About a year ago, when the church was first built in the settlement, Zhao Yinyin could hear the voice of an old man in her head from time to time.

At first she thought it was her hallucination, but then she realized that it was not, and that he would not only answer her doubts, but also occasionally teach her something she had never known.

Her grandfather died when she was very young, and sometimes she felt that the old man was always kind, just like her grandfather.

Later, the old man told her that he was the Son and that he was enshrined in that church.

Yin Yin didn't doubt what he said, but she had long suspected that his identity might be that Holy Son.

After all, who else but the true gods could be as ubiquitous and omnipotent as he was, communicating with her in her mind

From then on, she began to pour out her troubles to the Holy Son without reservation.

The gods do not lie, nor do they talk about the troubles of mortals everywhere.

There is no better person to confide in......

As always.

Yin Yin, who was huddled in the empty room on the second floor of the annex, told him all her troubles, including the conflicts with her good friends, including the sadness of the destruction of her family, and her helplessness in the future.

Wiping her tears, Yin Yin muttered quietly.

「…… I'm sorry for talking so much to myself, you might be bored. 「

There was a long silence.

The kind voice slowly drifted into her mind.

"How, my child."

Although it was just a word of comfort that was not encouraging, Yin Yin's face showed a weak but strong smile, which lifted her mind a little.

After a moment, she seemed to have made some kind of decision, her eyes looking straight ahead.

"Sure enough, I should still apologize to the lamb......

Standing out of sight and looking down at the little girl, Luo Gan smiled faintly.

Sure enough, it's a child.

Even such inconsequential little things would take so much time to worry about, but he would never do this, and he would do what he decided immediately.

"If you don't want to do it, you can actually not do it."

Yin Yin tilted her head.

"Why?"

Luo Gan wanted to tell her, because it was all meaningless. The people of this colony will soon die, so what difference does it make if they don't do that kind of thing?

But after thinking about it, he didn't say that in the end.

Even the animals in the sheepfold have the right to spend the last second happily, and he doesn't kill for the sake of killing.

So he changed to a more gentle one.

"Time is a good medicine, it will heal all wounds equally, just be patient and everything will be fine."

Yin Yin hugged her knees, buried her chin in her knees, and muttered quietly.

"As long as it's long enough, everything will be fine?"

"Hmm."

The god guarding next to her nodded slightly, and although she couldn't see the man, she could be sure that he was doing it.

Yin Yin believed in him very much.

But she couldn't agree with it.

Because she remembered very well that when he was worried about whether to help the lamb escape from this cage, he told herself.

After hesitating for a moment, she whispered.

"But...... Didn't you tell me that there is no time to hesitate about many things, and the questions that are left to time to answer must end up with regrets."

…… Huh?

Did I say that?

Facing the innocent girl, Luo Gan couldn't help but fall into thought for a while.

Of all the pieces he chose, this little girl was the youngest and the most special.

Not because he had special feelings for her, but simply because of her and the others

Believers are different, and they will always pour out every trivial matter and trouble in life to him.

Most of the others have a high respect for the gods, and they are honored that only they can communicate with the gods face to face.

Therefore, even Zhao Tiangan, who did not believe in the Torch Faith in his heart——— that is, the father of this little girl, would show a humble and pious attitude when communicating with a higher being like himself, and carefully consider every word.

And he himself took advantage of this reverence as a matter of course, communicating with these believers who were only worthy of knowing the skin in the guise of the Son.

Occasionally, they will use their identities to call the shots.

After all, although the chip has been implanted in their brains, he is not able to take over their bodies casually.

Take over complete control of the body, only when you are in "fugue".

And the little girl seemed to regard him as a confidant.

She was naïve enough to believe that the gods wouldn't talk about mortal things everywhere, so she told him almost everything.

Luo Gan acquiesced to her actions.

Anyway, the communication of a few words does not take up much computing power, and this chess piece may come in handy when it is critical.

It was for this reason that yesterday during the day, he encouraged the little creature to go to the basement under the pretext of knowing a wonderful hiding place.

