Chapter 539: and translation of chapter title

Lighthouse.

?

Hearing various venting emotions, and following the gazes of the people in the vehicle, I turned my head and saw that a huge …… was floating in the sky.

"Mushroom."

Upon seeing its appearance, Sui Yang and Sui Yue couldn't help but complain in their minds.

Because that lighthouse, capable of flight and once an airborne prison, was to them just a larger "mushroom".

Mainly because they were used to the various vessels of their own Empire, looking at the lighthouse made it hard to feel any emotion.

Furthermore, by visual estimation, they guessed that the width of the 'fungal cap' at the top and upper-middle of the lighthouse was about six hundred meters, and the length running through the center and bottom was about eight hundred meters.

Moreover, based on its arrangement, layout, and scale, the two brothers, even without communicating, jointly guessed that the number of residents inside the lighthouse was at least ten thousand, but no more than twenty thousand.

"Waaah~!"

And the pink-haired girl sitting in the same truck as the two brothers, or rather, who should be called Erica, stretched lazily as if just waking up:

"I want a gourmet meal~! I'm so hungry…"

"Ah…"

The veteran Jeff, who was driving and had secretly scolded Erica earlier, seeing this pink-haired girl still behaving improperly, couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

"..."

As for Ran Bing, who had charged out of the colony ship together with Captain Mark, had silver short hair, and was also the deputy of the Wasteland Hunters, seeing Erica's innocent, romantic, carefree appearance, she smiled.

"Hehe." Mark also gave a faint smile, then looked at the twin brothers sitting opposite and asked:

"Gentlemen, I have already shared what I know; are you willing to share as well?"

"Of course." Sui Yang had no intention of hiding anything, but seeing the red indicator light flashing on Mark's earpiece, suggesting that communications had been restored, he proposed:

"But before that, you should first report to the lighthouse; that way, I can also brief your superiors, how about that?"

"No problem."

Mark likewise gave a ready reply, and raised his left hand to press the earpiece, contacting the lighthouse's navigation control room:

"This is the Lie Hunters; the collection mission is complete, requesting return to the lighthouse, please acknowledge."

"Szz… szz…" After a burst of busy signal, a calm female voice came through: "This is the lighthouse, Captain Mark, welcome back; we are about to lower the ES01 lift platform."

"Wasteland Hunters received, but we still have something to report," said Mark, pausing before continuing: "We have brought back two guests of special status."

"Guests? Survivors?" On the comms, the woman's emphasis rose slightly; even though she was surprised, she was also confused.

But less than a second later, the other side replied: "Lighthouse received; I have reported this to the City Lord, please wait."

After saying that, the comms fell silent for a moment.

City Lord…

Meanwhile, Sui Yang and Sui Yue, who could clearly hear the earpiece, were pondering what system the lighthouse was implementing.

Not long after, the comms transmitted a new voice: "Captain Mark, the City Lord has approved the two survivors' entry into the lighthouse, but you must bring them to the Central Command Hall immediately."

"Approved?"

Sui Yang and Sui Yue's brows furrowed, but it passed instantly.

In theory, they had come to the lighthouse to gather more information, plus Mark's invitation prompted them to investigate.

However, the fact that the unseen City Lord chose the word 'approved' shows that he regards himself and the lighthouse as overly important, and is somewhat overconfident.

This caused the two raw recruits' 'displeasure' to begin accumulating.

"Alright." Mark nodded in agreement and ended the communication.

Afterward, facing Sui Yang and Sui Yue, he said: "Gentlemen, please follow me to see the City Lord later, and tell us what you know, as well as… how you became what you are now."

"..."

The two new soldiers nodded silently.

In this regard, Mark, whose political sense was zero, noticed nothing unusual; he seemed to think the Astate simply liked to stay silent, and responded with a smile.

But Ran Bing, sitting beside Mark, sensed the displeasure of the two Astate; after all, women sometimes have a stronger sixth sense in this regard.

Immediately, this female deputy gave Sui Yang and Sui Yue a sincere smile and made an informal invitation:

"Gentlemen, I think after the council ends you will surely stay in the lighthouse; why not join our Wasteland Hunters? With you, our mission completion rate will greatly increase, and we can also give you abundant contribution points."

Seeing Ran Bing intending to ease the atmosphere, the brothers were no longer completely cold.

