Free Web NovelChapter 301: Chapter 301
*Crack—!*
A crisp, shattering sound broke the brief silence.
Under the focus of countless gazes, a distinct crack suddenly appeared on the surface of the standing amber giant cocoon, which was flowing with a warm luster.
Immediately after, the cocoon shell peeled off and dissipated piece by piece like blooming petals, revealing the figure standing quietly within—it was Phaethon.
His stature seemed even taller and more upright than before, and the weariness and obsession accumulated from three million recurrences in his eyes had dissipated, replaced by a clarity and steadfastness born of experiencing countless vicissitudes, as if he had shed the burden of eternity and returned to his true self.
His gaze swept over the Astral Express crew members standing ready below, and the Chrysos Heir companions who had traversed countless reincarnations and now had eyes full of expectation and concern.
Without a word, he gently raised his hand. An ancient book, and a bag of wheat seeds carefully wrapped, drifted down slowly and precisely hovered in front of Stelle, who subconsciously caught them with both hands.
On the cover of the book was a familiar name—Phaethon of Aedes Elysiae.
"Trailblazer," Phaethon’s voice was calm and clear, carrying the weight of a entrustment. "It will only take one final ’recreation’. The Irontomb that I have been forcibly suppressing in Amphoreus is about to hatch."
"Although over three million recurrences, its power has been continuously weakened and suppressed by me, please do not forget... its essence is still an Emanator of Destruction."
His gaze fell upon the book and wheat seeds in Stelle’s hands: freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Within this book is inscribed the final answer of Amphoreus concerning the Prime Mover of Life. You and your companions, all your questions about this world, will also find their answers within."
"As for this bag of wheat seeds..." A hint of indescribable tenderness crept into his tone. "These are wheat seeds from Aedes Elysiae of this cycle. I hope... you can plant them in the next cycle, on the land of the new Aedes Elysiae."
"Wait," Stelle clutched the heavy gift, her heart tightening upon hearing his words that sounded like final farewells. She blurted out, "You’re giving such important things to us... what about you? What are you going to do?"
"Ha," Phaethon let out a relaxed smile at her words, one with a even a hint of teasing amusement, forming a sharp contrast with his previous image.
"That foolish ’brother’ of mine," he shook his head, his tone seemingly a complaint, yet tinged with deep care.
"All by himself, without even a word, he ran off to pick a fight with the Aeon of Destruction. If I don’t rush over to take a look, given his recklessness, he might really be stubborn enough to get himself beaten until not even ashes remain."
His gaze sharpened and grew determined, looking towards the boundless starry sky beyond Amphoreus’s firewall:
"So, I have to go and help him. Can’t let him have all the limelight, right?"
Finished speaking, Phaethon lingered no more and resolutely turned around. His pace was steady and determined as he walked towards the border of the Amphoreus firewall.
Just like Phainon, he also had a "gift" that he needed to deliver personally to that high and mighty Aeon of Destruction who decreed fate for Amphoreus.
...
On Phainon’s side, he had already arrived at the firewall of Amphoreus.
"Are you ready, Nanook? I’ve brought destruction for you!!!"
...
Zephyro stood quietly in the void, surrounded by scorching fluctuations that seemed capable of extinguishing stars.
His non-human visage calmly regarded Phainon below, that tiny figure efficiently slaughtering the vanguard of the Antimatter Legion with a chilling efficiency.
Black fragments and debris scattered and flew around him like a torrential rain.
Without looking at his companion beside him, he said in a low and deep voice:
"Do you just watch with cold eyes as he freely slaughters your army?"
Celenova maintained her silent posture, eyes tightly shut, as if all external disturbances were irrelevant to her.
Only her slightly flowing hair hinted that she was not an inanimate object. After a moment, her icy voice, devoid of any emotion, slowly came:
"Army? Merely the cheapest pawns under ’Destruction’. As many as needed can be remolded."
Her tone was as indifferent as if discussing dust. "Those perishing here now are but a few scouts. My true legions that truly make the galaxy tremble and civilizations wail... are far from having arrived here."
The long sword constructed from pure destruction energy in Zephyro’s hand began to swirl restlessly, the space around its blade showing slight distortions.
He locked onto Phainon below, his battle intent rising like a tangible flame.
"I want to go down... personally test the weight of his ’Destruction’." He paused, finally turning to look at Celenova. "You? Interested?"
"..." Celenova did not answer, not even her eyelashes trembling, as if sunk into some deeper scheme.
Zephyro, seeing this, did not ask further. Between companions, excessive words were unnecessary.
His toes lightly pressed against the void—the next instant, Zephyro slowly appeared directly in front of Phainon.
He calmly regarded Phainon, who had disintegrated and vaporized all surrounding Antimatter Legion creations around him.
Zephyro of course knew why Celenova, previously indifferent to Amphoreus, had rushed here.
Her target, the Aeon of Harmony.
That entity symbolizing unity and resonance, whose gaze... had already descended upon Amphoreus.
...
"Heh."
Seeing the black-and-white Zephyro blocking his path to Nanook, a low, ambiguous laugh escaped Phainon’s throat.
His eyes held no fear or hesitation, only a burning extreme madness.
The next instant, he pushed off with his feet, the ground crumbling beneath him, his whole body launching into the air like an arrow from a string!
The sword Dawnmaker in his hand, wreathed with ominous black-red flames, with a resolute intent as if to sever everything and burn fate itself, slashed down towards Flame Reaper’s head!
Ping—!
A piercing clang of metal rang through the universe!
The edge of Dawnmaker violently collided with the long sword constructed from destruction power in Zephyro’s hand!
In Zephyro’s perception, at the instant of the clash, a pure to the extreme, boiling hatred surged towards him like a venomous snake along the sword!
This kind of hatred was not a simple emotion; it frantically repelled and attempted to annihilate everything opposed to it!
To wield such hatred and exchange blows with me... and he’s just an ordinary person?
Pity, that’s about it.
Pang—!!
An even heavier clash.
The destructive energy, enough to instantly vaporize a star, contained in the destruction long sword erupted!
Phainon felt an irresistible immense force transmitted, his tiger’s mouth splitting, golden blood spraying, his whole body uncontrollably sent flying, hurtling backwards towards the more distant sky!
