Ark, after I died, the operators started to love me.

45. The Last Expedition

"I'm sorry, I need to know where I am now. This shouldn't be the headquarters of the Joint Investigation Association."

Mike looked into Typhon's eyes and knew that the Sarkaz girl was full of doubts. More than escaping death, the girl wanted to know the truth.

Unfortunately, in this land, not everything can be investigated and the truth revealed immediately.

"This is a transit point on the Sami border, dozens of kilometers away from the Joint Investigation Association's headquarters. When my team and I arrived here, an accident happened, just like the one you encountered. So we took control of the area, found the remaining survivors, and then planned to seek help from other transit points. That's what happened."

It turned out to be the case.

Typhon did not doubt what Mac said; assuming the man really had designs on her, he had already done what he needed to do while she was unconscious.

At least, he is not someone who takes advantage of others in distress.

Mike was unaware that he had received very high praise from the young girl. He then produced another map: "Look, this is the transit station, this is the base camp, and there are four parallel transit stations around here. We are in one of them, and now I suspect that the other three have also been contaminated to varying degrees."

Typhon glanced around and pointed to the transit station closest to the east, saying, "I came from this side. Nothing had happened when I arrived, about two days ago."

"A lot can happen in two days."

Mike was anything but polite: "Then let's talk about your opinion on that statement."

After a moment's thought, Typhon concluded that the Melander Foundation had already uncovered part of the truth, and there was no point in her hiding anything; it would only bring her more danger.

The evil forces could return at any time, and they cannot stay here for long.

"As far as I know, there was indeed an expedition that left the core area of ​​Sami and headed north in an attempt to cut off the source of this pollution."

Typhon paused for a moment, letting Mike process what he had to say, before adding, "This happened two months ago."

Mike exclaimed in surprise, "Two months? Has the expedition been gone that long?"

"The expedition team was composed of the most elite warriors from various tribes. It took some time for them to get used to each other. They were divided into several teams and set off. When the last team left, some foreigners came with them."

Typhon's casual remark caught Mike's attention: "What do you mean by 'foreigner'?"

“There are many foreigners like you on the Sami Icefield. Most of them are here for geological exploration, while some are working with the Wood Crack Warriors to attack the source of pollution.”

"If that's all there is to it, there's no need for you to bring it up separately. Among the last few foreigners who went to the battlefield, there must have been some who left a deep impression on you."

Typhon thought for a moment and then nodded seriously: "There was indeed a knight, gleaming with gold. I don't know her name, but she seemed to be a very powerful one. Even the heroes of Sami praised her bravery."

A knight gleaming in gold?

In Casimir, Typhon is referring to Margaret Nearl, or someone else?

Without detailed information, Mike was unable to make a judgment at the moment.

Now that he had the answer to his question, there was no point in continuing. So he stood up and said, "You rest here. I'll have someone bring you some more food. If you can recover quickly, our team will have one more combatant. Don't refuse me yet. You don't want to go back to base alone to die, do you?"

Typhon glared at him. He had just praised the man for his good manners, but how did he suddenly become so talkative?

Hate.

After a less-than-pleasant conversation, Mike put his hands in his pockets and walked out of the room, just in time to see Andorn sitting among a group of survivors, holding a black-covered scripture and praying for them in a peaceful tone.

The thick-skinned Typhon girl had no recollection of her narrow escape from death, while the survivors living in the transit station were still in shock. Andorn, as an angel with lofty ideals, was very happy to provide psychological comfort to those who were frightened.

Mike only stood on the outer circle for a few minutes, and as he left, he thought to himself, "As expected of Director Andrew, he's really something."

"Mike, you're here."

A group of people were sitting around the fire. When Destreet saw the man come out, she greeted him.

Mike nodded in response: "You all did a great job today. We saved over a hundred lives. Nothing is more important than that."

As the man spoke, he kept glancing at Yelena, who was drinking her soup with her head down.

Frostnova had a very demanding day. Not only did she have to fight the demons immediately, but she also had to use Originium Arts to build an ice wall to surround the transit station. Therefore, Mike's attention was also focused on her.

"Sorry, I don't need psychological counseling. I'm not like those civilians inside; I'm a soldier."

Yelena looked up at the man, her gaze as cold as the unmelting heart in her chest.

“Miss Yelena, I do have to say you’ve done a great job, but this isn’t the military, so I can’t award you a medal. I’m just marveling at how your Originium Arts used to kill people were invincible, even anti-spell armor couldn’t effectively counter them. But now you’re using it to save people. In my opinion, that’s a qualitative leap.”

"Have you finished spouting your grand principles?"

Yelena remained very impolite.

"There's no grand reasoning behind it; everyone is very grateful to you."

Mike's attitude was so sincere that Elena felt like she wasn't facing the doctor from Rhodes Island.

Did he really switch jobs, going from being a manager at a pharmaceutical company to an employee of the Melland Foundation?

Everyone made room for Mike, where a stew pot was steaming over the fire.

The transit station has enough supplies to sustain more than a hundred people for half a month. If that doesn't work, they can find a way to leave, cross Ursus, and head to Kazimir.

Of course, this is the worst-case scenario, and no matter how unwilling we are, we must prepare a contingency plan.

“I’ve learned some things. The situation at the United Investigation Association’s headquarters in the north may be even worse. Fortunately, there is still time. The Sami God will give His children enough warnings. We are not fighting alone.”

