Mister Zero, Her Story: Chapter 53 – Sounds of Sorrow and Mourning
“This is a war for survival.”
Lin Cheng stood on the highest point in Yan City—the top of the “Ember Furnace”—holding an umbrella and looking out over the city.
Yan City, shrouded in rain, seemed deserted, everything obscured by the downpour.
But beneath the silent surface, countless battles were being fought.
The backup communication channels were overloaded, almost crashing the backup relay station, but it was no use.
The defensive lines outside the core district were quickly breached by Dawn’s elite teams, their advance far faster than Lin Cheng had anticipated.
…Dawn’s “rainstorm” tactic was incredibly effective.
Yan City had lost its home-field advantage, its weaker forces struggling against Dawn.
Beside Lin Cheng stood his old comrade, Sun Biwu, his eyes closed in silent contemplation.
Sun Biwu was prepared to die, waiting for Lin Cheng’s command to jump into the “Ember Furnace” behind him.
This was a last resort.
If Sun Biwu jumped into the burning “Ember,” manipulating it to erupt, he would undoubtedly die.
And the “Ember” would be severely weakened, its energy output reduced to about a third, taking at least ten years to recover.
For Yan City, currently in a period of rapid expansion, this would be a disaster.
It could result in millions of refugees…
“We can’t lose,” Lin Cheng whispered. “No matter what Dawn is planning, we have to fight to the death.”
He looked at the defensive lines established in the core district and sighed deeply.
“The future of Yan City… rests on your shoulders…”
Meanwhile, Hua Qiling was on the battlefield, using the city’s defense systems to hold off Dawn’s elite teams.
“Damn it…”
Emerald flames ignited in Hua Qiling’s eyes, her “Eagle Eye Vision,” amplified by the defense systems, enveloping the area.
Combined with the city’s weaponry, Dawn’s attacks were stalled.
Even the “Peril” level ability user leading the Dawn team didn’t dare act recklessly, concerned about his team’s safety.
Just as the battle reached a stalemate, a small figure appeared on the battlefield, casually walking towards the center.
Seeing her, the Dawn team ceased their attack.
And Yan City’s defenders also paused, taking advantage of this brief respite to regroup.
“Who?”
Hua Qiling frowned, her gaze fixed on the figure.
Blue twintails, dressed like a middle school student, a mischievous smile…
Familiar…
Wait…
“It’s Alyxsia!”
Hua Qiling exclaimed, and the other defenders tensed up upon hearing the name.
—”Mobile Fortress” Alyxsia.
She had appeared during the “Ghost Town” incident, killing several Disaster Response teams to cover Grifres’s infiltration.
…Or perhaps it was just… a side quest?
Regardless, she was a powerful and dangerous opponent, not as weak and harmless as she appeared.
“That’s… Miss Hua Qiling… right?” Alyxsia smiled. “Grifres has told me so much about you, I’m practically sick of hearing your name.
“I thought he was just traumatized by his experience in ‘Ghost Town,’ but seeing you now… you’re actually quite capable, Miss Hua Qiling. You have my acknowledgement, aren’t you happy?”
Even the arrogant Alyxsia, learning of Hua Qiling’s age and witnessing her performance on the battlefield, had to acknowledge this girl whose ability seemed to be just… seeing things more clearly.
Without “Eagle Eye Vision,” breaching this defensive line wouldn’t have been so difficult.
Two members of the Dawn team were already injured, and their leader’s left arm was also wounded, having protected a teammate’s mistake.
Hua Qiling’s “Eagle Eye” was an excellent support ability, perhaps the most promising reconnaissance ability Alyxsia had ever seen.
“Tch!”
Hua Qiling spat at Alyxsia.
Acknowledgement or not, the enemy was the enemy!
“Little Sister, we can’t waste any more time,” the team leader, also a Dawn Cadre, looked at Alyxsia and said in a low voice. “They’re regrouping, we have to break through quickly…”
“Don’t worry, Brother,” Alyxsia smiled. “You go ahead. I’ll handle this defensive line. Take our injured brothers back.”
Although she called him “Brother” due to his age, Alyxsia was far stronger.
The team leader hesitated, then nodded.
“…Alright.”
On the battlefield, there was no time for hesitation.
Once a decision was made, they had to act swiftly.
The Dawn team quickly retreated.
Although Hua Qiling’s “Eagle Eye Vision” gave the defenders a significant advantage, they couldn’t prevent the retreat.
Meanwhile…
“Alright, it’s my turn,” Alyxsia stretched, a mischievous smile on her lips. “I’m looking forward to this, Miss Hua Qiling…
“Let’s see what your ‘Eagle Eye’ can do, and whether Yan City’s defenses… can withstand the ‘Mobile Fortress’s’ steel torrent!”
A rumbling sound echoed, and a giant machine, over fifty meters tall, emerged from the ground behind Alyxsia.
Almost as tall as Yan City’s defensive walls.
“Let the games begin!”
Swarms of mechanical soldiers poured out from the giant machine, charging towards the city walls.
…
“A very touching and romantic story, Nine,” Luo Yan said. “Is this your story?”
“No, it’s a story I wanted to see, a story that ended abruptly,” Mister sighed.
“Unfortunately, happy endings don’t come easily… Although we wish all stories in the world could have a satisfying conclusion.”
Mister had just told Luo Yan a story that took place in the post-apocalyptic world.
