National destiny: Starting with a coffin, building an aircraft carrier is broadcast live globally.

【Cloud Velvet Lamb】

[Review: Excellent shock absorption, sound insulation, and temperature control material, but it's a bit sticky. PS: According to a captain who wishes to remain anonymous, its outstanding rebound performance... perhaps it could be used to develop new types of entertainment projects?]

"Actually, it feels pretty good."

I reminisced about it casually—

I was buried in soft, warm fur, it smelled wonderful, and I could feel its wet little nose nuzzling against my hand. To be honest... it was quite therapeutic.

He casually brushed a few strands of moss from his hair and asked the fellow who was furiously writing:

"Nathan, what are you writing?"

"Cough...it's nothing, it's nothing!"

Nathan guiltily closed the notebook he was drawing, which featured a cartoonish captain with beady eyes squeezed among a bunch of wool balls, and tucked it into his pocket.

Why?

Esting was still clinging to the ship's railing as if in a daze, seemingly not yet recovered from the tragic sacrifice of the former Goat King.

"Why... why is that leader, having already decided to ask us for help, bringing its companions along...?"

Go to your death.

After thinking for a moment, he explained:

"Perhaps it believes... a group only needs one voice."

From the perspective of the Goat King,

It used its authority to gain a more powerful protector for its people, and then sacrificed its life to surrender to any arbitrarily "superior" and clear away obstacles.

[Damn, why does this sound so familiar?]

[...Isn't this just a power transition, a case of "the rabbit is killed after the hunt, the bow is put away after the birds are gone"...]

[Former Sheep King: Now that you've taken my place, you're responsible for protecting the flock!]

[This sheep's audacity is terrifying!?]

It took Esting a while to process what she was seeing before she nodded, seemingly understanding, but a new question immediately arose.

He looked down at the white ocean that was still enthusiastically rubbing against the hull...

Then, somewhat bewildered, he asked:

"Well... Boss, you're the Sheep King now, but we can't stay here forever. Should we... take them all with us?"

His brows furrowed arbitrarily.

Of course he can't bring it!

These mimic sheep have little fighting ability, are not real sheep, and cannot be eaten; at most, they can be used as cushions.

Moreover, there are so many of them that they can't combine like rabbits and grass, so the Abyss might not be able to fit them all.

But if I just leave like this...

His righteous and upright image in the eyes of his fellow human beings and companions on Earth must be greatly diminished, right?

no......

You can't wear the hat of someone who starts a relationship and then abandons it.

Thinking of this, Ren Yi revealed a resolute expression.

"No."

He slowly shook his head. "We can't bring them."

"Give a sheep a fish and you feed it for a day; teach a sheep to fish and you feed it for a lifetime. True help is not about sheltering them under your wings, but about teaching them... how to face this cruel world."

"They need to learn to be independent."

[Pfft—Hahahaha! Did I hear that right? The big boss is putting pressure on a bunch of sheep?!]

[Declaration of Independence (Sheep Version)!]

[Renyi: You must stand up! The rise of the sheep depends on this!]

[I have a feeling... the big boss just thinks they're useless, but is too embarrassed to say it directly.]

Aurora: "?"

Klaus & Luigi: "......" Is that right?

Ivan and Esting nodded repeatedly: That's right!

Nathan silently wrote in his notebook: Captain's Quotes +1 —

Everyone needs to be independent... even sheep need to be independent...

Completely ignoring the crew's indescribable expressions, Ren Yi turned to look at the bamboo forest that appeared exceptionally deep in the night.

He had no intention of truly shirking his responsibilities.

If you want these sheep to be "independent," you must first give them a safer environment.

and......

Those shadow wolves should be more useful than these sheep.

At the command of the arbitrarily given command, Rabbit Grass adjusted its direction and, carrying [Abyss], leaped majestically towards the dark bamboo forest.

The bamboo grove was quiet; not even the sound of bamboo leaves rustling in the night breeze could be heard.

—As quiet as a tombstone.

But when the rabbits got within a hundred meters, something unexpected happened!

The shadows of the bamboo forest resembled a pot of boiling water, from which dozens of twisted whip-like shadows emerged, silently lashing at the rabbit horde and the shadows cast by the Abyss!

"Pfft!"

The rabbit grass shadows struck by the whip had a large chunk bitten off instantly, and the rabbit grass itself withered rapidly.

The green light in the eyes of the mother rabbit on the boat flashed, and the withered rabbit instantly regained its vitality.

"Turn on the lights."

The [Heart of the Sun] at the top of the mast shone brightly.

"Aww—"

The shadows that were convulsing, like vampires basking in the sun, quickly retreated back to the base of the bamboo grove.

But the light only drove them back into the bamboo forest; it did not cause any real damage.

As soon as the light disappears, they will come back again.

That won't do; I have no interest in playing the traffic light game with my shadow.

"Someone has to lead them out."

The captain suddenly stared into the depths of the bamboo forest and uttered this sentence, then turned to his generals who were lined up behind him.

"The secret must be inside. Light can't get in. We have to go to their lair to take a look."

This plan is simple and straightforward, requiring only two people to complete.

"So, who wants to play the most important role?"

That sounds so nice, but isn't it just being used as bait?

First, we can rule out Aurora, who is essential for survival; second, we can rule out new members Estin and Luigi, who are both relatively inexperienced and lack both strength and seniority...

Ivan, Nathan, and Klaus engaged in a silent battle of wits in the air.

"I think I'm better suited for a head-on assault..."

Ivan fired the first shot, "This kind of work, which requires tactical maneuvering, is better suited for engineers skilled in calculations!"

Klaus, having already been bait long enough, subtly resisted:

"First of all, I'm just a support staff member. Secondly, my weight and height are at a disadvantage on such a bouncy surface. I'm not afraid of being caught... my main concern is ruining the boss's plans!"

His gaze flickered toward Nathan.

"The explorer is agile and nimble..."

"Oh, my dear friends!"

Nathan's exaggerated aria was forced out again:

"My rank is that of the 'Child of the Forest,' not the 'Child of the Grasslands' or the 'Swift-Footed Warrior'! When it comes to strength, none of us warriors from the Bear Kingdom can compare to you!"

......

The three guys chatted back and forth, talking about everything from talent to physics, from individual strengths to tactical value, but the core idea was the same—

I'm not going!

"Oh well."

He laughed freely.

"Since everyone is so enthusiastic, in order to demonstrate our team's fairness, impartiality, and transparency, let's decide in the oldest and most sacred way."

He extended his right hand and made a fist.

Everyone: "?"

"Scissors, rock, paper."

"Best of three, the loser will be the brightest star tonight."

Ivan: …(⊙＿⊙)…

Nathan: (×_×)

Klaus: (@﹏@)

"What's wrong?"

The captain smiled knowingly and asked:

"Such simple rules...do I really need to explain them?"