Four Split Personalities

As expected, when he heard this, Ferman’s expression instantly became awkward, then he unconsciously muttered, "Uh, that’s troublesome... Although this medicine is excellent for stopping bleeding, it should only be applied externally, not taken internally..."

Motan’s fur bristled immediately as his expression eased a bit, "Big brother Ferman, you did that on purpose!!"

"Haha~"

Although Ferman, older than Motan by more than twenty years but insisting on being peers, grinned and shrugged, "I did it on purpose, but before you came in, I really thought it was because of hemorrhoids..."

"Stop it, you’re overthinking, I don’t have it!"

Motan waved his hands in despair, then threw a mini Solidifying Light Arrow at Feather Song, "What on earth did you tell everyone!"

"Just told the truth."

Feather Song casually lifted her dagger to block the light arrow, turned her head back with a mischievous smile, "You were indeed bleeding, and quite a lot at that, that’s a severe bleeding."

Since what she said did make some sense, a physically and mentally exhausted Motan couldn’t think of a way to refute her instantly.

After a brief silence...

"You’re sure you’re okay now?"

Feather Song sheathed her dagger back at her thigh, stood up, and looked at Motan quite seriously, implying something, "In every sense of the word."

"Theoretically, yes."

The latter responded with a bitter smile, nodding his head, but didn’t make a definitive statement, knowing all too well that he might disconnect any minute, even though the probability was not that high. After all, it had happened before.

Feather Song smacked her lips and spread her hands, "Well, if you get into trouble again, we’ll probably have to strictly lock down the news."

Motan definitely understood what she meant. After all, using ’severe bleeding caused by getting heated’ (man’s common issue) to fool everyone could only work this one time. If such a thing happened again to him as a commander when the third phase kicked off, even the versatile Feather Song would be out of options.

So he nodded quite seriously and didn’t say much more.

’I’ve always thought your disconnection rate was a bit abnormal; various night shifts and rushing papers included, you don’t need to explain too much. I’m not interested in your life outside the game, but now is a crucial moment, and you’re irreplaceable here as a commander, so at least today, if you can avoid trouble, don’t stir up any mischief.’

Feather Song didn’t speak but quickly sent a message, and it seemed she had a slight misunderstanding about Motan’s situation in real life.

’Uh, there are indeed some forces beyond my control, I’ll try to overcome them. By the way, did only you notice this?’

Motan had long known that this girl was overly sensitive in certain aspects, so he didn’t bother finding excuses, just responded a bit nervously.

’Haha, worried that I’ll tell Wang Yu? You’re thinking too much.’

The message that came back instantly alleviated Motan’s worries considerably.

’It was her who first noticed the problem. She just never mentioned it, tsk tsk, what a great girl. Whether you’re working or writing a paper, it’s just the same to her.’

The subsequent message that quickly followed stunned Motan, leaving him rooted to the spot.

’It’s alright, she’s so considerate, what’s there to worry about? Plus, Wang Yu initially didn’t allow me to interrogate you deeply. It’s just that the scene you played earlier really frightened me, so I couldn’t resist saying a few words, just be aware in your heart.’

Feather Song noticed Motan’s stiffened expression, then pursed her lips and added another message.

The latter glanced uneasily at his chat box with Yu Chen, and as expected, found no new messages.

Yes, that was expected, because right after logging in, Motan had sent a message to her, stating that everything was normal on his side, asking her and the princess’s escort team to focus on their journey without distractions, other matters could wait until her return...

Then Yu Chen obediently replied ’okay.’

It was then that Priest Ferman, slightly confused, scratched the back of his head and curiously asked the two, who were staring at each other, "What are you all doing?"

"Uh, nothing."

Motan quickly shook his head, then gently shook off the irrelevant matters, at least those not pertaining to the current situation, set his face in a stern expression, and asked, "So let’s confirm it again, big brother Ferman, have the first and second engagement zones been fully prepared, right?"

The latter nodded slightly, "Yes, I just came back from there."

"Very well..."

Motan rubbed his forehead, striving to use his somewhat numb brain as he hurried to make the final checks, "Are the Knight Order, the reserve team, the heavy assault team, and those ambushers all in place?"

Feather Song nodded without hesitation, "The Knight Order and ambush teams are already in position, the reserve team and heavy assault team are on standby in their respective areas, ready to enter the field after the third phase begins."

"How are things on the side of the Twin Cities?"

"Still stable. Cordova, who had retreated to the middle of the long bridge, immediately pushed back those mutants after Wang Yu and the others left. He contacted me just a few minutes ago, saying he can hold out for at least another two and a half hours. Princess Xia Lian seems a bit worse off, but still optimistic, at least the observers over at Abi City are still optimistic."

"What about the evacuation?"

"It’s still underway, a small part of the population is resistant to our decision, but it’s not a big deal since everyone knows that life is much more precious than money... cough, I think we should be able to wrap it up before the fourth phase starts."

"Has the team keeping watch near the southwest riverbank not left, right?"

"No, but there doesn’t seem to be much activity there."

"The letter Princess Xia Lian wrote a few days ago, the Thief Guild did deliver it, right?"

"At least, the feedback I received was that it was delivered."

"Good, let those few keep watching, no matter the result, do not leave the vicinity of the river."

"Understood."

"How much longer until Wang Yu and the others can come back..."

"Don’t you want to ask them yourself? Alright, roughly about twenty minutes, the route you had Eagle Eye Team One leave for them is a bit roundabout."

"No choice, if they were to run straight back, at least forty percent of the mutants would break control during the process," Motan sighed, tapping the armrest as he spoke, "So we have to sacrifice some time. Fortunately, the route back can be planned in advance, as long as the directions left are clear enough, the risk isn’t high."

Feather Song tugged at the red scarf around her neck, listlessly saying, "So, is there anything else you need me to confirm? Please tell me all at once."

"All that’s left is to wait."

Motan shook his head, pushing himself up from his knees to stand, "Take the guards here and fill them into the combat configuration, Feather Song, Brother Ferman, let’s head to the second point of contact and wait for the third phase to start."

...

It was twenty minutes before Yu Chen would return, meaning there were only twenty minutes left before those ten thousand plus mutants would charge into Hodir Mountain Path, and Motan’s effect of "Exhaustion" had seventeen minutes remaining.

Thus, although previously in a ’chaotic neutral’ state, Motan had mentioned that ’appearing only when the situation is at its worst makes it COOOOL’, he hadn’t actually sabotaged himself.

That was enough.

In the previous first and second phases, Motan had already minimized all losses and risks, and now, the upcoming Dirge’s third phase no longer allowed any room for ’subtle maneuvers’...

...

Nineteen minutes later

Misha County, Southern Territory, entrance of Hodir Mountain Path

Accompanied by dozens of dashing figures rushing into the first point of contact, a brief order simultaneously spread throughout the entire allied forces.

Seconds later, the Shaman Priests’ ’performance’ dramatically echoed throughout Hodir Mountain Path.

Game Time AM11:46

The Dirge’s third phase officially began.

The battle drums rang, signaling the opening of the battlefield...

Chapter Four Hundred Thirty: End