Wasteland Echoer.

Chapter 598: The Military Base of the "Devotion Group" (Part )

New Era Year 558, January 1, 16:10 AM.

Cruz Federation, Far Northeast Region, Outer Nebuya Region, Outer Nebuya Mountains, outside of the "Former No. 03" military fortress.

When the military mechanical vehicle driven by Anthony crossed the rugged mountain roads of the "Front No. 01" and "Front No. 04" military outposts, they came to a low-lying valley. After simply replenishing some clean, unpolluted water, Anthony and Dak pressed the "well-dressed" "Jie Yan" and continued to drive forward.

About fifteen minutes later, the mechanical tank stopped temporarily at the end of an abandoned, desolate road covered with weeds and dead branches.

"Anthony." Taking advantage of the break, Dark tilted his head and suggested to Anthony who was smoking the "An Shen Nei Juan Hua" cigarette:

"Since we intend to discuss cooperation with the 'Devotion Group' this time, rather than fight, we shouldn't hang the flag and emblem of the Cruz Federation on the vehicle. I'm worried that these things will cause the group of Lost Ones who are prone to mental disorder to misjudge and attack us before the tank approaches their base.

"Once we start exchanging fire, there will be no room for any cooperation."

"It is indeed a problem." Anthony put out the cigarette in his hand that was emitting red sparks, and while checking the handcuffs and shackles specially made for the Lost that were used to restrain "Jie Yan", he "thoughtfully" changed a dry towel for "Jie Yan" to cover his mouth.

After doing all this, Anthony said thoughtfully:

"However, if we voluntarily discard the flag and emblem in order to cooperate with the Lost Ones, it means that we have voluntarily abandoned the Federation that has given us safety and shelter. In this way, we will never be able to return to any city controlled by the Federation, and it is even more likely that they will no longer recognize our identities as humans and mutants.

“Moreover, the Federal Symbols Management Regulations stipulate that any federal tank in motion must fly the federal flag or one of the national emblems (symbols) in a conspicuous position unless it is destroyed by the enemy. Otherwise, the person who removes the emblem or the person driving the vehicle shall be regarded as collaborating with the enemy.

"Dak, you have to know that in the eyes of the Federation Council, treason is a more serious crime than assassinating the Chief Executive. If you still want to go to any land controlled by the Federation, or you have relatives and friends in Novaask, I suggest we find another way to get closer to the 'Devotion Group'."

"Wait, Anthony." Dak scratched his head and thought:
"I have been in the Mayang City Guard for three years and trained in the Binglin City Strategic Group for a period of time. How come I have never heard of this regulation? Logically speaking, the situation on the battlefield changes rapidly, and the regulations should not be so rigid."

"It was passed last month. At that time, the 'Gnady Line' had just collapsed, and Vasily was organizing the final defense of Ice City. It was probably to rally people's hearts, or simply to enslave the poor people left in the city. The 'Symbol Ordinance' was urgently issued." Anthony said with a solemn expression and obvious anger:

“The more detailed the behavior management is, the more we can constantly weaken people’s resistance awareness within the norms, and then completely control people’s behavior. This is true for the Cruzde royal family and the Lost Ones organization scattered in the wasteland.

"It's a pity that Shaneva chose to betray the Higanbana School of Theory and abandoned the ideas of the former Chief Executive, Viking, and instead inherited Vasily's ideas. As a result, not only this regulation, but also the 'Universe Energy Evolution Platform Project' will have to proceed as usual."

"In that case, Shaneva would have to destroy Nebrius. In that case, according to the iron law formed by humans in the Steam Age, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', there is a possibility of cooperation between Nebrius and the 'Devotion Group'." Dark analyzed:

"Perhaps this Nebsk governor is in contact with the Lost Ones. In this case, perhaps... we don't need to take down our flags and emblems, and we can get close to the fortress they control."

"That's it, Dak." Anthony smiled and patted Dak's shoulder, who was sitting in the passenger seat, half educating and half analyzing:
"The situation often changes incredibly fast. They may be enemies just now, but they may become friends the next second. This is because interests are dynamic, and the pursuit of interests by all parties is also dynamic. Dak, we need to prepare for a rainy day, but there is no need to worry about it. After all, there is the universe above the sky, and the universe and disappearance into a black hole will not pull the sky down."

"Is this the myth of Khitanris? I heard that you Khitanris people like to discuss topics about the universe and philosophy." Dak teased.

"It can be considered a myth, and it seems to be philosophy as well, but it is more like... history," Anthony replied.

