Endless Debt

After learning that the Secret War was a complete hoax, Nathaniel stopped meeting the public.

until today.

Nethanil's appearance was much worse than before. His decent clothes were no longer good, and his whole person was scrawled, as if he had aged many years.

The emotion of sadness lingered in his mind. Every time he thought about everything about the Secret War, he would feel an inexplicable sense of betrayal. But when he really raised his sword for revenge, he didn't know where to swing it.

Confused and confused, like a ghost who doesn't know where to go.

"Everyone has said this many times, Deputy Director Nethanil."

The roaring sound sounded from the darkness. The people did not use any virtual images to face Nethaniel, and moved their real and ugly postures out of the darkness.

"After a vote by the successive directors, everyone decided to deliver Xilin's body to the King's Secret Sword."

A judgment-like voice sounded, and Nathaniel clenched his fists involuntarily.

The crowd is like a huge mountain of flesh. From a distance, it looks like a mountain in a nightmare. The flesh was twisted and misshapen, seemingly pieced together from fragments of various animals and human bodies.

The surface of Roshan is inlaid with countless masks. Each mask has a different expression, from a gentle smile to a ruthless expression, and there are also some creepy and ferocious expressions. These masks seem to be constantly changing. , showing their shocking magic power in a serious way.

It seems to have no real head and limbs, and its surface is covered with dark mechanical cables. The cables extend from the inside outwards, penetrating the monster's biological flesh. Along with the beating of the heart and the circulation of blood, the cables are like vines. Control every part of the monster tightly and keep squirming.

"No……"

Nathaniel was unwilling to accept this reality. He felt that not only had he been betrayed, but that everything he had given had also become a joke due to the decisions of others.

"How could you do this!"

Nethaniel said loudly that Xilin's body was their trophy, a miserable trophy. If he wanted to stop the determination of the others, he could only do it here, at this moment.

Since the birth of the One, it has been under absolutely strict protection, and no one has ever been able to harm it.

Nethaniel glared at everyone. This monster seemed to be the nightmare of the creator, born in the darkness. It constantly devoured everything around it, turning everything covered by it into a part of itself.

"Deputy Director Nethanil, you are a little out of control. Everyone advises you to stay rational."

"reason?"

Nathaniel seemed to have heard a joke, "In the Secret War, so many people died just because of such inexplicable things..."

"Any attack against the public will be considered treason."

The voices of the crowd were still cold, "According to the guidelines established by the first generation director, the crowd will be given the power to fight back."

A rumbling sound resounded from the body of the crowd, and Nesanil felt the temperature rise suddenly, as if a volcanic furnace was erupting in the body of the crowd.

The darkness dissipated, and more huge bodies came into Nethanil's eyes.

Nathaniel suddenly had an inexplicable idea that he might not be able to win against the others.

Anger grew stronger.

"You say I'm a betrayer, then who are you?" Nathaniel couldn't figure it out. "The secret war, and what's happening now, are these the best solutions derived from some bullshit exhaustive method!"

"You are the betrayer! All!"

Everyone was silent for a moment, the roar in its body weakened, and the rising temperature also stopped.

"They want to tell a story, a very short story."

The crowd said as they hid in the darkness again. Nethaniel could not see it at all, but then he heard clear footsteps, and a strange and familiar figure walked out of the darkness.

He was a taciturn man. He looked a little thin, but his muscles were tight and had an indescribable strength. His shallow wrinkles were tightly knitted and polished by the years.

The clothes are simple, not fashionable but sharp. A casual black robe is draped on him, almost blending into the darkness. The only decoration is a delicate brooch made of ruby. The ruby ​​emits crystal clear light. Shining with its unique brilliance.

Nathaniel remembered this man. In his life, this was the second time he saw this man. The last time he saw him was at the appointment ceremony of his deputy director.

The two met only a few times, but Naisaniel was not a stranger to this man. His name had already been engraved in Naisaniel's soul. Everything the Bureau of Order was doing was based on the land he had consolidated.

"Director Albert."

Nathaniel knew clearly that it was an illusory shadow constructed by everyone, but he still lowered his head slightly to show respect for this legendary existence.

"It's been so long, Nathaniel."

