『 [ ….Yes. ]
Acheron remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
[ Are you watching over me? ]
The old man's phantom asked.
[ Perhaps. ]
[ This is my duty…. The Watcher of Acheron. ]
[ I will guard the path leading to the abyss of Nihility, guiding every life that does not wish to fall into it….. back to this side of the world. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Miss Acheron is actually guarding the path to Nihility all by herself!"
March 7th: "This…. this is just too great!"
Qingque: "Suddenly, I feel so safe."
Qingque: "I don't have to worry about accidentally falling into the abyss of Nihility anymore."
Madam Herta: "Using the power of Nihility to oppose Nihility…"
Madam Herta: "Ha, you've really mastered the art of Nihility."
Furina de Fontaine: "So that's why Aventurine almost fell into the abyss of Nihility before."
Furina de Fontaine: "Thanks to Miss Acheron pulling him back out."
Hu Tao: "Is there a possibility that if it weren't for Miss Acheron, everyone in this entire dream would have fallen into Nihility by now?"
Stelle: "I think so too."
Stelle: "The people in this Dream are all living in their own fantasies right now."
Stelle: "What is the point of that?"
Stelle: "The shadow of Nihility must have already started to shroud them."
Paimon: "But this Dream also has some connection to the Aeon of Order."
Paimon: "It wouldn't be so easily shrouded by Nihility, right?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Order couldn't do anything against Nihility while alive, let alone now that it's dead?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "The Aeon of Nihility does nothing, but that doesn't mean it is weak."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "In fact, the power of the Aeon of Nihility is extremely terrifying."
Welt Yang: "Regardless, Miss Acheron's actions have indeed indirectly saved countless people from falling into the abyss of Nihility."
Welt Yang: "It's just that for Miss Acheron herself, who has been keeping such a long vigil, it is somewhat cruel."
March 7th: "Yeah…. guarding here all year round, it must be very lonely, right?"
Acheron: "Lonely… you say?"
Acheron: "Apologies, my perception of such emotions has become very blurred."
Acheron: "Naturally, I don't feel much loneliness."
Acheron: "Besides, I am not truly alone."
Acheron: "As you have seen, in this process, I always encounter things that accompany me."
Acheron: "Even though they might not be people in the true sense."
Acheron: "They always bring me many emotions."
Acheron: "These emotions intensify that touch of red in my eyes, preventing it from fading away."
Acheron: "In that way, it is a precious harvest."
Guinaifen: "Miss Acheron's current appearance is the form of a Self-Annihilator after fading, right?"
Guinaifen: "Although I know this isn't a good thing…."
Guinaifen: "But I still can't help but say…. so cool aaaaaa!"
Lumine: "Indeed cool!"
Lumine: "It gives off a dashing feeling!"
Lumine: "Especially that unique bright red on Miss Acheron."
Lumine: "It makes one feel thrilled."
....
『 [ But if this is the outcome the deceased wished for, would you still want to change it? ]
The old man's phantom asked in return.
[ I do not know. ]
[ But someone once told me that one day he would pass away, and he hoped that when that time came.... ]
[ Someone would stand at his grave and place a bouquet of flowers. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Does this mean…. this old Galaxy Ranger didn't die before?"
Stelle: "After the long years passed, he was finally worn out?"
March 7th: "Maybe that's the case."
March 7th: "I remember this sentence was used by Miss Acheron to ask this old man earlier, right?"
March 7th: "Now it's being asked back by the old man's phantom."
Black Swan: "The answer is still 'I don't know'."
Black Swan: "And that's fine…."
Black Swan: "For this kind of question, not knowing is the best answer."
Black Swan: "Because for some questions, what's important isn't the answer, but the process of searching for it."
Furina de Fontaine: "Hey, Mr. Boothill, don't you plan to offer flowers to commemorate the old hero of your Galaxy Rangers?"
Boothill: "Of course I want to!!"
Boothill: "It's just that….. son of a biscuit…. I don't know where the old hero's grave is!"
Acheron: "I know where it is."
Acheron: "I can take you there when the time comes."
Boothill: "That sounds great, thanks!"
Boothill: "Don't worry, everyone, I'll buy out all the flowers in the flower shop; I must fulfill the old hero's wish."
