TOMWDET Chapter 189.2

Preparations Before the Final Battle (1.2)

 

In the crude meeting room assembled from just a few wooden tables…

 

Joel smiled bitterly as he propped his arms on the table surface. He lowered his head and said, “I never thought we were so fragile.”

 

Adison showed an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating.

 

“Say whatever you want to say.” Cyril looked in Adison’s direction.

 

After thinking for a moment, Adison no longer hesitated and immediately said, “Apart from the fact that the success rate of transformation for the hundred people taken away each month would improve somewhat, at least ninety percent of the humans taken away ended up with the result of death.”

 

The air seemed frozen.

 

No one present could say a word.

 

Dying at the hands of monster beasts—because of the memory chain of generations fighting against monster beasts that seemed carved into their genes—had never allowed humans to have much perception of their own kind’s death toll.

 

After all, they had killed more monster beasts, and those monster beasts had all become various resources.

 

Whether cursing monster beasts or despising them, humanity’s concept was indeed that those who wanted to kill monster beasts must be prepared to be killed by monster beasts.

 

But the data on successful transformations was too unbalanced.

 

“…Although I had some expectations, for monster beasts with civilization, humans had indeed always been oppressed.” Cyril’s tone became much lighter.

 

It seemed he felt that adding any weight would easily wound many people’s hearts.

 

“I don’t know what the past was like, but now, it seems that all the tribe leaders among the monster beasts have become transformed monster beasts. Those who were once human had long since become the new source of persecution against humanity.”

 

Adison lowered his head somewhat shamefully and apologized, “I’m sorry.”

 

“There’s nothing to apologize for. Isn’t Su Li here precisely to change this pattern? My choice to follow in his footsteps and come here was also based on recognizing his choice.” After Cyril said a few more simple words, he began discussing a new topic.

 

That was, what should happen to Rota County going forward.

 

“My suggestion is to directly declare Rota County dissolved.” Julius tapped the table with his good hand, attracting everyone’s full attention, then continued, “If the [Tiger] can order one attack, he can order a second, a third, and each one will be stronger than the last.”

 

“Rather than bearing the harm that might come afterward, it’s better to actively withdraw.”

 

“Of course, my saying this isn’t just random talk. In my view, the crisis of continuing to stay in this city far exceeds the encounter battles we might face if humans leave together as a group.”

 

Julius said, “Besides that, I think we also need to find a suitable place to create new teleportation arrays that can transport large numbers of humans from Amikbi to monster beast society.”

 

“The power we currently possess is so scarce it’s almost unbearable to look at.”

 

He glanced around the circle and indicated he was finished speaking.

 

Afterward, Cyril picked up his statement. “I agree with Julius’s view.”

 

“I’m not human, so I can’t say I agree or disagree, but I also suggest making Rota County ‘cease to exist.'” Adison stated.

 

“Why is everyone suddenly looking at me?” Joel scratched the back of his head foolishly. “If you’re asking me, then my opinion is that anything is fine—staying here to defend to the death or simply actively seeking new directions, both are good.”

 

Joel suddenly smiled. “…At least, we’ve seen reality.”

 

Before the meeting, his other surviving friend had told him that the third member of their trio had already died.

 

His heart had been torn out, and the corpse’s facial expression showed obvious disbelief.

 

That wasn’t an inability to accept his own death, but an unwillingness to accept the person who killed him.

 

In the corpse’s pupils was a figure with features similar to his own, except that figure had round bear ears on its head, and even its hands were thick bear paws.

 

——“He was killed by his own sister’s hand,” the other friend had said.

 

——“Transformed monster beasts are tragic existences. I admit that because of this notion, I previously couldn’t have any deep hatred for transformed monster beasts. After all, compared to their later self-consoling unwillingness to admit they were human, they probably didn’t want to become transformed monster beasts initially either.”

 

——“The very existence of transformed monster beasts is already a kind of original sin.”

 

——“I want to end this sin.”

 

These were the exact words of the other friend after finishing his training.

 

The reality Joel spoke of was that they had finally shed that kind of… naivety.

 

A group of humans who had struggled through various complex environments actually still possessed such inappropriate naivety…

 

If the price of seeing through reality was losing a friend, then Joel wished he had never understood.

 

Afterward, he lifted his chin and expanded the traces of his smile, letting his facial expression change from foolish to beaming. “Anyway, my opinion doesn’t matter.”

 

“Everyone can make the decision. It’s just that if there’s any combat needed next time, please be sure to notify me.”

 

“I hope that the final death of every transformed beast should be at human hands. And I—I hope to become that new executioner.”

 

The others weren’t unaware of his sorrow, but even in their sadness, they couldn’t find appropriate words of comfort.

