Little Grimm, growing again, turned red, and an extra pair of ribbon-like wings appeared on its back, but it still chirped like a kitten.
This time, the Dream Nail's whispers were a bit scarce.
"Light in the crystal, power of crystallization..."
"The light that counters darkness will not perish, but before it returns, the scarlet will must dominate."
"Void, burn away the darkness, let's dance!"
"Flames, ritual..."
The third round of flames had four parts: one in Fungal Wastes, one in Ancient Basin, one in Deepnest, and one in the Hive.
However, only three parts needed to be collected. Simon ruled out the one in Fungal Wastes because it was simply too far.
The remaining three places were connected by trams, but unfortunately, the pass was already destroyed. Simon really wanted to take a tram ride.
He first went to Ancient Basin, to a large bridge ruin, with bug pits beneath it. These bugs were a specialty of Deepnest.
In a certain bridge arch, lay the corpse of a royal retainer, black tears flowing from its eyes, apparently having died from Void corruption.
The bridges here, including the elevator directly from City of Tears, were abandoned. The elevator shaft was occupied by spike traps built later, guarded by Winged Sentries. The bugs who yearned to pilgrimage to White Palace could not reach it at all.
Perhaps it was another piece of sealed history.
At the bottom of the elevator shaft, in a hidden cave within the wall, was a Dream Tree, also known as a Whispering Root. It was already mature, and after being struck by the Dream Nail, it released whispers.
"...Kingdom above..."
"...Palace below..."
"...Servant's path..."
Simon had no intention of delving deeper. After collecting the flame, he hurried to the next location.
...
The Hive, in Kingdom's Edge, was also a secluded place. They were self-sufficient, and their only connection to Hallownest was reportedly that the Queen Bee trained Hornet, which is why the princess of Hallownest was named Hornet.
The Hive was a beautiful world flowing with golden honey, incredibly luxurious. Although the architecture was rustic, entirely in the characteristic hexagonal design of a beehive, the bright golden honeycombs and dark golden beeswax shimmered together, making it seem like paradise.
Honey seeped from everywhere in the architecture, emitting a fragrant scent, without any fishy smell, but rather carrying the crispness of wind and frost. Simon scraped a little to taste, only to feel a soft sweetness swirling in his mouth, flowing down his throat. He sighed, and a mint-like coolness shot from his chest to his skull, invigorating him.
There were only two types of bugs in the Hive: bees and Hive Husks.
The bees included Little Bees, Hive Soldiers, Hive Guardians, and Hive Knights. The Hive Knights should have already been smashed to death by Little Knight, so he wouldn't be able to see them.
As for the Hive Husks, these were cowardly husks whose bodies were occupied by young bees. These bugs had honeycombs built on their bodies, looking like hopeless fat guys. They would turn and run when they saw an enemy, while Little Bees would fly out from the holes in their bodies to defend against enemies.
The third round of flames was on a Grimmkin Nightmare. Its form was, of course, a ghost. Compared to the previous two rounds, the Nightmare was larger, finally as tall as the torch stakes in their hands. Its laughter was deeper and quite magnetic.
Grimmkin Nightmare was surrounded by bees, but it didn't attract their attention, while Simon was targeted by all the bugs.
He was initially puzzled as to why the bees didn't attack the Grimmkin, but upon closer thought, he realized that only by wearing the grimmchild Charm could one see the flames.
So, were these flames real or illusory? Or were they residual dreams?
Striking them did indeed release Dream Essence, so did the flames originate from dreams? Or, like Soul Energy, did they come from the Soul World on the surface of dreams?
Several Hive Guardians noticed Simon. They buzzed, then their massive abdomens flipped over, revealing internal membranes, barbs, and in the center, a thick, long, sharp stinger. Their wings flapped, and their bodies spun rapidly like drills, charging forward.
The fighting style of the bugs in the Hive was still a bit unsettling, at least these Hive Guardians made Simon uncomfortable.
Simon didn't intend to provoke them. The few Hive Guardians crashed into the wall, truly like electric drills, making thudding sounds.
He truly wondered how these bugs evolved such unnatural structures.
After Simon dealt with the Grimmkin Nightmare in the Hive, he rushed to the last location.
...
Deepnest, distant village, hollows with hanging silk sacs.
After collecting the last flame, Simon heard someone call out to him.
Following the sound to a silk sac, the bug who called him was Brumm. He wasn't carrying his bug instrument, but a torch stake.
The flame was on him.
"Hmm... you've come. I've collected the red flame from this silent kingdom. Take it... to our Master of the Troupe, for his final performance. The ritual will play out again, and we are like notes in an ancient song. You and I both. Hmm."
He turned his head, looked around, then lowered his voice, "An endless, repeating song of sacrifice and servitude. For the ritual, for the Troupe, for the Master of the Troupe."
He stared at grimmchild. The little bug circled Brumm, intensely desiring the scent of the flame on him. "Even this child is born into invisible chains. Hmm. So we submit... as before. Right?"
He turned back to stare at Simon, "Then take this flame. Isn't that what you came for?" With that, he released the flame, and the scarlet glow merged into Little Grimm's body.
"It's done... but... in this darkest of places, at the very edge of the world, where the Master of the Troupe's scarlet eye cannot see us, our meeting here is not merely by luck. An endless song... it's not even a song. You participated in the ritual, but I sense that you have no master. Is that right? Perhaps we can extinguish this raging flame together, and bring peace to this already silent kingdom. If you wish to do so, meet me where it all began. Hmm. If you wish to continue the ritual... hmm, if you have no regrets, then neither do I."
Simon asked him, "What exactly is The Core of the Scarlet Will?"
"That? I don't know, hmm. Perhaps you should ask the Master of the Troupe. If the Scarlet Flame truly has a will, then the Master of the Troupe is its best representative."
Simon grabbed Little Grimm's wings, "This is your Master of the Troupe!"
"What? No... wait, hmm. Indeed, the Master of the Troupe is not right. He was already a bit off before he lost to you. He called you a defiler. You must have peered into that divided dream, haven't you! That is the deepest nightmare. The Master of the Troupe said he would become king."
"No, he won't. At most, he's a magician."
Brumm shrugged. His broad shoulders shrugged with particular emphasis. "You might underestimate the power of the ritual."
"You might underestimate my power." Simon spread his hands, which was at least more expressive than shrugging.
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