After hearing Soshyan's words, the old man did not answer, but nodded slightly thoughtfully.
At this time, the aura of grayness on his body became even stronger, like a gray skinned ghoul, a living dead wrapped in a heavy robe, his movements were as stiff as an arthritic patient, and he was breathing loudly.
.
Soshyan looked at him and lamented in his heart that the empire in the past was ruled by such a face, a face that looked hopelessly sick.
Perhaps it was because he had served the Emperor for so long that it had such an impact on a person. Perhaps this was the reason why Malcador was called the last man - approaching the dark star where the fate of mankind revolved.
The last person alive, or that the others simply died, or that there were no others at all, is just one of the many lies on Terra.
"If you are the Regent of Terra, I have many questions for you."
Soshyan said, straightening his back in front of the old man.
The old man smiled.
"There have been countless people who wanted an answer from me, and they were even willing to pay for it. So what are you willing to pay?"
"this--"
Suo Shiyang frowned and didn't know how to answer for a while.
"Okay, just answer me a question."
The old man put his hand on the chessboard and stared at Soshyan with cloudy eyes.
"I once had a debate with someone."
He narrated slowly:
"That debate lasted a long time, and even now that he's gone, I still miss our discussions... His intellect was so powerful, a little dull, but undoubtedly powerful, and
, and occasionally, a sense of humor—some form of humor, can you believe it?”
Soshyan listened carefully. He was not sure who the old man was talking about, but he already had a vague guess in his heart.
He wanted to ask a question, but the old man kept talking as if Soshyan's confusion was a trivial matter not worth noticing.
“… Our debate goes like this, he believes that the task of a ruler is to make himself obsolete so that when his people are mature enough they can replace him… I don’t agree with that, I
It feels like we'll never be mature enough, and I believe that no one but that one man is strong enough to bring humanity together, even temporarily, and he's the exception, you know, and maybe even he doesn't understand it
.”
After saying that, the old man squinted at Suoshiyang, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp, as if his eyes suddenly changed from a simple stone to a bright gem.
"So, what do you think? Whose side are you on? Him or me?"
Until this moment, Soshyan was finally able to determine who the "he" in the other party's mouth was referring to.
Soshyan took a deep breath. He didn't know whether he felt honored or humiliated by being asked a question.
"do not hesitate."
The old man shouted:
"Make your choice quickly."
"I want to say..."
Soshyan spoke, but his tone was hesitant.
"I would say that the Emperor will always lead us, that's what we were taught, and that's what I believe."
The old man nodded.
"Well said, then you're on my side, and you're right, of course - he has pretty high expectations for our species, maybe a little too high... He doesn't always realize it
The fact that he is indispensable, but can he always be here? This is the biggest question and the test we have been facing."
The old man put his hands together and touched his fingertips, looking a little upset.
Soshyan looked at him and waited.
He could only understand a small part of the old man's words, and he wondered if that was part of the test, or some convoluted narrative method?
If that's the case, it seems forced and unnecessary.
"The war of the gods has begun. Even now, I can feel the eyes of the Lord of Change staring at us, pressing on my heart like a boulder... I heard the dark gods' cry
Voice has also witnessed the most tragic depravity of human beings. The collapse of his great cause makes me heartbroken, and witnessing this makes me even more heartbroken."
"but--"
Suddenly, Soshyan changed the topic.
"He has left us for ten thousand years. During this period, although mankind may have struggled, mortals have finally survived ten thousand years with their own courage and sacrifice..."
"That's just the appearance."
The old man suddenly looked a little impatient.
"The weakness of human beings is fatal. We can never be self-sufficient and have difficulty achieving true foresight."
"I have witnessed many mortal stories of sacrifice and greatness——"
"Those are meaningless!"
Looking at the old man's face, Soshyan's lips twisted in disgust.
"Sealbearer, I am disappointed that you have such contempt for your own race."
"That's right, it's contempt!"
The old man said sternly with rare momentum:
"If you had witnessed what I have seen, and observed what a human being becomes when he is placed in darkness and alone, you would agree with me!"
"Then your loyalty is only limited to the Emperor, not humans, right!"
Hearing Soshyan's stern questioning, the old man was stunned for a moment, then suddenly lowered his head and his voice became deeper.
"Ha...for many years, I have collected you like stones, those upright souls who are worthy of the great task of rebuilding what we must lose...some are warriors, some are
Masters who are proficient in psychic powers, and some are just mortals. I chose you to protect those treasures when I can't do it myself... I need these souls to protect the light of enlightenment and fight against ignorance, this eternity.
The chain must never be broken, even after my own death."
When the old man raised his head and looked at Soshyan, a tolerant expression appeared on his old face.
"I can understand your thoughts. Although your answer does not satisfy me, it allows me to see your soul clearly."
Soshyan felt a little anxious. He was still confused, but he didn't know what he should do.
The old man took a deep breath and stood up with difficulty.
"Hope is still there...Hope is always there...This chess game is not over yet...it is not over yet..."
Muttering to himself, the old man turned around and walked into the boundless darkness.
"etc--"
Soshiyang immediately stood up and wanted to catch up, but the next second, he was in the cold hall.
And his hand had already instinctively stretched out.
There was just a crash, and the Terminator armor fell apart like a toppled building block, and the long knife slowly fell to the ground.
This accident made him stunned for a few seconds, as if he accidentally broke something valuable in a stranger's house.
Suddenly, Soshiyang looked down and saw something shining among the Terminator parts——