Chapter 853 - 414: Storm Approaching
"Ivynis, where does her power come from, and how did the Empire capture her?"
The young girl bit her lower lip: "She’s still being held, we..."
"Clearly, the Demons probably know some secrets of this world, and their worshipers might have learned some clues, thus finding other special children is possible."
Li Ang comforted the young girl: "She has helped us a lot, and I want to rescue her too. Fortunately, she should be fine for now, in the Eye of God’s view, she is a crucial tool, she can’t be lost."
"Empire, Empire, Empire! Damn stubborn foolish Empire!"
Zoe muttered "Speriel" quickly, full of anger.
Li Ang did not correct her pronunciation, nor did he address the fact that the Empire had added a "Divine" prefix for itself, which was actually a way to seize power. Because the young girl had already seriously declared: "Li Ang, I have decided!"
"What?"
"Previously, I said I left Satus Island just to help you realize your ideals, to help you establish a formidable Sky Cavalry."
"Mm."
"But, but I, I discovered that I seem to be a very crucial person."
The young girl’s words were somewhat hesitant, not because she was insecure about her view, but because she worried Li Ang might not be pleased.
Seeing that he had no emotional reaction, she candidly continued.
"I noticed, Meimei, who failed to save the world, seems always to feel there’s something about me, does she think I’m someone like her?"
Li Ang was taken aback, sometimes this fellow can find the truth solely by intuition like a beast.
"Yes, she thinks that."
"I think she might not be wrong, at least as far as the Empire is concerned."
Zoe clenched her fists tightly: "I never imagined, even when I met Sister Eden, that I could summon such a huge dragon.
"Having visited so many places, I’ve never seen someone capable of such things, so even I feel something is amiss.
"Then it’s Ivynis, she is valued so highly by those who can create massive disasters, she is so similar to me, if I still can’t feel that I’m special, wouldn’t I be dumb?"
"You were born with unique power, that’s undeniable."
"But Li Ang never told me."
"That’s because—"
"Because you don’t care about these things, you care about me."
"I do care a bit, but truly what makes you who you are isn’t these powers. If it were someone else, they might have already lost or broken down, unwilling to happily adventure with everyone."
"Yeah, these days have been very enjoyable, although it’s annoying when they try to fight for you."
"Ahem..."
"However, I’ve started to feel, I can’t go on like this."
Zoe sat up, Li Ang’s vision blurred for a moment; the former wild child, that cheeky kid taunting him with curiosity and longing for companionship was completely gone.
"On Satus Island, they killed recklessly, pursuing us. They closed off the waterways, separating me from Li Ang, even in the Flashing Field there are Demons, and the Holy City’s villains seem related to the Empire.
"We went to Dream Marsh to cut trees, encountered Diana who was hurt by the Empire, they provoked a rebellion, and Demons attacked the people there.
"We went to build ships, but there was a Destruction Battleship trying to occupy there, even on the uninhabited Lupus Island, we found it was due to them that it turned into this. They’ve hurt so many people, possibly even more that I’m unaware of and in more places.
"I don’t want to witness these things anymore, if I’m powerful enough, I must ensure they can’t hurt everyone again. Why should they? Why can they keep doing bad things and destroy everyone’s happy lives?"
A kind of resolute aura naturally emerged as Zoe realized her certain destiny and responsibility.
It can be sharp-edged, cutting through barriers ahead, or it can be massively expansive, becoming a signal leading everyone forward.
"Although it contradicts what I initially said, to help Li Ang realize his goal, I still want to do something, because in some matters, I should be very useful, like defeating that Empire, I can restore the Star Souls’ former power, I can also summon Bahamut."
"So, Li Ang, I’m sor—"
"Don’t."
Li Ang held the young girl’s hand: "Don’t apologize. Your destiny is closely tied to the world, haven’t I thought about this?"
"Eh? Then letting me join your group, if you’re fighting the Empire, you actually..."
"To be realistic, it means, you can stand on the stage to confront such world-disturbing powers, having you in my group significantly ensures the team’s strength, it’s like small investment, big return."
"Then what if it’s not realistic?"
"The opposite of realistic isn’t unrealistic, it’s ’ideal.’
Li Ang smiled at the young girl: "Ideally speaking, if it involves the survival of the world, leaving it unattended, one day the flames of war will definitely ignite on our own heads."
"So without meeting me, Li Ang would also oppose the Empire, right?"
"Sometimes, as long as one doesn’t resist too much, one is driven by the tides of environment and reality. If I hadn’t returned to Satus Island then, I would probably be... uh, helping Aira in the Ignis Sky Realm to fight the Empire, that’s likely."
Li Ang wasn’t very keen on facing the situation of being commanded by that young lady, though if he didn’t form his own group or find an appropriate Celestial Group, such a situation might very likely happen.
He shook his head, returning to the current conversation: "I thought, as long as that power exists, perhaps one day we’ll definitely face them. It’s just that previously our power wasn’t enough, even if you all are skilled, the Star Flower Travel Corps still needs to grow, so I didn’t mention it, just enjoying the present moment is good."
With a sigh, Li Ang shook his head: "Just really didn’t expect, no matter where we go, the shadow of the Empire is always chasing us."
"That’s right!" Zoe responded, indignant.
"Up to now, facing the storm, you all are able to not bend and break, then proceed ahead."
Li Ang enveloped Zoe in his arms: "Your next stop, Thousand Tower City, there are many things there you haven’t seen, some might pose challenges, but that’s also something you must inevitably overcome."
"Going to the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits, you will become stronger, right?"
"Mm, definitely, otherwise I can’t eradicate the Demon’s curse, rather, it’s necessary to solve it, it provides the foundation to oppose those strong foes."
"You must... you’ll certainly resolve it smoothly. Then, quickly come back."
Zoe no longer clung desperately like a little animal outside the entrance of the waterway previously, though she felt a pang of loss, her resolve was firm, for she saw her own direction, this doesn’t conflict with love, if anything, they complement each other. Her enduring affection won’t cease while he strives forward.
"I will study hard, fill in the gaps where I’m lacking compared to others, become truly strong, and then, hehe."
She lightly clenched her teeth, revealing a hint of the Savior shadow that would trample the world’s enemies beneath her feet.