I write obituaries for the gods

Aren't the numbers a bit... uh... too high?

At this rate, wouldn't things be completely different in another two years?

Lin Chen shook his head, sighing that he was probably really getting old and couldn't understand the ways of young people anymore.

He looked up at the small platform at the edge: there was a small, simple hut there, which looked like an office.

Shen Xuanyi is quite low-key.

Lin Chen stepped forward and knocked on the office door.

"Please come in," Shen Xuanyi's voice came from inside.

Lin Chen opened the door and walked into the small office.

Shen Xuanyi was sitting behind her desk, processing a large pile of documents.

Upon seeing Lin Chen, a smile appeared on her face.

“I heard your operation in the Liberty district was very successful,” she said.

"Well, it went fairly smoothly."

Lin Chen sat down opposite Shen Xuanyi, who poured him a cup of tea and pushed it towards him.

"So many documents?" Lin Chen glanced at the pile of things on the table.

“We discussed some cooperation with the Eastern fleet,” Shen Xuanyi said. “After all, it’s hard to say what will happen next. If Yudu becomes the landing point for space-based weapons, they will provide us with shelter.”

"That's good." Lin Chen nodded.

He originally intended to try and promote cooperation between the two parties, but he didn't expect that they had already started cooperating.

Is this the tacit understanding between Easterners?

Seemingly sensing Lin Chen's meaning, Shen Xuanyi nodded slightly:

“My father had some contact with the East before and knew some friends, so Miss Rumo made contact with us immediately.”

"That's great," Lin Chen said. "It seems I can entrust Liti and Huihui to you with peace of mind."

"Leave it to me."

A faint smile appeared on Shen Xuanyi's face, but it quickly turned into a look of unease.

"You're in danger right now, aren't you?"

"Mm." Lin Chen nodded.

He didn't want to say too much, because saying too much would only make Shen Xuanyi worry, which was unnecessary.

“I hope we can hold off the rain so you won’t have to retreat,” Lin Chen said, “if I can manage it.”

Seeing Lin Chen's slightly tired expression, Shen Xuanyi sighed softly.

“You’ve worked hard,” she said. “Let’s have a good meal together after this war is over.”

"Let's go to that hidden gem of a shop," Lin Chen chuckled, "I just don't know... if the owner is still there."

"The boss is still here."

Shen Xuanyi's eyes suddenly lit up.

“During the retreat, I found the owner of that shop. After all, the shop became an asset of United Concrete after I bought it,” she said with some excitement. “As long as the war ends, she will definitely be able to run the shop again...provided that the shop is not destroyed...no, even if the shop is destroyed, I will pay for its reconstruction.”

"That's great." Lin Chen nodded vigorously.

Somehow, this small thing inexplicably ignited a faint flame in both of their hearts, as if returning to that little shop for a meal was a very important goal.

Ah... I really miss those days...

"Take care on your journey, Lin Chen," Shen Xuanyi said softly. "Get some rest here for the night, and have some fresh meat and vegetables. I might not have time to keep you company..."

"It's alright," Lin Chen nodded slightly, "There will be time later."

He stood up and bowed slightly to Shen Xuanyi.

"Huihui and Liti, I'm counting on you from now on, Xuanyi."

"Mmm," Shen Xuanyi replied.

Lin Chen turned around and left Shen Xuanyi's office, only to find that Liti and Huihui were already waiting for him.

The two little girls sat on the edge of the platform, gazing at the vast wilderness of the southern development zone and counting the stars in the sky.

Hearing footsteps, they all turned around and ran over with smiles on their faces.

"Brother! Sister Zhanyi has cooked you some fresh beef noodles! Come down and eat!"

"Okay, let's go. How do we get down?"

"Get down, Litty!"

"...?"

......

"Any news from Super America?"

"Yes, see for yourself."

In the captain's cabin of the Ocean Ship, Hua Molan handed a tablet to Jiang Zhengge.

Jiang Zhengge took the tablet and looked at the news on it:

"A defender of democracy heroically sacrificed his life in the war in Yudu. It is reported that he died in a chaotic battle at the docks, desperately trying to stop a cargo ship carrying a high-yield nuclear bomb from reaching the United States..."

Jiang Zhengge squinted after reading the news.

“This is ridiculous,” he said.

“That’s just how Americans are,” Hua Molan shook her head helplessly. “They say you have dangerous weapons, and you’d better actually have them.”

“It seems they intend to temporarily withdraw from the situation in Yudu…” Jiang Zhengge nodded slightly.

“Of course, there are large-scale riots in Latin America, and the foundation’s overseas branches are still fighting back. They currently have no energy left to deal with the situation in Yudu,” Hua Molan said.

“There’s one more thing,” Hua Luori, sitting on the mecha arm, said, “They need to divert some of their energy to fight the Mercury Society.”

Hua Luo Ri gently patted the Black Knight's shoulder, and the mech immediately launched a holographic projection, projecting a satellite image into the air.

“There have been a lot of cargo ships heading to Super America from the Silver District recently. We haven’t been able to find any specific information about the ships anywhere, but their destination is always Super America.”

