Chapter 15: Objects of the Second Civilization

“What is this?”

Li Ruoyi felt the overwhelming waves of power; the laws of the world around him had been modified.

This sensation was just like the End of the World where he had previously lived; here, time and space seemed utterly meaningless.

“Galena amplified my power, and I have paused time throughout the entire manor.”

Haidai puffed out her chest proudly.

“Now, can you show us your scythe?”

“The scythe?”

With a thought from Li Ruoyi, a massive long-handled scythe descended from the heavens, making the entire space tremble from the impact.

The giant scythe itself seemed to breathe, as crimson mystical symbols on the blade pulsed in and out of existence with the surging power.

Galena looked as if she were being pulled by strings, her eyes emitting a blue-black radiance.

Countless interlocking lines connected the two.

[First stage complete. Visitor identified: Alestasia, Remnant of the Second Civilization.]

An announcement rang out as countless mystical characters, identical to the symbols on the scythe’s handle, manifested in the air.

The frequency of the scythe’s flashing light grew faster and faster, and a rift formed by the power firmly enveloped the person and the weapon.

“Successor of the Second Civilization? Galena?”

Li Ruoyi was clearly unable to process the scene before him; more strange knowledge was being added to his mind.

“That’s right; this might be an excellent way to help me unravel the mysteries of the Second Civilization.”

“What exactly do you know? Do you even know the cause that triggered that apocalypse?”

“Who knows?”

Haidai gave a noncommittal smile.

[Second stage complete. Knowledge reorganization, transmission, and storage initiated. Visitor: Alestasia.]

As the second announcement rang out, Galena, who had been lifted by the surging power, descended to the ground.

Countless threads as black as ink spread from her eye sockets across her entire body.

She grasped the long handle of the scythe; the power surrounding its surface began to cheer and dance, coiling around Galena’s arms with an air of affinity.

[Third stage complete. Successor System activated. Executor: Alestasia.]

After the third announcement, the light and brilliance ceased.

The blue-black light in Galena’s eyes vanished, and tears began to flow continuously down her high nose from her azure eyes.

Her golden hair fell softly over her snow-white shoulders.

The sunlight scattered bits of broken gold upon her.

With the corners of her mouth upturned, she wore a faint smile.

The radiance in her eyes eclipsed all things in the world; she was beautiful and arrogant.

A second later, the blue-black light once again illuminated the frozen space.

Like a descending deity, Galena—no, Alestasia—stood in the center of the radiance, holding the scythe.

[Mixed-breed Li Ruoyi, I am Alestasia, daughter of Aztec-rethus of the Second Civilization.]

Galena spoke, but her tone was entirely different from that of Rhein’s personal maid; her voice was as cold and mechanical as a machine.

“Alestasia, what do you know regarding the Second Civilization?”

Haidai stepped forward and inquired.

[Inquirer confirmed: Leicester Vohela Haidai, successor to the authority of Aislith-rethus of the Second Civilization.]

Galena’s eyes swept over the girl’s form.

[File corrupted. □□□□ Just as you know, it is only that □□□□□□□.]

After a moment of hesitation, Alestasia provided an answer.

“Just as I thought.”

Haidai was clearly disappointed.

“Then I have some questions. May I ask?”

Li Ruoyi felt his blood boiling, like sodium metal hitting water.

Looking at the girl standing with the scythe, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

“First, why do so many people call me a Mixed-breed? What is a Mixed-breed?”

[You are a successor to the Aztec-rethus bloodline, but unlike us, two-thirds of your body still consists of the bloodline of the Fifth Civilization.]

“Then, my next question: what exactly are the Second and Fifth Civilizations you keep talking about?”

[We of the Second Civilization are the Editors of the Planet—the seven individuals who managed this planet in place of the First Civilization.]

Alestasia continued after a brief pause.

[As for the Fifth Civilization, it is you humans. We refer to you as the Civilization with Emotions, or the Fifth Civilization.]

“Editing the planet? Does that mean other civilizations existed on this planet before humans?”

[Have you humans not used fragments of words to record us? The creation myths of Meso-□□□□ speak of the □ Civilization; Plato’s dialogues describe Atlan-□□□; they speak of the □□ God-race, □□□□.]

