Genshin Impact is a big stage, come if you dare

Chapter 896 The Curtain Falls Gently

Even knowing that Caterpillar's words were sarcastic towards the down-on-their-luck, "Rene" accepted them without caring.

"You...should know about your birth and current situation, right?"

Caterpillar remained expressionless. "I don't care about these things anymore. But I despise your disregard for life."

"Rene" nodded. "I accept your accusations as well."

He didn't care about anyone's ridicule or scolding. Now, his empty heart was filled with only one desire—to go back to the beginning.

At that time, the warrior had not yet embarked on his journey, nor had the other warrior become a dragon.

When the bells ring, the wicked wizard and the princess will drag them to eat the vice-dean's cookies.

Led by Ann, the group followed the water back to the ruins of the Narcissus Cross Temple.

Caterpillar stopped in her tracks. "What happens next is probably a very personal matter for Anne and that Marian. There's no need for someone like me to get involved."

Kong guessed that Caterpillar was probably heading to that flower-covered hillside.

Caterpillar left, and Kong, Ann, and "Rene" went to the ruins of the Narcissus Cross. "Princess" still refused to let anyone get close.

Ultimately, under the guidance of "Rene", Anne withstood the attack launched by the "Princess" and led everyone back to the true resting place.

The blue-haired girl stood before the barrier, "Why...why won't you let us stay here in peace? Is the truth that important? Can't we just stay forever immersed in the dreams of the past?"

"Rene": "...Because dreams must end, and you should move toward the real future."

An said firmly, "You deserve to live a happy and fulfilling life. I will not give up on you."

The daffodil cross holy sword shattered the barrier of illusion.

The blue-haired girl, who had originally intended to escape, was shocked to discover "Rene's" identity: "This aura...Rene!"

The bluish-purple water sphere admitted, "...Yes, I am Rene. I have taken this form."

"Rene" apologized, "I'm sorry, it's my fault for creating this situation, which indirectly led to this."

Blue-haired girl: "I still can't forgive Nazisen Cruz. But Rene is a different story."

——*——*——

After hearing Sora's hidden part about "the transcendent," and recounting the ending of the Narcissus Cross, Furness wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with relief, "They've finally made up... after overcoming such a long and painful ordeal."

Sue pouted, "They made up so easily? Didn't that blue-haired Marianne beat René up for eighteen rounds or something?"

“Because they are both very important to each other,” Sora added. “And Rene doesn’t have much time left.”

Even if there was resentment in the past, after hundreds of years, all that remains are the feelings and memories that they have always cherished.

Having had his will severed and fallen from his forcibly elevated rank, Rene, who no longer possessed a physical body, could not exist for long.

After talking extensively with "Marianne" and Anne, René ultimately chose to rest in the fountain at the ruins of the Narcissus Cross.

Near the fountain is Alan's grave.

“Alan buried himself at Narcissus Cross,” Kong said. “Ann told me that when she was young, Alan often came to tell her stories.”

Paimon suddenly realized, "The story Alan told is the script for the role-playing game where An and the Pure Water Spirits save the princess!"

Navelette knew that Sora was telling this story to let them know about the regretful Narcissus Cross, and also to tell him that Fontaine's greatest threat had been eliminated.

He appreciated the sentiment.

"Thank you."

——*——*——

After leaving Momang Palace, the traveler's party headed straight for Haimo Village with Sula, Kong, and Paimon.

Mameh and Seymour have already met with Anne and Marian.

The group of people, brought together by Seymour, are discussing traveling around the world together.

Paimon: "Now I can rest assured! They've made friends and formed a new team, so Mameh won't have to be separated from Seymour anymore."

Su: "Mm."

After taking a quick look from afar, Su picked out some equipment that she might need for her adventure and asked Serge to give it to Mameh later.

After leaving Haimo Village, Kong led Sue and Paimon to Enshaw's manor.

As soon as the three of them arrived at the hillside, they saw Eun-shao, who was panting and in a panic.

Enshaw: "Lynor, Lynor, she, she's been kidnapped by a Hilichurl!"

After Kong advised Enshaw not to rush and to stay there for the time being, he led Sue and Paimon and ran in the direction Enshaw pointed for a while, and found Linor and Katarina in her Hilichurl Ranger form.

Linor was overjoyed to see the Travelers' party. "Wow! It's Brother Kong! Sister Su and Sister Paimon! I'm so happy today, all my favorite people are here!"

Linor skipped over and made several small bouquets of wildflowers she had picked from the grass, which she then distributed to everyone.

Caterpillar took the small bouquet and told Lenore one last story.

Leno yawned, rubbing her eyes and refusing to fall asleep. "So, that's the end of the story, Brother Carter..."

Katarina patted her gently and rhythmically. "Well, my story is over. It would be too rude of me if the story didn't end when it was time to end; a hero would turn into a dragon."

“My dear Linor, your ‘adventure story called life’ continues. Happy birthday. One day, you must tell me your story.”

“Mmm, mmm,” Linor slowly closed her eyes, “I promise you, Brother Carter. I will find you, and then I will tell you many, many stories.”

Linor was asleep, staring blankly at Katarina, "You... have you completely lost the ability to maintain your human form?"

Wearing a mask, Caterpillar gave a vague laugh but did not answer.

He will not only lose his human form, but his human mind will also gradually disappear.

After today, he will leave this place far away.

Sue reached out and snatched the small bouquet that Linor had given to Caterpila, applied something to it, and then returned it to him.

"I'll mark this so that if we meet in the wild later, I won't accidentally kill you."

As long as Caterpillar is willing to endure the pain of remaining conscious, this bouquet of flowers can preserve his human sanity.

"Thank you." Katppilla carefully pinned the small bouquet to her chest, took one last look at the Travelers' Team and Linor, and left without saying goodbye.

Su stood on the windswept hillside, watching the wandering knight's fluttering cloak disappear into the distance, and gradually felt a lingering sadness, a touch of the tedious narcissistic tale.