more people?"

"Hmm..." Yamada Machiichi noticed the glint in Noel’s eyes and didn’t know how to respond.

"Lin Yin definitely has to be invited, Luna and Lu might also be possible, but as for someone like Lv Shu..." Noel frowned here: "If Lv Shu isn’t around, Su Ming’an won’t be happy... Looks like Lv Shu must be included. And Su Rin... I don’t think Su Rin will come; I can hardly imagine him making dumplings."

"Do you think Lv Shu is still alive?" Yamada Machiichi said.

"I’ve guessed who Lv Shu is, so he should still be alive." Noel said.

"Who!" Yamada Machiichi became anxious.

But Noel shook his head without speaking: "As for the second day, we shall go to the New World Guild together. I’ve already instructed Seruo to craft suitable weapons for each of you. In the afternoon on the second day, how about we go to the zoo? I heard there’s an area with a super large zoo. Whether it’s feeding white pigeons in the plaza or visiting the botanical garden to see flowers, it must be interesting."

"On the third day, we can freely choose where to go. If Su Ming’an’s Ruler’s Skill upgrades, maybe we can even visit Pulaya? Yamada Machiichi, is there anywhere you want to go?"

"I..."

Seeing Noel, who was unusually talkative, Yamada Machiichi felt increasingly heavy-hearted.

Noel is always like this, using optimism to cover the crisis. Even though it’s Noel himself who is now in the most dangerous situation, he keeps thinking about how to bring joy to everyone.

When the Ninth World ends, Noel will certainly be taken away by the organizers for investigation... as for the outcome of the investigation, no one knows what it will be.

Whether everything goes on as usual, or Noel can never participate in games again, or the most tragic ending... Yamada Machiichi feels fearful himself.

"Noel, aren’t you afraid?" Yamada Machiichi looked at Noel.

Noel’s voice paused.

His blue pupils slightly trembled, but no extra emotion appeared in his eyes.

"I’m afraid." After a moment, Noel spoke.

"Afraid?" Yamada Machiichi listened to this and stared at Noel’s face, but didn’t see any hint of fear.

"I actually am very afraid." Noel repeated.

Even when saying this, he maintained his smile, like a perfect porcelain doll, making people think he always smiled.

"Yamada, of course I’m afraid." Noel said: "I’m afraid I’ll never see those children again, afraid I’ll be detained with unfounded charges, afraid I’ll never embark on a journey again. Losing life and freedom is scary for anyone."

Saying this, Noel lifted his head and gazed at those black coffins in the distance: "But some things that make you unwilling allow me to transcend beyond these fears."

Su Ming’an is worth it; everything he does is worth it, taking that blow is worth it.

Yamada Machiichi blinked and suddenly said: "Noel, if you have authority, then you will surely lead us all to victory. If you don’t have authority, then you’ll be safe and sound. Both results are excellent, so, I think the future might really be good."

Noel slightly froze, looking at Yamada Machiichi’s determined eyes.

He smiled gently.

"Right."

"The future might indeed be wonderful."

"Yamada, I figured out what we can do on the third day."

"What?" Yamada Machiichi asked, puzzled.

"..."

Reflected in Noel’s pupils were memories.

Scenes of memory floated in his mind, accompanied by a past he had never spoken about.

Flower bouquet, ring, wedding cake, chapel, orchestra, clock at twelve midnight.

His hand gently clenched. The white bird flew from his hand, landed on his shoulder, lightly pecking his cheek.

His smile was extremely pure, untainted by any dirt, always bringing warmth to others. The breeze lifted his golden hair, as if sharing symbiosis with the white bird kissing him.

"Yamada Machiichi, I want to," Noel said:

"Witness a wedding with you all."