ABST Chapter 40

Elansno’s lodging in Dawn City was the same as before. The day Jin Daike received news he was coming to the Northwest Sector, she’d cleaned the room.

 

She knew Elansno had the same stomach problems as Teacher. Not skilled at cooking herself, she specially selected a chef to help regulate Elansno’s diet.

 

“Vice Officer Nie Liang isn’t here. Ice Brother made food for you for a while before. I asked him about your previous meal plan. See if there’s anything else that needs adjusting?”

 

Jin Daike sent the temporarily drafted three-meals plan to Elansno.

 

Considering Elansno hadn’t eaten for a long time and needed to take it slowly, she’d modified part of the early menu—even easier to digest than sweet porridge.

 

Elansno didn’t look. He didn’t really care: “Anything’s fine.”

 

The commanders previously leading troops in the Northwest Sector knew what mattered. Although they didn’t like Elansno, they quickly reported important information about the current military strength distribution in the Northwest Sector, remaining firepower, and areas severely affected by insect swarms.

 

He needed to analyze the situation based on this information so he could give proper orders on the battlefield tomorrow.

 

Jin Daike looked at him for a while and said: “Want to visit the cemetery?”

 

Elansno paused slightly.

 

Jin Daike: “Teacher’s cemetery has already been built. Brother said Teacher’s ashes are with you.”

 

Implication: Lan Xia’s ashes should be interred.

 

“The situation in the Northwest Sector is tense. Brother, Ice Brother, and Lian Yao can’t come over. They’ll watch via communication in a bit. You can personally place Teacher inside.”

 

For this final journey, they didn’t want too many people disturbing it.

 

There were still many documents, but Elansno couldn’t read on. His jaw showed an unhealthy pallor, slightly tense. After a long while, he stood up with no change in expression: “Let’s go. Let’s see the cemetery.”

 

Lan Xia’s cemetery was separated off alone.

 

Not too large, not too small, decorated to feel very warm.

 

In front of the tombstone was a square hole. Inside was an open box meant to hold ashes. No matter how warm it seemed, under the night sky, there was still a bone-deep chill here.

 

Elansno stood before the tombstone.

 

It read: Tomb of Respected Teacher Lan Xia, erected by students Algiers, Jin Daike, Shou Bing, Lian Yao.

 

For a moment he felt dazed.

 

As if he’d never so clearly realized the fact that Brother had passed away.

 

[Tomb of Elder Brother Lan Xia, erected by younger brother Lan Nuo.] He couldn’t even personally carve this line.

 

He could only stand before the tomb others had erected for Brother like this, without qualification to even ask a question. After all, he’d personally killed Brother.

 

Jin Daike connected communication with the other three. Holograms stood beside Jin Daike.

 

Algiers: “Elansno, please lay Teacher to rest.”

 

The several of them lowered their heads in respect. Elansno remained still for a long time.

 

A moment later, he took out the small bottle he kept close to his body, pouring out Brother’s ashes. That silver-gray glass sphere rolled in his palm.

 

Strangely, the sphere wasn’t cold—its temperature was even warmer than Elansno’s palm, like a warm hand silently grasping his.

 

Elansno’s heart trembled slightly.

 

He suddenly clenched tight: “I won’t let go.”

 

Algiers frowned: “Elansno.”

 

“…I can’t let go.” Elansno’s tone was bewildered, his eyes gradually reddening. “I’ve already… I’ve already acknowledged that Brother left me. This is the last thing I have left.”

 

He turned to the side, tone showing stubbornness yet extremely like a child putting on a brave front, unconsciously revealing some fragility and pleading.

 

“You all have so many good memories with Brother. The tomb can bury his old clothes, things he used…” Elansno’s voice gradually lowered. “I really don’t want to put it in. I’ll never see it again…”

 

Elansno gripped tightly.

 

Call him despicable, call him selfish.

 

Even if Brother would blame him after knowing, he didn’t want to let go. He feared that if he really put the ashes inside, he’d lose control and go mad, costing innocent lives on the battlefield.

 

Jin Daike’s heart ached.

 

Algiers sighed: “Leave it then. You guard Teacher’s ashes. Daike, end communication.”