Albert was smiling, and his frowning brows showed deep thoughts. Even if it was just a phantom, he stood in front of Nathaniel, still as indestructible as an ancient castle.

"I wonder why this is..."

Nathaniel was in great pain, "My friends, the people I love, they thought they died for honor, but now it seems that they are just ridiculous lies."

Albert's expression did not change at all. His temperament was deep and intriguing, as if there was an unknown power lurking in the depths, which made people involuntarily awe.

"You know the history of the Alfred family. Like the Clerks family, we also made great contributions in the Dawn War that defeated the Eternal Night Empire."

"What does this have to do with all this?"

"Listen to me, Nathaniel, listen to me."

Nathaniel is like a believer seeking salvation, and Albert is the priest who listens to his confession. His expression is arrogant and calm, and he looks at the things in front of him thoughtfully.

Even if he is just a phantom.

He is like an ancient and mysterious legend, standing in the long river of time, feeling the baptism of time, but still sticking to his beliefs and dogma in the wind and rain until the last second.

“The hatred between the Alfredo family and the Evernight Empire existed long before the Dawn War. At that time, my family was fragile and my ancestors were hiding to avoid conflict with the Evernight Empire.

But there is one person among them who is arrogant and thinks very highly of himself. He is so arrogant that he spurns others for their retreat and scolds their cowardice. If no one stands up, he will fight against the Eternal Night Empire by himself. .

For this reason, he raised an army. He thought he could defeat the Eternal Night Empire... even if he captured a province, but when they conquered the first city, their entire army was wiped out.

The Eternal Night Empire was far more powerful than he imagined. All his friends were dead, but he survived alone. He realized his weakness and hid back in his family, living peacefully and never talking about destruction. The words of the Eternal Night Empire. "

Albert asked, "Do you think his life is a joke? Does everything he does have meaning?"

Nathaniel didn't answer, but his eyes said it all.

Albert then asked, "So... Nathaniel, do you think what you did in Secret War was a joke? Does it have any meaning?"

Nathaniel was stunned for a moment. He noticed the ridicule in Albert's words. This bastard was ravaging his blood and pain.

Albert ignored Nathaniel's reaction and continued, "If the story ends here, it is indeed a complete joke, a sad joke."

"But his story is not over."

Albert approached Nathaniel and put his hands on his shoulders. It was obviously just an illusory shadow, but Nathaniel felt full weight from his shoulders, as if he was holding up a mountain.

"To be precise, the story of Alfred's family and the stories of mortals are not over.

His life, which was like a joke, was not meaningless. After his death, his son, his grandson, and one of his countless generations of descendants heard his story, and other people in the family , when he saw him as a joke, that person was instead inspired by him and the stories of his ancestors. "

Albert said softly, "That man was my grandfather. Later, during the Dawn War a hundred years ago, he exposed the Night Clan to the sun, and the torture lasted for seven days and seven nights."

Nathaniel felt his heart stop for a moment.

"My grandfather inspired me again, and I established the Bureau of Order, and in the long years after my death, I continued to survive in this weird way."

Albert held Nathaniel's face pitifully and declared.

"Nathaniel, the sacrifices of you, your friends, and everyone are not a joke. Just like the gently flapping wings of a butterfly, your achievements will eventually lead to great achievements, but it is too far away, so far away that none of you can see it. It’s impossible and impossible to predict.”

Nathaniel fell into absolute silence. At this moment, the concept of time seemed to be blurred. In the short moment of thinking, it seemed that thousands of years had passed.

"Blind, even paranoid trust," Nathaniel said quietly, "This is Regulation 1."

"You will know the answer to everything...after you die, after your brain and your thoughts join us."

Albert asked, "Do you still have any questions?"

"She...does she know that all this is a lie?" Nathaniel burst into tears. "Does she know that this ridiculous sacrifice is just for victory someday in the distant future?"

"I know," a cold voice sounded in the darkness, "My only regret is that I didn't say goodbye to you in person, which makes me feel very guilty."

The woman walked out of the darkness, her slender figure showing wonderful curves and elegant posture, her skin as white as ivory, clean and flawless, as if it was about to emit a shimmer.

A long white dress slowly hangs down the body, made of fine and soft silk. The dress is gorgeous but not luxurious, exuding an aura of nobility and elegance.

She appeared in the most familiar and perfect posture in Nathaniel's memory.

