My party arrived at Veronica and rested for one day. The next morning, I got up first and stood at the entrance of the castle as I informed the party of my plans. Lee Hyunsung asked, “Surely you’re not going alone?”
我的一行人到了维罗尼卡，休息了一天。第二天早上，我第一个起床，站在城堡的入口处，告诉大家我的计划。李贤星问:“你不会是一个人去吧?”
“I won’t be alone. I’m going with those two.” I pointed to Han Sooyoung and Asuka Ren.
“我不会一个人去，我要和他们两个一起去。”我指着韩淑英和明日香任说。
Then Lee Jihye wondered, “What are we going to do while Ahjussi is gone?”
然后李智慧想:“大叔不在的时候，我们该怎么办?”
“You and Hyunsung-ssi are in charge of guarding Veronica’s walls. Have you checked the updated scenario?”
“你和孙贤西负责看守维罗妮卡的墙壁。你们检查过更新的场景了吗?”
“…Is it to defend Veronica Castle until the end of the scenario period?”
“...是为了在剧情结束前保护维罗妮卡·卡索吗?”
“Yes. That is your mission.”
“是的，这就是你的使命。”
“But…”
“但是......”
“Do it.”
“去做吧。”
“…I understand.”
“我明白。”
I looked at Lee Hyunsung. “There is Gong Pildu but it will be hard to stop the disasters with Armed Fortress alone. I’m sorry to leave it to you but…”
我看着李贤星。“虽然有宫皮渡，但单靠武装要塞是很难阻止灾难的。我很抱歉把它留给你，但是......”
“Don’t worry. Protecting a base is my specialty.”
“别担心，保护基地是我的专长。”
I was relieved by his determined words but I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. It might seem like an easy task but surviving this scenario was harder than going with me.
他坚定的话语让我松了一口气，但我知道这不会那么容易。这看起来似乎是一个简单的任务，但是在这种情况下生存比和我一起去要困难得多。
“If you see the ‘snake’ of the first group, don’t confront him head on. Flee Veronica Castle if you have to. Can you promise me this?”
“如果你看到第一组的‘蛇’，不要直面他。如果有必要，逃离维罗妮卡·卡塞尔。你能向我保证吗?”
“I promise.”
“我保证。”
Their mission was to protect the castle until I returned. I gave orders to Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung. “Secure as many insects and monsters as possible. Your mission is to buy time.”
他们的任务是保护城堡直到我回来。我给LeeGilyoung和Shinyosung下了命令。“尽可能多地保护昆虫和怪物。你的任务是争取时间。”
Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung nodded.
和ShinYoosung点点头。
“If you go to the north forest then there will be many unique monsters of this world. Go and tame those monsters.”
“如果你去北方的森林，那么这个世界将会有许多独特的怪物。去驯服那些怪物吧。”
“Yes Hyung.”
“是的，亨。”
“I understand Ahjussi.”
“我了解大叔。”
A large number of monsters would help bridge the gap with the disasters. In the process, the children’s skills would also increase significantly. I left Veronica Castle. Han Sooyoung saw the people watching us from behind and asked, “So where are we going?”
大量的怪物将有助于弥合与灾难之间的鸿沟。在这个过程中，孩子们的技能也会显著提高。我离开了维罗妮卡·卡塞尔。韩素英看见后面的人在看我们，就问:“我们要去哪里?”
“The eastern rocky zone.”
“东部岩石带。”
The startled Asuka Ren told me. “The Japanese has already occupied that area.”
任飞鸟吃惊地告诉我，“日本人已经占领了那个地区。”
“I know.”
“我知道。”
I stared straight at Asuka Ren. She had soft and curly silver hair. She had a clear face with sharp lines, like a cartoonist had painstakingly drawn it. It was a face that gave off the feeling of a warrior rather than just a beauty.
