CHAPTER 1133: SECTION 702: SOUTHWARD AUTUMN WIND (PART 2)_2

Malin, of course, understood that the final battle was essentially the last stand. Once subspace made full contact with this world, the entire planet would descend into ruin.

"Even though those Astrologers or Astromancers say there’s still hope for the world...we Sages have long known the world will inevitably fall. No matter how hard that Lady tries, she cannot change the course of human history. Ever since those bastards summoned the Chaos, the bells of doom have been tolling for eight millennia...we humans are merely waiting to meet our end."

Sage Yu sighed as he said this, then turned off the recorder and tucked it into the pouch at his waist: "All this is based on the calculations of the giant computers. We Sages believe in science...even if, Mr. Malin, you are the one chosen by the Lady, she herself should understand that while human Fate can be changed at whim, the destiny of civilization cannot be altered by anyone."

"I don’t like your defeatist talk. My world sacrificed three whole generations to resist the Tide of the Dead until the tide destroyed everything." Noticing Sage Yu looking at him, Ails sighed: "Don’t look at me like that. I was in despair until I found myself again by following Lord Malin."

"I know, I also know the pain of witnessing your homeland’s destruction by your own hands." Sage Yu turned to Malin: "Mr. Malin, do you want to return to your homeland and take a look?"

"I want to, but I dare not, because I know everything there has changed beyond recognition." Malin said, leaping over another crack. As the group walked past a corner, the wreckage of a heavy chariot gradually came into view.

"This is the Road of Death. During the Great Destruction Era, to cover the civilians’ retreat, a Union troop from Earth was entirely lost here. From this point to the unknown destroyed city over there, we’ll encounter the longest stretch of the Road of Death in this area." Sage Yu gestured for the team to stay away from the cliff: "Though the Wraiths don’t frequently appear in the present world at noon, we should still be cautious of them emerging from the cliffside. Lord Malin, have Konen watch out under the vehicles, there might be stray rogue living dead."

After speaking, Sage Yu jumped onto the vehicle roof.

Malin turned his head just in time to see Konen brushing past a rogue living dead...or rather, a zombie.

Konen looked puzzled, clearly baffled as to why this odd thing wasn’t attacking him.

The zombie, after running a few steps, stopped as well. It looked at Malin and the others, then turned to Konen, clearly confused.

But Malin didn’t give it much time to ponder. With a wave of his left hand, the zombie was struck by a Psychic Palm and sent toward the southern cliff—falling from there, it might not die, but it would certainly end up as a pancake.

The implication was that it would be worse than death, because at least in death there is no suffering.

"Why wouldn’t it attack Konen?" Sage Yu looked at Konen in confusion.

Jason, who was about to open the tank hatch, glanced at Konen: "It’s normal that it wouldn’t. His scent, despite Konen being from the ancient Middle East, carries the smell of the living dead. To the zombies here, Konen is an unfamiliar kin, so they first ignore him. However, Konen is wearing a helmet, making them confused because they can’t see his face. They have a degree of intelligence, but it’s clearly not very high."

Thus, Malin had Konen remove his helmet and mask. In subsequent encounters, zombies emerging from under the vehicles lost their aggressiveness upon seeing Konen. However, upon spotting Ails as the second bait, they regained their frenzy and aggression, marching hungrily towards Ails, only to be knocked off the road by Ails with a Swipe of Spiritual Energy, along with a final clatter and cry.

"Alright then, it seems we should have Konen act as the vanguard." Sage Yu said as he walked over: "Konen, would you agree to pulling the trigger on these crazies?"

"I’d prefer to use an axe; it doesn’t make noise." Konen nodded.

So, in the ensuing time, Konen took the lead with an axe, luring in the zombies. Each time they screeched out from under a vehicle, they’d enter a confused state upon seeing Konen, only to be struck down by Konen’s axe—after all, to Konen, these mad creatures were not his kin, so his mood didn’t sour. Instead, with each successive kill, he seemed to gain a deeper understanding of how to wield the axe.

As they continued along the road, Malin would occasionally discover remnants long since weathered away; these skeletons had become completely brittle, and from Ails’ point of view, they were utterly useless.

"But I respect these soldiers from another world. Their sacrifice held no value, yet they stood firm until the final moment. Their destinies forsook them, but they did not forsake their duty." As Ails proceeded, he showed respect for the soldiers’ skeletons lying faced north.

Malin nodded, at the same time levitating badge after badge of the soldiers with Psychic Energy to his front, collecting them into his pouch, then dropping one pouch after another into his private space.