"The Secret Party actually still has satellites that we can use?" Jiang Zhengge raised his eyebrows.

“You’re too peripheral, you’re so inexperienced,” Hua Luori said playfully, sticking out her tongue. “Mayor Buendía just gave us some definite news—the Mercury Society has already begun to intervene in the situation in Latin America.”

"Did the mayor discuss any future possibilities?" Hua Molan asked.

He said there was an 80% or higher chance that Mercury would soon return to New Washington.

Hua Luori shrugged helplessly.

"Now it seems that there are traces of their interference everywhere behind this series of events. After the American unification war, they were really determined to fight back, and they actually found an opportunity."

"Chaos is a ladder." Jiang Zhengge quoted a line from "A Song of Ice and Fire".

“So they’re extremely keen on making the world a mess,” Hua Luori shook his head. “In short, the historical collapse plan is ready again thanks to our efforts during this period. If the space-based weapon is deployed... I’m afraid we’ll have to say goodbye.”

Hua Luori spoke these words in a calm tone, but Hua Molan and Jiang Zhengge felt a sense of oppression almost simultaneously.

They all knew what the historical collapse plan meant.

"So, as long as the rain is destroyed, history will enter that irreversible river." Hua Molan frowned slightly.

“Yes, this is the result calculated by Mayor Buendía,” Hualu Ri nodded gently, “The Father will get infinitely closer to Sodom, and there will be no new variables in between. We will lose badly.”

"It seems we have no room for error then," Jiang Zhengge said in a low voice.

“We must get into low Earth orbit and destroy Black Star VI before the Abyss crystal is finished being forged,” Hualu Ri said. “That’s the only chance of winning.”

“Or rather, we can destroy the Abyss Crystal to buy more time,” Hua Molan said.

For a moment, the three of them were silent, staring at the satellite image of the Silver District.

"Let's start the battle meeting after the ocean liner sets sail," Hua Molan said. "You've fought a tough battle tonight, you need to get some rest."

"Mm." Jiang Zhengge nodded.

After the brief meeting, Jiang Zhengge went up to the deck of the Ocean Ship, stood on the edge of the ship's rail, and looked out over the canal.

He never imagined he would one day reunite with this research vessel, especially at a time like this.

Before he set off to kill tide Leina.

"..."

"Standard for this phase achieved!"

"There's a significant difference between diving and going into space, isn't there?"

"So it's just a phase! When I really go to space, I'm going to sing my songs to the whole universe, just like your Dongfanghong-1!"

In a daze, the girl's wavy hair seemed to swirl in the sea breeze once again, carrying the unique scent of Rom.

Jiang Zhengge subconsciously reached out his hand, but only managed to grasp a fleeting wisp of wind.

Are you sure you really want to go?

Jiang Zhengge turned his head and saw that Hua Molan was standing behind him at some point.

He turned his gaze away and looked at the waves on the canal.

“It’s come to this already,” he said.

Jiang Zhengge pulled out the custom-made silver PM pistol from his coat, ejected the magazine, and a cold, eerie blue light immediately shot out.

The magazine was filled with whale-sound grenades.

"I lost her the last time I set sail on this ship."

Jiang Zhengge put the magazine back in.

"This time, I'm going to lose her again."

The man's face was expressionless, his eyes fixed on the deep blackness ahead.

“Aren’t both space and the seabed black abysses?” he murmured softly.

He recalled Wu Hao, and the roar that his former junior had let out when he once again boarded the deck of the Ocean Ship.

The group photo of the old Quick Response Team was peeled away piece by piece, and the investigators stopped in their tracks, remaining behind Jiang Zhengge.

Now, he was the only one left, standing on the deck of the ocean liner, gazing at the inky black, boundless deep space.

“Don’t worry about my condition,” Jiang Zhengge said. “I can carry out the mission.”

"You've placed too much burden on yourself."

Hua Molan walked to Jiang Zhengge's side and gently pressed his shoulder.

“Don’t put all the burden on yourself,” she said. “I’ve read your mission briefing. Xileina didn’t necessarily mean for you to kill her. Didn’t she say she wanted you to retire early?”

"Give the task to the younger generation; they are more stable and courageous. You just need to support them and keep them in control."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhengge smiled.

“I’m really fine, Hua Molan,” Jiang Zhengge said. “Don’t worry.”

Seeing his resolute expression, Hua Molan sighed softly.

"Get some rest," she said. "We're leaving tomorrow morning."

"Ah."

Jiang Zhengge nodded, but remained standing still.

Seeing this, Hua Molan turned and left, leaving him alone on the deck.

Waves lapped against the hull of the research vessel, which rocked gently like a cradle. Jiang Zhengge stood at the bow, silently watching the waves on the canal.

After a long while, he let out a long breath and prepared to leave.

Just as he turned around, a gust of wind blew towards him, carrying with it the familiar scent of incense.

"...!"

Jiang Zhengge's eyes widened slightly, and he froze on the spot for a moment.