Chapter 53 Chapter 53: A Person's Character is Their Fate
Chapter 53: A Person's Character is Their Fate
In fact, this was precisely the historical truth that Kevin had discovered last night in Svarog's mansion. For the present time, it was already something that happened hundreds of years ago, so it wasn't surprising that it would be recorded in various historical documents.
It's just that Kevin hadn't expected to coincidentally flip to this page among dozens of history books, and then coincidentally encounter this 'ghost' wandering in the Fragmentum today.
Even in an apocalypse where humanity's extinction is on a countdown, there are still some people who can't forget to harm everyone's interests to satisfy themselves... Perhaps until the moment of death, he would still believe his decisions were absolutely correct, after all, he did live through times that most people could hardly reach.
Kevin truly despises these parasites hidden within civilization, because once selfishness reaches a certain level, humans depart from the realm of civilization.
Although history is also part of civilization, when a large group of humans share the same history, they form a civilization... But the only lesson humans learn from history is that they learn nothing.
Fortunately, those disgusting parasites are ultimately in the minority; otherwise, Belobog wouldn't have lasted until Kevin's arrival. He probably would have only seen a frozen ancient city.
"Do you think in this story, the one at fault is the selfish minister or the mediocre younger sister?" Kevin suddenly asked Seele.
"Is there even any question?! That guy named Stepan deserves to die!"
Seele immediately cursed through gritted teeth: "Not only oppressing commoners, but even deceiving the feelings of such a young child to use as his political tool—utterly worse than pigs or dogs! If you ask me, slicing him into a thousand pieces would be too light a punishment!"
That was clearly a treacherous minister whom anyone would curse for deceiving superiors and subordinates alike... yet even now, there are still people speaking up for him.
"Actually, Mr. Stepan was a very gentle person."
"What?!"
Hearing this voice, Seele immediately turned her head in shock, only to see the little girl who was just smiling moments ago now had a completely changed expression, her eyes filled with a liveliness that wasn't there before.
She looked up at Kevin, then forcefully lowered her head and said: "Thank you, big brother... Big brother is really gentle, feeling just like Mr. Stepan... I feel like I've remembered everything now."
"—I am Cielia, the Supreme Guardian of Belobog."
When saying this sentence, the little girl's voice suddenly changed into that of an adult woman. Her originally small body gradually faded away, transforming into an image resembling an adult woman holding a golden scepter, dressed magnificently but with an entirely unclear face... Frankly, this appearance even fits Seele's perception of Fragmentum creatures better.
But a cold Fragmentum creature and a cute little girl being one and the same... Such a thing happening right before her eyes is really somewhat hard to accept.
"I know I am unworthy of such a high position. If it weren't for my elder sister leaving inexplicably back then... I would never have walked this path."
"Fortunately, Mr. Stepan was by my side—he was my teacher, my close friend. He gave me countless valuable suggestions... helped me survive crisis after crisis."
An ethereal yet deep voice came from her. Even though the real Cielia had long since passed away, these memories and feelings were completely genuine.
"I was born foolish... and died because of that foolishness. I failed all those who placed high hopes in me... I failed the duties and honor of the Supreme Guardian."
"I stumbled through that open box door, ending my own life in a way destined to be ridiculed by the world."
"Perhaps in the final moments before life ended, I too was swept into a vortex of shame... But I have wandered in this borderland for too long, long since unable to feel sorrow or disgrace. I couldn't recall the cause of my death all along, which is why I've lingered here for years..."
This Fragmentum creature rich with memories and emotions paused slightly, then turned her gaze to Kevin: "Thank you, sir. Thank you for helping me recover my memories, allowing me to face everything squarely..."
Even for her, who already belongs to the Fragmentum, hundreds of years of lonely time were enough to exhaust all the emotions she had at her initial birth, turning her into a 'ghost' almost identical to her childhood self—naive and ignorant.
And now, the remnant shadow that once proved the existence of that ignorant child will never return again.
"So now, you just want to find peace for yourself, right?"
For a monster with human thoughts, wandering in the collapsing Fragmentum is undoubtedly a kind of torment... Kevin can understand that feeling.
"Mhm."
The answer held no hesitation nor any emotion.
"I understand."
Without needing to act or expend much effort, pure frost inexplicably began spreading across her body until it completely enveloped her, then turned into fine ice shards melting mid-air, leaving not a single trace behind.
"Thank you, big brother..."
At the very last moment, that innocent, pure voice unique to a child echoed around them one final time.
Perhaps that minister named Stepan, though committing many evils, held genuine feelings for Cielia; perhaps when Stepan first approached this neglected little girl, he actually didn't harbor so much calculation.
But this is ultimately just conjecture; all truths have long been buried in the merciless river of time... History won't give you truth; it only tells you lessons.
Everything happened so suddenly that Seele even felt Kevin seemed to have suddenly become colder again—or perhaps he was always like this.
Seele remembers he only said this one sentence at the time—
"A person's character is their fate."
———— ————
Almost simultaneously, in a certain corner of the Silvermane Guards camp.
"Lady Bronya, you called me here alone for something urgent?"
As a Silvermane Guard Captain, Gepard and Bronya, acting as acting commander-in-chief, have fought side-by-side in life-or-death situations not just once or twice. Even without much interaction beyond that, they are definitely comrades who can entrust their lives to each other.
"Captain Gepard..."
"If one day, the 'Supreme Guardian's' goals run counter to protecting the people of Belobog... what would you do?"
(There is an illustration here; it can be viewed after updating the version.)
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