I don't want to be a heroic spirit

"Will Xinmeier... also be forgotten?"

Fulilian suddenly asked this question.

“No one can be remembered forever. The so-called forever is just people’s wishful thinking.”

Jian smiled. "Aren't those altered statues the best proof? Although still called 'Sinmel,' the image is now of an older man we don't recognize. Even Sinmel's deeds are becoming increasingly exaggerated, closer to myth than legend. Until one day, the real Sinmel, the prototype, will completely disappear from people's memory."

It is precisely because it is the general trend that it makes people feel sad.

Fulilian has a friend, a dwarf named Furu, who has lived for four hundred years, which is considered a long life among dwarves.

Grandpa Folu's wife was an ordinary human being. After his wife died, Grandpa Folu has been guarding the village that his wife loved deeply. He has been guarding it year after year and sitting at the village gate year after year. Even though Grandpa Folu was so old that he could not even have a normal conversation, he still guarded the village gate day after day for hundreds of years.

To Grandpa Fulu, his wife must have been a very important person, right? However, in reality, Grandpa Fulu had long forgotten everything about her…her appearance, her voice, the look in her eyes…those memories that were so precious to him were all gone.

When Ash, Fulilian and the others met Grandpa Fru again a few years ago, Grandpa Fru hadn't even remembered the reason why he was protecting the village... But he still sat in front of the village, continuing to protect the village for some important reason that he could no longer remember.

For the people in that village, Grandpa Fru is like a guardian angel, but they don’t know why Grandpa Fru would risk his life for the village. They only know that when their great-grandparents were born, Grandpa Fru was already sitting there like a guardian angel.

When traveling with Xinmeier, Fulilian and Jian heard Grandpa Furu tell his story.

At that time, Grandpa Furu had a very high opinion of Xinmeier.

"Sinmeier, you are a truly exceptional hero. If it were you, you would surely defeat the Demon King and usher in the era of peace that my wife has longed for... I will carry the memories of the legendary hero Sinmeier into the future."

Then, this is what Xin Meier replied.

"I appreciate your kindness, but I don't think it's necessary to trouble Grandpa Frew with this matter. I still have Ash, Fulilian, and Aize in my team."

"I don't live as long as the elves."

Aize reminded.

"Indeed, it seems this task can only be entrusted to Ash and Fulilian."

Xin Meier turned to look at Ash and Fulilian, "They will carry our memories into the future."

"I don't mind."

The one who responded was Fulilian, who had an expressionless face.

"I wish Xinmei's story could become very popular in the future..."

Ash smiled and shrugged.

As for the fact that Xin Meier later wanted to show Fulilian his carefully edited collection of handsome men's actions in order to deepen her memory, but was coldly rejected by Fulilian, there is nothing much to say.

……

Fulilian touched her chest.

She doesn't want to forget.

For Grandpa Frew, the experiences he and his wife have shared are his most cherished memories.

For Fulilian, the journey with Xinmeier is her most important memory.

Xinmeier gave her the opportunity to understand humans.

"But, after all, I'd better forget about the handsome man's action collection. Even if I remember it, it would just be a waste of memory capacity."

Although she said words of disgust, there was only satisfaction in the smile on Fulilian's face.

"Hmm? Did you say something just now? Flillian."

Because Fulilian spoke too softly just now, Jian didn't hear clearly.

"I just said... If Xin Meier is truly forgotten by everyone in the world one day in the future, then I will be the one to remember him."

Fulilian's eyes curved like crescent moons. "And Haita, Aize, Grandpa Furu, Xutalk, Feiren... and Ash. I will carry the memories I have with you into that future."

Upon hearing this, Jian blinked, and then a smile as bright as Xuechun blossomed on her face.

"That sounds great."

The noise with the smell of fireworks lingered in their ears, but it did not affect the two people here who were immersed in memories.

After a while, Ash spoke again.

"As long as you still remember them, they will never face a third death, and they can live forever in your memories."

"Also... I once heard an interesting saying: As long as there are people on earth who remember them, the deceased will remain in heaven. Only when everyone forgets them will they leave heaven and begin their reincarnation."

