“ I am here to review you.”
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I silently wait for him to continue.
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“Why do you think birds fly?” The man before me asked me a question, from a man who is died a long time ago. It was a question Velvet asked me when she hasn’t known me as a former Shepherd. At the moment I heard the question, I know it is an important question to both Artorius and Velvet to review a person, and I still answer the same answer I once answered Velvet.
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Things happened when we arrived at the destination of the ‘Trial of Void’ to succeed the power, a few moments before, we were having casual talk…...
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(location: Earthpulse passage, Underground)
Sorey Pov
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Through the dark rift, here we entered the earthpulse, a place filled with blue light and aura of mystery and safety. The place is very different from the place on earth, but it still gives a down-earth feeling even when rocks are floating in the air. I am sure the place is the same kind to where I went with Mikleo, Edna and Maotelus. The scenery is almost the same as the place we passed through. The name of the place is called earthpulse passage.
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“We are in the earthpulse, is it? Edna.”
“That’s right. I understand why Mao-boy didn’t mention the trial to anyone until now.” Edna said.
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“Why then?” Mikleo asked.
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“No one supposes to be able to access the place unless they open a rift to enter. It is indeed a place doesn’t need protection normally.” Edna explained.
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“Indeed, even when I have traveled 500 years, my first access to this place is in this era.” Mikleo said.
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They are right, it is not supposed to be a place to travel.
“The place is cleaner than it was.” Velvet commented while looking around, seeing no hellion in her sight.
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“You mean you have been to this place before, Velvet?” I asked curiously when it is special to travel here. She was acting very normal and indifferent even when she entered the place. If she had been here before, it explained it. Still, I wonder if she had felt excited when she entered such a place the first time. It is certainly an exciting experience to view such a cool place the first time.
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“Yeah. Totally by accident though, and I didn’t know how I got to that place. I heard Phi opened the rift and we escaped from Artorius that time.” Velvet said while recalling her memory, still no excitement in the expression. I should not be surprised, her journey started to revenge, she would barely enjoy the journey at the beginning.
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“I remember it was Eizen dragged and carried you away immediately at that time. You all jumped into the rift and I followed behind so not to let you guys getting away.” Eleanor recalled. Sounds like it was a moment they were enemy.
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Edna gave a helpless smile as she heard things about her brother.
“It was indeed….Eizen was the one I saw in first eyes after Phi...And we had an impressive encounter with you in the earthpulse.” Velvet held her chin and pondered.
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“Yeah, it was the first time I saw a daemon worried about malak. That’s what made me doubt at that time.” Eleanor chuckled when she continues to recall, digging more detail out that I believe we are all interested.
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“I am glad that you doubt and saved Phi there.”
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I am impressed as the topic continues around the former exorcist and former therion, the place indeed not memorable to Velvet in the way I do but it is still a memorable place to her for what happened there. What Eleanor and Velvet talked about is a part of the story I haven’t heard from Maotelus because Maotelus lost his consciousness at that time. Things are interesting, even in the same story, different people would tell different versions because they perceived it differently, they all tell different parts of a story, all together to become a whole. Same as many things in the world.
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I keep silent and turn to observe Mikleo, he is surprised and wanting to hear about the content. To take a guess, he is surprised to know that Eleanor was an enemy to Velvet but it may not be only that. Mikleo has talked to Eleanor, he must have noticed the personality of Eleanor is somehow similar to me, so it is normal for him to be curious for how they get along and he just doesn’t know how to ask. Even to me, I don’t know how they get along with each other as both Maotelus and Velvet didn’t talk that detail. I am curious like Mikleo because, from my point of view, Eleanor and Velvet are sorts of a pair of best friends and rivals to me at the same time, like Mikleo and me.
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Now my eyes are on Bienfu, who is a new companion to me. I don’t know much about him because we don’t talk that much. He is listening to the conversation like us and I see his mouth raises slightly and he seems to have a chat with the mechanic dove next to him. I don’t know if he really understands what it is saying because I hear only ‘Coo-coo’ from the mechanic dove and I am doubted by the way Bienfu chuckles.
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“You gave him a good name in the ancient tongue.” Velvet commented.
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“I named him after the name ‘Laphicet’. The credit is to you.” Eleanor responded.
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“I won’t say that since I name him partly out of a terrible reason. Though I thought I would do something with you if you name him a bad name back then.” Velvet chuckled. She has mentioned she gave the name because Maotelus looked alike to her little brother but Maotelus also told me that the name also means ‘one who lives’, I think she means to give him the name in this meaning too.
Besides, I think it is a good name when Maotelus mentioned Velvet has a bad naming sense. He mentioned other names Velvet and Eleanor tried to put on his seraph friend before he became a dragon. I would say it is a bad naming flavor too if I was there. When compared to that, I would say ‘Laphicet’ is a good name she has given.
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“Eh? What were you planning to do if it is?” Eleanor asked.
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“Hmm….. like adding spinach in the dishes every time I cook?” Velvet smirked.
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“Oh, please don’t do that, I am glad that I name him a good name now.” Eleanor sweatdropped.
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I expressed a sheepish smile when hearing this conversation continue, I think Laphicet would show the same expression if he was watching…..Hmm, maybe he is really watching, not sure, Ophelia said something about the live broadcast technique.
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“I thought you will be talkative here Edna.” Mikleo said.
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“Am I one to you?” Edna asked.
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“No, you would make sharp comments,” Mikleo said it honestly, it is the worst way to answer but I think they are used to talk like this.
