Chapter 1426: Chapter 1254: Orchestration of Fate? (Part 2)

So, to make you believe in my sincerity, I’m willing to first accompany you back to your world, eliminate the version of me that threatens you, and ensure the safety of your timeline. Then you can accompany me back in time to see if we can change everything... Is that okay?"

...

"It’s almost time to end it, isn’t it?"

Looking down at the Pure White Holy Mother, trembling and struggling to maintain the essence of the root to keep herself outside the current world while having two chicken wings on her back, Fredri couldn’t help but frown and say:

"I’ve already proven to you; Leon has been sent back to where he belongs and can’t return. I only need your roots and don’t have to kill you.

Considering we were once of the same tribe, as long as you, Number 4, and Number 9 hand over the roots, I won’t attack you. Then you can live and wait like Number 2 until the ultimate mission is complete."

After hearing Fredri’s words, the already ghastly pale face of the Pure White Holy Mother turned a few shades whiter, and a trace of emotion flickered in her eyes but ultimately shook her head, appearing... not very firmly as she replied:

"Cluck... cluck cluck! (No... no way!)"

Normally, facing someone with over a dozen roots in hand like you, I’d honestly surrender. After all, persisting means certain death, and surrendering might give me a chance, especially if you have a rare change of heart.

But you only exiled the Food God rather than killed him. If he returns and finds his home stolen while I surrendered without a fight, handing over his family, I’d be doomed!

Recalling the Evil Abyss Dominator who was devoured before her eyes and the two-and-a-half months of continuous screams from the Dream Resting Master, the Pure White Holy Mother’s wavering resolve quickly became firm again, as she roared... quietly roared, pushing upwards yet again.

Honestly, rather than having my roots taken and living in constant fear of the enraged Food God’s return, it’s better to fight and die by your hand!

"..."

Strangely, is Number 6 really such a brave character?

Watching the Pure White Holy Mother, who, despite multiple threats, chose not to surrender but instead intensified her efforts, Fredri frowned and once again increased her output of root essence.

"Crack!"

Soon, accompanied by the crisp sound of shattering glass, the defense desperately maintained by the Pure White Holy Mother was utterly crushed. Unable to resist, she only managed a scream before being entirely submerged by the torrent formed by eleven roots, leaving her defenseless.

At the very moment of her crushing defeat, a cone-shaped plane of only gray and white hues emerged from the astral realm behind Fredri, dyeing everything around in a pallid gray.

"Number 1!"

After shouting deliberately toward Fredri, the Graveyard Dominator, who was half-buried in the soil, popped his head out from the top of a conical mound, furiously exclaiming:

"You..."

You could’ve just struck me directly, so why call out to me?

Seeing the Graveyard Dominator unwilling to ambush, needing to call out first, Fredri couldn’t help but shake her head slightly. She then gestured to the surrounding starscape.

In the next moment, the grave soil, mostly emerged from the astral world, trembled violently, as starlight from the deep sky descended like icy chains, tightly binding the desolate gray soil in place.

Then, the unique brilliance of root essence flashed, and Number 4, entirely buried in the soil, was hammered back into the earth, unable to move, only able to unleash roars of frustration.

It’s over.

Clenching her fist slightly in the direction of the soil, sealing the Graveyard Dominator’s curses within the soil, Fredri tied the Floating Star Dominator, who wanted to follow, to the Graveyard Dominator’s tombstone, then headed alone toward the current world.

Counting Number 9, who tried to escape with the current world, and the purge bureau that attempted to drag the sun down with us, she should have already captured all those holding roots.

Now, all that’s left is to follow the mark left earlier, find the real Number 3 hidden by Leon, then take him to traverse No. 3’s roots, and she will have successfully gathered all the roots, able to begin completing the ultimate mission... E

High above the Traveling Thrush Royal City, overlooking the bustling city below, watching those who were unaware of the approaching end, still busy with life, Fredri bit her lip, unexpectedly hesitating to descend.

Even when cleaning the blood from her chest and emerging from the sacred water pool, she’d resolved to reclaim her tribe, no matter what, but...

But I can no longer turn back!

Recalling those ’tribesmen’ who believed her guidance, ventured into the depths of Old Soil, and ultimately became another part of the root essence, a faint sorrow appeared in Fredri’s eyes... along with deep self-loathing.

No matter the reasons, her hands were already stained with guilt. To the ’tribesmen’ from the roots, she would be the hero saving everything, but to those sacrificed, she was an undeniable villain.

Even if she could try to console herself by saying returning to the roots wasn’t true death, just an early completion of life’s journey, becoming part of the world again.

Even with their consciousness regained and timelines secured, she could slowly atone during her remaining life, trying to restore those who returned to the roots.

But it was all false, just like how becoming root remnants changed the tribesmen, those restored will not be the originals, and those who perished during her collection of roots would have no chance of restoration.

Thus, no matter the explanation or compensation, she’s the one who destroyed everything, the true demon incomparable. Sometimes she can’t help but wonder, if when she first met ’Fate’...

"Cluck cluck cluck?!!"

A joyous crowing behind interrupted Fredri’s chaotic thoughts.

Feeling a presence, she turned to find, to her immense surprise, that Ring Time Mountain had cast a clear reflection toward her even without her manipulation.

Meanwhile, Leon, who should have returned to his original world, left by another version of herself, sat astride an old ox, emerged from the chaotic time stream with a familiar presence, eyebrows furrowed, gazing at her.

"Why did you..."

"Hand."

Interrupting Fredri’s surprised inquiry, the cloaked Figure 2 gave no explanation, merely extending her right hand toward Fredri, silently locking eyes.

Seeing Leon and the old ox behind Figure 2, unsure of their intentions, Fredri instinctively retreated half a step, thinking to reject this puzzling handshake.

But upon seeing her counterpart’s eyes, noticing the pity and hatred within, understanding the hope and longing, she mysteriously halted her retreat, voluntarily grasping the identical hand.

With their hands clasped tight, profound emotions deep within the other flooded over her, a mix of endless regret and solitude, an overwhelming tidal wave that shattered her already fragile heart and soul.

So this is what awaits me once I complete the ultimate mission?

Exchanging a look with her double, understanding her expression, Fredri found herself chuckling quietly, then released her grip, drawing out a bone-handled dagger, unhesitatingly plunging it into her heart.

"For you."

Withdrawing the dagger from her chest, she wiped the blood from it on her pale arm, then handed the blood-stained blade to her counterpart, turning to face the astonished Leon, speaking softly with a pale face:

"Leon, trust the other me, she’s not lying. You really have a chance to change everything, and... I’m sorry."