"You mean the world is going to end? Everything will be destroyed?!"

Aisha, who had just regained some consciousness, was shocked once again when she heard the terrible news from Rachel.

Ivy frowned, lost in thought.

After a long pause, she said, "Assuming what you're saying is true, then as long as we prevent Sutherland from winning the War of the Chosen, the end of the world won't happen."

Rachel shook her head: "You don't understand the root of the problem. Even if we can stop Sutherland from becoming a god, the end of the world will still come because the whole world has been taken over by the undead. The Elder Council spent decades investigating the harm caused by the undead. The black plague has spread to every corner of the world, including the deep sea and underground."

Evie looked at Rachel: "And you already knew all along?"

Rachel said in a low voice, "I know you want to blame me... but how would it help if I told you all this? Chaos? Panic?"

Evie did not refute, but confirmed Rachel's guess with her silence.

After an awkward eye contact, Evie said, "At least you should tell him the truth. Todd has the right to know all this."

Rachel said with a wry smile, "If we told him, neither of us would have a hard time guessing his decision. He would choose to fight to the very end with Muxi City and his people, even if it means facing destruction."

Evie: "Isn't it obvious which is more important, to fight to the last moment with the truth or to live a life of regret and deceit in lies?"

Rachel said softly, "Evie, this is the difference between our understanding of love. You love him, and you will unconditionally respect his requests; while I love him, I will try my best to give him the best of everything."

Evie: "Even if this love comes with concealment and deception?"

Rachel closed her eyes: "Yes, even if this kind of love comes with concealment and deception."

Evie stared into Rachel's eyes, remaining silent for a long time.

Rachel sighed: "I know my ideas are at odds with yours, but..."

Evie interrupted Rachel: "I have one last question. What does the Elders want Todd to do?"

Rachel: "The aliens need a leader, and Paradise needs a guide."

Evie: "Leader? Guide? What do you mean?"

Rachel: "Let me explain the first half of the sentence... After Sutherland opened the gate to another world, his body and soul had reached their limits and he was no longer able to pass through the gate. He had to stay in this world."

Evie: "You mean, he'll die?"

Rachel: "No, it's not the same as dying. His soul will fall into slumber again... Of course, that's not important. What's important is that Sutherland can't provide shelter for those alien races that cross the gate. In other words, the alien races that enter the other world need a new leader."

Evie: "So, you chose Todd? Why?"

Rachel: "He possesses all the qualities to become a new leader of the alien race: strength, intelligence, character, and a sense of responsibility..."

Ivy snorted in dissatisfaction, "But you have never asked about his own will."

Rachel: "Because everyone knows his answer... Do you want to see him create a paradise in a new world, or do you want him to die in despair with everyone else?"

Evie: "There's another way. Why don't we let everyone escape this catastrophe through that otherworldly gate?"

Rachel: "You think we haven't discussed this possibility? Once the portal opens, the beacon tower will enter its countdown, and the entire world will be destroyed in endless calamity. At that time, the portal will become very unstable and may even collapse. How many people do you think will ultimately be able to leave alive during that period?"

Evie gritted her teeth and then asked, "There's one more thing. You said Todd would become the guide of the park. What do you mean by that?"

Rachel: "The Presbyterian Church has examined the frequency and timing of the beacon tower’s activity and found that the most recent sign of activity occurred on January 7, 1170."

Ivy asked, puzzled, "What's wrong with this date?"

Rachel: "That was the day Todd first appeared in this world."

Ivy was taken aback.

Rachel: "In other words, on that day, the Beacon Tower established a link between this world and Todd's original world. However, the Elder Council, when activating the Beacon Tower, could not freely set the destination of the portal; it could only link to the most recently opened alternate world."

Evie: "In other words, if we open the gate to another world, then the exit..."

Rachel: "There's a high probability that it's the world Todd originally lived in, which I remember being called... Earth."

Ivy stood there, stunned, muttering to herself, "Earth, Earth..."

Rachel: "That is what we often call the Kingdom of God. Todd once lived there and is naturally familiar with everything there. For the alien races that have just arrived on Earth, Todd will be the best guide and guardian."

Evie: "Going to Earth, even with Todd there, you have no idea what will happen."

Rachel: "You and I have both seen those images in the realm of the soul; they were so beautiful, so dreamlike..."

Evie: "But that world is also full of war and malice."

Rachel raised her voice: "At least be happier than everything here!"

With her arms crossed, Evie said, "Arguing about what a new world will look like is a pointless question."

Rachel: "So, let's talk about something more realistic."

"You have two paths before you."

"First, arrest me and all the aliens on this ship for treason, then go alone to the Supuha Mountains to try to stop everything before the end of the world."

"Second, come with us to the Supuha Mountains, find Todd, and together with everyone, pass through the gate to another world to recreate a paradise on Earth."

Evie unconsciously gripped the hilt of her sword with her right hand and looked at Rachel.

Rachel lowered her voice: "Before making the final choice, I want to say a few words to you... From the first moment I saw you, I knew clearly that we are the same kind of people."

"Bearing too much responsibility, yet not understood by their own kind."

"I don't care about other people's opinions, nor am I swayed by red tape."

"The only thing that can bind us is love, love that lasts until death."

Evie slowly drew her sword and pointed it at Rachel's forehead: "Don't compare me to you. Your so-called love is nothing but possession and dominance. You have never known what sacrifice and dedication are."

Facing that fearless face, Ivy sheathed her sword and turned around, saying, "I won't send you back to Twilight City... not because of your boring and tedious talk, but because you can at least help me find Todd."

"Once we find Todd, he will decide the fate of you, and even the world!"