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“You wish to have one?” Edna taunted.
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“Well, no.”
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“I am just listening as you did, gossip listener.” Edna continued to taunt.
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“.....It is one way to know more about her.” Mikleo answered and I agree with him here.
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“It is.” Edna said.
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“She is not excited about what this place is.” I joined the conversation at last.
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“Certainly not like you boys did, the place is just a place to her, but you guys are interested in something such as origin isn’t it?” Edna commented.
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“That’s right, the earthpulse sounds like something related to the origin of the star.” I said.
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“Good guess, now guess more. Are you sure you know about what is earthpulse?” Edna said.
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“Somewhere underneath the surface earth?” I guessed.
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“More,” Edna said.
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“Where store the earthen historia?” Mikleo stated.
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“Very close, I believed Lailah had mentioned once. The earthpulse is a manifestation of mother nature’s power that permeates the earth. The place where several branches of the earthpulse called earthpulse point. The energy reflected in blue light here, it is a mana trace flow inside the earth. It is the pulse of life of the star and we seraphim are formed from mana.” Edna explained with her professional knowledge as an earth seraph.
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“It is like the sorts of origin of seraphim and it represents the life of the Earth. It is an important place!” I pondered.
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“Does that mean if we follow the earthpulse, we may find a connection to the Heavenly Realm as well?” Mikleo guessed.
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“I haven’t thought of this possibility!” I agreed with Mikleo for a good guess he suggested.
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“I see you will start a discussion for it…..” Edna commented.
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We started a certain talk for the possibility of a hidden realm under the blue light energy but since we haven’t seen what inside the ‘energy liquid’, there is no proof to support the point so the topic is hung up.
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“Oh, hey Bienfu. I remember you may drive the skateboard, there are only 6 people now.” Velvet said.
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“Eh? I thought you guys would walk all the way down…….” Bienfu said and I noticed a frustration in his tone.
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“It seems there is a long way to there.” Eleanor said.
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“Why don’t you enter Velvet if you feel tired?” Edna said.
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“I am more used to walk side by side and it is not like I feel tired. However, we have a faster way to get to the destination instead of walking.” Eleanor said.
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“There is?” Mikleo asked.
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“I would like to see, our Shepherd nearly walked all the way in his journey. Although I was only sitting inside his head but felt it is a slow pace to travel by walking.” Edna commented.
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“You are talking like Sorey is some kind of transportation tool.” Velvet said while sweatdropped.
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“It is normal, for seraphim staying inside their pact former. I am just not used to it,” Eleanor said.
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“It is fine if you stay inside me when you are tired. Besides, Bienfu will feel tired if all six of us on the skateboard.” Velvet said.
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“Oh, I see. I don't mind giving you another massage after the ride, Bienfu.” Eleanor smiled.
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“...As long as it is not spear-end-massage, I appreciate that.” Bienfu answered in a bit panic I wonder what is spear-end-massage.
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“So you will give us a ride?” Velvet smirked.
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“I am excited about how it feels like. ” I said.
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“Seems many people are expecting a ride on it.” Velvet chuckled.
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“Bien...You are leaving me no choice.” Bienfu sighed and took out the skateboard from a portal.
Edna and Mikleo entered me and Eleanor entered Velvet to ease and offer the normin a favor.
Saying aloud his normin true name, the normin activated the skateboard. The skateboard is floating with blue light energy below just like the floating rocks in the earthpulse. Once Velvet and I stepped on the skateboard, it skates fast forward.
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“Wow, that's cool!” I exclaimed.
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“That's much faster than walking for sure.” Edna smirked inside my head.
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“Is that the thing you used to make the dragons fighting with each other.” Mikleo asked Velvet by using the common pact communication channel.
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“Yeah, a big credit to normin Breyve there.” Velvet grinned.
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“So happy to hear that, I am blushing.” Bienfu exclaimed while accelerating the ride.
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“Very odd to hear someone say he is blushing himself.” Eleanor commented inside Velvet's head.
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We skate all the way on the skateboard, the view is repeating but it feels cool with the high-speed skating and the breeze blow towards when we are skating at a high speed.
Until we see a different color in the view from the view in blue tone, there is a red spot far away in the environment filled with light-blue, making it very contrast to the surrounding.
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As we approaching the red spot, the spot becomes larger and clearer, until we see a maple forest from a certain distance. We get off from the skateboard and continue on foot. I heard the scratched sound of the metal boots slow down, I turn and see Velvet stops and doubts what she sees and there are also traces of surprise and hope in her eyes.
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“Wouldn't it be…?” She then bursts to dash forwards and enters the forest like she is not holding her speed, the desire of knowledge rarely shows in her eyes. She then becomes to lead the group as she is running in front of us. I can only try to keep up with her speed before I raise my curiosity and surprise.
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“Here….the Tranquil Forest? How is that possible?” Velvet finally slowed down her pace after explored around the forest, she mentioned a district that I don't know.
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The surrounding view is very different from the typical view in the earthpulse almost like it is not a part of it. The place shows no mysterious and sacred atmosphere, instead, it is filled with the nostalgic and unsophisticated atmosphere of fall
The cold earth is covered an orange blanket by the crimson dead leaves of maples, decorated the path into a painting of forever fall with the lasting charm of leaves coating.
Steady scratches of paces on the dry withered leaves hint the silence in the place, filled the place with calm and tranquility. The tranquility simply expressing its beauty of nature, soothed our nerve of the future battles. It feels really relaxing here.
