"Crimson Moon, stagnating in this Millennium Castle, passing life in such a hollow manner… is this the life you want?"
After a long silence, looking at the silent Crimson Moon, Ryuya asked.
"No."
She hadn't considered Ryuya's question, or perhaps didn't dare to think about it at all. In Crimson Moon's view, in this vast world, she didn't know the meaning of her own birth.
Just as Ryuya guessed, Crimson Moon, as the Moon King, was initially just an ordinary young girl.
She maintained all the curiosity a planetary consciousness should have, and gave her full support to humanity and the Lunar Civilization.
However... they say admiration is the most distant feeling. When the planet's sole god, the Ultimate One, got too close to humans, this excessive intimacy shattered the quiet balance.
No longer viewing Crimson Moon as a true god, no longer seeing Crimson Moon as the only one, the Lunar Civilization began their god-making project.
Before the existence known as the Machine Gods, the peak of the Lunar Civilization also marked the beginning of its destruction.
The conflicting consciousnesses of the Machine Gods began to destroy the Lunar Civilization.
Facing the powerful man-made gods, the young Crimson Moon used all her strength, but even so, she still failed to protect the civilization on her planet.
'Brunestud-sama, if it's you... we think...'
The final words of that Machine God seemed to still echo in her memory. Since then, Crimson Moon understood one thing.
Humanity is not worthy of love.
A planetary consciousness should just do its job.
Greed, plunder, possession… this is what Crimson Moon Brunestud needed to do!
Coming to Earth, meeting Gaia, she wanted to replace Gaia's existence, so she created the True Ancestors together with Gaia.
But... the beings known as True Ancestors had significant flaws.
Knowing her plan had failed, Crimson Moon wasn't anxious… she could wait.
It was at this time that Ryuya was born.
"From today, your name is Bloodriver."
"Bloodriver Brunestud, that is your name!"
Viewing Ryuya as the potential Earth King who could share her status, the Moon King Crimson Moon saw endless possibilities in this boy.
Paying attention to him, caring for him, missing him... giving everything of herself to Ryuya, Crimson Moon knew this would be the only 'family' she acknowledged, and the only one who would not betray her.
She didn't want Ryuya to get hurt, didn't want him to leave her protection, didn't want him to depart from her Millennium Castle.
Crimson Moon was afraid, afraid that Ryuya would end up like her, suffering harm from humanity, bearing everything alone.
Unable to express her emotions well, she could only seal all these feelings deep in her heart.
Shaking her head, she refused Ryuya's departure, stating it was absolutely impossible.
However...
"Crimson Moon. I understand your concerns, I know your thoughts. But what I see and experience will never change if I remain in this castle."
"I don't know about the future, but sleeping here, becoming complacent and stagnant, clearly won't do."
"How can we measure the land beneath our feet without seeing it for ourselves?"
Looking at Ryuya's serious expression, Crimson Moon saw the color of hope in the youth's eyes… the very thing she herself had once seen.
As if catching a glimpse of her former self behind Ryuya in a daze, how could she, the Moon King, fail to distinguish the truth and emotion in a person's words?
Precisely because of this, Crimson Moon couldn't bear to let Ryuya leave.
To truly understand this world?
She had never held such a thought. Forget Earth, Crimson Moon hadn't even explored the Lunar Civilization back then.
Realizing the vast gap between herself and this newly born Earth King, Crimson Moon felt ashamed.
"Blood... must you leave, no matter what?"
Closing her eyes, Crimson Moon couldn't take it anymore. But before that, she understood Ryuya's resolve.
"Yes, I want to protect this land. I want to protect you, Crimson Moon."
"I don't need your protection."
The blood on her hands made even Crimson Moon feel unfamiliar to herself. The being known as the Moon King was no longer the pure, kind Crimson Moon from before.
Yet, it was precisely this Crimson Moon who understood how precious Ryuya's sincere heart was.
She could stop Ryuya's wish to leave, but could she stop the innocent dreams of her younger self?
"Alright, Blood, I understand your thoughts."
"You can go out. With your strength, few in the outside world can harm you. However, before that..."
Biting her lower lip lightly, Crimson Moon held Ryuya's hand.
"Before that, spend this final night with me. I still want to taste the tea you brew."
"This is Crimson Moon Brunestud's only request to Bloodriver Brunestud."
One month later, in the capital of the Roman Empire, inside an elegant high-end restaurant.
As lavishly dressed slave singers performed vigorously on stage, numerous guests enjoyed the refined, leisurely atmosphere.
In a corner of the restaurant, Ryuya and Crimson Moon were having a meal.
Yes, you read that correctly. Ryuya and Crimson Moon… one was Ryuya, born just decades ago with the potential to become the Earth King, the other was Crimson Moon, the Moon King whose planetary civilization had perished but still retained immense power.
These two were currently in a restaurant.
A month ago, finally obtaining Crimson Moon's permission to leave, Ryuya left enough of his blood for the True Ancestors in the Millennium Castle to ensure they wouldn't experience bloodlust for twenty years, then took Crimson Moon with him.
He never considered leaving Crimson Moon alone in the Millennium Castle… Ryuya wasn't crazy.
His relationship with Crimson Moon had clearly surpassed normal family ties, only a step away from becoming eternal lovers.
Rejecting the pleas of the True Ancestors who wanted to follow, the moment Ryuya left with Crimson Moon, the Moon King's face clearly showed emotions of astonishment, surprise, and shock.
"You bastard... did you plan this all along to make a fool out of me?"
In fact, there was no strict rule forcing her to stay in the Millennium Castle, she just rarely went out, partly from dislike, partly finding it meaningless…
Suppressing the secret joy in her heart, Crimson Moon felt tricked when Ryuya brought her along. The young lady Crimson Moon actually threw a rare, childish tantrum along the way.
She never spoke to Ryuya. Since leaving, they had communicated solely with their eyes for over a month.
Sighing, looking at the table full of delicious food, Ryuya helplessly apologized with his eyes.
'Don't be angry, my dearest, most beloved sister.'
'Hmph!' That was Crimson Moon's reply.
'Sister Crimson Moon is beautiful, kind-hearted, pretty, pure, and innocent. You definitely won't stay mad at me, right?'
His skills at coaxing girls were fairly proficient, after all, he had so many wives. But facing Crimson Moon, the Moon King, Ryuya felt pressure for the first time.
Having persisted for over a month, he noticed that although Crimson Moon still wasn't speaking to him, her temper and personality had clearly improved considerably. This girl was truly changing.
Smiling at Crimson Moon, Ryuya made a flying kiss gesture.
'Hmph!'
Still ignoring Ryuya, Crimson Moon actually wasn't angry anymore. But when they left, she secretly made a decision: not to talk to Ryuya for a full month.
'A month meant a month… not a minute or a second less. There were still over thirty minutes left until the month was up.'
The Moon King, as a planetary consciousness, declared she would absolutely persist until her victorious return!