Although sometimes, returning to one's original form doesn't necessarily mean a good thing—because humans are often complex creatures: changeable, bizarre, hard to fathom. If they became human again, these Gnomes, compared to their current purity, would also be more easily driven by desires, more easily controlled by emotions. Then, if influenced and controlled by external things again, evolving once more into monsters, they would no longer be harmless.
But even so, humans ultimately must have emotions.
Because without emotions, without any aspirations, without any desires, without any thoughts, then even if one can still move, stand, and breathe, what difference is there from a corpse?
u--n
What is the meaning of existence for these Crispy Corners now?
What is the meaning of life?
Isn't it precisely to continuously pursue in accordance with one's own emotions and will? Setting aside distorted desires, this is what it truly means to be a living person.
The Conveyor Belt moved steadily, the ground grew farther and farther away, and the figures of the Crispy Corners were now only white dots in their sight.
Mono silently withdrew his gaze.
Although he already had a preference in his heart, the future remained as uncertain as ever.
It seemed somewhat like unnecessary worry for him to want to help others when he didn't even know if he could find a way to escape his own predicament.
"Mono, what are you thinking..." The voice of Six suddenly reached his ears.
Mono turned around to see that Six, who had just been shy, had already lowered her hands, her face returning to its usual expression—pale, neither crying nor smiling, neither joyful nor sorrowful, expressionless.
"What else could I be thinking?" Mono couldn't help but pat Six's head and smiled.
He wasn't so changeable, of course he always wanted to fulfill his original wish. Was that even a question?
Faced with this nonsensical answer, Six's eyes flickered with confusion and a faint, hidden worry.
Mono always appeared so calm and unruffled, always keeping silent, ambiguous, unreliable in his actions, nonsensical—irritating and frustrating. But sometimes, she could still unconsciously sense... some emotions.
She actually... wasn't truly a fool. She... was very sensitive.
But... sometimes, it seemed she didn't know how to comfort Mono...
...
Facing an unknown future, no matter how indifferent one usually acted, in their heart, perhaps from time to time, they would still feel more or less lost... afraid...
And when that accumulated bit by bit, what kind of torment would it inflict on one's nerves?
She could understand the pain caused by the gradual accumulation of suffering.
Pain... Just as he always comforted her, Mono must also need her help and comfort...
...
Mono couldn't stand Six's strange gaze anymore.
"Hey, Six, what are you thinking about me?" He always felt this Stinky Girl was thinking something bad about him.
Six didn't answer. After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke up:
"Does Mono still want... to kiss... If you do..."
Mono seemed to like doing this very much. Was it considered comfort?
As the words fell...
"Huh?" Mono was stunned, his mouth agape as he looked at Six's serious expression. He was momentarily confused, then, reacting, he couldn't help but feel an inexplicable mix of shame and anger. He reached out and flicked her forehead, scolding, "idiot, do you really think I'm a pervert?"
How can you think about this all day?
No... that's not right.
What do you mean 'if I want'?
Could it be that this Stinky Girl thought the earlier incident was his fault?
Six rubbed her flicked forehead but calmly retorted, "Mono... is the idiot..."
Someone who never tells her anything, what else could he be but an idiot?
A vein throbbed on Mono's forehead as he clenched his fist. "Hey, Six, don't think I really won't hit you. If you dare spout nonsense again, I'll..."
Was Six acting up again? He really wanted to teach her a proper lesson...
"Mono... is an idiot..." Six wasn't the least bit deterred by his words, remaining very resolute and composed...
Someone who puts on an act must be stupid, right...
Mono tightened his fist, looked at the Little Person's calm expression before him, silently stared for a long while, and couldn't help but deflate...
He really had no mind for wild thoughts now because the higher they went... the closer they got to the sea surface.
"Rumble, rumble, rumble..."
Finally, the conveyor belt reached the top level.
All the coal transported up was dumped into the furnace on the third level of the The Maw. Even standing far away, one could feel the terrifying high temperature it emitted.
And steam continuously overflowed along the pipes above the furnace.
To propel this massive ship, clearly, a significant amount of power was needed, and the coal consumption was naturally no small amount.
"Jump down quickly!"
Mono hurriedly pushed Six.
Six didn't delay either, leaping off the conveyor belt, with Mono following closely behind.
And the coal cinders continued moving along the operating conveyor belt towards the furnace.
Inside.
Bright flames shone through the huge open furnace door, illuminating the surroundings. They were inside a massive hall.
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