Conspiracy Emerges / Gladiia ...

Bai Ye also browsed through the catalogs and general contents of these research projects.

Cicero was certainly one of the more advanced figures; his experiments even successfully transformed a land-dweller into a being similar to Seaborn. This guy seemed to want humans to evolve using the Seaborn as a means to transcend their original human form.

Superman.

But it's all in vain. This process of monsterization is controlled by the Swarm of consciousnesses, and it seems that's exactly the result he wants. Only those who pass the test can be considered new humans. Most people, after swallowing the "Emissary's Gift," which is the limbs of the Seaborn, will have their consciousness conquered by the instincts of the Swarm, becoming Terrorfish or some kind of incomplete Seaborn, eagerly swimming into the ocean.

In Cicero's view, these losers were merely eliminated failures, defective products, the result of survival of the fittest. Only by successfully accepting this "gift" could one become a better human being.

"A pointless study."

After confirming that these fruitless research findings indeed had no impact on Sargos or the land, Gladiia entrusted them all to Bai Ye for safekeeping. Although they were of no use to her, Gladiia thought that Bai Ye might find them useful.

Gladiia herself didn't realize that she had been thinking about Bai Ye for a long time, despite being a Science Executor of Sargos...

Chapter 160 The Conspiracy Begins

(Prepare to extract the teosinte and blue flash!)

"Thanks."

Bai Ye added all the information to his inventory, and then the two of them simultaneously turned their attention to another bookshelf in front of them.

This bookshelf contains Cicero's personal notebooks and some letters.

Bai Ye reached out and took out a letter, then read out the sender's name. It was purely subconscious, because the name was written in a difficult Sargos script.

As soon as Bai Ye uttered the name, he sensed a change in Gladiia beside him. Turning his head, Bai Ye saw that Gladiia's face had become incredibly terrifying, her gaze fixed intently on the letter in Bai Ye's hand.

"Swordfish?" Bai Ye had never seen Gladiia show such an expression before. Usually, Gladiia always had a cold demeanor, and she was used to hiding her emotions deep inside. According to her, this was a habit she had developed since childhood. This made her appear more mature and less prone to showing her emotions.

"I'm sorry, I lost my temper." Gladiia quickly composed herself, but her heaving chest revealed that she was still upset.

"Do you know the person this name represents?" Bai Ye guessed with certainty.

Gladiia took a deep breath, then nodded slightly:

"Yes, I know him...no, we all know him. He's a master at the Sargos Institute of Technology."

Some things can be confirmed without even checking the letters. What kind of person would communicate with the Deep Sea Bishop through letters? The answer is simple: another Deep Sea leader.

Bai Ye took all the letters off the bookshelf and checked the sender and recipient information one by one. Then he opened Cicero's personal notebook and compared the contents with the letters.

The result did indeed leave Gladiia feeling somewhat desperate.

Those names sent chills down her spine—these individuals were scattered throughout Sargos's technical, scientific, and artistic circles, some of whom had been identified as Deep Sea Bishops years ago. Yet, most of them still maintained considerable status and influence in Sargos; just seeing these names was enough to foreshadow the devastation the Abyssal Church had inflicted on Sargos society. These people, lurking within Sargos, were omnipresent, controlling virtually half of Sargos's upper echelons.

Gladiia struggled to keep from collapsing. She suddenly wanted to laugh, but couldn't. It was hard to imagine what Sargos had become. Originally, her motivation to return to her homeland was to bring the other hunters home, then gather Sargos's strength to solve the Seaborn problem and save her country.

However, reality now tells her that Sargos doesn't need saving, because the country is already corrupt.

The question Bai Ye had once asked her resurfaced in her ears:

"How can you be so sure that the Abyssal Hunter Project is intended to deal with the Seaborn?"

"How can you ensure that the plan to hunt the Firstborn was truly devised by you, and not based on some kind of inducement or the expectations of certain individuals?"

"Is Sargos's crisis really caused by Seaborn? The knowledge of the Swarm tells me that Seaborn will not attack your city on its own initiative."

All of this filled Gladiia with fear and dread. Yes, she was afraid. If the Abyssal Hunter Project was indeed a conspiracy by those bishops, created to verify some kind of experiment... and she, for her own pursuit, had joined it, and even played a significant role in it, propelling this blasphemous experiment forward...

The proud Gladiia could not accept this fact.

And then, she saw even more:

Information such as Ishar-mla's close communication after being hunted, the Deep Sea Bishops' surveillance of surviving Abyssal Hunter, and Sargos's movements were presented to Gladiia through letters. As time passed, Ishar-mla's biological essence remained within the hunter who hunted her, and the hunter's whereabouts and the movements of other sea gods began to become more important issues for the bishops.

In their more recent letters, the bishops appear to have reached some consensus:

They want to send the hunters who hunted Ishar-mla back to the ocean, only in this way can Ishar-mla awaken again. Only in this way can Ishar-mla awaken again, and only by letting her meet the culprit who caused the Great Silence —the other the Firstborn —can a crisis that destroys the world be triggered.

