https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-949-Shadows-Lurking-Beneath-the-Light/13041450/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-951-The-Conflicting-Desires-Within/13041454/
Chapter 950: Penetrating the Heart, Intense Recollection
Chapter 950: Penetrating the Heart, Intense Recollection
"I captured the entire fight between you two, and I'm glad neither of you used the Spiritual Flame for that final punch." Kolva took out a small camera from his pocket and held it up, "Hmm, I think this should serve as evidence, right?"
Scalerson remained silent for a moment before speaking with certainty, "You didn't send a message just now."
"Ah... right."
Kolva replied, "But they will receive it, and it might be delayed due to weak domain signals. Even if I had sent one, it wouldn't have made a difference. During the previous two instances, despite our insistence, they didn't send anyone over."
He glanced at Scalerson and said with a smile, "This is all because of your insistence on independent investigation. So, even if I had sent a message, nothing would have happened."
Scalerson's voice grew solemn, "So, the anomalies from before were also your doing, and you've been trying to move around in Jinbei Province to find a suitable location."
Kolva responded, "Hmm... You don't think I could have done all this alone, do you?"
Scalerson's blue eyes fixed on Kolva's face, which carried a hint of a smile, and he asked in a low voice, "Who?"
Kolva didn't answer the question but continued with a smile, "You're recovering now..." Just as he finished the sentence,
Scalerson suddenly leaped from his spot, and the spiritual flame on his body surged outward. Despite his injuries not fully healed, he knew his partner wouldn't let him continue recovering, forcing him to take action.
Kolva watched as Scalerson approached, and he made the same move as Chen Chuan did that day, not attempting any defense but instead kicking him straight in the face.
If the momentum remained unchanged, Scalerson would have been kicked, but this punch could have pierced his chest. As he was about to strike the target area, he hesitated for a moment, but still firmly struck out.
However, just as they made contact, Scalerson suddenly felt a surge of weakness throughout his body, and the spiritual flame that had erupted from his body suddenly receded, leaving his punch to land weakly on Kolva's chest.
At the same time, Kolva delivered a heavy kick to his abdomen, a nearly unprotected area, creating a gaping hole as shattered bones, organs, and blood sprayed outward.
Scalerson was knocked into the air by the force.
Kolva didn't let up, and his subsequent punches kept landing on Scalerson's body, but there were no loud impacts or roars because Kolva intentionally slowed his punches, ensuring that all the force penetrated deep into Scalerson's internal body.
After the last punch, Scalerson finally fell from mid-air, crashing heavily to the ground. At this point, apart from his head, almost none of his bones were intact, and his anomalous organs had suffered extensive damage.
Yet, he managed to speak with difficulty, "Why?"
Kolva smiled, "You're wondering why, despite attacking me, you're still affected by the ritual, while I've been unaffected from the start?
It's because..."
He walked over, crouched down, and looked at Scalerson, "I'm serving the interests of the investigation team."
Scalerson's eyes widened in shock, and Kolva's next words landed clearly in his ears, "Do you think I'm acting on my own? Do you think I'm working for someone else? No, these are the instructions I received from above."
"But..." Scalerson's heart sank, the pain of his shattered faith surpassing the torment of his body. He struggled to speak, "Our agreement doesn't allow this!"
"Yes, usually," Kolva stood up, "But you forgot, or perhaps you overlooked, the highest principle of the agreement—all actions must prioritize the protection of the investigation team and its interests.
Oh, and let's add another point—under the premise of safeguarding the world. Aren't we doing just that?"
Scalerson forced out the words, "Someone has twisted your agreement."
Mystic Rites can be suppressed and twisted in certain situations. With a slight subjective adjustment, as long as the final outcome is positive, the agreement may not necessarily take effect. This is essentially exploiting a loophole in the agreement.
These loopholes were intentionally left by the designers, not entirely for malicious purposes. It's because people aren't machines; sometimes, a bit of flexibility is needed to avoid being too rigid and hindering one's own actions.
However, this design has both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, it can make tasks more efficient and complete them more smoothly; but on the negative side, it can be exploited by those with ulterior motives. It all depends on how one uses it.
