Chapter 1240 - 1240: Who Is She

Following behind the suddenly appearing Moon People "twins," the Hero cautiously navigates through the streets and alleys of the Moon City.

In the distance, deafening roars still occasionally ring out, with silver and grey radiance colliding on the horizon, occasionally revealing the silhouettes of massive Magic Creatures gliding over the tops of buildings.

Evidently, the war between the Twin Moons is far from over.

Though temporarily separated from the center of the battlefield, now is clearly not the time for peace of mind.

However, while the crisis remains Inches Away, another matter perplexes the Hero even more. After hearing the self-introduction of these two Moon People, she tilts her head in confusion.

"You said you are the High Priest of this city, I roughly understand that." The Hero's puzzled gaze moves back and forth between the two identical Moon People, "But you say you are the same person, what does that mean?"

"It's exactly what it sounds like."

The two Moon People answer simultaneously, with identical tones.

"Initially, we were different individuals."

"But as the Moon City's assimilation deepens, in the eyes of this city, we Moon People."

"Are no longer regarded as separate lives."

"But rather as a species collective."

"Unified as subjects for cultivation and purification."

Seemingly to corroborate their words, the two Moon People walk left and right ahead of the Hero, continuing their explanation seamlessly. Their words merge smoothly, as the Hero looks left and right.

"Thus, not only emotions. Memories, personalities, habits, even these subtle differences between individuals have gradually been viewed by the Moon City as unnecessary filth, slowly consumed completely.

"Our appearance, thought processes, and responses to things have begun to converge, even our experiences have increasingly become identical.

"If this continues, when all Moon People ultimately transform into the same existence, the next step for Moon City might be to halt our life activities.

"After all, as long as there is metabolism, filth will be generated."

The two Moon People simultaneously shrug, revealing identical expressions of helplessness.

Is that why Mother was sent to the ground, holding her mission in the suffocating extinction...

Thinking of this, the Hero tightens her fist.

"So, the only Moon People High Priest barely maintaining clarity made a choice."

The Moon People narrate in turn.

"A hundred years ago, the Priest decomposed her existence into the smallest unit, the Void Moon Cocoon, and implanted it into the unconscious realm of all the Moon People still remaining in the Moon City.

"Although the Power of Purification from Moon City is strong, it cannot completely erase.

"Consciousness, emotions, memories, these things, after maximum purification, will still leave some residue that even Moon City cannot fully digest.

"This is the minimum unit of consciousness, spirit particles nearly approaching 'nothing.'

"What the High Priest did was actively turn herself into such particles.

"She executed infinite subdivision and self-exile of her soul, spirit, and will, integrating those fragmented pieces that could no longer be defined as 'people' into the spirits of all remaining Moon People.

"By using this method, she can awaken when necessary and take over the body of a Moon Person, shouldering the damage originally destined for the counterpart's spirit."

"This..." Upon hearing this, the Hero furrows her brow.

"Of course, you're right." Predicting the Hero's thoughts, the Moon People smile wryly, "This was originally a behavior akin to suicide.

"After all, no matter how strong a person's spirit is, once subdivided in this way and implanted into the consciousness of other existences, even the slightest rejection from the host, even if just instinctual subconscious resistance, would result in the excessively divided spirit having no chance to resist, silently crushed into oblivion.

"But ironically, the remaining Moon People in Moon City can't do such a thing anymore." They sigh.

"Throughout the long ages of assimilation, they have even lost their basic Survival Instinct; their recognition of self has long since blurred.

"Thus, after all Moon People lost their agency, the Priest's self-exile succeeded, and all Time transformed into that 'necessary moment.'

"The original consciousness of the Moon People has nearly vanished; now what truly governs their body's actions, paradoxically, is unconsciousness."

The two Moon People simultaneously stop and turn their heads, smiling slightly.

"And that unconsciousness is me, the last High Priest of Moon City.

"In other words, all remaining Moon People have already become 'me.'"

After hearing the explanation, the Hero cannot help but widen her eyes.

"Magic can actually achieve such things?"

Not only the Second Transformation, but even as the Shining World Saintess, she only feels astonishment at this moment.

Listening to the other's explanation, both widen their eyes incredulously.

"Originally, it was impossible." One of the Moon People gently shakes her head, while the other expertly follows, "After all, it's probably hard to find another species in this world that would, while still physically living, almost entirely lose its own will like the Moon People.

"Precisely because the entire species lost consciousness, and only I barely retain a complete sense of self, with considerable strength, is such extreme Reverse possible."

"Ah."

Realizing she seemed to misspeak, Yong covers her mouth.

This is a Forbidden Magic achieved at the cost of the entire race's spiritual death, not something to satisfy mere curiosity.

Nonetheless, despite discussing exceptionally somber matters, the attitudes of the two Moon People remain unexpectedly relaxed.

"You don't need to worry. The disaster of Moon City now, after all, is our own fault.

