The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 976: Volume 31: Attempting to Cover the Sky with One Hand, - 20: Speaking Freely about the World

Chapter 976: Volume 31: Attempting to Cover the Sky with One Hand, Chapter 20: Speaking Freely about the World

Katya stood with her arms folded, her back towards him, looking particularly lonely as her rather frail figure was illuminated by the natural light of the windowsill.

When Komer stepped into the room, he hesitated, overwhelmed by an indescribable mood that made him want to approach yet stop, a feeling that was neither guilt nor embarrassment, but a faint sense of desolation and solitude.

Thinking back to when he first became acquainted with Katya, from being complete strangers to exchanging pleasantries, from cooperating to becoming inseparable, from deep affection to parting ways, and ultimately becoming sworn enemies.

Was this a trick of fate, a destiny preordained?

Komer didn’t know. Although the collapse of the Romanov Dynasty wasn’t solely his doing, he had certainly played a role in hastening its decline. Hoffman had withdrawn from the historical stage and no longer busied himself with state affairs, drowning his days in wine and pleasure. Renta had already willingly become his arm support, lying dormant in acceptance. But what about Katya?

There was not the slightest certainty in Komer’s heart.

How exactly would Katya confront the reality that was about to come? With cold detachment or with vehement condemnation? No, neither seemed likely. Katya must be clear-headed and rational; otherwise, she wouldn’t have accepted his invitation.

It was precisely because Katya readily accepted the invitation that Komer felt puzzled. How would this meeting start and end?

An elegant courtly updo was pinned at the back of her head, a sparkling emerald jade hairpin diagonally inserted, a silk hairnet wrapping around the heavy bun. Her slender, delicate neck was set off by soft tufts of fur rustling in the wind. A deep purple cloak wrapped quietly around Katya’s body, as if shielding her from the chilly winds blowing outside the window. Komer didn’t know whether it was himself or the breeze from outside that brought a colder chill to Katya.

Moving silently into the room, Komer noticed that Katya seemed oblivious to his presence, standing blankly in front of the window, maybe her troubled heart was so distracted that she couldn’t concentrate.

He let out a deep sigh in his heart, filled with regret and helplessness. This was fate; it couldn’t be changed by speaking of it, you could only passively adapt to it, comply with it.

When Komer wrapped his arms around Katya’s abdomen, it seemed as if she finally snapped out of her deep reverie. After a brief struggle realizing who was behind her, Katya stopped resisting. She let Komer’s breath flow along her neck, his hair causing a disturbance at his nose, an inexplicable emotion lingering between them.

Thus, they stood embraced in silence, neither wanting to break the delicate atmosphere. Perhaps this would be the last time; they could never again be so close under this mindset.

"Katya, do you still remember the days when we first met?"

"What’s the use of remembering? We’re still brought to this point." Compared to Komer’s passion, Katya was much more composed, "Let’s not forget our respective identities. Neither of us can betray ourselves. I am not Renta, and the Romanov family does not lack a backbone."

"Don’t you ever get tired of proving yourself like this?" Komer let go of her hands, unimpressed, for the current atmosphere no longer suited physical entanglement, "What can you prove or gain by acting this way?"

"Am I someone who needs to prove something or gain something? Is that how you see me?" Katya retorted.

"Everyone needs to prove themselves, but the difference lies in the methods and purposes they choose. You and I are no exception to this common practice," Komer bluntly contested.

"So, you think you can prove yourself by defeating and conquering me?" As soon as Katya uttered these words, she realized some slip of the tongue but didn’t care too much at that moment.

"Do you believe that’s the reality?" Komer did not answer directly.

Katya fell silent, seemingly unwilling to answer the question.

"In fact, we both know that the era of the Romanov Dynasty has ended, and its curtain call started from within, not due to any external force. I know the role I played in it, and you, Katya, are equally aware. Without me, others would have done the same, perhaps even more ruthlessly and despicably," Komer declared resonantly.

"Katya, clinging to the glory of the past will leave you nothing. It only traps you in the shadows of history, which is unrealistic. We both need to calmly accept everything happening around us. If you think you can change it and are determined to try, I won’t interfere with you, nor will I sit back and wait for doom. However, if after weighing it out you find it unchangeable, then I suggest you adapt. That’s society; that’s the trend."

Katya hung her head in silence.

"Cartin’s current power is no longer sufficient to survive in this cruel world, whether it’s the Northern Alliance or the Beastmen. They haven’t acted only because of certain external factors, not out of mercy. I understand all you’ve done, and I don’t blame you. However, you must realize that while you manipulate strategies, you have to base them on strength, or else you’re playing with fire. The Beastmen are not as simple-minded as you imagine. Otherwise, why would the Northern Alliance and the Church of Light suffer from the consequences of their own actions? Do you think they willingly watched the Beastmen grow powerful and erode the civilization of mortals? No, they simply lacked the power to reverse the situation."

"What is the Church of Light anyway? Nothing more than gamblers who took a chance during turbulent times, stepping forward to bet all in when people’s faith was lost and facing a crisis. They just happened to make the right bet. Are you saying that there were none within the Church of Light who were selfish and fled the battle? Or that there were no others who bravely fought against the invasion of the Magical Beasts? No, no, that’s all propaganda embellished by those driven by self-interest in later generations."

"Now their decay and downfall are gradually being exposed, and people are tired of their hollow and pale sermons. However, they think they can dictate beliefs and creeds for the entire world based on the legacy history has left them. It’s absurd. Who gave them that power? Their God? What if we don’t believe in their God at all? Then the very foundation of their existence crumbles, and why should we listen to their nonsense?"

It was rare for Komer to speak so candidly about his view of the world in front of anyone, even his disciples, like Maha Gummi, who were as loyal as could be, received only bits and pieces of his world view. Even he found it strange how he could open up so frankly to Katya about the world. (To be continued... If you wish to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com. There are more Chapters, support the author, support Authorized Reading!)