PS: The description of Father Edward in the first few chapters is wrong, it should be "666 disguise", not yet "999 disguise". I'm really sorry, but I'm dizzy with the trivial things these days.

Flying rapidly over the city, I hovered over the mountain in the suburbs, and Father Edward below had recovered from the disguise of "Starlight Chaos" to his human form, he should be waiting for me, this mutual temptation contest, it seems that it can be put to rest. I used almost all the means, and Father Edward also exposed two disguised abilities, and as for who made a little more, I never thought about it. Because, in the past, there were also many people who knew what I was capable of, who could kill me, even if they didn't know these mysterious specifics. And if you can't kill me, no matter how much the other party makes targeted arrangements, you can't do it.

Father Edward, not the kind that can kill me.

As soon as the Cloak of Shadows rolled up, it reverted back to the form of a raven that made the Moquark, and flew over my shoulder. I landed in front of Father Edward, disarming all offensive stance. Father Edward looked at me thoughtfully, and although he had been thrown out of the city by Quark in disguise twice, there was no trace of annoyance on his face. His missionary garb was still neat and clean, as if it had just been washed and ironed, and his appearance, age, and temperament were more like a priest than Father Sissen. Father Sissen is too tall and acts more oppressively, more like an energetic leader, while Father Edward is more calm, as if he has been washed by time and full of the wisdom of life. Even a real failure would not destroy such a person, not to mention that Father Edward could not talk about failure at all.

If figures like Father Edward continue to linger in the city. It will cause a lot of trouble for the city. Beneath his calm and wise exterior lurks the paranoia and madness of all believers in the Doomsday Shinrikyo cult. Assuming that Father Edward is determined to develop in this city, then there is nothing I can do to stop him except to kill him with all my might. The two of us fought with all our might, not to mention how long it would take to decide the winner. Even if I do win in the end, the impact of the battle between the two of us is not something that a city can bear. That's why I'm going to negotiate again in this place in the suburbs, not just to avoid the impact of the "Starlight Chaos" self-detonation.

I can protect myself, I can protect the whisperers, and if we can't stay somewhere, we can shift positions. But I don't just want that kind of security. It was never done in the past. I want to try again an idea that I can't do now. I wanted to protect the city and its people as much as I could, I don't know how far I could go, the battles of the various mysterious organizations in this world, the conspiracies and plans that rubbed against each other, the mystical spread of the Mars, and the sacrifices that the Doomsday Shinrikyo does best. And the monster that watched a qiē in that deep darkness has the power to destroy the world. A city is so fragile that it is not as good as an egg. Among them, the people and things that will hurt the city, including myself. My plan, even the most desirable outcome, would have destroyed all of this.

Therefore. My thoughts and actions to protect this city are only a flash in the pan, a manifestation of hypocrisy and contradictions. I know it very well, but even so. I still want to do it. Even if, at a certain price, in terms of attitude and actions, make certain compromises with any enemy who has the potential to destroy the city. Perhaps, people who know the cause and effect will feel that this is simply ignorant and a waste of energy, but I can get spiritual comfort from this contradictory and hypocritical thoughts and practices, and I can make myself feel that although I can no longer become a hero, deep down, I have never deviated from the path of a hero.

Yes, I want to protect this city, protect the people who live here, not for any benefit, I have paid here, and I have never thought about how much I will get in return, and even I have long been prepared that I will not get a good reward. I'm just, like a fool, clinging to my naivety, even if it's not realistic at all.

Looking at Father Edward in front of me, I would rather exchange the eyeballs of the "Phaseless Demon" for his promise. Maybe he doesn't think it's enough, but I think I'll convince him, because, even if there is only one eyeball left, the remnants of the "Phaseless Heavenly Demon" are still important. It is possible that Father Edward has re-cultivated a new Phaseless Heavenly Demon, or, from this eyeball, he has found clues about a series of seemingly coincidental events related to the "Phaseless Heavenly Demon" turning into a corpse and appearing here.

