Many animals on the road fell to the ground due to exhaustion, but Silas was unable to help them. He could only watch as one life after another fell in helplessness and then returned to the arms of Mother Earth.
The distance didn't seem very far, but it felt like several centuries.
Every minute and every second seemed to be a torture, and even my mouth seemed to have a coppery taste.
The air is filled with large amounts of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases, which are the poisonous smoke released after the trees are burned.
Silas didn't know if the whole world had entered the same situation, but the jungle at this moment was like purgatory.
The mountain is right in front of me, but it seems like I will never be able to reach it.
The animals have replenished a lot of water when crossing the river, and this water is now their lifeline.
The hot temperature is rising, which is a sign that the fire is spreading.
There is no reason to stop in this great migration, it just keeps running silently.
All species put aside their hostile relationships and mutual hatred, and the only thing left in their minds was escape.
That mountain was like a sacred mountain; towering as the clouds with no visible top, covered in thousands of layers of ice and standing alone in the forest.
Not sure if it was Silas’ illusion, but he seemed to see someone on the top of the mountain.
The man stood quietly on the top of the mountain, observing the disaster of the people in the world with indifferent eyes.
Even though all living beings suffer, in that person's eyes it is just a trivial matter as small as dust.
There was no emotion or fluctuation in those eyes, as if they were eternal and indifferent to all living things.
But those eyes were staring at himself, an outsider who should not be there at this time.
Silas did not cast his eyes too long toward the mountaintop, for the rapidly spreading fire was approaching.
Many of the burning leaves fell from the tree trunks before they were completely burned out, forming a little bit of brilliant starlight.
These beautiful lights falling on the fur of movement are like sickles that reap lives.
The flammable fur becomes a combustion-promoting material under the ignition point of Mars. The fur that these animals evolved to keep warm now turns them into mobile torches.
They roared, wailed, and rolled on the ground, but the fate of those who fell behind was to be abandoned by the herd.
Such cruel elimination is commonplace in a doomsday world.
——
With the combined power of healing and medicinal herbs, the internal injuries that Jobtran suffered in the black ice cave have improved a lot, and he has now recovered to a healthy state where he can walk.
Although I am still unable to engage in strenuous combat or exercise, it is good news that I can resume moving forward.
Jobtran tied the fish caught by the mouse into a string with a straw rope and carried it on his shoulder.
Hoover was also considerate enough to use a knife to carve a makeshift cane for Jobtran to assist him in his movements.
The three of them came to the dark bear cave.
The big brown bear cautiously poked its head out of the bear cave and only relaxed its vigilance after discovering that it was Jobtran.
The cute little bear hid behind the big brown bear and whimpered at Jobtran in a friendly manner.
Joe Butran smiled, squatted down and opened his arms.
The little bear took clumsy steps closer and threw himself into Jobtran's arms.
The furry body rubbed against Jobtran's face and the wet tongue licked him.
The mouse and Hoover looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
"It turns out that the old friends are two bears."
Hoover sighed.
Jobtran threw the fish on his back to the big bear, rubbed the little bear's head and stood up.
"I'm leaving now, thank you for the herbs."
The little bear seemed to understand what Jobtran said and hugged Jobtran's thigh reluctantly.
This clingy little bear forms a harmonious and warm atmosphere with Jobtran.
"Be good, grow up well.
But be careful of hunters."
The big brown bear walked forward, gently held the little bear by the scruff of the neck, and walked to the entrance of the bear cave.
Jobtran waved to the two kind bears, and they watched their human friend leave.
The three of them were walking on the road, and the mouse couldn't help his curiosity and asked,
"How did you make friends with the brown bear?"
“Everything has a soul, communicate with your heart.”
"I suspect you are fooling me."
The mouse made a face that said, "Are you kidding me?" and even made Hoover laugh.
"Except for some beings that are evil by nature or supernatural beings, most creatures are friendly.
Whether it is wild animals or poultry, this is a biological instinct. "
Jobtran replied solemnly,
"Coexistence is the correct way for living things to continue, but we humans are heading towards our own extinction."
