Shooting Stars: Chapter 9
On the day of coronation, the Queen and her Grandis Knight should have originally accepted the people’s blessings together.
Yet my knight is standing coldly before me, refusing to stand next to me.
Since leaving Silvercord that year, there have been too many changes; it's hard to describe them one by one in detail.
From a knight to becoming the Queen, I walked a road that has also been full of ups and downs, until I finally reached today.
Xavier and his Backtrackers have long left the Lightseekers. They are even regarded as a group of traitors.
Once paths diverge, it will be hard to ever meet again.
MC: You all should know what kind of price Philos will have to pay should the Backtrack fail.
MC: The goal of the Backtrackers, I fear it has long been different from what you had told me that year, hasn’t it.
Xavier lowers his head and holds the hilt of his sword. Only then do I realize the star hanging on it has become the star-shaped knight badge I gifted him that year.
I don't know the reason for him replacing the previous tassel, but asking these sorts of questions now no longer holds any meaning.
Xavier: Master once said, a knight's sword must point in the same direction as the King.
Xavier: That line, I remember it too.
He lifts his eyes to look at me, and again it is that gaze that's impossible for anyone to refuse.
Except now, his once-clear gaze has turned .
Xavier: Whether or not you believe this, I have never changed.
He takes half a step back, and gives my hand a .
Xavier: May Philos be eternal.
Only a long time after Xavier leaves, do I return to my senses, and come to the balcony.
As far as the eye can see are the celebrating populace. Amidst the bustling crowd of people, I can’t seem to tell which figure is his despite trying.
Perhaps, he's already gone very far away.
At a time like this, I suddenly recall that year, that night he brought me out of that dense forest…
The light blade tears apart the darkness. He lights up my world like a shooting star, the only reality amongst all the illusions, the star that belongs only to me.
I wake up from a short period of deep sleep. That familiar figure is sitting before me, like he had never left before.
Kindled
Xavier: Finally awake.
Xavier: How are you feeling? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?
Even though he is so near, even though I can feel the warmth of Xavier's breath as he speaks, I still don’t dare believe everything before my eyes.
MC: Xavier…
I am pulled by a strong sense of unreality, and can’t help but reach my hand out towards him.
Xavier: It’s not a hallucination, it's really me. I’m back.
Xavier: Master once said, a noble knight should not perform sneak attacks.
Xavier: Alright… Noble knights should also not
Xavier: Since I was in the wrong first, if it relieves your anger, you can punch me a few more times.
Xavier: Can you stand?
Xavier: Slow down a little…
Xavier: If you can't walk, I'll carry you on my back.
Xavier: If you can walk, I can still carry you on my back.
He rescues me from the darkness, stepping on grass and leaves, walking in the forest with only the sound of insects chirping, the forget-me-nots on the ground emitting a soft glow.
MC: The flowers at the Academy should already have bloomed too.
MC: A pity… There just aren't any fireflies.
Xavier: This way, now there are.
MC: This is just light you created, they aren't fireflies.
MC: You’re lying to me.
MC: What are you looking at?
Xavier: Nothing, I just happened to see a shooting star.
MC: A shooting star…
MC: Xavier, do you still remember the planet Uluru?
Xavier: Of course. Our little planet.
MC: Say, do you think there will be a day where Uluru also becomes a shooting star and falls down…
Xavier: It won't. It's only a little more than two hundred years old, it's still a very young planet.
Xavier: The flowers on it should probably be in bloom and flourishing just about now.
MC: But the Wanderer incursions are so severe, sooner or later, the planet Uluru will also be discovered by Wanderers, and then turn into a place like Philos…
MC: Xavier, I'm tired… What if one day, I can't lift up my sword anymore, what do I do…
Xavier: If you’re tired， then sleep for a little while；I’ll keep you company.
Xavier: If there truly is nowhere else to escape to in this world, then at least… you can still escape to my side.
MC: …
MC: I don’t believe you, you always lie to me.
Indeed, he always lies to me.
For as long as I’ve known him, he’s told me countless lies.
For instance, he said with spring’s arrivalthere will be hope.
Said he wants to bring me to the little planet he had newly discovered.
Said he didn’t want to be King, but also didn’t want to let me stand by someone else’s side.
He even said when I miss him, he’d be back.
Said when I become the true Queen of Philos, it’d be his turn to be my knight.
The bard’s ode he altered on a whim has finally become reality, but on this day, as the people celebrate for me, he once again abandons me arbitrarily…
Under the fireworks, I turn around and leave the balcony, returning to the darkness of the main hall.