Such an eyeball, for me, is not something that can be handled casually. It was because I could think of all sorts of ways to deal with this eyeball that it was more valuable to Father Edward.

I spread my palms out and handed him the eyeballs.

"Why? You have proven that you have what it takes to get it. Father Edward didn't take it, just looked at me calmly and said.

"I care more about it than that." I said, "I'm going to protect this city, it's a promise." ”

"Promise?" Father Edward raised his gaze slightly, and I thought he might be looking at the city, "Who's promised." ”

"My own." I said, "I wanted to be a hero, but I failed. ”

"So, it's a compensation?" Father Edward finally showed a hint of mockery, and such an expression was not surprising at all.

"No, it's just the folly of the Harlequin." I laughed, and I was able to speak my mind to him, surprisingly less painful and embarrassed. I have always known my own shortcomings, but I have always played a strong role in front of others, and never confessed my shortcomings and stupidity to others, I suppressed the ugly and ignorant side in the darkness of my heart, and let it be like a poisonous snake, every time I immersed in the mood, it was bitten. I used to think that I would never reveal these things, that I would always show my strong side in front of others and hold up a piece of the sky for the people I loved. Now, however, to my surprise, I didn't hold out in front of Edward.

"It's a stupid idea. You know, you can't protect it forever. the city. The people here are just swarms of bubbles, and even if you don't pop them with your hands, it will disappear by itself. Father Edward said this, the mocking expression disappearing from the corners of his mouth, and then he sighed deeply. Obviously you can see the apocalyptic truth, why do you have to ignore its existence? Something must have gone wrong, and you should have been like us, walking on the path of seeking the truth, and not doing naïve folly. But, perhaps, only at this point, you are the same as the other Takakawa, you are both naïve fools. ”

"Yes, so we're all called Takakawa." I heard Father Edward say that. I don't know why, but a little happy, "We're just stupid, always doing naïve and stupid behavior, and our heads are full of contradictory thoughts." However, if you have never insisted on a naïve thought and behavior to the end in your life, isn't this life meaningless? It's easy to live with the dust. It's easy to be mature, but that's not what I want. ”

"So. What do you want? Father Edward asked.

"I want to be a hero." For the first time, I have said this to an enemy, so firmly.

Then, Father Edward was dumbfounded, as if he had seen some prehistoric monster. I can't help but wonder, has no one ever said such a thing to him? Even naïve children. Didn't you ever say it too?

"Are you stupid?" Father Edward didn't seem to realize that he had already answered this question.

"Yes, I'm stupid." I laughed happily, "One wants to be a hero, but can't be a hero." Even so, you can't give up being a fool to become a hero. ”

Father Edward asked again, "Are you serious?" Do you really think so? ”

"Why do you ask? I've never doubted my thoughts, but I've always kept them in my heart. I said with great certainty, throwing the eyeball to him, and he caught it in a bit of a panic, so that I couldn't help but wonder, is the psychological blow that just said to him really so big? Now, he doesn't have the calm spirit of the mastermind behind the scenes, "I know, you may not believe it, but I never need anyone to believe it." Let's make a deal, you take the eyeballs, and then bring a girl named Marceau in Las Vegas, and then, don't set foot in Asia again. ”

Father Edward looked at the eyeballs in his hand, then at me, and after a long silence, he retracted his surprised expression and said categorically, "Only the mainland of the Central Duchy is the mainland. What he meant was that he only recognized and did not set foot in the inner territory of the Central Principality, but the island belt, including the Special Zone of Japan, and the surrounding vassal states, were not within the scope of the transaction. Even so, I still agreed, because my bottom line is only this city, and it is impossible for a small mysterious organization like the Whisperers to really monitor the whole country. In exchange for Father Edward's promise not to set foot in the Central Duchy, to me, is more than the value of this eyeball.

"Yes." I say.

We don't need a contract on paper, it's a promise from an occultist, and I'm willing to believe in the promise of someone like Father Edward.

