"Why haven’t the animals mutated?" Eleven asked curiously.
"Right, that’s why I think the first possibility is more likely... we retreat." Malin issued a retreat order for the first time in a mission, "We only have two legs; if we’re facing the Chaos Legion, we simply can’t outpace them on two legs. Or rather, we could make it, but you definitely won’t." After saying that, Malin looked towards the captain, who nodded bitterly, "So we have to retreat, but the bridge is broken..."
"No problem, I’ll drive. If we throw out the stuff in the back, we can at least squeeze in two and a half kids. You and one of your Jacks can sit behind me; the other will follow Eleven, he has a lot of experience with wilderness survival," Malin said.
"I’ll go with Mr. Eleven. Old Jack is getting on in years; he won’t make it," said the captain.
So the three of them sped back, only to discover that the fog had spread further. Jack and the two and a half kids showed some wariness upon their return, but after confirming the password with their captain, they relaxed. However, upon hearing the retreat order, Old Jack shook his head: "No, I’ll go with this armored gentleman. I have more experience surviving in the wild than you do, captain. You’re the one who’s too young to make it."
"Did I allow you to speak, old man! You’re my team member! You have to listen to me! Follow Mr. Malin and take the two kids with you!" The captain finished speaking and looked at the white-bearded Old Jack, "Understood?!"
"Such actions are a form of violence against a team member. I’ll report every detail to the Bishop! If you make it back alive, prepare for a scolding!" Old Jack finally complied with the order, herding the two and a half kids into the back.
Malin turned to Eleven: "Please bring the captain back alive."
"Leave it to me, Mr. Malin, please leave quickly or we won’t have enough time." As soon as Eleven finished speaking, everyone heard footsteps coming from the fog.
Malin turned around, and everyone stared at the creature that emerged from the fog.
It was a monster, its head devoid of flesh and blood, its bloody Soul Fire burning within its skull, wearing armor so damaged that the flesh showing through was stripped of skin.
"It’s Lord Roben! No!" The captain seemed to recognize it, and as if to answer him, the monster’s Whisper of the Soul began echoing in Malin’s mind.
· "Ah, Captain Krogh, long time no see. As you can see, I’ve embraced a new identity. Compared to the so-called ideals and beauty forced upon me by my foster father, I now feel true freedom, unrestrained. This is what I desire. Come, accept the new fate of mankind, everyone."
Malin jumped down from the motorcycle: "Captain, do you know how to ride a motorcycle?"
"A bit," the captain said, looking at Malin with a terrified face, "My lord! You can’t stay behind!"
"I made a promise with old Francis to help him find Roben. I thought I’d lost that chance," Malin said, looking towards Roben and urging the captain, "Get moving, tell old Francis that we’ll probably be back tomorrow morning, so he doesn’t have to worry."
In the end, the motorcycle engine started behind Malin.
Roben, looking curious, watched Malin.
· "You know old Francis, then you must be aware of my foolish foster father and his Northern idealism."
"I know," Malin said, holding back Eleven who wanted to attack, "I also understand Northern idealism because I, too, hold such ideals."
· "Ha, another fool with ideals as stupid as my foster father’s, interesting. You surely know that he and his Northern idealism are simply impractical dreams. In this world, there are too many mortals unwilling to walk his path. Some have become the lapdogs and accomplices of big businessmen, some are neither here nor there, and some just want to reap the benefits without any effort."
The monster’s mocking laughter echoed in Malin’s mind.
· "One day, those businessmen will drown him, his friends, and their compromises in a cesspool together. Only blood and fire can purify this world... Ha, looking at your trembling, you’re a sensible man, too. You must realize that I’m right."
"Yes." Malin nodded, throwing both his assault rifle and Shotgun onto the ground.
· "It looks like you’re willing to become a higher being like me. Excellent. Let’s gather all those who share our vision and completely purify this world."
Malin placed Bippo and its nest on the ground, then rose to his feet, picking up the long-bladed weapon made from the World Tree Sapling, "No, it’s you who should be purified."
"I’m here to purify you, Roben, don’t you understand? You’ve desecrated the ideals I swore to protect. How can the beauty paid for with the lives of countless heroes and warriors be tarnished by your profane words?!"
You’re not even human, monster! Are you fit to speak of such beauty?!
Monster, your sins... must be washed with blood, must be repaid with life.