Chapter 16: Calm down, we are a legal organization
Aponia had no idea what the source of Ai Yue's solemn expression was.
But she knew that Ai Yue never spoke without a purpose, and rarely showed such an expression. Even when he saw so many Honkai patients in urgent need of treatment in the sanatorium, he remained calm and could even comfort her.
So, did she really do something wrong?
Aponia lowered her head and looked at herself now through the water in the cup.
She recalled that several years ago, she saw a Honkai disease patient huddled in pain on the side of the road.
At that time, because she couldn't bear to see these patients die in pain, she used the church as a sanatorium and admitted a large number of patients.
Although they were said to be providing treatment, in reality, they could only provide the patients with a shelter from the wind and rain and a barely adequate living. As for curing their illnesses or alleviating their pain, Aponia could do none of that.
She could only kneel before the statue and pray devoutly over and over again, placing her hopes on the illusory god.
However, it was not until Ai Yue appeared in front of her that she realized how big a mistake she had made.
If patients with Honkai disease gather together, the concentration of Honkai energy in the local area will continue to increase, which will not only make their symptoms worse, but may even spread outward.
If the concentration of Honkai energy reaches a certain value, the entire sanatorium will turn into a huge source of infection, spreading the "disease" to the entire Twilight Street. At that time, except for a few people who are resistant to Honkai energy, everyone else will die.
' So, by choosing to undergo the Fusion Warrior surgery, was I doing something wrong, just like choosing to concentrate on treating the patients?'
'Ah, ah, ah... now that things have come to this, all we can do is -'
Ai Yue was still recalling what infuriating things Aponia had done after mastering this power, when he saw the nun suddenly struggle to stand up, then kneel down on the bed facing him.
'...No way, again?'
Aponia stared into Ai Yue's eyes, then bent down, clasped her hands in front of her chest, pressed her forehead against the bed, and made a look of kneeling devoutly.
"Please forgive me—"
"Aponia, although I have said it many times," Ai Yue sighed, "I am really not your god, nor am I sent by your god."
He even regretted calling himself the savior in front of Aponia.
But Aponia did not move.
"Please forgive me—"
"You should also understand that even if I say I forgive you, it won't change the reality, and it doesn't mean that the mistakes you made will disappear, right?"
"Please forgive me—"
"You..." Ai Yue sighed, "Okay, I forgive you."
As he said this, he placed his hand on Aponia's head, completing a certain ritual - this was what Aponia asked him to do last time.
However, this time Aponia still did not stand up, but continued to say: "Please guide--"
"Okay, okay, I'll guide you." Ai Yue said as if coaxing a child, "But whether you listen or not is another matter."
"Please save——"
"Yes, save him, of course." Ai Yue withdrew his hand. "So, you have to find a way to save yourself, too. Do you understand?"
"Of course I know." Aponia sat up, her face as calm as ever, "But, how should I do it?"
"Why do I feel that you are not this kind of person?" Ai Yue looked at Aponia who was looking at him inquiringly, and couldn't help but reveal a thoughtful expression, "Should you be more...stronger?"
"If children fall down when they are alone, they will try to get up by themselves. But if their parents or elders are around, they will just sit there and cry and make a fuss in exchange for care and comfort." Aponia smiled faintly, "Sometimes, being strong is just because there is no one to rely on."
If Ai Yue had not appeared in front of Aponia as a savior and eliminated the hidden dangers of the sanatorium, then Aponia might not have shown such a weak side in front of him.
In that case, how many mistakes will the "strong" self make by insisting on her own way?
"So you think I'm to blame?" Ai Yue didn't notice Aponia's thoughts, but he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she seemed to have unloaded some of the burden. "Okay, if you're fine, take a good rest. There are still many things to do in the future."
"What do you want me to do?" Aponia looked at him. "I don't trust the Fire Moth, but I am willing to trust you."
Some of the ugly behaviors displayed by the Fire Moth during today's interrogation were really unbearable for Aponia. If she didn't understand that such a person could not represent the entire Fire Moth, she would probably not have this attitude now.
"Kalpas was taken to the Deepest Place. If possible, I hope you can go there and use the 'Discipline' to temporarily control the situation there." Ai Yue told Aponia about Kalpas and the Deepest Place. "Then I may need your help. As for what happens next, it's up to you."
Considering the need to deal with the Eighth Herrscher who may appear at any time, Ai Yue has to rely on the power of Aponia to do some advance preparations. According to the original plot, the "discipline" imposed by Aponia can help the fusion warriors resist the power of the Eighth Herrscher. If everything goes well, Ai Yue will be able to minimize the harm caused by this disaster.
"I understand." Aponia nodded and took out a small statue from her arms. "Then please accept this."
Looking at the familiar thing, Ai Yue couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly: "You already... Ahem, what is this for?"
In his impression, this thing seemed to be able to allow Aponia to complete extremely outrageous ultra-long-distance mental communication.
"You really know a lot, Mr. Ai Yue." Aponia glanced at Ai Yue with a half-smile, then said softly, "Please don't worry, just treat it as a talisman. With this thing, perhaps distance will not be a direct obstacle for us."
Ai Yue hesitated for a moment, but still put the statue into his pocket.
Psychic fusion warriors are not omnipotent. What's more, this is reality, not the Elysian Realm built by spiritual power. Even with the help of a medium, there are limits to what Aponia can do.
What's more, this world is so dangerous, maybe it can really come in handy?