People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Ernst nodded and pointed to Skadi beside him: "Have you ever seen anyone like her?"

The shapeshifter turned its head to look at Ernst, then glanced at Skadi, seemingly lost in thought.

Liu Ernst didn't have high hopes, but the shapeshifter swarm was indeed too useful when they were allies. Whether it was intelligence gathering, infiltration and sabotage, or even just temporarily acting as a substitute, they could play an infinite number of wonderful roles!

Ernst pondered that he had only been in Iberia for a few days, yet he had already thoroughly investigated Granfalo and even the Inquisition. Perhaps he also had some understanding and impression of the Deepsea Hunters?

As it turned out, the shapeshifter did not disappoint him. After some thought, he nodded:

"There is one."

Skadi immediately perked up upon hearing this and quickly asked:

"What does he look like? Is he very tall, wearing a tight-fitting suit, a tricorn hat, and carrying a spear?"

"No."

The shapeshifter shook his head and described it expressionlessly:

"She was wearing a nun's habit and looked mentally unstable."

Skadi was slightly taken aback.

She has absolutely no recollection of this description.

Didn't I hear that deep-sea hunter was dressed as a nun? How could hunters from the Agor civilization worship any gods?

Still puzzled, she pressed for an answer:

Where did you see her?

"It wasn't us who saw her. It was her who came to us."

The expressions on the shapeshifter swarm's faces were somewhat strange. This time, Ernst could tell that they genuinely seemed to sense something eerie.

"She asked us where Ernst was."

Chapter 729 Laurentina: On behalf of the Lord of all things, I send my care.

On the night the Eye of Iberia in Granfalo was lit, Ernst met the "nun" that the Shapeshifter horde had spoken of.

At that moment, he was walking with Skadi along the seaside promenade at night. The sea was relatively calm, with occasional glimpses of ominous red lights, but they were mostly very far away and showed no signs of approaching.

The "nun" stood atop the mountain by the sea. The shapeshifter syndicate hadn't lied; she wore a thick nun's habit and a strangely shaped hood. With her scarlet pupils and snow-white hair, she looked exactly like Skadi. If it weren't for the inexplicable madness tinged with her stunning beauty, she would have given the impression of an elegant and considerate lady from a prominent family.

She stood atop the mountain, looking down at Ernst and Skadi walking past below. It wasn't until Skadi, sensing something, stopped and looked up, her gaze piercing the darkness to reach the mountaintop, that Ernst noticed the figure who had been standing there for who knows how long.

"Greetings, Skadi Yue Fei group :) 7! ∠Four·÷Two."

She made no attempt to conceal her presence. After Skadi cast a glance at her, she didn't hesitate at all. Like a superhero, she leaped directly from the hundred-meter-high mountain peak, her agile figure performing a stunt-like run along the cliff before finally landing steadily on the ground. She then gracefully bowed to Skadi.

"You are Laurentina from Team Two."

Skadi recognized the nun almost immediately. But her voice carried a hint of hesitation.

Because the Laurentina in front of her was vastly different from the "sculptor" she remembered who used a circular saw to cut!

Her face lacked the confidence and innate charm of the second team members; instead, it displayed an abnormal fervor and obsession. Her attire was not that of a deep-sea hunter, but rather a strange nun's habit.

Just as the Shapeshifter syndicate had said, she seemed to be mentally unstable.

Skadi and Ernst almost immediately came to the conclusion as to why she had become the way she was.

On the Iberian coast, dressed in church attire, without swords or lamps, and being Agorians—the combination of these elements suggests very little. Only the Deep Sea Church.

Skadi gritted her teeth, and to Ernst's surprise, her reaction to her former teammate was surprisingly decisive.

She immediately drew the greatsword from her back, aimed it at Laurentina, and assumed a fighting stance.

This surprised Ernst, who had already taken out his walkie-talkie and was about to call for backup.

But what surprised him even more, leaving him speechless, was yet to come.

Facing Skadi's scrutinizing gaze and almost blatant hostility, Laurentina's infatuated smile remained unchanged.

No, it should be said that after saying "Greetings," she didn't even glance at Skadi again. It was as if this deep-sea hunter colleague, whose name she had just called out, was just a stranger passing by, while Ernst, whose gaze she was looking at, was her old friend whom she hadn't seen for many years.

