Chapter 59 Chapter 59: The Fledgling Should Learn to Fly on Its Own
Chapter 59: The Fledgling Should Learn to Fly on Its Own
To be honest, this was even the first time Himeko had seen Welt get so nervous. No matter what difficulties or dangers they had encountered before, he had always maintained a calm and wise demeanor, occasionally even bursting with the unique passion of youth.
They had even faced enemies at the level of 'Emanators' several times—beings so powerful they could completely erase a star from the star chart... Yet even then, Welt had still been able to calmly lead everyone out of danger.
What kind of enemy could shake Welt's composure so much? It was also possible that the unease he had been feeling all along originated from this.
Welt had occasionally mentioned his past, but Himeko only knew that his world had once suffered a disaster called [Honkai]. He almost never mentioned any actual names, and the stories he told were usually vague.
The Sovereign of the World Serpent... That sounded like the leader of some special organization?
"Welt, who exactly is this person who suddenly barged onto the Astral Express? Is he dangerous?" Himeko took half a step closer to Welt and also stared intently at Kevin, who had inexplicably appeared before them, asking softly.
"It's somewhat laughable to say this, but it should be considered being scared into submission... In the past, I couldn't think of any way to deal with him, and even now, it's still the same."
Replying to Himeko's question in an equally low voice, Welt extended his right hand and lightly clenched it in the air. A black scepter then materialized out of thin air, grasped tightly in his hand. His entire being had clearly entered a tense state of readiness for battle.
"Star of Eden... I truly never expected to see this Divine Key again in a place like this... For safety's sake, it's best not to let that girl Elysia see it."
First casting a complicated glance at the Divine Key in Welt's hand, Kevin then shifted his gaze back to the other man and asked, "Judging from your eyes, I suppose I've been dead for a long time in that world?"
"Please rest assured, I am not here to be your enemy. Even in the original world, I only ever considered that we shared [Honkai] as a common enemy, not that we were in any kind of adversarial relationship."
In fact, Kevin truly acted this way. Even though Welt had attempted more than once to stop him from returning to the real world from the Sea of Quanta, Kevin never truly tried to kill him. He even extended an invitation for him to join the World Serpent.
"Judging from the fact that you have the leisure to travel for fun, it seems human civilization has completely broken free from the shackles of [Honkai], and perhaps even has a better future... That is enough."
At the very least, Kevin's judgment in the past was rarely wrong. Even as a former Herrscher, Welt undoubtedly possessed a firmer belief in fighting against [Honkai] than anyone else. Otherwise, Kevin wouldn't have invited him to join the World Serpent back then.
It's just a pity that due to their incompatible ideologies, they ultimately couldn't become comrades-in-arms and were forced to stand on opposite sides in the choice of how to combat [Honkai].
That situation was probably similar to Belobog at this moment.
"...I do acknowledge your strength and your conviction in fighting [Honkai], but I have never been able to accept your ideology and actions of pushing all of humanity into the abyss for that goal. Even today, that remains unchanged, Kevin."
What [Stigmata Plan]... If humans completely lost the most important thing that makes them human, could they still truly be called human?
"That's right. I admit you were correct."
"...What?"
Welt originally thought they would inevitably come to blows due to their ideological differences. Who could have imagined that Kevin—the very person he could never persuade no matter what—would agree with his words without hesitation?
"Those children have already proven its possibility before my eyes and have long since led humanity towards the broader starry sea... What reason do I have to deny your efforts?"
Kevin was actually neither stubborn nor obsessive. It's just that compared to ideals that only existed in words and thoughts, he preferred to believe in the reality presented before his eyes.
Hearing this, Welt slightly lowered his guard. Standing up straight and frowning, he asked Kevin, "If that's the case, why are you, who should have long been dead, appearing here?"
His adventures among the stars had taught Welt one thing: in this vast universe, anything is possible.
The seemingly incredibly real Kevin before him might even be some special creature that secretly read his memories and mimicked his form.
But when he asked this question, Welt seemed to have completely forgotten... He himself was actually the number one person officially recognized through countless versions as having mastered the art of 'Yang lying down and sitting up'?
"Although I don't understand why my self, who completely perished in [Finality], has been reborn in this world, on this planet, as I just said, I am not here to be your enemy."
Perhaps because he had unexpectedly encountered an old acquaintance from long ago amidst the vast sea of people, Kevin inexplicably began to talk a bit more like his 50,000-year-ago self. Yet he still accurately explained his purpose: "Since you didn't choose to take action from the very beginning, it means your goal isn't to completely save everyone either."
"Don't deny it. After all, you should understand too. In a world like this, every minute and second someone suffers or perishes in disaster."
"I actually quite agree with this approach because you are not this world's nanny either... But since you've already made such a choice, don't interfere with the process of a fledgling learning to fly on its own."
Kevin felt using a fledgling to describe a civilization that had almost reverted to its origins amidst disaster was quite apt.
You can certainly choose to temporarily lift it into the sky with your hand, but you will eventually remove your hand, and the fledgling will inevitably face the fate of falling to its death.
Beyond that, leading it to a high cliff or offering encouragement are truly helpful methods.
"Pom-Pom also feels what he says is right. The purpose of Trailblazing is adventure and assistance itself, not to show off by pulling up seedlings to help them grow."
Suddenly, a cute doll wearing a conductor's uniform wobbled over. After lightly criticizing Welt and Himeko, it handed something to Kevin: "But remember this too, passenger. Next time you board the train, don't forget to buy a ticket first."
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