Simon arrived at the Resting Grounds and paid a visit to the Seer on his way.
The Seer was as benevolent as ever, but what was different was that she seemed a bit more cheerful; the melancholy that had entangled her heart gradually dissipated, like a clear mirror wiped clean of dust, becoming increasingly lucid and perceptive.
Simon greeted the Seer.
"You've come. Ah, how wonderful, you've already obtained the mask. You've embarked on this extraordinary path, how wonderful!" The Seer stared intently at Simon's strange mask. "You carry many heavy auras; it's impossible to imagine how powerful your inner self truly is. Even the strongest enemies will fall beneath your Nail. But you need to remember one thing: never doubt the path beneath your feet and the footprints behind you."
Simon said he would keep it in mind, then sat down cross-legged, relaxed, and chatted with the Seer about his plan to preserve Hallownest's living forces. The Seer, however, recalled the White King of yesteryear and sighed with emotion.
Simon listened to the Seer speak some vague history, then asked her if she knew about the situation at Crystal Peak.
Upon hearing 'Crystal Peak,' the Seer sighed repeatedly. "That refracted light, it too is unwilling to be lonely. Once suppressed by The Radiance, it now yearns to act. If you truly wish for Hallownest to be stable, you need to resolve It."
Simon grew even more curious about the will at Crystal Peak. "The refracted light, is It also a god?"
"Light is born in crystal, crystal grows in light. Light ascends, crystal descends." The Seer seemed to be reciting a prophecy, obscure and difficult to understand.
Simon was completely confused, but he hadn't come to listen to the Seer ramble anyway. He stood up and raised the insect egg he had been holding in his arm.
"Seer, this is a child of many misfortunes. I hope he can receive your guidance after he is born. His elders are too busy to care for him, and only you, with your vast knowledge, can guide him onto a path of wisdom. I earnestly beg you to take him in!"
The Seer's tone was sorrowful, "Oh, infection and plague, these are the faults of our clan... This child is good, but I'm afraid I cannot care for him for too long."
"This is not your sin. You are merely survivors forced into a corner by a surging tide; a clan can resort to any means for its continuation." Simon's tone was serious; he knew that once the Dream Nail collected two thousand four hundred Dream Essences, the Seer would choose to pass on. This was her release, and the end of yet another bleak tragedy.
Simon just wanted to try and do something, to salvage something. At least the pain of the path he had walked could be borne by him alone, allowing the world more joy.
The Seer seemed to see through Simon's thoughts, smiling as she took the insect egg. "Go, you don't need to be sentimental, for 'destiny is often actively sought,' isn't it?" She quoted Simon's own words to the White Lady to persuade him.
Simon gazed deeply at this wise and perceptive old insect, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.
Just before he left, the Seer suddenly said, "There is a Soul Sanctuary nearby. You can go there if you feel confused. Although you cannot communicate with them without the Dream Nail, the peaceful aura will still give you strength to move forward."
Simon replied, "I'll go when I have a chance." With that, he jumped down from the edge of the platform.
...
He once again reached the Colosseum of Fools via the shortcut.
Entering the hall, Simon's gaze fell upon the three trial plaques in the arena. Each one had several tags inserted into it. The first plaque, the Trial of the Warrior, had the most tags, each a miniature portrait of a victor. The number of tags on the second plaque, the Trial of the Conqueror, sharply decreased to less than five. Finally, the third plaque, the Trial of the Fool, had only two tags: a miniature Maintenance Grub and a miniature Little Knight.
It seemed the Little Knight had already completed all three trials of the Colosseum, and his image was worthy of being enshrined on the most central symbol of the Colosseum of Fools.
The small Fool carefully observed this outsider, then realized that this was the former Fool King, and immediately said humbly, "You have come."
Simon turned to the hanging small Fool and said, "Open the gate, I want to enter the gladiatorial arena."
Warriors challenging the trials were entitled to enter the gladiatorial arena through the main gate. Of course, victors like Simon were also entitled.
When the gate opened, the Fools fighting in the arena all stopped, and the audience, along with them, stared intently at the shadows behind the gate.
A slender, small fellow emerged from beneath the tall gate, but the imposing aura that surged from him was like a long river spanning the sky; the explosive Soul Energy transformed into frosty wings, stirring up a gale that swept across the land.
"I'm back!" Simon stood by the gate, waving to everyone.
"King! King! King!" The audience shouted, their voices hoarse, fully releasing the joy in their hearts.
The Fools bowed their heads in respect, not daring to let their gaze tarnish the glory of the Fool King.
Simon walked slowly, passing through the self-parting swarm of insects, and came before the throne. With a gentle leap, the airflow lifted him to sit upon the seat of power.
"I have come this time to call you to arms, for Hallownest has reached its most critical moment!" Simon's voice echoed through the silent, still arena.
"Before the Old God breaks free from our ancestors' restraints, we must clear out the sanctuary!"
"We go to that deep nest! To the territory of the beast, Herrah!"
"To water flowers with blood can be called a great undertaking. If you are willing to embark on this glorious expedition, then follow in my footsteps!"
Simon jumped down from the throne, leaving the Colosseum step by step.
Behind him, a cold and fierce swarm of insects followed closely, like his flowing cloak.
...
Nearly a hundred Fools, along with a dozen Soul Warriors and Soul Twisters, followed Simon out of the Colosseum.
Behind Simon, they leapt down the elevator shaft, passed through the rain curtain of the City of Tears, walked the path of pilgrims, and entered the Mantis Tribe.
The Mantis warriors stopped Simon's followers, and Simon went alone to meet the chiefs.
The three chiefs came forward to greet him, also having some doubts about the formidable Simon.
After exchanging pleasantries with the three chiefs, Simon went to the council hall to discuss serious matters.
Simon explained, "I've come this time hoping to establish a covenant with you all. The purpose is for you to escort a group of insects out of Hallownest. As for the problem of Deepnest, I will resolve it, so you don't need to worry about it anymore. This is a win-win proposal; you can also use this to distance yourselves from the threat of The Radiance."
The Great Chief said in a deep voice, "Great warrior, we respect your ideas and approve of your plan, but we each represent Hallownest and the tribe. To sign a covenant, we need an authoritative token; otherwise, it will be empty words lacking credibility."
Simon laughed, "The token you need will be brought by a noble knight. All we need to do is await his arrival."
After the negotiations, the followers were allowed to enter this ancient village full of honor. Their food and water would be guaranteed, and now began the long wait.
Simon sat cross-legged before the gate of Deepnest, gazing in the direction of Kingdom's Edge.
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