Long-term salvation

The father who lost his son lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the cold wooden box in his arms. His fingers, which had become rough from holding a rifle, stroked the smooth surface of the box over and over again in vain, as if he wanted to touch the hard wood again... but now he could touch nothing.

This warm house now seems like a corner abandoned by the world, tightly wrapped in huge, silent sadness, and even light cannot penetrate it.

"You fought bravely for justice and salvation, unlike our time in Vietnam."

The old soldier suddenly spoke, his eyes showing a hint of hatred and pride:

"If my youngest son is willing, I will let him join the Army Without Borders - if that day ever comes, he will be in your hands, Mr. Rhodes... No, Commander Rhodes."

"I treat everyone equally."

"That's good," the old soldier said, and then he fell silent again. After nearly half a minute, he continued, "Commander Rhodes, do you have anything else to do?"

“…I still have a lot of people to visit.”

"Then please go ahead and do your work. I'll take care of the others—I'll be mentally prepared before they get back."

"If you have any problems, go directly to the Army Without Borders' office in Arkham Town. It's the one that belongs to General Hammer's Blackwater Company. They will help you."

Hearing this, Rhodes didn't say anything else. He just patted the veteran's shoulder and turned away.

When Rhodes left the house and got back into the Hummer, he looked back at the urns held by Marian and Honglian, sighed slightly, and said:

"Compared to military operations by countries around the world during and after the Cold War, not many soldiers were killed directly in the Battle of Mogadishu. But I've handled the files of every one of them. They were all soldiers of the Army Without Borders... humanity's best soldiers."

Marian and Honglian looked at each other, but just as they were about to say something, they heard Rhodes say:

"It seems I need to get the researchers at Atlas and Aperture Technology to speed things up. The current exoskeleton's battery life isn't satisfactory enough, and if I want it to carry more weight, I'll need to upgrade the materials again... I hope Atlas can speed up its material analysis of the orbital elevator so we can start small-scale trial production or even mass production within five years."

"...You've been in this world for less than three years, haven't you?" Marianne reminded him. "Haste makes waste. You understand this principle—both the Army Without Borders and the Atlas Corporation need time to develop."

"Yes, but the rising tide of the other world waits for no one. We can only fight and resist again and again, pushing the final destruction back again and again." Rhodes let out a long breath, placed his hands on the steering wheel, and said slowly, "I only hope that when we cross the final [Apocalypse], it can buy us more time... Let's go, we still have things to do."

The Humvee moved forward, driving down the street, and the figure of the veteran standing by the window was reflected in the rearview mirror.

Chapter 524: Hill Villa remains the same

When Rod delivered the last box of ashes, it was already midnight. The lingering North American autumn rain finally fell - the fine cold rain pierced the windshield like needles, and was swept away by the wipers, leaving only streaks of water, cutting the world outside the car window into pieces and blurs - it was time to go home.

Even without the help of car lights, Rod could clearly see the dim lights of Hill Villa in the distance on a rainy night.

"I can finally come back and have a good rest," Marian stretched and leaned on Honglian's shoulder. She lowered her eyes and said in a tired tone, "It seems like we have been wandering around outside for almost two months."

Hearing this, Honglian raised her head and looked towards Hill Villa, with a hint of anticipation rising in her heart.

"...I really hope Nyaruko hasn't turned this house into a lair of the Hounds of Tindalos."

As Rod spoke, a smile finally appeared on his face. He turned the steering wheel, making the wheels draw an arc on the road, briefly intercepting the cold rain flowing down the gentle slope.

It took a few minutes for the Hummer to drive into the villa, and Rod parked the car in the parking lot a little distance away from the mansion itself - the rain was not a problem, Mary and Weihua had already come over with umbrellas and brought towels and umbrellas.

"Sensei!" x2

Facing the two girls' smiling faces, Rhode gathered them in his arms, patted their heads one by one, and said with a smile:

"You're still out on a rainy day, be careful not to catch a cold... Let's go, I wonder what Qianye has done."

"There's nothing greasy, just some corn soup and freshly baked bread," Mary smiled. She wasn't wearing a nun's uniform, but her everyday plain house dress with a windproof waistcoat. After handing Marianne and Honglian umbrellas, she slowly said, "Hina and Shirako came back first and have already gone to bed."