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Velvet gradually stops in front of a gate, it seems like it is the gate of a village. Although the words engraved on the notice is rotted, I still barely see the word ‘Aball’. Seeing through the Railing, I see empty buildings there with a trace of life.
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“A...Aball?!” Velvet is opening the gate at entry but her right hand hangs in the air with doubts as she seems shocked by the place.
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“Yes. Let’s go and see. This is a gift from Laphicet. He wants to keep the place for you.” Eleanor smiled and put her palm on Velvet’s, giving the strength to support her action, she urges Velvet to open the gate.
Velvet opened the gate at last, we entered and see an empty abandoned village.
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“He is an idiot……….but I shall thank him.” Velvet mumbled as she entered the village.
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I guess here is the place Velvet once mentioned, the village surrounded by a perpetual Autumn view, leading a feeling of nostalgia. It is my first time to see the Autumn view since there is no maple in my home town Elysia but staying everlasting Spring the whole year. Still, I am a little attached to this new place and feeling nostalgic. I feel a trace of a homesick jerk through my mind as I look into the place. Amazingly the place is not filled only by loneliness with the emptiness here, there is something more……
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“Why…..I feel like everyone still living here, living with joy when I close my eyes…..” Velvet murmured.
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“It is because you remember them deep in your heart. They always live in your heart, like Aball at that time.” Eleanor said, walking aside: “ Like how I saw them being so lively in the illusion by side with Velvet.
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“It is a little charm reacts to your heart.” She added.
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“Hey. Is that the hometown you once mentioned? Velvet?” I asked.
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“Yeah, it is exactly the same as I remembered.” Velvet nodded with a gentle smile and there is a fondness in her eyes as she looks into the village. She added, “Never thought there is a day I come back to my old home with you, Sorey.”
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“I am glad to visit the place with you, Velvet. Just like how you have said, it is a very attractive place.” I smiled while remembering the conversation between Velvet and me after leaving Elysia. I found it amazing, for how far we traveled together.
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“I was thinking to hide all the things from you at that time.” Velvet shows a wry smile and confessed honestly.
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“But eventually you told me at last. Now is all that matters to me.” I answered sincerely.
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“...Glad to hear that. There is a place supposed to be beautiful. Wanna go there?” Velvet suggested as she looked far away with longing.
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“Absolutely!”
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The corner of Velvet’s mouth slightly raised, making a nice light smile and then she turned to lead the way. She walks the way at a steady pace, heading to the destination with belief. Even when she passes the forgotten temple of Innominat, she doesn’t talk about but goes straight until she reaches the edge of the cliff.
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As we walk the way, the ‘sky’ gradually revealed true form from the shade of maple forest. It is different from the rock ceiling of the earthpulse passage. It seems like a white light embraces the whole district like sunlight in a domain manner, maybe it is a certain kind of power.
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Velvet is standing on the edge of the cliff, looking downward. Apparently not like she is going to jump off, I followed behind and stand next to her. She is looking at the view with complicated expression and then sat on the edge of a cliff.
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"You may get a disappointment, the scenery is no longer here.” She sighed and shows a lonely smile. Maybe it is a place she has been with someone very important to her, and now the scenery changed.
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I am not disappointed at all. There is new scenery, and it is beautiful. I am glad that you bring us here.” I gazed down the cliff and see the sea horizon of earthpulse energy. Looks like the place may allow us to see the edge of this district.
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“A new scenery...well, it is still similar to the old view. I used to see the sea with my little brother.” Velvet said with a nostalgic tone.
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“ I would like to see the new scenery with you.” I sat next to her.
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“We may not see the same scenery.”
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The scenery has different sides. I know. Different sides all together be a whole. That’s why I would like to see the scenery with you, Velvet.”
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“That’s what makes you a Shepherd, is it…..” Velvet whispered.
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“...Alright. I won’t mind if you don’t mind.”
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“You two starting to have your small world everywhere even when other people still in present.” Edna taunted and sat next to Velvet. Velvet rolled her eyes and blushed with her comment.
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“You are welcome to join any time, Edna.” I said.
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“One thing you don’t notice, old thing still here in the scenery.” Edna sent a flower to Velvet that she picked up somewhere.
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“Princessia…..the bond.” Velvet murmured as she received the flower that looks like one tied on Edna’s left leg. On the first day Velvet met Edna, we talked about the Princessia flower, meaning the bond between people somehow, that’s the unreplaceable treasure of one. That’s what Edna wants to tell Velvet, something still here, inside our heart, to keep the old thing in new scenery.
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“Right, Laphicet, Eleanor, Rokurou and Bienfu are still here.” Velvet whispered. As I noticed, Eleanor is standing behind Velvet, smiled and Bienfu smiled too.
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“Now, it is time. You should tell us about the Dove Act, Velvet.” Edna smirked.
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“................I wish you forget it.” Velvet sighed heavily, I guess she really doesn’t want to tell the story.
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“A penalty of such reckless act in the fight.” Edna said.
“............I don’t have a choice, am I?” Velvet sighed helplessly.
“Yes, you don’t.”
“Fine,fine……” Velvet rolled her eyes.
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“1500 years ago, a therion traveled to a place with her team without a passport. She acted too nervous so she got caught by the guard. There, the witch claimed that the therion was her apprentice, to prove that, the witch told the therion to perform a Dove Act. The therion had no idea how to perform a Dove Act so she answered she didn’t practice for that. The witch smirked, she told the therion to act like a dove instead. The therion tried to protest but the witch insists….. At last, the therion acted like a dove in front of the gate of Logress and the witch summoned out some dove flying out like magic, made a trick with people’s eyes. The only good thing was that the therion passed through the check successfully at last. Now, happy?” Velvet tried to tell the story in an indifferent tone and pretend she is not the therion in the story.