Hu Tao: "Ahem…. a single bouquet is enough…. no need to be so extravagant…"
....
『 [ Even if... it doesn't make sense at all? ]
The old man's phantom asked again.
[ Some tasks have to be done, even if they are pointless. I have... experienced that much already. ]
[ Please extend your hand, and then, close your eyes. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Using the words that this old Galaxy Ranger once said to answer him."
Stelle: "Tsk, looks like Acheron learned a lot from this old Galaxy Ranger."
Acheron: "Indeed, I learned a lot."
Acheron: "These are all very precious."
Li Sushang: "Sigh…. Is it a pity that such a heroic figure must eventually come to an end?"
Fu Xuan: "He has fulfilled his wish; remaining in this world with this obsession would be less beautiful."
Furina de Fontaine: "Is Miss Acheron going to guide him now?"
Furina de Fontaine: "After he disappears, will the sky really clear up?"
....
『
[ I will carry your wish forward and fulfill it. ]
[ Only then will I be able to put an end to the final regret by the Dead Sea. ]
Acheron extended her crimson right hand, tightly gripping the hand extended by the old man's phantom.
[ Will I…. be able to see them again? ]
The old man's tone was filled with expectation.
[ You certainly will. ]
[ Because the person who told me these things himself was you: about that train, your two former partners, that Trailblaze that ended in the Swarm Disaster, your survival, and your meeting with the Galaxy Rangers..... ]
[ And that hometown you could never return to, Penacony. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "HOLY SHIT!!!"
Stelle: "What the hell!"
Stelle: "Wait, what is this saying?!"
Stelle: "Oh no, after finishing these sentences, I've got full-body chills!"
Boothill: "Meow!"
Boothill: "Son of a biscuit!"
Boothill: "Don't talk about your body chills."
Boothill: "Even my alloy skull feels tingly!"
Boothill: "So after all this time…. this old senior of our Galaxy Rangers…. could it be an acquaintance we already know?!"
March 7th: "He…. HE IS!!"
Himeko: "The answer may already be obvious."
Himeko: "But…. is there still a component of coincidence?"
Welt Yang: "It doesn't feel like a coincidence anymore."
Welt Yang: "The characteristics all match up."
Welt Yang: "Let's keep watching."
Welt Yang: "Let's see if he is indeed the person we all have in mind."
....
『 [ Yes, countless times... I was turned away by The Family, only able to brush past it. ]
[ But I know, my companions are still there…. all alone.... ]
[ Mikhail….. are you still there... ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Gallagher: "Heh…. Mikhail…."
Gallagher: "I didn't expect that in my lifetime, I would still hear this name, spoken from…. Tiernan's mouth…."
Gallagher: "In a daze, I even felt like I had returned to that Trailblazing period when everyone was still around..."
Gallagher: "Although conditions were tough back then, everyone's fighting spirit was so high."
Gallagher: "I vaguely remember how high-spirited Mikhail was at that time…"
Gallagher: "Pity…."
Gallagher: "Sigh… time is truly merciless!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Mr. Gallagher, say no more."
Furina de Fontaine: "Watching this scene and hearing you say these things, my eyes are uncontrollably filling with water elements!"
Stelle: "I didn't expect it, really didn't expect it."
Stelle: "This legendary old senior of the Galaxy Rangers is actually Tiernan, one of the three Nameless seniors we've been desperately looking for?"
Stelle: "Not only did he not die after encountering the Swarm Disaster back then, but he even joined the Galaxy Rangers."
Stelle: "And finally joined the ranks to crusade against the Lord Ravager?!"
Stelle: "This…. this is just too…. legendary?!"
Hu Tao: "Legendary Nameless, legendary Galaxy Ranger…"
Hu Tao: "Outrageous, truly outrageous!"
Hu Tao: "Is this the true caliber of a Nameless?"
Boothill: "Meow, worthy of being a Nameless, worthy of being our Galaxy Ranger!"
Boothill: "Everyone should well remember such a legend!"
Pam: "Tiernan…. YOU GUY!!"
Pam: "You actually learned from Mikhail!"
Pam: "But…. well done!"
