Chapter 2748 - 1860: Farewell (Who Knows If Next Month Will Be Even Hotter)

Chapter 2748: Chapter 1860: Farewell (Who Knows If Next Month Will Be Even Hotter)

After this, the survivors’ morale wasn’t very high, which is understandable. After all, a plague might be a hassle that can be overcome, but an attack from beyond the sky is another matter entirely. Of course, Duanmu Huai also taught them methods to identify the Genetic Thieves, but how effective these will be is questionable.

Although everyone hoped that the Genetic Thieves lurking in this city were the only group, unfortunately, Duanmu Huai rationally indicated that this was impossible. Considering that this world doesn’t have the harsh climate environment like the Hive City of the Imperial World, forcing people to live in cramped areas. This means Genetic Thieves can infiltrate any part of this world.

Hmm... of course, as far as Duanmu Huai is concerned, the best solution would be the Extinction Order.

Unfortunately, he can’t do it now.

Duanmu Huai remembered that players once joked that luckily there were no such things in their world; otherwise, they might choose suicide. And the people of this world are almost there now too. Of course, fortunately, they don’t have a clear understanding of the threats posed by the Evil Gods and the Insect Race, and with the power of the Genetic Thieves, infiltrating or even subverting this planet would take quite some time—actually, Duanmu Huai kind of wants Corrupted Foil and Insect Nest Will to fight each other like dogs, but he also knows that the Insect Nest Will likely wouldn’t fancy a planet polluted by the Corrupted Foil.

That’s like chocolate smeared with excrement; no one would eat it unless they’re starving.

So ultimately, it has to be done by oneself.

Duanmu Huai knows that the problems in this Universe are far more than these; perhaps for the people of this planet, they only need to worry about the current Corrupted Foil and the Genetic Thieves that might appear a hundred years later. But for Duanmu Huai, he is more worried about the existence beyond the Milky Way.

Not to mention the Insect Nest Will that he tricked during the Willpower confrontation, and those Outer Gods—Duanmu Huai now only hopes the Universe is vast enough, preferably infinitely vast, so that they won’t focus their gaze on the Milky Way.

As for the future, Duanmu Huai thinks he still prefers the Tribunal’s kind of brawling work. After coming to this world, he had countless opportunities to become a human leader like The Emperor. But Duanmu Huai didn’t make this choice because he knows he’s not cut out for it. Plus, Duanmu Huai doesn’t see anything enviable about such a position.

Think about it, the High Lords of the Human Empire either go mad or die from overwork, even the dictator wielding absolute power becomes mentally deranged due to exhaustion, which shows how difficult it is to be such a ruler. Duanmu Huai still feels that his current job at the Tribunal is quite good, slowly doing his work day by day, and then saving the world when he discovers some clues. No need to think too much, just wipe out group after group of Aliens, Heretics, and Demons.

Simple and direct, clean and efficient.

Now, it’s just the same.

The further Duanmu Huai walks, the more certain he becomes that they are about to reach their destination. Because the environment is becoming increasingly harsh. No normal plants can be seen on the ground anymore; the entire land looks like a fermenting dung heap, filled with dung-yellow and foul-smelling stench. There are still animals active on it, but they can’t be called normal creatures anymore. Even the azure sky has been covered by a strange yellow-green hue, and looking into the distance, the city ahead is even more unbearable. The buildings made of steel and concrete are now all covered with flesh, forming a forest of twisted flesh.

"It’s right there."

Duanmu Huai stared into the distance, remained silent for a moment, then looked at Mary.

"Call everyone else over."

When the bell rang again, the survivors gathered back in the church, Duanmu Huai stood in front of them, staring them down.

"The culprit is right in front of us."

Duanmu Huai stared them down, opening his mouth to speak.

"As long as we eliminate this bastard, this world’s rampant plague should also dissipate accordingly. Of course, this won’t be an easy task, I know you’re all well aware... but, that’s not what I’m going to talk about."

Duanmu Huai said this, shifting the topic.

"You might think I’m here to cheer you on, to tell you what to do, like before, and then inspire you to fight for humanity... but sadly, that’s not the case this time."

At this point, Duanmu Huai paused and looked at the crowd.

"We are here to say goodbye."

"Boom———!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the survivors inside the church suddenly erupted in noise, staring agape at Duanmu Huai, shouting loudly at him. No one knew what they were shouting, perhaps even they themselves didn’t know, the entire church was filled with noisy, completely indistinct clamors.

Duanmu Huai stood there quietly, then he raised his hand and waved it, though his action was small, the crowd gradually quieted down. Subsequently, the short-haired woman walked out from the ranks, staring at Duanmu Huai.

"Great Judge, what do you mean by this? Isn’t our next target to eliminate that Evil God and save this world?"

"That’s my goal, but not yours."

