Super Righteous Player-Chapter 1253 - 285: What About Me?

"Me?"

Gerenz Nuha’s voice was deep and ancient, reminiscent of the sound of vibrating wing membranes: "Of course... I’ve come to witness all of this. That’s all."

"Witness?"

Annan chuckled.

He turned around and looked up at Gerenz Nuha.

The man was incredibly old.

His hair and beard were snow-white—not the pure, icy white of Annan and Maria after awakening Winter’s Heart, which carried a frigid and tundra-like aura. Instead, it was the fine white hair of old age, so delicate that one could faintly see the scalp through the roots.

He wore a white double-breasted trench coat and held nothing in his hands. His aged figure remained upright, and his thin white hair danced lightly in the wind, evoking the image of an old general.

Gerenz Nuha bore only a superficial resemblance to Grand Duke Ivan—perhaps five or six parts similar at most.

If the two stood side by side, one could discern their familial connection; however, without familiarity, it would be impossible to guess this elderly man hailed from the Winter lineage.

His pupils were not the icy blue commonly seen in the Winter family but rather dark golden vertical slits.

His face was lined with visible wrinkles, yet his skin appeared remarkably clean and fair.

Gerenz Nuha possessed a dissonant, contradictory aura—walking on the street, he would undoubtedly attract instant attention.

Annan questioned back, "Worshipping the Bone Duke, deceiving others into sacrificing loved ones; inciting Northern nobles to construct Curse Cellars and assassinate the Grand Duke; colluding with the Melvin family and others to launch rebellions, scheming for the Grand Duke’s title while attempting to grasp the power of the Great Calamity Curios... even intending to transform the entire Winter Duchy into a nation of the undead.

"And now, the Melvin family has been eradicated by me, completely wiped out."

His lips twisted into a faint smile: "Yet you claim—you’re just here to witness?"

Annan didn’t believe his nonsense for even a moment.

"I know as well, no one would believe it."

Gerenz Nuha spoke quietly: "But that is the truth.

"I have come to witness all of this—as always."

As he spoke, he took two steps forward.

Gerenz Nuha’s appearance seemed somewhat awkward—or rather, asymmetric.

Though he wore a pure white double-breasted long trench coat, his left arm did not emerge from the coat’s sleeve but rather remained tucked inside. Judging by the bulge, his left arm wasn’t missing; instead, it was positioned behind his back like that of a butler... or akin to an assassin hiding a dagger behind him.

Meanwhile, his right arm naturally dangled down without holding anything. A glimpse of his knuckles revealed calluses—a testament to his swordsmanship training before reaching the Silver rank.

Annan narrowed his eyes slightly, focusing his attention.

Although he could "see" that Gerenz Nuha’s hand behind his back was only lightly clenched into a fist, devoid of any weapon.

As the infamous betrayer of Winter, the mastermind behind multiple assassination attempts on Ivan and Annan, precautions could never be too excessive.

After all, Gerenz Nuha was a genuine Gold-rank Transcendent—and one of considerable age. In the world of the Transcendent, advanced age often translated to great power.

This principle held true even at the Gold rank, excluding the consideration of "remaining soul capacity."

From Gerenz Nuha, Annan even tasted a palpable aura of danger.

This signified that Gerenz Nuha posed a significant threat even to Annan, who now possessed the Heart of Justice.

"Do you know, Annan," Gerenz Nuha spoke in his deep voice, "this isn’t the first time I’ve met you.

"I saw you once when you were very young.

"Ivan brought me to meet you."

"...So what you’re saying," Annan curled his lips into a mocking smile, "you’re a mole? The perfect sixth man to sabotage opposition against Winter?"

"Indeed, my title as Winter has been revoked."

Gerenz Nuha showed no reaction to Annan’s words.

He spoke measuredly, "But it wasn’t because I worshipped the Bone Duke. It was because I sought to transform the citizens I swore to protect into materials.

"I imagine you’ve already guessed..."

"The Bone Duke’s ascension ritual, correct?"

"Correct."

Gerenz Nuha nodded silently: "I, like you, began as a Ritualist. From an early age, I delved into the Bone Duke’s rituals... and gradually uncovered his true history."