 

The communication hung up. Jin Daike stood in place for a while, then silently left.

 

Only Elansno remained. He said: “Thank you.” Then sat down against the tombstone, head leaning lightly against it, eyes showing thick self-loathing.

 

After a long while, Elansno closed his eyes.

 

Resting against the cold tombstone, he had a light dream.

 

——

 

South of the Imperial Capital.

 

Algiers hadn’t returned to the Presidential Office yet. Rarely, he felt the impulse to curse: “There are still some people who think negotiating peace with the Zerg is a good choice. Their brains must be…”

 

Shou Bing handed him a glass of water, sighing: “Your temper now isn’t as good as before.”

 

“Provoked by anger.” Algiers rubbed his temples with a headache. “Look at what they’re saying. The public doesn’t understand—can they not see clearly either?”

 

After the brain-worm’s negotiation livestream went out, although it made quite a few neutral people also start opposing peace negotiations, there was still a portion who felt that with their continent’s vast territory, giving away one piece wasn’t a big deal.

 

Even more ridiculous—not just the public thought this way, but an extremely small number of officials did too.

 

“Resisting the Zerg is all humanity’s business. We must make them understand—not all Zerg are as intelligent as brain-worms. They only devour and invade.”

 

Shou Bing: “If they personally experienced war’s cruelty, they wouldn’t say such things.” But soldiers defend the city—unless absolutely necessary, how could innocent civilians be sent to the battlefield?

 

After a few gulps of cold water, Algiers gradually calmed down. He tapped the table thoughtfully: “I have an idea.”

 

——

 

In just three days after Elansno took over the Northwest Sector battlefield, the situation greatly improved. The insect swarm, originally ten miles away, was pushed back to fifty miles out.

 

Over ten battles within three days. Elansno rushed to the front every time, wielding a newly forged sword. His golden mental power filled the sky like a ray of victorious dawn.

 

Northwest Sector soldiers seemed to understand why, before the Federation was overthrown, the First Army was called the most cohesive military group.

 

In just three days, aside from issuing orders, Elansno hadn’t said a single unnecessary word to them. Yet this very thing transformed the Northwest Sector soldiers’ attitude from forced obedience to wholehearted respect.

 

Medical Room.

 

“Look at your own face! Still saying you’re fine? Who’d believe that?!” Jin Daike, unable to bear it any longer, lost her temper and thrust a mirror in front of Elansno.

 

Elansno’s mask was removed. His eyelashes trembled lightly.

 

The man in the mirror was utterly bloodless. Compared to the silver hair falling down his back, it was hard to tell which was paler.

 

Military uniform draped over his shoulders, shirt open—clearly just medicated. His waist, abdomen, and chest were all wrapped in thick bandages, seeping crimson.

 

That newly forged sword named Dawn lay beside his hand, thick with the smell of blood.

 

“Elansno, do you really think you won’t die? You’re a person—don’t you even feel pain? This afternoon’s insect swarm wasn’t that fierce. You clearly could have rested properly. Why did you still charge forward?!”

 

“…”

 

When Elansno saw the mirror, he dodged slightly, then realized what he’d done and froze. “…This is much better than when I first took over the First Army.”

 

Jin Daike placed a thick medical report in front of him: “Keep this up and who knows how many more days you can live.”

 

Elansno didn’t look. He buttoned his shirt, fastening his uniform meticulously all the way to the top—now showing no sign of injury at all.

 

He put on his mask, saying indifferently: “Don’t worry. I won’t have any problems before the Zerg are eliminated.”

 

Jin Daike wanted to say more when Elansno’s comm device rang with a call—it was Algiers.

 

He connected: “What is it?”

 

Algiers: “To deal with those supporting peace negotiations, after returning to the capital, I discussed with others and we plan to use battlefield livestreaming to make everyone recognize the Zerg’s cruelty.”

 

Elansno frowned slightly: “Won’t it expose things?”

 

Algiers: “Don’t worry. Those in charge of livestreaming are all military personnel. They’ll only broadcast battlefield matters—nothing else will be revealed. Shou Bing’s side is already prepared. If you have no objections, the livestream can start tomorrow.”

 

Elansno wasn’t interested: “Arrange as you see fit.”