At that moment, a huge spaceship is currently taking off on the horizon, gliding across the horizon like a shooting star, disappearing into the night.
Footsteps echo emptily. There will never be someone accompanying me by my side again.
I know, in the end.
This time… He will never return.
On the day of coronation, the Queen and her Grandis Knight should have originally accepted the people’s blessings together.
Yet my knight is standing coldly before me, refusing to stand next to me.
Since leaving Silvercord that year, there have been too many changes; it's hard to describe them one by one in detail.
From a knight to becoming the Queen, I walked a road that has also been full of ups and downs, until I finally reached today.
Shen Xinghui and his Backtrackers have long left the Lightseekers. They are even regarded as a group of traitors.
Once paths diverge, it will be hard to ever meet again.
MC: You all should know what kind of price Philos will have to pay should the Backtrack fail.
MC: The goal of the Backtrackers, I fear it has long been different from what you had told me that year, hasn’t it.
Shen Xinghui lowers his head and holds the hilt of his sword. Only then do I realize the star hanging on it has become the star-shaped knight badge I gifted him that year.
I don't know the reason for him replacing the previous tassel, but asking these sorts of questions now no longer holds any meaning.
Shen Xinghui: Master once said, a knight's sword must point in the same direction as the King.
Shen Xinghui: That line, I remember it too.
He lifts his eyes to look at me, and again it is that gaze that's impossible for anyone to refuse.
Except now, his once-clear gaze has turned .
Shen Xinghui: Whether or not you believe this, I have never changed.
He takes half a step back, and gives my hand a
Shen Xinghui: May Philos be eternal.
Only a long time after Shen Xinghui leaves, do I return to my senses, and come to the balcony.
As far as the eye can see are the celebrating populace. Amidst the bustling crowd of people, I can’t seem to tell which figure is his despite trying.
Perhaps, he's already gone very far away.
At a time like this, I suddenly recall that year, that night he brought me out of that dense forest…
The light blade tears apart the darkness. He lights up my world like a shooting star, the only reality amongst all the illusions, the star that belongs only to me.
I wake up from a short period of deep sleep. That familiar figure is sitting before me, like he had never left before.
Kindled
Shen Xinghui: Finally awake.
Shen Xinghui: How are you feeling? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?
Even though he is so near, even though I can feel the warmth of Shen Xinghui's breath as he speaks, I still don’t dare believe everything before my eyes.
MC: Shen Xinghui…
I am pulled by a strong sense of unreality, and can’t help but reach my hand out towards him.
Shen Xinghui: It’s not a hallucination, it's really me. I’m back.
Shen Xinghui: Master once said, a noble knight should not perform sneak attacks.
Shen Xinghui: Alright… Noble knights should also not
Shen Xinghui: Since I was in the wrong first, if it relieves your anger, you can punch me a few more times.
Shen Xinghui: Can you stand?
Shen Xinghui: Slow down a little…
Shen Xinghui: If you can't walk, I'll carry you on my back.
Shen Xinghui: If you can walk, I can still carry you on my back.
He rescues me from the darkness, stepping on grass and leaves, walking in the forest with only the sound of insects chirping, the forget-me-nots on the ground emitting a soft glow.
MC: The flowers at the Academy should already have bloomed too.
MC: A pity… There just aren't any fireflies.
Shen Xinghui: This way, now there are.
MC: This is just light you created, they aren't fireflies.
MC: You’re lying to me.
MC: What are you looking at?
Shen Xinghui: Nothing, I just happened to see a shooting star.
MC: A shooting star…
MC: Shen Xinghui, do you still remember the planet Uluru?
Shen Xinghui: Of course. Our little planet.
MC: Say, do you think there will be a day where Uluru also becomes a shooting star and falls down…
Shen Xinghui: It won't. It's only a little more than two hundred years old, it's still a very young planet.
Shen Xinghui: The flowers on it should probably be in bloom and flourishing just about now.
MC: But the Wanderer incursions are so severe, sooner or later, the planet Uluru will also be discovered by Wanderers, and then turn into a place like Philos…
MC: Shen Xinghui, I'm tired… What if one day, I can't lift up my sword anymore, what do I do…
Shen Xinghui: If you’re tired， then sleep for a little while；I’ll keep you company.
Shen Xinghui: If there truly is nowhere else to escape to in this world, then at least… you can still escape to my side.
MC: …
MC: I don’t believe you, you always lie to me.
Indeed, he always lies to me.
For as long as I’ve known him, he’s told me countless lies.
For instance, he said with spring’s arrival， there will be hope.
Said he wants to bring me to the little planet he had newly discovered.