A catastrophe that engulfs Terra.

Cicero was pleased with this outcome. He seemed to believe that the Great Silence would accelerate the integration of humans and the Seaborn, and that Sargos might universally implement Abyssal Hunter modification technology. As generations of humans accepted these gifts in their fight against the Seaborn, the perfect humans he envisioned would emerge from this process. Therefore, there was no doubt that he participated in this plan, even though his ideas differed from those of the other Deepsea Bishops.

Of course, the only thing these bishops overlooked was that as Bai Ye devoured his Hanti, the Firstborn Ishar-mla within Skadi's body was transferred to Bai Ye's body and sealed away by Luna through the game system. Luna would not allow any other being to steal her child.

This was something the bishops were unaware of: Ishar-mla had been replaced. Those bishops who knew of this outcome were either dead (Quintus of Saltwind City) or captured by the Bai Ye and handed over to the Inquisition (Amaya, Cicero). This was information the bishops were completely unaware of.

"No." Gladiia put down the letter in her hand, turned around and looked at Bai Ye seriously. "You already know their plan. You cannot enter the deep sea."

"If you venture into the deep sea, you will fall into their trap—leave the ocean, leave the coastline, leave Iberia— "

Gladiia paced back and forth in the laboratory, pondering the conspiracy.

Bai Ye reached out and pulled her back:

"Calm down, Gladiia."

"I'm very calm now." Gladiia stopped and looked at Bai Ye seriously. "You absolutely cannot go into the sea. Ishar-mla is inside you. You are their target, not Skadi, not me, not Ulpian, or the sharks."

"Leave the rest of the journey to us... You are a land dweller, you don't need to sacrifice too much for me—for us..." Gladiia looked at Bai Ye and spoke slowly.

"What is your plan?" Bai Ye asked calmly.

"I will venture into the deep sea alone, return to Sargos, and gather evidence according to this list. I am also the Science Executor of Sargos, and I will surely be able to expose it—"

Chapter 161 Gladiia

(Let me tell you a secret: I didn't actually write anything during the May Day holiday; these were all drafts I prepared in advance.)

This was the first time Bai Ye had seen Gladiia show such emotion. This Abyssal Hunter was not a emotionless, cold robot, but she always kept all her emotional fluctuations hidden deep inside.

At this moment, however, Gladiia's hand was trembling slightly, while her other hand, unconsciously, had crushed a corner of the stone desk beside her to pieces.

Although she had already had some unpleasant assumptions and conjectures, and had been warned by Bai Ye in advance and had prepared herself mentally, Gladiia still found it difficult to accept when the truth was presented to her.

Is the Abyssal Hunter the hero who protects Sargos?

Perhaps that is true, but in the eyes of those high-ranking Sargos, they were nothing more than a group of experimental subjects.

"We cannot use more advanced weapons to eliminate the Seaborn, because that would trigger their passive evolution. We can only use the Seaborn modification surgery to create super soldiers and use these Abyssal Hunter, who are of the same origin as us, to fight the Seaborn hand-to-hand."

This is what she knows about the original intention behind the "Abyssal Hunter" project.

But is that really the case?

The doubts and anger that had been forcibly suppressed in the past surged up from the bottom of her heart once again. Gladiia's emotions had reached their limit and could no longer be suppressed.

"So, you've decided to go into the deep sea alone? To return to Sargos alone?" Bai Ye countered. "You can't go back. You already know that most of Sargos's higher-ups have already been corrupted by the Abyssal Church."

"Wherever there are Seaborn, there are their eyes and ears. The moment you enter the sea, they will know that you will either be captured or die from exhaustion. There will be no third outcome."

There's no way Gladiia will be able to hand over the list; she'll either die on the way or become another experiment.

"Don't go and die. There are only four Abyssal Hunter left." Bai Ye looked at her and said softly.

"Yes, it's just the four of us now..." Gladiia reached out and touched her neck. She felt the scale trembling, as if it sensed its owner's emotions, and the Seaborn within her body was slowly activating.

"There are only four of us left... and I am gradually turning into a monster," Gladiia murmured, then made up her mind.

She raised her head, looked at Bai Ye, and said firmly:

"Bai Ye, at this moment I am still the Technology Executor of Sargos, the Honorary Legion Commander, one of the chief war architects of the Sargos military group 'Abyssal Hunter,' and the captain of the Second Depth Abyssal Hunter. I cannot stand idly by as the Abyssal Church corrupts and erodes Sargos. Protecting Sargos is the duty of the Abyssal Hunter, and I must fulfill my duties to the death."

"I have the authority to order the remaining Abyssal Hunter to remain on land and assist the land dwellers in resisting the disaster from the deep sea. As for me, I will return to Sargos, identify the deep-sea bishops hiding in Sargos, and thwart their plot to overthrow our country and once again trigger the Great Silence to submerge the land."

As she spoke, Gladiia quietly reached out and grasped the weapon behind her.

