Wasteland Echoer.

Chapter 595: Suffocating "Cooperation"

"Artificial Lost Ones? Interesting. I remember that the 'Cosmology School' of the Old Empire had conducted similar experiments, including the Crown Prince Ivant of the Rhine people in the south. Unfortunately, artificial humans are taboo in any era. Some dragons died because of this, and some humans turned into a pool of black powder because of it." Anthony stared at "Jie Yan" with a trace of obvious melancholy in his expression.

"Are you interested in mysticism? Or have you specialized in the history of the Crusad Empire?" Dak asked tentatively.

After all, Anthony claimed that his ancestors were Khitanris, who fled to Crusde after a long journey, and because of his mother and his own identity as lost persons, it was difficult for them to enter a higher-level and sequence legion. It was really strange to know this.

Moreover, after more than 500 years of the Wasteland Era, many professors, magicians, and others who originally specialized in history and mysticism either died in the war or were infected with the "Heartless Virus" and transformed into Lost Ones.

Basically, there are no academic families in Cruzde. Even if you can concentrate on studying the fields of history, philosophy and literature that you are interested in during a few years of peace, when the howl of the "Wave of Careless People" resounds throughout Cruzde from the land splashed with scarlet blood, you will have to hold the "Icefield Tiger" rifle and fight with the defense forces in various places.

If Anthony had long since given up his human identity, or was unwilling to be a mutant under the jurisdiction of the cowardly and incompetent Federal Committee, and sought the identity of a Lost One, or had connections with several Lost One organizations in the East, it would not be surprising to know this.

Anthony read Duck's inner thoughts from his face. In fact, he was not a Lost One. His deep hatred for the "Heartless Man" and the Lost Ones would not allow him to associate with these bloody monsters. "The End of the Odyssey" was an eternal pain in his heart. Once he had the opportunity to move to a higher position in the Federal Council, he would be more radical than Vasily and his gang who wanted to completely erase the existence of the Lost Ones.

"My mother is a Lost One. Before she was infected with the 'Heartless Virus', she was indeed a member of the Konigler family of literature, magic and extraordinary people. She was not an officer of the Federation, nor did she do anything for the Federation. She... belonged to an independent armed force and was a member of the 'True Knowledge Exploration Group'." Anthony explained.

"'True Knowledge Expedition'? Is it a small organization?" Dak asked, turning to look at Anthony.

"It's not that big, there are only a dozen Lost Ones in total. There are at least hundreds of independent armed forces scattered and separatist in the North and South Karlov Special Zones and the Arctic Special Zone. She may be the only one pursuing the 'Heartless Virus', the 'New Structure Plan', and even the 'Ordered Gods', the 'Lord of Darkness' and the truth of the Creator." Anthony crossed his hands on his chest, raised his head slightly, and his face covered with small wounds was covered with a thick, almost indelible pride. He said:
"Their leader, Jisuo, once traveled through various forbidden and desolate areas that even the Federation's [soldiers] dared not enter. He obtained a lot of first-hand information about the various military experiments of the Old Empire before the Federation did. My mother gave me some of this information, and now I have placed it in a safe place in Nebsk.

"If we successfully rescue Commander Nebrius and get to Nebsk, you can feel free to read any content that interests you."

"So, your mother is not only a Lost One, but also has a background in independent armed forces. She has even been exposed to a lot of information that even the Federal Committee does not have. In this case, the 'Wave of Careless People' in Joeigler may not be as simple as you described." Dak said frankly without any concealment.

"All debts must be repaid. The Lord once gazed at the Pillars of Creation from afar in his sleeping palace. Under the kneeling of all the gods of the order, he passed through the stars and the sun and the moon and sent down an oracle to us." Anthony rarely used a religious and sacred tone, like an orthodox bishop holding the Holy Book, wearing a cross inlaid with gems and glass, and wearing a holy robe, and said with deep affection:
"Everything must be repaid, all debts and sins, all pain and sorrow, all wrongs done to others. When the moon is red, the sea is black, and the earth is covered with lava, then it is time to pay the debt.

"They will eventually pay for their sins in a way that transcends life, but not now. Dak, we have actually been here for a week."

"One week???" Dak was shocked and sat up. He walked to Anthony, grabbed his collar with both hands, and asked:

"My battle with the artificial Lost One 'Exhausting Flame' only lasted a few hours. Could it be that I was unconscious for six or seven days before the ritual of 'Exhausting Heart' was initiated?"

