Jost coughed twice. He could feel the changes in his physical condition. The erosion of his internal organs was irreversible. They would gradually become necrotic and deformed, losing their original functions and even producing things that would destroy other organs.
In modern terms, this is no different from cancer.
Due to external radiation, diseases, etc., those internal organs and cells eventually become infinitely proliferating pathological cells, which continue to spread, erode the body's functions, and eventually cause death.
Part of Jost's lungs had been removed, his kidneys were long gone, and his intestines and stomach were largely maintained by magic. From a modern medical perspective, it was a miracle that his body could continue to function.
He knew that he didn't have much time left, and might even die suddenly before the demonic tide arrived.
Lately, he has been coming to the top of the Gray Tower quite often.
From here, Jost could look out over the Black Forest, that deep and quiet forest was filled with countless monsters that attacked humans without reason, killing lives and ravaging the land.
The night wind is very cool. As the blood moon approaches, the climate is the first to change.
The four seasons in the Kingdom of Night are not distinct. Generally speaking, the days when the demonic tide arrives are the coldest. Because of this, many crops cannot grow normally, especially on the edge of the Black Forest.
Only in the heart of the kingdom, farthest from the Black Forest, does the word "harvest" have a real meaning.
Jost looked at the lights below, feeling a little relieved but also a little worried.
He was pleased that the city had developed. Although its geographical location on the edge of the Black Forest was a bit daunting, the prosperity here far exceeded the surrounding areas. Even the nearby Duke had spread the word that he wanted to establish good exchanges with Dusk Town.
Of course, this was achieved after the Duke initially sent his men to invade, but was taught a lesson by the tough players.
Jost's concerns are real.
Everything here is built on the premise that the demon tide has not yet arrived. If the demon tide arrives and those monsters wreak havoc, who can guarantee that Dusk Town will be able to resist?
Even if the defensive fortifications in Rimu Town are solid, the surrounding towns will certainly be destroyed by the demonic tide. At that time, Rimu Town will be attacked from both sides and may not be able to hold on for that long.
not to mention.
The town was bustling with people.
Residents of nearby towns usually choose to flee when the demon tide approaches, heading for castles and fortresses further inland. Although this does not necessarily guarantee their own safety, it is better than waiting to die where they are.
But now, as the news of Dusk Town spread, many residents of nearby towns chose to take refuge here. Although the town has become much more prosperous, the burden on Jost's shoulders has also become heavier.
He pulled out a letter from his pocket.
This is a reply to the letter I sent to my tutor in the palace some time ago.
Jost recounted everything he had seen at the border, the suffering of the people, the rampant monsters, the hard life, and he elaborated on the concept of the magic network and what they had done. Finally, Jost begged the teacher who had expelled him from the palace to help him, to summon the court mages, and to join the magic network.
However, the reply was not optimistic.
First of all, Jost's mentor himself was not the top court wizard, and he was only able to manage a small number of court wizards.
In addition, the old wizard does not trust the magic network and believes that there are still many loopholes. For example, there is still no good choice for the god at the center of the magic network. It is not easy to capture the god on the moon. At the critical moment, extraordinary means may be needed.
Finally, Jost's teacher persuaded him to cherish his life. If he could admit his mistakes, then perhaps he could return to the palace and receive life-sustaining treatment, and at least live a little longer.
Jost had already expected such a reply.
If it were my past self, I might have hesitated when facing death and thought of my teacher's suggestion.
But now, he met Xia, a wizard from the future. She showed the possibilities of the magic network and the future of the Kingdom of Darkness thousands of years later. Jost became more determined.
He must complete the magic network, even if it means sacrificing everything he has.
"Why are you sitting here alone?"
Hearing a voice behind him, Jost turned around and saw it was Trist in a long windbreaker.
"We need to hold a meeting regarding the defense against the demonic tide."
Drizzt said, but he didn't urge Jost, but sat next to him.
"Are you afraid?"
Drizzt asked, looking at the deep dark forest.
"Of course I am afraid. Every time a demonic tide arrives, it is a tragic war and countless people will die."
Jost nodded and continued.
"I am more afraid that this will continue forever until the destruction of humanity. Even after civilization is destroyed, it will always exist and strangle all new life."
Upon hearing this, Trist nodded slightly.
He could understand this feeling very well.
In the foreign land, he witnessed countless despair.
When they first arrived in the Silent Land, the Chosen Ones were in despair, because the missions here were strange and dangerous. If they were not careful, they would lose their sanity and fall into madness, or be directly polluted and corroded, turning into monsters.
Afterwards, the chosen ones learned the secrets of the foreign land and knew the end of their own world, so they began to expect and hope to save their own world.
In the end, the chosen ones will realize that the world is hopeless and that the only way out for the alien land is destruction. No matter how they struggle or how hard they try, the world will inevitably enter doomsday, and the chosen ones will go crazy, die, or turn into monsters. None of them will have a good ending.
If Jost was just an ordinary person, then facing the predicament of the Kingdom of Darkness, he would probably just die in ignorance in an attack by a monster, and he would spend his life in a daze, without bringing anything with him when he was born and without taking anything with him when he died.
But now, Jost knew all this, he understood the plight of the Kingdom of Night and made efforts to solve it. Under such circumstances, this place would still fall into darkness. For Jost, he could endure the endless darkness, provided that he had never seen the light.
"What about you, Mr. Drizzt, are you afraid?"
Jost asked instead.
"Of course, because according to them, I am not that far away from death."
Drizzt took out his pipe, but found that he had no matches, and he felt a little embarrassed.
"If you don't mind, I can help you."
As Jost spoke, a flame appeared from his fingertips, lighting the tobacco in Trist's pipe.
The detective took a deep breath and exhaled a puff of white air.
"If, I mean if, if sacrificing my life can allow the world to continue, I will not hesitate, but I have no right to decide other people's choices. I know very well that I may commit the greatest sin in human history. I will lead the world down a path with no future."
Jost sighed. He knew very well what choice he should make, and because of that, he felt helpless about his fate.
"If it's that guy."
Drizzt smiled, and he thought of the mentally ill patient who did not play by the rules.
"He might say, go ahead, by any means necessary."
"go ahead……"
Jost chewed on the word.
"We are not facing any benevolent enemies, but those indescribable gods who are high above the clouds. It would be better to say that we can let the world see a little light with the sacrifice of some people. Is there a better deal than this?"
Drizzt took a deep puff from his pipe, then stood up. The stars behind him seemed to dim a little, and the bright moon was dotted with red, as if it was about to be polluted.
"It's time to go."