Volume 9: Fate of Destiny Chapter 23: There is a third option besides loyalty and betrayal. Let's start slacking off.
"How is it? Doesn't it taste good?"
Mason walked into the ecosystem beside the city ruins, stepped on the comfortable grass and said to the countryman who was following him and drinking a glass of milk through a straw:
"I added some medicinal herbs according to different flavors. What you are drinking now can stimulate the secretion of dopamine and make people feel happy. The best thing is that this thing has no addictive properties.
I can give you the recipe if you need it."
"No, that's not necessary."
Although the milk tasted really good, A-Zu still said expressionlessly:
"Don't try to get close to me! I know who you are, and I think you know what's going to happen. I won't show any mercy."
"No need. If I can't even deal with you, then there's no need for me to pretend to be firm and brave and come here alone."
Mason waved his hand, not caring about the hostility in Homelander's words.
He looked at the experimental base built in the ecological zone in front of him, stamped his feet again, and said to A-Zu:
"This is where Doom produces super mutants, right? If I'm not mistaken, you should also be a product of this project. The compound No. 5 in your body is almost complete. It seems that Doom hired you to protect his secrets here.
Can you tell me the whole process of how you met him? "
"Am I under any obligation to answer your curiosity?"
The cool countryman snorted, took a sip of the yogurt-flavored milk, licked his lips, and said:
"Besides, that's not something that would make people feel happy. Compared to these, I think given your current situation, you should be more concerned about the safety of yourself and the cold lady before, right?
You don't look like a prey that has fallen into a trap. To be honest, I'm beginning to doubt whether the big man's plan can work."
"Safety is my problem, I'll just think about it."
Mason waved his hands and continued forward, asking:
"With your own strength, plus the enhancement of the second improved Compound No. 5, you are no weaker than a real Kryptonian. Have you ever thought about joining the Conquerors to achieve something?
A good day of burning, killing and looting everywhere should be in line with your desire to be noticed, and your character of not wanting to be suppressed and wanting to release all your desires, right?
Just like your famous saying, you can do whatever you want..."
"Hello!"
Mason's words seemed to bring back some bad memories for his countryman. He interrupted Mason's description of the embarrassing incident with a scolding, but then said suspiciously:
"You seem to be very familiar with me, isn't that right? Ever since this world was taken over by the God, everything here has been kept secret. We are employed by Doom as both staff and security personnel here, but we have never set foot outside of here, nor have we participated in any actions of the Council.
You shouldn’t know this!”
"Just think of me as having some kind of magical gift."
The captain winked at the homelander and handed him a bottle of milk that smelled strange. He said:
"So Doom is testing his mutant powers here? And that ruin out there and the entire world being nearly flattened is caused by those super mutants testing themselves?
What about Vought? Is that gone too?"
A-Zu wanted to refuse, but his nose moved, and his keen senses allowed him to immediately capture that the smell in front of him was exactly the "flavor" he liked the most.
He hesitated for a moment, but did not reject the desire that surged in his heart. He took it and sucked it, groaning with satisfaction. Then he wiped his mouth and whispered to Mason:
"It's long gone. Doom and the Council didn't conquer this place through war. They discovered this place fifteen years ago, but they did it in a very smart and cunning way.
They joined Vought Corporation as partners, and Doom even stayed here for a while. After making progress in the research of Compound No. 5, they quickly seized control. Later, the company's top management realized that Doom had bad intentions, and they wanted to kill Doom by assassination.
But that directly triggered a war among professional heroes, and the result was quite tragic. Not many people survived, but Doom gave us the opportunity to strengthen our strength, but the price was that we had to stay in this ruin forever.
They even sent away all the civilians and left us in this damn cage."
"You have a lot of resentment, A-Zu."
Mason gathered enough information. Before entering the main building of the research facility, he whispered to his countryman:
"Do you know why they asked me to come here, and why they made such a big fuss to kill me?"
"I've heard some rumors."
As A-Zu drank the strange-tasting milk, he squinted his eyes and said:
“I heard that you have done something incredible that made the council feel afraid. It just doesn’t seem like that. To be honest, putting you next to Ms. Xilia, you look like a little follower.
