prynovel Chapter 4266 Bystanders
Chapter 4266 Bystanders
Chapter 4266 Bystanders
“Every time I successfully enchant something, every time I use this pattern, it is, in a sense, a confirmation of their civilizational value... and a tribute.”
At this point, Angell raised his head.
His gaze met that of the withered one.
Yes, the decaying one finally pulled its attention away from its own thoughts and turned its gaze to Angel.
However, Angell noticed that the Decaying One still didn't show much emotion when they looked at each other; it simply observed him silently.
Angel didn't care. If he could pull the decaying one back to reality from his own world, then the story he had just told was already half successful.
"So, Mr. Examiner, let's get back to the question."
Does a vanished civilization still hold any significance for the universe?
My answer is: Yes.
"Its significance lies in the fact that later generations like myself are still using the green blood gold they created, and still drawing inspiration from their culture when we run out of ideas."
"Its significance lies in its wisdom, which continues to propel individuals in another civilization forward."
"Although it has disappeared, it has not failed. It has simply existed in a different form, becoming the cornerstone of the continuation of civilization, supporting those who come after it to move forward steadily."
"Civilizations pass on this knowledge, thus completing a relay that transcends time and space."
"And this relay is not limited to me alone, nor to this era, nor to this civilization!"
"Even if, in the future, someone creates a more suitable material based on Greenblood Gold, Greenblood Gold will still be engraved in the historical monument of civilization..."
"...to live on forever."
"This is what I understand as the meaning of a vanished civilization."
After Angell finished speaking, he stood silently.
The withered creature's eyes flickered slightly, as if it were savoring Angor's words. After a moment, it replied in an almost whispered tone, "So, you think the only purpose of the vanished civilization is to help you with alchemy?"
Angell shook his head slightly.
"of course not."
"This is just my perspective on the meaning of my story. But in my own civilization, I am just a nobody. Yet, even such a nobody as me has such a profound connection with a vanished civilization, and it has even changed the course of my life."
"Not to mention those big shots."
Angell shrugged, feigning ignorance: "All I can see are some materials and cultural symbols cultivated by vanished civilizations... But for those big shots, those trendsetters who can influence the development of an entire world and stand at the forefront of the times, the meaning they can draw from these vanished civilizations will far exceed what I can."
"Perhaps they can bear all the knowledge, all the culture, and even the values and perceptions of those civilizations."
"And these ideas, if they are beneficial to one's own civilization, will be passed down from generation to generation, just like Greenblood Gold."
Even outdated ideas that are inconsistent with civilization will be recorded in history books to warn future generations not to make the same mistakes.
So, you see.
"The significance of lost civilizations is not limited to me, nor to alchemy. It is pervasive, like the air we breathe, and has become part of my life."
Ingres, by focusing on the small to reveal the big, deliberately portrays himself as an insignificant figure, painting a grand picture of civilization for the decaying masses.
But the Decaying One was clearly not a fool, and chuckled: "The core of what you're saying is to extract the essence of vanished civilizations to nourish one's own."
"In your view, these vanished civilizations were merely nourishment for later civilizations?"
Although the Decayer was questioning it, Angel was quite pleased.
Because he would rather engage in dialogue with a rebuttal, sharp, and incisive person than with a nihilist who is oblivious and in an existential crisis.
Many truths become clearer through debate.
Of course, this is on the premise that you can win the argument.
“Nutrients?” Angel didn’t rush to refute, but chuckled lightly, his tone still sincere: “It is indeed a nutrient, but it is more than just a nutrient.”
"I can sense that when the examiner mentioned the word 'nutrients,' he might be thinking of something humble, something that disappears once it's consumed, right?"
Before the withered one could respond, Angel continued, "If this is a preconceived notion that the examiner already has, it may be difficult for me to change it, but I still want to try to express my own thoughts."
"I know an alchemist who is an expert in fragrance. She once cultivated an ancient magical plant in her laboratory. Its mother plant had long since become extinct, leaving only a single seed. She nourished it with a special nutrient solution, and the seed eventually sprouted and blossomed successfully..."
"In this situation, can you say that 'the nutrient solution is just the nutrients that are being consumed'?"
