Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 878 - 175: The Day Without God

As Henry VI's death unfolded, the aerial fortress formed by his power crumbled into ruins.

The mechanical throne atop the stairs shattered and disintegrated until it became void, a process lasting just ten minutes, during which Solan and the Other Shore remained silent.

Then came Henry VI's body, from which flowed not blood, but codes that burned away in mid-air.

Solan approached the side of this tyrant, feeling inexplicably lost at that moment.

In an instant, countless memories surged through his mind.

The Imperial Capital, the very place where all adventures began, Solan recalled the times when he met Lance, Zophie, and...Ilya, Sera, Haitia at the tavern in the Imperial Capital, accompanied by the minstrel's melodious songs, discussing their visions of the future, he also remembered the buttered bread, roasted meat chops, and wild vegetable salad on the table.

Of course, there was the majestic yet gentle Henry VI, meeting with them in the grand hall of the Royal Palace, entrusting the future of the Silver Radiance Empire into their hands with solemnity.

At that time, Solan never imagined the journey's end would be such a scene.

But no matter what, the adventure has ended.

What he did far exceeded his plans; he climbed the aerial fortress, directly facing the ruler of this empire.

And now, Henry VI is dead.

But...what's next?

Confusion filled Solan's heart.

Will the Royal Family's factions disappear with Henry VI's death, or once the news of the King's passing spreads, will the empire face a new power struggle, or even an unprecedented civil war for the throne?

Solan felt the latter was more likely the reality, which was also a lesson he learned at this journey's end.

"Miss Red Hair, if it were you, what would you do?"

He was never good at thinking, and could only once again habitually seek help from the Other Shore, who had helped him multiple times. In the depths of his heart, he had long seen the Other Shore as his role model and mentor, hoping one day he could become like her, not just possessing transcendent power, but also her broad-mindedness.

These two qualities would intangibly bring a sense of security to those who followed her, and those she guarded, as if all dangers and difficulties would be properly resolved upon her arrival.

Solan believed these were the qualities a true hero should possess, yet even after receiving the legacy of the first hero, he still fell far short of the Other Shore's realm.

"What do you think 'hero' and 'demon king' mean to this empire?"

The Other Shore did not answer but countered with a question.

She understood Solan's emotions at this moment, confused young man, just like her when she served as the Imperial Knight Commander, dispatched to intercept the Evil God's Followers at the border town. She equally recognized Pope Julius's schemes with the "Dream Eclipse," and his desire to remove her as the last obstacle.

Even today, she was not good at handling the intrigues among the empire's nobles.

Thinking back, perhaps she simply felt that sacrificing herself in battle against the Evil God's Followers as a knight would count as a worthy death, repaying the King's appreciation, and as for the empire's future, she did not need to ponder further.

However, she was somewhat more fortunate than Solan, having met a group of like-minded friends at Ximu Town.

"I...don't know."

When asked about this issue, complex emotions surged within Solan, the "demon king hero game" was by no means something he could easily describe.

He was recognized for his hero identity, becoming a hero in the hearts of many, fulfilling his childhood dream, and giving his passionate blood a place to belong. He cherished everything the hero identity brought him more than anyone else, but the truth proved their adventures and battles were nothing but a political game crafted by aristocrats to distract and numb the minds of Imperial People.

For most of the empire's residents, as long as life held a glimmer of hope, life could continue.

Solan also loathed this ugly political game, realizing he became a puppet on the political chessboard, indirectly aiding the aristocrats in oppressing the populace, while they staged battles against the demon king, more of the empire's people lived in bondage, with the demon king harming them far less than the aristocrats' oppression.

Yet, upon receiving the legacy from the first hero, Solan suddenly realized this was the first hero's fragmented soul transformed into a bird, leaving behind a sliver of hope for this world, and so long as someone inheriting his will existed, the birdcage meticulously woven by the "God" would one day be broken.

And indeed, that was the case.

He and Meiliya unexpectedly broke free from the birdcage due to Ilya's ancient spell, and the first hero finally awaited the savior he had hoped for.

"You already have the hero's power firmly in your grasp."

The Other Shore reminded Solan, "Think carefully, what does 'hero' mean to the people of this empire? Supreme swordsmanship? A mission to battle the demon king? No, what truly matters is the power to 'connect hearts.'"

The Royal Family and aristocrats also recognized this, and thus tried to make every generation of heroes their means of propaganda.

"Your power has not vanished."