Chapter 13 Chapter 13: There Is No Retreat Here
Chapter 13: There Is No Retreat Here
"Aiyo, my dear Miss Seele, you are completely wronging me here. No matter how lowly I, Sampo, am, I could never truly become a traitor to the Underworld, right?"
Given that the sharp scythe was still resting against his neck, Sampo very wisely chose to admit his mistake and instead gestured towards Kevin beside him: "You don't know, this one here is a distinguished guest from outside Belobog. Even that 'Supreme Guardian' has to bow and scrape to receive him."
"And not only that, his strength is absolutely terrifying. Forget about the Silvermane Guards; even traversing the Fragmentum alone is completely effortless for him!"
"He's someone who can be a great help to our Underworld!"
When Sampo starts boasting, he really doesn't bother with any draft. Of course, he hasn't personally witnessed those scenes; he's just saying whatever sounds impressive.
But luckily, this time he actually hit the nail on the head.
"Oh, really?"
These words successfully piqued Seele's interest somewhat. She hoisted the scythe back onto her shoulder and then scrutinized Kevin carefully, saying: "I don't know if there are any outsiders from beyond Belobog, but you said traversing the Fragmentum alone... is that true?"
"Well, you could say that."
Kevin hadn't expected at all that he would immediately encounter another 'acquaintance' in a certain sense just after stepping into the Underworld. He really wanted to know, even if the base of life expands to the boundless universe, there is indeed a not insignificant probability of two almost identical people appearing, but... could that probability really be this high, and they just happen to be encountered by him?
In the future, might he possibly meet other, even more 'familiar' comrades? Even though compared to them, he is actually just a complete stranger.
However, it's not bad to hope a little.
"Hah, I was just asking casually. I didn't expect you'd actually dare to agree?"
Seele, of course, had no idea that what Kevin was thinking about in his heart was something completely different. She just raised her scythe and spun it quickly once before slamming the handle tip hard into the ground, looking seriously at the other party.
"Well then, how about we make a bet? Natasha's clinic is urgently short of medical supplies. Since you say you're here to help, do you dare to come with me into the Fragmentum to find some?"
"If you have the guts to come, then I, Seele, will naturally respect you. But if you don't dare, then hurry up and crawl back to your comfortable Overworld."
Aiyo my little ancestor, please don't talk to this lord like that!
Listening to Seele's undisguised aggressive words, Sampo's whole heart was about to jump out of his throat. If this lord were dissatisfied in any way, his head might be twisted off and used as a baseball.
"As long as you don't hold me back." Kevin raised the baseball bat in his hand indifferently and replied.
Of course, he wasn't without temper either. Even though he clearly understood this hostility wasn't actually directed at him, it didn't stop him from teaching her a little lesson about how vast the world is.
Since she indeed sees herself as a warrior, then she should also understand what qualifies as a proper warrior.
Just like when he taught Kosma back in The MOTHs.
"You two, you two, don't be so hot-headed. We should prioritize harmony; harmony brings wealth..."
"Don't spout so much useless nonsense, Sampo. You're not needed here anymore. Go find somewhere cool to hang out!"
Seele waved her scythe and chased the approaching Sampo aside, then looked at Kevin and jerked her head: "The Fragmentum is this way. Try not to fall behind."
The two of them simply had no further interest in paying any more attention to Sampo. Watching their figures gradually recede into the distance, Sampo finally let out a sigh and revealed a satisfied smile: "Finally completed the task. That tired me out."
"I sincerely hope Belobog can overcome its difficulties and forge ahead. Otherwise, where else would I find such a good place?"
On the other side, seeing that Kevin following behind her had remained silent all along, Seele's lips moved slightly several times before she finally spoke up bluntly: "Although this is to test your courage, so you don't end up too pathetic, there are a few points I should explain."
"Most of the supplies we're looking for are in the orphanage in Rivet Town. Because the Fragmentum erosion came too suddenly back then, Natasha didn't have time to move many things out of the orphanage. That's why we have to risk going deep into the Fragmentum."
"Everyone knows the Fragmentum is dangerous, but there's no choice. If we don't get these medical supplies, many people in the clinic will suffer or die due to lack of effective treatment... Does saying this make someone like you, who seems uninterested in everything, show a little bit of interest?"
"I heard you're not even just from the Overworld, but from somewhere far beyond Belobog? I haven't read many books; I can't really grasp those concepts of distance. But for you, this so-called trip to Belobog is probably just an inconsequential game."
"Whether the people of this city ultimately achieve a perfect ending or completely perish under the erosion of monsters, for you it's probably just a matter of being happy for a while or sad for a while."
Seele turned around, her crimson eyes fixed on Kevin's indifferent expression: "Don't deny it. I can see what you're really thinking."
"However, none of that matters to me at all. You don't need to explain... As long as you can genuinely help us, what does any of that matter?"
Useless concern is worthless; an embrace harboring malice might yet resemble dawn.
———— ————
[You hesitated... didn't you?]
Cocolia stood in a dim space. Before her was a strange device that seemed to restrain starlight. In her mind, that tone resembling many overlapping voices echoed once more.
"......"
Silence filled the dim space.
[You have no way back anymore, do you?]
[The warriors who sacrificed themselves because of you do not understand you; the people of the Underworld see you as a tyrant... But this brief misunderstanding can be exchanged for eternal prosperity.]
[Even now, the choice remains in your hands. You understand that this planet will eventually return to silence and then be reborn.]
[The choice is yours... We respect it.]
"But didn't you say? That unknown outsider likely possesses power capable of easily reshaping the entire planet's state... As long as he is unwilling, my choice doesn't hold much real significance, does it?"
[......]
"You're saying other outsiders have arrived on this planet as well? They are also not to be underestimated?"
[......]
"Then... I understand. No need for you to say more."
"Of course I know these outsiders don't genuinely care about this planet or Belobog's future from their hearts."
Otherwise, these so-called friendly aliens should have come to help this planet seven hundred years ago.
From beginning to end, Cocolia had no other choice.
Even if there was more than one path laid out before her... But right or wrong, someone has to be the first to venture down one, doesn't she?
There is an illustration here; it can be viewed after updating the version.
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