অধ্যায় সাতচল্লিশ: দয়া করে আর বলো না!

এ seems that things are indeed heading towards the worst possible direction. This is truly...

"Lianlian, why is it that whenever we are perceptive and clever, we always end up discovering bad news?"

"Please, don't say it!"

The two doomed stars covered their faces in tears simultaneously.

Althea looked strangely at the bizarre reactions of Sanshou and Lianlian. For a moment, everyone was somewhat speechless; they hadn't expected Sanshou and Lianlian to react this way after hearing the news.

"Miss Althea, based on what you just said, combined with the intelligence we gathered outside, I think we already know the cause of this abnormal change, and we can more or less guess its future outcome."

Althea nodded and said, "I'm all ears."

"Years ago, we received revelations from the Holy Light and the Elemental Gods, stating that an anomalous force was invading the continent of Pandaeso. According to our investigation, it is the abyss demons..."

Pausing for a moment, Sanshou was surprised to find that Althea didn't seem very shocked. Could it be that she already knew?

"Therefore, we suspect that the abyss demons are already preparing for a second invasion of this world. For this reason, the deities have begun to take action, and we are also searching for hope to resist in the future."

"Given the anomaly in Silent Hill, the fact that the abyss is about to invade has become even more certain. I think this time will not be far off." After saying this, Sanshou looked at Althea. This woman was not simple; it seemed they had received this news long ago.

After listening, Althea exchanged glances with the few people behind her. "Foreign friends, I suppose you've also discovered that we indeed already know about this. After all, when it comes to the origin of the Boneyard in Silent Hill, no one on this continent knows it better than us."

"An anomaly occurring in the Boneyard most likely stems from the meddling of abyss demons. This possibility has long become one of our consensus views. For some time now, we have also been discussing what countermeasures we actually have if this event truly happens."

At this point, Sanshou and Lianlian also understood that secluded families were not fools. Facing such a massive change, they had naturally considered all possibilities and devised corresponding strategies for each. Anticipating danger in times of safety, Althea and her companions were truly formidable.

However, it seemed the only scenario for which they lacked a concrete counter-strategy was the worst one: an abyss invasion.

If the abyss were to invade once more, the impact on Silent Hill, the Boneyard, and the Night Watchmen of Duskwood would be nothing short of devastating.

Althea looked at the deep in thought Sanshou and Lianlian. "The two of you probably guessed it too. Yes, things have progressed towards the worst direction, and we can be said to be completely helpless. Although we still possess what could be called the strongest power in this current era, compared to the 'ancestors' within the Boneyard, that is merely a joke."

"I wonder if you, or rather the people behind you, have any solutions?" Althea glanced meaningfully behind Sanshou and Lianlian.

"Unfortunately, Miss Althea, we haven't received any major directives. Although we cannot entirely rule out someone's arrangement in our coming to Duskwood this time, I think even our commander probably does not know their own mission."

"So you're saying you really just came here to pass through?" Althea asked quizzically. This was far too coincidental; no matter how she thought about it, it seemed impossible.

"Perhaps the real purpose wasn't just to pass through, but anyway, small fries like us wouldn't know." Lianlian spread his hands, expressing the viewpoint of a mere bystander.

At this moment, Fordring spoke up, "I don't think so... Human shaman... if I'm not mistaken, you are a shaman, right? And your companion, Sanshou, is someone favored by the Holy Light. Although your powers are not particularly mighty, I can sense the most primordial favor from within them."

"You are chosen ones, Eleanor. Am I mistaken?" Finally, Fordring cast his gaze towards a woman dressed as a priestess who was seated, and asked.

"Fordring, you are right. I sensed it too. Although it is very subtle, to someone like me who has been in touch with the purest Holy Light guidance, this feeling is instantly recognizable."

Sanshou was dumbfounded. He hadn't used his powers at all; even during the reconnaissance around Duskwood earlier, he hadn't used the power of the Holy Light. Yet Eleanor and Fordring were able to perceive, solely from the faint Holy Light emanating from him, that he had touched the origin of the Holy Light and even received guidance. These two were clearly no longer ordinary Saint-tier powerhouses; they were likely Quasi-Legendary powerhouses approaching the realm of Legend.

At this moment, Lianlian also stopped playing dead as a fat man, his fierce eyes widening!

"Mr. Lianlian, could you please not do that? Looking at you like that makes me feel an urge to laugh..." Althea suddenly spoke up.

Wu-wu-wu-wu, do fat people have no human rights? I too have received guidance from the Elemental Gods, and I have also heard divine oracles. Why does my serious expression make people want to laugh? Is it just because I'm a little fat? What's so great about being skinny?!

Seeing Lianlian's sorrowful expression, Althea hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Lianlian, I'm so sorry! Ever since I was a child, I've had a huge interest in fat people, and teasing chubby folks has become one of my few hobbies. So seeing that you are a fat man yet trying hard to maintain a serious look, I couldn't help but laugh for a moment. To stop something like that from happening, I only wanted to ask you not to make that face."

Your explanation is even worse than not explaining! What do you mean by that? Am I very fat? I'm just a bit full-figured, really! People don't want to be this fat either. I don't even eat much, how do I know why I'm so heavy... No, wait, full-figured! Right, I'm not fat, I'm full-figured!

Lianlian, who stood 1.80 meters tall and weighed 250 catties, consoled himself for a moment, then reluctantly told Althea that it was fine, it was fine, he didn't mind at all.

The atmosphere suddenly improved, and everyone present wore obvious smiles on their faces. There was no help for it; the reason for the atmospheric shift was simply a bit too amusing.

Priestess Eleanor asked with a smile, "Mr. Sanshou and Mr. Lianlian, I'd like to ask, as chosen ones, do you have any clues on how to deal with the abyss?"

Sanshou and Lianlian looked at each other and decided to reveal a part of what they knew. "We aren't clear on the specifics, but the Holy Light and the Elemental Gods instructed the two of us to follow a 'Person of Hope'. We believe that person is the key."

"A Person of Hope? That title is truly bizarre. Who is it? Is it your commander, that Princess Okala?" Althea asked eagerly.

Seeing Lianlian shake his head, Althea was puzzled. "Not her? Then who is it?"

Lianlian's expression turned peculiar. "Miss Althea, you just met him earlier. It is Lord Li Tao."

"What? That young man?"

What young man? Are you that old yourself?

After her initial shock, Althea nodded thoughtfully. "So that's how it is. No wonder I felt such affinity when I saw Mr. Li Tao earlier; he felt like such a kind and wonderful person. He truly lives up to being the 'Person of Hope'."

Miss Althea, please do not harbor goodwill towards someone with a terrible personality just because of a non-existent book called "Quotes of the Night Watchmen".