So...why did this place become like this?
After coming into contact with this, Sakura also had the same doubts as the Fire Moth.
You know, Dusk Street used to be famous for "chaos" and "xenophobia", but now it's the exact opposite... Sure enough, someone must have forcibly changed this place. After all, the information shows that this change was achieved in a very short time, and the key figure is a person called "Priest".
It is reported that he also has the strange ability to judge the guilt of others and summon fire, which makes the Fire Moth pay more attention to him. In addition, the fact that Dusk Street has recently taken in a large number of "Honkai Disease patients" has further deepened the suspicion of the Fire Moth... So Sakura's mission process here is roughly [Investigate the overall situation of Dusk Street → Investigate the identity of the "priest" and negotiate with him → Bring back or eliminate the "priest" depending on the situation → Clear out all the people in Dusk Street].
This sounds like a very cruel task, because no matter what, Sakura will have to [Clean up Dusk Street] in the end, but... this is something that cannot be avoided.
Because there are so many "Honkai disease patients" taken in inside Dusk Street, the Fire Moth is convinced that Honkai will definitely break out here, and it hasn't broken out yet only because the time has not come yet... So the source of Honkai energy must be cleared before it breaks out and causes greater damage.
As for the possible people here who have not been infected with Honkai... they must also be cleared out, but that is the task of the Poison Pupa. Although in a sense, this task is still issued by the Fire Moth. After all, the relationship between the Fire Moth and the Poison Pupa... can be regarded as the light and dark sides of an organization.
As for the reason for issuing this task, Ying didn't care, and it was not something she should care about.
She... is just a [knife].
My thoughts have drifted a little far away, so I should focus on what is happening in front of me - Sakura thought so, and with a flick of her hand, she took the long package on her back and placed it around her waist. The cloth at the front fell off, revealing the knife inside.
Placing her hand lightly on the hilt of the knife, Sakura looked forward warily.
There, a priest was sitting on a box, looking at a scripture in silence... Logically speaking, there should be no one here, and the things placed here are definitely not an ordinary box.
Obviously, the person in front of her was the "priest" who changed the entire Dusk Street. Not only did he take away all the equipment left by the Fire Moth in advance, he also knew the time of her arrival in advance. More importantly, Sakura sensed an inexplicable "threat" from him.
Not from him, but from... something else.
Sure enough, the Fire Moth's guess was correct, he was indeed an "abnormal" existence - Sakura thought so.
At the same time, he also noticed Sakura's presence, closed the Bible in his hand, lightly stepped down from the box, and stopped not far in front of Sakura.
The position was very good, just enough to keep Sakura at a level where she wouldn't be overly alert.
"Hello, the one who came with a life..."
Xiwang first held the cross pendant wrapped around his hand and placed it lightly on his chest, then bowed to Ying as a sign of courtesy.
Then he slightly raised his eyes and looked at the girl in front of him who was slowly emitting a sharp aura. His strange three-color eyes, which were mostly gold, looked at her, and then... Xi Wang was stunned.
Sakura looked very similar to a girl he had seen before, especially the similar pink hair... well, that was Alicia.
But when he first met Alicia, he felt for no reason in his heart that he would rather meet a girl with cherry blossom color... and now it seems that you have met her.
When he saw her and confirmed that it was her, Xi Wang's first reaction was to breathe a sigh of relief, as if he was glad that she was still alive and still in front of him. But soon, when Xi Wang noticed the vigilance and slight hostility on her face, he felt a little sad.
Xi Wang was sure that this was their first meeting, but it seemed as if he had seen her before and they had a good relationship... This feeling was inexplicable, just like Xi Wang's hatred for the priest at the beginning, it all came suddenly.
But as a devout believer of [Him], Xi Wang gave everything to [Him] and dedicated everything to [Him]'s existence. There was not much expression on his face. He just suppressed all the emotions in his heart and spoke in calm and clear words.
