The patterns on the ornament depicted a remarkably realistic starry sky.
Countless stars twinkled, their brilliance seemingly endless. Attempting to piece together the correct image appeared deceptively simple, yet in practice, it was far from easy. Even with a reference picture, the proper alignment seemed elusive.
The basic image was manageable, but the finer details were problematic. The quest for precision required more than just effort—it demanded a level of meticulous attention akin to playing a game of tangrams or navigating through a maze. It was a test of intelligence, but the challenge didn't end there; there was also a trial of strength that lay ahead.
Each time a piece was shifted, a portion of his energy was depleted. In his current state, it seemed impossible for him to continue for much longer. After nearly an hour of struggle, he had only managed to move a few pieces, yet the result was still a chaotic mess, offering no clear direction. His mind was growing increasingly muddled. Finally, in frustration, he set the puzzle aside and returned to observing the world of the divine kingdom.
In a distant corner of the divine kingdom, two mounds of earth rose up, shimmering with a metallic gleam. These were metal ores, slowly beginning to form. Based on the information provided by the kingdom, he inferred that it wouldn't be long before valuable metals would emerge from the ground.
Despite its fragmented state, the angel's broken wing remained a rare treasure, though its purpose was still unclear. Zhao Lun carefully placed the wing in a secure spot, treating it with the reverence it deserved.
He then opened a brocade box and, with a gentle touch, broke the seal. From within, a small figure emerged.
A crown crafted from golden flowers sat atop a princess-like head, complemented by an elegant gown. The figure was delicate and enchanting, resembling a little sprite or perhaps a fairy... gazing at her, Zhao Lun found himself at a loss for words, unable to find the right expressions to properly praise her beauty.
The little creature's lashes fluttered as if just awakening from a deep slumber. She yawned, stretched her arms lazily, and as she did so, her gown transformed into wings that shimmered with the translucence of jade. The wings unfurled instinctively, and her graceful movements were a sight of rare beauty.
"Aiya slept so well... Aiya is hungry... Aiya wants some flower dew."
The tiny being was still half-dazed, her eyes not yet fully adjusted to her surroundings as she mumbled to herself. Her voice was sweet, carrying a playful melody that made her seem utterly adorable.
"Eh? Who are you?"
"Where is this place?"
"A garden? My garden is gone!"
"Aiya..."
She pouted, her dissatisfaction evident as she began to cry, though no tears came. She had only glanced at Zhao Lun once, before turning her attention back to searching for her missing garden.
She covered her eyes with her little hands, peeking through the gaps as if to hide herself, but her playful smile suggested she believed no one could see her.
"Aiya is so clever, no one can see me."
"But... Aiya is hungry, no flower dew, Aiya is so pitiful."
"Aiya is going to starve."
After laughing at her own trick, her mood shifted, and the wings that had been fluttering now drooped. She sighed, her playful demeanor now tinged with melancholy. She flew aimlessly, and in her distraction, forgot entirely about Zhao Lun, colliding headfirst into him.
"Plop!"
"Aiya was attacked!"
"Aiya was attacked by an evil human..."
"Aiya..."
Zhao Lun: "..."
...
When he emerged from the divine kingdom, the sun was still shining brightly. Maria was still asleep.
Zhao Lun carefully climbed down from the wooden bed and returned to the straw hut. He fetched a wooden cup, disappeared for a moment, then reappeared. When he came back, his stomach was noticeably fuller, and his spirit seemed much more vibrant. His cheeks were flushed, as though he had been given a burst of energy.
"Maria."
"Wake up, big brother is taking you to pick mountain fruits."
Upon hearing that Zhao Lun was taking her to gather fruits, Maria immediately got up, excited.
"Here, drink this water and you'll feel better."
One cup contained emerald-colored water, while a small bowl held crystal-clear, blue liquid.
Maria, feeling thirsty, took the cup without hesitation and drank deeply.
"Wow, this is so sweet, so delicious! Is this a drink?"
"I want more!"
The water from the divine kingdom's spring was so sweet it could easily be mistaken for the finest beverage in the world. A single sip made one crave more.
After finishing one cup, without needing further encouragement, Maria reached for more. Zhao Lun handed her the small bowl, allowing her to drink it as well. The fruit was indeed extraordinary—not only did it taste amazing, but it also had powerful effects. After drinking, Maria's lethargy lifted, and she radiated newfound vitality. Her face glowed with health, and there was a light in her eyes that suggested a deeper energy.