A story about a woman, like an older sister, filled with love and hope, who took in nine orphaned children and built a home with them.
“We named that home ‘Dawn,’ signifying the coming of a new day, the culmination of our long struggle. ‘Dawn’… was our hope,” Mister said softly. It had been a long time since he had spoken of this.
Perhaps because of this, he could speak of it so calmly, as if it were someone else’s story.
“And then?”
Luo Yan asked.
Having learned about refugees from Anna, she guessed that this old man, like Anna, had once been a refugee.
“Dawn”… must have been the name of their settlement.
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to talk about what happened after… because I’d rather… that be the end of the story,” Mister sighed. “I’m a bit tired from talking, I need some water…”
“Here.”
Luo Yan took out a water bottle and handed it to him.
“…You even carry this around?”
Mister took the bottle, surprised.
“Because I’m sick, and I might not be able to find water easily when I’m out,” Luo Yan explained briefly.
Actually, she wanted to conserve her energy. Looking for water would be too tiring.
In her condition, dehydration was a common occurrence.
“Mm…”
Mister held the water bottle, his mind drifting back to a distant past.
A tall figure, under the scorching sun, had offered him a water bottle, just like this.
…Saving his life.
“You’re so much like her… but you’re not her,” Mister murmured.
“Hm?” Luo Yan tilted her head slightly, puzzled. “Not who?”
“…Someone with the same name as you, also called Luo Yan. I’ve been searching for her.”
Mister tapped the water bottle, then handed it back to Luo Yan.
“Aren’t you going to drink?” Luo Yan took the bottle. “And… the ‘Luo Yan’ you’re looking for… who is she?”
“No, I’m not thirsty anymore.”
Mister shook his head and clasped his hands behind his back.
“The ‘Luo Yan’ I’m looking for… I don’t remember who she is anymore. What I’m searching for… is the answer to that question. As for where she is… that’s already been decided…”
“Erased?”
Luo Yan blinked.
“How did you know?”
Mister looked at her in surprise.
“Someone told me. She also said I reminded her of someone, but that I wasn’t that person,” Luo Yan replied honestly. “She said she was here to bid farewell to an old friend, but I thought she was strange… as if she was pretending to be someone else.”
Elise had left a bad impression on Luo Yan, but this old man was different.
He answered all her questions and even shared his past experiences, turning them into a heartwarming story.
Since their encounter at the Flower Street incident, Luo Yan had felt that this old man was a truly good person.
“…I see.”
Mister’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t say anything more.
Based on Luo Yan’s description, he had a good idea who that “someone” was.
It was likely “Illusion,” the current Fourth Saint of Noah, who was fond of using illusionary puppets to travel.
Her true body should still be in “Noah.” After all, Saints couldn’t leave the sanctuary casually.
Partly due to political considerations – a Saint leaving “Noah” would cause panic, and it was best to maintain stability.
And partly because the Saints needed to focus their power on suppressing the slumbering Witch of Absolute Death.
Although humanity had paid a heavy price in that war, they had only managed to seal her, not kill her. The risk of her awakening remained.
They couldn’t afford to be careless.
Of course, even though the Saints held a transcendent status in “Noah,” and even in all of humanity, they were still juniors to Mister, even juniors of juniors.
Mister and the Saint who founded “Noah” were of the same generation… The original Twelve Saints, who had fought alongside him, were long dead, replaced several times over.
“Do you know her?” Luo Yan asked. “And the old friend she mentioned…”
Could it be this old man?
“Yes, it’s me,” Mister admitted readily. “I’m dying, so she came to see me, and to confirm… that I’m truly dead.”
“That’s… incredibly rude,” Luo Yan said, slightly indignant. “Nine, aren’t you angry?”
She had felt uncomfortable when Elise had said that.
“I’m… not angry, because I’m old, very, very old… old enough to be a burden,” Mister whispered.
“My enemies are waiting for my death, my family is waiting for my death, many strangers are waiting for my death, and even I… am waiting for the day I finally die.”
Mister closed his eyes slowly. “My death will have a great impact, so everyone is preparing, planning what to do afterward.
“So, I don’t see any reason to be angry.”
“But… it’s still death,” Luo Yan whispered. “No matter what, it’s the end of a life.”
When life reached its end, when the candle’s flame was extinguished…
“At least… there should be someone who genuinely mourns your passing,” Luo Yan looked up slightly. “Nine, if there’s no one… if you don’t mind… if I have the chance… let me. Is that alright?”
Mister was stunned by her words.
After a long moment, he whispered,
“…You? Miss Luo Yan?”
How ironic…
He had spent his life searching for the truth about “Luo Yan”…
And now, in his final moments, another girl named “Luo Yan” offered him the purest mourning and sorrow.
Without hesitation, without any ulterior motives…
Simply grieving for the end of a life.
“Yes,” Luo Yan nodded. “If I live that long…”
Her own life was hanging by a thread, yet she still wanted to mourn for others.
“You will live, I promise,” Mister said gravely, his expression unusually serious.
“No matter what… you must live. Even if it’s just… to have someone to mourn for me.”
Luo Yan paused. She knew her own condition; it wasn’t something anyone could easily solve.
Even the best hospital in Yan City was helpless, and after reading the files, she had been shocked to learn that there was no known cure for her condition.
So, she would accept the old man’s well wishes.
“Thank you, Nine.”
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