His dark golden pupils were as deep as an abyss: "Unlike you.

"From the outset, I didn’t think he was inherently wrong.

"In any nation unafraid of or even longing for death, taking their lives without their approval—this may be somewhat improper, but can it truly be considered betrayal?"

"Of course, it can."

Annan replied resolutely: "Betrayal is not a matter of degree or persistence. It divides into existence or non-existence; once or a hundred times are equally guilty because a single instance may have consequences more devastating than all others combined.

"Therefore, mortals cannot measure ’the weight of betrayal’ nor arrogate themselves to weigh it. Even the slightest betrayal carries the potential to spiral into utter despair over time, under the wings of a butterfly.

"And when that time arrives, however absurd it may be, the betrayer must bear responsibility for it..."

"Responsibility—"

Gerenz Nuha interrupted Annan’s words: "That’s it."

The old man asked in return, "Why—must humans shoulder responsibility?

"Are humans alive for others?"

"Humans must live for themselves. But they can also live for others; it’s entirely up to them."

Annan spoke softly: "Living for oneself is entirely correct. But don’t mock those who dedicate their lives to others."

Gerenz Nuha closed his eyes and lightly shook his head.

"Easier said than done."

He repeated: "To live for others is the second hardest thing in this world. Everything you do must be cautious, thinking of others—thinking of those foolish, shortsighted, cowardly mortals.

"If you can confirm and believe the final outcome is good, does the process truly matter?"

Gerenz Nuha spoke as he moved.

His right hand reached forward.

One by one, he slowly began undoing his coat’s buttons.

Meanwhile, he calmly said, "I know, I’ve already lost. Though I’ve done nothing wrong, it’s simply because someone else did better.

"This world, with the advent of the Charioteer, no longer needs me to keep it struggling alive. It can live upright, like a person—no longer a dog. This is good; this is naturally good."

After speaking, he undid every button of his coat.

Gerenz Nuha grabbed the left chest of the coat with his right hand, tore it off, and tossed it away.

Right then, a gust of wind blew by, lifting his coat high into the air.

"I sacrificed everything."

Gerenz Nuha whispered.

"Honor. Money. Power. Love. I have no home to return to... I’ve lost the most important thing: my [Name]. My most valued name.

"But I don’t regret it. Because I am the savior—because I’m the last possibility for this world, misunderstood by everyone.

"I’m not afraid to tell you. I can endure every gaze, work anywhere in any nation, and perform any job, all because I know the apocalypse will come, and only those who follow me will survive; those who disdain, reject, and cast me aside... in my new world, they hold no place.

"I am the eldest son! I would have become the Winter Grand Duke—I relinquished this noble title, endured a mundane, mediocre, monotonous existence to ’wait for the moment,’ all for something even greater!

"Yes, I’m indeed not a good person. But does that mean villains cannot save the world? To save the world, do I need to pass some Spell evaluation? Oh, you’re neither kind nor righteous, so please leave; we’re waiting for a better, more virtuous hero?

"I saved the world for fame and future power! My motives hold no reason for escape because, regardless, salvation is salvation!

"And so, I waited a full century—then you were born.

"Everyone who knows The Worm rejoiced for you. They realized the world was saved; they wouldn’t be abandoned here or converted into the undead... A plan far superior to the original emerged, paving the way for the old plan’s obsolescence."

As Gerenz Nuha narrated.

His appearance began to grow younger.

It was as if time reversed upon him—he gradually resembled a man in his early thirties.

His eyes burned with intensity. His demeanor exuded confidence.

Like a defiant mountain eagle.

"But Annan."

His left hand remained behind his back.

Gerenz Nuha raised his head, his gaze locked onto Annan, and asked, word by word: "You’re the new savior. You’re the Charioteer. You’re the heir of the Charioteer’s throne. You’re The Worm’s nemesis. You’re beloved by the world, and every True God stands by your side. Everyone loves you... I also think you’re a good child. Fifteen years old, vibrant, youthful, beautiful.

"...Then, what about me?

"Should I just die, is that it?"