The expression on Mouse's face also became serious. As a student of geology and archaeology, he naturally understood the aggressive nature of humans.
Different burial objects can be seen in countless relics of civilization, but the one thing that is not missing is weapons.
"Do you think that we humans will perish because of the struggle?"
Hoover asked worriedly.
"I don't know, but I can see there's a global storm brewing and we're caught in the middle of it.
What worries me most is the worst-case scenario, where no one is spared.
At that time, everyone will be hostile to their own kind, and all that will remain in the world is suspicion and struggle.
This is how the Evil Eye Attendant invaded the Icelandic Investigation Bureau, taking full advantage of human weaknesses. "
Jobtran stood at the edge of the mountain, looking at the port not far away, feeling a little worried.
"So...what's our next step?"
"Take Hoover home."
——
After Joe Butran and his two companions appeared near the port, the fat director immediately rode his horse at full speed and rushed to them upon hearing the news.
“My lord, my lord, what you ordered has been done.
I sent people to blockade the port and made up an excuse. Now all the ships have dropped anchor except the one I sent out for help.
All flights have extended their layovers.”
The fat director gasped for breath after getting off his horse, and then finished the long speech in one breath.
Joe Butran nodded, stepped forward and gently patted the fat director on the shoulder.
“Well done.
Can the people on the rescue ship be trusted?"
The fat director patted his chest and said,
"Don't worry, they are all my confidants, and no one is a stranger.
Before setting sail, I secretly checked some small details as a test, and only dared to send them out after confirming that they were not the evil eye waiters. "
"Okay. Got a hood?"
The fat chief was stunned by Joe Butran's sudden question. He fumbled around his body at a loss, while Joe Butran rolled his eyes and pulled the cloth off the fat chief's saddle.
He casually cut it with a pocket knife and wrapped it around Hoover and his own head.
"My hair is too conspicuous, and Hoover has been missing for a long time. It is not my intention to suddenly show up and cause a commotion."
Jobtrand explained.
The fat director suddenly understood and nodded.
Pushing open the door of the Ice Flame Bar, the fat director's arrival caused a commotion among the drinkers in the pub.
"Hey, hey, Fatty, is he here to drink during work? Or is he here to do some work?"
"Aren't you afraid that your superiors will investigate you for dereliction of duty? Hahahaha."
Hoover's heart trembled at the friendly greetings from the drunkards, and he immediately saw Bertha mixing various cocktails at the bar.
After not seeing her for many years, she was now able to adjust the movements on her own. In the past, she would just stand quietly beside him and watch his movements.
There seemed to be a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, but she was still so beautiful.
Joe Butran patted Hoover on the shoulder.
"You go upstairs first."
Hoover nodded excitedly.
Bertha saw the familiar figure and hurriedly trotted out from behind the bar.
The fat director pointed upstairs with a smile, and Bertha immediately ran up the stairs when she saw it.
Then the fat director said to the drunkards with a stern face,
"Just be good and don't make trouble. I'll buy you a round of drinks later!"
The drunkards cheered and joked,
"Oh my, oh my, this is rare."
Jobtran gave the fat man a look and went up the steps with the mouse, while the fat man stayed behind to divert the attention of the drunkards.
Before I even went upstairs, I heard Bertha's scream of surprise.
Two people in love are finally able to reunite after many years.
They hugged each other, not saying anything, but feeling each other's heartbeat.
Jobtran tactfully pulled the mouse to his 'temporary' room and put down all the heavy items on his body, including the backpack.
Then he pulled out a stool and let the mouse sit on it.
Jobtrand took out a key hidden under his pillow, counted out a few Icelandic krona from a locked drawer, and handed it over.
"This is the balance you deserve, keep it first."
Seeing this, the mouse took the coin awkwardly.
"How can this be so embarrassing?"
"If you don't want it, I'll just give it to your old mother."
Joe Butron teased.
The mouse then took the money, and then Jobtran said,
"Don't be happy so early, I still have something for you to do.
You are the least prominent one among us, so you are the only one who can do this."
The mouse listened carefully, afraid of missing a word of the instructions.
"Go to the Cyclops and ask for Second Officer Paul.
