With that, Acheron turned to leave.
However, just then, Sam suddenly called out to him, "Wait—"
Acheron stopped, but did not turn around, only tilting her head slightly, "What?"
"Your initial question—'Do you still dream, dream of those who died because of you?'" Sam said earnestly:
"I don't, never do."
Then, he paused slightly, as if considering how to better express his thoughts. Then he continued:
"I was born without the function of 'dreaming'. I live for cold reality, for a glimmer of light, burning... constantly burning, until I turn to ashes."
"So, I envy you."
Acheron listened silently to Sam's words, her face devoid of any expression. Finally, when Sam finished speaking, she said softly, her back to Sam:
"Is that so..."
"Then you are already living in a clear world."
[I will... ignite the sea. End]
[Qingque: Uh, I probably know why his script only has a few lines. Acheron asked a few questions and he spilled everything.]
[Black Swan: This allowed me to see a different Sam than the one in the wanted poster, a cold-blooded, ruthless war machine. I didn't expect him to have such a side.]
[Welt: Hmm... The structure of this mech is so simple, yet it looks incredibly beautiful, fantastic... Ahem, I mean, he is very strong.]
[March 7th: Uncle Yang, what are you talking about?]
Amidst the discussion, the viewing live stream once again issued an announcement.
[New viewing ready—This will be a short film viewing.]
[Now playing—Duke Inferno's Mansion Annihilation Case.]
[Sparkle: Lol]
[Giovanni: Lol]
[Jing Yuan: The death of Duke Inferno, ha, although I don't like the Annihilation Gang fellows, objectively speaking, Duke Inferno was indeed a formidable strongman with a reputation in the galaxy.]
[Masked Fools A: Big Sister Acheron one-shots Duke Inferno, invincible!]
As the scene played, Acheron held the sheathed blade tightly, pressing it steadily against the Duke Inferno's chest. Duke Inferno now slumped powerlessly before his throne, his body leaning heavily against the backrest, as if he had lost his last ounce of strength.
The once mighty and arrogant Duke Inferno was now so fragile and vulnerable. The flames that had once burned brightly on his head had gradually extinguished, leaving only a few faint embers flickering in the wind. These flames, symbolizing his immense power, could no longer sustain themselves.
[Sparkle: Another opening shocker.]
[Giovanni: Evaluation—fleeting.]
[Stelle: You Masked Fools are all better at using idioms than the last one...]
"It seems the outcome was decided long ago..." Duke Inferno said, barely alive.
"They are still alive, and so are you," Acheron said expressionlessly. "You still have a choice. Leave that music box, and then go."
[Sparkle: I'm crying! She was actually going to let him go.]
[Acheron: I do not wish to engage in unnecessary slaughter...]
[March 7th: Oh, Sister Acheron, these guys are villains from the Annihilation Gang! How can you show them mercy!]
[Acheron: You have a point.]
Duke Inferno sneered, "Choice? The bloody Path of Destruction never tolerates hesitation."
"The Fire Devil of Tophet... Even if you offer your life to that Aeon, you will not gain his favor," Acheron calmly pointed out the fact.
"Ranger, you walk on the narrow Path of The Hunt, so naturally you cannot understand."
[Sparkle: Lol, he got defeated and didn't even realize what Path the other person was on.]
[Qingque: From her actions, Acheron does seem to fit the feeling of The Hunt.]
[Botio: My precious, but—I can't be bothered with a dying cutie.]
"We come from fire, born in fire, spreading, burning, destroying, until the fuel is exhausted, leaving behind a pile of ashes."
"Burning is the life of a Fire Devil, the beginning and the end. We are born towards death, only to embody a facet of the universe's truth: all things exist for 'destruction'."
"Your companions don't seem to think so; they bought you a chance to live." Acheron's peripheral vision glanced at the damaged hole nearby.
"They are my children, like me in the past, ungrown embers. They are still young, I will not blame them."
"But my flames are already hoarse, time is running out. Do you see The star of the Festival in the distance? I will bring purgatory there—so before that, I must overcome you."
"Because on the path they forged, you have gone further than me."
"You cannot conceal your identity. Draw that blade, we will indeed stay here, we are destined to fight to the death, because I *choose* to do so."
"Destruction is a magnificent instant. If one despicable ly seeks survival... this life would be too long."
"Even if the answer... might be your own destruction?" Acheron narrowed her eyes and asked.
"The answer is not important, what is important is that it exists, just as you exist. Everything exists to be destroyed—even an Emissary is no exception."
"Even in the void, beautiful dreams can be born. So-called impossibilities are merely things that have not yet arrived."
Acheron seemed moved by his words, sighing, "Alright, I promise you."
"You will witness the most brilliant and violent fire in this world. May this burning illuminate your bottomless dream." Duke Inferno suddenly stood up abruptly, and a powerful, suffocating energy began to rapidly gather around him.
Immediately after, his entire body seemed to ignite, burning with raging flames, the fire fierce and abnormal, as if it would devour everything around it.
This scene inevitably reminded one of the breathtaking sight of a volcanic eruption, and at this moment, Duke Inferno was like that active volcano about to erupt, unleashing endless power and destructive force. This self-destructive attack method was clearly filled with a desire for self-annihilation.
[March 7th: What's going on? Is this guy trying to self-destruct?]
[Acheron: He is indeed a steadfast practitioner of his Path, and for that, I express my admiration.]
[Bronya: It's probably better to have as few practitioners of this Path as possible...]
"A bottomless dream... indeed, but you misunderstood one thing."
Acheron merely responded indifferently, completely disregarding the scene before her, but perhaps out of respect for Duke Inferno's spirit, her hand gently rested on the hilt of her blade.
"This blade remains in its sheath, not out of pity or contempt. It is a secret I do not wish to reveal, but in return..."
"...I will be honest with you."
"The Hunt... is not the path I walk."
The moment she drew her blade, the entire space once again was left with only black and white.
"May death end your long dream and lead you back to a clear world."
[Duke Inferno's Mansion Annihilation Case. End]