 

After briefly exchanging a few words, he ended the communication, picked up his sword and stood. “Thanks for the treatment. I’ll go now. You must be very busy.”

 

Jin Daike called out to him: “I heard you haven’t eaten these past days, only injecting nutrient solutions. Is it…”

 

Elansno: “No, I just feel this saves time.”

 

His tone was flat, revealing not a trace of anything wrong. Jin Daike watched his departing figure, frowning deeply.

 

She always felt that Elansno’s self-destruction had never stopped.

 

——

 

The next day.

 

The Northwest Sector battlefield livestream started on time.

 

Although it was only six in the morning, the comment stream was already dense with heated discussion.

 

[The livestream south of the Imperial Capital has been going for a day already. Is the Northwest Sector starting too?]

 

[Those bastards who watched the south Imperial Capital livestream, do you still insist on negotiating peace with the Zerg?]

 

[Heard Elansno is commanding troops in the Northwest Sector.]

 

[Don’t understand. The Human Alliance has so many commanders—why specifically have Elansno command troops? Clearly he’s the one who most deserves to die.]

 

[Hahahaha, my family still has his portrait. When I’m angry I go slash it twice (。)]

 

[Hope he dies in a bug’s mouth and gets replaced by someone with a better reputation (praying hands)]

 

[Have some conscience, okay? Elansno is on the battlefield to protect you, OK?]

 

[He didn’t kill your whole family.]

 

[What’s wrong with me cursing Dog Ai?]

 

The tiny livestream drones scattered across the Northwest Sector battlefield weren’t conspicuous—four total, distributed at the battlefield’s four corners.

 

Elansno seemed to sense something, glancing toward where the nearest drone was located.

 

The comment stream paused for an instant.

 

[Holy crap, did he notice?]

 

[That one glance’s killing intent was so heavy. Damn, my heart went cold.]

 

[Shouldn’t have noticed, right? I remember our drone is bound to Elansno?]

 

Binding meant that on the battlefield, this drone wouldn’t leave Elansno by more than three hundred meters—enough to clearly see most of what happened around him.

 

Comments continued arguing. Elansno had already withdrawn his gaze, looking toward the insect swarm ahead.

 

The Sword of Dawn shot through the air, wrapped in sharp golden mental power, fiercely cleaving toward that dark mass.

 

Elansno: “Commence battle!”

 

Everyone watching the livestream discovered that the Northwest Sector’s insect swarm was far more frenzied than south of the Imperial Capital. The war’s cruelty far exceeded everyone’s imagination.

 

Artillery fire filled the sky.

 

Many watched as warriors who’d just been bravely fighting enemies—perhaps friends they knew—became warm corpses in the next second, unable even to preserve intact limbs before being directly devoured by the Zerg.

 

This place was very close to the chaotic magnetic zone. Elansno was basically fighting right up against the Zerg’s base camp. He truly exemplified the phrase ‘S-level mental power evolvers are humanoid weapons.’

 

The fury of having one’s kind killed and devoured seemed only to find brief relief through Elansno.

 

[Though I don’t really want to admit it, the Northwest Sector is way more serious than south of the Imperial Capital. If it were General Shou Bing here instead, defending this place would be pretty iffy…]

 

[Elansno came here three days ago and pushed the battle line fifty miles back against the Zerg.]

 

[Where are those who cursed him earlier? Where are they?]

 

[Right here. What about it? Has he killed fewer people than he’s killed bugs?]

 

Several groups started cursing at each other again.

 

But undoubtedly, the viewer count in the stream closest to Elansno kept rising.

 

This battle lasted a long time—from morning to evening. After resting briefly, at three or four in the morning, another small wave of insect swarm attacked.

 

Soldiers rotated shifts. Elansno remained throughout.

 

[Doesn’t he get tired? I already slept for a bit.]

 

[Does a combat machine feel human?]

 

[Because he doesn’t tire or hurt, so when bombarding Star District B6 before, it was so natural, right?]

 

[The person who said that is from the Northwest Sector, right? You can sleep soundly—who do you rely on for that?]

 

…

 

“Admiral, why don’t you go rest?” The commander hesitated. “Dr. Daike said if you don’t rest soon, she really can’t manage anymore.”