我直勾勾地盯着明日香。她有一头柔软卷曲的银发。她有一张轮廓分明的脸，就像漫画家煞费苦心地画出来的。这张脸给人一种战士的感觉，而不仅仅是一种美。
I told her, “That’s why I brought you.”
我告诉她”这就是我带你来的原因”
“Do you trust me?”
“你相信我吗?”
“I don’t trust you. I just want to get back the value of saving your life.”
“我不相信你，我只是想要回救你一命的价值。”
“…I see.”
“我明白了。”
It was easier to say this than to buy her favour with kindness. In fact, Asuka Ren looked worried about something. Perhaps when her troubles were over, she would tell me the information in earnest.
这样说比善意地讨好她要容易得多。事实上，任飞鸟看起来有些担心。也许当她的麻烦结束后，她会认真地告诉我这个消息。
We travelled over the plains area towards an area filled with rock formations. The trip was estimated to take two days but we could do it within one day if we moved fast.
我们穿过平原，朝着一个到处是岩层的地方走去。这次旅行估计需要两天时间，但如果我们动作快一点，一天之内就可以完成。
Han Sooyoung asked, “What is the plan?”
韩素英问:“有什么计划?”
“Unlike us, Japan has an Absolute Throne. In other words, there is an ‘absolute king’ among the first group who commands all of them.”
“与我们不同，日本拥有一个绝对的王座。换句话说，在第一批人中有一个‘绝对的国王’，统治着所有的人。”
Han Sooyoung pondered on my words. “…Do you mean to catch the king?”
韩淑英仔细想了想，“......你是不是想捉住国王?”
Han Sooyoung was really quick to understand. I nodded.
韩素英很快就明白了，我点点头。
Han Sooyoung muttered, “Well, your idea is correct. There would be a profound effect on the entire group if the master of the Absolute Throne dies…”
韩素英咕哝道:“好吧，你的想法是正确的。如果绝对王位的主人死了，对整个集团都会产生深远的影响......”
“Of course, killing the king won’t stop all of them. Still, it will allow us to hold on until the end of the scenario.”
“当然，杀死国王并不能阻止他们所有人。不过，这将使我们能够坚持到最后。”
“Hrmm, then you’ve been aiming for the boss since the beginning? I like your ambition.”
“哼，那你从一开始就瞄准老板了?我喜欢你的野心。”
Then Asuka Ren interrupted. “Do you know who the king of Japan is now?”
接着明日香打断了他，“你知道现在的日本国王是谁吗?”
“Isn’t he the Sovereign of Eight Heads?”
“他不是八个头的君主吗?”
The Sovereign of Eight Heads. It was abbreviated to just a ‘snake.’
八首之君，缩写为“蛇”
“H-How do you…?”
“你怎么......?”
Asuka Ren was astonished and her body shook. It was natural. She was part of the first group and knew that type of existence the Sovereign of Eight Heads was.
明日香任震惊了，她的身体都在颤抖。这很自然。她是第一批人中的一员，她知道八大元首的存在方式。
For reference, the Sovereign of Eight Heads wasn’t the nickname for the Japanese king but the modifier of his sponsor. The king didn’t have a nickname because there was no meaning in one.
作为参考，八首之君不是日本国王的昵称，而是他的赞助者的修饰语。国王没有昵称，因为其中没有任何意义。
“You must’ve heard his modifier somewhere but he isn’t as easy as you think…”
“你肯定在什么地方听说过他的调整语，但他并不像你想象的那么容易......”
“I’m aware of that. He is Yamata no Orochi.”
“我知道，他是个八岐大蛇。”
The sky darkened at my words and there was a rumbling sound. Perhaps that guy had heard me speaking. It was a powerful force belonging to the constellations.
听到我的话，天色暗了下来，传来隆隆的响声。也许那个人听到了我说的话。这是属于星座的一种强大的力量。
“…Orochi? Isn’t that the name of a mythical monster in Japan?”
“...大蛇?那不是日本神话中怪物的名字吗?”
“That’s right. Now he is Japan’s king.”
