Deborah's POV
I continued, "Falshi minerals from Finias are constantly sent to the surface, so why aren't 'slaves' the ones escorting them?"
Rose frowned slightly, pondering, then responded as if a realization had dawned on her, "Because… 'slaves' aren't affected by Falshi radiation…"
I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "Exactly. 'Slaves' are immune to Falshi radiation, while ordinary humans escorting Falshi don't survive the journey back."
Her expression grew uncertain as she hesitated. "Because… someone doesn't want them to return?"
I tapped the table lightly for emphasis. "Right! So why aren't werewolves allowed to escort the Falshi?"
A look of shock flickered in her eyes. "This… this can only mean that 'slaves' are also immune to the surface Enigma radiation. They would survive the return."
"Precisely!" I nodded gently, inwardly pleased. Discussing things with someone sharp is always easier.
I slowed my speech, carefully emphasizing each word: "The so-called 'slave bloodline' is, in truth, the 'werewolf bloodline.' They are not weaklings enslaved by fate; rather, they are werewolves with remarkable strength and resilience."
Rose's expression shifted; her eyes narrowed with growing suspicion as she studied me intently. "Who exactly are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. "These claims sound impossible, too far-fetched to be real."
I took a deep, steadying breath, deciding it was time to put my cards on the table. "Rose, listen to me. There are five underground cities, not just Finias. Finias is only one part of a much larger structure. I come from Murias, and I'm telling you this as a warning: both Murias and Falias have already been destroyed by magma flows. The same fate awaits Finias if we don't act quickly."
The color drained from her face, and her eyes widened as she processed the implications. She looked down, visibly shaken, her hands clenching the edges of her research files as if they could anchor her to some semblance of stability. She murmured, almost to herself, "Is it really true? My findings led me to this conclusion as well, but in EI, leaders disregarded my warnings, calling my work alarmist nonsense and dismissing it entirely."
I met her gaze with unwavering conviction, aiming to convey the urgency that had driven me here. "Rose, trust your research. Trust the science. You know as well as I do that the evidence speaks louder than any official report. Reality has already demonstrated the pattern: first, we experience frequent earthquakes, then magma begins to seep into various areas, and finally, the entire city faces annihilation. The process is alarmingly fast. From the first signs of magma leaks to the city's complete destruction—it can happen in just a few weeks."
Rose let out a soft, shuddering sigh, the weight of realization settling heavily on her shoulders. Her eyes darkened with a mixture of worry and helplessness as she glanced at the files in her hand—the very files she had once hoped would bring change.
"Finias has already reached the stage of frequent earthquakes," she murmured, almost to herself. "Perhaps it's truly unavoidable…perhaps the end is closer than I thought."
For a moment, we stood in silence, the weight of our conversation casting a somber shadow between us. I could see fierce intellect in her gaze, grappling with a troubling truth her scientific mind recognized but her heart was reluctant to accept.
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"If that's the case, we must guide Finias's residents out as quickly as possible," I said, my voice tinged with urgency and frustration.
She frowned, her voice trembling slightly. "But according to my data, even if humans carry small amounts of Falshi, they could only survive on the surface for about two months at most. We know almost nothing about the surface conditions—I'm not even certain we could find a habitable refuge within those two months."
I placed a steady hand on her shoulder, my tone firm. "Tirfothuinn! We've already found a safe place for humans. Murias's residents have already been relocated there. It's safe, livable, and free from Enigma radiation on the surface."
Rose's eyes brightened with hope, as though she had glimpsed a lifeline in the darkness. She whispered, "Tirfothuinn…"
I took a deep breath and continued to explain to Rose. "Tirfothuinn is the one place we found on the surface where humans can live without the threat of Enigma radiation."
Joy sparked in her gaze, and her voice trembled with excitement. "There's such a haven on the surface?"
"Yes," I replied with a smile. "The people of Murias have already moved to Tirfothuinn and were welcomed by the locals. Mrs. Barrett—the leader of Tirfothuinn—is exceptionally kind and accepted everyone from Murias without hesitation."
