Chapter 173: Grief
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"This... this is a scripture from the Book of the Dead."
"Let me see, these scriptures should be from the Secret Scrolls."
"Legend has it that the Secret Scrolls contain the secrets of the 'Queen of the Night.'"
"My God, this is practically a treasure trove!"
In the burial chamber at the top of the pyramid, Dr. Nick, holding a magnifying glass, kept circling around the golden sarcophagus.
Meanwhile, his assistant Amy stared in shock at the completely decayed, skeletal remains scattered outside the burial chamber.
"Why are these things placed outside the burial chamber?"
"They don't seem like sacrificial offerings either. If they were, they should be inside the sarcophagus or made into mummies."
Another assistant, Vic, carrying some items, passed by and said, "What's so strange about that? They might be tomb raiders."
"Didn't you notice the traces of battles all along the way we came?"
"There are also many animal bones."
Survival expert Charlie, who was helping to carry things, followed behind Vic and agreed, "Maybe there was a slave revolt after the pyramid was built. That's quite common in history."
Amy murmured, "Perhaps."
At that moment, she seemed to sense something and couldn't help but look up at the shadows where the light didn't reach.
Then she quickly walked into the burial chamber, not wanting to stay alone in the eerie, empty hall.
In the shadows, a black-robed figure crawled on all fours toward an even darker corner above.
Up there, dozens of black-robed figures gathered together, watching the hall below.
They occasionally communicated in low, peculiar voices.
If translated into human language, it would roughly be:
"How much longer are those humans going to stay here?"
"Humans are supposed to be livestock for us to enjoy, yet Elder Tutanbekan won't let us make a move."
"There's no helping it. They must be friends of that 'Necromancer.'"
"That really is a powerful mage. Even Elder Tutanbekan is no match for him."
"Enough, don't let them discover us."
While the archaeological team was engrossed in their work, mercenaries Kama and Tank walked out of the pyramid.
Passing through the grand plaza and along the granite steps, they arrived at the 'Gate of the Afterlife.'
As they stepped out of the gate, they were startled by a sudden figure.
Only when they recognized it as John did they relax.
Kama, holding a rifle, walked over: "Mr. John, where have you been?"
"This place is dangerous. You can't just wander around."
Her tone was stern, but there was an underlying concern.
Whether she was concerned about Azu's people or Azu's wallet was unclear.
Azu smiled.
After leveling Tutanbekan's tomb, he had given the undead elder a task.
Then he returned to the 'Gate of the Afterlife.'
Now, when questioned by Kama, he made up a lame excuse to brush it off.
Kama didn't press further. She said, "The doctor and the others are going to study inside the pyramid. It will probably take a few days."
"We need to bring some supplies over. Come with us."
Azu readily agreed: "I was just about to suggest that. Let me help you carry some things."
Kama glanced at him and smiled: "No need, we can handle the heavy lifting."
Azu didn't insist, shrugging with a smile: "Alright then."
Following Kama, Azu could now reach the top of the pyramid with his eyes closed.
Kama enthusiastically explained the situation below.
For example, this stone staircase would be very long, and at the end of it was a huge plaza.
Azu kept nodding, but his mind was elsewhere.
He looked at the information from the completed event.
[You have successfully resolved this event.]
[Event disaster level assessment: D++]
['Success' evaluation settlement reward: 1 Proficiency Essence*40; 2 Multi Treasure Chest*2; 3 Magic Book "Death's Devour"*1]
[New items have been added to your store.]
For a disaster event, the rewards were quite good.
He gained another 40 Proficiency Essences.
Now he had three Multi Treasure Chests.
And he was rewarded with a magic book.
Azu thought for a moment, then took out the magic book from his inventory.
Though called a magic book, it was actually a palm-sized stone slab.
Carved on it were lines of symbols Azu couldn't understand.
However.
When Azu looked at it, corresponding information appeared on his retina.
[Death's Devour: One of Tutanbekan's most proud magics, it can pull out the target's soul, inflict damage, or control it, but it can be resisted or dispelled. Do you wish to learn it?]
Something given for free.
Why not learn it?
Azu released a thought: Learn!
The stone slab instantly aged as if it had experienced ten thousand years, quickly turning to sand and slipping through Azu's fingers.
Kama glanced back at him but noticed nothing unusual.
Azu, however, had quietly learned a new magic.
Arriving at the top of the pyramid.
Azu saw Amy and the others.
Amy was helping Dr. Nick record his findings and didn't notice Azu's arrival at first.
Only when she and the doctor took a break did she realize Azu had come.
The girl felt a surge of security upon seeing Azu and ran over to him, putting down her things.
"Mr. John, where have you been?"
Azu had to repeat the excuse he gave Kama earlier.