“没错，现在他是日本国王了。”
“Then why is he called by his sponsor’s name? Doesn’t he have a nickname?”
“那他为什么叫赞助人的名字?他没有绰号吗?”
“It is meaningless. That incarnation isn’t sane anymore. During the six scenarios, he made a ridiculous contract with the Sovereign of Eight Heads and had his soul stolen.”
“这毫无意义。那个化身已经不再理智了。在这六个场景中，他与八个头的君主签订了一份荒谬的合同，他的灵魂被偷走了。”
Asuka Ren’s mouth gaped open when she heard my words. She was surprised that the incarnation of another country knew more about the circumstances then she did.
明日香听到我的话，张大了嘴巴。令她惊讶的是，另一个国家的化身比她更了解当时的情况。
“Then he will be in the rocky zone?”
“那他会在岩石区吗?”
“Yes. However, we can’t catch him right now. Preparations are necessary. We are going to meet someone else in the rock area.”
“是的。但是，我们现在还不能抓到他。准备是必要的。我们将在岩石区遇到其他人。”
“Meeting someone? Is it… Yoo Jonghyuk?”
“见什么人?是......柳钟玉吗?”
“He is better than Yoo Jonghyuk?”
“他比柳永玉强?”
“…Is there a person better than him?”
“还有比他更好的人吗?”
“It is possible.”
“这是可能的。”
“Who?”
“谁?”
“A strong person from Peace Land.”
“一个来自和平之地的坚强的人。”
Han Sooyoung frowned. “From Peace Land? Are you joking right now?”
韩素英皱了皱眉头，“来自和平之地?你在开玩笑吗?”
It was understandable. This information didn’t appear in the first 100 chapters.
这是可以理解的，因为这些信息在前100章中并没有出现。
“Don’t you know how weak the kids here are?” Han Sooyoung exclaimed without giving me a chance to answer. She always looked particularly agitated when she became angry.
“难道你不知道这里的孩子们有多弱吗?”韩素英叫道，没有给我机会回答。她生气的时候总是显得特别焦虑。
“There isn’t a third rate swordsman here, let alone a sword master! The only magic these kids can use is to create fire on a stove.”
“这里连一个三流的剑客都没有，更别说是剑师了！这些孩子唯一能使用的魔法就是在炉子上生火。”
I know.
我知道。
“This isn’t a first generation fantasy novel… It is like someone has maliciously gathered only weak people. No, I don’t understand it. Why did the dokkaebis make this world a stage? Is this an alternative idea to give coins?”
“这不是一部第一代奇幻小说......就好像有人恶意地聚集了弱者。不，我不明白。为什么多卡比斯把这个世界变成了一个舞台？这是一个捐赠硬币的另一种想法吗?”
I could understand why Han Sooyoung was so upset. This girl might be a plagiarist but she was a popular fantasy writer.
我能理解为什么韩素英这么难过。这个女孩可能是一个剽窃者，但她是一个流行的幻想作家。
“Relax. This world wasn’t made by the dokkaebis.”
“放松，这个世界不是由多卡比斯创造的。”
“What?”
“什么?”
I looked behind me. There was a woman looking down with a flushed face. It felt like a very new writer standing in front of an experienced writer.
我回头看了看。有一个女人满脸通红地往下看。这感觉就像一个新手站在一个经验丰富的作家面前。
Asuka hesitated for a moment before bowing. “I’m sorry.”
明日香迟疑了一会儿，然后鞠了一躬。“对不起。”
Han Sooyoung seemed to realize something.
韩素英似乎意识到了一些事情。
“Wait, don’t tell me?”
“等等，别告诉我?”
Asuka Ren slowly nodded. “…Peace Land is a world I created.”
明日香慢慢点点头:“......和平之地是我创造的世界。”
Perhaps Asuka Ren shouldn’t have revealed this.
