Lynn was stunned for a few seconds before shaking his head firmly in his mind.
The guy was no king of humor, always following the path of a cold-hearted, resolute Soldier King; how could he possibly engage in the shameless act of peddling laughter?
Besides, compared to pleasing this emotionless Witch Miss, who was like a corpse, Lynn felt that the chances of making Ivyst fall for him were higher.
Even though that madwoman didn't understand what love meant and merely saw him as a toy and a pet, it was much better than coping with the world-weary attitude of Witch Miss.
Lynn certainly didn't think he had the capability to leave an indelible mark in the heart of a deity who had lived for a hundred thousand years.
As if sensing his inner doubts, Witch Miss standing above turned around.
Watching her lightly lifting her skirt, Lynn remained silent.
Only at times like these could he sense a hint of grace on her, rather than her indifferent and detached Divinity.
It was as if the high-born Imperial Princess antagonist had briefly returned to her.
"The 'me' I spoke of pleasing is not the 'me' now," Witch Miss said with her red eyes looking down from above, "but the 'me' from your era."
But then Lynn was somewhat puzzled.
Wasn't this what he was doing every day now?
Although it felt a bit stifling to think about it, strictly speaking, it was indeed the case.
To gain her unprecedented trust, to become her most relied-upon confidant, and to have the highest freedom and authority, everything Lynn had done recently was aimed at this goal.
He was secretly accumulating strength while looking for an opportunity to escape.
He really didn't know of any other way to please Ivyst, that madwoman.
Thus, Lynn asked with some confusion, "What's the purpose of this trial?"
He didn't understand.
Why would Witch Miss whimsically make him woo the past her.
This didn't seem like something a deity would do.
Hearing this, the Doomsday Witch responded expressionlessly, "You've always wanted to escape from the past me, haven't you?"
Lynn gave a sheepish smile and did not answer.
"On the last day before the return, 'I' will suddenly receive a task," Witch Miss straightened her dress and sat on the steps, "This task... will take a very long time to complete, so everyone else except the personnel responsible for combat will be sent to the Imperial Capital in advance."
A glimmer of light appeared in Lynn's eyes.
It was as if he saw the first light of hope, with the longed-for freedom within grasp.
In the eyes of Ivyst and others, he was now a Transcendent who believed in "Holy Consciousness," lacking combat ability, so the likelihood of them keeping him close was not high.
If that was the case...
"Save your messy fantasies for after you leave this place," the Doomsday Witch seemed to detect his inner thoughts and coldly interrupted, "Do you think, at that time, I would let you escape so easily?"
Lynn felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, and his face fell.
With her level of suspicion, knowing that he had been thinking of running away not long ago, how could she possibly let him go so easily?
Moreover, Ivyst was well aware that once someone talented like him returned to the Imperial Capital, he could very well be recruited by other Princes.
He might even catch the eye of Hillena, his sworn enemy who could not bear to share the sky with him.
Considering this possibility, the probability of escaping from her side was almost zero.
Because according to her character, even if she had to destroy something she desired with her own hands, she would never let it fall into the hands of another.
"So, you must use every means to please her before she carries out the temporary task, to leave her with a precious memory."
"Only in this way, you might seize the only chance in my life when I am soft-hearted."
"I see, I understand now."
After a long silence, Lynn nodded.
The person who understood Ivyst the best was definitely herself.
So since Witch Miss had said so, he could only follow suit.
Although Lynn vaguely felt that her words seemed to hide some critical information not explained.
And there was also the strange fact that, with Witch Miss's cold nature, why was she so concerned about his escape plan today, even proactively offering strategies?
Lynn didn't understand and could only attribute it to the machinations of the divine.
Moreover, it wasn't as if she would definitely answer just because he asked.
In the end, he would have only embarrassed himself.
Anyway, as long as he could gain his freedom from that woman's side, that was all that mattered.
As for the process, who cares.
"Then, how should I please you?"
Lynn pondered for a moment, then spoke again.
"It has nothing to do with me,"
the Witch Miss stated coldly.
It was you who told me to conquer my past self, but now you act indifferent, like some tsundere.
Lynn complained in his mind.
For a while, silence fell between the man and the deity.
Lynn had thought that, given her personality, she would have driven him out of the Pantheon once there was nothing left to say.
To his surprise, after a long silence, she spoke again.
"There is one more thing."
The Doomsday Witch said softly.
"If you have the chance, help me say... say thanks to Aphia and the others."
For some reason, a trace of surprise flickered in the Doomsday Witch's eyes.
It was as if she recalled some extremely distant memory.
"Alright, I will pass the message on,"
Lynn nodded his head.
It seemed that even beings with long lifespans felt a bitter wistfulness when recalling memories of the distant past.
The Doomsday Witch fell silent again.
She waved her hand, watching as the space-time rift slowly shattered behind Lynn.
Feeling the familiar pull, Lynn didn't resist, letting his consciousness be drawn into the passageway.
The grand scene inside the Pantheon slowly disappeared before his eyes.
The woman in the black dress with white hair also slowly turned around, no longer looking at him.
A moment later, tranquility returned to the great hall.
Only the slight sound of the Order Chains accompanied the Doomsday Witch's steps.
She gently lifted her slender wrist as if sketching something in the air.
Moments later, a series of images materialized before the Doomsday Witch.
If Lynn hadn't already left, he would have immediately recognized these people.
The images included Aphia, Milani, Morris, and even Rhein, Glaya, and the others from Augusta Manor, none were omitted.
Gazing at these cold visages, an unspeakable emotion emerged in the eyes of the Doomsday Witch.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly to these false images, "he was too weak and he came too late."
"In the end... it's impossible to stop what will happen next."
She seemed to be muttering to herself, yet also speaking to the shades.
Unfortunately, they lacked life, standing motionless like statues in their places.
After a long silence, the Doomsday Witch waved her hand, dispersing the phantoms.
Then she slowly lifted her head, gazing through the dome of the Pantheon, toward Dharma's Sword, which rivaled the size of a planet, high above.
"The past cannot be revisited, but the future can be changed; these were the words you said to me."
"Though I don't know why you possess the power to overturn the inertia of fate, you definitely are the key figure who can change what happens ten thousand years from now."
"So, you cannot die."
"Even if it includes that era's me, no one can escape the worst outcome; at least... we must get you out of Orn City."
"Lynn Bartleion, you must survive."