Chapter 915: Chapter 912: "Welcome back, Angel.
The voice of the black-haired young man was loud:
"But I soon realized that this was not enough. The number of people afflicted with the Black Mist Disease is increasing, and more are being judged by the Deity as ’heretics.’ You have no place to fit in normal society, and nowhere you flee to is peaceful."
"This absurd world does not allow you to survive."
"Only laugh, never cry. Even in the face of the death of loved ones, you must show a smile, and in front of bloodied corpses, you should laugh heartily—this is a world where emotions cannot be freely expressed, turning humans into ’madmen who must neither see nor hear.’
"Awakeners, I am pleased to see that you do not succumb to the Deity, opting to stand up, no longer wallowing in superstition. As your leader, I will establish a nation here. From now on, we will have a shared belief, a shared ideal, a shared atmosphere of equality, and shared agreements and covenants."
"A new kingdom—to be named the ’Huo Muli’er’ nation. The name comes from a history concealed a century ago. At the same time, we will cooperate with the ’Orthodox Faction’ to unearth the human history concealed by the Deity and to reclaim the history humanity has lost for centuries—inch by inch!"
"As everyone knows, human history has been buried for a long time. Apart from the few decades close to us, earlier history cannot be traced. This must have been the handiwork of the Deity. It surely did this deliberately to make us forget a particularly shocking fact. My will is to reclaim our history, to retrieve our era!"
"We still have a long road ahead: the issues of human disunity and inequality, the conflict between the new Dream Patrol Family and the Old Nobles class, and the contradiction between the excessive scarcity of resources and the needs of the Dream Patrol Family—but I believe we are on the correct, wise path. We operate under the tenet of freedom and equality to build our country, committing to achieving equality for all citizens and ensuring the freedom of emotions and the freedom to cry, even in public, granting you the right to weep openly."
"So—"
The black-haired young man spoke loudly.
The long wind lifted the robe behind him, and the pure black flag of the kingdom flowed like ink:
"Laugh heartily, cry loudly! No one can bind you anymore!"
"We are free! Humanity is free!"
In an instant, the long-repressed crowd below erupted into a sea of laughter and tears. Those who had long been restrained by emotional control were finally able to laugh and cry openly in the sunlight.
People waved pieces of cloth, wheat ears, scarves, resembling a sea made of flowing rainbows. Men, women, the elderly, and children all shouted loudly.
"Huo Muli’er! Huo Muli’er!"
"Pioneer Era! Leading Era! Orthodox Faction Era!"
"Lord Hei Que! Your Majesty Hei Que!"
They fervently called the name of the newly established kingdom, shouted the name of the black-haired young man, their fervor beyond imagination.
Hei Que looked at the fervent people, eyes showing mockery, which he quickly suppressed.
He raised a golden sword, the blade seemingly carved from jade, and the hilt was a pair of upward-arcing holy white wings, resembling angel wings—this sword looked just like a Holy Sword.
"I have found the method to break Destiny," Hei Que shouted, uttering words the people could not understand: "To break it, only Awakening can achieve. I seek to establish a mirage independent of the world to take you away from the land bound by Word Spirits, to free you from the annihilated Destiny. For this, we need blood and conquest."
He raised the long sword high, and instantly, the sword reflected a rhythmic light like breathing, resonating with his words.
Under the sunlight, he was bathed in golden light, the gold of the sun and the gold of the sword both favoring him. In the eyes of the people, he was like a Saint Heir.
"This sword is called the ’Sword of Destiny,’ one of the three elements of becoming a god, [Energy]!" Hei Que’s voice became slow and solemn at this moment, as if taking an oath: "With this sword, I swear to protect the glory of humanity to the death."
The people did not understand Hei Que’s words or some nouns in his speech. But it did not prevent them from shouting loudly, the crowd’s fervor passing from top to bottom as if they were a drop of water in a river, frantically shouting.
"Huo Muli’er! Huo Muli’er! Huo Muli’er!"
Under the long wind, Hei Que held the pure black flag and smiled while looking at his people. Then his gaze looked far, as though at a Deity on the horizon, yet perhaps at nothing at all.