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“You intended to keep it boring…….Now, to make it interesting, you act like a dove again here.” Edna commanded.
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“........You are not serious?!” Velvet exclaimed.
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“Of course, I am serious, a fine penalty.” Edna smirked, waited for her act.
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“......You are a demon.” Velvet swore.
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“Oh, is it. Now, human, do your act to lure the demon here.” Edna smirked, amused by Velvet’s comment.
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“........”
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“...Edna, Velvet seems really doesn’t want to do…..” I tried to help Velvet.
“Sorey. I know you want to see it too, your eyes sold you out.” Edna smirked.
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“.....!!!” Is that obvious? I can’t deny Edna’s comment, so I smiled wryly.
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“Edna, isn’t this too over?” Eleanor tried to help too as she brought up a sheepish smile.
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“She is not acting it in front of all people but just us, it is not a big deal, is it? Besides, your expression says that you want to see it too, Eleanor.” Edna kept her attitude to find the case very amusing. I heard Eleanor swallows the saliva after receiving the comment.
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“It….it is not that!” She protested while having sweat appeared on her forehead.
“I remember someone sweats a lot when she is telling lie. Now, who is sweating?” Edna smirked.
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“......!! I am not sweating!” Apparently she sweats more.
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“It is okay, we know, just give up.” Mikleo patted on Eleanor’s shoulder to give comfort.
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“............Fine.” Velvet murmured.
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“Let’s start your performance, we are the only audience here. As a punishment and memorial of trust as friendship, Act. Like. A. Dove.” Edna smirked.
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Velvet takes a deep breath, knows there is no way to escape from Edna when Edna wants to tease seriously. I can see Mikleo is sending a sympathetic glance towards Velvet.
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A dove usually hit the ground with their beak, to think of acting like them…..hmm…..I can’t even imagine it.
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Velvet narrowed her eyes and put her right hand in front of her mouth to pretend the beak. She nods when she says “Coo-coo” at the same time, and then her pale cheek turns in Crimson because of embarrassment and shyness, she looks away somewhere but us.
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I heard everyone tried to control their laugh but apparently failing and leaking out some chuckling. I am one like them failed to hold my laugh here when Mikleo suggested me to control it. Though no one succeeds in holding their laugh. Bienfu is very brave, he laughed almost not trying to hold and Edna has no intention to hold at all.
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“It is a very cute act.” I gave my honest comment but clearly not the one Velvet wants to hear now.
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“I guess I understand what Magilou tried to tell sometime now..” Eleanor gave a sheepish smile while remembering something like someone’s teasing.
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Edna doesn’t hide her smirk as she smirks at the very beginning, there is no need to hide it. She commented: “A high-quality act, very satisfying. Now as a return, let’s tell you something fun in our traveling.”
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“About someone still laughs there.” Edna added while giving me a glance, clearly indicating me in the sentence.
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“We had a similar situation in the past, the Shepherd was wanted in the city. In order to pass the gate, Lailah created a very silly plot to say Sorey and Rose were a couple traveling together. You know how bad Sorey at lying, we seraphim being invisible to humans in that time were controlling Sorey’s limbs there.” Edna said while swinging my limbs like the time we are in trouble in front of the gate.
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“Like this, barely let him acts like the plot, Sorey spoke the lines out in flat tone. It was an obvious ridiculous lie to believe, hilariously that the general believed us and let us in at last.” Edna continued.
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“But Sorey are not feeling embarrassed at all….” Velvet pointed out.
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“Hmm, yes.” I answered and I heard Edna just make another chuckle.
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“Then I will find a way……” Velvet murmured and held her chin like she is really trying to find a way to embarrass me.
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Wait! Why is that?!
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Mikleo just pats my shoulder and shakes his head like telling me to be ready for it.
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I looked at everyone around with doubly, seeking for a reason but I got is wry smile or smirk. I also see the mechanic dove around………...so we are forgetting its existence totally, it is recording all the way.
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……..Let’s not remind Velvet about this.
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“We should get back on our track, shall we?” Finally calmed from the laugh, Eleanor suggested focusing on the thing we are supposed to do here. After all, we don’t go here to sight-seeing or have fun and Mikleo agreed with her.
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“I remember what I want to do here.” Velvet said and picked up some Princessia around.
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“You sure we may follow behind?” Eleanor asked her a question after Velvet stated for her following action, I wonder why is that.
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“Yeah, you were there last time, I don’t mind.” Velvet answered, still doesn’t mention any hint about what will she do next.
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“Where do you want to go?” I asked.
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“Old home, would you be at accompany?” Velvet asked.
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“Yes, of course.”
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The moment Velvet asked me for accompanying her to her home, I agreed immediately. Comparing with the time when I first knew her, she opened more up to me, talking more about the old time, sad or happy, and I am glad to see the change, to know more about her. It feels like she is accepting the past in a positive way.
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However, I see Eleanor is keeping a distance behind like giving Velvet some space. It is strange to see that, even Bienfu does the same and he shut his mouth. We all followed behind Velvet with a certain distance like Eleanor did, until the end of the path.
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With several shallow steps of stair, we see a house there. It is not something new to us as we all have seen the house in Velvet’s memory when we attempted to purify her, yet it still gives a different feeling when we are actually being here. Velvet is not entering her house but walking towards a fenced district before the house.