也许明日香任不应该透露这一点。
At first, Han Sooyoung was so astonished she couldn’t believe it was real. Then after five minutes, she murmured, “Well, my novel became a reality.” Then another five minutes passed and she started scolding Asuka Ren.
起初，韩素英惊呆了，简直不敢相信这是真的。五分钟后，她低声说:“好吧，我的小说变成了现实。”又过了五分钟，她开始责骂明日香。
“Why did you do that?”
“你为什么要这么做?”
“…”
“ ... ”
“Huh? Why? Answer me, writer. Why did you make a world like this?”
“啊?为什么?回答我，作家。你为什么要创造这样一个世界?”
Asuka Ren ended up half crying. “That… there are many mainstream worlds in Japan. So…”
明日香说:“日本有很多主流世界，所以......”
“Ah, you created this to resist the mainstream worlds?”
“啊，你创造这个是为了抵制主流世界吗?”
“I-I thought that as a writer, I shouldn’t bring out a mass production story.”
“我觉得作为一个作家，我不应该大量制作一个故事。”
“Mass production?” Maybe she said something she shouldn’t have. Han Sooyoung declared, “Your work can’t even be mass produced.”
“大规模生产?”也许她说了一些她不该说的话。韩秀英宣称，“你的作品甚至不能大规模生产。”
“…Huh?”
“嗯?”
Han Sooyoung stared at Asuka Ren like she was pathetic and then told me. “Hey, Kim Dokja. Is this it? I stayed a few days in Veronica and in this world, the earl speaks ill of the duke. Besides, the knights are all like parasites and only know how to dither…”
韩淑英盯着明日香任，好像她很可怜似的，然后告诉我。“嘿，金独子。是这个吗？我在维罗尼卡住了几天，在这个世界上，伯爵说了公爵的坏话。此外，骑士们都像寄生虫一样，只知道如何发抖......”
Asuka Ren protested, “W-Wait a minute!”
明日香抗议道:“等一下!”
“Shut up. We are suffering now because of you.”
“闭嘴。因为你，我们现在正在受苦。”
“I made it but I wasn’t the one who called you here.”
“是我做的，但不是我叫你来的。”
“Look at this girl? The dokkaebis bought it from you and made your world into reality! The manga must’ve been ruined! Let’s throw all the ruined mangas into a world and kill them! You must’ve prayed with this thought and received a message like ‘I will listen to your wishes.’ Right?”
“看看这个女孩？多卡比斯从你那里买来了它，让你的世界变成了现实！这部漫画肯定被毁了！让我们把所有毁掉的漫画扔到一个世界里，然后杀了他们！你一定带着这种想法祈祷过，并收到了类似‘我会倾听你的愿望’这样的信息对吧?”
It was the first time I had heard such creative reasoning. She truly was a writer.
这是我第一次听到这样富有创造性的推理，她真的是一个作家。
“N-No! That isn’t possible!”
“不，不，这不可能!”
“Then what is it?”
“那是什么?”
I became curious when I heard this. There was no mention of why Asuka Ren’s Peace Land was adopted as a scenario in Ways of Survival. Perhaps I could get a hint about the writer of Ways of Survival from this?
当我听到这个消息时，我变得很好奇。没有提到为什么明日香任的和平土地被采用作为一个方案的生存方式。也许我可以从中得到一些关于《生存之道》作者的线索？
“That…”
“那个......”
Han Sooyoung was pulling out a sword while Asuka Ren took one step back. I interrupted them. “I’m really curious but I’m afraid we can’t hear it now.”
韩淑英拔出一把剑，明日香任退后一步。我打断了他们。“我真的很好奇，但恐怕我们现在听不到。”
“Huh?”
“啊?”
“Run!”
“快跑!”
We moved by a hair’s breadth and sharp swords slashed at where we had been standing.
我们原来所站的地方，刀剑相刺，只差一点点就动弹不得了。
Asuka Ren desperately ran with a pale face. Han Sooyoung asked, “Shit, when did they follow us?”