"Maybe not." Anthony gently pulled away Dak's hand and explained:
"In fact, when we were sleeping in the new pickup truck No. 'Mechanical Yuan-03' that was transporting adventurers, an explosion occurred outside. It should have been done by the group of 'explosive heartless people' brought by the lost vampire Miren."

As Anthony spoke, he took out half of a crude mechanical "product" that had almost melted into a block of iron from his pocket and explained further:

"Look, this is the mechanical heart left behind by those 'explosive heartless people'. The explosion took place in the military zone of 'Outer Nebuya Front 06'. After a brief conflict between us and these 'heartless people', Hakka, the temporary leader of the adventure team, received a telegram from Novayask."

"Telegram? Have you set up an antenna here?" Dak asked curiously, looking around, but there were no man-made facilities except for the dry branches of trees that were as dark as if they came out of the deep sea or the underworld, and the trees with slightly yellow leaves that were about to wither and die.

"Of course, but we definitely can't find it now. The landscape in the Outer Nebuya Mountains changes frequently because several Lost One organizations and the Nebsk army often clash here. Apart from the general area, we basically have to modify the map every time we come here." Anthony explained:
"Back then, the City Council of Novayask ordered us to split the adventurers into two teams. One team went to the 'Front 03' Military Zone, which is the site of several abandoned castles, to pursue Miren, and the other team stayed in the 'Front 04' Military Zone, which is the commanding heights here, to observe the situation and wait for further orders.

"In fact, the overall quality of this group of adventurers is not high. Even if there are federal soldiers participating in the battle, they cannot fight the Lost Ones if they are divided into two teams. However, the Federal Committee is responsible for the distribution of bounties. The "Novaask Adventurer Action Regulations" clearly stipulates: 'Even if the mission has been completed, if the adventurer does not obey the orders of the City Committee, the bounty should be halved or terminated.'"

"So, in fact, you backed down in the face of money and chose to accept the unreasonable orders of the City Commission. You didn't wake me up and made me go through such a difficult battle, right?" Dak glared at Anthony, but after only a few seconds, his clenched fists loosened, replaced by a sigh.

"Isn't 'adventurer' just a nicer name for 'mercenary'? If it weren't for the money, not so many people would volunteer to die here. I... participated in the mission to chase Miren, but when I arrived near the fortress of the 'Front 03' military zone, I noticed that it was already the territory of the 'Devotion Group'. Miren, the Lost Vampire, has already cooperated with these 'Forsaken Gods'." Anthony pointed to the slightly distorted air in the distance and said:
"I guess that the entire Outer Nebuya Mountains, except for the core area, where Nebrius still holds the stronghold, has been occupied by the Lost Ones. I don't quite understand why the City Council didn't tell us adventurers the truth, but instead let us die."

"The Novayask Committee, or Shaneva herself, may have been secretly colluding with these Lost Ones for a long time." Dak took a few steps forward, looking directly at "Jie Yan" who had slightly awakened and was adapting to the dazzling sunlight around him, and analyzed:
"Batches of adventurers were sent into the Outer Nebuya Mountains, but these people, including us, not only failed to rescue Nebrius, but these Lost Ones also failed to capture the core stronghold here. The battle line continued to stalemate, and people were dying in large numbers. This is not a war, this is a sacrifice.

"I don't know what Shaneva's purpose is for now, but I guess that since I have defeated 'Exhausting Flame', interrupted the 'Exhausting Heart' ritual, and destroyed the 'Exhausting Heart Flame Point' and the 'Net Hunting Shrine', my companions who stayed in the city should be in great danger. But now, I don't want to go back." "I have indeed heard a lot of rumors about Shaneva. It is said that in order to seize the position of the supreme leader of the Federal Council, she once ordered to contact the chief executives of the eastern strongholds and refused to organize troops to rescue the western front." Anthony said indignantly:
"She always pretended to obey the orders of the Federation Council, but when Binglin City fell and Kuka and other high-level officials fled, she announced that she would take over Vasily's will and continue the 'Universe Energy Evolution Platform' project."

"'Evolution Platform Plan', wait, 'Evolution Platform Plan'?" Dak suddenly understood something and slammed his palms.

"What 'Jie Yan' said is true."

"What...really?" Anthony asked curiously.

