Regarding the matter of sorrow, various literary works and reality both have descriptions.
For example, weeping profusely, rolling on the ground, mental breakdown, or unconditionally lashing out and cursing at people around, or meaninglessly venting one's anger and grievances; some even commit suicide directly in a moment of excitement. Various sorrows abound, different sorrows have different ways of manifestation.
But for overwhelmingly great sorrow, everyone's description is the same.
Bewilderment.
Bewilderment towards certain incomprehensible matters.
Because this kind of sorrow and pain does not exist in their memories.
Looking at the body floating in the container, they all showed bewildered expressions.
"…Hey, what is this?"
Looking at the body sinking and floating under the emergency lights, the white-haired Lappland pointed blankly at the container over there, looking somewhat strangely at Nearl.
"Where's Prophet? That lively, jumping fellow who was still joking with me this morning, I always felt that guy wouldn't have any problems even if the world ended, where's that Prophet? Where's the unharmed Li Lin? Why are you showing me this? What we're looking for is Operator Prophet, you should understand what I'm saying, right?"
"Operator Prophet… participated alone in the Central Stadium sniper battle. Single-handedly blocked the Grand Knight squad led by Radiant Knight Młynar ."
Facing the bewildered Lappland, Nearl turned her head aside, looked at the lights in the corridor, and said with a hoarse voice:
"Including Knight order third place, Radiant Knight Młynar. Seventh place, Giant Zalak . Ninth place, Hawkeye Czarny . Tenth place, Strongarm Tytus . Fourteenth place, Winter Wolf Degenbrecher . Seven high-ranking knights, twenty-three mid-ranking knights. Twenty-two Armorless Union assassins. Among them, one Platinum , two Lazurite …"
"No no no, I'm not asking about this thing, but, him, why did he become like this?"
Lappland pointed blankly at the container, her voice hollow as she said:
"Why is he in there?"
"Because Prophet single-handedly blocked the main force of all the rebels—"
"Eh? Ah, he single-handedly blocked all the main force, then where were you guys?"
"…"
"I'm asking where you guys were? What were you doing when he was fighting alone? Answer me! Weren't they rebels! Weren't their numbers small because they were unprepared! Then what were you doing when he was blocking them alone outside the stadium! Tell me! Answer me!"
"We, when we encountered this kind of situation at that time, were very caught off guard , didn't even have time to react, and were separated. We already did our best…"
"So you let him bear the brunt of the main force alone? Alone? Hm?"
"…Sorry."
"Fuck!"
Lappland wanted to punch the surrounding wall, but seeing the densely packed instruments around, she subconsciously recoiled her hand.
Glancing at the damaged body floating in the container, Lappland opened her mouth wanting to shout something, wanting to destroy something, but looking at the silent crowd around and the uncleaned bloodstains on their bodies, she could only take a deep breath, then raised her head, stared at the ceiling for a moment, and finally closed her eyes.
"Ah, I'm not very good at facing this kind of scene, I'll go out for a smoke."
Lappland hurriedly walked out of the room. After a while, howls and the sound of things being smashed came from deep within the corridor.
"I'll stop her, see she doesn't do anything stupid."
Croissant glanced at that figure, her eyes red as she walked out of the room, following behind Lappland.
Although saying she'd stop her, not long after walking out, a sound of extremely suppressed crying was heard. Facing such a scene, no matter how confident, no matter how much one felt there was a high chance, Shining, curled up in the corner, also closed her eyes in pain listening to the crying.
Not just Shining, the doctor who had been silent all along, Nearl guarding outside, none of them looked directly at the faces of those Penguin Logistics members, just turned their heads away in shame. Verbally saying it was very likely to be repaired, that he was blessed by heaven, but looking at the wound, looking at the readings on the instrument charts, one knew theoretical matters were not worth mentioning in the face of harsh reality. He almost died here, and very likely really died here.
In this foreign land, for matters that shouldn't have been borne by him alone, he died inexplicably here.
"Then, can I stay here?"
Still wearing an idol costume from the stage, Sora, sparkling all over, quietly walked over, looking somewhat pleadingly at Nearl:
"My Originium Arts are related to singing; if singing here can make him recover faster, just let me sing here. My stamina is very good, even singing continuously for over ten hours isn't really a big problem, I…"
"Probably not… The doctor doesn't recommend using any Originium Arts to contact him."
"Haha, that's true. After all, Prophet's body has some problems… I can't do anything…"
Sora smiled, reached up to touch the back of her head, tears inexplicably flowing down her cheeks.
"Then at least, can I at least stay here? I just want to see him, is that okay?"
"This…"
"…Go back, Sora."
"Exusiai?"
Looking at the person who should have been the most emotional, Sora's face showed a somewhat surprised expression.
Facing the somewhat troubled doctor and Nearl, Exusiai took a deep breath, then walked up and patted Sora's shoulder. Under Sora's bewildered expression, Exusiai smiled wanly, then gave a thumbs-up, saying with a smile:
"We can't do anything, so let's not disturb. Trust the doctor, trust Prophet, this is the only thing we can do. Penguin Logistics can also receive some signals here; if there's any need, we'll be there at a moment's notice. If funds are needed, use our salaries and some miscellaneous things to cover it. This way, it's something we can do."
"Why are you so calm? Exusiai?"
"Texas?"
"I'm asking you why—"
"Because apart from being calm, we can't do anything else."
Seemingly having long anticipated what Texas, whose long hair was already completely crimson, was about to say, Exusiai turned to look into Texas's eyes and said calmly.
"We can't do anything, achieve anything. Being here will only be a hindrance. So we must calm down, help Prophet continue to recover. We are still waiting for him to come back."
"So we were protected by him?"
"Yes, we have always been under his protection, always."
"I…"
Texas looked at Exusiai, her lips trembling, and finally closed her eyes in pain.
Under the extremely oppressive atmosphere in the room, listening to the faint, suppressed crying from outside, many people felt for the first time what helplessness truly was.
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