Nathaniel looked at her, even if it was just a phantom, it calmed all the restlessness in his heart.

"Yo, Nathaniel."

Seeing Nathaniel's appearance, the woman couldn't help laughing, "Even now, I can't believe that such an unruly guy like you could be tamed by me."

Those are a pair of beautiful and deep eyes that make people unable to bear to look away. The soft light shines in her pupils, revealing wisdom and calmness, as if no worries can disturb her inner peace.

"You don't need to tame me," Nathaniel walked towards her, "I took the initiative to surrender to you."

The woman's temperament is noble and gentle, with compassion and courage intertwined in it, making people involuntarily approach her. This is how Nathaniel was attracted to her in the first place.

She is Nethaniel's muse. Every movement she makes is a beating note, performing a movement of life, making Nethaniel completely immersed in it.

"I'm also sorry. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you how important you are to me."

Even though Nathaniel is a Glorious One and the deputy director of the Bureau of Order, sometimes he still feels that the ideal of all mankind is still too heavy for him.

Nathaniel said softly, "But if this is your wish..."

If only for an illusory last wish.

The woman smiled and said nothing, and Nathaniel said nothing.

Time passed silently, and Albert watched all this, until Nathaniel broke the silence.

He looked at the woman reluctantly, then looked at Albert with cold eyes, and whispered, "Regulation 1."

"Regulation 1." Albert nodded in response.

Nathaniel disappeared into the darkness and left the Upside Down Hall.

"Does this count as me convincing him?" Albert said to himself.

"No, he just lacks a pillar. Those things that supported him have been burned clean under the flame of truth. The reason why he is like that is that he is in urgent need of another pillar."

The woman said, "Such as my wish."

"Is he so easy to control?" Albert was puzzled.

"He just loves me so much that even a phantom would comfort him."

"Phantom?"

Albert raised his illusory palm. He and the woman were just virtual personalities constructed by others. The so-called self-awareness was also simulated based on data.

They were once real, but now they are phantoms.

Albert thought to himself in his heart, "At least our will is still true."

Something was coming, and the conversation between the two stopped involuntarily.

Invisible dark power pervades.

The air was filled with the smell of blood and decay, and accompanied by the deep and terrifying sound of rushing water, the bodies of weak animals and unknown creatures were pushed onto the shore.

The two heard the wild screams and moans of the animals.

he came.

Wearing a bloated and bulky diving suit, we arrived on the black tide.

"Long time no see, Albert."

When the astronaut saw Albert, he signaled to him, looked at the woman, and praised, "Thank you for your sacrifice, madam, otherwise I would never have been able to think of a way to deceive my blood relative."

The woman saluted the astronaut, "Everything is for the 'new future'."

When Belphegor was restrained by the Bureau of Order, he also restrained the Bureau of Order. Belphegor had always been full of doubts about the decision-making room, until he corrupted women in his self-righteousness, but he never thought that the secret war was a A lie that deceives everyone.

"Did he believe it?" Albert asked.

"He believed it," the astronaut said.

Woman is Belphegor's chosen one, an extended wetware that operates independently of the others. She is completely isolated from the others at the soul level, and physically, she is completely wrapped and blocked by the others.

The woman's self-awareness has also completely disappeared, and now the dialogue with the astronaut is only a simulation of others. In other words, Belphegor's chosen one is now just a living corpse.

Belphegor gained no useful information other than the perception that his chosen one was at the heart of the decision-making room.

that's enough.

Although the astronaut formed an alliance with Belphegor, he knew that his blood relatives were suspicious and an airtight wall would only make him feel uneasy. The astronaut needed to let Belphegor know something, some words that would make him feel at ease.

"What about the rest?"

"Under Mammon's publicity, I think they all believed it," the astronaut said. "They all thought that I would continue with King Solomon's plan to open up a new world and win the crown of the devil's king."

He continued to laugh, "The plan went very smoothly, and Boluogo did a great job. He attracted everyone's attention."

"No one can imagine the connection between me and you, and everyone is equally convinced of the identity of Bologo's chosen one...even Bologo himself."

The astronaut took a deep breath. Even as a devil, he couldn't help but feel excited about what happened next.

"let's start."