"Is there anything special about that girl named Marceau?" Father Edward closed his eyes and asked the question, as if he didn't know anything about Marceau. I had assumed that he had personally implanted the mystical seed for Marceau, but since there was a problem like that of the maîtress and the governess, it is possible that Marceau was not handled by Father Edward. Therefore, I must rule out the possibility that Father Edward will discover Marceau at a later date and do something to her.

In this transaction, the conditions regarding Marceau were set up in response to this possibility. Now that the deal is valid, I'm sure Father Edward won't be repentant of noticing Marceau's difference.

"She's also implanted with mystical seeds." I didn't hide it, to find Marceau, who had been implanted with the Seed of Mystery, Father Edward was undoubtedly the best candidate. His relationship with the Mystic Seed, as well as his own strength, ensure that Marceau can stay away from the maelstrom of Las Vegas in the most secure situation.

"Hmm......? I see. Father Edward nodded as if he understood something, I don't know what he had figured it out, but in general, it was inseparable from the situation of the Phaseless Heavenly Demon. He already knows about the maîtress and the governess from me, so another Marceau will not seem too special to the girl.

"Bring Marceau here. It's the last time you'll be near the city. Again, I emphasized.

"Why does it have to be this city?" Father Edward asked, "The Celestial Demon would not be here for no reason, and I don't think there is any more reason for your decision to stay here than a naïve idea. ”

"I don't know. I don't care. I paused before I said to Father Edward: "Perhaps, it is because I am the natural protagonist here, and this city, from the moment it was born, was destined to be my territory. ”

"What a stupid idea." Father Edward just muttered, and turned to walk off into the distance, without the slightest hint of mud and water. "You're an idiot, Mr. Takakawa, but that's why you're so powerful. In this world, there is nothing that can be protected forever, and every qiē will inevitably perish, and sooner or later the truth of the end will be presented to you in the most naked way. I'm sure you'll make a choice. Because, you already get it. It's just unacceptable. Don't forget jì, no matter how much you struggle, but when you contradict the truth, you are already doomed. Trying to protect something, what to save, this is the right thing for humanity. It is also the limit of human beings, only this kind of Cheng dù words, in the face of the apocalyptic truth, you are doomed to be unable to protect and save. Those things you care about. ”

Yes, I know, but my plan was not to face the so-called doomsday truth by myself from the beginning. I am human and understand the boundaries of human beings, so I can't be a hero, but "Jiang" is different. Love can save a monster, because love can cross the limits of the soul and reach the other side of existence, allowing a monster to defeat another monster. My hope has never been in "people".

“…… It's going to be the final victory, and I'm going to be the ultimate victory. It's a monster war, and the winner takes all. I said to myself.

Father Edward's trade and departure made me feel relieved both physically and mentally. It's scary to have a nuke-like enemy in the city. To protect something fragile, you must first make sure that you touch it with more force than you can bear. Although there are some mysterious events in the current city, in general, the mystical diffusion range is much lower than the average in Europe and the United States, which also means that it is more vulnerable than eggs. To change this vulnerability, we must wait for the student council presidents to return from Las Vegas, as well as those from outside the school who are inextricably linked to the student council. Today's Las Vegas must be staging chaotic and wonderful scenes of mysterious events, the interweaving of people's hearts and mysteries will inevitably compose a grand elegy, whether Las Vegas can still survive, is still a question. Correspondingly, once someone can return from that battlefield, it means that he has gained great strength, a strong heart and a delicate mind. Dealing with that kind of person is the only way to make a decisive decision on the future of this city for a period of time. And their return is a symbol that the city will no longer be as fragile as it is now.

I summoned the quark, wrapped myself in a shadow cloak, and leaped into the shadows near me. The next moment, when I came out of the shadows again, it was already in my bedroom. I slipped out from under the bed and checked the door lock to make sure no one had been in or out of the room at the time I was gone. Last night's actions, nightmares and early morning battles with Father Edward, one by one, filled the time, making people feel as if they had no time to spare. I didn't change my clothes, I just fell into bed, and I didn't have the slightest idea of falling asleep. I knew that once I fell asleep, I would go back into nightmares, and that it was not a place to rest. Mysterious events ensued, just like stirring the river, bringing up the sediment at the bottom of the river, making every qiē muddy. Even a mysterious expert can't perfectly handle all the situations.

