stonecrandall Page 378
Page 378
"[Satvees from multiple countries around the world have detected dramatic energy shifts over Japan, suspected to be a mythical war!]"
Each news item was accompanied by a blurry but striking satellite photo.
There was his massive, devastating fleet, the terrifying, sky-covering form of Ketu Sea and Sky, and the energy reactions that erupted when the gods fought.
The thin veil separating the mystical and the secular world was torn to shreds by this sudden war.
"These mortals have quite a keen sense of smell."
Zhou Ye's expression remained unchanged; he simply stated a fact.
Rias also looked up from her grief and saw the news, a new worry appearing on her face.
What...will they do?
"doing what?"
Zhou Ye released her, took two steps forward, and looked around at the mess.
“They will panic, they will be afraid. Then, when they realize that we have suffered heavy casualties and our strength is much weaker than before, they will become greedy.”
He paused and continued.
“They will want to study our corpses, analyze our powers, and seize our technology. They will see us as a new threat, or… a new resource.”
"How is this possible!"
Rias retorted excitedly, "We did it to protect this world..."
"Protect?"
Zhou Ye interrupted her.
"In their eyes, we're probably no different from that mechanical monster. Both are beings capable of easily destroying their cities. Do you expect a bunch of primitive people with firearms to understand the difference between nuclear bombs and antimatter weapons?"
His words were blunt and cruel.
"Then... what should we do?"
Rias was completely at a loss.
"It's very simple."
Zhou Ye turned around and snapped his fingers in the air.
The "Tri-1 Collapsed Entity" suspended in the orbit received the command.
The next second, Zhou Ye's figure soared into the sky, breaking through the atmosphere and arriving in outer space.
He stood outside the Earth, with the solemn, massive fleet radiating purple patterns behind him.
Immediately afterwards, his body began to swell.
It's not simply about getting bigger, but rather a conceptual upgrade.
An indescribable, colossal true form appeared in Earth's orbit.
His body was composed of countless data streams and laws, his face was blurred, yet he exuded an aura of majesty that looked down upon all living beings.
The Earth, before this image, is as small as a marble.
He stretched out his hands and gently cradled the entire blue planet in his palms.
This scene was clearly transmitted back to Earth via all the world's still-functioning satellites.
Washington, D.C., the Pentagon's command center.
New York, United Nations Headquarters.
London, Moscow, Beijing...
The highest authorities in all countries, and all those with access to top secrets, witnessed this scene that overturned their understanding at the same time.
A giant held the Earth in his hands.
panic?
No, there's no more panic.
When reality exceeds the limits of comprehension, all that remains is a blank slate.
"Now, watch carefully."
Zhou Ye's voice didn't come through the air, but rang directly in the minds of Rias, Akeno, and the others.
"I want to patch up this world."
As he spoke, countless pure white feathers drifted down from his true form.
Those feathers, ethereal and fleeting, passed through the atmosphere, through skyscrapers, and through people's bodies.
Feather Crossing the Dust.
It has the power to invade consciousness and modify memories.
At this moment, Zhou Ye activated the Feather Dust technique, targeting the entire planet.
Seven billion people worldwide.
Their memories were silently altered at the same time.
……
Pentagon command center.
An elderly general, whose heart had just stopped because of the giant on the screen, suddenly stood up and solemnly saluted the screen.
"Salute to the great guardians."
Everyone around him stood up spontaneously, their expressions solemn.
On the screen, the image of the giant holding the Earth has disappeared.
Instead, a series of "declassified top-secret videos" were released.
In the footage, a menacing alien fleet invades the solar system.
On Earth, gods and demons from various mythologies set aside their past grievances, joined forces, and rushed into the universe to wage a fierce and bloody battle against the invaders.
Odin burned the spear Gungnir.
Zeus detonated the thunder.
To cover humanity's retreat, the Demon King Sazex perished alongside the enemy.
Scenes of “realism” and stories of “tragic heroism” have overshadowed the original memories.
The final image freezes on a devastated battlefield, where a mysterious Eastern guardian, inheriting the will of the gods, leads the remaining forces to completely annihilate the last enemy.
……
"It's done."
Zhou Ye reappeared in front of Rias and the others, clapping his hands as if he had only done something insignificant.
On the terminal in Himejima Akeno's hand, the news feed had completely changed.
"[In remembrance! The gods who fell to protect the Earth! Their deeds will live on forever!]"
"[The Truth of History: Myths Are Not Just Legends, But a Covenant for the Protection of Earth!]"
"[The surviving Guardians issued a statement: The mystical side will remain hidden, will not interfere with the development of human society, and will work together to protect the hard-won peace.]"
Everything was perfectly turned around.
What could have been an exposure crisis that triggered a global war has turned into a heroic ode.
"You...you've taken everyone's memories..."
Rias looked at Zhou Ye, unsure of what to say.
This method has exceeded her understanding of "power".
"A necessary lie."
Zhou Ye walked up to her and tidied her messy red hair.
"The mystical side is too weak right now and can't withstand any more setbacks. It's better for humanity to think that we are still the powerful, mysterious force that silently protects them than for them to know that we are now a bunch of defeated soldiers."
He looked at the corpses of the fallen gods and demons.
"Let's deal with the aftermath first."
"Can my brother... and all those who have died... really be brought back to life?"
Rias finally asked the question that concerned her the most.
"can."
Zhou Ye gave an affirmative answer.
"But it won't be without a price. I need time, and I also need some special materials. But don't worry, I'll get it done."
He ruffled Rias's hair.
"Now, go home. Gremory needs to be rebuilt, and your family needs you."
After saying that, he looked at the mechanical dragon "Qiqi" who was curiously tapping a stone with the tip of its tail.
"He's gone, the gatekeeper's gone home."
"Qiqi" raised her head, her sky-blue electronic eyes flashed, and she emitted a cute electronic voice.
【Received! Master! (^^)】
It started walking and trotted after Zhou Ye.
The war is over.
A world ravaged by war begins a new cycle of life on altered memories.
For Zhou Ye, however, the real trouble may have just begun.
Zhou Ye is no good person. Apart from his close friends and family, he doesn't care if others die.