Chapter 268: [Flood] Cannot Be Stopped

Now, let's go back a little bit in time and shift the focus from Hua to Einstein.

Under the obstruction of Hua's team, Einstein successfully arrived at the location of the "Eye of the Abyss"... but it was still some distance away from the operating instruments, and this distance was extremely far for Einstein at the moment.

"Hoo… Hoo…"

Like Hua, Einstein's body had already fallen into deep fatigue due to long-term mental tension and running. Moreover, as a scientific researcher, she did not have the strong physique of a combatant. Coupled with long-term dehydration and obviously insufficient nutrition intake in recent days, her body was much weaker than she expected.

Even though she had consumed some clean water and food from the shelter at the Star Gate base while resting there, it was still not enough and her body had not recovered yet.

It can be said that Einstein is now acting entirely on the strength of her obsession and her unwillingness to give up.

And... in this "backup method," she, Einstein, and her "children," that is, the armed puppets, as well as Hua and her team, will all become "sacrifices."

There is no other way. The one who is attacking is the Herrscher. They must have the courage and faith to die together with him to do all this... This is the price they must pay.

Corresponding to this is a sufficiently generous [reward]... If they succeed, the "Herrscher" will sink into the "Quantum Sea" with them. No matter what the final result is, the "Herrscher" will definitely need time to break free and escape from the "Quantum Sea"... and this is what Einstein needs, and what [human beings] need.

Time, enough time is needed to allow [humanity] to rest and prepare... This is what [humanity] lacks the most now, and Einstein must buy this time for [humanity] and for the "Fire Moth," even if it is only for a moment, a little bit of breathing time.

As for their sacrifice... Einstein also told Hua and others about it in advance, after all, it was a plan they made together.

And from the conception to the confirmation, and then to the current execution of the plan... no one has any complaints.

Everyone has expressed their firm support and is executing everything in an orderly manner.

But...

"What exactly... went wrong?"

Einstein stumbled into the control room of the "Eye of the Abyss," forced herself to stay awake, and fiddled with the instruments, trying to restart the locked control panel.

At this moment, there was no armed puppet around her... On the way here, the armed puppets said goodbye to her one by one, choosing to stay behind to buy her some time...

One by one, after another, in the end, her creations, her "children," were gone, gone, left in the middle, buying her time.

She watched them bid farewell to her one by one, and leave her one by one... and she couldn't even dissuade them from doing anything, because she had to do so, and only by doing so could she buy enough time for her to activate the "Eye of the Abyss" and then... sink everything around her into the "Quantum Sea" and exile the "Herrscher" into the "Quantum Sea."

She could only keep her head down and move forward, letting the other armed puppets carry her forward, just so that she could save a little energy... But in the end, when the last armed puppet was left behind, she had no choice but to drag her tired body and start running wildly, and finally, she arrived here with a body on the verge of exhaustion.

And those creatures she created, those "children" who belonged to her... They were originally made as weapons, but due to accidents, they were born with their own selves and began to reject fighting... In the end, for her, they picked up their duties as weapons again.

But even so, Einstein knew that they could not delay the "Herrscher" for long... her time... was still very short.

"What exactly... went wrong?"

Breathing in the humid air, Einstein successfully restarted the instrument, and then quickly began to input commands on the control panel, while she subconsciously muttered again.

Yeah, what went wrong?

It must have gone wrong from the very beginning.

She misjudged the speed of the support from the "Kaiji," misjudged the strength of the "Kaiji" reinforcements, and even underestimated the power of the "Herrscher"... At the same time, she also ignored the threat of those "Kaiji" who could take on human form.

Because time was too tight, even though Einstein had tried her best to think and gathered the wisdom of others, she was still unable to work out a sufficiently complete plan under such a high-pressure environment.

"But... it's okay."

Einstein comforted herself in this way.

Although Hua and the others failed to stop the "Herrscher" as expected, causing the "Herrscher" to run directly towards her, but... it's okay.

It was unknown whether the Herrscher was arrogant or simply wanted to toy with them, and even his pursuit of her seemed so unhurried... But this undoubtedly bought Einstein time and opportunities. With the obstruction of the armed puppets, she would also have enough time.

Buzz——

Under Einstein's control, the entire control room quickly brightened up, and the "Eye of the Abyss" began to restart...

Snap——

However, at this moment, there was the clear sound of footsteps stepping on the accumulated water.

"......"

Einstein heard it, but she had no time to be afraid or panic. She could only force herself to calm down and use her trembling hands to methodically input various commands to make the "Eye of the Abyss" unfold...

"Hello~, Dr. Einstein."

"......"

However, she heard it... his soft voice. This change made Einstein's body suddenly stop, and then she slowly turned around and looked at... Nozomi who was standing at the entrance.

"...You can continue."

Nozomi gestured politely, but Einstein did not respond to him. She just looked him up and down with forced calmness and then spoke slowly in a weak tone.

"You came faster than I expected."

"After all, you underestimated my strength and misjudged the combat effectiveness of the armed puppets... especially in front of me."

