[In the Real World.]
[Phantom Van is so full of love!]
[Never thought that my husband is even so good at coaxing children. So it's time to give him a bunch of children to coax!]
[The one above, you're thinking peach (T/N: slang for lewd thoughts).]
[If we knew Phantom Van was so good at coaxing children, then what were Kiana and them and three year old Van even fighting for?]
[Indeed, if only there had been someone to coax three year old Van a bit, maybe both sides wouldn't have fought at all.]
[I just want to ask, is there anything Phantom Van doesn't know how to do?]
———
[Back to the Video.]
As Phantom Van finished speaking, a brilliant light wrapped around the group.
When the light faded, they had returned to that original hillside.
The wind gently blew past, warm sunlight sprinkled on everyone's bodies, as if nothing had ever happened.
Phantom Van's phantom stood quietly before them, his gaze gentle as he looked at everyone, and said, "Everyone, long time no see, are you all well?"
Phantom Van's words were like a switch, instantly bringing joy to the faces of the three people present.
"Van! These past few days, you…"
Kiana was the first to run up to Phantom Van's side. She had just reached out her hand, but then realized the current state he was in.
At that moment, Kiana's body suddenly trembled a little.
Because she knew, if it weren't for saving her, Van wouldn't have ended up like this.
Beside her, noticing Kiana's state, Bronya gently patted her shoulder in comfort. Then she turned to Phantom Van and said, "Van, long time no see."
At this time, Fu Hua beside them seemed to have noticed something. She frowned, looked at Phantom Van, and slowly said, "Your current state…"
"Trust me, I'm fine."
Phantom Van smiled and shook his head, then changed the subject, "Speaking of which, during this time, what exactly happened?"
———
[Van, I beg you, stop saying 'trust me', okay?]
[Van is so gentle. Just to not worry them, he directly changed the topic.]
[Every time Phantom Van finishes saying 'trust me', there's always a knife next.]
[Nooo! Not that kind of thing! Noo!]
['Trust me', it's so warm now, there's definitely a knife coming later.]
[Damn it, I'll knife you first!]
———
[Back to the Video.]
On screen, Fu Hua took a deep breath and began explaining to Phantom Van what had happened during the days after his departure.
"Bronya entered the Sea of Quanta. Not only did she bring back her companion Seele, but also inherited the Herrscher of Reason's core… Compared to before, Kiana has grown a lot. She saved the entire Skydome City… As for Mei, she…"
At this point, Fu Hua paused and instinctively glanced at the white-haired girl beside her.
"She became the Herrscher of Thunder and joined World Serpent." Kiana continued.
Though Kiana's tone remained calm, everyone could still sense the guilt in the depths of her heart.
Sensing Kiana's emotion, Fu Hua sighed softly, then continued, "After that, 'you' appeared… He claimed that he was the true body, and even wanted to seize Kiana's Herrscher core…"
———
[At the same time, in reality.]
Feeling the subtle looks cast on him by the four people around him, Van felt awkward enough to dig out a whole three-bedroom apartment with his toes.
Even more awkward, all four people present knew that what he said in the video about the memory core was completely a lie.
This was like telling a lie that everyone already knows is false, then, those same people still act along with you as if nothing's wrong.
Regarding this, Van could only endure the awkwardness and continue watching.
———
[Back to the Video.]
When Fu Hua said this, everyone fell silent.
In the end, it was Phantom Van who broke the silence, "Actually, what he said isn't wrong. In terms of existence, I'm just one of the countless clones of Feather Dust, so I…"
At that moment, Female Van, who hadn't spoken for a while, suddenly interrupted, "I don't care if you're some real body or Feather Dust or whatever. Anyway, I know that you're my most important friend, and that's enough! As for that guy who came out of nowhere, if he really dares to hurt you, I'll absolutely make him pay the price!"
As she spoke, Female Van raised her fist, and in an instant, the heavy atmosphere was lightened.
After patting Female Van on the head, Phantom Van looked at everyone and smiled, "Looks like, while I was away, you all grew a lot."
After speaking, Phantom Van looked at Bronya. "Bronya, your potential exceeds imagination. With time, you will definitely surpass Welt Yang and become the strongest Herrscher of Reason."
Then he looked at Kiana, eyes full of relief. "Kiana, I believe you can fully control the power of the Herrscher of the Void. And I also believe… you'll definitely bring Mei back."
Finally, Phantom Van's gaze fell on Fu Hua. Looking at the comrade who had fought alongside him for tens of thousands of years, countless words welled up in Phantom Van's heart.
But in the end, they turned into a simple, "You've worked hard, Hua~"
After a round of greetings, Kiana couldn't help but ask, "Van, what can we do to help you return to your physical body?"
"Kiana, I'm currently just a strand of consciousness residing within Feather Dust, there's no way…"
Just then, Female Van suddenly interrupted, "I can help. Actually, if we just unlock the limiters on Feather Dust, release his consciousness… then find a suitable body…"
The more she spoke, the quieter her voice became. Though she wore an indifferent expression on the surface, anyone could hear the reluctance in her tone.
Phantom Van looked at Female Van gently, then suddenly reached out and pinched her cheek, "Forget it. No matter how you look at it, I can't leave you alone. So, in the days to come, I'll be counting on you."
"W-Who wants to be with someone like you!" Female Van's face instantly flushed red.
Though she said words of disgust, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up into a smile.
At that heartwarming moment, suddenly, a cold voice came from a distant mountain peak.
"Is the family-reunion done yet?"
Everyone looked up upon hearing the voice.
A familiar figure stood atop the cliff, his black trench coat wildly fluttering in the strong wind.
On top of the mountain, Memory Core Van looked down at everyone, his eyes cold and devoid of any warmth.
"It's time to end this."
At the same time, the video screen suddenly went black, and that hateful line of text appeared.
[To be continued...]
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