"It''s time to end all of this."

    Kazeri slowly released Jue, frozen like the crowd around him, and said to Lis:

    "To be honest, I anticipated this day would come, but I didn''t expect I''d be so reluctant now that it''s here."

    Listening to Kazeri''s somewhat dejected words, Lis did not respond proactively but quietly listened.

    The feeling was different from when they were playing earlier, though his appearance hadn''t changed, now there was an unfathomable mysterious aura about Kazeri.

    Although it wasn''t intentional, both Lis and Taya could feel it.

    "Even if I have become a legend, I still cannot retrieve the loss of a lover."

    "I wish I hadn''t left with the caravan back then and instead stayed by Jue''s side."

    "What''s the point of being a legend to me?"

    Kazeri shook his head and, after pausing for a moment, said to Lis:

    "You''ve already been to the City Lord Mansion, discovered that Blood Tower, haven''t you?"

    "Yes."

    Lis nodded slightly, without any intent to conceal.

    "You managed to dispel the hidden barrier I set up and even successfully left there, quite impressive indeed."

    "You are even more exceptional than before I became a legend."

    Kazeri said with some admiration:

    "I think you''ve already guessed many things; if there''s anything else you want to ask, do it now."

    "Otherwise, there won''t be time."

    Kazeri appeared calm, though his gaze occasionally lingered on Jue, wanting to take a few more looks at the girl''s appearance.

    "Not much time left, is it about what you plan to do under the crown, Ihelos?"

    Lis was a bit stunned; he didn''t expect to hear such words from Kazeri.

    Could it really be as he said, wanting to end this illusion and let the souls of the undead residents, including Jue, be released?

    Considering the tremendous cost Kazeri paid to preserve this small city''s illusion, he certainly felt very reluctant, so why would he want to do it?

    "As I said, I will end this illusion and restore the area to its original state."

    "But in that case, wouldn''t Jue also..."

    Taya, unable to hold back, asked aloud.

    Ihelos glanced at Taya, who had a slightly melancholic expression, and nodded, saying:

    "Yes, then Jue will also disappear, and her soul will return to the Netherworld."

    "I have kept her here for too long. Even if I could continue maintaining this illusion, Jue''s soul can hardly hold on any longer, though due to the presence of the illusion, people, including Jue, haven''t noticed."

    "In fact, over the years, it''s not just Jue''s soul; the souls of the other residents in this city are the same. Their souls would have long been unsustainable without the illusion''s power to nourish them."

    "Of course, that said, I can still hold on for a while longer."

    "But it''s already meaningless. Rather than letting Jue''s soul suffer because of my attachment, it''s not particularly meaningful either."

    "Moreover, what made me make up my mind was, rather, Taya, you, and Lis."

    Kazeri''s eyes revealed a hint of sadness, and he spoke softly.

    Lis understood Kazeri''s words.

    Just like those undead creatures, while they appear to possess infinite life, even a legendary strongman cannot escape the decay and weakening of the soul.

    Though Lis didn''t know how long this small city had existed, how long it had been maintained, the stagnant time surely spanned more than a couple of hundred years.

    Such a prolonged time is an unimaginable journey for the mostly ordinary residents of the small city.

    The aging of the soul is unavoidable, and Kazeri was on the verge of being unable to retrieve it.

    "Because of me and Lis?"

    Taya didn''t quite understand, but from Kazeri''s expression, it was clear that if another choice were available, he wouldn''t want to give up on Jue.

    "Yes."

    With a grateful smile on his face, Kazeri nodded and said:

    "For me, just being able to watch Jue continue living is enough, even if I''m not by her side."

    "But the days Jue spent with you these past few days have been her happiest time in years." Sёarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "I think... I seem to have been a little too selfish."

    Kazeri said with a somewhat forlorn emotion, and there was a hint of self-blame in his words.

    "I think you and everyone have been really tired because of me over these years, Taya?"

    "Instead of continuing like this, it would be better to let their souls return to the Netherworld for final peace."

    Lis nodded slightly, understanding Kazeri''s intention.

    In the Gaia World, everyone''s soul is unique.

    A person''s death signifies the end of their life.

    After death, the soul remains in the Gaia World for a while, which is the prerequisite for casting Resurrection Divine Skill.

    If not resurrected, the soul will leave the Gaia World after a period.

    The souls of devout believers of the Divine will be drawn into the Divine Country and become Prayers.

    The majority of souls will fall into the Nether River, drifting forward passively with the Nether River Water.

    Some souls will fall into the Abyss as the Nether River traverses the Endless Abyss''s first layer, Wanyuan Plain, transforming into Abyss Worms under the influence of Abyss Power, beginning their battle and evolution.

    As for other souls, they will enter the Netherworld with the Nether River, and under the influence of Netherworld''s eternal rest power, they will enter a slumber.