CHAPTER 1156: SECTION 712: NOVA_2

And those human children were even more so; many made some progress during the Node Transformation classes, and some even awakened from a state of bewildered loss.

"Is this the True Lord... it’s truly unbelievable." Nova expressed her astonishment.

But what shocked her even more was the repaired bridge, the adventurer teams coming and going between the banks, and the lucky ones returning fully loaded.

These people are known as Tech Hunters in the Western Human World, and Nova expressed some envy toward Thainan for having so many unexplored Dark Zones even though they were in a state of revival — the current Tech Hunters can only advance toward the dangerous Eastern Dark Zones, which are truly perilous lands, with an initial mission extinction rate of up to thirty percent for ordinary Tech Hunter teams, and even high-level teams can face death from a single misstep.

Here, though, Nova saw what seemed like a grand outing.

No wonder Nova felt this way. Malin had visited the Dark Zone himself and saw that the adventurer teams, upon entering the undeveloped Dark Zone, would sometimes form company-sized group actions with over ten teams, employing military-style coordinated tactics, and hiring Awakeners as mercenaries using food, rendering the scattered forces of the Dark Zone no match for them. At the sight of a difficult opponent, they would retreat and summon the military exploration forces to handle it — professional military equipped with self-propelled cannon cars and rapid-fire arms, where the so-called "tough opponents" wouldn’t last long under the rain of bullets.

Considering that misunderstandings could sometimes be harmful, Malin took the effort to educate Nova about the situation in the Dark Zone, personally taking her to see the cooperation among adventurer teams there.

Seeing the situation completely different from the Western Human World where Tech Hunter teams fought independently, Nova fell silent.

Finally, upon returning to Malin’s small house in the old city, the Queen sighed.

"Before, I was wondering why the Thanan revival was so swift. Now I’ve found the answer to my questions; indeed, unity is the true survival strategy, and I must bring back the answers found on this land to the Principality." Saying this, Nova looked at Malin, who was holding a child: "Malin, let the child play with toys nearby. There are things I want to discuss with you."

Malin nodded, put down the child, and the little one, being quite considerate, took the captured pet rabbit to play on the side — don’t be fooled by this rabbit’s cuteness; it could spit Fireballs, weak as they were, but still harmful to ordinary people.

However, their child could crush the Fireballs with bare hands, making the rabbit’s numerous attempts to resist futile, watching its companions turned into braised rabbit head before finally accepting its fate as a pet.

In Malin’s eyes, this was recognizing the situation as a smart rabbit — at least by accepting its fate, it wouldn’t turn into braised rabbit head.

In other words, if it didn’t, Malin could add to their child’s meal — you see, here with Malin, even rabbits have the autonomy to choose their destiny.

"Dear, don’t bring up that poor rabbit’s cold jokes," Nova rolled her eyes at Malin, so Malin stopped intertwining fate, rabbits, and self-determination.

"I’m sorry," Malin said, but the love in front of him shook her head: "I can see the sadness in your eyes; do you feel it’s too merciless?"

Malin remained silent, finally shaking his head: "I don’t think so. I know you, as the Queen, have more important matters, and I acknowledge your busy schedule."

This line Malin spoke sincerely, as he had never thought of Nova as someone who could abandon everything for emotions; from the moment they first met, Malin held this view.

Even later, when he liked her strength, it was because she was too strong.

· Thank you, Malin, it’s wonderful you think that way, but... the truth is, I’m scared of losing you.

Noticing the child’s curious gaze, Nova began conversing using Spiritual Energy.

Malin also noticed the curiosity and unease in the child’s eyes and started using Spiritual Energy.

· Sorry, I know, the more you observe the futures depicted by the children, the more you worry about me.

· No, it’s me who should apologize. I’m terrified of losing you, so scared that I dare not speak with you, face you, but... throughout today, I’ve realized I cannot adapt to a life distanced from you, and I’ve pleaded more than once with that lady, hoping she wouldn’t take you away from our lives.

At the end, Nova lowered her head, and Malin could sense her choking up, which pained him, and he reached out to embrace her.

· I’ve seen many descendants, boys and girls, unaware of your existence; even at one time, the Farole Royal Family wasn’t honored because they couldn’t identify the pinnacle of their paternal lineage... I don’t know what you’ve done to make my descendants unable to find you, Malin, I beg you, don’t do anything foolish; we sisters don’t want to lose you.

· I don’t want to do anything foolish either.

Malin gently patted Nova’s back, and for a moment, a voice in Malin’s heart asked — why not comply with her.

Indeed, why not? Isn’t Nova still in love with him?

Malin questioned himself, how cruel must one be to make such a choice... it must be a choice he wouldn’t regret.