The darkness swallowed everything, Albert and the woman disappeared, only the others were running silently in the darkness.

The astronaut left the upside-down hall. When he appeared again, he was in the void, on the desolate land, with moon dust flying. This time, he did not stare at the stars, but at the earth under his feet.

…

Aimu is sitting in a high-speed armed train. According to her position, she is just an accompanying researcher responsible for cargo safety. Aimu often does this kind of thing, but today, this job that should be taken for granted has made She maintained a high level of tension.

Not only Amu was nervous, but also Balder was traveling with her. After leaving the sublimation furnace core, Baldr no longer wore the heavy protective clothing, replaced by an alchemical armor full of sharp edges, which made him From a researcher, he turned into an ancient knight.

The chilling atmosphere was concentrated at the other end of the carriage. Not only were they fully armed, but also Mamo, who came from the Hall of Scholars and was a Glory One.

As alchemists and researchers, they rarely leave the protection of the Kenshi. Mamo can no longer remember the last time he saw the sky.

Mamo had also thought about what kind of moment it would be when he walked out of his den again, but no matter how he guessed, he never imagined that he would leave his lair for such a reason.

"Don't be too nervous, everyone, we are just delivering goods."

Mamo spoke, trying to make the others relax. Their nervousness almost filled the carriage.

"Is it just a delivery?" Badr said helplessly, "Even you sent out...a Glorious One to personally escort it?"

Badr had already guessed what he was escorting.

"Well, to be precise, we are just technicians accompanying us, responsible for responding to various technical emergencies," Mamo said. "The real escort is someone else."

Badr asked, "Who is it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Badr heard a burst of noise, like strong winds surging and colliding with each other in the closed tunnel.

Something was approaching. He caught up with the subway train at an unimaginable speed, and there was a low metallic sound.

The surroundings were quiet for a moment, and the closed carriage door opened. Badr seemed to hear the low roar of a lion. In a strange hallucination, he saw a lion walking into the carriage.

Blinking, it was not a lion, but a tall figure wearing a lion's head mask.

The lion's head mask looks very old. The metal surface is mottled and rusty. The mane stretches like flowing clouds. The gaps are filled with brown rust, losing the luster of the metal. But with the surge of power, , the power of ether shines with flowing light, like bolts of lightning jumping on the surface of the mask.

"Nai...Deputy Director Naisanil?" Balder couldn't believe it.

The last time he had seen this mask was during the Secret Wars, when he was just a child, and now he saw it again.

When a field worker puts on a mask, Badr knows what it means.

Looking at the iron coffin-like cargo placed in the carriage, Badr determined what exactly it contained. Then he realized that the Bureau of Order had agreed to negotiate for the King's Secret Sword.

"I want to check the goods." Nathaniel said.

Mamo nodded, then he raised his hand, and the power of the ether expanded.

As if under command, the iron coffin's smooth metal surface cracked into countless cracks. They gradually moved and cracked, and golden light flowed out from the cracks.

Aimu couldn't help but hold his breath... Everyone held their breath, like a pilgrim, staring at the god-like corpse in the iron coffin.

With his limbs curled up, he was obviously a corpse, but he showed the power and mystery of natural beauty. His beautiful muscle structure created an admirable body. Even though he had been soaked in the solution for many years, his skin was still perfect. In one sentence The academic term to describe it is that it is carefully ground and has a very tight texture.

Regardless of whether they are men or women, when facing him, they can't help but guess that he is the masterpiece of the Creator.

Each musculature is exquisite to the extreme, comparable to the body in marble sculpture, and the lines are elegantly interlaced, revealing the snake-like strength and flexibility of the posture.

Even though it was sealed in a container, even though it was a corpse that had been dead for many years, everyone who saw him could not help but have a strange illusion.

He didn't seem to be dead, just sleeping.

The intricate lines of the alchemical matrix are all over his body, building a grand blueprint that is reminiscent of the murals, stained glass, and scrolls of the old era. These lights seem to be radiating continuously from every nook and cranny of his body. Forming a gorgeous and mysterious halo.

Aimu realized an inexplicable sense of irony. He was so perfect, like a dead god, but when he was alive, he was the tyrannical overlord.

"Xilin..."

Aimu whispered the name of the corpse, a man who indirectly affected the beginning of Aimu's destiny.