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It is two grey gravestones inside the zone, one big stands with another small one next to it. Someones were buried here, they must be someone important to Velvet, like her family members.
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Now I fully understand why Eleanor acted that way after seeing Velvet picked up some flowers. She felt unsure to be present at such a scene, so am I, I think maybe we shouldn’t be here even when she permitted us to present.
It is something very personal, I think it is better to have the moment alone since usually, the closest kin visit the grave.
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I know the whole family of Velvet died, although I am also an orphan, I have a seraphim family behind to support me whenever I go back to Elysia as a Shepherd or go back as a simple human awoke in this Era. They all welcome me there immediately. Even when my house is empty, it is cleaned as I can tell, someone cleans it regularly.
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I hardly imagine how is Velvet feeling right now after I know her past. To go back a place she called home but the only empty place left. Without the family be there, I can hardly call it a home but an old house with memory.
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It must be an emotional moment for her right now, I stayed behind her with some distance like Eleanor and kept watching at Velvet. She kneeled down and placed the princessia bouquet on two gravestones, memorializing her family.
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“Celica, Laphicet, Arthur, Seres, Mom, Dad…..It has been a long way home. I am here finally…...I have wandered so long in this Era, continued to search a way to die. That must have made you all worry about me, but now I have made up my mind. I decided to live in this new Era now as a human. No matter how hard life could be, I will continue to fight, cause I know my friends are here to support me. Don’t worry. I am living, just like the way you tell me once, Celica.” Velvet whispered in a way everyone is able to listen.
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After she ended the memorializing, a black normin slowly walked up with a bouquet. Their gazes just meet with each other when Velvet turns.
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“Former Lord of Calamity-han*. I have been always wanted to meet you again.”
I doubted and looked at the normin, seems like he knew Velvet.
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“Do you know him, Velvet?” Mikleo asked.
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Velvet crooked her head, wondering the identity of the normin guest and finally answered: “......Normin...Eternal.”
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“I am glad that you still remember me. Thank you, former Lord of Calamity-han. Thank you for freeing Artorius-han from his chain of heart.”The normin stated his gratitude sincerely.
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“I have done nothing that needs to be thanked.” Velvet responded.
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“But I still want to thank you, you ended his pain. I am really grateful to you.”
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It is glad to see a person who lived since the old-time giving gratitude to Velvet. Velvet did destruct many things and lives for her own vengeful purpose, but she also saved some people on her way. Even if they were just a minority, they still hold gratitude to her. Velvet never notices such small gratitude, or she didn’t take it seriously when she was moving towards her target at all costs.
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Now, it is the time she should start to notice the things she has saved, to aware of sincere gratitude from others. Maybe her hands had held nothing, but it is also because of that, she could hold others’ hand and gave support.
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The thing she has done is not meaningless.
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At last, Velvet crouched down and said:”.............I have indeed received…...your gratitude.”
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A small wood double-storey hut with necessary temperature in it, silent and dusty that no one ever lives here since 1500 years ago. It is full of the trace of ages, Velvet still recognizes the house as a place she once called home, since she memorize each small piece of memories when she was living with her dear family in the house.
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“It looks like nothing change.” Velvet looked at her old house longingly.
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“It is, I intended to keep it like it was with a special arte, but I should really thanks Eternal and Eleanor for protecting the place so it stay.”
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Velvet and others turned their head once they heard the voice of Laphicet, they remembered that Maotelus stay at Magiland to aid Ophelia with the work.
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“I am just a recording from myself, you know, times flow pretty boringly when I have nothing to do so I studied some seraphic artes myself. Like the arte I used to seal this place. It is not like that I may hear the answer but I still ask. Do you like the place?” Normin Eternal walks towards them with a small silver ball. The image projected out from the silver ball like the Earthen Historia is a boy look like malak Laphicet, he smiled and asked people here.
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“Of course I do. Thank you.” Even knowing that the recording will not hear her answer, Velvet still answers ‘Laphicet’ with her gratitude.
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“I hope I get a positive answer here. Now, here is the trial of Void, you may wonder what is it about.” The image continued to present the recorded content, it seems it is really just a recording, the boy can’t hear the answer from Velvet. All the people wait here patiently for the recording to continue to tell the information.
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“As the ancients said, simple is the best, there is no sacred temple or strength test for this trial, I only allow the people I admitted entering the place, like someone who may pass through all 4 trials from other Empyreans must possess enough strength to arrive here.” The recording didn’t say who but obviously it means both Velvet and Sorey are admitted by Maotelus. They both have enough strength to pass their own trial in their own journey and the 4 admitted power from the 4 trials still stay in Sorey. The power is activated once he re-formed the pact with seraphim. Both of them saved the world and be able to accept the difference between humans, accept light and darkness. For Velvet the one taught Maotelus the way to live and the meaning to live, she walked through things with Maotelus and he was there to look at her the entire journey. It should be very obvious that Maotelus admitted her at the very beginning when he considered to give him his true name before becoming an Empyrean.
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“Therefore, I will only ask one question, the judge is normin Eternal.” The recording announced.
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“A question?”
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“But before I ask, let’s show you something in quick.” As he announced, they are engulfed into the world of record, they are floating in the air, seeing all history flow through their mind and visualized in their surrounding in a timelapse.
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The world is impermanent, everything in the world is always changing, success is instant, and failure is also instant. Nothing is eternal, and people will live old and die. Even if the mountains and rocks, one day they will become a vicissitude of life.
