novelraw #169 - Section 169
#169 - Section 169
When a creation of God gains humanity, it automatically comprehends the master-level feat of self-deception.
...
...
The Eternal Night World, above a sunken, nameless island.
The Eternal Night Empress and Roger retreated a certain distance apart, but still maintained a flanking position, watching Nalinel's projection.
After she called for negotiations, she didn't make any further moves, and the situation remained awkwardly frozen.
But Roger and the Eternal Night Empress were not surprised.
Strictly speaking, from the moment the imperial authority began to operate until they completed Solution Three, what was now residing within Charlotte's body was no longer the six-winged angel Nalinel.
She possessed Nalinel's past memories, inherited Charlotte's body and memories, was free from divine power and faith constraints, and had a body modified by the Eternal Night Empress's magic, allowing her to exist as a special life form for a long time.
In other words, the projection was alive.
In a sense, Roger and the Eternal Night Empress joined forces and created a 'newborn'.
Although she looked like a grown woman, she was just like a certain lady who was only a year older than her daughter; in terms of age, she could only play games for an hour a day!
This 'small projection' of Nalinel had Nalinel's intelligence and partial memories, so she certainly wouldn't be as simple as a newborn.
But the bewilderment of suddenly 'coming to the world' was no less than that of a newborn.
After calling for negotiations, the small projection didn't immediately offer countless tempting terms as she had before.
She stood blankly on the sea, her eyes filled with confused thoughts:
Who am I, where am I, what am I supposed to do?
She kept searching, but there were no answers.
The only clear thought in her heart was the fear of death under the joint attack of Roger and the Eternal Night Empress.
If I don't have to be a tool anymore, if I can choose for myself...
In short, I don't want to die!
The Eternal Night Empress and Roger did not urge the still very confused small projection, nor did they take the opportunity to attack. They were communicating through magical beacons using brainwaves.
Roger also thought of a very serious question after seeing the state of the small projection: "Your Majesty, is she human now?"
The Eternal Night Empress answered while thinking: "She possesses a human body, her consciousness can completely control the body, and the body will affect the soul due to birth, aging, illness, death, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. The two are interdependent... she is undoubtedly human."
Angels are not afraid of death. Relying on pure faith, their souls will naturally re-condense in the divine kingdom after death, transforming into petitioners.
If the gods need them, they can bestow power and create new angels, which is quite environmentally friendly.
But if the small projection died now, she would really die.
Having lost the characteristics of a creation of God and fallen into the mortal world, she should be, and can only be, human.
Roger followed the Eternal Night Empress's train of thought: "If she is human, should she be considered our prisoner, spoils of war, an imperial citizen, or... a princess?"
Many mages in this world are indifferent to matters of love between men and women, preferring to treat their creations as children and nurture them, rather than actually marrying and having children.
Following this line of thought, the Empress's 'daughter' could certainly be called Princess.
Upon hearing this, the Eternal Night Empress narrowed her eyes dangerously and sneered inwardly: "Is Roger eager to be the father of an imperial princess?"
Roger was stunned, and then his face turned red.
He had just taken action too, so rounding it up, he really was her 'father'.
One mother, one father, and rounding it up again, he and the Empress became husband and wife?
This blatant advantage-taking of the Empress, this ambition to become an imperial prince, this inability to understand what was being said...
Instantly, cold sweat poured down Roger's forehead, and he quickly explained:
"Your Majesty, please understand, I don't mean that... no, I do have feelings for Your Majesty... no, I just... just... you understand!"
In his anxiety, Roger completely confused himself.
He really forgot that this involved his own affairs. He was just eating melon seeds, but the melon patch directly connected to his own home.
But if he completely denied it, it would seem like he had no feelings for the Empress at all.
The little bit of warmth that had recently sprouted might retreat back to the level of "innocent little Roger"?
"Alright, no need to explain. I wouldn't get angry over such a small matter."
The Eternal Night Empress interrupted Roger's incoherent rambling, not angry, and even a little smug in her heart.
The heart of a certain vengeful Empress was thinking: Hehehe, look at your panicked appearance. You've finally been teased by me, haven't you?
It's just a princess. It's not a big deal. Even if there were seven or eight of them, the empire could afford to raise them.
Roger, please be bolder. I don't mind!
Roger carefully observed the Eternal Night Empress's expression, and finding that she didn't seem to mind at all, he quietly changed the subject: "Your Majesty, we might as well try to absorb this projection as an imperial citizen first. This would yield the highest benefits..."
He briefly explained his thoughts and ideas.
The Eternal Night Empress had put in a lot of effort to keep this small projection, not to force her to death, but to hope that she would cooperate as much as possible in contributing information.
Actually, the situation was not bad.
The small projection had erupted for a wave, but after being suppressed by force, she was just confused and didn't show too much excitement.
Angels should have been the most fanatical believers. At this time, it would have been normal to seek death and devote themselves to their faith.
The small projection didn't do this, which already explained a lot.
There was definitely something wrong with her faith, and a big problem!
In this way, as long as the small projection could feel the beauty of mortal life and strengthen her belief in living, the empire might gain another golden fighter.
After all, neither Nalinel's main body nor the God of Knowledge could tolerate such a high-ranking angel being out of control.
With the information she knew, even if it was just a projection with incomplete memories, she was extremely dangerous.
If this small projection was discovered by the Seven Gods' camp, they would definitely hunt her down with all their might, and with a more brutal and generous investment than they treated the Eternal Night World.
This was the treatment of a 'traitor', even if she hadn't revealed any secrets now.
So as long as she wanted to live, she would realize what a desperate situation she was in sooner or later.
Sooner or later, she would understand that the enemy of her enemy was her friend. She had no choice but to join the imperial camp to have a chance of survival.
