Chapter 604 Asahi's Will

My brain has gone blank.

I want it all? Me and the world?

What is she saying?

"Do you know what you're saying?" I asked. "Our positions are different. Since we're heading in different directions and our goals conflict, we can only become enemies. The world, or me—since you've chosen the former, you can't choose the latter."

“I know you probably can’t accept being my enemy because you like me, but greed will only lead to an outcome you don’t want. The desire to have it all is sometimes the same as wanting nothing at all. This isn’t just a general statement; you must understand what I’m trying to say, right? If you can’t give up anything, you can’t move forward at all.”

“I understand,” Mazao said. “But to me, you are as important as the world. You showed me a new future; you are my world.”

"Therefore, I will save everyone's world, and I will save you too."

"Save me?" I reflexively asked. "What's there to save?"

As I asked that question, I suddenly had a sense of déjà vu. Not long ago, somewhere, someone seemed to have said something similar to me.

“Zhuang Cheng, you said it before, didn’t you? You don’t want to be my enemy. It’s painful to be my enemy,” Ma Zao said. “I will not make you feel pain. At the same time, just as I will not escape from the darkness of my own past, I will not escape from your darkness.”

"Anyone can talk about ideals, but how do you actually do it?" I countered. "It's not that I haven't considered the possibility of getting along with you amicably. If there's a way to maintain a balance between the two and kill two birds with one stone, then I wouldn't be so prepared to break ties with you and tell you the truth."

"To be honest, Xiaowan realized my true thoughts a long time ago. Her wisdom surpasses that of you and me combined. If she could come up with a solution that satisfies both of us, she would have already suggested it to me. But the fact is, she didn't, it simply doesn't exist. If Xiaowan couldn't think of a good solution, do you think you could?"

Upon hearing this, Mazao's gaze remained unwavering. She said, "I will change your mind."

“You can’t do it,” I said without hesitation. “It’s as if you have things more important than your own life, and I have things more important than my own life too. What kind of misunderstanding do you have that makes you think you can change me?”

Asaho said slowly, "I really don't know exactly how to change you. Because it happened so suddenly, I didn't have time to think about many things. But this is the only thing that is very clear: I will not give up on you or the world, and I will not give up the possibility of having both until the very last moment... Besides, it's far from the point where we have to separate, isn't it?"

It was clear she was racking her brains, her eyes shining with determination, while sweat beaded on her forehead as she strained to process everything. "There are still many truths about the apocalypse that we haven't uncovered... You need my jinx power and investigative abilities, and I need yours too. Only together can we see further into the future, can't we?"

"..." I fell into thought.

Ma Zao's words make sense.

Many things seem clear now, but in reality, they remain uncertain. The true nature of the Lord of the Seals is shrouded in mystery, and Xuanming's claim of being the "true Seal Bearer" is extremely concerning. Although it is certain that the cause of the apocalypse is a flawed human history, the specific desires that led to this error remain unknown.

Number Seven believes that the merging of different worlds was caused by someone making a wish upon the divine seal; however, this is merely a result. Just because world merging occurred doesn't necessarily mean the wisher's desire was "to merge different worlds." Suppose someone wishes for the surrounding walls to disappear so their room would appear more spacious, ultimately causing the building to collapse due to the loss of a crucial load-bearing wall. In retrospect, one cannot simply conclude that "this person's wish was for the building to collapse."

The true holder of the seal, lurking in the shadows, and the Lord of the Seal we have come into contact with—what are their stances and motives? This is a question closely related to the fate of the world.

Although Asa and I have completely opposite goals, at this stage we are still on the same path, and our relationship is mutually beneficial.

Moreover, I'm not entirely certain I can imprison Asahi. One reason is the aforementioned "luck," and another is that Asahi might receive help from Komugi. Even if Komugi says she'll always stand by my side, it doesn't mean she'll let Asahi's imprisonment continue. With her blessing and prayers, Asahi was even able to miraculously escape from the clutches of the Great Demon of Gravity, let alone be restrained by me.

However, if Asahaha were to stay by my side willingly, the situation would be very different.

