Capítulo 46: The Ruthless Chill
Within the clock tower, a youth named Ezreal found himself ensnared in a predicament.
For him, who harbored the hope of saving the remaining survivors of Tianxin City, compelling the culprit Warwick to confess appeared to be the only viable solution to this crisis.
Unfortunately, despite his painstaking efforts to trap Warwick, the villain had been inadvertently released by someone.
Casting a resentful glare at the indifferent figure cloaked against the wall, Ezreal's frustration deepened.
Especially infuriating was the cold, emotionless expression on the man's face, which suggested he was merely a bystander, utterly unconcerned with the events that had allowed Warwick to escape.
"Honestly, what a ridiculous situation," Ezreal muttered. "Sister Freya, you were supposed to notify the nearest stationed Demacian forces to contain the outbreak. How did you end up bringing back this kidnapper?"
"Well... considering he is a ninth-tier powerhouse, I thought inviting him to join our ranks would certainly help in restraining Warwick."
"After all, Ezreal, you understand that with your current strength, you cannot hope to overpower Warwick entirely. However, if we had a fellow ninth-tier ally, the situation would be quite different. I'm just looking out for you, worried you might get hurt by Warwick."
Freya chuckled awkwardly. "But who could have anticipated that we would inadvertently let Warwick slip away? It's simply beyond our control; you should try to be more understanding."
"Ugh... never mind. Since he's already escaped, there's no point in dwelling on it," Ezreal sighed, a hint of gloom in his voice. "It's not that Warwick's escape is the issue; the real problem is that without him, we have no means to resolve the current plight of Tianxin City."
"Um... that's true. It seems those ghouls outside are contagious. Once a normal person is bitten by them, they appear to become one of them, which is quite a troublesome attribute."
With a conflicted sigh, Freya's delicate face bore a look of indignation. "That's why those alchemists from Zaun are truly despicable. I've long heard tales of their heinous practices; they often use living subjects for their cruel experiments to ensure the accuracy of their results. I once thought these were mere exaggerations, but now, witnessing the state of Tianxin City, it's evident that these rumors hold a grain of truth."
Yet, no amount of complaints regarding the cruelty of the alchemists or accusations against Warwick's madness could alter the fact that Freya and Ezreal found themselves in a temporary bind.
Exchanging troubled glances, both fell into a mutual silence, and for a moment, the vast, empty space was enveloped in a tranquil stillness reminiscent of days gone by.
Leaning coldly against a massive pillar, Xiao Mu Yu remained silent, his frigid gaze scrutinizing the two in silence, lost in thought. Amidst his disheveled gray and white hair, a small fox lay drowsily asleep upon his shoulder.
After what felt like an eternity, Xiao Mu Yu finally lifted his head, fixing his icy stare upon the silent duo. His cold voice shattered the tranquility of the clock tower's apex, "I have a solution to all of this."
"Huh? You have a solution?" Instantly, Freya and Ezreal's gazes converged on Xiao Mu Yu's impassive face, both asking in unison.
"Yes, indeed, I have a solution," Xiao Mu Yu nodded indifferently, his tone devoid of emotion. "However, I cannot guarantee that this method will satisfy you."
"Why do you have to be so verbose?" Ezreal remarked, visibly displeased. "Just tell us your plan outright; there's no need for all this hesitation. Are you wasting time? You're a grown man; be decisive. Whether we accept your proposal is our concern, but you should just state your idea."
Xiao Mu Yu's impassive gaze remained unchanged, unfazed by Ezreal's unkind tone. He coldly replied, "The solution is simple: we must eliminate all beings in Tianxin City—both the undead and the living. Then, all our problems will be resolved."
"..."
"..."
In that instant, Ezreal thought he must have misheard.
Yet, as he observed Freya's equally bewildered expression, he realized that this individual was not merely mad; he was utterly insane!
"Um... Mr. Mu Yu, I must clarify something."
Freya, her face etched with concern, said, "Our goal is to save the remaining citizens of Tianxin City. What is your rationale behind the idea of exterminating everyone? How can you even entertain such a notion? We're talking about tens of thousands of lives!"
Freya's expression nearly screamed, "You madman! How could you possibly think like this?"
Xiao Mu Yu's indifferent gaze swept over the two, who believed they had encountered a lunatic. His expression remained unchanged as he continued in a cold tone, "So, what do you propose? You wish to save the remaining citizens? But with your capabilities, do you truly believe you can rescue them? Or do you think they even deserve saving?"