Just like Hughie and Starlight who were strangled to death by my own hands in the Pro Hero Wars... Tsk, little puppies."
"They fear me because I can provide another way out besides them. I think you also need another way out."
Mason smiled at A-Zu and said softly:
"But no matter what the result is, your hard labor will end today. I'm afraid the world is going to end. But what can I say? If you are not sure that they can win, you shouldn't be so anxious to put everything on it.
Although your wisdom is stubborn, it is much better than that of Kryptonians. I believe you can understand what I mean."
"You want to turn me against you?"
A-Zu snorted and said:
"How long have we just met?"
"No, I'm not trying to turn you against me. I just hope you can look at the problem rationally. Betrayal and slacking off are two different concepts, but they can achieve the same purpose in some cases."
Mason shrugged and said:
"If you need more reasons to help you make a decision... there's something wrong with the milk you drink. I put something in it. You dare to drink it casually even if I give it to you. You are really bold."
"My stomach isn't that fragile!"
The countryman sneered and said:
"Just because I dare to drink means I'm not afraid."
"Well... you'd better be scared."
Mason gave a mysterious smile, waved goodbye to A-Zu and said:
"Talk to your friends. Trust the wisdom of the group rather than individual bravery. You don't look very well. Do you feel pain in your abdomen?
Don't be afraid, this is normal for people who are poisoned.
There is still some time before we have a big fight, so go see a doctor as soon as possible, but if you want to recover immediately, you might as well think about what I just said.
This is not your war.
Your life is your own, why waste your blood on something that is not worth it? "
With that, Mason strode into the building in front of him, leaving Homelander standing there with his fists clenched. However, the pain in his abdomen became more and more intense, and it made him take off with a sonic boom and rush to the nearest bathroom.
A Zu transformed into Jet Man in a few seconds.
That feeling is so sour and refreshing.
A few minutes later, with the crisp sound of the elevator reaching the top floor, Mason walked into a very simply decorated hall. The fully open structure allowed excellent lighting. A white piano was placed in the center, and Old A was sitting at the piano, pressing the keys in a very immersive posture, letting the intense music flow out with his movements.
There was no third person in the entire hall.
Mason did not immediately step forward to interrupt him, but found a chair to sit on, listening attentively to the music from its climax to its finale.
This scene is quite interesting.
A one-eyed ferocious black-salted egg played for his subordinates and ideological opponents with an artistic temperament, making this look not like a prelude to a life-and-death fight, but more like a friendly negotiation.
The sunlight outside the hall was quickly blocked out, and a silent drizzle fell amid the dark clouds, which turned into a heavy downpour in a few seconds. Mason could sense the subtle changes in the world wherever the rain fell with his eyes closed.
Everything seems to be normal, but it is hard to guess what kind of destructive energy is brewing in the darkness beneath the earth.
Ciri was not found.
She should be somewhere in the building. Judging from the hostility shown by A-Zu just now, the defense forces here probably regard Mason and Ciri as highly dangerous enemies.
"I'm sorry to have to bring you here this way."
As the last note fell, Old A opened his eyes, leaned against the piano and picked up the wine on the piano cover. He said to Mason in a very relaxed manner:
"But you have to understand my difficulties. In this situation, I know that nothing I say will convince you, and I really hope to resolve the conflict between us through a conversation."
"You can keep talking, but we both know it means nothing."
Mason also leaned back in his chair in a relaxed manner, with his left hand on the backrest, his legs folded, and he looked sideways at Old A in front of him. He said:
"I am not an opponent that can be defeated by your words, and neither are you, so you see I have no intention of wasting my words. But you can keep trying... Is Ciri okay?"
"She's fine, better than ever."
Old A stood up and walked to the front glass wall with the wine in his hand. He looked at the world shrouded in lightless rain before him. It was as if the sky was leaking and countless streams of water were pouring down from great heights, as if venting some kind of anger.
He took a sip of the amber wine, and said to Mason without turning his head while enjoying the rain:
"When I handed her the Soul Stones of Sir Geralt and Lady Yennefer, I even saw tears in her eyes. It was a reunion after 17 years.