Scalerson took a few labored breaths before speaking, "Why?"
"Why, indeed."
Kolva seemed to dislike this question, "Scalerson, you're a very smart person. You know the answer in your heart, yet you want me to say it?"
Do you still not believe deep down? You should have found the answer in your heart long ago.
He let out a sigh, "Alright, if you want me to speak, then I will tell you.
In the decades following the collapse of the Grand Alliance, the Investigation Team has been putting out fires everywhere, investing a lot of manpower and resources. We did gain a lot of praise.
But what did we get in return? Over the past few decades, we sacrificed more than seventy percent of our original members, all of them were elites gathered during the formation of the Grand Alliance, true idealists!
And all we have are a few islands recognized by various nations and some scattered industries barely keeping us afloat.
They call it the legacy of the Grand Alliance, but in reality, it's just a few cages stranded at sea. Nominally, we are responsible for overseeing the gaps in various nations, but in truth, we are merely tools in their political struggles.
Do you understand? Tools!
Free tools!"
After a loud shout, he took a deep breath, tugged at his collar, and continued, "The Great Collision is coming, it's very close. We've been promoting the idea of safeguarding the world's safety, deeply ingrained in our bones, leaving no room for compromise.
So, our final choice is simple—we charge forward, fight those things, spill our blood, and sacrifice the last of our people..."
He pointed outside, "While they cheer and shout from behind, they hide and watch us spill every drop of our blood!"
Scalerson lay there, firmly stating, "This is what we should do."
In a 6-9-1 book, there is no mistake in this version!
Kolva spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "Yes, you think it's what should be done, is that what everyone should do? My grandfather, father, two uncles, three uncles, and many more from the Kolva clan all died on the front lines of resistance, but what did they leave behind? Only a monument and a few flowers, nothing else. Who remembers them now, except for us?
It's almost my turn next.
And what about those people?"
His face filled with resentment, "Why should they hide while we use our flesh and blood to protect them? I'm not content with this!
We've done enough for them; now, I should think about myself!"
At this moment, he squatted down and spoke in a hurried tone, "Scalerson, cooperate with me. You won't die. The Investigation Team needs a center city of its own. We made this request to various nations to better safeguard the world, but no country agreed. They don't want us to become an organization that can truly target them. They only want us to bite when necessary, be a punching bag in the front, and a stepping stone beneath them!
This time is an opportunity, perhaps the easiest and last chance before the Great Collision. Once we take over this center city, we can resist the opposing forces and ensure the safety of more members, allowing the flame of the Investigation Team to continue burning. Isn't that great?"
Scalerson looked at Kolva with anticipation. Firmly and unwaveringly, he said, "If a gap appears in the World Ring and I need to charge forward, I will do so without hesitation."
"I exist to safeguard the stability of the world. I don't care how others view me. I'm not seeking praise but to fulfill the lofty ideals in my heart and strive for the world's stability and prosperity!"
"If I take what I need to protect from those I'm supposed to protect, what's the difference between me and them?"
Kolva released his hand, letting him fall back, "Alright, then wait here..." As Scalerson gradually lost consciousness, he said, "Our cause is about to unfold. Sleep well, and when you wake up, we will have what is rightfully ours."
As he spoke, a voice came from outside, "That's not something that belongs to you."
Kolva was startled and abruptly turned around, retreating. He stared at the figure appearing at the door, asking uncertainly, "Who?!"
He hadn't sensed anyone approaching just now.
The figure stood at the door, backlit by the rays of light filtering through the damaged gaps in the tower. For a moment, his face was obscured, but his tall and straight posture was evident.
Kolva recognized the visitor, and his heart skipped a beat. His pupils contracted, "It's you..."
Chen Chuan walked in from outside. His footsteps echoed in the empty space, sounding especially clear. He wore the uniform of the Director of Defense, and his shoulder boards and brass buttons gleamed golden in the light. He held a long sword in his hand and lowered the brim of his hat, saying, "Mr. Kolva, I need to remind you that the ground beneath your feet is the territory of Daxun.
You have crossed the boundary."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
