Epilogue-The Fool's Journey
"One day I will break free from the chains of silver and tin.
“I will ascend like smoke, free as the wind.
"My day will shine—bright as the stars, as bright as the moonlight..."
A little girl with white hair and blue eyes was reading seriously with her mother.
She seemed to be unable to contain herself, and after reading only a few sentences, she raised her head and stared at the team outside the window.
Isabel put down the poetry book with some resignation: "Alai, if you really can't read on, forget it... Let's go to the ceremony."
"Really, Mom?"
Aleister's eyes lit up and he jumped up from his chair.
She rushed out of the door in a flash, but then ran out from the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the room.
She saw herself rushing out the door but running back, and was confused for a moment.
Isabel tapped her head lightly in annoyance: "Your Aunt Yulia is here, go see her first."
August 8, 1910.
The much-anticipated Pillar God Ascension Ceremony will be held today.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the people, the material world has ushered in an unprecedented "Holy Decade".
Everything is flourishing, and everyone's life is full of hope and possibilities.
The heroic epic was faithfully sung, not buried in the dust. Now everyone knows the story of the Ring of Tail, which endured ten calamities to ensure the world's survival.
The deeds of unknown hermits and unsung heroes will eventually become known to everyone.
The "Tail Ring," the half of the "Savior," the Pillar God of the Path of Miracles, will ascend to the Eighth Path today, becoming the new Pillar God under the watchful eyes of the masses. He will also bring his beloved... the former Pillar God of Dusk, "Amber," with him, allowing her to regain eternal life as his apostle.
No one is more worthy of the position of the Pillar God of the Source of the Easy River than the Ring of Tail.
After the departure of the Snake Father, the God of Rebellion separated himself from the rest of the group and took over the duties of the Pillar God temporarily. The God of Change, "Reverse Blade Axe," held the position for eleven years... and now, he has voluntarily stepped down, handing the throne to someone more suited to it.
——That is, Huan Tiansi who personally wiped out the disaster of nothingness.
"Come."
Isabel gently pulled her daughter Aleister up and stepped into the mirror.
When they reappeared, they all came to the hall.
"...Have you decided which path you want your child to take, Edward? I have a few tantras here..."
From a distance, Sherlock's calm and rational voice could be heard.
A girl with silver hair and red eyes, and a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties or fifties, sat at the same table with Sherlock. An elderly elf butler stood calmly behind the middle-aged man.
It was Julia and Edward.
Edward had now become a reliable and steady middle-aged man, inheriting the Moriarty family business. Two children, a boy and a girl, who looked only five or six years old, were hiding at his feet.
That was Edward's child.
However, unlike Isabelle, who was a half-elf—even Isabelle had gone through the proper growth process, and only seemed to become more beautiful.
——Yuliya seemed to have no trace of time on her body.
She is still exactly the same as she was eleven years ago!
"Still not planning on growing old, Yuli?"
Isabel smiled gently and touched Yulia's head.
Wearing a bright red royal robe, Yulia put her hands on her hips and said with a stern smile, "It's still early! At least I won't grow old while this world still needs me."
That is the benefit of being a "pioneer"——
Perhaps because of Huan Tiansi and Xuwu, or perhaps because of the miracle brought about by Aiwass, the principles of the several Pillar Gods have more or less changed and loosened.
Yulia's wisdom could bring even more positive change to the world. In just eleven years, she had already advanced technology by over a century across various fields. It was only the beginning of the 20th century, but already, it had a hint of the "future" Aiwas had journeyed to during his ascension ceremony.
Sand Time particularly appreciated this change, so he made an exception for her.
If one person survives, the whole world can become more orderly and happier.
——Then let her live!
"What were you talking about just now?"
Isabel smiled slightly and asked, "Choose a path for the child?"
Compared to her ten years ago, she is no longer a carefree girl.
Today, Isabel has become a true monarch, virtuous, enlightened, kind, gentle, beautiful, and wise—she is embraced and loved by the people.
At least today, the miracle country "Wanning" has become an ideal country without poverty, oppression, war, hunger and disease.
Of course, all this is closely related to her other identity.
The wife of the Pillar God "Savior," and his reserve apostle. People worship her so much that her words are almost like oracles... Such miracles are built on this absolute obedience. At least until now, the golden age brought about by this enthusiasm has not yet dissipated.
Isabel used to think that she would be unable to bear the pain after leaving Aiwass and would soon follow him... But later, she was surprised to find that Aiwass could actually leave the dream world and project herself into the material world like the sun spreading its rays!
——This is something that is impossible to do, but this is a "miracle".
With comfort and tenderness, Isabel soon became strong again.
Under the sunshine, she lived her life with her head held high again, carefully protecting the country of Wanning left by Aiwass.
Waiting for aging and death, Isabel, full of glory and love, is sent into the dream world.
Only then will she become Aiwass's apostle and accompany him forever.
"Yes, your majesty."
Sherlock nodded gracefully and calmly, and looked at the cute girl beside her - the little girl who looked 70% like Aiwass, had hair of the same color as him, and also looked like a little fox.
Even Sherlock smiled gently.
He asked softly, "Little Alai, what path do you intend to take? Dedication? Transformation? Or beauty?"
"I don't want any of them!"
Aleister spoke crisply.
This answer surprised everyone.
“Why wouldn’t you want to be a devotee?”