"If you come back any later, Yuuka will fall asleep on the dining table," Mika said with a smile. She shook the raindrops from her pure white wings and fanned away the puddles on the ground. "Only we, the 'idle' guys, will be waiting for you."

"I don't think the head of the GOC North American branch would be 'idle'. Let's go, it's getting a bit cold outside... It was a scorching summer when I left, but when I return, I'll be prepared for a continuous autumn rain."

The smile on Rhode's face grew even wider. He opened his umbrella and called Marian and Honglian to walk towards Hill Villa.

Hill House remained much the same as before. This creation of dark forces gave off a thin, imperceptible grayish-white vapor in the night rain, which flowed down the steep roofs and along the intricately carved eaves in countless small, rapid waterfalls, flickering coldly on either side of the hanging lamps.

The moment he stepped into the ancient building, Rhodes felt the villa's submission. It was carefully wiping away the rain and dirt that had blown in by the wind to prevent its owner from being displeased.

After hugging Noah who was strolling down the stairs, Rhodes looked around but didn't see Nayako... This guy has always been the most active, and it's really a bit strange that he didn't suddenly appear now.

"Like Qianye and Abigail, they don't care about the length of time, but will do what they need to do most. Ah, you are really loved by everyone."

As if seeing Rhode's doubts, Noah stood on tiptoe, kissed him gently on the cheek, and said with a low smile:

"In short, Nayako is leading a group of executives from the Triple God Entertainment Group to work overtime to manage public opinion. If you want to have a better life in the United States in the future, it depends on how long these tactics of hers can last."

Hearing this, Rhode touched his chin suspiciously, looked into those beautiful purple eyes, and asked:

"You didn't expect me to ask this question and wait here for it, did you?"

"Really?" Noah replied with a sincere smile, then took Rod's arm with ease and pulled him towards the kitchen. "Maybe, but now - we must live as if we will never die - hurry up and have a midnight snack and then go to bed, Sensei."

Rhodes has always been quick to accept good advice.

At this moment, the entire Hill Villa was immersed in the darkness of the rainy night. Only a ray of warm yellow light was emanating from the direction of the kitchen, which faintly but unhindered penetrated the thick darkness and dampness.

The wanderer who returned home late followed the light and the wisps of warm fragrance. However, just by turning the corner and standing in front of the kitchen door, Rhodes completely relaxed:

Qianye.jpg

The Black Goat's offspring hummed softly as they stirred thick corn soup, filling the kitchen with its aroma. This aroma, like an invisible current of warmth, carved out an inviolable, independent territory deep within this vast, ancient mansion, belonging only to "this moment" and "this place"... like a carefully prepared, gentle trap, waiting for its prey to enter.

"Welcome back, Mr. Rhodes."

Asuka Iki, who knew about Rhodes's return earlier than anyone else, stood up gently, smiled, raised a finger, and pointed at the documents and other people on the desk.

Yuuka was sprawled across the long dining table, her head resting on her folded arms. Her profile was slightly distorted by the pressure, and a few strands of soft hair fell across her smooth forehead and the tablecloth. Her breathing was even and shallow, and her long eyelashes cast a small, calm, fan-shaped shadow beneath her eyelids.

The documents that had been processed long ago were stacked unevenly and pressed down by a thick book. As for the owner of the thick book... the literary girl was openly opening her arms to the visitor with sleepy eyes. When Gu Guanyou realized that she was not dreaming, she let out a small cry and quickly curled up in Rhodes' arms.

Like stroking a kitten, Rhodes touched the literary girl's head and put her back to her original position.

"Wake Yuxiang up?" Qianye asked with a smile. Her beautiful face was filled with warm maternal love, as if she had never felt any reluctance to part. "Under normal circumstances, she would have gone to bed long ago."

"Scream first."

Rhode hugged Qianye, then turned around and tiptoed to Yuxiang, bent down, and pinched her nose with his hand...

"Uh-huh?!"

The girl raised her head suddenly, and in a panic, her head bumped into Rhodes' nose, causing him to scream in surprise.

