Chapter 1504: Chapter 939: Maria’s Dream (Part 4)
Watching Lady Feng gradually disappear into the crowd, Maria fell into silence.
She stood for a long time, let out a long sigh, and then turned to leave.
However, just as she was about to step out of Bonn Town, she suddenly stopped.
The young girl’s fists clenched slightly, then gradually relaxed, and then clenched again.
Ultimately, as if making some kind of decision, she quickly turned around and walked back into the town.
Entering an inn in the town, Maria took out a few silver coins:
"One night’s stay."
...
The next morning.
The sun rose again from the east, spilling warm daylight onto the earth.
When Feng’s figure reappeared in the small town’s west plaza, Maria, carrying a backpack, was already waiting there.
"Good morning, Maria, it looks like you have made up your mind."
The noble Elf Priest smiled and said.
Maria’s gaze was somewhat evasive, but after hesitating for a moment, she gradually became resolute.
She looked frankly at the Elf Lady whom she deeply respected and said:
"Lady Feng, you are right. Perhaps... I really should learn, as my teacher said, to face what I’ve been unwilling to confront... And, having left my hometown for so long, claiming not to miss it would be a lie."
"Additionally, I have some things I want to clarify with you, or rather... inquire about."
"Lady Feng, have you ever met my teacher? Do you know where he went?"
Upon hearing the young girl’s words, Feng sighed softly:
"I have indeed met your teacher, but... he already left this world to seek his own path."
"Left this world?"
Maria’s expression was somewhat surprised.
She knew that ten years ago, Plane Channels of the Segis World had begun to open.
However, since Life Church took control of Segis and it became part of Eve Goddess’s realm, it seemed that only Life believers, and those recognized by the Goddess, could leave this world.
"Indeed, he made a deal with the Goddess, obtaining the qualification to leave the Segis World and embark on a journey into the endless void."
"I came here not only to witness firsthand the last area of Segis being brought under the church’s control, but also at his request, to take a look at you."
Feng said.
"Then do you know specifically where he went? And... did he say anything to you?"
Maria asked eagerly.
Having been taught from childhood, she regarded the Legendary Mage Daniel as her closest elder.
Hearing news of her teacher again after several years, she was thrilled.
"He said... he hopes not only that you can live happily, but also that you can find your true self..."
Feng said.
As she spoke, she gave the young girl a meaningful look:
"And not merely imitate him to become a highly esteemed Mage..."
Listening to Feng’s words, Maria fell silent.
She knew within herself.
Ever since the moment the Maniya Empire fell, her dreams had been shattered.
She once wanted to be a great ruler, she wanted to bring happiness to her people, but... on that night of upheaval, everything was destroyed.
She was confused, she grieved, she resented...
However, during her subsequent travels with her teacher, as she gradually came to understand the true lives of the common people, as she gradually understood the darkness of the noble class and the Eternal Church, those past confusions, grief, resentment... gradually disappeared.
Alongside those faded away dreams.
Especially after a year of traveling, when she witnessed people celebrating the revolution and the festival of the execution of the last Empress at the former empire border...
’Perhaps... I was never meant to exist...’
’Everyone is celebrating the downfall of Maria II; no one mourns Maria II’s demise...’
’Bringing happiness to the people was ludicrous...’
Maria did not resent the people, nor the Life Church.
She resented her own naive self.
She resented those who blinded her, treating her as a puppet among the nobles.
Since then, she did not know the meaning of her existence, nor why she lived.
All she knew was to follow her teacher, traveling from place to place, following her teacher to learn magic.
Unconsciously, magic had become her spiritual support, and the praise she received after learning magic became her greatest joy.
Meanwhile, unconsciously, she began to enjoy imitating her teacher’s ways more and more.
Studying magic, helping those in need.
Those were the things her teacher loved to do most.
Maria no longer knew whether the happiness she gained from doing these things was hers, or if it stemmed from doing things her teacher did.
Excessive dependence would lead to losing oneself.
And the essence of dependence was fear and cowardice.
She was fearful; she was cowardly. She knew she still hadn’t truly moved on from her past.
This, she had always understood.
"Lady Feng, how do we proceed?"
After a moment of silence, Maria looked at Feng again.
Feng smiled slightly:
"Naturally, it’s fastest to fly."
"Fly?"
Maria was slightly startled, while Feng gently blew a whistle, and moments later, amid exclamations, accompanied by a loud dragon’s cry, a magnificent Silver Dragon flew in from the horizon, landing on the ground.
Feng gently leaped up, and then looked at the wide-eyed, shocked young girl, extending her hand:
"Come up, Maria."
...
This was Maria’s first time riding a dragon.
Although she had grown up in the Imperial Palace, with noble status, and had seen many Dragon Knights, she had never truly climbed onto a dragon’s back.
Especially one as elegant and noble as this Silver Dragon!
The Silver Dragon’s attitude towards Lady Feng seemed highly respectful, respectful to the point of almost being ingratiating... Maria felt this.
It made her think Lady Feng was even more mysterious than she imagined.
What exactly was Feng’s status within the Elf Clan and Life Church?
She was genuinely curious.
However, when she once again couldn’t resist asking, Feng once more responded with the same repeated answer:
"I’m just an ordinary Elf Chosen One, a priest of the Life Church."
Unable to get an answer, Maria had to give up.
"Oh well, anyway... when I eventually reach the Elf Forest, I’ll find out sooner or later."
She muttered softly.
The dragon’s flight speed was very fast.
Riding on the back of the Silver Dragon, the two flew over forests, circled rivers, crossed mountains, and traversed valleys...
The vast Segis Continent seemed to become a giant oil painting laid out on the ground, and cities, villages scattered across, crisscrossing roads, and fields became colorful embellishments on the painting.
Maria excitedly gazed down at the earth, singing loudly, as if all the frustrations accumulated in her heart dissipated at this moment.
"Lady Feng! Look! Such a large lake! This shape... could it be Moon Lake? I’ve always wanted to see it, but my teacher never took me!"
"Mountain peaks! Such high peaks! Lady Feng! I recognize them! These are the Osos Mountain Range! I crossed them five years ago!"
"A big river! A big river! Lady Feng! Do you see—is that the Vimur River?!"
Riding on the back of the Silver Dragon, Maria behaved like a carefree child, every time she saw the majestic or familiar scenery below, she would excitedly shout.
This Silver Dragon’s level was unknown, but its speed was faster than Maria had imagined; within less than a day, an imposing castle standing among the mountains appeared in the young girl’s view.
Upon seeing the castle, Maria fell silent.
Her gaze was complex, instinctively tightening her grasp, holding her garment’s edge.
She was not unfamiliar with this castle.
That was the famous fortress on the eastern border of the former Holy Mania Empire, Olesburg.
Beyond the castle lay Mania’s territory.
Ten years later, the former small Empress of the empire would once again set foot on her homeland’s soil.
Only, it was no longer the former empire.
"We’re about to enter the country."
Feng said.
With that, the Silver Dragon let out a long cry, descending to the ground.
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Sigh... Love cannot coexist with writing, hence a shorter Chapter _(:з」∠)_
