Aimou always considered Bologue a peculiar person; he could always pull off actions within his own realm of reason that astonished others, damned dramatic entrance.
But now was not the time to complain about Bologue. Aimou freed himself, leaping into the passenger seat as Bologue slammed the accelerator, the tires creating white smoke as they sped off down the street like a warhorse.
Palmer fully embraced his role as a bandit, not forgetting to fire a gunshot in greeting to Gold.
After the smoke cleared, thick roots leapt forward like flying fish with the earth as their ocean, Gold positioned at the forefront among the gathered branches.
His eyes flickered with a fiery glow as Gold wiped away the blood-stained bullet marks, glaring angrily at Palmer.
Branches tangled into the ruins of the dessert shop, pulling Kronin out. He coughed painfully a few times, then freed himself from the branches and moved between the rampaging roots, pursuing the car.
Kronin nearly ground his teeth into dust. As a Prayer Believer, he never imagined being knocked into the air by a car.
Palmer’s smile abruptly vanished. These two Prayer Believers were truly enraged, rampaging extraordinary chaos down the streets of Opus.
This was no time for hesitation. Palmer grabbed the shotgun, repeatedly pulling the trigger as shots were exchanged back and forth.
Palmer was someone who easily immersed himself in any situation. From the moment he encountered enemies, his complaints ceased, and he merrily embraced role-playing.
He was the bandit who robbed the money, and these guys... Sheriffs?
No way. The King’s Shield Guard doesn’t fit the title of Sheriff. Essentially, they are just another kind of bandit.
"This is black-on-black!"
Palmer shouted words only he could understand, as he seamlessly switched ammo and fired.
Bologue had no time to care about Palmer’s mental musings and paid no mind to his ridiculous antics.
While gripping the steering wheel to control direction, Bologue occasionally reached out to touch the earth, feeling the slight delay in Secret Energy’s effectiveness amid the high-speed pursuit.
Walls of dirt rose from the ground as obstacles, attempting to hinder the pursuit of the two Prayer Believers.
Aimou sat in the passenger seat, the scenery rushing towards her only to disappear in an instant, with Palmer’s manic laughter and endless taunts echoing from behind.
As Palmer taunted Gold and Kronin, he returned fire in this rare opportunity to press the Prayer Believers.
Bologue maintained a calm demeanor, yet madness lurked in his eyes. Under his violent driving, the car performed one dangerous maneuver after another.
Aimou did not feel she had moved from one dangerous situation to a safer one. On the contrary, she felt she was in a more perilous predicament.
Listening to Palmer’s taunts, the two Prayer Believers behind them seemed ready to tear him apart.
This was bad; probably the worst morning ever. Yet Aimou unexpectedly felt a sense of relief, eventually unable to contain her laughter.
"What are you laughing at!"
Hearing Aimou’s laughter, Bologue didn’t understand.
He jerked the steering wheel sharply; accompanied by a screeching sound, the car drifted around the bend forcefully, nearly tossing Palmer out from behind.
Aimou said, "Nothing, just suddenly feel happy."
"This is not exactly a time to be happy," Bologue glanced at the rearview mirror, where towering trees closely followed the car, destroying the streets along the way, "We must return to the Great Rift; fighting in the city is too dangerous."
Regarding Opus’s population density, Bologue had a clear understanding while riding the metro. Continuing would only lead to a large-scale disaster.
Turning right ahead, the road’s end transformed into a familiar mist that gathered, rising into the sky like pillars holding up heaven and earth.
Aimou’s expression showed delight, "Bologue, you came to find me."
"Yes, you were here waiting for me, that’s wonderful."
Bologue said, not forgetting to free up a hand to give Aimou a thumbs-up.
Aimou stared ahead, somewhat dazed, pondering what to say next, then she thought of something.
"In this case, even if the Fantasy Species devours me, I don’t think it matters anymore." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novｅlfire.net
Aimou relaxed her body, leaning against the tilted seatback, her voice carrying a rare sense of relief.
It was as if Aimou was not amidst the life-and-death high-speed chase but was lying in a tranquil and peaceful golden meadow.