Of course, I have to emphasize in advance that this is not my conspiracy.
I thought they were dead, too, killed in a foolish trial by the Council seventeen years ago, but Mephisto hid their souls.
That is the devil's modus operandi.
He hopes to see you and I fighting here, like wild beasts that have lost their minds due to anger, and only want to stick our fangs into each other's blood vessels, and it would be best if we both died.
This way, his Star Club would be able to get rid of a trouble, and there would be one less person on the board to hinder him.
Mason, you are a reasonable person, you should know that if we really go to war, it will only benefit the third party. "
"I didn't shoot you as soon as I came in, did I?"
Mason responded:
"Perhaps you can give me a way to save our irreversible partnership. Besides, isn't Doom here? He generously gave you his secret base as a cemetery for me, but he is unwilling to show up here and dig the first shovel of soil to bury me?"
"Doom is forging the Doomstar. It has taken shape and just needs the final polishing."
Old A took a sip of wine, turned around and said to Mason:
“The star that embodies all my thoughts about the end of the world and the future has taken shape, representing the fruits of my seventeen years of hard work.
I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but I actually wanted to make it appear before the Fourth Impact happened, so as to express to you an idea I wanted to tell you.
I am not as sad as you think.
Apart from being what you consider to be a conspirator, I am actually also working hard to advance my plans.
But you destroyed it.
While handing in your own answer sheet, you ruthlessly destroyed the hopes of others. This shows that you are not a truly good person. I was very angry at one point.
But something Doom said reminded me of that.”
Lu Dan paused and said to Mason, who was listening to him attentively:
"Doomsday is a question, but it has more than one answer, and there is no single correct solution. The Council has tried its best to expand its influence to many galaxies in different planes, but the universe is huge, and there are so many unknown things in the starry sea of each plane.
In that sky full of stars, we are not the only ones working hard for survival. What I mean is that the fusion plan and the end star are both our responses to the changes in the universe as survivors.
Why do we have to rank them high and low?
How about shaking hands and making peace?"
Old A suggested:
"Reach a deal, or make an exchange, just as you thought before, don't push things into the final cruelest zero-sum game, we can each take a step back.
You go and complete your world fusion, while we continue to forge and perfect our final star.
Everyone does not interfere with each other.
With this consensus, we can discuss some more in-depth topics, such as Mephisto... the devil who wants to play with you at his will.
I guess he's watching all this right now, even watching our conversation and expecting to see a bloodbath.
But neither you nor I are fools who are willing to be used as guns. We should work together to kill him. In the current situation, the accelerating impacts indicate that the situation has reached its final moment.
Time is running out for you and us, so don't waste this precious opportunity on stabbing each other in the back."
He looked at Mason, who remained silent, and said:
“I can even give you the leadership of the Quint Society. According to our bet, you will take charge of this organization on my behalf, allocate these resources and gain more allies.
In this way, your integration plan will proceed faster and more smoothly.
You see, this won’t do you any harm at all.”
“It really surprises me.”
Mason looked at Old A and said:
"I never thought these words would come out of your mouth. Submission, bowing your head, admitting defeat, this never seemed like a choice you would make.
It seems that I really misunderstood you. You asked me to come here not only to bury me, but also because you were really looking forward to cooperation.
Even though you have been hiding some truth that I don't know, your eagerness and frankness still make me feel uneasy, Lao A.
Can I ask why?"
"This is good for both you and me. Isn't that reason enough?"
Fury said:
“Think about it, our strength will increase greatly after we work together, and Mephisto can only close his eyes and wait for death. I can mobilize the high-end power of the entire Council to help you save Ciri’s life.
You know, she is Mephisto's best weapon to contain you.
You have created a fatal weakness for yourself, but we can help you to close it."
"No! There's something wrong with your attitude."
Mason shook his head and said:
"This weird feud between you and Mephisto is happening a little too quickly. There must be something I don't know about... Wait!"
The captain stood up suddenly, stared at Old A, and said:
"Left hand! Pull up your sleeve and let me see your left arm!"