明日香任苍白地跑着，韩秀英问:“妈的，他们什么时候跟来的?”
“They are good at stealth.”
“他们擅长秘密行动。”
“How many are there?”
“有多少人?”
“Four people.”
“四个人。”
They didn’t underestimate us and tried to assassinate us. We had no chance in a head on battle.
他们没有低估我们，而是企图暗杀我们，我们根本没有机会正面交锋。
Asuka Ren gasped for air and said, “It seems to be the Wind Shadow Squadron. They are the subordinates of the Sovereign of Eight Heads.”
明日香任气喘吁吁地说:“好像是风影中队。他们是八国元首的下属。”
“Those brats have weird names.”
“那些小屁孩的名字真怪。”
This wasn’t the timing for them to chase me. It seemed that it was a mistake to mention Orochi’s true name. As soon as we entered the rocky area, the range of our movements became better.
现在不是他们追我的时候。似乎提到大蛇的真名是个错误。我们一进入岩石地区，我们的活动范围就扩大了。
It was due to Asuka Ren’s guidance. Once again, the person who created the world was different.
这是由于明日香任的指导。再一次，创造世界的人是不同的。
Nevertheless, the distance was narrowing as the Wind Shadow Squadron caught up to us.
然而，随着风影中队追上我们，距离越来越近。
Han Sooyoung spoke like she had made up her mind. “Ah, I don’t know. Kim Dokja, go first. I’ll buy some time.”
韩素英说起话来像是已经下定决心了。“啊，我不知道。金杜佳，你先来。我会争取一些时间。”
“Is it okay?”
“可以吗?”
“Don’t you know me? I’m a master at dying.”
“你不认识我吗?我是死亡大师。”
“Then I’ll believe in you.” I grabbed Asuka Ren and ran. “Ren-ssi, there is no time anymore. Quickly find him.”
“那我就相信你了。”我抓起任飞香跑了。“任思，没时间了，快去找他。”
“I-I don’t know what you’re saying.”
”我不知道你在说什么”
“The returnee Kyrgios.”
“回归者基尔乔斯。”
“Huh?”
“啊?”
I shouted while avoiding a flying sword. It seemed that Han Sooyoung had missed some people.
我一边喊，一边躲开一把飞剑，好像韩素英错过了一些人。
“Tell me where Kyrgios is.”
“告诉我基叔在哪儿。”
“…I don’t know who that is?”
“我不知道那是谁?”
I expected it to be like this. In Ways of Survival, it only mentioned that Kyrgios was here and he never came out directly.
我原以为会是这样的。在《生存之道》一书中，只提到了Kyrgios在这里，他从未直接出来。
“I really don’t know! I never created such a person!”
“我真的不知道!我从来没有创造过这样一个人!”
“Nope, you know. He is the only powerhouse of Peace Land.”
“不，你知道，他是和平之地唯一的动力源泉。”
“There isn’t a person like that in my manga! Besides, the characters in my manga are weak!”
“我的漫画里没有这样的人!而且，我的漫画里的人物都很弱!”
Then a sword thrust at us. I turned sharply and stopped. I didn’t want to do this but I had to touch her wound.
然后一把剑刺向我们。我猛地转过身，停了下来。我不想这么做，但我不得不摸摸她的伤口。
“Your Peace Land was terminated early in the 11th episode and you didn’t get a single volume published after that.”
“《你的和平之地》在第11集早期就被终止了，之后你一本书也没有出版。”
“H-How do you…?”
“你怎么......?”
“I know that you wanted authentic fantasy in your heart. However, it didn’t work out. Your manga, is it really authentic fantasy?”
“我知道你心里想要真实的幻想。然而，这并没有奏效。你的漫画真的是真实的幻想吗?”
Two people from the Wind Shadow Squadron appeared in the smoke. I would be able to cope with them if I was my usual self, but now it was hard to stop even one. I brushed aside the katana but my wrist was broken.