After all, even if you go crazy with other people, you can't guarantee absolute safety, after all, there are a group of special guests in the manor.

But it's absolutely safe to stay in that empty basement.

But now it seems that he has also done a superfluous thing, in order to let a chess piece live on the chessboard for a while, and let the whole plan be saddled with undue risks.

If she hadn't made it to the basement, it might have taken a while for the Coalition to find the lab in the basement of the annex.

No matter how useful this piece is, the experiment in this settlement has been completed. What's more, it is difficult for her to say whether surviving is truly benevolent.

There is no pain in dying in a dream, and if it falls into the hands of a mutant, it is truly better to live than to die.

Thinking of this, Luo Gan sighed softly.

Really......

My own cultivation is still not enough.

Of course, what he cares about more is actually another thing, why he would say something like "The questions left to time to answer must end up with regrets".

It's a pity.

That kind of thing can't happen to you alone.

On this path they have paid enough and at the last moment gave their all for their ideals.

There was no turning back for him.

"I just don't think it's good to run away...... Seeing that the voice in her head had not appeared for a long time, Yin Yin asked nervously and carefully.

She has nothing left.

If even the Holy Son ignored her, she might be truly desperate.

"Well, I'm... I'm just wondering when I said that sentence and I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Luo Gan said with a soft smile.

A relieved smile appeared on Yin Yin's face.

"It's okay...... You have to answer the prayers of many people every day, and it's okay to come back to me later, as long as you're still around."

Seeing that this little girl was still worried about herself, Luo Gan couldn't help but smile.

If she knew that it was her father, who controlled her, and was killed by the soldiers in front of the Alliance, I wonder if she would still be able to laugh.

"God's work is not as busy as you think."

Yin Yin tilted her head.

"But won't there be many people praying to you?"

He said in a gentle tone.

My children, most people don't really ask about God's will, they already have their own answers in their hearts before they pray to me... What they need,

Maybe it's just someone pushing them from behind, and it's actually a minority of kids like you who leave everything to me to decide."

Hearing this, Yin Yin couldn't help but feel a little hot on her face, and whispered ashamedly.

"I'm sorry...... I'm sorry for your trouble."

"It's okay, I don't think you're a nuisance, but I'm glad to see you grow. In the past, you always asked for my opinion, but today you made your own decision to reconcile with your friends, and you already have your own opinions, which is a good thing."

Yin Yin asked incomprehensibly.

"Don't the gods want people to listen to themselves?"

"If everything were left to God, I might really be busy."

Half-jokingly said this, Luo Gan, who came back to his senses, suddenly snorted softly.

Speaking of which, he denied himself.

But it's no wonder that he knows very well that the Precursors are not real gods, let alone the Holy Son, they just need the clothes of the gods to do something that is impossible for humans.

Of course, he was glad that the settlements here were subordinated to his will, but from the perspective of an elder, he still wanted to teach this child something more precious.

Obedient is of course a good child, but without her own opinions will always be a child, and he would prefer her to have her own opinions, even if it is diametrically opposed to the teachings he preaches.

Maybe it's not his words and deeds that contradict him, deep down he doesn't really want this little girl to die.

Not to mention a living person.

Even if it is a flower or plant planted in a pot, as long as it takes time to water it, everyone hopes that it will not wither.

Not counting the like-minded apostles, this was probably the most communication he had ever had with mortals since he entered the Sanctuary.

After thinking for a moment, Luo Gan came up with a compromise solution.

That is to release this special little lamb from the sheepfold.

Anyway, one or two fewer are not a big deal for him, and the alliance is unlikely to be able to research anything from a single sample.

"If you believe me, I can show you the way."

Yin Yin nodded seriously.

"Hmm! Say it!"

Luo Gan said slowly.

"Abandon everything here, seek refuge from the Alliance, and leave this land of right and wrong completely, I think for the sake of you're a child, they'll think about it."

Yin Yin looked at him puzzled, her big eyes flashing with disbelief and surprise.

