486: Keep Hope 486: Keep Hope “You have already come into contact with them.”
Tesla’s words shifted Lu Li’s gaze away from the newspaper, but not in the way he had expected.
“The ‘Stellar Will’ that Old Mother obeys is the same as what’s in Tillage Garden,” Tesla said.
“This information comes from investigators across various regions; many Evil Gods have received this summons.”
“So, the Evil Gods serve as servants, are they that powerful then?”
Tillage Garden was still far from the Main Affinity Continent, but since Old Mother and other Evil Gods were summoned by the ‘Stellar Will,’ it indicated they wouldn’t linger there for too long.
All that we know for certain is that they embody a despair that makes us unable to even contemplate resistance.”
Tesla said this, but neither the government nor the Exorcist United Organization had yet abandoned this sliver of hope.
After quickly scanning the rest of the news, Lu Li folded the newspaper and pushed it back towards Tesla.
The Tillage Garden incident was horrifying to such an extent that there was no point for Lu Li to delve deeper into it.
It was as pointless as studying how many meteorites could destroy the world.
In a storm, any efforts by the Lone Boat in the Deep Sea were futile.
Tesla said, “A refuge has been completed on the Ailen Peninsula.
As an investigator, you are eligible to have your friends and family live there, if you need.”
“Is the refuge point safer than the Lennon Islands?”
“Nobody knows what the outcome will be before the real test arrives,” Tesla shook his head gently; he could not advise Lu Li, only inform him of the refuge’s purpose and let him decide for himself.
The completed refuge was located along the southern coastline of the Ailen Peninsula.
It boasted ample coal mines underground, along with water resources and food, but being underground meant it was far removed from the surface and light that people relied on for life—although clouds had shrouded the sky for months without dispersing.
The Lennon Islands were relatively developed, having an industrial base and a thriving fishing industry.
Aside from a marine climate worse than that of coastal towns, living there was not much different from living in Belfast.
But who knows when, the bizarre will come to visit.
As Lu Li pondered, a burst of noise came muffled from the neighboring carriage.
Tesla shifted his gaze, shadows flitted behind the carriage door, many passengers were moving around.
The waiter appeared behind the door, pushed it open, and entered the carriage; amidst the loud commotion, a maniacal shriek reached their ears.
“They’re driving us together!
Herding us like cattle and sheep to slaughter us, ha ha ha ha ha—”
The shriek drew the attention of Lu Li and Jojo Fran in the corner, it became barely audible as the carriage door closed again.
The waiter approached Lu Li and Tesla’s seat, apologizing, “I’m sorry gentlemen, one of the passengers seems to be screaming madly, but please do not worry, the police have been called and are dealing with it.”
Tesla waved his hand.
“Call someone from the United Organization to handle this.”
“Yes, sir.” The waiter returned to the back of the carriage; shouts once again entered as the carriage door opened.
“—Zenst was just an accident!
Just a glutton who couldn’t resist sneaking into a restaurant for a nibble, their feast is about to begin—”
The carriage door closed, and the voice disappeared, leaving only indiscernible background noise.
“What do you think?” Tesla asked.
“Without concrete evidence, all hints are meaningless conjectures; besides, the situation is already bad enough, it couldn’t make the darkness any darker.”
“There’s still a difference,” said Tesla, his deep brown eyes showing unshakable fatigue.
“The Lennon Islands are humanity’s last hope.”
Humans couldn’t afford the luxury of believing what this madman claimed, despite a future already bleak and obscure.
However, the very purpose of investigators was to discern the truth.
The noise from the next carriage gradually settled, and the clatter of the steam train on the tracks became clear.
Lu Li looked out of the train window at the quickly passing scenery; at a certain moment, his gaze shifted slightly, settling on the reflection of himself at the back of the window.
A pool of pitch-black, muddy viscosity emerged from the air.
Tesla sat opposite, unfolding the morning newspaper to read, indifferent to the Sanity Value illusion that only Lu Li could see.
It reminded Lu Li of something, breaking the silence he asked, “Has there been any response to the contamination source letter sent to headquarters?”
Tesla put down the newspaper, his brows furrowed with seriousness, “Not yet…
maybe it’s been delayed?
I’ll contact them after we get back.”
Tesla faintly guessed, “Is it starting to get worse?”
Lu Li nodded, “It has entered the second phase.”
[When you hear it, they can see you.
When you see it, they can touch you.
The words messily written in the diary surfaced in his mind.
Tesla fell silent, unable to help Lu Li as he didn’t know what it was.
He suddenly thought of something and asked, “How is your Sanity Value now?”
“It’s under control.” Lu Li calmly answered, lying.
Tesla seemed not to suspect, nodding gently as a reminder, “Hold on to that, no matter what you see or hear, believe it isn’t real, they can’t see you yet.”
The pitch-black, muddy outline drew closer and closer to Lu Li.
It could see Lu Li, just as Lu Li could see it.
Lu Li continued in his unchanged calm tone, “I will.”
Tesla showed a hint of a smile, seemingly relieved that not everything was too bad, and turned his head toward an old suitcase nearby, “According to the rules, you should name it now.”
Sequence 1 was sealed inside.
“Call it Sequence 1.”
“Pick a nicer name.” Tesla shook his head helplessly, setting the newspaper aside completely, “Its name will be recorded by the Exorcist Association.”
“It’s not time to name it yet, I’m not clear about the third one’s ability.” Lu Li replied.
“The three roses are interconnected at the root; their granted abilities are likewise similar.
You should be able to guess.”
Lu Li fell briefly silent, then said, “Redemption.”
that indeed fits your character,” Tesla chuckled, accepting the name.
“Besides you, I don’t know a second person who collaborates with an Evil God.”
Lu Li asked, “There’s a problem, Redemption can no longer be carried in a holster.”
“Don’t worry, it won’t be long after I report, the Exorcist Association will send a new container—”
Tesla’s words were interrupted by a figure bursting into the carriage.
The figure approached Tesla, lowering his voice to say, “The passenger who went mad just died…”
The suppressed voice of the figure was clear enough for Lu Li to hear, he sounded more like he was avoiding being heard by the two in the corner.
Emotions flickered across Tesla’s face.
“I need to step out for a moment.”
Tesla said to Lu Li, took off his broad-brimmed hat, and stood up to follow the figure out of the carriage.