To the south of Talco City lay a standard manor estate; its tranquil atmosphere, compared to the clamor of the refugees along the other streets, exuded a noble air that was not to be profaned, like an ancient art treasure.
Inside the manor’s reception room, whose walls were lined with bookshelves, Sexerrani of Haili, in his sixties, was conversing in low tones with a young guest seated on a brown leather sofa. Suddenly, the telephone on the wall by the bookcase rang.
The personal attendant by the door answered the phone, acknowledged the caller with a ‘yes,’ and then walked over briskly to report: “Your Excellency Viceroy Sexerrani. It’s a call from Squire Lei Ruisse. He says there’s an urgent matter to report to you. “
“One moment, please, Mr. Jena Gois. “
“It’s quite alright. ” The young man watched as the supreme decision-maker of the Haili family walked towards the corner of the reception room with a gentlemanly grace.
Jena Gois’s gaze fell upon the decorations around the room. Every unassuming item in this space seemed to be an antique brimming with stories. For instance, there was the family crest carved on a silver crescent moon, its outer arc supporting a black heron, a mythical beast said to appear only on the rarest of crescents—which held a more permanent nature. This particular crest was commissioned and carved by the royal craftsmen of the time, granted alongside the title of the first Viceroy of the first honors.
Jena Gois’s gaze paused slightly when it fell upon a painting that had been everywhere in the streets and lanes not long ago. And the young man depicted in the painting might as well not even have existed in reality.
Hanging in a place like this, Jinna Guwas couldn’t help but get up, clasp his hands behind his back, and walk over to take a closer look at another distorted portrait of Hong Haocheng.
Suddenly, he heard the somewhat excited inquiry of the older man beside him.
The young man turned his head to look.
This Senator of the Elders who inherited the honorary Viceroy of the Haili family wouldn’t normally show such emotion, unless something was happening on the other end of the phone.
What could it be?
He couldn’t help but speculate.
Could it be related to Lieutenant General Ross?
“Are you serious? They will come again, in half an hour at most? “
Hearing this, Jinna Guwas pouted, turned around in front of the oil painting, and started studying the books on the shelves. In his mind, however, he thought of the new generation girl from the other family. Just because she had served as a deputy officer to Major General Ross, she had recently leaped to become a core figure in the new headquarters.
He sighed, sometimes luck is more important than ability.
He wondered when he could break new glory for his family in this nation. Now, the power in his own family was being forcibly controlled by the emergency command authority of the new headquarters.
“You’ve done well, Reiser. Make sure to assist him in handling tonight’s affairs properly. “
In the corner, Helis Lannysni holding the phone, smiled a smile that exuded emotion.
The recent sudden developments in the kingdom had made all noble families feel their power and influence being steadily eroded by the outstretched hands of the military and political officials. Even some good news did little to ease their growing concern for the future.
But at this moment, he never expected to receive such monumental news.
— “Your Excellency the Viceroy, the most urgent thing we need right now is a place to house at least two thousand people, and the corresponding supplies to follow. “
“I should be able to start mobilizing supplies on my end right away and sustain them for a while. But for the long term…, ” the family head’s gaze took on a hint of scrutiny.
That hero of Fog Town, who had once saved Lieutenant General Ross and thousands of people at the Central Dispatch Station, had started a new round of rescue operations tonight. He had to help out no matter what—be it for the hero of Fog Town or for the family’s future.
— “…Mr. Bubak just mentioned that he has hundreds of thousands of Grand Duchy Silver Coins to purchase supplies. “
“So much? ” Hailis Sedrina eyed the figure thoughtfully. “Then just a moment—let me quickly come up with a plan. “
With that, he hung up the phone and turned toward the younger man. “Mr. Jeanat, there’s something urgent I need to ask you. “
“What is it? ” Jenna Goas hadn’t expected this call to involve him.
“We need a place to accommodate about two thousand refugees, along with food, drinking water, and sanitary—latrines and such. We’ll figure out the other supplies too. “
“Two thousand people? Why so many all of a sudden? Weren’t they registered and allocated by the general command? “
Surmatau Hyldrisülan, his wavy hair parted, met the young man’s gaze with the utmost gravity and said,
“Indeed, for these are the people Lord Fogfellow means to send along with his Science Demon’s midnight train. “
“What?! ” Jenna Goas gasped, nearly recoiling a step.
“You… you and that hero… have been in such deep collaboration? “
Realizing he had misspoken, the young man quickly pivoted, turning his query into a light compliment.
His mind raced in an instant.
Matters concerning territorial planning had been largely stripped away by the central command’s unified authority. Although the work still passed through their hands, they no longer held the absolute say they once wielded.
That famous hero was attracting investments from several nations. While the specific form of the Fogfolk’s investment remained unclear, it was certainly something that would draw media and international scrutiny regardless of what was undertaken.
And now, right here in his own country, under his very nose, the man was stirring up a new, grand, sensational affair! Most crucially… he had found out about it!
And a single word from his mouth might allow him to step in immediately!
Young Jenna Goas felt as if, that very night, he had brushed against and overlapped, for a single second, with the pointer of some Glorious-Timed-Meter.
No! It couldn’t be just two thousand people!
“Twenty thousand! “
The decision was made on the spot.
“What did you say? ” Surmatau Hyldrisülan was visibly taken aback by the young man’s outburst.
Jenna Goas himself didn’t know how he dared to make such a resolve.
Yet his mind, emptied by the impulse, was instantly filled by his own confidence.
“Two thousand is the minimum. I am confident that we will accept whatever he sends. Even if there are a hundred thousand refugees, my Goas family will not shirk its duty. “
“This… ” Haili Sillany looked at the young man before him, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. “Very well. “
Even the personal attendant who had gone back to stand by the phone cast an admiring gaze over.
“Facing the crisis of the end of the world, being able to save these lives is a blessing for our family. This has nothing to do with any benefits. “
Jenna Goas had clarified her thoughts. Even if this could indeed bring great prestige to the family, saving people was truly the top priority.
The Viceroy nodded in approval, thought for two seconds, then looked up again and said, “What if there are more? “
……
The phone was re-dialed.
Misstletail, the steward of Liris Manor’s news phone station beside the new villa, wondered if he had heard wrong.
“What? Two thousand? Really, Mr. Viceroy? Ah… even if it’s two hundred… thousand… we’re taking all of them? “
He was now stunned by the news from the other end, his head buzzing.
Three hundred active children in the yard were already making him feel like he had lost control, and now he was being told it would be two hundred thousand.
The steward turned to look outside at Hua Mi, who was tilting her head to look back at him, and swallowed hard:
“Dear Miss, we will be able to provide you with enough space to accommodate two hundred thousand refugees. “
The entire Haili family immediately swung into action.
……
White Violet City was desolate, its people hurrying with heads lowered under the threat of weapons from patrol vehicles that occasionally sped through the streets.
“We need passage! “
Shouts of defiance rose in the distance, but were quickly suppressed.
“No rioting! ” The convoy squads acted like firefighters, rushing to extinguish agitators everywhere.
The angry populace believed that if not for the fear that people’s deaths might awaken the demons below, someone would definitely have lost their life right then.
But no sooner had the commotion in this street died down than voices erupted from a block or two away:
“We need food! We need a response plan! “
The weary soldiers hurried over to disperse the gathered residents, who, after days of nothing but howling, now wore only blank expressions.
As soon as they finished dealing with one group, another round of cries arose from afar, as if coordinated in advance.
“We want to live! “
“We want passage to the south! “
Voices were popping up sporadically all over the city—now here, now there.
“Every family should get a share! Ordinary people also have the right to survive! “
“Stop the racket! Keep it up and… and we still can’t help it! Everyone, just show some decency! ” A soldier, wearing a cap, jumped onto the hood of a truck by the square. Clutching a bullhorn, he nearly shouted himself hoarse: “Everyone, go home… “
He didn’t know what else to say.
The crowd gathered around the square stared back in silent, wooden-faced stillness.
People dared not stay at home, wandering the streets like wandering spirits, aimlessly going back and forth, thinking that if they happened to come across a departing group, a fleeting quota opening, or a secret way to survive, then they might be the first to hear the news outside.
They acted like intelligence agents for themselves and their families, keeping watch on the street corners for any faint glimmer of hope that might appear.
Sergeant Ruber on the engine hood sat down silently. “I want to live, too, ” he murmured, then suddenly looked up at the sky with an odd feeling.
Against the clear, starry sky, a full moon hung high.
What a beautiful night.
Nothing strange about it, right? But… it felt as though a certain gaze was falling upon them.
“If only some councilor could see this suffering, ” he muttered to himself, then chuckled at the sound of his own voice.
The councilors of the Imperial Council… by now, they were probably already gathered in that small area sliced apart by seawater tributaries in the southwest, weren’t they.
Suddenly, he heard an illusory sound of wind, as if it were rising from the bottom of his heart.
{_Woo—— _}
Ron Ruber looked up hesitantly. He glanced left and right, noticing that even the people around the square seemed to be growing restless. Under the makeshift suspension lights, these residents also searched around in bewilderment.
“What’s that sound? “
“You heard it too? So strange, what’s going on. “
“Something is approaching. “
“Woo——! “
Everyone immediately opened their eyes wide; the ethereal voice had actually sounded in reality.
Bang! A gale swept through. The dreadful monster, wrapped in a dark shadow, abruptly surged out from the dark void, hovering about a meter off the ground.
The townsfolk panicked and clamored as they retreated.
The waiting truck’s engine roared to life, the gun on it having its safety flicked off, as Luber shouted sternly:
“All residents, evacuate separately! Warriors of the Third Regiment, follow me at once! “
“No need to evacuate. “
A voice emerged from beside the monstrous demon.
Several soldiers carrying guns faltered in their step, matching the truck’s forward advance.
“Who is that? “
“Someone who came out of the demon’s belly! “
The shocked townsfolk stared at the human figure.
……
These people did not recognize him. Yang Zicang saw many still screaming and fleeing outward.
The truck did not hesitate in its rush forward, and the Demon Train also shifted its gaze, curiously sizing things up.
Yang Zicang let out a light sigh. He looked at the two terrified people against the wall, a flash of silver surrounding his chest as his form turned into a blur of high-speed motion in bounding leaps, appearing before them as they numb to the bone clung to the wall in fright.
“Borrow your hat. “
The eighteen- or nineteen-year-old boy stared at the man in front of him, whose skin was even fairer than a girl’s, and reached to whisk the black military cap with velvet brim from his own head, placing it upon his own.
Then, the boy and the man beside him shifted their gaze from fear to confusion, and to a shock that bordered on disbelief.
“You are—! “
“It’s the Hero! “
The surrounding crowd erupted in shouts. The figure of the man in the hat had long been deeply engraved in the hearts of White Violet City’s people! Even those who disliked him had been forced to memorize him through the information-bombardment-like images on newspapers and parade posters.
Lung Luber, the man by the wall who had put on a hat identical to the Hero’s, was astonished.
“It really is the Hero! ” a soldier who had seen him before shouted.
“Is itourHero?! ” Without knowing why, Lung Luber looked up at the full moon on the dark horizon, then turned his gaze to the figure from the newspaper who was walking toward him.
……
“I want to take some people and leave for the safe zone in the south. It seems you are quite familiar with the situation here. Please, I ask for your help in selecting about a hundred people to be shortlisted across these two city blocks. “
“What did I just hear! “
“Is this true! “
The nearby residents were stirred up in an instant, trembling with excitement.
Gils, whose hat had been taken, shouted joyfully and rushed forward:
“Mr. Hero, are you going to save more of us somewhere else?! Can I come with you! “
Yang Zicang turned back and replied, “I need to find some friends who are important to me. You folks start picking your candidates here first. I’m sorry, but my capabilities are limited. Please don’t cause a riot, or you’ll forfeit your chance. “
The people, who were moved to tears, stopped in their tracks. Lung Luber watched with an indescribable feeling as “Yang Buchen ” jumped back onto the train, his figure dissolving into a shadow and blending into the wind as he faded into the distance.
And Yang Zicang, who just boarded the train, suddenly felt a gaze land on him.
On the train, Zhao Xuemei and Wang Zhi both looked up at once.
｛The second evaluation committee member is watching us.｝
After a few breaths, everyone exchanged glances, but there was no unusual follow-up.
…….
The train appeared in front of the newspaper office. As Yang Zicang and Xue Qi jumped off and saw the tightly closed doors of “Hirst Detective Agency, ” they were immediately recognized by the crowd gathered around.
Pretending to have just learned that Anxi and Jean Conrad were taken away by the Disaster Response Department staff, Yang Zicang put on a thoughtful air for a moment before saying to the newspaper people:
“Are the newspapers still printing now? “
“The situation is very chaotic right now, but since the public wants first-hand information, we’re basically still producing them according to demand. “
Yang Zicang glanced at a newspaper lying abandoned on the street corner. Its usual layout information such as volume and issue numbers was completely absent; it resembled a mere flyer for news, with not even the fonts properly typeset.
“Are you here, Hero, to pick up your friends? ” The people around him looked at him expectantly.
Having been subjected to such gazes repeatedly, Yang Zicang himself felt a pang of grief.
“Yes. Pick about thirty… no, forty people from among yourselves. I can take you to the safe zone in Hëvenconsult. “
A cheer erupted from the dozens of people around him.
The crowd immediately fell into a chaotic selection process.
Some who wanted to go home to call their children were now torn, fearing they would miss the opportunity if they left.
“Phew~ ” Yang Zicang leaned gently against the train.
Little Machao, besides the locomotive, currently has five more carriages, each of which can hold about three hundred people when completely full.
But this is the demon train and the air circulation system isn’t functioning properly—especially when it’s racing at high speed—so the occupancy can only be half that number.
About an hour and a half later, the train, which had already passed through three locations, reappeared on this circular square paved with brick-earth.
Many people tearfully watched their chosen family members board the Science Demon train, lined up under the order of the soldiers standing by the trucks.
After the last person boarded, the crowd surged forward, waving in a heart-wrenching farewell. Inside the packed carriages, people covered their mouths and wiped their faces as they bid goodbye to their loved ones outside.
Yang Zicang looked at the men on the trucks nearby and said,
“Two of you should come up, too. After we get there, remember to maintain your discipline and help everyone out. “
The few soldiers exchanged glances. Long Reber said to his men:
“You guys like playing cards, right? Pull out a deck and draw lots. The ones with the biggest cards will go. “
“This… ” they hesitated a moment, then, under the watchful eyes of those around, a boy whose skin was tanned from the sun pulled out a deck of cards from his pocket. Without even shuffling, he placed them on his hand, and each man drew one.
Long Reber looked glumly at the three of spades in his own hand.
The two selected soldiers climbed aboard.
The train slowly started to move.
Yang Zicang called out from the doorway: “Folks, I am searching for my friends. If you come across any of the honored heroes from the coastline at the awards ceremony, please bring them here. I will return. “
The train abruptly pulled out trailing afterimages and vanished.
……
Mountains, rivers, countless homes, roads, and the people of the city remained unaware as the ghostly train hurtled past with its passengers at high speed.
……
-｛Distributor May·Valkyrie logged a new marker for the glorious prelude I am gestating.｝
This time, as the train stopped, Hua Mi, still dizzy from the jolt, and the butler who had been waiting for quite a while, immediately rushed over.
“So many people. “
Yang Zicang and his two companions noticed that the courtyard had gained many people in work uniforms, who were distributing sheets to the children.
Moreover, someone in a brown uniform with a black leather belt around their waist was busy pulling telephone lines into the house.
“What’s this? “
“Mr. Yang! ” the butler couldn’t wait to say. “Our Haili family will fully support your actions tonight. “
“Thank you very much. ” Yang Zicang replied calmly. Behind him, Wang Zhi jumped down, curiously listening to that long-eared person speaking fluent Chinese.
“We are already preparing a long-term shelter capable of holding twenty thousand refugees. “
“What? ” Wang Zhi’s mouth fell open instantly, and Yang Zicang was also taken aback, “Twenty thousand people? “
Hua Mi nodded beside them, “That’s right, sister Haili’s family is very enthusiastic. “
A spry figure dashed from beside the pile of supplies under the eaves, a refreshing smile on his face as he said:
“Respected Mist-Man, our Haili family has already contacted the Goas family to see if they can secure an area large enough to shelter two hundred thousand people. “
Yang Zicang revealed an expression of utter bewilderment.
“Are you even listening to yourself? “
-｛Distributor April · Odyssey expresses “radiant firelight ” with overflowing passion.｝
-｛Distributor · Erin Februar wants to pre-order the glorious overture I am gestating.｝
Zhao Xuemei’s figure emerged from beside the continuously disembarking people at the entrance; a camera flash lit up in the yard with aclick.
Yang Zicang took a glance then turned back to look at the young man: “Did I get that right, two hundred thousand people? “
“Yes, that’s roughly the population of a small to medium-sized city, or about four or five large towns. “
The enthusiastic young man raised a hand, “Also, Mr. Hero. I am Haili Huikewen, currently a visiting instructor at the Royal College of Strategic and Staff Studies. “
“Two hundred thousand, eh? How long are we going to transport all these people? ” Wang Zhi muttered to himself on the side. Then a happy expression appeared on his face as he looked at the ornaments on himself.
Yang Zicang shook hands with Haili Huikewen; surely enough, a camera flash went off beside them at that moment.
He thought for a moment and said, “Twenty thousand—that’s a big number. If so many people suddenly appeared… “
“This indeed challenges our nerves. But in the face of the end-time catastrophe, Heiwen Zike is making every effort to contribute, and we big families are duty-bound to do the same. Moreover, twenty thousand people are nothing compared to the millions or even tens of millions that the command center often has to relocate.“
Indeed, Yang Zicang felt a loosening in his instinctive disbelief after being startled by the number.
As long as this help was genuine, it seemed the 200,000 people could actually be moved—but… the train had little time left to stay here.
“I understand that you, Mr. Wumin, also need personnel for detailed planning,” Haili Hui Kewen said proactively before him.
“If you are willing, I can help you with the selection. My team members have all been prepared within this hour.“
Yang Zicang did indeed see two trucks pull up and stop by the roadside outside the yard, one of which was setting up a tent, as if intending to turn the place into a small stronghold on the spot.
So fast.
He turned to look at Hua Mi and Zhao Xuemei. Hua Mi was still deep in thought, but surprisingly, the graceful, quiet woman crouching in the car nodded to him without any hesitation.
Yang Zicang’s pupils widened slightly, then his expression turned serious.
“Alright, 200,000 it is, then.“
｛Reviewer No. 2 has invested a retrace link point for us.｝
Zhao Xuemei instantly felt the looming anxiety of their imminent departure vanish, which she intuitively had sensed.
｛I have formed a provisional anchor for the new destiny trajectory right.｝
A voice of thought manifested in her heart.
Under this sound, Yang Zicang clearly perceived that the card he had already used, in the hat that had previously been imperceptible, had once again turned into a brand-new, unused state.
Just as he fought the urge to take out the hat to confirm, a new voice emerged.
｛Reviewer No. 2 has backtracked the lost carriage for the superstar.｝
The Demon Nightmare Train turned its head, and amidst the footsteps of the children retreating and running away beside it, it watched as the two carriages it had lost in its body now materialized semi-transparently from the air.
{Go ahead, I am waiting for you all to create new miracles. }
Yang Zicang looked up at the sky and gave an almost imperceptible nod.
“Let’s start right away. ” Haili Huikewen nodded joyfully to the steward beside him, then turned to Hua Mi and said:
“If I’m not mistaken, this lady should be the one who pinpointed this technological nightmarer… hmm, please follow us to the new venue shortly. “
“President Buchen, if that’s the case, do we still need additional hands? ” Hua Mi asked. “How about we call everyone out? Including Uncle Dereiano and Brother Zorro. “
“Indeed, we do. Please help call them out. I need to go over there now. “
Yang Zicang pulled Wang Zhi onto the train. Under the gaze of the evacuees from Herzshterzent Castle and the members of the Haili family scattered around the courtyard, the technological demon sped swiftly through the air, charging into the darkness.
……
Yang Zicang glanced at the dark night outside, then turned to Wang Zhi and said, “Since you came along on the train, did you feel anything special after arriving? “
“Did you hear about that investment related to the traceback just now? ” Zhao Xuemei asked from the side.
Wang Zhi nodded, “Ah, yes, I heard it. It’s amazing. I feel like I can stay here for another seven days again. As for that special feeling, other than a growing sense of inexplicable loneliness, like being isolated, everything else feels pretty normal. “
“Then it counts as ‘you came along’, ” Yang Zicang thought to himself.
“Do you have some kind of plan, Brother Zicang? ” Zhao Xuemei asked next to him.
“Is it about how to mobilize those two hundred thousand people? That’s indeed a catastrophic and challenging thing for us. ” Wang Zhi patted the subway wall, “Our big star is going to have his hands full. “
“It likes to run. “
{That’s right. }
After saying this, Yang Zicang looked up and said, “But relying on it alone really isn’t enough. Besides, even if it’s stronger now, it can still only come out at night. “
“Yeah, then we’d be transporting until who knows when. ” Wang Zhi lowered his head and rubbed his chin.
“Do you have some kind of plan? ” Zhao Xuemei looked at the expression on Yang Zicang’s face with surprise.
“Yeah, ” Yang Zicang nodded emphatically, looking at the dark, heavy land outside the train, “I do have one. Stop the train, Little Ma Chao. “
{I’m not little anymore. }
The train still came to a stop.
The two of them watched as Yang Zicang fell silent for a moment, then, as if performing a magic trick, he snapped his fingers and plucked an upside-down, deep black bucket hat out of the air. It looked just like a magician’s prop.
Zhao Xuemei watched curiously as he pulled out a deck of card-like cards from thin air, each bearing a mix of familiar and unfamiliar names.
“What do you plan to do? “
“I remember Little Machao mentioned… “
He quickly sorted through them until his finger finally paused.
Yang Zicang pulled one out: Ning Jiajia.
“So this is what brought me here… ” Zhao Xuemei tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze fixed on his hands.
“That’s right! ” Yang Zicang raised the card in his hand toward the pitch-black earth.
｛I, the Great Quadrilateral, begin my investment. Cross-fate destiny card: Ning Jiajia, 0.1R!｝
A beam of light spiraled out from the card, opening a portal-like doorframe of radiance in the darkness.
……
Cheng Yunze sat down at the dining table. Across from him, a gentle woman placed a bowl of soup on the table, then, as if afraid of the heat, rubbed her ears with her fingers.
“Is it that hot? ” Cheng Yunze asked.
“It’s fine. Little sis, come eat quickly. “
“This makes me look cuter, doesn’t it? ” Ning Jiajia suppressed a chuckle at this oblivious man.
“Alright, this dish is coming right up! ” Laughter echoed from the kitchen.
Suddenly, just as Ning Jiajia was about to sit down, she paused. Cheng Yunze looked up. “What’s wrong? “
Ning Jiajia turned to look at the empty air beside the table. The man opposite followed her gaze. A glowing door was slowly materializing.
He jumped to his feet. “Enemies! “
Among the clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen, the boys and girls rushed out in panic.
“Wait a moment, ” Ning Jiajia raised her hand to stop the chaos, speaking with uncertain doubt,
“I think it’s Yang Zicang looking for me. “
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