"Wait a minute, devour? What are you talking about?"
Bologue was completely baffled by Aimou’s resignation and was instead scared out of his wits.
"After the Fantasy Species exhausts its own power, it will further consume the host’s Ether; either the wish will be fulfilled, or it will burn out..."
Clutching her chest, Aimou explained, "Obviously, the wish to become human is too ridiculous, so my next fate is to exhaust all the Ether."
The shimmering buds had already sunk into the Constant Motion Core and wrapped around the Philosopher’s Stone.
"According to my estimation, this should be the last time I can sustain a Time Reversal; once the next Time Reversal begins, the Fantasy Species will completely devour the Philosopher’s Stone."
This was the result Aimou was unwilling to see. The Philosopher’s Stone not only sustained Aimou’s life but also served as proof that Alice had once lived.
Aimou wasn’t nervous, nor did she feel sad. Seeing the battered car emerging through the fog, Aimou suddenly felt that nothing mattered anymore.
She was very clear about what she wanted. Aimou didn’t care about the outcome; she cared more about the process. As long as there was everything in the process, Aimou could accept any ending calmly.
Bologue’s eyes turned dark, "So, this isn’t the end of trouble but the beginning of another trouble?"
Regarding this mysterious thing called Fantasy Species, Bologue knew little, but he quickly came up with a countermeasure.
"No matter what, you must survive and ensure this Time Reversal is not interrupted!" Bologue shouted his thoughts, "We will clean up everything in this sixth Time Reversal!"
"As for your issue! As long as you can survive, the Order Bureau will always have a way," at this moment, another figure flashed in Bologue’s mind, and he exclaimed joyfully, "Teda! He developed the Constant Motion Core; he surely has a way!"
"Teacher? Teacher has gone completely mad. He’s trying to fuse the Immortal Heart with Alice’s corpse, attempting to resurrect her this way!"
Mentioning Teda, Aimou only then remembered this fatal intelligence. Soon the Immortal Heart would go out of control, and the scarlet flesh would devour all life within the Great Rift.
"You know? When you possess absolute violence, even a madman will sit down honestly and listen to you."
Bologue was unconcerned with Aimou’s worry, as he had long wanted to punch Teda.
Whether it was past grudges or the ambush at the venue where Teda attacked him and Palmer, Bologue intended to repay all in this Time Reversal.
Aimou might have wanted to say something persuasive, but it was more that she didn’t want to face Teda, fearing that familiar yet unfamiliar figure.
But this time, the fear vanished in an instant, and Aimou felt it didn’t matter anymore, a great sense of fulfillment lingering in her heart, her wish having been promised.
The car rushed through the red light, narrowly missing an unlucky pedestrian.
Bologue had thought about slamming on the brakes, but after a few tries, he realized the brakes were completely broken.
Aimou was laughing endlessly beside him, as if she were at an amusement park, happily riding a roller coaster.
"This reminds me of the world after death," Aimou chuckled.
"Already thinking about the afterlife? You’re too pessimistic."
Bologue forced himself to divert some attention and chatted with Aimou.
"No, I remembered what you mentioned before about what Palmer said about the afterlife."
Aimou recalled Bologue’s words at that time, watching the fleeting scenery in front of her eyes.
"In the world after death, everyone would sit in a car, playing their favorite music, and amidst the songs, we’d have delightful conversations. The car would never break, the fuel tank never run dry, driving on endless roads.
Always on the road, that’s quite romantic."
Bologue was about to comment on Palmer’s afterlife world, but at that moment, a black hood appeared between Bologue and Aimou.
Palmer launched into his standard stand-up routine, "First of all, thank you for acknowledging me. Secondly, thank you for remembering to include me while you’re flirting, which makes me, the outsider, feel quite involved."
Palmer took a deep breath and nearly shouted in a furious way at Bologue.
"Could you guys care about the pursuers behind us!"
With Palmer’s trash talk barrage, now there was nothing in their eyes except this damned black hood.
"We’re going to be caught up!"
Palmer’s screams echoed endlessly inside the car.