Chapter 23: Ch 23 : Memories Across a Thousand Years
Noel stood motionless in front of the third door, his hand pressed firmly against his chest.
He could feel his heart tightening painfully, an unsettling reaction triggered by the thing inside it.
A surge of complex emotions flooded over him—sorrow, relief, joy, and an inexplicable sense of guilt.
His eyes were clouded with confusion.
(What exactly is behind this door? Why… why do I feel this way?)
His fingers brushed against the doorknob, the cold touch snapping his scattered thoughts back into focus.
"No matter what, I'll find out as soon as I open it."
Taking a deep breath, Noel pushed the door open.
The room was… ordinary.
No decorations, no furnishings.
Yet, Noel found himself unable to look away.
His gaze was locked onto the only three objects in the room—two coffins, one white and one purple, placed side by side, and a crystal ball resting on a pedestal between them.
As if guided by some unseen force, Noel stepped forward silently until he stood before the two jade coffins.
"Light God King—Claude Rutherford, Divine Era 235–1732. Moon Goddess—Victoria Delahays, Divine Era 312–1733."
Noel softly murmured the inscriptions on the coffins.
Unconsciously, he reached out, intending to touch the white coffin.
But the moment his fingers made contact—
Bang!
A powerful force blasted Noel backward, slamming him hard against the wall.
Cracks splintered across the solid surface upon impact.
A sharp pain spread through his body as he let out a quiet sigh.
(As expected, an incredibly strong defensive barrier. Was it placed to prevent their remains from being desecrated? Even after thousands of years, it remains just as powerful… Even with my current strength, I can't break through it.)
Abandoning the idea of touching the coffins, Noel turned his attention to the final object—the crystal ball.
Slowly, he reached out his hand.
Though he had mentally prepared for any possible counterattack, the moment his fingertips brushed against the crystal ball, it suddenly erupted in a dazzling light, completely enveloping him.
Then, countless fragmented memories surged into his mind like a tidal wave.
-----------
First Fragment
In a grand and resplendent hall, a handsome man with golden hair and a beautiful woman with black hair were exchanging rings.
However, the woman was not wearing a wedding dress, suggesting that this was not a formal wedding but merely an engagement ceremony.
The surrounding crowd applauded them enthusiastically.
The black-haired woman wore a joyful smile, while the golden-haired man remained indifferent, his expression cold and detached, as if the event had nothing to do with him.
"Claude, at least try to smile. This is our engagement ceremony, after all," the black-haired woman pouted slightly, displeased.
The golden-haired man glanced at the crowd with disdain before speaking in a cold tone, "This is nothing more than a political marriage. The process is irrelevant. As long as our engagement is official, that is all that matters."
The smile on the black-haired woman's face froze.
A hint of sadness appeared on her beautiful face as she murmured softly, in a voice too quiet for the golden-haired man to hear, "One day… I will make you fall in love with me, Claude."
---------------
Second fragment
At a seaside bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, the same golden-haired man was gently holding the arm of a woman with purple hair, her presence ethereal and otherworldly.
His grip was careful, as if he were holding the most delicate treasure, a stark contrast to his demeanor in the previous scene.
His face was filled with warmth and tenderness.
A slight blush and a hint of worry flashed across the purple-haired woman's face, but she did not move to shake off his hand.
"I love you."
The golden-haired man gazed at her intently, his white eyes—clear as his golden hair—filled with sincerity as he spoke those words.
-------------------
Third fragment
A beautiful black-haired woman and the golden-haired man faced each other in midair, their wings spread wide behind them—hers black, his white.
"Why? Why did you choose her?" The black-haired woman's face was filled with unwillingness and pain as she stared at the golden-haired man.
"Tell me… tell me your reason!"
The golden-haired man could only remain silent as he looked at the black-haired woman, unable to say a single word.
The black-haired woman, seemingly enraged by his silence, launched a furious storm of attacks against him.
----------------
Fourth fragment
The black-haired woman let out a hateful yet sorrowful laugh.
Her wounded body was engulfed in transparent flames as she stared at the golden-haired man.
"With my soul as the price, I curse you and all the Gods of your Light Faction! One day, you will all fall. I curse your descendants—one day, they will turn on each other and perish. One day, everything you cherish… will be destroyed, Claude!"
As soon as she finished speaking, her body vanished into the air.
The golden-haired man wordlessly watched the scene unfold.
After a long silence, only a sigh remained.
---------------
Fifth fragment
On a battlefield filled with corpses and blood, a golden-haired man stood with a sword supporting his battered, exhausted body.
His entire form was covered in wounds, and several weapons had pierced through him.
He raised his weary gaze to the hellish landscape before him, a fleeting trace of guilt flashing in his eyes.
A purple-haired woman, also covered in injuries, flew toward him from the distance.
She wrapped her arms around him, tears streaming endlessly from her violet eyes.
The golden-haired man gently wiped away her tears with his hand and offered her a comforting smile.
"It's all over. Let's go home."
The purple-haired woman said nothing.
She simply spread her wings, holding him close as she flew toward the vast ocean.
---------------
Sixth fragment
In a beautifully decorated room, the golden-haired man lay on the bed, his face twisted in pain.
His hand tightly gripped the arm of the purple-haired woman beside him, who was tending to him with tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry… It seems this is as far as I can go," the golden-haired man said gently after coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"No… Don't leave me alone, Claude," the beautiful purple-haired woman sobbed as she embraced him tightly.
The golden-haired man could only gaze at her one last time with eyes full of regret before slowly closing them forever.
The only sound left in the room was the ceaseless flow of the purple-haired woman's tears.
--------------
Seventh fragment
On a rainy night, a purple-haired woman stood before a house, placing a baby on the doorstep.
The infant had golden hair, blue eyes, and a white six-sided crystal hanging from its chest.
Softly, the purple-haired woman spoke to the child.
"I'm sorry, my child. My time is running out, and I can no longer take care of you. But you will never be alone… for your father's divinity will always protect you."
With one last sorrowful glance at the baby, she disappeared into the night.
--------------
Exclusive access : All novel on paetron
Genshin impact 270+ch, Naruto birdcage 200+ch, Overlord Complete novel
From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny 65+ch
Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz