Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva-Chapter 1666 - 99: Back Cover – To the Realm You Were Born Into

『If the long, dark night welcomes the light』

『The world will also regain its brilliance, won't it』

The white superluminal aircraft, like a swan, crossed the boundary of the atmosphere and deep space, with stars and planets in the distance aligning into a line, and that vesper-like glow blossomed from the conjunction, shining into the cabin beside the window.

Gazing down from the plane, there was a blue planet surrounded by streaming clouds, expanding magnificently and beautifully as it zoomed in the lens.

"Hello passengers, the plane is about to enter the atmosphere and there will be slight turbulence." A synthesized voice broadcasted in the cabin, but everyone didn't mind much.

The advancement of the era and technology has greatly improved the safety and stability of flight, so even entering the atmosphere won't cause much turbulence, and the current announcement is just a routine procedure.

People paced back and forth on the laid carpet from time to time, discussing recent news and interesting stories, with occasionally a child leaning against the window to get a view of that beautiful, unfamiliar planet.

"This is my second visit; the last time was when I was quite young and my parents brought me here. The experiences from that trip have mostly faded from memory."

"Haha, it's pretty much the same for me."

"But speaking of which, fewer and fewer people are specifically coming here to visit anymore, with many having already gone to distant places beyond the Milky Way, never to return."

"Young folks are like that; they all crave fresh and different things, somewhat tired of these places found in history books. I guess those who still remember and cherish this place are the older generation, those who lived through the Federation period."

"Did you know, some seniors specially visit here before passing, even hoping to have their ashes scattered into this sea, believing it's returning to their roots."

"Although I wouldn't do it myself, I can understand their thoughts, probably reminiscing about the times when they were young and had experienced beautiful moments."

Occasionally, someone would take exquisite wine and drinks from the auxiliary Autonomous Unit walking through the cabin, clinking slightly, then sitting by the table discussing travel plans and thoughts, while some kept quietly to themselves in a corner, not uttering a word.

"Grandma, are you also here to reminisce?" A little boy leaned over the seat, inquiring of the old lady resting against the seat back.

She looked quite old, with her skin wrinkled and sagging, a faded thin blanket with dark red and black checkered patterns covering her knees.

Hearing someone calling her, the elderly lady slowly opened her eyes, seeing the unfamiliar traveling child nearby: "That's right, Grandma is old; this may be the last time coming here."

She gave a kind smile, her hand like weathered tree bark gently caressing the child's cheek, forming a stark contrast between the wrinkled elder's skin and the tender softness of the child's.

"The last? Why is it the last time, won't you come again?" the child queried, slightly puzzled.

"Because I am old, I might not live long, so this is the last time." Noticing the child still looked confused, the elder revealed her loosening teeth and continued to explain.

"People grow old, and once they die, their eyes will never open again."

"Ah, that sounds sad, and kind of scary." The boy hesitated upon hearing this.

"Indeed, death is terrifying." The elder spoke softly in a steady voice.

"But you don't seem scared." The boy's curiosity was piqued once again.

"Because I have gradually accustomed myself to and accepted this outcome." The elder showed a relaxed smile.

"When you reach that day, you will slowly understand too."

"Nothing is without an end." Finishing her words, she shifted her gaze to the rolling sea of clouds outside the window.

Boundless clouds were brushed with a faint golden hue by the sunshine, as the plane navigated through the vast sea of clouds like a small boat.

The beautiful scenery outside the glass windows projected onto her cloudy eyes, with halos and flowing lights bringing a dynamically beautiful color palette.

A touch of nostalgia appeared on the elderly woman's face, as if she could see many memories within that scenery, those youthful and vibrant years, those laughing and joyous times, the carefree childhood.

Gradually, she heard less of the inquiries from the boy beside her, her breathing became shallow, and her connection to this world began to fade.

Her eyelids felt heavy, yet she kept them open still, gazing at the already blurred scenery outside, hoping to let the final moments remain at this instance.

What beautiful and splendid clouds, with so many, many colors...

A phrase from her childhood echoed in her mind, the voice in memory being so tender and unrefined.

Unable to hold her heavy eyelids any longer, her head tilted against the seat back, and the hands intertwined in front of her slowly slipped down.

Beside this elder, the boy's calling eventually drew attention, with many surrounding to offer help and check, at which point they noticed the ancient curved horns on the elder's head, realizing she must be from the past Beastmen's horned bull clan.

...

All plunged into darkness, with no thoughts flowing, no perception, nor any sad emotions.

... 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

An intangible, colorless soul slowly dissipated, yet in this process, sound emerged in what should have been a silent world, not as distant or ethereal, but like a gentle song softly by the ear.

Guided by this melody, the soul consciousness that should have faded away began to flicker with spots of light, gradually departing from this world and entering another dimensional realm.

It was the juncture of two universes, the Aijieka Sea.

In this leaving process, the soul that was asleep slowly awakened, her condensed form wasn't that of the slumbering elder in the cabin but a younger self, from the time when her impressions and memories of the world were most vivid.

Her dual horns adorned with golden locks, she wore a white dress with scattered floral patterns, the skirt lined with seven or eight black ink-like grid lines, filled with azure and bright pink within the grids, creating a striking contrast that made the dress appear lively and cheerful.

"Rocora, that's my name."

The girl in memory reached out to greet the gray-haired girl beside her, emanating an air of summer wind and sunshine.

"I'm leaving now, see you next time." Her figure turned into light dots and dispersed, leaving behind the sitting figure beside her.

The gray-haired girl continued to hum softly, gently brushing over the elder's eyelids, offering the last song for the departed life.

...

If the long, dark night welcomes the light

The world will also regain its brilliance, won't it

For us, there's something important to communicate

To you, who is about to be born tomorrow

Let's chat tonight

About the world where you will be born

History is a cycle and shouldn't be forgotten

History is a cycle and shouldn't be forgotten, oh

It will enter your view, won't it…

Containing both beautiful and ugly things alike…

We never gave up…

Finally found it

The last and also the first story

Written in black ink on a black cover…

You will obtain it, won't you…

All things loved and hated alike…

Opened the black picture book, filling history with colorful countless stories

For instance…

Even knowing the ending, still singing proudly for pride, wearing a beautiful crown, the story of the Silver Ling Bird…

Even understanding the exhaustion, still flying fearlessly towards the Sun, the story of the Golden Stamen Bird…

Even if unnoticed, still searching for a path for everyone, guarding with wings agitating the waves, the Sea-crossing Bird's story…

Even upon abandonment, not losing heart, gathering twigs for a paradise, the Branch-breaking Bird's story…

Even if misunderstood, still pursuing personal aspirations, overturning dusty history, the story of the Bone Owl Bird…

Even upon reproach, breaking free to advance, like a fiery chariot, the story of the Flaming Feather Bird…

Even if injured by gentleness, not wishing to harm others, responding with purity and sincerity, the story of the White Kite Bird…

...

You will continue living, won't you

Encountering both joyful and sorrowful things alike

All will be forgiven, right

All will be accepted, right

The children of the new world conveying our message

To you who are born in the future

Eventually, your world will also end, won't it

Even if so…

Do not give up…

I love you…

...

The song gradually ends as the plane gently lands on this land, the top screen in the cabin slowly transforming, projecting that rare and clear blue sky, and the white numbers on the side ticking away, displaying the current time.

[Seventh Era, year 152, May 20th, Pan-human Union - Solar System - Sol III (Earth), 3:52:16 PM]