"Let's first assess the situation." But Sui Yang did not say it outright.

Because the lighthouse must be observed before it can serve as their brothers' temporary garrison; if necessary, they don't mind carrying out a "reform".

However, the prerequisite is meeting the lighthouse City Lord.

And the ground is unsuitable for human habitation?

That is for ordinary humans; for the Astate, who can survive by eating iron and wood, it's the same everywhere—just a matter of comfort.

The reason they didn't tell Mark about their purpose is that Sui Yang and Sui Yue believed the Wasteland Hunters' captain had enough personal charm, and they inwardly approved of him, so they didn't want to embarrass him.

But that "overconfident" City Lord, on the other hand, could be teased.

Just as Ran Bing was thinking of what topic to bring up to make the two Astate newcomers feel more identification with the lighthouse and the Wasteland Hunters, the convoy had already slowed down.

And the massive lighthouse also blocked the sunlight, indicating they were about to arrive.

Soon.

Everyone then put away their relaxed, lax state, waited for the convoy vehicles to line up, all drove into the ES01 lift platform, stopped steadily, and immediately prepared to transport supplies.

Seeing this, Ran Bing had no choice but to stop chatting and got busy with her comrades.

As guests, Sui Yang and Sui Yue, who disembarked from the vehicle together with Mark, Ran Bing, and others, were somewhat idle.

However…

"Civilians, hurry up!"

Don't be fidgety!

Upon hearing and seeing some Wasteland Hunters soldiers still loudly urging the porters, their annoyance value rose a bit.

But they did not speak up to stop it, for the time was not yet right.

If their father had not sent them to this Earth, then once these so-called Dustfolk left the lighthouse, their fate would be only a dead end.

But that does not mean they will not lend a hand.

Thus Sui Yang and Sui Yue, having readied their own weapons, freed their hands and walked over to a nearby team of porters, preparing to help carry supplies.

Just then.

They then spotted a porter with a crew cut, sturdy build, and a somewhat roguish look, his face showing hatred, wanting to argue with the Wasteland Hunters soldiers.

He also muttered, 'If I weren't piloting the Gravity Suit, you'd already be dead! Do Dustfolk not deserve attention?!'

…

Hearing this, Sui Yang and Sui Yue slowed their steps and exchanged a glance.

Surely, this system of the lighthouse seems to have bred deep resentment.

Say less!

Before the short‑haired porter could approach the Wasteland Hunters soldiers, a long‑haired, clean‑looking but dirty‑faced 'Haoyou' rushed forward to restrain him, embracing him without hesitation and whispering advice:

"4068, if you hadn't recklessly provoked the Spine Bone Group, we wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses… To speak of rescue, it's more like you caused those people's deaths…

…Fortunately, I discovered that the Wasteland Hunters who disobeyed orders have all been sacrificed; otherwise you'd have been arrested by now. Stop blaming others…

"Sigh, I understand, 4079—let go of me."

After being restrained by Haoyou and realizing his own weakness (without a shred of self‑blame), the porter designated 4068 finally slumped, no longer seeking trouble with the Wasteland Hunters.

…

But even though the conversation between 4068 and 4079 was faint, Sui Yang and Sui Yue heard every word.

Spine Bone?

Disobey orders?

Just from that brief exchange, the two recruits deduced the causes and consequences of the Wasteland Hunters squad being surrounded.

Damn it.

Villain!

As Huaxia people, and as resentful‑evil Assaulter recruits, how could we let a 'Disaster Source' escape punishment?!

In a brief moment.

Sui Yang and Sui Yue signaled with their eyes, completed a silent understanding, and called off their plan to help carry supplies.

Thud, thud.

Immediately after, accompanied by footsteps heavy enough to make the entire lift platform tremble, Sui Yang swiftly stepped before 4068 and 4079 amid the crowd's astonished and bewildered gazes.

This move forced 4068 and 4079 to lift their heads just enough to barely see Sui Yang's face.

… 4079's gaze darted away, not daring to meet the god‑like Astate's eyes.

!

Guilty‑conscience 4068 even wanted to flee the spot.

But…

Ugh…!!

Before 4068 could dodge, Sui Yang suddenly extended his left index finger and thumb, regulating his force for fear of snapping the neck, and grabbed 4068's throat, then lifted him effortlessly.

Just as easy as picking up a chick.

