·Can this really help your child? After collecting the souls of his companions, Ails turned and looked at Malin who was taking out a bucket of paint, the Soul Fire in his eye sockets roiling as if he thought Malin’s efforts were somewhat futile. ·How long do you think that paint will last? "If the formula is correct, paint from before the Great Destruction Era can last at least three millennia without fading in a space that’s nearly completely sealed ," answered Malin as he wrote on the wall. Hearing this, Ails, who was impressed with the technological capabilities of Old Humanity from this world, came up behind Malin, looking over everything and expressing his admiration with a sigh. ·This is an ancestor’s most enduring declaration of affection to their descendants, you truly seem to cherish that child a lot. "Yes, every time I think about her spending her youthful years in such a Dark Zone, and that she could have lived in a bloodbath without my help... I might not be able to take care of all descendants, nor do I have the power to, but when that child’s future was laid out before me, I felt I must do something." As he said this, Malin tossed the used paint bucket and brush aside. Ails watched as Malin placed the item known as a gift into a box and set it below the arrow painted on the wall. · Why would you place it there? Ails did not understand Malin’s thinking. "To give the child a surprise," answered Malin with a laugh. Ails shrugged his shoulders, somewhat baffled by Malin’s thought process, but to Ails, this was normal—Ails had been a Lich for so long that he had forgotten many people and events from yesteryears, to the point that he couldn’t even remember his own family, only vaguely recalling his father’s hunched back, his mother’s poor eyesight, a brother with a limp leg... Their faces had long been forgotten by Ails. Human emotions seemed too luxurious for Ails. But this did not stop him from witnessing Malin express his care for future generations. ·I’m thinking that the child named Nanachi will absolutely adore her birthday gift. Ails sighed as he looked at the child’s name. "Isn’t that the case? We came here and toppled so many foes, and even stabbed a peer of yours, Ails, all to fight for the romantic future of a girl and a boy unknown to us," Artificial Intelligence Jason commented from the window. He controlled the room’s system, opened the window pane in the wall, and chuckled as he watched the ocean through thick glass, replying to Ails’s sigh. Ails stood next to it, gazing at the distant ocean. ·Your civilization fills me with awe, such towering buildings, such massive cities, what a marvelous place this world would have become if the Great Destruction hadn’t occurred. "Alas, fate has played a cruel joke on us. Civilization is fragile, and the efforts of those from the old era could not save this world." The conversation between the Lich and the Artificial Intelligence concluded here, and Ails extended a hand to pat the shoulder of this steel life form. ·No, you all were very brave. On the fringes of the city, I saw endless wreckage, soldiers who protected this city with their lives until destruction finally swept over... Fate was not kind to you, but you performed admirably. Compared to you, some of the so-called powerful beings from other worlds I’ve invaded are like a bunch of monkeys, even willing to hand over their lives to us just to stay alive. "They just want to survive, humans are such a strange kind of lifeform; sometimes they’re willing to betray everything, including their souls, just to live, and other times, they’re willing to cast aside everything, including their lives, for a shred of honor," Jason said, then turning to look at Malin: "Our Mr. Malin, for instance, falls into the latter category." "Ha, I’m not that noble; I just make it possible for others to live while I’m alive. I don’t want to be someone who climbs over others. And indeed, such bastards usually live more exciting lives," Malin replied, setting down the box and then turning to look at them with a smile. ·To be honest, Lord Malin’s methods are more open-minded than some of the wisest sages of this age, but sometimes, his words and deeds are more conservative than the most old-fashioned theologians in the world. Ails said to Jason with a sigh. "I feel the same, but it’s precisely for this reason that a person like Mr. Malin deserves my loyalty, as he might just be the only one in this world who understands what it means to be from before the Great Destruction." Jason told Ails, its electronic face full of sentiment. "Stop blowing smoke, Ails, Jason, let’s go." Malin had already finished sealing the space and was now opening the portal. Jason’s electronic expression was all smiles as he approached Malin: "Let’s go, Ails." ·Yes, let’s go. Ails followed the mechanical head. It was indeed a very interesting thing to meet someone like Lord Malin, as he brought Ails an extraordinary journey