"Is this water a drink?"
"Maria wants more."
Maria burped contentedly, looking at Zhao Lun with pleading eyes for more.
"Alright, no more for now, or you'll get too full. Come on, big brother will take you to pick mountain fruits, and you can have more when we return."
Zhao Lun smiled inwardly, although he held back from laughing out loud. Children, when they found something they liked, often couldn't stop consuming it. Without someone to rein them in, they might very well end up making themselves sick. Though Maria had seen her share of hardships, she still couldn't escape her childlike nature.
"Okay, okay."
"Maria has been wanting to go for a long time."
Zhao Lun had promised Maria that they would pick mountain fruits long ago, but then he had been knocked unconscious after a beating. After his arrival in this new world, food had been a pressing concern, and they had both forgotten about the promise.
The mountain was about a thousand meters away from their current location, not far at all, and easy to find. It was a beautiful day, and they had plenty of time, so it took them nearly half an hour to reach their destination.
The small hill was not very large, covering about two thousand square meters, and at its base, a small depression made it look as if the mountain had been cleaved in two. The area was rugged, filled with scattered rocks, and a narrow path, overgrown with weeds, wound through it. The place was dominated by thick, wild grasses, and the fruit trees, which had been transplanted long ago, had long been neglected, resulting in a wild, untamed state.
A long time ago, people had even thrown animal carcasses and household waste into the area. Though no one did so anymore, the place had become even more desolate over time.
As winter approached, the leaves of the fruit trees had fallen in droves, and the remaining fruits were few and far between, often pecked apart by birds.
Upon seeing the state of the place, Zhao Lun's enthusiasm for searching quickly waned.
"Wow, there are fruits here too!"
"Big brother, here, here, and over here!"
Maria cheered as she pointed at the few remaining fruits on the trees.
Zhao Lun followed her lead, tapping the fruit with his jujube wood stick, dislodging them from the branches. Maria eagerly collected them beneath the tree, and the two worked in perfect harmony. When the stick couldn't reach, Zhao Lun would pick up stones and throw them with uncanny precision, hitting the targets over eighty percent of the time.
The fruits, however, were rotten, and even the ones that remained were not fit for consumption.
Maria didn't mind, however, continuing to gather them, stuffing them into her little bag. Every so often, she would wipe off the trees, picking the cleanest spots to sample the fruit. The sour taste would make her grimace, but she was undeterred, joyfully tasting it again and again.
"Big brother, here!"
Once discovered, she offered Zhao Lun some of the fruit. He took a bite, but the sourness made his mouth pucker immediately.
"Maria, don't eat any more for now. We'll clean them when we get back and let them dry before eating them."
Despite the fruit's poor state, it was perfect for drying. Once dried, it could be turned into a delightful treat.
The two spent about half an hour there before finally heading back. The journey back was slower, and they didn't return until after dark. Upon reaching the straw hut, they found an unexpected guest waiting for them.
"Ghost House! He actually came." Zhao Lun was taken aback.
"Big brother, there's something over there."
"It looks like a person, but they look so strange."
To his surprise, Maria could also see the ghost. She wasn't scared and, in fact, seemed curious. She approached the apparition and reached out, her hand passing right through him.
"Eh? What a strange feeling."
Zhao Lun: "..."
Ghost House: "..."
The night was dark, the stars twinkling faintly in the sky. The fire crackled beside the hut, the flames dancing merrily as the scent of the simmering stew filled the air.
By the fire, the two children ate their meal, while the ghost looked on, occasionally muttering in regret. He hadn't eaten in a long time and could no longer smell food, but he rambled on nonetheless.
Once the meal was finished, Zhao Lun remained by the fire, listening to the ghost's words while Maria, exhausted, fell asleep in his arms.
"I'm leaving. I won't return."
"Thank you..."
"Thank you, and don't forget the gift I left you."
Ghost House wiped his eyes as he said his goodbyes, but despite his efforts, Zhao Lun couldn't see any tears.
"Won't return? Where are you going?"
"To where I belong, maybe to the God of Death, or to heaven. Can I go to heaven?"
"...In the end, who knows?"
With a final glance at the world, Ghost House vanished into thin air.
"Can I go to heaven?"
Only this final question lingered in the air as his presence faded away.