The wind blew the cross necklace on his neck, catching the sunlight in a golden-white glow.
"The destiny of this world has officially begun the moment you step out of the small city," Hei Que murmured to the direction of the horizon:
"Welcome back, Master Angel."
...
[Girl: Welcome back, Master Detective.]
Loading the game, as Su Ming’an landed, he saw Alice smiling at him.
It seemed she had grown a bit taller, her black hair had grown to her shoulders, and her physique was healthier. She was holding a tray of cookies, with steaming red tea beside it.
Su Ming’an looked around, finding more small trinkets than before, like doll decorations, butterfly hair clips, more condiment bottles, and vegetable bags in the kitchen, exuding a rich life atmosphere. Whereas the house before felt more like a temporary resting place, now, with Alice’s decorations, it felt more like a real home, making one feel like they were truly living here.
"Ding-a-ling-ling—" The wind chime by the window rang as Su Ming’an looked out, pink petals brushing past his view, with people dressed lightly, hawking summer vegetables, and waving fans.
... It’s already summer now. It’s indeed been half a year.
Su Ming’an reached out and patted the girl’s head.
...
[Detective: Alice.]
[Girl: Master Detective, half a year has passed, and I haven’t let you down, have I?]
...
Su Ming’an glanced at the lower left corner of his view, finding, besides [Attributes], [Information], and [Schedule], there was an additional [Summary of Last Semester].
He opened [Summary of Last Semester] and a panel appeared:
...
[Last semester, Alice’s schedule was: Helper at the Nurse’s Station
Total patients helped: 978 people
Favorability with Aunt Jenny at the Nurse’s Station increased to: 40 points
Received as compensation: 10 Kel
The child’s attributes improved:
Physique +2
Wisdom +2
Emotional Intelligence +4
Medicine +20
Gained new skill: Basic Medicine
Burg Castle’s prestige increased to: Friendly
Note: As Alice would learn cooking from the gardener’s daughter Mei Mi next door during her spare time, she learned basic cooking.
Note: Due to Alice’s liking for running around in her leisure time, she made new acquaintances: Yixi, the medical heir of the Baron’s family; Wendell, the Knight of Light in charge of patrols at the edge of the Royal City; Rita, the church’s nun; and Pat, a wild child with an unidentified identity.]
...
Su Ming’an asked about the situation on Su Luoluo’s side and found that the attribute improvement speed of the child on Su Luoluo’s side was similar to Alice. There was no indication that Alice had any special qualities, with her learning speed only at the level of an ordinary person.
Looking at Alice, Su Ming’an still praised.
[Detective: Not bad, the first semester went well.]
[Girl: Hee hee, I’ve been working hard to study.]
[Girl: Detective, I’ve learned the skill of making cookies. Would you like to taste the cookies I made and the tea I brewed?]
...
Su Ming’an tasted Alice’s cookies. It felt like a floral scent blooming in his mouth; they were delicious. The tea also had a spring taste, like peach blossoms blooming on branches.
Alice said these are called "Spring Heart Cookies," a type of cookie people love to make when longing for spring.
"Every time I think about spring passing, Detective, you will come back. I have been looking forward to it," Alice said:
"I remember what you said to me back then, that you would come back in half a year. So these days, I’ve been repeatedly making Spring Heart Cookies and brewing tea, just for the moment you return so that you can taste the freshly made cookies and drink hot tea."
"It’s great to see your smile now."
Su Ming’an was stunned; he just realized he was smiling. Every time he entered this game, he felt incredibly relaxed, like coming home.
Alice sat across the table, resting her cheeks in her hands as she looked at him. She was already thirteen, her face a bit round, probably well-fed by the neighbors over the past six months.
...
[Detective: Has anything happened in the past six months? Any important policies, any famous heroes, or any uprising monsters?]
[Girl: Nothing major lately. Just heard that some force might have founded a nation.]
[Detective: Founded a nation?]
...
