Endless Debt Chapter 992 - 77: The End

At first glance, Bologue thought Holt was quite similar to Fuen and Nesanel. They had reliable abilities and a strong sense of responsibility, but in certain trivial matters, they seemed extremely casual and unconventional.

Bologue liked such people. Interacting with them was like being with the guys from the Undying Club. But Bologue forgot one thing: those people he met with these personalities seemed casual and peaceful, but each of them had fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

With friendly appearances, they concealed minds full of swords and blades.

Bologue thought he heard wrong, "You... what did you say?"

"I said, once the Decision Room decides to officially start the exploration of the Holy City, you will be one of the names on the list."

Holt said with a smile, he questioned Bologue, "I thought you would be happier, more excited... aren’t you curious about what exactly is in the Golden Palace?"

Bologue remained silent, offering no response.

To this day, the official records of the Order Bureau are still blank on the last matters concerning the Fall of the Holy City. No one knows the internal situation of the Golden Palace, and even how King Solomon died is unclear to anyone. Everyone only maintains an absolute consensus.

King Solomon is dead.

Bologue was different from them. He could vaguely guess what happened inside the Golden Palace.

King Solomon was the previous Chosen One of the Astronauts. With King Solomon’s knowledge, the Astronauts were plotting something, a scheme enough to break the balance and win over all the Devils.

Unfortunately, the Astronaut’s conspiracy was exposed, and the Devils gathered. In the conflict of attack and defense, they chose to prioritize eliminating King Solomon.

In the luminescence-filled Golden Palace, Bologue believed towering salt pillars stood there, and in life, they were extremely powerful, perhaps even some of the Devils’ Chosen Ones.

They managed to kill King Solomon, but also faced his revenge.

Seeing Bologue’s persistent silence, Holt assumed Bologue was disgusted by his behavior. After all, exploring the Golden Palace was no easy task. Even for an Undead like Bologue, getting involved with the luminescence was highly troublesome.

"I thought you would like this plan," Holt added with an apologetic tone, "to make up for the regrets of the past, you will surpass the high walls and personally take the Golden Palace. Although this day is many years late."

"No... it’s not that I don’t like it, I just thought of many things."

"The things during the Fall of the Holy City?"

"More or less."

Overhead came a whistling sound, as if something was diving rapidly, breaking through layers of fog, stirring a wind sound, then the mechanical rumbling noise became clear. Bologue looked up, the elevator pod descended from the Sea of Mist, landing along the vertical track on the cliff towards the Desperate Outpost.

"It’s here, you can leave," Holt waved to Bologue, "see you next time."

"See you next time."

Bologue bid farewell to Holt and walked briskly towards the elevator pod.

He was thinking about his team members; Bologue just wanted to meet them as soon as possible to confirm their state. He wasn’t sure if this counted as a sense of responsibility or the anxiety resulting from a fear of bearing responsibility.

Bologue felt he was about to understand what exactly he was troubled by.

...

The journey back to the Order Bureau went smoothly. The vertical elevator pod of the Desperate Outpost, like a large elevator, directly delivered Bologue near Qiushang Town.

For the Desperate Outpost, this should be considered a freight elevator. Most of their supplies were delivered through this elevator pod.

After arriving at Qiushang Town, everything became simpler. Bologue skillfully found the Order Bureau’s hidden stronghold, waiting for the subway’s arrival at the deserted platform.

In the past, Bologue didn’t have the ability to request a train to take him away, but now, as a Negative Power User and somewhat of a team leader, such authority was granted to him.

A few minutes later, the subway sped by, stopping next to the platform. It had only Bologue as its passenger and then, at an astonishing speed, took Bologue back to the Deep Nest Courtyard.

Having authority felt nice. Previously, Bologue served the Order Bureau; now the Order Bureau, to some extent, served him.

Bologue felt a slight sense of vanity. Luckily, this emotion was immediately extinguished by him as soon as it arose.

For a long time, Bologue’s way of life had been like that of an ascetic monk, not only maintaining asceticism in life but also pursuing inner peace.