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The earth, the creatures, the buildings, the great achievement, all obey the law of reincarnation, birth, old age, sickness, death and decay. One death is another birth, and the world repeats this way.
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The Earthen Historia shows the world from the collection of the earthen memorial. The world repeatedly decays and rebirth, just as the Shepherd and the Lord of Calamity confronted with each other infinitely, fighting for what they think is the best for the world. The despair of a Shepherd always brings another Lord of Calamity born. People are connected to each other and that is called ‘fate’.
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Infinite possibility exists in the world, leading millions of development of an incident. What unchanged is called ‘One’ which affected by the things in the surrounding, they will be the node of possibility by the world line guiding. Even if Velvet hadn’t watched her little brother be killed by Artorius before her eyes, instead, becoming a high-rank exorcist, she would have found out the truth by time. Then she would feel angry and despair, as the Arthur she knew was no longer there, as things were planned by Melchior all along. Even if Sorey hadn’t met Alisha in the ruin, the malevolence would have reach Elysia, and Sorey would still become a Shepherd. That is the flow of would, all are ‘fate’.
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The ‘Whole’ is the universe, it is the world, is the summation of all things. Many little ‘One’ builds the large ‘Whole’. Shepherd and the Calamity are although the most impressive’ ‘One’, they are still the little ‘One’ within the world. There are things they can’t help within the world, they are no god, but just an ordinary human. They have to learn to accept, do the things as they can and move forward. That’s what Sorey always does in his journey, even for Velvet, she tried to minimize the casualty in after.
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Some people recognize their own smallness and limitedness and strive to surpass them. Some people are too eager to save their world, they despaired. There is always another 'one' there to end one’s delusion and end one’s despair. The 'composition' of 'whole' by many ‘one’ drives the world. No 'one' will exist alone, even if it is 'black' and 'white', it must exist together.
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In the impermanence, the whole is nothing, and the fate between the one and the one forms the whole, and the achievement changes, so the cycle of rising and fall has been repeated, which is the principle of the world.
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“Nothing is Everything, Everything is Nothing.”
“Form is not other than emptiness, emptiness is not other than form.”
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Said, everything faded into emptiness again.
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“Now, answer. What is ‘you’?” Maotelus asked after everything ended in the showcase.
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“The little one among all humans, who want to make the world better.” Sorey answered inn firm, for what he already learned a long time ago, for himself a powerless being.
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“The one who is living now, in the world with many other ‘one’.” Velvet also answered, expressed what she recognized in her surrounding, for her will to live.
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“Both passed the test.” The black normin announced and released a white light cover the whole place. Sorey and Velvet both feel that a power flow inside them.
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“What left now is to have the vessel for the armatus, it is inside Eleanor’s body, you will have to pull it out.” The recording said.
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“I don’t think Sorey will go to pull out the weapon from a lady.” Edna smirked.
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“I think Velvet is the perfect person to pull the weapon out.” Sorey said.
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“Me?” Velvet pointed to herself and looked at Sorey, and then looked at Eleanor, doubted and felt confused.
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“You formed a pact with her, so you will do it.” Edna said and the other noded.
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“Ok…..Is that fine?” Velvet asked Eleanor.
“R...right.” Eleanor answered nervously.”
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“........In front of everyone here?” Velvet doubted with her right eyebrow raised.
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“Hmm, we will turn away!” Sorey responded in panic and he turned over with Mikleo doing the same as well.
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“Bienfu, if you dare to peek at us…..you know what happen.” Velvet threaten Bienfu while raising her left arm. Despite no longer having the demon claw, her threatening aura as a Lord of Calamity still exists.
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“Bien!!!Right!!”
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Edna smirked and turned too.
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Sorey POV
Just when I turned away while Velvet is searching the solution to ‘draw out the sword’ from Eleanor, I enter a white space just like the time I met Seres all in a sudden.
“You are the Shepherd Velvet has met.”
A voice of stranger came from behind, I turn my head to recognize the owner of the voice.
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“Ex-Shepherd, my name is Sorey.” I saw the man and I introduced myself.
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“Artorius Collbrande.” Just when he said his name, I knew he was the man Velvet once hated deeply.
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“ Nice to meet you.” I said.
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“Same here, now when Velvet is still searching the sword, I was a loser as you may heard, but still, I am here to review you.”
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I silently wait for him to continue.
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“Why do you think birds fly?” The man before me asked me a question, from a man who is died a long time ago. It was a question Velvet asked me when she hasn’t known me as a former Shepherd. At the moment I heard the question, I know it is an important question to both Artorius and Velvet to review a person, and I still answer the same answer I once answered Velvet.
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“Because the bird wants to see things and search the answer for itself.”
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Just as he heard of my answer, he gave a nod satisfied and commented: “You are a good Shepherd.”.
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“Still, I should personally ask you one more question.”
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“ Yes, please.”
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“Will you always stay by Velvet’s side?” It is a more emotional tone than the last question. The man asked the question with many emotions within, including guilty.
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As I have decided before, to watch over her, to protect her and save her, my answer is very clear.
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Without any hesitation, I answered: “Yes, I will.”
The man closed his eyes and smile like he is relieved at peace.
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“She always gets me worried, but I am not qualified to take care of her anymore.” He said sadly like a redemption.
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“I was a failed brother, she suffered a lot because of me. Finally she got a chance to live now, please, watch over her, always be there to support her.” Artorius continued to say, all the thing say here not acting as a former shepherd, but a brother-in-law to Velvet.
