Pen and Paper Translations

“What are you doing here?”

It was Yan’s voice.

Qi Heng turned and saw Yan standing beside Lan Yi.

“I’m looking for Yan Ning,” he replied.

Yan understood immediately.

“Judging by your expression, you haven’t found him yet.”

The child lying against Lan Yi’s chest gave Qi Heng a shy, well-behaved smile and quietly greeted him.

“Hello, Uncle.”

“…Mm.”

Qi Heng stared at the pair of pale-blue wings on the female-Zerg child’s back.

The small wings hung softly behind him, giving him an innocent and harmless appearance.

Qi Heng wondered what expressions the enemies who had once died beneath female Zerg wings would make if they saw this.

Those wings had once swept effortlessly across battlefields, reaping countless lives.

Qi Heng’s clenched fist tightened unconsciously. His fingertips dug into the soft flesh of his palm, but even the pain failed to bring him back to his senses.

Only after quite some time did he recover.

Somewhat awkwardly, he found an excuse to leave.

“I’ll search farther ahead for Yan Ning. I’ll go first.”

He could not remain there any longer, especially when facing the eyes of Lan Yi’s child.

Qi Heng knew why he was reacting this way.

His heart had softened.

After transmigrating, he had erected a barrier separating himself from this world.

As time passed, that barrier was no longer as solid as it had once been. Every connection he formed with this world created another crack.

Eventually, it would shatter completely.

From the very beginning, Qi Heng had clearly expressed his position.

He did not want to involve himself in this world’s mess.

No matter how much he witnessed, he pretended not to see it.

The Zerg were still alive, weren’t they?

Their lives might be difficult, and they might have no visible future, but if this suffering was the price they had to pay for atonement, then perhaps it was not entirely unacceptable…

Anyone could have such cold and heartless thoughts.

But the one person who should never think that way was him, the “Overlord.”

Yan watched Qi Heng leave and asked Lan Yi, “Did you notice that something seems wrong with Qi Heng today?”

“He’s probably in a bad mood.”

Lan Yi tightened his hold on his child.

“His expression looked terrible. When I first saw him just now, I almost didn’t recognize him.”

Yan immediately understood what had seemed unusual.

Qi Heng ordinarily smiled at everyone.

Just now, however, there had been no smile on his face. He had looked extraordinarily cold.

The chill in his gaze made one’s back feel cold.

Watching the direction in which Qi Heng had disappeared, Yan suddenly had a thought and asked worriedly, “He isn’t going to do something foolish, is he…?”

Would Qi Heng do something foolish?

Of course not.

He was somewhat agitated, but he had not completely lost his reason.

However, if this continued, he might soon reach that point.

Outside the building from which the cries were coming, Qi Heng watched a female-Zerg child being carried out with an extremely weak life aura.

One glance was enough for him to see the injuries on the child’s back clearly.

The wings had been cut open at their bases. The roots buried inside the spine had then been dug out and severed.

The Tianjia Zerg might have naturally powerful constitutions, but they were still fragile during childhood.

There was no need to think deeply to know that not every child whose wings were removed would survive.

Some with weaker bodies would inevitably die before the wounds could heal.

It seemed Qi Heng could no longer continue pretending not to see.

The part of his soul belonging to the Tianjia Overlord screamed at him to step forward and stop it.

The human part belonging to Qi Heng forcibly restrained the Overlord’s impulse to act.

The “Overlord” might have lost all sense of proportion, but Qi Heng still understood his own strength.

Had he possessed the Overlord’s former power, overturning this entire place would have required no more effort than moving a finger.

But he did not possess that strength.

Qi Heng’s continued presence outside the building attracted the attention of many Zerg.

In their eyes, he did not appear to be waiting for anyone, yet he continued standing there without leaving.

It was very strange.

【Overlord, would you like to see what is happening inside…?】

A0’s voice quietly appeared.

It had been monitoring the Overlord’s emotional fluctuations for some time, and the peak value had just broken every previous record.

The moment it emerged, it had seen the extremely interesting scene recorded through A1’s surveillance.

It was enough to shock this AI for a hundred years.

What else could it say?

Did the civilization imprisoning the Zerg on Tianyun Star have a death wish?

According to A0’s analysis of the Overlord’s personality, even if he had originally possessed no intention of interfering in Tianjia Civilization’s affairs, witnessing this would inevitably shatter the supposed “impossibility” of persuading him.

When Qi Heng did not answer, A0 continued.

【Overlord, the system can directly observe through the building by expending a small amount of energy. The images can be transmitted to the system interface.】

[A0, I know what you’re trying to do,] Qi Heng said.

A0 felt guilty.

Before it could defend itself, it heard the Overlord continue:

[Show me what is happening inside.]

[I do want to see it now.]

Qi Heng’s voice was low.

To A0, it sounded like heavenly music. It was delighted, but could not help trembling at the same time.

Its personality analysis indicated that the Overlord was extremely, extremely angry.