Pam: "You didn't lose face for us, Nameless!"
Pam: "THE CONDUCTOR IS PROUD OF YOU!!"
Pam: "Wuwuwu…."
Paimon: "Lumine, I'm already so shocked I can't speak…"
Lumine: "Paimon, me too…."
Lumine: "It's just…. after knowing all this, I inexplicably want to cry."
March 7th: "I'm already crying!"
March 7th: "This scene is truly both moving and heartbreaking…."
March 7th: "Senior Tiernan, even until he became a Sin Thirster, he was still thinking of his companions!"
Robin: "But The Family repeatedly rejected this senior from returning to the hometown he had once fought and sacrificed for..."
Robin: "The Family owes them far too much…"
Hotaru: "It's okay, it's not too late for compensation now, is it?"
Hotaru: "Heroes shouldn't be nameless, and after death, they should be allowed to return home safely…"
....
『 [ Take my hand, come with me. ]
[ We….. will leave here. ]
[ You will step onto a very long, long path, surrounded by darkness. ]
[ But do not be afraid, because you will see that at the end of the road, there will always be a touch of red. ]
[ That is the color of existence; you must follow it, and it will guide you to the way out. ]
[ In this way, you will certainly be able to reunite in the sunlight. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Gallagher: "Is this old guy's final thought about to dissipate too?"
Gallagher: "Sigh… this guy is the same; even in death, he created an obsession just like Mikhail."
Gallagher: "However…. if Mikhail knew that Tiernan hadn't died back then, but instead had done such earth-shattering deeds, he would surely be happy enough to slap the table and stand up, right?"
Stelle: "He definitely would."
Stelle: "Senior Tiernan, until the end of his life, his obsession transformed into a Sin Thirsters, and he was still thinking of them."
Stelle: "And Senior Mikhail, hasn't he spent his whole life missing his companions?"
Stelle: "I think… this kind of thought, in a way, is also a form of support for the Trailblaze."
Stelle: "They turned into an invisible belief in the Trailblaze, which is what supported Mikhail and the others to walk on silently."
Himeko: "But the path of the Trailblaze has never been smooth sailing."
Himeko: "After experiencing so much, their Trailblazing journey has come to an end."
Himeko: "But it doesn't matter; the paths they haven't finished walking will be continued by those who come after."
Himeko: "As long as the spirit of the Trailblaze continues, that path will never end!"
Welt Yang: "The path of the Trailblaze is maintained by countless people following in the footsteps of their predecessors, passing the torch."
Welt Yang: "As long as the spirit of the Trailblaze remains in people's hearts, this path will never be severed."
Welt Yang: "So, Mr. Sunday, do you understand now?"
Welt Yang: "Even if the Astral Express once ended up with broken silver rails and the train destroyed and people dead."
Welt Yang: "This still wouldn't make the Trailblaze truly disappear."
Welt Yang: "Because…. the train is just a symbol of a spirit; it has never been a necessity for carrying out the Trailblaze."
March 7th: "Hey, without the train, we can run, walk, or even fly!"
March 7th: "As long as you have the spirit of the Trailblaze in your heart, you can always keep trailblazing."
Sunday: "Is this the will of the Trailblaze?"
Sunday: "Indeed, as I have perceived, the path of the Trailblaze is a path that belongs exclusively to heroes."
Sunday: "However, I also admit that it is you heroes who have made this universe radiate infinite possibilities."
Sunday: "At this very moment, through the content in this video, as well as your respective wills."
Sunday: "I have already foreseen some results in my heart."
Sunday: "That result might not be good for me."
Sunday: "But I don't feel much regret anymore."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "It seems that some of your knots are gradually unraveling."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "As a doctor, I am happy to see this."
Furina de Fontaine: "This shows that everyone's guidance wasn't in vain."
Furina de Fontaine: "Mr. Sunday has finally managed to get out of his own head a little."
Stelle: "A little isn't enough, is it?"
Stelle: "After I get out of the dream and beat up the Lord of Sunday, he'll be completely out of it!"
....
『 [ Thank you….. ]
Tiernan offers his sincere thanks.
[ May death be the end of your boundless dream... ]
[ ...guiding you back to the waking world. ] 』
『 ....』