Ernst suddenly remembered what the shapeshifter had said.

Laurentina found him and asked him about Ernst's whereabouts.

At that moment, he was pondering whether Skadi's judgment had gone wrong. Had the Deepsea Hunters not actually been wiped out? Otherwise, how come these teammates, who had been condemned to death, started rising from their coffins one after another, so soon after she set this flag? And how to deal with the [Deep Blue Tree]?

However, they overlooked a very important point of contention.

How did Laurentina find the Shapeshifter cluster?

When the shapeshifters are out in the open, they almost never show their true faces. Their disguises are so perfect that, unless they use special methods, even a behemoth like the god Yeragand would have a hard time visually distinguishing the real from the fake.

But Laurentina was able to find the group of shapeshifters and even take the initiative to ask him questions.

Looking into Laurentina's eyes, Ernst suddenly had a bad feeling.

Oh no, that look... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.

"Long time no see, [Treasure]."

She spoke softly, her gentle voice striking right to the heart—yes, striking right to the heart, striking Ernst so hard that his heart almost stopped beating, and a "Ho!" almost escaped his lips.

Fortunately, Laurentina immediately flashed a playful smile and shook her head slightly at Ernst:

"Why are you so alarmed, Mr. Ernst? I am merely conveying His concern on His behalf."

"Laurentina, what are you saying?"

Skadi stepped slightly to the side, blocking Ernst's path, her expression a mixture of wariness and curiosity.

Although she is not very smart, Skadi's reaction speed is seven times that of an ordinary Terran. When she hears something that interests her, she will walk over on her own.

She sensed a familiarity with Ernst in Laurentina's words. Coincidentally, she herself felt the same way. This was why, despite not being very close to Ernst, she was willing to stay by his side and even lend a helping hand when he was in danger.

Laurentina's condition was abnormal, something any normal person could tell. But unlike the deep-sea hunters Skadi had seen who were undergoing transformation into sea creatures, Laurentina seemed quite lucid and didn't constantly refer to her as a "group" or "compatriots." Her state seemed rather strange.

Perhaps she's like me?

Skadi wanted to find some answers from Laurentina, but Ernst, having come to her senses, knew that no matter what Skadi wanted to do, she had absolutely no chance of getting answers from Laurentina.

Moreover, she can't handle Laurentina now.

Despite her seemingly unarmed appearance, she is indeed unarmed. Her current level of danger far exceeds that of the deep-sea hunter who threw the spear before, as well as all the sea creatures she has encountered before.

After all, those were either Terrans who developed from the relics of ancient civilizations, or products of the third generation of the [Deep Blue Tree]. And the one in front of her, even if she wasn't that person herself, had an extremely close relationship with her.

After all, there aren't many people on this land who would call it a "treasure trove"!

He reached out somewhat warily, intending to push Skadi back a step so she would stay behind him.

Unfortunately it failed.

Skadi is a bit heavy, well, she's physically heavy.

Left with no other option, Ernst took a few steps forward, shook his head at Skadi, then looked at Laurentina, frowned, and asked:

"Who did you just say you represented?"

Laurentina seemed very interested, or rather, like Priscilla, she was incredibly honest with Ernst, answering every question:

"The Lord of all things, who can see from beginning to end, is also someone who likes to stay in a room with windows and watch the stars with his companions at night. Please forgive Him for not being able to come in person, but only to send His concern on your behalf. It is so good to see that you are alright."

Her voice was sincere, without a trace of pretense, and her concern was palpable. However, the question that followed was also very much in Precy's style:

"You actually know who He is, don't you?"

I know? I know it all too well.

You're practically introducing yourself.

Damn it, I've come all the way to Iberia and the cyber ghost is still chasing me!

Ernst had to retract his earlier statement, saying that sometimes, when someone shows concern after you've been in danger, it's not just about being touched.

Because that person might be craving your kidneys... oh no, craving your soul!

Taking a deep breath, Ernst calmed his slightly agitated feelings, looked at Laurentina who was obediently maintaining a safe distance, and then glanced at Skadi, whose eyes were full of doubt but who was being obedient and did not interrupt the two of them. He sighed slowly and rubbed his temples.

Okay, since they're already here, and there's no way to shake them off, let's just ask the questions we need to ask.

"Lauren Tina is a Deepsea Hunter, right? How did you get involved with her?"