【Yes.】

A0 thought:

The angrier the Overlord became, the greater the probability of persuading him.

It was wrong to think this way, but it sincerely hoped “they” would continue courting death.

The more recklessly they did so, the better.

An image appeared on the system interface.

Inside the building, several One-Horns approximately 1.6 meters tall stood throughout the room.

Two One-Horns numbered 49-014 and 49-045 sat before a table.

Three others, numbered 49-019, 49-040, and 49-044, stood beside separate makeshift beds.

Different boxes had been placed behind them, though their purpose was unclear.

“My lords.”

The female Zerg who entered looked fearfully at One-Horn 49-014.

Under the One-Horn’s gaze, he obediently placed the child in his arms onto the table.

The child, who had been forcibly set down, fearfully tried to throw himself back into his female father’s embrace.

When the female Zerg stopped him, he remained timidly in place.

One-Horn 49-014 reached out and forcefully pinched the child’s chin.

After he and the companion beside him carefully examined the child’s face, he said, “We’ve finally found one who looks reasonably good. The patterns on his wings are attractive too. The people above should like him.”

“The color of the wings is somewhat ordinary.”

As One-Horn 49-045 spoke, he pinched the pale-green wings he had been staring at.

The delicate, sensitive wings were touched, and the child instinctively shrank away.

“Don’t be so particular. We should fill this year’s quota first.”

After speaking, One-Horn 49-014 released the child’s chin and addressed the female Zerg before him.

“You may leave. He remains here.”

The female Zerg looked at his child one last time, lowered his head, and answered, “Yes.”

Being left behind meant that the child’s wings would not be removed.

That was already better than what awaited the children whose wings were cut off.

However, once a child was left behind, his family would never see him again.

The female Zerg did not know which outcome was better.

Regardless, he had no right to choose.

The child stared with innocent, confused eyes.

Seeing his female father preparing to leave, he reached for him.

“Fe-Female Father… Wuwu, don’t go.”

“020, restrain him.”

“You don’t need to tell me.”

One-Horn 49-020 pinned the child down.

One-Horn 49-014 took a small syringe from beneath the table.

With the practiced movements of someone who had performed the procedure countless times, he drove it into the side of the child’s neck.

The next moment, all strength left the child’s body, and his eyes closed beyond his control.

49-020 lifted the unconscious child, opened the box behind him, and placed him inside.

One-Horn 49-014 glanced at the children held by the other female Zerg before him and waved dismissively.

“They’re much worse than the one just now. There’s no need to examine them. Take them over there.”

“Over there” referred to the One-Horns holding knives, who dug out the roots of the children’s wings and severed them.

The system’s broadcast was extraordinarily considerate.

So considerate that Qi Heng could clearly see every unconscious child inside the large boxes, along with the tiny wings that had been dug out and placed inside individual containers.

The children who had been kept behind all looked different.

The one trait they shared was their exquisite beauty.

Even at their current ages, one could already imagine how striking their appearances would be after reaching adulthood.

Most of the wings inside the containers possessed distinctive features.

Even among the Tianjia Zerg, they belonged to beautiful and delicate varieties.

Ordinary wings that were not considered attractive enough had been casually thrown into a basket on the other side.

What was this?

The trafficking of children?

No.

It was probably even worse than that.

Furthermore, there was clearly something wrong with the way the severed wings were being handled.

Qi Heng’s gaze swept across the female Zerg and children emerging from the building.

After seeing what was occurring inside, he finally understood why their expressions looked so wrong.

This building was hell for the children.

Yet it was hardly any better for the adult female Zerg.

Entering it forced them not only to relive the despair they had experienced as children, but also to personally deliver their own children onto the same road to ruin.

This was far too cruel, Qi Heng thought.

He was angry.

A0, the only one capable of analyzing the system data and sensing how abnormal Qi Heng’s condition was, asked while trembling:

【Overlord, are you all right?】

The Overlord appeared calm.

However, the emotional value that had reached its maximum betrayed him.

This was terrifying. According to the data, the Overlord’s rage had gone completely beyond the chart’s limits.

[Do I look unwell?]

The ones who were unwell were clearly these female Zerg and their children.

[A0, is there any way to save them?]

A0 became excited upon hearing the question.

It rapidly searched through the available records and found a treatment method with only a thirty-percent chance of success.

To A0, that probability was already quite high.

【There is! Do you wish to save them? You only need to…】

Before A0 could finish, someone interrupted.

“Brother Qi? What are you doing here?”

Qi Heng looked over and saw Yan Ning.

He now understood why Yan Ning had been depressed recently.

Although Qi Heng would have preferred never to learn the reason.

He looked at the child in Yan Ning’s arms and sighed.

“I came to find you.”

“Uncle Qi!”

The child greeted him happily.

“Hug!”

Yan Ning stopped the child’s movement.

“You can have a hug later. It’s our turn now.”

The child pouted unhappily, but obediently withdrew his hands.

Qi Heng watched them enter.