"Istvaan failed?!"

"Where?! What failed?!"

Yuuka looked around in panic, but only saw Marian and Noah trying to suppress their laughter. After realizing something, the girl turned her head and saw Rhode rubbing his nose. She immediately said angrily:

"Well... Sensei! You're teasing me right after I got home!"

"Because Yuuka is so cute..."

"Don't try to get away with these sweet words," the girl said unhappily, her hands on her hips. "And you can't wake me up like that, right? I was really scared."

"Sensei can treat Snow White the same way," Noah said meaningfully, and then she was grabbed by the cheek by the even more embarrassed Yuuka and started to play with her.

Listening to these chaotic sounds, Rhodes let out a long breath, pulled out a chair and sat down, drinking the corn soup in front of him with unprecedented ease.

Yes... this is why he fights to the death.

For this beautiful everyday life, for a beautiful everyday life that everyone can live.

Chapter 525: A Plain Rainy Day

Early morning, Hill Villa.

Nayako walked gently to the bedroom window, hooked her fingers on the edge of the slightly thick curtains, and slowly pulled them open - as if lifting a curtain separating two worlds - outside the window, the North American autumn rain was silently falling from the lead-gray sky, hitting the never-fading roses in the garden.

Quietly gazing at the rain outside, Nayako sighed, turned around and said to Rhodes:

"If I say good morning to you after you wake up, all you need to do is say good morning to me back. Instead of saying things like, 'Fuck, how did my door get open?', 'I locked the door, how did you get in?', 'Did you do something in my bed?' These words are meaningless and extremely rude."

After using a silver fork to suppress the attacking offspring of the evil god, Rhode stretched and opened the bedroom window a little. When the slightly cool breeze mixed with a few raindrops hit his face, making him feel more awake, he said unhappily:

"You're lucky. I slept very soundly last night. If I were in Somalia, I would have subconsciously struck him with my sword."

Even the offspring of the evil god could not escape the damage of the golden flames.

"Your door lock isn't protected by any mystical powers. It can be opened with just a few simple moves." Nayako muttered as she got up from the ground. She pulled out the fork stuck in her forehead, sat down on the small sofa in the bedroom, and said smugly, "Hehe, Rhode, it feels good to be a hero, right?"

"...At least the soldiers of the Army Without Borders can now stand in the sunlight, but it's hard to say whether what happens next is good or bad."

Rhode shook his head. He opened the wardrobe and prepared to take out some clothes. He turned his head and looked at Nayako, who was squinting her eyes and propping her chin up with her palm. He sighed and said:

"Are you here just to cause trouble for me...at least don't start this morning."

"How is this possible!" Nyako jumped up from the sofa, her hands behind her back, a dangerous smile etched across her slightly raised lips. Lately, this descendant of Nyarlathotep had been enjoying the feeling of guiding and manipulating public opinion, and now she was ambitiously preparing to move forward. "I just got back, so I need to replenish my 'Rhodes Energy,' right? And, Soldier Nyako also needs to report my work progress to my superiors."

The descendant of the evil god smiled heartlessly, forcing Rhode to touch her head helplessly. He untangled the long, tangled hair and pushed her out of the bedroom, saying,

"I'll be in the study this morning, you can find me there...Okay, okay, I'll take you to the kitchen for breakfast. Wait for me for a few minutes."

After changing into autumn-appropriate clothes and washing up briefly, Rhodes walked out of the room and saw the silver-haired descendant of the evil god leaning on the window in the corridor, gazing at the distant town of Arkham. The buildings there were covered in a thin mist, and there was no sign of yesterday's celebration.

"Humans are always good at forgetting, never learning from their mistakes, allowing history to cycle and repeat itself endlessly," Nayako said for no apparent reason. She traced a strange symbol on the windowpane with her finger, and raindrops on the windows along the entire corridor began to slide abnormally upwards. "And they're incredibly easy to manipulate, especially in the coming internet age. How deceptive... meow?! My ahoge is going to break!"

"Before you launch into your tirade, think about the human being standing next to you."

"No way! How dare a mere witchcraft bacon refute the great Nyarlathotep clan... Eh heh heh?!"

