Death Notice

“The Shattered Starry Sky shattered our faith. Will we lose our principles of being human this time too?” Sas buried his head in his palms, confused.

Contrary to what Hill and others guessed, Sas and Cora could have gained more in the five Quest Worlds they originally passed through, given their physical foundation when they first entered the Shattered Starry Sky. However, the couple strictly adhered to police conduct back then. They were unwilling to harm innocent people, often rescued their companions, and even missed out on many deserved gains because of this.

The Esmira people were an oceanic human race. Since they lived underwater all year round, their aerospace technology was basically zero. Compared to Earthlings, although they reached the third technological revolution, their exploration of the universe and starry sky was almost completely blank.

Everyday technology reached a very high level, yet their spiritual civilization was still in the stage of religious worship. This was the unique human civilization of Esmira Star.

The Esmira people worshipped the Sea God and called themselves descendants of the Sea God. They believed that all life on Esmira, except their own race, was created by the Sea God for their daily needs.

Just like Earthlings enjoyed eating seafood, the Esmira people also liked eating land animals, although photosynthesis could meet most of their energy needs. Although 90% of Esmira Star’s surface was ocean, intelligent life and primitive civilizations also appeared on the remaining 10% of land. However, those land intelligent beings were considered premium ingredients by the Esmira people.

The concept of land humans never existed in the Esmira people’s dictionary. So when they entered the Shattered Starry Sky and saw so many land Sapient Races, even Earthlings who looked almost exactly like the premium ingredients they used to talk about, one could imagine the huge impact it had on their worldview.

So they had been continuously “eating humans” all along. Every Esmira person who just entered the Shattered Starry Sky went through a process of having their faith overturned. The firmer their belief in the Sea God, the more painful this process became. The more they refused to accept the history of “eating humans,” the more they exhibited “racial discrimination” against Earthlings.

“Sas!” Cora leaned against her husband’s shoulder and pulled him into her embrace. “I don’t want to leave you alone, and I don’t want to become a widow… Perhaps everything we insisted on was wrong. Maybe we should just follow orders like we did when working before, without questioning right or wrong!”

The two embraced each other, silent for a long time, only hearing the crackling of charcoal in the fireplace. …

Walking out of the hall, Qin Lun stood on the steps in front of the door, looking up at the quiet night sky, silent for a long time.

Michelle imitated the young man, looking up at the sky. Seeing the two moons identical to those in the Outer World, her nose inexplicably tingled, thinking of her mother.

The stars and moon in the Inner World’s night sky were not real, just projections from the main world. The sky above tens of thousands of meters was filled with harsh winds and chaos, even deities could not cross it. The continent extended into a circle; essentially, the entire Inner World was a completely enclosed ring-shaped passage.

“Officer Castro, do you think we can return to our own world?”

“Call me Qin Lun. Castro is just a fake name!” Qin Lun turned back with a smile and shook his head. “We can’t go back for a while, unless you stay by Grand Mage Hollke’s side. Perhaps he’ll occasionally help you use the Teleportation Array. But even if we can’t return, your mother should still receive some news. Don’t worry too much!”

“Do you still want me to stay here?” Michelle fell silent for a while, then spoke with a hint of resentment.

Qin Lun gazed at the Centaur girl’s face, his heart moved, and he slowly said, “Michelle, staying here is your best choice. The Sanctuary Camp might be very different from what you imagine. Although Hill and I have self-protection abilities, we are insignificant here and can hardly ensure your safety…”

“Hmph, I’m also a police officer. I don’t need your protection!” The Centaur girl patted the shotgun on her back indignantly.

“Hehe!” Seeing Michelle’s embarrassed and annoyed expression, Qin Lun chuckled. “Actually, I want you to stay for everyone’s sake! Think about it, we’re unfamiliar with this place. If you learn powerful magic from Mage Hollke, you might even be able to help us in the future!”

“Is that so?” Michelle tilted her head and thought, then whispered somewhat shyly, “But then I won’t see everyone for a long time!”

“Not really, we’re all in the southern hills. It’s just a day or two’s travel, and we can use magic communication if needed. Although we’re in different places, having external support in case of danger is even better, isn’t it?”

Hearing Qin Lun’s words, Michelle’s eyes dimmed. She forced a smile, no longer in the mood to enjoy the night view, and turned to go back inside.

“Young master, she seems…” Frank watched the Centaur girl’s somewhat dejected back and couldn’t help but say.