Mike picked up his lunchbox, which contained chopped vegetables and meat mixed together, along with a piece of toasted bread.

He tore the bread into pieces and put them into the hot soup, saying without looking up, "Tomorrow, find a way to distribute weapons to the survivors who stay here. They need to protect themselves. As for us, continue heading north."

46. ​​A snowball that never melts

No one was too surprised by Mike's decision to continue heading north, as that was the original plan, and rescuing the civilians at the transit station was an unexpected part of the plan.

Holhaia, who was reading a book, slowly raised her head and looked at Mike's profile through the flickering firelight. She said in a pleasant tone, "I am very interested in something else. You have all heard of the gods of Sami, right?"

Xingji clearly had some knowledge of this as well: "You mean Anma?"

The Sami people's respect for Anma was beyond imagination. When the team members rescued the trapped civilians, many of the pale-faced people even prayed to Anma while walking.

“It is true that Anma is the god who protects the Sami people, but Anma is not the only god of the Sami. I have read the relevant reports from the foundation. If we can find local people who believe in the Sami gods, we can ask them to pray to two gods respectively. Perhaps we will make new discoveries.”

Horhaya's proposal was approved by Chongyue, because there were gods in the Yan Kingdom during the era when gods existed, and there were gods from different directions.

Mike ate with his head down, listening quietly to the team members' conversation, but in the end, everyone's attention was drawn to him again.

The Sami people's devotion to Amma can manifest in every aspect, and occasionally they receive a response from this great being.

Upon entering the Sami Icefield, they formed a connection with the guardian deity of this land.

“Actually, we can also try praying to Anma. As for the other deity, I personally suggest finding a professional fortune teller.”

One of the reasons Mike went to great lengths to keep Typhon around was because he valued the special relationship between the girl and Anma; she always managed to attract the attention of the white deer.

And then there was that expedition that ventured deep into the North.

What could possibly have driven Sami's heroes to the point of no return to the corrupting influence of the demons, leading them to cross the Wall in the North and risk their lives to launch an attack?

"There were some things that happened on this land before we arrived, but thankfully we came and didn't miss this grand event."

Mike finished his last bite, even drinking the soup, and said contentedly, "It's all over now. Get a good rest tonight; who knows, there might be a tough battle tomorrow."

……

When the transit station administrator heard that the Melander Foundation team planned to leave the next day, he was initially surprised, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized that he couldn't stop them from leaving.

Just as the administrator was filled with worry, Mike took the initiative to find him.

“I have heard that something unexpected happened at our base in the north. We will not stay here and wait to die. We have decided to take the initiative to go and resolve the trouble. When we leave, we will leave you with enough weapons and talismans to resist the invasion of evil spirits.”

Is the situation really that serious?

Mike nodded: "It's a precarious situation. If we don't go now, no one will. The ice walls and talismans here can hold out for about a week. But if we don't come back after a week, or if the base camp isn't back to normal, then it's pointless for you to hold out any longer."

Faced with Mike and the others' desperate measures, the administrator gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, we'll wait here for the final result."

"Thank you for your cooperation."

The next morning, after packing up all their belongings, everyone prepared to leave.

Typhon approached Mike with her giant bow, her face grim. "You told me not to go and die, but you all went together and are leaving me here. Are you kidding me?"

Mike explained earnestly, "Of course not. We went to headquarters because we believed that the team could handle this problem. You were injured before and it's not convenient for you to move around. In addition, the journey is long and strenuous exercise could easily aggravate your injury. Besides, you can stay here to protect the civilians, right?"

"They don't need my protection."

Typhon gripped his giant bow tightly and shouted, "I'm going to the main camp too! Don't even think about stopping me. I came from there. Do you think you know the local situation better than I do?"

Mike paused, then said seriously, "I won't pay you."

The girl was furious: "Nobody asked you for money!"

After saying that, she quickly got into the car.

At this moment, Mike turned to look at his teammates, and Chongyue revealed a meaningful smile.

They discussed it last night. If Typhon came along, the Sarkaz girl would definitely persuade them to stay and protect the civilians. But if they left Typhon behind and continued onward, the girl would ask to take her with them.

To some extent, teenage girls are indeed quite conflicted.

Typhon, who had just boarded the vehicle, looked at the people inside and said nervously, "Why are you all looking at me? This bow is very special to me. I don't think anyone else can use it."

"Just because you're a Sarkaz?"

The Sarkaz are particularly sensitive when others mention their race. Typhon glared at Mike: "What do you mean?"

“I’ve met many Sácaz people, you know, Colombia isn’t prejudiced against Sácaz, but none of them seem to be as…special as you.”

"I'm not special."

Typhon turned his face away, ignoring Mike's question.

She said she wasn't special, and probably no one would believe that. Would Anma just stare at someone who has no impact on the future of the Sami Icefield for no reason?

how is this possible.

“Let’s get down to business, Miss Typhon. Before we set off, everyone prayed for Ammah. Do you think there’s anything we should add?”

This time it was Typhon's turn to be surprised: "You actually pray to Ammah?"

Mike smiled kindly and said, "I heard that the Sami people call Anma 'Old Mother,' a very affectionate term that made me very curious. So we prayed according to the Sami ritual, and everyone made a snowball and put it in their pocket."

The man reached into his coat pocket and took out a snowball; it was round and showed no signs of melting.

Meanwhile, the other people in the car also took out snowballs, but most of them showed signs of melting into water.