Wasteland Echoer

"Hmm...it smells really good. Although it's not polite to talk while eating, instant comments on food are the impulse of every 'food lover', especially...well, especially for us For the lost." Oliver commented while chewing the "delicious", "crispy" and "sweet" maggot food.

It's just that he seemed to deliberately ignore Miyou's greediness behind him and the desire for food given by his weak body.

He did not touch the other three metal cans with similar shapes, but devoured the entire can of maggots like a whirlwind. He even deliberately scraped the inner edges with a metal spoon for a long time to ensure that no food residue was left.

After doing all this, he let out a long belch of satisfaction, put the spoon on the broken wooden table aside, stared at the empty can remains in his hand, and continued the topic he had just left unfinished:

"Compared to humans, our perception of food is definitely distorted. On the one hand, it is the magic source power, and on the other hand, it is the 'mysterious and extraordinary power'. The magic source power will allow us to have the personality and emotions of animals. We do not We will not shy away from many plants with medicinal value. Eating them can not only relieve hunger and provide nutrition in most cases, but can even help us restore our magic power."

"Although the magic source power was born from the great Creator, it is extremely abundant in nature. Human steam development seems to have defeated nature and even 'conquered' them, but in fact human beings are being abandoned by nature. Life, Wisdom, industry, and conquest are not unrelated entities, but are intertwined and complementary to each other."

"It seems that you..." Miyou wiped away the "tears of disappointment" flowing from the corner of her mouth, and asked in a high, sickly and weak voice:

"I don't agree with the development of technology and industry. You agree with the symbiosis between human beings and nature rather than plundering, right? But now is the Wasteland Era, an era full of killing, war, ruin, blood, and filled with generally unconscious and careless people. An era of careless people with wandering purposes. Isn’t it too early to talk about industry?”

"It's not early." Oliver's tone was unexpectedly firm. He stared at Miyou's pair of short-lived eyes, one of which turned red and the other remained brown due to the desire for food, and said:

"The current situation is extremely clear. As the 'Losts', we are doomed to fail, but as the 'Superpowers' you and I are about to win. Although I thought His Highness the Crown Prince's attack was a big gamble before, But in fact, as the cost of silence continues to increase, the gods of Silence Highland have trapped the three major churches in it and cannot escape. The empire's all-out attack will eventually make 'loss' a reality, in other words, 'silence' After the end of 'Advent', the empire will inevitably enter the steam age again."

"So, it's not too late, right?" Miyou took over the conversation and said.

"That's right." Oliver nodded and said:

"So I hope that the empire will usher in a true new era, rather than the continuation of the old era. Speaking of Miu, some time ago, before I escaped from Atwood, I had been reading Crusted Some historical data of the empire. About seven hundred years ago, in the middle of the Steam Era, around the time when the Aventrai Empire bombed Nebsk with the 'Fire of Punishment', a bard following the army spoke in Central Language It created a very interesting song.”

"Song?" Miyou became interested, stretched his neck, and tried to listen.

"Yes, it is said that this song was once included as an 'item-type' 'B-class' sequence monster by the banned foundation, because it once summoned the sequence monster when the Crusted Empire ruled Aventale. God." Oliver said in a solemn tone.

"Ivan 22...that era?" The memory of studying history courses in university a long time ago appeared in Miyou's mind. Suddenly, he felt an inexplicable surge of extreme emotions around him. The coldness enveloped him, making him suddenly feel dizzy.

Beads of sweat were oozing out from his forehead, and a dark, lonely, and imprisoned memory hit his spirit at an inappropriate time.

Immediately, he leaned on the table with his elbows and supported his shaky head with his wrists, and finally managed to escape from the depressing atmosphere.

Fortunately, the negative and painful emotions only lasted for a few seconds. Suddenly, his spirit returned to a state of clarity where only weakness remained.

"Are you... okay?" Oliver asked with concern when he saw Miyou's face turning a little whiter.

"It's okay...maybe." Miyou forced a smile and replied.