Without Asahi's jinx power, my efficiency in exploring the truth will be greatly reduced; conversely, I don't need to do anything special, the relevant clues will automatically converge on me, especially the various dangers and enemies that I want most and that appear with the progress of the apocalypse, they will also automatically converge on me.

This is clearly a route with only benefits, and at the same time... it's also a route that can guarantee that Mazao won't leave me.

“After that, I will stay by your side to keep an eye on you. If you do anything that would push things toward the end of the world, I will stop you. And you don’t want to be separated from me right away, you want to stay with me… right?” Asaho asked.

“…Okay.” After thinking it over, I replied, “I understand. Let’s stop saying silly things like ‘change me,’ but for now, let’s stay together.”

Mazao's shoulders finally relaxed, and she revealed a genuine smile.

“Then come with me tomorrow to meet my mom and dad!” she said.

-

My frank conversation with Asaha ended there. As for her sudden bringing up of the old topic at the end, although it was somewhat unexpected, I agreed to it.

We returned together to the dining area in the courtyard. Xiaowan gave Mazao and me a meaningful look, then pretended nothing had happened and happily ate and chatted. Although Mazao and I were talking in private, and Xiaowan didn't overhear, it was as if she knew from the beginning that we wouldn't truly break up.

I remembered what she said in the afterlife.

"I think it's unfair that you're the one fulfilling Asaha's wishes."

"I also hope that Asahi-neechan can save you."

I see. She probably meant these things when she said "if I forgot" earlier. At the same time, she had anticipated Asahi's decision, which I hadn't expected. She knew Asahi would react that way after hearing my honest words.

I still don't think there's anything about me that needs saving. I've always enjoyed what I do. I've never regretted it, and I never will. If I had to say something, it's that before meeting Asahi, I could never encounter the strange events I sought, and I always ended up disappointed. But now, every day feels like a holiday; there's absolutely no element of unhappiness in my life.

After the dinner party ended, Ma Zao used her power of rebirth to clean up the place spotlessly in one go, saving everyone the trouble of cleaning and washing dishes. Everyone in the mansion had their own room, so they all stayed to rest for the night. Chang'an, a boarding student at the Luoshan Demon Hunter Academy, also chose to stay overnight.

Asa and I have separate rooms in the mansion, but Asa is still very clingy and wants to sleep with me. I didn't refuse. Even though I said those things before, I still like Asa, and my desire to be close to her hasn't diminished at all.

When it was time for bed, we cuddled together in bed. She held me tightly as if afraid I would suddenly disappear. I felt her small body, felt her warmth, and my heart was filled with an incredible peace. I had already mentally prepared myself for never being able to hold her so peacefully again.

What exactly is our relationship now? We clearly have irreconcilable differences, yet we've chosen a temporary cooperative stance. We should keep our distance, but instead, we're embracing each other so intimately. It's strange, yet intoxicating; I don't want to let go.

I will not change my own heart, nor will I allow anyone else to attempt to change it. Anyone who tries to do so will inevitably be met with my thunderous rebuke. Only towards Asahi, I feel no hostility whatsoever; I even find her endearing. This isn't a statement tinged with mockery or pity, but a purer, more embracing feeling that refuses to tolerate any contemptuous glances from anyone.

Those unwavering, jewel-like, hard yet beautiful eyes captivated me.

At this moment, this adorable "culprit" nestled defenselessly in my arms like a sleeping lamb, unconsciously clutching my clothes, her eyes closed, breathing evenly, deep in a slumber. I gently stroked her soft cheeks, played with her bangs, and gazed closely at her relaxed, baby-like expression.

Coming to my senses, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Perhaps this was the first time I had truly and completely cast aside the jinx that Asaho possessed, and genuinely fallen in love with Asaho from the bottom of my heart.

How ironic. Just a moment ago I was convinced my heart wouldn't be changed, and now I've already noticed the first change in myself. Incredibly, I don't feel any resentment at all; I even feel a little happy.

Consider it a small loss on my part, but I won't lose again after this.

(End of this chapter)