Said he didn’t want to be King, but also didn’t want to let me stand by someone else’s side.
He even said when I miss him, he’d be back.
Said when I become the true Queen of Philos, it’d be his turn to be my knight.
The bard’s ode he altered on a whim has finally become reality, but on this day, as the people celebrate for me, he once again abandons me arbitrarily…
Under the fireworks, I turn around and leave the balcony, returning to the darkness of the main hall.
At that moment, a huge spaceship is currently taking off on the horizon, gliding across the horizon like a shooting star, disappearing into the night.
Footsteps echo emptily. There will never be someone accompanying me by my side again.
I know, in the end.
This time… He will never return.
At a coronation, the Queen and her Grandis Knight should receive the people’s blessing. Yet my knight is before my eyes, refusing to stand next to me.
Many things have changed since we left Silvercord. It’s hard to remember the details.
From a knight to princess, my arduous journey brought me here.
Xavier and his Backtrackers have long left the Lightseekers. They are regarded as traitors. Once our paths diverge, it will be difficult to see each other.
MC: You of all people must know the price Philos will have to pay should you fail. The goal of the Backtrackers isn't what you told me those years ago, is it?
Xavier lowers his head and clenches the hilt of his sword. Only then do I notice the charm on the tassel had been replaced with the badge I gave him. I don't know what made him replace it, but there's no point in asking.
Xavier: Our teacher once said wherever a ruler points, a knight's sword must follow. I remember.
He gives me a look I can't tear my eyes away from. Yet the depths of his gaze are unfathomable.
Xavier: Though Your Majesty may think otherwise, I haven't changed.
He takes my hand and kisses the back of it.
Xavier: May Philos prosper under eternity's divine gaze.
When Xavier leaves, much time passes before I come to my senses and walk to the balcony. I see the cheering crowd, but I'm unable to find him. Maybe he's already one. Far, far away.
I recall the night he brought me out of the Forest… His lightblade tore through the darkness, illuminating my world like a shooting star—a reality amidst illusions, my star.
Awoken from a daze, a familiar person sits next to me. It were as if he never left.
Kindled
I see Xavier. He turns and sits next to me.
Xavier: How are you feeling? Are you hurt?
The warmth of Xavier's breath is palpable, yet I struggle to grasp the veracity before me.
MC: Xavier…
Overwhelmed, I cannot help but reach out my hand toward him.
Xavier: You're not dreaming. It's me. I came back.
Xavier: … Our teacher always said an honorable knight shouldn't fall victim to an ambush.
Xavier: And… an honorable knight should never disappear without a word either.
Xavier: Yes, it's my fault. You may hit me a few times if it helps you feel better.
Xavier: Can you stand?
Xavier: Steady… I can carry you if you can't walk. And even if you could, I wouldn't mind carrying you.
He rescues me from the darkness. With every step he takes, accompanied by the gentle chirps of insects and the wavyleaf sea lavenders emitting a soft, ethereal glow.
MC: The flowers at the Academy should be in full bloom. Too bad there are no fireflies…
Xavier: Fireflies. Just for you.
MC: You made those specks of light. They aren't fireflies. You can't lie to me.
Xavier: It's nothing. I happened to catch a shooting star.
MC: A shooting star…
MC: Do you still remember Uluru, Xavier?
Xavier: Yes, of course I do. Our little planet.
MC: Do you think Uluru will turn into a shooting star?
Xavier: … Unlikely. It's only 200 years old. It's a very young planet. However, Uluru's flowers should be blooming.
MC: The Wanderers are a serious threat. Sooner or later, they'll arrive in Uluru. It will become another Philos. I'm tired, Xavier… What if I can't brandish my sword one day? What then?
Xavier: … You rest, I'll be by your side. Always.
Xavier: If you have nowhere to go, nowhere to rest your weary self… you can stay with me.
MC: … You always lie.
He always has.
He's always lied, again and again and again and again.
He said hope would follow when spring arrived.
He said he'd take me to the new planet he discovered.
He said he didn't want to be King but also refused to let me stand by another's side.
He said he'd return when I miss him.
He said when I became the Queen of Philos, he'd be my knight.
The song he made up is now a reality. Yet as thousands cheer my name, he abandons me.
Dazzling fireworks fill the sky. I leave the balcony and retreat to the darkness of the throne room. At that moment, a spaceship soars across the sky like a shooting star, disappearing into the night.
My footsteps echo in this empty room. No one will be by my side.
My star has left me.
And this time… he will not return home.