Explain to him clearly why the port is closed, and then let him personally check the identification documents of every passenger.
No matter what excuse is given, it must be investigated thoroughly.
No evil-eye waiter can be let go, if he manages to get on board, it will be troublesome.
Be careful along the way. It is better to take a few more detours than to be discovered by others.
If someone is following you, use your familiarity with this place to make sure you're out of it before continuing, understand?"
Jobtron explained, and Mouse repeated it before carefully leaving the Ice Flame Bar.
He looked around, jumped lightly from the window to the rooftop, and walked through the paths that ordinary people rarely walked on.
While the mouse was on its way, Jobtran took out the energy weapon from the ancient in the room.
"Annihilation Gun, this is your name from now on."
He gently stroked the lines on the barrel, and the lines began to glow.
The design of this gun is extremely advanced, and it feels better than the flintlock rifles issued by the Investigation Bureau in the past.
There are eight grids on the buttstock, of which the bottom three are still lit, while the rest are dimmed.
The structure of this gun is natural. It seems that there are no detachable parts, no signs of welding, and not even a single screw.
Jobtran boldly guessed that the bullets of this gun could not be fired simply by loading the gun, but required some other high-tech props of the ancients to charge it.
Extending this conjecture, we can infer that the three lit ones represent three bullets;
If no way to recharge it is found, this epoch-making weapon will become a useless fire stick after three annihilation energy shocks.
You may need to use it once in the next battle with the Attendant of the Evil Eye, and you may also need to use it once to deal with the Hound of Tindalos that may appear at any time.
"So there's only one chance left to save your life?"
Jobtran murmured.
In addition to its great power, it seems that there is no other mechanism except pulling the trigger, so it can be said to be a fool-proof operation.
Of course, Jobtran did not waste his only chance on test firing. Instead, he took out a gun bag that could be hung around his waist and carefully put the Annihilation Gun on his waist.
He lay on the bed, recalling the clues in his mind before he set out.
Some mysteries, such as the hound, the black ice cave, the legend of Katla and the Ancient Ones, have been answered to some extent, and even the case of missing children has relevant clues.
The only thing was that the naughty elves on Iceland seemed to have disappeared and never appeared in front of him again.
These clues have now been connected into a complete logical chain, pointing to the truth behind each event.
Although some mysteries have yet to be solved, at least we have some clues.
Now there are only two major issues left for Jobtran. One is the whereabouts of the child, and the other is the next move of the evil eye waiter.
These two links should be connected and have causal relationships.
Joe Butran had a pessimistic assumption about Bertha and Hoover's missing children.
It is unlikely that a creature as evil by nature as the Evil Eye Attendant would leave a living victim on his hands;
This was the idea that Jobtran had already explained to Hoover when he deduced the conspiracy planned by the Evil Eye Servant. I believe Hoover will also explain this issue to Bertha truthfully.
This should be a difficult answer to accept for the sentimental Bertha. After all, she has never given up and is unwilling to give up.
Joet Brown decided to leave the psychological work in this area to Hoover himself, after all, he was just an outsider.
What follows is the highlight of the trip to Iceland: the next move of the evil eye waiter.
After coming out of the black ice cave, Joet Brown kept thinking about this question except lying in the tent to recuperate.
Why after they came out of the Katla volcano area, all the evil eye servants seemed to have disappeared from the world without any trace
Even the Environmental Protection Agency staff who are usually active in the market were not there.
Where are they and what are they doing
What was the reason that made them give up the pursuit and surveillance
This question came to Choate Brown's mind.
Known speculation is that the Evil Eye Attendants are afraid of the Ancient Ones in Katla, or the Hounds of Tindalos, but this does not constitute a reason for them to completely hide.
The only reasonable inference is that they have finally reached the most critical step in their plan and have no choice but to throw all their manpower into it.
Joe Butran remembered the large group of evil-eyed waiters who ran out of the Investigation Bureau. The evil-eyed waiters who came forward besieged him, and he could only flee in panic.
What is there or what secret is there in the Bureau that requires more manpower than that to conquer and overcome
The answer is obvious.
"Fabie!"