Chapter 388 - 334: Is the Future Terrible?

Chapter 388: Chapter 334: Is the Future Terrible?

Since the topic had come up, Lloyd couldn’t help but ask:

"Is the future of humanity... really that bad?"

Back in the outside world, he’d never gotten that impression. In fact, it had seemed like a place teeming with a Vibrant Life Force, where all things competed and thrived. He never expected that after coming to Mizkatoke—a place he thought would be a secluded paradise—he would find everyone filled with such a sense of crisis, constantly talking about "the future of humanity."

Hildina didn’t try to sugarcoat it, answering directly:

"Yes, it is very bad. But for the sake of the precious Order and survival Space we currently possess in the outside world, we do our best not to reveal it."

As she spoke, she took Lloyd’s hand and led him to a bench in the plaza. After they sat down, she raised her small hand and waved it gently in the air, conjuring a world map in front of him—a completely new version, the likes of which he had never seen before.

Compared to the maps you could buy in a store, this one was far, far larger...

It showed only two colors: vast, deep swaths of black, and a small patch of white tucked away in a corner.

Overall, it resembled an irregular hourglass, wider at the top and thicker in the middle.

And that small patch of white was relegated to a tiny area in the southeast, occupying roughly a tenth of the whole. The pitiful speck of white looked so dissonant, one almost felt the urge to reach out and wipe it away.

"This is the true face of our world. And this one small, pitiful region is all the survival Space we have left."

Hildina said, pointing to the pitch-black areas as she continued her explanation:

"During the past Era of Brilliance, these lands were home to vibrant nations. They had countless bustling cities and peaceful towns, and tens of billions of people lived their own lives there. But now... only this little bit remains."

Hildina gently tapped the small, dissonant speck of white and added:

"And in those past regions, no one knows what is breeding in that environment, or what awaits us now... Even setting aside Astra’s [prophecy], this situation alone is already extremely dangerous."

Hildina didn’t need to describe it any further; it was enough for Lloyd to understand the mindset of the Headmaster and the Saints.

This was no baseless anxiety. The fall of the past Era of Brilliance was proof enough of the world’s inherent danger and malice.

"What’s... out there? Demons? Or... the Evil God’s Offspring?"

Lloyd asked in a low voice.

"I don’t know. Perhaps all of the above? Or maybe something even worse? Perhaps they haven’t noticed us yet, or perhaps they simply don’t care about us in our current state."

Hildina replied softly.

Lloyd couldn’t help but sigh, lamenting:

"That’s truly the worst answer possible. The unknown is often the most terrifying..."

"It is... It’s truly awful."

As Hildina spoke, she quickly waved her hand, dismissing the depressing map. Then she smiled again, reached out to cup Lloyd’s face, and used her fingers to push up the corners of his mouth, making him "smile" as well.

"But it’s alright. I’ll do my best to protect you, and to protect humanity."

She said it in a very casual tone, as if she were just making a casual boast.

But Lloyd could sense the earnestness in her words and feel the weight she carried on her slender shoulders.

And so, unable to restrain himself, he pulled her close and said, enunciating every syllable:

"I will be able to help you soon."

Hildina’s eyes curved into crescents as she nuzzled against Lloyd’s chest like a kitten.

"Mm. I’ll be waiting for that day. I always have been."