在登基的这一天，本该是女王和她的首席圣剑骑士一同接受万民祝福。
可我的骑士只是冰冷地站在我面前，不肯与我并肩。
自当年从小镇分别，此后又发生了太多的变故，难以一一细说。
我从骑士成为王女，又一路坎坷，才终于走到今日。
而沈星回和他的回溯小组，也早就脱离了逐光骑士团，甚至被视为反叛的一方。
路径一旦分岔，就再也难以相遇。
玩家: 你们应该知道，一旦回溯失败，菲罗斯会付出怎样的代价。
玩家: 回溯小组的目的，恐怕早就不是当年你对我说的那样了吧。
沈星回低头按住剑柄，我这才发现他挂着的星星，竟然变成了当年我送给他的骑士团星徽。
不知是什么原因让他换下了曾经的剑穗，可现在再问这些，已经没有意义了。
沈星回: 师父以前说，骑士的剑必须指向王所指的方向。
沈星回: 这句话，我也记得。
他抬起眼眸看我，又是那种令人无法拒绝的眼神。
只是如今，曾经清澈的潭水已变得幽深不可测。
沈星回: 不论你是否相信，但我没有变过。
他后退半步，对我行了骑士吻手礼。
沈星回: 愿菲罗斯星永恒。
在沈星回离开很久后，我才像回过神般，来到露台上。
目之所及皆是欢庆的民众，攒动的人群中，我怎么也分辨不出哪一个是他的身影。
也许，他已经走得很远了。
在这样的时刻里，我忽然想起当年，他把我从密林带出的那个晚上……
光剑撕裂黑暗，他像流星般照亮我的世界，是一切虚幻中唯一的真实，是只属于我的那颗星。
我从短暂的昏睡中醒来，那个熟悉的身影就这样坐在我面前，好像从未离开过一般。
沈星回: 终于醒了。
沈星回: 感觉怎么样，有哪里不舒服么?
即使近在咫尺，即使能感受到沈星回在说话之间温热的呼吸，我依然不敢相信眼前的一切。
玩家: 沈星回……
我被强烈的不真实感拉扯着，不禁向他伸出手去。
沈星回: 不是幻觉，真的是我。我回来了。
沈星回: ……
沈星回: 师父说过，高尚的骑士是不该偷袭的。
沈星回: 好吧……高尚的骑士，确实也不该玩失踪。
沈星回: 是我有错在先，能解气的话，可以再给你揍几拳。
沈星回: 可以站起来了么?
沈星回: 慢一点……
沈星回: 走不动的话，我背你。
沈星回: 走得动，也可以背。
他把我从黑暗中救出，踏着草叶，走在只有虫鸣的林间，地面上的星辰花浮着荧荧浅光。
玩家: 学校里的花，应该也已经开了。
玩家: 可惜……就是没有萤火虫。
沈星回: ……
沈星回: 这样，就有了。
玩家: 这是你变出来的光，才不是萤火虫。
玩家: 你骗我。
玩家: 在看什么?
沈星回: 没什么，恰好看到一颗流星。
玩家: 流星……
玩家: 沈星回，你还记得乌鲁鲁星吗?
沈星回: 当然。我们的小星球。
玩家: 你说，会不会有一天，乌鲁鲁星也变成流星掉下来呢……
沈星回: ……
沈星回: 不会的，它才两百多岁，还是一颗很年轻的星球。
沈星回: 上面的花，应该正开得茂盛。
玩家: 可流浪体灾难这么严重，早晚，乌鲁鲁星也会被流浪体发现的，然后变成和菲罗斯星一样的地方……
玩家: 沈星回，我累了……要是有一天，我再也拿不起剑了，怎么办呢……
沈星回: ……
沈星回: 累了就睡一会儿吧，我会陪着你的。
沈星回: 如果这个世界真的已经无处可逃，那至少……你还可以逃来我身边。
玩家: ……
玩家: 我不信，你总是骗我。
没错，他总是骗我。
和他相识以来，他对我说过许多的谎。
比如他说，春天来了就会有希望。
说要带我去他新发现的小星球。
说他不想做王，但也不想让我站在其他人的身边。
他还说，等我想他了，就会回来。
说在我成为菲罗斯真正的女王时，就换他来做我的骑士。
被他擅自篡改的吟游颂歌终于成真，可在万人为我欢庆的这一天，他却又擅自抛下了我……
烟花之下，我转身离开露台，回到大殿的黑暗中。
那一刻，巨大的飞船正在天边启航，如流星一般划过天际，隐入夜色。
脚步声空荡荡地回响，再也不会有人陪在我身边。
我知道，我的星星终于还是离开了。
这一次……再也不会回来。
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