Nozomi's voice was still so gentle, like water and like wind.

"For me, armed puppets... especially those armed puppets made of 'Soulium' are basically no threat to me."

"...What did you do with them?"

"As a weapon on the battlefield, there are only two outcomes: returning victorious or dying in battle, right?"

Nozomi's voice sounded light and airy.

"Since I'm here, you should be able to get the answer easily, Dr. Einstein..."

"......"

"Ah, of course. Out of courtesy to you, I did not damage them. I just slightly decomposed their bodies... As long as you are willing, you can still help them restore their bodies and consciousness and help them walk in the world again."

Nozomi looked towards Einstein and stretched out his hand, the smile on his lips seemed to grow even wider.

"After all, it's not my job to make you, my compatriots, feel sad."

"I am not one of your compatriots."

Einstein's words carried a hint of imperceptible annoyance as if she was unwilling to see her creation die, but... her words were full of determination.

"I admire your determination, and your eyes satisfy me."

Nozomi's voice was as usual, and the smile on his face was as usual.

Then he whispered something that frightened Einstein a little.

"So show me your resolve and push that button and give it a try."

"......"

Einstein broke out in a cold sweat, not sure if it was because of her increasingly nervous heart or because she had been holding on to her weak body so much that it began to protest.

"Give it a try, Dr. Einstein."

His voice was still so soft and steady.

"Press that button and see if you can stop me, stop us."

"But... I can tell you."

"You won't succeed, just like you didn't succeed to stop us."

His pupils flashed gold and scarlet, dazzling and extremely piercing.

"That button can't stop [the flood]."

"…How do you know if you don't try?"

Einstein laughed subconsciously, as if she was mocking Nozomi, or as if she was mocking herself.

If Nozomi's advice was because he was afraid, then Einstein was mocking Nozomi.

If what Nozomi said is true... then just think of it as Einstein mocking herself.

Anyway, she has no way out now.

She no longer had anything to lose, so naturally... there was no need to be afraid of anything.

So, without hesitation, she pressed the button that she had been hiding with her body... Of course, to be more precise, she used the control panel to activate the "Eye of the Abyss."

Then...

Nothing happened.

"......"

Einstein tried her best to control her expression and turned to look at the control panel behind her... She was sure that she had already started it, and there was no mistake in the instructions and steps she entered, so why... No, no, no, even if it failed, there shouldn't be no reaction at all, right?

"Strange? Well... That's right. After all, I rarely use this power. For me, [Water] and [Wind] are what I am best at and use the most... After all, the 'past' represented by these two powers is more profound to me."

Nozomi's voice was still as soft and calm as water. At the same time, he raised his hand and reached out to Einstein, or the instrument behind Einstein.

"You know, right, Dr. Einstein, that Soulium is the result of the work of Vill-V and I. Its convenience has been widely used within the Fire Moth... So, have you ever thought about why Vill-V and I are pushing for the use of Soulium?"

The slight movement of his fingertips brought about some kind of mysterious power... and as his gestures progressed, the instrument behind Einstein also seemed to undergo slight changes... as if it was moving along with his gestures.

"This is certainly due to the superiority of Soulium itself, but more importantly, it is because... this is part of my strength."

Then, Einstein watched helplessly as the instrument that was originally beside her disintegrated bit by bit under Nozomi's remote control, and then reassembled into an identical instrument next to Nozomi, and... it was still operating on its own.

"......"

Einstein was no longer able to speak and didn't know what to say... She felt that her brain had been in a long state of shutdown. She was unable to understand everything in front of her, and it was even more difficult to deal with the various information and speculations that followed.

"So, I told you, you won't succeed."

Nozomi's voice was still so gentle.

"That button cannot stop the flood—because it is part of the flood, part of me."

"So... in the 'Fire Moth,' everything built with 'Soulium'... can actually be controlled by you? Nozomi, or... [Herrscher]?"

Einstein swallowed and tremblingly expressed her guess. At the same time... she also called out Nozomi's name in some disbelief.

"Yes, but I usually don't use this power... After all, for me, [Flowing Water] and [Gentle Wind] are more handy... After all, I am the favorite child of 'Mother,' the child of 'Ocean.'"

Nozomi did not deny it but just responded softly.

"That's why most of the bases you explored are intact... because they are part of my power, so there is no need to destroy them. Of course, more importantly, it's still useful, my compatriots still need them, and... the doctor will need these things to continue some experiments."

"In other words... you have been aware of our actions... all along? Watching them all?"

"Isn't this natural? You have been moving in the rain and following the breeze... I know your situation, isn't this natural?"

"Then... those people in the shelter..."

"I know, but it's better to let them continue to live. Otherwise, how can they continue to attract you, attract the attention of the 'Fire Moth,' and make you think about them?"

"So... so... you are allowing, or even... directing all this?"

"Of course, after all... I can do it, and I have done it."

Nozomi stepped forward slightly and came in front of her.