"I already know your intentions. He also told me about you and the existence behind you. However, the malice and hostility you carry are too strong, so I have no choice but to temporarily confiscate your instruments... Please rest assured that after the incident is over, those instruments will be returned to you."
"...Are you the [Priest] they are talking about?"
Ying looked at him for a while, and somehow, she subconsciously felt that Xi Wang was an easy person to get along with, and that she could put aside her hostility for the time being.
Maybe he was too polite? - Sakura thought subconsciously.
But then, she suppressed her unnecessary thoughts and asked instead.
"According to you...you already know why I came here?"
"Yes, He has told me your purpose. However, your hostility and suspicion are too strong, so He asked me to guide you."
Xi Wang nodded, and then slowly spoke.
"I should first tell you that your coming here will bring disaster to us, and your behavior is also... Therefore, I hope you can leave now, so that the disaster can be avoided and peace can be restored here."
"…Are you kidding me?"
"You came here with your life, so naturally you won't agree, but... you should know this."
Xi Wang slightly tightened the cross pendant in his hand.
“Because knowing and not telling is a sin.”
"........."
"But... you should have been ordered to observe this place and observe me. Therefore, I hope you can temporarily restrain your hostility, rest here for a while, and take in everything here before making a decision."
Xi Wang placed his hand with the pendant on his chest and spoke softly.
"Just follow me."
Immediately, he walked towards Sakura, or rather, walked towards the path Sakura came from.
Ying's body subconsciously tensed up, but she could still sense some kind of threat coming from Xiwang. And as Xiwang got closer, that inexplicable feeling became stronger and stronger, making Ying subconsciously judge that she should not let him get any closer.
But in the end, until Xiwang passed Ying and even walked some distance away, Ying did not make any move. She even turned her back to him for a while, until the footsteps of Xiwang behind her stopped. Only then did Ying seem to come back to her senses and turned to look at him.
"Just follow me."
Xi Wang didn't say much, but just maintained etiquette, gestured slightly with his hands, spoke softly, and then continued to walk out.
"........."
Sakura looked down and saw that she had let go of the knife handle without knowing when, and was a little surprised.
Logically speaking, if Xi Wang had been so close to her just now and she had truly sensed the threat... she should have subconsciously tightened her grip on the knife handle and slightly pulled the knife out of the sheath as a warning.
But in the end, she loosened her grip without realizing it, and even subconsciously moved her hand away from the handle of the knife, as if she was instinctively resisting drawing the knife. She even had an inexplicable feeling in her heart that "he won't hurt me, so there's no need to be wary"... It was really strange.
Sakura shook her head, and the pair of slender ears on her head trembled, but she quickly reacted and straightened them again, disguising them as a special headdress.
Damn...what's going on? I should be used to keeping still in front of others.
Ying stroked her hair in distress, but didn't dare to touch the ears on her head, worried that Xiwang would find out something... although Xiwang didn't look back.
"……Ugh."
After thinking for a while, Sakura found that she really couldn't figure out why she was in that state just now. She sighed and suppressed all those thoughts and emotions - as a [Sword], she didn't need to think so much and should just concentrate on the mission.
So she walked forward, and soon caught up with Xiwang, walking slowly behind him.
However, what she didn't realize was that compared to previous similar situations, the distance she followed Xi Wang... was a little closer than when she followed other people.
[…Hehe, so cute]
Faintly, Xi Wang heard [Him] whispering, which made him a little confused, and [Him] had no intention of explaining.
Obviously, both of them vaguely realized that the other might be a special existence to them, but in the end they did not show it for their own reasons... It's really cute and regrettable, isn't it?
Just like... [last time], because the two of them are too similar in some ways, and because they are accustomed to hiding their emotions... therefore, they are not lovers and will never become lovers.
It wasn’t like that before, it won’t happen now, but in the future... well... maybe there will be a chance?