"Oh, to be honest. If you hadn't been suppressed by the 'Nightmare of Blood' to look like this, I would have given you a full meal. Even if you wanted to eat those imperial soldiers wandering around the edge of the highlands, I would have thought about it. Method. But not now. Before, the cross suppressed your power and desire to the extreme, just like a spring. Before its influence is completely dissipated, I do not recommend that you come into contact with any food."

"But I have learned that blood...it is said that you can drink it a little. After all, it is necessary to maintain the survival of your blood race. If you drink it regularly, the possibility of arousing desire is less. Tonight at the earliest, tomorrow at the latest, I will open the can in person , feed you spoonful by spoonful." Oliver said, pointing to the remaining three cans behind him, showing a subtle smile.

"Why not, let's talk about that interesting ballad." Miyou felt uncomfortable with Oliver's expression, eyes wide open, and tried to stay awake.

"Well, the ballad, then I'll just recite it. After all, in the data, the sequential god, the 'Decision Maker', has long since fallen asleep and disappeared. I don't have to worry about summoning him inadvertently."

Oliver coughed dryly, rubbed his throat with his hand, cleared his throat, and chanted:

"k.kuld su/n/m/is as endish, doome erayan wir brister. h.hoshin shikmiryutor yoever loizan. n, nesin shikmis wir danni."

(The old days will end, the end is coming, the sacred flame will last forever, and new life will eventually be born.)

"Is it a prophecy?" Miyou guessed, tilting his head to look at Oliver's intoxicated expression.

"That's right." Oliver's answer was simple, and his eyes seemed to be flashing with bright light, especially when he was reciting Chinese in Chinese just now, "Although I don't know the true identity of the bard, but The first half of the poem has been confirmed, and it refers to the wasteland era we live in. The second half should be looking forward to a future, enjoying a way to solve the wasteland and return to peace."

"What about the second half? Are you predicting... what kind of future?" Miyou instinctively looked longingly at the only place where light could be seen in the dilapidated house, and asked in a murmuring tone.

Suddenly, the carrier of light, the skylight that was "hanging" at the top of the room more than three meters high and filled with dust, seemed to be looming, as if hidden in the dense golden fog. The holy singing in the song made him unconsciously support his frail body with his hands and stand up slowly.

Of course, he understood that the light in the skylight might come from the "electrical" light deliberately brought in by the imperial army in the passage connecting the skylight to the ground, but it was too bright, too real, and even at one moment compared with the incandescent sun. The brilliance is no different.

"The future? Yes, the future." Oliver showed a bitter smile mixed with hope, stood up and walked around, turning his back to Miyou and told:

"There are two understandings of the sacred flame. One is the description in "The Secret Book", Era 3: On the first day, the Creator created the universe and the stars; on the second day, He created the earth containing primitive life; on the third day , His 'inspiration' guided Him to create flames, water, vegetation, metal and the earth. His favorite thing is 'flame'. Although it is ethereal and cannot capture the entity, it is enough to bring warmth."

Oliver suddenly felt his throat itching like being scratched by a cat. He coughed a few times. After feeling some numbness and pain, he rushed to the package in the corner again and took out an old one, covered with dirt and blood. , and a slightly rusty military green kettle, and started drinking "tons and tons".

After burping smoothly, he breathed a long sigh of relief, blinked a few times, and continued:

"The following Era 4 explains it like this. The existing water source nourishes all things, the subsequent vegetation sprouts, the metal that has been made opens up the wilderness, and the subsequent earth flourishes with vitality. But under the fire, all things are destroyed, and the existing things, No longer exists. So fire is sinful and can annihilate all things. Well...in other words, the sacred flame may annihilate all things, and then new life and hope can be born on the ruins. In other words, Mi Yu, a long time ago, around the time I was at the border of the Zine Empire, I had a dream."

"Dream? Is it interesting?" Miyou asked curiously.

"Of course." Oliver nodded and said:

"I dreamed that our Wasteland Era has entered an era of decline, where everything is covered by ice sheets, and human beings linger under a large transparent cover, ensuring survival through a little energy left by a certain god. At that time, human beings were completely Having lost the courage to explore outside, they are keen on fighting among themselves and killing each other to plunder resources from their own people. But there is a legendary eradicated race-the wolf tribe. It is said that they can activate mysterious energy in the place closest to the moon. , obtain the blessings of sequential gods, create a paradise, and reconstruct the world."