Rose let out a long sigh of relief, nodding with a grateful smile. "That is wonderful news. Tirfothuinn… where exactly is it?"
"South of Finias," I explained, "an island in the middle of the sea."
"Sea? An island?" Rose's eyes widened in fascination, as if hearing these words for the first time. "I've never seen anything like that. If Finias's people could also move there, like the people of Murias… how incredible that would be."
I nodded reassuringly. "It's entirely possible. Murias's people made it to Tirfothuinn, and so can Finias's residents."
Rose's gaze grew distant, a weight settling over her brow as she said, "Murias… Finias… it's as though our world is a vast game controlled by unseen hands, with us as mere pieces unable to choose our own fates. I fear these two cities aren't the only ones involved. How else would this 'game' be so dramatic?"
Her gaze sharpened, her expression thoughtful.
Her insight brought a small smile to my lips. Rose was far more perceptive than most. She seemed to have sensed a portion of the truth, glimpsed something beyond what she could fully verify.
Still, to protect my true identity and to continue investigating the massacre of the Lee family, I had to maintain my role as Deborah, playing my part in this complex "game."
I responded vaguely, feigning calmness, "As far as I know, there are currently five underground cities. Besides Finias, we also have Murias and Falias…"
Rose's eyes lit up with anticipation as she asked, "And what about the people of Falias? Did they reach Tirfothuinn as well?"
Her voice carried a hint of anxious hope, her gaze filled with a deep concern.
At that moment, it seemed she had pinned all her hopes on my answer.
But I could only shake my head, my voice heavy as I replied, "The people of Falias… only one werewolf survived. Nearly everyone else perished. Most were consumed by magma, while the few who reached the surface perished from Enigma radiation without Falshi's protection."
Rose's expression dimmed instantly, her gaze somber and filled with sorrow. She lifted her head, sighing softly as if mourning those innocent lives and fearing for Finias's fate.
In that moment, a quiet knock on the door interrupted our intense conversation. I quickly realized that lingering any longer would risk exposure. Leaning toward Rose, I whispered urgently, "If there's anything else you need to discuss, you can find us at the abandoned quarry at Finias's eastern end."
Understanding glinted in Rose's eyes as she nodded subtly, quickly masking her emotions, her expression becoming perfectly composed. She rose and moved toward the door, while I adjusted my demeanor, trying to appear as a casual visitor.
Rose opened the door to find a colleague of similar age standing outside, holding a file, evidently there for work matters.
In a flash of quick thinking, Rose greeted them with poise, "Thank you for delivering the Falshi samples and data. Much appreciated."
Her voice was warm and natural, with no hint that our discussion had been out of the ordinary.
Standing behind her, I nodded politely, pretending to exchange farewell pleasantries. Our silent coordination was flawless, as though we had rehearsed it.
The colleague gave us a polite smile and returned to their duties, allowing Rose to close the door behind them. She glanced back at me, her eyes flashing with an understanding look that seemed to say, "Everything is under control."
I admired her quick thinking. I couldn't help but respect this remarkable scientist.
Though Rose and Mark were both experts in Falshi mineral research and possessed hearts so pure I couldn't use Telepathy on them, Rose was far better at handling complex situations. She combined rigorous scientific dedication with the ability to swiftly adapt to unexpected circumstances, knowing exactly when to hide her emotions without missing a beat.
Mark, by contrast, lacked finesse in navigating complex situations, despite his goodness.
His focus was solely on academics, less adept at managing complex relationships or responding quickly. Yet this honesty and focus made him all the more sincere. He was unapologetically straightforward, with an almost stubborn dedication to his scientific pursuit—a purity that was precious in its own way.
I believed Rose could indeed lead the people of Finias out of this underground prison and safely to Tirfothuinn.
As I stepped out of the building, a figure caught my eye.
A young woman, possibly in her twenties, walked straight toward me.
Our eyes met.
[Is that… Beth?]