 

Elansno was in the military camp, rolling up his sleeves to inject himself with a nutrient solution.

 

He’d previously eaten three meals a day on time, rarely delaying. Now he had to stop—his stomach simply couldn’t handle it.

 

But nutrient injections could keep him alive just the same.

 

“Tell her I’m fine.” Elansno felt he was still far from his limit. The instant he stood up, his vision went slightly black. He quickly recovered and once again took up his sword to return to the battlefield.

 

Because this final wave of insect swarm wasn’t large-scale, they repelled it smoothly. Before withdrawing troops, a young officer beside Elansno ran out of ammunition and was about to be devoured on the spot by bugs.

 

Before he could even cry out in alarm, someone grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up. The young officer looked up hastily: “Admiral!”

 

Elansno held him, taking a hit to his back. He frowned imperceptibly, then swung his sword with his other hand while carrying the person to safety—the entire process flowing like water.

 

The young officer was dropped on the ground and took a long while to recover. Grateful for surviving, he said: “Th-thank you, Admiral!”

 

The young officer secretly looked up. When the Admiral had grabbed him just now, his fingers accidentally touched him—

 

Cold as ice.

 

But looking at the Admiral’s expression, nothing seemed wrong.

 

[That scared me. Elansno’s reaction was so fast.]

 

[After all, he’s an S-level mental power evolver.]

 

[At least he protects his subordinates…]

 

[It’s just a small effort to save someone. It costs him nothing and gains him a loyal subordinate. What’s wrong with that?]

 

[Am I the only one who thinks Elansno’s condition is terrible? When he saved that young officer just now, he seemed injured…]

 

[LOL, bad condition from non-stop battlefield duty? Only an idiot would do that.]

 

[Not defending anyone, just respecting warriors who defend the continent. But honestly, he really doesn’t look injured at all?]

 

[…]

 

The battle temporarily ceased. Elansno ordered the remaining soldiers to return and rest while strengthening vigilance.

 

He himself looked toward the chaotic magnetic zone, standing in place for quite a while before slowly walking toward the military camp.

 

The exhaustion from depleted mental power gradually invaded. After taking that hit to his back while saving someone, his stomach began to ache sharply. A sweetness he couldn’t suppress surged in his throat.

 

Elansno was drenched in cold sweat. He closed his eyes and reached toward his collar—

 

That silver-gray bead was wrapped up and worn around his neck.

 

Every time he felt he couldn’t go on, he’d reach out and touch it. As if doing so would let him hold on a little longer.

 

Barely making it near the military camp, Elansno reached out to lean against a tree, lips pale, silver hair soaked with sweat, a few strands sticking wetly to his jaw.

 

He closed his eyes and steadied himself for a long time.

 

[…What’s wrong with him?]

 

[He just avoided the other three livestream drones.]

 

[Elansno can’t not know one drone is bound to him, right?]

 

[Sneaky and secretive, not returning to camp but staying here—something fishy? Recording prepared.]

 

[That’s enough from you. You’ve been slandering him for over a day.]

 

[Am I not telling the truth? Who knows, maybe he’s just…]

 

The Admiral who’d been cold and sharp on the battlefield suddenly covered his mouth and coughed a few times. Bright red blood dripped onto the ground, quickly absorbed by the soil.

 

Elansno seemed to have his strength drained all at once. He lifted his eyelids to look around, and seeing no one, allowed himself to slide down slowly against the tree.

 

His military uniform was black. The gloves he wore were also black. Aside from blood at the corner of his lips, you really couldn’t tell where he was injured.

 

Elansno coughed a few more times, skillfully cleaning up the blood he’d coughed out. Aside from some impatience, no other expression showed—indifferent as if the injured person wasn’t him.

 

After cleaning up, he leaned back. His deathly pale complexion was nearly transparent in the cold morning light before dawn.

 

His palm pressed hard against his abdomen, eyes closed.

 

Breathing shallow, quiet and pale.

 

Yet unexpectedly giving people a clean feeling, like a sleeping child.

 

Everyone could feel his exhaustion through the screen.

 

The comment stream grew slower and slower. From some unknown moment, it suddenly went quiet.

 

**

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