Amy didn't dwell on it, chattering excitedly to Azu about Dr. Nick's discoveries.
"The doctor said that the pyramid's owner used a golden sarcophagus, a privilege in the 'Undead Empire' reserved for at least elders."
"The tomb owner of this pyramid must have a status similar to the one in central Jordan."
"Unfortunately, no mummy was found in the sarcophagus. It might have been stolen."
"That would be a cultural relic."
Azu smiled, thinking that the 'cultural relic' had already left this place.
Good thing he left, otherwise, seeing him might have scared you to death.
After chatting with Azu for a while, Amy was called back to work by the doctor.
Everyone else was busy too, even the mercenaries had to patrol to ensure they could detect any danger in time.
Now, only Azu was left idle.
He sat in a corner, fiddling with the 'Traveler's Ring' on his finger.
Thinking that the doctor and the others would be staying here for a few more days.
Azu thought, why not pass the time by visiting a multiverse?
He had just been to the 'Amazing Spider-Man Universe,' and it hadn't been a month since his last visit to the 'DC Universe.'
So now, the only place he could go was the 'Marvel Universe.'
"Too bad I didn't bring the 'Cosmic Cube.'"
"Forget it."
"I'll bring it next time."
Azu lightly tapped the 'Traveler's Ring,' consuming 5 'Dim Proficiency Essences,' and glitched into the Marvel Universe.
A burst of dark blue flames rose, instantly enveloping Azu's figure.
*
*
*
A helicopter swept over the land, casting a rapidly moving shadow on the ground.
From the helicopter, one could see a road cutting through the forest, crossing rivers, until it was blocked by a wall stretching over ten kilometers.
This wall, over twenty meters high, was made of dark-colored armored panels, making it clear that crossing it wouldn't be easy.
At that moment, the helicopter flew over the wall and into the world within.
Dr. Vogebbaum, with graying hair and wearing headphones, said, "Unauthorized passage through this wall will trigger fierce attacks."
"Vought Company invests a significant budget annually to maintain this boundary's defense system."
"The defense system includes weapon platforms, a large number of personnel, and three superhumans."
"They signed confidentiality agreements and must serve here for ten years before they can leave."
"It's already the eighth year."
Sitting across from Dr. Vogebbaum, Secretary Wilson said gravely, "Even the federal government wasn't aware of this place's existence."
"I checked satellite maps. According to them, this should be an uninhabited primeval forest."
Dr. Vogebbaum smiled, "For Vought Company, modifying a small, inconspicuous area on a satellite map isn't too difficult."
"This isn't a crucial federal area or a border zone, just a small, insignificant corner of the vast territory."
"The federal government wouldn't pay attention to it, am I right?"
The Secretary of Defense didn't want to admit it, but the facts were indeed so.
Vought Company had gone to great lengths to hide Becca and her son here.
No wonder it had remained undiscovered for so many years.
"Look."
Dr. Vogebbaum pointed below, where scattered houses could be seen.
There were even some public facilities.
Such as a small community hospital, a plaza, a church, a radio station, and so on.
Apart from the smaller scale, it resembled a small town.
Secretary Wilson glanced at the buildings below and said, "You've created a virtual community for that mother and son?"
"Correct."
"The neighbors, friends, colleagues, everything here is a grand and intricate lie."
"A beautiful lie to keep Ryan here."
Dr. Vogebbaum adjusted his glasses and said, "Maintaining this lie requires a substantial budget, but it's worth it."
"Otherwise, Ryan wouldn't have remained under Vought Company's surveillance."
"However, not everything in this lie is false."
"At least, Ryan's playmates are real."
"They are orphans we adopted from various places, abandoned at birth."
"We brought these orphans here and had Vought employees raise them."
"Often, they function like real families."
"And those children would never know they are actually serving Vought Company."
Secretary Wilson looked at the doctor, "So, little Ryan and the other children have never left this area?"
Dr. Vogebbaum nodded, "Yes, Mr. Secretary."
The Secretary of Defense sighed, "That's too pitiful."
"I don't see it that way."
Dr. Vogebbaum said, "Whether it's Ryan or those orphans, they can live a well-fed and clothed life in this isolated place, which is a form of happiness in itself."
"As long as they don't know about the outside world, they won't feel pitiful."
"Human perception of misfortune comes from comparative experiences."
"As long as they don't know, there's no such thing as misfortune or pity."
At that moment, the helicopter began to descend, landing on a helipad.
Secretary Wilson and Dr. Vogebbaum got off the plane and into a car prepared for them.
Finally able to remove his headphones, Dr. Vogebbaum said, "Right now, Ryan is attending classes at the community school."
"Only Becca is at home."
"It's convenient for us to discuss some matters."