"But...... Aren't the people of the Alliance badass? They killed my father, I also heard about it...... They're going to tear down your church."

Looking at the little girl who tried her best to prove that those people were villains, Luo Gan suddenly burst out laughing, almost bursting into tears.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have that anymore.

Until those surprised eyes turned into confusion, he slowly spoke and continued.

"Listen, you may not understand it for your age, but you will understand it when you grow up...... What you're saying now doesn't matter at all."

Yin Yin's eyes widened and she looked into the void.

"How could it be ......?"

Without explaining to her, Luo Gan continued in a serious tone.

"This settlement is sandwiched between two behemoths, and even all the settlements in this land, and whatever they choose, it will not end well. And the only way to survive is to stay away from here."

Yin Yin bit her lip and squeezed out a sentence.

"But why do you want to join the Alliance...... Can't you take me away?"

Luo Gan's expression froze slightly, and after being silent for a long time, he said ambiguously.

"We'll need a little bit of time there......

There was no point in herding her into another sheepfold, and even if the other forerunners would take care of her in his face, the experiments would have been carried out in accordance with the rules

carried out.

Yin Yin's eyes were written with confusion and incomprehension.

"When?"

Luo Gan nodded and said patiently.

"Hmm...... It's a huge undertaking."

"A new humanity, a new society, it will take a long, long time to build, and we will build this utopia as perfect as possible, and for this we need to give our lives, courage and determination. I know that in the future it will be the kingdom of heaven, and the whole world will be, but not now...... Can you give me a moment?"

He didn't know why he was asking for the child's consent, and he had to use a gentle asking tone.

In fact, he didn't have to do this, after all, everything was decided, and even if she shook her head, she couldn't change the fate of this settlement.

But he did it anyway.

Maybe......

He was just trying to convince himself.

Yin Yin looked at the empty place as if she didn't understand, nodded lightly, and squeezed out a smile on her face.

"Yes...... I don't know much, but you won't hurt Yinyin, right?"

The air was quiet for a moment.

It was a moment before there was a sound.

"Well, I promise I won't hurt you...... Thank you."

He didn't look at those innocent eyes, just left a word, and hurried away quietly.

The smile made him feel a tingle in his heart.

Although he had already abandoned that thing.

This may be the only regret he has since entering the Sanctuary.

Sure enough, cultivation is not enough.

Although she didn't hear the goodbye, Yin Yin could feel that he had left the place.

Jumping out of her chair with a thud, she was about to go outside the house to find the lamb to solve last night's misunderstanding, but she heard a squeak on the floor outside the door.

After all, this annex is an old house, and the wooden floor is like this.

She was slightly stunned, walked quickly to the door, and opened the door, only to see that the familiar face was not far from the door.

The lamb looked at her stunned, holding a handful of chocolate candy in his hand, which was given to her by the brothers and sisters of the alliance last night.

At that time, she kept Yin Yin's share, but she never found a chance to give it out. It wasn't until when the blood was drawn just now that Sister Chen Yutong stuffed it for her and asked her to share it with her good friends, that she made up her mind to come over.

But as soon as she reached the door, she heard a voice in the room......

「…… Yinyin?"

"Lamb?"

Yin Yin looked at her in a daze, her expression changed panic and alertness, as if she had done something wrong, and said blankly, "You...... Why are you here?"

"My brothers and sisters from outside gave me some chocolates, and I want to give you a little ......."

The lamb looked at her nervously, swallowed, and continued.

"Who are you talking to......

Yin Yin's face was slightly pale.

The Holy Son had told her that she must not let the people in the north know that she could communicate with her, otherwise they would not let her go with their hatred for the torch.

"I ......"

Looking at Yin Yin, whose expression was full of nervousness and fear, Xiao Yang vaguely guessed something, but didn't say anything, just walked up and hugged her gently.

Looking at the lamb who suddenly hugged her, Yin Yin was stunned and didn't react.

「…… Huh?"

