Sly was undeniably a powerful warrior, having earned the title of Nailmaster.
His appearance in the game, trapped in an illusion in a small hut, also hinted at something: to resist The Radiance's influence, firm will alone was not enough; there could be no spiritual flaws.
In the original story, Sly always carried a regret: failing to save one of his disciples. This event left the remaining four of Sly's master-disciple group with lasting sorrow and obsession.
The four apprentices, once like brothers, were now fractured after one's unfortunate death. The remaining three developed significant disagreements and eventually went their separate ways, never to interact again.
The Radiance exploited this weakness in Sly, entering through the breach and dragging him into cherished past memories from which he could not escape, until he was completely infected.
Upon seeing such a powerful individual, Simon naturally went to greet him, offer help, and perhaps discuss swordsmanship.
He quickly approached Sly, who was a large-headed fly. His pair of massive compound eyes were now filled with an orange-red glow, like two pieces of hard candy.
Sly murmured incoherently.
"Oh… Oro, you swing your Nail like a club… Esmy, how much further do we have to go…"
Sly proved himself a true master; even while immersed in an illusion, he immediately broke free from the dream upon sensing an outsider's approach.
"Oh… what! Who are you?" he asked, astonished, seemingly not yet recovered from the sudden change in his surroundings. His voice was somewhat hoarse, but his words were short and forceful.
"It seems you haven't fallen too deeply into the illusion, powerful Nailmaster," Simon greeted Sly with a bow, showing respect.
"I understand… This ancient village, a strange dream brought me here! If you hadn't found me, I might never have woken up." He paused, "You seem to know me? I usually live in Dirtmouth, and the air here doesn't agree with me. I must return quickly. Is there anything else?"
"I want to know the ultimate secret of swordsmanship," Simon quickly asked his question, seeing that Sly seemed unwilling to stay in this place for another second.
"I see the two Nails on your back; you must be a skilled fighter yourself. As for your question, I can only say that swordsmanship has no end," Sly adopted a humble attitude about his great strength; he was not a bug who liked to show off.
Simon pondered for a moment, then continued, "So, how does one gather energy to unleash a powerful strike?"
Gathering energy here was similar to charging up, accumulating one's strength and then suddenly releasing it, producing a fierce sword qi that was vast in range and incredibly powerful—a move that could decide a battle.
Sly heard the question and asked in surprise, "You can't gather energy? Yet the courage you exude is so pure and strong… I think you're not far from this technique; perhaps all you need is more real combat. You are still young and have plenty of time, but my friend," the Nailmaster's tone grew serious, "never let your will weaken! The hand that wields the Nail must always be steady! I sense the shadow of crisis gathering over this ancient kingdom… Go forth, forge your own path of glory, and visit the Colosseum of Fools; you will gain something."
With that, Sly stood up and left.
Simon, deep in thought, hesitated for a while watching Sly's retreating back, then decided to focus on the task at hand. He went to an open circular hut and moved a sufficiently large stone bed.
Simon carried the heavy stone bed to the hut's door, just as Nati came out. He helped Simon replace the stone bed. Nati stood still, not moving, as Simon leisurely lay back on his new bed, humming a tune.
Simon sat up and asked Nati if he had anything to say.
Nati mumbled indistinctly, about to express his worries, but Paya's entrance interrupted him again.
Paya, holding a cloth-like object, walked up to Simon and, without waiting for him to ask, shook out the fabric. It was a cloak, like bat wings, strung with fan-shaped metal frames. Its texture looked tough and fine, likely the hide of some creature.
Paya happily introduced it to Simon: "This is made from the hide of a Fobo! It can be unfurled like wings, and it might let you glide for a distance. Go try it out!"
Fobos are a type of fat flying insect that live in Kingdom's Edge.
"Where did you get this hide?"
"Oh, I brought it from home. My father got it from Kingdom's Edge."
"Then do you have a map of Kingdom's Edge?"
"Yes, I brought a very detailed map. All the places in Hallownest with Maintenance Grubs are on it. I can give it to you if you want. I don't need it anymore anyway." With that, she immediately ran to the basement and handed Simon a scroll. He opened it, and it was indeed exquisitely made.
Simon looked at Paya with admiration; this female Maintenance Grub always brought him unexpected surprises!
He eagerly put away the map, then put on the cloak and ran out the door. He jumped onto the circular hut's roof, leaped, spread the cloak, and like a strange bird, glided a considerable distance, swaying and wobbling. Once he was skilled, he should be able to fly even further, making it very suitable for certain terrains and windy places.
Simon solemnly thanked Paya, then apologetically expressed his desire to speak with Nati alone and hoped Paya would not disturb them.
Inside the hut, the two male bugs looked at each other.
Nati finally couldn't hold it in. He asked in a tentative tone, "Little one, it seems you plan to leave for a long time?"
Simon was stunned. He hadn't said anything; how could Nati, this adorable fellow, have thought of it? Did Paya mention it?
Nati, however, confirmed his guess from Simon's reaction and became excited. "I know! I felt it! You're going out, aren't you? You're a warrior, you must go out, right? No, is there a chance you won't go? You're still so small…"
Simon went up and hugged Nati without a word, suppressing all of Nati's worries and complaints.
"Nati, this isn't just about one bug. A warrior's glory is that of a knight, and a knight is to protect the people of this kingdom. I am not yet a knight, and perhaps this world no longer has knights, but glory will always be a bright pearl, worth striving for at all costs."
Nati, in a faint, gasping whisper, quietly said, "What's the use of glory? The White King is gone…"
Simon smiled and patted Nati's back, "Nati, you must always know that glory is a warrior's principle of conduct. Everything a warrior does should be for glory, guided by justice, and to fulfill his promises, even death cannot stop him!"
Paya at the doorway let out a suppressed cry of "Good!" then gasped and fell silent.
Simon hugged Nati, this lovely good bug, again with force. "Nati, don't worry about me. I just want you to always be happy. Please, please don't get infected! At least wait until I find a solution! Promise me, okay?"
With that, without waiting for Nati's reply, he released him, walked past him, and went out the door.
Paya stood far from the door, as if she hadn't been eavesdropping at all. Seeing Simon, she greeted him gently, "Are you two done talking?"
Simon, cheerful and carefree, said to Paya, "I'm leaving! You both must take care of yourselves!"
"Be careful!" Nati rushed out the door, shouting and waving his hand. He looked at Simon's retreating back as if seeing the first ray of sunlight in the world.