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For him a dead person, he can’t do anything to interfere in the world now as he clearly understands. Before staying silent like every dead, he speaks his only wish left for the regret he held at the moment he was killed by Velvet Crowe. He knew, Velvet’s revenge is not only for Laphicet and herself, when Velvet spoke of the name Arthur, he knew Velvet also did this to revenge for his old self, for him gave up hope at last. He realized how terrible he treated Velvet as Velvet still remembered Arthur after being tortured by Artorius, when he chose to forget the old-time they lived together. The fate of Crowe’s family not ended well, so if there a chance Velvet got to be the last one survival, he wishes Velvet to have a better future like her little brother wished when he claimed to sacrifice himself.
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That’s must be the Arthur Velvet saw in all the years she lived with him. I have seen regret in his eyes for treating Velvet this way in the past.
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“I know she will forgive you if you apologize,” I said to the man who deeply regrets for his past terrible action to his family.
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“I have done terrible things that could never turn back.”
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“Still, an apology will be better than keeping things untold inside your heart.”
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As I said, Artorius shows a sheepish smile, he commented: “I see, you are a reliable man can be trusted. I will take your suggestion.”
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“You have passed, farawell, Sorey.”
I stand in the same place, seeing Artorius’s image turning smaller and farther and eventually disappear, and I come back to reality.
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3rd pov
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“Now I will let Eternal to trigger the arte to let the seal expand to let the action proceeds. The room will isolate you two from all other here, don’t worry.” The Laphicet in the recording announced. Next second, Velvet and Eleanor discovered themselves in another space. Several floating rings of ancient words of arte glyph whirling around them as if they are inside an invisible sphere, they are the center of the ‘arte sphere’. Under the air below, several glyphs are floating and turning.
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Velvet looks at her right hand, where the several lines of ‘flying words’winding around and eventually they become one with her hand. She felt a hot sensation on the back of her palm, a similar glyph like one on Sorey’s left-hand glove appeared on her hand.
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“What is this?”
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“Velvet. I’m ready.” Eleanor said with her determination. A ring of arte spell surrounded her with a light portal appeared on her chest, this is where to start to draw the sacred weapon.
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There is no one to tell them how to do it, but things appear very obvious.
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“Tell me if you feel hurt.” Velvet noted and then started to draw out the thing by inserting her right hand into the portal that appeared on Eleanor’s stomach.
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“Ah….” The moment Velvet hand entered the rift on the chest, Eleanor moaned.
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Velvet hesitated to continue the action until Eleanor demanded “I’m fine. Velvet, continue.”
“.....Alright, as you wish.”
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Velvet extends her arm into a deeper space, greedily swimming inside Eleanor to sweep out each corner of her body, only to find something touch like a weapon.
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Once Velvet finds something like a handle, she caught it.
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A flashback of someone’s memory played inside her brain, she had no idea what it is but she sees Tartarus in it, like one she saw how he got sealed by Claudin.
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Then Velvet found herself in another space where Maotelus or Eleanor or the others are not here. She falls down on the floor, one person approaches, bends over, and lends her a hand with a white glove. She sees the person wearing white boots with golden patterns she once familiar with, the person also wears a long coat with an ocean-blue interior, slowly looked up, she sees a golden pattern of Abbey, just as how she remembered the man wore once the Shepherd in glory. As Velvet lifts her head, she sees Artorius----once her only target to kill at the beginning, now he is the one lending her the hand. She thought a lot when she saw this man again, for what intention behind such action and for what reason the man presents here.
However, her doubts somehow cleaned as the man said: “Sorry for everything I did, Velvet.”
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Velvet felt the sincere and regret in the sentence and she looks into the eyes of the man, full of tenderness just like once the brother-in-law she knew. The clothing of the man slowly changed to a nostalgic image to Velvet. Now Arthur is wearing a white button-down shirt like Tsumeeri or Chinese tunic suit with a blue coat covered on his right shoulder, his right arm is held by his old brown leather arm carrier, the loose trousers are packed into the black boots and his left hand is no longer covered by the glove. Velvet knows the man before she is Arthur but not Artorius, the one she knew has back here, and they are not enemies.
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“I can’t forget the things you did, but my anger to you has relieved as I have finished my revenge…… We are still family, aren’t we?” Velvet answered as she took his hand to get up.
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“Thank you, Velvet…..We are.” Arthur smile relieved as he heard, somehow the tears almost came out from his eyes as he heard that Velvet said they are still family. Although Velvet didn’t say forgive him directly, he feels like she has. Just like Sorey has said, that Velvet will forgive him and just like Velvet always claimed in the past-- ‘Family always forgive each other.’. He took Velvet’s hand like holding something precisely, then he lifts her up.
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As Velvet gets up, she notices the old man behind, he is the old man inside the memory. The old man is now approaching her.
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In the memory, the old man was using the sword to fight, the same one that Artorius once used. A child looks like Artorius was following the old man in the clip of memory, the instinct tells Velvet that the old man is Claudin.
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“It’s my first time to meet you, Velvet.” The old man greeted Velvet in affectionately.
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“So am I, Claudin.”
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“You already know my name, smart one. I have heard you from my student.” The old man smiled.
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“.....What do you want then?”
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“Nothing but to hear your answer. You see, we all made mistakes.” Old Claudin said longingly.
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As he said they all made mistakes. Claudin hadn’t told the most important words to his dear student in time, letting Artorius fallen into the guilt, he also didn’t discover the twist of mind inside her dear friend, leading things happened after his death.
