Look!
Two character portraits appear on the screen, both depicting familiar faces.
They aren't Aeons—or rather! This is their divine ascension.
Elder sister Sakura, younger sister Rin.
The elder sister is an Aeon, and so is the younger sister.
Never mind why Aeons seem to be a dime a dozen in the future.
But at the very least, there is indeed a future where the elder sister becomes an Aeon. Even if we were to imagine a future where the younger sister also becomes one, who's to say such an outcome won't eventually come to pass?
They are enigmatic.
There's an indescribable aura about them.
Yet it seems to add a layer of obscurity to their otherwise mortal-like presence.
The elder sister is depicted mid-draw, her sword partially unsheathed.
She stands slightly turned, glancing sideways. Behind her, cherry blossoms drift endlessly, all bathed in a deep crimson hue.
The younger sister kneels before a low desk, brush in hand, sketching with youthful innocence.
As though painting a landscape of splendid beauty.
Capturing the wonders of this fleeting world.
From this perspective, it's not merely a matter of one being literary and the other martial.
It's more like two philosophies, two personalities, fused into their very beings.
Even though this isn't the first time we've seen these portraits, it has to be said, every time we lay eyes on them, they take our breath away.
Even now, within the video, both Elysia and Jyahnar praise Miss Yuzu's artwork for capturing their divine essence.
Let alone everyone else.
"Whoa! You drew this?"
"That's absolutely, mind-blowingly bad!"
"You'd better have just mistyped."
Just this level of skill alone is enough to make countless others envious.
Amateurs admire the spectacle; professionals appreciate the craft.
It's like trying to depict a figure from myth and legend—it's easy to capture the appearance, but far harder to capture the soul.
To make someone look at it and feel as though the subject is right before them, vivid and alive—
That level of mastery is truly awe-inspiring.
[We all know that elder sister Sakura is the Aeon of the Moment, while younger sister Rin is the Aeon of Illusion.]
[What's the difference between the paths of the Moment and Illusion? For that matter, how do Illusion and Beauty differ?]
[Lady Elysia, Lady Jyahnar, could you… explain this for us?]
Miss Yuzu's words gradually lead to the heart of the matter.
Everyone's attention sharpens instantly.
They listen intently.
Paths…
Aeons…
Hearing these terms again.
They'd better pay close attention.
"Quick!"
"Get ready to take notes!"
[That's an excellent question.]
On the screen, the chibi version of Elysia continues smiling cheerfully.
[Paths may seem opposed, yet they are also unified.]
[Even every concept can be interpreted and expressed in numerous ways.]
[The Aeons' understanding of their own Paths is much the same.]
[Beauty seeks all that is beautiful in the world—not merely appearance, form, spirit, or will, nor limited to our conventional definitions. What she pursues is far more elusive and intangible.]
Previous videos have been rewatched over and over, analyzed relentlessly.
Each time, everyone has their own interpretations and theories. Especially when it comes to Paths and Aeons—that's where the most debate happens.
Now Kiana is filling in the gaps.
Some groan, realizing their guesses were off.
Others preen, feeling smug because they were close.
Meanwhile, in the projected video, the chibi Jyahnar speaks calmly.
[Sakura believes that the fleeting moment is eternal—that every beautiful instant is worth preserving. That one moment is the most precious treasure.]
[So she prefers to capture the instant. It may seem adjacent to Remembrance, but in practice, it's quite different.]
[Rin believes that this world is so dreamlike—filled with beauty, as though in a dream. Wherever she looks, she finds beautiful scenery. Why limit oneself to chasing the transient moment?]
"So the sisters are opposed?"
"Brilliant!"
Some ponder this.
Others shake their heads slightly.
What Elysia and Jyahnar say may sound simple, but precisely because it's simple, it might not be entirely accurate, right?
It's like how Elysia boasts about herself, saying the Path of Truth she pioneered is all about facing one's true self.
Put plainly, it's about treating others with sincerity, avoiding lies, and maintaining curiosity about everything in the world.
Because we're all born filled with wonder about the world.
Beside Kiana, Elysia nods repeatedly. Truth… truth is wonderful…
She loves it!
Somewhere in the real world, the sisters Sakura and Rin watch the screen, equally astonished.
"Sis, I would never oppose you." Rin can't believe her future self would do such a thing.
Even if the Path of Illusion is her Path, she must have had other ideas.
"It's alright, Rin… I don't mind." Sakura gazes at her tenderly, gently stroking her head.
The Path of the Moment… the fleeting moment…
She seems lost in thought.
[But!]
[According to unofficial records!]
On the projected sky, the UP lady shifts the topic abruptly.
[Miss Sakura embarked on the Path of the Moment after a night of passion with the young lady.]
[And Lady Rin embraced the Path of Illusion precisely because she could never have the young lady, so she could only imagine it in her dreams.]
[Is that how it happened?]
"Huh?"
Kid, you must be full of question marks?
"Here it comes, here it comes! I knew it! Unofficial history is still history!"
"No idea if it's true, but it's definitely wild!"
"…"
People all over the world are amused.
Some nearly snap their pens in half.
They're practically dying of laughter.
The Sakura-Rin sisters just stare at each other, wide-eyed.
Each looking at the other, not knowing what to say.
After a long pause, Rin finally speaks. "Sis, you know me."
"Mhm…" Sakura nods awkwardly.
[Of course not!]
Elysia's refutation in the video makes the sisters sigh in relief.
But what she says next dashes their hopes completely.
[Sakura didn't just have that one night of passion—sometimes, it was like that every night. She's also part of my Kiana's harem, you know.]
[Why make it sound like she's some kind of loser in your version?]
So Miss Yuzu only got that part wrong?!
"Which means the Path of the Moment really was opened that way?"
"Insane!"
Many are laughing.
Miss Sakura takes a deep breath, on the verge of losing it.
Miss Rin also looks melancholic. "I… I really spent all my time fantasizing about my sister-in-law… so… so…"
That's how she opened the so-called Path of Illusion?
Originally, opening a Path sounded like such an impressive feat.
But now! All the mystique is gone.
Even if it's just unofficial history, judging by the reactions of Jyahnar and Elysia in the projection, it's clearly not just hearsay—at the very least, there must be some truth to it.
This is utterly absurd!
[It feels like everyone opens their Paths so casually.]
[I remember Aeons also emerged in droves during a certain period of the Current Era, like a sudden gush, all at once, right?]
Miss Yuzu tilts her head slightly.
She brings up this point in the video.
[And besides, it all seems connected to the young lady.]
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
20+ advanced chaps on my patreon.
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.