novelraw Chapter 1417 77: Hope Blooms Here—Tiraphi (Part 2)
Chapter 1417 77: Hope Blooms Here—Tiraphi (Part 2)
She tried to close her eyes and sleep, but it didn't work well. At this time, she had to sit up and let herself regain her status. Across from her, Celestia, seeing her getting up, also stepped lightly and used the gliding function of her wings to gently land beside the girl.
The two sat leaning against each other, without speaking.
"I wonder if we can find Olivia," Celestia's voice broke the silence.
"We always have to try," Tilan replied with her eyes closed.
...
Another moment of quiet passed, and Tilan began to feel a bit sleepy.
"Tilan, do you think it's necessary or unnecessary to help other species?" Celestia's question was somewhat particular.
"How can such a thing be definite? It depends on the specific situation and the thoughts of those involved," Tilan answered with her eyes still closed, feeling she could finally sleep.
"I went back to find the City Lord sister for reinforcements, and she reprimanded me." Though it was just a reprimand, Celestia was not particularly upset, but her counterpart's words did shake her long-held views.
"I see... I can understand her thinking. After all, it's not a life-and-death issue for your Silver Wings species, so there's no obligation to help." Tilan answered half-asleep, half-awake.
Seeing the sleepy girl leaning on her shoulder, Celestia gently moved her onto her lap and then leaned against the sphere wall.
"It's not necessary, but it's still a bit sad, maybe because I'm still young..." Celestia replied while gently stroking Tilan's hair.
She had learned a lot from the library, but her real contact with those species and lives was in this past half year. Unlike the sparse descriptions in books, everyone here had their own story and experiences.
If she could record all of it, there would probably be many exciting stories. Watching their winding and turbulent lives, one might feel as if they themselves have gone on a long journey, giving rise to many reflections.
If these people perished in the disaster, the land would surely become boring and quiet in the future, like after a lively party where companions have all dispersed, leaving one to clean a room filled with remnants of silence alone, only able to gaze at the traces of past revelry and warmth.
"And you, Tilan, what thoughts do you have in trying to save them?" Celestia occasionally became curious about this question.
Unlike other species and factions, Tilan wasn't the kind of leader particularly driven by ambition or desire for power. Many of her actions resembled community service, without much expectation of others' rewards, and she didn't care much about reputation or having others specifically promote her.
"Me..." Tilan was nearly asleep.
"I guess it's just habit and happiness..." She barely mouthed the answer before slowly drifting to sleep.
"Is it really that simple?" Celestia still didn't quite understand, because figures like Tilan hadn't appeared in their observations. Whether for survival or power, most leaders and powerful figures' actions are actually predictable and traceable.
If Celestia had asked this question when Tilan was in high school, she might hesitate for a long time, unable to figure out an answer. But now, Tilan had mostly sorted out her nature and essence, so even subconsciously, she could calmly express her inner thoughts without the confusion and hesitation of the past.
Temporarily unable to comprehend this answer, Celestia simply stroked Tilan's fine, long hair. Although black, human hair is not truly pure black but has certain gray tones. The color contrast is not conspicuously stark, and the loose strands resemble shadow lines applied in painting, giving off a subtle beauty.
Watching the strands slip through her fingers, Celestia combed a portion of her own hair, comparing them side by side. The contrast between the silvery strands and the silky black hair in her palm was clear, but their textures were somewhat similar. If there was any difference, Celestia's hair was slightly more rigid, while Tilan's was slightly smoother. The disparity was so minute that it required careful observation to discern.
Later, Celestia finally felt drowsy as well, and she leaned against the sphere wall and slowly fell asleep.
...
Three hours later, Loloria was the first to wake up, probably having self-recharged. Feeling quite refreshed, she approached the two and snapped her fingers, producing a crisp sound.
"Wake up~"
The two, having slept, sat up. Tilan felt quite refreshed, and Celestia had mostly recovered as well.
"Let's continue searching. I have a feeling we'll find something this time~" It's hard to imagine a model of logic and machinery, an Artificial Angel, using a word as elusive as "feeling."
However, Tilan was used to Loloria's lively and spirited nature, feeling no surprise as the three emerged from the resting sphere to once again traverse the ocean depths.
The cold ocean water kept them both awake and focused.
Along the way, Loloria occasionally descended, using small compressed air bombs to clear the sea floor of silt and debris, searching for clues, while Celestia and Tilan observed and searched from above.
Though they hadn't found Olivia, the repeated attempts and failures led to the discovery of some interesting relics from past eras, like precious gems with largely intact outlines, personality weapons not yet completely damaged, specialized armor crafted by past Newborn Races, and chips remaining within unknown biological bodies.