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Artorius always tried to calm himself while letting the guilt and despair guide him the way, leading the way to achieve his madness that wanting to quell emotion from the world.
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Velvet letting herself fallen in her anger at the beginning and she brought calamity and chaos to the world.
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“The sword is here.” The old king of hero announced with the pedestal of the sword appeared behind him. The sword is the same sword the old man used, the sword was the sword of Artorius.
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“Consider it thoroughly before you draw it.”
Once she picks up the sword, she will gain the power of armatus.
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“Once you pick up that sword, you are an exorcist, something far away from a normal human.” The old king noted.
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It means there will be no longer the normal human life Velvet once wished in her early human life, the monstrous power will make her be different from other humans.
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“Are you here to succeed in our role? For a role secretly protecting the world, never be truly understood by the world.”
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“..No, if you are going to make me succeed all those mistakes you had made. I will destroy it” Velvet answered.
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Hearing it, Artorius tried to remain his expression unreadable, he can’t deny that he made mistakes, one great mistake he still regrets. His soul stays inside the sword to redeem and amend his mistake. He is here to meet the next owner, stopping any incorrect determination made.
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“I am here just to gain the power to protect my friends. For any burden, I shall gladly take it, but I will always be, and always view myself being only a normal human among all.” Velvet said and drew out the sword, raising it high. The sound of the sword drawing out from the pedestal still ringing around the space.
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“Very well, sustain or destroy, do as you wish.” Claudin gladly accepted the answer of Velvet.
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Said the sentence, the past figures fade and the place turns back to reality, the contractor of Eleanor found herself already drew out the sword from Eleanor and she is holding Eleanor with her left arm.
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“The sword of Artorius.” Eleanor noted.
“You succeed.” Normin Eternal stated.
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Now the rest of the people turn to see the result as they felt the sacred aura behind.
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“Why don’t try to armartize now?” Edna suggested and Velvet looked at Eleanor to seek agreement. Eleanor gave a nod.
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“Right….. Liwyeamesv Umuabiw!”
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“That’s how it looks like….” Sorey exclaimed.
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“Seems all things fixed here.” Mikleo said.
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“Yeah, it is time to leave.” Velvet stated.
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“Wait, may I come with you? Lord of Calamity-han?” The black normin followed and asked.
“.....Why would you like to?” Velvet doubted.
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“I want to repay you.” Eternal said sincerely.
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“......I don’t…...” Velvet turned weak when she saw the eyes of normin turned a little lonely and disappointed.
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“I want to go with you.” The black normin continued.
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“......Do as you wish, but, my name is Velvet. You know.” Velvet finally gave up and allowed the normin to follow.
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“Thank you, Velvet-han.” Eternal smiled and followed the team. The team is now heading back to the place where their friend still waiting for them.
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Hope everything alright.
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----------------------------TBC-------------
A.N.
This chapter begins to give Velvet strength too(by how many times I made her dying I think it should be very reasonable to boost strength). Because I didn't want to let Velvet live as a daemon in this era from the beginning, it can't be called a second chance except for strength in advantage. I personally wanted to write Sorey x Velvet. If Velvet remains daemon, she will never grow old, as long as it is not killed, it will not grow old. Then they can’t live together normally…...
About Aball, that ’s the setting to protect Aball to show Velvet. For this, from the beginning, I wanted to keep the place forcibly. This place ’s first appearance was actually the second episode of Eleanor. But I want to paint a warmer feeling than I did at that time.
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It happened that TOZ did not release the TOB's armatus of Void. I wrote a lot of settings such as the Eleanor’s seal, so I thought I could write them together here.
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Today, the delusion finally came true. This chapter is full of my waywardness and selfishness. I didn't actually think about the content of Trial, but I think it should be present. So I thought and thought that the protagonist who has been watched by Maotelus, they seem to have no need to take the test. Yet, it ’s too easy to gain strength without accepting a trial. The protagonist ’s halo is too obvious in this way like some Mary-Su I never want. So I carefully thought about what is representative of the Void. Finally, I stuffed the content of Fullmetal Alchemist and Buddhism.
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I Apologize that the trial looks so easy to pass just by an answer seems very simple. Because I didn't fully understand it myself, the part of the protagonist’s response did not show well. Still, I think the answer is simple to be said and understood but hard to be done. To understand ourselves and find the ‘right’ way for ourselves….knowing that there never thing really correct, but at least I think both the protagonists here understand it and they can do it practically.
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Another waywardness is that I directly make Trial unnecessary to fight, purely because I am lazy to write, and I think this laziness is reasonable.I had almost a whole past chapter writing combat, and now it's more balanced without fighting.
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Also, another waywardness is that I want the scene seen by the Guilty Crown to appear, so there is a scene of drawing swords. I don't know if anyone has found that writing a few sentences is very ambiguous, I agree that I am a pervert...sometime.
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The last willfulness is to add a succession scene like one in Katekyo Hitman Reborn so a scene where Velvet and Claudin meet.
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Reference of waywardness:
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2.Succession of Vongola(higher quality in flame)(KHR)23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVToA5T5xE
3.Mordred mees Merlin & Arthuria draws the sword (Fate/ apocrypha)23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cQH59faxN
4.one is whole, whole is one(fullmetal alchemist)
*1: it is how Eternal called Velvet in Japanese, I am lazy that I didn’t check for how he called her in Engish, but I think it is a characteristic way to characterize different way of calling just like Lailah.
ns52.14.244.213da2
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