"It seems... your dream is somewhat similar to what the Socra Committee wants to do, uh... the 'Blood Night Ritual'." Miyou thought.

"Dreams must be influenced by reality, there is no doubt about it." Oliver explained:

"Otherwise, I will definitely not be able to tell whether I dreamed of becoming a butterfly, or whether the butterfly dreamed of becoming me. The culture of the Fire Empire is really interesting and philosophical. When the war is over, you can go and see it when you have time. .”

"Of course." Miyou agreed.

"Let's continue talking about the dream. Later, the city under the big cover perished. Because of the loss of the barrier, ice and snow fell unchecked in the urban area. People who were accustomed to a fixed pattern suddenly lost their direction. Many people chose Self-destruction. Finally, humans discovered the wolf clan, followed them, and saw the last white wolf sacrifice themselves on a mountain top in exchange for ice and snow, which was the end of winter. A few days later, the earth ushered in the first ray of With the golden radiance, all things revived, the era of silence ended, and all living things ushered in a new, vibrant new era." Oliver narrated.

But he didn't turn around, because there were tears in his eyes, and he didn't want the crystal things to flow freely, especially to Miyou. They had known each other for a short time, but they had helped each other all the way to the ruins of the ancient city of "Silent City", where the human legion The resident "boy" shows his vulnerable side.

However, Oliver's dream returns in Miyu's mind.

The writing is wonderful, and it is enough to give readers endless reverie. Everyone will come up with their own understanding and then immerse themselves in it.

Miyou was no exception. In his fantasy, the white wolf must be a strong being, but he was seriously injured and bleeding all over the ground. With his last breath, he smashed the "sequence" that started to sacrifice himself with his sharp claws. "Monster" ushered in a new world.

Fantasy and longing, Miyou murmured:

"Is this the second understanding of 'flame'?"

"Maybe! Miyou. But the birth of new life must mark the end of the Wasteland Era. I'm not sure whether Ivant is the 'king' who ushered in new life, but I hope it is him. Even other human beings. But let alone the three major churches. Cardinal Bloodwind's behavior of brutally taking Brett away made me angry. They are not worthy of the sacred mission given by God." Oliver was a little angry. Said unfairly.

The dust is billowing, the cold air is permeating the air, the light is fading, and tiny mosquitoes are settling on the mottled masonry walls, forming a twisted and cold illusion.

After staring at the wall and thinking for several minutes, just as Oliver was about to speak, there was a subtle knock on the door behind him.

Dang Dang Dang!

The sound of knocking on the door was neither loud nor quiet, and the intervals were standard, only three times, which made the people inside the house feel that the outsiders retained a trace of professional respect.

"Who is it...?" Miyou suppressed her feeling of weakness and asked with enough breath.

But what greeted him was not a respectful response from the person outside the door. After the door lock made a metallic clang sound, the door was violently kicked open.

In an instant, three or four heavily armed imperial soldiers holding "Dark Night-02" black rifles rushed in, surrounded the two people, and pointed their guns at their heads.

But the strange thing is that they did not make any sound. Apart from asking the two to raise their hands and confiscating the "Tiger K-01" pistol from Oliver's waist, there were no other special requirements.

Until, with the sound of "ta-da-da" footsteps, a man of not tall stature stopped in front of them.

The man was holding a pure black cane, wearing a pair of pure white gloves, a long round hat, and a dark cloak. The iconic "chimney" emblem of the Chekavsk Industrial Party could be faintly seen on the collar.

Immediately afterwards, he took off his round hat and black mask, revealing his haggard, slightly old face with brown scars.

In Oliver's view, the gentleman-looking "weirdo" in front of him exuded a rotten and evil aura, especially the scars dotted on his unattractive face, which highlighted the gloomy and heavy feeling.

But what made him feel even more weird was that Mi You shed tears when he looked at the "weirdo" in front of him.

He murmured something incomprehensibly, pushed away the rifle, stepped forward quickly, and hugged the "weirdo".

Important characters are about to appear, and the two lines are about to merge.