 

They could only more seriously discuss how to naturally dissolve Rota County…

 

****

 

Meanwhile, on Su Li’s side, when the mermen and other monster beasts finally received news that the Beast King had sent troops to attack Rota County, they hurried there to investigate the situation. The aquatic monster beasts who could provide sufficient support saw only a region of ruined buildings without any human presence.

 

The place was deserted.

 

Not a single human remained.

 

Had they all died or escaped?

 

After investigation, this question received a general conclusion.

 

The number of humans had become too few to continue maintaining Rota County.

 

Unable to continue maintaining it, preserving the status quo would only consume more of the remaining benefits, so it was better to simply abandon maintaining the status quo.

 

But there was another problem…

 

Where would the humans go?

 

The only city where they could stay was Rota County. Leaving here, where would the surviving humans go?

 

Su Li finally pointed out several possible areas on the map. When the aquatic monster beasts searched along these coordinates, they found they were again a step too late.

 

Although there were traces of human encampment, they were just encampments.

 

Those aquatic monster beasts sent to investigate had nearly turned over all the nearby ground, but they still couldn’t find traces of the surviving humans’ movement.

 

In Ergonikin, when everyone discussed this matter, Roy said, “They couldn’t have just grown legs and flown away, could they?”

 

Egbert paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “That might actually be possible. Asgari, do you all remember that snowy owl? He had always sent people to maintain contact between the winged monster beasts and Rota County personnel.”

 

“Of course I remember. If they left through Asgari’s subordinates, then it’s no wonder those aquatic monster beasts found no traces.” Lan Zhe said thoughtfully.

 

The Raven agreed. “This possibility is very high. And if that’s really the case, we don’t need to worry about those humans’ safety in the short term.”

 

“Asgari means no harm to them, and will definitely actively help those humans avoid encountering other monster beasts.”

 

Only this way could humans avoid being turned into transformed monster beasts.

 

And thus wouldn’t become Asgari’s targets for elimination.

 

“Let’s consider it as such.” Su Li took a deep breath and didn’t exhale for a long while.

 

After holding it for quite a while, he finally said, “Placing hope in monster beasts—this feeling is truly ironic.”

 

“Lord Su Li…” Egbert was somewhat worried.

 

“Ah.” Su Li responded, then didn’t continue the above topic in depth. Instead, he said, “Since Rota County is already deserted, what we should consider is how the Beast Tribe, having occupied that city, will next make their move against us.”

 

“Our current position is very delicate. Ergonikin happens to be caught between more Beast Tribe cities and Rota County.” Su Li pointed to Ergonikin’s coordinates on the map.

 

Su Li’s pale finger moved toward Rota County’s coordinate area. “The Beast King’s choice to order the attack on Rota County probably also aimed to prevent us from joining with the Winged Tribe we haven’t yet contacted to pincer the Beast Tribe.”

 

“Conversely, we who haven’t contacted the Winged Tribe have been indirectly surrounded by the Beast Tribe.”

 

“Rota County is no longer our retreat. If we choose to withdraw, we can only return to the Water Tribe. And if we choose to attack, seizing Rota County would be meaningless.”

 

Su Li pointed out this fact that people didn’t want to accept.

 

“The Beast Tribe has eight cities in total. Besides the six cities said to gather large numbers of combat monster beasts with superior strength, the other two are support-type cities, including Ergonikin.”

 

Su Li placed his gaze on Ergonikin on the map, then crossed nearly half the map to the other side of the Beast Tribe’s territory, where another support city’s name was displayed.

 

Simply put, for the Beast King, losing Ergonikin really wasn’t much of a loss.

 

“Unable to reach the other support city, and taking Ergonikin would itself be alerting the enemy—from any angle, we have no choice afterward but direct combat.”

 

“But as for whether I resist direct combat, I can only say, not at all. What I’m thinking of is even the beautiful days of returning to the small building in Mercenary City for retirement after defeating the Beast King.”

 

“What is all this?” The merman was puzzled.

 

“I mean, are you really prepared to lead the Water Tribe in following me into battle?” Su Li didn’t want to use the word “following,” but he couldn’t organize more suitable language.

 

“Of course.” Leia said decisively. The merman couldn’t wait for everything to happen faster.

 

If not for Matilda’s obstruction, he would have already begun taking action.

 

“Then let’s prepare. Logistics, the possibility of extended battle lines, advance preparations for encountering strong opponents who might very likely break through the formation, battle formations, the determination for tribal warfare… and achievement acquisition after realizing goals. Most importantly, it’s best to make every monster beast understand that this declaration of war has places where humans exist.” Su Li considered this point somewhat important.