Su Ming’an glanced at the world map hanging on the wall. The game’s world background was vast, with dozens of other nations besides the western kingdom they were in. But the main storyline occurs in this country; other nations are more like background settings.
...
[Girl: Hmm... It seems to be called Huo Mu something’s new nation, right? This new country claims to rebel against the deity. People don’t really care about this newly established small nation; such emerging small nations generally don’t last long.]
[Detective: So there are deities here too.]
[Girl: Yes, the deity often descends with an oracle, telling the king how to act. Everyone listens to the deity’s orders.]
[Detective: Sounds like the deity has a good reputation.]
[Girl: Of course. The churches in the city are often crowded, and the streets are full of residents going to pray. Everyone strongly believes in the deity. The nun sister at the church told me she welcomes me to become a nun someday.]
[Detective: Alice, what do you think of the deity?]
[Girl (after thinking for a moment): I’m not a fanatical believer, but I believe in all the goodness in the world. I desire to see the happy smiles on people’s faces. If the deity can bring happiness to people, I am willing to worship it. But if the deity is secretly a big villain, I won’t worship it.]
[Detective: Such rare rationality.]
[Detective: If one day, the deity asks you to oppose me, Alice, what would you choose?]
...
Alice was clearly startled. She didn’t understand why Su Ming’an would suddenly ask such a question.
...
[Girl: I...would choose you.]
[Detective: Why? That’s an almighty deity.]
[Girl: The deity’s vision is too broad; it can see all the suffering humans on this land, which numbers in the billions. It cannot focus on the happiness or sorrow of any specific individual. But you, Detective, currently, your vision includes only me. You care about my fate alone; your eyes can see me more clearly. So, given the choice, I would choose you because you are the closest person to me, not the deity with a vast vision. We are the only ones who can rely on each other.]
[Detective: Even if it means opposing the world?]
[Girl: Even if it means opposing the world.]
...
Su Ming’an sighed.
Although Alice was only thirteen, just thinking about the game’s prospects and the Eye of the Old Days’ initial designations, he vaguely saw a cruel future.
"Destiny."
She had been chosen and could not escape.
Just like being chosen by death rebound.
"...Why are you so nice?" Su Ming’an whispered.
Alice showed a puzzled expression, not understanding why Su Ming’an was so sentimental.
"Ah, by the way, Detective, I’ve also learned flower planting from Morgan Grandpa across the street. Come with me to the backyard!" Alice suddenly remembered something, tugging Su Ming’an along.
Pulling back the curtain on the back door, Su Ming’an looked up and saw—a sea of lilies.
Pure white flowers swayed in the late spring breeze, like carved marble or like crystal clear flowers. Alice took a few steps to the flower sea, opened her arms, and the warm wind flapped her floral dress as she danced among the white flowers.
"These are flowers Morgan Grandpa entrusted me to take care of, to help him nurture. When I grow up, he will take them away," Alice shouted loudly: "Detective! I’ve always been taking care of these flowers. Do you think they’re beautiful?"
"...Hm." Su Ming’an nodded.
"Glad you like them." Alice smiled.
"This one I’m going to give to Doctor Vivi, this one...this one’s for Aunt Jenni. And this one, Wendell Knight said he really likes lilies. Next time he comes for inspection, I’ll give it to him..."
Su Ming’an looked up, watching the busy Alice.
How much longer can such a mundane life last?
Suddenly, he noticed a new icon appearing in the lower left corner of his vision.
...
[Pre-game survey.]
...
Su Ming’an clicked on it, and a panel appeared:
[This questionnaire is issued by the deity to explore the Dream Patrol Family’s satisfaction with the game. There are ten questions, please answer honestly. Completing the questionnaire will give you a small reward.]
[Question one:...]
...
This familiar game questionnaire made Su Ming’an feel like he was back in the days of playing computer games.
"Deity?" Su Ming’an whispered.
Aside from the positions of platform hosts, forum top administrators, forum post-deletion managers, psychological counselor witnesses, the deity had yet another role—game satisfaction surveyor?
This world’s deity indeed has an...inexpressible cyber feel. The end of Cthulhu turned out to be science fiction.