Then, she looked at Bai Ye:

"Mr. Bai Ye, I entrust the care of the Abyssal Hunter who remain on land, especially Skadi and Laurentina. In order to protect them, please also stay on land and do not go into the deep sea."

"..." Bai Ye didn't speak. He looked at Gladiia, and Gladiia stared intently at him.

She had a premonition that this was the last time she would see this land dweller, or rather, this stranger.

Just as Bai Ye said, she could never return to the deep sea. She might become Seaborn, an experiment of the deep-sea bishop, or simply fight in the sea until she dies from exhaustion, becoming a stone statue clutching a weapon...

For the first two scenarios, Gladiia would end her life before they even occur, while for the latter, she would accept it with equanimity.

However, she would never choose to live a life of ignominy on land. Becoming Abyssal Hunter was a decision she herself had made in the past. Gladiia had her own pride, and as proud as she was, she would never allow herself to hide on land. She had to fulfill her duty, even if the road ahead was dark and filled with despair.

However, when she looked at Bai Ye, she suddenly felt a pang of reluctance. Even Gladiia had to admit that during her time on land, she had indeed gained much that she had never experienced before—happiness. For her, this was a luxury; Gladiia was almost devoid of joy.

That's why Gladiia chose to enter the deep sea herself. She couldn't let more people die for her sake, and besides, she had already begun her transformation into Seaborn.

Of course, Bai Ye's answer was exactly what she expected—

"I refuse." Bai Ye shook his head.

Before the words had even finished, and while the sound waves were still spreading through the air, Gladiia's figure vanished from her spot. She was even faster than before, and with a loud bang echoing through the laboratory, Gladiia had already broken the speed of sound.

She charged towards Bai Ye with her long spear, and before Bai Ye could get close, she flashed away again, finally appearing behind Bai Ye.

The weapon was aimed at Bai Ye's non-vital points; Gladiia's only intention was to break down Bai Ye's resistance and prevent him from reaching the land.

"I know you'll refuse, so... get some sleep, respectable stranger. There are many more who need and deserve your help. Don't stop me—"

However, the next moment, Bai Ye reached out and grabbed the long spear, his hand bearing the terrifying kinetic energy carried by the weapon. This action caused his feet to sink deep into the ground. The laboratory's stone floor was as fragile as tofu.

But Bai Ye did not fall; he looked into Gladiia's blood-red eyes.

"Stop, don't resist," Gladiia said coldly. "I don't want to hurt you."

Bai Ye shook his head:

"You are no match for me. If it's only this level, you can't stop me."

"Normally, that's true, because once you enter that special state, no combat technique can defeat you." Gladiia began to apply increasing pressure downwards with her hand. The solid ground could not withstand the force of their struggle and began to show spiderweb-like cracks.

"But now—you've just used Solar Wind rays, and your mental energy is severely depleted, insufficient to support you in entering that state. This is my opportunity."

A flash of silver light appeared in Bai Ye's eyes, followed by a muffled groan, and a trace of crimson blood oozed from his nostrils.

Chapter 162 Shutting Your Mouth

(I have to work six consecutive days after the May Day holiday...)

"You're right. My mental strength is indeed insufficient right now. Creating Solar Wind consumes a lot of energy, but the bigger challenge is actually controlling it, at least, preventing it from causing a real Solar Wind on the surface."

Bai Ye readily acknowledged the facts stated by Gladiia.

"You really know how to find opportunities, Gladiia," Bai Ye laughed.

Gladiia didn't laugh; she looked at Bai Ye and said:

"I don't want to take advantage of your vulnerability, but this is my only chance to stop you. You've used large-scale spells, and you used your abilities when you led us in the airborne assault and captured the Deep Sea Bishop. And before all that, you've been constantly fighting ever since we entered Iberia."

"Now is when you are most tired, although even Skadi and Laurentina did not notice, you hid it very well."

Gladiia continued to apply pressure to the weapon in her hand:

"This is the deep sea, and the ocean is enhancing my abilities. In terms of theoretical data, my strength and speed are now greater than yours; in terms of combat experience and skill, it's been seventeen years since I last picked up this weapon—"

As she spoke, Gladiia took another step and kicked the rock wall next to her with all her might.

It seems the lab's self-destruct program was activated, and seawater quickly flooded in. Fortunately, Bai Ye had added the valuable professions to his inventory beforehand; otherwise, all of those items would have been swallowed by the sea.

The entire cave was filled with seawater, and Gladiia's voice sounded like singing.

This is how Abyssal Hunter communicate underwater.

"I know Skadi and Laurentina taught you how to fight in the water, but what you need to learn has become instinct for us."

Soaking in the seawater for the first time in so long brought Gladiia an unprecedented sense of comfort. Yes, she had returned to the sea, and the strength she had lost due to dehydration was gradually returning; those things that had been dormant were slowly awakening.

"Right now, I am stronger, so I can stop you."

"In the end, we have to thank you for your sudden idea to capture a deep-sea bishop, which allowed us to discover these damned scum's conspiracy ahead of time."