"What I mean is... as long as they haven't faded from your memory, then you'll have the chance to see them again in the Soul Resting Place, no matter if a hundred years, a thousand years, or even tens of thousands of years have passed... This is something only you, with a lifespan close to eternal, can accomplish."

After the heavy topic, Jian showed a mischievous smile again.

"Come to think of it, it's only been a few decades, and Xinmei's image in people's minds has changed so much. Could it be that after a few thousand years, Xinmei's image has directly transformed into a heroic female swordsman?"

"It's unlikely anyway, right?"

"Why is it impossible? Didn't your teacher Volame turn from a woman into a strange uncle?"

"That's different because people generally think it's more likely that someone who can achieve such a feat is a man... but it's different when a man becomes a woman."

"That's not necessarily true. Maybe girls will be more popular than boys in the future."

Jian didn't take Fulilian's words seriously. Even King Arthur could change from a man to a woman, so why couldn't Sinmeier?

471

Chapter 471: Monument of the Goddess.

31 years after the death of the brave Sinmeier.

Northern Plateau, Chino Canyon.

Jian and others arrived at the entrance to the country. As long as they passed this checkpoint, they would officially enter the territory of the empire.

Because of this, the entry inspection that Jian and others were subjected to was much stricter than they had encountered before.

Although it is no longer the unified empire it once was, the empire's military strength is still second to none among all countries. The empire is the only country that dares to challenge the Continental Magic Association headed by Celie.

Once upon a time, all the countries surrounding the empire were conquered by the demons and became their territory. Despite such unfavorable circumstances, the empire still stubbornly resisted the demon attacks until humans took back these territories. This feat also proved the strength of the empire's military power.

"You three go into the empire. I won't go. Let's separate here for the time being."

As soon as these words were spoken, Philen, Fulilian, and Shuttalk all looked at him in surprise.

"Master Jian, what does this mean?"

Philen frowned slightly, as if puzzled. "Is there somewhere you want to go? If it doesn't take up too much time, we can go together."

"Yup."

Hugh Tark also added: "As long as you don't ask for ten years like Fulilian, we can wait."

"…I've changed it, okay?"

Fulilian frowned and complained, "It's not good to always dwell on other people's past, Hugh Tark. I haven't mentioned that time you called me a stinky old woman in a long time."

"...You haven't forgotten it either, have you?"

Ignoring the dejected Hugh Tark, Fulilian stared at Ash's face and asked tentatively, "Is it because of the Empire?"

Jian nodded. "After all, I'm probably not very welcome in the Empire... I feel like if I just wander into someone's territory, it'll cause a major earthquake, right?"

Fulilian turned around and saw Philen and Shuttalk with puzzled faces.

After touching her chin and hesitating for a moment, Fulilian finally decided to tell the two people in front of her.

"To put it simply... Ash was once hunted by the Empire."

Fellen & Hugh Tark: "!!!"

The Empire was the first country to use magic in its military. Volame, who created the human magic system, was the Empire's court magician. Coupled with its strong national strength, the Empire felt arrogant and believed that all human magicians in the world should belong to them.

Only in the Empire can adults and children use magic. Magic has become a part of their lives, and the Empire's magicians are also the best at using magic in war.

The Empire views all powerful non-Imperial magicians as enemies, and has established numerous special agencies to combat them. These include the Shadow Warriors, a group of warriors with enhanced magical concealment abilities, the Holy Staff Court, a group with no information available except its name, and the Magical Special Forces, a group specifically designed to suppress civil unrest.

"Among them, only the Magical Special Forces is officially recognized by the Empire."

Fulilian lowered her eyes and said, "So far, I've only heard rumors about other institutions and haven't seen them in person."

"[Shadow Warrior] does exist."

Jian suddenly spoke up, "This is the organization that attacked me."

"Why was Lord Jian attacked?"

Feilun frowned slightly, "Is it simply because Master Jian is a magician who does not belong to the Empire?"

"Well, there are actually more reasons."