……

Anthony drove the mechanical chariot, which still had the Cruzde flag and emblem hanging on it, on the winding mountain road outside the "Former Military Fortress No. 03". Although the straight-line distance from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain was only a few hundred meters, the mud-based road was covered with obstacles made of ruins, remains of buildings and bones, abandoned firearms, and various abandoned materials. Not only did it block the view, it also hindered the movement of the mechanical chariot.

Fortunately, with Anthony's extremely skilled driving skills and the excellent off-road performance of this mechanical chariot, it was not much slower than walking.

About thirty or forty minutes later, the sun gradually cast a red glow like an expanding fire across the mountains. Weeds, like viruses, spread across the front of the mechanical chariot driven by Anthony, as the road ahead became increasingly closed and rugged.

Finally, the mechanical chariot, which had almost run out of fuel, stopped in front of a cramped open space piled with dark red bricks and rammed earth sandbags.

"Dak, get ready to get out of the car. I think we've reached the military fortress controlled by the Dedication Group." Anthony analyzed as he looked out through the bulletproof glass window:

"The environment here is obviously different from when we came here just now. There are many more traces of human activities. Look at these fortifications. Some are left by our army, and some are much simpler. They are obviously built by the Lost Ones due to lack of supplies. Moreover, considering the annihilation of plants caused by the small-scale explosion of the Heart Exhausting Flame Point, the number of plants here is pitifully small."

"Yes." Dak nodded, agreeing with Anthony's analysis, "I... can still feel the strong fluctuations of the magic source. It is difficult for the natural world in the Wasteland Era to spontaneously form such a gathering of magic source. The last time I felt such a large scale of magic source was in the 'Red Fantasy Ruins'.

"Well, Anthony, can we get off the car now? I don't think these Lost Ones from the 'Devotion Group' have any intention of attacking us. Otherwise, they should have launched an action halfway up the mountain just now."

"Let's go, Dak. Remember to take the 'Sunflower' rocket launcher in the back seat. Although your 'Mad Bear' pistol is extraordinary enough, it is much inferior to the rocket launcher in terms of power. You must know that in front of power, all spiritual pollution caused by evil is nothing but fleeting smoke. The truth is only between the gunfire, not above the spirit." Anthony instructed.

Soon, Anthony took the "Federal Eagle-New" sniper rifle that he never put down, held the "prisoner" "Jie Yan" in one hand, and walked forward a short distance tentatively with Wright.

Suddenly, there was an obvious, dizzying distortion in the space around them, and a crimson light flashed in all four directions: in front, behind, left and right of them, causing ripples of magical power in the air that continued to spread outward.

Immediately afterwards, several people wearing "Dragon and Demon Eye" masks on their faces rushed forward. They were all wearing long robes with a hint of purple in the dark, but underneath they were wearing tight-fitting, khaki-colored wasteland punk-style clothes that were common among people walking in the wild.

Dak picked up the "Sunflower" cannon and looked carefully at the group of Lost Ones who were bending over, with bone blades sticking out of their wrists, and were slowly approaching them with light steps.

Anthony was much calmer. He simply glanced at the group of Lost Ones, then pulled the extremely honest "Jie Yan" in front of him and said in a stern tone:

"Is this how the 'Devotion Group' welcomes collaborators who have come from afar? If your leader is interested, he should come out to meet us in person instead of sending a few minions and bugs to disgust us!"

Hearing this, the Lost Ones actually stopped in their tracks. Their eyes switched back and forth between the "captured" "Jie Yan" and Anthony, and they actually stopped in their tracks.

However, what was strange was that they did not cancel their attacking stance, nor did they retreat. Instead, they let out a growl from their throats that was difficult to describe with any words or phrases, a mix of dissatisfaction, anger, and hostility that came from a mixture of wild beasts, monsters, and gods. Then, they all lay on their backs and collectively let out a long howl from their chests, like wolf-like creatures!
"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!" After three extremely alert howls, the air around them exuded a bloody smell that was enough to make ordinary humans nauseous. The surrounding space was vaguely built with red lattice fences on all sides. The plants on the ground began to "retreat" rapidly, leaving behind a gray desolate atmosphere and the corpses of wild beasts buried deep underneath.

A violent shock of deep red magic power came from far away and finally, under the arrangement and combination of countless creepy sparks, a Lost One with a strong Crusader appearance appeared in front of the three people.

"I guess you are the destined young man favored by 'Andres's Wish'." The Lost One actually passed by Anthony and "Jie Yan" and looked directly at Dak behind them. He said in a hoarse voice with a respectful tone:

"Let me introduce myself. I am one of the seven 'Restorers' of the 'Devotion Group'. My title is 'Xianyan'. Currently, I am the only leader here."

Thanks to Baozhuangzhipants for the monthly ticket!
In addition, the audio book of this book is now on the shelves, and readers are welcome to support it!