Shortly after, the car arrived in front of a house.
On the lawn in front of the house, a woman was trimming the flowers. Hearing the car, she curiously looked up.
She was no longer young, but well-maintained, still quite beautiful and charming.
Secretary Wilson glanced at her in the car and said, "No wonder Homelander took a liking to her."
Dr. Vogebbaum said, "Homelander might not have been drawn to her because of her charm."
The two got out of the car.
Dr. Vogebbaum took the initiative, "Good afternoon, Ms. Becca."
Becca stood up in surprise, "Dr. Vogebbaum?"
She then nervously said, "Didn't we agree not to meet privately?"
"Don't be nervous, Becca, there's been a change in the situation." Dr. Vogebbaum introduced, "This is Mr. Wilson, the current Secretary of Defense."
Becca's scissors immediately fell to the grass. She covered her mouth and gasped, "What's going on?"
She had seen Wilson on TV and naturally knew that this middle-aged man was one of the most powerful figures in the federal government.
With the Secretary of Defense visiting, someone as intelligent as her knew something major had happened.
Inside the house.
Becca placed two cups of coffee in front of Dr. Vogebbaum and Secretary Wilson.
"You're saying Homelander is out of control?"
Dr. Vogebbaum nodded, "Yes, he killed Edgar and has thrown the federal government into chaos."
Becca sat down, "I'm sorry to hear that."
"I told you before, he's not a superhero, but a demon."
"Unfortunately, you didn't believe me."
"So, what does this have to do with me?"
She paused, then as if realizing something, raised a finger.
"No."
"No, no, no."
"Dr. Vogebbaum, we agreed that Ryan would live as an ordinary person."
"You can't use him to fight Homelander, and that man is his father."
What a clever woman!
Secretary Wilson leaned forward slightly, "Ms. Becca, we've tried many methods to restrain Homelander."
"But all have failed."
"Let me describe to you what will happen if Homelander remains unchecked."
"If he goes out of control and goes mad, he could turn this country into ruins."
"According to our latest intelligence, thermobaric bombs have been confirmed ineffective against Homelander."
"As for nuclear bombs, the best outcome would be injuring him."
"That's the most optimistic scenario I can imagine."
"I even suspect he could survive a nuclear strike unscathed."
"So you see, he's an uncontrollable superhuman."
"If he goes berserk, the comfortable life you have now could be destroyed at any moment."
"Imagine a day when everything before you turns to ruins."
"Homelander descends from the sky, and Ryan, who should have the power to fight him, closes his eyes before you because he wasn't prepared."
"Can you accept such an ending?"
"If you can."
"Then I'll leave now."
Dr. Vogebbaum also said, "Ms. Becca, you know very well what kind of man he is."
"You can't possibly believe he wouldn't harm Ryan, can you?"
Becca covered her mouth with her hand, "I don't know..."
"Alright, based on what I know of him."
"If he sees Ryan as a threat, even if he's his son, he would act."
Secretary Wilson spread his hands, "Exactly."
"So now, I hope Ryan can receive professional training to prepare for potential disasters in the future."
"Currently, we might still be able to keep him in check."
"But who knows how long that will last."
"Maybe ten years, maybe one year, maybe he'll turn on us tomorrow."
"All possibilities exist."
Becca held her forehead, "But how do I explain this to Ryan?"
"Oh God."
"This is too cruel for him."
Secretary Wilson glanced at Dr. Vogebbaum, then took out his phone, opened a video, and showed it to Becca.
"This should be your husband, William Butcher."
Hearing the name.
Becca immediately grabbed the phone and pressed play.
In the video, it seemed to be a community park.
Homelander was there.
Her husband, William Butcher, was also present.
"No, no..."
Becca shook her head, as if anticipating something.
Next.
A petite woman with asymmetrical short hair crashed into Butcher's arms, her hand piercing through his back.
"No!"
Becca stood up abruptly.
The phone fell to the ground.
Tears streamed from her eyes like broken pearls falling onto the carpet.
She shook her head, looking at Secretary Wilson, "Who is that woman?"
"She's the new member of the Seven, Stormfront."
Secretary Wilson answered, "From what we know, she must have struck some deal with Homelander."
"Perhaps joining the Seven, or something else."
"Regardless, after killing your husband William Butcher, she joined the Seven."
Becca seemed to lose all vitality, sitting back down in despair.
"Butcher is dead?"
"He's dead?"
"Oh God, I didn't even get to apologize to him."
"Oh God..."
Secretary Wilson stood up, "Ms. Becca, think it over. I'll come back at this time tomorrow."
"I hope to hear good news."
Then, he gave Dr. Vogebbaum a look, and the two took their leave.
Moments later.
The sound of a woman's mournful crying gradually filled the house.
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