“I know!” Qin Lun responded without turning his head, his tone faint. “But she and I are creatures from different worlds! Frank, what about you? You’ve been awake for a while now. Have you figured things out?”

“Oh, young master…” Frank was slightly taken aback.

“I mean, have you figured out our relationship? You should know I’m not the Wellington who grew up with you!” Qin Lun sighed softly, turned around, and said seriously, “The Wellington you watched grow up didn’t wake up by that small grave in the woods. It’s always been me who woke up!”

“…Why are you telling me this?” Frank’s body swayed, and he slowly crouched down, speaking in a low voice. “You… then what about my young master Wellington?”

“He died, succumbed to the Undead Plague!” Qin Lun said expressionlessly. “You were supposed to die too! But I needed an assistant then, so I saved you.”

“But… but you have his memories. Maybe you just forgot some parts!” Frank looked at the young man eagerly, hoping for an answer he wished for.

“No, those memories are just fragmented remains from Wellington’s body. My Soul was never him!” Qin Lun shook his head and said coldly. “Frank, the real Wellington is gone. His body remained in the woods grave in Odia…”

“You… why are you telling me this?” Frank clutched his head and asked in pain.

“I’m telling you this because I hope you won’t be lost in the past. Not everyone gets a chance to start over!” Qin Lun smiled and crouched beside Frank. “I saved you once. But in Albert’s family cemetery and the Witch’s Cottage, you saved me twice. Now we’re even.”

“Wel… young master, don’t you want me anymore?” Frank let go of his hands and slowly looked up, his eyes full of confusion.

“You are my resurrected Servant Apostle, but you also have your own Apostle number. There isn’t a strong binding force between us.” Qin Lun pressed Frank’s shoulder and said solemnly, “Although I’m not the real Wellington, the bond between us surpasses friendship; it’s more like brothers. I need you by my side, but if you’re unwilling, you can also be independent!”

Frank fell silent. After a long while, he looked up and said in a muffled voice, “Then… can I still call you Young Master Wellington in the future?”

“Hehe, I took Wellington’s body, but I also left an indelible reputation for the Stan Family in that world! Wellington was dedicated to inheriting the family business before his death. If he knew underground, he would probably acknowledge my right to inherit this surname!”

Qin Lun’s eyes flashed, and he said with a smile, “Of course, Frank. You can certainly call me Wellington Stan!”

“Okay, young master!” Frank’s eyes lit up, and the confused look on his face gradually faded.

…

“Qin Lun, Hansen…” Michelle ran along the stream, the Centaur girl’s cheerful shouts coming from afar.

“It’s Michelle. It seems the guides from the Sanctuary Camp have arrived!” Hansen threw down his fishing rod and stretched. “Let’s go. We can finally leave this godforsaken place!”

“Hehe, you can eat your fill from now on!” Qin Lun pulled his feet out of the clear stream and wiped them with a dry cloth.

Ever since they ate antelope meat and ale on the first day, the prairie sprites in the manor often pointed and whispered about Hansen and the others. Hill and Sas were fine, but Hansen, who had a fierce temper, couldn’t stand it. If not for fear of Hollke’s power, he might have caught a few sprites to roast.

For the next two days, he stubbornly refused to eat antelope meat and ale, insisting on dragging Hill and Qin Lun to fish in the nearby stream. However, most creatures in the Inner World were very intelligent. Even the small fish in the stream were much craftier than ordinary fish. Hansen never managed to eat his fill these two days, his face scrunched up like a cucumber.

Returning to the manor, they saw the others and Hollke were already in the hall, along with another strangely dressed “odd person.” She had a pair of deer antlers on her head, two purple vertical lines above her eyebrows, and wore leaf clothing like a straw raincoat.

The odd person had pointed ears, a petite figure, and tightly gripped a staff taller than herself. Though her attire was peculiar, her features were delicate and beautiful; she was a genuine forest Elf.

“This is the Grand Druid of the Sanctuary Camp management committee, Vima Dallas Moonlight!” The old mage pointed to the newcomer and introduced. “If your decision hasn’t changed, you can follow her now. Don’t stay here wasting my food anymore!”

A couple of days ago, since everyone hinted at their intention to go to the Sanctuary Camp, Hollke directly notified the Victor Royal Knights and The Spire, telling them not to send guides anymore. So now, only Vima came from the three major factions.

“Hollke, you haven’t changed at all, still so stingy!” The Grand Druid chuckled lightly, then turned to Qin Lun and the others. “Since we’re being chased away, guests from the Outer World, shall we set off together now?”