"Life and death follow their natural course, but while alive, one can accomplish so much more."

"Only by surviving and inheriting the Sentinel's power can you achieve the salvation you seek—and that salvation will endure far longer."

Counselor Changli spoke earnestly.

Magistrate Jinhsi hesitated. "Master... I..."

She had already made her decision. She would not retreat. Yet Changli clearly had no intention of stopping her.

As her master, she naturally wished for her disciple to live.

"...Jinhsi, I do not mean to stand in your way. Your resolve is firm—how could I not understand?"

"That is why... I brought Rover here."

"You must have guessed as well. Rover is the hero of Jianzhou recorded in the texts, the one who fought alongside the Sentinel—that 'extraordinary individual' who once visited Mt. Firmament."

"All the evidence we've found points to this truth."

"If there is anyone besides you who can influence the situation at Mt. Firmament... it is Rover."

Lucian remained expressionless. "This makes me seem rather useless."

Changli smiled. "At least now we know the Fractsidus' attitude toward you, no?"

Lucian: "..."

"Rovey, let me tell you a secret."

Rover tilted her head curiously. "What secret?"

"The Sentinel is your pet."

Rover: "?"

Changli pondered. "Pet?"

"Though the term 'pet' may be somewhat inaccurate... if we must label it, then it isn't entirely wrong either."

"Back then, the Sentinel only infused energy into the Chronosorter because it obeyed the 'extraordinary individual's' command."

Rover fell into thought. "It's just... I don't remember much."

"Aside from fragmented memories when I saw the Sentinel's statue, there were only the scenes from my dreams a few days ago."

"But in none of these did the Sentinel ever communicate with me."

Lucian: "Then who do you think has higher status in the family—Abby or the Sentinel?"

Rover's thoughts aligned perfectly with his: "Abby is our child. The Sentinel is a pet. Of course, Abby ranks higher."

Lucian nodded in approval.

Beside them, Changli chuckled. "If the Sentinel heard this, would it rage and turn Mt. Firmament and Jinzhou upside down...?"

Lucian smirked. "If the Sentinel wants to do that, it'll need Rover's permission first."

Rover gave a slight nod. "Assuming it really is my pet."

Jinhsi cut in: "Enough. Stop slandering the Sentinel. A revered deity, reduced to nothing in your words."

Changli reminded them: "One more thing—we still don't know how the Fractsidus imprisoned the Sentinel. And this... is key to whether you can successfully petition it."

Lucian raised three fingers. "I think there are three possibilities."

The others turned to him.

"First possibility: The Fractsidus is just that powerful and subdued the Sentinel directly."

Rover mused: "The Fractsidus might be strong... but 'strong enough' seems unlikely."

Lucian nodded slightly. He didn't believe it either.

He continued: "Second possibility: The Fractsidus borrowed external forces—like the Chronosorter."

Changli's eyes flickered as if she had realized something.

When Resonance abilities clash, they trigger overload. What if countless Chronosorters collided with the Sentinel's energy?

If an overwhelming number of Chronosorters clashed with the Sentinel's power, could it backfire?

Perhaps the Fractsidus exploited this very loophole.

Of course, this was inseparable from the Sentinel's already wounded state.

A healthy Sentinel would likely remain unharmed even against a barrage of Chronosorters.

Just then, Lucian voiced the third possibility.

"The third possibility: The Sentinel itself was compromised."

"But I think the second and third possibilities are interconnected."

"The Fractsidus noticed the Sentinel's weakness and used something to imprison it—or at least hinder its recovery."

Jinhsi agreed. "All of these are plausible. Xinyi is investigating this now. We should have answers soon."

Changli turned to the stone door ahead. "The core we seek should lie beyond this gate. There's one last mechanism to solve. Let's proceed."

The four of them fought their way through, eliminating numerous Tacet Discords and unlocking mechanisms with the Chronosorter until they finally beheld the Heartcore.

Changli smiled softly. "Well then, observe the Heartcore closely."

"From here onward... the path is yours to walk."

Lucian frowned. "What do you mean? What about you?"

Changli chuckled. "Do not forget—I am your guide. I shared your boat, accompanied you into the mountains, and delivered you to Jinhsi's side..."

"Beyond this point, it is you and Jinhsi who must stand before Jué."

"Setting this stage is all I can do."

"To guide, not to interfere. Where the ending leads... is for you to decide."

"Besides, the Fractsidus has been nothing but a nuisance, hindering us at every turn."

"The path you and Jinhsi take to meet the Sentinel... should be untainted."

Rover: "..."

Lucian: "Is there a chance we could skip the hassle?"

Changli gave him a puzzled look.

Lucian summoned the Crimson Vanguard from his terminal, instantly filling the space around them.

"Let them cover our retreat."

"You're not just our guide—you're Jinhsi's master. Even if you don't interfere with the outcome, you should witness her growth."

Changli laughed softly. "You do have a way with words..."

She observed the Crimson Vanguard. Unlike the usual Tacet Discords, these soldiers bore expressions of righteousness—so much so that even ordinary people wouldn't feel fear.

"You and Rover are both enigmatic and formidable. No wonder you're drawn to each other."

"Like the poles of a magnet, even when far apart, an irresistible force pulls you together."

"Truly... a little enviable."

Lucian replied solemnly: "Actually, I'm Magneto!"

Changli: "..."

Rover: "?"

"Magneto? No wonder so many girls have inexplicable ties to you."

Changli, momentarily stunned, chuckled. "Should I expect anything less from you?"

No sooner had she spoken than Fractsidus engineers flooded in through the door behind them.

"Ah, our guests have arrived."

"Originally, according to the 'game,' I was meant to be the one who stayed behind at this point."

"But this is the variable I mentioned earlier."

"As Lucian said—to witness the Magistrate's growth?"

"Heh... Not a bad choice. I look forward to it..."

Jinhsi pressed her lips together, a faint blush on her cheeks as the four of them stepped onto the circular lift.

"In that case... let's go."

The next moment, the lift activated, leaving only the Fractsidus forces below to battle the Crimson Vanguard.