Ignoring the aggressive Nayako, Rhodes grabbed her and rubbed her head viciously a few times, then picked her up and walked towards the kitchen.

As the number of guests increased, even the early morning hours at Hill Manor became bustling with activity. Girls yawned as they emerged from their rooms, scattering to the kitchen to eat. However, some who had risen earlier and needed little sleep were now full of energy as they resumed their daily routines.

Honglian, who had just arrived at Hill Manor, seemed a little lost, but with Marian's advice, she still found something she could do... such as serving as a close combat instructor for the soldiers of the Army Without Borders.

After long-term testing, it was found that using melee weapons can indeed cause more damage to the creatures in the inner world. If high-intensity electric current, flames, etc. could be added, the effect would be even better.

Because of this, since the others' understanding of close combat is really average, and New Jersey, who is often the subject of training, is not good at it either - she is quite good at playing the final boss without showing her health bar - in this case, it is normal for Honglian, who specializes in close combat, to become the instructor.

Although he was sad that he could not always be Rhode's personal bodyguard, Honglian gladly accepted the appointment and prepared to teach those mass-produced Nikkis.

So, when Rhodes was carrying Nyako through the slightly gloomy corridor of Hill Villa, he saw Honglian hurriedly walking down the stairs with a stack of books and video materials. Nikki seemed to be planning to conduct research based on the types of enemies and the combat environment, and try to compile several sets of suitable teaching materials.

While Rhode was distracted greeting Honglian, Nayako twisted her body a few times and broke free from his grasp, landing on the corridor floor with a whoosh. When Rhode's eyes landed on her, he slowly said:

"It just so happens that Abigail is back. So, I'm going to start exploring the remaining pages of the Necronomicon with Sister Qianye and the others. We'll need to get more of them to locate the Eternal City, but this will take some time... And you're going to another world in a few days, aren't you?"

"Don't you need to take care of the affairs of the Three Pillars Entertainment Group?"

"I'm not an emperor who has to do everything himself. Otherwise, what's the point of having professional managers?" Nayako spread out her hands, took Rhodes' hand and walked towards the kitchen.

"Come on, let's go. I need to get some details about the Battle of Mogadishu from you. My game company is planning to make a game... let's say, 'Military Without Borders: Black Hawk Down.' What do you think? Your soldiers rush into Mogadishu, which is full of enemies, and rescue those beaten-down United States soldiers."

"...Don't forget to keep up with the movies."

"Of course! I found a young man named Leonardo Dicaprio who can play a new soldier in the film... Orlando Bloom? Who else is that? Okay, I can look for him too. This name sounds suitable for an elf prince... Let's get the rights to The Lord of the Rings!"

The two chatted and took the other girls who came out of the room from time to time to the kitchen. Marian and Qianye had already prepared breakfast.

At this moment, the drizzle still patiently and endlessly knocked on every window of Hill Villa, the sound was gentle and stubborn, and it continued until the next day.

Chapter 526: Sword Fight with Honglian

The sudden rain had just stopped, and the courtyard of Hill Villa was filled with the mixed smell of wet earth and fallen leaves.

Rhodes walked out of the mansion dragging a long sword, yawning, and followed the excited Honglian. Beside him followed Baizi and New Jersey, who were eager to watch the fun. Several girls who didn't want to stand in the wet grass lay on the windows of the corridor, constantly cheering Honglian on.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm the one who's going to suffer domestic violence, okay?" Rhodes looked helpless. Under Nikki's gaze, he clenched his unsharpened sword with both hands, the tip of the sword pointing forward.

"Honglian, come with me to the Army Without Borders training base in Arkham Forest. I'll introduce you to General Hammer. The old man is waiting for me to tell him in detail about the Battle of Mogadishu."

"It will only take a moment, Commander."

Honglian nodded slightly. She also tightly grasped the long sword for training in her hand, assuming a mid-hold posture. Then, she stepped forward - the air suddenly became taut like a full bowstring, making a thunderous sound - the blade was wrapped in the whistling wind and slashed down, crisply and neatly, and the control of distance was almost perfect!

The neatly trimmed lawn fell in the direction of the strike, and the steel blade trembled slightly.