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Chapter 246 - 245: You’re Free Now

Chen Xuan looked at Lin Qing for a long time but still couldn’t come up with a reasonable answer.

After Lucy, the mother body, disappeared, not only did no new angels appear, but demons stayed hidden as well. Normally, it would be expected that these strange artifacts would fall into the hands of demon descendants. Considering that descendants are also human, could they have turned to the Angel Alliance after witnessing the apocalyptic scene and helped build the underground refuge together?

It’s not impossible.

He shrugged helplessly and said, "It seems there are still many unknown secrets hidden here."

"I have an even scarier guess," Lin Qing said slowly.

"What guess?"

"What if demons never went extinct at all?" She stared at Chen Xuan, her eyes glinting with data-jumping green light, "Ultimately, all future information comes from the ’Angel Alliance’ without angels, but if even angels don’t exist, who can sense the presence of demons?"

Chen Xuan felt his heart skip a beat.

According to historical accounts, since there were no new angels or demons, once these older ability users passed away, humanity entered a peaceful society without supernatural beings (non-angel or demon ability users still existed, but their number and influence were negligible). If it weren’t for the devastating crystals falling from the sky, this state of stability might have lasted for a very long time.

It seems fair, but one question remains unanswered: why would demons do such a thankless task?

If Lin Qing’s hypothesis is followed, then the situation becomes a bit scary. New angels have indeed vanished, but new demons are still being born... When the last angel leaves this world, there will be no one to restrain the demons.

In a well-governed society, overthrowing a mature political system is not easy, yet at this critical moment, the enemy from the Moon sent a chaotic era. Countless cities were destroyed, bringing about political upheaval.

In the heart-pounding apocalyptic disaster, it’s natural for the demons adept at manipulating minds to thrive.

If they were allowed into leadership positions...

Chen Xuan couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth. "You mean, the relocation of humanity underground is actually driven by the demons? That even the establishment of New Paris City is thanks to the demons?"

To be more exaggerated... Could it be that even the subsequent Angel Alliance actually follows the command of the demons?

"This is just a hypothesis; after all, I have no evidence," Lin Qing paused. "However, there are still some areas worth questioning."

Chen Xuan immediately understood her meaning, "You mean the attack on the Louvre Palace?"

"There have long been protesters who don’t want to hide underground, and demonstrations are not a matter of just one or two years. How did it just escalate into an armed riot a few days after we arrived in New Paris?" Lin Qing said gravely, "If demons are still secretly controlling everything, it makes sense—they weren’t targeting the ruling government at all; they were aiming for Elorie! Because she is the true angel that emerged again decades later, her threat is self-evident!"

"If it’s true... then they’ll have big trouble," Chen Xuan sighed heavily.

It’s equivalent to the demons herding all the survivors.

The Ring of the Mind can only protect people from being eroded by demon abilities.

But once they become actual rulers, why would they need abilities to plunder souls? A simple decree can make hundreds or thousands perish.

"Luckily, we now have a way to verify," Lin Qing shook the circuit board in her hand, "After bringing Elorie back tomorrow, we just need to take a look at New Paris City to know if this hypothesis holds true."

...

By the next midday, they finally awaited Elorie and Liuli in the Angel House.

"The loan’s settled," Little Angel reported to Chen Xuan as soon as they met.

"What?"

"I mortgaged the house to the bank to get travel expenses, and the Angel Alliance paid it off for me. I received a message after getting off the plane, saying I can always find them if I ever need money again," Elorie said indignantly.

"Isn’t that a good thing?" Chen Xuan laughed, "They were afraid you couldn’t repay the loan, and the bank would take your house, making it difficult to locate you."

"But I don’t want to owe them anything!" She seemed somewhat resentful, "I’d rather work to pay off this money myself than let the Alliance cover it."

Indeed, a Little Angel, she definitely has principles.

Chen Xuan patted her head, "You’re thinking the wrong way around. It’s not you who owes them; they owe you a huge debt. Without your involvement in the Holy Temple Treasure Vault, the losses for the Angel Alliance would have been much greater. What’s a mere hundred thousand Euros in loans?"

After thinking about it, Elorie found what he said made sense, "...Seems like it."

"So, why work in the future? Just ask them directly if you want something. If you don’t make millions from the Alliance, this matter won’t be settled..."

"Millions..." Elorie’s eyes widened; just thinking about that number was overwhelming for her.

"Let’s focus on the matter at hand," Lin Qing coughed twice, shifting her gaze to Liuli, "As for her..."

She was neither a customer of the store nor could she become one.

Precisely because of this, her stay became a somewhat thorny issue.

"We’ll be leaving Paris for a while. Would living alone here be okay for you?" Chen Xuan asked. After all, as long as she didn’t stay within the jurisdiction of the Angel Alliance, she could go anywhere.

"Of course, but it’d be best if I didn’t stay alone for too long," Liuli nodded, replying indifferently, "My stability also needs replenishment."

"How do you replenish it?"

She used the hilt of her sword to lift her hat slightly, revealing a smile in her eyes, "Of course, by drinking blood."

"Huh?" Chen Xuan was taken aback, "You mean..." He gestured at his neck with his hand.

Liuli replied earnestly, "Indeed. If a blade doesn’t drink blood, it rusts, and fighting is my nature. If my stability drops too low, I might lose control, a characteristic all strange artifacts share."

「...N21, you should understand that Mr. Chen here can never truly accept you, especially after knowing your nature. Leaving will only bring him endless trouble, maybe even danger to his life.」

The Angel General’s words suddenly emerged in his mind.

So that’s how it is, Chen Xuan realized that while the Angel Alliance maintained the stability of Lucy, the mother body, they could also meet Liuli’s requirements, but for an individual, it would be an enormous burden.

Seeing his silence, Liuli offered, "If you find it hard to accept or are afraid I might lose control, I can always leave on my own..."

"Easy fix." Chen Xuan agreed before she could finish, "It’s just about finding some foes to cut down; there’ll be plenty of opportunities. You mustn’t leave, talents like you are what I yearn for."

Demon Fiends, Qi Kingdom’s army, flesh monsters, Mechanical Officers... he’s never lacked resources in this regard.

Moreover, since bloodshed was Liuli’s nature, she wouldn’t demand a salary either—meaning a free muscle right there?

Liuli was stunned for a moment before softly replying "Hmm."

"By the way," Chen Xuan asked again, "Is it the same case for N959? It seemed to have been activated yesterday..."

"Certainly," she affirmed, "though I have no idea what it can do, you’d best quickly exploit its utility as a strange artifact, or it will lose control too."

"What harm could a runaway circuit board cause?" Lin Qing asked curiously, "It can’t possibly get up and start hitting people, right?"

"Better not gamble," Liuli cautioned, "The influence of strange artifacts in an unstable state is unpredictable and irreversible."

"Alright... I’ll go back and ask it how it can be used."

So, that’s the core of strange artifacts Chen Xuan seemed to grasp—a series of compulsive programs that would autonomously execute their code, even without human command, continuously fulfilling their value.

Returning to the main store from the Angel House, Chen Xuan immediately switched the branch address. Next, they only needed to take the elevator to reach New Paris, a hundred years into the future.