The same is true for me, I am strong, but there is still a limit. Quarks flew in through the window and jumped around on the windowsill. This qiē is so familiar that the trance takes me back to yesterday. I stood up and left the bedroom, there was no one in the hall, Sakuya and Hakkei went to school, Dr. Nguyen Li went to work, and the feeling of emptiness was also full of the smell of yesterday in a trance. I opened the fridge, and there was frozen raw beef in it as always. I thawed it, cut it into strips, and took it to the bedroom, as I had done in the past, to give it to Quark.

It's not carrion, but Quark eats it happily, and it's a peculiar bird as before. Looking at its cheerfulness, my mood seems to be cheerful. I pulled out my chair, turned on my computer, and began to process new information. That's what I do now. I didn't need to go to school, I didn't need to make money, but I had to deal with all kinds of strange situations, including deadly battles and horrific nightmares, and even after the battle was over, I still had to organize and reanalyze my thoughts and the information I had gathered. If I still have time, I need to research and maintain combat tools, train my body, and keep in touch with some insiders. And there will never be a day off until the final victory or final defeat comes.

In the past, I was quite adventurous and preferred adventure stories, but after going through a lot, I can't say that I am disgusted, but the deep pressure, fear and despair have never made me as happy as I was at the beginning. I can't escape this mysterious world, I can't pretend to be an ordinary person, ignore this mysterious world, because it has become a responsibility to face it. More than once, I wanted to regain the joy of the past, and only now do I feel a little bit of it.

The fourth-level magic pattern, the revival of quarks, and the straightforward expression of my chest when facing Father Edward all made me feel more and more that I may have changed a lot, but there are some things that have always been insisted on by myself, even if I once doubted, once helpless, and even once refused to think about it, things are still there, unchanged.

In the age of climbing trees, maneuvers on horizontal bars, walking on narrow corridor railings, jumping down high stairs and floors, climbing over high walls, and trying to climb cornices as children's games, everyone was unrestrained, not afraid of bleeding and broken bones, nor did they feel disgusting to step on frogs or eat roasted locusts, just to gain praise and admiration for bravery.

The adults, of course, did not approve of such behavior, they only felt scared and disgusted. As they get older, adults teach children what fear is.

I didn't repent, and I still ran on the eaves and the top of the walls, but when I was the only one left, I didn't do it in plain sight, because it was not only boring, but also a little stupid, and the surprised eyes of others took me for a joke.

I became an honor student, not involved in dangerous behavior, not involved in sports activities, and focused on my studies. In addition, the dream of becoming a dynamics expert was born, which required a high degree of education.

However, it turns out that I am better at psychology than dynamics, and deep down, I want to be a hero more than a dynamicist and a psychologist.

What is a hero? I've had all sorts of understandings, but, in the end, it has no answers, just more emotional assertions. That's what I want to be.

Now, the environment and experience have polished me, and the way I want to become, the ideal self, is gradually full of dust in my heart. However, it never disappeared, and it stood there, waiting for me.

Now, I am here to tell my own story, feeling, in this world that is different from the past, in a different room, full of similar tastes, feeling, the return of Quark, and the joy of pecking fresh beef, feeling, permeating this city, the uncertain mystery. And think about his inhuman lover. Then, this qiē seemed to converge into a fresh breeze that blew away the dust in my heart. Let me feel once again the joy and pain of my own. Those joys and pains are nothing compared to the joys and pains of today, but they are important, they are so simple, innocent and clean, and they make me feel that they are closer to the way I want to be than I am now.

I'm here to tell my story, because I already know that I can never be what I want to be, so I have to wipe away the dust so that I can see what I want to be at any time. (To be continued......)