Because of this reality, Roger and the Eternal Night Empress didn't need to rush. They just needed to delay and then use a gentle policy to let this small projection slowly accept reality, accept herself, accept the empire...
"Alright, deal with it according to your ideas. You must treat our princess well."
The Eternal Night Empress snapped her fingers, teleporting Roger and the small projection back to the skies above the City of Mysteries, and then she went to the Arcane Society on her own.
This battle had actually yielded a lot of information, and she couldn't wait to further research and analyze it.
"Ah, Your Majesty, I was just about to say that you are a girl, so it would be easier to build rapport..." Roger was stunned.
This scummy Empress was too lazy to even copy homework, and directly asked him to write the exam paper for her?
The small projection, who was still in a daze, blinked her misty eyes and looked at Roger questioningly.
Little Ao brought herself to the capital, wasn't she afraid of her causing destruction?
Eh, why did she leave?
Sacrificial classmate, do you have anything to say?
Roger and the small projection looked at each other, feeling very panicked inside. He wasn't sure he could beat her!
But on the surface, Prince Charles, who was rounded up, was still very calm, looking like a life mentor:
"I don't think I need to introduce myself. What you should do now is think of a name for yourself, because you are no longer Nalinel."
The small projection repeated dreamily: "I am no longer Nalinel. Then who should I be?"
"That is something you decide. In this world, you can become anyone you want to be."
Roger's voice was as tempting as a devil's.
The small projection looked at Roger, feeling that he was emitting infinite light, looking at herself with kindness and encouragement, her body trembling slightly, as if she had realized something.
"I am myself!"
She clenched her small fists firmly.
Chapter 148: The Meaning of Life and the Pursuit
After a moment of decisiveness, the small projection fell into confusion.
Although I am myself, what exactly is 'myself'?
Her memories as the "Six-Winged Angel Nalinel" spanned tens of thousands of years, but as an independently existing projection, she had only developed self-awareness for less than an hour.
It was still too extravagant to want to have ideals, goals, and beliefs.
She only had partial memories from Nalinel and the memories carried in Charlotte's body.
Even if she didn't want to admit it, she couldn't get rid of the shadows of these two people.
The small projection finally made a decision: "Then, can I be called Shana first?"
Forget it, forget it. I can't think of anything myself, and I need a name, so I'll just put these two names together.
"Okay, as long as you like it."
Roger instantly understood this naming method and nodded with a smile.
Immediately, he subconsciously thought of the "father and mother" joke he had just had with the Empress and was very glad that this small projection didn't seek inspiration from the creator's side and named herself "Roo" or something...
If that got out, he could jump into the Rose River and still not clear his name, and then be chased and killed into quarks by the Empress's fanatical fans.
"Then... then now that I have a name, what should I do next?" Shana looked at Roger, her eyes filled with apprehension about the unknown, and hidden expectations for endless possibilities.
At that moment, Roger felt like he was guiding a pure newbie playing a game for the first time, one who didn't even know the most basic things like monster killing, leveling up, and accepting quests.
She longed for adventure and had countless curiosities about the world, but she was also afraid of being too clumsy and ultimately failing to do anything well.
This angel seemed inexplicably cute.
Actually, in terms of appearance alone, the current Shana was also a rare beauty who could rival the Eternal Night Empress with her looks alone.
To adapt to the divine power that came with her descent, Charlotte's body had undergone slight adjustments: a few strands of red were dyed at the ends of her silver hair, her pupils were jewel-like and dazzling dark purple, and her features were more three-dimensional and delicate, with a sculptural beauty and a bit more youthfulness.
Of course, her biggest change was the growth of three pairs of wings, but they were all cut off by Roger.
The current Shana can be said to have combined the advantages of Mentor Tianming and Nalinel in appearance, reaching her peak right from the start.
However, Shana often spaced out and was distracted, and her movements and tone were as careful as a fawn, lacking the confidence that a beauty should have, and more like a literary, slightly socially awkward aristocratic girl.
This was what made Roger find her cute rather than beautiful and moving.
"If you don't have any plans yourself, then let me take you on a tour of the City of Mysteries first."
Roger was as polite as a dutiful guide. "You can tell me your plans, needs, and taboos at any time, and I will do my best to arrange them well, Miss Shana."
Shana hesitated for a moment before realizing that this name was referring to herself. She was a little shy and a little happy, and replied: "...Ah, okay! I don't have any special needs. I'll take a look at this city first... um, that's it!"
Although her heart was full of ambition, "I want to be a free and unrestrained angel", in reality, Shana was completely blank about what freedom was.
Roger wanted to take her on a tour of Ao Du, and she didn't feel any rejection, so she agreed.
At the same time, she didn't think about destroying or escaping.
She even felt a sense of respect, satisfaction, and happiness because Roger called her name and asked about her needs.
Nalinel was a proud and extraordinary angel, a powerful angel who didn't even need to salute most gods.
But Shana was just a small projection, created by the Eternal Night Empress because of a failed mission, and was actually very inferior at heart.
As a projection, she should have died in the morning and lived in the evening.
The normal process was that after the projection and clone methods completed the task, they would definitely be recycled, as a one-time consumable item.
Even if there were situations where the projection and the main body had asynchronous consciousness due to differences in information and time flow between planes, giving birth to "differentiated" new individuals.
But when the recycling action was completed, this consciousness returned to the main body. Although it was said to be fusion, it could actually be considered that the new consciousness was killed.
The small differences generated in the split consciousness would only be like a clay ox entering the sea in the face of the god-level creature's vast consciousness and memory, and would not have any impact on the main body's personality.
Just like with unrequited love, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl might seek death, while a sixty or seventy-year-old man might smile slightly, with no emotion in his heart.