"It's okay, I won't tell anyone's ......" Looking at Yin Yin who was helpless, the little sheep raised her head and gave her an encouraging smile, and whispered in a gentle voice, "This is the secret of the two of us...... Okay?"

The young lady has always taken good care of herself.

She didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but it was time for her to report on her.

「…… Lamb. Yin Yin looked at her sister, who was two years younger than herself, in a daze, and her eyes suddenly filled with tears

Water.

There is remorse, there is grievance...... There are also many emotions that she can't talk about but are blocked in her chest.

It's not just because of the hurtful words she said last night, but she suddenly realized that the person who is most worthy of confiding in and caring about herself has actually been by her side all along.

However, what makes her feel ashamed is that she has never really looked down on this clumsy friend, and she has not even regarded her as a friend in her subconscious, but just wants to use the special identity of the lamb to play with those servants.

Otherwise, why would he rather confide in a god of unknown origin than speak honestly to her?

Otherwise, why did he know that he couldn't escape, but he still couldn't help but pull her to do those things that might be reprimanded.

He has always led her around, treating her as his pet, but he has never asked her what she thinks, whether she wants to leave here, whether she needs to hide in that "place where no one has found" for a while.

Even if something so serious happened last night, she didn't ask her a word of concern, just worried about the change of identity, and the loss of her only friend after losing everything.

Looking at the young lady who suddenly burst into tears, the little sheep didn't know what she was thinking, but just patted her back comfortingly.

"It's all right...... The lamb will be with you. 「

I don't know how long it has been.

A gray-green fog filled the window.

It was a color that Yin Yin had never seen before, and there was a sense of foreboding in the haze where she couldn't see her fingers.

Also noticing the changes outside the window, the lamb stopped patting Yin Yin's hand gently, and muttered to himself.

"It's foggy......"

At this moment, there was a slight squeak in the direction of the stairs.

Yin Yin, who had a secret, immediately looked over there, but saw nothing, it was just an empty corridor.

Is it a delusion?

As she thought this, she caught a glimpse of a wet footprint slowly forming at the corner of the staircase.

It's like a boot that has just stepped through the grass.

The moment she saw the footprints, her heart jerked to her throat.

…… Phantom?!

……

The fog came up suddenly, unusually in the early afternoon, and in an instant it filled the entire Pinecone Farm.

The faces of the people gathered at the gate of the manor showed panic, and they thought that the alliance had activated the telepathic interference device, and what happened last night would happen again.

The overseers, the serfs, and the servants of the manor all scattered in a swarm, hiding in their homes and scurrying out their locks to lock themselves.

There was really no lock, so I had to find a hemp rope and tie the family separately to the post or the stove.

This saves players a lot of trouble.

In a situation where the "monster" doesn't know where it will be brushed, it is really a dangerous thing for so many people to get together.

But no one takes it lightly.

The gray-green fog that suddenly rose was clearly a pattern made up by the Torch Church, and all the players gathered at the door put on helmets and gas masks, and spread out their vigilance to guard against possible accidents.

"What's going on with this fog......

"Poison gas?"

"It's not like ...... It seems that my breathing is not affected."

"It just stinks."

"And it's also Tetera green!"

The communication channel whispered.

Luo Yu glanced at the sky, and he could still see the clouds in the sky before, but now he could only see a green halo of.

The air was sticky like jelly and smelled damp musty, like clothes that hadn't been washed for a long time.

At this moment, a call from the Iron Heart came from the communication channel.

「…… This is the Iron Heart Air Command, and we see you in the sky

Surrounded by a thick fog, report the situation on your side immediately."

Holding a rifle and walking to the door of the manor, Lao Bai, who was wearing power armor, said with a solemn expression.

Everything is normal on our side for now, can you visually gauge the extent of this fog area? Is it just us, or is the whole area covered?"

"The fog zone covers an area of more than 1,000 square kilometers, and you are right in the very center of the fog zone."

"I suspect it's the Torch side...... Can you send a plane over to the neighborhood and help us take a look? Focus on the area from the pine cone farm to the urban area of Geumha."

"Understood."

