『 "Like… those shadows on the sea." Acheron looked toward the clusters of dark silhouettes stirring up the waves.
"Sin Thirsters... the obsessions of the Pathstriders. They emerge from the depths of IX, seeing themselves as masters of their own destiny, unknowingly repeating the actions of their past lives."
"They emerge from the Nihility and head toward it, leading purposeless lives. However, these hollow phantoms..."
"...They were once my dear companions, a group of Galaxy Rangers." The old man's voice was filled with deep emotion and sorrow. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: All of them were Rangers?
〘Boothill〙: A place where so many Rangers died can only be that planet where we crusaded against Lord Ravager.
....
『 "Are you watching over them?"
"Watching over them? No, I am delivering them to the other side."
"It was a brutal war, a crusade that shook the universe. The universe witnessed the fall of Zulo the Lord Ravager, but it came at a price..."
The old man sighed heavily, "A price so hefty that only those who were there still remember." 』
『 ....』
〘Jing Yuan〙: Indeed, a crusade that shook the cosmos. No one knows how many Rangers died; they only know the result.
〘Giovanni〙: Since then, another topic of conversation has appeared at the universe's drinking tables, but no one cares about the process of the war; people only care about the result.
〘Hanabi〙: It's quite amusing, isn't it? Constantly saying things like—the result doesn't matter, it's the process that counts—yet in the end, they still only focus on the result. Humans truly are contradictory creatures.
....
『 "The deathly resolve of 'The Hunt' will not subside even at the end of life. Therefore, someone must guide these departed souls. They were heroes in life and should not become puppets of 'Nihility' after death."
"As for me… I also lost too much on that battlefield and can no longer embark on a journey. Instead, I became the most suitable person to accomplish this."
"But you know, these Sin Thirsters... They are not who they used to be."
"In your eyes, does this have no meaning?" the old man asked. Without waiting for Acheron's reply, he continued.
"But some things, even if they have no meaning, still must be done."
Acheron fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "I can help you."
"For what?"
"For the meaning of the Nihility... that's what I've been seeking."
"...I see. After all, this realm is off-limits to ordinary souls, right?"
"Thank you, stranger. I hope you can find your answer on this journey."
"Before we part ways, I have one more question..." Acheron spoke.
"It is true that their actions and even their entire lives may seem pointless from our perspective, but if, and it's just an 'IF'..."
"If this is what the departed ones expected, should we try to change it?" 』
『 ....』
〘Asta〙: If that's the outcome the deceased wanted, I probably wouldn't change it. After all, that was their dying wish.
〘March 7th〙: Exactly. Maybe something that seems completely meaningless to us holds great significance to the person who died.
〘Stelle〙: But that's not them after all. If, and I mean 'IF'… I die and leave behind a muddled Sin Thirsters, what would you guys do?
〘March 7th〙: What else can we do? Stop your Sin Thirsters from rummaging through trash cans, of course! And there is absolutely no "IF"!
〘Stelle〙: Ow, that actually hurt.
〘Dan Heng〙: Hmm… just as I said before, I won't let that kind of thing happen.
....
『 "A good question, and a profound one... I don't know the answer."
After the old man replied, he fell silent for a moment, seemingly in thought, before slowly speaking.
"What I do know is that one day, I too will pass away. I hope that when that day comes... Someone will stand at my grave and place a bouquet of flowers." 』
『 ....』
{ Bullet & Brain— Playback Completed}
{No time to mourn for Boothill being exposed by Acheron. Next to arrive on the battlefield is — The Only Path to Tomorrow}
〘Aha〙: That is the path of Xipe~
{No, bro, let me finish my sentence.}
〘Aha〙: Hahahahaha, don't you find it very amusing?
〘Stelle〙: I am now certain that Aha definitely has some kind of under-the-table deal with the light screen.
{Cough, cough, Oh my Aha.}
{About to play — The Only Path to Tomorrow}
〘Hanabi〙: Oh my Aha? Hahahahaha, Oh my Aha.
〘Sampo〙: The brothers at the Tavern have a new joke to share again, and it's about Elation itself. This is truly a riot.
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: The mental state of you Fools is really abstract.
....
『 On the black screen, Sunday's voice sounded, seemingly reciting a prayer.
"'When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.'"
"'When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.'"
The screen lit up. Sunday was in a small cubicle, which appeared to be a confessional inside a church. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: If I'm not mistaken… this is the kind of confessional from that genre, right?
〘March 7th〙: Which genre?
〘Stelle〙: Nun.
〘Sunday〙: …
....
『 "I humbly request your blessings, esteemed advocate of Xipe." The man's tone was devout.
"Come to me, my Kinship. I have sought THEIR presence with us."
"As you wish."
Then, he recounted his mistake, "I have faithfully served the Alfalfa Family for nearly a decade, promoting the Path of the Harmony to the best of my ability. However, I made a mistake yesterday. While I was preparing dinner for The Family Head, I accidentally dropped a prepared dish on the floor."
"Out of laziness, I lied and claimed that everything was ready. Although the Head has dismissed me as punishment, it has been tough to sleep with the guilt still gnawing at me, as I worried that the seeds of evilness may have taken root in my soul. So, I confess to you now to seek atonement for my sins." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Feels a bit strict. Just dismissed like that.
〘Qingque〙: It probably wasn't because he knocked the dish over, but because he lied.
〘March 7th〙: Makes sense.
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: Makes sense.
〘Belle〙: Makes sense. If my video store hired a lying employee like that, I would dismiss them too.
....
『 "Does your heart feel contrition for this, and do you resolve to change?" Sunday questioned.
"I swear," the man replied with a firm tone.
"Have you examined your conscience thoroughly and confessed all your sins?"
"I swear."
"Are you willing to practice what you preach and receive penance?"
"I swear."
"Very well. Show your dedication and goodwill to The Family, and you shall be reinstated among them. Now, please leave in peace."
"Praise Xipe. And thank you, esteemed advocate."
The man quickly thanked him and then walked away.
Seeing the man leave, Sunday called out toward the small window, "...Next. Please step forward."
A flustered Dreamchaser stepped forward, his voice trembling as if what he had done was unforgivable by heaven and earth.
"I... I wholeheartedly confess to you... Please, pardon my sins!" 』
『 ....』