It was Ash who answered Philen. "While powerful mages not affiliated with the Empire are always noticed when they enter the Empire's territory, there are four mages among them who are particularly valued. These are the only four Great Mages in existence."

Upon hearing this, Fulilian reacted, touching her chin and falling into deep thought.

"I see...Isn't that the Empire's target too?"

Since Philen and Shuttalk probably didn't know who the "only four great magicians in existence" were, Jian started to explain.

"Elf magicians have a long lifespan and can spend much longer studying magic, reaching heights unattainable for human magicians. The four great magicians I just mentioned are the only four remaining elven magicians of this era: myself, Fulilian, Celia, and an elven magician named Minus."

"Minus is known as the 'rebellious witch' and has caused countless rebellions in the southern kingdoms."

Fulilian said, "Twenty years ago, in a small border country, an unknown warrior appeared and defeated them... I heard that both of them died."

Ash shrugged. "The warrior who killed Minus is from the Empire."

“…That’s really amazing.”

Obviously, there was a high probability that this person would want to kill her, but Fulilian still praised him.

Precisely because she is also a great magician, Fulilian knows how difficult it is to kill an elven great magician, especially when the one who kills him is just an ordinary human.

"If that's the case..."

Philen found a suspicious point in their conversation. "Doesn't that mean that Lady Fulilian can't enter the Empire's territory either? After all, Lady Fulilian is on the Empire's wanted list, right?"

Upon hearing this, Fulilian looked at Zhi, and then saw Zhi shaking his head.

"Flillian is different."

Counting off the names on his fingers, Jian said, "Minus has sparked numerous rebellions in the southern kingdoms. Celie is the founder of the Continental Magic Association, which is at odds with the Empire. As for me... I'm the only known magician in the world capable of blowing up an entire city in an instant. Strictly speaking, on the Empire's list, I'm the most threatening, so the Empire won't let me in unmolested."

"But Fulilian is different."

Ash said seriously, "Although she's a great magician who's lived for a thousand years, Fulilian hasn't done anything bad. On the contrary, she was a teammate of the brave Sinmeier, who saved the world and defeated the Demon King. Therefore, the Empire has no reason to attack her."

"After the Empire's troops failed in their attempt to assassinate me and I killed them in return, my relationship with the Empire has reached a freezing point. Celie has always been hostile to them. The only reason they haven't taken action is because they haven't been sure of victory. With two great magicians as enemies at the same time, they don't have the energy to deal with Fulilian. So, even if you enter the Empire's territory, it won't matter."

"However, I suggest you cross the empire as soon as possible. After all, you are in their territory. If they really go crazy, it will be very troublesome."

One of the reasons why the Empire took action against Jian was that among the four great magicians, Jian was the youngest and was naturally regarded as the weakest one.

Even though Jian possessed the most powerful and wide-ranging attack magic, they believed that this forbidden magic must have very strict conditions for use. Moreover, since Jian could use such powerful magic, he must be inferior in other areas. After all, human energy is limited.

It was this point that led to the failure of their siege.

Among all the reasons for their failure, the most fatal one was that they regarded Jian as a "normal magician" and never expected that Jian even surpassed most warriors in close combat.

The world of magicians is very rigorous. The world of magic is a world of imagination. As long as you can't imagine a successful scene, it will definitely be impossible to achieve.

Even someone as powerful as Freellian cannot possibly defeat Celia because she cannot imagine herself defeating Celia... But a warrior can do it. Although the gap in strength is even greater, the possibility of victory is not zero.

But this law does not apply to Ash. This is the Empire's mistake. The method they are good at dealing with powerful magicians is not suitable for Ash.

……

Ash left the team.

However, according to Ash, she will go to them after Fulilian leaves the imperial territory.

Ash said she would find her own way through the empire without touching its delicate nerves.

"Suddenly there's one less person. I feel really uncomfortable..."

Feilun lowered her eyes slightly, with a hint of sadness in her eyes...even though she knew they would see each other again soon, she couldn't control it.

"After all, we've been traveling together for a long time..."

Even Hugh Turk felt a sense of loss caused by separation.

Parting, this kind of thing has happened too many times during travel.