"Later on, they'll meet new true loves."
"After people from the past have left, there will still be others coming towards you."
Albert understood Evelyn's feelings at this moment, and at this stage of his life, hearing such words, he should actually be happy.
But he refused.
"I'm not like them. My road is too long; I long for companions, yet I can't stop and wait for anyone."
Evelyn understood too, she masked her emotions with a smile:
"So, before you walk through that road... is there no one who can make you pause, even for a moment?"
Albert nodded firmly:
"Yes, no one."
Light sparkled in Evelyn's eyes as she gazed at Albert and asked:
"What if it's the girl you used to love?"
"For years, you've never hesitated to praise me during our meetings, but I know I've never been able to enter your heart or Old Jin's."
"I'm not a great charmer; at least the two men I admire don't seem to be very fond of me."
"Is it because... there's someone irreplaceable?"
Albert shook his head with a gentle smile:
"No, no, Evelyn, my goddess, of course, you are beautiful."
"I think if my deceased wife were still alive, she might feel inferior upon seeing you."
"She can't compare to you, but she made me realize this world is worth loving."
Albert ordered another drink and, after a long moment of silence, spoke:
"The only beautiful period in my life was brought by her."
"Her death made me single-mindedly seek revenge."
"And you know what, after all these years... I might not even love her anymore. Hahaha..."
Evelyn was slightly moved because it was clearly a truthful statement.
Albert laughed:
"Of course, I still remember her, and all the past, but after recalling for decades, everything has faded—faded lighter than water, lighter than air."
"Maybe it's my bastard father's genes? If she and you appeared before me and asked who would move me more, I guess I'd choose the prettier you."
"But you know... although love has faded away, those past memories no longer make my aging body feel any response—"
"Yet there is one thing that hasn't weakened at all; on the contrary, it gets more... more intense."
"Hatred."
Staring at the warm yellow liquid of the drink, Albert's eyes seemed to have flames:
"For sixty years, I have witnessed countless shattered families, countless people forced to climb towers helplessly. I am a husband whose heart broke in the church, but who in the group entering the Bunker isn't?"
"The Bunker indeed flourishes under Old Jin's leadership, but those destructions have never ceased. Even now, you can still often hear the wails from the lower classes."
"Yes, patch up life, find another after losing past lovers."
"But why do they have to die like this? Why do we all have to accept such fate?"
"My hatred is no longer the hatred of losing a wife and benefactor, but the hatred against the monsters that destroy this world I love."
"All the cries from the Bunker reinforce this hatred, and all our efforts also remind me not to forget this hatred."
"My life has only one purpose, to slaughter through the Slaughter Tower, then head to the Three-Tower Battlefield and kill all the apocalyptic monsters clean."
He said this with a smile, using a gentle tone, without the slightest sharpness.
Yet the meaning he expressed was so sharp.
Evelyn was stunned, and after a long time, she finally accepted this statement:
"I've been narrow-minded, Albert. It seems I should also start climbing the Desire Tower again?"
Albert became serious:
"Is that your wish? Evelyn, I need someone who can guide others as I guide Xun Hui."
"But I know, many years ago, you stopped involving yourself with the Desire Tower."
"If you can climb the Desire Tower again, I would be happy, but... you don't need to do something overly difficult as I do."
"No matter what, you are my friend, and I respect your choice."
Evelyn said:
"Let's just say... this is my reckless decision after being rejected."
She raised her glass, looking at Albert with a smile.
Albert clinked glasses in response:
"I'm curious why you were unwilling to climb the Desire Tower back then."
Evelyn sighed inwardly; this old man indeed... has eyes only for the Three Towers.
But she quickly gathered herself and started talking about the matter:
"It might involve Pisces."
"A child extremely skilled at playing with time... Hmm, I guess it's a child."
"The Destructive is her handiwork. After reaching the ninety-first floor, I encountered an organization that was very difficult for me to fight against."
"If I take down this organization, perhaps I can... eliminate the Destructive at its roots."
"But I don't dare to try, and I fear the disastrous outcome if I attempt wrongly."
"I admire you, Albert, for being able to defeat the zodiac directly, but for those of us with ordinary talents, they're still an unshakable presence."
"However, ultimately, you've given me the courage, and I want to give it a try."
At this moment, Evelyn truly made up her mind.
She really wanted Albert to stop, for everyone in the Bunker to live in a more gentle way, as safely as possible.
But Albert refused, and the reason for such refusal was even recognized by Evelyn herself.
Yes, why patch up, why can't life avoid being shattered?
So, she made a decision.
If unable to prevent those around her from leaving one by one...
Then she will join them, sharing the same courage to confront life at the risk of death.
If she succeeds, she can contribute to the Bunker.
If she fails... she'll at least have walked ahead of them, never worrying about losing them again.