Chapter 7040 Father, You...are Still So Merciful ()
[Under your guidance, Sakura saw the true appearance of Twilight Street, which was completely different from the "outside world"]
[It is peaceful and harmonious here, clean and tidy. No one litters anywhere. The streets are incredibly clean. The shops on the street are open as usual. Although a few shops have hung up signs saying they are closed for some reason, the remaining shops are all doing well. The goods inside are of good quality and low price. The bosses are enthusiastic and humble, chatting with customers from time to time.]
[And here, Ying also saw how respected you are... No matter which store you pass by, the people inside, whether they are the boss or the customers, will greet you, and you will respond one by one, and you can even call out everyone's name accurately, and you can even specifically remind someone of a small problem that they missed due to carelessness.]
[For example, if someone has finished washing their clothes, you would remind them that it is time to go back and dry the clothes. The sunshine in the afternoon is just right, so they can take the clothes back in the evening. The person who heard your reminder would nod and thank you without hesitation, and quickly leave to go home, as if they believed in your words... This deep trust surprised Ying.]
[And through some simple inquiries, Sakura also learned that the people living here have more or less similar patients in their families, perhaps because of "Honkai Disease", or because of something else, but no one here is troubled by livelihood. Although life is a little difficult, every family can survive.]
[Also, no one here seems depressed. Almost everyone has a look of longing for tomorrow on their face. This is completely different from the situation outside where people give up everything to survive and fight against Honkai, and even in this situation, the top leaders are still not united.]
[Ying suddenly understood why those "leaders" described Dusk Street as a "Garden of Eden" to their subordinates. Compared with the chaotic situation in the outside world, Dusk Street at this moment is really a warm "Garden of Eden". Compared with the outside world, it is full of special "human touch". You can clearly feel the care from others, even if they are not familiar with each other.]
[Especially in the evening, when the light of dusk shines on the street, it is like a golden stream coming from the sky and slowly covering the entire street. The beautiful scene is truly worthy of the name "Dusk Street"]
[Yakura was a little dazed for a moment, and subconsciously sighed that if there was no collapse and Dusk Street was not a "place of chaos", this place would definitely become a tourist destination.]
[But this thought and feeling only stopped there, because she had seen the situation outside and knew that the peace here was exchanged for the suffering of more people outside, and those "leaders" would exploit others without hesitation.]
[More importantly, she noticed that the "patients" in every household here...are all suffering from "Honkai Disease", and are all people who have been corroded by Honkai.]
【Not "Basic", but "All"】
[In other words, there are a huge number of "Honkai Energy Infection Sources" here, and when so many infection sources gather together, Honkai will inevitably occur. This is a nearly inevitable law summarized by the Fire Moth.]
[But what’s strange about Sakura is… According to the information you told her, the number of these patients had already reached the number that Fire Moth estimated would cause the Honkai Impact two months ago. Logically speaking, if Honkai Impact was really going to happen, it should have happened here two months ago.]
[But now there is nothing. Dusk Street is still so peaceful and harmonious. Even in the past two months, you and Abernia have received many extra patients, but there is still no Honkai outbreak here... This is really too strange.]
[It's like a bug that went wrong, but it just happens to work, and it runs smoothly. Others don't know how this thing works.]
[However, Sakura would not think so much, nor could she think so much. She was just a "knife" that carried out the mission - she already knew what she should do.]
[But before that, she needs to get out of your sight first... After observing you for a while, she believes that you are negotiable and suitable for bringing back the Fire Moth, so she plans to get out of your sight, complete other tasks, and then bring you back.]
[Late at night is a good choice. Everyone will go home to rest, including you. At this time, Sakura can take advantage of the night to leave and carry out the mission under the cover of night. This is the best scene for her as a "killer" and a "knife"... and giving others death in their sleep so that they don't have to endure extra pain is also a little mercy she can give to everyone.]
[So she calmed down a little, made up her mind, and followed you back to the church, waiting for the night to fall.]
[You seemed unaware of her decision, and politely let her rest in the church for a while, and quickly prepared a dinner for her.]
