Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1051: Section 665: Dreamin’_2

Chapter 1051: Section 665: Dreamin’_2

"Yes, it’s the same for them. Or for the Nobles and the royals, they both understand exactly what the other wants to do. They both know how much they wish to destroy each other. But they’re shackled by Chaos itself. I’ve often wondered if, without Chaos, they might have already decided life and death between them. Yet, alas, Fate shows mercy to no one. Now, they’ve got no choice but to act as if they sympathize with one another... Truly pathetic." Malin smiled as he said this: "Young Chengshan, let’s not discuss such tragic matters any further."

"No problem. Honestly, it really is rather sad. Fortunately, we Thanan handled all of this in times past. If Chaos truly descends, I believe we will be the ones on this planet to resist for the longest. Perhaps we’ll still lose, but we will never beg the Evil God for survival, let alone accept so-called immortality. That kind of choice is far more terrifying than death."

Malin nodded. Indeed, no normal person on this planet could ever choose to become a Chaotic Believer. It’s a choice with no alternatives. Only lunatics and madmen might think that joining the traffickers is the only way to survive.

Yes, true, believing in them earns eternal life. Malin didn’t dispute that. But by that time, whether the one alive is truly "yourself" becomes a deeply philosophical question.

That "you"—is it really you? One might see, but might not truly believe.

"Mr. Malin, the fleet is almost done with the loading process. Mr. Meng sent me to find you." Bishop Zhang pushed open the door.

Malin couldn’t continue sitting in front of this young one any longer. As he got up to leave, another messenger arrived.

"Young sir, the signal tower received word just now. Mentor Chao was attacked by Chaos en route. Though he repelled the attack, he sustained serious injuries, and the three disciples accompanying him were all killed."

Malin noticed that, upon hearing this news, the alarmed look on Bishop Zhang’s face seemed unquestionably genuine.

Mentor Chao... Her disciples, like Chengshan, were orphans. Her mentor gravely injured; her senior disciples all dead... This was bad news, yet it was also something good.

Chao Chengshan nodded slightly: "I understand. Please leave, Messenger."

She continued sitting there. Due to the backlight, sunlight streamed in from behind her at that moment, making Malin slightly dizzy while preventing him from seeing her expression clearly.

"Yes, young sir. One more thing—the radio message said that you should return to Hangzhou District as soon as possible to undergo surgery." The messenger finished and turned to walk past Malin, glancing at him before shaking hands with Bishop Zhang and exiting the room.

"Mr. Malin... You heard that, didn’t you?" The girl sitting with her back to the light asked in an emotionless voice.

"Yes." Malin nodded.

"The mentor’s grave injuries mean I must undergo the surgery, which likely signifies the mentor’s days are numbered... That I will likely inherit her mantle. So..." She paused, tilting her head slightly.

A faint sigh, a hint of sadness—she didn’t look happy at all. This brought Malin to feel an ache of sympathy for her.

Inwardly, Malin thought, "Please... take care of yourself." Torn between offering condolences and congratulations, Malin could only end the conversation with five simple words.

"I will. Perhaps by the time you arrive in Hangzhou, I’ll already have completed the surgery." Chao Chengshan’s words made Malin furrow his brow... Did the Thanan still maintain spacecraft?

Regardless, Malin nodded.

"Do you have anything else to say, young sir?" Malin held respect for this girl, for he understood that Sages and their disciples never marry, devoting their entire lives responsibly to the world. They then pass the title of Sage to the disciples they’ve raised.

Just as she said, steel-tempered minds, adherents to mechanical logic, selfless and fearless leaders—only individuals without flaws could become the ones to lead the Thainan survivors of this era out of its predicament.

"Nothing more. Meeting you here has been Fate’s greatest gift to me. Farewell, Mr. Malin."

"Goodbye." Saying this, Malin walked toward the door, and while passing Bishop Zhang, he noticed the man’s face streaked with flowing tears.

Mentor Chao must’ve been remarkably close to this bald-headed man. These tears must have been shed for a friend.

With such a sentiment, Malin pushed the door open.

......

"He’s gone." Bishop Zhang walked to the window, watching the young man stride toward the harbor. The Martial Monk Bishop turned to look at the girl behind the desk: "You can renounce the Sageship now; the Sage Tower won’t blame you, young sir."

"But I’ve told him, as disciples of the Sage, we are meant to be just like our mentors, possessing minds tempered like steel. We are adherents to mechanical logic and future selfless and fearless leaders... Bishop Zhang, do not weep for me. This is my mission."

"But you’re still just a child, young sir. Your life is like a blank sheet of paper; your existence is akin to a budding flower; your heart... it has yet to bloom for anyone." At this moment, the grown man ultimately couldn’t hold back his tears. He wiped his face, but quickly, the tears ruined his effort.

The atmosphere in the office grew strained. Chao Chengshan continued filling out the forms in front of her, while across from her, this near-legendary figure—this towering Martial Monk Bishop—found himself shedding tears.

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