After arriving at Deep Nest Courtyard, Bologue didn’t stop, directly heading towards the Field Operations Department.

During the brief stay at the Desperate Outpost, Evan thoughtfully equipped Bologue with a Field Staff uniform to replace the tattered and blood-stained clothes he wore.

Bologue wasn’t quite familiar with Evan yet, initially feeling a bit embarrassed, but Evan didn’t mind.

"Every field staff member has several spare uniforms; rarely does anyone return to the Cultivation Room unscathed."

That’s what Evan said.

Bologue was quite famous in the Field Operations Department, but he was rather reclusive in his conduct, having only a few friends, with Palmer and Aimou being his only companions. Many things routine to field staff were completely unfamiliar to Bologue due to his overly narrow social circle.

Bologue lost many opportunities for socializing and entertainment, but to him, it didn’t matter. This way, he could devote more energy to his work.

Quick steps led him back to the Field Operations Department, where he found his team members following others’ directions.

Bologue appeared slightly disheveled at the end of the corridor, drawing the attention of others. His teammates raised their heads, but contrary to Bologue’s anticipations of a joyful reunion, gloom marked their eyes.

"Bologue."

Hart, standing at the perimeter, spotted Bologue, softly calling his name and nodding in acknowledgment.

Bologue responded similarly, his gaze sweeping briefly. Noticing Hart’s injuries were only minor, mostly abrasions, and the same for Shelley and Kemp, he felt somewhat reassured.

The two likewise gestured towards Bologue. Shelley nodded lightly, saying, "Leader."

Leader? Even now, Bologue was still not accustomed to being called that.

His steps paused momentarily before he moved to face the last person, his teammate, partner, and roommate.

Palmer sat in a corridor chair, head bowed. Upon noticing Bologue’s arrival, he slowly lifted his head. Instead of seeing joy in his eyes, Bologue witnessed overwhelming sadness.

It was the first time Bologue saw such an expression from Palmer, immediately realizing that one of his teammates was missing.

"Where’s Church?"

Bologue strained to recall this name, observing the dejected appearances of the others. A dreadful thought emerged in Bologue’s mind.

"No... how can this be?" Bologue whispered to himself.

Church was their group’s best at stealth, with an uncanny ability to diminish his presence, enough to deceive anyone... whenever he wished.

Bologue had anticipated someone might get hurt or die, but never imagined it would be Church; he was supposed to be the safest.

Palmer painstakingly stood up, appearing drained of all energy, each movement fraught with fatigue.

Palmer pushed open the door, saying to Bologue, "He’s inside."

Entering the room, Bologue was overwhelmed by a strong smell of alcohol and disinfectant. Several doctors, appearing to have just finished their tasks, sat silently nearby.

Scanning the room further, he saw a battered figure lying on a bed, with numerous blood-stained metal shards on trays beside him.

Bologue approached the bed and pulled aside the curtain, revealing a face both familiar and unfamiliar.

After a moment of confusion, Bologue recognized the face as one Church often showed the two, remembering a nameless person’s face is indeed challenging.

A doctor spoke from the side, "He’s severely injured. We’ve only administered basic treatment; he must be transferred to the Border Sanatorium for comprehensive care."

Observing Church’s scarred body and faint breathing, Bologue felt his own heartbeat slow down.

As a field staff member, witnessing colleagues getting injured or dying was a common occurrence. Bologue assumed such events wouldn’t unsettle him, having witnessed countless wartime deaths.

Perhaps a peaceful life had softened Bologue’s heart once more; faced with Church’s predicament, his heart was deathly calm before surging with a tremendous wave.

An inexplicable rage arose within him, knowing someone would pay the price.

Hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door as someone pushed it open and rushed in.

Bologue coldly glared at the newcomer, a figure he hadn’t seen in a long time appeared.

"Step aside."

Ivan Clarks said, nudging an immobile Palmer aside, and stood before the bed, expressionless as he gazed at the eyes-closed Church.