Sherlock asked curiously, "Your father was once a devotee."
"I want to be a 'brave man'!"
Aleister's eyes sparkled as he spoke loudly.
Brave——
That is the name given to the extraordinary beings of the eleventh path, the path of miracles.
"…What else?"
Sherlock asked helplessly.
Everyone can understand a girl's longing for her father. However, without sufficient determination and perseverance, this path may be the most difficult one.
The difficulty of the path before and after the Holy Number Nine is not at the same level at all.
However, Aleister was very stubborn: "I want to follow the path my father walked!
"——Aleister, want to be a hero!"
The girl said firmly.
“Hahahahahaha…”
At this moment, a cheerful voice came: "Hero... Ah Huan might like you very much."
The light by the window condensed into a human shape, striding towards the crowd.
——That's Aiwass!
"dad!"
Ale's eyes lit up, and he rushed over, jumped into Aiwas' arms, and buried his face in Aiwas's arms.
It was such a warm embrace.
And then, the light surging behind Aiwass condensed into several new human figures.
Adoptive father James, Lily, and grandfather Jacob.
The "artificial angel" Aiwass, now a boy of about two or three years old, was held in the arms of his grandfather Jacob. There was a halo around his head, and his pupils were shining.
James transformed into a young man in his twenties or thirties, and nodded to the old butler Oswald with a smile. The old elf saluted him excitedly.
Lily disappeared into the shadows as soon as she appeared - as the shadow in the light, she was the only one who accompanied Aiwass into the dream world at the first moment.
Aiwass and Isabel looked at each other and smiled together.
He whispered to the girl in his arms, "Alai, do you know...what the ultimate goal of a hero is?"
“…What is it?”
Alai was a little confused, but without much hesitation: "I think it's about saving the world!"
“The purpose of a hero is to save others from having to embark on the journey of becoming a hero.”
Aiwass said gently: "You live in an age that no longer needs heroes. The world no longer needs to be saved. This is all that the 'Savior' brings to you."
“…Then I will embark on the path of healing!”
Aleister didn't hesitate much—or rather, this was what she originally wanted.
Becoming a brave man, becoming a hero, that is just a longing for my father.
The way to healing——
That was the new path opened up after Hengwo was shattered and Wu Tiansi ascended to the Pillar God. Compared to the treatment of the path of dedication, this is a more gentle healing.
Exhausted, Hengwo and the Beastmaster entered samsara after their mission was complete, and did not return immediately. Like the Fallen Angels, though they have yet to be resurrected... they will be able to return in a cleansed form in the near future.
The path to healing represents continuation, restoration, and maintenance.
It can heal everything, tangible or intangible, and make what has stopped continue again - this is also a kind of creation.
Some of the fog fairies today wear sapphire rings that symbolize healing and travel around the world to provide voluntary medical services.
These people were the first healers.
"The remnants of the path of love..."
Aiwass murmured.
He touched little Alai's head and asked softly, "Why did you choose this path?"
"If you can't be a hero who saves the world, then be a hero that everyone recognizes!"
Aleister replied with a resounding voice, "I want to make sure that no one in the world suffers anymore. This is even greater than what my mother did!"
As she spoke, a pure white light suddenly shone in little Aleister's pupils—that was the light of miracle.
However, everyone present was either shocked by this ambition, or reminded of the past, or lowered their eyes... they all fell into synchronized silence.
"That's a journey full of thorns, little fox..."
Finally, Sherlock shook his head, sighed, and then spoke symbolically: "Saving everyone...it's impossible."
"Why……"
But the younger version of James just stopped him with a smile: “Why not, let her go.
"Even something as impossible as saving the world from doomsday has been accomplished. Perhaps sometimes... we don't have to be so rational."
"I think..."
Aiwass surprisingly did not deny his daughter's naive words: "Maybe, it's really possible."
He simply lifted her up, held her toward the sun, letting its brilliant rays bathe her back.
"Nothing is impossible; that's the miracle. Even if it's difficult, even if it's dangerous... we must have the courage to try and take risks. The possibilities in this world are truly 'infinite'.
"Saving the world isn't the end. There are still countless people who haven't found happiness. So I think that although this is an extremely difficult road, it's also a meaningful one. It's better to have dreams than not to have them; it's better to have hope than to lose hope."
"Wait, this is..."
Yulia suddenly looked up, somewhat stunned: "The Fool card?"
The Fool card is both number 0 and number 22. It is the beginning of all Tarot cards and also represents the end of all Tarot cards.
The Fool symbolizes Dionysus, the god of wine. This doesn't represent foolishness, but rather a sense of unbridled wisdom and innocence. The simple Fool, filled with innocence, joy, and courage, unfettered by their decision to forge their own path—yet at the same time, while still inexperienced, they are fully prepared.
Perhaps it’s because the Fool is so likable, or perhaps it’s because the light of his dreams is so bright... Therefore, he always has noble people around to help him avoid danger.
“That’s right!”
Aiwass was quite happy: "August 8th, the day of change, the time of transformation. On this day worth celebrating, a new cycle begins again -
“Only this time, it’s not about saving the world… but about making everyone happy.
"Come on, everyone, let's go watch the ceremony!
"Let the great Ring of Tail celebrate together!
"Congratulations to our little fool, who is once again on his journey!"
(End of the book)
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