Duanmu Huai shook his head.

"Next, we will deal with that Evil God, while you have other tasks."

"Other tasks?"

"Exactly."

Duanmu Huai nodded emphatically, then calmly looked around at everyone.

"Survive."

".........?"

"Do you still remember the Tribunal’s tenet?"

"...Protect humanity at all costs, and destroy any threat to humanity."

"Exactly."

Duanmu Huai looked at the short-haired woman and nodded.

"You may have focused too much on the latter part of the statement, overlooking the former."

"?"

"Guarding humanity is the main point."

Duanmu Huai pointed at her, and at them.

"Remember this: in this world, on this planet, you are the only ones blessed by the Tribunal, the faithful believers fighting for the Tribunal. Only you know the true face of the enemies humans face, and only you understand what must be done when humans encounter these Aliens, Heretics, and Demons. I rescued you from those ruins not to be cannon fodder. You need to survive and pass this on. Frankly speaking, there might be only your group of pure survivors left in this world. If you all perish, humanity in this world might be utterly destroyed."

At this point, Duanmu Huai spread his hands.

"By that time, even if we annihilate the Evil God, so what? We still haven’t fulfilled our duty."

"........."

Faced with Duanmu Huai’s reply, the survivors fell into silence. Indeed, just now they were thinking about charging together with Duanmu Huai to eliminate the Evil God, even at the cost of their own lives (after all, they could return to the Tribunal).

But now, they finally realized their existence was not merely cannon fodder.

On a more serious note, whether humanity in this world can withstand the coming threats and continue to survive depends on whether they can handle it.

Thinking about this, everyone suddenly felt a heavier burden on their shoulders. Even the short-haired woman started to stutter.

"So, so what should we do then?"

"You’ve done well, Mikazuki."

Duanmu Huai stared at her.

"I hereby officially appoint you as a Judge. You can take charge of the Tribunal’s work in this world. As for how to proceed, I will not interfere. You should know that the Tribunal doesn’t deal with political matters. Our method is to eradicate all threats to humanity and then protect humanity. We are not concerned with or care about anything else."

Having said this, Duanmu Huai looked at everyone once more.

"Remember this: the future of humanity is in their own hands. How you choose to walk your path is your own issue. I hope you walk it well, but how that should be done is not up to me, and frankly, I don’t bother to say. Once I’ve spoken, you might use me as an excuse if you encounter any future problems. So my stance is: as long as you don’t violate the Tribunal’s rules, do whatever you like."

"Then... what now?"

Usually a capable and shrewd woman, the short-haired woman was seeing her confused and helpless side for the first time, aside from bed.

"Lumiaire has found a suitable place. Once we descend, Medea and Alice Phil will control the Floating Island to take you there. It’s far from the contamination zones and relatively safe. However, from here on, it’s still up to you. I hope you haven’t wasted your time in the Tribunal and hope you can live strong."

"Then... will you return?"

"We’ll see."

Duanmu Huai shrugged his shoulders.

"If everything goes well, perhaps we’ll return and designate this planet as a Conscripted Planet in the future. Hope by then, everything is well with you."

"........."

The short-haired woman paused for a moment, then looked at Duanmu Huai, stood at attention, and crossed her hands over her chest, lowering her head.

"I accept your command, Grand Judge-sama."

Under the short-haired woman’s lead, the survivors behind her also bowed. Duanmu Huai simply nodded.

"Very well. From now on, the fate of humanity in this world belongs to you."

(In fact, it was indeed long after this when Duanmu Huai, through a twist of fate, returned to this planet. Moreover, he fulfilled his promise, designating the planet as a Conscripted Planet for the Tribunal.)

When Duanmu Huai’s feet touched the sodden ground again, the Floating Island had already turned and disappeared at the edge of the sky. Ogis eagerly climbed onto Duanmu Huai’s shoulder even before touching the ground. The others weren’t much better off; Lorena occupied the other side of Duanmu Huai’s shoulder, unlike her usual self, and Naruse Mio manipulated gravity to float herself, striving to avoid those things below that looked indistinguishable from excrements.

Only Mianmu Zuoniao didn’t mind at all, walking with excitement in the muddy ground like a child jumping in puddles with new rain boots.

"Alright, enough playing."

Duanmu Huai moved his body a bit.

"Everyone get ready, we need to take care of the dirtiest, ugliest, most corrupt beings in this world."

As Duanmu Huai spoke, the shadow under him began to surge, then rapidly shot out, swallowing Duanmu Huai and the others. Moments later, a towering piece of Divine Machinery loomed on the ground, staring with furious sparks in its eyes at the corrupted city before it.

"Alright."

Duanmu Huai stood in the control room, stretching his arms and clenching his fists.

"Let’s go slash that fat slob to pieces!"