Embers Ad Infinitum

The images of the corpses were recorded by Genava's main module one after another, quickly comparing them to Shang Jianyao's father in the database that he had long established.

After about ten seconds, Shang Jianyao turned his head to look at his smart bot companion and asked in a slightly deep voice, "How is it? Any results?"

The red glow in Genava's eyes flickered for a few seconds before he pointed at the skeleton in the middle of the living room. "It should be that one."

With a clang, Shang Jianyao used the military exoskeleton to jump over. He kneeled on the ground and stretched out his right hand, searching through the gray camouflage clothes on the skeleton as though he wanted to find the corresponding evidence.

As for whether he truly hoped to verify it, Genava didn't know.

Shang Jianyao first took out a few crudely packaged sweets and chocolates before finding a palm-sized black notebook in the inner pocket of the camouflage uniform.

He was stunned for a moment as if he had forgotten what to do next.

Genava approached and asked warily, "Is it your father's?"

Shang Jianyao shook his head. "No."

Genava wanted to say that this was a good thing, but he recalled that such items might've been picked up by chance when out exploring and were kept as backup.

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Shang Jianyao then flipped through the notebook.

Genava watched and listened to the surroundings. As he remained vigilant, he didn't forget to pay attention to the contents of the notebook.

"Fruit rats are a mutated creature in the Blackmarsh Wilderness's northeast. They are larger than normal rats, and their meat is very similar to that of chickens. The most suitable cooking method is to roast them until their skin turns yellow when a fruit-like fragrance seeps out. However, they carry many viruses and bacteria with them. Protective gear is needed when capturing and handling them.

"In the settlements of the White Knights, raising fruit rats is their business and also their greatest source of meat."

This was everything recorded on the first page, leaving Genava confused. He originally imagined that this was key information recorded by the Old Task Force member suspected to be Shang Jianyao's father or a description of his emotional journey on his long-term adventures. Who knew that it was more like a culinary record?

The first few pages contained similar content, but Shang Jianyao quickly flipped to something different. "Hyster is a relatively special settlement in the White Knights. The people here push temperance and self-discipline to their limits. They wake up, eat, and sleep at a fixed time every day without ever changing. They always like to say mantras like 'self-discipline makes one human; indulgence makes one a beast.'

"They only fill their stomachs to 70% full. Even if babies and children cry because of this, they won't receive anything more. This goes against human nature.

"According to our investigations, we discovered that the people here secretly believe in a religion. That religion is called the Heart of Self-Discipline. They believe that humans are born with too many bad traits, preventing them from entering the New World. Only by using strict self-discipline and restraint to resist these inclinations and change themselves can they ultimately gain redemption.

"Such a point of view coincides with the White Knights' chivalry. Therefore, the knights here have also been convinced and abide by the corresponding rules. It's difficult for the high-ranking knights on patrol to discover anything abnormal. They only believe that the residents of Hyster are a little extreme, but it's essentially good. They believe that they are carrying out the two types of chivalry.

"This also results in many strange rules for Hyster. For example, one can't hug for more than three seconds. Parents can only kiss their children's cheeks once a day. When in bed, uh—this can't be written. It will lead the child astray…

"When I was about to leave Hyster, I finally couldn't stand seeing a few children starve. I fought with their parents and the sheriff here. Haha, my teammates are all very impressive. What I didn't tell them was that I secretly fed the children some food."

How did this become a tale of customs? After a serious analysis, Genava found a definition that matched the notebook: Travelog!

But as a travelog, it was too simple. It was closer to a memo, filled with content that could help its owner recall what they had eaten, seen, and experienced.

Up to this point, the things displayed in the notebook matched Genava's previous judgment: Members of the Old Task Force couldn't secretly jot down details regarding their missions.

Shang Jianyao didn't stop as he continued flipping through the notes. His flipping speed was clearly slower than before.

"The pollution in Gesterbourg is too serious. This doesn't come from the Old World's destruction but its own industry.

"The workers here are tragic. The harsh environment and high-intensity labor cause people to die in the factories every day; it compels me to organize them to protest such treatment. Unfortunately, this is the White Knights' industrial base. There's a powerhouse presiding over it, and we have our own missions.

"Yes, I ultimately chickened out. I have my own concerns and people I care about. I can't stand out for strangers without hesitation.

"The White Knights' genetic enhancement drugs are different from ours. Each adjusts a particular ability of the human body, and it is also effective for adults. I hope the company can use it as a reference…

"The residents of Gesterbourg are relatively wild and impatient. They do things rather simply and roughly. Most of the time, they rely on muscles instead of brains…

"There's nothing worth reminiscing about the food here. There's only one type of mutated beef that left an impression on me. Yes, I'm mainly surprised that it's not much different from ordinary beef…"

After the records on Gesterbourg, the other Old Task Force entered Ceningmis.

"We came to a city named Ceningmis. It still keeps up with Old World traditions rather well. Melodies echo everywhere, and there is even a musical fountain in the square.

"The people here show a sense of stability and joy that comes from the bottom of their hearts. The psychological trauma and real-life suffering left behind by the Old World's destruction can't be found here.

"Although it's a city of Red River ethnicity, I still feel like I'm home. This comes from all the graffiti on the walls, from the pedestrians and performers in the square, and from the people walking through the various old buildings…

"Civilization belongs to all humans."

Shang Jianyao flipped to another page, revealing new content. "We are visiting a gentleman today to persuade him to tell us something. He's already very old. Furthermore, Ceningmis also lacks medicine.

"His health isn't good. This also gave us a breakthrough because our team has amazing doctors, good drugs, and medical supplies. Maybe there will be an operation soon."

This was the last bit of content in the notebook. Shang Jianyao—who had raised his visor at some point in time—lowered his head and looked at it without moving for a long time.

"What's wrong?" Genava asked in concern.

Shang Jianyao looked up and choked. "Every time my dad comes back, he will tell me what he ate outside, what he saw, and what interesting things he encountered. He always told me to be a kind person and a real man…"

His face was already covered in tears, and he looked miserable.

Genava wanted to say something, but he couldn't find a suitable template or sentence. At this moment, he seemed to understand the subtleties of human emotions.

After an unknown period of time, Jiang Baimian's voice sounded through the communications system embedded in the military exoskeleton. "Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear," Genava immediately replied.

Jiang Baimian clearly heaved a sigh of relief and asked, "Are you on the top floor? How's Hey?"

"Hey found his father's corpse on the top floor," Genava replied truthfully.

Jiang Baimian fell silent for a few seconds before saying, "Give him some space to vent his emotions. Check the surroundings for any clues."

"Alright." Genava analyzed the situation and told Jiang Baimian about the last notebook of Shang Jianyao's father.

Jiang Baimian muttered to herself in confusion, "They wanted to operate on the Kalendaria's Son in exchange for some information? An accident happened during the surgery?"

"It seems so at the moment," Shang Jianyao was the one who replied. He wiped the tears on his face with his sleeve, and his voice was deep and hoarse.

Jiang Baimian didn't offer any condolences, nor did she mention his father. She deliberately reminded him, "Pack up the items you want to take away as soon as possible. The overlap might happen again at any moment."

"Okay." Shang Jianyao—who hadn't stood up—took off his backpack and picked up the bones one by one.

Upon seeing that his bag was about to run out of space, he transferred the rest to Genava.

After finishing this matter, he stood up again and looked around. "Let's find the operating table first. There might be important clues there."

From the current situation, the surgery should've happened in this penthouse because the Old Task Force members' corpses were scattered here, down the stairs, and at the bottom. Of course, they couldn't rule out the possibility that an accident had happened to the 'patient' before the surgery began.