Sushang was equally confused; did this piece of paper just appear out of thin air?
"Subsidy funds... ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions, ten millions... Ha?! You're lying, right?" Skott was startled and immediately suspected the authenticity of this notice.
But when he took out his phone to check, he actually saw an astronomical figure deposited. He froze on the spot instantly.
No way, he just finished talking trash and the retribution came this quickly? Too fast, isn't it?!
Who would have thought~ In the past, representing the Interastral Peace Corporation, he was the one setting traps for others. Now, he was being set up by the Church!
Hidden in the crowd, the corners of Freesna's mouth rose slightly. It was just a little [Eternity] illusion. Did he really think she, an [Emanator], was just for show?
Blake could bring spring back to Jarilo-VI; she naturally had corresponding abilities.
She looked at the [Ether Cartridge] emitting a faint glow in her hand. She didn't expect the toy Adrian gave her ten years ago would still come in handy. It seemed to be [Ether Editing] technology from Punklorde?
The sudden reversal left the onlookers dumbfounded. Sushang, unaware of the truth, saw the familiar silver-haired elf in the crowd. Her heart suddenly cleared, and her unsure expression instantly became confident.
The [Church of Eternity] is right!
...
Having exposed Todd's disguise, who would have thought this guy was actually a [Tavern] fun-seeker? They would have to be more vigilant against strangers in the future.
Hmm... it's not impossible for a Masked Fool to disguise themselves as an acquaintance either.
With Todd, the mentor, gone, she could only go back to Adrian and Screwlloyd. Might as well flip the table and quit.
"Chased away? What a pity... Miss Todd didn't even get to drink the milk tea I worked from dawn to dusk to make for her."
Adrian pretended to be regretful, thinking about letting Todd take the milk tea to the [Tavern] so HE could let those fun-seekers experience the charm of art.
Screwlloyd raised his hand to volunteer, successfully usurping the position to answer questions for Stelle in place of Todd. His plan had been achieved.
"If mechanical creatures exist in such a place, they are likely troubled by technological regression. Such inorganic creatures can indeed be counted as [Ferocious and Endangered]," Screwlloyd said.
"I have to praise, Ms. Stelle's idea is very good, but there is a small problem... this thing is not a plant!"
"The definition of [Plant] is very free, trust me!"
"Mmh... I understand your intention. We can make a big fuss about the definition of [Plant]! No problem, mechanical creatures are absolutely no problem."
"Since you proposed this plan, then allow me to realize it for you. Please wait a moment."
A gust of wind brushed past Stelle's cheek, bringing a cool touch. When she came back to her senses, Screwlloyd in front of her had already disappeared.
Stelle's fingertips subconsciously reached toward the place where the wind had just passed, as if to confirm whether the wind was real, or perhaps trying to catch the phantom residue of the Intellitron.
But all she touched was her own cool skin and empty air. She froze in astonishment, her fingertips suspended in mid-air.
Why is she the only [Eternity] Pathstrider who doesn't know the teleportation technique? Stelle couldn't help but reflect: Is she really a qualified [Eternity] Pathstrider?
After waiting for a few minutes, Screwlloyd reappeared, holding a pile of discarded mechanical guards.
Looking at this familiar appearance... Did Screwlloyd go to Jarilo-VI in these few seconds?!
"Forgive my rudeness, Ms. Stelle. Before taking these questions away, I must ask a question: Why are you interested in the technology of a backward snowy country?" Screwlloyd placed the damaged Automatons on the ground and repaired them at high speed.
"Treating dilapidated machines as endangered life, [Releasing] them to a distant world to accumulate so-called [Merit]."
"Logic: Even if Pontiff Blake melts the winter snow of the planet, various backward machines are still problems to be solved."
"Question: Do machines count as life? Or does life count as a kind of machine?"
"These are just definitions that vary from person to person. Releasing... if it is to protect certain animals from harm, I can understand."
As an inorganic lifeform, Screwlloyd, even with exquisite disguise skills, could not empathize with humans:
"But trying to please an Aeon and accumulate merit through such behavior... Is human behavior important to an Aeon?"
"Or rather, is there really a pair of eyes in the sky constantly scrutinizing everyone's moral conduct? Adopting punitive measures based on a point-deduction system when humans harm a life, and giving rewards with a point-addition system when humans save someone's life?"
"Conclusion: Thinking that [One's own actions are important] is merely arrogance unique to humans."
Screwlloyd suddenly changed his attitude: "Alright... the grumbling of a mere Church Deacon presumably cannot change the mind of the [Release Guild]. Madam, how do you intend to embody the characteristics of [Plants] on this?"
As soon as the words fell, Stelle grabbed a handful of dirt and smeared it evenly on the machine's body, not forgetting to stick a small green sprout on top.
Screwlloyd: ...
It was a path he had never envisioned. Humans are truly wonderful creatures. That's why he likes pretending to be human—first for safety, second to explore the secrets of [Eternity].
...
Scalegorge Waterscape, the initiation trial would be held here.
"Stelle, see Benna not far away? Use [Persuade] on her!"
"Eh, aren't you a member of the [Outrageous Faction]? Why did you turn around and become a mentor... Where is that guy named [Todd]?"
"Regrettably, due to some personal reasons, Ms. Todd has temporarily left us... The three of you are trial reviewers, so the role of mentor naturally fell to me."
Screwlloyd explained without changing his expression. He quickly convinced Benna, shifting her attention to the [Release Object] they brought.
"No... I thought you found some suitable object for release! Mechanical creatures are everywhere; the Xianzhou sky is full of cycranes. How can this be counted as an endangered creature?"
"Moreover, the topic of the [Initiation Trial] is for you to find a way to solve the food chain problem of the three of us... How can this mechanical creature solve our problem?"
Stelle explained: "You don't know... these weak, pitiful, and helpless inorganic babies all come from a planet half-stepped into [Destruction]."
"That place can no longer produce... such cute robot babies!" Adrian cooperated.
"Oh, that sounds truly heartbreaking. So... this is the last batch of mechanical life left by a declining civilization?"
"You, who release them and liberate them from desperate straits and a destiny of certain death, Miss Benna. Conclusion: You will accumulate a massive amount of merit."
With Screwlloyd's assistance, Adrian's cooperation, and Stelle's exceptional talent, they quickly [Persuaded] all the [Three Kindhearted Ones] of the Release Guild!
The six of them stood by the sea, watching the Automaton Spiders leave like this, completing this successful release. Their merit was boundless...