Chapter 197

"From the perspective of Dr. Clef as a father, some of the Foundation's regulations are truly cold and heartless."

"It's alright, at least the Foundation chose to shelter the girl 'Gaia' instead of choosing to eliminate her directly like the GOC."

"I feel that the Foundation isn't wrong to act according to regulations, but... I also feel that forcibly separating a father and daughter... is this a bit too inhumane?"

"Before that, I want to add a reminder: don't forget Dr. Bright's family; they are also very pitiful."

"Then shall we discuss under what circumstances rules outweigh human sentiment, and under what circumstances rules cannot be transgressed?"

"It's useless. Humans have been arguing about this question for a long time. From the birth of the concept of law in ancient times to the subsequent changes and evolution of social systems, the weighing of rules and human sentiment has never stopped... Moreover, realize that no matter which viewpoint we support now, on certain matters, we will definitely move toward the other side."

"What's this, the total population is at a loss, I'm trapped in thought, the body is the problem."

"Scary, you guys chat, the Peace Company is here to check the gas."

"..."

Just as the audience was discussing the short film intensely, an unexpected figure slowly walked out of the woods.

He had blue hair and green eyes, a somewhat flamboyant appearance, and carried a bundle on his back.

The moment she saw him, Bronya was stunned.

"Sampo?!"

When did this guy get over there?!

This Sampo had never been one to behave; he often did things that broke Belobog's rules.

Hopefully, he wouldn't stir up a bunch of trouble for himself...

Clara, however, didn't have any particular reaction.

The moment she noticed the change in Bronya's expression, she blinked curiously and asked softly:

"Sister Bronya, do you know him?"

Bronya raised her hand and gently supported her forehead:

"Know him? That's putting it mildly..."

He has long been notorious...

From the Fortress of Qliphoth to the front lines of the Silvermane Guards, legends of this man circulate everywhere.

Gepard has even tried to arrest him several times without success.

Having said half a sentence, she felt it was bad luck to talk about this guy so early in the morning, so she didn't continue.

Seeing Bronya's expression, Clara knew the latter didn't have a good impression of Sampo, so she stopped asking and continued watching the Foundation's livestream.

And at this moment, a new document appeared.

The background was a reddish-brown table; on the smooth surface, a yellowed piece of letter paper lay folded in half.

Through the thin paper, one could see it was filled with flowing and elegant cursive script.

"A letter?"

Was it written to the girl "Gaia"?

And who wrote it?

Dr. Clef?

Or Dr. Bright, who is currently looking after the girl "Gaia"?

Bronya pondered for a moment and decided that after reading the contents of this letter, she would disguise herself and go to understand the current situation in the Underworld.

Perhaps, after reading this letter.

It would be easier for her to talk to Dr. Bright and to the girl "Gaia".

【The following letter was found within the containment area of "SCP-166".】

A line of text lit up and then slowly faded away.

Clara nodded.

"That's the number for that antlered sister."

【████,】

【When I met your mother, we were both just children who had grown up. She had hooves on her feet, but starlight shone in her eyes. She was so beautiful, so innocent, and yet I killed her with my own hands.】

【Eden is not a place. It is a state of existence. They wanted us to return to that, and I stopped them. Once again, I took paradise away from us.】

"Yes, it's just that there are still many human ruins left on this planet. Can't let your beloved daughter run around, lest she run into something she shouldn't touch."

【I have no excuses, no explanations. You might not even remember, but I am telling you this now, hoping you can understand everything I have done. I hope you forgive me.】

【I love you. I wish I could have done more for you. The best thing I can do for you is to leave you with those kind people and hope they can raise you for me.】

【From what I have seen, they are doing very well. I am sorry you cannot stay with them. I am sorry they sent you here. I swear I will do everything I can to make your life here happy. I swear to keep you safe.】

【Happy sixteenth birthday,】

【Your loving father.】

The content revealed in this letter was undoubtedly explosive.

Dr. Clef not only explained in the letter how he fell in love with the "Goddess" and had the girl "Gaia" as a result.

He even admitted that he killed the "Goddess" with his own hands and begged for the girl "Gaia's" forgiveness.

Browsing through the entire letter, Bronya's expression was somewhat dull, her pink lips parted and quivering slightly.

An inexplicable emotion wandered through her heart.

Dr. Clef was forced to kill the "Goddess"...

He aimed his gun at her own mother...

Bronya didn't know why the GOC had to kill the "Goddess," because an existence that could fall in love with humans and produce offspring didn't look like a true beast in any way.

It's just...

Even between humans, there are irreconcilable conflicts due to interests or opposing ideologies, let alone between different species?

Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding, but Bronya was more inclined to believe that the "Goddess" had completely lost control at that time.

Just like her mother, who was completely bewitched by the "Stellaron" and never returned.

Otherwise, Dr. Clef would not have said such heartless words—

"I have never felt remorse for what I did that day, except for one thing... you saw your father put a bullet into your mother's head."

"Looking at it this way, the GOC people didn't lose unjustly. Among those sent to execute the 'Goddess' and her child was the 'Goddess's' partner—Dr. Clef."

"Although the 'Goddess's' appearance doesn't conform to general human aesthetics, it at least conforms to Dr. Clef's... Looking at it this way, when the GOC chose to execute her, Dr. Clef would inevitably choose to betray them and switch sides."

"But no matter what, the girl 'Gaia' is quite miserable... No, being contained by the Foundation as an SCP is probably quite miserable—activities are restricted, there are a bunch of things she can't touch, and she can't even communicate with the outside world."

"I don't think so. I just want to lie down and sleep. My boss has a bad brain, cutting costs and increasing efficiency every day. Not only is there crazy overtime, but they endlessly deduct wages. Every day after work, I return to a 4-square-meter coffin box to sleep... It would be better to be contained by the Foundation so I could just rot in bed."

"Makes sense. I'm going to research how to become a reality bender right now."

The letter slowly faded away.

Sampo was getting closer and closer to the city ruins.

Of course, Dr. Bright had discovered him early on and cast a suspicious gaze in his direction.

As if saying:

"How are you?"

"How old are you?"

Sampo didn't intend to hide either; meeting Dr. Bright's gaze, he greeted him while walking to his side.

"Good morning, Doctor."

"What a great change not seen in a thousand years. The scene of the world changing yesterday was truly spectacular."

He said with his habitual fawning and ingratiating smile.

But Dr. Bright just watched him quietly, with no intention of responding.

"Look at my memory. The one who brought about this change yesterday was the divinity in your Foundation; naturally, you wouldn't be very surprised."

"Uh... what I, Sampo, mean is, since it's rare to have a fresh start, why not get a head start before it even begins?"

As he spoke, he pointed to the city ruins not far away, his eyes shining.

"For example, while the ancient relics haven't been recovered on a large scale yet, work a little harder, move a few more things back, and sell them for a good price."

"Things are valuable because they are rare, don't you agree?"

Dr. Bright had a headache and raised his left hand to press his temple.

Why hadn't he noticed before that this blue-haired person talked so much?

"Alright, stop beating around the bush and just say what you want to say... If you really came for the ancient relics, you would have headed straight for the city ruins long ago."

Sampo scratched his head and chuckled, not embarrassed at all:

"You're right, I, Sampo, do have a private question..."

"Ask. As long as it's not classified content and doesn't put me in a bad mood."

"How many times has the Foundation restarted the world like it did yesterday...?"

Dr. Bright looked at Sampo, shrugged, and asked in return: