Life Game In Other World
Chapter 1247: The Ideals of the Starlight Worshipers (Large - , asking for monthly tickets)

Chapter 1247: Chapter 1247: The Ideals of the Starlight Worshipers (Large Chapter, asking for monthly tickets)

"You swapped my white rook with your black rook, even neutralized my check,"

Amidst the verdant grass, the figure sitting across the chessboard quietly gazed at the man in military uniform before him, smiling, "But your pieces are running low."

"What I can do is inherently limited."

The man in military uniform slowly picked up the king, moved it two spaces to the right, and then moved the unmoved black rook on the right to the left of the king, drawing the rook into the battlefield’s center.

"Castling?"

The figure opposite him paused for a moment, then chuckled, "You’ve kept that black rook deliberately still just for this move?"

Castling is a specialized chess rule wherein, under conditions where neither the king nor the involved rook has moved and the space between them is clear, the king moves two spaces toward the rook, and the rook is positioned beside the king.

As he spoke, the figure opposite was momentarily dazed. Lifting his head, he gazed toward the distant edge of the night sky, and after a brief spell of distraction, he smiled and said, "Interesting, the power left behind by Ellenska?"

He retracted his gaze, turning back to the now-castled chessboard, laughing, "As long as the king doesn’t leave his original spot, you can guarantee his safety?"

"Castling is allowed only once in a single chess game,"

The man in military uniform calmly stated, "There’s no such thing as absolute safety in this world."

The figure across the board lifted his head, gazing at the tranquil expression on the face of the man in military uniform, smiling, "Seems you’ve made quite a few arrangements."

"I’ve done all I can,"

The man swept his gaze over the board, his pieces fewer in number compared to his opponent, "From this point forward, my power can intervene no further."

Then, he withdrew his gaze from the chessboard, rising slowly. His solid form gradually turned ethereal and instantly outlined itself atop a nearby hillside several meters away. He lifted his head and gazed into the distant night.

The vibrant green hues within his sight began to fade, gradually enveloped by the roar of falling snow, stretching until it reached the edge of the heavens.

Dimly visible in the snowy whiteness, faint and scattered light shimmered from deep within.

Behind him, the figure playing the white pieces quietly concentrated on the chessboard ahead.

Raising the white rook, he placed it near the black rook, then extended his hand to lightly touch the edge of the white queen.

——

The Dumel National Cemetery, located in the central district of the Crown District, was once the heart of Dawn City before it expanded to its present size.

Even the Glorious Palace sits off-center, removed from the true core.

He Ao lifted his gaze, examining the layered open-air "gardens."

Amidst the swirling cold winds and snow, this garden remains the city’s sole verdant haven.

Each layer of Dumel’s gardens features unique designs, sustained year-round by specialized greenhouse systems and lighting technology to maintain its lush greenery.

Accumulating into a deep, vibrant forest, these patches of life stand apart in the icy steel jungle of the urban landscape.

Ande and Roy are buried here.

Surely, the Life Goddess would also find favor with this place.

He Ao shifted his gaze toward the area nearby.

A young blond-haired man stood in his original spot, watching him.

Noticing He Ao’s glance, he curled his lips into a smile and said, "So, you’re Suote?"

Before He Ao could reply, the blond man spoke softly, "You and your father are indeed quite alike. Although your appearance differs slightly, the structure of your bones is strikingly similar."

Listening to his words, He Ao fixed his calm gaze on him. "What do you want to say?"

The blond man had planned to wait for He Ao’s response, then project a sort of ’seniority’ as an elder, speaking at length. But confronted by He Ao’s straightforward question, he found himself momentarily flustered.

He Ao didn’t bite the bait but instead laid the question bare, leaving awkwardness to hang in the air.

Was bad luck falling upon him today? Why did every encounter lead him to people so adept at cutting to the chase?

Taking a controlled breath, he smiled and replied, "Suote, your father once worked under me. Upon meeting an elder, would it kill you to call me ’uncle’?"