“No.” Angell said seriously, “Because the value of the nutrient solution was extended at the moment the magical plant bloomed; and that extinct magical plant also reappeared in this world through this new seedling.”
Ingres: "The same is true of vanished civilizations."
"They become nutrients, but they are not completely consumed and digested by later generations and then completely destroyed."
"Instead, their wisdom, culture, creativity, and even their concepts in all aspects have been integrated into the bloodline of the new civilization and grown into new branches and leaves. Just like Green Blood Gold, when I enchant it, I don't consume it, but let its transparent qualities be seen, recognized, and even passed down from generation to generation by more people through my works."
"You call this 'supporting one's own civilization'? Yes, that's right."
“But this offering is precisely the best proof of the value of a vanished civilization.” Angell gazed into the eyes of the decaying beings: “They did not become useless because of their demise; on the contrary, they became a driving force for the growth of other civilizations. Isn’t this a higher form of ‘living’?”
"Moreover, nutrients are never unidirectional."
Angel's gaze was gentle yet firm: "If in the future someone creates an even more powerful technology based on the craftsmanship of Green Blood Gold, then the wisdom contained within Green Blood Gold by the Senluo Fairy will continue to be passed down along with this craftsmanship. It will not be consumed, but rather its core will be integrated into a longer lineage of civilization, gaining eternity that transcends the material form."
"Therefore, extinct civilizations are not 'mere nourishment' as the examiner thinks; they are 'nourishing material that carries their own imprint and can continue to grow.' Their subjectivity has not disappeared; on the contrary, through inheritance, they have transcended the meaning of extinction itself."
"It's like..."
Angell gently flipped his hand, and a miniature illusion reappeared in his palm: a withered tree fell down, its decay nourishing the soil, and soon new seedlings sprouted, carrying the nutrients bestowed by the dead tree, continuing to grow towards the sunlight.
Then, the illusion changed again.
A giant island whale died, its decaying body sinking into the deep blue, silent seabed. Countless fish, shrimp, and other creatures absorbed the nutrients from the whale's fall, slowly growing and eventually forming a new marine community.
"Can you say that dead trees are just 'nutrients for the soil'?"
Can you say that whales are merely 'nourishment of the ocean'?
"No, it is the root of the new seedling, the source of the fish, and proof that it once existed and strived to grow."
The decaying creature gazed at the "collapsed withered tree" and the "sunken whale," and seemed to have made a connection to something; its pupils visibly trembled.
After a moment, the withered one closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.
Once his breathing had calmed down a bit, he whispered to himself in a voice barely audible: "No matter how lush the new seedlings are, the withered tree will never exist. No matter how prosperous the fish population is, the whales will have long since turned to bones..."
Angell: "..."
Although it deliberately lowered its voice, Angell was right in front of it and naturally heard it clearly.
Indeed, it is extremely difficult to persuade someone who is simultaneously mired in nihilism and existential crisis with words...
Ingres even started telling his own story, but he still couldn't convince it.
He could only sigh silently, while preparing a backup plan. Once the Decayer raised his next question, he would contact Laplace and ask her to help find someone skilled in psychotherapy.
Although using psychotherapy to deal with those who have fallen into nihilism is unlikely to cure the root cause, as long as it can temporarily relieve the symptoms, it can be considered as having accomplished its task.
As Angor was thinking this, the Decaying One raised his head and said slowly, "You passed."
Angell: "???"
What? It's approved already?
Perhaps sensing the doubt in Angel's eyes, the Decaying One said softly, "By telling my story, you were able to pull me out of that dark mire and give me a brief respite... In my opinion, you have already passed the test."
"Although your explanation still doesn't completely satisfy me, it doesn't matter."
"Even the Demon God cannot solve my predicament, so how can you, a mere alchemist, possibly help me?"
It seemed to be mocking itself, gently shaking its head.
"So don't be bothered by my dissatisfaction. The world that can satisfy me no longer exists."
"You actually performed very well; you are the best among all the test takers I have encountered."
“I enjoyed your story, especially the example of the whale fall, which reminded me of the small island where I lived as a child…” The withered man shook his head and did not continue, but his eyes became dazed again.
Just then, Angell, who was shocked by his sudden victory, suddenly heard a strange laugh in his ear.