in life. ·Lord Malin, you will definitely become a true Deity in the future. In Ails’ view, someone like Malin could certainly become a Superior God who is not lured by faith or founded on factions, just like the powerful Lord of Justice and Goddess of Fate, whose words and deeds are the purest reflection of themselves. "I won’t become a god, what’s the point of turning into those pathetic lives bound by factions? What I want to do now is to ensure the survival of life beneath our feet and on this planet. Being a Deity comes with too many restraints that are not conducive to my actions, and besides... why should I become a Deity?" Malin stood in front of the open teleportation gate and smiled at Ails. Ails thought for a moment and ultimately smiled helplessly. ·Indeed, there aren’t too many reasons, and you have a lover whose affection is stronger than gold; just that is enough to make you cherish the present world. I wish this happiness lasts forever, my lord. "Yes, may it last forever." Back in Copenhagen, Malin continued his life in the military camp, where the soldiers saw him as a source of inspiration and a beacon to be pursued. Of course, Malin did not disappoint them, and as for the rising personal reputation and the potential inconveniences it could bring, Malin had considered it. However, after King Manheim bestowed upon Malin the Marshal’s insignia, everything naturally fell into place. But what really puzzled Malin was this—nobility had nothing to do with it. A Noble status was not rare, even if Malin had a fiefdom, it would eventually be inherited by Lulu’s child, who would also become a Noble of the North. But the Marshal’s insignia represented military power, a position that aside from a few Marshals directly under national command, could only be aspired to by Dukes. Now that Malin had become a Marshal, undoubtedly some Nobles would have sleepless nights. Regarding this, Malin even specifically asked the old fox of the Hagelberry family, who was also somewhat puzzled. In his view, granting a Noble title was already an exceptional case, even if Malin was a Legendary among legends, but giving the Marshal’s insignia was too much. However, considering that there were no dissenting voices among the Nobility, the confused old fox eventually advised Malin to keep a low profile for the time being—such as declining the invitations of Nobles, as sometimes refusal is a way to express one’s stance. And he would mention Malin’s attitude to his old friends, to let them spread the word—that Malin was not interested in the position of Marshal and that he would resign after the war with Chaos ended. Malin, for his part, hoped they understood—he really didn’t care about the Marshal’s insignia, for if he did, the position of Marshal Farole or Marshal Sydney would have been his long ago. The soldiers, however, were extremely happy—Lord Malin becoming a Marshal dispelled their worries about whether he might be driven away by the upper echelons of the Nobility. Now, the soldiers didn’t need to organize a guard to protect Malin, and he could leave the military camp in Marshal’s attire without worrying about the soldiers suffering any sort of paranoid delusions—for you see, Marshal Malin couldn’t possibly sit in the camp every day watching these boneheads kill themselves during training. He should also grab a drink at the officers’ bar, and then upon return, cook a championship late-night snack for them—the best non-commissioned officer of the day would have the opportunity to share a late-night snack with Malin, of course, once earned, they would have to wait a month for a second chance. After all, the outstanding non-commissioned officers needed to be showcased, and if everyone had a chance, it wouldn’t cause the officers to fight tooth and nail every day for it. Of course, the non-commissioned officers’ platoon would also get a late-night snack, as in Malin’s view, only if the soldiers also had this opportunity, would they give their all in training battles to win this chance for their platoon sergeant. During the late-night snack, sometimes Marshal Constantine and another Marshal would also come to freeload. Malin, of course, welcomed them—the non-commissioned officers would be even more excited, as aside from during trench warfare, they hardly ever had a chance to dine with a Marshal, let alone two. So there’s a saying among the officers: coming first is a proof of your strength, but having the opportunity to dine with two Marshals is a testament to your luck. For their part, whether it be Malin or Constantine, they watched the soldiers boast with amusement. It wasn’t until the third week that Malin also invited His Majesty King Manheim, who had long heard of the exceptional nature of Malin’s late-night snacks, and he gladly accepted Malin’s invitation, coming to the camp with The Queen. His visit dispelled some rumors and excited an officer so much that he had to be carried away by the medics.