Alestasia’s words grew increasingly blurred, gradually turning into a string of garbled code.

“It seems the files are corrupted; even Galena cannot repair them.”

Haidai shrugged helplessly at Li Ruoyi.

“Alestasia, please tell us the data stored within this scythe.”

[The data includes the Civilization Successor System, the final program intended to prevent the extinction of human civilization at the conclusion of the fifth civilization cycle.]

“Why was this system loaded into this scythe?”

Li Ruoyi asked.

[Because my parents—Aztec-rethus, who governed Death in the Second Civilization, and Alith-man-rethus, who governed Life—believed that human civilization is a civilization worth preserving.]

[It is also the most correct path of development for this planet, for this planet can only support five civilization cycles.]

[As for the details of the plan, they are stored in the ruins of the □□ God-race, codenamed Nibelungen.]

[Successor, if you wish for your civilization to continue, then take up this holy relic of the Second Civilization.]

“It seems everything points toward Nibelungen.”

Li Ruoyi stepped forward and took the scythe from Alestasia’s hands.

“Though I have little interest in your talk of Second or whichever civilizations, my responsibility is simply to ensure that human civilization continues.”

“From the moment this heart was activated, this became my inescapable duty.”

Li Ruoyi spoke firmly, staring into Alestasia’s eyes.

[Report concluded. Energy reserves for stopping the world are exhausted. Inheritance system explanation ended. Alestasia persona logging out.]

Galena’s eyes flickered like a short-circuiting lightbulb, the blue-black light flashing and dying irregularly.

She gradually descended to the ground, her footing unstable.

Had Haidai not stepped forward to support her, she might have collapsed.

The surroundings began to roar violently as the grey-white, frozen world regained its color.

Dew fell from the leaves, and the fish leaping from the water splashed back in.

“Lord Ruoyi.”

Galena, in Haidai’s arms, spoke.

She panted heavily due to the excessive energy consumption from moments ago.

“What follows is a request from me in my capacity as Lady Rhein’s maid.”

“I am at your command, Miss Galena. I am listening.”

Li Ruoyi lowered himself and took Galena’s hand, gazing at the maid’s exquisitely crafted, angel-like face with deep concern.

“I have no reason to refuse a request from either you or Rhein, for without her—or the old man in my mind—I wouldn’t be alive to hear you explain these inconceivable things.”

“Have you already guessed my relationship with him? These eyes are far too useful for a human, after all.”

Galena smiled bitterly, reaching out to tap Li Ruoyi’s forehead.

“One day you will understand the knowledge shared by Alestasia, but you must not yet reveal it to the mortals of the Fifth Civilization.”

“I am a bit tired. As for the things that must be eradicated for Miss Rhein, he will be the one to tell you.”

Galena closed her eyes in exhaustion.

A silhouette stepped out from behind a long pillar in the manor.

“Yo, Lord Ruoyi looks quite well.”

Zigris, still carrying his greatsword and looking as cheerful as ever, walked up to the three of them.

“Zigris?! What are you doing here?”

A cold light flashed in Li Ruoyi’s eyes as the sharp edge of his scythe hooked around the man’s neck.

“I am the one here to convey a request on behalf of Miss Galena.”

Zigris knelt on one knee before Li Ruoyi, plunging his heavy greatsword into the earth.

He bowed his head and placed his left hand over the upper joint of his right arm.

“I swear upon my life to dedicate everything to you, my Prince Reigning King.”

“I shall remember humility, honor, sacrifice, valor, compassion, spirit, honesty, and justice.”

“My sword is here; before I fall, it and I shall protect you.”

“After I die, my soul shall guard your domain.”

“My loyalty is my armor. I shall shed my blood for you and offer my soul and life at the feet of the God of Justice.”

“My blood shall be spilled upon the battlefield alongside honor.”

“My sword is placed here; may the gods bless it to remain forever sharp. Unless my head falls, it shall never break.”

Zigris’s eyes flashed with a brilliance possessed only by heroes as he offered the highest etiquette of a European knight to a sovereign to Li Ruoyi, the man who had defeated him.