"You don't have to feel 'unfair,' right? After all... this is the power that I have accumulated from the 'past' to the 'present.' If I make full use of it but still can't show off my overwhelming power... then it's too tasteless and useless, right?"

"And... Dr. Einstein, do you remember how you left the shelter and worked with the armed puppets on Mu Continent to explore the 'Star Gate' and the 'Eye of the Abyss'?"

Nozomi suddenly asked this.

"......"

"Do you remember why you are so uncomfortable with dry environments? Especially when you are with Hua, when she is burning with fire, do you... remember that feeling?"

"Have you ever thought about why, even though you know that rainwater is part of my and our power, why does Mu Continent always keeps drizzling, but when you are out in the outside world... the rain has no effect on you at all?"

As Nozomi spoke, Einstein's pupils widened... She had a very bad idea.

"Yes, that's right. You have been our [compatriot] for a long time, but... you just don't want to admit it."

Nozomi whispered the answer.

"But it doesn't matter. The [Ocean] is tolerant, and so are I and us, so we let you go... because no matter what, you will eventually become our [compatriot]."

"And those people who move in the rain, those who are stained by water… will eventually join us."

"You don't know, the moment the song started, the ending of everything was already determined, it was already written by me..."

After all, only Nozomi knows what "song" really represents.

That is a "miracle" related to "salvation/destruction of the world."

"As long as people cannot get rid of their dependence on water, and cannot survive without it… as long as people cannot do that, then this [outcome] cannot be changed."

"Well... now that we've come to this point, why don't you introduce yourself here so we can get to know each other again."

Nozomi grabbed the hem of his windbreaker with one hand, twisted it slightly, and bowed politely to Einstein.

"Nozomi, [Herrscher of the Sea], of course, because of my function of writing the [ending], you can also call me... [Herrscher of the End]."

"But you don't have to mind such unfamiliar names. After all... we are [fellow countrymen], so we can appear closer."

"…I don't want to know so much anymore."

Einstein raised her dazed and dazed eyes and asked softly in a tone as if her mind was completely empty.

"I just want to know... the fear of fire that you showed before... is it your weakness?"

"It's us, [compatriot]."

Nozomi corrected with a smile, then raised his hand, palm facing up and slightly spread out.

"As for the flames... I originally couldn't control much of it. After all, if you really want to count, the power of that 'sister' wasn't actually flames, but something deeper, which just manifested as fire..."

"But later, another 'sister' who held multiple positions gave me strength, so..."

With a slight movement of his fingertips, a warm, bright candle flame emerged from Nozomi's hand, jumped, and finally went out due to the humid air around it.

"The fire is also part of my power."

At this point, the [Four Elements] of water, wind, fire, and earth have all gathered... and he also has the function of [writing the ending]. If he still can't control everything, then he'd better not play this game.

"Ha..."

Einstein smiled bitterly and laughed at herself.

She finally understood that fire was also a part of Nozomi's power, but just like the power to control 'Soulium' before, he didn't use it often, and even deliberately concealed it, pretending to be a 'weakness'... What a bad taste.

'Ahhh… what are we doing…'

'How could there be such an outrageous existence... This is too much, right? There is no way... to fight...'

"So... you've gone through so much trouble. What exactly do you want to do? If you were the Herrscher, and if you wanted to destroy this civilization, you could do it easily, right?"

"Don't say that. Even the Herrscher has it's own unique existence... As for destroying civilization, I have done that before."

Nozomi tilted his head and spoke softly.

"However, for the sake of the ones I love, I don't mind favoring everyone else a little bit... So, I won't destroy civilization anymore. After all, I still want to be with them."

"As for what I want to do... I just want to try to get you on the path of evolution."

"Like I said, I love you, so... I will 'save' you in my own way until... the final 'ending' satisfies me."

"Don't worry, I won't be so arbitrary and restrict your future like this... Don't worry, I won't do that."

Nozomi smiled, a very gentle smile, but to Einstein, it seemed so creepy.

"I will give you the right to choose freely, but before that, I need to give you enough power and capital to cover the bottom line... Before that, you, we, must go through some bitterness, which is the necessary 'price' in the preparation stage... I will try my best to make your life easier and happier."

"So... please rest assured that everything will end. All the hardship, bitterness and pain will be rewarded."

"But before that... it still requires some hard work."

Nozomi turned his raised hand, palm downward, and slightly loosened it, and pointed his finger at Einstein's body, which was weak from relaxing, confused and dazed from receiving too much information, and thus unable to move.

The azure water began to flow and spread and soon formed a 'bubble' that wrapped around her body.

"After all..."

"Any sacrifice is acceptable."

"Any price is worth paying."

pop——

There was a slight sound of bubbles bursting, and Einstein's figure had disappeared. At this moment and place, only Nozomi was left here.

"After all..."

Nozomi withdrew his hand and looked to the side following his sensation. He looked at the flames rising there, looked at the red feathers that vaguely appeared in a trance, and listened to the clear and crisp sound of a bird. Nozomi smiled and murmured softly.

"Everything is for humanity."