"Quack quack—"
"Now that you're awake, don't go back to sleep."
The speaker was the little demon presiding, who was squatting on a certain seal monument. This time, however, it wasn't speaking to Angor, but rather to the withered one.
The decaying one was about to fall into a trance, but slowly awoke because of the little devil's strange laughter.
"But it's uncomfortable to be awake," the withered man murmured softly.
The Little Devil Host: "Didn't you think this kid was doing pretty well? He just boasted to me that he would pass the Heart Chapter as quickly as possible."
"He has indeed done it now, including you and the Mind Flayer before... He still needs to pass a test."
"If he can pass the test quickly on his third attempt, then it won't take long anyway. You can just watch from the sidelines and have some fun."
The withered one pondered for a moment, glanced at the still bewildered Angor, and nodded slightly: "Alright, I won't go back to the Sealed Monument yet. I can go back after he leaves."
The Decayer had already turned away, and even the seal behind it began to glow, ready to be swallowed up at any moment; but in the end, the Decayer was persuaded to stay by the little devil presiding.
The light on the monument gradually dimmed, returning to normal.
The withered and decayed stood near the sealed monument.
Logically, the sealing stele is a container to seal the examiners and should be able to control them, but the withered one seems to be completely unaffected by the sealing stele.
"Are you curious?" At that moment, the little devil's voice came over.
Angell did not speak.
After the little devil host chuckled, he said, "Although you've been very restrained, I'm not blind to be a host."
"You should have recognized its identity when the Decayer appeared, right?"
Angell naturally denied it: "Of course not."
The little devil host chuckled wickedly: "You didn't even ask who 'The Decayer' is before you just assumed its identity?"
Angell countered, "Considering what you said, it's not hard to guess, is it?"
The little devil host didn't care. "Since you don't want to admit it, just pretend you don't know. Then I'll tell you who it is."
"It is the decayer, and also the former presiding over the chapter of the heart."
Angel was taken aback. The withered one was the former presiding over the Chapter of the Heart?
No wonder it was completely unaffected by the sealing of the monument.
For it, the sealed monument is merely a tool for "sleeping" and escaping the suffering of reality, while its own authority is higher than that of the sealed monument.
The withered one slowly approached, its posture still showing signs of fatigue, but its eyes were much clearer than before.
It addressed Angor in a calm and slightly ethereal voice:
“According to the rules of the Heart Chapter, I am no longer the host. As an examiner, I have no right to stay after the test is over, let alone listen to the questions and answers of the next examiner.”
It paused slightly, its enormous eyes looking at Angell, containing no demands, only a calm inquiry.
"Therefore, I am now requesting your permission in my personal capacity as 'The Decayer'."
"Would you be willing to let me stay here as an observer and listen to your final test?"
"You don't need to feel that I or the current host are morally blackmailing you. If you don't want anyone watching, just say so... Actually, it doesn't matter whether I stay or not."
The Decayer wasn't talking nonsense; if it weren't for the Little Devil's intervention that made it stay, it would have preferred to return to the sealed monument and slumber.
Angel did not answer immediately because his gaze was drawn to the flashing information in the text bar.
"The Test of the Heart"
Current progress: 2/3
The progress bar jumped again, meaning he had passed another question and answer.
Looking at the progress of two-thirds, Angel felt somewhat helpless... He had originally intended to be sincere on this issue, and he had answered according to his true feelings, but the final result was not good.
The demon god's divine sense did not cast a single glance at them.
In other words, he only has one last chance...
Because of the progress bar, I was in a daze for a while. When I came to my senses, I realized that both the Decayer and the Little Demon were staring at me.
"Are you unwilling to answer because you're afraid of the embarrassment of rejection?" the withered one asked in a low voice, his tone still calm and composed, without any hint of disappointment. "Then I..."
“No!” Angell quickly interrupted, his tone tinged with apology. “I am delighted to have the examiner observing; it is an honor for me. My momentary daze was simply because I was still immersed in the examiner’s previous question.”
The withered one, who was about to turn away, paused upon hearing this. A barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in his cloudy yet clear eyes: "You're very interested in my question?"
(End of this chapter)