As he spoke, his gaze discreetly flicked toward the far end of his vision.

A stately, wide gate adorned with floral arrangements stood proudly amidst lush urban structures. The gate was open, and directly in front of it sat three silver Mithril boxes.

Though the blond youth’s movement was subtle, He Ao didn’t miss it, catching his glance. Following the trajectory, He Ao also spotted the three Mithril boxes.

However, instead of reacting, he merely smiled at the blond youth, saying, "You look pretty young yourself. Why are you so eager to play the role of ’uncle’? Or could it be that you’re nothing more than an Old Geezer whose bones have long decayed, using some twisted arcane technique to maintain your youthful appearance?"

Hearing this, the blond youth was momentarily stunned, the acerbic comment reminding him of earlier taunts from a bloodied young man. Aging—indeed, his sensitive nerve. Yet, how could this new figure pinpoint this sore spot so precisely? Could it be innate, like his father’s knack for irritation?

His eyes flickered briefly before responding, "Remaining youthful places me among those chosen by Divine Beings,"

Slowly, he advanced a step forward, smiling, "Suote, your father once admired the power of the Lord of the Starry Sky and joined us. Tell me, aren’t you reaching an age where such things should pique your interest?"

As he spoke, he noticed He Ao moving almost simultaneously—though, unlike himself, He Ao was heading directly toward the doorway with the Mithril boxes.

Momentarily taken aback, his unspoken words halted as He Ao took another step forward.

Just as the blond youth was poised to pounce, ready to charge at full speed, he noticed He Ao come to an abrupt stop, turning back toward him with a smile. "So, what are you really trying to say? To convert me? What god do you worship? The Lord of the Starry Sky?"

The blond youth glanced at their current positions. In trying to feign casual nonchalance, his step forward had positioned him diagonally, taking only half a step toward the gate compared to He Ao’s direct strides of two full steps.

In effect, He Ao was now one and a half steps ahead.

The gap wasn’t vast but wasn’t trivial either.

For someone at B-level speed, this distance was negligible, closing in a blink. However, in moments of critical timing, such gaps could dictate precedence.

Of course, with the power of the Lord of the Starry Sky, his own speed far surpassed a typical B-level. He remained fairly confident about bridging this distance despite any hidden tricks from He Ao.

Still, there lingered that itch, the precise way He Ao calculated position, leaving him trapped in uncertainty—unable to rush but hesitant to retreat.

Returning his gaze to He Ao, he deliberated briefly before rasping, "Seems you’re aware of the great Lord of the Starry Sky. Naturally, as the deputy chief of staff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, you’re privy to such knowledge."

Pacing cautiously forward, he soon noticed He Ao advancing another step almost in tandem with him. He inhaled deeply, halting his movement, and suddenly murmured, "What do you think about the stars above us—are they real or false?"

The remark left He Ao momentarily puzzled, though he didn’t instinctively lift his gaze skyward. Instead, he smiled and asked, "So what does this have to do with the Lord of the Starry Sky? Are you implying the Lord of the Starry Sky represents reality, while the stars we see are illusions?"

Seeing that He Ao resisted the bait to look upward, his expression remained neutral as he swiftly murmured, "You may dismiss my words as exaggerations, the fantastical ravings of a madman,"

His tone, serene and low, reverberated in the void-like silence of the night, evoking ancient whispers of bygone eras,

"Our starry sky appears perfectly normal: the Milky Way meanders, the constellations rise and fall, and shifting vantage points reveal ever-new celestial scenes—as though this universe genuinely resides above our heads, and our earth rotates within its expanse."

The brilliant night sky gleamed overhead, speckling the earth below with faint starlit traces.

Fixing his gaze on He Ao, the blond youth continued, "It’s all consistent with the textbook explanations—our planet revolves amidst the stars across a boundless universe suspended above us. Elementary school science paints the picture clearly. Yet,"

He paused for effect before adding, "Have you ever considered how advanced the Federation has grown over these seven centuries, how far our civilization’s reach extends? But what about the stars?

