Chapter 1398: 1398 Adjudicator Game: Game Invasion 3

"Were you really fighting for Forest Sea... or for your own pride?"

"Did you refuse to surrender for the sake of your fallen kin, or because you wanted revenge for Maple Mu’s death in the war?"

The sighs of Forest Sea were filled with the hatred of wandering souls.

Wind from Faded Homeland swept through the figures of the owlfolk, tearing them apart.

Maple Syrup’s voice was hoarse, yet utterly steady.

Her cold eyes watched the fading silhouettes of her people.

"If you’re afraid, then don’t step onto the battlefield."

"But once you do, don’t become deserters."

"If following me earns you greater glory and military honors, then you must also pay with greater courage and blood."

"If I’m your nightmare, then remember this."

"When you dream, do not surrender."

Yet before Maple Syrup could take another step forward, a new figure appeared in front of her.

"Mother."

Maple Mu stood in her path.

"If you were given another chance now... would you still choose to let me resurrect inside BS Zoey’s body?"

"I would."

Maple Syrup answered instantly, clearly.

The frost in her gaze softened at once.

She stared at Maple Mu without blinking, unwilling to look away.

"I would."

"I never hid that fact. She knows it. Maple Cang knows it. Maple Burn knows it. And you know it too."

When BS Zoey arrived in Lania Kaia carrying Maple Mu’s wings, how could she possibly resist helping Maple Mu seize that body?

But she had failed.

The Rose Credential truly could only revive one person.

Fate refused to offer even the smallest extra gift.

BS Rita stripped Maple Burn’s soul away and returned it to Lania Kaia.

The moment that happened, Maple Mu’s attempt was doomed to fail.

BS Zoey retained Maple Mu’s wings.

Meanwhile, BS Rita turned Maple Burn’s wings into wine.

After piecing everything together and circling through countless twists of fate...

She still only managed to bring one daughter back.

It was not because she did not want to.

She simply could not find another way.

"I know, Mother."

"I missed you very much."

Mother and daughter gazed silently at one another.

Until that voice rang out again.

"Maple Syrup!"

A hand grabbed Maple Syrup and dragged her forward several steps, pulling her out of Forest Sea’s sighs.

BS Rita shoved her lightly ahead.

"Run, run."

When Maple Syrup turned back, she could still see Maple Mu standing upon the bridge behind Rita.

The girl watched her with devotion and longing.

Maple Syrup suddenly grabbed Rita’s wrist before she could leave.

Her eyes remained fixed on Maple Mu, but the words were directed at Rita.

"You can hear the conversations on the bridge too, can’t you?"

Rita was pulled back again.

Helpless, she answered honestly.

"I can. But don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone."

Maple Syrup tugged at the corner of her lips.

Only then did her gaze finally leave Maple Mu and settle on Rita.

"What a coincidence."

"Every time I’m questioned, you happen to be there."

The previous time had been during Divine Instruction.

This time was the Bridge of Sighs in Game Invasion.

Last time it was Autumn Deer.

This time it was the owlfolk.

"An honor, I guess?" Rita answered casually, already trying to leave again.

She still had other players to wake up.

But Maple Syrup’s grip only tightened.

She refused to let go.

"Autumn Deer and the owlfolk both seem to want me to admit I was wrong."

"What about you?"

"What do you think?"

"Does my opinion really matter that much to you?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Because you rarely judge other people. That’s exactly why I’m curious what you think."

"Does my opinion really matter that much to you?"

Rita repeated the question.

She looked directly into Maple Syrup’s wine red eyes.

"You don’t actually care what anyone thinks."

"All those arguments about right and wrong are just noise to you."

Maple Syrup stared at Rita for a very long time.

Her grip tightened further and further.

Then a radiant smile spread across her face.

Not the carefree, open smile from their first meeting in High Tower.

This smile was dangerous.

The true color of Maple Syrup’s soul.

"You really do understand me."

"You understand me better than most people."

"And that’s exactly why I want to hear your answer."

Maple Syrup’s unusual stubbornness made Rita realize she would not let this go without a response.

Rita sighed.

"I can’t answer Autumn Deer’s question."

"Because I’ve used Little Bear Cookies too."

"As for the other question..."

She used Maple Syrup’s grip to pull the owlfolk queen back into Forest Sea’s sighs.

"Call back the owlfolk who questioned you."

"Ask them this."

"If they had another chance, would they choose never to follow you again..."

"Or would they choose never to surrender again?"

Maple Syrup’s dangerous smiling eyes widened slightly.

A tremor passed through her gaze.

But she quickly regained her composure.

"When Pine Bloom left for BS, half the owlfolk chose to follow her."

For the first time, Rita saw this expression on Maple Syrup’s face.

So she did care.

She cared that half the owlfolk had left her without hesitation.

"But the other half stayed," Rita said seriously.

"Even with Pine Bloom’s [Diehard Loyalty] talent."

"Even while Dawn was invading Lania Kaia."

"Half the owlfolk still chose to remain."

"And from what I know, nearly forty percent of those who stayed were your followers."

Did the remaining owlfolk dislike Pine Bloom?

No.

Pine Bloom wanted to become Adjudicator.

Over the years, she had absolutely worked to win the owlfolk’s hearts.

Were those owlfolk unafraid of the war that Dawn’s invasion would bring?

No.

The shadow of war still hung over every living being.

Just like Maple Syrup’s cruelty.

And yet they still stayed.

Their hearts overcame affection.

Overcame fear.

And chose Maple Syrup.

"Maple Syrup."

"Don’t ask me."

"You already know the answer."

After saying that, Rita shook free from Maple Syrup’s grasp and ran toward Pine Bloom.

"You worshipped and loved by everyone... was that truly because of your own contributions to Forest Sea?"

"Or was it merely the illusion created by your skills?"

Rita heard the accusation the moment she approached.

But before she could pull Pine Bloom away, a hammer slammed downward and shattered the illusion into pieces.

"You don’t even have a dragon. What gives you the right to lecture me?"

Pine Bloom spun the hammer in her hand and smacked Peach Crown awake beside her.

Then she looked up at BS Rita, whose hand was still half extended.

"You came to wake me up? No need."

She immediately started running forward.

As she passed Rita, she tossed out another line.

"Definitely fake."

"First time I’ve ever seen an owlfolk dare point at my face and scold me."

Peach Crown, who had also started running, nodded seriously.

"Very fake indeed."

"Good thing my willpower is strong."

Rita: "..."

If she hadn’t seen how long the two of them had been standing there, she might have believed them.