"What do you mean?" Ezreal could no longer tolerate Xiao Mu Yu's detached demeanor.
The golden-haired youth retorted, "What do you mean they don't deserve saving? Though these citizens may not hold high status, they are still living beings—tens of thousands of them. Before the goddess, we are all equal. You may be a ninth-tier powerhouse, but that does not place you above them. Why should you decide they are unworthy of salvation?"
"..." Raising his head, Xiao Mu Yu fixed his icy gaze upon the boy and replied coldly, "Simply because they have yet to succumb to the virus within them."
His words struck true.
Ezreal opened his mouth, yet found himself at a loss for words to counter the cold logic of this man.
Never had he felt such intense hatred for his own helplessness as he did at that moment. If only he were stronger, perhaps he could resolve this dire situation!
Ignoring the boy's self-recrimination, Xiao Mu Yu continued, cold and unfeeling, "You should be more aware than I of the current state of Tianxin City. Those barely surviving citizens undoubtedly carry the deadly virus within them."
"Although they still appear as normal humans, not yet transformed into mindless ghouls, their ultimate fate as soulless zombies is inevitable for those infected. You should be grateful that you cannot save them."
"Because if you had the ability to save them, could you truly bring yourself to abandon them? Once these infected citizens leave Tianxin City and come into contact with the outside world, I assure you that within three days, any city they enter will descend into a hellish nightmare akin to the current state of Tianxin City. Your fleeting compassion would doom many more."
Xiao Mu Yu's voice was frigid, carrying a chill akin to Arctic winds, yet Ezreal felt as though he were engulfed in flames.
"Thus, to prevent the situation from worsening, the correct choice is to eliminate all humanoid beings within Tianxin City—alive or dead."
"But... even if what you say is true, who can perfectly execute this without allowing the virus to spread?"
Freya argued, unwilling to concede to the cold man's judgment. "If we were to follow your advice, we would have to raze Tianxin City to the ground to ensure no one escapes."
"To accomplish that, we would have to abandon any reliance on the army, for soldiers are still human. Anyone below the third tier entering this city risks infection. Where in this continent can you find a nation with an entire army comprised of third-tier warriors?"
"Ah, indeed, you make a valid point. However," Xiao Mu Yu interjected coldly, "when did I ever say we should enlist the army to eradicate these carriers of the virus?"
"Not use the army?" Freya's cerulean eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you suggesting we rely on the power of a saint-tier warrior? Only a saint-tier powerhouse could easily obliterate a city!"
"Not to borrow the power of a saint-tier warrior," Xiao Mu Yu replied indifferently, "but to employ a force equivalent to a full-powered strike of a saint-tier."
"Huh? What's the difference?" Freya asked, puzzled.
"Quite a difference," Xiao Mu Yu stated flatly. "I can activate a magic formation capable of inflicting destruction on par with a saint-tier's full force."
"Uh... destruction on par with a saint-tier's full force?"
Freya questioned skeptically, "Such a powerful magic formation must cover a considerable area, at least a third of Tianxin City, right? And the materials required for such a formation are undoubtedly exorbitant. In this rush, where are we to find such costly magical materials?"
"The preparation of the magic formation?" Xiao Mu Yu asked nonchalantly. "You need not worry about that. Did you think I brought you around the clock tower merely for you to experience the horror of the ghouls?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Freya seemed to grasp something.
"Very simply, the magic formation is already in place; we need only activate it."
Xiao Mu Yu replied indifferently, then turned to the golden-haired youth, his voice cold. "The decision now lies with you. If you agree to this plan, I will activate the magic formation immediately. However, once everything is resolved, you must fulfill the agreed-upon compensation. If you do not agree, we will continue to drag this out."
"If you choose this course of action, there are only two possible outcomes: either you find a better solution, and everyone is satisfied, or a zombie frenzy erupts across the continent. Given the current situation, I believe the latter outcome is more likely. Ah, of course, these are merely suggestions; how to proceed is ultimately your judgment."
His indifferent tone enveloped Ezreal in a chilling dread.
In the desolate, echoing hall, Xiao Mu Yu's cold gaze remained fixed upon the boy, who was ensnared in a painful dilemma, his silence echoing the absence of hope.
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