"We have airships that defy gravity, cities with skyscrapers towering hundreds of meters, war machines capable of subjugating the most fearsome exotic beasts on the frontier, carving through previously perilous terrains to establish new Fortress Cities."

He kept his eyes on He Ao, "But tell me, have you ever seen anyone seriously delve into the study of the cosmos above us? The stars in the heavens?"

The question momentarily unsettled He Ao, his instinct telling him the blond man was rambling—but then seeds of doubt began to sprout.

Pulling up relevant memories from his mental database, He Ao searched for any information related to astronomy.

Indeed, astronomy existed within the Federation, albeit as an obscure field of study. Cities like Dawn and Yilan housed astronomical observatories, though their visitor count remained laughably low.

"Are you trying to highlight the lack of student enrollment and the scarcity of astronomy educators?"

The blond youth studied He Ao closely before responding, "Or are you referring to the near-empty astronomy observatories?"

Spreading his hands slightly, his fair complexion distorted with traces of mania, "Behold the limits of mortal comprehension, the narrow perspective of your kind."

Under swirling starlight illuminating his contorted grin, he whispered, "This is merely a tableau orchestrated by those fabricating the false heavens above, tailored to align with your understanding, your beliefs."

He raised his arms high, "The books tell us this earth is a sphere floating within a cosmic sea. It orbits the sun, while the moon circles it, creating sunrise and moonset.

"But has anyone truly seen it? Verified it?"

His smile grew deranged, "The Storm Sea seals off the coasts to the east and west. The endless Abyss swallows the South Coast, while to the north—beyond the boundless ice fields—what lies ahead? Is the legendary North Pole really there?

"Seven centuries. Seven centuries, and still, no one has returned from crossing the ocean. No adventurer has surmounted the chaotic ferocity of the Storm Sea.

"Seven centuries—and the frigid depths of the ice fields remain unclaimed. We are marooned upon this solitary landmass,

"Bound by our limitations, unable ever to reach those mythical shores or complete the supposedly ’simple’ task written in science books—like a ’global voyage.’

"Of course, you’ll likely bring up the Original Federation, mention Dawn City, and note that its founders landed from the East Coast,"

Fixing his eyes upon He Ao, his fervor resembled that of a zealous preacher, his smile unwavering,

"The Original Federation, that towering empire which once ruled this planet, seemingly vanished in the blink of an eye. Its glory, strength, and legacy left behind barely discernible traces,

"A skyscraper topples, collapsing into rubble, yet its foundations and remains are still visible. But where are the ruins of the Original Federation?"

He raised a hand, his voice seductive, tinged with intrigue, "Tell me, did the Original Federation truly exist?"

He Ao stared at him silently, withholding any reply.

The blond youth appeared unconcerned by the silence. Pressing forward, he declared, "You have the mind of a thinker, Suote—I’ve met many like you. A thinker will naturally doubt,"

"Have you ever realized how easy it is to verify the earth as a sphere?

"Simply send an airship high above the clouds, past the so-called atmosphere, photographing the entirety of this planet from above.

"To those in the primitive Era of the Great Cataclysm, such feats are impossible. Yet for the Federation, is it truly beyond reach?

"Despite the formidable exotic beasts populating the skies above, we possess mighty war machines and powerful angels—combining the Federation’s resources, could a breakthrough into the heavens really be unattainable?"

He lowered his arms, facing He Ao, "Or is it a matter of weakness, unwillingness, or perhaps... fear? Must everything written in textbooks be held as truth?"

"You didn’t attend a primary school?"

He Ao inquired suddenly.

The blond youth’s grand performance was interrupted by this abrupt question, leaving him briefly stunned. He responded after a moment of adjustment, his tone soft, "Correct, I didn’t."

Quickly, he added, "I don’t need to. I can grasp these concepts myself—I don’t need the propaganda others aim to indoctrinate me with."