Endless Debt-Chapter 941 - 48: Godfather of Emotion (Part 3)

"Like a warrior unafraid of death, discovering that he’s actually a coward?"

Laughter erupted from Maria’s mouth, but she didn’t provide an answer.

Bologue remained silent.

Maria continued, "I never doubt you, Bologue. I’m well aware of what kind of person you are. As for what we’ve discussed earlier... I think you know what you need to do.

You just need to talk to someone, someone who can make you listen and offer some advice."

Bologue stood up, his soft gaze becoming steadfast again, nodding in agreement, "An emotionless machine is indeed a worthy object to confide in."

"Goodbye, Bologue Lazarus."

Maria’s figure vanished into the dark, along with the grotesque, twisted large silhouette hiding there, while Bologue could hear the low hum of countless machines. As he conversed with them, they were calculating the information he’d brought back from the Ethereal Realm.

The space around Bologue began to warp as the entities ushered him out of the Inverted Hall.

Chatting with the entities felt comforting; like a mirror, it reflected Bologue’s image, relieving his stress while revealing the crux of his issues.

Bologue would lead the flag, just as every soldier on the chessboard ultimately charges to the base line, completing that glorious Ascension.

Bologue simply needed more time, more time for his underdeveloped, even somewhat misshapen mind to grow.

At this thought, Bologue suddenly posed a question.

"Did Serey ultimately find what he was after?"

Before the Cultivation Room completely enveloped Bologue, a deep echo emerged from the darkness.

"He found it, but unfortunately, it was after she died."

...

"You look a bit awful, is there something troubling you?"

"..."

"You can talk to me, I’m fairly well-versed."

"..." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Come on! Come on! Say something! Your silence is unsettling!"

In the midst of Serey’s strange shriek, Aimou sat at the bar, letting out a long sigh, observing Serey’s demeanor, knowing that he wasn’t genuinely concerned about her troubles but merely seeking amusement.

These Undead are all alike; Aimou was well aware of this fact.

Serey glanced animatedly at Aimou and then at the others within the Undying Club.

"Quite lively today."

Serey murmured to himself, shaking his glass more vigorously.

While mixing drinks, Serey couldn’t resist commenting, "Did you all come here for team-building today?"

"Just... just finding a place to stay awhile," Aimou pondered before continuing, "and then celebrate a little."

"Celebrate what?"

"Some secret matters."

The more Aimou spoke, the lower her emotions sank, and she slumped onto the bar as if she’d fallen asleep. At that moment, another hand rested on Aimou’s back, leaning over.

"Another drink, please."

Belli extended her hand, and Serey refilled her glass.

Serey studied Belli more thoroughly; he remembered this woman, now the minister of the Sublimation Furnace Core. Serey had met Belli a long time ago; she rarely appeared here, unlike others, almost causing Serey to forget her.

"This is the first time it feels so crowded here."

Wei’Er weaved between the bottles. The once empty bar was now filled with guests, with Palmer and many familiar faces following Belli.

Aimou lay her head completely on the bar, her cheek in close contact with the cold surface.

A few hours ago, Bologue’s promotion ritual and the first Ether exploration were successfully completed, but before the group could take the unconscious Bologue off the instrument, Nesanel suddenly appeared and took him away.

His actions were like snatching the fruit of victory, as Mamo tried to retain Bologue, only to be blocked by Nesanel with orders from the Decision Room.

"Something’s off with Nesanel."

Mamo was the one who uttered this, leaving shortly after, with no clue what he was up to, leaving the half-cheering, bewildered group behind.

This feeling was quite unpleasant.

After a brief confusion, Aimou dealt with the scene, then came to the Undying Club, guessing Bologue would eventually arrive here. Belli seemed to have realized this too and followed, along with the others.

Palmer and the others were aware of Bologue’s promotion ritual timing, but not his Ether exploration activity. Aimou and Belli tacitly kept this part hidden.

Through various coincidences, such a group gathered in the Undying Club, waiting for that guest’s uncertain arrival.

"Sometimes, you don’t need to cling too tightly."

Just as Aimou was drifting into sleep, a sentence from Serey suddenly roused her.

Aimou raised her head, "Are you talking to me?"

"Of course," Serey adjusted his garish collar, "Your worries are written all over your face; it’s obvious."

Aimou frowned, thinking about the previous words. She quickly guessed what Serey was talking about, "And what are you... some kind of emotional padrino?"

"Hardly, but definitely seasoned."

Serey continued, "Bologue needs some time to figure out what he truly wants."

"You’re not him."

"But I’ve been through similar experiences."

Serey seemed to have premeditated this, pulling out a thick, brick-like album from beneath the bar.

"Care to hear the love stories of me and my wives?"

Opening the album, Aimou gazed at numerous wedding photos of Serey with different women, her face full of reluctance.