"Let me correct your wording." Laurentina smiled slightly. "I am indeed a deep-sea hunter, and the one standing in front of you is not Him, but Laurentina, it is me."

"As for why I saw Him, I'm not entirely sure, but it seems like the Deep Sea Church implanted something in my brain. Since then, I've been able to hear His voice occasionally in my dreams."

"We didn't communicate at first. The voices were incredibly chaotic, almost driving me mad. But later, as I gradually got used to it, I began to understand the meaning of those incomprehensible languages. Anyway, this is the first time He has made a direct request to me. He said that His dear [Treasure] is in danger, and He feels deeply guilty for not being able to come in person. So He asked me to convey His apologies and concern to You. And also, He asked me to protect You."

Laurentina shrugged.

"As a lady, how could I refuse another lady's heartfelt request? So, Mr. Ernst, please don't refuse. From now on, please let me accompany you in everything you need, from food and clothing to shelter and transportation."

Ernst turned around and looked at Skadi.

Skadi was slightly taken aback, somewhat not understanding Ernst's meaning.

Ernst could only say bluntly:

"Is this Laurentina's way of speaking?"

Skadi paused for a moment, then nodded, then shook her head.

Ernst frowned. "I also think it's a bit too blatant."

“No.” Skadi shook her head. “Laurentina is much more explicit when she speaks.”

Ernst: "Ahem."

"I don't understand you deep-sea people."

He turned his head and looked at Laurentina:

"I don't need your protection, please go back. I have Skadi, that's enough." (III)

"That won't work."

Laurentina shook her head decisively. For some reason, these words made her expression serious for the first time.

She earnestly advised:

"Skadi, well, she's brave but inflexible!"

"You might be able to get her to chop someone up, but she's far from being a bodyguard."

You didn't actually need to pause and think for a moment. You could have just said she was simple-minded; I could tell anyway.

Skadi, don't be angry. I think she was being very tactful.

Ernst looked at Skadi, about to say a few words of comfort, when he saw Skadi nod seriously:

“I think Laurentina has a point. Ernst, why don't you let Laurentina come with us?”

Ernst: ""

I...I really don't understand you deep-sea people!

P.S.: I have to mention an old pitfall here: the dialogue of the 5-star Specter.

Before the character design was changed, everyone thought that Specter was referring to Cthulhu. After all, lines like "the master of all things, muttering to himself in the darkness" strongly suggested that Cthulhu had completely fallen and gone mad.

But later, the character design of Hai Si was changed, as everyone knows. The original type was changed to a swarm, and the line "Ghost Shark Hedgehog" suddenly didn't fit anymore. At this point, someone consciously came along.

After the concept of Originium was introduced, these lines took on a new interpretation.

It's known that Specter heard these things because his brain was injected with concentrated Originium fluid. So, whose symbol is Originium? The Lord of All Things whispers in the darkness—who is he referring to? The answer is obvious. Moreover, there are many other lines that corroborate this. For example, this line…

Neither Specter nor any of the subsequent storylines or files mention that he enjoys stargazing. Hysteria itself doesn't have a history of liking to stargaze. Currently, the only known former civilization leader who enjoys stargazing is Precys!

Other lines, such as greetings and trust touches, needless to say. I think this plot hole is very deep.

I even planted this seed myself a long time ago—in the part about Kal'tsit's setting: Kal'tsit didn't have a complete database of the previous civilization, and she knew about the obscure astronomical knowledge of Uraniburg because "Priss and the Prophet liked to look at the stars, so they stuffed a lot of astronomical knowledge into her." I wonder how many readers still remember this part!

Chapter 730 The Ruthless and Hardcore Laurentina: I Trade One for One with the Creator!

To be fair, Skadi isn't actually stupid.

Before joining the Deepsea Hunters, she had her own dreams. She was very interested in electrical work, and she loved the feeling of being alone in a workshop on the seabed, enjoying drinks and snacks, savoring the solitude amidst the boundless light, and maintaining the lights on the entire seabed.

Although things didn't go as planned in the end, and she eventually became a deep-sea hunter, her confidence in being able to handle solo maintenance work shows that she's definitely not a dim-witted person.

Of course, IQ and EQ are two different things. Intelligence and emotional intelligence cannot be confused. Skadi's honest and straightforward nature is a well-known fact among Deepsea Hunters.