Grimm pulled a Charm from his embrace and handed it to Simon.
Simon took it and looked.
It was a chibi-style Grimm avatar.
This Charm was called grimmchild.
Grimm straightened his back, turned his body, and remained facing away from Simon.
"My kin are scattered throughout these lands, collecting our… species' unique essence, the Dream Flame. Find my kin, gather their flames, and bring them back to me. Together, we can create miracles." He chuckled hoarsely, "Don't worry, little one, you won't complete this task alone. My child will guide you to find the flames and absorb those burning essences into its body." He turned his head slightly, his scarlet eyes showing delight, "Like you, this child is also crucial to the task. Only when it is by your side will the flames and my kin reveal themselves to you."
After saying this, he suddenly shrank, and red smoke burst around him, then he vanished.
Simon rubbed the Charm in his hand, a thought forming.
He turned to leave, and on the way, he saw Brumm again. He was vigorously pulling his bug instrument, his movements exaggerated, making one worry that the grub in his hand might break. However, he himself calmly said to Simon, "Flame. Seek it. For the Troupe Master. For our kin. Hmm."
Simon hurried out of the tent. The reveling bugs would actively greet Simon, but their smiles, hidden behind masks, seemed a little insincere.
This Troupe exuded shrewdness everywhere, and Simon decided to have an expert take a look.
He entered the station and took the Stag Beetle to the Queen's Gardens.
All the way, the Stag Beetle was very silent, but he clearly had something to say, panting all the way, sometimes stopping abruptly, then continuing to pant.
These intermittent pauses seemed to carry an embarrassing emotion within them.
Upon arriving at the Queen's Gardens station, the Stag Beetle finally couldn't help but ask, "The other little one, why isn't he coming? Did he take the tram? How could any bug ride that cold, lifeless monster? It's simply incomprehensible!"
"Oh, him? He just went home."
The Stag Beetle was startled.
"Oh… went home." He slowly chewed on the words, "Home…"
Simon felt strange, so he used the Dream Nail to steal the Stag Beetle's dream speech.
"It's getting more and more painful. Perhaps I'm getting old? Maybe I should return to my nest to live out my days? New kin have already hatched, the Stag Beetle's mission will have successors…"
Simon sighed. Indeed, an old bug longing for home was like a twilight bird unable to fly, destined to fall below the horizon with the setting sun.
"Old friend, take care." Simon offered a blessing, then quickly left.
…
He saw the White Lady again.
She heard footsteps and murmured, "It has come, a familiar scent. It is that peculiar little one. You have succeeded, the terrible aura hanging overhead has dissipated. This is a remarkable feat. However, you must know that this cannot completely end Her. The source of the light still exists."
Simon was stunned when he heard this.
The Radiance wasn't dead?
He quickly asked, "Then how do we resolve the lingering problem?"
The White Lady shook her head, "This secret can only be known by Her kin. You should seek the prophet."
"But the prophet has already passed away!"
"She must have left a Revelation; you just haven't discovered it yet." The White Lady seemed to know the prophet very well.
Simon slowly nodded, deciding to take care of the main business first, "Please feel this Charm." He presented the grimmchild, placing it before the Lady.
"Oh, I sense the aura of fire, so familiar… The Scarlet Heart has indeed succeeded. And ironically, he seeks to use my creation to fuel his own."
Simon laughed, "So this Grimm is a swindler!"
The White Lady shook her head again, "Do not belittle the children of Nightmare; he is a very capable bug. At least, he has learned my techniques."
"Can Grimm create Vessels?"
"The children of Nightmare are everywhere; be wary of them. Be careful not to get lost in their dazzling performances."
Simon thought of the reveling white-faced bug swarm. Were they all enslaved by the masks Grimm created? Their numbers were so vast; it seemed Grimm's endeavor was very successful.
In the original work, these white-faced bugs were just spectators in the stands, and in fact, merely puppets. Now, they were living beings. It seemed some inexplicable changes had occurred.
The White Lady said, "Perhaps you can gain the inspiration you seek from the mouth of Nightmare. Their unity is impressive, and light cannot penetrate that scarlet domain."
Simon nodded, took out his two Charm slots, attached them to the grimmchild Charm, and then wore it on his chest.
Tiny specks of light appeared, and a small bug materialized in the air—Grimm's avatar, but with large black eyes. Two pairs of ribbon-like wings gently flapped behind it, and its short, grub-like body looked very cute.
Simon raised his hand and grabbed this little fellow.
The grimmchild squeaked, but couldn't break free.
Simon drew his Dream Nail and lightly grazed Little Grimm's body.
Dream speech appeared.
"Ritual, flame, powerful tool."
This little thing really had something to it.
Simon continued to probe the dream speech.
"Collecting flames, masks…"
"Enslavement, the Wyrm's creations are truly terrifying and practical."
"What did the Wyrm hide? So profound, that should be the perfect Vessel."
"Light dissipates, fire is eternal!"
It was getting more and more interesting.
The grimmchild seemed to be Grimm himself, in its larvae form, with ample memories but insufficient intellect.
"Crystals refract light, but cannot refract fire!"
"Great Nightmare, Scarlet Lord… if we unite, we can build an eternal kingdom!"
"The Wyrm's attempt failed shamefully; he chose that path and indeed suppressed the darkness."
"It feels good to be back here."
Simon was practically addicted, tirelessly wielding his Dream Nail. For a moment, the White Lady's noble chamber turned into a dazzling nightclub.
After being probed multiple times, the grimmchild's black eyes began to turn red, and scorching flames ignited from its body. Simon had to first seal it in place before he could confidently swing his Nail.
"Enough! Shameless secret-stealer! The Scarlet Will cannot be humiliated!" A majestic voice echoed in his ears, beginning to scold incessantly.
Simon snorted, drew his Nail, and a burst of sword energy pointed directly at the grimmchild's large head.
That arrogant voice, as if a mute button had been pressed, suddenly fell silent.
"Hmph. I thought you had more backbone!"
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