Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1182: Section 724: Meeting (Part 2)

Chapter 1182: Section 724: Meeting (Part 2)

The enlightenment for those five children went very smoothly. By the end of the first day, they could already begin speaking, which made Shen Wansan express some doubt about Malin’s claim that a tribe would come to seek refuge.

"Sir, is what you said true? These children are exceptional."

Shen Wansan’s tribe were the losers—they were expelled from their previous habitat by other groups, their matriarch was killed, and he risked his life to rescue the matriarch’s little daughter. This girl needed a long time to grow into the new generation’s matriarch. If it weren’t for the old dean’s enlightenment, their tribe could hardly wait until the girl’s maturity.

Because of this, he expressed some concern about how fast these three boys and two girls were able to grow—it proved that these children had matriarchal bloodlines, born of the strongest parents.

"It’s nothing, we have the Pioneer Corps, and we’ve already fought against that tribe. They failed. That’s why there were rational elders among them who had the opportunity to cooperate with us." Malin expressed optimism about the prospects of cooperation.

On the third night, Malin was preparing to take the kids back to the camp, and upon hearing that nearly his entire tribe’s strike force had suffered losses in battle with humans, Shen Wansan fell silent for nearly a day. When Malin was ready to leave with the children, this Awakener’s leader spoke.

"Sir... will there be a day when humans come to reclaim this land, and we become homeless wandering spirits again?"

This marked the first time a newly awakened leader used their vocal cords to speak, and he looked at Malin, a face full of trepidation filled with hesitation and fear about the uncertain future.

"As long as you acknowledge that you are human and integrate into human society, I believe the Thanan will not make things difficult for you." Malin had confidence in the Thanan. You see, whether it’s elves, half-humans, orcs, or gnomes, as long as one acknowledges the culture of Thainan, then they are regarded as a true Thanan.

"Is it really... really possible to live like that with humans?"

"Yes, I believe there will be such a day. And to hasten its arrival, you should also do what you can." Malin said this and walked up to the leader: "See, your surname is Shen, mine is Malin, and that Sage working in the workshop over there is named Duanmu. These are all Thainan names, and although we may not appear exactly the same as typical humans, we are all Thanan. We all believe in justice on this land. We have things we want to protect, and we all believe the world has not yet reached the end... Shen Wansan, my friend, though we haven’t known each other for long, please believe in humanity. The future world will surely be a world where all of us who devoutly believe this world can still be saved will unite to survive. This world is vast, and beyond the planet under our feet, there lies an even grander universe, containing countless planets like the one below us that can host life, enough space for all of us."

At this moment, Malin extended his hand.

"...Are you talking about the stars in the sky?" The leader looked up at the stardust in the night sky.

Free from the pollution of light and industry, the night sky of this world was so clear that one could observe the entire span of the Milky Way, a river of countless stars hanging high above.

"Yes, the stars in the sky. Perhaps in the distant reaches of the universe, there lies a planet like the one beneath our feet, still without life like ours... Shen Wansan, imagine, maybe one day your descendants will become astronauts, wearing specially made garments, traveling with their human companions to reach that planet."

At this point, Malin withdrew his attention from the galaxy and looked at Shen Wansan.

The latter also looked at Malin, and eventually, he extended his hand.

"I hope... there truly will be such a day." The leader smiled—though he hadn’t yet mastered perfect control over his facial muscles, he looked more like he was smiling.

"There will be such a day, I believe there will be such a day," Malin said, bidding farewell to Shen Wansan and then leading the children towards the teleportation channel.

"Malin... Sir Malin, travel safely." The leader’s farewell made Malin turn around.

Perhaps misunderstanding something, the leader smiled awkwardly: "I noticed the Adventurers always say that."

"You didn’t say anything wrong, thank you." Malin waved with a smile and then led the children into the teleportation channel.

The Awakeners were already starting to learn how to live like humans. Although Malin saw they still had a long way to go, that was precisely why he felt that regardless of whether they were biochemists like Konen, Awakeners like Shen Wansan, or wise zombies like the old elder, no matter their appearance, they represented a part of a species struggling to survive.

In a world post-Great Destruction, some may indulge in decadence and revelry, but there will always be those who strive to mend the rifts of the world.

It’s wonderful, Malin.

Stepping out of the teleportation channel, with the five children sheltered behind him, Malin nodded to the soldiers saluting him.