!!!

This sudden change startled everyone.

What are you doing?!

Put him down!

Some of the reacting Wasteland Hunters soldiers immediately raised their weapons and aimed at Sui Yang and Sui Yue.

Oh?!

Sui Yue, meanwhile, showed no fear, let out a scoff, raised his 100mm plasma cannon, aimed at the nearest squad of soldiers, and said contemptuously:

"How, you want to test my cannon with toy guns? Brave."

"Hah." Sui Yang also smirked contemptuously, gazing at Mark and Ran Bing quickly approaching him, though he heightened his guard but did not point his gun at them, and spoke bluntly:

"Captain Ma Ke, I don't know how you handle those who break discipline, causing battle failure and the troops to be trapped—scum."

Scum?

"What do you mean?" Ma Ke asked in a low voice.

"It's because you provoked the Spine Bone Group and drew in the Snake Dog Group—this scum in my hand is the source of it all…"

Sui Yang said, then slightly turned his head, looked down at 4079, who had collapsed in fear on the lift platform's deck, and shouted sternly: "Speak! What exactly has 4068 done?"

"This… this… he… I…"

4079 had been so frightened his mind went blank, unable to speak coherently.

Seeing the witness stammer, Sui Yang ceased his threats and then gripped 4068's two ankles with his right hand.

He swapped his hands.

4068 went from being held upright to head‑down, feet‑up.

"Cough! Cough cough!"

This also made 4068 unable to stop coughing, then he gulped greedy breaths.

However, as Sui Yang held 4068 aloft and shook him up and down with his right hand, everything 4068 carried fell out one by one.

Now!

An old society's valuable watch slid out of 4068's built-in pocket and, with a 'pa-da~!' sound, clattered onto the deck.

?

Upon seeing this 'evidence,' everyone was stunned for a moment.

!!

But soon, everyone realized what had happened; their expressions and demeanor, which had just been stunned and bewildered, quickly turned to anger.

Damn it! Turns out you brat caused this trouble!

Fuck! 5227 had his soul sucked by a snake-dog because of you!

Now, whether they are civilians or hunters' soldiers, they all wish to tear 4068 apart.

It's obvious that 4068 was just trying to flop that meaningless watch onto the corpse (dead human) body, thereby disturbing the spine inside the corpse!

After sorting out the cause and effect, everyone no longer projected their confusion and vigilance onto the two Astate, but immediately turned their anger toward the still violently coughing 4068.

Fortunately, the hunters' soldiers were disciplined; without Marc's order, they naturally did not act arbitrarily, and even helped restrain the furious porters.

As for Sui Yang being able to judge that 4068 had 'evidence,' it was because he could see it at a glance, and his Spiritual Perception told him that 4068 was a selfish bastard.

So, as a bastard, there must be something noteworthy that he would rather sacrifice everyone's interests to obtain that 'item'.

At the moment he saw that watch, Marc also understood what was going on; immediately, this captain raised his hand to signal his subordinates to relax their guard.

Seeing this, Sui Yue also timely lowered the plasma cannon.

And Marc approached Sui Yang, lowered his head to stare at 4068, as if deliberately suppressing his inner grief, and said word by word:

"Civilian 4068 seriously violated travel regulations, directly causing the deaths of sixteen upper citizens and thirty-four civilians, constituting a major offense; according to the Lighthouse Law, he shall be subjected to extreme punishment…

Mo City! Flying Snow!

As the words fell, a senior officer with long flowing hair and mechanical legs on both calves, together with the purple-haired female sniper from before, left the crowd and came to Marc's side.

"You two personally escort 4068 to the prison, and tomorrow at noon in the square carry out the extreme punishment on him."

"Yes, Captain."

Having received the order, the two took over from Sui Yang the already deathly pale 4068, who had not yet regained his senses.

"Ah…"

And 4079 could only watch as his friend was led away, sighing helplessly.

"Thanks." Marc then expressed his gratitude to Sui Yang again: "If it weren't for you and your brothers, the source of this attack might have gone unresolved; executing 4068 also serves as an explanation to the fallen comrades."

"You're welcome; we despise most those who think highly of themselves yet cause others' deaths." Sui Yang nodded, and finally added:

"This is me giving you face; next time we encounter a similar situation, I'll just crush his head."

Marc, Ran Bing: "…"

(End of chapter)