Hearing Yuuko's words, Lumine blinked in surprise.
Following that, she let out a heavy sigh.
She knew that in the recent probing of the topic, Yuuko had turned the tables on her.
Because of this, Lumine decided not to hide anything and directly revealed the information she knew:
"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but everything Orobashi did back then had a prerequisite."
"What prerequisite?" Yuuko asked.
Lumine replied, "The prerequisite was that no matter what it did afterward, it was certain to die."
Hearing this, Yuuko raised an eyebrow slightly.
He had actually heard similar words from the Tsaritsa, and hearing it again from Lumine further confirmed it as fact.
Afterward, Lumine explained further:
"The main reason is that Orobashi saw something it shouldn't have back then. From that moment on, it was placed on a purge list by a certain entity."
"It was also from that time that Orobashi knew it wouldn't live much longer."
"Therefore, to allow its people to survive, it instigated the war between Watatsumi Island and Inazuma centuries ago."
"And it deliberately put itself on the chopping block, willingly meeting its death, allowing Watatsumi Island to be fully incorporated into Inazuma's governance."
"In this way, that entity would not trouble its people, which is why the people of watatsumi island have been able to continue existing until now."
Hearing this, Yuuko sighed, "Orobashi was truly a kind god."
"Yes, I deeply admire it too," Lumine echoed with a sigh.
Afterward, Yuuko remained silent for a moment, then tentatively said:
"Miss Lumine, the entity you mentioned that threatened Orobashi's life must be referring to the one on Celestia."
Lumine showed no surprise; she seemed to have anticipated Yuuko's question and smiled:
"It seems Yellow Fox also knows something about Celestia?"
"No, I only know the superficial details." Yuuko denied, pausing before asking again:
"So what exactly did Orobashi see back then, and why did Celestia put it on the purge list?"
This was what Yuuko was most curious about.
Although Celestia has destroyed quite a few nations, a situation like Orobashi's—where seeing something forbidden means certain death—is still quite rare.
Facing Yuuko's question, Lumine shook her head: "I don't know."
Her expression gradually turned serious: "This is also why I came to Enkanomiya to participate in the trials. I assume that by completing the trials, I will be able to learn the truth of what happened back then?"
"Is that so." Yuuko nodded.
Now, he finally knew what the Tsaritsa wanted him to find in Enkanomiya.
Without needing to think, the Tsaritsa must want him to find the item Orobashi saw back then, right?
This item is also being sought by the Abyss, and by Lumine as well.
Because of this, Enkanomiya is so lively right now, with everyone crowding in to participate in the Enkanomiya trials... "Since Celestia wanted to eliminate Orobashi for seeing that thing back then, if we look at it afterward, won't Celestia want to eliminate us too?"
In response, Lumine merely smiled:
"There's no need to worry about that. I have appropriate concealment methods that allow me to view it without Celestia detecting me."
After speaking, she looked at Yuuko again and said meaningfully:
"And Yellow Fox, you shouldn't be afraid of making an enemy of Celestia, should you?"
Yuuko was silent for a moment before shaking his head:
"If I were alone, I truly wouldn't be afraid, but now, I have too many things I want to protect."
Ever since settling down in Inazuma and meeting more and more people there.
The things Yuuko needed to protect also grew in number.
Because of this, Yuuko took every step with extreme caution when facing an unknown power like Celestia.
Afterward, Yuuko looked at Lumine again, puzzled:
"Miss Lumine, judging by your tone just now, you seem quite dissatisfied with Celestia?"
Lumine smiled and shook her head:
"Of all the things on earth, the living beings of the Seven Nations, who would truly be satisfied with Celestia's rule? Those who are satisfied are merely cowards who dare not resist."
Yuuko sighed softly and remained silent.
After that conversation, Yuuko had also realized quite a few things.
At the same time, he finally confirmed Lumine's identity.
But Yuuko did not reveal this, instead continuing to pretend ignorance as he and Lumine went to ascend the other trials... Soon.
After the two continuously ascended the tedious puzzles on the three islands, they finally obtained the three crucial fragments.
This process was remarkably smooth, perhaps even too smooth.
Along the way, almost nothing obstructed them, whether it was the Abyss or Hilichurl monsters.
They seemed to have vanished, failing to appear again.
This point further confirmed the speculation in Yuuko's heart.
He had already confirmed Lumine's true identity.
But Yuuko still didn't state it, continuing to act alongside Lumine.
"In that case, Miss Lumine, let's return to the Sunstone Narukami. That should be the final step."
"Mhm, let's go." Lumine nodded softly, showing little emotional fluctuation.
Afterward, the two began heading back toward the Sunstone Narukami, the central island of Enkanomiya... Upon returning to the Sunstone Narukami, the residual image claiming to be Aru appeared again.
Aru looked at the returning pair with delight:
"You two have returned! Does this mean you have gathered all the fragments?"
Yuuko nodded slightly and handed the three fragments obtained from the puzzles to Aru.
After Aru took the fragments and observed them for a while, he said:
"Since the fragments have been collected, the last step is only to gather the Bloodbranch Coral Fragments. As for where the Bloodbranch Coral Fragments are, they are directly beneath the Sunstone Narukami, right under where you stand now."
Yuuko lightly stepped on the ground, feeling the vibrations returned by the floor: "Is there a secret passage down here?"
Aru nodded:
"There is a secret path here leading to the underground of the Sunstone Narukami. Down there, we have a specially cultivated variety of Rlis imprisoned. If you want the Bloodbranch Coral Fragments, you must defeat those Rlis."
Hearing this, Yuuko helplessly spread his hands: "So we still have to fight the Rlis in the end?"
Aru laughed: "In all trials, the hero must possess the strength to defeat the evil dragon."
At this moment, Lumine, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke:
"Open the passage. We will successfully obtain the Bloodbranch Coral."
Aru nodded: "Please be careful, both of you. The Rlis below are a variety we modified, and their combat power is much stronger than ordinary Rlis."
"But if it's the two of you, there shouldn't be any problem. So, I entrust this to you, heroes of the later generations."
After speaking, Aru bowed deeply toward Yuuko and Lumine.
As his voice fell, the platform beneath Yuuko and Lumine suddenly began to tremble, then slowly descended.
This appeared to be a very deep underground tunnel.
The two stood on the platform, continuously descending, and finally, the platform brought them to a brand new area.
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