 

Although Su Li’s power to stop battles previously was too shocking, fortunately, those who knew who he was, knew his exact identity, and knew his specific origins were still only a very small portion of monster beasts.

 

“I’ll do well.”

 

“However…” Leia put his hands behind his back, clenching them tightly, showing visible veins.

 

The merman could clearly feel his heartbeat was much faster than before.

 

This wasn’t a good thing.

 

But the merman still firmly spoke what he wanted to say.

 

“I want to know, do you think you can defeat Clemens…”

 

Su Li looked puzzled, his green eyes gazing questioningly in the merman’s direction.

 

“Why ask what I think? Defeating him—defeating this strongest tribal king among the three tribes—is something that must be accomplished. Just like when the Water and Winged Tribes learned that the Beast Tribe was about to wage war against the other two tribes, didn’t you also think of uniting in resistance?”

 

Otherwise both tribes would be exterminated by the Beast Tribe.

 

“Ultimately, we’re in a cooperative position now only because we have the [Tiger] as a common enemy. And what happens after we resolve him? At least in my view, that’s a matter for after we resolve him.”

 

“And can I defeat Clemens? This isn’t a question of whether I can defeat him, but something that must be accomplished.”

 

“Otherwise, no one can bear the consequences.”

 

The Winged Tribe wouldn’t even leave remnants, and Leia would truly be hunted to the depths of the sea and killed.

 

Humans would have it even worse—either continue having children generation after generation, creating new transformed monster beasts, or it would only be possible that in this era, they would be completely exploited dry, leaving not even a spark, leading to human extinction.

 

——Human extinction.

 

Having lived in modern society, even without paying much attention to ecology, Su Li knew what species extinction cruelly signified. He lightly exhaled, but his gaze was as sharp as a blade, staring at Leia.

 

“Unwilling to bear the consequences? Then ensure the worst outcome never comes to pass.”

 

Leia smiled.

 

“You’re right.”

 

The instinct to seek benefit and avoid harm was something species themselves were doing—ensuring the worst outcomes would never come to pass.

 

It’s just that Leia had never been so directly enlightened about this trait before.

 

That feeling of being seen through emerged again—good and bad, everything could be reflected in those green pupils.

 

As if Su Li had already seen through that he, who asked this question, was planning to push all of Clemens onto Su Li alone.

 

Or rather, push it all onto humans to handle.

 

But just as the human youth said.

 

This would only expand the possibility of the worst outcome coming to pass.

 

Selfish thoughts stirred restlessly. The merman desperately suppressed such thoughts, and for a moment, his heart seemed to ache.

 

But Leia smiled.

 

Some instinctively formed things would also undergo change because of this youth—this youth who, for an independent individual, belonged to external things.

 

Just like now, though not long ago he had just been reminded by a certain queen that he seemed bewitched, the merman would still uncontrollably be attracted to Su Li.

 

Unwillingness to bear consequences was essentially just a manifestation of irresponsibility. But in the youth’s view, no one should necessarily have to bear the consequences of failure. If failure could be prevented from happening, then all would be well.

 

Like the ideal best possibility.

 

Thinking of places others couldn’t think of, seeing worlds others couldn’t reach.

 

Leia suddenly envied Egbert, who had known these things long ago.

 

He repeated. “As long as we ensure the worst outcome never comes to pass, everything will remain as beautiful as it is now.”

 

Matilda bit her fingernail. She always felt the merman was somewhat abnormal when speaking, yet couldn’t accurately identify the specific issue.

 

The worst outcome… for the merman, what would be the worst outcome?

 

Reason told Matilda it would be best not to start the war so early, giving humans more time to grow would mean more possibility of victory.

 

But reality also told her that before long, Clemens would be able to free up his hands. Rather than waiting for him to free up his hands and personally fight them, it would be better to attack early while they still could.

 

“So troublesome…”

 

“So why did I insist on taking the queen’s position before?”

 

This position simply wasn’t suitable for anyone with a bit of conscience.

 

Like the merman, who had always only cared about himself, yet the entire Water Tribe couldn’t do without him.

 

Like the [Tiger], whose various established rules had to be followed by all Beast Tribe monster beasts, so the rules instead became something close to common sense.

 

Very enviable.jpg

 

Matilda restrained her fluctuating emotions. She looked toward Su Li. At this moment, the human youth was standing up from beside the table and chairs.

 

Su Li wasn’t as tall as her yet—a cub’s age, with a body that would die instantly once its defenses were broken, yet containing a soul so powerful that no one could ignore it.

 

After this conversation of deciding to begin the war formally ended, before Su Li left the venue, the youth leaned against the door frame and told everyone and every monster beast in the venue. “For each person, the worst outcome is different, but for me, I will have conjectures about every outcome.”