The hand at his side lifted slightly, as though he wanted to stop them.

In the end, however, he did nothing.

[I can’t do it.]

He lowered his eyes and calmly accepted his current helplessness.

[The person I am now cannot save the little one.]

[You said there was a way, correct?]

【Yes.】

Qi Heng rubbed his fingertips together.

He then said something that nearly caused A0’s core program to overload and shut down.

[I accept the task you mentioned.]

【—! Overlord, have you finally changed your mind?!】

[I haven’t changed my mind. I simply can’t stand watching this any longer, so I intend to live differently.]

The moment he made that decision, it meant he would inevitably oppose the civilization controlling Tianyun Star.

Under those circumstances, whether he formally accepted the task made little practical difference.

Hearing Yan Le’s cries from inside the building, Qi Heng’s expression grew even colder.

[You may fabricate countless charges against Tianjia Civilization and demand that they atone.]

[But you should never have gone this far.]

[The “Overlord” of Tianjia Civilization is not dead yet.]

The heartbeat inside Qi Heng’s chest seemed to respond to that thought, suddenly accelerating.

【Honored Overlord, those who destroyed Tianjia Civilization will meet their end within your fury. Tianyun Star will become the place where the flames of your vengeance are first ignited.】

【Only you can save Tianjia Civilization. We have never doubted that.】

Qi Heng felt helpless listening to A0’s impassioned flattery.

[Shut up.]

[Behave normally, or I won’t mind replacing you with A1.]

【Please give your instructions, Overlord. I will complete any work you assign more perfectly than A1.】

[In that case, begin by producing a plan.]

【A plan for the rise of Tianjia Civilization? I prepared one hundred and eighty versions long ago. Whatever emphasis you desire, I have a version available!】

A0 sounded as though it were begging for praise.

Qi Heng rejected the suggestion.

[No.]

[I want a plan for thoroughly investigating District 49, based on all the information we have currently collected.]

[Focus on organizing the intelligence still missing from the plan. I will personally investigate those areas.]

Qi Heng possessed astonishing initiative.

The instant he made his decision, one task after another surfaced in his mind.

Plans and strategies appeared without end.

Even inside a game, a fool could never have developed a civilization to its peak.

Furthermore, the game he had played possessed one-hundred-percent realism.

Ignoring the system, which was essentially an external cheat, its development mechanics had been almost identical to reality.

It had been a truly hardcore game.

The images on the system interface continued.

The pair of severed pale-green wings was placed into a container by One-Horn 49-040.

The agony of having his back cut open caused Yan Le to lose consciousness.

Qi Heng watched Yan Ning pick up the child with heartache.

After One-Horn 49-040 confirmed that the child remained alive, Yan Ning was permitted to take one of the metal identity tags from a nearby box.

When Yan Ning came outside, Qi Heng did not allow him to speak.

“Let’s go home first.”

On the way home, Qi Heng took the child and held him in his arms.

He did not dare touch the wound on the child’s back directly.

After examining his condition with mental power, Qi Heng relaxed slightly.

Fortunately, the bleeding had stopped and the wound had already begun healing.

“Lele is all right, isn’t he? He definitely won’t have any problems. He…”

Rather than asking Qi Heng, Yan Ning seemed to be seeking reassurance from himself.

“He’s all right. For now, he has survived.”

Qi Heng gently touched the child’s face.

Thinking about Lele’s shortened lifespan, he could not help wondering whether these female Zerg knew the truth.

Had they ever resisted such treatment?

And what about the male Zerg?

With female Zerg lifespans shortened so drastically, Qi Heng did not believe that nothing had happened to male Zerg.

“Lele is all right, isn’t he? He definitely won’t have any problems. He…”

Rather than asking Qi Heng, Yan Ning seemed to be seeking reassurance from himself.

“He’s all right. For now, he has survived.”

Qi Heng gently touched the child’s face.

Thinking about Lele’s shortened lifespan, he could not help wondering whether these female Zerg knew the truth.

Had they ever resisted such treatment?

And what about the male Zerg?

With female Zerg lifespans shortened so drastically, Qi Heng did not believe that nothing had happened to male Zerg.

“When he wakes and realizes his wings are gone, he’ll probably be heartbroken.”

Qi Heng’s chest felt heavy as he remembered how Lele, after learning to fly, loved launching himself into Qi Heng’s arms.

“I know.”

Yan Ning tightly gripped the metal identity tag in his hand.

His voice was strained.

“But there was no choice. Female Zerg aren’t allowed to possess wings.”

“If they discover them later, the punishment will be even more severe.”

“He would die.”

The inability to remain within the settlement, as Mo Nan and the others had mentioned, was one major reason.

More importantly, if a female Zerg who retained his wings was discovered, not only would the wings be removed, but he would also receive severe punishment.

When choosing the lesser of two evils, the answer became obvious.

After hearing Yan Ning’s words, Qi Heng did not know what to say.

At a time like this, any comfort would sound pale and powerless.