"And besides, through this multi-layered self-exile, I instead obtained the bodies and Magic Power of all Moon People. Not only can I leverage their brains for parallel computation and contemplation, but also nearly perfectly resist the erosion of Moon City by relying on the field of unconscious residue.

"Compared to cowering in the Sanctuary before, now it's much lighter.

While chatting, the three continue to walk along the deserted streets.

The Hero remains silent for a while, then suddenly seems to think of something, her brow furrowing.

"But you should be trying to help the Moon People regain their emotions, right?" She hesitates slightly, "If that's the case, wouldn't it..."

"You're very perceptive, just as you thought, the Priest who divided herself into the smallest units can never be restored."

The two Moon People shrugged their shoulders.

"The reason we're able to make the group act the way individuals do now is just because the Moon People are still under the suppression of the Moon Capital, unable to awaken their own will. But if one day, all...

"No, as long as most Moon People truly reclaim their emotions and will, my fragments can no longer surface. By that time, the High Priest will be eternally submerged in the realm of the unconscious, never able to awaken again."

In other words, death.

The Hero slowed her steps, watching the backs of the two.

"However, I've already lived more than enough years, and have grown weary of the stagnation in the latter half of this life."

There was no fear in the voices of the Moon People, only calmness.

"Yet regretfully, I lack enough ability and determination to become the new Empress who leads all the Moon People toward the future. Previously, I even needed to hide in the Sanctuary, relying on the glory left by past Empresses, barely able to resist our homeland transformed into a Great Demon."

Speaking of this, the two Moon People sighed lightly at the same time.

"So if I can disappear while witnessing the transformation in these final years, I will have no regrets. You could even say, this is my only wish now."

"Is that so..." Sensing the determination revealed in her calm words, the Hero nodded thoughtfully.

Just like a mother, all the still living Moon People bear heavy burdens.

The two Moon People laughed softly.

"Moreover, we saw you before all that happens, isn't that nice, my little hero."

As they spoke, they both reached out, touching the girl's head, one on the left and one on the right.

"Hmm..."

The Hero didn't avoid it, and at the same time, truly understanding the current state of the Moon People and the High Priest, she finally perceived an odd sense from the other's attitude.

Why were they telling her these things?

This was her first time coming to the Moon Capital, she hadn't even awakened her Moon People's lineage, and knew nearly nothing about the Moon, the Moon Capital, or the history of the Moon People.

Why reveal so many secrets to a newcomer like her?

But ever since the meeting started, the High Priest neither explained the past of the Moon nor asked about her identity, even skipping many fundamental parts she should have been unaware of during the conversation, as if presuming the Hero knew all this already.

Furthermore, calling her a hero...

"You..." The Hero stopped, her emerald eyes surprised as she looked at them.

The two Moon Peoples smiled simultaneously.

"Ah, you've finally noticed? But it's not really so strange.

"Because your unconscious is not in this world, but lies in a dimension I'm unable to reach, pondering differently.

"Besides, in your original world, I probably made the same choice.

"Individual consciousness cannot overlap, but the unconscious can penetrate space and even destiny, allowing mutual exchanges.

"Therefore, I can somewhat understand things about you.

"Although you've awakened the nature we've longed for, the real you seems to have never visited the Moon Capital... Am I right in saying so?"

The Hero widened her eyes, finally clearly understanding what the current state of the Moon People's High Priest really meant.

Although she said she's forced to, decomposing herself and banishing into the unconscious realm of all Moon People; also said that if Moon People reawaken, she'll eternally sink into unconsciousness, entering a state almost akin to death.

But from another perspective, at this very moment, the High Priest wielding control over all Moon People body and Magic power is undoubtedly at the peak of her life.

Know that it was the Moon People who built this Moon Capital, it was their wisdom that created Divine Domain Magic, powerful enough to change the world.

As a species of High-level Demons, their strength is indisputable.

Although today's Moon People are not what they once were, when all remaining converge under a single consciousness, they could still form an astounding power.

The all-embodied High Priest, ruling all, undoubtedly has power equal to Great Demons.

"This side is just a simulation for you, isn't it?" The Moon People continued to walk forward, their voices agile, "If so, for the sake of accumulating enough experience, wouldn't it be a shame not to try things you wouldn't dare otherwise."

The Hero blinked, without time to think deeply, the two Moon People had already led her to a massive building, akin to an arena in size.

The two walked to the door, reaching out simultaneously to push open the towering gate.

The scene inside left the Hero breathless.

In the vast venue, hundreds upon thousands of Moon People stood like orderly white statues, quietly in place.

The two Moon Peoples who brought her here turned their heads.

Simultaneously, all the Moon People in the venue opened their eyes in that exact moment.

Hundreds upon thousands of moonlit pupils simultaneously looked toward the Hero.

With voices layered into a huge echo.

"Child of Redemption, come stir up a storm with us."

[Hero's next actions—]

1.5. Destroy the White Moon

2.6. Counterattack the Grey Moon

3.7. Three-way battle

4.8. Start anew

9. Call for reinforcements

10. Great Success/Great Failure

D10=2

♛: Counterattack the Grey Moon