With such a big fog, the visibility on the ground should be very poor, and I am afraid that I can't see anything in the sky, and Lao Bai didn't have much hope.

What he really feared was that the mutants might take advantage of the opportunity to find their way out of the city.

But what made him more concerned was, how did this fog come out?

At this time, Luo Yu, who was standing aside, suddenly gently held his forehead and whispered.

」…… It's spores."

Quit smoking was stunned and looked at him in surprise.

"Spores?!"

"Hmm......" Luo Yu nodded solemnly and continued, "It's similar to the spores of the mutant slime fungus...... Xiao Yu told me."

Although Koyu does not rely on spores to exchange information and reproduce, it is developed in the environment of Qingquan City, and it is well known about the spores of general slime molds.

However, after hearing what he said, all the players showed surprised expressions on their faces, especially quitting smoking, and looked at him in disbelief.

Spore?

Why do there are spores in Geumkawa City?

There's no brood here!

The murderous dagger swallowed.

"Wait...... If you don't understand, just ask, didn't your fruiting entities all die before? 「

"It still has one left in my body, the biological prosthetic body with HP recovery...... And don't say strange things, what do you call my fruiting body, that's Xiao Yu's! Luo Yu glared at him dissatisfied.

The Murderous Dagger smiled embarrassedly.

At this time, Lao Bai interrupted their exchange and said.

"Now is not the time to talk about this...... Things are changing, and we're going to have to evacuate key NPCs and equipment from here for the time being."

Suddenly remembering that he still had a task of 100,000 silver coins, Luo Yu hurriedly said.

"Remember to take that lamb with you."

"Sure, she's the key research material, and no one can keep her."

Quit smoking and then asked.

"What about the locals?"

"There are forty or fifty thousand people here... It's impossible to get everyone away, and it's even more dangerous to get out of the walls."

Glancing at the houses outside the manor, Lao Bai continued in a deep voice.

"Anyway, do your best."

At this moment, a deafening explosion suddenly came from behind everyone, followed by a dense burst of gunfire.

Suddenly turning his head and looking behind him, Lao Bai's expression changed slightly.

It is the direction of the annex!

……

In the verdant jungle, there are green heads shaking, and the knotted muscles are full of orange ammunition and Senran's armament.

Kuru stood right in front of the mutants, staring at the foggy plains ahead, his pupils flashing with a bloodthirsty glint.

The thick fog, which was too rancid for the weak old humans, smelled a refreshing fragrance in his nose.

In that fragrance, he already smelled killing and death......

Last night, he had the misfortune of losing a battle, and not only did his brothers suffer numerous casualties, but he also lost half of his arm.

Originally, an incompetent guy like him should have been chopped up and thrown into the pot, but the patriarch did not hold him accountable for his stupidity, but forgave him very leniently.

Not only that, but the people of the church helped him

Equipped with a mechanical arm, a large number of mechanical prostheses were implanted in his broken body, which increased his destructive power to a new level.

In order to make up for the loss caused by his mistake to the tribe, and to repay the church for giving him the opportunity to re-enter the battlefield, he took the initiative to ask for this operation, and vowed to bring back 50,000 heads for Lord Garn.

To comfort the brothers who died last night, as well as the martyrs of the apostles and executioners.

Looking at the thickening fog, a cruel smile gradually appeared on Kuru's face, and the people of the church really didn't lie to him.

Under the cover of this thick fog, the impassable plain will be completely open to them.

Even if the airship flying in the sky knew that they might be hiding in the fog, it didn't know where to shoot.

At this moment, a light explosion wafted in the distance.

That's the signal to attack.

Kuru took a deep breath, letting the smell fill his chest, and the blood flowing through his veins boiled like lava.

He raised his mechanical arm, the axe-like gun in his hand, and roared in a rough, savage voice.

"Kuru said, chopping up the two-legged animals—"

"None of them will be left!"

(Thanks to the alliance leaders of "Fishing the Yangtze River Snow Solitaire" and "Digging Graves in the Middle of the Night!!! ）