"'Core', [the core of Khitanria]." Dak explained:

"The 'Universe Energy Evolution Platform' project requires seven cores named after the Khitan people's name for the Big Dipper to be activated. Igor Constantinyeh, a scientist from the Federation, told me that if we have two cores and find two related 'Evolution Platforms', we can find the locations of all the remaining 'Evolution Platforms' through precise mathematical calculations. The 'Evolution Platform' representing 'Yaoguang' seems to be in the area near Nebsk.

"Finding the 'Yaoguang Evolution Platform' not only represents the official launch of the 'Plan', but also the source stone pillar that can be found under the guidance of the 'Evolution Platform', which hides the power to destroy the world. It can summon the 'Mind Control Panel' and turn all humans and the Lost into her slaves.

"The Evolution Platform plan is a dangerous thing. If possible, I must completely destroy these cores. Vasily went crazy after getting the cores, and Shaneva became even crazier because of the cores. I now have enough reason to suspect that Shaneva has reached an agreement with the Lost Ones. For the sake of the [Chidanlian Core], they temporarily chose to cooperate and jointly deal with Commander Nebrius. In order to ensure that he does not actively destroy the core and affect the Evolution Platform plan, the Lost Ones chose to surround but not attack, and Shaneva chose to save but not assist."

"The Crusaders have learned all the excellent culture of our ancestors in the Yanhuo Empire." Anthony said with a smile:
"Besiege Wei to save Zhao, conceal the truth from the world, and... lead someone into a trap. Well, Dak, you have much more combat experience than me. What do you plan to do? I'll listen to you."

"I plan to..." Dark thought for a moment and said:
"The key to breaking the impasse is the Lost Ones Organization. The interests of the Novaask gang and Shaneva are the same. I suspect that the human strongholds in the eastern part of the Federation, including Nebsk, may have already stood on one side. Otherwise, the tens of thousands of elite [warriors] of the Nebsk Legion and the Guard should have all gone here to rescue their leader.

"We should negotiate with the 'Devotion Group' and make them realize the situation. Of course, this artificial lost being 'Jie Yan' is the best trump card in our hands."

"I understand, Dak." Anthony said, and returned to the mechanical chariot whose engine had not yet completely stopped running. He came to the weapons storage box and took out a "Bosilia" pistol used by federal officers. After quickly loading the gun, Anthony grabbed the heavy pistol with one hand, leaped in front of "Jie Yan" who was still stretching lazily, grabbed his "Yanfu" collar roughly with one hand, put the gun to his head with the other hand, and dragged him into the mechanical chariot.

"How dare you, a bunch of stupid and conceited mortals, use violence against the 'Forsaken God'?" Facing Anthony who was glaring at him, "Jie Yan" said in an arrogant tone without any hurry:

"Even without the 'Mechanical Crimson Moon' and the 'Heart-Exhausting Flame Point', my power is enough to wipe out all of you. I have already sacrificed hundreds of your adventurers, and you two are not enough. The Flame Point is resurrected, and the Realm of Yuejiang is Xini..."

Snapped!
Just as "Jie Yan" was intoxicated with his own identity and reciting an "elegant" haiku with great emotion, Anthony interrupted him with a slap in the face.

"You actually dared to be so rude to the 'Forsaken God'. Aren't you afraid that the 'Devotion Group' will cause trouble for you..."

Snapped!
Another slap hit the other half of "Jie Yan"'s face, leaving a symmetrical palm print.

"What do you want to do? Revenge for those who died? I tell you, you can't..."

Snapped!
Anthony gathered his strength and slapped him again. After he felt satisfied, he grabbed Jieyan by the collar and used his gun to ruffle his hair that was stained with a thick scarlet mark, saying:
"Are you satisfied?"

"Jie Yan" didn't dare to speak anymore, but nodded desperately.

"Just accept it. You are our prisoner now. Take us to the base of the 'Devotion Group'. Otherwise, I promise to make you, the artificial lost one, feel something more terrible than death." Anthony ordered.

"Yes...yes, sir." "Jie Yan" responded timidly in a weak boy's voice with a crying tone.

Soon, Anthony and Dak tied up "Jie Yan"'s hands with nylon ropes, closed the car door, and skillfully started the mechanical chariot that originally belonged to the Novayask army, driving on the rugged mountain road.

The wheels rolled over the ground, leaving a sticky, disgusting trail of wheels.

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