[Yakura didn't refuse. She was just wondering why you served her a "Sakura Bun" and a bunch of cherry blossoms at the end. She was even a little curious about where you learned and got them. After all, Sakura Bun and cherry blossoms are things from her hometown, and they shouldn't be available here.]
[And your answer surprised her even more... You said that it was "He" who told you that she would like these two things, so you prepared in advance.]
[This somewhat frightened Ying. After all, you and she had never met before. However, this "prophecy"-like situation still made her feel terrified, and she secretly became more alert to you.]
[…But what she didn’t tell you is that her first reaction upon receiving these two things was happiness, a joy that came from deep within her heart, as if receiving these two things was something that was worth being happy about and was natural…However, precisely because of this inexplicable emotion, Sakura quickly reacted and became much more alert to you. Although her facial expression did not change, you could sense that she was looking at you with a deep sense of caution and vigilance.]
[…She seemed to have misunderstood something, but you didn’t care because you noticed that when she received these two things, the pair of slender ears disguised as headdresses on her head trembled slightly and unconsciously.]
[She should be happy—you think so]
[Although you are wondering why you can tell her mood from the expression of her strange animal ears, you don't care too much, as if it is a matter of course... and you subconsciously think that it is better not to mention the matter of "ears" to her at this time.]
[Do you know her well? — You thought to yourself in a strange way.]
[But you finally suppressed all these thoughts, because the disaster that will destroy this place is about to come, and you need to do more things.]
[Puchi...ha...]
[You seem to hear His faint laughter again. You feel puzzled, but He still does not intend to explain.]
[You suppress your doubts for the time being and wait silently]
【Then, the night fell...】
--------
slam-la-
Outside, it was raining heavily. The night wind mixed with rain made the surroundings cold, but inside the house it was warm and comfortable.
Ying silently put down the package she was carrying, untied it, took out the knife inside, glanced at the heavy rain outside, and was speechless for a moment.
"What the priest said was actually true...it actually rained heavily that night..."
Sakura whispered to herself unconsciously, it seems that the people here have no problem regarding the priest as a "human weather forecast", and... after a day of experiencing all kinds of strange things, Sakura is no longer surprised by this.
However, the heavy rain could not stop her actions. Sakura opened the window, and rain and night wind poured into the room. Sakura ignored them and just took silent steps and left the window with a light leap. Her figure sank into the rain and soon disappeared.
But... when Sakura arrived at her first target location and walked into the room silently, she noticed something unusual - someone was here, and was obviously waiting for her.
More importantly, an inexplicable burning sensation came from her body, especially her legs, where the feeling was particularly strong.
Although she had expected it, the burning sensation was too sudden and too intense, causing Sakura to stagger for a moment and make a slight noise.
So this is the "punishment" for breaking the [rules]... and it's actually effective on fusion warriors as well. It seems that the abnormality of the priest is even more exaggerated than imagined.
Sakura calmed herself down, and then looked not far away, at a man who was sitting on the ground in a very weird and indecent posture.
He was wearing a strange mask that was slightly delicate yet somewhat worn, so his expression could not be seen clearly. However, Sakura could feel the slightly crazy aura and...endless fighting spirit emanating from him.
"Haha...haha...hahahaha!!! Are you here? Very good! It seems that the priest was right. If it were you, you might be able to satisfy me... As expected, he is much more likable than that woman!"
"...The priest asked you to come?"
Ying took a defensive posture and asked softly... It was really strange. She felt a threat from this man again, a threat like a beast. Is this Dusk Street a gathering place for talents? Why are there so many abnormal people?
"Of course, that guy knew you were coming and asked me to wait for you here... Humph! If he hadn't considered this battle enough to satisfy me, how could he have commanded me?!"
"Okay... let's put aside those boring negotiations! Let's have a good enough fight! A fight that can only stop when one side falls...!!!"
After saying that, he rushed forward and punched Sakura in the face.
Ying also dodged. She had already sensed that she couldn't take this man's punch head-on.
He took advantage of the situation and continued to oppress Sakura with his continuous attacks, forcing her into the heavy rain outside.
